I can't think of a better way to close Season 1 than with Russ Eanes. What an amazing Pilgrim. I enjoyed his Camino memoir, Walk of a Lifetime, so much! His book really inspired me. In particular, I can't get this quote out of my mind...."Better to die with your memories than your dreams". In this interview, you will hear us chat about the "Camino for life attitude", Camino Magic, The Camino River, A glimpse of Heaven, and packing tips. His book is loaded with tips, inspiration, great quotes and...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 35
What a thrill it was to meet the popular bloggers of Viva Espana, Kelli and Jeff! After walking a Camino with their daughter, Kelli knew she had to move to Spain. Jeff, being a life-long adventurer, was game and they made the move. The US Ex-pats first landed in Valencia but soon moved to Galicia right on the Camino Frances! In this interview, you'll hear about their adventures in Spain and what it's like to live on the Way. You will also hear more detail about some of the observations they've w...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 34
I really enjoyed this conversation with Molly Lord. Molly's story leading up to her going on the Camino and her experiences while walking really inspired me. We first bonded online discussing St. Mary and our interest in archetypes. Molly is in the last stages of writing her Camino Memoir. I've had a sneak peek and she is a gifted writer! Molly, when not walking, is an educator, speaker, and a music and mind master. We discuss her work with music and archetypes and how she applied it to her Pilg...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 33
Meet the founders of The Pilgrim House, Faith and Nate! It was a delight to sit down with them and learn more about The Pilgrim House, why they started it, the steps they took over seven years to open it, and their own pilgrimages. The Pilgrim House, a non-profit endeavor, is located in Santiago De Compostella and serves the Camino Community as a Welcome Center "....a place for pilgrims to find respite from their walk and take time to reflect: reflect on their Camino, reflect on life, and reflec...
Sep 19, 2021•57 min•Ep. 32
Here's the 3rd part of my conversation with Phil Volker. We were thrilled to have Filmmaker and Author, Annie O'Neil, join us in this conversation, too. Annie produced and directed the documentary about Phil's dream of walking the Camino despite having stage 4 cancer. Annie was also Co-Producer and a featured Pilgrim in the documentary, Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago. Buen Camino! Connect with Phil: http://caminoheads.com/ Connect with Annie: https://annieoneil.com/ Watch "Phil's Camin...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 31
I was honored to have the opportunity to interview Phil Volker during the recent Caminohead get-together at his home on Vashon Island, Washington. Phil walked over 500 miles on a Camino path he built in his own backyard while receiving treatments for Stage 4 Cancer. Filmmaker, Annie O'Neil, introduced most of us to Phil in the beautiful film she made about his journey, "Phil's Camino: So Far So Good". Phil is no longer taking treatments and he is currently on hospice care. As always, Phil is not...
Aug 28, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 30
Roger Williams, a Seattle-based Pilgrim, joined me live today from his walk on the Camino Frances during a stop in Astorga. Walking the Camino was the first thing on his bucket list following his recovery from a heart attack during the lockdown. He is so dedicated to the importance of having a bucket list that he started his own podcast featuring folks who are crossing off bucket list items. The podcast is called "The Crossing It Off Podcast". In this interview you will get training and packing ...
Aug 19, 2021•53 min•Ep. 29
Robyn-Lee Nichols, a South African-based Pilgrim, is The Perpetual Pilgrim. After walking her first pilgrimage in 2019, she took a look at her potential life timeline and then set the amazing goal to walk 25 more Caminos in her lifetime. During the interview we discuss the process of a reality check on how much time you have left in your life to still achieve your goals, her favorite luxury item she packed during the Camino, dealing with physical pain off and on the Camino, and how to deal with ...
Aug 19, 2021•57 min•Ep. 28
If you haven't read Alexander's book yet, I strongly urge you to read it prior to walking and even after walking! I sure wish I would have read it before my first Camino. Alexander, a veteran Pilgrim, is also a best-selling author, well-known speaker, anthropologist, and psychologist. He serves the Camino community as a pilgrimage mentor and retreat leader. In this interview, you will hear us chat about his own Camino transformation, the hero journey and how it applies to Pilgrimage, and his sev...
Aug 14, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 27
What a soulful conversation I had with Australian Pilgrim, Mark David Walsh. He is passionate about his career in education, his work with Reconciliation Australia with First Nations People, and training to be a Spiritual Director. In the interview, you will hear us discuss his Caminos, his time in the Holy Land, the outer journey and inner transformation of pilgrimage, the importance of space and time, the ritual of the Ignatian Examen Daily Prayer, and how "a face becomes a name, a name become...
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 26
Sven is a Pilgrim based out of Germany, a mindfulness teacher, a Camino Guide, a professional photographer and filmmaker, and soon-to-be-published author. He's walked over 15,000 kilometers, walking numerous routes around the world and several and less traveled Camino Routes. Just speaking with Sven is a calming experience. In this interview, you'll hear about his Caminos, how to be more present in order to enjoy the richness of the moment, the Camino magic he's experienced, how the Camino deliv...
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 25
After walking their Caminos, Ray & Dominique Powell, fell in love and bought the albergue, Casa Banderas. Many of you may remember walking past this albergue known for all the beautiful flags outside. It is located about 20 km after Sarria, approaching Portomarin in the tiny village of Vilacha. They will soon be open to receiving Pilgrims later this Fall. In this interview, you will hear about Ray's Camino with his Dad and the Camino he and Dominique took together. You'll also learn about th...
Jul 27, 2021•52 min•Ep. 24
Sandy is back at The Camino Cafe live from Santiago! Sandy is taking a brief break from his pilgrimage on the Via Francigena, to celebrate his 2nd Holy Year in Santiago. In this interview you will hear an update on his current pilgrimage, a beautiful summary of how spectacular the Cathedral looks after recent renovations, travel to Europe right not, how he became a guidebook author, how this year's St James Feast Weekend compares to the last one in 2010 that he attended, and so much more! Please...
Jul 25, 2021•54 min•Ep. 23
Yosmar Martinez, Pilgrim, professional chef, and author of Tastes of the Camino, is back with us....this time she's live from Santiago de Compostela on St James Feast Day after walking the Camino Primitivo. In this video, you'll hear a first-hand account of what it's been like to travel recently, how the Primitivo compares to the Frances, foods you can expect while walking, what the Cathedral Roof Top Tour is like, why "spirit and health" are so important for walking, backpack tips, and much, mu...
Jul 25, 2021•52 min•Ep. 22
Father Steven Rindahl, experienced Camino Pilgrim, joins us again at The Camino Cafe! For this episode, he helps us learn more about St. James in honor of his Feast Day, July 25th. I hope you enjoy learning more about the Patron Saint of Pilgrimages and of Spain. May this information enrich your future Caminos. Thanks to Father Steven for stopping by again and helping us learn more about St. James and the Camino De Santiago. Buen Camino! Warriors on the Way https://warriorsontheway.org/ Warriors...
Jul 24, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 21
Acclaimed Filmmakers and Camino Pilgrims, Bill and Jennifer, just celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary. As I talked with this Australian-based couple, I was so touched by their sweet interactions with one another and their Camino stories. Bill's best-selling Camino Memoir, "The Way, My Way" is one of the funniest and most inspiring books I've read about walking the Camino. In this interview, you will hear how Bill credits his first Camino for helping him to be able to write a film about int...
Jul 12, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 20
Sandy Brown joined us live today from France for a chat about traveling right now, the Via Francigena, his guide books, and his Caminos. During this interview, Sandy provides some valuable advice and insight that can only come from a veteran Pilgrim that's walked 18 Caminos plus several other Pilgrim paths. Hear his tips for self-care and traveling post-pandemic. Sandy has been such an inspiration to me during the lockdown as he walked and cycled the California Missions Trail. He will soon be pu...
Jul 09, 2021•49 min•Ep. 19
Carol had no idea how walking the Camino several years ago would transform her life. After that first pilgrimage, she moved to Spain and opened not one but two businesses. She currently runs a successful English school and a Camino Tour Business called Camino Confidence. I love how passionate she is about helping other women gain confidence through walking the Camino. While Carol has always been adventurous, midlife brought some new challenges that she learned to overcome through lessons on the ...
Jul 03, 2021•49 min•Ep. 18
What a delight it was to chat with Camino Pilgrim and Author, Stephen Drew. His book, Into the Thin: A Pilgrimage Walk Across Northern Spain, is a very vulnerable account of how the Camino helped him navigate the aftermath of a very dark year where he faced several major losses. Stephen is such a wise guide for all Pilgrims and especially for anyone that has faced loss. Stephen's story really touched my heart and helped me gain a better understanding of my own grieving process. From the start of...
Jul 03, 2021•57 min•Ep. 17
You've heard me mention Jackson before! He is the Pilgrim that wrote, performed, and gifted us the opportunity to use his original song, "Finisterre", as our intro and outro song here at The Camino Cafe. He tells the story of what inspired him to write this song when he reached "the end of the world" after walking the Frances in 2015. Jackson shares with us how the Camino taught him to rely on his heart's compass and to trust the process. He also gives some great tips for keeping your feet healt...
Jun 09, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 16
For this episode, we rename the show per Steve's suggestion, "Camino Cafe y o Vino"! So fitting as this conversation was just like the ones I had during the Camino....sometimes funny and light and then moments later, deep, vulnerable, and heartfelt. Steve is just one of those Pilgrims you connect with right away. I know we would've been in each other's Camino family had we walked at the same time! We are both proud “Camino Disciples of Dan Mullins (of the My Camino, The Podcast, fame). Steve oft...
Jun 06, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 15
This heart-centered Pilgrim has walked the Camino multiple times on several different routes, started a Camino Experience/Tour company, and just added the accomplishment of being a best-selling Camino Author. But for me, I may be most astonished that Elena walked a Camino with her 6-month-old baby Daughter and also walked with all three of her children, which at the time included a Toddler and a teenager to boot! This discussion though is one for the soul! We talk in-depth about Camino Magic and...
Jun 06, 2021•48 min•Ep. 14
"Many people start their journey on the Camino as a hiker and end it as a pilgrim. The pilgrims of centuries ago had the same fundamental question as pilgrims on the path today: Where do I come from and where am I going." - Reino Gevers, Deep Walking In this interview, Reino and I discuss his 12 Caminos and all the lessons he has learned along the way. His book, Deep Walking, is a wonderful guide before, during, and after a Camino Pilgrimage. Learn about how mindfulness can transform your Camino...
Jun 06, 2021•53 min•Ep. 13
Lorenzo "Peregrino" Merin gives us a live update from the Camino Frances and shows us that the Camino is coming back to life! He did this interview from the garden of an albergue and you'll get to feel like you are on the Camino as we got to meet a couple of other pilgrims currently walking. You'll gain great advice from this interview on what to expect if you are going to walk this summer. Lorenzo shares so many heartwarming stories from his many walks starting from his first Pilgrimage in 1993...
Jun 06, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 12
As Jose says in this interview, you start as "one" on the Camino but you end up with "one + a thousand". Come walk with us as Jose gives us an update on the Camino from his viewpoint in Pamplona and from his recent walks on the path. For Jose, it's all about connection with fellow Pilgrims and providing ways to showcase the Pilgrims that walk the Camino. You'll hear some great stories about his own pilgrimages and what led him to create El Camino People. It's evolving all the time and now offers...
Jun 06, 2021•53 min•Ep. 11
I loved getting to meet Brian Skillen and hear about the Caminos that inspired him to write the historical fiction and bestselling Camino book, The Way: Through a Field of Stars . He has some great Camino magic stories including his first arrival in Santiago and how his book came into being. He has overcome some big life challenges to become a world-class dancer and author. His first book just received the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award. Now, he's ready to publish the follow-up book in his s...
May 30, 2021•54 min•Ep. 10
What an honor it was to interview Pilgrim, Podcaster, and Musician, Dan Mullins! I've walked many, many miles listening to him interviewing Pilgrims and enjoying his Camino-inspired music. It was a pleasure getting to know the Pilgrim behind the most popular and longest-running Camino podcast. Dan really opens up here and shares some amazing stories and insights from his own journey and what he's learned by interviewing over 200+ Pilgrims. Dan has shown me true Camino Family support by supportin...
May 23, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 9
Roy is an expert on the Celtic connections in the Galician areas of Spain and an expert on the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portuguese. In this interview, you will hear about Roy's pilgrimages on the Frances and Portuguese routes and gain a better understanding of how and why there are so many Celtic symbols and connections in Spain. After hearing Roy describe the Spiritual Variant, you will be inspired to walk it. Roy's book on it is the go-to book to purchase before you take that pilgrimage...
May 19, 2021•50 min•Ep. 8
Susan pivoted from a successful career in technical writing to becoming an adventure hiker and Camino Pilgrim to writing a bestseller about the Camino Ingles. She is now busy focusing on helping others develop their own bestselling books about the Camino. She's a delight and as the interview gets going you'll see and hear that she is a Pilgrim at heart with an infectious spirit that will motivate anyone to walk a Camino and also get that book started! She has a workshop coming up soon, so check ...
May 06, 2021•53 min•Ep. 7
Get your calendar out...BIG announcements here about two "can't miss" upcoming Camino Pilgrim events being held in the US and updates about grants, hospitalero training, and much, much more. We enjoyed learning more about what this all-volunteer-run and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization provides for aspiring Pilgrims, veteran Pilgrims, and the Camino infrastructure. In this interview you will meet the following people: Board Members: Dave Donselar, Ruben Mendoza, William Artz, and Carmen Marriott...
May 02, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 6
