Have you ever dreamed of learning how to sail and setting off on a global adventure? What if I told you it’s more achievable than you think? Brian Trautman is the captain of SV Delos, a 53-foot sailing vessel that’s been his floating home for over a decade. What started as an 18-month sailing trip in 2008 turned into a lifelong adventure as Brian explored six continents and 45 countries by sea (at the time of this recording). Along the way, he started documenting his journey on YouTube, becoming...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Are you in the midst of a big change or dreaming of one? Do you feel stuck in transition and want to know how to move forward? Lauren Handel Zander is a renowned life coach, author, and creator of The Handel Method®, a groundbreaking coaching framework taught in over 35 universities and institutes of learning worldwide, including MIT, Stanford, and NYU. With over 25 years of experience in life coaching and consulting, Lauren has worked with high-profile clients such as Hugh Jackman, Questlove, a...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Are you tired of waiting on everyone else to be able to travel? Does solo travel strike fear in your heart, but you want more freedom in your life? Do you spend too much time coming up with excuses for why you can't travel instead of reasons why you can and should? Manjinder Kang, or "Manny," is a seasoned solo traveler with nearly two decades of experience exploring 37 countries. A full-time professional and self-proclaimed introvert, Manny wants everyone to know that if he can do it, so can yo...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 13 min
What does it mean to truly understand a place—and how does walking help uncover the heart of its culture? Chris Arnade is a writer, photographer, and former Wall Street banker who left the financial world to pursue a deeper connection with humanity. Known for his Substack Chris Arnade Walks the World , Chris documents his immersive walking journeys through cities and towns around the globe, exploring themes of culture, community, and belonging. His work offers thought-provoking insights into the...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 27 min
What can an NFL star teach us about chasing dreams, overcoming challenges, and creating a life you love? Chris Johnson, also known as CJ2K, is a former NFL running back who made history as a first-round draft pick and one of only eight players to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. This achievement earned him the NFL rushing title and Offensive Player of the Year award in 2009. After a remarkable 10-season football career, Chris transitioned into hospitality and real estate, creating v...
Jan 07, 2025•37 min
Do you want to take the leap from office life to embracing a digital nomad or travel lifestyle? In August 2021, Kyle Cohenour made a major life change — he sold most of his belongings, left his apartment in Florida, and embarked on his journey as a location-independent digital nomad. Since then, he's visited 14 countries, spending two years living and slow traveling in Mexico, 4.5 months exploring South America, and three months calling Madrid, Spain, his home. Kyle shares his journey of transit...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 16 min
We are wrapping up the 11th year of Zero To Travel! Listen in to get some food for thought, what you can expect on the podcast in 2025, and a simple challenge to get excited for the new year ahead. What are your plans for 2025? I'd love to hear about them, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FRE...
Dec 30, 2024•13 min
Today, we’re taking it back to our very first Norwegian Christmas Spectacular! My wife, Anne Dorthe, and I recorded this episode in our cabin in Engerdal, located in rural Norway, roughly 4.5 hours north of Oslo. Anne Dorthe shares what the traditional Norwegian farm Christmas is like and even sings a little tune for us at the end of the show. Listen to this episode and get ready to travel to Norway for a holiday with one-horse open sleighs, cakes, cookies, little Santa men, and much more! What ...
Dec 25, 2024•23 min
What if you could travel the world without leaving your kitchen? Several years ago, to expand their children's geographic and cultural knowledge, David and Christy Bock decided to pick a country to learn and cook recipes from once a month. This unique practice has since evolved into a “Christmas Around the World” experience, where they've explored holiday customs and cuisines from 18 different countries. Explore the Bocks’ inspiring family tradition of celebrating Christmas through the food and ...
Dec 24, 2024•47 min
If you could snap your fingers and spend a day anywhere in the world, no limits, where would you go and what would you do? We are turning the tables as my friend and fellow travel podcaster Travis Sherry interviews me for my ultimate travel wish list. A seasoned traveler and entrepreneur, Travis Sherry hosts the long-running travel podcast Extra Pack of Peanuts. He is also the co-founder of Location Indie, a community of people working together to kick ass in business and travel. This episode co...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 11 min
What would it take to create a life of adventure, connection, and meaningful experiences? Mike and Anne Howard of HoneyTrek are on the world’s longest honeymoon—13 years and counting! They share how they’ve built a lifestyle centered on slow travel, sustainability, and their love for glamping, inspiring others to rethink what’s possible in life and travel. Mike and Anne Howard are award-winning authors, seasoned travelers, and the visionary duo behind HoneyTrek . Known for their books Comfortabl...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 15 min
How can long-term travel and financial independence reshape your life—and open up new possibilities for your family or personal goals? Maxwell Lee is a real estate investor, expat, and father who has built a lifestyle of financial independence and global adventure. In this episode, he shares his journey from traditional life in the U.S. to becoming financially independent, raising his children abroad, and embracing world schooling as a family. With his unique perspective, Maxwell explores how co...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 22 min
What can the quirky and surprising adaptations of the natural world teach us about curiosity, creativity, and our own place on earth? Cara Giaimo is a freelance writer with a deep love for biodiversity and storytelling. Her latest work with Atlas Obscura, Wild Life: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Living Wonders, is an over-the-top collection of the world's most extraordinary wild species that takes you to all seven continents and beyond. It's more than a field guide—it's an adventure. Cara s...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 19 min
How can embracing your differences lead to more fulfilling travel? Dan Bird talks about his experience traveling with autism, offering personal stories, insights, and advice on how neurodivergence can enrich your adventures. Dan Bird understands the unique joys and difficulties of traveling as a neurodivergent person. Diagnosed with autism at 27, he authored the book Go Neuro Way to share how he's embraced traveling with autism and how others can do the same. Dan candidly shares his experiences ...
Dec 05, 2024•55 min
What would it take for you to leave everything behind and pursue a life of adventure? Will Hunt is a former accountant who traded his comfortable life in London for the challenge of canoeing the entire length of the River Gambia while documenting his adventures on YouTube. This special Transition to Travel episode captures Will’s journey from preparation to post-expedition reflections as I interview him both before and after his trip. Hear how Will Hunt turned his dream of an extreme expedition ...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Looking for the best gift for travelers? Whether you’re searching for travel gift ideas for a fellow wanderer or need inspiration for your own wish list, this guide has got you covered. From thoughtful ideas that fuel wanderlust to practical travel essentials, I’ve broken down the best gifts for travelers into three categories, complete with personal stories and tips for gift-giving. Plus, I’m sharing the three gifts you should never buy and my personal favorite gift to give (and get). I won’t s...
Nov 28, 2024•38 min
How can you attract the right customers without feeling like you’re succumbing to the “content machine?” How can you market your business in a way that’s aligned with your values, works for your location-independent lifestyle, and is enjoyable? Jeremy Enns is a nomadic entrepreneur and founder of Counterweight Creative and Podcast Marketing Academy. With a high-level view of what is working in content marketing, he discusses the evolving trends in organic marketing and content creation and how s...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 56 min
Today, we're bringing you an episode from Untold Italy ! Traveling to Italy offers a chance to immerse yourself in its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. However, to make your trip more enriching and sustainable, consider small adjustments that enhance your experience while respecting the local environment and communities. By valuing the places you visit, exploring lesser-known attractions, supporting local businesses, and making mindful decisions, you can enjoy a more authe...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min
It's time to grab your pen and paper and start planning your adventure to Europe! Europe travel planner Lynne Nieman joins me to discuss the current state of European travel and how to plan the perfect trip in 2025—whether it's your first visit or your 50th. Lynne Nieman is the founder of Wander Your Way and a professional travel planner with over a decade of experience organizing independent and small-group trips throughout Europe. As a semi-nomadic traveler, Lynne combines her passion for off-...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 22 min
What’s next for travel? Get ahead of the curve with travel expert Lyn Hughes as she reveals the top seven travel trends in 2025. Named one of the “50 Most Influential People in Travel,” Lyn Hughes is the founding editor of Wanderlust , the UK’s largest and longest-running travel magazine. She is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and regularly consults on travel-related issues, especially regarding sustainable tourism. Discover what’s shaping the future of travel in 2025, from the rise o...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 36 min
Pat Sperry shares his approach to flourishing through the “Five Pillars of Well-being” and explores how transformative travel experiences, cultural immersion, and ancient practices can help you find fulfillment and well-being on the road and in everyday life. Pat Sperry is a professional well-being coach, Iyengar yoga teacher, and founder of Flourish—a community that creates healing and transformational experiences through elevated retreats and online education, empowering individuals to live wi...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Looking to travel without breaking the bank? Tim Leffel gives us the inside scoop on the cheapest destinations for 2025, insight on making the most of your adventures without overspending, and tips for traveling Europe on a budget. Tim Leffel is an award-winning travel writer and author of The World's Cheapest Destinations (currently in its fifth edition) and A Better Life for Half the Price , a guide to cutting your expenses in half by living abroad. With years of experience living abroad and n...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min
What would exploring a new city without relying on technology be like? Lisa Abend is a journalist who regularly contributes to AFAR, the New York Times travel section, and National Geographic Traveler, among others. In response to the collapse of many traditional media outlets for narrative travel writing and how social media has sucked the serendipity and sense of discovery out of travel, she launched a Substack called The Unplugged Traveler. For the newsletter, she travels to a new European ci...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Considering a move abroad now or in the future? How do you choose the correct digital nomad visa or remote work visa for your lifestyle and goals? Citizen Remote co-founder Tim Marting discusses the latest insights on digital nomad visas and essential tips for relocating abroad. Tim Marting is a digital nomad and co-founder of Citizen Remote, a platform dedicated to helping remote workers and travelers move abroad. With years of experience living and working globally, Tim has firsthand knowledge...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Listen in to find out what new and epic conversations you can expect to hear on Zero To Travel this month! What topics and themes do you want to learn more about on the podcast? I'd love to get your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound...
Nov 01, 2024•4 min
What does hell on earth look like? Science writer and explorer Erika Engelhaupt takes us on a unique journey to “awesomely awful” destinations to explore the history, culture, and science behind seven of the most otherworldly locations around the world. Erika Engelhaupt is a science journalist and expert on all things macabre. Her work in National Geographic, Scientific American, and elsewhere has revealed the spooky science behind many taboo topics, including rotting corpses, bodily fluids, and...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Hear about travel to Normandy, France, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kat Butler from World Wide Honeymoon and France Voyager about this historic and wonderful part of France. Why should you go to Normandy? Kay says, “Normandy, I think, just offers so much. My road trip, that I did last year, was literally to prove that there was so much more to Normandy than the D-Day beaches. You’ve got Mont Saint Michel, the cider route. You’ve got the countryside. I think that Normandy makes some of the be...
Oct 30, 2024•52 min
Would you take a road trip with strangers—across continents—in a $100 car or a converted school bus? How can ridiculous travel change your life for the better? Joel is one of the founders of Global Convoy, a travel movement built on trust, optimism, and a willingness to figure things out along the way. What started as a spontaneous idea to drive around the world in a beat-up car became a series of epic journeys involving strangers and a DIY spirit. Joel shares incredible stories of unpredictable...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 30 min
How can you make a smoother transition into your new life abroad? Relocation expert Chrishan Wright discusses the hidden challenges and unexpected mistakes people make when moving abroad. She shares lessons from her experience living in Portugal and offers valuable advice for both aspiring expats and long-term travelers. Chrishan Wright is the creator of Blaxit Global, a vibrant hub dedicated to providing information, inspiration, and empowerment for the global Black community seeking a fresh st...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 10 min
How can solo travel transform your life and career? What is travel influencing really like? Alyssa Ramos is one of the first solo female travel influencers. She’s the founder of My Life's A Travel Movie and has been traveling full-time as a living for over 10 years. As someone who never actually set out to become an influencer, she shares her unexpected story of building a career around full-time travel, the realities of social media influencing and travel blogging, and her experience leading to...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 33 min