Don't Go Unless

Are there some countries whose image has already been cemented in your mind, even before you've seen the latest posts and reels coming from people visiting them? You know, the ones that make the news, but for all the wrong reasons. When thinking about Pakistan, have you dared to imagine yourself traveling there, without an agenda, for months on end? Perhaps not, but we're about to hear from a trav...

Amanda Savan is a singer, actor, photographer, and solo travel enthusiast from North Hollywood, CA. She's traveled solo to over 20 countries and every state in the USA (except Alaska). You can usually find her scuba diving, long distance hiking, or camping. We spoke about her time spent in the Netherlands, where she took an unconventional approach, using rail transit but not skirting off to London...

Have you ever realized how well you might just... *click* with another traveler? Do you wonder if that means that you're kinda wired the same way, or if there's something else going on? We won't find an easy answer, but in today's episode I speak with someone who's nearly the opposite of my traveler's persona, yet we frequently approach and experience travel in very similar ways. Does that kind of...

Some countries can become so well known for just one or two iconic types of experiences that it's easy to overlook the history, culture, and day to day lifestyles of the people there. Today we'll speak with a cultural immersion expert and coach about her time spent in Tunisia, which is on the North African coast between Libya and Algeria. Jess Lee is a travel coach, planner, and language teacher b...

You know that feeling when you see a country you know and love fall into tumultuous conflict and civil strife? When heroes are exposed for their own hypocrisies, and you feel powerless to change the outcomes, but still emotionally invested because you've formed a bond with a country and her people? For seasoned world travelers, this kind of feeling comes up more often than any of us would like. To...

Many of us face burnout at some point in our careers, and that's especially true, unfortunately, in the lives of career public servants and aid workers. Today we'll speak with someone who took her observations of inefficient systems and used that as a foundation to build a travel business with a specific aim toward public benefit, and we'll dive a bit deeper than usual on travel personas and the w...

Despite rampant overtourism, one of the most amazing natural landscapes to explore in North America is the cenotes of México's Yucatan Peninsula. In this episode, we discuss the types of travelers that tend to visit Cancun and Tulum, and what makes the cenotes such a unique destination for adventure sport enthusiasts.

Some destinations can stymie you as a traveler. Weather conditions in remote locations can make or break a trip, when it's just a few days. Another way you can risk ruining a short trip is choosing the wrong travel companion. In today's episode, we'll hear from a traveler that decided to take a guest on an international trip for a first date. Andy Luten is a world traveler, professional photograph...

It's natural for most of us to have a travel bucket list. Some travelers, however, are hard-wired to do everything in their power to check off those countries and those experiences. In today's episode we will once again speak with our friend Samer Kawar, this time about the country of Guyana. We'll hear about prioritizing natural encounters, even if they come with unexpected discomfort. We invite...

Some destinations are so steeped in history and tradition, that their eternal truths are inescapable and unavoidable. In this episode, Graham Marsden talks to a travel company founder about his time living in Syria, and we'll compare notes about our observations of the temporary political realities playing out against the backdrop of human history so evident there. Dennis Vilovic is an entrepreneu...

Solo female traveler Katie Aune recounts impressions from her visit to the reclusive country of Turkmenistan, which was part of a broader, year-long trip across the former Soviet republics.  The two discuss striving for authenticity in a socially repressive regime, and many of the relatively unknown natural features of this nation.

Scott Gurian is a Peabody award-winning journalist and the host of Far From Home, an immersive travel documentary podcast that takes listeners on crazy adventures to far-flung parts of the world. Scott joins Graham Marsden to discuss Cambodia, and the two share observations on the impact of mass tourism at Angkor Wat and the nearby city of Siem Reap.

Marshall Mosher is the host of the "Inside the Adventure" podcast, a world-record holding action sport poly athlete, and tech futurist. As the founder and CEO of Vestigo, he's bringing his passion for adventure into the digital world by building the future of virtual reality adventure. In this episode, Marshall speaks with Graham Marsden about the Traveler's Persona, and his early adventure experi...

Jessica Adza, "Worldtravelista," joins host Graham Marsden to discuss her fervent commitment to retracing her grandfather's footsteps in Northern Italy, where he was stationed during WWII. 

Angel Castellanos, "The Travel Ambassador," joins host Graham Marsden to discuss his trek through inner Mongolia on horseback, and the two discuss Angel's rigorous traveler's persona, as well as matters of sustainability in this country's tourism development. 

Retail store owner, writer, and tour curator Kristin White discusses recent improvements on matters of racial equity and fair labor standards on her island of Bermuda. We discuss her "eternal" travel persona (her type is SBEC). 

Experience strategist and former Cirque du Soleil VIP experience designer Carolene Méli finds a meaningful connection to the tiny Mediterranean island nation of Malta.

World traveler, blogger, photographer and actress Joanna Kalafatis joins Graham Marsden to discuss responsible tourism in Athens and Greece.

World traveler Samer Kawar joins host Graham Marsden to discuss his travel persona and a recent trip to Eritrea.

We join street photographer and tour company owner Adria Ellis to uncover hidden Havana, Cuba.

Introducing show host Graham Marsden, and an interview with travel psychologist Dr. Mia Mulrennan. The two discuss the new Traveler's Persona assessment from Don't Go Travel and talk about the future of travel as the world looks toward reopening after COVID.