Rhythm & Roam with Benef, Paul, & Trecia

What does the world look like after decades of documenting it from the inside? Television director, documentary filmmaker, author, and global storyteller Craig D. Forrest has traveled to more than 160 countries and produced, directed, or crewed projects in 111 countries across six continents. Craig shares what travel has taught him about people, storytelling, cultural humility, creativity, and the...

Born in Sicily to Bengali parents and now based in Montreal, Italian-Bengali author, speaker, mentor, finance professional, and host of Stories Beyond Borders, Urmi Hossain shares how growing up across cultures shaped her identity, sense of belonging, and definition of home. She discusses immigration, language, cultural expectations, and the journey behind her book, Discovering Your Identity: A Re...

Everybody is talking. Very few people feel heard. David Beckemeyer joins the Rhythm & Roam podcast to break down the outrage economy, political polarization, and the simple but difficult practice of seeing people as more than a label. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com for more travel, culture, and meaningful conversation episodes.

What happens when life hits reset at 50 and you answer with a passport instead of fear? In this episode of Rhythm & Roam, Tina shares how a series of life-changing moments pushed her to rebuild from the ground up through solo travel. We talk about identity, reinvention, loneliness vs. freedom, and why travel later in life isn't a last chapter; it's a reset. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com for more inf...

What happens when a 27-year educator leaves it all behind and moves permanently to Mexico? In this episode of Rhythm & Roam, hosts Benefsheh, Paul, and Trecia sit down with author and former educator Queen D. Michele to explore her decision to become a permanent resident of Jalisco, Mexico, and the unexpected spiritual awakening that followed. Michele shares practical insights from her book, C...

Travel is more than flights and photos; it is a mirror for our inner world. In this episode, Benefsheh, Paul, and Trecia sit down with Katie Krimitsos, founder and CEO of the Women's Meditation Network, a global family of meditation podcasts. Katie also recently launched the new show "Meditation for Travel," created to support travelers with calming, on-the-go meditations. Together, they explore h...

Planning a mission trip, church group travel, or student outreach abroad? This episode is your blueprint. Dr. Joy, CEO of Butler Travel, joins Rhythm & Roam to break down the most common and costly mistakes travelers make when organizing international trips. We also explore how faith plays a role in travel, including a powerful story of survival and provision in a life-threatening situation ab...

Feeling exhausted by the constant drama in your feed? In this convo, Rhythm & Roam and David Beckemeyer (host of Outrage Overload) unpack how outrage culture shapes our politics, our timelines, and even how we see the people sitting next to us on the plane.

On this episode of Rhythm & Roam, we sit down with Australian hiker, writer, and educator Belinda Coker, who spends up to eight months a year walking long-distance trails across regions and countries. She shares how moving slowly through towns and villages reshapes her view of culture, identity, and community, and how house-sitting lets her "live inside" a place rather than pass through. We al...

Step into a crowded Irish pub, the fiddle starts, the pints are flowing… and you're wondering if it's okay to clap, sing, or join in. In this episode of Rhythm & Roam, Benef, Paul, and Trecia sit down with Irish fiddle player, podcaster, author, educator, tour guide, and arts manager, Tara Connaghan, to unpack the unspoken etiquette of traditional Irish music sessions. If you've ever dreamed o...

In this episode, we sit down with Renae Ninneman, founder of Going Beyond Tourism and CulturalQ, to explore what it really means to develop cultural intelligence (CQ). We go beyond surface-level awareness to unpack how CQ shapes how we travel, connect, and show up in diverse spaces. Renae shares her journey into cross-cultural work, breaks down the difference between cultural awareness and true in...

What does it really take to sell everything, leave land behind, and sail across the world? In this episode of Rhythm & Roam Podcast, we sit down with author and world traveler Alison Gieschen, who made the bold decision to walk away from conventional life and embrace full-time sailing across the globe. From confronting fear in the open ocean to discovering humanity through strangers in faraway...

From tourist to traveler, this travel podcast dives into slow travel, cultural immersion, meaningful travel stories, and purpose‑driven adventures beyond tourism. Benef, Paul, & Trecia sit down with Dan and Mikkel. Two storytellers who've built a lifestyle around intentional exploration and seeing the world through history, curiosity, and human connection. They unpack how to design a life that...

This episode of Rhythm & Roam is for every dreamer who ever said, "What if I just kept driving?”  We sit down with Matt, who did exactly that, driving solo from Los Angeles to Panama through Mexico, Central America, and a few unexpected roadblocks along the way (literally). He opens up about fear, freedom, and what it means to be an outsider welcomed in. From being stuck for days at a Nicaragu...

In this episode of Rhythm & Roam Podcast, co-hosts Benef, Paul, and Trecia sit down with Queen Michele, Founder of the Fula History & Genealogy Society of America, to explore her remarkable journey tracing her maternal lineage to the Fula people of Guinea-Bissau through African Ancestry DNA. They discuss the differences between African Ancestry DNA and commercial ancestry tests, the emotio...

Rhythm & Roam goes behind the headlines to uncover what happens when a cornerstone of global development, USAID, loses its funding. Our guest, Julie,  a former director, shares firsthand what the shutdown means for the communities, programs, and people who relied on America's aid. From healthcare initiatives to education projects, we explore the ripple effect of political decisions on the worl...

What happened to R&B groups, and why does it matter? In this episode of Rhythm & Roam, we sit down with DJ, professor, and author Amani Roberts to unpack the cultural, political, and business legacy of Black R&B groups, from The Isley Brothers to TLC. We go way beyond nostalgia. We discuss how R&B has shaped Black culture in America and abroad, and its global impact. Amani shares i...

Meet travel trailblazer, April, who literally traveled to 7 continents and 193 countries. In this episode, we unpack the mindset it takes to dream this big, the solitude behind adventure, and what happens when "everywhere" becomes home. Her story aims to inspire travel enthusiasts and adventure seekers by showing that your travel journey is about more than destinations. It's about discovering iden...

What's it like to travel the world as a gay man, a filmmaker, and a truth-teller, in places where your very existence challenges tradition? In this Rhythm & Roam episode, our guest, Neil, reveals the courage it takes to capture authentic stories while navigating laws and cultures that don't always welcome you. We also explore Neil's novel series "Prime Time Travelers", a fictional reimagining...

We’re rewinding over 50 years to a time when “off the grid” actually meant off the grid. Meet Barry, a fearless traveler who, alongside his wife, drove solo across Africa before GPS, social media, or even paved roads in most regions. This episode isn’t just about adventure—it’s an honest look at what it meant to explore uncharted territory. Barry shares how they navigated political unrest, unguard...

In this holiday edition of Jet Lag Diaries, we break down Thanksgiving 2025—from Paul's first attempt at a jerk turkey to the cultural conversation around washing your meat and how these traditions shape Black and diaspora holiday cooking. We catch up on our Thanksgiving stories,  share our upcoming Christmas holiday plans, and tease what's next for Rhythm & Roam in 2026, including new travel...

We sit down with Erin to explore the inspiring, often-overlooked side of voluntourism—the one rooted in real connection, cultural understanding, and personal purpose. Erin breaks down what voluntourism can look like when done intentionally and how it can open a door to a deeper sense of meaning through service abroad. We talk about the misconceptions Americans often carry, how Erin's time in Malaw...

It's a mix of humor, global perspective, and traveler therapy — unfiltered conversations about what happens between flights, in terminals, and in our heads. Whether you love solo travel, cultural adventures, or just people-watching at Gate C4, this one's your boarding pass to wanderlust and reflection. Want to support the show? Buy Me A Coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/rhythmandroam  

What happens when your life sits at the intersection of cultures?  In this episode of Rhythm & Roam, we sit down with global leadership strategist John McEntire, whose multicultural upbringing shaped not only his worldview but his entire approach to leadership and personal growth. Visit our website at www. RhythmAndRoam.com for more great content!

In this episode, our guest, Rosamaria—an Italian-American who first moved to Italy and now Germany—shares how living abroad has reshaped her identity. Reflecting on how her Italian-American upbringing influenced her move to Italy, the challenges and surprises of living in her family’s homeland, and why Germany became the next chapter in her journey—redefining what “home” means when culture, langua...