Am I Tripping?

This conversation is from my YouTube channel! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out my channel for more moving abroad content. https://www.youtube.com/@talkswithVan ----At 35, I thought the biggest change in my life would be geography. What I didn’t expect was how much my nervous system would shift. In this video, I reflect on what it means to grow up Black in America — in a country wh...

This conversation is from my Youtube channel! If you enjoy this conversation, check out more on my YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkswithVan -- The biggest realization I’ve had since moving abroad? America isn’t the center of the world. Three weeks into living overseas, I’m sharing the unfiltered lessons about expat life, identity shifts, culture shock, and what it actually feels like to s...

We’ve all been told not to talk to strangers—but what if doing just that could make you happier? In this episode, we explore what research says about the emotional and psychological benefits of talking to people we don’t know. Simple conversations with strangers can lift our mood, shift our perspective, and even help us see the world, and each other, a little more kindly. But let’s be real—it’s no...

In this episode, we unpack the drama, loyalty, and love behind group trips—through the lens of The White Lotus . What do these fictional vacations reveal about how we show up for our friends in real life? Vanessa explores how intentional time together—whether abroad or at home—is the secret to lasting friendships. Drawing from cultural examples and powerful reflections, including bell hooks’ All A...

In this debut episode, host Vanessa dives into the beauty and power of solo travel. While Sam James Travel is all about group adventures, many of those trips start with one brave solo traveler. Vanessa shares why everyone should take a solo trip at least once—whether it’s a flight to the Caribbean or a quiet drive to a nearby town. It’s not about the distance, it’s about the discovery. Tune in for...