Just Wandering

As the podcast reaches its 50th episode, this season is coming to an end. Coincidentally, it feels like a season of my life is also ending. In this episode, I look back on the months since graduating: navigating a tough job market, juggling side quests, and leaning into creativity and passion projects. I also share what I've learned about embracing slowness. Drawing on advice from this season's wo...

Are you a multi-passionate struggling to choose what to focus on? How do you develop self-awareness and clarify your values to make better decisions? And how do you define yourself when no single label fits? Maybe the answer lies in finding your through line: the common thread connecting all your choices. Nima Sophia Tisdall has worn many hats: working at the UN , launching her own startup , found...

Ever felt driven by wanting to have a positive impact on the world, but struggled to figure out where to start? In this episode, I spoke with Milene Pardo-Figueroa, a sustainability professional who has spent her career getting closer and closer to the problems she cares about most: from working at the UN in New York, to founding her own NGO, to today advising startups on how to build businesses t...

What if not fitting into one role was not a flaw but your biggest asset? In a world that used to reward deep expertise in one area, being a jack-of-all-trades felt like a problem. But today things are changing, and the world increasingly needs more generalists. In this episode, I spoke with Dominik Nitsch , entrepreneur, founder of Generalyst, Lacrosse player, and writer who believes the future be...

What if the hardest moments of your life were actually pointing you toward your purpose? In this episode, I spoke with Thomas Ousterhout , a PhD scholar turned entrepreneur and founder of Hird, a neurotech startup aimed at helping people better understand their mental health and manage stress in the workplace. Thomas's focus on mental health began in his teenage years, when he faced some of his bi...

Are you still able to do things "just because"? We live in a society that pushes us toward increasingly optimised versions of ourselves, where AI can help streamline every process in our lives. Sometimes it feels like we have lost the ability to do things without any final outcome, just enjoying the process of learning something new, being a beginner again, and the joy it can bring us. I...

What can you do when you want to live too many lives but feel like you have too little time? In this episode, I spoke with Madalina Buzdugan about the lessons she learned from her "non-linear" career. Working at the intersection of sustainability, strategy, and communications, Madalina is also the writer of "The Tired Overachiever", a sarcastic self-help book on the 10 most pressing challenges of...

Have you ever held back from putting yourself out there because you were afraid of seeming cringe? You are not alone. Growing up amidst "cringe culture" has made it easy to fear judgment and hard to find the courage to speak up. But most people who have ever built something or tried something new likely started by doing something that felt embarrassing. In this episode, we explore cringe culture a...

Have you ever wondered why Denmark is often ranked among the happiest countries in the world? There are multiple reasons, but one of them is undoubtedly its focus on work-life balance. In this episode of Just Wandering , I am joined by my friend Susana, who has moved to Denmark to study and has decided to stay and start her full-time career. Join us as we explore her experience, the differences be...

Ambition is a trait many of us identify with. Dreaming big moves something in all of us (just look at the success of the marketing for "Marty Supreme"). But what does it really mean to be ambitious, and do we all imagine the same thing when we think about reaching our dreams? Some people proudly describe themselves as ambitious, making it a core part of their identity. Others pursue ambition throu...

When looking at the news these days, it can be hard to be hopeful about the new year. So much so, that you might have noticed on social media how many have resorted to looking at the good old days of 2016 as a way to escape. While romanticising the past is not always the best way forward, there are learnings we can gather from the younger versions of ourselves who existed back then. All may not be...

The time has come again, when the year is about to end. In what has by now become a yearly tradition, I have taken some time to reflect on the past 365 days, and some of the learnings the experiences I went through have taught me. This has undoubtedly been a year of great changes, and some significant ups and downs (after all, they call it quarter-life crisis for a reason). Listen to discover the...

Two years have passed since I first moved to this city.  Over this period, I have experienced highs, lows, and everything in between.  As, with 2025, a chapter comes to an end, it is time to reflect on my relationship with the place I have, for the most part, called home. Here's to the growth, the gratitude, the people, and the experiences. And to figuring out what (and where) the next chapter wil...

Run clubs, sold-out races, and nonstop Strava updates: running has taken the world by storm this year. But what’s driving this surge in popularity, especially among Gen Z? In this episode, I explore the latest running trends, and uncover why more people than ever are lacing up their sneakers. From the obsession with major races that require years of planning to the social influence of tracking app...

Samantha Bolton’s motto is “travel, create, and feel deeply”, a philosophy the 21-year-old founder and CEO of  The Little Guy Foundation  has lived fully during her year of solo travel across South America. In this conversation, Samantha shares her experience as a solo female traveler , and the joys and challenges of being an artist and creator on social media. Join us as we explore how  travel , ...

What does it really mean to be well-traveled? The Oxford Dictionary says that to be well-traveled, one must have traveled widely. But is that the only metric? In this episode, I share insights from my solo trip through Southeast Asia, explore 2026 travel trends, and unpack what drives people to travel, especially alone. Join me as I reflect on privilege, purpose, and how meaningful travel can help...

In this first episode of a new season of the podcast, I’m taking a moment to reflect on what this project has meant so far, and how my relationship with what started as a simple passion project has evolved as I’ve grown. But I’m also sharing where  Just Wandering  is headed next: expect brand new guest conversations and solo episodes on travel, culture, expat life, career paths, and, of course, le...

As the year comes to an end, I have taken some time to reflect on what the past 365 days have taught me. It was a year filled with experiences and growth, and there have been some great learnings. Listen to find them out and Happy New Year! Love, Ester

Welcome back! In this episode I had a truly inspiring conversation with Annie, a fellow student who also has a passion project on the side: a blog to discover the world in all its diversity. Listen to find out more about "Talking to the World" and Annie's amazing approach to conversation to learn from anyone she encounters on her path. You can also read the blog here: https://www.annieandtheworld....

Welcome back to Just Wandering!  In our daily lives, we meet countless people, each with something unique to offer. Even if we don't become close friends with everyone, every interaction holds a potential lesson, even if we talk to people who are different from us. This episode delves into the powerful benefits of staying open-minded when meeting new people. Learn how embracing diverse perspective...

Ever feel like everyone else is having the time of their life on holiday in amazing destinations, while you’re stuck at home living your everyday routine? Social media often fuels this FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). In this first episode back after a break, I dive into how I tackled these feelings and learned to appreciate where I am, drawing from lessons learned in my solo traveling adventures. Disc...

Have you ever come to the realisation that you are not who you were one year ago? As we continue to grow and evolve, it is quite normal to feel like this, and it’s not a bad thing! One year ago I was surfing in Gran Canaria and now I’m studying in Copenhagen, but both versions of me were just what I needed, it’s all a matter of perspective! Listen to find out how to not lose yourself in this ever...

Have you ever heard of the concept of “Hygge”? Join me for a cozy journey into the heart of Danish culture as we explore the essence of this idea. In this episode, my friend Cecilie, a native of Denmark, shares her insights on the art of embracing warmth and appreciating life's small joys. Tune in as we unravel the secrets of "Hygge" and gain a glimpse into the Danish way of life.

Hi there, welcome to episode 30! Spring is finally here, and as the days get longer, nature awakens and the weather gets warmer, there are a few things you can do to get ready for the season in the best way possible, and leave what's not useful behind. Listen to find out more! Also, here is the trailer for Past Lives, which I mention in the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA244xewjcI xx

Hi there, welcome back. In our fast-paced lives, we often find ourselves rushing from one place to another, which can leave us feeling stressed and overwhelmed. That's why it's crucial to carve out time to reconnect with our authentic selves, tapping into the innocence and excitement we experienced as children. What is something that really sparks your joy?