Random and Wonderful: Conversations about Travel Anxiety, Wellness, and Mindset Shifts

Host Grace Simmons welcomes Otis Gray, a radio producer and creator of the Sleepy podcast, where he reads bedtime stories designed to help listeners fall asleep—especially useful when travel anxiety disrupts rest. Otis shares how Sleepy began by accident when friends told him his voice made them fall asleep, and they discuss how different “white noise” comforts different people, including a contro...

Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of travel tales with Margie Jordan, where every trip is an exhilarating story waiting to unfold! From crashing a wedding in India to spending nights under the stars in the Sahara, Margie’s adventures remind us that the best trips are often the ones we never planned. As the owner of Jordan Executive Travel, she’s not just a wanderlust warrior, but also a passionat...

Get ready to dive into the wild world of travel with Miguel Yga, the ultimate nomadic storyteller! In our chat, Miguel takes us on a whirlwind journey through his eight years on the road, where he's ventured from mystical Mayan ceremonies to heart-pounding shark encounters – yes, you heard that right! With a knack for immersing himself in indigenous cultures, Miguel shares his adventures while rem...

Lori Tharps is all about shaking up the storytelling scene and spreading the good word about BIPOC voices. In our chat today, we dive into the transformative power of travel and how it can reshape our perspectives on identity and culture. Lori shares her journey from a storytelling-loving kid with a typewriter to becoming an award-winning author and educator living in sunny Spain. We also get into...

Sabbaticals can be life-altering, and in today’s episode, we dive deep into just how transformative taking a break can be. Our guest Bex, a career transition coach, shares her own journey from the corporate grind to a refreshing eight-month sabbatical that reshaped her life. We chat about the importance of stepping away to reevaluate what truly matters, like freedom, sunshine, and surrounding ours...

Emmi Fortin joins me today to dive into the fascinating world of self-discovery through travel and the unique role of a breakup coach. We kick things off chatting about her journey to becoming a life guide, where she reveals that it’s not just about teaching people how to break up, but empowering them to find clarity and confidence during life’s transitions. Emmi shares her own transformative expe...

Sam Brose takes us on a captivating journey from the bustling streets of Minneapolis to the colorful charm of San Miguel de Allende, sharing how food and history flavor his life in this vibrant city. You know those food tours that make your mouth water? Yeah, Sam’s got stories that’ll have you drooling and dreaming about your next getaway. He spills the beans on the challenges of uprooting his lif...

Traveling solo can feel like a wild ride on a rollercoaster, and today's guest, Amanda, is here to share her epic adventure on the Camino. She took a leap from her engineering life into the unknown, embarking on a month-long trek that turned out to be way tougher than she ever imagined. But fear not, because in the midst of blisters and unexpected challenges, she found not just the beauty of the t...

Ready to dive into a world of adventure and education? This episode features the incredible Janelle Schroy, a full-time world-schooling mom who has taken her four daughters to a staggering 47 countries over the past five and a half years! We explore how she turned the traditional idea of education on its head, making the entire globe their classroom. From road trips to immersive experiences, Janel...

Julie Ulstrup's journey along the Camino de Santiago serves as a profound testament to the transformative power of travel. Her experience on this ancient pilgrimage not only facilitated a deeper understanding of her own purpose but also culminated in a significant spiritual encounter that catalyzed her alignment with her true mission. Throughout our conversation, we explore the rich tapestry of he...

How do faith, wellness, and travel intersect to create a fulfilling life? Dr. Alaine Ainsley, a Maryland-based primary care physician, joins The Random and Wonderful Podcast to share her journey of faith-driven purpose, patient-centered care, and personal growth through travel. Tune in for insights on staying spiritually, physically, and emotionally well—no matter where life takes you. Getting to...

Ever thought about packing up and moving to a new country? Travel strategist and journalist Rafael Peña joins me on The Random and Wonderful Podcast to share his journey from event planning in New York to living in Thailand, Argentina, Italy, and Portugal. We dive into how travel expands your perspective, the power of representation in media, and why every Black and Brown traveler should spend at...

Happy Black History Month! Grace Simmons welcomes Shannon Walker, host of Your Hair Made Simple , to discuss the intersection of solo travel, natural hair journeys, and confidence-building. Shannon shares how an international trip as a teen kickstarted her natural hair journey and how solo travel helped her build resilience, embrace change, and step into new experiences with confidence. From navig...

Grace Simmons sits down with Anika Jackson, a marcom executive, educator, and podcast host, to explore her inspiring journey of resilience, reinvention, and connection. Anika discusses her expertise in public relations, branding, and digital media, as well as her passion for empowering others to share their authentic stories. From leveraging storytelling to build impactful brands to balancing pers...

Today, I’m sharing practical strategies for overcoming travel anxiety, including confidence-boosting tips and personal stories to help you manage those travel jitters and fully enjoy your adventures. Whether you’re heading out for your first trip or you’re a seasoned traveler, these insights will help you navigate unfamiliar situations with more ease. I also tell a funny story about how stepping a...

Grace Simmons talks with Michelle Newman, podcast producer, storyteller, and founder of Newman Media, about her love for solo travel, embracing spontaneity, and finding joy in the little things while on the road. Michelle shares hilarious and heartfelt stories, from staying in an Earthship in New Mexico to driving through Ireland under rainbows. With her unique blend of humor and insight, Michelle...

Summary: In this inspiring episode, Grace Simmons chats with Michelle Plante, a travel advisor and pioneer in alcohol-free luxury travel for women. Michelle shares her journey to sobriety, her passion for creating meaningful travel experiences, and the transformative power of travel. From Boston to Costa Rica, Michelle’s focus on mindful connections and personal growth shines through as she discus...

Summary: In this episode of The Random and Wonderful , Grace Simmons chats with Heike Yates, a wellness coach and passionate traveler. Heike shares insights from her journey to "Pursue Your Spark," a movement dedicated to helping women rediscover themselves at every stage of midlife. From managing work-life balance to integrating wellness into everyday life, Heike dives into the importance of self...

In this episode of The Random and Wonderful , Grace Simmons chats with Edwin Covarrubias, full-time podcaster and creator of Scary.fm , a podcast network dedicated to paranormal storytelling. Edwin recounts his life-changing experience walking the El Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage through Spain that has shaped his outlook on life and work. He shares how the physical challenges of the journey pus...

Welcome to the Random and Wonderful Podcast! On this special Father's Day episode, I'm chatting with Andrew Cook of Ahead Business Support about his traveling experience with his family. Andrew's secret ingredient is that he is an anxious traveler who has gone worldwide. How does he manage it? Listen in to find out! Learn more about Andrew here: Andrew Cook currently owns and operates an HR consul...

Welcome to the Random and Wonderful podcast! Today is a special episode for the introverts. We are talking about finding and using your creative outlet to release tension healthily. You'll get a bonus travel tip so stay tuned. Quick Highlights: Defining a creative outlet Benefits of a creative outlet Sprinkling your creative outlet in your travels Keep up with what's happening by subscribing to ou...

What mark do you intend to leave in this world? Join me as I catch up with the author of Getting Lost in the Sauce , Aya Hojadova, in today's episode. We discuss the impact of travel, finding the motivation to overcome difficult times, and how we use the opportunity to leave our mark moving forward. Aya's Bio: Aya Hojadova is a versatile professional with a diverse marketing, entertainment...

How do you show love to yourself? Welcome to the Random & Wonderful! In today's episode, we will discuss some myths and truths about self-love. And I promise, I'll leave you with some helpful tips. As a bonus, I'm including my Self-Care Checklist to get you started on your journey. Empowered Solo, the perfect wellness and travel coaching blend, is now accepting applicants. For more inf...

Wednesday is the International Day of Happiness and during Women's Month, I'm excited to continue this series with another adventurous woman. In today's Random & Wonderful Podcast episode, my guest is Jessica Grace Coleman, the Travel Transformation Coach. I had the pleasure of being a guest on The Travel Transformation Podcast in 2023. Jess shares her traveling adventures in Spain and...

A traveler's mindset is open to challenges and constantly finds ways to expand beyond their known world. Whether you do this naturally or could use a mindset coach to help, there are always options to explore, despite your life barriers. Today's guest embodies that spirit of wanderlust and personal growth: Stephany Ann! Get to know our guest, Stephany Ann: Stephany, a seasoned traveler wit...