The Travel Transformation Podcast: Self-development & personal growth tips for travel lovers & adventure seekers

In this episode, I bring you an interview I did recently on The Random & Wonderful Podcast hosted by travel mindset coach, Grace Simmons. I had a great time during this interview – where we spoke all about my solo travelling adventures in Spain and Thailand, tips to combat anxiety, and how we should all embrace life and not let fear hold us back. Grace kindly gave me permission to use the audio fr...

In this solo episode, I discuss Airbnb's 2024 Summer Release announcement, ICONS - in relation to my own project, Movify Your Life. I discuss whether this is the future of accommodation, and whether immersive experiences like Secret Cinema are the future of entertainment and travel. I've personally been to Secret Cinema's Moulin Rouge, Back To The Future, Stranger Things, and Bladerunner events, a...

In this episode, I talk to Sue Almonte, online business manager turned course creator and solo travel advocate. A couple of years ago, Sue went on an epic solo trip to Europe for three months, travelling through several countries and attending as many music concerts as possible. So, we talk about the pros and cons of solo travel, how to stay safe when travelling alone, the differences in culture a...

In this episode, I talk to Kyle Kroeger, the founder and owner of ViaTravelers.  Kyle helps travellers find their next adventure through his videography and photography, which can be seen on the ViaTravelers YouTube channel. His writing has been featured on Redfin, CNN, Forbes, and Travel + Leisure. Outside of writing, his videography has been featured in The Telegraph and other media outlets worl...

In this episode, I talk to Melissa B. Lombardo, author, speaker, and founder of Write Heal Thrive LLC. Melissa is a well-travelled Connecticut native who lived in Central America for two decades. She is a Bilingual Certified Sexual Assault Crisis Advocate and knows first-hand the silence surrounding the topic of sexual violence. It was through the support of friends and family that she navigated t...

In this solo episode, I talk about the Art of Making Memories (thanks to Meik Wiking's book of the same name). I discuss how we can do this with long-term travel, weekend trips and day trips, and at home – as well as how we can make sure we remember these amazing experiences for the rest of our lives! ----- Follow Jessica on Instagram @traveltransformationcoach and check out her website at https:/...

In today's interview I talk to video creator, writer, and author of the Paris in My Pocket guide, Jay Swanson. Jay is an American living in Paris, and he is passionate about sharing his Paris journey and travel tips, helping others enjoy the city he has fallen in love with, through social media and Patreon. His YouTube channel has 81k+ subscribers and offers helpful, uncommon advice for Paris trav...

In this solo episode, I discuss all the ways we can integrate wellness into travel, so we can stay happy and healthy during our trips (while still enjoying the odd glass of wine and slice of cheesecake!). Points include: Pre-trip planning Wellness-focused accommodations Mindful eating on the road Incorporate physical activity into your day Wellness sightseeing Fitness routines Mindfulness practice...

In this interview, I talk to Molvia Maddox – mother, grandmother, founder of meltingicecubes.com, and independent thinker who is learning every day. In this episode we discuss travelling Route 66, China, and Thailand, dry fasting, how travel can help you heal, and her daughter Kristie's legacy in the form of Molvia's business and passion project, Melting Ice Cubes.  Connect with our guest: Website...

In this solo episode, I look at the film Slumdog Millionaire and the lessons it can teach us about looking back at our pasts and connecting the dots to who we are now, in the present. I also look at what we want to manifest in the future – in terms of our dream career, our dream lifestyle, and the person we want to become. I discuss the concept of being in alignment with our goals and aspirations...

In this episode, I talk to my friend Lauren K. Nixon – author, poet, editor, and one of my best friends since we were 11, when we met on the very first day of high school! An ex-archaeologist enjoying life in the slow-lane, Lauren K. Nixon is an indie author fascinated by everyday magic. She is the author of numerous short stories, Mayflies, The Fox and the Fool, The House of Vines – the first boo...

In this solo episode, I delve into the world of weird and wonderful – and plain bizarre – tourist attractions. I love visiting random places and things, so I thought I'd tell you about some of them – and some of the places I'd love to visit in the future! Mentioned in this episode: The Bude Tunnel, Cornwall, UK Australia's Big Things The Big Boots of Cheyenne, Wyoming The World's Tallest Filing Ca...

In this episode I talk to sustainable tourism consultant, Samantha Smits. As a sustainable tourism consultant, Samantha guides tourism companies in enhancing their brand reputation, accessing the sustainable tourism market, and saving resources, thereby saving both time and money. By integrating sustainability into their operations and communicating this to their customers, Samantha's clients diff...

In this solo episode, I talk about how Emily Dickinson gave me a kick up the arse. Bear with me here… I've recently been watching the show 'Dickinson' on Apple TV, and it suddenly struck me: I have it so easy! As a woman these days, I can vote, I can live alone, I can travel alone, I'm not the 'property' of a man, I can write and publish my thoughts, I can start businesses, I can own property, I c...

In this solo episode, I talk about creating your own meaningful travel bucket list – a bucket list full of destinations, personal development goals, core values, and more. Travel should be intentional, meaningful, and purposeful, and we can ensure that our trips help our personal growth if we just do a bit of reflecting and goal setting before planning our next adventure. I give you ideas for dest...

In this solo episode, I discuss one of my favourite comedians – Dave Gorman, who comes from my hometown of Stafford and who also attended Walton High School, just like me! I recently read two of his books - 'America Unchained' and 'Are You Dave Gorman?' (written with Danny Wallace) and watched the accompanying documentary and TV show. I loved them both, and in this episode, I tell you why – as wel...

In the first of my quickie 'Spotlight' episodes, I talk about one of my favourite places in England: Shakespeare's Stratford-Upon-Avon. I tell you all about my past trips (of which there have been many), and I give you recommendations on where to go and what to do, from Shakespeare's Birthplace to seeing a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, having a drink in the beer garden at the Dirty Duck,...

In this solo episode I go over the main things that can go wrong while travelling – and why we shouldn't use these things as an excuse not to go anywhere! I tell my own stories of things that have gone wrong with my trips and what I did (as well as things that have gone wrong for my friends and travel buddies), and I give you some ideas on how we can prepare for these things, and how we can deal w...

In this solo episode I reveal my big project for 2024: my Movify Your Life DIY Documentary! (Name to be confirmed!)  Yes, this year I'll be going on a mission to Movify My Life… and I'm going to be documenting every moment!  In this episode I tell you what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and how you can be involved – and actually featured in the documentary itself (which will be premiering on YouTube...

In this solo episode I give you a list of fun, creative ways to help motivate you to go on that much-needed or long-awaited trip – and to help you decide where you want to go! Find out how you can use Canva, Bing Image Creator, ChatGPT, Facebook groups, the movie poster exercise, visualisation, vision boards, 'Stupid Idea Time' and more to give you the motivation and inspiration you need to book t...

In this episode I talk to a friend of mine, Toks Coyle, Virtual Assistant and Travel Blogger – and my one-time coliving housemate! In this interview, we discuss her virtual assistant business – Toks Rocks – and how it allows her to travel to all kinds of amazing places, digital nomad conferences and retreats, how she balances travelling and working remotely with her home base and her husband, and...

In this solo episode, I take you on a journey into the past… to the darker side of my home town, Stafford, in the Midlands.   Years ago, I wrote a script for a history/ghost tour I was going to conduct around Stafford town centre, including ghosts, ghouls, murderers, hangings, and other historically interesting (and creepy) events that occurred in this fair town.   Knowing that many people don't t...

In this solo episode I look at the subject of intentional travel: what it is, how you can plan an intentional travel trip, and how you can use the experiences you've had and the lessons you've learned to help you transform yourself – and your life.   Useful links: Intentional Travel Transformation book:  https://traveltransformationcoach.com/books ----- Follow Jessica on Instagram @traveltransform...

In this solo episode I take a look ahead to 2024 and ask you: what do you want to achieve this year? What goal do you want to accomplish? What trip do you want to take and how are you going to make it intentional? What fears or limiting beliefs do you want to conquer? What mark do you want to leave on the world? What are you going to write in Chapter 2024 of your life story?!   Useful links: 'Writ...

In this solo episode I look back and reflect on the past year, just like I did at the end of 2022. I talk about the places I went, the people I met, the courses and events I invested in, the things I learnt, how I progressed and evolved, and everything else I did this year. I also look ahead to 2024, talking about my plans and what I hope to achieve in the next year. Christmas is the perfect time...