YOU on the Camino de Santiago

SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU In this episode I share with you one of the audio sessions for my signature program, the Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide , which will be available for 25% off the regular price for three days starting on December 1, 2023 (Saturday the 2nd in Australia and New Zealand). The sample audio session in this episode is on how to use the most popular guidebooks and app...

START THE CONVERSATION: TO BOOK OR NOT-TO BOOK ON THE CAMINO In this episode I share a preview audio session on booking accommodations on the Camino from my Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide. Let's look at . . .  >> the different types of accommodations available on the Camino >> which places accept reservations >> when you should book >> how to find places to stay...

SUCCESS AND FAILURE ON THE CAMINO Meet Kaye from Australia! She and I had a fun conversation about spirituality, and we discovered we share a love for asking some of the deeper questions. In this episode we explore questions like:  >> Who are you walking the Camino for? >> Why are you walking now, and who is doing the walking? >> When is the best time to walk the Camino for you?...

TURNING TRIALS INTO BLESSINGS Nidia from Utah, USA, shares her story of turning incredible trials into blessings, plus how and why she is preparing to walk the Camino Francés in 2024. Faith is a choice, she says, and life itself is a pilgrimage. Find out about the "power of gathering" and how religion can bring you peace. You will also hear another approach to visiting the Cruz de Ferro, or Cross...

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?!?!? This is a question I frequently ask first-time pilgrims on the Camino Francés, as we walk together on this ancient pilgrimage path. Beebe Bahrami, author of the Moon Camino de Santiago guidebook knows the answer, and she shares the history, culture, and context of the Camino Francés in her beautiful guide to sacred sites, historic villages, and local food and wine. I...

BECOMING A PILGRIM WHILE ON THE CAMINO After completing the Camino from Sarria to Santiago, Paul from Ireland is getting ready to do the Camino Primitivo the fast way. This isn't for everyone, and it brings up some good questions, like:  >> What is a pilgrim?  >> Do you have to be a pilgrim to "do" the Camino?  >> Is it possible to become a pilgrim?  >> Whose opinion matter...

HOLA FROM THE CAMINO FRANCÉS !!! Coming to you "live" from Sarria on the Francés route, where I am meeting up with pilgrim Maurice, who was my guest in episode 12 from season two. In this episode I share tips from the trail. Here is what we are going to be talking about:  >> How to stay safe when walking on the road  >> How to make sure you have the right size boots >> How to "co...

BEST ALBERGUE EXPERIENCES ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS! What makes an albergue the "best"? Find out what pilgrim Chad says about his top albergue experiences - and he names names! Here are the albergues and other places we mention in this episode: Hostel Suseia - The pilgrim's home, Zubiri Albergue de Peregrinos Parroquial, Grañon Casa de Peregrinos Emaús, Burgos Casa Susi, Trabadelo Albergue Camino y Le...

HOW HARD WERE YOU HIT BY THE PANDEMIC? Georgina openly shares her inspiring story of experiencing severe depression, how she found her way out, and how it led her to walk the Camino de Santiago - with just two weeks lead time! Join me for this courageous journey from the dark to the light, and up and over the mountain. And find out why you would include a visit to the pilgrims office when you are...

NOT "HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE", BUT . . . How long do you want to take? I keep coming back to this question as I help pilgrims get started on their first ever pilgrimages on the Camino Francés. My guest today is going to take what would be considered by many a very slow walk on the Camino, from Sarria to Santiago. But for Judith, she is making the pilgrimage that meets her needs and capabilities. Jud...

+ 2 REASONS NOT TO WALK THE ENTIRE FRANCÉS ROUTE Jamie and I have one unwanted thing in common: we both lost our Dad's recently. In this episode, Jamie shares why walking the Camino is the right thing for her to do during this time of grief. It is a story of love and friendship, as her best friend is joining her for the walk. We also cover a number of other topics. For example: >> Have you e...

IS IT SAFE FOR A WOMAN TO WALK THE CAMINO ALONE? Have you thought about this, if it's safe for a woman to walk the Camino alone? Kathy wasn't wondering before she walked, but she sure found out about safety for female pilgrims on her walk across Spain on the del Norte route. Pro-tip: Download the "AlertCops" app to your smartphone. (https://alertcops.ses.mir.es/publico/alertcops/en/) Here is a que...

THIS SEASONED TRAVELER EXPECTS TO GET LOST ON THE CAMINO! In fact, getting lost is all part of the experience and adventure for Sean from Leeds in the United Kingdom. It takes the fear right out of wandering the wrong way. Sean shares why he is taking just a week to walk the Camino, and why he chose the Inglés route instead of the final 100 kilometers of one of the longer routes. GOT QUESTIONS? I...

SURPRISES AND PLOT TWISTS ON THE CAMINO Andrea and Jason (from Season 2, Episodes 8 & 9) did plenty of planning for their Camino - and emotional and spiritual preparations, too - and they still had lots of surprises and challenges on and along the Way.  >> Can you ever really know what the Camino is until you get there?  >> How do you get through the tough times?  >> Does it...

38 DAYS FROM SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT TO SANTIAGO . . . AND BEYOND I had the pleasure of talking with Trond, a professionally trained chef turned paramedic from Norway, just six days before he boarded a flight for France to walk the Camino Francés from Saint Jean Pied de Port. We covered some of the questions you, too, may be asking: >> Are blisters just part of the Camino experience? >&gt...

16 WOMEN AND A CATHOLIC PRIEST Kim from Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the US, is getting ready to walk the Camino del Norte on a pilgrimage led by her parish priest. Why walk with a group? Why not take off on this adventure on your own? Kim shows us why it's important to answer these questions for yourself. We also talk about how to ensure you see the Botafumeiro at the pilgrim's mass, and what to do about...

TWO MUMS, TWO MONTHS, TWO CAMINOS Join me as I talk with Melbourne, Australia, mums Dawn and Fiona about their pilgrimage on the Camino Francés. >> Learn why they decided to use a company to book their accommodations and luggage transport (I bet you haven't heard this reason before!). >> Find out how you deal with the judgements of other pilgrims who think you should be doing the Camin...

SARRIA TO SANTIAGO IN 7 DAYS In this episode we hear from pilgrim Laura who walked from Sarria to Santiago with her daughter, Emily. They booked all of their accommodations, meals, and luggage transport services in advance with Spanish Steps . What makes this the best option for some pilgrims? Let's see what Laura has to say. Also, Laura was lucky to be at the pilgrim's mass in Santiago de Compost...

PART 2: A STORY OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP George and John (season three, episode 19) are back to share how their Camino walk went. Wait until you hear how this wrapped up! (starts at 18:30 mins) Also in this episode, I share my own Camino story and give you a preview of what's to come in season three of the podcast. Thank you for tuning in!   COMING SOON! Be the first to know when the Camino Francés...

STORIES FROM THE TRAIL In this final episode of season two of the “YOU on the Camino de Santiago” podcast I share current stories from my time on the Camino in May-June 2023. That includes updates on what my pilgrim guests from season two are up to as they make their ways across Spain on the various Camino routes. I also share some top tips for staying safe on the trail and managing your expectati...

A STORY OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP In June 2022 American pilgrim Aaron died suddenly and unexpectedly while walking the Camino de Santiago. In this week's episode we hear from Aaron's friend George, who will be walking the Camino in Aaron's memory and literally in his footsteps. George's love for his Aaron is mirrored in his friendship with John, who will be joining him for the walk. Find out what is...

FIRST TIME BUT NOT THE FIRST TIME Pilgrim Chad walked the Caminho Português with his wife and daughters and now is headed for his first solo walk on the Camino Francés. In this episode you will hear Chad's three top tips for first-time pilgrims, along with his expectations for the inner journey of his upcoming pilgrimage. We also talk about the best places to take a rest day, how to cope with lone...

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR REGARDING WALKING THE CAMINO? In this conversation with pilgrim Nancy (F), we talk about Camino magic, coincidences, and the gift of the Camino to heal one’s heart after deep loss. And we finally get to a pilgrim's biggest fear.   We also get super practical, with app and guidebook recommendations, tips for how to manage cash and credit cards on the Camino, whether to fl...

"YOU HAVE TO GO ALONE!" Yana, a Boston mom of two young boys, shares with us her experiences of preparing to walk the Caminho Português and helps us answer some tough questions: Where (or when) does the Camino really start? What do you do when a friend says you have to go alone? How do you stay “in the moment” when you are preparing to walk the Camino? What are the yellow arrows and why do we love...

WALKING (only???) SARRIA TO SANTIAGO Walking the Camino your way is tricky business for some people, but not for Laura and her daughter, who will be walking from Sarria to Santiago in June 2023. Find out why they are using a tour company to plan and execute their Camino, and how this fits perfectly with their reasons for completing the pilgrimage. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, inc...