Zero To Travel Podcast

Are you in the midst of a big change or dreaming of one? Do you feel stuck in transition and want to know how to move forward? Lauren Handel Zander is a renowned life coach, author, and creator of The Handel Method®, a groundbreaking coaching framework taught in over 35 universities and institutes of learning worldwide, including MIT, Stanford, and NYU. With over 25 years of experience in life coa...

Are you tired of waiting on everyone else to be able to travel? Does solo travel strike fear in your heart, but you want more freedom in your life? Do you spend too much time coming up with excuses for why you can't travel instead of reasons why you can and should? Manjinder Kang, or "Manny," is a seasoned solo traveler with nearly two decades of experience exploring 37 countries. A full-time prof...

What does it mean to truly understand a place—and how does walking help uncover the heart of its culture? Chris Arnade is a writer, photographer, and former Wall Street banker who left the financial world to pursue a deeper connection with humanity. Known for his Substack Chris Arnade Walks the World, Chris documents his immersive walking journeys through cities and towns around the globe, explori...

What can an NFL star teach us about chasing dreams, overcoming challenges, and creating a life you love? Chris Johnson, also known as CJ2K, is a former NFL running back who made history as a first-round draft pick and one of only eight players to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. This achievement earned him the NFL rushing title and Offensive Player of the Year award in 2009. After a r...

Do you want to take the leap from office life to embracing a digital nomad or travel lifestyle? In August 2021, Kyle Cohenour made a major life change — he sold most of his belongings, left his apartment in Florida, and embarked on his journey as a location-independent digital nomad. Since then, he's visited 14 countries, spending two years living and slow traveling in Mexico, 4.5 months exploring...

We are wrapping up the 11th year of Zero To Travel! Listen in to get some food for thought, what you can expect on the podcast in 2025, and a simple challenge to get excited for the new year ahead. What are your plans for 2025? I'd love to hear about them, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport:Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes fo...

Today, we’re taking it back to our very first Norwegian Christmas Spectacular!  My wife, Anne Dorthe, and I recorded this episode in our cabin in Engerdal, located in rural Norway, roughly 4.5 hours north of Oslo. Anne Dorthe shares what the traditional Norwegian farm Christmas is like and even sings a little tune for us at the end of the show.  Listen to this episode and get ready to travel to No...

What if you could travel the world without leaving your kitchen? Several years ago, to expand their children's geographic and cultural knowledge, David and Christy Bock decided to pick a country to learn and cook recipes from once a month. This unique practice has since evolved into a “Christmas Around the World” experience, where they've explored holiday customs and cuisines from 18 different cou...

If you could snap your fingers and spend a day anywhere in the world, no limits, where would you go and what would you do? We are turning the tables as my friend and fellow travel podcaster Travis Sherry interviews me for my ultimate travel wish list. A seasoned traveler and entrepreneur, Travis Sherry hosts the long-running travel podcast Extra Pack of Peanuts. He is also the co-founder of Locati...

What would it take to create a life of adventure, connection, and meaningful experiences? Mike and Anne Howard of HoneyTrek are on the world’s longest honeymoon—13 years and counting! They share how they’ve built a lifestyle centered on slow travel, sustainability, and their love for glamping, inspiring others to rethink what’s possible in life and travel. Mike and Anne Howard are award-winning au...

How can long-term travel and financial independence reshape your life—and open up new possibilities for your family or personal goals? Maxwell Lee is a real estate investor, expat, and father who has built a lifestyle of financial independence and global adventure. In this episode, he shares his journey from traditional life in the U.S. to becoming financially independent, raising his children abr...

What can the quirky and surprising adaptations of the natural world teach us about curiosity, creativity, and our own place on earth? Cara Giaimo is a freelance writer with a deep love for biodiversity and storytelling. Her latest work with Atlas Obscura, Wild Life: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Living Wonders, is an over-the-top collection of the world's most extraordinary wild species that...

How can embracing your differences lead to more fulfilling travel? Dan Bird talks about his experience traveling with autism, offering personal stories, insights, and advice on how neurodivergence can enrich your adventures. Dan Bird understands the unique joys and difficulties of traveling as a neurodivergent person. Diagnosed with autism at 27, he authored the book Go Neuro Way to share how he's...

What would it take for you to leave everything behind and pursue a life of adventure? Will Hunt is a former accountant who traded his comfortable life in London for the challenge of canoeing the entire length of the River Gambia while documenting his adventures on YouTube.  This special Transition to Travel episode captures Will’s journey from preparation to post-expedition reflections as I interv...

Looking for the best gift for travelers? Whether you’re searching for travel gift ideas for a fellow wanderer or need inspiration for your own wish list, this guide has got you covered.  From thoughtful ideas that fuel wanderlust to practical travel essentials, I’ve broken down the best gifts for travelers into three categories, complete with personal stories and tips for gift-giving. Plus, I’m sh...

How can you attract the right customers without feeling like you’re succumbing to the “content machine?” How can you market your business in a way that’s aligned with your values, works for your location-independent lifestyle, and is enjoyable? Jeremy Enns is a nomadic entrepreneur and founder of Counterweight Creative and Podcast Marketing Academy. With a high-level view of what is working in con...

Today, we're bringing you an episode from Untold Italy! Traveling to Italy offers a chance to immerse yourself in its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. However, to make your trip more enriching and sustainable, consider small adjustments that enhance your experience while respecting the local environment and communities. By valuing the places you visit, exploring lesser-known...

It's time to grab your pen and paper and start planning your adventure to Europe! Europe travel planner Lynne Nieman joins me to discuss the current state of European travel and how to plan the perfect trip in 2025—whether it's your first visit or your 50th. Lynne Nieman is the founder of Wander Your Way and a professional travel planner with over a decade of experience organizing independent and...

What’s next for travel? Get ahead of the curve with travel expert Lyn Hughes as she reveals the top seven travel trends in 2025. Named one of the “50 Most Influential People in Travel,” Lyn Hughes is the founding editor of Wanderlust, the UK’s largest and longest-running travel magazine. She is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and regularly consults on travel-related issues, especially r...

Pat Sperry shares his approach to flourishing through the “Five Pillars of Well-being” and explores how transformative travel experiences, cultural immersion, and ancient practices can help you find fulfillment and well-being on the road and in everyday life. Pat Sperry is a professional well-being coach, Iyengar yoga teacher, and founder of Flourish—a community that creates healing and transforma...

Looking to travel without breaking the bank? Tim Leffel gives us the inside scoop on the cheapest destinations for 2025, insight on making the most of your adventures without overspending, and tips for traveling Europe on a budget. Tim Leffel is an award-winning travel writer and author of The World's Cheapest Destinations (currently in its fifth edition) and A Better Life for Half the Price, a gu...

What would exploring a new city without relying on technology be like? Lisa Abend is a journalist who regularly contributes to AFAR, the New York Times travel section, and National Geographic Traveler, among others. In response to the collapse of many traditional media outlets for narrative travel writing and how social media has sucked the serendipity and sense of discovery out of travel, she lau...

Considering a move abroad now or in the future? How do you choose the correct digital nomad visa or remote work visa for your lifestyle and goals? Citizen Remote co-founder Tim Marting discusses the latest insights on digital nomad visas and essential tips for relocating abroad.  Tim Marting is a digital nomad and co-founder of Citizen Remote, a platform dedicated to helping remote workers and tra...

Listen in to find out what new and epic conversations you can expect to hear on Zero To Travel this month!  What topics and themes do you want to learn more about on the podcast? I'd love to get your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport:Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Resources:...

What does hell on earth look like?  Science writer and explorer Erika Engelhaupt takes us on a unique journey to “awesomely awful” destinations to explore the history, culture, and science behind seven of the most otherworldly locations around the world. Erika Engelhaupt is a science journalist and expert on all things macabre. Her work in National Geographic, Scientific American, and elsewhere ha...