Zero To Travel Podcast : National Geographic Type Adventures, Lifestyle Design Like Tim Ferriss Plus Inspiration Like Ted

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 abroad, and embracing world schooling as a family. With his unique perspective, Maxwell explores how combining FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) principles with travel can lead to a fulfilling, unconventional life. Maxwell breaks down the essentials of worldschooling, explaining how to incorporate travel into education and why it’s about more than just learning—it’s about creating meaningful experiences and fostering adaptability in children. On the FIRE side, Maxwell shares his real estate strategies and explains how achieving financial independence gave him the freedom to prioritize his passions, family, and

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 takes you to all seven continents and beyond. It's more than a field guide—it's an adventure. Cara shares her journey of researching and writing Wild Life and how writing about the natural world has shaped her own life and creative process. You’ll hear fascinating stories as we unpack surprising animal behaviors and the ways species adapt to urban environments. From multi-headed caterpillars to the rewilding of Chernobyl, our conversation celebrates the natural world, its endless creativity, and what we can learn from the resilience of wildlife. What’s the most surprising wildlife encounter you’ve experienced on your

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 embraced traveling with autism and how others can do the same. Dan candidly shares his experiences navigating the world as an autistic traveler, showing how sensory sensitivities can be both a challenge and a unique advantage. By tuning in, you'll learn how to adapt your travels to fit your personal needs, explore destinations more intentionally, and embrace the strengths of neurodivergence. Whether you're neurodivergent or curious about different ways to approach travel, this episode will help you rethink what is possible when you see superpowers instead of limitations. What perceived limitation can you turn into a

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 interview him both before and after his trip. Hear how Will Hunt turned his dream of an extreme expedition into reality despite having no prior canoeing experience and the emotional and physical transformation that comes with taking a leap into the unknown. From the unexpected challenges of navigating the River Gambia to the cultural lessons he absorbed, this conversation highlights personal growth, resilience, and the power of adventure.  Will’s story is a great reminder that you don’t need to know everything before you get started. If you've ever considered leaving stability behind for something bigger—or simply want to

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 sharing the three gifts you should never buy and my personal favorite gift to give (and get). I won’t spoil the list here, so head over to the website after listening to grab the complete list of the best gifts for travelers! What gifts are you adding to your list? I'd love to know, 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 for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Grab the full travel gift list Want More? 10th Annual Norwegian Christmas Spect

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 content marketing, he discusses the evolving trends in organic marketing and content creation and how solopreneurs can leverage their unique strengths and values to build sustainable, location-independent businesses.  This episode is packed with realistic, actionable advice you can start implementing right away. Jeremy talks about the difference between content creators and business owners who create content and why choosing your camp is crucial. You’ll learn about the smartest ways to create content for your business in 2025 and mindset shifts that will completely change how you approach content creation. Beyond busine

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 attractions, supporting local businesses, and making mindful decisions, you can enjoy a more authentic and positive impact on your travels. Embrace these tips to ensure that your Italian adventure is not only memorable but also sustainable. Today's guest, Corinna Cooke, runs small group tours in Italy and is the author of the best-selling book series Glam Italia! How to Travel Italy. In her guides, Corinna approaches travel differently, showing you the places that you probably don't know about inside the big, famous cities. We discuss how to really enjoy your travels to Italy without contributing to the ever-growing

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 small-group trips throughout Europe. As a semi-nomadic traveler, Lynne combines her passion for off-the-beaten-path exploration with her expertise in creating personalized travel experiences. Lynne shares her take on upcoming travel trends, explains how to balance spontaneity and planning, and offers her favorite lesser-known destinations to avoid the crowds. You'll gain insight into crafting an itinerary tailored to your interests, navigating Europe's evolving transportation options, and embracing a more meaningful travel style. What destinations are you adding to your Europe itinerary? I'd love to hear what your Eu

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 regarding sustainable tourism. Discover what’s shaping the future of travel in 2025, from the rise of meaningful connections to unconventional modes of exploration. You’ll get destination recommendations and plenty of insights for planning your future adventures as we explore topics such as sustainable travel trends, how solo travel is evolving, and why the skies are calling more travelers than ever.  PLUS: Hang around on the backend for part one of our special bonus series to help you plan your mystery road trip! In this episode, I share my three best tips to prepare for your adventure. What emerging travel trend for

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 transformational experiences through elevated retreats and online education, empowering individuals to live with purpose and compassion. Pat shares his unique journey from being an athlete, musician, and even David Beckham’s body double to traveling the globe and becoming a leader in personal growth and well-being. You’ll hear about the lessons he learned from studying with spiritual masters and spending time at the Five Immortals Temple in China. From tips on cultivating mindfulness to building a life of meaning, Pat’s insights offer actionable steps on using travel for deeper purpose and connection. What’s the most life-chan

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 guide to cutting your expenses in half by living abroad. With years of experience living abroad and now living in Mexico, Tim has been covering destinations around the world and helping people move abroad for over three decades. Tim's expert insights provide a practical guide for choosing affordable destinations, plus valuable tips and hacks for stretching your budget while still experiencing all that a destination has to offer. What country from this episode would you want to visit or live in? I'd love to hear where you’re most excited about, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Ge

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 launched a Substack called The Unplugged Traveler. For the newsletter, she travels to a new European city every month without using the internet—that means no Google research, no online reservations, no GPS maps, no AirBnB or Uber, and no mindless scrolling while in a cafe or on a train. Lisa shares her unique travel philosophy, giving a fresh perspective on what it means to travel authentically. Her stories and strategies challenge the "must-see" checklist mentality, encouraging us to embrace serendipity and let go of travel FOMO. You’ll learn how going offline can deepen your connection to people, places, and unexpect

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 travelers move abroad. With years of experience living and working globally, Tim has firsthand knowledge of navigating visa complexities, relocating, and thriving in foreign environments. Tim highlights digital nomad visa options by duration and benefits and talks about exciting upcoming and new remote work visas. You'll get mindset advice on how to think about where you want to go and why, tips for settling into a new place, and insight into the visa application process. You'll also hear some of Tim's personal stories from his travels and plans to live in Iceland that will inspire your next move. Where do you want to m

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: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’ Moon Travel Guides - Grab your copy of Baseball Road Trips

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 has revealed the spooky science behind many taboo topics, including rotting corpses, bodily fluids, and other things that make her popular at dinner parties. She is the author of Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science and her newest book, Go to Hell: A Traveler’s Guide to Earth’s Most Otherworldly Destinations. Erika shares insights into how cultures worldwide have visualized the afterlife, explores the natural phenomena behind these lesser-known “hellscapes,” and discusses her own experiences visiting places that challenge and redefine our sense of wonder. What’s the eeriest or most otherworldly place

Hear about travel to Normandy, France, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kat Butler from World Wide Honeymoon and France Voyager about this historic and wonderful part of France. Why should you go to Normandy? Kay says, “Normandy, I think, just offers so much. My road trip, that I did last year, was literally to prove that there was so much more to Normandy than the D-Day beaches. You’ve got Mont Saint Michel, the cider route. You’ve got the countryside. I think that Normandy makes some of the best cheese. You have The beaches. You also have places like. Giverny. You’ve got Etretat, which has the beautiful cliffs. It’s well worth a visit.” Kat recommends a seven-day itinerary for Normandy, France, that offers a rich mix of history, culture, nature, and gastronomy. You can find that in the full show notes here. Did this episode make you want to start planning your trip to Normandy? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. This episode is a feed drop from the A

Would you take a road trip with strangers—across continents—in a $100 car or a converted school bus? How can ridiculous travel change your life for the better? Joel is one of the founders of Global Convoy, a travel movement built on trust, optimism, and a willingness to figure things out along the way. What started as a spontaneous idea to drive around the world in a beat-up car became a series of epic journeys involving strangers and a DIY spirit. Joel shares incredible stories of unpredictable roadblocks and unforgettable connections while navigating the Pan-American Highway in a converted school bus. He explains how Global Convoy grew into an inclusive community for travelers seeking to escape their comfort zones and embrace the “mayhem.”  He gives a fresh perspective to exploring the world on a budget, showing how to make incredible journeys possible without deep pockets or a perfect plan. You’ll learn practical tips to DIY your own adventure, insights on sustainable travel, leveraging community and colla

How can you make a smoother transition into your new life abroad? Relocation expert Chrishan Wright discusses the hidden challenges and unexpected mistakes people make when moving abroad. She shares lessons from her experience living in Portugal and offers valuable advice for both aspiring expats and long-term travelers. Chrishan Wright is the creator of Blaxit Global, a vibrant hub dedicated to providing information, inspiration, and empowerment for the global Black community seeking a fresh start abroad.  Chrishan highlights the top mistakes you may never have considered—from underestimating costs to the legal and healthcare surprises that can catch you off guard. She also shares valuable insights on integrating and adjusting to a new lifestyle and embracing personal growth as you navigate life in a foreign country. If you could move to any country tomorrow, where would you go and why? I'd love to know, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive

How can solo travel transform your life and career? What is travel influencing really like? Alyssa Ramos is one of the first solo female travel influencers. She’s the founder of My Life's A Travel Movie and has been traveling full-time as a living for over 10 years.  As someone who never actually set out to become an influencer, she shares her unexpected story of building a career around full-time travel, the realities of social media influencing and travel blogging, and her experience leading tours in Antarctica. Alyssa talks about the mindset shifts that helped her push past societal expectations and how solo travel has profoundly shaped her life and choices. She reveals the truth behind the lifestyle, addresses misconceptions, and provides insight into the positives and negatives of the industry.  You’ll also hear about what it’s like to travel to Antarctica and gain plenty of practical advice about the costs and logistics of planning your adventure. What’s the most transformative experience you’ve had whi

What does it mean to read the world, and how can it transform your perspective on global cultures? Ann Morgan is an author, novelist, and literary explorer based in Folkestone, UK. In 2012, she challenged herself to read a book from every country, recording her quest at ayearofreadingtheworld.com and in the non-fiction book Reading the World. Ann shares her experience, giving us powerful insights into literature’s ability to expand horizons and challenge preconceptions. She shares tips on finding books that challenge your worldview, the importance of reading outside your comfort zone, and how literature can reveal cultural blind spots. We talk about some of the challenges with reading globally and what to be cautious of when choosing what to read. You’ll walk away with fresh perspectives on how stories from around the globe can enrich your understanding of the world and your place in it. Which book from a different culture or country has impacted how you see the world? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope yo