• Unlikely Explorer: Overcoming Doubts and Divorce, Documenting the Human-Elephant Conflict In India, and Holding Two Truths with Kim Frank
    Feb 3 2026
    Kim Frank is an award‑winning writer, multimedia storyteller, and explorer whose work has appeared in The Explorers Journal, Sidetracked, and Earth Island Journal. She is a Fellow of The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society. Kim’s latest book, Elephants in the Hourglass: A Journey of Reckoning and Hope Along the Himalaya, reflects her deep engagement with the human elephant conflict in northeastern India. In this episode, Kim joins me to talk about her personal and professional evolution from mom and fiction writer to author and storyteller, tackling one of the world’s lesser‑known environmental crises: the human‑elephant conflict. This conversation moves beyond travel storytelling to explore deep themes of identity, fear, and the bravery required to act. Kim shares how she navigated self‑doubt, embraced vulnerability, and found strength through community. Listeners will gain insight into the realities of conservation work, especially the nuanced human‑elephant relationship in the Eastern Himalaya. You’ll also learn how storytelling and openness can bridge cultural gaps and inspire action for coexistence. Specific personal stories, like balancing motherhood with fieldwork, and philosophical reflections on the space between are woven throughout. What’s one fear you’re holding that might be the gateway to your next big chapter, and how might acknowledging two truths about it help you move forward? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: How Kim’s childhood and family travels shaped her perspective on exploration and meaning Why Elephants in the Hourglass became both a conservation story and personal memoir What Kim learned about fear, confidence, and taking action in big life transitions The role of mentorship and community in pursuing meaningful work How cultural assumptions about motherhood impacted Kim’s work and identity What the space between means and why it matters in our relationship to nature The complexity of human‑elephant conflict and why simple narratives fall short How language and framing influence conservation and public perception Why holding opposing truths is essential to peaceful coexistence Practical takeaways on curiosity, empathy, and openness in travel and life And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Kim’s website Instagram Elephants in the Hourglass Wildlife Trust of India Want More? Living in Ecuador, Indigenous Communities, Rainforest Conservation, and Cultural Experiences With Photographer Mark Fox 100 Documentaries Project: Traveling the Globe to Find Extraordinary Humans + Changing the World One Story at a Time with Robin Danehav Myanmar’s Secret Railways: Uncovering Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Oppression with Clare Hammond Thanks To Our Sponsors Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Atlas Obscura Podcast - Experience an audio guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Curiosity As Your Travel Guide + Exploring Overlooked Destinations with John McKenzie
    Jan 27 2026
    What happens when you let curiosity guide your travel experiences? John McKenzie is a long-time traveler and curious explorer who shares stories and insights from off-the-beaten-track destinations around the world. Through his content and curated CuriosiTrips, he aims to expand others’ sense of what’s possible by encouraging a more curious, open approach to travel. He’s also a new contributor to National Geographic, writing the sections on Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia for The Traveler’s Atlas of the World. In this episode, John and I sit down in person to explore the concept of curiosity as a travel compass, why some destinations gain reputations that don’t match reality, and how community and mindset shape meaningful journeys. Travel is often framed around checklists and highlights, but John reframes it as a curiosity‑driven practice that enriches both travel and everyday life. You’ll hear how to exercise your curiosity muscle, embrace spontaneity, and responsibly explore destinations often overlooked or misunderstood. From challenging trips like Somalia, Ethiopia, and Syria to cultural discoveries and approachable recommendations like Malawi and Cuba, this conversation offers both a practical perspective and philosophical encouragement for travelers of all experience levels. What is one place you’ve always been curious about but haven’t yet visited, and what’s holding you back? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: How boredom and routine kick-started John’s curiosity and exploration What approaching travel with openness rather than rigidity can uncover Why connecting with others who’ve done what you want to do helps normalize the goal How travel to “dangerous” or misunderstood places can be both safe and rewarding The mindset shift from chasing destinations to pursuing meaningful experiences How John defines “meaningful” in his own travel, and why that matters more than ticking boxes Examples of destinations that surprised him and recommendations for your own curious travels And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter John’s website Instagram National Geographic Traveler’s Atlas of the World Extraordinary Travel Festival Want More? 7 Pro Tips For Traveling In Dangerous Countries w/ Bjorn Palsson Independent Travel as a Female in Afghanistan, Hitchhiking Iraq, and Ex-Pat Life in Sudan with Jacquelyn Kunz The World’s Most Traveled Person on the Ethics of Gamifying Travel, Best Regions in the World, and Why To Keep Traveling With Harry Mitsidis of NomadMania Thanks To Our Sponsors Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Atlas Obscura Podcast - Experience an audio guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Queer Travel in the United States: Unexpected Small Towns and the Importance of Inclusive Spaces with Chase Vondran
    Jan 20 2026
    What does queer travel in the US look like beyond the big cities? And what can all travelers learn from the LGBTQ+ travel experience? Chase Vondran is a full-time travel creator and writer based in Chicago who helps transgender and gender-diverse travelers explore safely while advocating for greater inclusion in the travel industry. After an eight-year nomadic journey spanning 20+ countries, they now focus their work on queer travel, small queer towns, and inclusive travel guides. In this episode, co-host Dianni Hall sits down with Chase to talk about queer travel in the U.S., exploring small queer towns and gayberhoods, and understanding the realities and joys of traveling as a trans person. This episode offers a rare glimpse into queer communities thriving outside of major cities and highlights unexpected destinations where queer people not only exist but also flourish. Chase shares personal stories from their travels as a trans person, the differences in how the world treats them before and after transition, and what travelers should consider when seeking inclusive spaces. You’ll discover resources, tips for finding queer communities, and the emotional power of feeling seen. Whether you’re a queer traveler, an ally, or curious about inclusive travel, this conversation expands how we think about travel, identity, and belonging. How has travel helped you better understand experiences different from your own? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Zero To Travel co-host Dianni Hall is a queer, second-generation Latina, solo budget backpacker, and host of the While She’s Away podcast. Learn more about her work here. Tune In To Learn: How travel gave Chase space to explore queerness and identity away from home What it feels like to find queer community for the first time while traveling Why places like Puerto Vallarta have become historic hubs for queer travelers How the absence of visible queer community can change a travel experience How queer history, artist communities, and other factors have helped shape small inclusive towns across the U.S. Why destinations like Saugatuck, Michigan and Eureka Springs, Arkansas defy expectations How Chase’s travel experiences shifted after coming out as trans and What safety, visibility, and respect look like when traveling as a trans person and how it differs from traveling as a woman Why small, community-driven queer spaces matter just as much as big cities How to find queer community anywhere using apps, events, and local businesses And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Dianni on Instagram Chase on Instagram Everywhere Is Queer Quouch Want More? Choosing a One-Way Ticket Over a Master’s Degree + Lessons From 6 Years of Evolving Travel with Dianni Hall Top 7 Cities for LGBTQ+ Travelers and Finding Your People Around the World with LGBTQ+ Travel Expert Alicia Valenski LGBTQ+ Travel and Making A Difference with Ravi Roth Thanks To Our Sponsors Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • Choosing a One-Way Ticket Over a Master’s Degree + Lessons From 6 Years of Evolving Travel with Dianni Hall
    Jan 13 2026
    What does it look like when travel becomes more than just a trip, but a lifelong evolution of identity, choices, and community? Dianni Hall is a queer, second-generation Latina, solo budget backpacker, podcaster, and podcast producer. She’s the host of While She’s Away, a podcast highlighting stories and advice from women travelers around the world. After choosing a one-way flight to India instead of enrolling in graduate school, Dianni spent six years traveling full-time across 30+ countries while building a freelance career and exploring what it means to find home. In this episode, we explore how Dianni’s travel lifestyle has changed over time, from solo backpacking and volunteering abroad to building a freelance career and eventually settling into a home base in Brooklyn. Dianni shares specific lessons from various phases of travel, including navigating her first solo trip, volunteering in an ashram, adjusting to slow travel, and balancing travel with long-term stability. She offers honest reflections on managing anxiety while traveling, the importance of community, and what it means to reimagine one's identity when traveling full-time comes to an end. What’s one travel experience, big or small, that changed the way you see the world, and how did it shape who you are today? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: How religious/spiritual curiosity shaped her decision to go to India What she learned from living and volunteering at an ashram What it felt like to “accidentally” become a full-time nomad and how teaching English in Spain opened doors to long-term travel and career growth Advice for navigating anxiety before and during travel, and how reframing your inner dialogue can make all the difference What solo travel taught her about confidence, community, and intuition The difference between feeling “at home” somewhere and choosing to build a life there Why returning to familiar places revealed a deeper need for belonging and community What drew her to Brooklyn, and how queer community became a central part of her rooted life And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter While She’s Away Podcast Dianni on Instagram Bar Lunatico Boyfriend Co-Op Want More? Solo Traveling Europe and “The Stans” in a Campervan with Maria Glaser Joys of Solo Travel with Manjinder Kang Seizing Your Opportunity to Travel, Saving Money as a Solo Traveler, Lessons from a Career Break, and How to Figure Out What You Want (In 60 Seconds) with Leslie McKellar Thanks To Our Sponsors Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • 7 Must-Visit Destinations for 2026 (Get There Before the Crowds Arrive!) with Lyn Hughes
    Jan 6 2026
    What are the top travel destinations for 2026 that need to be on your radar? Lyn Hughes is the founding editor of Wanderlust Magazine and a leading voice in adventure and cultural travel journalism. She’s spent decades curating destination guides, championing responsible travel, and sharing stories that inspire deeper exploration. I catch up with Lyn to explore her curated list of the best places to travel in 2026 and why you should prioritize these destinations for the new year or near future. Lyn shares standout destinations including remote wilderness routes, under‑the‑radar cultural hubs, and wildlife-rich regions. She shares personal stories, explains why there is urgency around some of these locations, and gives insight into how we can engage more meaningfully and responsibly when we visit. If you're thinking ahead to your next big trip, this episode offers thoughtful guidance and some surprising ideas. Which types of destinations spark your imagination right now? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why Wanderlust creates future‑looking destination lists and how they’re curated How to balance adventure, accessibility, and sustainability in trip planning Advice for travelers seeking lesser‑known but rewarding places What Lyn looks for in a truly special travel experience How one rugged road trip remains one of her all‑time favorites Why wildlife travel can reshape how we see the world How curated content and AI might impact your next travel search What role community‑based tourism is playing in new travel trends Personal travel picks from a legendary travel editor And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Wanderlust Magazine Wanderlust: Off the Page podcast on Apple, Spotify Want More? Top 7 Travel Trends for 2025 with Lyn Hughes Top 10 Places We’re Dying To Visit That We’ve Never Been 14 Best of “The Best Places to Travel in 2025” (Jason’s Picks) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • What's Coming in 2026 on Zero To Travel
    Dec 30 2025
    Tune in for a quick update on what's to come on the Zero To Travel podcast in 2026! Happy New Year, my friend. Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL” Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    6 mins
  • 5th Annual Norwegian Christmas Spectacular
    Dec 23 2025
    My wife, Anne-Dorthe, and I are together on the pod to share all about Christmas traditions in Norway and the United States. You'll hear what it's like to taste Julebrus for the first time, see who will win the theoretical battle between Santa Claus and Julenisse, discover the three main traditional dishes in different parts of Norway, get a special Norwegian treat from my wife, and so much more! Can you appreciate your traditions as if you were a traveler seeing and experiencing them for the first time? Have a wonderful Holiday wherever you are, my friend! *This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen. What are your Holiday traditions? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Resources: Subscribe to our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • Remote Roundup: New Year Reflection + Planning Alternatives, the “New Place, New Me” Trap, 2025 Travel Superlatives (December 2025)
    Dec 16 2025
    Looking for more creative and fun ways to reflect on your year and plan for the next one? Join Caitlin and Janessa in this year-end Remote Roundup to explore personal reflections, unexpected lessons, goal-setting alternatives, and favorite travel moments from 2025. Remote Roundup is a monthly series hosted by Zero To Travel’s associate producer, Caitlin Sunderland, and partnerships manager, Janessa Klatt. Explore what's new in remote work and travel, including helpful tools and resources, need‑to‑know trends, destinations, and insight into what it really means to live and work around the world. Caitlin and Janessa talk about identity, growth, community, habits, and how their remote lives are evolving as they plan for the new year. You'll walk away with insights and practical ideas for reflecting on your own year and setting more intentional goals, whether you're traveling full-time, working remotely, or simply ready for a reset in 2026. What’s a moment from your 2025 that made you feel most yourself? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: The top Zero To Travel episodes for 2025 and why they’re worth a re-listen 5 non-cliche reflection questions to look back on your year with more depth Alternative intention-setting ideas for 2026 that go beyond resolutions and “word of the year” trends What the “new place, new me” trap is and how it can quietly derail goals for travelers Fun travel superlatives from their year, from best coffee culture and unexpected destinations to top meals and views And much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Caitlin on Instagram Janessa on Instagram Want More? 14 Best of “The Best Places to Travel in 2025” (Jason’s Picks) Top 10 Reasons to Love Living Abroad with Botik Quest The 5 Best Hacks of “All the Hacks”: Travel, Money & Life Optimization with Chris Hutchins How to Navigate Transitions and Design Your Life (Without the BS) with Lauren Handel Zander Profiling Every UN Nation (In Alphabetical Order), Travel through Geography, Lessons from 10 Years of YouTube Success with Paul Barbato of Geography Now Thanks To Our Sponsors Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL” Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 17 mins