Episodes

  • Remote Roundup: New Year Reflection + Planning Alternatives, the “New Place, New Me” Trap, 2025 Travel Superlatives (December 2025)

    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
  • One Year in Norway: Teaching, Traveling, and Finding Perspective with Don Jenkins

    One Year in Norway: Teaching, Traveling, and Finding Perspective with Don Jenkins
    Dec 9 2025
    What happens when you step out of your life for a year to live, work, and connect in a completely different culture? Don Jenkins is a 27-year high-school teacher from Washington state who spent a full academic year in Norway through the Fulbright Roving Scholar Program. Based in Oslo but constantly on the move, he traveled the country visiting schools and giving workshops on American history and government, reaching thousands of students along the way. This episode explores Don’s journey as a cultural ambassador, educator, and traveler. We talk about the surprising differences between Norwegian and American school systems, how living abroad shifts your view of home, and what it takes to build connection across cultures - whether you’re in a classroom, a sauna, or a sawed-off tuk tuk. Whether or not you’re a teacher, Don’s experience is full of lessons on curiosity, communication, and how to embrace the unfamiliar. From practical travel tips to deeper reflections on history, education, and societal values, this episode is a reminder of how much growth comes from stepping outside your bubble. What’s one lesson you’ve picked up while traveling that changed how you see your home? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why Don took a sabbatical to teach abroad in Norway for a year How his “roving teacher” job works and the logistics of living in Oslo while visiting 30+ schools Surprising insights about Norwegian classrooms, school culture, and community values How to implement cultural lessons at home, even if you’re not a teacher What it means to be a “mini ambassador” and have real conversations about your home country Budget-friendly tips for traveling in Norway, including food hacks and local apps The role of curiosity in building connections while traveling Why honest history matters, and what happens when we don’t teach the full story How being away from family for so long can be hard and insight on managing travel fears And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Don on Instagram American-Scandinavian Foundation Fulbright Roving Scholars Too Good To Go App Want More? Cracking the Cultural Code, Ethical Travel To Indigenous Areas, & Life in Norway With Lorelou Desjardins Hidden Norway: 7 Off The Beaten Path Gems You’ll Love, Popular Norwegian Concepts Worth Stealing, Trekking In Bhutan, & Living At The Crossroads of Magic & Science w/ Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway Walking the World: A Deeper Exploration of Culture and Community with Chris Arnade 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 8 mins
  • 11 European Dishes You Must Try Before You Die (Plus Movie Pairings) with Kenny Dunn

    11 European Dishes You Must Try Before You Die (Plus Movie Pairings) with Kenny Dunn
    Dec 2 2025
    Which European dish is so good you’d plan a trip around it? Kenny Dunn is the founder of Eating Europe, a food tour company that has guided over 400,000 travelers to the best local eats in 17 of Europe’s greatest cities since 2011. In this episode, Kenny shares 11 European dishes you must try before you die, including cultural context, restaurant tips, and personal stories from his years of travel. Kenny explains how each dish connects to its place and people, how everyday locals enjoy them, and shares his go-to spots for trying them. To add a little flavor, we also pair each dish with a movie or TV show to turn your meal into an experience if you want to make these at home! Which dish would you travel for or try to recreate at home? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: The famous British snack that was originally invented as a travel food How a Spanish street food became a spicy, deep-fried bomb of flavor The story behind a French sandwich that inspired a monster version in Portugal How one Roman specialty turns a humble vegetable into something unforgettable Where to find the prettiest open-faced sandwich in Scandinavia The sandwich Anthony Bourdain called “a monument to excess” How a single dish became the pride of Prague’s holiday tables What to expect when you try Florence’s most local sandwich Why a herring might be best enjoyed standing up in Amsterdam Tips for cooking a few of these at home (and when not to bother) And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Eating Europe Eating Europe on Instagram Want More? Top 8 Food Hacks in Europe: How to Find Authentic Culinary Experiences on the Old Continent with Kenny Dunn Top 10 European Food Experiences With Kenny Dunn From Eating Europe Sicily Uncovered: Street Food, Wine Regions, and the Art of Slowing Down 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 24 mins
  • Remote Roundup: Bangkok & Oaxaca, Remote Career Trends, Missing Out at Home, Practical Holiday Gift Guide (November 2025)

    Remote Roundup: Bangkok & Oaxaca, Remote Career Trends, Missing Out at Home, Practical Holiday Gift Guide (November 2025)
    Nov 27 2025
    How do you choose where to live, what to do, and when to go home when your life is fully remote? 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. In this episode, they’re reporting in from two wildly different corners of the world with stories, struggles, and insights about what it actually looks like to live and work abroad right now, plus a practical holiday wish list. Caitlin and Janessa open up about the hard choices digital nomads face around holidays, family, and missing big life events. They talk about the growing trend of unexpected remote careers and explore how people are adapting traditional jobs to fit this lifestyle, a conversation about the myth of the laptop-on-the-beach image that won't die, and more. What has been your biggest struggle being away from home when you travel? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why Bangkok’s scale, café culture, and mall scene work so well for remote living How Oaxaca brings together community, creativity, and tradition, especially around Day of the Dead How Caitlin pulled off a cheap(ish) last-minute flight to Asia with an airport transfer hack What it’s really like to grieve major life moments from abroad, and insight into deciding when going home makes sense Thoughts on how to take traditional skills and repurpose them into location-independent careers An honest take on the “laptop on the beach” stereotype (and why it’s still everywhere) A holiday gift guide with digital nomads in mind Two travel fail stories that involve passports, bowel movements, and a nearly missed bus in the Italian countryside And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Caitlin on Instagram Janessa on Instagram Want More? Remote Roundup: True Costs of Long-Term Travel, Taxes & Borderless Living, an Underrated Productivity Habit, + More (October 2025) Building a Travel Lifestyle: Digital Nomadism, Slow Travel, Exploring Latin America with Kyle Cohenour From Expat to Digital Nomad: Finding Your Travel Rhythm, Balancing Burnout, and the Digital Nomad Lifestyle with Kristin Wilson 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 5 mins
  • Top 10 World’s Most Difficult Countries to Visit (How and Why to Go) with Gunnar Garfors and Jacqui Kunz

    Top 10 World’s Most Difficult Countries to Visit (How and Why to Go) with Gunnar Garfors and Jacqui Kunz
    Nov 25 2025
    What are the most difficult countries to visit, and why do some require months of effort just to get in? Gunnar Garfors is an author, journalist, and the first person to travel to every country in the world twice. Jacqui Kunz was named “World’s Most Intrepid Traveler” in 2023 and is also well on her way to visiting every country in the world. In this Zero To Travel Host Collective episode, Gunnar and Jacqui go through ten of the world’s most difficult countries to visit from a visa and access standpoint. Gunnar and Jacqui share their personal experiences and insights navigating the world’s hardest-to-enter countries, especially from the perspective of American and Norwegian passports. You’ll learn not just where the access is difficult, but why - whether it’s politics, reciprocity, red tape, or safety concerns - and what it says about global mobility. They also explore the ethical side of “ticking countries off the list” and how that mindset can warp the meaning of travel. If you were to visit one country that you know is extremely hard to get into, which country would it be and why? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why your passport dramatically affects your ability to visit certain countries How political tensions between nations influence visa rules and travel bans Advice for Americans trying to enter countries that officially don’t allow them Why some countries like Turkmenistan or Libya require government approval before you can even apply What Gunnar did after being rejected six times for a visa to Turkmenistan How Jackie’s educational work raised red flags with the Iranian authorities How to travel ethically to countries with problematic governments or ongoing conflicts Tips for minimizing risk and maximizing cultural exchange in restricted destinations What it really means to have “been” somewhere (and who gets to decide that) And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Gunnar’s website Gunnar on Instagram Jacqui on Instagram Want More? Independent Travel as a Female in Afghanistan, Hitchhiking Iraq, and Ex-Pat Life in Sudan with Jacquelyn Kunz How To Get Off The Beaten Track with Gunnar Garfors Traveling the Equator and Polar Circle (Top 5 Countries to Visit) + How Climate Change Impacts Locals with Gunnar Garfors 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 10 mins
  • Independent Travel as a Female in Afghanistan, Hitchhiking Iraq, and Ex-Pat Life in Sudan with Jacquelyn Kunz

    Independent Travel as a Female in Afghanistan, Hitchhiking Iraq, and Ex-Pat Life in Sudan with Jacquelyn Kunz
    Nov 20 2025
    IMPORTANT: This episode was recorded before the conflict in Sudan, and Jacqui has since left the country. For additional information and ways to support the Sudanese people, you can visit eyesonsudan.net and follow Jacqui on Instagram. Why would someone choose to travel to the world’s most dangerous places? Today I’m joined by Jacquelyn Kunz, the first female to travel independently through Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control. In this episode, Jacqui shares some of the toughest moments from her time in Afghanistan, what led her to move to Sudan, and her life as an expat. We also talk about what it was like to hitchhike in Iraq and how these experiences have shifted her outlook on life. *This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen. Do you consider yourself a risk-taker? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. Tune in to Learn: What Jacqui considers the ultimate traveler fantasy Her favorite places to visit and what attracts her to more extreme foreign destinations Insight into the experience of being a woman in Sudan How Government censorship and surveillance impact a society Why Jacqui chose to move to Sudan (and her family's reaction) Life in Sudan with political instability, and how she fits into society Why a foreign woman is considered an "honorary man," and how this impacts her relationship with Sudanese women How these experiences changed her perspective on life and relating to others Insight into finding the courage to take a different path Jacqui's best advice for safety and her thoughts on being a risk-taker And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Subscribe to our FREE newsletter Learn more about the conflict in Sudan Connect with Jacqui on Instagram Listen to Laundry House on Spotify and follow us on Instagram Want More? 7 Pro Tips For Traveling In Dangerous Countries w/ Bjorn Palsson Travel In The Middle East with Genevieve Hathaway What Is “Happiness”? Discovering Meaning On The Silk Road w/ Will Rickard Thanks to our Sponsors Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL” Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order. Turkish Airlines Series - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify 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 30 mins
  • Beginner's Guide to Travel (No Matter Your Age) + How to Travel with Diabetes with Jason Robinson

    Beginner's Guide to Travel (No Matter Your Age) + How to Travel with Diabetes with Jason Robinson
    Nov 18 2025
    What does it really take to build a travel lifestyle from scratch, especially if you’re starting later in life or managing a serious medical condition? Jason Robinson is the founder of The Nomad Experiment and author of The Beginner Traveler’s Guide. After digging out of debt and selling his home, he now travels full-time while living with type 1 diabetes. Jason joins me to explore his updated beginner travel guide, how the nomad lifestyle has become his way of life, and how we can all learn to travel more intentionally, even when the path to getting started looks different for everyone. This episode is packed with real talk and actionable advice for anyone looking to start or deepen a travel-centered lifestyle. Jason shares the exact mindset shifts and tactical steps that helped him go from zero international travel to spending more than half the year abroad. You’ll learn why co-living can be a better fit than hostels, how to realistically assess your finances before you leap, and what it takes to travel while managing something as serious as type-1 diabetes. We also get into the harder stuff - burnout, identity, letting go of expectations -and why treating travel like an experiment may be the most freeing approach of all. What’s one small step you can take this month toward your travel‑oriented life? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why getting your passport is the easiest first move toward travel How to start travelling from exactly where you are (not waiting for “perfect”) Why choosing the right accommodation style (hostel vs co‑living) matters for long‑term travel How to build a financial base that supports a travel lifestyle—not traps you The conversation you need to have with friends or family about your priorities How to recognise and navigate travel burnout or lifestyle shifts Mindset tips for travelling with a medical condition, or any “extra” in your life Where Jason wants to go back (and why slower travel matters) How to frame your worst‑case/best‑case list so fear doesn’t hold you back The one mindset change that turns travel planning into travel living And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Jason on Instagram The Nomad Experiment Type 1 Diabetes Travel Learn to Travel Basics Want More? Going Nomad With Jason Robinson Life As An Experiment w/ Jason Robinson Rock Bottom To A Life of Travel w/ Francis Nayan Thanks To Our Sponsors Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL” Turkish Airlines Series - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order. 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 18 mins
  • Top 7 Destinations to Visit (Before They Get Crowded) with Gunnar Garfors

    Top 7 Destinations to Visit (Before They Get Crowded) with Gunnar Garfors
    Nov 13 2025
    Need some inspiration for your upcoming travels? Gunnar Garfors is the first person to travel to every country in the world not once, but TWICE. As the ultimate travel expert, he’s with us to share his list of the best places to visit before they get too popular. You’ll hear about seven out-of-the-ordinary destinations spanning all seven continents to help you plan for the coming year and beyond. Whether it’s beach life, mountain hikes, big cities, or relaxing getaways, there’s something on the list for everyone. We’ll also talk about his upcoming project, share plenty of stories, and he’ll let us in on a fun travel concept you’ll want to steal and use with your friends. *This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen. Where are you headed first? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: The ROI of travel and why you should explore out-of-the-box destinations What makes this overlooked part of this Caribbean island worth a visit How to have an authentic South American river adventure An African country ideal for extreme sports and coastal wildlife The vastly underestimated European country that has something for everyone A fun way to plan trips with your friends (You’ll want to steal this!) An affordable, diverse, and mountainous country along the Old Silk Road An underestimated Asian country rich in culture, innovation, and amazing food (It’s his favorite big city in the world!) A small but incredible Pacific island kingdom for an alternative to Fiji His bonus destination for an affordable Maldives experience Gunnar’s new book and his thoughts on climate change And so much more Resources: Subscribe to our FREE newsletter Visit Gunnar’s website Follow him on Instagram and TikTok Listen to his podcast Want More? Visiting Every County In The World…TWICE! With Gunnar Garfors How To Get Off The Beaten Track with Gunnar Garfors Part One: The First Person to Travel to Every Country Without Flying (In a Single Journey) With Thor Pedersen Thanks To Our Sponsors Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL” Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order. Turkish Airlines Series - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify 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 29 mins