Welcome back to Going Places! Today, I'm thrilled to reconnect with Nikki Vargas, a senior editor at Fodor's Travel and the founder of Unearthed Women joins me to discuss her latest book, "Call You When I Land." In this travel memoir, Nikki shares her profound experiences navigating cultures, finding love, and discovering herself along the way. 

Throughout our conversation, Nikki sheds light on the transformative power of travel and its ability to shape our journeys and our careers. We discuss the role travelers play in supporting the communities they visit, echoing Nikki's commitment to championing women's voices worldwide. From her experiences founding Unearthed Women to her latest book project, Nikki's wisdom and passion for exploration shines through, offering listeners a fresh perspective on the intersection of travel, self-discovery, and advocacy.

"Call You When I Land" is out now and promises readers a captivating exploration of wanderlust, resilience, and pursuing one's dreams. Whether you're an avid traveler or simply curious about the world, Nikki's story will surely resonate. 

This episode and the entire season is brought to you by Visit Jordan. Be sure to visit myjordanjourney.com to learn more about Jordan.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Introduction and overview of Nikki's new book, "Call You When I Land."
• Excerpt reading and discussion of pivotal moments from the book
• Comparison of the writing process between Nikki's first book, "Wanderess," and her memoir, "Call You When I Land."
• Challenges and rewards of book writing compared to articles
• Overcoming self-doubt and fears in the writing process
• Practical strategies for tackling a writing project
• The influence of Nikki's career as a travel journalist and editor on her book writing
• The power of memoirs and travel narratives in inspiring transformation
• Recognizing the privilege of travel and finding accessible ways to explore
• Supporting women in travel and amplifying their voices through conscious consumerism
• Highlighting stories of everyday women making a difference in their communities, like Manal Kahi's Eat Offbeat.
• Importance of authenticity in social media, particularly TikTok
• Balancing personal life milestones with professional endeavors
• Nikki's upcoming book project inspired by a trip to Norway
• Invitation to join Nikki on her book tour and connect in person

Featured on the show:

• Order Nikki's travel memoir, CALL YOU WHEN I LAND
• Nikki’s book Instagram: @callyouwheniland
• Nikki Vargas website: nikkivargas.com
• Nikki’s Instagram: @niknakvargas
• Nikki’s Twitter: @MsNikkiVargas
• Catch up with Nikki on her book tour. 
• Follow Nikki on Tiktok: @authornikkivargas
• Eat OffBeat: eatoffbeat.com
• Pitch your story idea to Fodors.
• Review Fodor’s pitch guidelines.
• Listen to Episode 87: The Driving Force Behind Unearth Women with Nikki Vargas

Get more information at:

Learn more about our show at goingplacesmedia.com.

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Going Places with Yulia Denisyuk is a show that sparks a better understanding of people and places near and far by fostering a space for real conversations to occur. Each week, we sit down with travelers, journalists, creators, and people living and working in destinations around the world. Hosted by Yulia Denisyuk, an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, and writer who's worked with National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC Travel, and more. 

Learn more about our show at goingplacesmedia.com.

Our theme music this season, Abbad El Shams, is provided by Rawan Roshni, a Palestinian/Balkan singer based in Jordan.

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit Jordan

This episode and the rest of this season are brought to you by Visit Jordan. Jordan is a beautiful country in the Middle East that has something for everyone: in a relatively small area, it packs diverse landscapes like the Mediterranean forests of Ajloun, deep canyons in Wadi Dana, the Mars-like desert of Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Let Jordan be your host for your Middle Eastern adventures. Go to Visit Jordan to learn more.

Visit Jordan