This week, we’re doing something special — featuring an episode from Queen's Podcast about Scotland's Maggie Dickson 

If you enjoy this episode, go follow Queens Podcast / @queens_podcast wherever you listen to podcasts  and let them know we sent you!

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Today we unpack what it really means to work and travel—whether you're living out of a rooftop tent or being a travelling as a  "slowmad" tune in for honest insights, travel fails, and must-know resources if you're living the van life, a digital nomad lifestyle, or on your next backpacker adventure.

💬 In This Episode:

• Are you a Type A or Type B traveler? (Spoiler: one of us packs an air diffuser, the other forgets her wallet)
• The truth about van life that Instagram won’t tell you
• What it’s really like to work full-time on the road (as a backpacker or from a trailer)
• Showering in lakes, battling with FedEx in Thailand, and RV elitism
• The digital nomad loneliness nobody talks about
• Hilarious travel fails (a flaming phone charger at the gate?!)
• Our must-have apps & hacks for every kind of travel lifestyle

👋 Connect with Our Guest: Laura from The Travel Creator Podcast

🎧 Podcast: The Travel Creator
📸 Instagram: @travelcontentwriting
🎙️ Recommended Episode: "The 7% Rule" – tips for staying productive when everything’s dying (literally)

🔗 Van Life Resources (Mentioned by Laura):

• Overlander – App for finding free campsites with reviews and photos
• FreeCampsites.net – Community-driven listings of free places to camp
• The Dyrt – Paid app for detailed camping info and reviews
• Google Maps – Essential for up-to-date navigation (ditch Apple Maps!)
• Harvest Hosts – $150/year membership to stay overnight at wineries, breweries, and farms in exchange for supporting the business
• Planet Fitness Membership – For showers and workouts nationwide
• Public Libraries – Hidden gems for WiFi and peaceful workspaces

🌎 Digital Nomad Resources (Mentioned by Marie):

• Timeleft – Mystery dinner app to meet locals and travelers via personality-based group meals
• ClassPass – Global access to gyms, yoga, beauty services, and wellness
• CoLiving.com – Flexible co-living spaces perfect for digital nomads
• Flatio – No-fee housing platform ideal for long stays in Europe
• Travel Smoothie Blender – Lightweight portable blender for healthy meals on the go
• Tip: Never book

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To Help Aseel Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram! : @aseel_dentart
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

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Today we are covering a woman whose life was so full of drama we are still talking about her 500 years later... Mary Queen of Scots. 

We’re not only covering the twists, betrayals, and wild scandals of Scottish history, but we’re also reliving our own adventures in Scotland — from cozy hot chocolate in Edinburgh to getting terrorized by Scottish teens and even visiting the very castle where part of Mary’s story went down, Holyrood Castle. 

You’ll learn:

• Why Mary’s life was basically a soap opera-meets-Game of Thrones.
• How her choices in love (spoiler: bad ones) shaped the fate of nations.
• Why her name still sparks fascination centuries later.
• Fun and spooky Harry Potter connections in Edinburgh, including the haunted graveyard that inspired Tom Riddle.

Our top Scotland travel recommendations: Uplands Roast hot chocolate in The Meadows, Mellis Cheese Shop in Edinburgh,  strolling colorful Victoria Street, and experiencing the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

📚 Book recs if you want to dive deeper into this story:

A Tip for the Hangman by Allison Epstein 

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To Help Aseel Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram! : @aseel_dentart
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

To Help Sally Escape Gaza:
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Today we are interviewing my friend Kelly’s first chaotic A.F. trip to India and how she accidentally met the royal family of Jaipur. 

We talk:

• Growing up in a literally 10-road village in England village and what life in London is like 
• The reverse culture shock of coming home after long-term travel — when people don’t even know the countries you’ve been to
• Landing in New Delhi straight from Thailandand immediately questioning all life choices
• Seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise
• The darker side of India travel — confronting poverty up close, cultural confusion, and witnessing things you can’t unsee
• Accidentally having dinner with the actual Prince of Jaipur  while she was actively battling food poisoning
• The reality of traveling while injured, hospital visits abroad, and surviving Delhi belly with dignity (or not)

Follow Sawai Padmanabh Singh, The Prince of Jaipur on Insta:https://www.instagram.com/pachojaipur/?hl=en

Song & Bollywood Movie: Prem Ratan Dhan Payo 

India, India travel, travel stories, solo female travel India, crazy travel story, Taj Mahal travel, Delhi belly survival, meeting Indian royalty

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To Help Aseel Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram! : @aseel_dentart
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

To Help Sally Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram!: @sallyhjeer
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

As a long term digital nomad and "slomad" over the past two years I wanted to let you in on the secrets of the 15 things I always pack for a long term trip. 

I’m breaking down my must-have, slightly bougie—but absolutely game-changing—items I never leave the country without as a full-time digital nomad. These are the unexpected travel essentials that go beyond Pinterest lists and make long-term backpacking feel like home 🌍

Whether you’re a fellow slowmad, full-time traveler, or planning your first extended trip—this one’s for you.

🧳 What You’ll Learn:

• What to pack to actually enjoy long-term travel (and not lose your mind)
• Genius comfort upgrades you’ve never thought of
• Backpacking tips that don’t suck
• How to make any AirBnb, hostel, or homestay feel like your own cozy home

🧠 My 12 Must-Have Travel Essentials:

1. Ice Mask – $2 lifesaver when there’s no A/C
2. JBL Travel Speaker – for solo dance parties & beach hangs
3. Travel Smoothie Maker – stay healthy anywhere
4. Lululemon Travel Yoga Mat – washable, durable & worth every penny
5. Packing Cubes – because chaos is not the vibe
6. Chacos or Tevas – sandals that do it all
7. Black Tennis Skirt w/ Pockets – stylish + pickpocket-proof
8. Travel String Lights – instant cozy vibes in any space
9. Charcoal Pills – stomach-saver for food adventures (or hangovers)
10. Compact Coffee Maker – Vietnamese filter or AeroPress FTW
11. Travel Robe – lightweight & better than a towel wrap
12. Travel Towel – thin, absorbent, and not made of weird microfiber

💬 Listener Favorites (Sent via Instagram DMs):

• Eno Hammock – for naps anywhere 🌴
• Fold-up Tote Bag – because extra storage always wins
• Silk Pillowcase – hostel hack + hair care
• Anti-diarrhea Pills – let’s be real
• Crystals – for peace & vibes
• Leatherman Knife – survival mode (if TSA allows)
• Mini Magnetic Chess Set – for cozy, cerebral nights

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

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To Help Aseel Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram! : @aseel_dentart
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

To Help Sally Escape Gaza:
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Today we have on Jamie Corstorphine, a veteran ghost tour guide of Edinburgh’s legendary City of the Dead Ghost Tours, to explore the real story of the McKenzie Poltergeist, the eerie energy of the underground Edinburgh Vaults, and why so many visitors leave with scratches, bruises, and unexplained marks.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

•  The 3,000+ eyewitness accounts of attacks at Greyfriars Kirkyard.
•  The homeless man whose accident triggered decades of paranormal activity.
• The gruesome history of the McKenzie Mausoleum and the Coventanter’s Prison.
• Witches, executions, haunted vaults, and Edinburgh’s dark hidden past.
•  Why the City of the Dead tours are the only ones with access to the infamous Black Mausoleum.

If you’ve ever searched for Scotland ghost stories, Edinburgh haunted tours, or the McKenzie Poltergeist, this episode will plunge you into the heart of those legends. Perfect listening for October and spooky season.

Follow & Support:

👉 Learn more about Jamie’s work and book your own haunted experience at City of the Dead Tours
.
👉 Follow @cityofthedeadtours

Read the Books  by Jan Andrew:  https://www.janandrewhenderson.com/

Read the Book: The Ghost That Haunted Itself

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Connect:
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Send in your best travel story to share on the podcast via voice message or email:
[email protected]

To Help Aseel Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram! : @aseel_dentart
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

To Help Sally Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram!: @sallyhjeer
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

Today travel youtube Crosby Grace shares the full story of how she went from a freedom-filled motorcycle trip across Vietnam to being stuck in a remote mountain village, dangerously dehydrated, and unable to get medical care.

We talk about:

• What it’s actually like getting food poisoning in the middle of nowhere
• The emotional toll of being sick while solo traveling
• How long-term travel affects friendships back home
• Digital nomad life: freedom, flexibility, and WTF moments
• The power of travel community (and knowing who to FaceTime when sh*t hits the fan)
• It’s part survival story, part love letter to the wild ride of the nomadic lifestyle—and full of those “only in travel” moments that leave you changed.

Connect:
✨ Crosby – Travel content creator & YouTuber
📺 YouTube: Crosby Grace Travels: VIETNAM VIDEO
📸 Instagram: @crosbygracetravels

✨ Sam-Photography Account
📸 Instagram: @quietinbetween

Today's World Music: 

Midiwan by Bombino

Check out: The Podcast World Music Playlist

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Connect:
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Send in your best travel story to share on the podcast via voice message or email:
[email protected]

To Help Aseel Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram! : @aseel_dentart
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

To Help Sally Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram!: @sallyhjeer
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

Season 6 is here!! 

September 15, this season dives into travel stories from Scotland, Iran, and Australia—with plenty of comedy history, outrageous mishaps, and unexpected adventures along the way.

From Scotland’s financial fiascos to Australia’s wildest stunts (including a guy who shipped himself in a crate ), to re-framing the narrative around Iran with unheard cultural stories—you won’t want to miss a single episode.

What’s Coming This Season

• ✈️ Scotland: Comedy history, chaotic financial scandals, and iconic characters.
• 🌏 Australia: Aussies living in vans, Gold Coast luxury, bogan tales, and unbelievable travel stories.
• 🇮🇷 Iran: Stories beyond the stereotypes—unique, human, and surprising.

Featured Guests

• Crosby Grace – Travel YouTuber sharing one of her most raw travel stories.
• Maddie Garrett – UGC queen & host of Paid to Travel, teaching how to monetize your travels.
• Christa Romano– Host of Digital Nomad Life Podcast, plus her wild Burning Man survival story.
• Listener-submitted travel stories, including betrayal, love, and even meeting royalty in the most unexpected ways.

Personal Travel Updates

I'm headed to Oaxaca, Mexico for Day of the Dead—a dream trip inspired by film, fashion, and color. Expect behind-the-scenes updates on Instagram @CultureCultureShow
.

Why Tune In?

Because travel isn’t just about places—it’s about the people, chaos, comedy, and connections that shape our journeys. This season is full of unhinged, hilarious, and heartfelt travel stories you’ll never forget.

📅 Season 6 launches September 15. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the ride.

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To Help Aseel Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram! : @aseel_dentart
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

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Today I want to share my three-month stay in Hội An, Vietnam. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to live there (beyond the touristy highlights), this one’s for you.

I spill my observations of everyday life: water buffalo naps, karaoke at 8am, maggots in my pho (yes, really), the strongest coffee I’ve ever had, and why Vietnam is the land of beautiful chaos. You’ll also hear about the women running the show in Hội An, my hilarious food-only conversations with a stranger, and why Anthony Bourdain loved Vietnam so much.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why Hội An is a perfect digital nomad home base
• My favorite cafes, yoga studios, and cocktail spots (Spice Root, Om Factory, and the iconic Hit Ha coworking café on the beach)
• The Vietnamese karaoke obsession and what makes it so different from Thailand’s scene
• The chaotic, unapologetic beauty of Vietnam—and why I find it so freeing
• A personal and emotional share about my partner Ollie, who was such a big part of this trip

Recommendations from this Episode:

• Stay at Mimi’s House in Hội An – A warm, family-run homestay where you’ll get homemade meals, karaoke nights, and the kind of community you can’t find in a regular Airbnb. DM me @culturecultshow if you want Mimi’s direct info and not the Airbnb markup.
• Coffee musts: Coconut coffee, salted coffee, egg coffee, avocado coffee (don’t knock it ‘til you try it).
• Spice Root – Incredible cocktails + live jazz in a lantern-lit heritage building.
• Om Factory Yoga – Overlooking rice fields with aerial yoga and the sweetest teachers.
• Hit Ha (HIT Space) – My favorite café + coworking spot in the world (dog + cat café on the beach!).

Follow My Around the World Trip:

Hot Tips for Lisbon Portugal

Chaotic Australia Trip 

2 Months on the White Lotus Island in Thailand 

Let’s Connect:

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam—or you just want Mimi’s House info—DM me on Instagram @cultureshow  I’d love to help you plan or just hear your own wild Vietnam stories.

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Connect:
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Send in your best travel story to share on the podcast via voice message or email:
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To Help Aseel Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram! : @aseel_dentart
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

To Help Sally Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram!: @sallyhjeer
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

I spent two months in Thailand, living as a digital nomad on the island of Koh Samui — yes, the one that was featured in White Lotus Season 3. And  I found a hidden gem: Lamai, a magical little town that still feels deeply Thai and hasn’t been completely overrun by mass tourism.

This episode is part travel diary, part digital nomad guide. You’ll hear my wild stories (think full moon parties, tropical rainstorms in the back of a pickup truck, and mushroom trips), but also my best tips if you’re dreaming of traveling to Thailand or setting up in a digital nomad community.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why Lamai, Koh Samui is my secret paradise
• My home at Amy Village — the co-living space that made my entire trip, complete with a pool, co-working space ( DM me at @culturecultshow to be put in touch with William the owner to book) 
• My go-to markets
• The Full Moon Party experience on Koh Phangan — the good, the bad, the fire ropes
• Tattoos, temples, and why Thailand might just be the happiest place on earth
• 🧘🏽 The beautiful contradictions of Thailand: spirituality, hedonism, kindness, and freedom all in one.

👉 If you’re planning to travel to Thailand or curious about life as a digital nomad in Koh Samui, DM me on Instagram @CultureCultureShow. I can even connect you directly with William and Sunny at Amy Village so you don’t pay Airbnb prices.

 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• [Amy Village Co-Living, Koh Samui]
• Annie’s Nail Salon (award-winning nails + cats)
• Samui Bike Rentals (ask for Phil)
• Local & Night Markets in Lamai

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Support the show

Want your episodes early?
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Connect:
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Send in your best travel story to share on the podcast via voice message or email:
[email protected]

To Help Aseel Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram! : @aseel_dentart
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)

To Help Sally Escape Gaza:
Follow her and support her on Instagram!: @sallyhjeer
Donate to her Go Fund Me ( ANY amount helps)