gotacaseofwanderlust

listen to how my travel opinions have changed since I first began solo traveling :)

*this is PART TWO of two episodes

read the full article version here:

https://gottacaseofwanderlust.com/2025/05/02/how-my-mindsets-about-travel-have-shifted-since-the-beginning/

welcome back and let’s kick off SEASON FIVE !!

I re-listened to my older podcast episodes and realized I don’t hold entirely the same opinions as I used to… so I’m calling out my past self and sharing what I think about travel now.

let me know your thoughts and I’m so excited to share this new podcast season with you !

mentioned:

* TripBFF

* NomadHer

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

listen to how my travel opinions have changed since I first began solo traveling :)

*this is PART ONE of two episodes

read the full article version here:

https://gottacaseofwanderlust.com/2025/05/02/how-my-mindsets-about-travel-have-shifted-since-the-beginning/

welcome back and let’s kick off SEASON FIVE !!

I re-listened to my older podcast episodes and realized I don’t hold entirely the same opinions as I used to… so I’m calling out my past self and sharing what I think about travel now.

let me know your thoughts and I’m so excited to share this new podcast season with you !

mentioned:

* TripBFF

* NomadHer

━━━━━━━━ ⟡ ━━━━━━━━

connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

joy is your birthright !!

it’s NOT cringey to express your happiness — let’s feel every emotion to the fullest <3

Gi Shieh is a travel content creator known for her travel brand “The Sensible Fay” online.

Gi is a Taiwanese American passionate about mindful living, slow travel, outdoor adventures, and sustainable fashion, who is alternates between New York City and Taiwan for her home base.

on this episode, we chat about:

- Gi’s favorite places in Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Italy

- benefits of slow travel

- how can we ensure we are shopping sustainably?

- and much more!!

featured questions:

1. On your blog, you feature 4 countries with jam-packed insider information for travelers — which are Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and Italy. Which country left the biggest impact on you?

2. Is there anything you wish you would’ve done differently on your trips?

3. Of the places you visited, where were the best beaches?

4. How has your traveling style and mindset changed since your first trips until now?

5. Why and how do you practice slow living in your travels?

6. Why is sustainable fashion such a huge passion for you and how does it leak into your travel experiences?

7. Do you think traveling is subversive or supportive to capitalism?

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sustainable fashion database name:

https://directory.goodonyou.eco

connect with Gi here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thesensiblefay?igsh=d2hkOXBzeDJsNG41

✨ Travel blog:

https://thesensiblefay.com/destinations

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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Sequoia Armstrong is a conscious travel consultant and entrepreneur who is the founder of the travel planning organization Puebla York, and host of the Soul Wanderer podcast.

Puebla York designs custom travel experiences in Japan and Mexico centered around the principles of cultural connection, environmental sustainability, and conscious travel.

on this episode, we chat about:

- what is “conscious travel” and how do we implement it into our traveling?

- the true value of traveling solo, especially for women!

featured questions:

1. When did you become more intentional about “conscious travel,” and what exactly is it?

2. Have you always wanted to become a travel consultant? What was the inspiration behind “Puebla York” and can you share a little bit about the process of creating it?

3. What about Mexico and Japan specifically makes you want to devote your company around only these 2 countries?

4. How do we fight the feeling of FOMO when traveling?

5. Do you have any advice for “getting off the beaten path” in popular destinations?

6. If there’s 1 piece of actionable advice you’d like all travelers to implement into their experiences to make their trips more “conscious”, what would it be?

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connect with Sequoia here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc?igsh=MWd4ODQ5eG45cGd6dQ==

✨ Puebla York:

https://www.pueblayorkinc.com

✨Soul Wanderer podcast

https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/podcast

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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Shania Stewart, who also goes by Kya, who was born in South Africa but raised in Switzerland.

Kya started backpacking when she was 18 after deciding to take a gap year before university.

Since then, she has solo traveled to dozens of countries — Scotland being one of her favorites.

on this episode, we chat about:

- the value of taking a gap year

- travel tips before visiting to Scotland

- meeting people while solo traveling

featured questions:

1. What would you say to those hesitant about taking a gap year?

2. How did you spend your gap years and what were some of your favorite involvements?

3. For first time travelers to Scotland, where are the best places to visit and what should they know beforehand?

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name of hostels mentioned:

connect with Kya here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shaniatstewart?igsh=MWF6bXEwY3QxMW5keA==

✨ Travel guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@shaniastewart

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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Ola is a solo female traveler from Poland but has been living abroad for the past 6 years in places like Germany and Denmark.

Ola has solo backpacked on the continents of South America, Europe and Asia and prioritizes off-the-beaten track places that sometimes Google Maps can’t even find.

on this episode, we chat about:

- hiking advice and safety tips for solo female travelers

- what to know before traveling to Patagonia

- Ola’s personal favorite hikes

- and much more!

featured questions:

1. You’ve hiked one of the most sought after hiking spots in the world — Patagonia, which I know is a dream for many. Can you share to other interested travelers any advice they should know beforehand?

2. What are some general safety tips for hiking off-the-beaten-path?

3. Do you have any advice specifically for solo female hikers?

4. Rapid fire round- hiking addition

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name of one of Ola’s favorite hiking trails as mentioned:

Huayhuash, Perú

other trails mentioned:

- The highest mountain in Germany - Zugspitze

- Famous trek in Patagonia - W-trek in the National Park of Torres del Paine

- Patagonia logo mountain - Fitz Roy

connect with Ola here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/olaexploradora?igsh=dmp6MWo3OWlja2p5

✨ Travel guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@olaexploradora

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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Ems is from the Philippines who is currently an international student in Estonia.

Ems is also a travel content creator with expertise in Southeast Asia, solo travel, and remote work.

on this episode, we chat about:

- shocks from living abroad in Estonia

- Estonian culture compared to other European countries

- Ems’ favorite countries in Asia

- and much more!

featured questions:

1. ​ Why did you decide to study abroad in Estonia?
2. ​ What is life like there? Were there any culture shocks or things that surprised you when you first arrived?
3. ​ What is your favorite part about living abroad and the most challenging part?
4. ​ What are the similarities and differences between Estonia and other Northern European countries?
5. ​ What are your favorite places in Asia?

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connect with Ems here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/emselsewhere?igsh=NXlobWczcDY5Nzlp

✨ Travel blog:

https://emselsewhere.my.canva.site/ugc#about

goneelsewhere.substack.com

✨ Travel guides

https://www.thatch.co/@emselsewhere

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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Taylor Alissa spontaneously moved from the U.S. to Japan and is here to talk about her experience living abroad and solo traveling to other countries in Asia.

on this episode, we chat about:

- living abroad in Japan

- solo traveling to other Asian countries

- the surprising relation between Jamaica and Japan

featured questions:

1. Did you experience any cultural shocks in Japan?

2. How did you adjust to life in Japan?

3. Favorite foods in Japan?

4. Did your identity as a Jamaican American affect your experience?

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connect with Taylor here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/theworldxtay?igsh=MXd4dmdoanZlbmE0bA==

✨ Travel guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@tayyalissa

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@lydiaschultzz

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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Kiran was raised in Kolkata, located on the Eastern side of India, and completed her MBA in Mumbai, one of India’s largest cities, on the west coast. Kiran is now living and working  in Bengaluru, in southern India.

on this episode, we chat about:

- Kiran’s advice for solo travelers in India

- Cultural norms to be aware of in India

- India’s gastronomy: from the must-try dishes, street food, and regional differences

- and much more!

featured questions:

1. ​ 1. Would you say solo traveling in India is any different from solo traveling to other countries? Are there any extra things we should be aware of?
2. ​ 2. What are the best cities to visit for first time travelers to India?
3. ​ 3. What are some cultural norms travelers should know in India?
4. 4. ​ What’s your advice for navigating the street food scene in India?
5. ​ 5. Do you have any insight about traveling to India for yoga?

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connect with Kiran here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kiranroy18?igsh=d2t2cTRnOGZnbXhp

✨ Travel guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@travelwthki

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@lydiaschultzz

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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