What do we say, what do other people hear, and how much of who we are gets lost somewhere in between?

In this episode of In Conversation with Tourists, I’m joined by Margarett, Brian and Austin for a wonderfully open, funny and honest conversation about communication, vulnerability, sexuality, relationships and our sense of self.

We talk about the meanings we attach to words, the difference between intention and interpretation, becoming comfortable with vulnerability, and the complicated relationship we can have with our own bodies, identities and desires.

And, because this is Edinburgh in August, we also dive into Fringe life: performing for different audiences, cultural differences, unexpected reactions, connecting with strangers and what happens when a room responds in a way you never quite anticipated.

Three guests, very different perspectives, and a conversation that moves from thoughtful to funny to surprisingly personal, with plenty in between.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and if the conversation resonates with you, please share the episode with someone who might enjoy it too.

In this episode of In Conversation with Tourists, Oana speaks with Evelyn, a recent University of Edinburgh graduate and the founder of TheiaMuse, an emerging app focused on travelling exhibitions.

Together, they explore how museums are changing, what happens to the collections that remain hidden in storage, and how new and more experimental exhibitions are being developed.

They also consider whether museums need to be packed with objects, information and historical detail, or whether a carefully designed experience can sometimes create a more meaningful connection.

Why do people visit museums? Do visitors really explore every room? What motivates us to enter, move through and spend time in these cultural spaces? Are we there to learn, to be entertained, to feel connected, or simply to find something that speaks to us?

At the heart of the conversation is Evelyn’s thoughtful observation:

“The purpose of museums is to find meaning.”

A reflective discussion about collections, curiosity, visitor behaviour and the future of the museum experience.

In this episode of In Conversation with Tourists, I speak with travel consultant Lindsay Nielsen about what really goes into planning a memorable holiday.

Drawing on her experience in travel consultancy, tourism boards and her own journeys around the world, Lindsay shares how she helps clients shape holidays around their interests, preferences, budgets and personalities. We discuss the many different ways people travel, from adventurous itineraries and cultural exploration to cruises, beach holidays and trips where the best moments come from leaving space to wander.

Our conversation explores the balance between planning and spontaneity, the value of having someone who can take care of the practical details, and the importance of listening carefully to what travellers actually want. Lindsay also explains how she brings creativity into the process, sometimes offering a “wild card” suggestion that gives clients something extra to consider.

This is a conversation about travel trends, customer experience, thoughtful planning and the quiet work that happens behind the scenes before a holiday begins.

n Conversation with Tourists explores how people travel, what they notice, what they love, and what makes a place stay with them long after the trip ends.

In this episode, Yana shares stories from travelling through more than 20 countries, from her love for the Philippines to her fondness for cloudier places, unusual foods, and the small personal rituals that make travel feel like her own, including sometimes bringing her console along for the journey.

In this episode of In Conversation with Tourists, I speak with Salma, a student from Chicago spending a semester in Edinburgh.

We explore the ideas of mindful tourism, sustainable travel practices and what it means to truly be present while exploring a new place.

One moment that stayed with me is when Salma said, “It's fun to go to places that don't exist anywhere other than the new place you're in,” but the entire conversation is insightful, thoughtful and full of inspiration.

In this episode of In Conversation with Tourists, I’m joined by Charlie for an unexpected follow-up to our recent trips to Stockholm.

By pure coincidence, we found ourselves on the same departure flight , and we've decided to record an episode of experiencing the city in completely different ways.

Charlie’s trip was shaped by friends, gym, some quirky bars and exploring Stockholm’s more youthful, social side. Mine leaned towards slower days, family time, and, unsurprisingly, a few museums along the way.

Together, we reflect on how the same city can offer entirely different experiences depending on where you are in life and personal needs, rather than being mainly guided by a list of must-do activities.

I’m in love… with this conversation!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing one of the most heartwarming episodes we’ve ever recorded. For the first time, I interviewed a newlywed couple, an adventurous duo from the U.S., who are traveling the world together and spending a few months in Edinburgh.

From meeting in New York, to discovering Scotland (Robert Burns, haggis, whiskey, and the Borders!), and exploring Europe from Italy to Georgia, their stories are full of curiosity, joy, and the magic of connecting with people and places.

This episode is a little gift for anyone who loves travel, love stories, or just celebrating human connection.

This episode is a thoughtful chat with Jon, a traveler who truly pays attention to places, to people and the spaces in between.

We take a look at Eastern Europe through his eyes, including his reflections on Georgia and other destinations often seen as grey or uniform. Jon has a real fondness for public architecture : bus stations, communal spaces, metro, those overlooked structures which he feels embody the spirit, playfulness, and creativity of local communities.

Beyond the travel destinations, we also discuss how we travel: whether alone or with others, fast or slow, and what changes when we take the time to really see what’s already around us. It’s a warm, down-to-earth episode about curiosity, awareness, and the quiet joy of exploring with an open heart.

Different format, two short street interviews with tourists in Edinburgh in the summer of 2025. Delighted to find out what caught their attention and what they would recommend others to do in the city.

As the year slows down and many of us start reflecting rather than rushing, this conversation feels especially timely.

In this episode of In Conversation with Tourists, I sit down with Téa, a thoughtful traveler and researcher whose journeys have taken her through the Himalayas, Peru and many other places — and closer to home, Scotland.

Téa doesn’t travel to collect destinations. She travels to meet places. Through breath, body awareness, nutrition and a deep sense of presence, she explores how landscapes can be felt, not just visited. We talk about moving through powerful places gently, listening to your body on the road, and how travel can become a way of reconnecting — with yourself as much as with the world around you.

It’s grounding conversation, perfect for this reflective time of year.

Enjoy it!