It's a Mel Thing

It’s already 2022…what?? Join me in recapping what I enjoyed and struggled with while getting my first season of podcasting off the ground. We all know there are technical aspects to starting a podcast, but what about maintaining your why and concept? How does the mission evolve and what insights I gained from asking for constructive feedback. Season 1 of IAMT ends here, but I’ll be back after a personal season of traveling with hopefully, new experiences and new guests!

From Southern California, Kali Boykin describes how her mom impacted her and her sister’s love for the outdoors. How she found OBA (Outward Bound Adventures) through Doli (Diversified Outdoor Leader Institute) and is inspired to educate and provide outdoor excursions for black and brown youths. We also talk about why she chose to pursue a Masters in Family & Marriage counseling and in a rare opportunity, Kali flips the interview and asks about my travel dreams and we discuss the conflict between home and exploring the nomad spirit inside of us.

To learn more about Kali, follow her at @kalishakb and OBA @outwardboundadventures

What happens when a Brazilian meets a Minnesotan? You get Alli & Henrique! Two college sweethearts in their late 20’s working to reach their financial independence goals while navigating through career changes, traveling, and working remotely. They share key travel hacks for working and traveling internationally and some personal finance philosophies for a stress free future.

A savvy travel hacker, photographer and travel journalist who has been featured in a number of impressive publications including BBC, The Points guy, Yahoo, MSN, Associated Press, and more, Katherine Fan dives deep into how travel defined and altered her course in life. 

In our in-depth conversation about personal growth, financial growth, immigrant parents and the realities of family living in two countries, we end with a quote by Morgan Harper Nichols, “Fear has taught you a lot of things, but what if courage teaches you more?

Profile photo by Jaron Eveleth-Havens

A South American & Antartica specialist for Vaya Adventures, Marci Koltonuk talks about some of the most remote travel destinations she’s been to in the world. From scoping out cruise opportunities in Antartica to eating delicious food on Easter Island, I ask her about the challenges of traveling and working in remote destinations as well as her pivot from a career in theatre to a career in traveling.

Learn more about Marci @whereintheworldismarci / www.vayaadventures.com

International educator, founder of Rooted U Yoga, live hard traveler, yogini and polyglot, Lynell Franklin Avila talks about her and her husband’s shared dream of van living through the US and South America by healing, arts, yoga, music and connection. We talk a little bit about her ceremonial wedding embracing Oshun & other Orishas and how she teaches off the mat yoga to encourage her students to connect with themselves in their daily lives. From living in China amidst language and cultural barriers to experiencing different types of ashrams (spiritual monastery), Lynell lives in the spur of the moment ruled by her intuition and spontaneity.

To learn more about Lynell, follow her at @rooteduyoga / #stayrootedyall

Originally a short video recap on @_Itsamelthing. This short recap episode details a reflection of what I've learned since I started my podcast. Aka, a monologue and going off script. Plus, what I envision the future of my podcast journey will look like.

"Am I Taiwanese? Taiwanese-American? American?" As a Taiwanese native, who moved to the US and back to Taiwan again, Alice Liao talks about exploring sexuality, meeting her wife and why they chose to live separately as a couple. From having the same ideas about love to reaching their shared goals differently, this in-depth episode expresses the differences of being raised in the west to living in the east, specifically on love and life.

Japanese born, Peruvian raised, California residing, Eri Sofía Taira talks about her ancestral migration from Japan to Peru, the differences we see in the Asian communities from Peru to the US, using photography & design to bring social awareness to marginalized women and lower income communities. What my first hostel experience was like and how to build confidence navigating solo travel for the first time.

IG: @imperiowarmi @erisofiataira

Website: www.erisofiataira.com

A traveling dance instructor and entrepreneur, Charles Ogar talks about his findings in the African origins of partner dancing. Why we’re conditioned by social norms to seek out monogamy. How polyamory releases expectations of body ownership and commitment expectations, the physical touch needs of men, and how to communicate sex needs with your partner.

Here is the link to “The Origins of Partner Dancing”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5BxPsK7eTg

Social Media: @mr.neokiz

Website: https://www.neokizomba.com/