Are you still able to do things "just because"?

We live in a society that pushes us toward increasingly optimised versions of ourselves, where AI can help streamline every process in our lives.

Sometimes it feels like we have lost the ability to do things without any final outcome, just enjoying the process of learning something new, being a beginner again, and the joy it can bring us.

In a world where every hobby could become a source of income, maybe it's sometimes worth slowing down and reflecting on what it is that actually brings us happiness. Is it the metrics or the action?

Resources from the episode:

• Read the Substack article I mention here: "We've optimised outselves into loneliness"
• Watch Peter Gray's TEDxTalk here: "The decline of play"
• Learn more about the Danish Education System here: Society & Business Denmark

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Substack - Just Wandering

What can you do when you want to live too many lives but feel like you have too little time?

In this episode, I spoke with Madalina Buzdugan about the lessons she learned from her "non-linear" career. Working at the intersection of sustainability, strategy, and communications, Madalina is also the writer of "The Tired Overachiever", a sarcastic self-help book on the 10 most pressing challenges of our time.

Listen to find out how to follow your interests to create opportunities, and how to learn to live in seasons, learning more and more about yourself on the way.

Learn more about Madalina and her work:

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Read more about "The Tired Overachiever."

Contribute to her book by filling in this survey.

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Have you ever held back from putting yourself out there because you were afraid of seeming cringe?

You are not alone. Growing up amidst "cringe culture" has made it easy to fear judgment and hard to find the courage to speak up.

But most people who have ever built something or tried something new likely started by doing something that felt embarrassing.

In this episode, we explore cringe culture and perfectionism, from growing up in the social media era, to Ocean Vuong's take on education, to what theatre teaches us about the power of play.

How can we learn to stop fearing the cringe?

Ig: @justwandering.pod

Tiktok: @_justwandering_

Read the latest article on Substack

Have you ever wondered why Denmark is often ranked among the happiest countries in the world?

There are multiple reasons, but one of them is undoubtedly its focus on work-life balance.

In this episode of Just Wandering, I am joined by my friend Susana, who has moved to Denmark to study and has decided to stay and start her full-time career.

Join us as we explore her experience, the differences between Denmark and our home countries of Italy and Spain, and the nuances between the concepts of work-life balance and work-life integration.

From shorter work days to increased trust and ownership, what can we learn from the Danish way of working and living?

Ig: @justwandering.pod

TikTok: @_justwandering_

Read the latest article on the Just Wandering Substack

Ambition is a trait many of us identify with. Dreaming big moves something in all of us (just look at the success of the marketing for "Marty Supreme").

But what does it really mean to be ambitious, and do we all imagine the same thing when we think about reaching our dreams?

Some people proudly describe themselves as ambitious, making it a core part of their identity. Others pursue ambition through quieter growth, personal development, and steady progress.Some dream of changing the world, while others strive for a grounded, mundane life full of simple small pleasures.

In this episode of Just Wandering, I explore how my relationship with ambition, success, and the pursuit of greatness has evolved, and is still evolving, over time.

After all, maybe changing the world starts with the mundane.

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When looking at the news these days, it can be hard to be hopeful about the new year.

So much so, that you might have noticed on social media how many have resorted to looking at the good old days of 2016 as a way to escape.

While romanticising the past is not always the best way forward, there are learnings we can gather from the younger versions of ourselves who existed back then. All may not be lost in 2026.

Some of the mentioned trends & topics to keep an eye out for in the new year:

- 10 trends for 2026 by The Economist

- The Joy Report by Intersectional Environmentalist

- Some cool movies coming out in 2026 by Rotten Tomatoes

The time has come again, when the year is about to end.

In what has by now become a yearly tradition, I have taken some time to reflect on the past 365 days, and some of the learnings the experiences I went through have taught me.

This has undoubtedly been a year of great changes, and some significant ups and downs (after all, they call it quarter-life crisis for a reason).

Listen to discover the lessons and growth I hope to carry with me into 2026.

Happy New Year!

Two years have passed since I first moved to this city. 

Over this period, I have experienced highs, lows, and everything in between. 

As, with 2025, a chapter comes to an end, it is time to reflect on my relationship with the place I have, for the most part, called home.

Here's to the growth, the gratitude, the people, and the experiences. And to figuring out what (and where) the next chapter will be. 

Ig: @justwandering.pod

Run clubs, sold-out races, and nonstop Strava updates: running has taken the world by storm this year. But what’s driving this surge in popularity, especially among Gen Z?

In this episode, I explore the latest running trends, and uncover why more people than ever are lacing up their sneakers.

From the obsession with major races that require years of planning to the social influence of tracking apps like Strava, join me as I break down the reasons behind the running boom.

If you’ve ever wondered why running has become the go-to activity for so many, this episode has some answers.

You can follow the podcast on Ig for more insights: @justwandering.pod

Samantha Bolton’s motto is “travel, create, and feel deeply”, a philosophy the 21-year-old founder and CEO of The Little Guy Foundation has lived fully during her year of solo travel across South America.

In this candid conversation, Samantha shares her experience as a solo female traveler, and the joys and challenges of being an artist on social media.

Join us as we explore how travel, creative expression, and connection can inspire hope and remind us of our shared humanity, no matter where we are in the world.

Follow Samantha:
Instagram: @sam_ebolton
The Little Guy Foundation: @litteguyofficial | thelittleguyfoundation.org

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