Marrying Your Passions: The DINK Travel and Adventure Podcast

What does it take to actually go to the Olympics? Not watch it from your couch, but pack your bags, book your tickets two years in advance, and show up on a mountain in northern Italy with your family ready to experience one of the greatest spectacles on earth? This episode married DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) couple Nathan and Alicia sit down with their good friend Bryan Richards, who writes under the pen name Bryan Michael, to find out.

Bryan is a Charlotte-based crime thriller author and a guy who has made a habit of traveling specifically for big events, from the Daytona 500 to the ACC Championship to the Mille Miglia in Italy. This past February he took his wife Shannan and their son to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and he came back with stories, hard-won logistics advice, and a perspective on the Games that goes way beyond the sports.

We talk about how to navigate the lottery system, why you need to book your accommodations the moment they become available, what it costs, what to pack, and why the zones matter more than you think. We also talk about what it feels like to stand in a crowd of people from a dozen different countries all cheering for the same athlete coming down a mountain, and why that matters right now.

Plus Bryan talks about completing his first book, Blood Debt, breaks news on his upcoming thriller Past Due, the second book in the Miller Family series, talks about what it really looks like to go all in on a creative dream, and shares what he has learned about building an audience from scratch.

If you are thinking about the LA 2028 Olympics or any future Olympics, this episode is your head start.

In this episode:

• How Bryan planned a two-year Olympic trip on a real budget
• Navigating the lottery, zones, and ticketing system
• What he would do differently on accommodations
• The moment that made it all worth it
• Going all in on a creative passion and what the grind actually looks like
• What is coming next for the Miller Family thriller series

RESOURCES:

GUEST:

Bryan Michael, Author of Blood Debt available on on Amazon and Past Due (coming April 2026) Website: bryanmichaelauthor.com

Socials: @bryanmichaelauthor on Instagram and Facebook

Autographed copies and book club discounts available on his website

OLYMPICS:

Milano Cortina 2026 Official Site

LA 2028 Olympics Official Site

ATTRACTIONS:

The Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Milan Ferrari Museum

Maranello Lavino Olympic Venues

OUR LINKS:

Our Website: marryingyourpassions.com

Our Blog: marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com

Follow us: @marryingyourpassions on Instagram and Facebook

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check out Nathan's Reviews on TripAdvisor

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!

On April 17, 2021, Nathan crossed the finish line of the Golden Driller Marathon in Tulsa, Oklahoma and finally believed he could qualify for the Bosto. Two years later, on April 17, 2023, exactly to the day, he crossed the finish line on Boylston Street at the Boston Marathon.

The Golden Driller Marathon is one of Oklahoma's best kept secrets. A flat, fast, Boston qualifying course along the beautiful Riverparks trail system on the Arkansas River, a small and friendly race with a big community feel, and a city that will genuinely surprise you.

Married DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) couple Nathan and Alicia spent less than 48 hours in Tulsa in April 2021 and still managed to explore the powerful history of Black Wall Street, visit the iconic Golden Driller statue, discover great local food and coffee, and fall a little bit in love with a city they never expected to.

If you are running the Golden Driller this year, thinking about it, looking for a Boston qualifier, love a great race story, or just want to discover a genuinely underrated city that will surprise you, this episode is for you!

RESOURCES:

RACE:

Golden Driller Marathon Registration

Golden Driller Racing

HOTEL:

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tulsa Downtown/Route 66

RESTAURANTS:

Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano

COFFEE:

Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge

ATTRACTIONS:

Greenwood District / Black Wall Street

Vernon A.M.E. Church

The Golden Driller Statue

The Gathering Place

ONEOK Field / Tulsa Drillers

Blue Dome District

TOURISM:

Tulsa Oklahoma Tourism

Visit Tulsa

OUR LINKS:

Our Website: marryingyourpassions.com

Our Blog: marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com

Follow us: @marryingyourpassions on Facebook and Instagram

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check out Nathan's Reviews on TripAdvisor

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!

#DINKTravel #Marathon #Tulsa #Oklahoma #GoldenDrillerMarathon #50StatesMarathon #BostonMarathon #ChildfreeTravel #TravelPodcast #BlackWallStreet

What happens when a marathon introduces you to a region so amazing you keep coming back? That's exactly what happened to us in Virginia's Historic Triangle!

Join us as we explore Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown, Virginia across two unforgettable trips. With 2026 marking both America's 250th anniversary AND Colonial Williamsburg's 100th anniversary, there has never been a better time to visit this incredible region.

Nathan and Alicia, your married DINK couple hosts, share where we stayedshare where we stayed, our favorite local eats and drinks, great shopping finds including a very eventful visit to the Nautical Dog with Peppermint Patty, and our time exploring some of the most historically significant sites in America. Nathan also shares a hidden gem that has stayed with him since the drive home: Virginia State Route 5.

As always, we end with life takeaways on making your passions part of everyday life. Go do the thing you have always dreamed of doing. Sometimes it will be even better than you imagined. And sometimes there won't be a single panda bear in sight. ;)

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you’re a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!

Visit us on our website:

https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check out Nathan's Reviews on TripAdvisor

Places mentioned in this episode that we recommend!

Historic Sites:

Colonial Williamsburg

Yorktown Battlefield

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

Historic Jamestowne

Resorts/Timeshares:

King's Creek by Spinnaker Resorts - Williamsburg, VA

Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort - Williamsburg, VA

Restaurants/Breweries/Distilleries/Etc.:

Sal's by Victor - Williamsburg, VA

Copper Fox Distillery - Williamsburg, VA

Craft 31 - Williamsburg, VA

Precarious Beer Project - Williamsburg, VA

Column 15 - Williamsburg, VA

Silver Hand Meadery - Williamsburg, VA

Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters - Yorktown, VA

Shopping:

The Christmas Mouse - Williamsburg, VA

Whitley's Peanut Factory - Williamsburg, VA

The Nautical Dog & Schwartz's Cat Cove - Williamsburg, VA

Williamsburg General Store - Williamsburg, VA

Merchant’s Square - Williamsburg, VA

Williamsburg Premium Outlets - Williamsburg, VA

Other Helpful Links:

Virginia 250 Passport

Visit Williamsburg

Waller Mill Park

Stay tuned for our next episode on Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Golden Driller Marathon as the adventure continues!

As always, we'd love to hear how you're marrying your passions to your everyday life! Share your stories with us on social media or send us a message.

Find us on Facebook or Instagram.

Don’t forget to check out our blog!

🏃‍♂️ We're returning to what started it all, marathons!

After focusing on our epic 2024 road trip and Virgin Voyages series, Episode 15 brings us back to marathon travel. Nathan and Alicia shares his experience running the inaugural 2015 One City Marathon in Newport News, Virginia, his state #17 in the quest to run all 50 states.

What You'll Hear:

✨ Power the Hype 2026 - Newport News's year-long celebration kicks off with the marathon!

🎉 Race Weekend Events:

• Friday Power the Hype One City Kickoff Crawl (5-9 PM) - Live music, food trucks, line dancing with Break it Down RVA, and remarks from the Mayor
• Saturday One City Celebration at Tradition Brewing Company (8 AM-Noon)
• Sunday One City Celebration at The Yard District (8 AM-2 PM) with Coastal Fermentory & Ironclad Distillery
• ALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - runners and non-runners welcome!

🏃 The Race:

• Flat, fast, Boston Qualifier course (13-20% BQ rate!)\
• Point-to-point spanning all 26.2 miles of Newport News
• 400-500 finishers for the marathon - perfect size for first-timers
• Also features Half Marathon, 5K, and Nautical Mile Fun Run

🎯 Insider Info from the City of Newport News:

We talked with Olivia from the city of Newport News Communications to bring you exclusive details about this year's festivities.

📍 What We Explored:

• The Mariners' Museum (35,000+ artifacts, $1 admission!)
• Virginia Living Museum (native species zoo/aquarium/planetarium)
• Newport News Park trails
• Where we stayed and ate

💡 Nathan's Big Takeaway:

"Someone has to be first. Sometimes it should be you!" - Why taking risks on inaugural races (and in life) is worth it.

Race Info:

• Race weekend: February 27 - March 1, 2026
• Marathon: Sunday, March 1, 2026
• Also: Half Marathon, 5K, Nautical Mile Fun Run
• One City Marathon official website: https://www.nnva.gov/3150/One-City-Marathon
• 🌐 OneCityMarathon.com
• 📱 Download the One City Marathon app for live tracking
• Follow: @onecitymarathon on social media

Special thanks to: Olivia and the City of Newport News Communications Department

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!

Connect with us:

• Instagram & Facebook: @marryingyourpassions
• Website: marryingyourpassions.com
• Blog: marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com
• P2 Pics: Check out Peppermint Patty's page!
• Read Alicia’s reviews on Google Maps
• Read Nathan’s reviews on TripAdvisor

Next Episode:

Episode 16 explores Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Historic Jamestowne, perfect add-ons to your race weekend, especially for America's 250th anniversary!

🎧 Whether you're a runner, a DINK/SINK traveler, or someone looking for the perfect Virginia getaway, this episode has something for you!

Travel & Leisure's Top 50 for 2026: We Pick Our Dream Destinations

Ever wondered where a married DINK couple would go if they could travel ANYWHERE in 2026? Nathan and Alicia are tackling Travel & Leisure's The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026 list by sharing the 11 destinations we've already visited, then each picking our TOP 3 dream destinations from the remaining 39.

Where We've Been (11 of 50 and some highlights):

• Carlsbad, California - Four Seasons luxury post-marathon
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Cheesesteaks, Rocky stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Miami & Miami Beach, Florida - Our former home base! Wynwood art, Versailles, Ms. Cheezious
• Naples, Florida - Gulf Coast beaches, Alamo Drafthouse
• Williamsburg, Virginia - Silver Hand Meadery, Colonial Williamsburg living history museum
• Washington, D.C. - Founding Farmers, Smithsonian museums
• Asheville, North Carolina - Blue Ridge Mountains, brewery scene
• Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas - Where Nathan WON a marathon at the Texas Quad (plus a Chihuahua finished too!), JFK Sixth Floor Museum
• Seattle, Washington - Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Seattle Underground tour
• Salt Lake City, Utah - (full episode on all things SLC in Episode 5!)
• BONUS: Masai Mara, Kenya - Safari, Great Migration, Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Nathan's Top 3 Dream Destinations:

• Umbria, Italy - Truffle festivals, 7 UNESCO sites, vegetarian paradise
• Magdalena River Cruise, Colombia - Luxury cruise through colonial towns
• Mongolia - Gobi Desert, wild horses, nomadic lifestyle

Alicia's Top 3 Dream Destinations:

• Peru - Amazon Rainforest access, world's #1 restaurant
• Cyprus - Mediterranean beaches, mountains, scuba diving
• Madhya Pradesh, India - Bengal tiger safaris, wildlife paradise

YOUR CHALLENGE:

• Read the article, pick YOUR top 3, and share with us @MarryingYourPassions on Facebook and Instagram.

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!

Visit us on our website: marryingyourpassions.com

Resources mentioned:

Travel & Leisure's 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Next Episode: One City Marathon in Newport News, Virginia, diving deeper into Williamsburg, and exploring this part of Virginia!

#DINKTravel #TravelBucketList #Travel2026 #KenyaSafari #AdventureTravel

Our Virgin Voyages series continues!

Join Nathan and Alicia, a married DINK couple, as we share honest reviews of our favorite shore excursions across the Western Caribbean and Bahamas. We dive into scuba experiences with Roatan Dive Center (Leda's Hole and Shark Bait Date) and Neil Watson's Bimini Scuba Center, plus Virgin's healing spa ritual in Costa Maya and relaxing at Bimini Beach Club.

Discover our Key West walkthrough: Harry S. Truman Little White House tour, Hemingway Distillery rum tastings, and why Celtic Conch Public House surprised us. We also share our Bimini cultural tour highlights including the conch demonstration and incredible Shell House.

Learn the pros and cons of booking shore things through Virgin versus local operators, what to expect at each port, and why mixing up your excursion strategy can save money while supporting local businesses.

As always, we end with life takeaways on trying new experiences and marrying your passions to everyday life.

Places mentioned in this episode that we recommend:

Dive Shops:

• Roatan Dive Center - Roatan, Honduras
• Neil Watson's Bimini Scuba Center - Bimini, Bahamas

Restaurants/Distilleries:

• Celtic Conch Public House - Key West, FL
• Hemingway Distillery (Papa's Pilar Rum) - Key West, FL
• Key West Legal Run - Key West, FL

Port Information from Virgin:

• Costa Maya, Mexico
• Roatan, Honduras
• Key West, FL, USA
• Bimini, Bahamas

Other helpful links:

• Harry S. Truman Little White House - Key West, FL
• The Dolphin House - Bimini, Bahamas
• Bimini Beach Club

Perfect for first-time Virgin Voyages sailors or anyone planning Caribbean travel!

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!

Connect:

marrinyourpassions.com,

@MarryingYourPassions on social media,

Blog: https://marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Virgin Voyages deep dive! In Episode 11, we covered all the amazing dining options. Now we're exploring everything else you can do on these adult-only ships.

In this episode, we cover:

Fitness & Wellness:

• Free fitness classes (yoga, cycling, themed 80s aerobics!)
• The outdoor running track with ocean views
• Why Alicia’s Strava thought she ran a 5K in 5 minutes (spoiler: the boat was moving)
• Our honest spa experience - the good massage and the uncomfortable sales pitch

Entertainment:

• "It's a Ship Show" dinner theater with acrobats performing on a moving boat
• Live performers: The Magnets (acapella) and Mandible (beatboxer)
• Trivia nights where Nathan embarrassingly lost music trivia as a music teacher
• Casino experiences (Nathan's roulette wins and losses)

Scarlet Night: - Virgin's Signature Party:

• The origin story show you shouldn't Google beforehand
• Free face bedazzling with jewels and glitter
• Why everyone dresses up (ball gowns to our 50s flapper look)
• How this party brings thousands of strangers together

Halloween Cruise Special Events:

• Our Carmen Sandiego & Waldo costumes that stopped strangers for photos
• PJ party in glow-in-the-dark skeleton onesies
• Halloween soiree with costume contest and live 80s band
• Specialty cocktails throughout the ship

Virgin vs. Royal Caribbean Comparison:

• The all-inclusive advantage (no surprise cash tip envelopes!)
• Dining flexibility differences
• Why Royal Caribbean wins for shopping and art galleries
• Alicia's love of cruise art auctions and her Wynwood artist discovery

Our Takeaways:

• Nathan: Use the cruise to be present - put your phone down and embrace the limited WiFi
• Alicia: Try something new! You've already paid for everything, so go do the things

What's Actually Included: We break down exactly what's free (spoiler: almost everything) vs. what costs extra, plus booking tips and what to pack for themed parties.

Next Episode Preview: Join us for Episode 13 where we share our port excursions in Roatan, Honduras, Mexico, Bimini (Bahamas), and Key West - including underwater adventures!

Episode Length: 56 minutes

Hosts: Nathan & Alicia - A Florida-based couple sharing DINKs (Dual Income No Kids) travel experiences, marathon adventures, and tips for making passion projects part of everyday life.

Perfect for: Couples researching Virgin Voyages, anyone considering an adult-only cruise, travelers comparing cruise lines, or DINKs looking for vacation inspiration

Connect with us:

• Website: marryingourpassions.com
• Blog: marryingourpassions.blogspot.com
• Social: @marryingourpassions
• Join our Facebook community of nearly 1,700 DINKS travelers!
• Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps
• Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Related Episodes:

• Episode 11: Virgin Voyages Dining & Overview
• Episode 5: Park City, Utah Travel Guide

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!

BIG NEWS: We're officially Marrying Your Passions: The DINK Travel and Adventure Podcast!

After 10 episodes chronicling our epic cross-country road trips, we're getting crystal clear about who we are and who we serve. We're Nathan and Alicia - a childfree couple proving you don't have to wait for "someday" to live your best life.

Whether you're DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) like us, empty nesters with newfound freedom, recently retired, or couples taking kid-free trips, we're here to help you make adventure part of your everyday life.

And what better way to kick off our DINK focus than talking about Virgin Voyages - the adults-only cruise line where everyone must be 18 or older?

IN THIS EPISODE (PART 1 OF 3):

We cover everything you need to know about Virgin Voyages:

• What makes Virgin Voyages different from traditional cruises
• Why adults-only matters (and why we don't hate kids despite working with them!)
• Our Sea Terrace cabin experience - including the famous Virgin hammock
• The revolutionary dining system - 20+ restaurants, ALL INCLUDED
• Complete restaurant reviews: Extra Virgin, Pink Agave, Gunbae, Razzle Dazzle, The Test Kitchen, and more
• Alicia's hilarious drinking game story at Gunbae (spoiler: if you WIN, you DRINK)
• Why The Test Kitchen's molecular gastronomy is worth trying even if you're nervous
• The Galley, pizza place, ice cream parlor, and all the casual dining options
• What you pay for vs. what's free (hint: almost everything is free)
• Pricing reality and why the mid-tier cost is actually worth it

RESTAURANT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Extra Virgin (Italian) - handmade pasta, fills up fast
• Pink Agave (Modern Mexican) - GET THE ESQUITES
• Gunbae (Korean BBQ) - free soju shots and drinking games
• Razzle Dazzle (Vegetarian-forward) - vegan Nashville hot chicken
• The Test Kitchen (Molecular Gastronomy) - 6 courses, mind-blowing drink pairings
• Pizza Place - brick oven, open until 2am
• Lick Me Till Ice Cream - unlimited free ice cream

WHY VIRGIN VOYAGES FOR DINKS:

• Complete dining freedom - eat when you want, where you want
• No kids (18+ only)
• Smaller ships (~2,700 passengers)
• All-inclusive dining (20+ restaurants)
• No tipping required
• Michelin-star chefs
• Excellent for dietary restrictions (we're vegetarians)

FUTURE EPISODES:

Part 2: Onboard activities, parties, entertainment, and life lessons

Part 3: Excursions, port stops, and SCUBA diving adventures

WHO WE ARE:

Nathan teaches elementary music to 900 students and has run marathons in 40 states. Alicia works for a nonprofit focused on children. We've explored 47 states, camped 11,775 miles in our teardrop trailer, traveled internationally to places like England and Kenya, and we're SCUBA divers. We love kids - we just chose not to have our own.

RESOURCES:

Virgin Voyages: virginvoyages.com

Our Website: marryingyourpassions.com

Our blog: marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com

Follow us: @marryingyourpassions on Facebook and Instagram

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring

#DINKTravel #VirginVoyages #AdultsOnlyCruise #ChildfreeTravel #CruiseReview

Join Nathan and Alicia, a married DINK couple, as they wrap up their epic 11,775-mile summer camping adventure! When Alicia had a Chicago conference on the calendar, instead of just flying in for work, they turned it into the anchor point for a two-month cross-country journey. This episode covers their last week on the road - proving that work and travel can mix perfectly when you get creative.

While Alicia worked, Nathan explored solo: running the Lakefront Trail, catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, and hunting down One Chicago filming locations. Evenings at the peaceful campground brought couple time, plus adventures to Lottie's Pub and romantic dinners. In Nashville, they camped at Two Rivers Campground before hitting Tootsies on Lower Broadway and discovering Ole Smoky Moonshine's incredible flagship location.

Learn how they navigated two months on the road while balancing work responsibilities - no kids, just their cat Gremlin and the freedom to explore. Key takeaway: Don't wait for retirement. Take calculated risks and get creative with work-travel balance.

PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA:

Food & Drink:

• HopCat, Lincoln

CHICAGO AREA:

Camping:

• Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday - Union

Attractions:

• Wrigley Field
• Lakefront Trail
• Navy Pier
• One Chicago Filming Locations

Food & Drink:

• Lincoln House & Co Coffee and Wine Bar - Huntley
• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - Elk Grove
• Moore Brewing Company - Huntley
• Sew Hop’d Brewery - Huntley
• Lottie's Pub - Chicago
• Abbondanza Cucina - Marengo
• Garrett Popcorn O'Hare Airport and Online
• Jeni’s Ice Creams - Wrigleyville
• Alamo Drafthouse - Wrigleyville

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE:

Camping

• Two Rivers Campground

Food & Drink

• The Butter Milk Ranch
• Smith Creek Moonshine
• Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery
• Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

CORDELE, GEORGIA:

Camping:

• Love's RV Stop

CONNECT WITH US:

• Website: marryingyourpassions.com
• Blog (with exclusive photos): marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com
• Social Media: @MarryingYourPassions (all platforms)
• Follow Peppermint Patty's college football picks on Facebook (12-1 record!)
• Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps
• Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!

UP NEXT:

Join us next time as we set sail with Virgin Voyages! Discover why we've become fans of this adults-only cruise line, our favorite excursions, and why cruising might be the perfect getaway for couples who want adventure without the planning. Episode 11 coming soon!

In this follow-up to our previous Denver episode where Nathan and Alicia, your married DINK couple hosts, shared their favorite places from living in the Mile High City, we're excited to bring you an interview with Ben and Jess Wiederholt, owners of two unique African-themed Airbnbs in Denver, Colorado - the Matooke House and the African Loft.

Our stop in Denver was a highlight of our cross country 2024 summer road trip that we've been chronicling throughout recent episodes, and it was made even more special by staying at the Wiederholt's beautiful Matooke House.

Discover how their journey of adopting children from Ethiopia and Uganda led to founding the nonprofit Crazy Love Africa, which empowers women living with HIV through micro-business grants and education programs. Ben and Jess share their "life unscripted" philosophy and how they've woven their passion for Africa, entrepreneurship, and hospitality into both their Airbnb business and nonprofit work.

As Denver locals, they offer additional insider tips on the best places to eat, drink, and explore in the city - from hidden gem breweries and Ethiopian restaurants to mountain town getaways and scenic running trails. Whether you listened to our previous Denver episode, call Denver home, or you're just discovering the city, this conversation adds even more must-visit spots to your list.

We also discuss their upcoming Homecoming Gala fundraiser, international travel tips (including a memorable story about a lime and customs), and advice for anyone wanting to turn their passion into a family mission and business venture.

Featured in this episode:

• The connection between Airbnb hospitality and nonprofit mission work
• Denver restaurant recommendations such as: Sojourners Coffee, Beau Jo’s Pizza, Cherry Cricket, Konjo Ethiopian, African Bar and Grill
• Weekend getaway suggestions including: Red Rocks, Boulder's Chautauqua Park, hot springs, and Estes Park
• Craft brewery favorites and the Great American Beer Festival
• Practical travel tips for large families and international trips
• How to support Crazy Love Africa

Connect with Crazy Love Africa:

crazyloveafrica.com| @crazyloveafrica on Facebook and Instagram

Connect with us:

marrinyourpassions.com | @MarryingYourPassions on social media

Rate, review, and share if this episode inspires your next adventure!

Visit us on our website:

https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Marrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!

Coming Up Next:

Join us in our next episode as we wrap up our reflection on our epic 2024 summer road trip with stops in Chicago, Nashville, and more!