Let's talk about SUMMER - what makes this season so fun? Why doesn't it hit the same as an adult? How can we incorporate small changes into our summer plans to really lean into the season?

Last year I had one of the most enjoyable and relaxing summers in a while, and it's because I was really intentional about small, seasonal choices. I talk about what made this summer so great, and what I plan to incorporate for Summer 2024!

Be sure to follow @meanderwithmaddie on Instagram, DM with your guest and topic ideas, and support the podcast by leaving a rating or review!

This ain't a New Year's resolutions/goals then nothing type of space... let's check in!

On this solo episode, I reflect on how the first quarter of 2024 has gone so far, detail progress on my current goals, and talk about what I'm looking forward to in the next season of life (think - marathons, weddings, moving, oh my!).

Be sure to follow ⁠⁠@meanderwithmaddie⁠⁠ on Instagram, DM with your guest and topic ideas, and support the podcast by leaving a rating or review!

And just like that - we're back!

On this solo episode, I recap my 2023, why the podcast paused, my future plans for it, and go through what goals I did/do not accomplish in 2023 and the goals set forth for 2024.

Click here to check out the ⁠Legend Planner ⁠shop on Amazon.

Be sure to follow ⁠@meanderwithmaddie⁠ on Instagram, DM with your guest and topic ideas, and support the podcast by leaving a rating or review!

Mary Latham is a photographer, traveler, and writer most known for traveling to all 50 states in her late mother's Subaru on a journey to find "More Good." This mission and journey was born from advice Mary's mother once gave her, telling her there is always more good in the world, you just have to look for it. Mary spent three years traveling the country and collecting stories of kindness. Currently, she is working on compiling these stories into a book that will be donated to waiting room hospitals. 

Mary and I chat about her upbringing, time at Stonehill College, losing her mother, how that loss threw her into a life of travel, her time in the Caribbean and Italy, and lastly, her More Good journey. In recording this episode, I did have some audio issues so the last few minutes were lost but we end with a favorite story that Mary shares - pretty good spot to land. 

Links for all things Mary & More Good!

Be sure to follow @meanderwithmaddie on Instagram, DM with your guest and topic ideas, and support the podcast by leaving a rating or review!

Mike Pratt is an author and actor who recently released his debut novel, Code of the Nightbird. We discuss the journey that is writing your first book, navigating the roadblocks placed in front of our creative pursuits, and Mike's other main passion - acting! Last year, Mike starred as an extra in Netflix's Don't Look Up, and this opportunity has allowed him to pursue bigger roles soon coming to your screen. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone stuck in a creative rut, needing guidance or inspiration, or wanting to know how to get from 'A' to 'B' - Mike himself has dubbed his acting journey particular, "Baby Steps to Big Boy Parts." We're all starting somewhere! And as Mike points out, we need to be comfortable landing on "the spectrum of success" - it looks different for everyone. 

You can follow Mike along @themikepratt and purchase Code of the Nightbird where ever books are sold. Some quick links - Bookshop (supports local stores!), Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart. 

Be sure to follow @meanderwithmaddie on Instagram, DM with your guest and topic ideas, and support the podcast by leaving a rating or review!

Olivia Porter is my good friend from college and is days away from embarking on her first trip out of the country. She'll be traveling solo to Portugal! We talk about her preparation for this trip, what she's excited about, nervous about, and more importantly, why she decided to embark on this adventure. Olivia had a tough 2022, struggling with depression and the ending of a long-term relationship. After hitting rock bottom Olivia committed herself to self-improvement and healing, and finds herself back to the "high-on-life, goal getter" that she once was. Come for the travel inspo, stay for the real talk.

After Liv's trip we'll be following up to chat and see how it all went!

Be sure to follow @meanderwithmaddie on Instagram, DM with your guest and topic ideas, and support the podcast by leaving a rating or review!

Morgan Sydlowski is a solo female traveler who starting living as a digital nomad in January 2022. In this episode we cover her formative travel experiences, how the pandemic shook her world and led to big changes (like a new job!), and what ultimately led her to take the leap to traveling full-time. 

In this day and age of professional traveler influencers, it was refreshing to speak to someone who is still working full-time, not focusing on content creation, and is at the beginning of their journey. Morgan is open about the highs - having total freedom, exploring new places each day - and lows - safety concerns, feeling lonely. Admittedly a once socially anxious person, Morgan also speaks about how traveling has boosted her confidence and led her to make friends from all over the world. 

Follow @morganlouises for all things travel, vegan eats, and Morgan's awesome photography! Morgan is also super open to connecting with anyone who is looking for tips, has questions, or just wants to chat about all things solo female travel

Be sure to follow @meanderwithmaddie on Instagram, DM with your guest and topic ideas, and support the podcast by leaving a rating or review!

Hilton Farmer followed his dream of moving from Virginia to New York in 2018. Two weeks after arriving in Astoria, Queens he realized there were a pair of across-the-street neighbors he wasn't going to be able to shake (hint - I'm one of them!).

Continuing on the recent theme of moves, we discuss what it's like to move to a city where there are so many preconceived notions and expectations, discovering what truly makes you happy, and the difficult truth about job hunting. Hilton was unemployed for several months, so we discuss how brutal that can be to your self-esteem and experience within a city. Where you move is not your final destination, but truly about the lessons you learn and the memories you make, and this speaks for my and Hilton's time in New York. 

After listening to today's episode, be sure to read Hilton's essay about his time in New York, "Called Home."

Follow @meanderwithmaddie on Instagram and share your thoughts through DM or by leaving a rating and review.

This episode dives deeper into one of our fave topics - moving! Before discussing this further with future guests, I share my own move from NY to Tampa (cliche now, I know), but this dream stretches back to 2016 and a lot went into it to make it happen. 

If you have thoughts for the pod or on makin' ~moves~ shoot a message to @meanderwithmaddie on IG!

Whitney Wemett is an ocean explorer and environmental activist who currently serves as the Board Chair for the Surfrider Foundation's Florida Keys chapter. 

Whitney and I both attended Stonehill College in Easton, Mass. where Whitney actually studied Accounting, and minored in Environmental Studies. Upon graduation, Whitney accepted a role at PwC, one of the Big Four accounting firms, but quickly realized her true passion lied in ocean conservation. 

In this episode we talk about how Whitney went from a cubicle to a coral reef, and all the great places her passion has taken her to - Australia, Madagascar, San Diego, the Florida Keys, and more! 

Follow @meanderwithmaddie on Instagram and share your thoughts through DM or by leaving a rating and review.