No Blackout Dates

You’ve dreamt of becoming a documentary filmmaker. Or a globe-trotting photographer capturing stunning scenes from around the world. Ryan Salm has done these things, notably at the world’s largest gathering of people and feces (yes, feces) in India. On this week’s pod he goes behind-the-scenes of his film Kharma Bums, which followed Ryan and his crew as they paddled down the Ganges River. How is it possible that what one person considers to be a dirty and polluted body of water might in fact be a pristine sanctuary to others? It’s all about perspective. Ryan also sheds light on why bidets are the future of sanitary number 2’s, and what it takes to be a freelance photographer these days. It’s not easy, but hey -- if Ryan can do it, we can all at least keep dreaming about it.

Amsterdam is known worldwide for its Red Light District, the city’s infamous epicenter of legal prostitution. Behind those red lights is a world shrouded in mystery, fantasy, and rumor, and many tourists -- even those who indulge -- never get more than a peek at the reality of Amsterdam’s sex industry. Today we’re diving into the world behind the glass with Mary, an escort in Amsterdam. Mary primarily works with handicapped clients who struggle to achieve intimacy in a more traditional manner. We discuss the often-overlooked social good of prostitution, dispel harmful misconceptions about the industry, and talk about sex shows, 5D porn theaters, and how to navigate the Red Light District (asking for a friend).

In Hot Takes, we break down the different kinds of people you find in strip clubs, and whether driving through a state means you’ve actually “been” there.

In Hawaii, Will McGough is a consummate professional tour guide. On today’s show, he’s putting his tour guests on blast for their obnoxious behavior. That includes showing up late, puking on the bus, and going to KFC during the trip. And yes, he has indeed left people behind for being 10 minutes late. There’s also a lively discussion about how the “unwritten rules of travel” are bullsh*t, and a contentious argument between Will and Eben about whether a “SPAM McDouble” qualifies as a cultural experience.

In Hot Takes, Tim “seasoned flyer” Wenger reveals his greatest (and completely rational) fear on airplanes, and Eben officially launches FEA (Fast Eaters Anonymous).

If packing your entire life into a van and traveling the US Jack Kerouac style sounds enticing, Geena Truman has some words of wisdom for you. Geena has been traveling around in a converted 90s van for the past year, and joins us today to talk about life on the road. We cover “stealth camping” (illegally sleeping in national parks), how to make a van travel-ready, and most importantly, how vanlifers shower and use the bathroom.

In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss why we still follow “friends” on Facebook and Instagram who we haven’t seen in 10 years, and why Tim eats Nepalese food everywhere he goes.

You might think the worst thing that can happen to you at airport security is having your backpack screened twice. Tell that to Drew Casey, who’s so familiar with TSA’s “suspicious persons” room he gets his mail sent there. A frequent traveler who lives abroad and is always criss-crossing the globe, Drew is a constant target of TSA scrutiny, and he’s here to share his most harrowing tales. From setting off the explosives detector to getting a pat down so intimate he felt like he’d cheated on his girlfriend, Drew’s been through it all.

For anyone interested living in Europe for an extended period, he also explains the complex visa process you’ll need to navigate.

In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss the merits of mustard and give an impromptu review of Nomadland. Also, Eben comes clean about the con he’s been pulling at coffee shops.

“If you’re gonna go in a high Alpine environment, you’ve gotta make your peace with death.” Not exactly a quote from a motivational poster, but it is a quote from today’s guest. Conrad Anker is a legendary mountain climber who's climbed Everest THREE times -- once without supplemental oxygen -- and starred in several award-winning films. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to climb Everest, he’s here to tell you. He also talks about the many near-death experiences he’s faced on the world’s highest peaks, and the feeling of going to “work” knowing you might not come home alive.

Imagine spending two years in a Covid-free country, and then returning to the US in March, 2021. That was Professor Dana Polanichka’s reality. According to RateMyProfessor.com, Professor Polanichka is a “ball of sunshine” and an “incredible human being.” But why trust student reviews from 2011 when you can tune into today’s episode, and hear Dana talk all about Bhutan, a small Himalayan nation steeped in ancient tradition. Dana led a group of Wheaton College students to Bhutan in 2019, and thanks to Covid, got stranded there for nearly two years. We discuss the utter shock of returning to a Covid-ravaged US, the beautiful, ancient traditions of Bhutan, and the much-misunderstood “Gross National Happiness.”

In Hot Takes, Eben considers planning a trip to North Korea, and Tim talks about his most impulsive moment.

What separates a tourist trap from a place that’s actually worth visiting? How do you actually get a job in the travel industry? Why is Hawaiian pizza called Hawaiian pizza? We answer these questions with the help of Dylan Thuras -- the co-founder of Atlas Obscura. Dylan created one of the world’s most popular travel sites, just launched a new podcast, and now joins us to talk about the best, worst, and craziest trends in travel.

In Hot Takes, we psychoanalyze Tim over why he never watches TV in hotel rooms, and Eben dunks on guided tours.

We’ve all seen stand-up comedy on Netflix, but actually writing jokes, creating a set, and delivering solid jokes on stage is easier said than done. The world of stand-up is bizarre, ruthless, and hilarious, and Chris Diorio is here to tell all. Chris is a Broadway comedian who’s performed all over the country. We discuss life on the road, telling R-rated jokes to a PG audience, and comedy groupies. We also learn pro tips for handling hecklers, and pose the question: if you sign up to attend a comedy show, are you allowed to get offended by the jokes?

Our 30th episode marks Tim’s decision to fully embrace Instagram influencing and become a hat model. More importantly, we have a guest who’s an actual model, and can actually influence people. Julana Dizon is a travel blogger, TV host, fitness model, and former cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Bucs. She’s here to discuss the pros/cons of having multiple side-hustles, defying model and influencer stereotypes, and how fleeting travel relationships can actually be a good thing. She also considers an impulsive career-change to becoming a tiger trainer.

In Hot Takes, Eben and Tim break down the bizarre genius of escape rooms, and debate whether lying to your doctor about your alcohol intake is shrewd or just plain sad.