#011: There’s a certain kind of traveler who wants you to know they’d never be caught dead on a group tour or posing with gelato in front of the Duomo. They’re not tourists, they’re “travelers”—as if there’s some moral high ground in skipping the Eiffel Tower. In this episode, we unpack the “not like other girls” energy in travel culture, how performative detachment disconnects you from real joy, and why your fear of looking basic is actually holding you back. If you’ve ever judged yourself for wanting to do the obvious thing—or skipped it to seem cooler—this one’s for you.

Substack: https://carmenvankerckhove.substack.com/ 

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Van Kerckhove shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."

#010: We’ve been taught to downplay our ambition: to make it smaller, safer, easier to explain. But what if naming what you want is exactly what unlocks the path forward? In this episode, we’re talking about the fear of being seen wanting something deeply and how to move through it. I’ll share what ambition really looks like behind the scenes, how to tell the difference between misalignment and resistance, and why success isn’t about the finish line. It’s about who you become along the way. If you’ve been pretending you don’t care—but secretly do—this one’s for you.

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Sognonvi shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."

#009: We’ve never been more connected—yet so many of us feel alone. In this episode, I explore why modern life seems designed to keep us apart, even as we crave real community. From social media’s false sense of connection to the slow disappearance of shared spaces, I’ll break down the forces driving our isolation. I’ll also share my own experiences with disconnection and the small shifts that have helped me rebuild a sense of belonging. If you’ve ever wondered why making friends feels harder than ever—or why loneliness lingers even when you're surrounded by people—this one’s for you.

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Van Kerckhove shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."

#008: Travel isn't just about collecting memories. It's about bringing home insights that can transform your everyday life. In this episode, I explore how those "aha" moments we experience while traveling can lead to meaningful changes, from small style shifts to major life realignments. I'll share my own stories of revelations that stuck (and some that didn't), plus practical strategies for making sure that vacation clarity doesn't fade once you're back to reality. If you've ever returned from a trip feeling inspired to live differently but weren't sure how to make it last, this one's for you.

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Van Kerckhove shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."

#007: What happens when you build something meaningful, and then realize it’s costing you more than you can give? In this episode, I’m sharing the story of walking away from Racialicious, the platform I built into one of the first major spaces for talking about race and pop culture. We’ll talk about what happens when the work you love starts to break you, why stepping back isn’t always failure, and how to know when it’s time to pass the baton. If you’ve ever struggled with letting go of something you care deeply about, this episode is for you.

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Van Kerckhove shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."

#006: Hustle culture may look different now, but it’s still very much alive… especially for women. In this episode, I dive into how “glow up” culture has replaced “grind” culture, why self-improvement feels like a full-time job, and how to break free from the pressure to optimize every part of your life. If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling behind at life, this one’s for you.

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Van Kerckhove shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."

#005: Many travelers measure their experiences by the number of countries they’ve visited. But what if there’s a better way? In this episode, I share why I’ve never kept count, how chasing numbers can take away from the real meaning of travel, and what I focus on instead. If you’re looking to move beyond the checklist and into something deeper, this one’s for you.

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Van Kerckhove shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."

#004: Sometimes, the best career moves don’t look like success at all, at least not at first. In this episode, I share how a near-firing forced me to take a step I never would have chosen on my own… and why that so-called “step down” ended up slingshotting me forward. If you’ve ever feared taking a detour from the “right” path, this one’s for you.

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Van Kerckhove shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."

#003: What if your self-improvement routines are actually making things worse? In this episode, I share my journey from optimizing every minute and tracking every habit to discovering that true growth often means letting go. Learn why stepping back from the pressure to constantly improve might be the most powerful move you can make—and how simplifying could be your secret weapon for real growth.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

🔹 Getting Things Done by David Allen - https://amzn.to/41izoQF 🔹 Zen to Done by Leo Babauta - https://amzn.to/3QsI8gZ 🔹 The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll - https://amzn.to/4i340v9🔹 Amanda Rach Lee - 2025 Bullet Journal Setup - https://youtu.be/erf7mDtZw9k 🔹 The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron - https://amzn.to/4hHSFkt 🔹 Brad Yates - Intro to EFT Tapping - https://youtu.be/JiD72cZ5mcU

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Van Kerckhove shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."

#002: Is your next trip an adventure, or an escape? In this episode, I dive into the hidden cycle of travel-as-avoidance, how to know if you’re running toward something or away from something, and what it really means to design a life you don’t need to escape from.

Pack Light Live Full is a podcast about building a meaningful life on your own terms. Host Carmen Van Kerckhove shares candid stories from her unconventional career path—from investment banking analyst to martial arts school owner to million-follower travel influencer—exploring how to create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Through honest conversations about career, social media, travel, and life's big transitions, Carmen challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to "have it all."