Safety Banana

Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 30!

Circling the globe in one direction might sound like a pop band's dream, but it's actually a traveler's best-kept secret! Join Jacinda as she shares how to make the most of around the world tickets! Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter or a curious newbie, this episode is your ticket to understanding how to maximize your travels. Learn the ins and outs of navigating airline alliances, the flexibility of changing flight dates, and how to make the most out of every destination.

Episode Highlights:

00:39 - Exploring Around the World Tickets

02:37 - Jacinda's 16-Stop Ticket Experience

03:51 - Navigating Flight Legs and Directions

04:33 - Flight Limits in Different Zones

06:02 - Flexibility with Flight Dates

06:36 - Understanding Airline Alliances

07:41 - Recap and Considerations for Around the World Tickets

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Check out Jacinda’s more travel stories

https://jacindapatty.wordpress.com/

Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 29!

Buckle up and join me in this episode with my special guest, my brother Adrian, to take you on a whirlwind journey through our most unforgettable travel stories. Adrian also shared his tales of scaling mountains in Bolivia, where he faced the challenges of altitude sickness not once but twice. His determination to reach the summit, despite a lack of fitness the second time around, was both inspiring and a bit comical, and his recount of the unique San Pedro prison visit in La Paz was nothing short of surreal.

But it's not all about the thrills and spills; we also share practical tips and insights for fellow travelers, emphasizing the importance of saying yes to unexpected invitations and embracing the spontaneity of solo travel.

🍌 Episode Highlights:

03:17 - Road Tripping Around the U.S. with Grandparents

04:30 - Early Travel Experiences and Unstructured Adventures

06:21 - Exploring La Paz and Surrounding Areas

07:30 - Mountain Hiking Challenges and Fitness Levels

10:47 - Second Attempt at Mountain Hiking

16:45 - Cultural Experience in Bolivian Mines

20:48 - Visiting the Infamous San Pedro Prison

21:32 - Unique Prison Tour Experiences

25:09 - Inside Stories from the Prison Visit

26:08 - Insights into Prison Life and Uncertainties

29:13 - Prison Economy and Social Dynamics

32:57 - Safety and Comfort Inside the Prison

34:46 - Media Attention and Government Response

35:08 - Tourist Attraction of the Prison Visit

37:56 - Local Snacks and Culinary Delights

39:02 - Embracing Spontaneous Invitations while Traveling

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https://www.instagram.com/jacindapatty/

Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 28!

Looking to save money for your next adventure?

Discover how to cut costs and prioritize your travel savings, from canceling subscriptions to meal prepping. Learn five essential tips on how to budget effectively before traveling. Whether you're planning a short getaway or a multi-year adventure, these practical strategies will get you closer to booking that flight. 

Episode Highlights:

01:00 - Cutting Back on Beauty Expenses

02:04 - Driving Instead of Drinking

03:08 - The Benefits of Meal Prepping

04:12 - Canceling Unused Subscriptions

05:29 - Making a Travel Plan

06:55 - Understanding Local Currency

08:21 - Choosing Affordable Destinations

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Check out Jacinda’s more travel stories

https://jacindapatty.wordpress.com/

Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 27!

Join me on the second season of Safety Banana the Podcast as we explore Amy Rowland's extraordinary journey from a lawyer to a world-traveling circus performer and aerial yoga instructor. Amy talks about her experiences studying trapeze, working as a lawyer in Australia and Tokyo, and ultimately pursuing her love of the circus. She talks about how her time in Serbia changed her life and sparked her passion for the traveling circus scene through street performance. Amy also talks about her profound experience in Nicaragua, where she started Circasana—a circus and yoga hybrid—and co-organized a circus festival. Learn about her most recent sailing experience and how she uses circus to bring people from different backgrounds together in far-off places.

🍌 Episode Highlights:

02:54 - Amy's transition from lawyer to circus performer

06:38  - Initial struggles with street performance in Serbia.

08:40 - Performing at festivals and traveling in Mexico.

10:52 - Minimalistic approach to packing for Nicaragua.

13:45 - Experiences and challenges in remote Nicaragua.

15:51 - Sailing adventure from Panama to French Polynesia.

22:22 - Building Circasana and expanding circus retreats.

24:12 - Importance of following passions.

26:23 - Importance of openness in travel.

30:15 - Using circus to connect communities.

32:44 - Allowing experiences to unfold naturally.

34:57 - Advice for career change and travel.

37:13 - Benefits of minimalistic living.

38:22 - Power of circus to connect cultures.

🧳 Guest Bio:

Amy, a former lawyer turned circus performer and devoted yogi, journeyed from Australia and Japan to pursue her passions. She dazzled crowds as an acrobat, learned circus arts in China, and performed on the streets of Serbia. Alongside her circus adventures, Amy immersed herself in yoga, becoming a certified instructor. Co-founding CircAsana Yoga, she now resides in Nicaragua, teaching yoga and organizing community circus events, embodying a life fueled by passion and creativity.

📲 Follow Amy

Website: https://circasana.com/

Circasana’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circasana

Amy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyrowland/

📲 Follow me on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jacindapatty/

Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 26!

In this episode, Jacinda sits down with the courageous Paris, who shares her incredible experience of packing up her life in just 30 days to become a tour guide in some of the most challenging yet rewarding destinations in the Middle East. From navigating the bustling streets of Baghdad to witnessing the untouched beauty of Afghanistan, Paris opens up about the realities of working in tourism hotspots that many consider dangerous. She debunks common myths, reflects on the profound impact of her travels, and reveals how her experiences have reshaped her perspective on life and her future aspirations.

So pack your curiosity, hit play, and let's dive into the extraordinary life of a tour guide in the Middle East with Paris.

Episode Highlights:

00:01:13 - Paris's Travel Experiences in High-Risk Countries

00:02:23 - Paris's Background and Decision to Change Her Life

00:03:04 - Paris Before Becoming a Tour Guide

00:04:42 - Paris's Transition from Corporate to Tour Guide

00:07:11 - Getting the Job with Young Pioneer Tours

00:08:38 - The Impact of COVID on Career Choices

00:13:06 - Paris's First Tour in Iraq

00:21:33 - The Dark Days in Cambodia

00:25:03 - The Logistics of Living on the Road

00:27:15 - Suitcase vs. Backpack Debate

00:29:01 - First Impressions of Iraq

00:31:25 - The Role of a Tour Guide with YPT

00:33:22 - The Challenges of Repeatedly Guiding New Groups

00:42:49 - The Work Behind the Scenes of Tour Guiding

00:45:01 - Dealing with Passport and Visa Challenges

00:47:56 - The Misconceptions of Traveling to High-Risk Countries

Follow Paris on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/paris.hailwood/

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https://www.instagram.com/jacindapatty/

Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 25!

Ever thought about ways to ensure your travel memories endure over time?

Discover the secrets to preserving your travel memories with Jacinda as she shares tips on preserving travel memories. From modern methods like social media, blogging, and vlogging to nostalgic techniques like postcards and scrapbooking, she dives into the art of documenting adventures. Tune in for a trip down memory lane and gather inspiration for how to immortalize your own travel tales.

Episode Highlights:

02:48 - Video Diaries for Travel

03:08 - Importance of Cloud Backup While Traveling

04:04 - The Charm of Sending and Receiving Postcards

05:30 - Personal Travel Diaries

06:46 - Late Night Taco Run

08:01 - Creating Tangible Memories

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Check out Jacinda’s more travel stories
https://jacindapatty.wordpress.com/

Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 24!

Ever wondered what it's like to witness a magical sunrise from the top of a volcano?

Experience the thrill of adventure as Jacinda recounts her journey scaling Guatemala's towering Acatenango volcano with her friend Lucy. Delve into the narrative that begins at the mountain's base and culminates at its majestic peak. Listen closely as Jacinda shares the challenges they faced, the victories they achieved, and the awe-inspiring sights that unfolded at the summit. Get ready to be swept away by Jacinda's unforgettable climb and feel inspired to set out on your own extraordinary expedition!

Episode Highlights:

03:30 - Climbing difficulties and group dynamics

06:59 - Camping at the mountaintop

10:04 - Sleeping in uncomfortable conditions

11:56 - Arriving on Mars

13:22 - A magical sunrise

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Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 23!

Discover how to travel, work, and raise a family all at once! Tune in to our latest episode with Graeme to discuss how it's possible to travel, work, tour, and raise a family all at the same time. Graeme shares his personal travel tips and emphasizes the importance of preparation in making your travels smoother. He also talks about the challenges and rewards of the tour life and how they have found a formula that works for their family. Tune in to hear his entertaining and inspiring conversation about balancing life's adventures with family responsibilities.

Episode Highlights:

01:03 - How did we meet?

05:52 - Building communities while traveling

11:11 - Male dancers breaking barriers

15:49 - Career and family balance

17:32 - Family support in career

19:32 - The power of teamwork

21:57 - Moving a family takes preparation

22:14 - Packing and traveling light

27:09 - Airport travel tips

About our guest:

Graeme Joseph Isaako Purcell, the multitalented entertainer hailing from Sydney, discovered his ardor for the performing arts amidst his upbringing in Auckland, New Zealand, nurtured by a musically inclined family. With an innate talent for singing, dancing, and acting, he embarked on his journey at a young age, debuting impressively in Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver! as Dipper at just 13. His dedication led him through training at Janice Breen Performance Studios Sydney and Urban Dance Centre, where he showcased his prowess as a Top 6 contestant in the inaugural season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia. Despite rising success, Graeme took a hiatus from the industry to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New Zealand Wellington Mission. Upon his return, he seamlessly re-entered the entertainment sphere, gracing stages as a backup dancer for esteemed artists such as Timomatic, Jessica Mauboy, and Ricky Martin, while also making appearances on notable TV shows like X Factor and The Voice. His career soared further as he joined the ensemble of Disney’s The Lion King Australian Tour, understudying the role of Adult Simba. In the last 3 and a half years, Graeme embarked on a whirlwind journey alongside his wife and two children, captivating audiences across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore in the coveted role of Aladdin in Disney’s Aladdin the Musical.

Check out more about Graeme

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graemeisaako/

Follow me on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jacindapatty/

Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 22!

Feeling burnt out from your travels?

Join us in this episode as we unveil three invaluable secrets to sidestep travel exhaustion. Learn how to take a break and recharge, the importance of stopping and sightseeing, and how eating vegetables can help maintain a healthy lifestyle while on the go. Tune in to learn more about these strategies and avoid travel exhaustion.

Episode Highlights:

01:35 - The importance of stopping

02:02 - Embracing the Hibernate Mode

04:30 - Eating healthy on the go

06:09 - Travel burnout and vegetables

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Welcome to Safety Banana Podcast Episode 21!

Join Shane Borza, an adventurous climber and filmmaker, in an episode filled with thrilling stories and valuable insights. Shane shares gripping tales of climbing remote peaks worldwide and capturing these amazing moments through his camera. Beyond his adventures, Shane reveals another side as a mental health coach, adding depth to his story.

Discover how traveling can make you feel better emotionally. Hear personal stories, like how going on climbing trips helped someone heal from a profound heartache. This interesting chat doesn't just talk about exciting adventures but also shows how traveling can change who you are inside. Tune in for an engaging discussion that uncovers the magic of climbing and travel in shaping our inner selves.

Episode Highlights:

04:24 - Young love and engagement

08:51 - Getting dumped without knowing

10:28 - Researching climbing destinations

13:46 - limbing adventures and chance encounters

18:00 - Climbing and forming a family

21:32 - Vic's bungalow and community

24:38 - Israeli army captain in Thailand

28:25 - Two people never seen again

31:23 - Shane's number one travel tip

About our guest:
Shane Borza, an accomplished Climber, Creator, and Coach, intertwines his passion for mountains and storytelling with a profound mission to assist others. Boasting an impressive 30 years of global climbing experience and nearly two decades as an independent filmmaker, Shane has crafted numerous award-winning films, each brimming with compelling narratives, often rooted in climbing adventures. His diverse journey spans foreign expeditions, film and writing endeavors, corporate roles, educational stints at universities and colleges, and even military service where he trained police personnel, all culminating in a rich tapestry of experiences. Initially embarking on his film education in Australia at an international film school and stunt academy, Shane rapidly augmented his credentials by engaging in three feature films within three months, ultimately amassing over 200 on-set credits, primarily as a First AD. Today, through his Coaching Company, Shane guides individuals in delving into their behavioral patterns to effect enduring change, while also mentoring creatives in navigating intricate undertakings, ranging from films to books, courses, and enterprises.

Find out more about Shane
Website: https://www.shaneborza.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaneborza/

You can watch his award-winning feature film at:
www.elcapwedding.com

Follow me on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jacindapatty/