What happens when you stop treating retirement like an ending… and start treating it like an expedition?

On this episode of Stacking Adventures, Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond connect with retirement mindset mentor George Jerjian (creator of the DARE Method) from London to unpack the 80-day, around-the-world journey that reshaped how he thinks about identity, courage, and life after 55.

George didn't just plan a bucket-list sprint. He worked with a travel agent, chose mostly countries new to him, and intentionally left space for serendipity. Along the way, he learned to stop "ticking boxes," listen to his body, skip prepaid tours when needed, and even find peace wedged into a middle airplane seat. Because sometimes the biggest shift isn't geography—it's mindset.

This isn't just a travel story. It's a retirement reset.

What You'll Learn in This Episode 🌍 Travel With Intention (Not Just an Itinerary)

• Why George chose unfamiliar destinations to stretch himself

• How leaving room for spontaneity created the most meaningful moments

• Why slowing down and listening to your body matters more than "getting your money's worth"

🦁 South Africa: Awe, History, and Perspective

• Reflecting on Nelson Mandela's legacy at Robben Island

• Five days on safari in Timbavati near Kruger—witnessing both the beauty and brutality of nature

• What wild places teach us about humility and resilience

🇦🇺 Australia & Identity

• The Great Barrier Reef near Hamilton Island (yes, wetsuits required—sharks and jellyfish are real)

• Melbourne's Immigration Museum and Australia's "populate or perish" story

• Driving the Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles

• Why exploring national identity helped George reflect on his own

🇳🇿 New Zealand: Nature as Teacher

• Digging hot-water pools on Coromandel beaches

• The train ride from Christchurch to Greymouth

• Milford Sound, the Southern Alps, and swimming with dolphins in Kaikōura

• A Māori dance lesson that challenged the need for approval (hint: wrist-shaking beats applause)

🇯🇵 Japan: Service and Resilience

• Learning from a samurai historian in Kanazawa about service in Japanese culture

• Visiting Hiroshima after reading John Hersey's Hiroshima

• What rebuilding after devastation teaches about forgiveness and human strength

🇨🇦 Canada: Awe as the Final Lesson

• Vancouver's rain-soaked greenery

• The sleeper train to Jasper

• Banff, Lake Louise, and the Icefields Parkway

• Quebec City's French character and layered history

George closes with a simple but powerful idea: travel restores awe—and awe restores perspective.

The Retirement Mindset Shift

For listeners in that 55–75 sweet spot (and honestly, anyone thinking about what's next), George shares how extended travel can:

• Help you shed old identities tied to work

• Build courage in small, repeatable ways

• Reframe uncertainty as adventure

• Replace "What am I without my job?" with "Who do I want to become?"

Retirement isn't a withdrawal from life. It's a redeployment.

Basement Fun Along the Way

• The ongoing "Where in the World Is Crystal?" listener game (she's not in the continental U.S. or Aruba…)

• A nod to the show's Gear of the Day archive at stackingadventures.com/gtd

• George's memoir recommendation—his own book, Odyssey of an Elder: Around the World in 80 Days, written so you feel like you're traveling beside him

Adventurer Question 🌎

If you had 80 days and the courage to go somewhere unfamiliar, where would you go—and what part of your identity might you leave behind?

Share your answer in the comments or in the Stacking Adventures community. Because sometimes the biggest journey isn't around the world.

It's into the next version of yourself.

Want to travel more without overspending or falling for tourist traps? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal reports back from the Travel & Adventure Show in Washington, DC, breaking down what the experience is really like, whether the upgraded ticket was worth it, and what she'd absolutely do differently next time (hint: show up early and never skip the insider perks).

Crystal and Joe swap travel confessions, talk about navigating crowds and convention chaos, and share how small detours can transform an ordinary trip into a memorable adventure. Along the way, the conversation turns practical, focusing on smarter ways to plan trips, stretch travel dollars, and discover destinations you might never have considered.

What the Stacking Adventures traveler will take away from this episode:

• What a major travel show is actually like and how to decide if attending one is worth your time and money

• Why arriving early can completely change your experience, from smaller crowds to better vendor conversations and bonus perks

• How upgraded passes can pay off when they include seminars, early access, and food that offsets the ticket cost

• The value of talking directly with destination experts instead of relying only on online research

• How adding small, unexpected detours can dramatically improve road trips and create memorable experiences

New destinations and ideas added to Crystal's travel list:

• Alaska trips focused on viewing the Northern Lights

• Tuscany cycling vacations through Pedal & Sea Adventures

• European Christmas market itineraries explored by train through Rail Escape

• Jamaica experiences beyond resorts, including private Blue Hole excursions

• Hidden-gem domestic travel, including Moundsville, West Virginia's mix of history, quirky attractions, and outdoor stays

• Scenic driving routes like Oklahoma's Talimena Drive as a stress-free alternative to major highway routes

Smart travel planning tips you can use immediately:

• Setting Google Flights price alerts to track airfare without constant searching

• Enrolling in the free government Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for travel alerts, safety updates, and easier passport assistance abroad

• Evaluating travel swag, deals, and promotions without getting distracted by flashy booths

• Using train travel and regional transportation to simplify European itineraries

• Thinking beyond headline destinations to find better value and fewer crowds

Meaningful travel conversations from the show floor:

• How tourism initiatives in places like Zanzibar and Tanzania support local youth and communities

• Opportunities through AFS Intercultural Programs for study abroad, hosting exchange students, and scholarship-supported cultural exchange

• How travel perceptions often lag behind reality, especially after major weather events or news cycles

Because every adventure needs a little fun:

• The ongoing "Where in the World Is Crystal Trying to Travel?" guessing game

• Funny moments from the convention floor, including murals, test drives, and unexpected wins

• Travel stories that prove the best memories often come from places you never planned to stop

Your next adventure starts here:

Share your own travel stories and submit destination guesses for a chance at Stacking Adventures swag! Here's the URL for either: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory.

Because the goal isn't just to travel more, it's to travel smarter, connect more deeply, and come home with stories worth telling.

What starts as a European trip in 1987 turns into a quirky quest across England after a chance bookstore discovery, and eventually becomes something far more meaningful than anyone expected.

Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are joined by award winning mystery writer Michael Balter, who shares how stumbling upon a coffee table book listing historic pubs across England accidentally launched him on an unforgettable pub crawl adventure. What began as "let's see if we can find these places" became a journey crisscrossing the English countryside, visiting tiny villages, atmospheric taverns, and discovering stories in every corner.

But Michael's 1987 trip wasn't just about pubs. Along the way, he experienced a life-changing reunion with his long-lost biological father in Berlin, proving once again that travel has a funny way of revealing what you're really searching for, whether that's a perfect pint in a centuries-old pub or missing pieces of your own story.

The conversation weaves between colorful English pub tales, practical travel lessons learned the hard way in an era before Google Maps and smartphones, and the deeply human side of international travel. How being far from home can bring you closer to who you are. There's also a peek at Michael's upcoming novel Dead Exit, plus a brand new, slightly chaotic game where listeners try to guess where in the world Crystal is this time (no passports required).

This episode is part travel memoir, part accidental quest story, and part reminder that the best trips don't always go according to plan, and that's exactly why we remember them.

What You'll Discover:

• How a bookstore find turned into an accidental pub crawl across England
• Why traveling without modern tech made every pub hunt feel like a real adventure
• What it's like to track down historic taverns in tiny English villages
• How Michael's European journey led to reconnecting with lost family in Berlin
• Why pubs and local hangouts tell you more about a place than guidebooks alone
• How travel stories turn into novels and sometimes into healing
• A new interactive game that might just become a Stacking Adventures staple

This Episode Is For You If:

• You love the idea of travel with an accidental quest built in
• You're drawn to stories where serendipity leads to the best adventures
• You've ever wondered what travel was like before smartphones solved everything
• You believe the best discoveries happen when you follow unexpected leads
• You're looking for your next unique travel challenge or inspiration

Question for You:

Have you ever taken a trip where a random discovery (a book, a recommendation, a wrong turn) completely changed your plans for the better? Share your story in the comments or the Stacking Adventures community. Bonus points if it involved tracking something down without Google's help.

What would happen if you said yes to the adventure that's been quietly tugging at you for years?

Joe Saul-Sehy talks with author and long distance cyclist Cory Mortensen, who decided to stop dreaming about a big ride and actually pedal one. He biked from Canada to Mexico along Highway One.

This isn't just about cycling. It's about committing to something that feels bigger than you, preparing without overthinking, and discovering what you're capable of when the road stretches out in front of you. Cory shares how solitude, unexpected kindness, and a willingness to stay curious shaped his journey just as much as the miles did.

Whether your epic adventure is a bike trip, a hiking trail, or something completely different, this episode is a reminder that the best stories start when you stop waiting for perfect conditions.

What You'll Discover:

• How to prepare for a long distance adventure without getting stuck in planning paralysis
• What Cory learned about resilience by riding day after day with no shortcuts
• Why solitude can be one of the most powerful and underrated parts of any journey
• How to stay safe and confident while navigating busy cities and remote roads
• The kind of gear that matters when you're living on the road
• Why naming your bike is not as ridiculous as it sounds once you've spent enough miles together
• How books and stories can fuel your sense of adventure
• What it feels like to reach the finish line and why it's never really the end
• How to stay mentally young by saying yes to new experiences
• Why serendipitous encounters often become the most memorable part of any trip

This Episode Is For You If:

• You've been saying "one day I'll do that" for years
• You want permission to commit to something that scares you a little
• You're curious what happens when you finally stop planning and start doing
• You need inspiration to turn your own adventure from dream to reality
• You believe life is meant to be lived, not just planned

Cory's story might be the nudge that turns one day into now.

Our show notes are at StackingAdventures.com

You'll find Cory's book in our Gear Of The Day picks

Share YOUR cycling (or other) adventure: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

Alright, Adventurers…let's hear it. Where are you going in 2026—and what's the trip you really want to take if time, money, and real life would kindly stop being so clingy? Whether you've got a big international swing planned or you're stacking mini-adventures closer to home, this is your official invitation to say it out loud and let the rest of us cheer you on (and possibly steal your ideas).

This year's travel planning comes with a little more structure, a little more imagination, and a whole lot more "let's actually do the thing." We're talking trips with friends, family getaways, bucket list locations, and those oddly specific travel goals that make perfect sense once you've lived through exactly one chaotic airport day and sworn you'll never travel unprepared again.

And because this is the Clubhouse, we're not just updating our passports—we're leveling up the way we share the adventure. New segments are coming in, a few are getting retired, and we're kicking off the year with the kind of energy that makes you want to open a notes app titled "Trips I'm Booking Before I Talk Myself Out of It."

In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy reveal what they're chasing in 2026—from big dream destinations (yes, Tuscany is in the conversation) to surprise events on the calendar, including a wedding trip to Lebanon. They also share what's changing inside the Clubhouse this year, including a new game inspired by "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" and some fresh ways for Adventurers to participate beyond just listening.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

• The annual Clubhouse meeting and what it means for the year ahead

• Crystal's 2026 travel goals and the trips she's determined to make happen

• Joe's jam-packed itinerary, including a surprise international wedding trip

• Why some segments are getting retired (moment of silence)

• What new segments are being introduced for 2026

• How the Clubhouse will be more interactive this year

• A new travel game concept that'll make you rethink how you "plan" trips

Our Gear of the Day Store: StackingAdventures.com/GearOfTheDay

Tell us your story OR sign up for our new Where In The World Is Crystal Dreaming About Traveling? StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that surprise you. In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy hit the road expecting a great trip—and come back with a whole new appreciation for West Virginia (and a certain famous theme park just over the border).

From the cozy charm of small towns to jaw-dropping national park views, this journey blends classic road-trip spontaneity with practical travel lessons you can steal for your next getaway. Along the way, Crystal and Joe talk fall colors, unexpected highlights, and the kinds of little decisions that can make a trip smoother, cheaper, and more memorable.

Dollywood plays a starring role early in the adventure, complete with themed hotels, comfort food done right, and that unmistakable feeling of being somewhere people genuinely want you to have a good time. But the trip doesn't stop at rides and cinnamon bread. As the road winds into West Virginia, the pace shifts—mountains rise, crowds thin, and the kind of views that make you pull over "just one more time" start to appear.

This episode is a reminder that you don't need an overseas flight to feel like you've escaped. With the right planning, a flexible attitude, and a few smart gear choices, a road trip can deliver just as much magic as a passport stamp.

You'll hear about:

• Why Dollywood is more than a theme park—and how to do it right

• What surprised Crystal and Joe most about West Virginia

• Scenic drives, national parks, and places worth slowing down for

• How small towns can become trip highlights (if you let them)

• Affordable ways to add comfort and convenience to a road trip

• Travel gear that actually earned its spot in the car

• Lessons learned from unexpected weather, pit stops, and detours

• Why some trips are better when you don't overplan every minute

As you listen, we'd love to hear from you: What's a destination that completely exceeded your expectations once you finally went? Drop your answer in the Stacking Adventures Clubhouse or the comments and inspire someone else's next trip.

Whether you're planning a fall road trip, dreaming about national parks, or just looking for ideas closer to home, this episode proves that great adventures don't always require a long flight—just a willingness to explore what's right in front of you.

Planning a trip to London and wondering what's actually worth your time versus what's just tourist theater? Karen Cordaway from the Everyday Bucket List podcast and her husband Rich are guest hosting this episode to share what they've learned from their own London adventures. This originally aired as an episode of their podcast, in fact, Everyday Bucket List!

Karen and Rich have done the research, made the mistakes, and figured out what works. They can tell you what lives up to the hype, what you can skip entirely, and the hidden spots most visitors never discover because they're too busy following the same crowded itinerary everyone else has...

From whether the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is worth the crowd crush to why Greenwich deserves way more time than most itineraries give it, they break down how to experience London without wasting days on disappointments.

Rich shares a unique tip most guidebooks miss entirely. Walking under the Thames River via the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. It's free, it's fascinating, and it's the kind of experience that makes a trip memorable beyond just checking boxes on a landmark list. Karen adds practical advice about timing, transportation, and how to balance the iconic must-sees with the neighborhoods and experiences that give you a feel for the actual city.

Whether you're planning your first London adventure or returning to dig deeper, this episode gives you the kind of insider knowledge that transforms a good trip into a great one. Crystal and Joe set the stage with holiday updates and future episode teasers, then hand the mic over to Karen and Rich for a guest-hosted deep dive into one of the world's most visited cities.

What You'll Take With You:

• Karen and Rich's honest take on London's biggest tourist attractions and which ones deliver
• Why Greenwich is the hidden gem most visitors skip but absolutely shouldn't
• The Greenwich Foot Tunnel experience and why walking under the Thames beats another museum
• Practical timing and transportation tips that save you hours of frustration
• How to balance iconic landmarks with authentic London neighborhoods and experiences
• What's worth the crowds and what's better left to the Instagram tourists
• The insider perspective that only comes from people who actually know the city

This Episode Is For You If:

• You're planning a London trip and overwhelmed by conflicting advice online
• You want to experience London like someone who lives there, not just visit it
• You're tired of guidebook recommendations that waste your limited travel time
• You're wondering which famous London attractions actually live up to their reputation
• You believe the best travel advice comes from people who know a place deeply, not just visited once

Before You Hit Play, Think About This:

If you've been to London before, what's one thing you wish you'd known before your trip? And if you're planning to go, what's the one experience you're most excited (or most nervous) about? Drop your thoughts in the comments because Karen and Rich's perspective might completely change your itinerary.

The first Christmas song of the season hits, and suddenly Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are deep into holiday travel daydreaming mode. Some people want snow, twinkling lights, and mulled wine at a European Christmas market. Others want to flee the cold entirely and spend December with their toes in warm sand. Both are valid, and this episode celebrates them equally.

Crystal and Joe map out their top five dream holiday escapes, from sparkling European markets to sun-drenched beaches that make you question why anyone owns a winter coat. They reflect on destinations that nail the holiday magic, the ones that fall frustratingly short, and the places that surprised them in ways they didn't see coming. Whether you're drawn to crackling fireplaces and postcard-worthy snowfall or prefer December afternoons where sunscreen beats sweaters, this episode has something for your travel style.

Along the way, you'll hear stories about Shazam mishaps in public places, unexpected holiday frustrations that no guidebook warns you about, and the quirks that make December travel both delightful and occasionally maddening. Crystal and Joe get honest about which famous holiday destinations actually deliver on their reputation and which ones are better left to Instagram rather than your actual itinerary.

The episode wraps with practical gear recommendations that make holiday travel smoother, whether you're hopping between Christmas markets, chasing holiday parades, or trying to pack gifts without everything arriving in pieces.

What You'll Take With You:

• What actually makes a holiday destination magical versus just crowded and expensive

• Crystal's and Joe's top five dream holiday getaways, plus a few they're happy to skip

• Ideas for warm weather December retreats when you need a break from winter

• Which Christmas markets around the world stand above the rest and why

• How to avoid the worst holiday travel pitfalls like crushing crowds and endless lines

• Why Shazaming Christmas music in public is always a gamble worth taking

• Gear that makes holiday travel easier and significantly less stressful

• Ways to blend family traditions with new travel adventures without losing either

This Episode Is For You If:

• You're dreaming of a holiday escape but can't decide between cozy and tropical

• You want honest takes on famous holiday destinations before you book anything

• You're curious which Christmas markets are worth the trip and which are tourist traps

• You need permission to skip the traditional holiday and do something completely different

• You believe December is the perfect time to travel, crowds and chaos be damned

Before You Hit Play, Think About This:

What's the best holiday destination you've ever visited, or the one still sitting at the top of your dream list? After hearing Crystal and Joe debate their favorites, we want to know where your perfect December escape would take you. Drop it in the comments because we're building the ultimate holiday travel bucket list together.

To find our awesome Gear of the Day picks, present and past! Gear of the Day

To share YOUR holiday adventure stories: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

Some people go to Barbados and never leave their resort. They come home with a tan and some poolside photos, having experienced about 10% of what the island actually offers.

Crystal Hammond just wrapped her third trip to Barbados with the same group of friends, and she's here to tell you what you're missing if you think paradise begins and ends at the swim-up bar. Don't get her wrong—the resorts are fantastic, and there's real value in a good all-inclusive. But Barbados has layers most tourists never discover, from local rum shops to muddy ATV adventures to beaches where you're more likely to meet Bajans than other Americans.

Joe Saul-Sehy brings the curiosity while Crystal unpacks how Barbados effortlessly blends relaxation with adventure. You'll hear about the moments that made each trip different, from sampling flying fish at local spots to hanging on during jeep safaris through terrain that definitely wasn't in the resort brochure. She shares how to balance tourist favorites with authentic Bajan experiences, which excursions are worth the money, and how to slip into local culture without abandoning your pool time entirely.

This isn't just a resort recap. It's an island deep-dive from someone who's learned what works through trial, error, and three separate trips. Whether you're planning your first Caribbean escape or your fifteenth, Crystal's got the insider perspective that turns a good vacation into one you'll actually remember.

Plus, the Gear of the Day helps Adventurers make their next tropical trip smoother, lighter, and maybe even a little more stylish.

What You'll Take With You:

• The honest truth about all-inclusive resorts in Barbados and when they're worth the premium

• How to enjoy local culture and authentic experiences without giving up resort convenience

• The best ways to explore the island through ATV tours, jeep safaris, and snorkeling with turtles

• How to balance tourist favorites with experiences that feel genuinely Bajan

• What to expect from island dining, including must-try flying fish dishes most visitors skip

• Smart packing and planning tips specifically for Caribbean travel conditions

• Ways to stretch your budget while still enjoying the full Barbados experience

• Crystal's favorite local finds and surprising spots most guidebooks miss

This Episode Is For You If:

• You're considering Barbados but not sure if it's worth the hype (or the cost)

• You want more from your Caribbean vacation than just beach and pool time

• You're tired of tourist trap recommendations and want the real local spots

• You're planning a trip with friends and want ideas beyond the resort property

• You believe the best travel happens when you venture past the comfortable and familiar

Before You Hit Play, Think About This:

What's one place you've visited multiple times, and what finally made you feel like an "expert" there? Drop your answer in the comments because Crystal's three trips to Barbados got us wondering how many visits it takes before you earn your honorary local badge.

Find our Gear of the Day here: StackingAdventures.com/GOTD

Call in and share YOUR story! StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

River cruises look amazing in the brochures, but are they actually worth the money? Or do you end up trapped on a floating hotel with mediocre food and tours you could've Googled yourself?

Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Nathan and Kathrin, two experienced travelers who just finished a Viking River Cruise through France's Rhône Valley. They're here to give you the real story about what worked, what surprised them, and whether this style of travel lives up to the hype (spoiler alert: mostly yes, with some important caveats).

From the towering Papal Palace in Avignon to the Roman ruins of Arles and the quiet charm of Viviers at night, Nathan and Catherine walk you through the moments that made their journey unforgettable. You'll hear about the quality of local guides, the tiny towns with massive personalities, and a remarkable side trip through Lyon's hidden traboules (because France hides its secrets well). They also get honest about the cabin size (shoebox would be generous), the onboard experience versus their expectations, and how river cruising compares to ocean sailing.

Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn when they share their medical emergency story. When Nathan's mom needed urgent care in Lyon, they got a crash course in navigating foreign healthcare systems. The experience became less about panic and more about learning how systems work differently abroad, and why preparation matters more than perfection.

Whether you're considering your first river cruise, wondering if Viking lives up to its reputation, or just looking for inspiration for your next European adventure, this episode delivers honest insights you can actually use.

What You'll Take With You:

• The honest truth about river cruising and whether it's worth the premium price

• How Viking's excursions, guides, and onboard experience stack up against the marketing

• Insider tips for exploring Avignon, Arles, Viviers, and Lyon beyond the standard tour

• What to know about handling medical emergencies abroad before you need to know it

• The best food, wine, and cultural highlights along the Rhône that you shouldn't miss

• How to make a tiny cruise cabin actually work for you (gear hacks included)

• Why souvenirs matter more than you think when chosen thoughtfully

• How to blend adventure, history, wine, and wellness into one trip without it feeling rushed

This Episode Is For You If:

• You've been curious about river cruises but worried they're overhyped tourist traps

• You want honest feedback from real travelers, not just glossy travel blog content

• You're planning a European trip and wondering if this style of travel fits your personality

• You want to know what can go wrong abroad and how to handle it without losing your mind

• You believe the best travel stories come from the unexpected moments, not just the planned ones

Before You Hit Play, Think About This:

What's the most unexpected thing that's ever happened to you while traveling, and how did it change the trip for better or worse? Drop your story in the comments because Nathan and Catherine's Rhône medical emergency reminded us how common (and character building) those twists can be.

Nathan and Kathrin's awesome cookware company (Joe can verify!): DaTerraCucina.com

Their travel blog: TakingTheBigBreak.com

Share YOUR Story! StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

Check out our Gear of the Day: StackingAdventures.com/GOTD