After a divorce at 35 turned her life upside down, Jess Prudhomme found herself questioning everything she thought she wanted. The career, the marriage, the carefully planned checklist life she'd built suddenly no longer fit, and she had to figure out who she was outside of those expectations.

In this powerful episode, Jess shares how travel became a powerful tool for healing, self-discovery, and rebuilding confidence after one of the most challenging seasons of her life. What started with local trips and joining a friend's vacation eventually led to solo and group travel experiences across Croatia, Crete, Puglia, and Italy's Amalfi Coast, helping her realize she didn't need a partner to create a meaningful and adventurous life.

Jess also shares the inspiration behind her podcast, The Great Detour, where she explores life's unexpected twists and how those detours often lead us exactly where we're meant to be.

✈️ Navigating divorce, identity shifts, and rebuilding confidence in your mid-30s
✈️ How a group trip to Croatia changed the way Jess viewed travel and independence
✈️ Lessons learned from traveling through Crete, Puglia, and the Amalfi Coast
✈️ The realities of solo female travel, safety concerns, and building confidence while traveling alone
✈️ Travel mishaps you have to hear to believe
✈️ Why solo dining can feel intimidating and how to become more comfortable doing it
✈️ The story behind launching The Great Detour podcast
✈️ Leaving a Fortune 500 career for a year-long sabbatical focused on personal growth and inner work
✈️ Why life's unexpected detours often lead to the greatest transformations

Whether you're navigating a major life transition, considering your first solo trip, or simply looking for inspiration to step outside your comfort zone, Jess's story is a reminder that travel can be much more than a vacation. It can be a catalyst for growth, healing, and rediscovering yourself.

Connect with Jess:

• https://www.thegreatdetour.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/thegreatdetour/

💻 https://tastetoasttravel.com/
✈️ https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_/
🧳 https://www.tiktok.com/@tastetoasttravel
🌎 https://www.youtube.com/@tastetoasttravel

Have you ever felt caught between cultures or wondered where "home" truly is?

In this episode I sit down with Urmi Hossain, author, speaker, podcaster, and multicultural storyteller, to explore what it's like growing up between worlds. Born in Sicily, Italy, to Bangladeshi parents and now living in Montreal, Canada, Urmi shares her journey as a third-culture kid navigating identity, belonging, family expectations, language, and cultural traditions across multiple countries and communities.

From growing up between Italian and Bengali cultures to building a life abroad in Montreal, Urmi opens up about the challenges of finding her place in the world and how travel, storytelling, and self-discovery helped shape her understanding of home.

We dig into:
✈️ Navigating life between Bangladeshi and Italian cultures
✈️ Identity, belonging, and the search for "home"
✈️ Cultural expectations and family dynamics
✈️ Moving to Montreal and adapting to a new country
✈️ Learning languages and connecting across cultures
✈️ Building community while living abroad
✈️ Insights from her book, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle

Whether you've lived abroad, grown up between cultures, or simply love hearing stories about life around the world, this conversation offers an honest look at identity, resilience, and finding belonging across borders.

Connect with Urmi: https://linktr.ee/urmihossain

💻 https://tastetoasttravel.com/
✈️ https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_/
🧳 https://www.tiktok.com/@tastetoasttravel
🌎 https://www.youtube.com/@tastetoasttravel

In this episode of Taste Toast Travel, I'm chating with Brianna and Morgan, co-hosts of the Global Girlfriend Podcast, about their journeys into living abroad, expat life, and creating meaningful careers overseas.

They first met while teaching abroad in Albania, and from there, each followed a unique path around the world. Brianna shares how an international internship in Kenya led her to eventually move to Bali, while Morgan reflects on her deep connection to Spain and Argentina and how living abroad helped her gain clarity and confidence.

Together, they talk honestly about what life abroad really looks like beyond the Instagram highlights—and how travel has shaped their perspectives, careers, and sense of purpose.

We dig into:
✈️ Meeting and teaching abroad in Albania
✈️ Interning internationally in Kenya and moving to Bali
✈️ Living abroad in Spain and Argentina
✈️ The realities of expat life vs. social media expectations
✈️ Career pivots and choosing passion over traditional paths
✈️ How living abroad can shift your mindset and priorities

Whether you’re dreaming of moving abroad, curious about teaching overseas, or simply love real stories about life around the world, this episode will leave you inspired to take your next adventure.

Connect with the Global Girlfriends:

• https://theglobalgirlfriend.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/theglobalgirlfriend/

💻 https://tastetoasttravel.com/
✈️ https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_/
🧳 https://www.tiktok.com/@tastetoasttravel
🌎 https://www.youtube.com/@tastetoasttravel

What does it really look like to quit a 9–5 job and move abroad?

In this episode of the Taste Toast Travel podcast, I'm joined by Anna Schild, who shares her journey from working a corporate job in the United States to backpacking around the world—and eventually building a life in Germany. 

From navigating visas and residency requirements to adjusting to everyday life as an American living in Europe, Anna offers an honest look at the challenges and rewards of long-term travel and relocation.

We talk about what it takes to leave behind a traditional career, how flexibility becomes your greatest tool while traveling, and the cultural surprises that come with living abroad. 

Anna also shares stories from the road, including German wine festivals, local traditions, and how travel helped her uncover passions she never expected.

This episode is perfect for:

✈️ Anyone dreaming of quitting a 9–5 job
✈️ Aspiring digital nomads and long-term travelers
✈️ People curious about moving abroad or living in Germany
✈️ Travel lovers who enjoy culture, food, and wine

If you’ve ever wondered whether global adventures could fit into your life, this conversation will leave you inspired to take the leap.

Connect with Anna:

• https://www.annaschildva.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/annaschildva

💻 https://tastetoasttravel.com/
✈️ https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_/
🧳 https://www.tiktok.com/@tastetoasttravel
🌎 https://www.youtube.com/@tastetoasttravel

We’re joined by travel journalist, TV host, and creator of Dream of Italy, Kathy McCabe!

With more than two decades in travel journalism and television, Kathy has built a career around helping people experience Italy and Europe in a deeper, more meaningful way. We chat about how Dream of Italy came to be, her newest PBS series Dream of Europe, and what she’s learned from a lifetime of exploring the world.

We dig into:

✈️ The story behind Dream of Italy and Kathy’s journey in travel television
✈️ Why ancestral travel can create such a powerful connection to a destination
✈️ Kathy’s personal love of Italian culture, food, community, and everyday life
✈️ What inspired her to create Dream of Europe
✈️ How to travel with more intention, curiosity, and connection
✈️ Why savoring the moment can completely change the way we experience a destination

Whether you’re dreaming of Italy, planning a European adventure, researching your family roots, or simply looking for a more meaningful way to travel, Kathy’s stories and advice will inspire you to slow down, connect with local culture, and make the most of every journey.

Come along for a conversation about Italy, Europe, ancestral travel, travel storytelling, and the joy of truly experiencing the places we visit.

Connect with Kathy:

• https://dreamofitaly.com/?v=0b3b97fa6688
• https://www.instagram.com/dreamofitaly/

💻 https://tastetoasttravel.com/
✈️ https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_/
🧳 https://www.tiktok.com/@tastetoasttravel
🌎 https://www.youtube.com/@tastetoasttravel

Welcome to the Taste Toast Travel Podcast! 🌎

Do you love travel, culture, exploration, and discovering how people live around the world, but can't always hop on a plane whenever you want? Because... same here!

I'm your host Tara Accardo, and this podcast is for curious travelers, culture lovers, explorers, and anyone who loves discovering what makes people and places around the world unique.

Each week, I sit down with travelers, expats, creators, authors, experts, and storytellers to share stories and insights from around the world. Together, we'll explore different cultures, hear what life is really like in other countries, uncover hidden gems, and discover the traditions, foods, and experiences that make a destination special.

Whether you're planning your next adventure, dreaming about future travels, or simply looking for inspiration between trips, you'll find stories, perspectives, and conversations that invite you to see the world a little differently.

So grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and join me as we explore the world one story at a time.

💻 https://tastetoasttravel.com/
✈️ https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_/
🧳 https://www.tiktok.com/@tastetoasttravel
🌎 https://www.youtube.com/@tastetoasttravel