Some conversations stop you in your tracks. This is one of them.

Karin Warnelius-Miller is the proprietor, winemaker, and winegrower at Garden Creek Vineyards in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley — and her story is remarkable. Born on a dairy farm in Sweden, she immigrated to California in 1975, eventually falling in love with her childhood friend Justin Miller and building one of the most intentional, unhurried wineries in the region. Their estate Cabernet Sauvignon ages for eight years before release. That patience defines everything they do.

We go well beyond wine in this one. This conversation is really about how we live.

In This Episode:

• Swedish slow living — and what it actually looks like at the dinner table and in the vineyard
• How Karin's father launched one of Sweden's first wineries, sourcing grapes from four continents
• The serendipitous job posting that brought her family to Sonoma County
• Why Garden Creek has stayed deliberately small and appointment-only
• The WärneliusMiller Pinot Noir and the Golden Fleece Vineyard in Anderson Valley
• A horseback safari in Botswana that changed everything
• Why Americans need to embrace sauna culture
• Rapid fire: harvest season, Sonoma Coast oysters, seared filet with Cabernet reduction, and the two songs that soundtrack Garden Creek

Learn more:

• Garden Creek Vineyards — gardencreekvineyards.com
• WärneliusMiller Family Vineyards

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide.

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What happens when you spend your life teaching others how to cook — and finally give yourself permission to start living?

That's exactly where Amanda Haas finds herself. A cookbook author (four books in, with a fifth on the way), former culinary director at Williams-Sonoma, and founder of the Substack community House of Hass, Amanda has spent decades helping people fall in love with cooking. Now she's channeling that same energy into something bigger: a whole new chapter of her own life.

In this episode, we talk about the food memories that shaped her, why she always comes back to Italian and Mexican cuisine, and what it really means to cook with confidence (hint: it has nothing to do with being perfect). We also get into her move back to San Francisco, the neighborhood spots she loves, and why she believes the city has never been more alive.

And then there's the midlife conversation — the one I think so many of us need to have. Amanda is refreshingly honest about what this season of life actually offers: clarity, freedom, and the radical permission to finally chase your own desires instead of everyone else's.

Follow Amanda on Instagram: @amandahaascooks and find her recipes, live cooking shows, and community on Substack at Amanda Haas.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide.

And if you love the podcast, I'd be so grateful if you left a review — it really helps others discover the show.

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What happens when you stop chasing the “perfect” life and start building one that actually feels like yours?

Jen Ruiz did just that. While working full-time as an attorney, she challenged herself to take 12 trips in 12 months—and that decision changed everything.

In this episode, we talk about how Jen turned that experiment into a career as an award-winning travel journalist, best-selling author, 3x Tedx speaker, and the woman behind Jen on a Jet Plane. She shares what the transition from law really looked like and how she built a sustainable business around travel.

We also get into her next big project: a cross-country road trip along the historic Lincoln Highway, where she’s exploring a bigger question—can a road built to unite us still do that today?

Follow Jen on Instagram: @jenonajetplane. 

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide.

And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show.

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If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a classic American road trip through the national parks with your family, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast, Shannon sits down with her friend Julie to talk about an unforgettable two-week road trip through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Park—with three kids, including teens, in tow.

Julie shares how they planned their route, where they stayed (from glamping tents to a HomeExchange in Montana), and the simple traditions that made the trip so special—from playing the license plate game and asking conversation questions in the car, to blasting Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” at the halfway point of every drive.

They also dive into practical tips for planning a national parks itinerary, including how far in advance to book, why visiting ranger stations is a game-changer, and how to keep teens engaged on long travel days.

Along the way, the family experienced incredible wildlife sightings, swam in alpine lakes in the Tetons, and even soaked in hot springs under the stars in Montana.

If you’re planning a national parks road trip—or just want inspiration for meaningful family travel—this episode is packed with ideas.

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If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories.

And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show.

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In this episode, Shannon Gomes sits down with Gregangelo Herrera—artist, storyteller, and founder of the Gregangelo Museum in the Balboa Terrace neighborhood of San Francisco—a one-of-a-kind immersive art house that blends creativity, storytelling, and human connection in the most unexpected ways.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Gregangelo shares what it was like growing up in the city during a time of cultural change, and how those experiences shaped his life’s work.

We talk about how his home evolved from a crumbling rental into a San Francisco landmark, why he calls himself a “chronic collaborator,” and how art can bring people together in a way that feels especially needed right now.

We also dive into his upcoming immersive experience at the Haas-Lilienthal House—“Earthquake: Shaken, But Standing Strong”—which brings history, storytelling, and emotion together in a powerful way.

This is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about creativity, connection, and rediscovering our sense of curiosity.

•  Growing up in San Francisco in the 70s and 80s 
•  The evolution of the Gregangelo Museum into a landmark cultural space 
•  Why we lose our childlike sense of creativity—and how to get it back 
•  The power of in-person connection in a digital world 
•  How immersive art experiences can spark real human connection 
•  The story behind the upcoming “Earthquake” experience 

• Gregangelo Museum
•  “Earthquake: Shaken, But Standing Strong” immersive experience 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Gomes Guide Podcast and share it with someone who loves discovering unique travel and cultural experiences.

You can also find more stories like this, plus travel recommendations and tips on the weekly The Gomes Guide newsletter on Substack. 

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New York City is one of the most visited destinations in the world—but how much of it do we actually understand?

In this episode, I sit down with Dana, founder of Vibe Tours in New York City, to uncover the stories hiding in plain sight across Lower Manhattan. A Brooklyn native and former Wall Street trader, Dana brings a unique insider perspective to the city’s history, culture, and energy.

We talk about what makes New York so special, why each borough has its own personality, and how walking the city with a local can completely change your experience.

From the real story behind the Charging Bull to the unexpected origins of New York’s jaywalking culture, this conversation is packed with fascinating insights—and plenty of travel inspiration.

If you’re planning a trip to New York (or just love the city), this episode will make you see it in a whole new way.

•  How Dana went from Wall Street trader to NYC tour guide 
•  What makes Lower Manhattan one of the most fascinating neighborhoods in the city 
•  The surprising history behind the Charging Bull statue 
•  Why New Yorkers really jaywalk 
•  The inspiration behind Dana’s Hamilton walking tour 
•  The overlooked women who shaped Wall Street 
•  Why New York City feels especially magical during the holidays 
•  Dana’s favorite food spots and hidden gems in NYC 
•  What she hopes visitors take away after exploring the city with her

Dana shares some great insider tips in this episode, including:

•  Where to find one of the best classic New York pizza slices 
•  A hidden coffee shop inside a historic bank building 
•  Why Lower Manhattan is the perfect area to explore in one day 
•  When to visit popular spots like the Charging Bull to avoid crowds 

Check out Dana’s tours here:
 👉 https://www.vibenyctours.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories.

And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show.

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What would it be like to pause your everyday routine and spend an entire month traveling with your family?

In this episode, Shannon sits down with Anisha, a pharmacist, podcaster, and mom of two, who took her family on a 30-day adventure across Thailand. Traveling with children ages 3 and 8, they explored quiet islands, jungle landscapes, and vibrant coastal towns while learning how to slow down and truly experience a destination.

Anisha shares how they planned the trip, found affordable flights, and mapped out an itinerary that included Phuket, Koh Lanta, Phi Phi Islands, Krabi, and Khao Sok National Park. Along the way, the family discovered peaceful beaches, cooked Thai curry in bamboo shoots during a jungle cooking class, and realized that some of the most memorable moments came from simple days spent swimming, exploring nature, and connecting as a family.

If you’ve ever wondered whether long-term travel with kids is possible, practical, or even enjoyable, this episode offers inspiration, honest lessons, and practical tips for planning your own extended adventure.

Connect with Shannon

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. It helps more travelers discover the show.

You can also find more travel inspiration at:
 🌍 The Gomes Guide: https://thegomesguide.com

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What happens when you visit 130+ countries… and really connect with people along the way?

In this episode, I sit down with travel journalist, speaker, and nonprofit founder Sucheta Rawal to talk about what she’s learned from a life spent exploring the world, and how those experiences have shaped the way she sees humanity. 

We talk about her journey from working in finance to becoming a full-time travel writer, and the persistence it takes to turn a passion into a career.

But what stayed with me most is this: after traveling to more than 130 countries, Sucheta believes we are far more alike than we are different.

We get into:

• The power of sharing a meal with someone from a completely different culture
• Why travel challenges the narratives we see in the media
• Transformative experiences, from conversations with indigenous communities to a silent spiritual trek in Japan

We also talk about what responsible travel really means today, from supporting local businesses to leaving a positive impact on the places we visit.

And I love what she said: it’s not about what you take from a destination… it’s about what you leave behind.

Sucheta also shares more about her nonprofit, Go Eat Give, which creates meaningful travel experiences that connect travelers with local communities around the world.

If you’ve ever wondered how travel can change the way you see the world, and your place in it, this conversation will stay with you.

👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.

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Dreaming about Portugal? This episode will make you want to go… and eat everything.

I’m joined by chef, cookbook author, restaurant owner, and culinary tour operator Joanne Weir to talk about why Porto and the Douro Valley might be one of the most magical food and wine destinations in the world. 

We dive into what makes this region so special, from the terraced vineyards along the Douro River (a UNESCO World Heritage site) to the warm, welcoming culture that revolves around gathering, cooking, and sharing meals.

Joanne shares what it’s like to experience Portugal through food, including:

• Wandering vibrant local markets filled with bread, cheese, seafood, and fresh produce
• Learning to cook traditional dishes (including a simple, delicious seafood dish cooked in a copper pot)
• Tasting wines and port right where they’re made, with stunning river views everywhere you look

We also talk about why Porto feels different from Lisbon, a little more local, a little more intimate, and why slowing down (think long lunches, great wine, and good conversation) is such an important part of the experience.

And beyond Portugal, Joanne shares what makes her culinary tours so special, from cooking alongside local chefs to creating those “aha” moments that people bring home and share with friends and family.

One of my favorite takeaways? Food isn’t just about what’s on the plate… it’s how we connect.

If you love food, wine, and immersive travel experiences, this episode will absolutely inspire your next trip.

👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.

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Ever wondered what your teens are really thinking on family trips?

In this special episode, I sit down with two of my favorite guests, my own two teens, to get their honest take on traveling as teens… and let’s just say, they don’t hold back. 

We talk about everything from how involved they want to be in planning (spoiler: they want a say) to what actually makes a trip fun from their perspective.

They share their must-haves for long flights (AirPods, snacks, and comfy clothes are non-negotiable), plus their honest opinions on hotels vs. Airbnbs (space matters… a lot).

We also get into what really stands out to them when we travel:

• Why food is one of the most important ways to experience a culture
• Their favorite destinations so far (Paris, Italy, Greece… strong opinions here)
• The importance of having downtime and personal space on trips
• Why being near water (especially the ocean) is always a win

And one of my favorite parts? Hearing how travel has shaped the way they see the world, from understanding different cultures to appreciating how people live beyond their own bubble.

They also share where they want to go next (Morocco, Vietnam, Brazil, Egypt… I’m taking notes), and what their perfect travel day actually looks like.

If you travel with teens, or are about to, this episode is packed with insight, perspective, and a few reminders that might just change how you plan your next trip.

👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.

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