Welcome to episode 126 of The Journey Is the Reward!

On this show, Micah has an interview with Eric The Mapmaker.

We are kicking off this week’s podcast by celebrating the heartbeat of the show—our listeners. 

We first hear from Mark in Largo, FL, who shares his recent biking adventures. Mark was also one of our winners of Brian Kelly’s book, How to Win at Travel, and it’s inspiring to see him putting those strategies to use on his own local trails. 

We also welcome back Listener Lu, who asks a timely question about holiday travel. Micah and Brian weigh in with their personal experiences navigating the busy season, proving that while the crowds can be a challenge, the perspective gained from a change of scenery is always worth the effort.

The centerpiece of today’s episode is an interview Micah conducted with Eric the Mapmaker. Though this conversation was recorded back in July, some things are truly worth the wait. In the world of travel and podcasting, schedules don’t always follow a straight line and "ground delays" are part of the process, but the wisdom Eric shares about how we chart our paths is timeless. 

Because our recording schedule has been a bit of a scenic route lately, Brian and Micah also finally take the time to recap their 2025 travel highlights and look toward the horizon at what 2026 has in store. We’re looking forward to a year of clear skies for Micah—specifically, trading in time at surgery centers for more time at the boarding gate!

And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to episode 125 of The Journey Is the Reward!

On this show, Micah and Brian get to talk about one of our most favorite aviation TV shows... well, the planes of our move favorite TV show.

But first, we heard from one of our listeners—truly, the best part of the show!

No Listener Lu question this week. Hopefully, she is on vacation to someplace warm and that’s preventing her from sending in a question.

On today’s show Brian and Micah get to talk about dramatic fiction, but dramatic fiction that’s historical. They have a guest that has documented all the history around and iconic TV show that many of us have watched over and over again.  

The guest this week is Stephen Chapis, a highly respected aviation historian and photographer with a deep passion for military aircraft. His work has appeared in numerous magazines, including Warbird Digest, and he is the author of the book, Allied Jet Killers of World War 2.

For over 15 years, he has been meticulously researching the specific aircraft that starred in the classic television series, Baa Baa Black Sheep. All that work has culminated in his new book, Poor Little Lambs: The Baa Baa Black Sheep Story, which details the fascinating, untold stories of these iconic planes.  The book is being published by Key Publishing Ltd. and is now available for sale.

And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to episode 124 of The Journey Is the Reward!

Although the Government might have been shut down, that didn't stop Brian from hitting the throttle, braving the airports, and executing a cross-country flight plan to see Mama Coleman. He performed a masterful landing right on her doorstep!

But before we get into Brian's unscheduled government-shutdown-defying mission, we heard from some of our listeners—truly, the best part of the show!

·       Listener Martha wrote in, asking why I give out gifts to the flight crews. Someone's never heard of the importance of crew resource management!

·       We also heard from Listener Cassandra, all the way from Botswana, who was telling Brian about the leopard in her backyard. Now that’s something you don’t hear every day... unless you are living in the wild of Southern Africa! 

·       No Listener Lu question this week. Hopefully, she'll have an important air traffic control query for the next episode.

For the main event, buckle up! Micah asks Brian all about his flights to New Jersey during the great shutdown. Although there were a few aircraft changes, they were really Brian’s decision—he likes to keep the ground crew guessing! Chef Kathy provided excellent ground transportation services to safely transport Brian to yet another surprise visit with mom.

Micah called to wish everyone well, and finished up the episode with a detailed analysis of Brian’s journey home. Spoiler alert: he didn't try to file a flight plan on a different continent.

And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to episode 123 of The Journey Is the Reward!

We're back to our regularly scheduled programming—or, as we like to call it, our regularly scheduled flight plan—as we track Brian's recent trip to the frigid but fabulous state of Minnesota. His itinerary was packed: he attended an unforgettable concert by the legendary Sir Paul McCartney and spent time performing essential Uncle Duties with his niece in St. Paul.

But first, let's check the cargo hold for some listener mail!

·       Listener Sharon wrote in, asking us to rewind the tape and explain how we got into this crazy, sometimes turbulent podcasting business.

·       Chef Kathy sent in an audio file where she was in utter amazement that Brian, somehow, someway, has never heard of Dubai chocolate. (We'll address this serious gap in his culinary education.)

·       And Listener Lu is back with a pressing question about United’s new flights to Europe, specifically asking if we would personally dare to fly across the pond in a single-aisle 737.

For the main event, Micah asks Brian about his flights to Minneapolis, which, let's just say, involved a couple of unexpected "holding patterns" (a.k.a., delays) with stops in Denver. Tune in to hear all the issues and details from his bumpy journey, followed by his smooth landing into the unforgettable Sir Paul McCartney concert.

Finally, after the bright lights of the stadium, Uncle Brian happily put in some work on the ground, helping his niece with some necessary yard work at her new home purchase.

And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to episode 122 of The Journey Is the Reward!

Hold onto your tray tables, folks, because in this episode, we're not just flying—we're doing a full 180-degree turn on our usual format! We've deployed the flaps for a fresh introduction, and Brian takes the controls to interrogate (er, interview) Micah about his recent aerial journey from Portland, Maine, all the way to Philadelphia for a very important mission: attending his niece's wedding. 

But first, we're diving into the mailbag! 

Listener Murilo sent in an audio message wanting the full story behind why your host refuses to check a bag—is it a matter of principle or just an overly large carry-on? 

Then, Listener Peter details a mid-flight issue with his seating assignment, asking for our expert guidance on how we would have navigated the turbulence of that awkward situation. 

For the main event, we get all the from Micah’s trek on American Airlines, dissecting the journey from the tarmac to his landing at the Marriott Residence Inn.  We also cover his ground haul to the wedding venue, including a key fuel stop to catch a football game. Micah took a deliberate detour to a local kosher deli, and the food was so utterly divine, it completely ruined his dining experience at the swanky Chase Sapphire Lounge. 

And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to episode 121 of The Journey Is the Reward!

All good flights must come to an end, and sadly, the incredible 15-day Southern Africa adventure of a lifetime is concluding! 

Join Brian and crew as their journey wraps up and they depart Botswana.  

Fortunately, he remembers to pull out the microphone at the airport lounge to capture a fantastic conversation with the rest of the crew: Barb, Jim, Gerrit, and Malin. 

It's a bittersweet moment as the group parts ways, with Gerrit and Malin flying off to Windhoek, Namibia, while Barb, Jim, and Brian head to Johannesburg for the final leg of their "flight plan." 

This last push includes important city sightseeing in both Johannesburg and Pretoria, one last chance for thrilling game drive, and immersive museum visits. 

Of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without a crucial stop for souvenirs! The crew made sure they filled their suitcases with treasures and gifts discovered at the Artisan Market at the Rosebank Mall for everyone back home. 

It seems like only yesterday the trip started, but a very quick 15 days later, the adventure was over, sealed with the memory of the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! You'll hear their poignant Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, adding pure magic to this final African episode.

Welcome to episode 120 of The Journey Is the Reward!

Prepare for the continuing high-flying stories and adventures across Southern Africa.

The episode begins with Ground Control Howie taxiing the group to the Cape Town International (CPT) for the next leg of their journey, a flight to Victoria Falls. Immediately, they encountered turbulence with Brian's Priority Pass access, resulting in a temporary grounding. However, quick thinking from either Gerrit or Jim bypassed the holding pattern. They successfully executed a rescue mission, allowing Brian to join the crew in the lounge closer to the departure gate, ensuring smooth sailing into their next flight.

With ground operations complete, the crew boarded their scheduled service flight with ProFlight Zambia on a CRJ-500, as they headed toward the mighty mist of Victoria Falls. They landed safely at the Victoria Falls (VFA) aerodrome where they logged three days at the Avani hotel and enjoyed the spectacular Victoria Falls and surrounding areas.  The group also explored the town of Livingstone with a very pregnant Connie was acting as their friendly tour guide. 

During this layover, Malin, Gerrit and Brian also completed a cross-border transit—a quick international hop—gaining another Passport Stamp as they walked across the Victoria Falls Bridge to enter Zimbabwe. 

Following the successful layover, the crew transitioned smoothly into Botswana. Here they engaged in specialized safaris conducted by both land and rivercraft. Treating themselves to First Class Amenities, they enjoyed therapeutic massages by CasLea Beauty Spa. Brian, ever the charismatic traveler, found a lifelong friend in his favorite masseuse, Cassandra! 

The show closes with an announcement: a special recording with the whole flight crew was captured inside the airport lounge. However, listeners will have to wait for the next episode to hear the full crew banter from the terminal!

And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to episode 119 of The Journey Is the Reward!

Get ready to ascend to cruising altitude, because this episode is a first-class ticket straight into the culinary and cocktail world of the skies! Brian takes you along as he walks the Airline Passenger Experience trade show—an entire show dedicated to what fills those little metal carts... and Brian ate and drank everything he could.

We kick off with some listener correspondence from Listener Aavi who asks if we've ever requested a special meal. Did we navigate the complexities of "low-sodium" or "kosher," or are we happy with the standard "chicken or pasta" approach? Find out our preferred inflight dining strategy!

Listener Lu wants to know our take on the serious incident involving a passenger who made a direct threat to the safety of an aircraft in Seattle. It begs the question: Have we ever been on a flight where a passenger tried to open the emergency exit before the jet bridge was attached? We share our least favorite inflight passenger stories.

In the Shoutouts section, Brian delivers a truly high-altitude promotional idea for Emirates, involving a second version of The Sphere. It's so creative, it might just require a NOTAM of its own.!

Buckle up! The main event is the series of interviews Brian conducted while sampling the latest and greatest products destined for a seat tray near you. 

Undercover Snacks, Quinoa chocolate cookies, their new flavor is preparing for Gate Release!
Mission Craft Cocktails, Premixed, large-format cocktails, A high-stakes operation—their profits help those in need.
Snack Box to Go, Great bread & airplane french fries, perfect for when you need a smooth, non-spicy landing.
Just Enough Wine, Canned wine that’s actually good, A woman-owned business providing perfect altitude-friendly pours!
Brett and Cranky Dorkfest, Aviation geek gathering, Brian had a missed approach on the date. Micah, your boarding pass is waiting!
Sheps Bakery, The best stroopwaffle, This is the Superior Flight Level of stroopwaffles; United, time for a vendor change!
Gin and Juice, Great mixing gin, Brian's "Watermelon Drink" is still stuck in a holding pattern for licensing.  Rocco liked the mix but wasn’t sold on the licensing deal.
Egal Pads, Feminine hygiene on a roll, The most unique ground support equipment at the show, and Brian needed put it to use after a gear-down deployment (aka blowing out stitches)!

After all that taxiing around the show floor, Brian sadly experienced a Missed Connection—he wasn't able to land an interview with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby!

And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to episode 118 of The Journey Is the Reward!

We want to dive right into the main topic this week, but first, let's address the elephant in the control tower.

We have zero listener feedback, the best part of the show when you write in. No questions from Listener Lu, the second-best part of the show. So it seems like the digital winds are calm, or maybe everyone is too busy packing their bags for our next adventure.  Who knows…

While the feedback section is experiencing a bit of radio silence, our listener audience is absolutely booming! We have a new listener in Zambia!

Seriously, huge congratulations to friend-of-the-show and all-around super-helpful listener, Connie, who has given birth to a beautiful 7.25-pound baby boy! That's right, Connie, you've successfully completed the most demanding international flight of all, and landed a perfect new human. Welcome to the world, little one! We thank you, Connie, for helping us grow our audience!

If you'd like to help Connie and the baby with a small fuel surcharge contribution, please send an email to Brian at [email protected], and he’ll give you the information for a contribution via Remitly.

Forget the gate agents, we are skipping the pre-flight checks and jumping right into the main event: The Journey Is The Reward listener trip to Southern Africa!

The journey began with a bit of a turbulence warning courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines, but your intrepid host, Brian, was able to level the wings and resolve the issues before taking a United flight to Johannesburg. A quick stop to visit Momma Coleman in New Jersey for some essential pre-flight nourishment (and probably a very stern warning about remembering his fleece and passport), and then he was officially airborne.

The stress of international travel only continued with a tight connection in South Africa—the kind of connection that makes you wish you had an afterburner installed on your carry-on luggage. But thanks to the super-friendly airport staff, Brian was able to successfully navigate the terminal like seasoned ground crew, making his gate just in time. Upon final arrival in Cape Town, South Africa, Brian finally met up with Barb, Malin, Jim, and Gerrit for the start of three days of city sightseeing and country wine tasting.

Stay tuned to hear how Brian managed to keep his V-speeds in check while tasting all that excellent South African vino!

And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to episode 117 of The Journey Is the Reward!

We've got a full manifest for this episode. First up, we're taking on some listener feedback from Terrific Tanya. She's been listening to Chris Hutchins on the Tim Ferriss Show and says we're both right about points versus cash back. Sorry, Tanya, you can't be a straddler on this one! Just like you can't say you love both Airbus and Boeing equally, you've got to pick a side—Team Points or Team Cash Back.

As always, our listeners are the real experts on this crew, so keep those flight plans coming to [email protected].

Then, we’re getting into the ground-level drama. Listener Lu wants to know about the new technology American Airlines is using to fight the "gate lice" who try to cut the line and board before their group is called. It's a real pet peeve of ours, so you know we have some strong opinions on this one.

For our main segment, we're climbing to cruising altitude with our guest, Clint Henderson, from The Points Guy. We'll chat about his journey to becoming the managing editor, the tools he uses to maximize his points, and find out what team he's on. Though, as you might guess from his job, he’s firmly Team Points.

And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.