The Realistic Backpackers

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

It’s that time of year, Shireen’s birthday is coming up which only means one thing: time to question all life choices, complain about society's standards and talk about why they want to be single forever. 

Weirdly this year, it’s Abi that seems to be having the crisis more than Shireen, but either way, there’s lots to chat about.

From not wanting to get married, to why traveling when you’re older could betheway forward and just  reassuring you that no matter what phase of life you’re in, you’re doing just fine.

This one comes straight from the heart, and hopefully some of you can relate 

Helpful Links:

Connect on Instagram: Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers 

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

This is an extremely special episode as this week you have a solo host. Abi is interviewing Shireen and her cousin Arash about all things Iran. 

Arash was born and raised in Iran’s capital, Tehran, and between the two of them, they get really honest about what growing up and being in Iran is really like. 

This conversation really covers everything,  and hopefully gives a really good insight into the country beyond what is portrayed in the media. 

They cover geography, what the country looks like, culture, politics, education and everything in between. 

The girls had planned on recording this episode back in June, and it had to be postponed because of the 12 day war, so to get to do it now is really special.

Please like, subscribe and share with everyone that might be interested in learning about what Iran is really like. 

Helpful Links:

Connect on Instagram: Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers 

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

It’s been a minute since the girls recorded an episode, so they’re catching up on life, seeing each other after 7 months and living a weekend in Munich as ‘real backpackers’.

Which is exactly what this week’s episode is all about. The girl have been talking to other travelers, guests and between each other, on what backpacking really is, and who can call themselves a backpacker.

Shireen loves a cliche, but this week’s one that ‘backpacking is just a mindset’, might actually hit the nail on the head for once. 

The girls touch on locations, all inclusive holidays, and safety while backpacking.

As always, thank you for listening, and if you’d like to give a little follow or share on your socials, it would mean the world! 

Helpful Links:

Connect on Instagram:

Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers 

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

This week the girls are joined by Jordynn from @wheretonexttt_

They catch up about full time travel, taking the risk and going all in with content creation and a spontaneous European trip.

As well as how Jordynn went from travelling as a couple to solo travelling just a few weeks into her South East Asia trip.

Everything she’s learned about solo travel, herself and making some of the best friends in the world.

As always, wrapping up with a chaotic backpacking story, involving a 7 and a half hour bus trip from hell, and medicine that years later, nobody knows what it is 

This chat was so special and empowering- thank you Jordynn for chatting to the girls! 

Helpful Links:

Find Jordynn on Instagram and TikTok: @wheretonexttt_

Connect on Instagram: Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers 

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

This week the girls are chatting solo travel, making friends and craving community while travelling.

The girls tell the story of how they met, why they travel so well together, and how travel friendships are really like any others. 

Shireen really used this as a little therapy session, as she’s currently craving community after 3 years on the road, and that’s really been highlighted to her recently. So what’s the next chapter? Who knows! 

Thank you as always for listening! 

Helpful Links:

Connect on Instagram: Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers 

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

This week the girls are are joined by Ben and Tyler from The Infrequent Flyers

This was a conversation that just felt like mates catching up, and it really went in all directions.

They chatted all about spending money on your honeymoon rather than the wedding, and the incredible honeymoon Ben and Ty went on.

As well as scuba diving (obviously), travelling on annual leave, future travel plans, content creation and bucket lists.

No guest episode is complete without a chaotic story, and this week there’s 2: a confiscated drone, and a bathroom that’s seen better days..

Thank you so much to Ben and Ty for coming on and having the absolute craic. 

Helpful Links:

Find Ben & Tyler on Instagram: @theinfrequentflyers

Connect on Instagram: Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers 

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

This week the girls are chatting all about the music festival in Dartmouth and Shireen’s found her ‘new favourite travel activity’ (how many times have we heard that?)

The topic of the week is Digital Nomad life vs working in a 9-5.

The girls have now done both, and they’re discussing the positives and negatives of both, including freedom vs stability. 

As well as discussing tips for making both successful, and a gentle reminder that full time travel and becomming a Digital Nomad shouldn’t be the goal of travel. 

Let them know your thoughts on Digital Nomad life vs travelling around your 9-5, and how you’re currently navigating travel! 

Thank you so much for supporting the podcast, it means so much!!

Helpful Links:

Connect on Instagram: Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers 

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

This week the girls are chatting to their latest guest: Chloe Lawford

The girls first found Chloe’s TikTok when researching travelling to Jordan, and have been following her ever since. 

They’re discussing UGC, how Chloe uses it to fund travelling and how to get into it. 

Travelling as a LGBTQ+ couple and how Chloe and her girlfriend have navigated this. 

As well as van life, Australia and New Zealand, being a wedding photographer and everything in between. 

This was such a great chat, thank you so much for joining the podcast Chloe! 

Make sure you’re following Chloe:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chloelawfordtravels

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

Thank you so much for supporting the podcast, it means so much!!

Helpful Links:

Connect on Instagram: Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers 

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

This week the girls are chatting all about Abi’s trip to Bulgaria, and Shireen has landed in the Philippines.

The topic of the week is prepping for your first backpacking trip, and the girls are covering everything from what backpack to bring, visas, vaccinations, sim cards and everything in between.

If there’s anything that you want help figuring out about planning your trip, make sure to send it over on either Instagram or TikTok. 

Thank you so much for supporting the podcast, it means so much!!

Helpful Links:

Connect on Instagram: Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers 

Welcome back to season 3 of the Realistic Backpackers podcast! 

It’s been a crazy few months since the end of season 2 (is anyone surprised?)

The girls are catching up on what’s been happening. It’s the first time they’ve properly sat down to talk too.

Abi was in Paris and spent time with her school group for the first time since covid! She then headed to Iceland and has been enjoying being at home for a few weeks (for now anyway).

Shireen headed to London and saw all her friends there, who she’s really missing. She went on her first ever group trip to India, and spent the most amazing 3 weeks back in Iran with her family. 

There’s also a lottttt of upcoming plans, and they can’t wait to take you on the journey!

Thank you so much for supporting the podcast, it means so much!!

Helpful Links:

Connect on Instagram: Shireen: ⁠@shireenaroundtheworld_⁠ ;  

Abi: ⁠@abi_chapman⁠ 

Connect on Tiktok:

⁠@therealisticbackpackers