The Trip That Changed Me

Mallory was born with an entrepreneurial spirit, and though she loved working with businesses to strategize and further their objectives, she was overworked and under-inspired at her New York advertising agency. After cancelling several solo trips due to the demands of her industry, she finally committed to a much-needed getaway in Morocco. On today's episode, Mallory shares experiences from that trip that inspired her to create Salam Hello – a textile company which champions the women artisans behind Morocco's famous rugs and pays them fairly for their work (something that’s outrageously rare in the current middle-man operated system). Learn how Mallory initially met the Berber women she works with now, why nights spent in the desert are different than the rest, and how spending time in Morocco "turns down the temperature" of her anxiety.

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Jessica Nabongo (@thecatchmeifyoucan) has been traveling internationally since she was just four years old, born to Ugandan immigrant parents who were no strangers to adventure and exploration. At a young age, she set a lofty goal for herself – to travel the entire world – and officially met her goal at just 35 years old. On today’s episode, Jessica shares stories from her experience as the first black woman to visit all 195 countries and document her journey along the way. She describes how she became an accidental influencer, the planning that goes into each of her destinations (which surprisingly isn’t too much), and some of the countries that have far exceeded her expectations. Jessica shares a heartwarming story that inspired her to keep going when she was feeling understandably tired and overwhelmed during her journey around the world. And last but not least, who better to give the best tips on packing and deals than Jessica?

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If you’ve ever wanted to capture a moment with a loved one while traveling, you’ve likely faced the awkward encounter of asking a stranger to take a photo, only to realize the final product is entirely subpar. On today’s episode, Nicole Smith shares how a reunion with her best friend in Paris gave her the idea for Flytographer, a company that connects travelers with local photographers around the world, capturing special moments and experiences in a way a selfie never could. While Nicole was satisfied with her career in tech and steady life back home in Canada, she couldn’t ignore the feeling that a need for better travel photography existed and ultimately decided to take the plunge into entrepreneurship. Over the last six years, Flytographer has expanded to three-hundred cities across six continents and has been hailed one of the fastest-growing startups in Canada. Anyone who wants to make an impact on the world of travel or may have a business idea they just can’t shake, this one's for you.

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As Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure, Jacqueline Gifford spends a lot of time out of office exploring far-flung destinations. It’s a career she pursued, in part, thanks to her parents, who encouraged Jacqui’s cultural curiosity from the get-go. On today’s episode, Jacqueline shares a nostalgic trip to Japan, the country where she was born, at a particularly pivotal moment: her own pregnancy. We discuss what it was like to visit her childhood neighborhood after a 20-year absence, how her memories both differed from and reflected reality, and her approach to balancing a busy work life with raising a child. Plus, hear Jacqueline’s number one travel tip and the surprising item she cannot travel without.

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Back when feminist media company, Unearth Women, was just a twinkle in her eye, Nicole Vargas was an aspiring travel journalist trying to make it New York City. Immersed in the world of advertising and weeks from marrying a man who wasn't the one, Nikki took a solo trip to Argentina. On today’s episode, she recounts the journey that inspired her to quit her job, call off her wedding, and wholeheartedly pursue a career in travel writing. Nikki's story speaks to the importance of trusting intuition, doggedly chasing dreams, and summoning the bravery to start over. Plus, we discuss the next spots on Nikki’s travel bucket list and top tips for travel deals.

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If ever you’ve found yourself directionless and uncertain of the future, you will relate to this week’s episode. Author Rachel Friedman shares the story of an impromptu trip to Ireland during her college years: an identity quest which changed her self-perception, brought an influential relationship into her life, and ultimately inspired her travel memoir, The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost. After arriving in Ireland with very few plans and feeling overwhelmed by the city of Dublin, Rachel headed to the smaller city of Galway (Incidentally 2020’s European Capital of Culture). It was there she befriended a girl named Carly, cultivating a friendship that trumped romance stories. Rachel discusses the beautiful way women look after one another, the importance of being a hometown traveler, and her top tips for aspiring travel writers. If you haven’t already, be sure to read Rachel’s first book, The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost, and her just-released second, And Then We Grew Up: On Creativity, Potential, and the Imperfect Art of Adulthood.

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While the work of Atticus the poet is extremely famous (he’s written three NYT best-selling books and has 1.3 million Instagram followers), his identity remains a secret. The anonymous Canadian wears a mask for public appearances and has never revealed his real name. Not even to those fans with his words tattooed on their bodies. On today’s episode, Atticus reveals more of himself and his artistic origins, including the Hollywood “bad guy” who encouraged him to write, and the fleeting moment in Paris that inspired his very first poem (spoiler alert: it involves a beautiful woman). The trip highlighted a talent and passion for words he didn’t know he had. One that would send his life in a surprising new direction.
 

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If you’re a fan of ABC’s The Bachelor franchise then Ben Higgins will be very familiar to you. He was a contestant in The Bachelorette, star of The Bachelor, and now hosts The Bachelor Live On Stage and the Almost Famous Podcast (the theme of which is, you guessed it, all things Bachelor Nation). But Ben discovered his life’s mission long before he appeared on television for the first time. In today’s episode, Ben shares the first travel experience that showed him a world outside of his small town: a church mission trip to Honduras. This journey inspired him to pursue a compassion-driven life and ultimately to create his own company, Generous Coffee, as a way to support the Honduras-focused non-profit, Humanity & Hope United. A must-listen for anybody still looking for that one thing that makes their soul sing.

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Gail Simmons is a Canadian food writer, cookbook author, and judge on BRAVO’s Top Chef whose love of food started as far back as she can recall. Since childhood, Gail regularly traveled with her family to South Africa, her father’s country of origin. On today's episode, Gail shares the myriad of ways the country sparked her early interest in the world around her and introduced her to new cuisine. The powerful sensory memories she developed have stayed with her to this day. From going on safari, to taking her first sip of wine, to witnessing apartheid, her trips to South Africa are a testament to the educational value of leaving one’s own bubble. It’s a lesson Gail now instills in her two young children, Dahlia and Kole.

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Starting on December 12, we dive into conversations with entrepreneurs, activists, entertainers, authors, and everyday adventurers about the formative trip that changed the course of their lives. Tune in every other Thursday for a new travel story that will inspire you to take on the world. 
 

First guests include: Top Chef's Gail Simmons, NYT Best-Selling poet Atticus, and former Bachelor star Ben Higgins.
 

Subscribe here or wherever you listen to podcasts, and we'll see you on December 12.

The Trip That Changed Me is produced by Full-Time Travel in conjunction with Podcast Nation. Follow along on Instagram at @full_time_travel.

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