When was the last time you actually saw your closest friends? Texts and social media can help you stay connected, but chances are, it’s been too long since you’ve been together in person. 

The same was true for actor, director, and New York Times bestselling author Andrew McCarthy. A pointed question from his teenage son sparked an unplanned, 10,000-mile road trip across America; Without GPS or an itinerary, he packed a bag and an old-school map, determined to reconnect with the people who helped shape him.

In this episode, host Angie Orth sits down with Andrew McCarthy to explore the deeply human themes behind his latest book, Who Needs Friends, which chronicles his journey across back roads to reignite decades-old friendships.

What You’ll Learn:

01:22 – The moment that launched a 10,000-mile journey

08:35 – How to pitch a travel story

15:26 – Why showing up in a friend's world fosters reconnection

23:45 – Andrew's pick for America's most overlooked destination

32:22 – An incremental approach to getting out of your comfort zone

Connect with Andrew McCarthy:

Website: https://andrewmccarthy.com/

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

Episodes Mentioned:

The Art of Pilgrimage with Andrew McCarthy: https://podcast.show/travelingwithaaa/episode/132461820/

Top 5 Tips for Walking the Camino de Santiago with Andrew McCarthy: https://podcast.show/travelingwithaaa/episode/132461821/

Where would YOU go to reconnect with old friends? Tell us about it in the comments!

Connect with AAA:

Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprises

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises