In 1938 two women botanists broke with convention and set off on an expedition trip along the Colorado River that would see them risk their lives over rapids in the name of research. Two years ago, science journalist Melissa Sevigny retraced their adventure, whitewater rafting the same rapids and sleeping under the stars to learn more about who these women were—and why their work still influences the scientific landscape of America today.

It can be hard to escape the frenzy of Valentine’s Day and all its forced expectations. But here on this podcast, we’re avoiding the cliches in favor of a conversation with Dr. Orna Guralnik, host of Showtime’s hit documentary series Couples Therapy, which is about to enter into its fourth season. Lale chats with Orna about everything from how to balance both of your needs on a trip to expectation setting on the road. The good news? She believes travel is beneficial to a relationship.

Lale chats with journalist and author Louisa Lim about her recent book, Indelible City, which dives deep into the untold stories of Hong Kong, both past and present, through a cast of calligraphers, street artists, and more, while also reflecting on her own personal connection with a place she long-called home.

Should I check my luggage or carry-on? Fold or roll? Bring one pair of shoes or...seven? Packing for a trip, when done well, can feel like an art form—yet one that few of us seem to have figured out. This week, Chloe Malle, the new Editor of Vogue.com and the co-host of Vogue’s podcast The Run-Through with Vogue, joins Lale in the studio to dish her packing wisdom—and answer listeners' burning questions.

Whether its embedding herself with orchid hunters in Florida or chasing surfers in Maui, Susan Orlean is never afraid to throw herself into the story. A longtime writer for the New Yorker, and author of beloved titles like Saturday Night, The Library Book, and On Animals, she's traveled the world—and calls into the studio to share stories from Iceland, Bhutan, and more.

Salem, Massachusetts has long lived in our public consciousness as both the site of the infamous witch trials of 1692 and 1693 and as a Halloween tourist destination depicted in myriad pieces of literature, pop culture, and art. But what is it actually like to spend time there? Lale chats with Dr. Helen Berger from the Women’s Studies Center at Brandeis University, whose written multiple books about witch communities in Salem and elsewhere to find out. Plus, we dive into WitchTok content from around the world.

New York City's Chinatown is arguably one of the most famous neighborhoods in the world—and perhaps one of the most storied, too. Ava Chin, whose memoir, Mott Street: A Chinese American Family’s Story of Exclusion and Homecoming, came out this spring, chats with Lale about the apartment building that housed four generations of her family, and the journey a look into her heritage took her on.

When Tamsin Calidas left London to live on a croft in the Scottish Hebrides, she was idealistic and totally ignorant about farming. Years later and after facing and overcoming significant struggles, she feels in harmony with nature, wildlife, and the beauty of her island. Calidas sits down with host Lale Arikoglu to chat about working the rugged landscape.

This week, we're teaming up with our friends over at Bon Appetit for a special episode of Dinner SOS.

Tune in to hear host Chris Morocco and food editor Shilpa Uskokovic put their heads together and help Lale prepare a group dinner for some travelers with pretty specific dietary restrictions. They all get very confused about what a nightshade is, but we promise they find a solution in the end.

Glamorous, exciting, and often nostalgic—when at its best (and let’s be clear, no two journeys are made equal) seeing the world by train can be all of those things and more, especially if you’re on a sleeper train. After all, what could be more exciting than going to sleep in one country and waking up in another? Lale chats with Monisha Rajesh—friend of the podcast and author of books like Around the World in 80 Trains and Epic Train Journeys—about her recent travels by sleeper, and we hear from a listener who took an epic solo train journey across Canada.