How can access to travel transform someone's life?

Brandon Miller is the co-founder and director of brand strategy for Too Fly Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide passports, travel grants, and educational experiences for students in underresourced communities.

In this episode, Brandon shares how his travel experiences shaped his outlook and ultimately led to his work creating a world where every student has the opportunity to travel.

We discuss the challenges of travel for these communities, how he went from a fun idea with friends in a bar to advocating for systemic change, and how his experience on The Kelly Clarkson Show amplified their mission.

Brandon's story proves that small actions can lead to big change, and our conversation offers valuable perspectives on the importance of supporting travel equity, fostering inclusion, and always staying curious.

How can you bring awareness to travel equity and inclusion on your adventures? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you'll share them by sending me an audio message.

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What would it be like to cycle the entire length of Africa? What are the most important lessons that travel can teach us?

Alex Hennock is a 28-year-old Australian who's already traveled to nearly half the countries in the world, mostly overland. At the time of this recording, Alex is on a life-changing journey, cycling the length of Africa while raising money for Pure Water for Africa. His travels have taken him from the deserts of Namibia to the jungles of Tanzania, and his thoughtful approach to travel has given him a unique perspective on risk, resilience, and the power of human connection.

In this episode, Alex shares stories from his epic adventure, how his approach to travel has evolved over the years, and nine key lessons that travel has taught him along the way.

This conversation is full of practical travel wisdom and adventure stories and is a powerful reminder that travel can push us beyond our limits in the best way possible. Alex's journey highlights how travel challenges our worldview, reshapes our priorities, and helps us appreciate the beauty of stepping into the unknown.

PLUS: You'll hear part two of our mini-series featuring the five best road trips in the USA!

What's one unexpected lesson you've learned while traveling? How did it change your perspective? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you'll share by sending me an audio message.

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Join me for a coffee chat with my wife, Anne Dorthe, as we share the top 10 places we’re dying to visit.

We break down our dream locations into five categories: mountains, cities, beaches, historical sites, and spiritual destinations. And since we didn’t share our lists ahead of time, we get to surprise each other along the way!

We talk about the places that keep pulling us in, what makes a destination feel like a must-visit, and how personal experiences shape our travel wish lists. As we go through our picks, you’ll find new places to add to your list and inspiration for your next trip. 

What are the top places you’re dying to visit? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.

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What would it be like to travel the world alphabetically or create a YouTube channel that inspires millions?

Paul Barbato is the creator of Geography Now, the first YouTube channel dedicated to covering every UN-recognized country in alphabetical order. Since its inception in 2014, the channel has featured episodes exploring each nation's geography, culture, history, politics, and quirks. With a unique blend of humor and educational content, Paul has built a global audience, making complex geographical and geopolitical information accessible and enjoyable for viewers of all ages.

Whether you’re a content creator, geography nerd, or someone looking for inspiration to tackle your next big idea, you’ll find plenty of insight as Paul shares the story behind his channel’s success and what it’s like to wrap up such a massive creative undertaking after 10 years. 

Paul’s reflections are raw and relatable, touching on themes like identity, imposter syndrome, and navigating creative burnout. He discusses the highs and lows of being a YouTube creator in a rapidly evolving digital world and gives candid advice for aspiring content creators. 

Paul also reveals his favorite hidden gem destinations and places that make him wonder, “Why don’t more people go here?”

PLUS: In this episode, I kick off a new road trip series featuring my top choices for the best USA road trips.

What travel quest would you love to go on? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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Are you thinking about living abroad? 

Join me as my friend Botik and I talk about the top 10 reasons why we love living abroad and what you can expect if you decide to take the leap.

Botik Quest is an American who has lived abroad for over a decade in countries like South Korea, Germany, and Norway. He brings a unique perspective as someone who has experienced the ups and downs of building a life in a foreign country. 

Botik and I share candid stories, unique insights, and practical tips about what it really takes to build a life in another country. From cultural surprises to opportunities for personal growth, this episode will make you reimagine what’s possible for your life.

What makes you most excited about living abroad? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.

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I wanted to put together one of my dream episodes for you and now it’s finally here!

In this special episode, you’ll hear a conversation between two of my all-time favorite travel writers. I’m handing the mic over to guest host Eric Weiner, an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author, to interview Rick Steves—the travel legend whose work has inspired millions to see the world, including me.

Rick’s latest book, On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer, takes us back to 1978 when 23-year-old Rick embarked on the adventure of a lifetime along the iconic overland route stretching from Europe to South Asia. The book is raw, unfiltered, and straight from his journal, offering a rare glimpse into his transformative time on the Hippie Trail.

Along the way, you’ll hear travel stories from Rick’s time on the hippie trail, get takeaways on the art of writing, discover the joys of slow travel, and learn how an extended journey can have a lasting impact on your life. 

You’ll love being a fly on the wall as Eric and Rick share laughs, insights, and their unique take on travel.

What’s been your most transformative journey so far? I'd love to hear about it and how it changed you, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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Listen in to find out what new and epic conversations you can expect to hear on Zero To Travel this month! 

What topics and themes do you want to learn more about on the podcast? I'd love to get your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Do you ever get sucked into those “best places to visit” lists and start daydreaming about your next adventure? 

Same here! That’s why I decided to go through six of the top travel lists for 2025, pulling out 14 of my favorite destinations and highlighting why they’re worth a visit.

I share my thoughts on trending destinations, personal travel stories, and trip ideas that take you off the beaten path. Plus, you’ll hear some tips for planning your next adventure, whether it’s escaping the crowds or finding those hidden gems before they blow up.

What destinations are you most excited about? I'd love to hear about them, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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What happens when you allow curiosity to drive your work and travels?

Ben Buckland is an adventurer, photographer, and human rights advocate whose life has been shaped by curiosity. As a senior advisor on torture prevention for the Association for the Prevention of Torture, his work has taken him to over 100 countries, including war zones, logging camps, and some of the worst prisons on earth. 

In 2023, on a quest for novelty, Ben trekked across France, Switzerland, and Austria, relying only on hand-drawn maps from people he met along the way.

In the first part of this episode, Ben shares the profound lessons he learned from his no-tech journey, including how technology and convenience have changed the way we travel. Then, we talk about his work in human rights, uncovering how curiosity and compassion can drive incremental change, even in the darkest places.

You'll learn practical ways to infuse your travels with curiosity and meaningful connections (and get out of your comfort zone), hear stories of resilience and human connection from Ben’s photography and human rights work, and learn valuable lessons on embracing uncertainty and the unknown.

How has curiosity driven your travels or work? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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Have you ever dreamed of learning how to sail and setting off on a global adventure? What if I told you it’s more achievable than you think?

Brian Trautman is the captain of SV Delos, a 53-foot sailing vessel that’s been his floating home for over a decade. What started as an 18-month sailing trip in 2008 turned into a lifelong adventure as Brian explored six continents and 45 countries by sea (at the time of this recording). Along the way, he started documenting his journey on YouTube, becoming a popular sailing channel with over 900k subscribers. 

In this episode, Brian shares how even beginners can master sailing, plan a round-the-world trip, and embrace the adventure of a lifetime.

From practical tips for learning to sail and the best places to get started to fascinating stories of life at sea, you’ll discover how sailing can transform your life and perspective.

Ready to get your sea legs? If you could sail anywhere in the world, where would you go first? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.

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