How do you choose where to live, what to do, and when to go home when your life is fully remote?

Remote Roundup is a monthly series hosted by Zero To Travel’s associate producer, Caitlin Sunderland, and partnerships manager, Janessa Klatt. Explore what's new in remote work and travel, including helpful tools and resources, need‑to‑know trends, destinations, and insight into what it really means to live and work around the world.

In this episode, they’re reporting in from two wildly different corners of the world with stories, struggles, and insights about what it actually looks like to live and work abroad right now, plus a practical holiday wish list.

Caitlin and Janessa open up about the hard choices digital nomads face around holidays, family, and missing big life events. They talk about the growing trend of unexpected remote careers and explore how people are adapting traditional jobs to fit this lifestyle, a conversation about the myth of the laptop-on-the-beach image that won't die, and more. 

What has been your biggest struggle being away from home when you travel? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

Why Bangkok’s scale, café culture, and mall scene work so well for remote living

How Oaxaca brings together community, creativity, and tradition, especially around Day of the Dead

How Caitlin pulled off a cheap(ish) last-minute flight to Asia with an airport transfer hack

What it’s really like to grieve major life moments from abroad, and insight into deciding when going home makes sense

Thoughts on how to take traditional skills and repurpose them into location-independent careers

An honest take on the “laptop on the beach” stereotype (and why it’s still everywhere)

A holiday gift guide with digital nomads in mind

Two travel fail stories that involve passports, bowel movements, and a nearly missed bus in the Italian countryside

And so much more

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Remote Roundup: True Costs of Long-Term Travel, Taxes & Borderless Living, an Underrated Productivity Habit, + More (October 2025)

Building a Travel Lifestyle: Digital Nomadism, Slow Travel, Exploring Latin America with Kyle Cohenour

From Expat to Digital Nomad: Finding Your Travel Rhythm, Balancing Burnout, and the Digital Nomad Lifestyle with Kristin Wilson

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What are the most difficult countries to visit, and why do some require months of effort just to get in?

Gunnar Garfors is an author, journalist, and the first person to travel to every country in the world twice. Jacqui Kunz was named “World’s Most Intrepid Traveler” in 2023 and is also well on her way to visiting every country in the world.

In this Zero To Travel Host Collective episode, Gunnar and Jacqui go through ten of the world’s most difficult countries to visit from a visa and access standpoint.

Gunnar and Jacqui share their personal experiences and insights navigating the world’s hardest-to-enter countries, especially from the perspective of American and Norwegian passports. You’ll learn not just where the access is difficult, but why - whether it’s politics, reciprocity, red tape, or safety concerns - and what it says about global mobility. They also explore the ethical side of “ticking countries off the list” and how that mindset can warp the meaning of travel.

If you were to visit one country that you know is extremely hard to get into, which country would it be and why? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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IMPORTANT: This episode was recorded before the conflict in Sudan, and Jacqui has since left the country. For additional information and ways to support the Sudanese people, you can visit eyesonsudan.net and follow Jacqui on Instagram.

Why would someone choose to travel to the world’s most dangerous places?

Today I’m joined by Jacquelyn Kunz, the first female to travel independently through Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control. In this episode, Jacqui shares some of the toughest moments from her time in Afghanistan, what led her to move to Sudan, and her life as an expat. We also talk about what it was like to hitchhike in Iraq and how these experiences have shifted her outlook on life.

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

Do you consider yourself a risk-taker? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message.

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What does it really take to build a travel lifestyle from scratch, especially if you’re starting later in life or managing a serious medical condition?

Jason Robinson is the founder of The Nomad Experiment and author of The Beginner Traveler’s Guide. After digging out of debt and selling his home, he now travels full-time while living with type 1 diabetes. 

Jason joins me to explore his updated beginner travel guide, how the nomad lifestyle has become his way of life, and how we can all learn to travel more intentionally, even when the path to getting started looks different for everyone.

This episode is packed with real talk and actionable advice for anyone looking to start or deepen a travel-centered lifestyle. Jason shares the exact mindset shifts and tactical steps that helped him go from zero international travel to spending more than half the year abroad. You’ll learn why co-living can be a better fit than hostels, how to realistically assess your finances before you leap, and what it takes to travel while managing something as serious as type-1 diabetes. 

We also get into the harder stuff - burnout, identity, letting go of expectations -and why treating travel like an experiment may be the most freeing approach of all.

What’s one small step you can take this month toward your travel‑oriented life? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Need some inspiration for your upcoming travels? Gunnar Garfors is the first person to travel to every country in the world not once, but TWICE. As the ultimate travel expert, he’s with us to share his list of the best places to visit before they get too popular.

You’ll hear about seven out-of-the-ordinary destinations spanning all seven continents to help you plan for the coming year and beyond. Whether it’s beach life, mountain hikes, big cities, or relaxing getaways, there’s something on the list for everyone. We’ll also talk about his upcoming project, share plenty of stories, and he’ll let us in on a fun travel concept you’ll want to steal and use with your friends.

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

Where are you headed first? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Is night train travel making a comeback? Trains have long been seen as a romantic or nostalgic way to explore a destination, but what if it could also be the most practical, comfortable, and climate-friendly way?

Thibault Constant is a French train enthusiast turned entrepreneur who built a following of 300k on his YouTube channel, Simply Railways. He’s the author of Trains de Nuit and co-founder of Nox, a new sleeper train company aiming to revolutionize overnight travel across Europe with affordable private rooms.

In this episode, host Paige McClanahan speaks with Thibault about the rising demand for night trains in Europe, the design and mission behind his upcoming sleeper train company, and why privacy, practicality, and sustainability are reshaping how we move through the world.

You’ll hear why a new wave of travelers are choosing overnight rail, how the travel experience shifts when you’re able to rest, reflect, and arrive ready to go, and what it takes to build a better sleeper train from the ground up. Thibault shares the key barriers that have kept night trains from breaking through in recent decades, and how his company, Nox, is working to overcome them with smart design and realistic pricing. Whether you’re curious about slow travel, concerned about flying’s climate impact, or just want to know what it’s like to wake up in Sicily after sleeping on a train ferry, this episode offers both practical insights and pure travel inspiration.

If you could take one of Thibault’s recommended overnight train journeys tomorrow, which would you choose and why? We’d love to hear your thoughts, and hope you’ll share by sending an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

How growing up in northern France inspired Thibault’s lifelong love of trains

Why he started his YouTube channel, and how it became a full-time job

What led him to co-found Nox, a new sleeper train company launching in 2027

Why most night trains today fail to deliver on sleep, and how privacy changes everything

The real reason night trains declined in Europe, and what brought them back

How the climate crisis is pushing more travelers to rethink short-haul flights

What makes overnight train travel a win–win for comfort, convenience, and carbon

Thibault’s top 3 night train routes in Europe, and his favorite long-haul ride in North America

And so much more

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Simply Railway YouTube

Trains de Nuit

Nox Sleeper Trains

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Sustainable Travel 101 (How to Be A Better Traveler) With Richard Hammond

Train Travel Around The World w/ Mark Smith

World Tour for Climate Change: Hitchhiking, Biking, and Low-Carbon Travel With Megan Routbort

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How is tourism impacting communities, and what can we do about it? Paige McClanahan joins me to talk about the dualities of the tourism industry and how we can have deeper travel experiences while benefiting the world.

Paige McClanahan is the author of The New Tourist: Waking up to the Power and Perils of Travel. She is an American journalist based in France and a regular contributor to The New York Times, where she reports on the impacts of tourism. She is also the host of The Better Travel Podcast, which aims to make sure that our travels have a positive impact on the world. 

We talk about the evolution of tourism as context to how it got to where it is today, the consequences of travel on local communities (good and bad) and what we can do about it, and insights into how we can become what Paige calls a “new tourist.” She also shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she wrote this book and used her professional journalism skills to her advantage.

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

How will you become a “new tourist?” I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Want to explore volcanoes, wine valleys, remote wilderness, and vibrant indigenous cultures, all in one country? Why not make Chile your next adventure?

Steph Dyson is a travel journalist, guidebook author, and founder of the website Worldly Adventurer. She has spent nearly a decade living and travelling across Latin America, including three years in Chile, and is the author of Moon Chile With Patagonia & Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

In today’s episode, we explore Chile’s incredible geographic and cultural diversity through seven hidden‑gem destinations, with stories and advice for exploring them responsibly.

Steph breaks down her favorite hidden corners of Chile, from wild Patagonia to volcano climbs, ancient mummies, and the vibrant island culture of Chiloé. You’ll hear tips for hitchhiking the Carretera Austral, visiting Indigenous communities with cultural respect, and building a flexible mid-range travel budget in Chile. We also talk about how to approach destinations more consciously as travelers, not just tourists. 

Plus, you're going to hear Part 2 of the Best in Travel Tech series!

What’s the one hidden gem you’ve discovered in your travels (or want to discover) that changed how you think about a place? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

How a burned-out teacher bought a one-way ticket to Bolivia and ended up building a new life across Latin America

What makes the Carretera Austral a must‑visit, and why she recommends you hitchhike

How Chile’s wine valleys offer cultural and culinary depth beyond the typical vineyard experience

How the Mapuche people in the south of Chile maintain ancient traditions, and how travellers can engage respectfully

How to choose when to travel in Patagonia to avoid crowds and still get wild‑land experiences

How to climb a volcano near Pucón and what to expect (terrain, season, logistics)

Why a remote island like Chiloé delivers cultural and natural surprises that few visit

Advice for budget mid‑range travellers in Chile: transport, accommodation, local costs, and how to balance comfort with adventure

And so much more

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Stephdyson.com

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Moon Chile: With Patagonia & Rapa Nui

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Top 7 Grand European Journeys With Lucas Peters

Peru’s Hidden Gems, Why NOT to Hike the Inca Trail + Amazing (Less Crowded) Alternatives with Heather Jasper

Building a Travel Lifestyle: Digital Nomadism, Slow Travel, Exploring Latin America with Kyle Cohenour

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What tools and routines make the biggest difference for nomads? What really drives down your cost of living abroad, and what are you giving up to get there? 

On this month’s episode, Caitlin and Janessa swap stories on budgeting, daily tradeoffs, and what it takes to feel comfortable in constant motion. You'll hear their thoughts on shifting priorities, overlooked productivity habits, tax residency trends, and why your “normal” might not be so normal elsewhere.

Remote Roundup is a new monthly series hosted by Zero To Travel’s associate producer, Caitlin Sunderland, and partnerships manager, Janessa Klatt. Explore what's new in remote work and travel, including helpful tools and resources, need‑to‑know trends, destinations, and insight into what it really means to live and work around the world.

What’s something you’ve either given up (or refused to give up) to make remote work and travel sustainable for you? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

Janessa’s experience traveling and working on Vancouver Island

A simple travel item that can seriously improve your remote work (that we often ignore), and how small comforts can make or break your productivity

What to consider before making borderless tax or residency moves

The hidden tradeoffs behind minimalist living on the road

Why your priorities might shift the longer you live as a nomad

What remote workers are getting wrong about cost-of-living savings abroad

The unexpected mindset shift that happens when you stop “vacationing” and start living

Which everyday habits feel surprisingly hard (or freeing) to give up

Cultural quirks that can challenge what you thought was “normal”

One playful question that reveals way more about someone than you’d expect (steal this!)

And so much more

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Janessa on Instagram

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