Zero To Travel Podcast

Trigger Warning: This episode contains honest discussions about depression and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255). 

Is debt stopping you from traveling? What if the life you’ve been told to want is actually the thing that’s breaking you?  

That was the reality for Annette and Daniel Fortner of Chase for Adventure, a couple who sold everything, paid off $70,000 in debt, and hit the road full-time - not because they had it all figured out, but because they knew they couldn’t keep living the way they were. Their journey into long-term travel started with depression and burnout, and turned into something entirely different. 

Annette and Daniel share the full story behind their decision to leave behind high-paying jobs and a “successful” lifestyle in favor of travel, healing, and freedom.  

This conversation goes way beyond the typical “how we quit our jobs to travel” story. You’ll hear what it’s like to hit emotional rock bottom and use travel as a lifeline, not just a lifestyle. Annette and Daniel open up about their mental health, the practical steps they took to make long-term travel financially doable, and what it’s really like to work, live, and grow alongside your partner 24/7. Their story is raw, funny, thoughtful, and full of honest reflections that anyone thinking about big life changes will relate to. 

What’s one belief about success you’ve outgrown? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

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What does it really mean to feel seen, safe, and celebrated as an LGBTQ+ traveler? How can understanding other people’s travel experiences help us feel more connected, wherever we go? 

Alicia Valenski is an American writer, editor, speaker, and author of the groundbreaking new LGBTQ+ travel guide with Lonely Planet that explores 50 of the most queer-friendly destinations around the globe. Now living as an expat in the Netherlands, Alicia brings a unique and deeply personal lens to her work as an autistic, bisexual woman and passionate advocate for inclusive travel. 

In this episode, Alicia shares her top seven LGBTQ+ destinations. We talk about what it means to feel truly comfortable in a place and why inclusive travel benefits everyone.  

Alicia talks about growing up in a small town, navigating cultural expectations, and finding the courage to live differently. Her journey shows how traveling with intention can change not just your perspective but your life. The insights she shares about creating safe spaces for the most marginalized groups offer a powerful reminder: when a place works for those often overlooked, it works better for everyone, including solo travelers, women, and anyone who's ever felt out of place. 

Have you ever visited somewhere you immediately felt like you belonged? Where was it, and what made it feel that way? 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 thought about what your travels would look like without alcohol? 

After eliminating alcohol, Margaret rediscovered her joy for travel, so much so that she started Alcohol-Free Adventure Retreats (AFAR), where she helps women rediscover and challenge themselves by embracing travel without alcohol. 

In this episode, Margaret shares her 10 expert tips on alcohol-free travel, and we talk about why this may be something you’d want to consider trying yourself.  

Whether you’re sober-curious or just interested in a different travel experience, Margaret’s tips are valuable in many situations. In addition to Margaret’s advice, we have a deeper conversation about living in an alcohol-centric society. You’ll learn about some of the benefits of the sober-curious movement and sober travel, why committing is sometimes easier than moderating, how to avoid decision fatigue while traveling, and plenty more. 

Are you considering going alcohol-free on your next trip? If you already travel without alcohol, what do you enjoy the most? I'd love to hear your thoughts and 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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What’s it like to trade the hustle of NYC for a slower life in Iceland? And how do you explore its volcanic landscapes without getting stuck in the tourist crowds? 

Jewells Chambers is the creator and voice behind All Things Iceland, a podcast and YouTube channel that helps people experience Iceland beyond the tourist trail. Originally from New York City, Jewells moved to Iceland in 2016 after falling in love with an Icelander and has since carved out a meaningful life abroad, blending creativity, digital marketing, travel planning, and a deep respect for Icelandic culture.  

In this episode, we talk about what it’s really like to move to Iceland, how Jewells found her way into content creation, and her top recommendations for discovering Iceland's lesser-known destinations and experiences. 

If you’ve ever considered moving abroad, reinventing your career, or exploring Iceland beyond the usual tourist stops, Jewells’ story offers both inspiration and practical insights. We chat about embracing discomfort, building a new identity in a foreign land, and how creativity and authenticity have shaped her journey. She also shares a curated list of hidden gems in Iceland—from geothermal wonders to ghost towns—and offers practical advice on navigating Iceland's wild weather and unpredictable terrain. Whether you're planning your first trip or your fifth, you'll leave this episode with a fresh perspective and a bunch of new places to add to your Iceland itinerary. 

If you could slow down and live like a local somewhere (even for a little while), where would you go? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

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What can we actually learn about climate change when we stop reading headlines and start listening to the people living it? 

Gunnar Garfors is the first person to travel to every country in the world not once, but twice. He’s a Norwegian adventurer, journalist, and author whose latest project took him across the equator, the Arctic Circle, and the Antarctic region to explore the lived experiences of climate change. His new book, Mellom Linjene (Between the Lines), captures these human stories behind the headlines, showing us how the changing climate is affecting the lives of fishermen, farmers, city dwellers, and Indigenous peoples from the Amazon rainforest to the ice desert of Greenland. 

Gunnar shares his experience researching and writing his book and recounts the very real ways climate change is reshaping the planet’s most climate-vulnerable zones. We talk through five of his favorite countries along the Arctic Circle and the equator, weaving together adventure, personal stories, and eye-opening conversations with locals on the ground. 

Gunnar’s first-person encounters with reindeer herders, farmers, fishermen, and locals living at the edges of the world help paint a fuller, more human picture of what’s happening. You’ll hear how polar bears are wandering into villages in search of food, why Amazonian ferry rides matter, and what it’s like to get called out on the Congo River for representing the global north.  

How is climate change affecting the places you care about or the way you think about travel? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

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Top 7 Up-And-Coming Destinations to Visit (Before They Get Crowded) With Gunnar Garfors 

Visiting Every County In The World…TWICE! With Gunnar Garfors 

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

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Why do some conversations leave you feeling seen and understood, while others fall flat?

Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author of The Power of Habit and his latest, Supercommunicators. He's spent years exploring the science of communication to find out what separates those rare, magical conversations from ones that leave us disconnected or misunderstood.

In this episode, we explore how communication really works - what’s happening in our brains during conversations, the skills that make someone a “supercommunicator,” and how to have more meaningful, connected interactions no matter where you are in the world.

If you’ve ever left a conversation wondering why it didn’t land the way you wanted or if you’re trying to get better at connecting with people across cultures, relationships, or work, this one’s for you. Charles shares practical frameworks and surprising science-backed insights that help you show up better in any conversation. Whether you're navigating conflict with your partner or chatting with a stranger abroad, this episode is full of takeaways that’ll make you rethink how you communicate.

PLUS, stick around on the backend for a special segment on the best things to do, see, and eat in Baltimore, Maryland.

What’s one small shift you could make to be more present and connected in your conversations this week? I'd love to hear what you took away from our talk, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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Is co-living the secret sauce to building community and staying inspired on the road? 

Fabio and Juls are the co-founders of Casa Basilico, a pop-up foodie co-living experience designed for digital nomads who crave meaningful connection, delicious food, and a vibrant sense of community. As full-time travelers and friends-turned-business-partners, they’ve hosted over 200 nomads around the world, using shared meals and creative adventures to turn strangers into family. 

We dive deep into the world of co-living: what it means, why it’s catching on, and how food, friendship, and shared experiences can lead to some of the most powerful travel experiences. 

If you've ever wondered what it's like to stay in a co-living space or dreamed about building your own travel-inspired community, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look. Juls and Fabio share honest, hilarious, and heartwarming stories from the road, including why cooking together is their not-so-secret weapon for connection, what happens when your car breaks down on the way to a surprise helicopter ride, and how they create spaces that feel like home, even when you’re far from it. You'll walk away with a better understanding of how co-living can deepen your travel experience, along with practical tips if you're considering trying it yourself. 

What do you think makes a place feel like home when you're traveling? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

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What happens when you take a grand piano into the wild and let nature lead the performance? 

Hunter Noack is a classically trained pianist and the founder of IN A LANDSCAPE, a one-of-a-kind outdoor concert series that brings a 9-foot Steinway grand piano into the great outdoors. Instead of setting up traditional speakers at every show, audience members are given wireless headphones, allowing them to wander freely through the landscape while listening. 

Since its launch, the project has reached over 75,000 people through more than 300 concerts in some of the country’s most awe-inspiring settings. By combining music, nature, and community, Hunter is redefining what a classical concert can be - and who it’s for. 

Hunter shares the origin story of IN A LANDSCAPE, how it’s evolved over a decade, and how art can shape the way we connect with nature, place, and each other. 

If you’ve ever dreamed of merging your creative passions with travel or building something that feels meaningful, this episode will hit home. You’ll learn about the challenges (and magic) of taking a concert piano off the grid and how he balances artistic integrity with logistics, grants, and the realities of funding a big idea. You'll also hear how nature shapes his music, his relationships with local communities, and his broader view of what it means to be human today. 

There’s insight here for anyone creating something unconventional, trying to reconnect with nature, or simply curious about how a piano ends up in the middle of the desert. 

If you were to reimagine something in your life, whether that’s travel, work, or relationships, what would it be? What would that look like? I'd love to hear more about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

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Would you skateboard nearly 1,000 miles across the U.S. with no real plan, just to see what would happen? 

Mike Kosciesza did just that with three friends and a dream to make a documentary out of it. Back in 2008, these four 20-year-olds set off from Chicago with their skateboards pointed toward New York City. A decade later, that wild ride became Shred America, a raw, DIY travel film packed with lessons they never saw coming. 

We’re digging into Mike’s adventure, the long road to making Shred America, and what it takes to turn a crazy idea into something real, especially when you don’t feel fully prepared.  

Mike’s story is a reminder that you don’t always need a perfect plan to start something meaningful. You’ll hear about what it takes to follow through on a wild vision, the lessons that come with looking back on your younger self, and why doing something imperfectly can lead to your most unforgettable adventures. We also get into the unexpected challenges of documenting a trip like this, what it’s like to finish a film a decade after shooting it, and why a little rebellion can take you a long way. 

Would you ever go on a trip without much planning, just to see where it leads? Or have you done something similar before? 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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What makes Baltimore, Maryland, one of the best US cities to visit? 

Brian Oliver is the founder of BMore See More, a nonprofit organization empowering minority male students in Baltimore City to become local and global leaders through education, mentorship, and travel. A seasoned traveler who’s visited over 60 countries, Brian always finds himself returning to Baltimore and has become a voice for reframing how people see his home city by highlighting the stories, neighborhoods, and experiences that show its full heart and charm.  

In this episode, Brian shares his list of seven hidden gems in Baltimore and gives us a local’s perspective on what makes the city so magnetic.  

If Baltimore isn’t already on your travel radar, this conversation may change that. Brian gives us a tour of the city’s most vibrant spots, from the best place to watch fireworks to where you can get lost in local food culture. He talks about how neighborhoods shape identity, why steamed crabs are more than a meal, and how seeing the world has deepened his love for home. You’ll leave this episode with a fresh sense of what makes a city truly worth exploring and how travel can spark both global and local change. 

What’s one city that surprised you in the best possible way, and what made it so memorable? I’d love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

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