Zero To Travel Podcast

What does it take to turn a childhood dream into reality, even when it seems impossible?

Alex Harz is an adventurer, filmmaker, and storyteller who took his dream of climbing Mount Everest and turned it into a powerful multimedia project, The Quest: Everest. With a background in acting, business, and international travel, Alex combined his skills to document the Everest experience like never before, bringing audiences up the mountain with him through both a documentary film and an immersive VR experience. But his journey was about much more than just summiting Everest; it was about embracing challenge, cultural connection, and pushing human limits. 

In this episode, Alex shares the incredible story behind his ascent of Mount Everest, providing an unfiltered look at what it takes to push beyond your limits and climb the world’s highest peak. 

From his rigorous training and years of preparation to the emotional and spiritual impact of the journey, Alex talks about the intense preparation, the surreal beauty of the Himalayas, and the life-and-death decisions climbers face on the mountain. Beyond the climb itself, we dive into the deeper meaning of pursuing a lifelong dream and how the people of Nepal profoundly shaped his journey. 

What is your “personal Everest?” I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m bringing you some of the best insights from the past month’s newsletter—curated travel tips, trends, and ideas that deserve a deeper dive. If you’ve ever felt the sting of travel FOMO, wondered about the latest digital nomad visas, or wanted a better way to pick your next destination without overcomplicating it, this one’s for you.

You’ll get my take on the antidote to travel FOMO that might change your mindset, what this new visa to an exciting destination means for remote workers, and why tourist taxes are becoming more common (and who it really impacts). 

You’ll also learn a simple strategy for choosing your next destination, hear about my personal mantra for the year and how it’s influencing my mindset and travels for 2025, and I’ll leave you with a powerful question to inspire your next move.

What’s your phrase for the year? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share what it means to you by sending me an audio message.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can moving abroad help solve a specific life challenge? How do you choose the right location-independent business to start? What’s the best way to navigate traveling across longer distances?

In this episode, I answer listener questions to help you take a more intentional approach to designing your travels and location-independent lifestyle.

You’ll hear my thoughts on why you should reverse-engineer your travels and choose a destination based on your unique needs. If you’re feeling stuck on what kind of location-independent business to start, I’ll share a simple, fun litmus test to help you find the right fit. And if you’re wondering how to travel across Asia or any continent without burning out, I’ll tell a story from my time in Cambodia that completely changed my perspective on slow travel.

Plus, is watching moose cross a river for 500 hours the most relaxing thing you might do this year?!

What questions do you have on travel or the digital nomad lifestyle? I'd love for you to share them by sending me an audio message.

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can your hotel or accommodations change how you experience a place?

Annie Fitzsimmons is a seasoned luxury travel expert and author of the National Geographic book 100 Hotels of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Retreats. Annie has covered hotels, travel, lifestyle, restaurants, and destinations around the world for the last 20 years, working with major travel media companies such as National Geographic Travel and AFAR, and is currently the editor-in-chief at Embark Beyond.

Annie shares the top five hotels that are worth seeking out in your life, covering not just luxury stays but those that tell a story, bring people together, and enhance the entire travel experience. 

We talk about the best hotels in the world that are actually worth their price tag and why you should experience these places even if you’re not a guest. You’ll learn how to find places that match your travel style, gain insight into the world of hospitality, and learn how the hotel industry is evolving in the era of Airbnb. 

We also discuss how she landed her dream job as National Geographic’s first-ever Urban Insider and how you, too, can forge your own unique career path.

PLUS: You'll hear part three of our Top 5 Road Trips in the USA series!

What was the most memorable hotel you’ve ever stayed in? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

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

Premium Passport:

• Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a monthly bonus episode (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your questions, and more? Click here to try Premium Passport for only $1.

Tune In To Learn:

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices