Zero To Travel Podcast

Today, we’re taking it back to our very first Norwegian Christmas Spectacular! 

My wife, Anne Dorthe, and I recorded this episode in our cabin in Engerdal, located in rural Norway, roughly 4.5 hours north of Oslo.

Anne Dorthe shares what the traditional Norwegian farm Christmas is like and even sings a little tune for us at the end of the show. 

Listen to this episode and get ready to travel to Norway for a holiday with one-horse open sleighs, cakes, cookies, little Santa men, and much more!

What are some holiday traditions where you live? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Thanks for listening to the Zero To Travel Podcast, and Happy Holidays my friend!

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

What if you could travel the world without leaving your kitchen?

Several years ago, to expand their children's geographic and cultural knowledge, David and Christy Bock decided to pick a country to learn and cook recipes from once a month. This unique practice has since evolved into a “Christmas Around the World” experience, where they've explored holiday customs and cuisines from 18 different countries. 

Explore the Bocks’ inspiring family tradition of celebrating Christmas through the food and customs of cultures around the globe. From Japan's fried chicken Christmas feast to Spain's whimsical "pooping log," this episode is a flavorful and fun exploration of global holiday traditions.

You’ll learn how the Bocks turned a simple idea into a meaningful family tradition, discover fascinating and unexpected holiday customs, and get inspired to bring a little international flair to your holiday celebrations. 

Whether you're looking for creative family activities or want to explore the world through its festive flavors, this episode offers heartwarming stories, insights, and plenty of laughs.

What’s one international holiday tradition or dish you’d love to try this year? 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

If you could snap your fingers and spend a day anywhere in the world, no limits, where would you go and what would you do?

We are turning the tables as my friend and fellow travel podcaster Travis Sherry interviews me for my ultimate travel wish list.

A seasoned traveler and entrepreneur, Travis Sherry hosts the long-running travel podcast Extra Pack of Peanuts. He is also the co-founder of Location Indie, a community of people working together to kick ass in business and travel. 

This episode covers everything from planning the perfect three-week adventure to dreaming about one unforgettable day anywhere in the world. It is packed with practical tips, personal reflections, and destination inspiration for solo and group trips, family getaways, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

Follow along and answer these thought-provoking questions for yourself! 

What’s on your ultimate travel wish list? What are your travel goals? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them 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

What would it take to create a life of adventure, connection, and meaningful experiences?

Mike and Anne Howard of HoneyTrek are on the world’s longest honeymoon—13 years and counting! They share how they’ve built a lifestyle centered on slow travel, sustainability, and their love for glamping, inspiring others to rethink what’s possible in life and travel.

Mike and Anne Howard are award-winning authors, seasoned travelers, and the visionary duo behind HoneyTrek. Known for their books Comfortably Wild and Ultimate Journeys for Two, they’ve inspired thousands of people to embrace meaningful, unique adventures through slow travel and sustainable living.

Mike and Anne share their experiences of turning an epic honeymoon into a lifestyle, offering practical advice on sustainable travel, avoiding burnout, and embracing spontaneity. You’ll also discover how glamping can provide immersive, eco-friendly adventures and hear their tips for building a life aligned with your passions and priorities.

What’s one way you’d make your travels more meaningful or sustainable? I'd love to hear your thoughts, 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 long-term travel and financial independence reshape your life—and open up new possibilities for your family or personal goals?

Maxwell Lee is a real estate investor, expat, and father who has built a lifestyle of financial independence and global adventure. In this episode, he shares his journey from traditional life in the U.S. to becoming financially independent, raising his children abroad, and embracing world schooling as a family. With his unique perspective, Maxwell explores how combining FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) principles with travel can lead to a fulfilling, unconventional life.

Maxwell breaks down the essentials of worldschooling, explaining how to incorporate travel into education and why it’s about more than just learning—it’s about creating meaningful experiences and fostering adaptability in children.

On the FIRE side, Maxwell shares his real estate strategies and explains how achieving financial independence gave him the freedom to prioritize his passions, family, and exploration. You'll learn how to make small, actionable changes to align your finances and lifestyle with your goals—whether that’s traveling long-term, raising a family abroad, or designing a life filled with purpose and adventure.

Even if you don’t have kids, this episode is packed with lessons about creativity, flexibility, and building a life that reflects what matters most to you.

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to balancing travel, family, and personal goals? 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

What can the quirky and surprising adaptations of the natural world teach us about curiosity, creativity, and our own place on earth?

Cara Giaimo is a freelance writer with a deep love for biodiversity and storytelling. Her latest work with Atlas Obscura, Wild Life: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Living Wonders, is an over-the-top collection of the world's most extraordinary wild species that takes you to all seven continents and beyond. It's more than a field guide—it's an adventure.

Cara shares her journey of researching and writing Wild Life and how writing about the natural world has shaped her own life and creative process. You’ll hear fascinating stories as we unpack surprising animal behaviors and the ways species adapt to urban environments. From multi-headed caterpillars to the rewilding of Chernobyl, our conversation celebrates the natural world, its endless creativity, and what we can learn from the resilience of wildlife.

What’s the most surprising wildlife encounter you’ve experienced on your travels? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share it 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 embracing your differences lead to more fulfilling travel?

Dan Bird talks about his experience traveling with autism, offering personal stories, insights, and advice on how neurodivergence can enrich your adventures.

Dan Bird understands the unique joys and difficulties of traveling as a neurodivergent person. Diagnosed with autism at 27, he authored the book Go Neuro Way to share how he's embraced traveling with autism and how others can do the same.

Dan candidly shares his experiences navigating the world as an autistic traveler, showing how sensory sensitivities can be both a challenge and a unique advantage. By tuning in, you'll learn how to adapt your travels to fit your personal needs, explore destinations more intentionally, and embrace the strengths of neurodivergence. Whether you're neurodivergent or curious about different ways to approach travel, this episode will help you rethink what is possible when you see superpowers instead of limitations.

What perceived limitation can you turn into a strength while traveling? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences 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

What would it take for you to leave everything behind and pursue a life of adventure?

Will Hunt is a former accountant who traded his comfortable life in London for the challenge of canoeing the entire length of the River Gambia while documenting his adventures on YouTube. 

This special Transition to Travel episode captures Will’s journey from preparation to post-expedition reflections as I interview him both before and after his trip.

Hear how Will Hunt turned his dream of an extreme expedition into reality despite having no prior canoeing experience and the emotional and physical transformation that comes with taking a leap into the unknown. From the unexpected challenges of navigating the River Gambia to the cultural lessons he absorbed, this conversation highlights personal growth, resilience, and the power of adventure. 

Will’s story is a great reminder that you don’t need to know everything before you get started. If you've ever considered leaving stability behind for something bigger—or simply want to hear a story of courage and exploration—this episode will inspire you to take that first step.

PLUS, we have part three of our road trip planning series, where you’ll hear ideas to help you craft an unforgettable itinerary.

Are you preparing for a transition to travel? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share 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

Looking for the best gift for travelers? Whether you’re searching for travel gift ideas for a fellow wanderer or need inspiration for your own wish list, this guide has got you covered. 

From thoughtful ideas that fuel wanderlust to practical travel essentials, I’ve broken down the best gifts for travelers into three categories, complete with personal stories and tips for gift-giving.

Plus, I’m sharing the three gifts you should never buy and my personal favorite gift to give (and get).

I won’t spoil the list here, so head over to the website after listening to grab the complete list of the best gifts for travelers!

What gifts are you adding to your list? I'd love to know, 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!

Resources:

Want More?

Thanks To Our Sponsors

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

How can you attract the right customers without feeling like you’re succumbing to the “content machine?” How can you market your business in a way that’s aligned with your values, works for your location-independent lifestyle, and is enjoyable?

Jeremy Enns is a nomadic entrepreneur and founder of Counterweight Creative and Podcast Marketing Academy. With a high-level view of what is working in content marketing, he discusses the evolving trends in organic marketing and content creation and how solopreneurs can leverage their unique strengths and values to build sustainable, location-independent businesses. 

This episode is packed with realistic, actionable advice you can start implementing right away. Jeremy talks about the difference between content creators and business owners who create content and why choosing your camp is crucial. You’ll learn about the smartest ways to create content for your business in 2025 and mindset shifts that will completely change how you approach content creation.

Beyond business, Jeremy talks about his journey as a nomadic entrepreneur, the lessons he learned from eight years on the road, and how embracing slow travel helped him build a sustainable, fulfilling lifestyle. 

PLUS, you’ll hear part two of our road trip planning series! Listen in for my top three outstanding overland trips and get a simple exercise to start brainstorming your trip in the coming year.

What piece of advice are you going to implement first? I'd love to hear what you took away from this episode, 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

Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’

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