Zero To Travel Podcast

Encountering animals on our travels is one of the most life-changing experiences we can have, but how can we do it in a more ethical and responsible way? Kristen Diederich is with me today to talk about ethical wildlife tourism and how to be more informed when choosing our animal experiences.

Kristen is the founder of Compassionate Travels, which focuses on crafting ethical, wildlife-centric adventures for responsible, values-driven travelers. As an animal rights advocate and well-traveled adventurer, she has first-hand experience on the scale of animal suffering in the tourism industry and the challenges of finding experiences that don’t contribute to it. 

Kristen and I discuss the complex issues around common experiences like elephant riding, taking photos, feeding and touching, and even cultural experiences like dog sledding. She shares the concept of “welfare washing” and why even some of the most seemingly ethical sanctuaries or rescues are still causing harm. You’ll learn how to identify truly ethical sanctuaries and tour operators and gain an understanding of the broader impact of mass tourism on animal welfare.

How have your thoughts changed on animal tourism? I’d love to hear what you took away from this episode and hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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How can you use travel as an intentional tool for growth? Today, I’m joined by Nina Butler to learn about retreat planning and how you can create transformational travel experiences for yourself as a solo traveler or as a facilitator for a group.

Figuring out how to harness the power of travel to transform is what Nina Butler does best. She went from a high school dropout to working and sailing around the globe on private yachts at 16 to eventually getting a Ph.D. in philosophy. She became a yoga instructor and launched her retreat business, InRetreat, which crafts immersive transformative travel experiences designed to open the mind and expand the heart.

Nina shares some powerful concepts around intentionality and how to set the framework for a transformational experience. She gives plenty of advice on curating your own retreat-like experience, and we dig into the business side to talk about things like what to avoid doing as a facilitator, how to scout for locations, and the most powerful tools to promote your retreat.

Have you ever been on a retreat? Do you want to plan a retreat for yourself or others? I'd love to hear about your experience and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Do you aspire to be a digital nomad? Today, I’m talking with Steph and Dalt to hear about their journey to becoming digital nomads as a couple and the realities of living the lifestyle.

Steph and Dalt share what led up to their decision to live in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the magical (and maddening) experiences they had in this digital nomad hotspot, and the health scare that ultimately cut their travels short. You’ll get tips on traveling with your partner, working from Asia while being time-dependent, and dealing with medical issues in a foreign country with language barriers. This episode is packed with lessons about leaning in, exploring new opportunities in life and business, and personal growth.

What have been the highs and lows of your digital nomad life? I'd love to hear what they are and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Today, I’m joined by Will Hatton to hear about his adventures traveling the world on $10 a day and how that led to the creation of one of the world’s largest travel blogs, The Broke Backpacker. 

Will has been traveling the world for 15 years, launching nine different businesses during that time. As a serial entrepreneur and founder of The Broke Backpacker, he’s passionate about showing that travel is possible no matter your budget, as long as you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone. 

In this episode, Will talks about why his solo trip through India was so transformative in creating a life of travel, his experience hitchhiking in Pakistan and Iran (and marrying the girl he met on the road), and why extreme budget travel in far-flung lands is the ultimate tool for personal development. We talk about the realities of what it took for him to build his blog to seven figures while living a travel-based lifestyle, his most recent project opening Bali’s first custom-designed and built coworking and coliving hostel, and, of course, plenty of advice and lessons around budget travel and business.

Would you travel the world on $10 a day? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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From glamping to co-living to Airbnb and other short-term rentals – the list of unique places to stay during your travels is endless! Peter Fabor is with me today to discuss the alternative hospitality scene and its revolutionary impact on travelers, investors, and industry enthusiasts.

Peter is a trailblazer in the modern age of hospitality and remote work. In 2014, he founded Surf Office, which organizes productive, authentic, and effortless company retreats around the globe. Their mission is to empower companies to bring culture, innovation, happiness, and productivity to their work and lives.

Peter and I talk about how these alternative accommodations can enhance your travel experience and the impacts of the industry on destinations and tourism as a whole. We also talk about the current and upcoming hospitality trends (that may give you your next big idea) and plenty of advice for starting your own hospitality business. 

What has been your favorite alternative stay? Have you been considering starting your own hospitality business? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Today, I’m joined by Nikki Vargas to explore how her relationship with travel has developed and changed over the years and the impact it’s made on the trajectory of her life. 

Nikki is the senior editor at Fodor's Travel, a bestselling author, and a public speaker. Her recent book, Call You When I Land, whisks readers away through the countries that brought her new love, self-discovery, and the inspiration to launch the first feminist travel publication, Unearth Women. 

In this episode, Nikki talks about her new memoir, that time she called off her wedding two weeks before the big day (and the consequences), and how she’s built a career as a travel journalist. She shares her experience in reconnecting with her Columbian roots, advice for making tough decisions and living a life of travel, creating your own path to break into an industry, and much more.

How has travel influenced making hard decisions in your life? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Is a trip to Africa on your list? Today, I’m joined by Sasha and Megnote Lezhnev to get their list of the top 10 hidden gems in East Africa. 

In this episode, Sasha and Megnote talk about what it took for them to take a career break to travel full-time as a family and share practical advice for anyone wanting to do the same. You’ll learn about their connections with Africa, Sasha’s nonprofit that helps to reintegrate former child soldiers and refugees, and how they’re helping others get off the beaten path and explore hidden gems all over the world.

You’ll learn about a standout Ethiopian destination that you won’t see on any other top lists, an incredible (and affordable) place to experience gorilla trekking, lively cities, towns, and local scenes that deserve to be a main attraction of your trip, and so much more!

What spots are you adding to your Africa itinerary? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Are you considering becoming a digital nomad or curious about the lifestyle? Kayla Ihrig is with me today to talk about the digital nomad lifestyle and the realities of working and living on the road. 

Kayla's a remote worker and business owner who's been living and traveling abroad since 2017, when she bought a one-way ticket out of the US. She's since traveled to a few dozen countries, earned a second nationality, and written the book How to Be a Digital Nomad.

In this episode, Kayla shares her journey to becoming a digital nomad and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the lifestyle. You’ll hear about the question she obsessed over that led to her decision to travel, her advice on building a reliable income, ways to keep travel interesting after doing it long-term, the concept of lifestyle deflation and preparing for going abroad, and much more! Whether you’re already living the life or just getting started, there’s something in this episode for everyone.

Where are you in your digital nomad journey? I'd love to hear about your experience and hope you’ll share sending me an audio message.

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Alastair Humphreys is a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year who decided to trade in his grand adventures for spending an entire year roaming the local map he lived on, measuring just 20km. He’s cycled around the world for four years, raced a yacht across the Atlantic, canoed 500 miles down the Yukon River, and walked the length of the Holy Kaveri River in India (just to name a few!).

So why would someone like Alastair want to explore a single map, just one tiny area at a time near their home? You’d be surprised to discover the kind of impact this could have on someone. In this episode, you’ll hear about his unexpected adventures and the lessons from his experience, learn why adventure really is a mindset, and get practical advice for exploring your own local map.

How did this conversation change your perspective on travel? Will you explore your local grid? Use #singlemap on social media if you do! I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

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Today, I’m joined by Too Fly Foundation Co-Founder and Director of Brand Strategy Brandon Miller to learn how his transformative travel experiences led to his work in travel inclusion and creating a world where every student has the opportunity to travel.

The Too Fly Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide passports, travel grants, and educational experiences for students in underresourced communities. 

In this episode, Brandon shares why it’s important not only for their students to see the world but for the world to see their students. We talk about 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 their experience on The Kelly Clarkson Show. This conversation offers valuable perspectives on 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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