Explorer in You: Recent Episodes
Kristin Quiroz Bayona
Each week, Kristin Quiroz Bayona interviews fellow passionate travelers for their best advice, tips, and travel experiences. Join Kristin for meaningful conversations that will unlock the explorer in you.
We travel to enjoy the rich diversity of this planet. Yet, the diversity we seek is often lacking in the travel space. On the Explorer in You podcast, we aim to change that by sharing the best travel advice, tips, and stories from historically marginalized voices. Through interviews and solo shows, you and your host, Kristin Quiroz Bayona, will discover how we can ALL create meaningful and impactful travel experiences.
Tune in each week to hear stories that will ignite your wanderlust, elevate diverse perspectives, and inspire you to explore with compassion.
After going blind at 17 years old, Kevin Lowe was determined to continue to travel. He founded his own travel agency and continues to vacation around the world. On this episode, Kevin shares his unique perspective on travel, how the most meaningful benefits of travel don’t rely on sight, and why you should just book the dang trip!
We also talk about
- How he stays positive in the face of adversity
- What was worse than the thought of going blind
- How he went from not knowing what a travel agent was to opening his own travel agency
- How being blind helps him get to know his clients on a deeper level
- The country he fell in love with
- His top 3 travel destinations
- Advice for people with disabilities who want to get out there and travel
- His trick for making sure he commits to traveling
For more resources go to:
www.explorerinyou.com
A few years ago, travel blogger Vicky Sosa, realized that her 9 to 5 job was holding her back from seeing the world. So, she took a leap and transitioned to living a digital nomad lifestyle. Now she calls home where ever she’s house sitting. On this episode, she shares her best tips for becoming a house sitter and traveling the world for free.
Vicky’s believes house sitting is a great fit for anyone - millennials who can work from anywhere to retirees wanting extended travel experiences. She loves sharing her passion for house sitting and how it can help travelers to discover lesser-known places, live like a local, and travel cheaper.
WE ALSO TALK ABOUT * The benefits of traveling as a house sitter. * Who she recommends house sitting for. * Her favorite house sitter websites. * Tips for creating an appealing profile. * The process once you’ve been selected to house/pet sit. * How to get five-star reviews. * What to do after you’ve wrapped up your house sit. * How to prepare for the last-minute cancellation. * Her favorite country to house sit.
Head on over to explorerinyou.com for a 25% off code for Trusted House Sitters.
Social impact travel is a growing trend, but for Kimberley Sevcik, former human rights journalist turned child and family therapist, it’s always been about fostering deep connections and having a positive impact in the places she visits. On this episode, you’ll hear about ways to connect with communities on your travels through your hobby, skill, passion, or pro bono work, the importance of having cultural humility, and how to foster a true exchange of ideas and skills.
We also talk about
- How she used her journalism to teach women how to tell their stories.
- How to truly partner with and empower communities and the importance of letting them lead.
- How to use your hobby, skill, passion, pro bono work to connect with a community.
- How not to be a “savior” when it comes to engaging with other cultures.
- How’s she evolved her approach to travel and gained more cultural humility and sensitivity.
- Ways to educate and inform yourself about a place before visiting a country
- The impact of donating money vs volunteerism.
- The pros and cons of working with local non-profits vs international groups.
- How to set an intention behind your social impact travel.
Resources
Kimberely Sevcik
Links
Womenandgirlslead.org
www.explorerinyou.com
0MIvLd48MHLhPp7eQREO
Travel writer and avid scuba diver, Adrienne Jordan, has been an adventure traveler for 10 years and has contributed to the likes of Conde Nast, Lonely Planet, NatGeo, and AFAR. She has completed over 60 dives in some of the most amazing places in the world, from the Maldives to Tulum to Dubai. She shares her personal experiences surrounding travel, creating a more inclusive scuba diving community, and her involvement with meaningful organizations like, Diving With a Purpose.
We also talk about
- How she pivoted away from a pre-med path post college to becoming an adventure traveler/writer.
- Her 4 favorite places to scuba dive in the world.
- What it’s like to dive in an ancient cenote.
- Her harrowing attempt to get certified in less-than-ideal conditions.
- Where to start if you want to get certified.
- Dive organization recommendations.
- The most unique things she’s seen while diving.
- Her experience with Dive with a Purpose and how it impacted her.
- How she encourages more diversity in scuba diving.
Resources
Learn more: adriennejordan.com
Instagram: @ajeveryday
Twitter: ajworldtravels
Links
“Scuba Diving Slave Shipwrecks Is a Spiritual Journey” – AFAR
“Youth Diving With a Purpose” – Scuba Diving
“Jump Into The Freakiest Dive Site In Mexico” – Forbes
Diving with a Purpose
www.explorerinyou.com
Today's guest, Chad Brown, is here to share his passion for conservation and creating safe, inclusive, and accessible outdoor spaces for marginalized groups. He's also sharing his inspiring story of going from a successful photographer to finding himself homeless and battling PTSD, how he found healing in nature, and why he created his non-profit organizations that focus on equity, mentorship, and protecting our lands.
We also talk about
- The unique way he got into Pratt Institute.
- How he went from a successful career in New York as a photographer to becoming homeless.
- The magic of the arctic circle and why it draws his soul back every year.
- What he’s learned from indigenous peoples about seeing nature through a different lens.
- How opening yourself up to nature will help you see what it’s trying to show you and find a process to healing.
- The importance of having BIPOC people in your lives so that you can understand how they feel in the outdoors.
- How white allies can show up with grace.
- His passion behind starting his non-profit Soul River to train the next generation of leaders and advocates for endangered land/wildlife, build confidence, and awareness, mentorship.
- Why he created Love is King and how we can work towards making outdoor spaces more accessible to BIPOC.
- How a 3 month backpacking trip through Japan changed him.
Learn more
Chado Creative
Soul River Inc.
Love is King
@_chadbrown_
@lik_free2roam
@NCOleaders
https://www.explorerinyou.com/podcast
Kealan (preferred pronouns: she/her/hers) is an editorial contributor and content creator for the family travel community, Bébé Voyage. Born in the U.S., she and her German husband have traveled the world together and are now raising their two kind of American, kind of European sons in Switzerland for the foreseeable future. On this episode, we talk about how living abroad has led to eye-opening experiences around parenting, culture, and identity.
- The challenges of moving to a new country especially at the start of COVID.
- How she’s embraced Swiss life and been able to explore the country in unexpected ways.
- The one place you should NOT miss if you go to Switzerland that is also kid-friendly.
- Tips for embracing life in a new country and building community.
- How to find purpose and support as a trailing spouse.
- How living in a different country has influenced her parenting.
- How as an American and multi-racial woman, she's had to confront ideas around race, nationality, and identity.
- Letting go of imposter syndrome and not being enough when it comes to being a Latina.
- The power of sharing your story and helping others feel seen.
Links:
@theamimommy
“Where Are You From?” – a Loaded Question for Many Living Abroad
Bebe Voyage
explorerinyou.com
As we come out of shelter-in-place, vaccinations ramp up, and we start planning trips again, it's a great time to think about how we can approach travel in a way that offers us deeper, more meaningful experiences. On this episode, I'm sharing a few questions that will help you explore the world more purposefully and trip ideas that can create more enriching and meaningful memories.
explorerinyou.com
10 years ago, Michelle Alexander left the U.S. and landed in Brisbane, Australia. She’s since built a life and community, but it wasn’t always easy. In this episode, we talk about how Michelle planted new roots halfway across the world, the perspective that helped her embrace her new life, what she learned about herself from living in a different culture/country, and how living abroad has redefined her idea of home. We also talk about:
- Some of the best things about being an expat.
- How to build community and successfully make the transition.
- How to overcome cultural differences and language barriers.
- Why having a good immigration/migration agent is key.
- What it’s like having Christmas in the middle of summer.
- How Australia’s “mateship” approach to COVID kept life mostly normal in Brisbane.
- What Michelle considers one of the most stunning places in Australia.
Links
Learn more: @chelle_alexander
explorerinyou.com
Darryl Kelly traveled with his family of four + 2 dogs for 10 weeks in an RV exploring the western United States. In this episode, he shares his best tips for living the RV life, what he learned about himself, how it brought his family closer, and some of his favorite places.
We also talk about:
- What to know before buying a RV or motorhome.
- How to build community before you go on your trip.
- How to balance flexibility with planning.
- Favorite apps and indispensable gear.
- Best RV campgrounds.
- How the RV community can be more inclusive (it might not be what you think).
Links
Learn more: hectic.com
Instagram: @darrylkelly_
explorerinyou.com
Curious about the expat lifestyle and what daily life is like in other places around the world during this unprecedented time? My guest, Ari Watkins, is sharing her perspective on being an expat for the past 5+ years and what daily life has looked like in Thailand in 2020. You’ll hear Ari’s insights about how to understand and embrace cultural differences, how she deals with anxiety and depression abroad, and what being an Asian-American in Asia has taught her about identity and privilege. Many of us can’t travel right now, but this episode brings the destination to you.
We also talk about:
- Lessons learned living abroad for 5+ years.
- The Thai phrase that captures the attitude one needs to live abroad.
- How being an expat has helped her to own her individuality and embrace who she is.
- How finding the things that bring her joy and therapy helped her deal with depression and anxiety.
- How COVID is being handled in Thailand and Malaysia.
- What daily life has been like this past year.
- What being an Asian-American in Asia has taught her about her identity.
Links
Learn more: alongwithari.com
explorerinyou.com
Solo female travel is one of the fastest-growing demographics in the travel industry highlighting that women are choosing to have adventures with or without a co-pilot. Being on your own schedule and having the freedom to explore at your own pace are just a few reasons why traveling alone is appealing, however, for some, it can feel intimidating. If you’ve ever thought about traveling alone but have yet to take the leap, my guest, Lucy Ruthnum, talks about the benefits of traveling solo and shares her best tips for building a resilient mindset, making new friends, dealing with loneliness, overcoming challenges, and more.
We also talk about:
- Why women should travel alone.
- How much mindset matters when preparing to travel solo.
- What she’s learned from traveling by herself for 6 years.
- Tips for overcoming self-consciousness around making friends with strangers or doing activities alone.
- The best places for women to travel by themselves.
- How to take epic photos when it’s just you.
- What not to do when you’re on a solo trip.
Links
Learn more: absolutelylucy.com
explorerinyou.com
Remote work is here to stay but, for many of us, working while traveling is uncharted territory. How do we successfully navigate working from anywhere in the world? Luckily, my guest, Becca Siegel, has some answers. She’s a blogger, content creator, and travel/lifestyle writer who has lived and worked abroad extensively. If you’re interested in the digital nomad lifestyle, listen to today’s show about all things working remotely.
We also talk about:
- How to talk to your employer about working remotely
- A typical day working while living abroad
- The mindset that helps her stay motivated
- Challenges you might face working remotely and how to overcome them
- How to find community if you’re a digital nomad
- Some of her favorite places to live/work abroad
Links
Learn more: https://www.halfhalftravel.com/
explorerinyou.com
Traveling allows us to step outside our comfort zone. But you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to shake things up. Whether abroad or at home, pushing past our fears and taking a step into the unknown has enormous benefits. On this show, I share 5 ways to step outside your comfort zone to grow, build resilience, and live a fuller life.
explorerinyou.com
What are the trends that will affect your 2020/2021 vacation plans? Amy Draheim, the founder of ABD Creative, a marketing agency specializing in hospitality, shares her insights on the top travel trends you should know about before planning your future travels.
We also talk about:
- How hotels are pivoting to attract customers because of COVID-19
- How social injustice and climate change are shaping the way we travel
- How the hospitality/travel industries can become more inclusive
- The top 3 changes to travel in 2021
- The future of bleisure travel and group travel
Links
Learn more: amydraheim.com, thetravelersjourney
explorerinyou.com
Wondering how to travel with kids? Monet, a family travel blogger, freelance travel writer, and author of the children's book The Traveling Child Goes to Rio de Janeiro, shares her experiences traveling the world with her two kids and provides tips on how to make it easier and affordable.
We also talk about:
- Why it’s worth taking your kids on a trip even if they’re too young to remember it
- Systems that make it easier to traveling with kids
- Perspective about how other cultures values around children and family
- Things to consider around your comfort level and safety
- The secret weapon for picky eaters
- Tricks for your managing child’s jet lag
- Monet’s top 5 favorite destinations to travel with kids
Links
Learn more: thetravelingchild.co
explorerinyou.com
Setting priorities and a budget to meet your travel goals can be easy by making a few changes to your financial habits. On this show, financial professional, Thy Guiley, talks about what it means to be financially healthy, spending towards your values, and the #1 habit you should develop to save for your dream trip.
My guest, Lola Mendez, has explored over 60 countries and written extensively about how to travel responsibly. She is the CEO and founder of Miss Filatelista, a travel blog focused on responsible travel, and is also a freelance journalist and has written for several publications including, CNN Travel, Oprah, Lonely Planet, MSN, and refinery29. After listening to this show you'll feel empowered to find ways for your travel experiences to have a positive impact on the planet and the communities you visit.
Katie Zaferes is an Olympic athlete in the sport of triathlon and spends most of the year training and racing around the world. On this show, learn about how to incorporate fitness and healthy eating while traveling.
Heena and Jason, of Confusion of Cultures, set off for a year-long journey around the world. But 133 days into their travels, COVID-19 hit. Find out what it’s like to be on lockdown in a foreign country, how this experience has made them even more passionate about capturing culture-inspired travels, and tips for immersing yourself in local culture and traveling responsibly.
Want to travel the world using credit card points + miles? Savvy traveler Oanh Tran, shares her BEST tips for getting the most out of travel rewards and loyalty programs.
If you've ever daydreamed about spending a few weeks wine tasting in Europe, listen to today's show with Assistant Winemaker, Jessica Carroll, about how to plan a wine-focused trip to some of Europe's best wine regions.
Traveling with a focus on food is an enriching way to see the world. Today, I talk with Emi Lungmus, food + travel blogger, about how to achieve cultural awareness and exploration through cuisines found around the world.
If you’ve ever struggled to be fully present while on vacation or found it difficult to settle into “vacation mode,” I'm sharing my top five tips for leaving behind your distracted mindset so that you can get the most out of your travel experiences.
In this episode, travel and wellness blogger, Jewels Rhode, discusses how to think about ourselves holistically in order to travel deeper and healthier and shares tips for practicing self-care while at home or abroad.
Kristin is the founder of Explorer in You, a travel blog dedicated to helping people realize their travel goals and explore with compassion. Host of the Explorer in You podcast, she shares meaningful conversations, helpful tips, tools, and knowledge that will inspire you to explore.