Why We Wander (The Wandering Scholar)
Explore every episode of Why We Wander
Dive into the complete episode list for Why We Wander. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb 2022 | Episode 62: Do Tourist Traps Get a Bad Rap? | 00:42:08 | |
It seems like every piece of travel advice we come across these days tells us to avoid the dreaded "tourist trap." But what's so bad about these sorts of places? And why are we so dismissive of them? In this episode, Shannon and Tamara try to get to the bottom of it, and offer up a more flexible set of rules for having the best travel experience possible. | |||
| 19 Jul 2021 | Episode 55: The New Rules of Tourism | 00:28:53 | |
In this episode, Tamara and Shannon talk about the new rules of tourism. After world-famous cities like Amsterdam got a taste during the pandemic of what life was like without tourists looking to get high, visit the Red Light District during Stag (Bachelor) parties, and sometimes even treat their town like one giant public restroom, they want a fresh start now that tourists are starting to return. Instead of revelers they want art lovers and foodies. Will it work? Will other cities follow suit? | |||
| 20 Jun 2022 | Souvenir: Teachers and Travel | 00:52:46 | |
This week we revisit one of our episodes about teachers and travel. We take a look at all the ways teachers use travel, from expanding the boundaries of the classroom and developing their own skills, to - as our guest Cheria Funches of Black Teachers Travel puts it - engaging in self care. For more on the topics we cover in this episode, check out: https://www.teachingtraveling.com https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandratalty/2019/04/30/from-jobless-to-jetset-the-37-year-old-traveling-the-world-on-a-teachers-salary/#448c445b1875 https://www.inquirer.com/news/nj-amistad-journey-curriculum-black-history-teachers-learning-20191108.html And to learn more about Cheria's work, visit: https://www.blackteacherstravel.com | |||
| 04 Jul 2021 | Episode 54: All Things Iceland with Jewells Chambers | 00:51:02 | |
In this episode, Tamara chats with Jewells Chambers, founder of All Things Iceland (a multi-platform destination for learning about Icelandic culture, history, and nature). They talk about Jewells' most formative travel experiences, the love story that took her to Iceland, what it's like to be a Black person there, and balancing family ties with a sense of wanderlust. | |||
| 04 Mar 2022 | Episode 63: Travel Tropes to Toss, Keep, and Rethink | 00:32:19 | |
In this episode we talk about overused travel tropes. Which ones do we need to toss out (hint: it ends with "-moon")? Which ones are worth keeping, or perhaps rethinking for the way we live and travel now? For more on the topics we discuss in this episode, check out: https://www.travelpulse.com/opinions/column/its-time-to-rethink-these-overused-travel-tropes.html
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| 12 Dec 2021 | Episode 58: The Roads We've Been Traveling | 00:43:00 | |
Tamara and Shannon are back! In this episode, they talk about the roads they've been traveling, what it's like becoming a regular in new places, the joy of cooking in Sabbatical Homes, and whether they see themselves as travel experts, expert travelers, or some combination of the two. | |||
| 23 May 2021 | Episode 51: Traveling Is "When We Feel Most Alive" | 00:19:46 | |
In our last episode, Shannon and Tamara talked about the place of travel in their lives and why it matters so much to them that they built a non-profit and podcast around it. The conversation made them wonder what some of their previous guests had to say about the importance of travel, so they reached out. This episode brings their insights to you. You'll hear from Janina Klimas (Episode 39: "Learning Languages at Home and for the Future") about the life-changing magic of global citizenship, from Melissa Creary (Episode 14: "Travel and Chronic Illness") about getting intentionally lost, from Elisa Jéhanno (Episode 42: "You Can Still Visit Paris") about opening your mind and heart, from Ashley Rose Young (Episode 48) about fostering awe and wonder, and from Alison and Don (Episode 13: "Retirement Travel") about feeling alive. | |||
| 29 May 2022 | Souvenir: Retirement Travel | 01:11:34 | |
We continue with our trip down memory lane by revisiting our conversation with Alison and Don, a couple who set out on a trip around the world in their sixties. We talk about why they decided to do it, the lessons they learned on the road, and what advice they have for couples who want to travel together without drifting apart. | |||
| 14 Oct 2021 | Episode 56: A Student Searches for Haiti and Herself | 00:16:05 | |
We had a busy summer at the podcast and at The Wandering Scholar, despite the unusual circumstances surrounding all of us right now. Normally we’d be giving you updates from our students about their trips abroad with one of our travel partners, but obviously that wasn’t possible for us this year. And so we had to get creative. In place of our usual program, we launched a new storytelling initiative for travel-loving and travel-curious high-school and college students. Whether they had a passport already dotted with stamps or they were yet to embark on their first international flight, we asked young people to tell us “Why I Wander.” One such young person was a student named Laniyah. While working on this episode with Laniyah, we got to witness how something as intuitive as asking a set of questions can lead to a meaningful personal narrative. Whether you’re also a student, traveler, storyteller, or all of the above, it’s an important lesson in seeing what happens when we remain curious about where we come from, where we currently find ourselves, and where we feel drawn to go. | |||
| 06 Jun 2021 | Episode 52: Road Trips, College Towns and Vanlife | 00:36:02 | |
It's almost summer which means road trip time for many people who are seeking a little adventure as restrictions ease up around the U.S. In this episode Tamara and Shannon catch up about Tamara's recent road trip over Memorial Day weekend from Toronto to Colorado. They circle back to the topic of vaccine tourism, Tamara shares why she chose to stay in college towns, and Shannon tells two #vanlife stories. Listen in and let us know if you agree which with what makes a road trip a road trip. In this episode: "Traveling While Black: The Green Book’s Black History" - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/25/opinion/green-book-black-travel.html
Hall Pass Promotion from Graduate Hotels - https://www.graduatehotels.com/hall-pass/terms-conditions/
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| 09 May 2021 | Episode 50: What Is It about Travel? | 00:30:49 | |
For our 50th episode, Shannon and Tamara drill down to the essence of our show to ask: what is it about travel that nourishes us, defines our sense of self, and - in some cases - even makes us go crazy at the thought of living without it? | |||
| 29 Oct 2021 | Episode 57: What We Never Travel Without | 00:32:59 | |
It has been a while since the last episode we recorded together. We’ve got a bunch of ideas of topics we want to cover this fall and winter on Why We Wander but we thought we’d ease back into things with a fun thought experiment inspired by a recent article in Conde Nast Traveler titled “Why I never travel without a white button down shirt.” Tamara and Shannon muse about the things we pack, from favorite clothing items and travel essentials to the sentimental objects we pack to remind us of home or bring home to keep our travel memories alive. In this episode: "Why I Never Travel Without a White Button-Down Shirt," Rebekah Peppler, Conde Nast Travel | |||
| 20 Jan 2022 | Episode 60: New Year, Old Problems | 00:29:29 | |
In this episode we talk about how we've started out the new year aware of the old problems related to traveling in our current reality. At the same time, that awareness has forced us to become travel and destination experts in ways we're trying to embrace. | |||
| 15 May 2022 | Souvenir/Postcard: Travel with Kids | 00:48:01 | |
Now that summer travel season is kicking back into gear for the first time in years, we thought we’d dig through our archives to bring you some early, pre-pandemic podcast content to stoke your nostalgia and wanderlust. We’re calling this series “souvenirs,” as a reminder of where we’ve been and how lucky we’ve been to be able to wander the earth and share our stories with you. First up is our episode on the idea of traveling with kids. What makes it so hard to plan? What makes for a meaningful trip that still has something fun for everyone? | |||
| 21 Jun 2021 | Episode 53: A Conversation with Danielle G. from Young, Gifted and Abroad | 00:47:07 | |
In this episode, Shannon and Tamara chat with Danielle G., host of the podcast Young, Gifted, and Abroad (https://www.younggiftedandabroad.com/), which had its debut on Juneteenth in 2018. We asked her about her earliest international experiences, whether she prefers standing out or blending in when she travels, and why it's so important for BIPOC travelers to talk about both the highs and the lows of study abroad.
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| 02 Feb 2022 | Episode 61: What Does it Mean to be Well Traveled? | 00:26:30 | |
In this episode Shannon and Tamara tackle a pressing question: what does it mean to be well traveled? Is it about the number of stamps on your passport or a slightly more complex formula? Also, join us as we end up dissecting the most expensive, luxurious, and downright outrageous trip offering we've ever come across: Four Seasons Private Jet Excurions (https://www.fourseasons.com/privatejet/). | |||
| 26 Dec 2021 | Episode 59: A Report from the 2021 Travel Field | 00:26:10 | |
When we started working on this week's episode with Angela, our de facto travel correspondent, the new variant hadn't yet made the news or an impact on the travel industry. So the specifics of the experience she describes reflect a different moment than the one we're currently in. But there is something valuable in realizing that, when it comes to travel in these times, everything can - and most likely will - change in an instant. | |||
| 10 Apr 2022 | Episode 64: Travel Hacks & Shifting Guidelines | 00:35:44 | |
In this episode Shannon and Tamara talk about one of the enduring challenges when it comes to traveling to Europe - flights that land hours (and hours) before we can check into our accomodations - and a genius workaround that helps get everyone off to a fresh start. They also commisserate about the challenge of keeping track of all the shifting guidelines, which can make for confusing and conflicting experiences even in the space of a single airport. | |||
| 14 Mar 2021 | Episode 46: Talking with Dr. Kiona - How Not To Travel | 01:06:43 | |
In this episode we talk with Dr. Kiona, an online educator and founder of How Not To Travel Like A Basic Bitch. She blends travel with accessible learning by spotlighting different cultures, uplifting marginalized voices, and inspiring her audience to travel mindfully. She also hosts How Not To Travel, a biweekly podcast, curates monthly education trips to Cuba, and works alongside local populations on income-generating projects, which you’ll hear more about in this episode. We talk to her about all of these ventures, as well as what it means to travel mindfully, what it’s like to be an online educator on social media, and her advice for travel-curious students. Dr. Kiona's Website: https://hownottotravellikeabasicbitch.com Dr. Kiona's Instagram Page @hownottotravellikeabasicbitch https://www.instagram.com/hownottotravellikeabasicbitch/ Dr. Kiona's Podcast How Not to Travel: https://ochentastudio.com/how-not-to-travel-podcast Dr. Kiona's forthcoming film, Barrio Chino: https://www.instagram.com/barriochinofilm/ | |||
| 28 Mar 2021 | Episode 47: Food & Travel | 00:46:04 | |
As we round out a year of no travel, we are all continuing to find ways to stay connected to the world around us. In this episode, that means through our stomachs! Food, for many, is reason enough to hop on an airplane. And while some of us are lucky enough to live where you can have shakshuka for breakfast, banh mi for lunch and mole for dinner, nothing can compare to the moment you discover a new dish in a new place - or can it? We've also rounded up some links related to topics covered in this episode. To learn more about the history of Brazilian Acarajé, the street food popularized by Afro-Bahian women that Tamara mentions, check out: https://blog.amigofoods.com/index.php/brazilian-foods/brazils-acaraje-dish/ We also talk about diversity in the travel and food programming world. Shannon gives a shout out to Samin Nosrat's "Salt Fat Acid Heat" series (https://www.saltfatacidheat.com/)for bringing a much-needed female perspective to the landscape, and Tamara credits a show called "Late Night Eats," which is hosted by Jordan Andino, for introducing her to one of her new favorite restaurants in Toronto (https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/late-nite-eats/blog/the-best-late-night-eats-in-toronto/) | |||
| 11 Apr 2021 | Episode 48: Markets, Street Vendors & Food Travel with a Smithsonian Food Historian | 01:01:52 | |
In this episode we explore the intersection of travel, history and food with food historian Ashley Rose Young, PhD. Dr. Young joined the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 2017 as the Historian of the American Food History Project. In January 2021, Britannica recognized Young as one of the “20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future” in the category of Academia and Ideas for her work with the Smithsonian and her scholarly research. We discuss the meaning of culinary diplomacy; how paying attention to the way food plays a role in society helps you understand cultural, socioeconomic, and political influences of a region; and explore the ever-evolving role of street markets across the globe. We've also rounded up some links related to topics covered in this episode. For more on Dr. Young's background and research, check out: https://ashleyroseyoung.com/ And if you'd like to see her work in action through the Smithsonian's "Cooking up History" program, a free virtual series in which Dr. Young and a guest chef prepare a recipe and talk about the history and traditions behind it, visit: https://americanhistory.si.edu/topics/food/pages/cooking-history | |||
| 25 Apr 2021 | Episode 49: Revenge Travel, Why We’re Not That Into It | 00:24:26 | |
In this episode Tamara and Shannon explore the travel trends that are taking over our newsfeed from revenge travel to regenerative travel and everything in between. We talk about what concepts are resonating with us at a personal level and which ones we’d prefer to leave on the cutting room floor. With some countries accelerating vaccinations while much of the world is still in the throes of the pandemic, where does it leave the average wanderluster? We consider a path forward of incorporating an element of intentionality with our travel decisions. We invite all our listeners to sign up for one of our intentional travel online workshops. On May 8th we will be discussing family travel, followed by Intentional Group Travel and Voluntourism on May 22 and Intentional Travel Influencing on June 26. Find out more at thewanderingscholar.org/intentional-travel | |||
| 03 Feb 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 1: Overtourism and Voluntourism with Gabriel Duncan | 01:04:11 | |
In our first-ever episode of Why We Wander, we bring you a discussion of overturism and voluntourism in a segment called What We’re Thinking About. And we follow that up with an interview with Gabriel Duncan from Walking Tree Travel. To read more on the topics we cover in this episode, check out: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/08/travel/vounteer-vacation-project-voluntourism.html https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/23/opinion/development-volunteer-children-abroad.html https://globalreports.columbia.edu/blog/2017/01/universities-take-stand-voluntourism/ https://www.economist.com/international/2018/10/27/the-backlash-against-overtourism https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-other-side-of-venices-overtourism-problem | |||
| 23 Jan 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 2: Study Abroad with Natalie Jesionka | 01:22:17 | |
This episode, we bring you a discussion of the risks and rewards of studying - or not studying - abroad in our What We’re Thinking About segment. Then we interview Natalie Jesionka about Global Elective, her initiative to encourage ethical travelers of all ages and incomes to go out into the world. To read more on the topics we cover in this episode, check out: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/colleges-universities/what-i-regret-not-doing-in-college https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/25/self-made-millionaire-millennials-dont-travel-yet.html http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20181107-the-baby-boomers-taking-a-golden-gap-year | |||
| 13 Feb 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 3 (Postcard): Gender, Age and Travel | 00:35:51 | |
From time to time we will bring you shorter, “postcard” episodes of the podcast. For this one, we talk about how gender and age shape our travel experiences, and answer a listener question about encountering sexism while traveling. | |||
| 21 Feb 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 4: Controversial Travel with Trevor Wallace | 01:05:55 | |
In this episode, we talk about travel to those places we are discouraged - or even forbidden - from visiting, what makes people go there anyway, and what happens when they arrive. We also talk with filmmaker and Explorers’ Club member Trevor Wallace (https://www.theworldwidewallace.com), about his experiences in the arctic and beyond. To read more on the topics we cover in this episode, check out: -How I Got Stranded in Cuba During a Forbidden Visit, Far and Wide https://www.farandwide.com/s/stranded-cuba-424b4c31ca8242a0 -North Sentinel Island tribespeople believed to have killed trespassing US 'missionary', CNN https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/21/asia/andaman-nicobar-us-missionary-killed-intl/index.html -Isolated Tribe Kills American With Bow and Arrow on Remote Indian Island, NY Times https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/21/world/asia/american-killed-andaman-island-tribe.html -The white man’s blunders of ‘explorer’ Benedict Allen feed racist myths, The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/17/benedict-allen-explorer-racist-british-colonial | |||
| 27 Feb 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 5 (Postcard): Frugal Travel | 00:35:55 | |
For this postcard episode, we talk about frugal travel: what it means, how it changes us, and why everyone should plan a trip like a frugal traveler. We also take a question from a listener about planning a group trip while on different budgets. | |||
| 07 Mar 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 6: Wellness Travel with Naaya Wellness Founder Sinikiwe Dhliwayo | 01:14:23 | |
In this episode, we talk about Wellness Travel, which is shaping up to be the fastest-growing travel sector. We’ll cover what it actually is, what the trends are in this arena, and talk to Sinikiwe Dhliwayo of Naaya Wellness about democratizing the wellness industry. To read more on the topics we cover in this episode, check out: Wellness Travel Trends, Refinery 29 https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2018/11/216601/wellness-travel-trends-2010 Outpatients, The Astonishing New World of Medical Tourism https://globalreports.columbia.edu/books/outpatients/ Introducing A New Women-Only Health Retreat, Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/bridgetarsenault/2018/11/13/introducing-a-new-women-only-health-retreat/#4d6c588d2520 8 Influencers Making the Wellness World More Inclusive, Self https://www.self.com/story/influencers-making-wellness-more-inclusive | |||
| 14 Mar 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 7 (Postcard): Travel With Kids | 00:48:35 | |
In this episode, we talk about traveling with kids. We cover everything from choosing the right destinations at the right age, to instilling kids with a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to see the world. We also answer a listener question about making sure traveling with kids is as enjoyable and relaxing for parents as possible. | |||
| 29 Mar 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 8: Heritage Travel with Soul Society 101 Founder Rondel Holder | 01:01:42 | |
In this episode, we talk about Heritage Travel. We tackle what it means to retrace your roots through travel, whether that be returning to a country your parent emigrated from, walking on the land your ancestors lived centuries before, or discovering your own birthplace for the first time. We also interview Rondel Holder, a travel blogger, documentarian, and founder of Soul Society 101 (www.soulsociety101.com), who gives us his take on these issues. To read more on the topics we cover in this episode, check out: Why a Generation of Adoptees is Returning to South Korea https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/18/magazine/why-a-generation-of-adoptees-is-returning-to-south-korea.html African Americans Moving to Africa https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/african-americans-moving-africa-180116092736345.html Take a DNA Test, Then Buy an Airplane Ticket https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/22/travel/ancestry-dna-test-travel.html Rondel Holder's Trip to Trace His Roots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpMsvc2_fXY | |||
| 05 Apr 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 9 (Postcard): Travel as a Resume Booster, College Admissions and Beyond | 00:24:04 | |
In this postcard episode, in light of the recent college admissions scandal, we discuss how travel can be a resume booster for college applications and beyond. For years, wealthy families have used travel to boost their children’s profiles when it’s time to apply to college, but how does that play out for families who can’t afford such opportunities? We talk about that, give some insight into the work we do at The Wandering Scholar to close that particular opportunity gap and encourage our listeners to think about ways to do the same. | |||
| 13 Apr 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 10 (Postcard): Girls' Trips | 00:33:04 | |
This week we have girls' trips on our minds. Tamara just got back from a trip to Montreal and Shannon will be leaving in a couple of days for a girls trip to New Mexico. So we thought we’d do a special installation of postcards to talk about girls trips in general, why they're important to your mental and physical health, how they come about, and what you can do to make them memorable. | |||
| 26 Apr 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 11: LGBTQ Travel with Travels of Adam Blogger, Adam Groffman | 00:47:09 | |
This week we interview travel blogger Adam Groffman (https://travelsofadam.com/) to discuss LGBTQ travel. We talk about how concerns for safety and a desire for community may guide where to travel, the role influencers and apps play in this arena, and advice for young people studying abroad. We also talk about how travel can play a complex role as a safe space or safety concern depending on where you call home. To read more on the topics we cover in this episode, check out: George Clooney: Boycott Sultan Of Brunei’s Hotels Over Cruel Anti-Gay Laws (https://deadline.com/2019/03/george-clooney-sultain-of-brunei-hotels-boycott-beverly-hills-hotel-anti-gay-laws-brunei-1202584579/) How to travel the world safely (https://www.marketwatch.com/story/celebrities-boycott-hotels-in-wake-of-bruneis-anti-gay-law-how-to-travel-the-world-safely-2019-04-08) Bill Maher Criticizes George Clooney’s Boycott of Brunei Hotels on ‘Real Time’, Hollywood Reporter (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/real-time-bill-maher-weighs-george-clooneys-boycott-brunei-hotels-1198336) The Refugee and The Thief, New Yorker (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/01/egyptian-refugee) | |||
| 11 May 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 12 (Postcard): Honeymoons | 00:42:20 | |
With wedding season just around the corner, we’ve been thinking about honeymoons. So today we’ll talk about where the concept came from, what the new trends are in this part of the travel landscape, and give some advice about where to go and how to make it special. | |||
| 14 Jun 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 13: Retirement Travel with Alison and Don | 01:12:05 | |
In this episode we interview Alison and Don (www.alisonanddon.com), a couple who set out on a trip around the world in their sixties. We talk about why they decided to do it, the lessons they learned on the road, and what advice they have for couples who want to travel together without drifting apart. | |||
| 21 Jun 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 14: Travel and Chronic Illness with Melissa Creary | 01:01:10 | |
In this episode we interview Melissa Creary (www.melissacreary.com), a professor of public health who studies - and lives with - sickle cell anemia. We discuss the challenges she’s faced while traveling for research, and get her advice on how to care for yourself or be a supportive travel partner for someone who has a chronic illness. We also explore how the travel industry can better meet the needs of travelers with chronic illnesses and invisible disabilities. Further reading and resources: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/mar/27/travellers-with-disabilities-tell-their-stories-improve-accessibility http://scinfo.org | |||
| 02 Jul 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 15 (Postcard): Tourists | 00:44:56 | |
With summer travel season upon us, we wanted to talk about something that we will all experience at some point in our lives, and that’s being a tourist. In this postcard episode we cover the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of playing that role, and take a listener question on the same subject. For more on the topics we discuss in this episode, check out: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/grockle-gringo-guiri-worst-tourists/ https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/the-ugly-tourist-and-how-not-to-be-one https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/10/travel/venice-treviso-overtourism.html | |||
| 27 Jul 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 16: Creativity & Expat Life with Author Juliette Sobanet | 00:42:04 | |
In this episode, we talk with Juliette Sobanet (https://www.juliettesobanet.com/), author of several books including the novel Kissed in Paris and the memoir, Meet Me in Paris. We touch on everything from love stories about places, the fantasy vs. reality of moving abroad, and the relationship between location and creativity. | |||
| 02 Aug 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 17(Postcard): Class and Travel | 00:39:35 | |
In this postcard episode we respond to feedback from a dedicated listener on the topic of class and travel. We talk about the way class shapes the places we go, what we do (or don’t do) while we’re there, and how we talk about it in general. Further Reading: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/06/crowds-tourists-are-ruining-popular-destinations/590767/ https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/prepare-for-another-summer-of-overtourism-1.1270554 https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/how-deep-travel-can-help-you-get-more-out-your-ncna1030386 https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/travel/vacation-decolonize-radical-travel-better-guest-20190520 http://gringotrails.com/ | |||
| 06 Sep 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 18 (Postcard): Flight Shame/"Flygskam" | 00:28:03 | |
In this postcard episode we talk about flight shaming, which seems to be everywhere in the news these days. We talk about the origins of this phenomenon, what it means for mindful travelers like you, how thought leaders and industry giants are reacting to this trend, and we take a listener question. Further Reading: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/flygskam-anti-flying-flight-shaming-sweden-greta-thornberg-environment-air-travel-train-brag-a8945196.html https://www.travalyst.org/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/24/can-you-really-make-your-flight-carbon-neutral-harry-meghan-elton-john-carbon-offset https://www.royal.uk/duke-sussexs-speech-launch-travalyst-amsterdam https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/jun/13/following-greta-joining-the-swedes-on-their-no-fly-holidays | |||
| 14 Sep 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 19: Our 2019 Wandering Scholars | 00:26:36 | |
In this episode, we chat with 2019 Wandering Scholars Angela and Ezeah, who traveled to Peru and Senegal this summer with our partners at Where There Be Dragons. We talk about their trip highlights and snafus, communicating with host families when you don't speak the language, the best things they ate, and how they are incorporating the best lessons from their trips into their everyday lives. To learn more about the work we do at The Wandering Scholar, check out our website at: www.thewanderingscholar.org. If you or your company/organization are interested in working or partnering with us, please send email us at info at thewanderingscholar dot org. | |||
| 23 Sep 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 20: Travel as a Kid | 00:32:35 | |
In this episode we revisit one of our more popular topics, kids and travel, but we flip the script a bit. Last time we spoke with Angela a member of our board at the Wandering Scholar who has been traveling internationally with her son since we was a toddler. Since they were traveling yet again this summer, we thought we’d take the opportunity to speak with her son Alexander to hear his perspective on traveling as a kid. Alexander joined us by Whats App from Portugal where he was traveling with his mom and grandmother. We discuss the merits of food tours and cooking classes, his favorite methods for documenting his trips, and Alexander shares some great advice for other young travelers. | |||
| 04 Oct 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 21: Travel and Language with Fluent City | 00:33:16 | |
This week we discuss language learning. We sit down with Jessica Vollman CEO of Fluent City, a language school with in person and online programs offering instruction in 11 languages to individuals, groups and companies. We discuss their data driven approach to teaching languages, cover the new technologies out there to help travelers when they don’t speak the language and discuss the importance of not relying solely on technology in favor of good old fashioned person to person practice. Further Reading: https://www.theweek.co.uk/103007/how-translation-technology-could-change-the-world https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmacdonald/2019/09/01/how-k-pop-and-k-drama-made-learning-korean-cool/#3ca96adb49bf | |||
| 16 Oct 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 22 (Postcard) Off Season Travel | 00:26:20 | |
It’s October and officially fall in our part of the world. So we thought we’d dedicate this postcard episode to talking about one of our favorite parts of fall, off season travel. We discuss what it is and how to benefit from it (and who most often benefits from it). We share some personal experiences of off season travel wins, and fails, and take a listener question. | |||
| 26 Oct 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 23: Planning a Trip with Susan Ho, Founder of Journy | 00:50:44 | |
In this episode we sit down with Susan Ho, founder of Journy a travel planning service that pairs travelers 1-on-1 with their own personal trip designer creating custom itineraries all tailored to a traveler's unique preferences. We talk about the different ways we go about planning trips and the evolving role that travel agents (or travel advisors as they are now called) play in the process. We explore how we navigate the glut of review sites, sort through the dizzying results from airfare search engines and when to turn things over to an expert: whether that be in the form of a travel agent or old school guidebook. Further Reading and Resources: https://www.gojourny.com https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/10/08/lifestyle/agents-change-internet-didnt-replace-travel-advisers-not-by-long-shot/ https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/sep/22/thomas-cook-in-last-ditch-talks-to-avoid-collapse | |||
| 12 Nov 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 24 (Postcard) Holiday Travel | 00:31:34 | |
With the holidays approaching, we are thinking, of course, about holiday travel. Not just traveling home to see family, but traveling to vacation destinations. In this episode we talk about the pros and cons of different types of holiday travel. We’ll help you figure out the best way to keep your sanity if you’re traveling to see family, and to keep a sense of tradition alive if you’re going to the beach or a new city. | |||
| 14 Dec 2019 | Why We Wander Episode 25: Teachers and Travel | 00:53:28 | |
In this episode, we talk about teachers and travel. We take a look at all the ways teachers use travel, from expanding the boundaries of the classroom and developing their own skills, to - as our guest Cheria Funches of Black Teachers Travel puts it - engaging in self care. For more on the topics we cover in this episode, see: https://www.teachingtraveling.com https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandratalty/2019/04/30/from-jobless-to-jetset-the-37-year-old-traveling-the-world-on-a-teachers-salary/#448c445b1875 https://www.inquirer.com/news/nj-amistad-journey-curriculum-black-history-teachers-learning-20191108.html And to learn more about Cheria's work, visit: https://www.blackteacherstravel.com | |||
| 06 Jan 2020 | Why We Wander Episode 26 (Postcard): Travel Scams | 00:37:50 | |
In this postcard episode Tamara and Shannon talk about the trials and tribulations of falling victim to travel scams, both harmless and trip threatening, and also discuss times when we’ve simply been sorely disappointed when the reality doesn’t match the artfully edited photos we saw online. We help you figure out the best way to spot a scam before you become the next target and how to insulate yourself from these frustrating disappointments. We also answer a question about what to do when your travel partner’s fear of being scammed gets in the way of their enjoyment of a trip. | |||
| 14 Feb 2020 | Why We Wander Episode 27: Museum Travel | 00:57:36 | |
This episode is about museums and travel. We’ll talk about the different ways museum visits can fit into travel experiences, and vice versa. We chat with Emily Clarke, a museum professional at the early stages of her career who uses social media to explore museums, galleries and heritage sites across the UK & Europe. She shares some great advice for making museums a part of every travel experience. | |||
| 22 Feb 2020 | Why We Wander Ep. 28 (Travel Fantasies) Flight Passes | 00:25:00 | |
We are introducing a new feature called Travel Fantasies. We take a news story - about airline promos, trends in the travel industry, updates from the world of luxury travel etc. and use it as a starting point for a thought experiment. This episode’s fantasy comes thanks to an article about a 3 month flight pass. We wrote our own set of rules: you can either travel for three months all at once, or take a series of shorter trips over a three-month period. And you can go anywhere in the world. Further Reading: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-flair-offers-700-unlimited-travel-pass-as-budget-airline-competition/ | |||
| 20 Mar 2020 | Why We Wander Episode 29: Travel and COVID-19 | 00:31:19 | |
In this episode, we talk about something that is on everyone’s minds: travel and the coronavirus. We’ll talk about how it has interrupted vacation plans, inspired fear and panic over travel, and in some cases gotten people even more excited to hit the road. As this is a developing public health situation, we want to make it clear to our listeners that the purpose of this episode is not to provide travel or health recommendations for others, but to share our own personal experiences and decision making processes, and generally commiserate about a shared experience. Further Reading: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/12/20/xennials-millennials-generation-x-microgeneration/2369230002/ | |||
| 30 Mar 2020 | Episode 30: Study Abroad and Coronavirus | 00:35:57 | |
In this episode, we continue our discussion of the impact of the coronavirus on travel. Last week we talked about the vacations we decided not to take with our families, and how much our stories were reflected in similar kinds of media coverage. But the focus on vacationers has left out a big segment of the traveling population, from business travelers to those people doing something that is close to our hearts here at The Wandering Scholar, and that’s studying abroad. So it's with the latter in mind that we bring you an interview with a student who was on a trip of a lifetime, only to have it cut short. | |||
| 05 Apr 2020 | Episode 31: COVID-19 Escape Artists | 00:30:43 | |
In this episode (record date: Thursday, April 2), we continue our coverage of the relationship between travel and the coronavirus. While any significant travel, beyond the big trip from our couch to the kitchen, in this new world of COVID-19 feels like a distant dream, there has still been a lot of talk and debate about interstate travel. Especially in the Northeast of the U.S. where areas like New York City are being whalloped by the pandemic, New Yorkers with second homes in less-populated destinations like the Hamptons, upstate New York, and the beach towns of New England are jumping ship for roomier digs and fresh air. But does this go against the shelter in place order and quarantine advisory for New Yorkers? And what are year round residents of these often small towns to make of this? Further Reading: - https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/dont-even-think-about-leaving-new-york-city/608884/ - https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/as-the-coronavirus-ravages-the-city-where-should-a-good-new-yorker-be - https://jezebel.com/influencers-are-social-distancing-by-ignoring-lockdown-1842560076 - https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemcneal/an-influencer-is-getting-tons-of-hate-online-for-fleeing - https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/48577/1/influencer-tested-positive-covid-19-arielle-charnas-instagram-coronavirus | |||
| 07 May 2020 | Episode 32: Quarantine Travel Fantasies | 00:30:45 | |
In this installment of our Travel Fantasies series, we let our minds wander away from the realities we are all facing. We’ve all been cooped up in our homes for quite some time now, watching as spring and summer plans get cancelled as the world struggles in the face of a global pandemic. So we want to indulge a little bit, and asked some listeners to do the same. For more on some of the topics we cover in the episode, see: Jardins de Quatre-Vents: https://cepas.qc.ca/jardins-quatre-vents/ Flour Bakery's famous egg & cheese sandwich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ7DHE3MpOo David Lebovitz's socca recipe: https://www.davidlebovitz.com/socca-enfin/ Online card games: https://www.trickstercards.com | |||
| 20 May 2020 | Episode 33: Escaping While Safer At Home | 00:46:20 | |
In our last episode we focused on the realm of fantasy, dreaming up where we would go, who we would visit and even what we’d order for breakfast on our next trip outside our immediate homes and communities. But the reality is that most of us are still safer at home and big trips to far flung places won’t be happening very soon. So we thought we’d spend a little time sharing ways we and others are finding creative (and not so high brow) ways to escape the humdrum of work from home, eat from home, play from home life. Further Resources: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/04/27/a-michelin-starred-chefs-cooking-show-for-the-quarantined https://www.davidlebovitz.com/socca-enfin/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vb2f https://www.kennedy-center.org/mowillems https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5uIZ2KOZZeQDQo_Gsi_qbQ https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/05/01/getting-antsy-try-quarantine-bingo/ | |||
| 10 Aug 2020 | Episode 34: Beyond the Black Square | 00:51:26 | |
In this episode, we talk about how the travel industry is reckoning with issues of racial diversity and inclusion. The industry, to put it mildly, has had a long history of whitewashing travel. This applies to how destinations get marketed, the travelers whose stories get featured in publications, and even who travel companies work with to promote their products. Black travelers, travel writers, and influencers have been challenging these practices for years, but the ongoing protests and activism around the Black Lives Matter movement marked a kind of watershed moment. Back in June, on BlackoutTuesday, several travel companies posted Black Squares on their instagram feeds in solidarity with BLM. But as several people pointed out, the action seemed performative at best. One of those people was Tanisha Cherry, a blogger, influencer, and podcaster based in Canada, who we had a chance to speak with to hear her thoughts on the issue. For more on the topics we discuss in this episode, and to learn more about our guest, check out the following links: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/20/travel/travel-brands-black-lives-matter.html https://www.blacktravelalliance.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tanisha.cherry/ https://www.instagram.com/cherryloungepodcast/ | |||
| 11 Sep 2020 | Episode 35: Travel in the Time of COVID | 00:31:49 | |
In this episode, we talk about travel in the time of Covid. Shannon is away from the podcast for a little while, so I reached out to our friend Angela Moore to join me. She was one of the first people I knew to take a trip once stay-at-home orders were lifted this summer, so I had lots of questions for her. And even though we spoke in late July, the topic is especially timely considering how many more businesses and borders are starting to re-open, and how many people are taking advantage of the opportunity to get away. You’ve probably seen some of this in your news feeds and social media channels. People are taking short trips to nearby towns, hopping on flights to Mexico, the Caribbean, and even to parts of Europe. I’ve also noticed that tourism boards are starting to work with influencers again, which is a larger topic that we’ll get into in another episode. For now it’s worth pointing out that, from the looks of what some folks are doing, you’d think we’re not still in the middle of a deadly pandemic. But we very much are, which means that there are some real logistical and ethical considerations to weigh when it comes to travel. And that’s exactly what Angela and I got into. For more on the topics covered in this episode, check out the following links: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/scourge-hygiene-theater/614599/ https://www.traveloffpath.com/dominican-republic-battles-for-tourists-head-on-with-mexico/ | |||
| 03 Oct 2020 | Episode 36: Getting Away but Not Escaping | 00:59:23 | |
This episode continues our ongoing coverage of travel in the time of covid. We are about 7 months into the pandemic at this point, (or maybe even 10, depending on how you count), and in that time, we have gone from complete lockdowns and lockouts, to the gradual re-opening of borders to travelers. Americans are still being barred from entering most parts of the world, but some places - like Mexico and the Caribbean - are rolling out the welcome mat to US travelers. These are complicated issues for travelers and destinations alike, and when I learned that my friend Brandon was planning to travel to Aruba with his husband, I knew that I wanted to ask him all about it when he got back. I was also curious to know how a trip like that compared to traveling closer to home in these times. Because my other friend, Leslie, has done a fair amount of local travel these past few months, I brought the two of them together to share and reflect on their experiences. One thing that stood out in our conversation was how the idea of getting away has taken on a different meaning lately, not just because of the omnipresence of the coronavirus, but also because, for some of us, it’s never really possible to escape certain realities. Take a listen. | |||
| 09 Dec 2020 | Episode 37: The Future Of Student Travel | 00:47:35 | |
We are back! In this episode, we talk with Reed Harwood of Where There Be Dragons, a Colorado-based company whose mission is to cultivate meaningful connections through immersive and responsible travel. We asked him about the impact of COVID-19 on the student travel landscape, and what he thinks the future holds for the industry. For more on Where There Be Dragons and the topics we discuss, check out: https://www.wheretherebedragons.com/ and http://learningservice.info/book/ | |||
| 17 Dec 2020 | Episode 38: Learning Languages at Home and for the Future | 00:40:23 | |
In this episode, Tamara talks with Janina Klimas, a language teacher and expert on all things related to feeling confident speaking foreign languages. If you’re wondering how you’ll get through another winter in quarantine, Janina has tips for reading books, listening to podcasts, and finding fun and effective ways to build your vocabulary and fluency from the comfort of your own home. And now that we’re all getting closer to being vaccinated and getting to travel again, she also has advice for making any trip an opportunity for in-depth language immersion. For more from Janina, check out: http://reallifelanguage.com/reallifelanguageblog/ https://www.instagram.com/reallifelanguage/?hl=en | |||
| 24 Dec 2020 | Episode 39: Race and Travel | 01:01:36 | |
This week’s episode is a two-part exploration of race and travel. In Part one, Shannon and Tamara chat with Susan Ho, a travel company founder who we first spoke to in Episode 23. And in part two, Tamara talks with friend of the podcast Angela Moore - who you first heard from in our popular episode about kids and travel, and who appeared more recently for Episode 35. Episode notes for Part 1, with Susan Ho: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3005360/asians-who-travel-and-racial-stereotypes-follow-asian Also, Susan’s travel company, Journy, is still active during COVID-19, but right now by way of offering live, interactive video experiences with their experts in travel, hospitality and wellness at: https://experiences.gojourny.com/journyonline/?utm_medium=Content&utm_source=Homepage&utm_campaign=journy_your_way Episode notes for Part 2, with Angela Moore: https://soundcloud.com/user-88865630/why-we-wander-episode-34-beyond-the-black-square https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/opinion/sunday/black-america-racism-refugee.html https://fortune.com/2020/08/10/black-african-americans-leaving-us-moving-abroad-professionals-race-opportunity-careers/ (note: I mistakenly - and insistently! - referred to this in the episode as a “Forbes article") https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/08/30/black-us-diplomat-customs-border-protection-cbp-detained-harassed-325676 For our other episodes with Susan and Angela, check out: https://soundcloud.com/user-88865630/why-we-wander-episode-23-planning-a-trip-with-susan-ho-founder-of-journy https://soundcloud.com/user-88865630/why-we-wander-episode-7-postcard-travel-with-kids https://soundcloud.com/user-88865630/episode-35-travel-in-the-time-of-covid | |||
| 30 Dec 2020 | Episode 40: A Year (Mostly) without Travel: Reflections and Resolutions | 00:46:49 | |
In our 40th and final episode of 2020, Tamara and Shannon reflect on a year without travel (or at least much travel) and talk about what this coming year will look like for us personally and for the travel industry at large. We reminisce about the last places we traveled to pre-COVID, consider the closest we got to “getting away” during lockdown, share ways we’ve kept the spirit of wanderlust alive through gift giving and make some predictions for 2021. From window swaps to new bicycles, canceled flights to virtual cooking classes - 2020 wasn’t what anyone had imagined and frankly we’re glad it’s over, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some lessons learned and small victories (like Shannon’s inclusion in Accidentally Wes Anderson). Perhaps what is most exciting is what we have planned for 2021. We'll be launching a workshop series, Intentional Travel, covering different themes for mindful travelers. From Antiracist Travel to Intentional Travel Influencing; Intentional Family or Group Travel to Ethical Travel to the Caribbean and Mexico, we’ll explore these themes and more in an interactive, virtual setting, giving attendees the tools they desire to make the most of their travels in 2021. Sign up to find out more here: https://www.thewanderingscholar.org/intentional-travel As Discussed: Window Swap - https://www.window-swap.com Accidentally Wes Anderson - vhttps://accidentallywesanderson.com League of Kitchens - https://www.leagueofkitchens.com Ars Nova, Virtual Theater - https://arsnovanyc.com Tenement Museum (virtual) - https://www.tenement.org/virtual-experiences/ | |||
| 25 Jan 2021 | Episode 41: The Real Housewives of Travel | 01:11:59 | |
In this episode, Tamara talks with Brandon, a friend of the podcast who you last heard from him in episode 36 (https://soundcloud.com/user-88865630/ep-36-getting-away-but-not-escaping). In addition to loving to talk about travel, the two of us also love to talk about all things Real Housewives. So we got together to explore the intersection of those two topics: the places they go, the things they do while there, and what it’s like to watch it all unfold. We also touch on a more serious topic in this episode, which is the racially-motivated killing of Bakari Henderson while he was on vacation in Greece. For more on his family’s quest to bring his killers to justice, see: https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/05/parents-of-son-slain-in-greece-say-he-never-met-a-stranger/ Henderson’s family has also set up a scholarship fund that provides travel opportunities to families that have lost loved ones to violence. You can learn more and make a donation at: https://thebakarifoundation.org/ If you enjoy the podcast and the range of topics we cover, please check out our upcoming virtual workshop series titled Intentional Travel, which will run on a monthly basis starting January 30. For details and ticket info, check out: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intentional-travel-a-virtual-workshop-series-tickets-135083078123?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch | |||
| 01 Feb 2021 | Episode 42: You Can Still Visit Paris | 00:39:32 | |
In this episode, we talk with Elisa Jéhanno, a licensed tour guide in Paris who - it might surprise you - has been keeping very busy these past few months . We cover a range of topics, including the French licensing process, how she pivoted from in-person tours to virtual offerings, Parisians’ mixed feelings about having their city to themselves during the pandemic, and so much more. To learn more about Elisa, visit: https://www.elisaguideparis-en.com/ As Elisa notes in the interview, Google Arts & Culture has partnered with several museums around the world, making it possible to view high-resolution reproductions of some of your favorite art pieces from the comfort of your own home. Musée d’Orsay collection: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/musee-dorsay-paris The Louvre collection: https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/the-louvre/m04gdr?categoryId=place Still, these collections only scratch the surface of the museums' holdings. Be sure to listen to the episode so you can hear Elisa’s story about how far she went to fill in the gaps, and consider booking one of her private virtual tours! | |||
| 08 Feb 2021 | Episode 43: Vaccine Tourism | 00:38:27 | |
In this postcard episode Tamara and Shannon talk about what everyone is talking about: vaccine tourism. From out-of-staters crossing the border in Florida to international travel agencies marketing yet-to-be-available vaccination trips to New York City to wealthy elites, people are cutting lines left and right to get the vaccine. We talk about what this kind of travel means in the context of a pandemic as well as how it fits into the broader definition of medical tourism. What counts as vaccine tourism? Who are the winners and losers? We also talk about how the pandemic has put a finer point on thinking about not only where you are going, but more importantly where you are from and how our relationship to the pandemic can change based not only on what country you live in but even potentially what neighborhood or county you are from. We also look back on the first virtual workshop in our Intentional Travel series, and preview our next one, "Anti-Racist Travel," taking place on Saturday, February 27 from 3-5 pm. To sign up, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intentional-travel-a-virtual-workshop-series-tickets-135083078123 Resources and Reading Outpatients: The Astonishing New World of Medical Tourism: https://globalreports.columbia.edu/books/outpatients/ WFLA News Report on Florida’s Vaccine Tourism Problem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs-cF4Rkb9s&ab_channel=WFLANewsChannel8 Mexican TV Personality Juan Jose Origel’s Post on Traveling for the Vaccine https://twitter.com/Pepillo_Origel/status/1353146490659737601 The Wealthy Are Getting More Vaccinations, Even in Poorer Neighborhoods https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/02/health/white-people-covid-vaccines-minorities.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage A SoulCycle instructor got a vaccine for being an “educator.” Now she’s in trouble. https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22260964/soulcycle-stacey-griffith-vaccine-line-skipping | |||
| 17 Feb 2021 | Episode 44: Study Abroad Memories | 00:38:14 | |
If we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic, it would be study abroad season for high-school and college students around the US. In the spirit of nostalgia and with hope for a future of safely-opened borders, we decided to reflect on our own memories of studying abroad, and share some from our listeners, too. We also preview the second virtual workshop in our Intentional Travel series, “Anti-Racist Travel,” which will take place on Saturday, February 27 from 3-5 pm. To sign up, check out: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intentional-travel-a-virtual-workshop-series-tickets-135083078123 Thanks to Marie Martin and Dr. Chinyere Osuji, host of Getting Woke by Dr. Chi (https://anchor.fm/drchi), for allowing us to share their stories in this episode. | |||
| 22 Feb 2021 | Episode 45: "Emily In Paris" and the Travel Stories We Don't See | 00:46:00 | |
It's the run-up to the Golden Globes, and we have the surprise - and controversial - multi-nominee "Emily in Paris" on our minds. We talk about what we liked about the show, how we’d approach the story if we were in the writers’ room, and whether it’s possible to tell escapist stories about working and living abroad while staying grounded in reality. | |||
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