Ari Shaffir on Life as a Professional Comedian, Unfiltered Travel, and Embracing the Unexpected

What do you love about your home country? What do you think could be better? After moving to America in 2008, Anu began to notice how much more complicated and stressful things seemed to be in the States compared to her home country of Finland. Anu Partanen is a Finnish journalist and author of The Nordic Theory of Everything—In Search of a Better Life. The book shows how the Nordic way of doing things can give you more freedom to fulfill your desires, enjoy more travel, have better health, better education, and more opportunities. In this Greatest Hits episode, you'll hear some of her interesting perspectives and ideas surrounding these topics and gain insight into how your view of your home country shifts (for better and for worse) when you move to a new country. How have your views changed about your home country since traveling? I'd love to hear your thoughts, 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: The positives and negatives of Nordic and US society The value of blending different societal aspects and cultures The idea of socialism and her observations on family structure and the American Dream Why big government isn’t the best way to solve problems  The misconceptions with Nordic tax structures (and its real value) How adopting a Nordic healthcare and education system can alleviate stress and build a stronger society What makes the US a great place to live and why these changes wouldn’t take these things away How we can redefine success And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit Anu’s website Grab her book, The Nordic Theory of Everything Read American Amnesia Listen to the episode on Trekking in Patagonia Listen to Trekking Nepal: Your Adventure Guide - A Zero To Travel Podcast Series Want More? Cracking the Cultural Code, Ethical Travel To Indigenous Areas, & Life in Norway With Lorelou Desjardins Hitting Refresh on Your Life with Travel + How to Move to Europe Connecting Across Cultures w/ Tayo Rockson Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Babbel - Learn a new language with Babbel! Visit babbel.com/zerototravel to get up to 60% off your subscription.

6 Jun 20241h 11min

How can one simple concept or decision radically change your life? In 2017, Jen Ruiz set out to take 12 trips in 12 months before her 30th birthday while employed full-time as an attorney. By the end of the 12 months, she had taken 20 trips and discovered a new career path, empowering others to change their lives through travel. Jen is a five-time Amazon bestselling author, three-time TEDx speaker, and solo travel maven. Her new memoir, 12 Trips in 12 Months: Make Your Own Solo Travel Magic, documents this journey of what happened when she decided to stop waiting for others and start living for herself.  Jen and I talk all about solo travel and advice on traveling with a full-time job. She shares advice on self-publishing versus traditional publishing, how and when to make the transition to travel from a full-time job, how your perceived drawbacks can actually be your biggest benefits, and a ton more. What challenge can you set for yourself to make the most of your travels? I'd love to hear your thoughts and 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: Her journey of becoming an author and navigating publishing How she finds the balance in her personal and professional identity Why having a challenge can be exactly what you need to get from point A to point B Why choosing travel over responsibilities isn’t selfish Why she says being a content creator is an honor and insights on separating work and travel for aspiring content creators Advice on enhancing the solo travel experience and her favorite destinations for solo travelers How to decide when it’s time to take the leap from the “regular job” to pursue a passion or new lifestyle How she was able to travel with a full-time job Her best, seemingly counterintuitive travel advice Why it’s important to be flexible and adaptable to maintain your business and lifestyle And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit Jen’s website Grab a copy of her book, 12 Trips in 12 Months Follow Jen on Instagram and TikTok Follow 12 Trips in 12 Months on Instagram Want More? How a Quest Can Improve Your Life (And Travels), Metaphysics, Letting Go of Beliefs That No Longer Serve With Derek Loudermilk RV´ing Across America: A Quest To Visit All 50 States w/ Alyssa Padgett Listener Questions 7: Traveling With Debt, Knowing When To Quit Your Job, And Job Hopping For Travel Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Babbel - Learn a new language with Babbel! Visit babbel.com/zerototravel to get up to 60% off your subscription.

4 Jun 20241h 29min

What epic episodes are we dropping this month on the podcast? Listen in to this quick announcement and find out. What topics and themes do you want to hear about on the podcast? 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! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Babbel - Learn a new language with Babbel! Visit babbel.com/zerototravel to get up to 60% off your subscription.

31 Mai 20243min

Do you have a fear of flying or get stressed and anxious while you're traveling? In today’s Greatest Hits episode, you'll learn how to run your brain instead of letting your brain run you with Lawrence Leyton and Mark Wein, experts in overcoming the fear of flying. Through their work with the Fear of Flying TV show in the UK and easyJet's Fearless Flyer course, phobia expert Lawrence and ex-phobic Mark have helped thousands conquer their aviation anxieties.  Lawrence and Mark talk about their experience with the fear of flying and dig into the root cause of phobias. They share practical tips and strategies for conquering the fear of flying and managing anxiety during various travel situations. What piece of advice will you try next time you get travel anxiety? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes to highlight Mental Health Month! Zero To Travel episodes are timeless and provide valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: Insight into phobias and techniques and therapies for conquering fear Understanding the fear of flying and technical vs. psychological phobias The motivation behind fear and the relationship with panic attacks  The downsides of self-medicating How to combat anxiety by using knowledge and simple psychology  Their best advice for entrepreneurs And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit the Fearless-Flyer website Learn about the Fear Of Flying with easyJet Follow Fearless Flyer Course on Facebook Check out Lawrence’s website Want More? Potpourri Prat (Lifestyle Business, Experimenting, And Travel Fears) with Matt Giovanisci Listener Questions 6: Pre-Trip Fears, Selling Your Car, And Keeping Travel Awesome How To Conquer Fear Of Success Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Babbel - Learn a new language with Babbel! Visit babbel.com/zerototravel to get up to 60% off your subscription.

30 Mai 202453min

How does full-time travel impact your mental health? What happens when the novelty of full-time travel begins to wear off? Today, I’m joined by Will and Jessica Sueiro to talk about the rewards and challenges of living this lifestyle.  Will and Jessica Sueiro have been traveling full-time with their two kids for the last 10 years. They are the duo behind WorldTowning, which was started by their family and has since become a movement to empower others to explore and change the world through travel. Will and Jessica talk about the reality of full-time travel and the impact that it’s had on their children. They share their family’s journey with mental health, why travel isn’t a “cure-all,” and why self-care and therapy are critical for nomads. We also have a conversation around how your preferred travel style can evolve over time and the struggles of finding work-life balance on the go. There are a ton of insights packed into this episode to take with you on your next adventure. What has travel taught you about yourself? I'd love to hear your answers and 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: The WorldTowning philosophy and what their lifestyle looks like now How it’s been watching their kids grow up in a travel lifestyle and advice on finding the balance with homeschooling The mental health challenges that come with full-time travel and the importance of therapy and self-care (as individuals and couples) Insights on recognizing the need for change, overcoming resistance, and finding a method that works for you The challenges of running a business from the road and the biggest lessons they’ve learned The different styles of travel they’ve experienced and insight into choosing a mode that works for you Their next adventure hiking the Appalachian Trail as a family Destinations they’ve come to really love Why you should create your own “dream day” tradition And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit the WorldTowning website Subscribe to Will and Jessica on YouTube Listen to The Why Matters podcast Follow them on Instagram Want More? World Towning: 5 Years Of Full-Time Travel Greatest Hits: Staying Healthy and Stress-Free While Traveling With Kirsten Pontius 2,000 KM on Foot From Oslo to the North Cape (With a 4-Year-Old, Husband, and Dog) + Making Big Life Changes With Ingrid Alm Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Babbel - Learn a new language with Babbel! Visit babbel.com/zerototravel to get up to 60% off your subscription.

28 Mai 20241h 44min

Today, we have a special episode from Utah: Life Elevated. This documentary podcast takes you on an unforgettable road trip through the Beehive State with travel writer and host Aaron Millar. You can't really know a place without hearing from the people who have always been there. Utah is the sacred and ancestral home of eight different tribal nations, including the Paiute, Navajo (Diné), Shoshone, Goshute, and more. Today, we're learning as much about their histories and cultures as we can. Join Aaron as they listen to Southern Paiute music under the stars, see a traditional Diné fireside dance, sample fry bread with a unique twist, step inside a traditional hogan in Monument Valley, and learn about what being Native American means in 2024. What did you take away from this episode? I'd love to hear your thoughts and 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! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Listen to Utah: Life Elevated on Apple, Spotify Plan your adventure with Visit Utah Book a tour with American Sky Follow Visit Utah on Instagram Want More? Top 3 Life Lessons from the World’s Greatest Adventurers with Aaron Millar (Host of the Armchair Explorer Podcast) The Wonder Of Travel with Aaron Millar Hidden Trails of Oregon Podcast: Crater Lake, Lava Tubes, and Fly Fishing with a Native American Guide Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Babbel - Learn a new language with Babbel! Visit babbel.com/zerototravel to get up to 60% off your subscription.

23 Mai 20241h 1min

How can one trip entirely change your life? Jay Cameron joins me to share about the life-altering trip he took to Ghana when he was 40 years old. After having this experience, Jay left his career running summer camps for kids and founded Maximum Impact Travel, a tour company connecting people to the magnificent continent of Africa and the African diaspora in the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe. Jay and I talk about the misconceptions and negative narratives about Africa and the importance of changing the narrative through travel media. He talks about the African diaspora and his top 5 surprising experiences in Africa. Outside of discovering new off-the-beaten-path destinations in Africa, Jay shares his experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and why everyone should find their own “Mount Kilimanjaro experience.” You’ll hear about his best advice for making huge transitions like he did and much more. Is your next life-changing trip right around the corner? I'd love to hear about your travels and 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: How fear held him back from traveling for so long Why this one trip inspired him to become a full-time travel guide and how it all unfolded The surprising diversity of Africa and why changing the narrative is important to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding Why having a strong “why” is imperative to get you through difficult decisions and situations The African diaspora and how he’s witnessed others’ lives change because of travel The top surprising experiences he’s had in Africa (plus plenty of his other favorites) Why climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was the most challenging and rewarding experience of his life Jay’s insight into making life-changing transitions How travel has deepened his appreciation for home And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Learn about Maximum Impact Travel Follow Jay on Instagram and TikTok Subscribe to Jay on YouTube Want More? Top 10 Hidden Gems: East Africa (Beyond the Safari) and Transitioning to Travel With Sasha and Megnote Lezhnev Safari 101: How To Plan A World-Class African Safari (Without Going Broke) Adventure and Conservation – A 6,000 km Tuk-Tuk Journey Through Africa Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Babbel - Learn a new language with Babbel! Visit babbel.com/zerototravel to get up to 60% off your subscription.

21 Mai 20241h 13min

This is part two of my interview with Peter Panagore, who is sharing the incredible stories of his not one but two near-death experiences. In this episode, you’ll hear about what happened the second time he died and how it’s changed how he goes through life. We talk about the difficulties of living as your new authentic self after having a transformational experience and go even deeper into questions around death, mysticism, enlightenment, and what Peter describes as “the union experience.” I encourage you to keep an open mind while you listen to our fascinating conversation! What did you take from Peter’s story? 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! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit Peter’s website Watch Peter on YouTube Read his book Heaven Is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That Death Is Just the Beginning Read The Diary of a Yogi Tune In To Learn What led him to pursue his Master of Divinity from Yale The experience of needing to tone down who you are when you no longer feel like you fit in  Do we need religious frameworks to have a moral society, and how his moral frameworks fell away after coming back from death How he experienced “hell” during his near-death experience What made him joyous about his second death, and why he chose to stay How his NDE affected his career as a writer and TV personality, and how that led to his YouTube channel How his desire to go “home” impacted his family and why talking about death is so taboo What he feels it means to be enlightened and to awaken Why NDErs have varying (yet similar) experiences and what that could mean The lessons that have come out of his experience and how they’ve helped him in his everyday life And so much more Want More? Rock Bottom To A Life of Travel w/ Francis Nayan Lessons From Caring for the Dying and Bike Packing 18 Countries With Jerry Kopack The Power Of Death In Life w/ Gentle Rebel Bronnie Ware Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com.

16 Mai 20241h 32min