Zero To Travel Podcast

Jason Moore

  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Curiosity As Your Travel Guide + Exploring Overlooked Destinations with John McKenzie

    What happens when you let curiosity guide your travel experiences? 

    John McKenzie is a long-time traveler and curious explorer who shares stories and insights from off-the-beaten-track destinations around the world. Through his content and curated CuriosiTrips, he aims to expand others’ sense of what’s possible by encouraging a more curious, open approach to travel. He’s also a new contributor to National Geographic, writing the sections on Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia for The Traveler’s Atlas of the World. 

    In this episode, John and I sit down in person to explore the concept of curiosity as a travel compass, why some destinations gain reputations that don’t match reality, and how community and mindset shape meaningful journeys. 

    Travel is often framed around checklists and highlights, but John reframes it as a curiosity‑driven practice that enriches both travel and everyday life. You’ll hear how to exercise your curiosity muscle, embrace spontaneity, and responsibly explore destinations often overlooked or misunderstood. From challenging trips like Somalia, Ethiopia, and Syria to cultural discoveries and approachable recommendations like Malawi and Cuba, this conversation offers both a practical perspective and philosophical encouragement for travelers of all experience levels. 

    What is one place you’ve always been curious about but haven’t yet visited, and what’s holding you back? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

    Tune In To Learn: 

    • How boredom and routine kick-started John’s curiosity and exploration 

    • What approaching travel with openness rather than rigidity can uncover 

    • Why connecting with others who’ve done what you want to do helps normalize the goal 

    • How travel to “dangerous” or misunderstood places can be both safe and rewarding 

    • The mindset shift from chasing destinations to pursuing meaningful experiences 

    • How John defines “meaningful” in his own travel, and why that matters more than ticking boxes 

    • Examples of destinations that surprised him and recommendations for your own curious travels 

    • And so much more 

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    27 January 2026, 11:00 am
  • 59 minutes 21 seconds
    Queer Travel in the United States: Unexpected Small Towns and the Importance of Inclusive Spaces with Chase Vondran

    What does queer travel in the US look like beyond the big cities? And what can all travelers learn from the LGBTQ+ travel experience? 

    Chase Vondran is a full-time travel creator and writer based in Chicago who helps transgender and gender-diverse travelers explore safely while advocating for greater inclusion in the travel industry. After an eight-year nomadic journey spanning 20+ countries, they now focus their work on queer travel, small queer towns, and inclusive travel guides. 

    In this episode, co-host Dianni Hall sits down with Chase to talk about queer travel in the U.S., exploring small queer towns and gayberhoods, and understanding the realities and joys of traveling as a trans person. 

    This episode offers a rare glimpse into queer communities thriving outside of major cities and highlights unexpected destinations where queer people not only exist but also flourish. Chase shares personal stories from their travels as a trans person, the differences in how the world treats them before and after transition, and what travelers should consider when seeking inclusive spaces. You’ll discover resources, tips for finding queer communities, and the emotional power of feeling seen. Whether you’re a queer traveler, an ally, or curious about inclusive travel, this conversation expands how we think about travel, identity, and belonging. 

    How has travel helped you better understand experiences different from your own? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

    Zero To Travel co-host Dianni Hall is a queer, second-generation Latina, solo budget backpacker, and host of the While She’s Away podcast. Learn more about her work here. 

    Tune In To Learn: 

    • How travel gave Chase space to explore queerness and identity away from home 
    • What it feels like to find queer community for the first time while traveling 
    • Why places like Puerto Vallarta have become historic hubs for queer travelers 
    • How the absence of visible queer community can change a travel experience 
    • How queer history, artist communities, and other factors have helped shape small inclusive towns across the U.S. 
    • Why destinations like Saugatuck, Michigan and Eureka Springs, Arkansas defy expectations 
    • How Chase’s travel experiences shifted after coming out as trans and  
    • What safety, visibility, and respect look like when traveling as a trans person and how it differs from traveling as a woman 
    • Why small, community-driven queer spaces matter just as much as big cities 
    • How to find queer community anywhere using apps, events, and local businesses 
    • And so much more 

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    20 January 2026, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Choosing a One-Way Ticket Over a Master’s Degree + Lessons From 6 Years of Evolving Travel with Dianni Hall

    What does it look like when travel becomes more than just a trip, but a lifelong evolution of identity, choices, and community?

    Dianni Hall is a queer, second-generation Latina, solo budget backpacker, podcaster, and podcast producer. She’s the host of While She’s Away, a podcast highlighting stories and advice from women travelers around the world. After choosing a one-way flight to India instead of enrolling in graduate school, Dianni spent six years traveling full-time across 30+ countries while building a freelance career and exploring what it means to find home.

    In this episode, we explore how Dianni’s travel lifestyle has changed over time, from solo backpacking and volunteering abroad to building a freelance career and eventually settling into a home base in Brooklyn.

    Dianni shares specific lessons from various phases of travel, including navigating her first solo trip, volunteering in an ashram, adjusting to slow travel, and balancing travel with long-term stability. She offers honest reflections on managing anxiety while traveling, the importance of community, and what it means to reimagine one's identity when traveling full-time comes to an end.

    What’s one travel experience, big or small, that changed the way you see the world, and how did it shape who you are today? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn:

    • How religious/spiritual curiosity shaped her decision to go to India
    • What she learned from living and volunteering at an ashram
    • What it felt like to “accidentally” become a full-time nomad and how teaching English in Spain opened doors to long-term travel and career growth
    • Advice for navigating anxiety before and during travel, and how reframing your inner dialogue can make all the difference
    • What solo travel taught her about confidence, community, and intuition
    • The difference between feeling “at home” somewhere and choosing to build a life there
    • Why returning to familiar places revealed a deeper need for belonging and community
    • What drew her to Brooklyn, and how queer community became a central part of her rooted life
    • And so much more

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    13 January 2026, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    7 Must-Visit Destinations for 2026 (Get There Before the Crowds Arrive!) with Lyn Hughes

    What are the top travel destinations for 2026 that need to be on your radar?

    Lyn Hughes is the founding editor of Wanderlust Magazine and a leading voice in adventure and cultural travel journalism. She’s spent decades curating destination guides, championing responsible travel, and sharing stories that inspire deeper exploration.

    I catch up with Lyn to explore her curated list of the best places to travel in 2026 and why you should prioritize these destinations for the new year or near future.

    Lyn shares standout destinations including remote wilderness routes, under‑the‑radar cultural hubs, and wildlife-rich regions. She shares personal stories, explains why there is urgency around some of these locations, and gives insight into how we can engage more meaningfully and responsibly when we visit. If you're thinking ahead to your next big trip, this episode offers thoughtful guidance and some surprising ideas.

    Which types of destinations spark your imagination right now? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • Why Wanderlust creates future‑looking destination lists and how they’re curated
    • How to balance adventure, accessibility, and sustainability in trip planning
    • Advice for travelers seeking lesser‑known but rewarding places
    • What Lyn looks for in a truly special travel experience
    • How one rugged road trip remains one of her all‑time favorites
    • Why wildlife travel can reshape how we see the world
    • How curated content and AI might impact your next travel search
    • What role community‑based tourism is playing in new travel trends
    • Personal travel picks from a legendary travel editor
    • And so much more

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    6 January 2026, 11:00 am
  • 5 minutes 31 seconds
    What's Coming in 2026 on Zero To Travel

    Tune in for a quick update on what's to come on the Zero To Travel podcast in 2026! Happy New Year, my friend.

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    30 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 49 minutes 22 seconds
    5th Annual Norwegian Christmas Spectacular

    My wife, Anne-Dorthe, and I are together on the pod to share all about Christmas traditions in Norway and the United States. You'll hear what it's like to taste Julebrus for the first time, see who will win the theoretical battle between Santa Claus and Julenisse, discover the three main traditional dishes in different parts of Norway, get a special Norwegian treat from my wife, and so much more!

    Can you appreciate your traditions as if you were a traveler seeing and experiencing them for the first time? Have a wonderful Holiday wherever you are, my friend!

    *This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.

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

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    23 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 17 minutes
    Remote Roundup: New Year Reflection + Planning Alternatives, the “New Place, New Me” Trap, 2025 Travel Superlatives (December 2025)

    Looking for more creative and fun ways to reflect on your year and plan for the next one?

    Join Caitlin and Janessa in this year-end Remote Roundup to explore personal reflections, unexpected lessons, goal-setting alternatives, and favorite travel moments from 2025. 

    Remote Roundup is a monthly series hosted by Zero To Travel’s associate producer, Caitlin Sunderland, and partnerships manager, Janessa Klatt. Explore what's new in remote work and travel, including helpful tools and resources, need‑to‑know trends, destinations, and insight into what it really means to live and work around the world.

    Caitlin and Janessa talk about identity, growth, community, habits, and how their remote lives are evolving as they plan for the new year. You'll walk away with insights and practical ideas for reflecting on your own year and setting more intentional goals, whether you're traveling full-time, working remotely, or simply ready for a reset in 2026.

    What’s a moment from your 2025 that made you feel most yourself? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • The top Zero To Travel episodes for 2025 and why they’re worth a re-listen
    • 5 non-cliche reflection questions to look back on your year with more depth
    • Alternative intention-setting ideas for 2026 that go beyond resolutions and “word of the year” trends
    • What the “new place, new me” trap is and how it can quietly derail goals for travelers
    • Fun travel superlatives from their year, from best coffee culture and unexpected destinations to top meals and views
    • And much more

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    16 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    One Year in Norway: Teaching, Traveling, and Finding Perspective with Don Jenkins

    What happens when you step out of your life for a year to live, work, and connect in a completely different culture?

    Don Jenkins is a 27-year high-school teacher from Washington state who spent a full academic year in Norway through the Fulbright Roving Scholar Program. Based in Oslo but constantly on the move, he traveled the country visiting schools and giving workshops on American history and government, reaching thousands of students along the way.

    This episode explores Don’s journey as a cultural ambassador, educator, and traveler. We talk about the surprising differences between Norwegian and American school systems, how living abroad shifts your view of home, and what it takes to build connection across cultures - whether you’re in a classroom, a sauna, or a sawed-off tuk tuk.

    Whether or not you’re a teacher, Don’s experience is full of lessons on curiosity, communication, and how to embrace the unfamiliar. From practical travel tips to deeper reflections on history, education, and societal values, this episode is a reminder of how much growth comes from stepping outside your bubble.

    What’s one lesson you’ve picked up while traveling that changed how you see your home? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • Why Don took a sabbatical to teach abroad in Norway for a year
    • How his “roving teacher” job works and the logistics of living in Oslo while visiting 30+ schools
    • Surprising insights about Norwegian classrooms, school culture, and community values
    • How to implement cultural lessons at home, even if you’re not a teacher
    • What it means to be a “mini ambassador” and have real conversations about your home country
    • Budget-friendly tips for traveling in Norway, including food hacks and local apps
    • The role of curiosity in building connections while traveling
    • Why honest history matters, and what happens when we don’t teach the full story
    • How being away from family for so long can be hard and insight on managing travel fears
    • And so much more

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    9 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 23 minutes
    11 European Dishes You Must Try Before You Die (Plus Movie Pairings) with Kenny Dunn

    Which European dish is so good you’d plan a trip around it?

    Kenny Dunn is the founder of Eating Europe, a food tour company that has guided over 400,000 travelers to the best local eats in 17 of Europe’s greatest cities since 2011.

    In this episode, Kenny shares 11 European dishes you must try before you die, including cultural context, restaurant tips, and personal stories from his years of travel. 

    Kenny explains how each dish connects to its place and people, how everyday locals enjoy them, and shares his go-to spots for trying them. To add a little flavor, we also pair each dish with a movie or TV show to turn your meal into an experience if you want to make these at home!

    Which dish would you travel for or try to recreate at home? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • The famous British snack that was originally invented as a travel food
    • How a Spanish street food became a spicy, deep-fried bomb of flavor
    • The story behind a French sandwich that inspired a monster version in Portugal
    • How one Roman specialty turns a humble vegetable into something unforgettable
    • Where to find the prettiest open-faced sandwich in Scandinavia
    • The sandwich Anthony Bourdain called “a monument to excess”
    • How a single dish became the pride of Prague’s holiday tables
    • What to expect when you try Florence’s most local sandwich
    • Why a herring might be best enjoyed standing up in Amsterdam
    • Tips for cooking a few of these at home (and when not to bother)
    • And so much more

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    2 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Remote Roundup: Bangkok & Oaxaca, Remote Career Trends, Missing Out at Home, Practical Holiday Gift Guide (November 2025)

    How do you choose where to live, what to do, and when to go home when your life is fully remote?

    Remote Roundup is a monthly series hosted by Zero To Travel’s associate producer, Caitlin Sunderland, and partnerships manager, Janessa Klatt. Explore what's new in remote work and travel, including helpful tools and resources, need‑to‑know trends, destinations, and insight into what it really means to live and work around the world.

    In this episode, they’re reporting in from two wildly different corners of the world with stories, struggles, and insights about what it actually looks like to live and work abroad right now, plus a practical holiday wish list.

    Caitlin and Janessa open up about the hard choices digital nomads face around holidays, family, and missing big life events. They talk about the growing trend of unexpected remote careers and explore how people are adapting traditional jobs to fit this lifestyle, a conversation about the myth of the laptop-on-the-beach image that won't die, and more. 

    What has been your biggest struggle being away from home when you travel? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • Why Bangkok’s scale, café culture, and mall scene work so well for remote living

    • How Oaxaca brings together community, creativity, and tradition, especially around Day of the Dead

    • How Caitlin pulled off a cheap(ish) last-minute flight to Asia with an airport transfer hack

    • What it’s really like to grieve major life moments from abroad, and insight into deciding when going home makes sense

    • Thoughts on how to take traditional skills and repurpose them into location-independent careers

    • An honest take on the “laptop on the beach” stereotype (and why it’s still everywhere)

    • A holiday gift guide with digital nomads in mind

    • Two travel fail stories that involve passports, bowel movements, and a nearly missed bus in the Italian countryside

    • And so much more

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    27 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Top 10 World’s Most Difficult Countries to Visit (How and Why to Go) with Gunnar Garfors and Jacqui Kunz

    What are the most difficult countries to visit, and why do some require months of effort just to get in?

    Gunnar Garfors is an author, journalist, and the first person to travel to every country in the world twice. Jacqui Kunz was named “World’s Most Intrepid Traveler” in 2023 and is also well on her way to visiting every country in the world.

    In this Zero To Travel Host Collective episode, Gunnar and Jacqui go through ten of the world’s most difficult countries to visit from a visa and access standpoint.

    Gunnar and Jacqui share their personal experiences and insights navigating the world’s hardest-to-enter countries, especially from the perspective of American and Norwegian passports. You’ll learn not just where the access is difficult, but why - whether it’s politics, reciprocity, red tape, or safety concerns - and what it says about global mobility. They also explore the ethical side of “ticking countries off the list” and how that mindset can warp the meaning of travel.

    If you were to visit one country that you know is extremely hard to get into, which country would it be and why? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn:

    • Why your passport dramatically affects your ability to visit certain countries
    • How political tensions between nations influence visa rules and travel bans
    • Advice for Americans trying to enter countries that officially don’t allow them
    • Why some countries like Turkmenistan or Libya require government approval before you can even apply
    • What Gunnar did after being rejected six times for a visa to Turkmenistan
    • How Jackie’s educational work raised red flags with the Iranian authorities
    • How to travel ethically to countries with problematic governments or ongoing conflicts
    • Tips for minimizing risk and maximizing cultural exchange in restricted destinations
    • What it really means to have “been” somewhere (and who gets to decide that)
    • And so much more

    Resources:

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    25 November 2025, 11:00 am
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