Zero To Travel Podcast

Jason Moore

  • 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

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    25 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    Independent Travel as a Female in Afghanistan, Hitchhiking Iraq, and Ex-Pat Life in Sudan with Jacquelyn Kunz

    IMPORTANT: This episode was recorded before the conflict in Sudan, and Jacqui has since left the country. For additional information and ways to support the Sudanese people, you can visit eyesonsudan.net and follow Jacqui on Instagram.

    Why would someone choose to travel to the world’s most dangerous places?

    Today I’m joined by Jacquelyn Kunz, the first female to travel independently through Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control. In this episode, Jacqui shares some of the toughest moments from her time in Afghanistan, what led her to move to Sudan, and her life as an expat. We also talk about what it was like to hitchhike in Iraq and how these experiences have shifted her outlook on life.

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

    Do you consider yourself a risk-taker? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message.

    Tune in to Learn:

    • What Jacqui considers the ultimate traveler fantasy
    • Her favorite places to visit and what attracts her to more extreme foreign destinations
    • Insight into the experience of being a woman in Sudan
    • How Government censorship and surveillance impact a society
    • Why Jacqui chose to move to Sudan (and her family's reaction)
    • Life in Sudan with political instability, and how she fits into society
    • Why a foreign woman is considered an "honorary man," and how this impacts her relationship with Sudanese women
    • How these experiences changed her perspective on life and relating to others
    • Insight into finding the courage to take a different path
    • Jacqui's best advice for safety and her thoughts on being a risk-taker
    • And so much more

    Resources:

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    • Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”
    • Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order.
    • Turkish Airlines Series - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify
    • Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify

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    20 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 18 minutes
    Beginner's Guide to Travel (No Matter Your Age) + How to Travel with Diabetes with Jason Robinson

    What does it really take to build a travel lifestyle from scratch, especially if you’re starting later in life or managing a serious medical condition?

    Jason Robinson is the founder of The Nomad Experiment and author of The Beginner Traveler’s Guide. After digging out of debt and selling his home, he now travels full-time while living with type 1 diabetes. 

    Jason joins me to explore his updated beginner travel guide, how the nomad lifestyle has become his way of life, and how we can all learn to travel more intentionally, even when the path to getting started looks different for everyone.

    This episode is packed with real talk and actionable advice for anyone looking to start or deepen a travel-centered lifestyle. Jason shares the exact mindset shifts and tactical steps that helped him go from zero international travel to spending more than half the year abroad. You’ll learn why co-living can be a better fit than hostels, how to realistically assess your finances before you leap, and what it takes to travel while managing something as serious as type-1 diabetes. 

    We also get into the harder stuff - burnout, identity, letting go of expectations -and why treating travel like an experiment may be the most freeing approach of all.

    What’s one small step you can take this month toward your travel‑oriented life? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • Why getting your passport is the easiest first move toward travel
    • How to start travelling from exactly where you are (not waiting for “perfect”)
    • Why choosing the right accommodation style (hostel vs co‑living) matters for long‑term travel
    • How to build a financial base that supports a travel lifestyle—not traps you
    • The conversation you need to have with friends or family about your priorities
    • How to recognise and navigate travel burnout or lifestyle shifts
    • Mindset tips for travelling with a medical condition, or any “extra” in your life
    • Where Jason wants to go back (and why slower travel matters)
    • How to frame your worst‑case/best‑case list so fear doesn’t hold you back
    • The one mindset change that turns travel planning into travel living
    • And so much more

    Resources:

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    Thanks To Our Sponsors

    • Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”
    • Turkish Airlines Series - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify
    • Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order.
    • Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify

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    18 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 29 minutes
    Top 7 Destinations to Visit (Before They Get Crowded) with Gunnar Garfors

    Need some inspiration for your upcoming travels? Gunnar Garfors is the first person to travel to every country in the world not once, but TWICE. As the ultimate travel expert, he’s with us to share his list of the best places to visit before they get too popular.

    You’ll hear about seven out-of-the-ordinary destinations spanning all seven continents to help you plan for the coming year and beyond. Whether it’s beach life, mountain hikes, big cities, or relaxing getaways, there’s something on the list for everyone. We’ll also talk about his upcoming project, share plenty of stories, and he’ll let us in on a fun travel concept you’ll want to steal and use with your friends.

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

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

    Tune In To Learn:

    • The ROI of travel and why you should explore out-of-the-box destinations
    • What makes this overlooked part of this Caribbean island worth a visit 
    • How to have an authentic South American river adventure
    • An African country ideal for extreme sports and coastal wildlife
    • The vastly underestimated European country that has something for everyone
    • A fun way to plan trips with your friends (You’ll want to steal this!) 
    • An affordable, diverse, and mountainous country along the Old Silk Road
    • An underestimated Asian country rich in culture, innovation, and amazing food (It’s his favorite big city in the world!)
    • A small but incredible Pacific island kingdom for an alternative to Fiji
    • His bonus destination for an affordable Maldives experience
    • Gunnar’s new book and his thoughts on climate change
    • And so much more

    Resources:

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    Thanks To Our Sponsors

    • Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”
    • Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order.
    • Turkish Airlines Series - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify
    • Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify

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    13 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 59 minutes 56 seconds
    The Revival of Night Train Travel and Launching a European Sleeper Train Startup with Thibault Constant

    Is night train travel making a comeback? Trains have long been seen as a romantic or nostalgic way to explore a destination, but what if it could also be the most practical, comfortable, and climate-friendly way?

    Thibault Constant is a French train enthusiast turned entrepreneur who built a following of 300k on his YouTube channel, Simply Railways. He’s the author of Trains de Nuit and co-founder of Nox, a new sleeper train company aiming to revolutionize overnight travel across Europe with affordable private rooms.

    In this episode, host Paige McClanahan speaks with Thibault about the rising demand for night trains in Europe, the design and mission behind his upcoming sleeper train company, and why privacy, practicality, and sustainability are reshaping how we move through the world.

    You’ll hear why a new wave of travelers are choosing overnight rail, how the travel experience shifts when you’re able to rest, reflect, and arrive ready to go, and what it takes to build a better sleeper train from the ground up. Thibault shares the key barriers that have kept night trains from breaking through in recent decades, and how his company, Nox, is working to overcome them with smart design and realistic pricing. Whether you’re curious about slow travel, concerned about flying’s climate impact, or just want to know what it’s like to wake up in Sicily after sleeping on a train ferry, this episode offers both practical insights and pure travel inspiration.

    If you could take one of Thibault’s recommended overnight train journeys tomorrow, which would you choose and why? We’d love to hear your thoughts, and hope you’ll share by sending an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • How growing up in northern France inspired Thibault’s lifelong love of trains

    • Why he started his YouTube channel, and how it became a full-time job

    • What led him to co-found Nox, a new sleeper train company launching in 2027

    • Why most night trains today fail to deliver on sleep, and how privacy changes everything

    • The real reason night trains declined in Europe, and what brought them back

    • How the climate crisis is pushing more travelers to rethink short-haul flights

    • What makes overnight train travel a win–win for comfort, convenience, and carbon

    • Thibault’s top 3 night train routes in Europe, and his favorite long-haul ride in North America

    • And so much more

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    Thanks To Our Sponsors

    • Holafly⁠ - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”

    • Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order.

    • Turkish Airlines Series - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify

    • Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify 

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    11 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 40 minutes
    How To Be a “New Tourist,” the Powers and Perils of Tourism, Embracing Tourist Traps, and the Impact of Travel with Paige McClanahan

    How is tourism impacting communities, and what can we do about it? Paige McClanahan joins me to talk about the dualities of the tourism industry and how we can have deeper travel experiences while benefiting the world.

    Paige McClanahan is the author of The New Tourist: Waking up to the Power and Perils of Travel. She is an American journalist based in France and a regular contributor to The New York Times, where she reports on the impacts of tourism. She is also the host of The Better Travel Podcast, which aims to make sure that our travels have a positive impact on the world. 

    We talk about the evolution of tourism as context to how it got to where it is today, the consequences of travel on local communities (good and bad) and what we can do about it, and insights into how we can become what Paige calls a “new tourist.” She also shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she wrote this book and used her professional journalism skills to her advantage.

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

    How will you become a “new tourist?” I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • The evolution of tourism and travel and why it’s so complicated
    • How guidebooks and social media have shaped the industry
    • The complexities of influencers and why we are all influencers in some way
    • How destinations can minimize the negative impact of tourism and promote responsible travel
    • The fantasy of tourist traps and how tourism affects the quality of life for residents
    • How she approaches serendipitous moments and genuine connections as an author
    • The impact of AI on the future of tourism
    • Insights on navigating digital nomadism and its effects on residents
    • And so much more

    Resources:

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    Thanks To Our Sponsors

    • Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”
    • Turkish Airlines Series - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify
    • Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order

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    6 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 34 minutes
    7 Chile Hidden Gems: Off-the-Beaten Path in Patagonia, Mapuche Culture, and More with Steph Dyson

    Want to explore volcanoes, wine valleys, remote wilderness, and vibrant indigenous cultures, all in one country? Why not make Chile your next adventure?

    Steph Dyson is a travel journalist, guidebook author, and founder of the website Worldly Adventurer. She has spent nearly a decade living and travelling across Latin America, including three years in Chile, and is the author of Moon Chile With Patagonia & Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

    In today’s episode, we explore Chile’s incredible geographic and cultural diversity through seven hidden‑gem destinations, with stories and advice for exploring them responsibly.

    Steph breaks down her favorite hidden corners of Chile, from wild Patagonia to volcano climbs, ancient mummies, and the vibrant island culture of Chiloé. You’ll hear tips for hitchhiking the Carretera Austral, visiting Indigenous communities with cultural respect, and building a flexible mid-range travel budget in Chile. We also talk about how to approach destinations more consciously as travelers, not just tourists. 

    Plus, you're going to hear Part 2 of the Best in Travel Tech series!

    What’s the one hidden gem you’ve discovered in your travels (or want to discover) that changed how you think about a place? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • How a burned-out teacher bought a one-way ticket to Bolivia and ended up building a new life across Latin America

    • What makes the Carretera Austral a must‑visit, and why she recommends you hitchhike

    • How Chile’s wine valleys offer cultural and culinary depth beyond the typical vineyard experience

    • How the Mapuche people in the south of Chile maintain ancient traditions, and how travellers can engage respectfully

    • How to choose when to travel in Patagonia to avoid crowds and still get wild‑land experiences

    • How to climb a volcano near Pucón and what to expect (terrain, season, logistics)

    • Why a remote island like Chiloé delivers cultural and natural surprises that few visit

    • Advice for budget mid‑range travellers in Chile: transport, accommodation, local costs, and how to balance comfort with adventure

    • And so much more

    Resources:

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    Thanks To Our Sponsors

    • Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”

    • Turkish Airlines Series - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify

    • Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    4 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 17 minutes
    Remote Roundup: True Costs of Long-Term Travel, Taxes & Borderless Living, an Underrated Productivity Habit, + More (October 2025)

    What tools and routines make the biggest difference for nomads? What really drives down your cost of living abroad, and what are you giving up to get there? 

    On this month’s episode, Caitlin and Janessa swap stories on budgeting, daily tradeoffs, and what it takes to feel comfortable in constant motion. You'll hear their thoughts on shifting priorities, overlooked productivity habits, tax residency trends, and why your “normal” might not be so normal elsewhere.

    Remote Roundup is a new 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.

    What’s something you’ve either given up (or refused to give up) to make remote work and travel sustainable for you? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

    Tune In To Learn:

    • Janessa’s experience traveling and working on Vancouver Island

    • A simple travel item that can seriously improve your remote work (that we often ignore), and how small comforts can make or break your productivity

    • What to consider before making borderless tax or residency moves

    • The hidden tradeoffs behind minimalist living on the road

    • Why your priorities might shift the longer you live as a nomad

    • What remote workers are getting wrong about cost-of-living savings abroad

    • The unexpected mindset shift that happens when you stop “vacationing” and start living

    • Which everyday habits feel surprisingly hard (or freeing) to give up

    • Cultural quirks that can challenge what you thought was “normal”

    • One playful question that reveals way more about someone than you’d expect (steal this!)

    • And so much more

    Resources:

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    30 October 2025, 10:00 am
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