pod
Paths
Conversations with guests from around the world about adventure, creativity, and the paths less traveled.
Alex Bescoby: What Makes a Journey Actually Worth It
In a world where bigger, faster, and more extreme often get the most attention, this short conversation offers a different perspective. Alex Bescoby reflects on why meaningful journeys are not defined by scale or records, but by whether…
Driving Through History: Alex Bescoby’s Overlanding Journey Across the World and the Stories That Shape Us
What does it really mean to see and experience the world? I sit down with filmmaker and historian Alex Bescoby to explore the story behind The Last Overland — a 13,000-mile or 20,000km journey retracing a 1950s expedition from Singapore to…
Refilling the Creative Well: Why Alison Cochrun Walked the Camino Across Spain and Portugal
In this short segment, author Alison Cochrun shares the impulsive decision to walk the Camino de Santiago during a period of depression and creative burnout. She describes the physical reality of the Portuguese coastal route, from the…
Becoming an Author, Creative Burnout, and Walking the Camino de Santiago with Alison Cochrun
Alison Cochrun spent over a decade as a high school English teacher before a shift led her to become a full-time author. In this episode, we talk about the reality of that transition, from the adrenaline of writing her first book draft in…
Adam Pawlikiewicz Mesa on Ultra Running and Self Acceptance
In this short episode, Adam Pawlikiewicz Mesa reflects on his relationship with ultra running and why he sees endurance sports as a double-edged sword. What began as a way to explore his limits and better understand himself also forced him…
Adam Pawlikiewicz Mesa on Bikepacking, Storytelling, and Building an Intentional Life
Adam Pawlikiewicz Mesa is a filmmaker, photographer, endurance athlete, and bikepacker whose work grows out of long days on the road and a deep curiosity about people, place, and movement. Before starting a career in consulting at a big…
Running 20,000 km Across Asia and Europe: Ria Xi on Training, Logistics, Rest, and Human-Powered Travel
What does it actually take to prepare for a 20,000 kilometer run across continents? In this short episode, Ria Xi breaks down how she’s preparing to run from Russia to Portugal, averaging roughly 50 kilometers a day for over a year. She…
Ria Xi on Agency, Pilgrimage, and the Long Road From the Camino to a 20,000km Continental Run
Ria Xi on Agency, Pilgrimage, and the Long Road From the Camino to a 20,000km Continental Run Ria Xi has spent the last two years pulling her life apart and rebuilding it entirely on her own terms. She left a tech career in California,…
Why We Seek Community in the Wild — with Sophie Nolan
Why do people sign up for group adventures with complete strangers? In this short segment, Sophie talks about the unexpected community that grows on Sidetracked trips — how shared effort, simplicity, and the Arctic cold can bring people…
Sophie Nolan on Building an Adventure Travel Company, Designing a Life Outdoors, and the Power of Community in Nature
Sophie Nolan built Sidetracked Adventures from a simple desire to share the wild places she loved. In this conversation, she reflects on how she shaped a life around the outdoors, curiosity, and community. We talk about her early pull…
How the 2004 Tsunami Shaped Jonis Strom's Outlook on Life
In this short segment, Jonathan reflects on the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, which he and his family survived when he was just fourteen. He talks about how the experience reshaped his outlook on life, influenced the risks he was willing to…
Jonis Strom's Creative Path: Surfing in Sweden, Surviving a Tsunami and Finding Filmmaking
Jonathan Strömberg (or Jonis Strom) grew up on the Swedish coast, where surfing is cold, rare, and hard to access, yet it shaped his entire life. In this episode, he shares how an unexpected surf community helped him discover filmmaking…
Shorts: Just Do the Thing! Elspeth Beard on Discovering What You’re Capable Of
In this short segment, Elspeth Beard talks about how the hardest moments on her motorcycle journey around the world shaped her character. Breaking down in the desert, falling off the bike, getting sick, fixing everything alone built a kind…
Elspeth Beard: Seeing How Far You Can Go
Elspeth Beard was the first British woman to ride a motorcycle around the world — but this conversation isn’t about setting records. It’s an exploration of what happens when you strip life down to the essentials, face the unknown, and…
Shorts: Escaping Burnout, Finding Wonder
“Being on the motorcycle again felt like being that kid on a bike — just exploring with no real purpose.” In this 8-minute segment, Eddie reflects on how his expectations of a round-the-world motorcycle trip compared to the reality: the…
Fast Life, Slow Life: Eddie’s 3 Years on a Motorcycle Around the World
When Eddie left London three years ago on his motorcycle, he didn’t have a clear destination — just the need to move. What began as an escape from burnout and heartbreak turned into an ongoing journey across continents, from the forests of…
The Long Way Home: Lessons from a Life on the Road
Every long journey has a moment when everything shifts. When the reason you set out starts to change. In this special episode, four travelers share the moments that reshaped them while they were far from home, tired, unsure, but completely…
Alan Weisman: A Career in Journalism and the Stories That Shape How We See the Planet
Alan Weisman has spent decades reporting from the edges of human presence — from Chernobyl and the Amazon to cities and coastlines under threat. His bestselling book The World Without Us imagined how Earth might recover if people suddenly…
Exploration, Endurance, and the Sacrifices no One Saw: Thor Pedersen’s Record Journey Through 203 Countries Without Flying
Danish explorer Thor Pedersen became the first person to visit every country in the world in a single, unbroken journey, without ever boarding a plane. What was meant to take four years stretched into almost ten. In our conversation, Thor…
Revisited: Addiction, Anxiety, and a Second Chance at Life — with Dr. Brian Pennie
This week, I’m revisiting one of my favorite conversations from 2020 with Dr. Brian Pennie—a neuroscientist, resilience specialist, and former heroin addict who turned his life around after 15 years of addiction. In this episode, Brian…
A Life in Motion: Zoë & Olivier on How 40,000km of Movement Shaped Their Relationship, Challenged Norms & Rewired How They Live
What happens when two people decide not to wait for the “right time” to live differently? Zoë Agasi and Olivier van Herck spent four years traveling over 40,000 km entirely by human power—cycling, skiing, canoeing, roller-skiing, and even…
How Nicolas Freudiger and ID Genève is Disrupting the Watch Industry and Redefining Luxury
Nicolas Freudiger is the Co-Founder and CEO of ID Genève , a Swiss watch company built on circular principles, sustainable materials, and a rebellious spirit. In this episode, Nicolas shares how he left the safety of corporate life to…
Running a Marathon in Every Country in the World: Nick Butter on World Records, Purpose, and Life Beyond Endurance
Nick Butter is a British endurance athlete, adventurer, and author, renowned for being the first person to run a marathon in every country in the world. Over 674 days, he completed 196 marathons across all UN-recognised nations, a feat…
Slow Travel, Train Life, and Taking the Scenic Route with Eveline Haugaard (@therailvoyage)
Eveline Haugaard (@therailvoyage) left behind a traditional engineering career to follow a very different track — literally. Now a full-time travel creator, she shares her love of slow, scenic rail journeys across Europe. In this episode,…
Tim Voors on Thru-Hiking, Simplicity, and the Power of Solitude - Lessons from the PCT, Continental Divide Trail and Te Araroa
Tim Voors is an artist, author, and speaker who has walked across countries and continents—from the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails in the US, to Japan’s 88 Temples Pilgrimage and New Zealand’s Te Araroa. In this episode, Tim…
Living Free: Patrick’s Journey Through Van Life, Freedom, and Finding Home on the Road
In this episode, I sit down with Patrick—also known as Patch—who’s spent the past seven years living out of a van and building a life far from convention. From a $1,500 minivan built with PVC pipes and milk crates to custom van builds for…
Solitude, Connection, and the Open Road: A Conversation with Peter Gostelow
In this episode, we speak with British adventurer and long-distance cyclist Pete Gostelow , whose solo bicycle journeys have taken him across more than 90 countries and over 160,000 kilometers. From Japan to the UK, and England to South…
Leaving Routine Behind to Explore the World with Ann Da Silva Johansson
In this episode of Paths , Ann Da Silva Johansson shares her incredible journey of cycling from Sweden to New Zealand—a trip that not only took her across continents but also reshaped her entire outlook on life. She opens up about what led…
Building Your Dream (Home): A Conversation with the Founders of Du Rietz Design
In this episode, I sit down with Swedish design duo Josephine and Christoffer Du Rietz, who left Sweden to pursue their passion for architecture and home renovation in Mallorca. From their very first project to designing homes that blend…
Beyond the Map: Charlie Walker on Adventure, Solitude, and the Art of Exploration
Charlie Walker has spent the past 15 years exploring the world's most remote locations. From cycling across continents to trekking through deserts, his experiences are nothing short of inspiring! Join as we discuss his incredible books and…
Simple Dreams, Epic Journeys: Ben Wylson on His Bicycle Adventure Around the World
In this episode, we are joined by Ben Wylson, the creator of the documentary Free Wheels East , which chronicles an incredible adventure around the world. With no prior experience or training, Ben and his cousin Jamie embarked on a journey…
Trailer: Paths
Welcome to Paths | Podcast Trailer The world moves fast, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to keep up. But what if there was another way? Paths is a bi-weekly podcast about stepping away from the conventional, following your…
Growing Up in Oppression to Climbing the World’s Tallest Mountains & Empowering Women All Over the World w/ Sara Safari
In this episode, I am joined by author, speaker, mountain climber, college professor, and women’s rights advocate, Sara Safari. In 2015, she received The Global Citizen award from the United Nations Association and is currently on track to…
Roaming Around the World, Falling in Love, and The Unglamorous Work Behind It w/ Caroline Sandstöm
The tourism industry has been massively affected by the spread of coronavirus, as many countries have introduced travel restrictions in an attempt to contain its spread. The United Nations World Tourism Organization estimated that global…
Finding Your Dream Job & Serving a Purpose w/ Emily Eliza Moyer
If there is one thing to know about what millennials want in the workplace, it is that they crave a sense of purpose. So much that, according to one study, millennials prefer a company that gives them the chance to drive meaningful…
How Social Media is Ruining Your Life w/ Anna's Analysis
Have you ever stopped to think about how much control social media has over your life? Measuring the self against others is normal, and in some ways, it can be helpful. The inspiration you feel about someone else's achievements can rev up…
Online Dating & Relationship Killers w/ Sean Kernan
Do you feel confused about the dating game? You are not alone. Even though it seems like everyone is on some kind of dating app, teenagers and young adults are feeling lonelier than any previous generation and are having way less sex.…
Realizing Your Full Potential w/ Jordan Gross
Do you ever wish you were someone else, perhaps someone not afraid to do all the things you dream of doing? “Somebody once told me the definition of hell: On my last day on this earth, the person who I became will meet the person I could…
Sustainable Living & Eco-Anxiety w/ Clara Wessel
In China and Italy , the air is now strikingly clean . Venice’s Grand Canal, normally fouled by boat traffic, is running clear . In Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta, the fog of pollution has lifted. Even global carbon…
What Would Life Look Like If It Was Easy? w/ Brian Pennie
This week I’m honored to be joined by Brian Pennie, a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience and lecturer at Trinity College and University College Dublin. In his new memoir, Bonus Time, Brian writes about his journey from a 15-year heroin…
Loneliness, Travelling Solo & Connecting With Locals w/ Adrien Behn
This week I am joined by the lovely Adrien Behn, a professional storyteller, public speaker, writer, and world traveler. She’s been featured in The New York Times and BuzzFeed listed her podcast, Strangers Abroad, as one of the best travel…
Millennials & Money w/ Robert Farrington
Today I’m joined by none other than Robert Farrington, a personal finance expert and founder of The College Investor. He is also a contributing writer for many major newspapers and his articles on investing, student loans, side-hustling,…
How to Make the Most Out of Self-Quarantine w/Kelsey Ozuna
I am joined by Norwegian-based American writer, Kelsey Ozuna. She is a top writer on Medium ( Kelsey L.O.) that shares her experiences in life and love, varying from topics such as mental health, relationships, and breakups. Today,…
Millennials’ Mental Health & Online Therapy w/ Sara Kuburic (@millennial.therapist)
This week, I am honored to be joined by Sara Kuburić, a Canadian existential psychotherapist, researcher, writer, doctoral candidate, and speaker currently based in Amman, Jordan. In just a year, Sara has amassed over 330.000 followers on…
Taking The Life Path Less Traveled
Today I am joined by Robyn Agoston, an intrepid world traveler, multi-careerist businesswoman, and all-around amazing human being. She’s spent the past two decades working and adventuring all over the world collecting an encyclopedia worth…
How to Start Your Own Podcast (& Why You Should)
Today’s guest is none other than Orlando Rios, an online marketer, author, podcast host, and producer. With over a decade in digital marketing under his belt, Rios is a veteran in online strategy from the early internet and beyond.…
The Truth About Entrepreneurship w/Omar Itani
Today I am joined by the founder of the eco-conscious lifestyle brand Lovers of The Sea, Omar Itani. A little over a year ago, Omar was living and working for Google in Dublin, Ireland. It was the kind of job many hungry professionals…
Moving to a New City by Yourself
Moving to a new city is one of the hardest but most rewarding things you can do. Picking up your life and starting somewhere new comes with a whole mix of feelings: part of you might feel optimism for starting a new chapter while another…
Moving on From Someone You Still Love
Today, I am joined by Norwegian-based American writer Kelsey Ozuna to talk about how to move on from someone you still love. Kelsey is a top writer on Medium ( Kelsey L.O. ) who shares her experiences with life and love, covering mental…
Tattoos & Identity
Today I am joined by Lina Aquino, a Brazilian-born tattoo artist living in Brooklyn, New York. She first moved to the U.S. to pursue a degree in Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design, but after graduating in May 2017, her life took a…
Veganism: A Beginner’s Guide
This week, I am joined by Jaxon Burton, a training coach and personal trainer based in Auckland, New Zealand. Jaxon is also an MNU-certified nutritionist and runs his own gym, Jax Fitness, which focuses on (in his own words) inspiring…
Set Yourself Up For Success & Growth in 2020
Today, I am joined by my good friend Diogo Barboza. He is an entrepreneur and an overall inspiring guy. When we recorded this, he was on vacation with his girlfriend in the south of Brazil, but he was nice enough to make some time for me.…
Best Movies of the Decade!!!
Today I’m joined by my friend Olivia Bellito; we’re both film enthusiasts and wanted to reminisce on some of our favorite films from the past decade. We both chose five “top films,” and also have some honorable mentions and favorite…
Why We Love Harry Potter
We’re closing in on Christmas, so what better way to get into the proper spirit than to talk about the one thing I associate the holidays with more than Santa Clause, Harry Potter? Like most of you listening, I grew up watching the Harry…
Empowering People Through Technology
We live in a world where basically anyone from anywhere can start a movement, gather people around a certain issue, organize events, and even start riots. The accessibility we have, not only to the Internet and technology, but by…
The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week w/ Tiffany Shlain
This week’s guest is none other than Emmy-nominated filmmaker, author, public speaker, and founder of The Webby Awards, Tiffany Shlain. She was recently honored by Newsweek as one of the “Women Shaping the 21st Century” and her films and…
Why Does Netflix Produce so Much Shit?
Welcome to another episode of Millennialism. Today, I am joined by Omar Gallaga, who is a technology, culture, and entertainment writer working online, in print, podcasts, and other mediums. He has written articles for Rolling Stone…
Are We Amusing Ourselves to Death?
In today’s episode, I talk to one of my College professors and recent Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant recipient Dr. Nora Madison. Dr. Madison, or Nora as I’m allowed to call her has a PhD in Communication, Culture & Media from Drexel…
A Journey from New York City to Traveling the World
Earlier this year, Katey Hannaby and Pedro Oranges returned from a 6-month backpacking trip around South America, so I wanted to chat with them about their experience, their favorite places, some challenges they faced along the way, and…
Running a business with your partner. Do you want to kill each other?
What's it like running a business with your girlfriend or boyfriend? Most people would probably advise against it, but not today's guest... Clayton B. Allen is a filmmaker/director from Philadelphia, but about a year ago he moved down to…