Zero To Travel Podcast

• Tbilisi Travel and Hidden Georgia Gems with Local Guide Levan Giorgadze

  Why should you travel to Tbilisi, Georgia? While you might come for the 8,000-year-old wine, you’ll want to stay for the wild hospitality and a city full of surprises. Levan Giorgadze is a theater-trained tour guide and founder of Tbilisi Free Walking Tours, where he shares Georgia’s rich history and culture with travelers from all over the world. A passionate ambassador for his homeland, Levan’s deep knowledge and playful storytelling have made him one of the most sought-after local guides in the region. In this episode, we’re talking all things Georgia (the country!), from ancient wine traditions to offbeat Soviet architecture, cultural quirks, and tips for connecting with locals in Tbilisi and beyond. If you’re planning a trip to Tbilisi, Georgia or curious about why it’s become one of the most talked-about destinations, this episode is a must. Levan shares what makes the city so special, from it’s special amber wines made in underground clay jars to off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods and other hidden gems in Tbilisi. You’ll learn why you should never cut a khinkali and what it’s like to lead a free walking tour in Tbilisi for nine years. You’ll get insider tips on the best local wine bars, Soviet-era architecture, and how to connect with locals on a deeper level. Whether you're after a cultural travel experience or just want the best Tbilisi travel tips, this episode will help you see the city like a local. What do you think makes a place truly unforgettable - the food, the people, the stories, or something else entirely? I'd love to hear what you think, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.  Tune In To Learn:  Why Georgian amber wine might be the oldest winemaking tradition in the world  How Georgia's diverse microclimates shape its food, nature, and wine  Advice to connect with locals (and maybe get invited to dinner)  What travelers can learn from locals, and what Levan’s learned from travelers  Why you should never cut a khinkali dumpling  How Levan started one of the first free walking tours in Tbilisi  Hidden gems in Tbilisi, including the SkyBridge and Soviet-era print house  Why the “Chronicle of Georgia” monument is worth the trip out of town  Where to find the best markets, street food, and people-watching opportunities  What to bring home from Georgia besides a bottle of wine  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Tbilisi Free Walking Tours  Want More?  Top 10 Health and Wellness Destinations (The Best Places To Live In The World) with Nina Butler  Exploring Kyoto Japan, Creative Expression Through Street Photography, Connecting With Your Heritage Abroad with Taro Moberly  Hidden Norway: 7 Off The Beaten Path Gems You’ll Love, Popular Norwegian Concepts Worth Stealing, Trekking In Bhutan, & Living At The Crossroads of Magic & Science w/ Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Apple Card - Earn 3% back on the Apple products and services you love with Apple Card.  Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Timor-Leste Hidden Gems: Blue Whales, Diving, and Slow Travel in One of the World’s Least Visited Countries with Jonty Crane

  Could the least-visited places offer the most rewarding travel experiences?  Jonty Crane is a New Zealand-based traveler, guidebook author, and longtime advocate for meaningful, off-the-beaten-path travel. With over 75 countries under his belt, he’s currently volunteering in Timor-Leste, where he’s helping promote sustainable tourism while living the slow travel lifestyle.   In this episode, we unpack what makes Timor-Leste one of the most under-the-radar travel destinations in the world. From coral reefs and dramatic mountain landscapes to warm, welcoming locals and a fascinating (if difficult) history, Jonty gives us a deep look at what it’s like to live and travel there and why more people should consider visiting.  We talk about the difference between traditional tourism and slow travel, and how living and volunteering in a place like Timor-Leste can offer deeper insight, stronger connection, and more personal transformation than a quick trip ever could. Jonty also shares his favorite things to do in the country, what to expect when traveling there, and how to navigate the lack of infrastructure without losing your mind. Plus, you’ll get three of his top picks for other lesser-visited destinations that are worth the effort.  Have you ever traveled somewhere that felt like a true hidden gem? What made it special 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:  Why Timor-Leste gets so few tourists and why that’s part of its magic  How it feels to be one of the only foreigners in a place (and how locals respond)  What slow travel really means, and how it compares to traditional tourism  Advice for traveling in places with limited infrastructure (and why it’s worth it)  Jonty’s take on authenticity, cultural connection, and purpose-driven travel  The best things to do in Timor-Leste, from coral reefs to mountain hikes  What it’s like volunteering abroad and “working” while exploring  Why slow travel doesn’t have to mean doing nothing  A peek at Timor-Leste’s rich history and resilient spirit  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Jonty’s website and Instagram  Exploring Timor-Leste website  Jonty’s books on Timor-Leste  Exploring Timor-Leste Podcast  TikTok  YouTube  Want More?  Exploring Tibet with Robert Kelly  Top 10 Hidden Gems: East Africa (Beyond the Safari) and Transitioning to Travel With Sasha and Megnote Lezhnev  Here Not There: Alternative Destinations With Less Crowds (And Meaningful Experiences) with National Geographic Author Andrew Nelson  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Apple Card - Earn 3% back on the Apple products and services you love with Apple Card.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How to Become the Hero in Your Own Life with Derek Loudermilk

  What if you could flip your thinking, let go of old scripts, and start showing up as the hero in your own life, right now?  Derek Loudermilk is a coach, adventurer, podcaster, and bestselling author who helps coaches, healers, and creators become global thought leaders. After leaving behind a PhD program, surviving a life-threatening blood clot, and traveling the world for years, Derek rebuilt his life on his own terms.   In this episode, Derek and I explore five “thought reversals” to help you in your hero journey, especially during times of big transitions or when you’re feeling stuck.  I loved this conversation because it’s packed with practical ways to reframe the stories you tell yourself, and it’s a great reminder that a lot of what holds us back happens in our heads. You’ll hear Derek’s wild backstory, how he rebuilt his identity after losing everything, and what it looks like to live more freely by dropping the old scripts. If you’ve ever felt caught between wanting more adventure and wanting stability, or if you’re curious how to “be lazy” in a way that actually helps you succeed, there’s something here for you.  What old script are you ready to rewrite? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.  *This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.  Tune In To Learn:  Why focusing on money might be keeping you broke  How Derek survived a 20% chance of living and used it to start over  The mindset shift to stop thinking your way out of every problem  How to work from who you want to be (instead of where you’re stuck)  Why dropping your past identity can free you to travel (and live) better  How “lazy” CEOs actually get more done  Why your attention and your questions shape your reality  Practical ways to tap into luck, synchronicity, and abundance  How to balance family, travel, and the pull to put down roots again  Derek’s simple advice for crossing time zones with less stress  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Derek’s website  The Derek Loudermilk Show  Instagram  Want More?  16 Mindset Hacks To Help You Travel Long Term  Exploring Your Limiting Beliefs & Finding Your Purpose w/ Kathleen Sinclair  How To Add More Play Into Your Life w/ Jeff Harry  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Apple Card - Earn 3% back on the Apple products and services you love with Apple Card.  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• From Death’s Door to Solo Kayaking 1,000 Miles Through the Canadian Arctic with Stephan Kesting

  Why does it take a brush with death for some of us to finally do the things we’ve dreamed of?  Stephan Kesting is an accomplished martial artist, firefighter, wilderness explorer, and the author of Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic. You might know him from his popular jiu-jitsu videos and teachings at Grapplearts, but Stephan’s story goes far beyond the mat. After surviving a life-threatening kidney disease and receiving a transplant from his brother, Stephan set out on a 1,000-mile solo canoe expedition through Canada’s remote Subarctic - a journey that became both an epic adventure and a profound exploration of mortality, identity, and what it means to truly live.  In this episode, Stephan and I dig into what it takes physically, mentally, and emotionally to embark on a solo wilderness journey in the face of mortality and grief.  Stephan’s story will inspire you to rethink your own limits. You’ll hear how he navigated a rare kidney disease that threatened his identity as a martial artist and outdoorsman, and how facing death up close became the push he needed to tackle a dream he’d been putting off for years. From his raw reflections on loss and resilience to his honest look at fear, self-doubt, and satisfaction versus happiness, Stephan’s insights will stick with you long after you’ve listened.   Whether your version of adventure is paddling 1,000 miles alone or just stepping outside your comfort zone, this conversation might just give you that nudge to get started.  When was the last time you answered your own call to adventure? What did it teach you about yourself? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.  Tune In To Learn:  Why Stephan walked away from a career in physics and ended up studying botany in the Arctic  How growing up with a foot in the city and a foot in the wilderness shaped his love of the outdoors  The surprising overlap between martial arts and wilderness survival  How polycystic kidney disease forced Stephan to confront his mortality and identity  How he planned and trained for a 1,000-mile solo canoe expedition after a transplant  What it’s like to be alone in the Subarctic for weeks, battling harsh weather and self-doubt  Why he believes satisfaction matters more than happiness when it comes to big goals  How the wilderness has helped him process grief and loss  Practical advice for anyone who wants to dip their toes into solo outdoor adventures safely  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Stephan’s website  Essential Wilderness YouTube  Instagram  Perserverence book  Want More?  The Power of Death in Life with Gentle Rebel Bronnie Ware  Beyond the Summit: Climbing Mt. Everest, Filming at 29,000 Feet, a Cultural Journey through Nepal, and Taking Your Childhood Dreams to Heart with Alex Harz  Cross Country Canoeing: 7,500 Miles Into the Soul of America + an Unconventional Life of Travel With Neal Moore  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Apple Card - Earn 3% back on the Apple products and services you love with Apple Card.  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Building a Life Abroad, Culture Shock, and Big Leaps with Traveling Jackie

  What does it really take to build a life abroad, and what happens when travel pushes you far outside your comfort zone?  Jackie Nourse, aka Traveling Jackie, is an adventure travel pro, host of JUMP podcast, tour leader, and storyteller who’s built a life around helping people explore the world boldly and authentically. With over 20 years of travel under her belt, Jackie’s led countless group trips, launched two podcasts, and built a passionate community of travelers who seek adventure and growth.   In this crossover episode, Jackie and I reflect on our first in-person meetup in Norway and dive into what it means to design a lifestyle you love, raise a family in a new culture, and face fear head-on. From raising kids in the forest outside Oslo to climbing Europe’s highest sea cliff with a serious fear of heights, this episode explores the intersection of travel, courage, and personal transformation.  This episode offers a personal look into what it means to build a new life in a different country, from navigating culture shock to raising bilingual kids and finding your own rhythms far from home. Jackie also shares a powerful story about doing something she truly didn’t think she could do: climbing Europe’s highest sea cliff on a via ferrata, despite having a serious fear of heights. Her reflections on fear, courage, and support are deeply relatable, whether you're standing on a cliff face or facing something uncertain in your own life. What’s one moment in your life when curiosity helped you say yes to something scary? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.  Tune In To Learn:  Why Jackie decided to design an off-the-beaten-path adventure through Norway  How I ended up living in Oslo (and what I love about it)  Advice to anyone considering a move abroad, especially with a family  How “friluftsliv” shapes Norwegian life and values  What it’s like to raise kids in a forest-filled neighborhood outside Oslo  Why self-designed lifestyle checklists help you reverse-engineer the life you want  How public transport and local access shape rural Norwegian life  What via ferrata is (and why climbing one on a cliff face isn’t as relaxing as it sounds)  How Jackie faced a phobia head-on and climbed the highest sea cliff in Europe  Why small choices (like buying gloves) can snowball into big courage  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Jackie’s website  JUMP Podcast  Want More?  Top 5 Hidden Highlights Around the World with Jackie Nourse from JUMP Adventures  The Best Of Argentina w/ Jackie Nourse  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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