Travel is one of life’s greatest teachers. Join host Erica Forrest, Trip Scholars founder, published author, and internationally certified travel education coach for inspiring stories, thoughtful conversations, and practical tips to enhance your own travel experiences. In each episode, we explore how travel helps us learn more about the world-- and ourselves. This is the show for curious travelers who want to learn more, experience deeper, and travel better.
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Experiencing Interconnectedness Through Travel with Krista Fabian DeCastro
Season 2 · Episode 2
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • Duration 27:23
In this inspiring conversation, I'm joined by Krista Fabian DeCastro, founder of Fortuna Redux Travel Experiences. Through powerful stories from Senegal, Poland, and Tanzania, we explore how travel can create meaningful connections rather than being a one-sided experience.
With a background in cultural exchange and travel experiences in more than 45 countries, Krista designs thoughtful, personalized itineraries that balance adventure, connection, and sustainability while helping travelers create meaningful experiences together.
Episode Highlights:
The interconnectedness of history, culture, and travel
Why travel is inherently self-centered — and ways to gently shift that mindset
What it means to see ourselves as guests in the places we visit
Supporting local communities through thoughtful travel choices
Questions to ask about who is telling the story and where the money goes
Involving kids in travel planning to create deeper engagement and learning
A meaningful experience traveling with a Maasai-owned safari company in Tanzania
Simple research tips to help you travel more thoughtfully
A powerful story from Senegal that helped shaped Krista’s travel philosophy
The unexpected emotional experience that transformed a visit to Poland
Next Step
Before your next trip, begin reading the news about the places you hope to visit.
Understanding what is happening helps you connect more deeply and travel with greater awareness and empathy.
Reflection
Krista shared the Bantu concept of:
"Ubuntu" often expressed as: “I am because you are.”
It emphasizes our interconnectedness and that our identity can be found in our relationships with others. How might this idea impact the way you think about both travel and life?
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
From Backpacking the World to Sharing Its Stories: James Hammond of the Winging It Travel Podcast
Season 2 · Episode 1
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • Duration 41:01
Travel Storytelling · Cultural Connection · Backpacking
Travel is often inspired by a desire for adventure. But over time, it can become something deeper: a way to build connection, expand empathy, and better understand ourselves and others.
In this episode of Conversations for Curious Travelers, I’m joined by James Hammond, creator and host of the Winging It Travel Podcast, the Roaming with Hammo YouTube channel, and a member of the Voyascape Network. Drawing from his experiences traveling through 70+ countries, James reflects on how his journey has evolved — from adventure-driven travel toward a more connection-centered approach.
Together, we explore what it means to slow down, stay open, and travel without rigid expectations. James shares powerful stories from his time trekking in Nepal, moments of awe and humility, and how staying curious has helped him form meaningful connections across cultures. We also discuss storytelling, content creation, and why presence and flexibility often lead to the most memorable travel experiences.
This conversation offers inspiration, perspective, and practical ideas for anyone who wants to enhance their travels.
Episode Highlights
Lessons learned from visiting over 70 countries
The shift from adventure-based travel to traveling for connection
A moving story from trekking in Nepal
How curiosity and flexibility open the door to deeper cultural connection
Tips for traveling more thoughtfully, including walking tours and overland travel
What storytelling has taught James about reflection and presence
Next Step
Plan a weekend trip to a place a few hours from home that you have never visited before.
Reflection
James shared an inspiring quote by Mark Twain:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did.
Season One Wrap-Up: Gratitude, Growth, and What’s Next
Season 1 · Episode 13
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 • Duration 11:35
As this year — and our first season of Conversations for Curious Travelers — comes to a close, I’m filled with gratitude for you and everyone who’s joined me on this journey. In this reflective episode, I share highlights from our inspiring guests and solo explorations, what I’ve learned through creating this show, and why I’m taking a short break before Season Two launches in January.
From awe and thoughtfulness to family connection and gratitude, this season has been full of stories that remind us how travel can teach us about the world — and ourselves.
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:
Reflections and favorite moments from our first season
Guests who shared wisdom on awe, creativity, connection, and education
Solo episodes on travel, gratitude, and making the most of every journey
How the LEARN Through Travel framework continues to shape the show
A personal update and what’s ahead in Season Two
Ways you can stay connected and keep learning through travel
🌍 Guests Featured This Season
Tracy Smyth — Cultivating Awe as Travelers
Amanda Kendle — How to Travel More Thoughtfully
Sahara Rose De Vore — Travel Coaching Insights: Changing the Travel Industry
Looking for the perfect gift for the traveler in your life? In this episode of Conversations for Curious Travelers, I’m sharing meaningful, thoughtful, and practical gift ideas that go far beyond souvenirs. From once-in-a-lifetime experiences to cozy at-home touches, you’ll find inspiration for every budget and every kind of traveler.
I’ll also share a personal story about a powerful travel gift my husband gave me before a trip to France—a reminder of how the right gift can create memories that last a lifetime.
Episode Highlights
Why the most meaningful gifts aren’t things, but experiences and connections
Inspiring ideas for travel gifts—from National Park passes to cooking classes
Affordable and low-cost gifts that create big impact
Smart and sustainable travel gear ideas travelers will actually use
Next Step
Think of one traveler in your life. Reflect on what they love most about travel, or where they’re headed next. Use one of today’s ideas to choose a thoughtful gift just for them.
Reflection
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” — Simone Weil
Travel with Gratitude: Stories, Science & Simple Practices
Season 1 · Episode 11
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • Duration 16:38
Travel with Gratitude · Gratitude Travel Tips · Gratitude and Travel Stories
In this special episode, I explore how gratitude transforms our travel experiences and our lives. I share personal stories from Costa Rica, practical tools , and science-backed benefits of gratitude that can help you navigate both holiday travel stress and life’s bigger challenges.
Episode Highlights:
How gratitude can reframe even the hardest travel moments.
Simple, science-backed practices you can use before, during, and after travel.
The surprising ways gratitude improves health, relationships, and resilience.
Insights from Costa Rica’s culture of Pura Vida and everyday gratitude.
Next Step: Try shifting one I have to into an I get to every day this week.
Reflection: “The root of joy is gratefulness...It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” -- Brother David Steindl-Rast
Planning Meaningful Movie Inspired Trips with Jessica Grace Coleman
Season 1 · Episode 10
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 • Duration 37:31
Movie Inspired Trips · Set Jetting & Movie Tourism · Cinematic Travel Experiences
From set-jetting to magical movie moments, travelers are discovering how films and TV shows can enhance their journeys. In this episode I sit down with Jessica Grace Coleman — author, filmmaker, podcaster, and founder of Movify Your Life — to explore how movie-inspired travel can transform not just your trips, but your life. Jessica shares how she turned her adventures into a “moviementry” and practical tips for bringing cinematic magic into everyday travel.
Episode Highlights
What movie-inspired travel really means — from visiting film locations to designing a cinematic journey of your own
Practical tips for set-jetting and creating itineraries based on your favorite films and TV shows
Jessica’s story of finding confidence and transformation through solo travel
How to use an alter ego to step outside your comfort zone while traveling
The story behind Movify Your Life project and “moviementry” film
Next Step
Grab a piece of paper and write down your favorite travel or life memories. Look for recurring themes — people, places, or details that always light you up. When planning your next trip, intentionally weave more of those elements into your itinerary and your life.
Reflection
Jessica shared a powerful line from Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years:
And once you live a good story, you get a taste for a kind of meaning in life, and you can't go back to being normal. You can't go back to meaningless scenes stitched together by the forgettable thread of wasted time.
What does it really mean to travel thoughtfully—and how can it transform the way you experience the world? In this conversation, I sit down with Amanda Kendle, longtime travel writer, lecturer, and host of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast. Amanda has been exploring and teaching about responsible, mindful journeys for decades, helping travelers discover how curiosity and connection can shape more meaningful adventures.
Episode Highlights:
How Amanda’s early travel experiences shaped her lifelong passion for exploring thoughtfully.
Why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools travelers can pack.
Simple trip practices to make your journeys richer.
How to balance joyful experiences with responsible, sustainable travel choices.
Why mishaps and unplanned moments often become our most memorable travel stories.
Next Step
Choose one way to experiment by stepping outside your travel comfort zone. It might be leaving an afternoon unscheduled, starting a conversation with a local, or swapping one planned activity for spontaneous discovery. Thoughtful travel often begins in the unexpected.
Reflection
“You did what you knew how to do, and when you knew better, you did better.” — Maya Angelou (via Oprah) How can you apply this idea to your own travels? Consider one past trip where you’d now make different choices, and think about how those lessons can guide your next adventure.
Connect with Amanda Kendle
Amanda is the host and producer of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, a lecturer in media and communication at Murdoch University, and the Vice President of the Board at RISE Travel Institute. She has been a freelance travel writer and blogger for over 20 years, focusing on how we can travel in ways that benefit both travelers and the communities we visit.
Why travel matters • Finding connection and perspective • Resilience and joy
Do you feel overwhelmed by the state of the world? In this episode you’ll discover how travel can give you the tools to meet these challenges with empathy, curiosity, and resilience.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why travel in uncertain times isn’t an escape but a pathway to resilience
How encounters while traveling reduce prejudice and build shared humanity
Ways to use curiosity as an antidote to fear and division
How travel experiences put today’s challenges into a bigger perspective
What research shows about the happiness boost from planning a trip
Why travel often inspires meaningful action back at home
This Week’s Small Step to Enhance Your Next Trip
Put one simple adventure on your calendar—whether it’s a day trip, museum visit, or hike. Anticipating it will lift your spirits and remind you of the hope travel can bring, even in challenging times.
Reflection
“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” — Rumi
What happens when travel is more than just a vacation? In this conversation, Sahara Rose De Vore, founder and CEO of the Travel Coach Network, shares how her journey from broke college student to visiting 84 countries solo led her to pioneer a new field: travel coaching.
Sahara is a TEDx speaker and global thought leader in the travel industry. She has been featured in over 200 media outlets for her expertise and was recently named one of the Most Influential Women in Travel by Travel Pulse.
In this conversation:
Discover how Sahara went from uncertain student to global traveler and entrepreneur.
Learn what travel coaching is—and how it differs from traditional travel planning.
Explore why setting intentions before a trip transforms your experience.
Find out how solo travel can unlock resilience, gratitude, and self-awareness.
Consider whether working with a travel coach might be right for you.
Learn what it takes to become a travel coach and build a meaningful business.
This Week’s Small Step to Enhance Your Next Trip
Before you plan your next journey, pause to ask yourself: Why do I want to take this trip? Whether it’s rest, connection, or discovery-- explore your why and try to go deeper.
Reflection
“What does travel mean to you?” Take a moment to journal or reflect on this question. Each of us has a different relationship to travel, and by clarifying yours, you can create more meaningful journeys that align with your values and aspirations.
Connect with Sahara Rose De Vore & the Travel Coach Certification Program
Love Comes First: Building Connections Through Travel with Parent Coach Sara Cole
Season 1 · Episode 6
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 • Duration 44:39
Family travel • Parenting tips • Roadschooling
Family adventures are filled with possibility—new places, shared discoveries, and chances to grow closer. But they can also test patience and resilience.
In this heartfelt conversation, I’m joined by my longtime friend Sara Cole, a certified parent coach with over 20 years of experience supporting families. Sara and her family spent 400 days roadschooling across the United States, weaving together education, adventure, and deep connection. She shares stories of travel challenges turned into growth moments, insights from her coaching work with adoptive families, and practical tips any of us can use to strengthen relationships on the road and at home.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to turn travel challenges into opportunities for connection.
Why pacing and slowing down matters for family well-being on long trips.
Strategies for balancing together time, couple time, and solo time while traveling.
Practical ways parents can care for themselves to better support their kids.
How the Junior Ranger program and other educational travel tools build engagement.
Why setting realistic expectations before a big trip can reduce stress and increase joy.
This Week’s Small Step to Enhance Your Next Trip
Take a few minutes to sit down as a family and ask: What would you love to see, do, or learn on our next trip? Including your kids’ voices early will spark excitement and create a sense of shared ownership in the adventure.
Reflection
“Love comes first. Everything else is secondary and tentative.” – Hugh and Gayle Prather How might our travels, and our lives, change if we keep this at the forefront of our interactions?
Connect with Sara Cole
Sara Cole is a certified parent coach, Neufeld Institute Course Facilitator, and HeartMath Certified Mentor. She's trained with experts like Holly Van Gulden and Dr. Dan Siegel, and served as an Attachment Parenting International Leader for many years. As a coach, she helps parents cultivate deeper connections with their children. Sara specializes in supporting adoptive families.
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
Ready for personalized support? Explore my workshops, classes, and travel coaching to get expert guidance in planning meaningful, personalized journeys at TripScholars.com
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