Chasing 193, one of the most exclusive clubs on Earth. In fact, more people have been to outer space than have earned their way into this, the ultimate travel club. According to the United Nations there are 193 sovereign nations in the world. Welcome to the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who've spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to them all. Welcome, to Counting Countries. With your host, Ric Gazarian.
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Extraordinary Travel Festival III Update III – Matt Gray Of Pangea
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 • Duration 46:29
Join the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, October 22-25, 2026. Use code BANGKOK to save on your ticket. One of the goals of the Extraordinary Travel Festival is to bring the leaders of the travel industry together. Why? We want to make your travels richer and more meaningful. Hearing from these thought leaders keeps you abreast of changes and benefits that can help you. We have founders and leaders like Ian Cumming of Travel Massive, Stefan Krasowski of Every Passport Stamp, and Orest Zub of NomadMania. I am excited to be speaking with Matt Gray on this episode who will also be joining us at ETF. He is the founder of Pangea, whose goal is to connect and explore the world, and who better to do that with than friends who share your same passion. Download the app so you can better connect with travelers around the world. Since this interview with Matt, Pangea has been on a roll, acquiring and integrating several other Digital Nomad & Travel Community apps into their core platform. Their general thesis and strategy is that by consolidating the very fragmented consumer travel app space, they can deliver a best in class experience and become the all in one platform that many are referring to as the "Strava for Travel" So far they've integrated Overlap & Nomadago, two leading community apps, bringing together nearly 50,000 users who have downloaded one of these apps into their core Pangea platform. And consider meeting Matt and other nomads at Nomad Week in Cape Town. Want to save $50? Please use code ETF50. Remember to join us in Bangkok at the ETF, please use code BANGKOK to save on your ticket. (ETF alumni contact me directly to get your special discount.) The event will be October 22-25, 2026 in Bangkok. We continually have news to share with you. As an example, we will have a Travel Tech panel, hosted by Ian Cumming of Travel Massive, with 2 announced panelists, 193er and tech expert Joel Oleson, and Matt Gray as well. They will be talking all things tech and what you need to know to make your travels better. On Travel Content Creation Day, we will have a panel of video travel content. The first panelist is Barbs, you might know him for his uber successful channel, Geography Now with over 4 million subscribers! More panelists to be announced. I was in Bangkok while Matt was in Cape Town, please listen in and enjoy.
Yaël Pericard … A Pair Of Jeans
Season 4 · Episode 12
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 • Duration 02:03:00
Yaël Pericard has been to 133 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Yael Pericard. I met Yael briefly at the ETF in Bangkok and follow him on FB, but here is another case of a traveler who I really did not know well. Of course that is no longer the case after our conversation. Yael leads an adventurous life from summiting 7000 meters in Pakistan, to giving back in the Phillipines, to risking it all to explore a remote airstrip in Lesotho (this one is a pretty crazy story). And, you will get to meet him at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok as he is coming back for the next event in 2026. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know them, you love them! Bisa "fully nomadic" Myles, Ted Nims, Adam "one-away" Hickman, Steph "Phuket" Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe "BC" Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Dana Mahoutchian, Mihai Dascalu and Ryan Knott for supporting this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons will hear the entire conversation with Thomas. Please remember the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be on October 22-25 in 2026. You can join the event and use code BANGKOK to save $110 for this incredibly packed event. We have announced a new speaker, Roberto Helou, who you might know from IG as ExploRob. I followed him last year as he biked from Cairo to Cape Town on an epic journey. I am excited to hear him speak next year. Consider joining our Instagram and Facebook groups and signing up for the ETF newsletter. Any questions, please let me know. I was in Bangkok while Yael was in Norway for this recording. Please listen in and enjoy. Thank you to my Patrons - you rock!! … Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam Hickman, Steph Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Dana Mahoutchian, Mihai Dascalu, and Ryan Knott. Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review! More about Yaël Pericard Counting Countries: Yael on IG: Instagram Yael on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@yaelpericard The Impossible Journey (Amazon US Kindle (affiliate)): https://amzn.to/46pRuDi Other book options: Thor Pedersen | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who've spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter's Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi. About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia. Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask! The United Nations states that there are 193 member states. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories. The Traveler's Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands. The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 regions. The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world. SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world. And the video that explains it all! Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way. An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori. Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Yaël Pericard Counting Countries
Jenna Pava … #FOMO
Season 4 · Episode 6
Monday, June 2, 2025 • Duration 01:52:00
Jenna Pava has been to 181 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I had the pleasure of meeting Jenna Pava at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, only to discover that we were also (distant) neighbors in the city. This conversation offered another fantastic opportunity to dive into the story of a truly compelling traveler in our community. Jenna's early life was marked by a tug-of-war between her birthplace in Russia and her new home in the United States, shaping a deep sense of resilience from a young age. Remarkably, her travel journey took two major turns for the better—both triggered by moments of disappointment when friends let her down. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of those experiences and much more as Jenna makes her way toward visiting all 193 countries. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know them, you love them! Bisa "fully nomadic" Myles, Ted Nims, Adam "one-away" Hickman, Steph "Phuket" Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe "BC" Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Phil "Marmaduke" Marcus, Sam Williams, Scott Day, and Dana Mahoutchian for supporting this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons will hear extra content with Jenna that you will not hear and you can be part of our members only FB group. Also, please remember if you are interested in traveling to Papua New Guinea to partake in your own private Sing Sing to meet scores of tribes in an intimate setting, check out our friends Tribes of Papua New Guinea. Reach out to me to learn more about this experience and how to get a 10% discount or look here website on the Show Notes. And, we also have partnered with Ahmed and Aknaf in Iraq who offers monthly fixed date trips from Baghdad to the marshes. Remember to keep up to date with the Extraordinary Travel Festival by joining our Instagram and Facebook groups and signing up for the ETF newsletter on our. ETF will be sometime, somewhere in 2026 around October/November, destination unknown. Jenna and I were in Krung Thep for this recording. Please listen in and enjoy. Thank you to my Patrons - you rock!! … Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam Hickman, Steph Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Phil Marcus, Sam Williams, Scott Day, and Dana Mahoutchian. Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review! More About Jenna Pava Counting Countries Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyajen/ About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who've spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter's Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi. About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia. Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask! The United Nations states that there are 193 member states. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories. The Traveler's Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands. The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 regions. The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world. SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world. And the video that explains it all! Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way. An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori. Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Jenna Pava Counting Countries
Stephen Hughes … is a threat to national security
Season 2 · Episode 61
Thursday, September 6, 2018 • Duration 01:11:37
Key Links Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa --------------------------------------- On today's episode, I welcome Stephen Hughes to Counting Countries. Steve and I met on the road during a visit to Iran, where we are both not allowed independent travel. I enjoyed our time together since Steve is not shy about sharing his opinions, and I knew he would be a good fit for the podcast. And this episode was a long time in the coming. We met in 2016 and recorded an episode in 2017. Unfortunately, the file was corrupted and never published. It took many months to reschedule and was finally recorded for a second time in the summer of 2018. This recording was of really, really poor quality. I was going to have to schedule a third interview. But Counting Countries is not a one-man operation. My producer/editor is Evo Terra, the author of Podcasting for Dummies, was called in for emergency help. While this podcast is not the best in audio quality, Evo was able to resurrect this interview from the grave and make it listenable. For those who have any questions on podcasting, feel free to reach out to Evo and his company Simpler Media on Facebook or the web. Back to Steve, who became interested in travel with his interest in maps, flags, and the game of Risk as a kid. He lived an unconventional life, quitting school at 16 and working at a bank. He hit the road with a friend for three years in a camper called the HammerMobile as they toured Europe at just 18. Steve shares with us falling off a three story building in Mexico, being bit by a scorpion, and almost being lost at sea. And he tells us why he was refused entry at the Canada/US border. He is considered a threat to national security. I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify and of course if you like the program, feel free write a review like hoosiergrad02 did. "One of the best travel podcasts out there. Motivates me to travel more and to places I would have never discovered before". Thanks Hoosier grad! Thanks for sharing this great feedback. Remember go to Amazon to pick up your Counting Countries T-shirt, just like Guiness World Record holder, Maurizio Giuliano recently did. Besides hosting this podcast, I also wear a couple of other hats in the world of travel. I have produced and been featured in two full-length, adventure travel films; Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia. In both films, I am piloting a rickshaw for days on end in both India and Cambodia. It is amazing and authentic way to see the country and meet a lot of people. So, I made films documenting the adventure which are available on iTunes and Amazon or simply go to www.hittheroadmovie.com. And before our conversation with Steve, I will be speaking with Julian Carnal the founder of Large Minority who organizes the rally in Cambodia. For this episode, you might want to have the kids in another room due to some salty language. But for now, here's my conversation with Stephen who was in the UK while I was in Boston, home of the New England Patriots. Please listen in and enjoy. More about Stephen Hughes: Born in: Chatham UK Passports from: 2 British passports for convenience Favorite travel book: Flashman paper series; an historical travel about and lothario and a cad!! Favorite travel film: Favourite travel film; Road trips across USA stand out. Duel - Steven Spielberg's first film I think and also My Little Sunshine as they travel to the beauty pageant! Favorite travel app: Don't really use apps or travel websites but it's now our Facebook page and before it was Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree Must carry: 5 books as I read voraciously when traveling Favorite food: I normally search out the spicy food but also the local traditional food wherever I am Favorite drink: Water of course but only until 4pm when it turns to booze of any type. Favorite Airline: I always use the local airlines of flying internally and don't really have a favourite long haul but if had to choose one; would probably be one of the Arab ones!
Boris Kester … has completed the 193
Season 2 · Episode 60
Thursday, August 23, 2018 • Duration 02:06:19
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa More about Boris Kester: Born in: The Hague, Netherlands Passports from: Netherlands Favorite travel book: Homer's Odyssey Favorite travel film: Touching The Void Favorite travel app: maps.me Must carry: Camera Favorite food: Italian Favorite drink: Freshly squeezed fruit juice Favorite Airline: KLM Favorite Hotel: Mattress in the desert Websites: Travel Adventures & Boris Kester Instagram: Boris Travel Adventures Twitter: Boris Kester Facebook: Boris Kester Boris's Map: Nomad Mania Please leave a rating or a review wherever you listen to Counting Countries. We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Alexa and anywhere else you find podcasts. ------------------ For detailed show notes and more about your host, Ric Gazarian, please visit GlobalGaz.com. ------------------ Counting Countries is produced and supported by Simpler Media Productions. Our theme music is by Mundi.
Maurice Brand … has completed 148 UN countries
Season 2 · Episode 59
Thursday, August 9, 2018 • Duration 53:42
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa More about Maurice Brand: Born in: Kerkrade, Netherlands Passports from: Dutch Favorite travel film: Given Favorite travel app: Skyscanner Must carry: Camera and several lenses Favorite food: Hummus Favorite drink: Water Favorite Airline: Ethiopian Airlines Facebook: Maurice Brand Please leave a rating or a review wherever you listen to Counting Countries. We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Alexa and anywhere else you find podcasts. ------------------ For detailed show notes and more about your host, Ric Gazarian, please visit GlobalGaz.com. ------------------ Counting Countries is produced and supported by Simpler Media Productions. Our theme music is by Mundi.
Michael Runkel … has completed 193 UN countries
Season 2 · Episode 58
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • Duration 01:09:49
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa ---------- More about Michael Runkel: Born in: Bavaria, Germany Passports from: Germany Favorite travel book: Shantaram Favorite travel site: Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum Must carry: Camera Favorite food: German Roulade, a roulade is a dish of filled rolled meat or pastry. Favorite drink: Aperol Spritz Favorite Airline: Emirates Airlines Favorite Hotel: Banyan Tree Hotel, Tanna, Vanuatu Website: Michael Runkel Facebook: Michael Runkel Photographs Instagram: Michael Runkel Photo Travel Map: The Best Traveled Map Please leave a rating or a review wherever you listen to Counting Countries. We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Alexa and anywhere else you find podcasts. ------------------ For detailed show notes and more about your host, Ric Gazarian, please visit GlobalGaz.com. ------------------ Counting Countries is produced and supported by Simpler Media Productions. Our theme music is by Mundi.
Lexie Alford
Season 2 · Episode 57
Thursday, July 12, 2018 • Duration 01:32:01
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa More about Lexie Alford: Born in: Nevada City, California Passports from: US Passport Favorite travel book: On the Road by Jack Kerouac Favorite travel film: Samsara Favorite app: Passporter app (coming soon) Favorite food: Moroccan Couscous Favorite drink: Freddo Cappuccino (Greece) Favorite airline: Delta Favorite hotel: Berggasthaus Äscher (Cliff Hanging Hostel in the Swiss Alps) Website: Living Lost Facebook: Lexie Alford Instagram: Lost Lexie Please leave a rating or a review wherever you listen to Counting Countries. We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Alexa and anywhere else you find podcasts. ------------------ For detailed show notes and more about your host, Ric Gazarian, please visit GlobalGaz.com. ------------------ Counting Countries is produced and supported by Simpler Media Productions. Our theme music is by Mundi.
Taylor Demonbreun … has completed 125 UN countries
Season 2 · Episode 56
Thursday, June 28, 2018 • Duration 01:28:39
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa More about Trek With Taylor Born in: Tuscaloosa, Alabama Passports from: 2 US Passports Favorite travel book: Eat Pray Love, I guess? I don't tend to read a ton of travel books. Favorite travel film: Honestly? The Lizzie McGuire Movie or The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Those both probably sound so trivial or childish but from a young age they really inspired me to want to get to Europe and see the places in those movies. And, I am happy to say, I have now been to Rome (multiple times) and finally made it to Greece! I think it was so influential at a young age to be able to see to see other young women traveling around the world. Must carry: My retainer and a small stuffed animal (named Bun Bun). Also, definitely need my phone. Favorite app: Google flights for planning. Google sheets for organization. Favorite food: Pizza. Or anything involving cheese really. Favorite drink: Sprite, but I try to drink as much water as possible while traveling. Favorite airline: Norwegian! I love their cheap flights linking the US and Europe. Definitely my favorite low cost carrier. As far as the big name airlines go I would say American Airlines because two of my grandparents worked for and retired from American. Favorite hotel: East Winds in Saint Lucia! It was one of the first stops on my trip and it will be very hard to ever beat. It was so beautiful and I have never been so pampered in my life. Website: Trek With Taylor Facebook: Trek With Taylor Instagram: Trek With Taylor Twitter: Trek With Taylor Please leave a rating or a review wherever you listen to Counting Countries. We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Alexa and anywhere else you find podcasts. ------------------ For detailed show notes and more about your host, Ric Gazarian, please visit GlobalGaz.com. ------------------ Counting Countries is produced and supported by Simpler Media Productions. Our theme music is by Mundi.
Jorge Sanchez: Ranked first on Nomad Mania
Season 2 · Episode 55
Thursday, June 14, 2018 • Duration 02:05:54
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa And check out our new sponsor - The Journey by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - take a listen and subscribe! More about Jorge Sanchez Born in: I was born in 1954 in Barcelona, Spain Passports from: I have Spanish passport Favorite travel book: My favorite travel book is: The Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor Favorite travel film: Baraka Must carry: A notebook Favorite food: Any Indian dish with curry Favorite drink: Coffee Favorite airline: The cheapest Favorite hotel: Youth hostel Website: Jorge Sanchez Nomad Mania Map: Jorge Sanchez Jorge's books: Meetings With Remarkable Travelers and A Journey To Exotic South America Please leave a rating or a review wherever you listen to Counting Countries. We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Alexa and anywhere else you find podcasts. ------------------ For detailed show notes and more about your host, Ric Gazarian, please visit GlobalGaz.com. ------------------ Counting Countries is produced and supported by Simpler Media Productions. Our theme music is by Mundi.
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