The Camino Calls Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Josh calls sobriety “the pilgrimage inside,” and the parallels to the Camino are striking — the brave choice to begin something unknown, the humility to ask for help, the discipline of daily steps, the shedding of what no longer serves you, and the quiet transformation that happens along the way.

Thank you Phil Powis ❤️⚡️, Rachel Connor, Inge van de Graaf, Amanda Goddard, and many others for tuning into my live video with Josh Woll!

I hated gyms.

I had rarely hiked.

I didn’t know how to use hiking poles.

I didn’t own dry-wicking clothes.

Yet something told me a 500-mile walk across Spain was a good idea.

Enjoy Part 1 of my Camino story.

🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?

Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com

Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready:

* Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!).

* 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (60 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call.

* 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease.

* 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.Rebecca Weston is an American who walked her first Camino in 2012.

About me: I’ve walked more than a dozen Caminos since my first in 2012. I’ve spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. Originally from the US, I most recently spent 4.5 years living in Spain. Next stop? Who knows. That’s the fun part.

More Camino Conversations

To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive.

Camino Conversations: Live every Wednesday at 11am. Subscribe to be notified about upcoming conversations!

And/or share this post with anyone you know who may be interested in walking the Camino de Santiago.

🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?

Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com

Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready:

* 🎥Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!).

* 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (1 hour): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call.

* 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease.

* 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.

About me: I walked my first Camino in 2012 . Since then, I have walked over a dozen Caminos—alone or with others; in spring, summer and fall; in Spain, Portugal, and France. I’ve also spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. My husband and I live in a town of 6500 people on the Camino del Norte.

I was delighted to be joined today by Maurice Frank who walked his first Camino de Santiago at age 67. Inspired years earlier by Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage and drawn to the Camino’s sense of community, Maurice finally set out after the COVID lockdowns. In 2023, he completed the 500-mile Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, an experience so powerful that by day five he already knew he wanted to do another. He describes three kinds of relationships on the Camino—families, friends, and familiar faces—and how each enriched his journey. Even setback became gifts that brought him solitude and new connections

Maurice later walked the Camino Portugués from Porto, including the Spiritual Variant with its historic boat ride and forest path known as the Route of Stone and Water. Afterward, he extended to Finisterre and volunteered at Santiago’s Pilgrim House, helping fellow pilgrims transition after their journeys.

Now preparing to repeat the Francés, Maurice explains that every Camino is different: he wants to revisit places more deeply, approach the trail with greater experience, and embrace how both he and the Camino have changed. His closing advice is simple—if you’re considering it, just go. The Camino offers an irreplaceable experience you won’t regret.

(Note: The book that Maurice mentions that started his interest in the Camino is Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage.)

More Camino Conversations

To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive.

Join us live here on Substack every Wednesday at 11am.

Subscribe to be notified about upcoming guests and topics!

🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?

Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com

Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready:

* 🎥Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!).

* 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (1 hour): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call.

* 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease.

* 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.

About me: I walked my first Camino in 2012 . Since then, I have walked over a dozen Caminos—alone or with others; in spring, summer and fall; in Spain, Portugal, and France. I’ve also spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. My husband and I live in a town of 6500 people on the Camino del Norte.

At age 65, Hana Maris set out alone on the Camino Primitivo, Spain’s most physically demanding Camino route, and discovered far more than a long walk. In this inspiring conversation, she shares how a personal crisis led her to seek a pilgrimage, why she chose the rugged and historic Camino Primitivo over busier routes, and what it was like to navigate steep climbs, scarce services, language barriers, and even a surprise cow encounter. Along the way, she found deep camaraderie with pilgrims from 21 countries, moments of profound spirituality, and the courage to trust herself in unfamiliar places. With humor, honesty, and wisdom, Hana reminds us that it’s never too late to push past fear, embrace adventure, and let the Camino work its magic.

More Camino Conversations

To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive.

Join us live here on Substack every Wednesday at 11am.

Enter your email to be notified about upcoming guests and topics!

🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?

Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com

Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready:

* 🎥Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!).

* 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (1 hour): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call.

* 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease.

* 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.

About me: I walked my first Camino in 2012 . Since then, I have walked over a dozen Caminos—alone or with others; in spring, summer and fall; in Spain, Portugal, and France. I’ve also spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. My husband and I live in a town of 6500 people on the Camino del Norte.

In my second Q&A, I answered the following questions. You can find my first Q&A here. And if you have more questions, feel free to respond to this email or post a comment on this post!

* How can you make sure to see the large incense burner in the Santiago cathedral swing (the Botafumeiro)? (1:06)

* Where should you stay when you get to Santiago de Compostela? Advice for choosing wisely. For more information, check out What to Really Expect from Accommodations on the Camino de Santiago. (3:01)

* Where can you find quiet places in Santiago de Compostela? My three recommendations. (10:16)

* What should you know about cash on the Camino (where to get it, how much to bring, typical costs)? (14:36)

* Should you use hiking sticks on the Camino? (19:25)

* Can you bring hiking sticks on a plane, and what are the best alternatives if not? (20:43)

* How should you handle jet lag when starting a Camino? (24:07)

* Where do you get your Camino credential (and how do stamps/Compostela work)? (26:29)

* Where do you go to the bathroom on the Camino? (31:24)

More Camino Conversations

To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive.

Join us live her on Substack every Wednesday at 11am.

Enter your email to be notified about upcoming guests and topics!

🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?

Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com

Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready:

* 🎥Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!).

* 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (45 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call.

* 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease.

* 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.

About me: I walked my first Camino in 2012 . Since then, I have walked over a dozen Caminos—alone or with others; in spring, summer and fall; in Spain, Portugal, and France. I’ve also spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. My husband and I live in a town of 6500 people on the Camino del Norte.

In this week’s episode of Camino Conversations, I sit down with my father, Lou, who first walked the Camino at age 71 and—now at 78—is still walking and planning future Caminos.

Together, we revisit our journeys:

* How it all began – from watching The Way to Dad deciding to join me on his first Camino.

* First steps on the Camino Francés – Pamplona to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, walking in summer heat, meeting pilgrims from all over the world, and discovering the magic of Camino friendships.

* The Last 100 km – walking from Sarria to Santiago, sharing in the excitement of entering the city as a pilgrim, attending the pilgrim mass, and experiencing the famous botafumeiro.

* Crossing the Pyrenees at 75 – why Lou felt it was “cheating” not to, what it’s really like to walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, and their memorable stay at Borda with its legendary community meal.

* Volunteering at the Pilgrim Office in Saint-Jean – guiding first-time pilgrims, heat wave challenges, language barriers, and the fulfillment of helping others begin their journey.

* Practical advice – training (or not), bag transport services, hiking sticks, safety for solo walkers, and why he recommends everyone experience at least the walk into Santiago.

* The Camino spirit – the community of pilgrims, shared meals, instant friendships, and the inspiration that keeps calling people back.

Lou’s message to anyone considering the Camino?

“Go for it. Don’t even think twice. . .You only get this life once. . . there’s nothing like walking into Santiago.”

🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?

Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation GuideRebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com

Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready:

* 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (45 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call.

* 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease.

* 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.

Last call: If you’d like to join me and a small group on the Camino Inglés starting Oct 3, click here for the details.

This week, I went solo to answer your Camino de Santiago questions — from the practical ones to the ones you didn’t even know you had. The Camino isn’t about stressing over details but about finding what works for you. With warmth and humor, I dive into practical tips while sprinkling in personal stories from my own Camino beginnings.

Don’t stress about all the Camino questions—this conversation is about exploring ideas, sharing tips, and embracing the journey rather than trying to have everything perfectly planned.

Top Questions Answered:

* 🛏Do you have a recommended accommodations list? (3:02)

* Resources:

* GodeSalco.com

* Gronze.com

* ❛What do some of the Camino names mean? (8:45)

* 🚗How much road walking is there on the Camino? (9:50)

* ⛪️Is the Camino de Santiago religious? Do I have to be religious to walk the Camino? (13:29)

* 🚶How far will I actually walk each day? (19:34)

* 🎒Do You Have to Carry a Backpack or Sleep in Hostels? (24:06)

* 📆When’s the Best Time to Walk the Camino? (25:26)

* Resources:

* Choosing Your Camino Route (Part 1)

* Part 2: Companions, Terrain, and Getting There

* Part 3: When Should You Walk the Camino?

* Part 4: When No One Speaks English and Nothing Goes as Planned

* 💁‍♂️Is It Safe to Go Alone? (28:56)

* 🗣Do You Need to Know Spanish? (32:10)

* Resources:

* SpanishForCamino.com

* Camino Conversations: Maria Seco of Spanish for Camino

* 💕How do I want to experience the Camino? (34:28)

* 👣How am I physically going to take care of my body? (39:14)

* ❓Am I open to changing my plans? (39:52)

Resources:

* Camino Conversations: Tim Wesolowski

* 🏡How will I adjust to life post-Camino? (41:55)

Resources:

* Returning from Camino - Alexander John Shaia

* Living the Camino Back Home: Ignition Tip for Keeping the Camino Alive - Brendan McManus, S.J.

* Camino Conversations: Dave Whitson

Join me here on Substack every Wednesday at 11am for Camino Conversations!

Receive my weekly newsletter with Camino advice, stories, and resources!

Ready to Start Planning Your Camino?

I walked my first Camino in 2012 and now helps people 45 and over plan their own walks on the Camino de Santiago through my business The Camino Calls.

I’ve walked more than a dozen Caminos, spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning my next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. Click here for more information.

Dave Whitson has walked dozens of pilgrimage routes around the world. He is the host of The Camino Podcast, the longest-running podcast dedicated to the Camino de Santiago, featuring conversations with pilgrims, historians, academics, and even bed bug experts.

Dave has written multiple guidebooks for Cicerone Press, including titles on the Camino del Norte, Camino Inglés (and Ruta do Mar), and the Via Podiensis. His latest work, The Camino Compendium, dives deep into the history, culture, and overlooked stories of the Camino Francés. He is also the author of Pilgrimage: A Medieval Cure for Modern Ills, which blends academic research, global pilgrimage stories, and practical wisdom on how walking can heal modern-day challenges.

A former high school teacher, Dave has led student groups on pilgrimage, walked coast-to-coast across the United States, and is currently exploring Italy’s historic walking routes. Whether through his books, podcast, or long-distance treks, Dave is dedicated to helping others discover the transformative power of pilgrimage — no matter their background or beliefs.

Topics We Cover in This Conversation

* How a burned-out backpacker in 2001 discovered the Camino de Santiago through a Rick Steves message board

* The early-2000s Camino experience — before private albergue reservations and luxury options

* Behind the scenes of the longest-running Camino podcast and how it landed interviews with major authors

* Writing guidebooks for the Camino del Norte, Primitivo, Inglés, and Via Podiensis — and championing lesser-known routes like the Ruta do Mar

* The inspiration behind The Camino Compendium — uncovering the hidden history and cultural stories not found in traditional guidebooks

* Insights from Pilgrimage: A Medieval Cure for Modern Ills — how walking can counter burnout, digital overload, and modern restlessness

* The science of awe, nature, and why walking changes the way we notice the world

* Why post-Camino reentry can be hard — and practical ways to “bring the Camino home” into everyday life

* Navigating religion on the Camino — the route’s Catholic heritage, inclusivity, and how pilgrimage can transform personal perspectives

* Dave’s latest adventures — walking across the U.S., two epic Italy crossings, and future guidebook updates

Ready to Start Planning Your Camino?

I walked my first Camino in 2012 and now helps people 45 and over plan their own walks on the Camino de Santiago through my business The Camino Calls.

I’ve walked more than a dozen Caminos, spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning my next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. Click here for more information.