Discover shows related to The Camino Calls Podcast, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
Camino Conversations: What If Your Next Trip Changed You? A Live Talk About the Camino
Sunday, May 24, 2026 • Duration 40:21
What if your next trip could change you?
What happens when ticking sights off a checklist stops being enough — when you start craving something deeper from your travels but can’t quite name what it is?
In this episode, I reflects on the shift from checklist tourism to transformational travel: the idea that the most unforgettable trips aren’t measured by the landmarks you see, but by the people you meet and the way they quietly change you. At the heart of it is the Camino de Santiago — a 1,200-year-old pilgrimage that draws walkers from 183 countries, open to every faith, age, and ability.
Along the way, I share the stories that have stayed with me: a chance conversation on a train, the retired couple who took me in when I first moved to Asheville, the stranger who taught me that accepting a gift is itself a gift, and the numerous Caminos I’ve now walked—alone and with others. I dig into the lessons the trail keeps teaching — gratitude, slowing down, simplifying, and the surprising art of talking to strangers — and why the Camino doesn’t always give you what you want, but it gives you what you need.
Love of Hiking Isn’t Required. . .
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.
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.
🥾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.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com
Camino Conversations: What to Pack for the Camino de Santiago
In this episode of Camino Conversations, Rebecca Weston — owner of The Camino Calls and a 15-time Camino veteran — walks you through exactly how to pack for the Camino de Santiago when you’re 45+ and sending your luggage ahead.
She tackles the questions that fill every Camino forum: which shoes actually work, how to handle rain and brutal heat waves, and how to avoid the rookie mistake of “fear-packing.” Along the way, she shares real stories from the trail plus tips on laundry, foot care, electronics, and the small comforts worth their weight.
Whether it’s your first Camino or your tenth, you’ll come away with a clear-eyed, no-nonsense packing philosophy that prioritizes lightness, flexibility, and trust in the trail.
Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
• 00:00 — Intro & who this episode is for (45+, sending luggage ahead)
• 01:21 — Core packing philosophy: “Don’t let your fears load your pack”
• 02:13 — Why you still pack light even when sending luggage
• 04:38 — Luggage size & weight limits; sending a bag ahead to Santiago
• 06:41 — Shoes: hiking shoes vs. boots, why Hokas work for her
• 09:21 — Second pair of shoes & sandals
• 10:32 — Breaking in shoes & training mileage recommendations
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
Camino Conversations: A Journey with The Sober Creative
Sunday, March 1, 2026 • Duration 43:32
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.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com
Camino Conversations: Rebecca’s First 500 mile Camino across Spain
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • Duration 01:00:56
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.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
Camino Conversations: Pam Marshall, at 64, walked 200 miles on the Camino Portuguese
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 • Duration 44:49
You can follow Pam @thefrugaltraveler on Substack. Get more Camino inspiration and information at inspiration.thecaminocalls.com
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com
Camino Conversations: Pat Kappes and her adventures on the Camino Portuguese
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 • Duration 44:47
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com
Camino Conversations: Kathie Carnahan joined my first Camino Walk with Rebecca in October (at 70).
Monday, December 29, 2025 • Duration 47:18
I sit down with first-time pilgrim Kathy Carnahan to talk about what it’s really like to finally answer the “Camino call”—and to do it at 70 on the Camino Inglés. If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a “big reason” to go, worried you won’t be social enough (or too social), or hoped the Camino might leave you feeling different—this conversation will make you smile, nod, and maybe start looking up flights. And wait until you hear the moment that completely caught Kathy off guard in the Santiago cathedral…
* “How did you first hear about the Camino?” (00:00:33) — and why it kept “popping up” for years (00:00:49)
* “What made you finally go…to making it happen?” (00:01:54) — the turning point that made her say this is it (00:02:01)
* “What concerns did you have before embarking?” (00:03:31) — being shy, walking hills, and the fear of coming home unchanged (00:03:39–00:05:03)
* Camino “angels” + a hill strategy that becomes a life metaphor (00:06:29–00:08:57)
* A powerful grief-and-gratitude reframe after her husband’s passing (00:09:06–00:10:35)
* “How did your sister-in-law come along—and what makes the right walking partner?” (00:12:40–00:15:16)
* “What surprised you most on the Camino?” (00:15:51) — the ease, the glow months later, and why she didn’t even need to journal (00:15:59–00:17:54)
* The Camino Inglés as a “perfect introduction” (00:20:22–00:26:43) — pace, crowds, planning, and letting go of control (00:27:23–00:28:03)
* “What’s it like arriving in Santiago?” (00:28:09) — the tunnel, the plaza, and the emotion of the finish (00:28:52–00:31:06)
* “What do you recommend for Santiago—should people stay longer?” (00:35:25–00:36:43)
* The Botafumeiro: what it is, how to see it, and why it moved her to tears (00:37:01–00:40:45)
* Final question: “What would you say to someone on the fence?” (00:44:12) — her answer is short…and it might just push you over the edge (00:44:25–00:45:12)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
Camino Conversations: Debbie Bartolomucci walked over 500 miles on the Camino Francés
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 • Duration 42:35
In this Camino Conversations episode, Debbie Bartolomucci shares how a spontaneous spark—one she can’t even trace—pulled her toward the Camino de Santiago. From navigating fears about safety to discovering the unexpected magic of walking solo, Debbie opens up about the moments that shaped her 500-mile pilgrimage across northern Spain. If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens when you walk over the Pyrenees alone, how the Camino compares to legendary long-distance challenges, or why so many pilgrims return home forever changed…this conversation is full of the insights and stories that will make you ask yourself, “Could I do this too?”
* How do people first hear about the Camino—and what makes some of them say “I have to do that”? (00:00:00)
* What finally pushes someone from dreaming about the Camino to actually booking the flight? (00:00:39)
* How do nine friends shrink down to “me, myself, and I”—and what does walking solo change? (00:01:48)
* Is the Camino really safe for women walking alone? Hear what Debbie experienced. (00:02:54)
* Why do some seasoned hikers say you should walk the Camino alone at least once? (00:06:00)
* What unexpected “Camino classroom moments” teach you more about yourself than any guidebook could? (00:07:02)
* How prepared do you actually need to be before your first day on the trail? (00:10:00)
* Is packing really the hardest part of the entire Camino? Debbie makes a surprising case. (00:11:19)
* Why do some pilgrims carry everything…and others send their bags ahead? Which choice reveals more about you? (00:12:58)
* What’s it really like navigating food, hunger, and nutrition while walking 500 miles? (00:24:41)
* Does bread in Spain magically “fix” gluten sensitivity? One pilgrim shares her surprising story. (00:29:18)
* What can nature teach you when your only job each day is to walk? (00:30:45)
* Why does Spain feel so different from the U.S.—and why do many pilgrims long to return? (00:33:37)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
Camino Conversaions: Maria Anderson of the Perennial Immigrant on the Camino Portuguese
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 • Duration 43:24
Episode Introduction
What does it take to completely reinvent your life at 70 — to trade a career in chaplaincy for a new language, a new country, and the open road of the Camino de Santiago? In this soulful and inspiring conversation, Maria Anderson of The Perennial Immigrant joins me to talk about courage, belonging, and what it means to live a fully awakened life. From seminary in her 50s to walking the Camino Portugués in her late 60s, Maria shows us that change and growth are always possible — if we dare to dream of other ways of being.
Topics We Discussed
(Click through or listen for these moments — each one opens a new window into Maria’s remarkable journey.)
* (00:02:00) — Have you always believed that change and growth are possible at any age?Maria reflects on how the pandemic and her work as a hospital chaplain reshaped her outlook on life and purpose.
* (00:03:40) — What led you to study at seminary in your 50s?From elected official to hospice chaplain, Maria shares how courage, curiosity, and a nudge from a friend set her on a spiritual path.
* (00:06:00) — How did your experience as a chaplain during COVID influence your next chapter?The stories she carries, the lessons from hospital hallways, and how that time opened her heart in unexpected ways.
* (00:11:20) — Why Portugal?The emotional moment crossing the bridge into Porto when Maria knew — this is home.
* (00:13:40) — What drew you to the Camino de Santiago?From the spark of The Way movie to five unforgettable days walking the Camino Portugués with her husband, Ted.
* (00:17:00) — What surprised you most about walking the Camino?Blisters, boardwalks, Roman ruins, and the realization that she’d walked through centuries of Portuguese history.
* (00:23:00) — What makes a “real” Camino?A lively discussion on backpacks, hostels, and letting go of judgments — because every Camino is real if it’s real to you.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
Camino Conversations: The last 100km of the Camino Primitivo with Dora Elias McAllister
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 • Duration 54:33
Dora (D E McAllister ) and I tackle some hot-button Camino questions and hard-won logistics. Curious how the Camino stacks up against a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim? Whether you “must” carry your pack? Or how to avoid a travel routing mistake that nearly derailed Day 1? Press play and find out.
* (00:01:03) How did Dora first hear about the Camino—and what finally pulled her back after 30 years?
* (00:03:32) Should you walk solo or with a friend if you’re not a “solo traveler”?
* (00:05:20) Why choose the Camino Primitivo—and is the last 100 km a smart first-timer pick?
* (00:06:56) Does the 100-km “Compostela rule” shape how people plan their routes?
* (00:09:18) How does the Camino compare to a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike for difficulty and pain management?
* (00:12:05) What does effective Camino training look like (stair sessions, back-to-backs, and a max-distance test day)?
* (00:15:24) Walk, bike, or even horseback—what counts toward a Compostela (and why cyclists need 200 km)?
* (00:16:11) Pavement vs. path: how “hikey” does the Primitivo feel day to day?
* (00:18:20) Introvert on the trail: will you meet people—and what changes when Primitivo meets the Francés?
* (00:21:32) Where can you debrief in Santiago (Pilgrim House, language-specific reflection rooms)—and why two nights helps?
* (00:24:01) Sightseeing before or after the Camino—what do veteran pilgrims recommend (and why)?
* (00:32:03) “Is sending your bag cheating?”—unpacking Camino judgment, budgets, and what “authentic” really means.
* (00:45:38) How safe is it—plus the AlertCops app tip every pilgrim should know.
* (00:49:23) The €300 mistake: why flying into Porto to reach Lugo sounded smart—and became an 8.5-hour headache (with a happy wine discovery).
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
• 14:20 — Training on uneven surfaces (not just paved roads)
• 15:36 — Town shoes & why heels are a bad idea
• 16:02 — Clothing: hiking pants (the zip-off kind), skirts for heat
• 18:43 — Sundress vs. hiking clothes for the evening
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.
🥾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.
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.
Know someone who would enjoy this interview? Click below to share it:)
To hear about my upcoming Camino Conversations guests (and get the recording after each interview), you can subscribe here.
Bonus: You’ll receive my “5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Camino.”
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.
🥾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.
Know someone who would enjoy this interview? Click below to share it:)
To hear about my upcoming Camino Conversations guests (and get the recording after each interview), you can subscribe here.
Bonus: You’ll receive my “5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Camino.”
More Camino Conversations
To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive.
🥾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.
* (00:29:30) — Did your chaplain training influence how you experienced the Camino?Seeing with compassion, listening without judgment, and learning to show that same grace to herself.
* (00:32:00) — What does “the unlived life” mean to you?How Portugal — and her grandmother’s example — helped Maria discover joy in simple hospitality and community.
* (00:34:40) — Has the Camino changed your life?How walking ancient paths gave her a longing to keep exploring — and the humility to know what her next walk will look like.
* (00:40:50) — What advice would you give to someone who feels the Camino calling but isn’t sure if it’s for them?Maria’s simple, heartfelt guidance for taking that first step — wherever you are.
Know someone who would enjoy this interview? Click below to share it:)
To hear about my upcoming Camino Conversations guests (and get the recording after each interview), you can subscribe here.
Bonus: You’ll receive my “5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Camino.”
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.
🥾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.
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.
🥾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.
