Eric Hodgson on LGBTQ+ Travel, Safe Spaces, and Using Gay Vacations to Connect

There is something that happens when a group of gay men travel together on a ship where everyone belongs. Walls come down. Generations connect. History gets personal. Eric Hodgson is the founder of Outbound, an LGBTQ+ travel company that builds exclusive small-ship cruises and intimate river journeys designed to do exactly that. He joins Rick to talk about why size matters in travel, what it means to move through the world in a genuinely safe space, and what gay men over 40 discover about themselves and their community when they stop touring and start connecting. From Egypt to Amsterdam to Sydney's 50th Mardi Gras in 2028, this episode will make you want to book something. Key Takeaways: Why small ships and intimate settings create connection that larger cruises cannotHow Outbound builds genuine safe spaces and what that actually requires from travel partners and crewWhat gay men learn about their own history when they travel to LGBTQ+ sites worldwideThe power of intergenerational connection that happens organically on group LGBTQ+ travelWhat Eric witnessed in Egypt around same-sex history and the gender-fluid god HapiWhat is coming up including the British Isles, Mediterranean, and Sydney Mardi Gras 2028 About Eric Eric Hodgson is a travel expert, entrepreneur, and the founder of OUTbound, a travel company dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for the LGBTQ+ community around the world. With a passion for exploring new destinations and bringing people together, Eric has helped build OUTbound into a community-driven travel brand where guests can see the world, make lifelong friendships, and feel completely at home while doing it. From sailing through Europe and the Mediterranean to discovering destinations across Asia, Australia, and beyond, Eric brings a unique combination of travel expertise, curiosity, and a genuine love of connecting people with the places they visit. What sets Eric apart is his belief that travel should be about more than simply checking destinations off a list... it should be about the people you meet, the memories you create, and the sense of community you take home with you. Through OUTbound, he has created a welcoming space where LGBTQ+ travelers can experience the world together, surrounded by fellow travelers who share that same spirit of adventure. Whether he's planning an extraordinary itinerary, discovering the next great destination, or simply sharing stories with fellow OUTbounders, Eric is passionate about making travel more inclusive, meaningful, and fun... and encouraging people to get out there and see the world, together. Connect With Eric Website Instagram Facebook   Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community