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by Afar
Travel, at its best, changes the way we see the world. Join us each week as we dig into stories from people who took a trip—and came home transformed.
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- Aug 28, 202521 min
The Ambassador, the President, and Me: an Unlikely Reunion in India
Author Charmaine Craig had always felt mysteriously drawn to India—pulled by childhood family legends of ancestors who arrived there centuries ago and copper plates inscribed with ancient privileges that still hang in a Kochi synagogue. But it would take a chance encounter at a dinner party—and the power of old friendship—to finally help her explore her roots. She set out on a pilgrimage through Kerala's ancient Jewish communities with a former college boyfriend turned U.S. Ambassador to India and a mutual friend who orchestrated their reconnection. From sacred sunrises where three seas converge to an impossible meeting with the last two Jews of Kochi, Charmaine discovers that sometimes journeys into the past have the power to change your life—especially when you have good friends by your side. Don't miss these transformative moments The dinner party revelation that set everything in motion Why Charmaine's childhood bedroom featured only one map—of India The legend of her ancestor who saved a ruler's son in 10th-century India Traveling by presidential motorcade through Kerala's lush landscapes The 4 AM journey through cyclonic winds to witness sunrise where three seas meet Meeting Keith and Queenie, the reclusive last Jews of Kochi who "never see visitors" The moment in the sacred waters that changed everything How friendship, timing, and ancestral calling converged to open a new chapter Resources Learn more about Charmaine Craig at charmainecraig.com Buy Charmaine's books: Miss Burma and My Nemesis Read Charmaine's Spin the Globe trip to Portugal or listen to theTravel Tales episode Read the transcript of the episode Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 19, 202532 min
'Pack Light' Is a Lie: What a 16-Year-Old Learned About Travel (and Life) in Guatemala
When 16-year-old Jayla Nicholas from New York City packed her one carry-on suitcase for Guatemala, she thought she had everything figured out. A seasoned city kid who loves the smell of airports and dreams of seeing the world, Jayla was ready for her second international trip, an adventure through Afar's Learning Afar program with Global Leadership Adventures. But Guatemala had lessons she never expected—from the vibrant yellow and purple buildings that felt "more real" than NYC's concrete jungle, to zip-lining through mountain canyons in a sudden downpour, to discovering that "pack light" advice might be the biggest travel myth of all. In this episode, we follow Jayla's journey from pre-trip excitement to post-adventure wisdom, as she learns about leadership, gratitude, and what it really means to be prepared for the unexpected. Don't miss these unforgettable moments: Why Jayla loves the smell of airports and considers flying a gift The colorful contrast between Guatemala's vibrant buildings and NYC's concrete jungle Working with elementary school kids who copied her every move (including snack time) An epic zip-lining adventure that turned into a rain-soaked truck ride sing-along The tamale that challenged her Chipotle-loving palate How flushing toilet paper became a luxury she'd never considered The floating egg chair moment overlooking volcanoes that perfectly captured her gratitude Why she's officially converting from underpacker to overpacker (and her advice for fellow picky eaters) Resources Learn more about Learning Afar and how to support future student travelers Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 14, 202524 min
Replay: Why a Wildlife Biologist Traded Mice for the World's Most Dangerous Predator
When polar bear biologist Alysa McCall was growing up in Kamloops, British Columbia, watching black bears raid fruit trees outside her living room window, she never imagined she'd dedicate her life to their Arctic cousins. But sometimes the most profound career changes happen when you least expect them—like when a world-renowned scientist responds to your "what's the worst that could happen?" email with "Sure. Come over. See you in September." McCall's journey from studying desert mice to becoming a polar bear researcher took her from the semi-arid landscapes of British Columbia to the frozen sea ice of Hudson Bay, where she learned that conservation isn't just about data—it's about connection, storytelling, and what she calls "big feelings." Don't miss these unforgettable moments: Growing up with black bears as backyard visitors (and banging pots to make them leave) The "imposter syndrome" email that changed everything Sleeping on a tundra buggy and mistaking a polar bear for a rock Getting stranded alone on moving sea ice in -30°F weather The mortifying moment of accidentally pointing a shotgun at your helicopter pilot (who later became her husband) Holding her first polar bear cub and feeling the weight of conservation responsibility Why emotion and storytelling are the key to saving Arctic habitat The sobering reality: this polar bear population has dropped from 1,200 to just over 600 bears The Science Behind the Story: McCall explains why polar bear conservation requires a completely different approach than other wildlife protection—you can't fence sea ice or hire patrols to guard it. Saving polar bears means addressing global climate change, making it one of the most complex conservation challenges on Earth. Resources: Learn more about Polar Bears International Discover Churchill, Manitoba as a polar bear viewing destination Read the transcript of this episode Listen to Alysa McCall's TED talk Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 7, 202527 min
What 400 Miles of Hitchhiking the Oregon Coast Taught Me About Home
When Santi Elijah Holley, writer and author of An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation They Created, was 25, he took the ultimate travel leap of faith: He hitchhiked 400 miles from Northern California to Portland through small-town Oregon. But for Holley—who had just moved to Portland from Michigan—it wasn't just about getting a ride. After a year of feeling like an outsider as a person of color in one of America's whitest states, this journey would test whether Oregon would accept him or leave him standing on the side of the road. What he discovered during those three days hitchhiking along Highway 101 changed everything. From sleeping on church roofs to walking barefoot on the beach with a wealthy New Yorker, and listening to a mother's fight for youth spaces to riding with speeders heading to court, Holley found that Oregon's people had stories to tell—and that he was the perfect stranger to hear them. Don't miss these unforgettable moments Why Holley thought of himself as a teenage "brown-skinned Kerouac" in Michigan Walking barefoot on an Oregon beach with a wealthy stranger in a red convertible The mom who's single-handedly saving her town's crumbling teen center with mop buckets and determination A white-knuckle ride with a speeding driver on his way to DUI court The paper mill ghost town and one man's 15-year story of economic change Sleeping on a church roof under the stars (and why Holley calls it "urban camping") The Willie Nelson cassette tape that sparked a conversation about human connection How three days on Highway 101 revealed Holley's future as a journalist Resources Visit Santi Elijah Holley's website: santielijahholley.com Read his book An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation They Created Read the transcript of the episode Read Santi's Afar story about New Orleans Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jul 31, 202534 min
Wait, Coleslaw Is What? The Surprising Tales of Classic American Foods
Dr. Jessica B. Harris, renowned food historian and author of High on the Hog, which later became a hit Netflix series of the same name, reveals the shocking truth about American cuisine—it's not what you think. From her couch in Brooklyn with a Siamese cat wandering by, Dr. Harris unpacks the surprising origins of beloved American classics and introduces us to the concept of the "American braid." Her new book, Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine, weaves together the three cultural strands that created what we eat today: Indigenous, European, and African influences. But prepare to have your assumptions shattered—coleslaw is Dutch, cookies aren't American, and the "wok hand" of enslaved African Americans shaped Southern food in ways we're only beginning to understand. Don't miss these eye-opening revelations: Coleslaw comes from Dutch "kool sla" (cabbage salad)—not American at all Cookies and waffles are Dutch gifts hiding in plain sight The "wok hand" concept and why Southern food doesn't taste British How barbecue represents the cultural braid of Africa and Europe Dr. Harris's childhood travel bug that started at the UN International School Her 50+ year relationship with a French host family Building chosen families across three continents: France, West Africa, and Brazil Why she's wittier in French and can flirt better too The personal recipes closest to her heart: her mother's fried chicken and grandmother's watermelon rind pickles Resources: Read Dr. Jessica B. Harris's Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine Watch High on the Hog on Netflix and read the book Read her memoir, My Soul Looks Back Learn more about Chef Sean Sherman's indigenous food work Read an excerpt on afar.com from Dr. Harris's Vintage Postcards from the African World: In the Dignity of Their Work and the Joy of Their Play Read an interview on afar.com with Dr. Harris about New Orleans, where she also lives for part of the year Read the transcript of the episode. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jul 24, 202536 min
Summer Replay! The Surfer Who Feels Everything
This is a replay episode from Season 4 featuring Ryan Knighton's journey to Kaua'i. Ryan Knighton, AFAR contributing writer, TV writer for Billions, and author of Cockeyed: A Memoir, takes us on an extraordinary adventure to surf Hawaii's legendary Hanalei Bay. Despite being blind since his early twenties, Ryan has never let that stop him from exploring the world—and surfing has become his unique form of freedom. The episode opens with host Aislyn Greene interviewing Ryan about his surfing background and travel philosophy, then transitions into Ryan's captivating first-person story (read by actor Andrew Galteland). After 13 years of mastering the waves near his Vancouver Island home, Ryan decided to challenge himself by surfing completely unfamiliar waters in Hawaii. What unfolds is a story about trust, collaboration, and finding liberation in the most unexpected places. In this episode, you'll discover How a deaf friend taught a blind man to surf in a comedy of miscommunication Why Ryan describes surfing as "dancing with a wave" and his escape from the "boredom of being safe" The art of guidance—what makes a great travel guide versus one who just shows you around How Ryan navigates ocean dangers by feeling water currents and listening to wave patterns Don't miss these powerful moments Ryan's first taste of freedom on an 11-foot surfboard that felt like "riding a sidewalk" The ingenious toe-hook technique that got Ryan safely through dangerous rip currents Using a clock face system to communicate wave direction when words barely carry over ocean noise The profound realization that surfing takes him "deeper inside" while sighted surfers look outward How Ryan's wife Tracy demonstrates ultimate trust by dropping him at the beach and returning hours later Resources Read more of Ryan's travel stories on afar.com Follow Ryan Knighton on X Listen to Andrew and producer Nikki's podcast Looters Previous episode: Ryan's Zimbabwe safari adventure Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jul 17, 202551 min
Space, Sea, and the Nudge That Saved His Life
Jim Kitchen, professor of entrepreneurship at UNC Chapel Hill, has visited all 193 countries, rocketed 66 miles into space with Blue Origin, and descended seven miles to the ocean's deepest point—but his most important journey was learning to connect rather than just collect experiences. From childhood road trips in a wood-paneled station wagon to becoming one of only 700+ people who've seen Earth from space, in this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, Jim reveals how travel transformed him from a frantic collector into a mindful connector—and how trusting his instincts literally saved his life. In this episode, you'll discover How travel resolved an existential crisis—and changed everything What it's really like to rocket into space at 2,300 miles per hour Why listening to life's "nudges" can be a matter of survival Don't miss these transformative moments Growing up with "genetic wanderlust" and seeing America backwards from a station wagon The Afghan marketplace moment that shifted his approach from collecting to connecting Negotiating a space travel prenup and the emotional stages of preparing for launch Slapping himself awake at 2,300 mph because he wasn't going to be "that guy" The profound silence of space and seeing Earth without borders Smuggling pounds of stickers to space in oversized socks (sorry, Blue Origin!) Descending seven miles down to find life thriving in the most inhospitable conditions The nudge that saved his life when he walked away from the doomed Titan submersible Resources Read the transcript of the episode Follow Jim Kitchen on Instagram Learn more about Blue Origin space tourism Read about the Challenger Deep and Mariana Trench exploration Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jul 10, 202537 min
The Woman Who Turned Dancing into a Passport to the World
Mickela Mallozzi, Emmy award-winning host of PBS's Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi, transforms strangers into dance partners across seven continents. Whether learning sean-nós in Ireland or celebrating Matariki in New Zealand, in this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, Mickela reveals how asking permission opens doors to authentic cultural experiences—and why the best travel connections happen when you follow your passion. In this episode, you'll discover How cultural appreciation differs from cultural appropriation—and why permission is key What it's like to film a travel show without rehearsals or mirrors Why dance reveals migration patterns and cultural connections across continents Don't miss these transformative moments [03:00] How Mickela's mission evolved from selfish adventure to platform for marginalized communities [06:00] The weekly Zoom meetings with Māori elders that made filming in New Zealand possible [11:00] Growing up in an immigrant family—from slaughtering chickens in Italy to catching the travel bug [14:00] The Europade festival that reminded her why she fell in love with this work [19:00] How Irish sean-nós connects to Appalachian clogging and eventually becomes tap dancing [23:00] Why the Caribbean is her favorite place to see cultural fusion in action [28:00] Her best travel advice: Find what you love at home, then do it everywhere you go Read the transcript of the episode Follow Mickela Mallozzi on Instagram. Watch Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi seasons 7 and 8 (premiering December 2025) Read more about Mickela's adventures in Ireland and Morocco on afar.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About Travel Tales by Afar
Travel, at its best, changes the way we see the world. Join us each week as we dig into stories from people who took a trip—and came home transformed.
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