Broad Abroad

Under the Sea: Whale Sharks, Coral Reefs & Climate Change 🐋

Whale shark tourism in the Philippines has exploded in recent years, especially in Oslob where encounters are guaranteed by feeding the sharks. When I first started planning my trip, I was so tempted — I mean, how often do you get the chance to swim alongside a whale shark? But then I started hearing more about the ethics behind it, and I knew I wanted to dive deeper into the debate. In this episode, I sit down with two incredible guests who love the ocean even more than I do: Louise “Shark” Rascon – Sustainability designer & environmental scientist Instagram: / louisekicclao Her thesis: https://tinyurl.com/y5htseuh [https://tinyurl.com/y5htseuh] Elle Hernandez – Marine biologist & TikTok creator Instagram: / ellehernndz TikTok: / ellehernndz 🌊 Together, we talk about: -What’s really happening with whale shark feeding in Oslob and why it matters -More ethical alternatives like Donsol’s community-led ecotourism program -The real state of the Philippines’ coral reefs (and why “pretty” doesn’t always mean healthy) -What I learned from Chris, a local dive master in El Nido, about tourism, climate change, and reef health -How tourism can harm — but also help — coastal communities Chapters 0:00 – Intro: Why whale sharks brought me to the Philippines 2:00 – The truth about whale shark feeding in Oslob 4:00 – Donsol: a sustainable alternative 7:00 – Coral reefs and the myth of “pretty = healthy” 9:00 – Local dive master insight from El Nido 10:30 – Climate change & community impacts 13:00 – How to practice responsible tourism 15:00 – Closing thoughts: travel curiously, travel responsibly This episode is really close to my heart because it blends my love of scuba diving with the bigger question of how we, as travelers, can leave places better than we found them. If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, I hope this inspires you to think a little differently about how you spend your time in the water. 📸 Follow the journey: / broadabroadpodcast / broadabroadpodcast #Philippines #WhaleSharks #SustainableTravel #BroadAbroad #TravelCuriously This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement. Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What to Do in the Philippines (Ultimate Travel Guide) 🇵🇭

Planning a trip to the Philippines can feel overwhelming — there are more than 7,600 islands to choose from, and I wanted to see everything. In this episode, I share what I actually did on my two-week trip and what I wish I had done differently. I’m joined by my friend (and actor) Mucho Garcia, who grew up in Cebu, and he adds local insight, cultural context, and plenty of must-do recommendations. This one feels really special to me because it’s not just about beaches and boats — it’s about the choices you make when you travel, and the balance between wanting to see it all and actually slowing down to enjoy it. Watch the Full Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MuikSL9wvE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MuikSL9wvE] Follow the journey: https://www.tiktok.com/@broadabroadpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@broadabroadpodcast] https://www.instagram.com/broadabroadpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/broadabroadpodcast] Chapters 0:00 – Welcome to the Philippines 🇵🇭 3:00 – My 2-week Philippines itinerary 6:00 – Scuba diving & Apo Island 8:00 – Volcano caves 12:00 – Manila traffic & Boracay beaches 13:00 – Unique things to do (sardine run, canyoning, tarziers, Chocolate Hills) 17:00 – Katie’s Travel Tips (transport, safety, cash, scuba) 20:00 – Filipino food & desserts (halo-halo, ube, lechon) 25:00 – Traditions, tattoos, karaoke, and culture 28:00 – Lessons learned: slowing down when traveling 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Broad Abroad so we can keep traveling curiously together! Connect with Mucho: https://www.instagram.com/muchogarciagarcia/ [https://www.instagram.com/muchogarciagarcia/] #Philippines #TravelPodcast #BroadAbroad #TravelCuriously #TravelPodcast This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement. Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside Korea’s DMZ: Poop Balloons, Secret Tunnels & Political Chaos 🇰🇷

Trash balloons. Underground tunnels. Martial law. In the season finale of Broad Abroad: Korea, I travel to the DMZ to get a firsthand look at the world’s most surreal border—and then stumble into protests the next day. From secret infiltration tunnels to speakers blasting K-pop into North Korea, this episode unpacks the bizarre reality of life at the edge of two Koreas. My guest Bryan Jun breaks down South Korea’s wild political rollercoaster—yes, including President Yoon's declaration of martial law and impeachment. But don't worry: there's also some lighter bonus episodes on Korea coming soon. As always: Travel curiously. 📍 CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro – Poop Balloons & DMZ 01:00 Visiting the DMZ (feat. Alex the tour guide) 04:00 Secret Tunnels and Sneak Attacks 06:00 North Korea’s Empty Buildings & Propaganda 08:00 Political Tensions 12:00 What It Would Take to Reunify Korea 15:00 Bryan Jun on Korea’s Wild Presidential Track Record 23:00 Travel Tips + Farewell to Korea 24:00 What’s Next: Bonus Episodes & Side Quest Tease This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement. Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From War-Torn to World Power: Korea's Epic Glow-Up

💻 FULL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE 🇰🇷 In this episode, we dive deep into Korea’s past and present with a gripping history lesson: How did South Korea go from being one of the poorest, most war-ravaged countries on Earth…to becoming one of the richest and most influential in just 40 years? 🎙️ Featuring: -Professor Lee, born in 1956 in Seoul, who survived the Korean War and witnessed Korea’s meteoric rise -Raw reflections on poverty, U.S. military aid, and pop culture’s role in Korea’s global rise -Unfiltered truths about today’s challenges: chaebols, education pressure, birth rates, and more 🔎 Chapters 00:00 – Korea’s Historic “Glow-Up” 01:05 – The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Dynasties 02:45 – Japanese Colonial Rule & Erasure of Identity 04:00 – The Cold War Splits a Nation 05:00 – 3 Million Deaths & No Peace: The Korean War 06:15 – Meet Professor Lee: A Firsthand Account 10:15 – Pop Culture, American Aid & the Miracle Economy 17:00 – Korean Etiquette Tips for Travelers 19:15 – Millennial Pressure, Burnout & Education Extremes 22:28 – The Chaebol Dynasty: Republic of Samsung? 29:18 – Modern Korea’s Challenges—and its Bright Future 👇 Let me know your thoughts in the comments—especially if you’re Korean or have visited Korea recently! #KoreanHistory #TravelPodcast #SouthKorea🇰🇷 #TravelCuriously #BroadAbroad This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement. Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Korea Froze My Face and Melted My Mind

Welcome to Broad Abroad: the travel podcast that explores the world with curiosity. 🌍 ✈️ In Season 2, I flew across the world in the dead of winter to uncover the real South Korea—from K-beauty to the DMZ, street food to K-pop, and everything in between. 🎧 Episode 2: Korean Beauty & Military Service – Glowing Up and More Summary: From $60 Botox to K-pop controversies, this episode of Broad Abroad is more than skin deep. I’m Katie, and I let Korea freeze my face and melt my double chin (for science and for content). Then I sat down with Koreans to ask why looking good is mandatory—and so is the military. We talk BTS enlistment, Yoo Seung-jun’s dramatic downfall, and how beauty standards shape identity. Plus, co-host Grace helps me unpack viral scalp facials, snail slime serums, and a love letter to Olive Young. Highlights: 💉 Get $60 Botox in Korea (and freeze your forehead at 30) 🔬 Experience a Korean skin analysis, redness therapy, and viral scalp facial 🔥 Try a fat-zapping “InMode” treatment and debate salmon DNA injections 🧴 Haul the best K-beauty at Olive Young (snail mucin, birch juice, and more) 🛍️ Discover why Korean shirts say “Michigan” instead of Hangul 🎤 Dive into K-pop culture, BTS enlistment, and Singles Inferno 🪖 Explore South Korea’s mandatory military service—and Yoo Seung-jun’s downfall 💬 Chat with Korean-American creator Bryan Jun about identity, fame, and controversy 🎙️ Featuring: ⁨@TheBryanJun⁩ 📸 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@broadabroadpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@broadabroadpodcast] 🌏 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broadabroadpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/broadabroadpodcast/] 🎧 Listen to the podcast: Apple Podcasts (enhanced audio-only) → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/broad-abroad/id1787966980 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/broad-abroad/id1787966980] ✈️ Planning a trip to Korea? Get 10% off your cultural experience with Korea by Local using code BROADABROAD. 👇 CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Botox in Korea: $60 and Frozen at 30 03:00 - Full Rundown: Facials, Lifting, Fat-Melting Tech 07:00 - What Is InMode? And Is It Worth It? 10:00 - Salmon DNA, Glass Skin & Korean Beauty Standards 13:05 - Budget Beauty Travel Tips 14:43 - Viral Scalp Therapy & Olive Young Haul 18:40 - Snail Mucin, Birch Juice & More 19:52 - Korean Shopping Culture (Wallace & Gromit??) 22:00 - K-pop Fame & Public Scrutiny 26:12 - Military Service: Law, Loyalty, & the K-pop Dilemma 33:00 - Will BTS Reunite? 35:10 - Sneak Peek: Korean History with Prof. Lee 35:45 - Credits & Gratitude — 💬 Say hi in the comments! Have you tried Korean skincare? Do you think celebrities should be exempt from military service? #koreabeauty #kbeauty #travelpodcast This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement. Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.