It's a Mel Thing

2021 It’s a Mel Thing: Closure & Insights On Starting a Beginner’s Podcast

It’s already 2022…what?? Join me in recapping what I enjoyed and struggled with while getting my first season of podcasting off the ground. We all know there are technical aspects to starting a podcast, but what about maintaining your why and concept? How does the mission evolve and what insights I gained from asking for constructive feedback. Season 1 of IAMT ends here, but I’ll be back after a personal season of traveling with hopefully, new experiences and new guests!

Being a Trailer Blazer in the Outdoors Among Diverse Youths w/ Kali Boykin

From Southern California, Kali Boykin describes how her mom impacted her and her sister’s love for the outdoors. How she found OBA (Outward Bound Adventures) through Doli (Diversified Outdoor Leader Institute) and is inspired to educate and provide outdoor excursions for black and brown youths. We also talk about why she chose to pursue a Masters in Family & Marriage counseling and in a rare opportunity, Kali flips the interview and asks about my travel dreams and we discuss the conflict between home and exploring the nomad spirit inside of us. To learn more about Kali, follow her at @kalishakb and OBA @outwardboundadventures

From College Sweethearts to Marriage, Financial Philosophy and Working Remotely w/ Alli & Henrique

What happens when a Brazilian meets a Minnesotan? You get Alli & Henrique! Two college sweethearts in their late 20’s working to reach their financial independence goals while navigating through career changes, traveling, and working remotely. They share key travel hacks for working and traveling internationally and some personal finance philosophies for a stress free future.

Self-Identity as an Immigrant of Two Countries and the Process of Living “My” Dream Life w/ Katherine Fan

A savvy travel hacker, photographer and travel journalist who has been featured in a number of impressive publications including BBC, The Points guy, Yahoo, MSN, Associated Press, and more, Katherine Fan dives deep into how travel defined and altered her course in life. In our in-depth conversation about personal growth, financial growth, immigrant parents and the realities of family living in two countries, we end with a quote by Morgan Harper Nichols, “Fear has taught you a lot of things, but what if courage teaches you more? Profile photo by Jaron Eveleth-Havens

Crusin’ to Antartica, Dining on Easter Island, and Remote Destination Talks w/ Marci Koltonuk

A South American & Antartica specialist for Vaya Adventures, Marci Koltonuk talks about some of the most remote travel destinations she’s been to in the world. From scoping out cruise opportunities in Antartica to eating delicious food on Easter Island, I ask her about the challenges of traveling and working in remote destinations as well as her pivot from a career in theatre to a career in traveling. Learn more about Marci @whereintheworldismarci / www.vayaadventures.com