From Lawyer to Travel Writer: How Jen Ruiz Built a Life Around Travel

The Woman Behind One of Sonoma County's Most Thoughtful Wineries | Karin Warnelius-Miller of Garden Creek Vineyards

Some conversations stop you in your tracks. This is one of them. Karin Warnelius-Miller is the proprietor, winemaker, and winegrower at Garden Creek Vineyards [https://www.gardencreekvineyards.com/]in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley — and her story is remarkable. Born on a dairy farm in Sweden, she immigrated to California in 1975, eventually falling in love with her childhood friend Justin Miller and building one of the most intentional, unhurried wineries in the region. Their estate Cabernet Sauvignon ages for eight years before release. That patience defines everything they do. We go well beyond wine in this one. This conversation is really about how we live. In This Episode: * Swedish slow living — and what it actually looks like at the dinner table and in the vineyard * How Karin's father launched one of Sweden's first wineries, sourcing grapes from four continents * The serendipitous job posting that brought her family to Sonoma County * Why Garden Creek has stayed deliberately small and appointment-only * The WärneliusMiller Pinot Noir and the Golden Fleece Vineyard in Anderson Valley * A horseback safari in Botswana that changed everything * Why Americans need to embrace sauna culture * Rapid fire: harvest season, Sonoma Coast oysters, seared filet with Cabernet reduction, and the two songs that soundtrack Garden Creek Learn more: * Garden Creek Vineyards — gardencreekvineyards.com [http://gardencreekvineyards.com] * WärneliusMiller Family Vineyards [https://warneliusmiller.com/] If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack f [https://thegomesguide.substack.com/]or more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide. And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show!  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2450035/support]

Food, Travel, and Midlife Reinvention with Cookbook Author Amanda Haas

What happens when you spend your life teaching others how to cook — and finally give yourself permission to start living? That's exactly where Amanda Haas [https://www.amandahaascooks.com/] finds herself. A cookbook author (four books in, with a fifth on the way), former culinary director at Williams-Sonoma, and founder of the Substack community House of Hass, Amanda has spent decades helping people fall in love with cooking. Now she's channeling that same energy into something bigger: a whole new chapter of her own life. In this episode, we talk about the food memories that shaped her, why she always comes back to Italian and Mexican cuisine, and what it really means to cook with confidence (hint: it has nothing to do with being perfect). We also get into her move back to San Francisco, the neighborhood spots she loves, and why she believes the city has never been more alive. And then there's the midlife conversation — the one I think so many of us need to have. Amanda is refreshingly honest about what this season of life actually offers: clarity, freedom, and the radical permission to finally chase your own desires instead of everyone else's. Follow Amanda on Instagram: @amandahaascooks [https://www.instagram.com/amandahaascooks] and find her recipes, live cooking shows, and community on Substack at Amanda Haas. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack [https://thegomesguide.substack.com/] for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide. And if you love the podcast, I'd be so grateful if you left a review — it really helps others discover the show. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2450035/support]

From Lawyer to Travel Writer: How Jen Ruiz Built a Life Around Travel

What happens when you stop chasing the “perfect” life and start building one that actually feels like yours? Jen Ruiz [https://jenonajetplane.com/about-me-jen-on-a-jet-plane/]did just that. While working full-time as an attorney, she challenged herself to take 12 trips in 12 months—and that decision changed everything. In this episode, we talk about how Jen turned that experiment into a career as an award-winning travel journalist, best-selling author, 3x Tedx speaker, and the woman behind Jen on a Jet Plane. She shares what the transition from law really looked like and how she built a sustainable business around travel. We also get into her next big project: a cross-country road trip along the historic Lincoln Highway, where she’s exploring a bigger question—can a road built to unite us still do that today? Follow Jen on Instagram: @jenonajetplane.  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack f [https://thegomesguide.substack.com/]or more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide. And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2450035/support] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2450035/support]

National Parks Road Trip with Teens: Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Glacier

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a classic American road trip through the national parks with your family, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast, Shannon sits down with her friend Julie to talk about an unforgettable two-week road trip through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Park—with three kids, including teens, in tow. Julie shares how they planned their route, where they stayed (from glamping tents to a HomeExchange in Montana), and the simple traditions that made the trip so special—from playing the license plate game and asking conversation questions in the car, to blasting Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” at the halfway point of every drive. They also dive into practical tips for planning a national parks itinerary, including how far in advance to book, why visiting ranger stations is a game-changer, and how to keep teens engaged on long travel days. Along the way, the family experienced incredible wildlife sightings, swam in alpine lakes in the Tetons, and even soaked in hot springs under the stars in Montana. If you’re planning a national parks road trip—or just want inspiration for meaningful family travel—this episode is packed with ideas. ----- If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack f [https://thegomesguide.substack.com/]or more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2450035/support]

The San Francisco Experience I Can’t Stop Thinking About with Gregangelo Herrera

In this episode, Shannon Gomes sits down with Gregangelo Herrera—artist, storyteller, and founder of the Gregangelo Museum [https://www.gregangelomuseum.com/] in the Balboa Terrace neighborhood of San Francisco—a one-of-a-kind immersive art house that blends creativity, storytelling, and human connection in the most unexpected ways. Born and raised in San Francisco, Gregangelo shares what it was like growing up in the city during a time of cultural change, and how those experiences shaped his life’s work. We talk about how his home evolved from a crumbling rental into a San Francisco landmark, why he calls himself a “chronic collaborator,” and how art can bring people together in a way that feels especially needed right now. We also dive into his upcoming immersive experience at the Haas-Lilienthal House—“Earthquake: Shaken, But Standing Strong” [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earthquake-shaken-but-standing-strong-an-immersive-historical-experience-tickets-1985086133061]—which brings history, storytelling, and emotion together in a powerful way. This is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about creativity, connection, and rediscovering our sense of curiosity. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: *  Growing up in San Francisco in the 70s and 80s  *  The evolution of the Gregangelo Museum into a landmark cultural space  *  Why we lose our childlike sense of creativity—and how to get it back  *  The power of in-person connection in a digital world  *  How immersive art experiences can spark real human connection  *  The story behind the upcoming “Earthquake” experience  🎟️ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Gregangelo Museum [https://www.gregangelomuseum.com/] *  “Earthquake: Shaken, But Standing Strong” [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earthquake-shaken-but-standing-strong-an-immersive-historical-experience-tickets-1985086133061] immersive experience  🌉 CONNECT + FOLLOW If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Gomes Guide Podcast and share it with someone who loves discovering unique travel and cultural experiences. You can also find more stories like this, plus travel recommendations and tips on the weekly The Gomes Guide newsletter on Substack [https://thegomesguide.substack.com/].  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2450035/support]