Travel Tales by Afar

Jim Kitchen [https://jimkitchen.org/], 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 [https://www.afar.com/podcasts/traveltales/s6-e6-jim-kitchen-blue-origin-space-flight] * Follow Jim Kitchen on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jimkitchen/?hl=en] * Learn more about Blue Origin [https://www.blueorigin.com/] space tourism * Read about the Challenger Deep [https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/blog/articles/mission-accomplished-photos-from-the-challenger-deep-expedition] and Mariana Trench exploration

Mickela Mallozzi, Emmy award-winning host of PBS's Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi [https://www.travelbarefeet.com/], 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 [https://www.instagram.com/travelbarefeet]. * Watch Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi [https://www.travelbarefeet.com/] seasons 7 and 8 (premiering December 2025) * Read more about Mickela's adventures in Ireland [https://www.afar.com/magazine/what-a-bare-feet-tour-of-ireland-is-like] and Morocco [https://www.afar.com/magazine/how-bare-feets-mickela-mallozzi-used-her-dna-test-to-see-the-world] on afar.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://email.afar.com/join/3n4/behind-the-mic-aislyn], where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.afar.com/podcasts/unpacked], which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and ⁠View From Afar⁠ [https://link.chtbl.com/28SHuAj3], 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.

Jaymee Sire⁠, host of Food Network Obsessed podcast [https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/food-network-obsessed-the-official-podcast-of-food-network], trades tasting menus for throttle grips at the legendary Sturgis Motorcyle Rally [https://sturgis.com/] in South Dakota.  Whether riding two-up through the Black Hills or bonding over leather stamping and welding with a multigenerational crew of women riders, in this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, Jaymee reveals the side of Sturgis Buffalo Chip few outsiders get to see. 125 Bikers, 50 Miles, and One Beginner Biker In this episode, you’ll discover:  * Biker Belles [https://www.buffalochip.com/bikerbelles/the-event/], the annual women’s ride that breaks biking stereotypes.  * What it’s like to attend Sturgis Buffalo Chip, one of the nation’s oldest music festivals.  * Why winding through the Black Hills in South Dakota is so much better on a bike.  The Side of Sturgis Most Tourists Miss  Don’t miss these transformative moments:  [03:08] What it’s like to arrive at one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the country [07:35] This annual ride shows the feminine side of biking culture.  [11:51] That moment when a motorcycle ride becomes a soul-filling, sightseeing tour.   [14:21] Tears, Jelly Roll, and pork parfaits: Going beyond biking at Sturgis Buffalo Chip Resources * Read the ⁠transcript⁠ [https://www.afar.com/podcasts/traveltales/see-south-dakota-by-motorcycle]of the episode * Follow Jaymee Sire [https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesire/?hl=en]on ⁠Instagram⁠ * Listen to her on the ⁠Food Network Obsessed⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-network-obsessed/id1545586439] podcast * Learn more about the ⁠Sturgis Buffalo Chip⁠ [https://www.buffalochip.com/] and the ⁠Biker Belles⁠ ride [https://www.buffalochip.com/bikerbelles/the-event/] Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠ [https://email.afar.com/join/3n4/behind-the-mic-aislyn], where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.afar.com/podcasts/unpacked], which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and View From Afar [https://link.chtbl.com/28SHuAj3], 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.

Kentucky native and comedian Katherine Blanford [https://www.katherineblanford.com/] takes us on a hilarious journey across America, sharing how different regions react to humor and why the Pacific Northwest has become her performing paradise. From childhood road trips to Cracker Barrel to navigating regional comedy crowds, Katherine reveals the art of connecting with audiences nationwide—plus her brutally honest airport confessions. From Cracker Barrel to Comedy Clubs In this episode, you'll discover: * How a Kentucky kid who thought Calgary was "international travel" became a touring comedian * Why the Pacific Northwest produces Katherine's favorite audiences (hint: they're cold, drunk, and unpretentious) * The secret to reading crowds from the arm-crossing Midwest to the hootin'-and-hollererin' South * What makes small towns like Great Falls, Montana, comedy gold Comedy Across America [06:15] Growing up in Louisville with dreams of horses and trips to Churchill Downs [15:30] The cultural shift from 31 years in the Southeast to touring nationwide [22:45] Decoding regional audience reactions—from Midwest nodders to Southern hollerers [28:20] Why Pacific Northwest crowds are a comedian's dream [35:10] The legendary Arizona crowd work story and learning to read local "creatures" A Comedian's Guide to Regional Humor Katherine Blanford's sharp Southern wit has earned her spots at comedy clubs nationwide, with her latest special "Catholic Cowgirl [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H35bMrQLI5o]" showcasing her unique perspective on growing up in Kentucky horse country. Her approach to comedy goes beyond just getting laughs—she studies each town like an anthropologist, understanding what makes different communities tick. In this episode, you'll hear how Katherine transforms her childhood obsession with horses (she couldn't have one, so she became one) into crowd work gold, and why she had to retire her famous "neigh-off" challenge after Chicago audiences got too competitive. Resources * Read the transcript [https://www.afar.com/podcasts/traveltales/s6-e3-katherine-blanford-finds-humor-in-regional-america]of the episode * Catch Katherine live at upcoming shows [https://www.katherineblanford.com/upcoming-shows] in Sunnyvale, California, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa * See her at Red Rocks this October with Bert Kreischer [https://gotickets.com/tickets/935116/bert-kreischer-tickets/red-rocks-amphitheatre-morrison-co-10-1-2025?orderBy=Price%3A+Low+to+High] About Travel Tales by Afar Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠ [https://email.afar.com/join/3n4/behind-the-mic-aislyn], where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.afar.com/podcasts/unpacked], which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and our industry-focused podcast, View From Afar [https://link.chtbl.com/28SHuAj3]. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ [advertising@airwavemedia.com] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

When Métis writer Debbie Olsen [https://www.instagram.com/wanderwoman_deb/?hl=en] heard the haunting sounds of Inuit throat singing for the first time, she felt an unexpected connection to her own Indigenous roots. In northern Quebec's remote Inuit region of Nunavik, she discovered how an entire community is fighting to preserve cultural traditions that were once banned—while adapting to a rapidly warming world that threatens their ancient way of life. In this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, Debbie takes us inside Kuujjuaq [https://canadiannorth.com/destination/kuujjuaq/]'s remarkable cultural revival, from throat-singing performances to traditional sewing centers, where elders pass down survival skills that have sustained Inuit life for generations. Plus, we explore how climate change is forcing this resilient community to adapt while holding fast to their identity. Ancient Arts in Modern Times In this episode you'll learn: * How throat singing survived decades of government suppression to become a global art form * Why traditional sewing and qamutiik-making are essential to cultural preservation * What climate change means for Arctic communities living on the front lines A Culture of Resilience, With A Little Help From Community [04:30] The "Poor Little Puppy Song" and the stories behind throat singing traditions [12:15] Inside the sewing center where women reclaim traditional clothing-making skills [18:20] How eider down harvesting connects ancient practices with modern technology [22:45] The polar bear in town that signals a changing Arctic What Cultural Preservation Should Be All About Award-winning travel writer and Métis journalist Debbie Olsen brings a unique Indigenous perspective to exploring cultural traditions. Based in Canada, her work focuses on connecting with Indigenous communities and understanding how ancestral knowledge survives in the modern world. In this episode you'll hear how Kuujjuaq's community centers—from throat singing groups to carpentry workshops—represent more than skill-sharing; they're acts of cultural healing that help Inuit people reclaim what colonization tried to erase, all while preparing future generations for an uncertain climate future. Resources * Read the transcript [https://www.afar.com/podcasts/traveltales/s6-e2-how-inuit-revive-their-traditions-in-the-arctic] of this episode. * Learn more about Debbie's work at wonderwoman.ca [https://www.wanderwoman.ca/about-us/] * Follow Debbie on Instagram @wanderwoman_deb. [https://www.instagram.com/wanderwoman_deb/?hl=en] * Explore Nunavik travel experiences through NunaWild [https://nunawild.com/]. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠ [https://email.afar.com/join/3n4/behind-the-mic-aislyn], where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠ [https://www.afar.com/podcasts/unpacked], which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com [advertising@airwavemedia.com] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.