Thoughtful Travel • Sustainable Travel • Meaningful Journeys What does it really mean to travel thoughtfully—and how can it transform the way you experience the world? In this conversation, I sit down with Amanda Kendle, longtime travel writer, lecturer, and host of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast. Amanda has been exploring and teaching about responsible, mindful journeys for decades, helping travelers discover how curiosity and connection can shape more meaningful adventures. Episode Highlight...
Why travel matters • Finding connection and perspective • Resilience and joy Do you feel overwhelmed by the state of the world? In this episode you’ll discover how travel can give you the tools to meet these challenges with empathy, curiosity, and resilience. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why travel in uncertain times isn’t an escape but a pathway to resilienceHow encounters while traveling reduce prejudice and build shared humanityWays to use curiosity as an antidote to fear and divisionHow...
Travel Coaching • Intentional Travel • Meaningful Journeys What happens when travel is more than just a vacation? In this conversation, Sahara Rose De Vore, founder and CEO of the Travel Coach Network, shares how her journey from broke college student to visiting 84 countries solo led her to pioneer a new field: travel coaching. Sahara is a TEDx speaker and global thought leader in the travel industry. She has been featured in over 200 media outlets for her expertise and was recently named on...
Family travel • Parenting tips • Roadschooling Family adventures are filled with possibility—new places, shared discoveries, and chances to grow closer. But they can also test patience and resilience. In this heartfelt conversation, I’m joined by my longtime friend Sara Cole, a certified parent coach with over 20 years of experience supporting families. Sara and her family spent 400 days roadschooling across the United States, weaving together education, adventure, and deep connection. ...
Museums can be awe-inspiring and are often highlights of our travels. But they can also be overwhelming, crowded, and exhausting. In this episode I’m sharing insider museum tips that will help you make the most of your visit. You’ll learn lesser-known strategies like skipping the longest lines, finding hidden discounts, avoiding museum fatigue, and deepening your connection with the art, history, and culture around you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to plan your route ins...
Family Travel • Hiking with Kids • Building Connections What can hundreds of miles on the trail teach us about family, nature, learning, and ourselves? In this inspiring episode, educator and outdoor adventurer Missy Meskell shares the unforgettable experience of hiking the entire Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail with two of her children. Together, we explore how travel in nature—especially with kids—can stretch our perspectives, strengthen relationships, and create opportuniti...
Educational Travel • Student Trips • Teaching Through Travel In this inspiring episode of Conversations for Curious Travelers, Erica connects with longtime friend Scott Rainey. Scott is a two time finalist for Traveling Teacher of the Year and the founder of the nonprofit East County Student Travel. He has spent decades helping middle schoolers see the world—and themselves—through travel. Scott shares powerful stories from the annual East Coast trips he’s led over the last twenty years....
Awe & Wellbeing • Solo Travel • Travel Experiments In this inspiring episode of Conversations for Curious Travelers, Tracy Smyth, travel coach and founder of Travel Bug Tonic, shares how awe, curiosity, and solo adventures have transformed her travels—and her life. We explore how to approach each trip as a personal experiment, why travel is a profound learning environment, and how moments of wonder (even in your own backyard!) can ripple into lasting personal growth. Whether you're planni...
Welcome to Conversations for Curious Travelers Episode 1 Ready to enhance your travels? In this premiere episode of Conversations for Curious Travelers, host Erica Forrest invites you into a new kind of travel podcast—one that helps you learn more about the world and yourself travel. Whether you're a lifelong learner, a parent planning a family trip, or someone craving more connection in your travels, you're in the right place. 🎙️ In this episode: Why this podcast exists and who it’s forAn in...
Welcome to Conversations for Curious Travelers, the Trip Scholars podcast hosted by certified travel education coach Erica Forrest. This show is for lifelong learners who want to travel with more meaning, connection, and curiosity. In this short trailer, Erica shares what you can expect from the podcast and invites you into a space where travel becomes a powerful tool for connection, growth, and understanding. Whether you're planning your next big adventure or seeking more enriching day-to-da...