Brandon Shaw: The Louvre Heist, Travel Etiquette & Life as The Tour Guy

Join Lindsey and Kolyn as they connect with Brandon Shaw, better known as The Tour Guy, a globally trusted travel expert, content creator, and premier provider of immersive cultural experiences across Europe and the United States. In this wide-ranging and entertaining conversation, Brandon takes listeners deep inside the realities of modern travel, storytelling, and what it truly means to experience a destination beyond the highlight reel.Born in Florida and shaped by more than two decades living across Europe (including Paris and Rome) Brandon reflects on how living abroad transformed the way he understands culture, history, and movement through the world. He breaks down why Paris feels like an open-air museum, why certain landmarks endure for centuries, and how history, architecture, and everyday life are layered into every street, bridge, and riverbank.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Brandon shares firsthand insight into the viral Louvre heist that stunned the world, what actually happened, how his tour groups were impacted in real time, and why the incident felt less like reality and more like a movie unfolding in broad daylight. From navigating museum crowds and Mona Lisa madness to uncovering smarter ways to explore iconic sites, Brandon offers practical guidance and insider perspective only someone embedded in these spaces could provide.Beyond Paris, Brandon opens up about building his company, why he began creating travel content on YouTube and Instagram, and how trust, education, and generosity with information helped grow a global audience. He also shares candid advice on how American travelers can show up better abroad—from dressing with intention and learning the language basics to understanding local rhythm, etiquette, and respect.Equal parts insightful, hilarious, and deeply informative, this episode is a masterclass in travel done right—rooted in curiosity, cultural awareness, and lived experience. Whether you’re planning your first European trip or your tenth, this conversation will change the way you see the world.Let’s get into it.