Solo Travel, Identity & Embracing the Unexpected with Bestselling Author & Former Iceland First Lady Eliza Reid

What does it take to leave everything familiar behind and build an extraordinary life in a new country? In this inspiring episode of JourneyWoman's Ageless Adventuress Travel Podcast, host Kathy Buckworth sits down with Eliza Reid, Canadian-born bestselling author, celebrated public speaker, and former First Lady of Iceland, for a conversation that is equal parts wanderlust and wisdom.  Eliza opens up about her remarkable journey from backpacking adventurer to living life on the world stage, and what travel has taught her about identity, reinvention, and embracing the unexpected.  Takeaways  The hilarious (and very valid) reason her husband never took her to Paris for her 40th birthday and how Paris showed up anyway What it's really like to be First Lady of Iceland From cashing in her stock options to hopping the Trans-Siberian Railway: her epic 100-day solo trip through Russia, Central Asia, Mongolia, Japan, and Southeast Asia, and why she did it completely alone  The concept of a "patchwork security quilt" Her carry-on only packing strategy, homemade porridge packets, and a spork, the travel tip nobody saw coming  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Eliza Reid and Her Journey  02:55 Identity and Self-Description  06:01 The Role of First Lady: A Unique Experience  09:07 Travel Dreams and Unexpected Turns  12:06 Making the Most of Opportunities  14:52 The Importance of Solo Travel  18:05 Eliza's Big Travel Plan  21:09 Connecting Through Travel Experiences  23:58 Exploring West Africa: A Solo Adventure  25:38 Exploring Travel Preferences and Planning  27:31 Embracing Life's Patchwork of Experiences  30:14 Contrasting Travel Styles: Backpacking vs. First Lady  35:21 The Iceland Writers' Retreat: A Creative Journey  42:13 Travel Tips and Personal Insights  About Our GuestEliza Reid is a bestselling writer, public speaker, gender equality advocate, cofounder of the acclaimed Iceland Writers Retreat, and former first lady of Iceland. She was born and raised in Canada but has lived in Iceland for over twenty years. Her memoir The First Lady Next Door: A Memoir of Iceland, Identity, and Unexpected Adventure came out in spring 2026.  Instagram: @elizajeanreid  About the Podcast The JourneyWoman Ageless Adventuress Travel Podcast is for women 50+ who see travel not as a luxury, but as a way of life. Each month, host Kathy Buckworth, award-winning Canadian writer, broadcaster and media personality, sits down with inspiring women, trailblazing celebrities, and travel experts to explore what it truly means to travel boldly, and age even more boldly. Whether you're planning your next solo adventure, searching for meaningful connections, or simply ready to embrace the world on your own terms, this is your community. 🌍 More at: https://journeywoman.com/ageless-adventuress-travel-podcast/ 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bjH93bnuMsZ1fC24jk1n3 This podcast is produced in partnership with Globus Escapes, a Switzerland-based, family-owned travel company. Globus Escapes offers curated trips for women and designed for the non-peak travel season.