What Is “Happiness”? Discovering Meaning on the Silk Road with Will Rickard

An episode of the Zero To Travel Podcast podcast, hosted by Jason Moore, titled "What Is “Happiness”? Discovering Meaning on the Silk Road with Will Rickard" was published on July 17, 2025 and runs 84 minutes.

July 17, 2025 ·84m · Zero To Travel Podcast

Summary

What if chasing happiness meant giving up everything you thought you wanted?  Will Rickard is the author of The Silk Road to Happiness, a book born from his solo journey through the “Stans" - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan - on a quest to explore happiness through travel, conversations, and culture. After leaving a prestigious corporate career in Sydney, he hit reset, taking only a backpack and a big question on the road: What is happiness?  In this episode, Will and I unpack the complex relationship between travel and happiness, and what he discovered by going off-grid in some of the world’s least-visited countries.  If you’ve ever felt torn between being grateful for what you have and craving something more, this conversation might hit home. Will doesn’t offer a tidy formula for happiness, but instead, he shares five powerful themes that emerged during his journey - from purpose and minimalism to gratitude and detachment. We talk about how travel can shift your perspective, why sometimes you just have to book the flight, and how embracing discomfort can lead to deeper meaning. Plus, we explore how moving abroad redefined my own ideas about happiness.  What’s something you’ve learned about yourself while traveling that changed the way you define happiness? I'd love for you to share your thoughts by sending me an audio message.  *This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.  Tune In To Learn:  Why Will walked away from a “dream” corporate job to explore the Silk Road  How a photo on Instagram sparked a life-changing decision  What the “anti-bucket list” is and how it might reshape your goals  Advice to anyone stuck in a career rut and wondering what’s next  Why pursuing “more” isn’t always a bad thing—and when it is  How five schools in Afghanistan changed Will’s view of purpose  Why these little-visited countries offer some of the most generous hospitality  Insights from ancient philosophy (and a scary night on the Pamir Highway)  The difference between enthusiasm and passion when it comes to career  How practicing gratitude—especially while traveling—can shift your mental state  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Will's book The Silk Road To Happiness  Follow Will on Instagram, LinkedIn  Want More?  The power Of Death In Life with Gentle Rebel Bronnie Ware  How To Add More Play Into Your Life w/ Jeff Harry  Sweet Ass Strategies For Achieving Anything Fast w/ Heath Armstrong  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Apple Card - Earn 3% back on the Apple products and services you love with Apple Card.  Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description