Desk to Destination

Brad Sams joins Stephen and Paul to discuss his fear of flying, how he copes with it, and how it went on a recent trip with his family to London and Paris. We compare strategies for coping with this problem, including routines, medication, and apps and other ways to stay on top of travel.

In this episode, Stephen and Paul discuss their strategies for taking, viewing, editing, sharing, and organizing photos. We discuss being in the moment, snapshots vs. more professional photos, how to configure a smartphone camera app, computer apps and online services for photos, differences between Apple Photos, Google Photos, and Microsoft OneDrive, AI and photo search, and a lot more.Related: How I Configure My Phone Camera Apps for Snapshots ⭐️

In this follow-up to the previous episode, Paul shares some of the photos he's taken during his travels that really resonate with him because they're so emblematic of a particular person, place, or time, or all three. This one also only makes sense if you experience it in video form.

In this visual episode of Desk to Destination, Stephen shares some of the photos he's taken during his travels that really resonate with him because they're so emblematic of a particular person, place, or time, or all three. This one only makes sense if you experience it in video form.

Stephen and Paul discuss some of the travel scams they've encountered over the years and the strategies you can use to thwart scammers, pickpockets, and other thieves. Situational awareness is key, but you can also protect your ID and credit cards with money belts, slash-proof bags, pants with zippered pockets, and slimline wallets.

In the second part of this series, Stephen and Paul discuss some travel safety strategies for hotels, awareness, behavior, and money while on the road. Products and services mentioned in this episode:AceMining Door Stopper AlarmMaster Lock Portable Small Lock BoxMaster Lock PadlockShe’s Birdie - The Original Personal Safety Alarm for Women by WomenRFID Blocking Waist Pouch Passport Holder Wallet BeltPacsafe GO Crossbody | Anti Theft Sling Pack for WomenPacsafe GO Crossbody | Anti Theft Sling Pack for Men

Stephen and Paul discuss some travel safety strategies, including what to do (and not do) before you travel and some useful apps and websites.Products and services mentioned in this episode:Apple AirTag 4 PackZoppen Multi-Purpose RFID Blocking Passport Holder Travel WalletMaster Lock PadlockJohnson & Johnson First Aid To Go KitbSafe | Emergency Alert and Response SystemSmart Traveler (U.S. State Department)TravelReady (International SOS)TripWhistle

Stephen and Paul discuss the techniques they use to counter jet lag, time zone changes, and other issues they face while flying and traveling. They also have suggestions for ear plugs and earbuds in various situations, eye masks, apps, and gadgets, and share their strategies for getting sleep on the road.

Stephen and Paul discuss the Qi 2.2/MagSafe wireless charging standard used by modern smartphones like the Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, and, with a special case, the latest Samsung models. We go through some of our favorite MagSafe- and Google PixelSnap-compatible chargers and peripherals for at home and on the go and discuss some of the interesting use cases this standard makes possible.

In this episode, Stephen and Paul discuss hotels, strategies for dealing with the dirtiest parts of hotel rooms, safe hotel pranks, and other hotel tips, tricks. and stories.

Stephen and Paul discuss the five worst and best airports for delays, what to do when your flight is delayed and the best ways to keep updated, and what to do when your flight is cancelled.

Stephen and Paul are back after a lot of traveling and discuss some tips and tricks related to passport photos, TSA Pre, and CLEAR, new AI and travel features on phones, and why it's so important to board a plane as early as possible.

Stephen and Paul are both pretty compulsive when it comes to preparing content to listen to and watch before trips. In this episode, they discuss the apps and services they use for music, movies, e-books, audiobooks, and podcasts, some general tips for relaxing in transit, and some very specific entertainment recommendations.

Stephen and Paul are both Windows PC users, but we also use iPhones and other Apple devices. In this episode, they take a look at a new option that bridges the gap between laptop and device: Thanks to the improvements in iPadOS 26, Apple's iPad is suddenly capable of being used as a full-featured laptop. That's great for mainstream users looking for something simpler. But even power users who prefer to use a Windows or Mac laptop will find that the iPad is now an interesting choice as a backup productivity device for those times when you want to travel light or mostly disconnect from work while on vacation or some other break. Stephen and Paul also discuss other Apple devices, folding smartphones, earbuds, and more.

Stephen and Paul are back with a second look at the gadgets and other items we travel with. In this episode, we discuss multi-port USB power adapters and cables, USB and wireless device chargers, international power adapters, presenter and podcasting gear, mini travel tripods, and portable keyboards and mice.

Stephen and Paul are frequent travelers and we're very particular about what we bring with us on trips. In this episode, we discuss the types of laptop bags and backpacks we use, plus seat pillows, USB hubs, adapters, and storage, gadget organization bags, earplugs, Apple iPads, and XNote and other writing, journaling, and note-taking tools.

Viture and other companies make reasonably inexpensive VR/AR/XR glasses that are particularly well-suited for travel and work with any PC, phone, or device that supports USB-C. And they're not just for entertainment. Because these glasses are effectively a second screen, they can be used for productivity on the go as well. We also touch on the noise-cancelling earbuds and headphones that can complete the experience on those long flights.

Stephen and Paul discuss translation apps and other mobile apps that can transform international travel. Key among them: Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, and other translation apps offer Babel Fish-like live translation capabilities that can help get you past tricky conversations, camera integration so you translate signs, menus, and other items, and offline use. And Google Gemini and other AI apps are emerging as key travel tools, as they can be used to identify and tell you more about the buildings, monuments, paintings, and other objects and places around you using your phone’s camera.

AI has improved a lot in the past two years, so Stephen and Paul look at how you can use ChatGPT, Copilot, or a similar tool to create customize itineraries for your next trip. We also provide examples from two of our favorite cities, Chicago and Mexico City.

Stephen and Paul discuss whether you should check a bag when you travel, what you can do to travel more lightly, what types of luggage each prefers, and a few tips related to shoes.

Are you entertained? If you're facing a long flight, it's a good idea to be prepared so you can make the time go by a little more quickly. Stephen and Paul discuss how they do that, with an emphasis on a terrific little gadget called AirFly that lets you connect your own wireless earbuds or headphones to a plane's in-seat entertainment system.

Stephen and Paul discuss CLEAR and Global Entry, two of the most essential services for frequent travelers.

Stephen and Paul discuss TripIt, the differences between the free and paid versions, and why this service is so useful no matter how often you travel.