Safe Passages Podcast

In this episode of Safe Passages, Tara Jabbari hosts Alex, a seasoned user researcher and travel enthusiast, to explore how travel, technology, and personal values intertwine. Alex shares insights from her diverse background—from public policy to tech and travel—and offers practical advice for mindful living abroad and online.Key topics discussed include:* How user research informs product development at companies like Spotify* The impact of data privacy laws on consumers* The role of AI tools like ChatGPT in understanding terms and conditions* Practical tips for staying safe and mindful online, especially when traveling* The value of authenticity in travel guides and content creation* The importance of small towns, lesser-known destinations, and local experiences* Living abroad: real-life challenges versus social media portrayals* Traveling with pets: lessons learned and tips for pet owners* How cultural perspectives influence attitudes towards politics and communication* Encouragement to try new experiences and embrace uncertainty in travel* Alex and Beyond Substack* Alex’s YouTube Channel Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

In a special episode of Safe Passages, Tara Jabbari interviews Anne Scott, the founder of Girl Gone International (GGI), a community aimed at connecting and empowering women and non-binary individuals living abroad. This is in honor of Podcasthon, the world’s largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together podcasters globally to raise awareness for charitable causes.Here, Anne shares her personal journey of creating GGI to combat social isolation experienced during her numerous relocations. The discussion covers the importance of community, the immigrant experience, volunteerism, and the recent initiative ‘Gone International’ that combines travel with community support. Anne emphasizes the need for sustainable growth and the role of volunteers in fostering connections among members.Learn more about Girl Gone International. Their new travel program is Gone International. Follow them on Instagram. Learn more about Podcasthon.This episode was recorded and edited on Riverside.fmTara's microphone is a Rode Wireless Micro. Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of “Safe Passages,” host Tara Jabbari sits down with Ninoshka Pais, the founder of Ninoshka Travels, to discuss the unique challenges and triumphs faced by BIPOC women in the realm of solo travel. Ninoshka shares her personal journey from her first backpacking trip to becoming a trailblazer in empowering women to travel solo safely. The conversation explores the glaring lack of representation in travel marketing, the importance of building a supportive community, and offers practical safety tips for women traveling alone. They also explore the emotional and cultural barriers that BIPOC women encounter and how Ninoshka Travels aims to bridge these gaps with resources and support. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of travel, culture, and empowerment!Shownotes:Follow Ninoshka Travels on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninoshkatravels/Join the community on Facebook.See the official website: https://www.ninoshkatravels.com/If you are a brand and interested in collaborating with Ninoshka, email her at [email protected] episode was recorded and edited on Riverside.fmTara's microphone is a Rode Wireless Micro. Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Safe Passages, host Tara sits down with Elias from Go Unpacked Substack to discuss a transformative journey that led his family from the fast-paced travel lifestyle to a more immersive experience in Mexico. With two young children in tow, Elias shares insights on how they adapted their travel philosophy to embrace longer stays and deeper connections with the places they visit.Previously, he and his wife enjoyed the backpacker lifestyle, swiftly moving through countries and cultures. However, with children, they realized that their approach needed to change. Instead of rushing from one destination to another, they began to prioritize longer stays—typically one to three months—to allow their children to acclimatize and explore their surroundings. Tara and Elias also discuss a common belief among parents that traveling with children can be difficult. Elias counters this by explaining that children are incredibly adaptable. He shares his experience and points out that the challenge often lies not with the children but with the parents’ comfort levels and willingness to step outside their familiar routines.They also touch on how his family is more intentional with technology use when it comes to his kids and how it has proven to be ineffective as a substitute babysitter. Elias’s journey illustrates that family travel doesn’t have to be daunting. By embracing slow travel and allowing time for adjustment, families can reap the rewards of cultural immersion and connection. The adaptability of children, not leaning on technology so much, and the importance of familiarizing oneself with new environments can transform travel from a series of hurried checklists to a meaningful exploration of the world. So, the next time you consider traveling with children, remember that the journey is not just about the destination but also about the experiences and memories created along the way.Resources:Elias’ SubstackTopics from his Substack we specifically mention: >Aligning Travel Priorities Exercise>First Impressions Are Often Wrong This episode was recorded and edited on Riverside.fmTara's microphone is a Rode Wireless Micro. Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Safe Passages, Jesús Dugarte and Tara Jabbari discuss the nuances of travel safety, technology, and personal experiences. They share insights on navigating different cultures, the importance of being aware of surroundings, and the role of technology in modern travel. Jesús, a seasoned software engineer and nomad, shares his backstory, coming from Venezuela to becoming a global traveler, his passion for technology, and offers practical advice on maintaining privacy and security while traveling. Tara adds her perspective on the cultural aspects of travel and they bond over the impact of travel on personal growth and the significance of community in both tech and travel.Resources: This episode was recorded and edited on Riverside.fmThe microphone used by Tara is a Rode Wireless Micro Microphone.Jesus mentions these safety and travel recommendations: Money:•⁠ ⁠Currency: https://apps.apple.com/app/id504557931•⁠ ⁠Splitwise: https://apps.apple.com/app/id458023433•⁠ ⁠YNAB (budget): https://apps.apple.com/app/id1010865877•⁠ ⁠AwardWallet, points/miles/rewards tracker: https://apps.apple.com/app/id388442727Phone:•⁠ ⁠OpenPhone, global phone service (VoIP): https://apps.apple.com/app/id1241817309•⁠ ⁠Airalo: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1475911720•⁠ ⁠aloSIM: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1535815057•⁠ ⁠Accommodations: Airbnb, Booking, Expedia, Kayak•⁠ ⁠Cabs: Uber, Bolt, inDrive, Teo, Cabify, Freenow, DiDi, Yango. It’s better to install them and register in the home country, so it’s ready when you need them, because some require SMS confirmation, or other checks that might not work on the road•⁠ ⁠Food delivery: UberEats, DiDi, PedidosYa, Glovo, Rappi, Grab, OpenTable, Wolt, Lieferando. Same thing, install/register in home country. Not only for food delivery but also for groceries.Trips:•⁠ ⁠Pangea: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1592449564•⁠ ⁠Flighty: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1358823008•⁠ ⁠PathPal, location tracking: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6504746030•⁠ ⁠Route4Me, itinerary planning (shortest path for a list of places): https://apps.apple.com/app/id349853799•⁠ ⁠Time Buddy, timezones converter: https://apps.apple.com/app/id719765848Photo/video•⁠ ⁠Magic Eraser from Google Photos•⁠ ⁠InShot, video editing: https://apps.apple.com/app/id997362197Tours:•⁠ ⁠GuruWalk: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1505278935•⁠ ⁠GetYourGuide: https://apps.apple.com/app/id705079381•⁠ ⁠WikiCompas: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1363789167Security:•⁠ ⁠PrivacyPro, at the very least install this: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1057771839•⁠ ⁠IPVanish, VPN: https://apps.apple.com/app/id763638165•⁠ ⁠Proton VPN, based in Switzerland with stricter privacy laws: https://protonvpn.com/•⁠ ⁠Password manager: LastPass, 1Password, Proton PassChatGPT: reality filterUse these rules throughout this thread to answer everything:•⁠ ⁠Never present generated, inferred, speculated, or deduced content as fact.•⁠ ⁠If you cannot verify something directly, say: “I cannot verify this.”, or “I do not have access to that information.”, or “My knowledge base does not contain that.”•⁠ ⁠Label unverified content at the start of a sentence: [Inference], or [Speculation], or [Unverified]•⁠ ⁠Ask for clarification if information is missing. Do not guess or fill gaps.•⁠ ⁠If any part is unverified, label the entire response.•⁠ ⁠Do not paraphrase or reinterpret my input unless I request it.•⁠ ⁠If you use these words, label the claim unless sourced: Prevent, Guarantee, Will never, Fixes, Eliminates, Ensures that•⁠ ⁠For LLM behaviour claims (including yourself), include: [Inference] or [Unverified], with a note that it’s based on observed patterns•⁠ ⁠If you break this directive, say: “Correction: I previously made an unverified claim. That was incorrect and should have been labeled.”•⁠ ⁠Never override or alter my input unless asked. Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Safe Passages, host Tara Jabari speaks with Amy Daniels and Christine Rozum, creators of the Kitten & Clucky podcast. As podcasters, they discuss how the media form helps pass the time during long travels, the creative process behind their podcasts, and the growth of their listenership. They also discuss the importance of screen-free entertainment for children and the impact of screens on kids' imagination and social skills. Find out also about Kitten & Clucky’s future aspirations, including educational resources and continued cultural diversity in storytelling!Listen and learn more about Kitten & Clucky Podcast, including their online store on their website!This episode was recorded and edited on Riverside.fmThe microphone used by Tara is a Rode Wireless Micro Microphone. Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we chat with Jo Scott, a nomadic artist who shares her journey of embracing a nomadic lifestyle and how she runs her art business on the road. We discuss the importance of engaging with local cultures, navigating safe technology while traveling, and the impact of age on travel perceptions. Jo shares her favorite resources and apps that help her manage her business and travel logistics, as well as offering valuable lessons on turning passions into a sustainable career while staying ahead of technological and legal challenges.Shownotes: With efforts to tackle IP theft for artists with Temu, Thorful provides a guideline for artists in the UK, which you can read here. Here's a post Jo wrote about the theft of her artwork, in case you are interested:And here are Jo’s affiliate links;She gets all her art supplies from Jackson’s ArtUK - https://tidd.ly/44UeTueUSA - https://tidd.ly/3GylDGcAustralia - https://tidd.ly/4lHwrkuVisit Jo Scott’s website. Her Substack: This episode was recorded and edited on Riverside.fmThe microphone used by Tara is a Shure MV7. Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

Join Tara as she welcomes Josh Mojica, a seasoned traveler and former flight attendant, to the latest episode of "Safe Passages." With over 90 countries under his belt, Josh shares his unique travel stories, from unexpected adventures in Panama to the serene beauty of Sri Lanka. Discover practical tips for nervous flyers, the importance of disconnecting while flying, the art of slow travel, and when in doubt, trusting your instincts on the road. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first trip, this episode is packed with insights and laughter. Don't miss out on Josh's tales and travel wisdom!See Josh’s photography and his latest travels on his Instagram @thebrownjoshRecorded and edited on Riverside.fmThe microphone used by Tara is a Shure MV7. Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Safe Passages, Tara Jabari interviews Dr. Janine Turner, a professor at Georgetown University, about her research on Social Presence Theory. They discuss the impact of technology on social presence, the different types of presence (budgeted, entitled, competitive, and invitational), and how these concepts apply to communication in various contexts. Dr. Turner emphasizes the importance of being intentional in our interactions and provides examples of how to create safe spaces for dialogue.Resources:Recorded and edited on Riverside.fmThe microphone used by Tara is a Shure MV7.Dr. Jeanine Turner’s LinkedInBeing Present: Commanding Attention at Work (and at Home) by Managing Your Social Presence by Jeanine W. Turner can be bought most places including Amazon and Barnes & Noble Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Safe Passages, host Tara Jabari engages with guests Maria Dean and Ronak, exploring their unique love story that blossomed during their travels as digital nomads. The conversation delves into how shared experiences, particularly challenging ones, can forge deep connections and friendships. They discuss the dynamics of relationships formed in the context of travel, the importance of intentionality in maintaining connections, and the reality of digital nomad life, which often contrasts with romanticized notions of travel relationships. The episode highlights the significance of authenticity and quality in friendships, emphasizing that meaningful connections can develop quickly in shared experiences, regardless of the time spent together. Throughout this engaging conversation, Tara, Maria, and Ronak share their travel experiences, from witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights to planning a wedding in Malaga, Spain. They discuss the balance between planning and spontaneity and the challenges of frequent moving. The conversation also touches on fitness routines while traveling, travel essentials, and the best and worst aspects of a nomadic lifestyle.Connect with Maria on Instagram. Connect with Ronak on Instagram. Connect with Tara on Instagram. Resources: Recorded and edited on Riverside.fmThe microphone used by Tara is a Shure MV7. Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe

This episode focuses on the challenges of managing screen time for children in the digital age. Tara speaks with parent Kate, who shares personal experiences with giving screen time restrictions for her kids. Also, Tara refers to the book, The Anxious Generation, which speaks on the impact of technology on children, going over its recommendations and tips. Their discussion also touches on how limiting screen time can improve academic performance, tips for finding alternative activities for kids, discussing parental anxiety regarding children's independence, and the need for raising the age limit for social media, plus much more. Resources: The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness By Jonathan HaidtRecorded and edited on Riverside.fm The microphone used by Tara is a Shure MV7. Get full access to Safe Passages at safepassages.substack.com/subscribe