World of Travel: The Podcast

In this episode of World of Travel: The Podcast, Lindsey and Kolyn sit down with former New York Times and BBC foreign correspondent Nicholas Wood, the founder of Political Tours — a company redefining what it means to explore the world.After years reporting from the front lines of global conflict and alongside world leaders, Nicholas shares how the quiet, human stories shaped his next chapter: creating immersive travel experiences that take people beyond the headlines and into the realities of life on the ground.Now running Political Tours with his wife Karen, Nicholas leads journeys across more than 40 countries, connecting travelers with journalists, academics, and local voices who unpack the politics, history, and culture shaping each destination.From Taiwan to Hungary to Turkey, and even places often misunderstood like Iran , this conversation explores how travel can challenge assumptions, deepen global awareness, and bring humanity back into the stories we think we already understand.This episode is about perspective, access, curiosity, and why the most meaningful travel experiences don’t just show you a place...they help you truly understand it.

In this episode of World of Travel: The Podcast, Lindsey and Kolyn sit down with media entrepreneur Jasmine Brand, founder and co-owner of The Jasmine Brand, the influential digital platform that has helped shape the modern media landscape for more than a decade.Jasmine reflects on the unlikely path that led her into entrepreneurship. What began as a side project while working in corporate America quickly grew into a powerful platform. When her job forced her to choose between her career and the site, she made a leap of faith that changed everything. She shares the early struggles, including financial setbacks, moving back home, and building a business without a formal plan while learning the realities of ownership in real time.The conversation explores how the media landscape has evolved from the early days of blogs and Twitter to today’s fast paced social media environment. Jasmine explains how shorter attention spans, instant access to celebrities, and constant digital competition have transformed reporting, storytelling, and audience engagement.Lindsey, Kolyn, and Jasmine also talk about marketing instincts, personal branding, and the creative strategies that helped Jasmine stand out early in her career, including her signature pink hair on red carpets. They discuss the importance of relationships, mentorship, and the business guidance that helped turn a passion project into a sustainable company.Beyond media, Jasmine opens up about life outside the newsroom, including her love for travel, trips to the Virgin Islands during carnival season, why New York still feels like home, and how motherhood, community, and balance shape the next chapter of her life and business.This episode is about resilience, visibility, entrepreneurship, media evolution, and what it really takes to build a lasting platform in the digital age.

In this inspiring episode of World of Travel: The Podcast, Lindsey and Kolyn sit down with entrepreneur and media visionary Fred Mwangaguhunga, founder of MediaTakeOut, the platform that transformed urban celebrity news and reaches more than 35 million readers each month.Fred shares his journey from Wall Street attorney to digital disruptor and explains why betting on himself changed everything. He reflects on once avoiding travel, believing luxury meant buying things, until marriage and fatherhood shifted his mindset. Traveling with his children has expanded their worldview, deepened their understanding of history, and reshaped how they think about race, culture, and identity.The conversation also explores media disruption and entrepreneurship. Fred explains why he resisted fully relying on social media when competitors rushed in, how that decision protected his brand, and why ownership and long term thinking matter more than viral moments.Most importantly, he challenges the idea of chasing a financial number. Success, he says, comes from building something you love enough to keep doing long after you “make it.”This episode is about vision, discipline, global perspective, media evolution, and redefining what real wealth looks like.

In this energizing episode of World of Travel: The Podcast, Lindsey and Kolyn sit down with digital creator and road trip enthusiast Plant-Based Jan for a conversation about intentional living — on the plate and on the pavement.From her home base in Washington State to the sweeping mountain passes of Colorado, Jan shares how she and her husband made the bold decision to prioritize travel during their “post-survival years,” turning a long-held goal into a lifestyle. With a mission to explore every corner of the United States — starting with national parks west of the Mississippi — Jan proves that adventure doesn’t have to be international to be extraordinary.She reflects on jaw-dropping moments inside Rocky Mountain National Park, the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, and even the unexpected food deserts outside Death Valley National Park. Along the way, she offers practical tips for maintaining a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle while navigating remote towns, gas stations, and long stretches of open road.But this conversation goes deeper than snacks and scenic drives.Jan opens up about how plant-based living reshaped her mindset — teaching her intentionality, discipline, and appreciation for the earth’s ecosystems. She discusses the synergy between nourishing your body and protecting natural spaces, why flexibility is the secret ingredient to meaningful travel, and how slowing down leads to richer human connection.This is a conversation about purpose-driven adventure, wildlife encounters, redefining “exotic,” and discovering that some of the most breathtaking bucket-list moments are right here in America.Follow Plant-Based Jan on YouTube at Plant-Based Jan — and maybe we’ll see you on the road.

In this heartfelt episode of World of Travel: The Podcast, Lindsey and Kolyn sit down with lifestyle creator, entrepreneur, and Temple University alum Tyler Whitley for a conversation that moves from Philly roots to purpose-driven influence.Tyler opens up about transferring to Temple in search of culture and community, finding sisterhood through Alpha Kappa Alpha, and how those college years shaped the confident, creative woman she is today. What started as a passion for beauty and artistry evolved into a successful body hair removal business in the DMV — a sacred space where women gather, heal, cry, laugh, and pour into one another.But this conversation goes deeper.Tyler bravely shares the story of losing her son at 40 weeks — a traumatic and life-altering experience that reshaped her understanding of strength, faith, and purpose. She reflects on navigating grief publicly, becoming a safe space for other women experiencing pregnancy loss, and how motherhood — raising her son and daughter — ultimately helped her find peace.The episode also explores what it means to build a family brand in the age of social media. Tyler talks candidly about balancing influence with intention, protecting her children’s autonomy in the content space, maintaining a strong marriage while both partners pursue ambition, and why she refuses to force her kids into the spotlight.This is a conversation about friendship, full-circle moments, entrepreneurship, Black motherhood, grief, joy, and choosing to live boldly — both online and off.Follow Tyler Whitley at @tyler_whitley.

In this candid and layered episode of the World of Travel Podcast, Lindsey and Kolyn sit down with political strategist and former White House Director and Special Assistant to President Joe Biden, Erica Loewe, a powerhouse communicator who has shaped conversations at the highest levels of government.Erica reflects on her journey from being the outspoken kid who could not stop talking to becoming a trusted voice inside the White House and a former communications director for Congressman James Clyburn. Named to The Root 100 and Essence’s Power 40 list, she opens up about what it really means to be “bilingual” in Washington, fluent in both community and institution, able to translate the needs of Black America inside rooms not historically built for it.The conversation moves beyond politics into the deeply personal. Erica shares what it looks like to navigate leadership while supporting her mother through dementia, carrying both the public weight of responsibility and the private tenderness of caregiving. She speaks honestly about boundaries, burnout, and the emotional complexity of being strong for everyone while still needing space for herself.They also explore this new season of her life, one where she is boldly and intentionally calling in love. From making her list and checking it twice to refusing to shrink her standards, Erica talks about dating with clarity, self awareness, and a renewed sense of worth.From a transformative wellness retreat in Costa Rica to the gravity of walking through a building her ancestors once could only enter to serve, Erica reminds us that power is not just about position. It is about purpose.This episode is about influence, identity, caregiving, ambition, and choosing joy, even while carrying heavy things.Let’s get into it.

In this inspiring and deeply real episode of the World of Travel Podcast, Lindsey and Kolyn sit down with South Africa’s “Culinary Princess.” Chef, author, entrepreneur, and executive producer Lorna Maseko — a global tastemaker redefining how the world experiences African cuisine.Lorna opens up about her powerful evolution from professional ballerina to becoming one of the most recognizable culinary voices on the international stage,  proving that you don’t have to live in one lane to live a meaningful life. With honesty and humor, she reflects on how discipline, perfectionism, and perseverance from ballet shaped her ability to build a brand rooted in creativity, culture, and purpose.The conversation moves through pivotal moments that changed everything: relocating to New York City, realizing the dream wasn’t what she imagined, and learning how the city forced her to live smarter — a lesson that ultimately inspired her hit show Lorna’s Pantry, built around making magic out of what you already have. From there, Lorna shares why Atlanta became her unexpected home, and how the city’s warmth, kindness, and Black excellence reminded her of Johannesburg in a way New York never could.Together, they dig into what it really means to be self-taught, to bet on yourself, and to keep creating even when traditionalists question your path. Lorna breaks down the power of her pop-ups and dining experiences, how she uses food as storytelling, and why she refuses to be boxed into one identity,  chef, host, producer, or entrepreneur.This episode is about reinvention, grit, trusting your voice, and building a life where ambition has no boundaries… while still staying grounded in community, faith, and the joy of feeding people with intention.Let’s get into it.

In this vibrant and deeply honest episode of the World of Travel Podcast, Lindsey and Kolyn sit down with award-winning author, journalist, and global tastemaker Demetria Lucas, the woman has long defined herself on her own terms.Demetria reflects on a pivotal moment in 2011 when she walked away from a corporate job, invested in herself, and took her first transformative trip to Africa... a decision that cracked open a lifelong relationship with travel, freedom, and curiosity. From Johannesburg to Cape Town, Kenya to Morocco, Demetria unpacks how seeing Africa firsthand dismantled media-driven myths, reshaped her understanding of Black luxury, and ignited a desire to experience the world beyond the narrow frames she’d been shown.The conversation moves seamlessly through unforgettable travel moments: safaris that bring leopards face-to-face, dancing to amapiano until midnight, spontaneous detours to Cappadocia that feel like real-life Disney, and the quiet confidence that comes with learning how to move through the world solo. Along the way, Demetria shares why her wildly popular See Some World trips sell out in minutes, how she curates travel with intention and ease, and why creating awe — in travel, home, work, and life — is her north star.This episode is about centering yourself, embracing discomfort, redefining luxury, and giving yourself permission to want more... not just from travel, but from life.Let’s get into it.

In this inspiring episode of the World of Travel Podcast, Lindsey and Kolyn sit down with Trell Thomas, founder of the Black Excellence Brunch,  to explore how culture, intention, and travel can turn a personal tradition into a global movement.Raised in Cassatt, South Carolina, Trell reflects on the values passed down from his family and how Sunday dinners at his mother’s home became the blueprint for creating spaces that celebrate Black brilliance. What started as a single gathering grew into the Black Excellence Brunch, now recognized on international stages and even at the White House , all fueled by Trell’s decision to bet on himself.The conversation travels across the globe, from Trell’s first transformative trip to Ghana to a spontaneous solo birthday journey to London that reshaped his confidence, independence, and sense of identity. Along the way, Trell shares unforgettable moments, including an unexpected encounter at a Thailand elephant sanctuary and thoughtful reflections on ethical tourism, solo travel, and slowing down to connect more deeply with people and place.This episode is about legacy, self-investment, and honoring Black excellence everywhere in the world.Let’s get into it.

Join Lindsey and Kolyn as they sit down with Camden David, a globe-trotting creator who has turned the idea of “home” on its head, by choosing to live in a brand-new country every single month.With a massive YouTube following and nearly four years of nonstop movement alongside his wife, Camden pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to sustain a nomadic life: quitting stable corporate jobs in Chicago, abandoning the traditional climb toward “someday,” and choosing instead to shoot for the ideal...now. In this candid and thoughtful conversation, Camden shares the realities behind the highlight reels, from visa mistakes that forced last-minute international pivots to bed bug disasters, wet laundry before flights, and learning how to make money while constantly on the move.But beyond the logistics, this episode dives into the deeper why. Camden reflects on how slow travel reshaped his values, strengthened his marriage, and taught him to look for cultural alignment, not just beautiful views, when exploring a new place. From food adventures and solo meals to his wife’s tradition of reading local authors before every destination, the conversation explores how two people can experience the same place in completely different, yet equally meaningful ways.The episode also takes listeners across the South of France, from Nice to the Riviera, unpacking hidden cultural influences, unforgettable landscapes, and why the region leaves such a lasting impression. Camden shares insights from Turkey and Cappadocia, from hot air balloons and canyon horseback rides to the behind-the-scenes logistics travelers rarely notice, and explains why places that slow life down often leave the biggest mark.Throughout the conversation, Lindsey, Kolyn, and Camden reflect on the power of human connection: chance meetings at laundromats, friendships formed in unfamiliar cities, and the realization that relationships, not possessions, become the real anchor when you live everywhere and nowhere at once.Grounded, curious, and refreshingly honest, this episode is a powerful look at redefining success, embracing uncertainty, and discovering that the world starts to feel a lot smaller—and more meaningful—the more of it you truly live in.Let’s get into it.

Join Lindsey and Kolyn as they connect with Robert Sherman, White House Foreign Correspondent for NewsNation and the author of the new book Lessons from the Front: A Rookie War Correspondent in Ukraine and Israel. In this expansive and deeply reflective conversation, Sherman opens up about what it means to come of age as a journalist while reporting from the front lines of some of the world’s most consequential conflicts.At just 25 years old and unsure of his path, Sherman was covering local political stories when the war in Ukraine pulled him into a global crisis far bigger than anything he had imagined: fleeing air raids, navigating foreign terrain, and confronting the reality of conflict firsthand. One year later, following Hamas’ October 7th attack, he flew straight back into the heart of it, reporting from Israel and Gaza, running from rockets, and entering Hamas tunnels while the world watched events unfold from afar.Throughout the episode, Sherman reflects on how covering Ukraine and Israel fundamentally reshaped his understanding of the world, shattering the idea that global conflicts are simple or black and white. He shares how living and reporting abroad (from Kyiv to Rome, Greece to Lithuania) broadened his perspective, deepened his curiosity, and forced him to reckon with the “fog of war” in both journalism and life.The conversation also weaves in lighter, human moments from Santorini sunsets and lessons learned traveling Europe, to the realities of being an American abroad, to what it’s really like stepping onto Air Force One as a reporter. Sherman opens up about balancing the intensity of war reporting with the need to disconnect, travel intentionally, and find grounding in the spaces between assignments.Thoughtful, eye-opening, and deeply human, this episode is a powerful look at a young journalist finding clarity in chaos—and learning, in real time, that the world is far more complex than he once believed.Let’s get into it.

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.

Join Lindsey and Kolyn as they sit down with world traveler, filmmaker, and creative entrepreneur Shamar Marcus, a core member of the World of Travel family and the Director of Photography who has helped bring the series to life across the globe.In this fun, honest, and wide-ranging conversation, Shamar takes listeners behind the lens of what it really takes to film luxury travel television—from chaotic speedboat rides and surprise storms in the Maldives to long-haul travel days, split-second creative decisions, and the beautiful tension that comes with working closely on the road. Together, they relive unforgettable moments from one of the world’s most dreamlike destinations, including overwater bungalows, vibrant coral reefs, chef-driven global cuisine, and the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experiences that look unreal until you’re standing in them.Beyond the travel stories, Shamar opens up about his personal journey, from leaving a traditional 9-to-5, to betting on himself as a filmmaker, to building Sky Crew Films, a production company now trusted with major commercial, television, and international projects. He shares how faith, wellness, and a leap-of-faith mindset have guided every chapter of his career, along with why independence and creative control matter deeply to him.The conversation also dives into wellness rituals, sea moss, entrepreneurship, creative collaboration, and what aspiring creators actually need to know about building partnerships, leveraging value, and turning passion into a sustainable career...without chasing clout.Warm, hilarious, insightful, and deeply motivating, this episode is a reminder that the journey matters just as much as the destination—and that trusting the process can take you further than you ever imagined.Let’s get into it.

Join Lindsey and Kolyn for a wide-ranging, unexpectedly intimate conversation with entrepreneur, investor, television host, and Shark Tank icon Kevin O’Leary—better known to the world as Mr. Wonderful, but revealed here as a deeply curious global thinker, art collector, and relentless student of the future.From his Lebanese roots and Canadian upbringing to his deep ties to the UAE, Singapore, and beyond, Kevin explains why travel isn’t a luxury—it’s a competitive advantage. He breaks down how being physically present in global hubs has shaped the way he invests in AI, crypto, energy, data centers, and emerging markets, and why “skating to where the puck is going” requires getting out of your comfort zone and your country.Kevin gets candid about building wealth with intention, why quality always beats cheap shortcuts, and how lessons from his mother still guide his philosophy on investing, fashion, and legacy. He takes us inside the rarefied world of high horology, piece-unique watches, priceless dials, and why a great watch is really a piece of art that starts conversations and shares the emotional moment he realized he’d truly “arrived” as a collector.The conversation also dives deep into the future: AI actors, blockchain highways, crypto regulation, global power infrastructure, and why policy, not politics, is where real change happens for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Kevin explains why he works both sides of the aisle, how he helps shape legislation behind the scenes, and why job creation will always matter more than party lines.Smart, fast-moving, and full of insight, this episode is about curiosity, conviction, global citizenship, and seeing the world clearly enough to stay ahead of it. Let’s get into it.

Join Lindsey and Kolyn as they sit down with the legendary Kim Fields, award winning actress, director, producer, entrepreneur, global citizen, and forever fashion icon who shaped a generation through The Facts of Life, Living Single, and The Upshaws. In this rich, intimate conversation, Kim opens up about the joy rituals, creative autonomy, and global adventures that continue to shape her extraordinary life.From her Harlem roots to her deep connection with St. Lucia’s Pitons, Kim reflects on the places that fill her “history cup,” the spiritual grounding she finds in travel, and why exploring the world keeps her expanding creatively, personally, and spiritually. She takes us inside the moment she realized she didn’t need to wait for a seat at anyone’s table, the early inspirations she absorbed backstage at Hello, Dolly! while her mom performed, and how she learned to reinvent herself across decades in an industry that constantly tries to place people in boxes.Kim shares how she built her wellness and coffee brands, what keeps her energy sky high, and why being “selfish in the right ways” can lead to the most meaningful life. She gets candid about directing, doing her own stunts (yes, rappelling off cliffs and plunging into glacier water), and curating transformative retreats that blend breath work, culture, and history.Honest, uplifting, and full of soul, this conversation is about autonomy, intention, exploration, and the art of continually becoming. Let’s get into it.

Join Lindsey and Kolyn as they connect with Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and American Soul storyteller MAJOR.—a man whose voice the world recognizes the moment they hear it. In this expansive and emotional conversation, MAJOR. opens up about life, love, faith, and finding light on the other side of hard times.Born in Denton and raised in Houston, Texas, he reflects on the city that shaped his spirit and sound, the blended-family household of ten siblings that taught him resilience, and the early musical spark that set him on his path. He breaks down how Southern culture continues to influence the world, revisits his rise from early YouTube buzz to global success, and shares the unlikely story of how “Why I Love You” became a platinum-selling, worldwide anthem for weddings, healing, and timeless love, amassing more than half a billion streams.Throughout the episode, MAJOR. gets vulnerable about holding on to hope through personal challenges, the spiritual grounding that guides him forward, and the personal conversation he had with Chadwick Boseman before he tragically passed away, all which have helped shape his artistry. He also talks about why he chose independence across four solo projects and what that freedom has unlocked for him creatively.Honest, uplifting, and full of soul—this conversation is MAJOR. in every way. Let’s get into it.