Shows
No Blackout DatesS3, Ep. 12: Walrus Syndrome: The Psychology of TravelIf you’re like us, you spend a lot of time wondering what's going through people’s minds when they’re at the airport. Why do they crowd around the gate before boarding when their group won’t be called for another 20 minutes? Why do those same people stand up the second the flight pulls into the gate, even when they’re seated in row 57? Michael Brein is the world’s foremost – and perhaps only – Travel Psychologist, and he joins No Blackout Dates to discuss the logic behind these and other conundrums of travel.On the docket is...
2023-05-1644 minNo Blackout DatesStories From The Road: 30 Years After The Revolution, Romania Is Still RebuildingIn this week's Stories From The Road, Tim reads one of the most impactful pieces he's ever worked on as an editor. Writer Iuliana Marchian, a native Romanian, wrote a piece about the impact of the 1989 revolution against Communist rule in Romania. The piece covers the development of personal freedoms and how they've impacted trust in government, as well as how citizens have experienced progress in human rights and quality of life. Marchian describes a polarized society that is moving forward but still has many steps to take to fulfill all of revolution's goals. As a traveler, the piece o...
2023-05-0212 minNo Blackout DatesS3, Ep. 11: Facing Fear and Sailing Antarctica with Lisa BlairSailing all the way around Antarctica is no easy task. Just ask today’s guest, “extreme sailor” Lisa Blair. She holds the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the continent, a title she almost perished in order to gain. Lisa joins the show to discuss her dangerous adventures in the Southern Ocean , her new book, “Facing Fear: The First Woman To Sail Solo Around Antarctica,” and what it takes to embark on such an incredible journey. She breaks down what was going through her mind as her ship nearly capsized in a raging torrent, and how she managed to rig her ma...
2023-04-2540 minNo Blackout DatesStories From The Road: What It’s Like To Sail To Antarctica on a Cruise Ship’s Maiden VoyageIt's called Drake's Right of Passage for a reason. Eben learned this the hard way back in December, when he embarked on the maiden voyage of the Sylvia Earle, a new ship from Australian cruise line Aurora Expeditions. En route he battled 20-foot waves, rowdy passengers, and the seclusion that only accompanies being stuck on a boat at the bottom of the planet -- all while doing his darndest to ward off seasickness.On today's podcast, Eben recounts the journey through the story he wrote for Matador Network. It's a tale of true adventure -- so buckle...
2023-04-1812 minNo Blackout DatesS3, Ep. 10: A Mad Search for Crappie On Mississippi's Lake WashingtonBrad Chappell has spent a day or two on the water. As a professional fishing guide, it’s his job to take traveling fishermen out in search of Crappie, a freshwater game fish that’s part of the Sunfish family. It’s also his job to take newbies like Tim and Eben out, if they were to visit Lake Washington in Greenville, Mississippi. This week, Brad joins No Blackout Dates to discuss the life of a pro fisherman and guide – as it turns out, there’s far more to it than drinking beer on the back of the boat.
2023-04-1126 minNo Blackout DatesStories From The Road: Powder Lines + Cultural Clarity in KyrgyzstanIn February, Tim embarked on a backcountry ski expedition into the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Along with a crew of five other skiers and snowboarders, he spent a week in a high-altitude yurt camp, ascending and descending 12,000-foot peaks and learning about Kyrgyz culture. When three Russian draft dodgers skied into camp one afternoon, the crew got a close-up perspective on how the mountains can provide a unifying force for good in a divided world.Relevant links:On a ski trip to Kyrgyzstan, epic lines combine with cultural immersion40 Tribes BackcountryTim's InstagramEben's Instagram
2023-04-0412 minNo Blackout DatesS3, Ep.9: Jasper the Friendly Ghost Writer: Interview with an AI ChatbotThis week, we're exploring the true power of artificial intelligence by interviewing Jasper, an AI chatbot. Jasper's massive computer brain knows a lot more than you'd think, and it's equal parts impressive and frightening. We'll test Jasper's travel chops, get some useful recommendations, hear about its love life, and learn whether or not it's coming for our jobs. We'll also explore some of the ethical considerations when utilizing artificial intelligence for content creation. How do two guys "interview" a chatbot, you ask? Well, you'll have to tune in to find out.In Hot...
2023-03-2129 minNo Blackout DatesStories From The Road: To Check A Bag Or Not To Check A Bag, That Is The QuestionToday on Stories from the Road, Eben and Tim debate one of air travel's most divisive topics: whether or not to check a bag, when you don't necessarily need to. Eben is a firm non-bag-checker, and for his part, he reads his report on why you'll never catch him hanging 'round the baggage carousel. Tim isn't necessarily anti. He often checks his snowboard gear bag when traveling in winter, or a duffel on other occasions when having specific gear is necessary to make a trip happen. But in general, he's a carry-on guy (though long-time listeners are familiar with...
2023-03-1409 minNo Blackout DatesS3, Ep. 8: How Artificial Intelligence Will Shape The Travel Industry's FutureArtificial intelligence is a controversial yet fascinating topic, particularly since the release of Chat GPT in November 2022. Matador Network founder and CEO Ross Borden joins No Blackout Dates to discuss how AI will shape the future of travel – from the way we research and plan trips to how we actually book and pay for them. The timing of today’s interview is of particular importance at Matador, as the company’s new AI-powered travel recommendation service Guide Geek officially launches this week. Ross discusses the idea behind Guide Geek as well as how he sees AI...
2023-03-0745 minNo Blackout DatesStories From The Road: For The Truly Dedicated, Northern BC Is The Best Place To Heli-SkiThis week on Stories From The Road, Tim reads the report of his heli-skiing adventure in northern British Columbia. As a dedicated snowboarder, embarking on a journey like this had long been a dream of his -- and last March, he had the opportunity to make it happen. He recounts the emotion that overtook him at times throughout the four-day expedition and speaks with his guide about what goes on behind the scenes of the operation."As I carried my board to the chopper on the first morning, I had been overtaken by mixed feelings of bliss...
2023-02-2110 minNo Blackout DatesS3, Ep. 7: What It's Like To Be a Foreign CorrespondentForeign correspondents have a unique role to fill – reporting on situations happening across the world, for an audience back home. Tommy Walker has spent over a decade overseas, covering everything from current events to travel lifestyle. Tommy joins No Blackout Dates to share the inside scoop on what’s it like to be on the ground covering breaking news. The discussion gets deep into how a Chinese encroachment on Taiwan could impact travel to the island, how travelers are punished for poor behavior around the globe, and being on the ground in and around Ukraine during the invasion.
2023-02-1434 minNo Blackout DatesStories From The Road: Visiting a Concentration Camp Is Not Just an Excursion. It’s a Lesson in Humanity.In this week's Stories From The Road, Eben reads aloud his narrative of visiting the remains of the Treblinka concentration camp in Poland. As someone with ethnic ties to the Holocaust, the experience painted a vivid picture of one of humanity's biggest atrocities. For Eben's travel companion, visiting Treblinka proved equally jarring.
2023-01-2410 minNo Blackout DatesStories From The Road: Are Coworking Spaces Worth It Or A Waste Of Money?The second installment of Stories From The Road pits Tim and Eben against each other in one of their most classic debates: whether or not coworking spaces are worth the money. Tim is famously pro-coworking, having held memberships at spaces across the world from Bali to Oaxaca to Colorado. He credits coworking for helping him find friends, clients, and professional development while traveling abroad.
Eben, on the other hand, takes a more pessimistic approach. He feels the coworking spaces are a scam -- that they charge way too much money for what is effectively a glorified coffee shop. Why pay...
2023-01-1013 minNo Blackout DatesS3, Ep. 4: New Year, Same Pod, Fresh 2023 Travel TakesTo kick off 2023, Tim and Eben plunge into the depths of the travel industry – uncovering the trends they expect to see this year, along with their best travel stories from 2022. The hosts also break down the destinations doing things the right way – whether that be reframing an outdated image, innovating new ways to experience the destination, or just being a cool spot that offers a unique travel experience.
2023-01-0335 minNo Blackout DatesS3, Ep. 2: In Search of the Loch Ness MonsterFew myths are as world-renowned as the Loch Ness Monster. Willie Cameron is Nessie’s biggest advocate, a lifelong resident of the region surrounding Scotland’s most famous lake, and a pioneer of Loch Ness tourism. He joins the show to educate the curious and dispel any naysayers, shedding light on the legend of Nessie and why so many believe that she’s down there. He also discusses the power of myth and legend to turn an otherwise sleepy lake into an international tourism sensation. Eben first met Willie while visiting Loch Ness, and after sharing a wee bit of whiske...
2022-12-0641 minNo Blackout DatesS3, Ep. 1: Exploring Asia’s Vanishing Cultures with Kevin KellyTo kick off Season 3 of No Blackout Dates, Tim and Eben welcome Wired magazine co-founder Kevin Kelly. In addition to creating one of the most influential magazines in the tech space, Kevin has spent much of his life traversing Asia, documenting the vanishing cultures of the world’s largest continent.
He discusses this project, known as Vanishing Asia, which is now available as a massive three-volume coffee table book collection, and much more on the show. You'll learn why he believes the motorbike is the most revolutionary invention of all, and how the double-edged sword of modernization is improving connectivity wh...
2022-11-2244 minNo Blackout DatesWelcome to Season 3 of No Blackout DatesNo Blackout Dates is back -- bigger and better than ever -- for Season 3. Matador Network's official podcast takes an unfiltered dive into the world of travel, as told through the stories of guests who lead extraordinarily unfiltered lives. Adventures on tap this season include Wired magazine co-founder Kevin Kelly on his new project documenting the vanishing cultures of Asia, foreign correspondent Tommy Walker discussing how the China-Taiwan conflict will affect travel, and hosts Eben and Tim on a search for the Loch Ness Monster with the world's foremost expert on the monster.
Tune in every other Tuesday starting November 22.
2022-11-1703 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 37: From the Peace Corps To The Life CorpsIf you’re both American and an avid traveler, you’ve likely considered joining the Peace Corps. Today, Tim and Eben speak with someone who did it – Ingrid Olson, an RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) who served in Senegal from 2015 until 2017. During her time in Africa, Ingrid worked primarily in women’s health, but had a hand in a number of other causes along the way. She also learned the local tongue, partied in Dakar, and met the man she’s now about to marry. All in all, she remembers her time in the Peace Corps fondly, and in today’s episode, s...
2022-06-1453 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 36: From Mexico to Saudi Arabia: A Mid-Year RecapA lot has happened for Tim and Eben in recent weeks. Most notably, Tim got Covid – finally. Beyond that, though, the pair have embarked on international travels that have offered fresh perspectives on global gallivants. This week, instead of probing the experiences of someone else, we look inward for a mid-year recap. Tim discusses what it was like traveling to Mexico with his seven-month-old daughter, while Eben recalls the unique experience of traveling in Saudi Arabia. The very different trips, one constant among them is that a good traveler is always prepared for the unexpected.
2022-06-0733 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 35: How To Party At The Edge Of The WorldA stunning backdrop makes every party better. No backdrop better proves this than Iceland’s Westfjords, which served as the setting for the first-ever Detour Discotheque earlier this year. Jonny Ensall, Ink’s Global Editor in Chief and the mastermind behind the shindig, joins No Blackout Dates this week to talk about how he wrangled a crew of top-notch DJs, influencers, and revelers together to join him in the remote, tiny Icelandic village of Thingeyri for a “party at the edge of the world.”
Eben was fortunate enough to attend the event, so this episode serves as the official debrief between...
2022-05-3151 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 34: Surprise Travel Is The Trip You Never Knew You NeededYou’ve heard of solo travel, adventure travel, and even revenge travel. But what about surprise travel? This week’s guest Lillian Rafton is here to enlighten us all on the new trend in travel – traveling to a mystery destination, potentially even somewhere you’ve never heard of. Lillian’s business Pack Up and Go sets up travelers – from solo to larger groups – with surprise destinations based on their interests and desired level of leisure. Are you an outdoorsy traveler? You might find yourself en route to a mountain town in Colorado. Into museums? DC, here you come. Into random shenanigans an...
2022-05-2439 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 33: What Airbnb's Biggest Update In A Decade Means For YouTo say that Airbnb has revolutionized the process of booking – and enjoying – travel accommodations would be an understatement. Where else can you book a forest treehouse, a high-rise apartment with a rooftop pool, and a houseboat on the ocean, all in the same place? Airbnb just launched the biggest updates to its platform in a decade, and Catherine Powell, the company’s Global Head of Hosting, is here to tell us all about it. Going forward, you don’t even have to know where you want to travel in order to book a stay, with new “Categories” breaking properties down into niche l...
2022-05-1738 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 32: The Guts and Glory of Touring The World in a Rock BandTouring in a rock band is one of the most fantasized about – and widely misunderstood – lifestyles in the modern world. While everyone thinks it's all backstage parties and endless excess, the reality is far more down to Earth, though no less interesting. Dan Aid is here to set the record straight on tour life, having been around the globe with the punk rock band Authority Zero and toured with other acts as well.
2022-05-1043 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 31: The Joys and Pains of Travel With KidsMother’s Day is coming up. For the No Blackout Dates crew, this is a holiday where we celebrate the brave and courageous mothers in our lives. The day is more personal for Monet Hambrick, however – a traveling mother of two who has spent the bulk of the past decade gallivanting across the globe with her family in tow. She’s written a children’s book about her travels and runs the popular blog The Traveling Child to offer advice (and commiseration) to all the aspiring vagabond families out there. Monet joins the show to talk family travel, and if you plan...
2022-05-0339 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 30: Photographer Chris Burkard on Risking It All For The Perfect ShotTo make a living traveling the world, you have to get down to the essentials. Photographer and global explorer Chris Burkard joins No Blackout Dates to discuss how, exactly, he manages to do that. Chris shares insight on everything from what makes a good story to how he packs for expeditions. One constant theme through all of this? Risk management. Through his commercial and travel-based work, including an admittedly large collection of “really bad” photos, Chris has honed in on what it takes to plan and execute extremely dangerous assignments. By taking balanced risks and remaining focused on getting the righ...
2022-04-2651 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 29: The Untold Truths of Travel NursingMolly Duane has one of the most important jobs in two industries – she’s a nurse, for one, and a traveling nurse at that, easily catapulting her to the top of the list of who should rightfully get that final standby seat on any packed flight. Her work has taken her from her home in Salt Lake City to rural Montana, Houston’s concrete jungle, and elsewhere around the country on three-to-nine month stints. Molly joins the show today to school Tim and Eben on what it’s like to actually have a job with purpose.
Molly elaborates on how – and why –...
2022-04-1947 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 28: Let There Be Red Light: Inside Amsterdam's Sex Industry (Greatest Hits Rerun)In 2021, the city of Amsterdam announced it would move its sex workers out of the famed Red Light District in the heart of the city. Visitors have long ventured to the Red Light District, some to hire a sex worker and others out of sheer curiosity. This curiosity is part of why the city made the decision to relocate its sex workers – the women had become the subject of gawking and verbal abuse. Still, the decision has prompted confusion among travelers.
So we figured we’d go straight to the source. No Blackout Dates welcomes Mary, a veteran Amsterdam sex work...
2022-04-1200 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 27: The Charmed Life of Travel with Sebastian ModakSebastian Modak is living the dream. As the 52 Places Traveler for The New York Times in 2019, he visited 52 places around the globe in a single year – and turned around a dispatch about each of them. A “third culture kid” who grew up as a vagabond between the US, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, and elsewhere, Sebastian is accustomed to picking up and moving on to the next place. Now, as editor-at-large for Lonely Planet, he continues to make this lifestyle his full-time gig.
On today’s show, Sebastian and Tim shoot the breeze about travel trends, over-tourism, and how random, unplanned experien...
2022-03-2940 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 26: Expatriating And The Life Of An "Orbiting Spouse"AJ Kinney coins a new phrase for us on today’s pod. The “orbiting spouse” is someone who moves somewhere because their partner got a sweet job offer – and ends up loving it so much that they full-on expatriate. AJ and his wife moved to Grand Cayman from Minnesota, a sharp lifestyle change from hunting and camping to fishing and fruity cocktails. AJ joins the pod to discuss expat life during Covid and after, what it’s like to live somewhere totally different than everything you’re used to, and how the biggest fish he ever caught didn’t actually qualify as a c...
2022-03-2237 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 25: The Great Indoors (Greatest Hits Rerun)“Gatekeeping” is an unfortunate but common practice in outdoor-centric communities. Comedian Ivy Le is joining us today to discuss how this issue can be addressed. Ivy hosts the podcast FOGO: Fear of Going Outside, one of Spotify’s most popular new podcasts, documenting Ivy’s experience as an avid indoorswoman venturing (reluctantly) into outdoor adventure. Eben and Ivy rebrand camping as “voluntary homelessness” and hiking as simply “walking,” while Tim defends the merits of voluntary homelessness and walking. We also expose the outdoors community as more judgmental than you might think, and learn why some indigenous peoples don’t feel comfortable hiking...
2022-03-1559 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 24: Behind the Hype of WeWork, Remote Work, and CoworkingTo cowork or not to cowork? The pod’s age-old controversial question is finally getting addressed by an expert. We’re learning the truth about whether coworking spaces are bullsh*t or if they actually provide real value to remote workers. Joanne Flynn Black a former WeWork employee who lived through the company’s most turbulent era, is joining us today to talk remote work, online writer communities, and Airbnb hosting. Ever wondered what guest habits really piss off Airbnb hosts? Well, Joanne’s got the scoop.
2022-03-0847 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 23: Concerning Hobbits: How Lord of the Rings Remade New Zealand Tourism“The Lord of the Rings” revolutionized the Fantasy and Adventure genres in both print and film. What’s often overshadowed by the smashing success of the franchise is the impact LOTR had on the country that served as the backdrop for much of the footage in the film series – New Zealand. Ever since “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” hit theaters on December 19, 2001, fans have flocked to remote outskirts in the country where big scenes were filmed.
The film franchise is turning 20 years old, and to celebrate, Tim and Eben are joined by Sarah Handley, General Manager for...
2022-03-0140 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 22: Dispelling Tequila Myths with the Añejo AficionadoRob Gerard is a tequila influencer in the truest sense. As founder of The Tequila Collective, Rob shows off (code phrase for “indulges in”) fine tequilas of all stripes. He has built a following based on his extensive knowledge of the world’s favorite agave liquor, a savant cross between Reposado Recommender and Anejo Assassin. As it turns out, our in-house Duke of Jack Daniels recently visited Tequila, Mexico, and found that despite being a whiskey guy, he’s able to bond with Rob over the watering holes each is familiar with.
On today’s docket is everything tequila – including a breakdown...
2022-02-2248 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 21: Traveling Circus -- Life According to a Professional ClownNo matter what you think of clowns, you likely have no idea what their lifestyle is actually like. From living on a train with Ringling Bros. to performing for kids at a children’s hospital, Joy Powers has done it all on the professional clown circuit. She joins the pod this week to discuss what it’s like to clown for a living.
You’ll learn what it’s like to travel the country as a performing clown and whether or not scary clowns give the rest of the bunch a bad name. Joy talks about common misconceptions of clowns (they don...
2022-02-1543 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 20: Booking Travel with Crypto, for DummiesYou have thoughts on cryptocurrency. Whether your opinion is bullish or bearish, it’s undeniable that the concept of DeFi (decentralized finance) is causing quite a ruckus in the media. How will cryptocurrency impact travel? To find out, we invited Ben Rogers on the show. Ben is the Chief Marketing Officer at Travala, a travel booking website that operates much like Expedia or Booking.com, with one major difference – its customers can pay in crypto.
Ben discusses how cryptocurrency will play a big role in the future of travel, and why Travala and other companies are poised to reshape the indu...
2022-02-0846 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 19: People, Places, and Bathrooms to Love According to Samantha BrownSamantha Brown is the reason you want to spontaneously book a flight to the other side of the world. She’s been in the travel hosting game for over 20 years, and you may recognize her from iconic shows like Great Hotels, Passport to Europe, and Girl Meets Hawaii. Her newest endeavor is called Places to Love, and Brown describes it as her ode to travel culture worldwide – to the people, and to the places they call home. Samantha joins No Blackout Dates to discuss everything from the travel industry’s evolution to the behind-the-scenes realities of travel shows.
Samantha shares whethe...
2022-02-0155 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 18: Overlanding Europe and Africa on the Janga BusRemi Bumstead did what all of us have talked about doing at some point: buying an old bus and driving it across Africa to donate to a school for deaf kids. Ok, maybe not all of us. Remi’s bus, dubbed the Janga Bus, was bought in Germany, fixed up in the UK, and driven south from London across Europe and into Africa en route to The Gambia. Upon arrival, Remi and his trip partner Alexandra Zeitlin donated the bus to the Kadect School for the Deaf. Oh, and they turned the entire project into a documentary film – aptly titled Jang...
2022-01-2555 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 17: The Real Heroes of Machu PicchuMarinel de Jesus is the type of outdoors-person the world needs more of. As the founder of The Porter Voice Collective, Marinel advocates for porters’ rights in top international trekking destinations including Peru and the Himalayas. She rallies for better working conditions, pay, and even food for the hard-working porters lugging our gear up the world’s highest peaks – and after hearing her speak about the cause you’d be hard-pressed to not want to sign on.
In Hot Takes, Tim ponders a digital nomad he met briefly at the Denver airport and wonders aloud if he’s a stalker for contin...
2022-01-1842 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 16: Running With The Buffalo In BaliMarko Randelovic is a documentary filmmaker and photojournalist from the UK whose work focuses heavily on Southeast Asia. Marko joins No Blackout Dates to discuss his new film, Makepung, which debuts on Matador Network on January 12. Makepung tells the story of Bali’s long-running tradition of buffalo racing. That’s right – there’s a dedicated cohort of Balinese who aren’t afraid to hop on a water buffalo and chase speed, glory, and honor. Lest you be worried about animal rights, these water buffalo are among the most cared-for animals on the Indonesian island.
2022-01-1143 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 15: New Year, Same Us: A 2021 RetrospectiveYou know those recap episodes your favorite TV show slips in mid-season, because they’re too lazy to put out new content? And you know how you usually skip it? Well, this is our recap episode, but don’t skip it just yet. No Blackout Dates is ringing in 2022 by doing exactly what they say you shouldn’t do in the new year – living in the past. Not only are we reflecting on our favorite episodes of 2021, but also our favorite travel destinations of the past year, and the best books we’ve read. We’re also looking ahead to the travel t...
2022-01-0432 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 14: The Least Pretentious Wine Conversation You've Ever HeardBen Parsons founded Ordinary Fellow winery in Palisade, Colorado, to make wine approachable for everyone. Ben joins No Blackout Dates this week to talk wine and travel – most notably, how the two come together to create one epic life experience. A UK expat, Ben has traveled the world to make, taste, and promote wine for more than 20 years. He’s settled in Colorado as the state’s first expert winemaker and likely its OG top-tier wine enthusiast – and has established himself as the face of Colorado’s burgeoning wine scene.
2021-12-2844 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 13: Interview With A SantaJust in time for Christmas, we’re excited to welcome our highest-profile guest to ever appear on No Blackout Dates. That’s right. Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Jolly Saint Nick, the Big Man himself…Santa Claus is here to ring in the holidays.
Tim and Eben hounded the North Pole’s PR office for months to get this interview, and after speaking with Santa for 45 minutes, it’s easy to see why he’s so tough to schedule. The man is busy – producing all those toys, managing crews of elves around the globe, and splitting domestic duties with Mrs. Claus once the worki...
2021-12-2144 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 12: Olympic Climbing and Ninja Warrior-ing with Meagan MartinMeagan Martin’s eight-season run on American Ninja Warrior has outlived most television careers, and that’s just her side-hustle. Meagan is a professional rock climber whose passion for climbing has taken her around the world, from Boulder, Colorado, to Paris, Berlin, and even Hachioji, Japan. Meagan also provides television commentary of live climbing for NBC, and was there to call climbing’s Olympic debut this year.
Tim and Eben are among those who look at climbers briskly working their way up a rock face and think, “How the hell do they do that without dying?” On today’s episode, Meagan break...
2021-12-1446 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 11: Inside the Line: Saudi Arabia's NEOM and the Future of CitiesOn today’s episode, Matador Network CEO Ross Borden joins the show to discuss his recent trip to NEOM, the expansive desert of northern Saudi Arabia being turned into the world’s first “sustainable city.” Along with The Line -- a futuristic city built in a long, thin, and extra-eco-friendly line -- the planners of NEOM will include purpose-driven tourism development along the coast of the Red Sea, a slew of national parks, and plenty of other futuristic stuff. We don’t understand it in the least, but Ross breaks down the basics in what might be the first-ever 101-level course on...
2021-12-071h 04No Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 10: Eating, Traveling, and Rocking with Kelly RizzoAt No Blackout Dates, we firmly believe in only three things: eating great food, traveling the world, and geeking out over early 2000s punk rock. Today’s guest Kelly Rizzo embodies the best of food, travel, and music. Kelly is the founder of Eat Travel Rock, a digital television show and production company that takes viewers behind the scenes of the things we most cherish. We discuss all things food and flying with Kelly, including America’s best food cities.
Beyond her incredible TV show, Kelly’s biggest contribution to the world of travel is that she has dialed in the fo...
2021-11-301h 06No Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 9: Jet, Set, Match: A Matchmaker's Guide for TravelersProfessional matchmaker Jenny Hart joins us today, and she’s revealing all her insider secrets for making lasting connections while traveling.
Jenny has spent years pairing people up from all around the world, particularly travelers and digital nomads, and now she’s joining us to break down the complex world of international matchmaking. We discuss meeting people on airplanes, making connections in foreign countries, and what qualities make two people a good match. She also reveals the Tinder rules you didn’t know you were breaking while swiping abroad.
In Hot Takes, Eben tried to understand the allure of true crime...
2021-11-161h 01No Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 8: The New F Words: Facebook, Fake News, and FotojournalismTraveling for tourism paints an incomplete (and sometimes wildly inaccurate) picture of the places we visit. Cengiz Yar is an international photojournalist who’s traveled the world telling stories that are often right in front of our eyes, but which aren’t exactly comfortable for us to digest. He specializes in conflict reporting, mass displacement, and civilian casualties of war, and his work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and The New York Times.
Cengiz is here to help us explore the complicated intersection of traditional journalism and social media, the importance of media literacy, and the global cons...
2021-11-0953 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 7: Around the World in 56 HoursJules Verne’s famous character, Phileas Fogg, went around the world in 80 days. Pretty impressive in 1872. But times are different in 2021, and the bar is much, much higher. Not only has Gunnar Garfors circumnavigated the globe in just 56 hours, he’s also the first person to travel to every country in the world TWO times, visit five continents in a single day, and holds a host of other impressive travel-related records.
We talk about his visit to North Korea, how to get fresh perspectives on the same destinations, how record-breaking travel differs from leisure travel, and whether credit card points are...
2021-11-0259 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 6: New Host, Who Dis?For the first time in the history of No Blackout Dates, we’re without one of our co-pilots this week. With the exciting birth of his daughter, Tim is taking some time off to learn how to be a parent -- which we imagine is much easier than being a podcast host. Luckily, Melanie Sutrathada is here to fill his shoes (if not his flannel shirts and Burton hats). Melanie was our very first guest on No Blackout Dates, and now we’ve come full circle.
She’ll be joining Eben as guest host for the next few weeks. Before we div...
2021-10-2630 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 5: Confessions of a Vegas DJLet’s be honest -- we’ve all requested a song from a DJ before. Maybe they shut you down immediately, and maybe they reluctantly agreed but shot you a death stare the entire time you were dancing to “Uptown Funk.” Either way, they hated you for it. That’s right, DJ’s hate requests more than waiters hate people who order stuff that isn’t on the menu. But don’t worry. Nina Tarr is here to set us straight.
Nina is a DJ and music curator at the Superfrico bar in Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan Hotel. In addition to being the Vegas St...
2021-10-191h 03No Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 4: Airstreams and Road Trip DreamsKina Pickett spent the heart of the Covid-19 pandemic traversing the country in an Airstream trailer, family of four in tow. In partnership with Matador, Kina dubbed the journey the Beyondland Roadtrip. He’s here to talk family travel, an endless road trip during a global pandemic, and why learning to manage risk is the most important factor in creating the life you want to live.
2021-10-1249 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 3: Living on the Bottom of the WorldCaptain Kirk had it all wrong. The final frontier is, in fact, Antarctica -- a place explored far less than space, at least in our imaginations and fiction television programming. Today’s guest is here to shine a bit of light on the furthest away place you could go while still being based “here on earth.” Joe Horneman is a Physicians’ Assistant stationed on the South Pole. As one of just two medical staff at his camp of scientists, chefs, and service workers, Joe is one of the three dozen most remote people in the entire world. He’s been enlighteni...
2021-10-0548 minNo Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 2: Are Travelers Dateable?Meeting someone exotic while traveling is on your bucket list. If you deny this, you’re lying, and today’s guests can prove it. Yue Xu and Julie Krafchick are dating experts -- like, legit -- and as the hosts of Dateable, one of the most popular dating podcasts, they’ve seen and heard it all. On today’s episode, the ladies join Tim and Eben to discuss all things dating and travel.
2021-10-051h 02No Blackout DatesS2, Ep. 1: Inside OnlyFans and the NSFW Travel WorldThis one’s all about the biggest craze of the pandemic. No, not sourdough bread or backyard chickens. We’re talking about OnlyFans, the DIY creator platform that has recently been in the spotlight for its (since recalled) plan to ban “pornographic content” on its site. Our guest is none other than Lauren Blake, the epitome of OnlyFans success. Not only is Lauren the face of one of the platform’s most popular accounts, but she has also parlayed that success into her own travel show on OnlyFansTV, Travel With Lauren.
2021-10-0557 minNo Blackout DatesWelcome To Season Two of No Blackout Dates!No Blackout Dates is back for Season 2! We've partnered with Matador Network to take the cause of irreverent and unfiltered travel talk to heights not seen your last international flight.
Tune in every Tuesday morning beginning October 5 for guests including an OnlyFans star turned travel tv host, the outspoken hosts of the web's preeminent dating podcast, a Physician's Assistant living on the South Pole, and a cadre of other booming personalities from across the weird world of travel. The insight is big, and the Hot Takes are, well, as revealing as Tim and Eben's deepest thoughts allow them to get.
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2021-09-3002 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 44: The Great IndoorsWe’re kicking off today’s episode with a VERY important announcement: No Blackout Dates has officially been acquired by travel media company Matador Network. What does this mean? Well, we’re getting a new logo, website, overall look, and we might sound a bit better too. It also means we’ll have access to a wider range of awesome guests. We’re excited for this next chapter of NBD and can’t wait to turn the page sometime next month. But more on that in the coming weeks...
Comedian Ivy Le is joining us today. Ivy hosts the podcast FOGO: Fear o...
2021-08-2458 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 43: In Search Of Incan Gold On Peru's Colca RiverEugene Buchanan has done everything that you’d like to say you’ve done. He’s searched for Incan treasure in an uncharted South American Canyon. He’s paddled Russia’s Bashkaus River with a ragtag crew of adventurers speaking multiple languages. And he’s raised a family in the always dangerous environs of a Colorado mountain town. Fresh off a week of offshore kayaking in Iceland, Eugene joins Tim and Eben to discuss his experience in Icelandic Covid quarantine, the future of expedition travel, and how it is that he still finds these crazy trips so exciting even after he’s lived t...
2021-08-1748 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 42: From South Sudan With LoveWhile Tim and Eben struggle to figure out how laptop webcams work, Clara Wetzel was in South Sudan filming the first documentaries ever made in the country. Her groundbreaking films spotlight the lives, relationships, and struggles of those living in this young African nation, and set an inspiring precedent for the country’s emerging film industry. We learn about the dangers of filming in South Sudan, and the importance of creative expression in the face of authoritarianism.
2021-08-1046 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 41: Your Favorite Breakfast Food Is A SinEveryone loves food. Matt Siegel literally wrote the book on it. The Secret History of Food: Strange but True Stories About the Origins of Everything We Eat, comes out August 31. On today’s show Matt teaches us more than we ever thought we'd know about the puritanical roots of cereal, why semen and beer are actually better at catching flies than honey or vinegar, and whether or not aphrodisiacs are all they’re cracked up to be (no spoilers). Eben finally gets his chance to nerd out about pizza and fast food with someone on his side of the argument, and...
2021-07-2051 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 40: 40 for 40 - Stories From The Road9 months, 38 guests, and 327(ish) Hot Takes later, we made it to episode 40. To celebrate all the incredible guests we’ve been lucky enough to interview...we’re not interviewing anyone at all today. For this special episode we’re reviving an old tradition: listener stories. We asked for your craziest travel stories and you guys delivered. Get ready to hear about a drug deal gone wrong in Colombia, bar brawls, water shortages, and airplane malfunctions in an episode full of YOUR tales from the road. So sit back, relax, and see why Tim could easily have a career narrating audiobooks.
2021-07-1340 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 39: I Love That Dirty Water (I Love India)You’ve dreamt of becoming a documentary filmmaker. Or a globe-trotting photographer capturing stunning scenes from around the world. Ryan Salm has done these things, notably at the world’s largest gathering of people and feces (yes, feces) in India. On this week’s pod he goes behind-the-scenes of his film Kharma Bums, which followed Ryan and his crew as they paddled down the Ganges River. How is it possible that what one person considers to be a dirty and polluted body of water might in fact be a pristine sanctuary to others? It’s all about perspective. Ryan also sheds li...
2021-07-0648 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 38: Let There Be Red Light: Inside Amsterdam’s Sex IndustryAmsterdam is known worldwide for its Red Light District, the city’s infamous epicenter of legal prostitution. Behind those red lights is a world shrouded in mystery, fantasy, and rumor, and many tourists -- even those who indulge -- never get more than a peek at the reality of Amsterdam’s sex industry. Today we’re diving into the world behind the glass with Mary, an escort in Amsterdam. Mary primarily works with handicapped clients who struggle to achieve intimacy in a more traditional manner. We discuss the often-overlooked social good of prostitution, dispel harmful misconceptions about the industry, and talk a...
2021-06-291h 00No Blackout DatesEp. 37: Hawaii 4-1-1: Is Your Tour Guide Judging You?In Hawaii, Will McGough is a consummate professional tour guide. On today’s show, he’s putting his tour guests on blast for their obnoxious behavior. That includes showing up late, puking on the bus, and going to KFC during the trip. And yes, he has indeed left people behind for being 10 minutes late. There’s also a lively discussion about how the “unwritten rules of travel” are bullsh*t, and a contentious argument between Will and Eben about whether a “SPAM McDouble” qualifies as a cultural experience.
In Hot Takes, Tim “seasoned flyer” Wenger reveals his greatest (and completely rational) fear on...
2021-06-1549 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 36: This Van Is Your Van, This Van Is My VanIf packing your entire life into a van and traveling the US Jack Kerouac style sounds enticing, Geena Truman has some words of wisdom for you. Geena has been traveling around in a converted 90s van for the past year, and joins us today to talk about life on the road. We cover “stealth camping” (illegally sleeping in national parks), how to make a van travel-ready, and most importantly, how vanlifers shower and use the bathroom.
In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss why we still follow “friends” on Facebook and Instagram who we haven’t seen in 10 years, and why Tim ea...
2021-06-0849 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 35: A TSA PSA: Airport Security NightmaresYou might think the worst thing that can happen to you at airport security is having your backpack screened twice. Tell that to Drew Casey, who’s so familiar with TSA’s “suspicious persons” room he gets his mail sent there. A frequent traveler who lives abroad and is always criss-crossing the globe, Drew is a constant target of TSA scrutiny, and he’s here to share his most harrowing tales. From setting off the explosives detector to getting a pat down so intimate he felt like he’d cheated on his girlfriend, Drew’s been through it all.
For anyone interes...
2021-05-2557 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 34: Climbing Everest with Conrad Anker“If you’re gonna go in a high Alpine environment, you’ve gotta make your peace with death.” Not exactly a quote from a motivational poster, but it is a quote from today’s guest. Conrad Anker is a legendary mountain climber who's climbed Everest THREE times -- once without supplemental oxygen -- and starred in several award-winning films. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to climb Everest, he’s here to tell you. He also talks about the many near-death experiences he’s faced on the world’s highest peaks, and the feeling of going to “work” knowing you might not
2021-05-1844 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 33: A Pennsylvania Yankee in King Wangchuck’s CourtImagine spending two years in a Covid-free country, and then returning to the US in March, 2021. That was Professor Dana Polanichka’s reality. According to RateMyProfessor.com, Professor Polanichka is a “ball of sunshine” and an “incredible human being.” But why trust student reviews from 2011 when you can tune into today’s episode, and hear Dana talk all about Bhutan, a small Himalayan nation steeped in ancient tradition. Dana led a group of Wheaton College students to Bhutan in 2019, and thanks to Covid, got stranded there for nearly two years. We discuss the utter shock of returning to a Covid-ravaged US, the beau...
2021-05-111h 05No Blackout DatesEp. 32: Tourist Traps, Crazy Travelers, and Hawaiian Pizza with the Co-founder of Atlas ObscuraWhat separates a tourist trap from a place that’s actually worth visiting? How do you actually get a job in the travel industry? Why is Hawaiian pizza called Hawaiian pizza? We answer these questions with the help of Dylan Thuras -- the co-founder of Atlas Obscura. Dylan created one of the world’s most popular travel sites, just launched a new podcast, and now joins us to talk about the best, worst, and craziest trends in travel.
In Hot Takes, we psychoanalyze Tim over why he never watches TV in hotel rooms, and Eben dunks on guided tours.
2021-05-0449 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 31: How to Stop Worrying and GTTF (Get To The Funny)We’ve all seen stand-up comedy on Netflix, but actually writing jokes, creating a set, and delivering solid jokes on stage is easier said than done. The world of stand-up is bizarre, ruthless, and hilarious, and Chris Diorio is here to tell all. Chris is a Broadway comedian who’s performed all over the country. We discuss life on the road, telling R-rated jokes to a PG audience, and comedy groupies. We also learn pro tips for handling hecklers, and pose the question: if you sign up to attend a comedy show, are you allowed to get offended by the joke
2021-04-2747 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 30: The Travel Hustle That Never EndsOur 30th episode marks Tim’s decision to fully embrace Instagram influencing and become a hat model. More importantly, we have a guest who’s an actual model, and can actually influence people. Julana Dizon is a travel blogger, TV host, fitness model, and former cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Bucs. She’s here to discuss the pros/cons of having multiple side-hustles, defying model and influencer stereotypes, and how fleeting travel relationships can actually be a good thing. She also considers an impulsive career-change to becoming a tiger trainer.
In Hot Takes, Eben and Tim break down the bizarre genius...
2021-04-2042 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 29: Travel Writers Are Privileged Snobs, And Other Stories From The RoadIt’s no secret by now that we find most travel writers to be obnoxious, pretentious, and ironically, really bad travelers. Todd Walker is not one of them. Always honest and unfiltered, Todd is back to share his scathing insights about the travel industry. We discuss the world’s most overhyped destinations, how to write about places that suck, and whether travel writers actually contribute to society or just make it worse. Todd also explains how he uses travel to get away from his significant other, and some of you might want to take notes.
In Hot Takes, we ask whet...
2021-04-1345 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 28: Podcast of a GeishaIf you woke up this morning thinking, “Hmm. I’m in the mood to listen to two American guys, with very little knowledge of Japanese culture, interview a former Geisha” then you came to the right place. Moe worked for six years as a geisha in Kyoto, Japan, before starting her own YouTube cooking channel. She’s here to lift the veil of mystery shrouding geishas, explain their cultural importance, and dispel misconceptions. We also get some insider tips on the best Japanese food to try (hint: we hope you like ketchup).
In Hot Takes, Tim reveals his worst culture shock ex...
2021-04-0641 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 27: Are Digital Nomads Bullsh*t?The following are adjectives Tim and Eben would typically use to describe “digital nomads”: pretentious, vapid, lame, self-absorbed. Dayana Aleksandrova is here to prove them wrong. A Bulgarian villager turned full-fledged digital nomad living in the Canary Islands, Dayana and the boys engage in a lively debate about digital nomad cliches, and how to spot the pretenders. They also answer the question: can you be a digital nomad without telling literally every person you know?
In Hot Takes, Tim ponders what country parties the hardest, and Eben exposes self-checkout lanes as bullsh*t.
2021-03-3050 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 26: Airport Etiquette 101 with the guy who might ruin your tripThey’re the first people you see when you show up to the airport all tired, stressed, and disgruntled. They’re airline customer service agents, and if you wanna sneak that blatantly oversized bag on your flight, you have to go through them first. Danny Capron, an airline customer service agent, is here to tell us that the customer is NOT always right. Danny reveals how to get a free first class upgrade, how airlines are gouging customers, and admits to ruining countless Christmases.
In Hot Takes, obnoxious “airport lounge people” are discussed, and Eben breaks down his favorite restaurant chains.
2021-03-2340 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 25: One Flew Over The Kaw Kaw ZonePeople rarely live up to their nicknames...unless you’re Michael “Bird” Shaffer. Bird is a sponsored skier with Black Crows, and his adventures have taken him to slopes all over the world. Our most unique guest yet, Bird is here to discuss life on the pro ski party circuit, starring in ski films, and balancing sponsorships with “the love of the game.” He also literally invented his own language of “Bird-isms.”
In Hot Takes, we expose spring as a bullsh*t season, Tim considers legally changing his name to “Slick T”, and Eben admits to stealing food from other people’s dinner pl
2021-03-1642 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 24: Ugh, CanadaIt’s a rivalry older than the Red Sox and Yankees, IPAs and Bud Lights, pizza and hamburgers. Sometimes friendly, sometimes not-so-friendly, the US-Canada rivalry is fraught with tension and unanswered questions. Are Americans as obnoxious as Canadians think? Does Canada have an inferiority complex? If the two countries are siblings, which one has the severe emotional scars? Mylan Clairmont is here to help us answer these questions. Mylan used to travel the world as the head strength coach for Rugby Canada. Now he’s starring as our token Canadian to set the record straight about his beloved homeland. We’re get...
2021-03-0946 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 23: Stuntin' All Over The PlanetToday’s guest gets punched in the face and thrown through panes of glass for a living. And no, it’s not Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Alice Ford is a professional stuntwoman and travel host whose job has taken her all over the world. She’s worked on movies like Transformers and Ender’s Game, documents her adventures on YouTube, and organizes sustainable group travel tours. We’ll learn what it takes to be a stuntperson (spoiler: Tim and Eben would never make it), whether she ever tries to sneak a cameo, and the lows of hosting group trips. Also, Eben admits to...
2021-03-0240 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 22: From Castaway to Travel Host with Libby VincekWhen someone tells you they voluntarily spent a few weeks on a desert island eating bugs and sleeping in a bamboo shelter, you might assume two things: they’re insane, or they were on Survivor. Libby Vincek, former Survivor castaway, is here to tell us how being stranded on an island in Fiji with 19 strangers changed her view of travel. She also won an online contest -- yes, people actually win those things -- to host The Local Traveler in Thailand on Amazon Prime. We’re answering all the important questions, like “what sucks about filming a travel show?” “Is Survivor a...
2021-02-2346 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 21: Expat Life During The Worst Year EverMuch to the dismay of the rest of the world, expats from New England are everywhere -- Colorado, California, even Oaxaca, Mexico. Today, freelance writer Catherine Tansey joins No Blackout Dates from the city that inspired the Disney film “CoCo” to discuss being an expat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Turns out, it IS possible to strengthen personal relationships during this time, even if a global lockdown forces you to move in with someone you’ve only been on five dates with. Catherine and the boys also come clean about cultural appropriation (we’re all guilty sometimes), but that doesn’t mean you s...
2021-02-1647 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 20: Beef, Liberty, and the Pursuit of TravelIt’s the biggest (and only) milestone in the history of No Blackout Dates. The 20th episode. We’ve somehow managed to convince 19 guests to talk to us thus far -- guests far more interesting than ourselves -- but this week we’re doing something different. Eben will interview Tim, and Tim will interview Eben. Tim comes to terms with having never become a rock star, and finally tells his story about being escorted out of the Hong Kong airport, while Eben describes the TWO times he tried and failed to fly in a hot air balloon.
We also field questi...
2021-02-0957 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 19: Around the World with Amazing Race Winner Alex BoylanWe’ve had this podcast three months now, and neither of us have won ANY money racing around the world. Here to actually lend us some legitimacy is Alex Boylan, winner of the Amazing Race and host of Epic Villas on Amazon Prime. Alex is giving us an inside look at travel TV show producing, reality show casting, and what it’s like hosting a show about the world’s most luxurious villas. We’ll break down the toughest part about filming travel shows, and learn how realistic the Amazing Race actually is.
In Hot Takes, Eben and Tim debate what’s w...
2021-02-0243 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 18: Going Rogue at 30,000 feet with Chuck ThompsonChuck Thompson wrote one of the travel writing industry’s most legendary books, Smile When You’re Lying: Confessions of a Rogue Travel Writer. Chuck, Eben, and Tim go rogue together in this episode, airing all their grievances about air travel, luggage, writer’s retreats, baseball, and even the infamous Skymall (RIP). You will learn next to nothing about Chuck’s background, but you’ll walk away feeling like we all just had a round of drinks together, in adjacent aisle seats.
In Hot Takes, Eben and Tim discuss the controversy surrounding doorbells (yep, that’s a thing), the mysterious disappearanc...
2021-01-2652 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 17: Shredding Pow and Dropping Names in Aspen, COIf you’re like Eben, everything you know about Aspen, Colorado comes from Dumb & Dumber. Well, that’s about to change. Aspen is a world of ritzy A-list haunts, mini-castles, rented tuxedos, legendary ski shrines, and Lane Johnson — an Aspen ski bum turned realtor — is here to tell us all about it. We’ll learn about some of the big names who call Aspen home, how not to embarrass yourself out on the town, and explore the ski vs. snowboard rivalry. You’ll also hear phrases like “hitting cruisers”, “shredding pow” and “doing an objective”. Eben isn’t really sure what they mean, but they c...
2021-01-1940 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 16: Inside the World of an International Dating CoachMeeting people in a new place, different culture, or even your hometown bar, can be tough when you don’t know what to say. Enter Gareth Jones, a dating coach who’s helped guys all over the world overcome social anxiety and make genuine connections with women, even via text. He explains why cheesy one-liners fall flat, how to have engaging conversations that build attraction, and illuminates the role of culture in male/female relationships. Guys -- you’ll learn why you get so many flakes on Tinder. Girls -- you’ll learn why guys act like morons when they approach...
2021-01-1255 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 15: Booze, Bars, and Beef in Lynchburg, TNIf your New Year’s resolution was to drink less in 2021, you should probably skip this one. Jed Lirette, a Senior Ambassador and taste tester for Jack Daniel’s is helping us ring in the new year. After Tim comes clean about being intoxicated during a Covid test, Jed joins us for some good old fashioned whisky talk. We learn what it’s like to drink whiskey for a living, explore the phenomenon of “drink shaming”, and hear Jed’s true thoughts about White Claws. The prospect of consuming toe-infused whiskey is also discussed ad nauseum.
In Hot Takes Eben describes th...
2021-01-0540 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 14: Alaska - The Last Frontier of ComedyWhen you think of up-and-coming comedy scenes in America, you probably don’t think of Alaska. Well, you should. Alaska’s comedy circuit is the gold standard for some of your favorite stand-up comics, and we’re talking to the guy who makes it all happen. Fairbanks native and stand-up comedian Jerry Evans books world-famous talent to perform in remote Alaska, and he’s giving us a peek at the state’s unique comedy scene. You’ll hear all about the time the lights went out on Jamie Kennedy, how Craig Robinson puked on stage, and learn whether Alaskans actually find Sarah P...
2020-12-2948 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 13: An Austrian Proves You're an American ClicheWhat’s it like to experience the United States for the very first time? Austrian citizen and certified non-American Marie-Louise Deutschmann is here to tell us. She took a gap year as an au pair in the small New England town of Newburyport, Massachusetts, leaving behind friends, family, and Mozartkugeln chocolate. Now, she's being brutally honest about her thoughts on American culture. We’re talking fake IDs, après ski, the American fried-food obsession, and unpacking ALL the stereotypes. The heated rivalry between Austria and Australia is also discussed.
In Hot Takes, Tim ponders taking a midlife gap year, and Eben...
2020-12-2247 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 12: Hotel Confidential with Author Jacob TomskyHotels are a tale of two worlds -- one of fluffed pillows and white smiles, and the other of the sketchy sh*t that goes on behind-the-scenes. Jacob Tomsky, author of the New York Times bestselling book “Heads in Beds”, is here to take us behind-the-scenes. Jacob has worked every hotel job imaginable, and knows how to reward his favorite guests and punish those who get on his bad side. He lifts the veil of what it’s really like to work in a hotel, including getting solicited by a prostitute and walking in on guests during their sexcapades. He also e...
2020-12-1546 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 11: What Happens in Vegas . . .Tap into your inner degenerate with this episode all about gambling, casinos, and the Las Vegas lifestyle. Derek Stevens, owner of not one, not two, but three downtown Vegas hotels/casinos joins us to discuss, quite literally, what happens in Vegas. What does the life of a Vegas casino owner actually look like? Which game really has the best odds? How has Vegas evolved over the years? Derek also gives us the inside scoop on his brand new Circa Resort & Casino that just opened in October -- Vegas’ first-ever “adult-only” casino.
In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss whether gambling is for...
2020-12-0847 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 10: A Flight Attendant Breaks The Code Of SilenceLearning what a flight attendant is really thinking is tougher than getting an affordable first-class upgrade. Until now. Betty the flight attendant, host of the Betty in the Sky with a Suitcase podcast, joins us to tell embarrassing, hilarious, and NSFW stories from the air. What are passengers’ most annoying habits? What’s the flight crew really doing on their breaks? How do you successfully hit on a flight attendant? All of these questions will be answered.
Tim and Eben debate the merits of street food, and Eben reveals his hack for getting extra meals on the plane. This week’s Hot...
2020-12-0149 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 9: Can Travel Ruin Your Personal Life?Mike Dewey lives the dream. Based in Los Angeles, he is a travel filmmaker formerly of Matador Network and currently at Moment. His travel vlogs on YouTube garnered over 40,000 subscribers, and eventually led to a full-time career as a travel filmmaker. After spending years traveling the world on film shoots, Mike found himself asking the same question repeatedly:
How do I get off the road?
Mike’s joining us to discuss the drawbacks of traveling for a living, including the difficulty of forming a routine, maintaining relationships, and being “that guy who’s never around.”
Tim vents about never making the Majo...
2020-11-2438 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 8: 2021: A German Space OdysseyIf you want to feel really, really bad about your chosen profession, try talking to an astronaut. Next year Matthias Maurer will become the 12th German to ever reach space when he takes a SpaceX rocket to the International Space Station (ISS). In the meantime, he’s here to talk to a couple of idiots who can barely spell ‘constellation.’ We learn what it’s like to prep for the most epic trip of a lifetime, how astronauts live on the ISS, what could (but probably won’t) go wrong, and which local cuisine Maurer will be taking into space.
On a much...
2020-11-1744 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 7: Florida (Wo)man Somehow Hosts Media With a SmileYeah, travel writers take a lot of free trips, but who actually hosts them and deals with all their bullsh*t? Amanda Harris, former director of PR at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, FL, joins us to discuss the highs and lows of hosting media. Now she’s pivoted to working with Miami’s top bars and restaurants, and has some inspiring words for anyone looking to reinvent themselves during the pandemic.
Also, Eben has a confession to make about eating off other people’s plates, and Tim reveals the biggest lie he’s ever told.
2020-11-1038 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 6: Does Traveling During Covid Make You A Bad Person?We’ve all been wondering the same thing lately: is travel safe, and will I be judged for doing it?
Konrad Waliszewski, founder of the popular TripScout travel app, is here to talk about all things COVID-era travel. Konrad’s been to over 100 countries and he’s helping us answer important questions, like: Which countries live up to the hype? Is travel shaming justified? Is TripAdvisor bullsh*t? How do you even pronounce Eben’s name?
Also, we discuss the miseries of the plane’s dreaded middle seat, and Tim comes clean about his sketchy former profession.
2020-11-0340 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 5: Once Upon A Time In Black HollywoodPhotographer Carell Augustus is reimagining Hollywood like no one’s ever done before. In his new photo book, The Black Hollywood Book Project, Carell recreates iconic movie scenes with Black celebrities, flipping the script on how we view Hollywood history. Although steeped in the glitzy world of La La Land, Carell is keeping it real with us. He describes what it’s like to work with Hollywood’s biggest egos (it takes A LOT of patience), reveals which stars are a pain in the ass (sign the damn release, Dule Hill), and lays out his hope for the future of Hollyw
2020-10-2744 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 4: BLM, NBA, and the Travel VIPBasketball took Phil Calvert around the world. Playing professionally in Europe, he got a taste for living and traveling abroad and knew he’d found another passion. Now based in Denmark, Phil is the star of Phil Good Travel on Matador Network and has built an Instagram following of more than 50,000.
Phil is here to discuss the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement on the travel world, the new Green Book, racism in unexpected countries, the bizarre 2020 NBA season, and how he got residency in Denmark (and how you might be able to do it too). We also roast ou...
2020-10-2044 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 3: The Pizza Episode with Nino ConiglioA former Pizza Maker of the Year Champion, founder of the Brooklyn Pizza Crew, and owner of several pizzerias across NYC, Nino Coniglio is here to talk about all things pizza. We’ll learn why New York City has better pizza than Italy, and what it was like growing up in pizzerias on the rough streets of Brooklyn. We’ll also find out the truth about Chicago style, discuss the most popular pizza style in Naples (it’s NOT what you think), and Nino will help us answer an age-old controversy: does pineapple belong on pizza? If you can listen to thi...
2020-10-2052 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 2: Is Travel Writing Bullsh*t?Press trips are the bread and butter of the travel writing lifestyle, and Todd Walker is here to give us the inside scoop. A travel writer, Fox 9 reporter, and former reality show host, Todd tells hilarious stories from the road and dissects the different personality archetypes you always meet on press trips, including “The Scammer”, “The Know-It-All”, and the Drama Queen”. We grapple with the ethical dilemma of hooking up with other writers on media trips, discuss feeling like absolute frauds receiving VIP treatment as travel writers, and answer the controversial question: is it ok to eat fast-food abroad? Tim reveals hi...
2020-10-2049 minNo Blackout DatesEp. 1: Behind the IG FilterMelanie Sutrathada joins us to peel back the curtain on the mysterious world of Instagram influencers. An actor, host, and content creator, Melanie exposes the less glamorous side of this dream job and answers all your burning questions. Is taking selfies for a living as awkward as it looks? Do influencers even believe in the products they promote? How, exactly, do you get over 100k people to follow you?
Also, Tim names his price for tattooing “No Blackout Dates” on his lower back, and Eben recounts his shocking 3AM experience in the San Juan airport.
2020-10-2045 min
No Blackout DatesWelcome to No Blackout DatesNo Blackout Dates is a forum for honest, unfiltered conversation about travel. As travel media pros we travel all over the world, and now we’re going to show you a different side of the travel industry, peeling back that glamorous curtain and giving you an inside look at the people and stories who make travel an irreplaceable part of our lives.
2020-10-0702 min