Shows
California Now PodcastUndiscovered California Road TripsSometimes the best adventures come from taking the road less traveled. That's just one of the great tips Soterios Johnson uncovers on this episode of the California Now Podcast, which is all about finding unique California road-trip experiences. To start things off, Johnson connects with Jessica Dunham, who has authored multiple road-trip guides. Dunham discusses an otherworldly cruise through the California deserts, raving about the magical experiences to be found in and around two national parks—Joshua Tree and Death Valley. Next Johnson talks with travel writer Ann Marie Brown about some of her favorite ro...2021-10-2549 min
Practical WanderlustThe Story of Louisville, KYHorse races, bourbon, baseball bats, and a...death tunnel? Today we tell the story of Lia's hometown: Louisville, KY! We trace the history of the city from its frontier origins to the modern-day. Louisville's history runs deep, and it's not always pretty. So pour yourself a bourbon and tune in. Unless you're driving - that's not cool.For more Louisville content, check out:15 Lovely Things to Do on a Romantic Getaway to Louisville50 Places to Visit in Louisville, Kentucky27 Best Breweries, Distilleries, and Bars in Louisville, KY29 Amazing Place to Eat in Louisville, KentuckyInterested...2020-12-041h 06Practical WanderlustHiking and Camping Stories (or "High Stakes F*ck Ups")Mudslides, panic attacks, altitude sickness, and a very judgey llama. These are just a few of the things we have encountered on our many...many...MANY hiking and camping misadventures. Want the full details of these stories? Check our links below:The Mono Hot Springs Disaster The Cataract Falls CatastropheMudslides on the Valle de Cocora HikeDays of Fun on the Quilotoa LoopHigh Altitude Hijinx at Laguna 69The Complete Failure that was Machu PicchuAnd for those of you who are not as terrible as we are, c...2020-10-131h 21
Practical WanderlustWelcome to Season 2!Quarantine amirite? We took a season break earlier than planned, but we are BACK! On this mini-update, we look at how we've handled the season break (mostly screaming into the void and baking bread) and how Season 2 of the podcast will be different. 2020-07-2817 min
Practical WanderlustCalifornia Highway One Road Trip (or "The Best Highway in the World")A humanist cult, a Danish hideaway, a gravitational anomaly, towering trees, a spoiled rich kid's castle, clothing-optional hot springs, and the cutest animals (and weirdest) imaginable: welcome to Highway One, the most beautiful highway in the world! In this episode, we cover everything you need to plan your trip up the California Coast and all the weird history you never knew about the stops along the way.Planning a road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway? We've got a few blog posts that will help:The Ultimate 10-Day Highway One Road Trip Itinerary8 Places to Visit...2020-05-111h 06
Practical WanderlustBali, Indonesia (or "Don't Trust the Monkeys")Monkey thieves, temples, Jeremy crashing a motorbike into a tree, and coffee made from ... er, poop. Lia and Jeremy are talking about the breathtaking island of Bali, including all of the must-dos and please-do-nots. Visit our blog for more Bali travel tips:25 Things Nobody Tells You About Backpacking in BaliThe Perfect 2-Week Bali ItineraryHow to Visit Bali on a BudgetWhat to Pack for BaliFind more ridiculous adventures at PracticalWanderlust.com, and follow @practicalwanderlust on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook!Sign up for our semi-monthly newsletter!Audio production & music composition by Tyler H...2020-04-2035 min
Practical WanderlustDisney World & Disneyland (or "The Happiest Place on Earth?")A futuristic utopia that's definitely not a cult. A suicide-themed ride. Lia's college internship. What do they all have in common? Disney World, of course! In this episode, Lia spills all the Mad Tea on the most magical place on Earth, plus insider tips from her time as a Cast Member. We also explain our tried & tested Disney Strategy (aka STRAT), because waiting in long lines for rides is some Bippity-Boppity-BS.Planning a trip to Disney? Get the FREE Printable Disney Starter Kit! The Disney Starter Kit includes a Disney packing checklist, 2 Disney Parks Scavenger Hunt previews...2020-02-2449 minPractical WanderlustMini-Episode: The Valentine's Day Scavenger HuntOn our first mini-episode, we talk about Lia's ridiculously elaborate display of affection creepily early on in our relationship. And in true Liaremy fashion, it is needlessly extra and doesn't go as planned. So pull up a comfy chair, pour some wine, cut yourself a few slices of cake, and enjoy (because self-love is also part of Valentine's Day)!For more of our personal stories, check out:32 Things Nobody Tells You About Long Term Travel as a Couple30 Things Nobody Tells You About Quitting Your Job to Travel25 Things We Never Asked for from Traveling the...2020-02-1032 min
Practical WanderlustLake Tahoe, California (or "Our Morbid Obsession with The Donner Party")Towering pine trees, ancient granite cliffs, crystal clear water, cannibalistic pioneers... wait, what? Today we travel to Jeremy's favorite place on Earth: Lake Tahoe, California. Strap on your snow goggles and come along as we cover the macabre past and enchanting present of this alpine paradise with more ghosts than you can shake a ski pole at.Planning a trip to Tahoe? We've got a few blog posts that will help:How to plan an amazing Tahoe winter trip (on a budget)The 10 best road trips from San Francisco24 mindblowing Northern California hikesFind more...2020-02-0351 min
Practical WanderlustThe Year-Long Honeymoon: Part 3, Europe & The Rest of It (or "Grandpa Bob's Death Party")Jeremy gets a BMW stuck in a French castle, Lia wakes up to an unwanted guest in her bed, and Grandpa Bob fakes his own death. This is the final chapter of our disastrous year-long honeymoon!More stories from our year-long honeymoon:The Whole Honeymoon Story (& how much we spent)What NOT to do on a French road trip30 Things nobody tells you about quitting your job to travelFind more ridiculous adventures at PracticalWanderlust.com, and follow @practicalwanderlust on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook!Sign up for our semi-monthly newsletter!Audio...2020-01-201h 03
Practical WanderlustThe Year-Long Honeymoon: Part 2, Peru (or "The Machu Picchu Kerfuffle")Altitude sickness, a stolen backpack, surfing accidents, and our failed Machu Picchu hike. This is the story of our disastrous two months in Peru!More stories from our year-long honeymoon:The Whole Honeymoon Story (& how much we spent)Things no one tells you about backpacking in South AmericaThings no one tells you about backpacking in PeruThe whole Machu Picchu storyFind more ridiculous adventures at PracticalWanderlust.com, and follow @practicalwanderlust on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook!Sign up for our semi-monthly newsletter!Audio production & music composition by Tyler Hafer.2020-01-0652 min
Practical WanderlustThe Year-Long Honeymoon: Part 1, Colombia & Ecuador (or "Can We Add Another Subtitle?")Sweaty hikes through the jungle, dorm-mates on cocaine, sassy llamas, and one chill as f*ck rooster: it's finally time to share the entire story of our disastrous year-long honeymoon (in multiple parts). In this episode, we cover a two-month stretch from the Caribbean coast of Colombia to the Andes of Northern Peru... and all the sh*t that went horribly wrong.More stories from our year-long honeymoon:The Whole Honeymoon Story (& how much we spent)The Border CrossingThings no one tells you about backpacking in South AmericaThings no one tells you about backpacking in ColombiaThings...2019-12-231h 15
Practical WanderlustBelgium (or "Chocolate and Beer and Frites, Oh My!")Beer made by monks, disembodied hands, chocolate high tea, pugs in Santa costumes, eternally peeing statues, and Jean Claude Van Damme. If it's weird or delicious, Belgium has it and Lia and Jeremy won't shut up about it.More Belgium content below:Weird & Offbeat Museums in BrusselsRomantic Things to do in BrugesBeginners Guide to Belgian BeerThe tours we took: Food and Beer, Chocolate and BeerFind more ridiculous adventures at PracticalWanderlust.com, and follow @practicalwanderlust on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook!Sign up for our semi-monthly newsletter!Audio production & music composition by...2019-12-101h 01
Practical WanderlustSan Gil, Colombia (or "Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls")In our most ridiculous travel fails yet, Lia gets rescued off of a waterfall, Jeremy channels his inner Rob Thomas, and we both (sort of) find our tranquilo in San Gil, Colombia. Photos & the original blog postOur 1 Month in Colombia Itinerary30 Things Nobody Tells You About Backpacking in ColombiaFollow along with our ridiculous adventures at PracticalWanderlust.com and follow @practicalwanderlust on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook!Sign up for our semi-monthly newsletter!Audio production & music composition by Tyler Hafer.2019-11-2642 min
Practical WanderlustSan Francisco (or "Don't Call it San Fran")In our inaugural episode, we're covering Jeremy's adopted hometown: San Francisco! Find out what to eat, where to drink, & the best things to do, plus answers to questions you never knew you had... like whether there is weed everywhere (yes) and if you'll accidentally see nudity (double yes). We're also spilling the fair-trade, organic, ethically sourced tea on our lesser-known life of crime.For more of our San Francisco content, check out...The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of San FranciscoThings Nobody Tells You About San FranciscoWhere to Stay in San FranciscoFollow along with our...2019-11-2556 min
The Offbeat Life - become location independentEp. 39 How to appreciate the imperfect moments of travel with Lia GarciaHave you ever wondered how to appreciate the imperfect moments of travel? This week I speak with Lia Garcia who is a full time travel blogger. Like many of us, Lia worked at a 9-5 for several years before realizing that she needed something more in her life. Although Lia enjoyed her job, she still felt unfulfilled… until she began travel blogging. Lia started a blog when she and her husband Jeremy took a yearlong honeymoon. What started out as a hobby became her source of fulfillment and several yea...2018-05-2149 min