Unruly Podcast | Travel, Activism & Alternative Culture
Calen Otto - Travel Writer & Activist
86 episodes
3 days ago
Nothing has impacted Ariel Travis more than the one thing so many of us fear: International travel.
Journey back in time and you won’t find this professional pediatric medical speech-language pathologist in clean scrubs. The true beginning of her career started in a rugged fashion; she joined the Peace Corps just two weeks fresh out of collage before living and working in Mozambique, Brazil, China, and the Dominican Republic for the next seven years. When she finally returned to the US she realized that her unruly adventures gave her the confidence, flexibility, and compassion to thrive in her day-to-day work environment.
In this episode Ariel dispels myths about traveling as a young person, inspires nervous listeners to book their first trip, and teaches how to decrease baseline travel anxieties by planning ahead and tuning into our bodies. As someone who has explored over 29 countries, Ariel gives nuanced advice on how much planning allows for safety AND travel magic during our journeys.
Join this international speaker, creator of Wander Lounge podcast, and CEO of Nomadic Perspectives, LLC as we hitch-hike 900 miles from Mozambique to Zimbabwe, running into herds of wild elephants and making friends with complete strangers along the way.
Learn how to build confidence, courage, character, and your dream career through travel.
SHOWNOTES
- Wander Lounge website: https://www.wanderloungepodcast.com
- 2026 Unruly Finca Ganadito trip: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/finca-ganadito-in-costa-rica-calen-otto-01051353
- How to plan an international trip: https://wanderwoman.online/how-to-plan-international-trip/
- Join the Unruly Patreon: patreon.com/unrulytravel
- Unruly Travel & Living Blog: unrulytravel.com
-Unruly email newsletter: buff.ly/4a1bPwT
- Support the podcast: SoundCloud - @unrulystories, Venmo - @unruytravel
- Contact: calenotto@gmail.com
- Unruly Instagram: www.instagram.com/unruly_traveller
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Nothing has impacted Ariel Travis more than the one thing so many of us fear: International travel.
Journey back in time and you won’t find this professional pediatric medical speech-language pathologist in clean scrubs. The true beginning of her career started in a rugged fashion; she joined the Peace Corps just two weeks fresh out of collage before living and working in Mozambique, Brazil, China, and the Dominican Republic for the next seven years. When she finally returned to the US she realized that her unruly adventures gave her the confidence, flexibility, and compassion to thrive in her day-to-day work environment.
In this episode Ariel dispels myths about traveling as a young person, inspires nervous listeners to book their first trip, and teaches how to decrease baseline travel anxieties by planning ahead and tuning into our bodies. As someone who has explored over 29 countries, Ariel gives nuanced advice on how much planning allows for safety AND travel magic during our journeys.
Join this international speaker, creator of Wander Lounge podcast, and CEO of Nomadic Perspectives, LLC as we hitch-hike 900 miles from Mozambique to Zimbabwe, running into herds of wild elephants and making friends with complete strangers along the way.
Learn how to build confidence, courage, character, and your dream career through travel.
SHOWNOTES
- Wander Lounge website: https://www.wanderloungepodcast.com
- 2026 Unruly Finca Ganadito trip: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/finca-ganadito-in-costa-rica-calen-otto-01051353
- How to plan an international trip: https://wanderwoman.online/how-to-plan-international-trip/
- Join the Unruly Patreon: patreon.com/unrulytravel
- Unruly Travel & Living Blog: unrulytravel.com
-Unruly email newsletter: buff.ly/4a1bPwT
- Support the podcast: SoundCloud - @unrulystories, Venmo - @unruytravel
- Contact: calenotto@gmail.com
- Unruly Instagram: www.instagram.com/unruly_traveller
75. Lessons For The Writer, The Rebel, And 30-Something-Year-Old With Ken Ilgunas
Unruly Podcast | Travel, Activism & Alternative Culture
1 hour 15 minutes
1 year ago
75. Lessons For The Writer, The Rebel, And 30-Something-Year-Old With Ken Ilgunas
Ken Ilgunas, author of 3 books including “Walden On Wheels,” has been called many things: a wanderer, pro-hitchhiker, journalist, and Alaskan back country ranger. Now, he’s taken on new titles like “husband” and “dad.”
This leads us to ask: What happens to the most adventurous of our society when we enter a phase that calls for settling down, growing roots, and re-entering institutions? It’s a life transition that can feel tricky and hard to navigate. Luckily, Ken candidly shares what he’s learned while walking down this uncertain road that comes with no playbook.
In this episode he takes us into the company of strangers by telling stories made of hitchhike magic, ex-cons, and religious hallucinations while thumbing his way thousands of miles across the US. He then pulls us behind the scenes of the writing process where he transforms these gritty life experiences into something worthy of being page-bound.
Listen in as we ponder the sacredness of books; how writers risk damaging relationships in the name of creating good art; and how writing changes the narrative about our own lives.
“I think to be a good artist, a small percentage of you has to be a sociopath. You have to be willing to sacrifice something in the name of the art.”
Ken’s Substack: https://kenilgunas.substack.com/
Second Gear / Podcast Sponsor: https://secondgearwnc.com
*Let them know the Unruly Podcast sent you for 10% off!
- Unruly Travel & Living Blog: wanderwoman.online
- Unruly email newsletter: buff.ly/4a1bPwT
- Join the Unruly Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/unrulytravel
- Donate to the podcast: SoundCloud - @unrulystories, Venmo - @unruytravel
- Contact: calenotto@gmail.com
- Unruly Instagram: www.instagram.com/unruly_traveller
Unruly Podcast | Travel, Activism & Alternative Culture
Nothing has impacted Ariel Travis more than the one thing so many of us fear: International travel.
Journey back in time and you won’t find this professional pediatric medical speech-language pathologist in clean scrubs. The true beginning of her career started in a rugged fashion; she joined the Peace Corps just two weeks fresh out of collage before living and working in Mozambique, Brazil, China, and the Dominican Republic for the next seven years. When she finally returned to the US she realized that her unruly adventures gave her the confidence, flexibility, and compassion to thrive in her day-to-day work environment.
In this episode Ariel dispels myths about traveling as a young person, inspires nervous listeners to book their first trip, and teaches how to decrease baseline travel anxieties by planning ahead and tuning into our bodies. As someone who has explored over 29 countries, Ariel gives nuanced advice on how much planning allows for safety AND travel magic during our journeys.
Join this international speaker, creator of Wander Lounge podcast, and CEO of Nomadic Perspectives, LLC as we hitch-hike 900 miles from Mozambique to Zimbabwe, running into herds of wild elephants and making friends with complete strangers along the way.
Learn how to build confidence, courage, character, and your dream career through travel.
SHOWNOTES
- Wander Lounge website: https://www.wanderloungepodcast.com
- 2026 Unruly Finca Ganadito trip: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/finca-ganadito-in-costa-rica-calen-otto-01051353
- How to plan an international trip: https://wanderwoman.online/how-to-plan-international-trip/
- Join the Unruly Patreon: patreon.com/unrulytravel
- Unruly Travel & Living Blog: unrulytravel.com
-Unruly email newsletter: buff.ly/4a1bPwT
- Support the podcast: SoundCloud - @unrulystories, Venmo - @unruytravel
- Contact: calenotto@gmail.com
- Unruly Instagram: www.instagram.com/unruly_traveller
