Zero To Travel Podcast

What does it look like when travel becomes more than just a trip, but a lifelong evolution of identity, choices, and community? Dianni Hall is a queer, second-generation Latina, solo budget backpacker, podcaster, and podcast producer. She’s the host of While She’s Away, a podcast highlighting stories and advice from women travelers around the world. After choosing a one-way flight to India instead of enrolling in graduate school, Dianni spent six years traveling full-time across 30+ countries while building a freelance career and exploring what it means to find home. In this episode, we explore how Dianni’s travel lifestyle has changed over time, from solo backpacking and volunteering abroad to building a freelance career and eventually settling into a home base in Brooklyn. Dianni shares specific lessons from various phases of travel, including navigating her first solo trip, volunteering in an ashram, adjusting to slow travel, and balancing travel with long-term stability. She offers honest reflections on managing anxiety while traveling, the importance of community, and what it means to reimagine one's identity when traveling full-time comes to an end. What’s one travel experience, big or small, that changed the way you see the world, and how did it shape who you are today? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: How religious/spiritual curiosity shaped her decision to go to India What she learned from living and volunteering at an ashram What it felt like to “accidentally” become a full-time nomad and how teaching English in Spain opened doors to long-term travel and career growth Advice for navigating anxiety before and during travel, and how reframing your inner dialogue can make all the difference What solo travel taught her about confidence, community, and intuition The difference between feeling “at home” somewhere and choosing to build a life there Why returning to familiar places revealed a deeper need for belonging and community What drew her to Brooklyn, and how queer community became a central part of her rooted life And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter While She’s Away Podcast Dianni on Instagram Bar Lunatico Boyfriend Co-Op Want More? Solo Traveling Europe and “The Stans” in a Campervan with Maria Glaser Joys of Solo Travel with Manjinder Kang Seizing Your Opportunity to Travel, Saving Money as a Solo Traveler, Lessons from a Career Break, and How to Figure Out What You Want (In 60 Seconds) with Leslie McKellar Thanks To Our Sponsors Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to hear bold ideas and big solutions for our planet? We have been listening to Alex Honnold as he hosts Planet Visionaries, in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each week, Alex spotlights innovators who are not just imagining a better future but actively creating it. Go check it out and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

What are the top travel destinations for 2026 that need to be on your radar? Lyn Hughes is the founding editor of Wanderlust Magazine and a leading voice in adventure and cultural travel journalism. She’s spent decades curating destination guides, championing responsible travel, and sharing stories that inspire deeper exploration. I catch up with Lyn to explore her curated list of the best places to travel in 2026 and why you should prioritize these destinations for the new year or near future. Lyn shares standout destinations including remote wilderness routes, under‑the‑radar cultural hubs, and wildlife-rich regions. She shares personal stories, explains why there is urgency around some of these locations, and gives insight into how we can engage more meaningfully and responsibly when we visit. If you're thinking ahead to your next big trip, this episode offers thoughtful guidance and some surprising ideas. Which types of destinations spark your imagination right now? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why Wanderlust creates future‑looking destination lists and how they’re curated How to balance adventure, accessibility, and sustainability in trip planning Advice for travelers seeking lesser‑known but rewarding places What Lyn looks for in a truly special travel experience How one rugged road trip remains one of her all‑time favorites Why wildlife travel can reshape how we see the world How curated content and AI might impact your next travel search What role community‑based tourism is playing in new travel trends Personal travel picks from a legendary travel editor And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Wanderlust Magazine Wanderlust: Off the Page podcast on Apple, Spotify Want More? Top 7 Travel Trends for 2025 with Lyn Hughes Top 10 Places We’re Dying To Visit That We’ve Never Been 14 Best of “The Best Places to Travel in 2025” (Jason’s Picks) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to hear bold ideas and big solutions for our planet? We have been listening to Alex Honnold as he hosts Planet Visionaries, in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each week, Alex spotlights innovators who are not just imagining a better future but actively creating it. Go check it out and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Tune in for a quick update on what's to come on the Zero To Travel podcast in 2026! Happy New Year, my friend. Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL” Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices