Zero To Travel Podcast

Shakeemah Smith, aka The Passport Abuser, is a solo traveler who has visited 92 countries and helped more than 12,000 people ace their first solo trip. A former social worker from East Orange, New Jersey, she built her platform, Travel Like a Bawse, to teach practical strategies for traveling more affordably and flipping everyday bills into airline miles. She later relocated to Antigua and Barbuda, where she now lives as an expat. 

In this episode, we talk about the personal shift that makes solo travel possible, how to travel for free without credit cards, and what it’s really like to move abroad and build a life in the Caribbean. 

Shakeemah opens up about calling off her wedding three months before the big day, boarding her first solo flight to Paris in the middle of heartbreak, and realizing she didn’t know how to be alone. What follows is a conversation about self-trust, identity, and deciding to meet the “2.0 version” of yourself instead of waiting for permission. 

We also get tactical. Shakeemah shares the exact systems she used to earn airline miles through everyday expenses like gas, groceries, utilities, and dining. And we talk honestly about leaving the U.S., adjusting to island life, and what it means to create safety and belonging on your own terms. 

If you’ve been waiting for the right time, the right money, or the right person to travel with, this one might challenge that story. 

Who would you become if you stopped waiting and just went? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

Tune In To Learn: 


How growing up near New York City shaped her worldview and early curiosity about the world 


Why ending her engagement forced her to confront her fear of being alone 


The insights and exercises that helped Shakeemah move from emotional dependence to independence and from fear to self-trust 


Why she believes solo travel is a fast track to trusting your instincts and enjoying your own company 


The moment she decided to build a framework to help others take their first solo trip 


How she turned 34 countries’ worth of lessons into a structured framework for new travelers 


The overlooked airline shopping portals that generate miles without opening new credit cards 


How to earn flights from gas, electricity, and everyday bills you’re already paying 


The mindset behind “bills to boarding passes” and why it works long term 


Why she moved to Antigua and Barbuda during 2020 and what that decision taught her about safety and lifestyle design 


The cultural adjustments of living on island time and navigating life as an American expat 


And so much more 

Resources: 


Sign up for our FREE newsletter 


Travel Like a Bawse 


Bills to Boarding Passes FREE masterclass 


Instagram 

Want More? 


How to Win at Travel with “The Points Guy” Brian Kelly 


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 


7 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Abroad (Or Traveling Long-Term) with Chrishan Wright 

Thanks To Our Sponsors 


 Listen to the Planet Visionaries podcast on Apple and Spotify 


Experience an audio guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places with Atlas Obscura Podcast 


Go to https://surfshark.com/zerototravel or use code ZEROTOTRAVEL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! 

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How do you experience the Louvre Museum in a way that actually feels enjoyable, not stressful? And what makes this museum so much more than the Mona Lisa? 

Elaine Sciolino is a veteran journalist and author, former Paris bureau chief for The New York Times, and the writer of several books about France, including The Seine, The Only Street in Paris, and Adventures in the Louvre. She has lived in Paris for over two decades and brings history, culture, and personal insight into every story. 

Elaine joins co-host Paige McClanahan to explore Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum, diving into the history, hidden artworks, and practical strategies for making the most of your visit. 

You’ll hear why the Louvre is more than just a building with the Mona Lisa and how its role in French history makes it extraordinary. Elaine demystifies visiting the museum, from understanding crowds and lines to discovering lesser-known works like Titian’s Man With a Glove and what she calls the “undiscovered Mona Lisa.” She shares crowd-beating strategies, best days and times to visit, and surprising places within and around the Louvre where peace and beauty await. You’ll get insider stories on heists, hidden collections, and how even children can be captivated by Egyptology and Islamic art sections that most tourists miss out on. 

When you visit a major museum like the Louvre, do you tend to focus on the most famous works, or do you prefer to explore what’s less obvious? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

Co-host Paige McClanahan is a writer, editor, and former journalist based in Paris, France. As the author of “The New Tourist: Waking up to the Power and Perils of Travel”, Paige is passionate about making sure our travels have a positive impact on the world. Learn more about her work here. 

Tune In To Learn: 


How the Mona Lisa came to dominate the Louvre’s identity, and why that fame is both a blessing and a burden 


How the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa helped turn her into a worldwide obsession 


The surprising historical roots of the Louvre as a royal palace and revolutionary museum 


Lesser-known treasures, “undiscovered” masterpieces, and quieter sections of the Louvre worth seeking out 


The unexpected history of France’s crown jewels, including how many were sold off and ended up in the United States 


The story behind the recent crown jewels heist and what it reveals about museum security 


How the right membership, 1:1 consultation rooms, and alternative museums can transform your experience of Parisian culture 


Future plans for the Louvre’s expansion and what that could mean 


And so much more 

Resources: 


Sign up for our FREE newsletter 


Elaine’s website and books 


Louvre Museum 

Want More? 


5 Unexpected Things to Do in Paris and 3 Hidden Gems in France with Paige McClanahan 


How To Explore Paris Like a Local, Working on Hospital Ships, and Becoming an Expat on a Mystery Visa With Jay Swanson 


9 Best United States Museums and Advice for Fostering Your Creativity with Bob Eckstein 

Thanks To Our Sponsors 


Listen to the Planet Visionaries podcast on Apple and Spotify 


Experience an audio guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places on the Atlas Obscura Podcast 


Go to https://surfshark.com/zerototravel or use code ZEROTOTRAVEL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! 

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!

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.

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.