NEWEST EPISODE!

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He was trained as an herbalist at the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism in September 2011. Scott is an associate of the Botanical Preservation Corps and was on the 2010 expedition to Peru collecting seeds and information on medicinal, edible, and sacred plants throughout the Andes. In 2010 Scott opened the Ethnobotanical Conservation Organization or EthnoCO which is a company based in Peru that leads expeditions and sells cultural wares.

Inside the Episode:

• Dolphins...oh dolphins. What’s not to love, right? Well...as Scott tells us, dolphins in Peru have been spotted to have intimate relationships with men in the area. I am going to leave the remainder of this caption up to your imagination, but if you’re looking for more information - then you’ll want to tune into our podcast. 
• Animals of higher intelligence (think primates and mammals) have been observed to seek drugs and sex for pleasure. Why? That’s exactly what we sought to learn on our podcast with Scott, the ethnobotanist and close friend of The Travelers Blueprint. 
• Lemurs in Madagascar have been observed to seek out a very peculiar millipede. They play with it, lick it, and then rub it all over their body. Why? To get high. The chemical reaction creates an enjoyable psychoactive experience for the animal. However, what researchers have found is that unbeknownst to the lemurs, their little benders are saving their lives. The chemicals in the millipede also acts as a potent insecticide, saving these lemurs from the numerous deadly viruses and bacteria spread through other insect bites. So, the bloodline of the lemurs on this unique African island nation may depend on their drug induced rock star lifestyle. Life, uh, finds a way. 
• You know what’s scarier than jaguars? Jaguars on Ayahuasca….that’s right. As Scott explains this is actually one of the old tales on how the ancient inhabitants of Peru discovered this spiritual vine.
• Ethno-zoopharmacognosy! It's a word. It’s when people use animals for medicinal purposes, or as Scott puts it “bugs as drugs”! Sometimes, as you hear here...it doesn't always go as planned. Say no to bugs as drugs! 

Michael Hilliard has been involved in journalism since 2010, working and reporting from countries ranging from Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, China, Belarus and many more. He has broken front page news a number of times, and has worked with sources ranging from the White House to the Taliban.

He is regularly called upon as an informed source for various publications and also serves on various committees and councils for the Australian government. Michael is also the host of Australia's largest geopolitics show The Red Line, which has gone on to be streamed 400,000 times in over 86 countries.  

Inside the Episode:   

• Drinking with the Taliban in Uzbekistan, having a gun pulled on him by the Russian mafia, almost was killed by a minefield in Georgia, stuck in Chernobyl...and the list goes on.
• People struggle with distinguishing between the local population of a country and their government. As Americans, we are happy to speak out against a decision made by our government when we disagree with it. So take that thought process around the world. Countries like Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, (and so on) have some bad reps in Western media. So that’s where Michael came in. To uncover the truth about these countries through their culture, food, and people and uncover the stories beyond the mainstream headlines. 
• Surprisingly, once Michael looked past the fact that the people he met were horrible criminals...terrorists….and gun smugglers….,he realized that they were also quite normal. After settling down with one of these guys for a beer or a meal, it felt almost normal…. Michael had some of the most unique stories to date, with experiences that included members of some of the worlds most vilified individuals. 
• Travel Tip: If you have a gun pulled on you, play it cool.
• Lost in the Russian Arctic. A bottle of vodka to keep him warm and the unwavering ambition to explore and learn, Michael trudged on, almost freezing to death…
• Michael talked about this amazing, beautiful ski resort in Georgia. As you can hear in this clip, he was provided with extraordinarily motivating information to keep him on the correct path...landmines.
• Michael shared a nail biter of a story, as he had to be smuggled out of Transnistria, flying under the nose of the KGB. By hiding in the SUV of a gun smuggler, Michael avoided what would have been, at a minimum, a very long prison sentence.

On this podcast we spoke with Igor Scomparin of Tour Leader Venice, who specializes in off the beaten path tours in Venice. He shared a ton of ways YOU can stay away from the large crowds and get to experience Venice just like a local. From visiting the print shop where the first printed version of Pinocchio was made, to fine dining and drinking at restaurants few tourists visit, Igor will “bring you in the backdoor” of Venice for a unique experience of local life. 

Inside the Episode:   

• In my conversation with Igor we covered everything you need to know before and during your trip to Venice. From the moment you land at the airport through your experience exploring the city, Igor was able to break down which streets to explore, which cafes to grab your espresso, and when best to visit the touristy landmarks. 
• Getting to Venice is pretty simple. There is only one way onto the island if you’re coming by road or bus. However did you know that you can take a boat straight from the Marco Polo Airport? 
• The word “Ghetto” originated in Venice, where the first Jewish ghetto was located. Ghetto comes from the word “geto”, meaning foundry, where the Jewish population was forced to live in close proximity to. Now a popular tourist destination within Venice, the old Jewish Ghetto is now the location of  a thriving Jewish Community and hotspot for cafes and off the beaten path experiences within the historical city. 
• You heard it here! Ponte Chiodo Bridge, as Igor explains is one of the only remaining bridges in the city of Venice still in its original configuration without any guardrails making for the perfect picturesque location in Venice. 
• A great piece of advice from Igor was to see the infamous Doge’s Palace later in the evening (between 5-7pm). This way you beat the crowds and have a more intimate experience. And, of course, by your tickets in advance!! 

While living in Spain for four years, Andrew developed fluency for the language and fell in love with the culture. His time there has given him the ability to create a local’s experience, highlighting some of the best- kept secrets that cannot be found in a guidebook. After moving back to San Francisco, he worked in the Spanish food and wine industry. In this role he was able to build relationships with the best restaurants, wineries, and Mezcal producers in Northern Spain and Mexico. It was shortly after this, in 2012, when he launched Coast to Costa to share his love and insider knowledge of all things Spanish. Since then his passion for travel has expanded Coast to Costa’s roster to include several destinations in Mexico and Cuba. With years of travel under his wing, he’s sure to make you feel like you’re traveling like a local, not a tourist! 

Inside the Episode:   

• Have you heard of Oaxaca, Mexico? As Andrew explains, this often overlooked town is a cultural centerpiece to Mexico with great authentic food, beautifully colored architecture, and an experience that brings you away from the coast and deep into the center of the country for a unique experience. 
• You have a week in Oaxaca. What do you do? We’ll let Andrew tell you directly in this short clip of what ended up being a very detailed explanation on what you can see and do in this beautiful Mexican city .
• Who doesn’t want an authentic travel experience? We want to see, eat, do, and experience just as the locals do. Now, not to knock Cancun, but if you go to Mexico and only visit a resort destination, did you even go to the real Mexico? Let’s put it this way, if you visit the US and only go to Disney World, did you really experience the USA?
• Ok people, we’re going to be loud and clear on this one: Just because dangerous things happen in Mexico it does not mean the entire country of Mexico is unsafe. Actually, use this logic for almost any country around the world. Think about it - if you were an outsider looking to the US for your next vacation, what would you think? We’ll leave it at that. 
• Oaxaca is a small city with art, music, photography options, and tons of cafes and restaurants. It’s big enough to deserve its own trip but not overwhelming like a larger city may be. It’s sort of this perfect little destination to just explore and learn from locals who don't see tourists too often. 
• Andrew, owner of Coast to Costa dedicates ALL of his time to creating incredible itineraries through Mexico, South America, and Spain. His tours have a strong emphasis on culture, including coffee, food, art, and music.

Scott Lite is an ethnobotanist, herbalist, adventurer, seed-saver, plant hunter, explorer and apprentice to the shaman of the world. He was trained as an herbalist at the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism in September 2011. Scott is an associate of the Botanical Preservation Corps and was on the 2010 expedition to Peru collecting seeds and information on medicinal, edible, and sacred plants throughout the Andes. In 2010 Scott opened the Ethnobotanical Conservation Organization or EthnoCO which is a company based in Peru that leads expeditions and sells cultural wares. 

Inside the Episode:   

• Once again Scott brings us detailed information on psychedelic South American flora and how those plants were used by the continents most iconic ancient civilizations. 
• As Scott explains, disease played a major role in the Spanish’s conquest of the South American continent. It’s interesting to contemplate what the Americas would be like if disease didn’t have such a significant effect in wiping out the native populations.
• Peyote is a small round low growing cactus which grows under rocks in the southern US and northern Mexico. It’s also an incredibly powerful psychedelic drug, utilized by Native American tribes for centuries. This drug is no joke. In a 5,000 year old cave in Mexico they found the plant still contained the psychedelic compound. 
• Scott provided us with incredibly interesting and detailed information on psychoactive drugs used historically in South America, breaking down chemical properties and how these compounds alter the functionality of our brains. 

Joshua Biggers is a travel blogger, travel author, and digital creator living the Digital Nomad Life. Joshua creates informative travel content that helps people around the world see the world as affordably and as efficiently as possible.  

Inside the Episode:   

• Joshua figured out early on that you can get your accommodations paid for by restaurants and hostels by using your social media following as leverage. Now, as his following has grown so has his ability to negotiate accommodations and ultimately travel for super cheap and sometimes completely free. 
• Joshua is a hustler. Ambitiously sending emails to hostels, hotels, and restaurants in order to exchange free accommodations for social media promotion. It works, and as a result Joshua has turned to helping others follow in his footsteps with several travel books and blogs. 
• Let’s face it Americans - we got the short stick when it comes to time off. Our 2-3 weeks isn't cutting it. Don’t believe us? Talk to an Australian about their vacation time. Or someone from France or Denmark. They put us to shame, and as a result travel more and for longer periods of time. We’re jealous. 
• This hedgehog saw a beautiful 41 states on the road with Joshua as they influenced the online travel community with their postcard-esque photographs and travel stories. No travel partner? Fear not. Your travel companion can be a furry (or spiny) pet. Your travel pictures will be way cooler that way. 
• Joshua shared several horror stories when things went wrong while he was on the road. From broken bones to cancelled flights, he explains that travel insurance is a great way to protect yourself. As you’ll hear on the podcast - not having travel insurance set back one of Joshua’s friends $10,000. Yea, book the travel insurance. Thank us later. 
• Have you put your travel plans on hold because you didn't want to travel alone? Well, you wouldn't be...alone...in that thought process. We were glad that Joshua cleared the air on this and made it clear that people (and women) from countries outside of the US travel alone on a very regular basis. So, when COVID clears up, GO. Just GO
• Joshua is a hostel guru. He’s experienced hostels around the world and has written several articles and blogs that allow you to understand and navigate websites like hostelworld.com. If you’re curious to learn more, reach out. Josuha would be happy to help. 
• Josh literally wrote the book on travel tips and tricks! “How to Travel Cheap on a Budget: 101 Travel Tips to Travel the World”. Even experienced travelers who think they know it all will learn something new. It's pretty affordable on Amazon too. 

Ash Dykes is an explorer, extreme athlete, motivational speaker and 3x World First Record Holder. On this podcast Ash discusses his mind boggling hikes across both Mongolia and Madagascar where he encountered and overcame everything from mythical jungle witches to bouts with dehydration and exhaustion. 

Inside the Episode:   

• In 2014, Ash became the first ever recorded person to hike across Mongolia solo and unsupported, covering over 1,500 miles in 78 days. He trekked over the Altai Mountains, through the Gobi Desert and the Mongolian Steppe, all whilst pulling a wheeled trailer weighing 120kg, carrying everything needed to survive. Sir Ranulph Fiennes described it as being “an example of great determination, to achieve something that’s becoming harder all the time, an adventuring ‘first’, which would have proved both physically and mentally challenging”.
• “Every day was possible” As Ash explains in this trip, by breaking down this momentous trip into smaller steps, taking it day by day. He literally put the saying “take it one step at a time” to use and in turn conquered the first unsupported walk across Mongolia.
• In 2016, Ash achieved his second world record by becoming the first person to walk the entire length of Madagascar’s interior, whilst summitting its eight highest Mountains. An expedition of over 1,600 miles, taking 155 days to complete and faced many challenges, from being held up by the military, avoiding bandits, contracting the deadliest form of Malaria, crossing croc infested rivers, hacking through near impenetrable jungle during the cyclone season and much more.
• Ash has a hell of a work ethic. Meticulous planning and exhaustive weight training has set him apart from the herd. He's walked, alone, for miles, has fought dehydration and malaria...and he's not done yet. Tune into next weeks podcast to hear the remainder of Ash's story has he walked the length of the 155 mile Yangtze River in China. 
• Ash was invited back to Madagascar and named as the UK Ambassador for Madagascar Tourism; his promotion of the island reached over 350,000,000 people worldwide. Ash also became Special Ambassador of Malaria No More UK, an organisation working to eradicate malaria within our lifetime, an organisation also supported by David Beckham and Sir Andy Murray.
• Oh Gertrude. Ash’s trusty chicken that kept him company throughout this trip across the country of Madagascar. The reason? To ward off demons and witches of course. At least that’s what the locals told him….