Travelling Minds

Over the past 40 years, the Student Refugee Program has offered post-secondary education to over 2000 incoming refugees, the only youth-to-youth resettlement program worldwide. Libby talks with the co-chairs of the U of Manitoba’s WUSC Local Committee Carly and Ameen at Les Saj Middle Eastern restaurant, over shawarmas and fries.  For shownotes and more, go to http://libbyj.ca/podcast/ For tickets to the March 7, 2020 event on forced migration, https://bit.ly/2VTjRFT  To donate to the U of Manitoba WUSC Local Committee, click here (WUSC Student Refugee Sponsorship Endowment) Follow WUSC on Facebook, @WUSCUofM, or on instagram, @uofm.wusc

Let’s get curious! Libby tells what she’s learned about curiosity since starting Travelling Minds, and how to become more curious with 3 simple questions. Well travelled starts at home, with a dash of curiosity! Shownotes at www.libbyj.ca/podcast/ Tim Ferriss Podcast with Brené Brown Marie Forleo Related episodes: 14 and 33! Please leave a review on iTunes Episode artwork by Laura Studney

YES! Season 4 is coming atcha December 20, 2019 with biweekly episodes. By subscribing, embrace your travelling mind!

At the Manitoba Podcast Festival (Park Theatre, Winnipeg), Libby asked local podcasters: Why did you start a podcast? Here are the various show details, in the order that they show up in the episode! This is the last episode for season 3 of Travelling Minds- after a November break, we'll be back + better than ever! Sean and Todd from SeanGeek Podcast  Sam from Witchpolice Radio Marc and Scott from This Ain’t Babysittin Mike and Cory from 2 Black Geeks  Steve from Primarily Critical  Jas and Shar from Giving up the Ghost  Mark from Rise Up! Episode Artwork by Laura Studney. 

Bilingual actor, director, writer, TV personality, coach, Laura Lussier tells about going on a cross-Canada tour promoting Canada’s Official Languages, her own rediscovery of French in Ottawa, France and Benin, and her Spanish studies for an upcoming trip to Peru. We relish in the discomforts, the connections and the importance of trying to understand one another at home and while travelling! Toured across Canada in 2019 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the official languages act with CBC’s Bonjour my friend! Represents Western and Arctic Canada on the Radio-Canada show 100% locale Find out more about Laura at http://www.lauralussier.com/home/  Worked as a tour guide at Vimy Ridge in France  Learning Spanish at College Universitaire Saint Boniface  Episode Artwork by Laura Studney

"I've washed our underwear in some of the most beautiful settings in the world- the Amazon, Milford Sound in New Zealand, various islands in the South Pacific, the jungles of Borneo, the Galapagos, along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu,- but, in the end, it is still just scrubbing underwear, no matter what your view." (p. 199 of Don't Try This at Home). Remember ep. 16 with Daria? Here's part 2: Rob's side of the story about their year travelling with their kids aged 5 & 8. In this episode, Rob tells about his experience travelling with the family for a year, some favourite spots and what's changed for them since returning home. Their budget for a family of 4 was $150/day, and they travelled to: New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru Ecuador, Colombia, Thailand, Singapore.  Check out ep. #16 with Daria for her side of the story!  Their book is called Don’t try this at home, available here.

Patrick took 4 months this summer to backpack in Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Israel and Turkey. He’s also a 4th year business student, studying financial planning and services. In this episode, you’ll hear all about how Patrick travelled on a very tight budget of $50/Canadian per day, how he managed to switch between travelling with friends and going solo, and more about the misadventures that happened along the way. Patrick recommends checking out Johnny Harris from Vox's show Borders LOVED renting a car with 3 friends to check out the (expensive) Amalfi Coast in Italy. They slept in the car and on beaches  

"It's pretty magical when people get together with good intentions!"  In a LIVE recording with Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud, we hear about how the organization 1JustCity is anchored in social justice, as they 'actively love Winnipeg's underloved'. This far-reaching conversation spans questions about privilege, social justice, and needs-based services like providing a free sandwich, somewhere to sleep, and a whole lot more.  Find out more about 1JustCity and upcoming events here, or check out their Youtube channel

"These places are very vulnerable and not visited very often, and that puts them out of peoples minds." Since January 2019, Lynn Englum has travelled in remote parts of the Pacific Islands to better understand the impacts of climate change and community solutions to climate change.  Vanishing Places are among the most vulnerable countries, communities and ecosystems in the world. Lynn will tell more about what this journey has meant for her over the past 9 months, and what she’s discovered as she follows the ‘breadcrumbs of the universe’ with interviews, drone videography and photography. Find a Climate Strike near you September 20-27. https://globalclimatestrike.net Shownotes:  Find Vanishing Places on Instagram, Facebook, or on the Vanishing Places website Learn more about Anote Tong, the former president of Kiribati  In this episode, Lynn mentions nuclear bomb testing on the Marshall Islands  

Anny's interest in Experiential Learning started when she participated in Canada’s Katimavik program, then experienced another side of it while teaching in Thailand. Today, Anny works with University Students on Community Service Learning trips to Belize and Leaf Rapids, MB. Anny has some great insights for anyone who wants to travel in a way that is respectful of the local community. In this episode, she shares her story and reflects on the importance of realizing our assumptions about people or a place, accepting what you can’t change while travelling, and how important relationships can be to having a great trip. Hop on over to http://libbyj.ca/podcast/ for show notes and more! 

With a goal of seeing every country in the world, Pelumi has already gone to 55 countries out of 193. Her message that travel is safe, easy and doable is echoed in the community she has built around @Black.Kintsugi. Kintsugi is a Japanese tradition of mending broken ceramics with gold- thus, fixing an item and increasing it’s value. For show notes and more, visit http://libbyj.ca/podcast Check out Pelumi's blog at www.blackkintsugi.com 

Having started out as an English teacher with the JET programme, Brad has now lived over 12 years in Japan! We talk about teaching English abroad, how much learning a local language can transform a trip, and the little things that led him to pursue a Doctorate of Education in Postsecondary Leadership. For show notes and more, go to http://libbyj.ca/podcast/

Sherrod was born in Guyana, lived in Barbados, and travelled throughout the Caribbean with a performing arts company. Today, he calls Winnipeg home. Hear about how Sherrod’s life has led him here, and how he connects with community in Winnipeg. “Only put off till tomorrow what you’re willing to die having left undone” (Pablo Picasso) For show notes and more, visit http://libbyj.ca  

What if you returned home from a trip having achieved a very specific goal? Purpose Driven Travel is choosing a focus for the duration of a trip, but there are also less-obvious benefits to it.  SHOWNOTES Libby + Brad stayed at the Wu Wei Si Monastery in China, and also studied mandarin at Keats School in Kunming, China, and worked in a rice paddy in Japan as a part of helpx.net  Check out episodes 10, 13 or 19 to hear more from Travellers that have engaged with purpose driven travel in different ways!  Episode artwork by Laura Studney!

Dalene and her husband Pete have housesat around the world, became National Geographic Travelers of the Year, and travelled to far away places like Greenland and the Faroe Islands. In this episode, you'll find out all about international housesitting, and Dalene also shared about the grief that resulted in deciding to change their lives, and how they ended up setting roots back home in Alberta once again in 2016.  SHOWNOTES Sign up for the Travelling Minds e-newsletter at www.libbyj.ca  Buy the "How to become a house sitter and travel the world" e-book here: https://www.hecktictravels.com/housesitting Proceeds go to the Last Chance Cat Ranch: https://www.thelastchancecatranch.com  Check out Dalene and Pete's blog: https://www.hecktictravels.com   

Welcome to Travelling Minds! Check out these episodes for some new adventures. More about Libby (#1, #14). Families who travel (#16, #9). International Development (#5). Goal Setting (#13). Vanlife (#10). Sign up for the e-newsletter at www.libbyj.ca 

"You always have to be able to carry your home with you, regardless of where you are." Having moved from Nigeria to Canada for University, Tobi has lived a life driven by storytelling and writing. We talk about the building blocks of Tobi’s life, the concept of home, growing up in Nigeria and his most recent book: The Burgess Theory.  For show notes and more, visit www.libbyj.ca/podcast/    

Do you struggle with unplugging from technology on vacation? Here are 5 unique tips to help you unplug and shake off stress, emails and screens just like a dog that’s shaking off after a swim. Doggedly: In a manner that shows tenacity and grim persistence. Shout out to Laura Studney for the custom Episode Artwork!  Hop on over to http://libbyj.ca for show notes and to subscribe for e-mail updates. 

What happens when a couple takes their 5 and 8 year old travelling for an entire year? In the book “Don’t Try This at Home”, Winnipeggers Daria and Rob took on an ambitious goal and caught themselves in a series of misadventures in 15 different countries!  Their budget for a family of 4 was $150/day  Travelled to: New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru Ecuador, Colombia, Thailand, Singapore.  Check out Daria’s website for her blogs, e-newsletter, and other book, The Prairie Bridesmaid INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY!! We’re giving away “Don’t Try This at Home” if you enter before July 10th. Click here for more details! Hop on over to http://libbyj.ca for show notes and more

Can you imagine going to a job fair to find out which country you'll live in for the next 3 years? Olivia, a teacher from New Zealand, spills on life teaching at an International School in Kazan, Russia, her very recent -and unusual- wedding, and upcoming summer travels in Europe and the USA with her husband and a dog!  For show notes and more, go to www.libbyj.ca/podcast/  

Where has your curiosity taken you lately? Libby went LIVE about Travelling Minds at PechaKucha (Peh-CHUK-cha) Winnipeg! In this episode, Justin Ladia (@jrladia), organizer of Winnipeg’s PechaKucha, tells us what it is, and what it means to him and the creative community. At min. 8:30, Libby’s recorded talk about discovering armchair travel begins. Hop on over to www.libbyj.ca/podcast for show notes and more. PechaKucha is an international movement started by Klein Dytham Architecture. On June 6th 2019 (vol. 38), there were 12 events happening on the exact same day around the world! Visit Pechakucha Winnipeg for the full presentations; follow @pkn_winnipeg (Twitter, IG) or @pechakuchawinnipeg on Facebook. Check out Justin’s favourite talks: What’s up with Trans? , It’s a Squirelly World, and Stories are Important, Let’s Tell Good Stories. PKN Winnipeg is presented by the Manitoba Chapter of the Graphic Designers of Canada.

10 years ago, Ryan cycled across Canada. In March and April 2019, the coach and mortgage broker hit the road again, this time cycling Europe from East to West, through Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal. A total of 3500 miles in 2 months. "Every day you’d get up and you didn’t know where you were going. You had an idea, but you didn’t know where you were sleeping. I started to love it. That was the way to live: you were just in the present and in the moment." Find out more about Ryan here: http://www.mv8.ca  For show notes and more, hop on over to www.libbyj.ca/podcast/ 

In this tips and tricks episode, find out three quick questions to make the most of your accommodation on a nomadic trip. By considering Me-Time, We-Time, and See-Time, take pressure off your budget, and become more intentional about how you book! For show notes and more, mosey on over to www.libbyj.ca/podcast Resources mentioned in this episode:  Bedycasa Meet Up  Couchsurfing  Showaround Airbnb   

With travel plans overhauled when Lana was suddenly injured, both Bryce and Lana also have chronic health conditions. They will tell how they prepared for an ambitious nomadic year away, and how they adapted to 'worst case scenario' situations. Hear about their trip from Saskatchewan to Newfoundland, to England, France, Toronto, then Thailand, Bali, Burma, and Malaysia. Although travels strayed from the original plans, their relationship with one another, and unexpected time spent with family and friends is the silver lining. For show notes and more, visit www.libbyj.ca  Shownotes: Lana had lived and worked with Karen people(refugees from the Kayin Statein Myanmar (Burma)) both in Thailand as a volunteer 20 years ago and more recently in Saskatoon as an EAL Teacher. While travelling with insulin, Lana used FRIO(a light and compact cooling device that she could use in her backpack) “Truly a life-changer.” Sites including Booking.com;  tripadvisor.com; workaway.com; airbnb.comand the discussion boards on lonelyplanet.comwere incredibly useful resources.    To get around, try GoCar in Asia (like Uber) and Blablacar in Europe. Lana and Bryce did volunteer/culture exchange Workawayin France and Thailand Lana mentions seeing -but unsuccessfully being photographed with- “platform 9 ¾” from the Harry Potter series in London! The hardest thing was to leave pets for a year with their families. “We really felt the difference. We held them even closer since we've been back.” Loved flying with Turkish air!  

“Probably one of the most underrated schools ever is travelling.” As a massage therapist doing seasonal work, Danya began travelling in the off season in Europe, South/Central America, Southeast Asia, Australia and the list goes on. She now lives in her van, Wanda, and is a certified yoga teacher sprouting some new dreams. We talk about van life, purpose driven travel and bug bites in the amazon.  If you want to join Danya on an adventure, check out https://www.lokahiadventures.com/ @danyaleto, @lokahiadventures For shownotes and more, hop on over to www.libbyj.ca/podcast 

Hear how a wishlist created 19 years ago led to a family of 4 travelling in Europe for 4 months (May-Aug 2017). Row, Kelly, and their pre-teen sons Jonathan and Adam rented a house in Orbey, France, which was a home base while they also travelled weekly using the Eurail 3 month pass.   For shownotes and more, hop on over to www.libbyj.ca  Row, her husband Kelly and their two kids: Jonathan (12) Adam (11) travelled May - Aug 2017 and saw 15 countries, 38 cities. Travelled with the Eurail pass for 3 months. After 90 days, they had to leave the Schengen region, so split one month between Montenegro and the UK. Unexpected surprise: Kotor, Montenegro was beautiful, great for families. There was also a waterpark in Budva that was a huge hit since it was scorching hot : 40 - 45 degrees with humidity! Loved the first class train from Prague: “It’s the best meal we ever had!” Most adventurous experience was canyoning in Fier, France. The hiking in St Wolfgang, Austria was so beautiful they called it “God’s Country.”

Planning a gap year or career break? Host Libby Jeffrey explores how focussing on 'soft skills' while travelling can set you up for success when you come home from a big trip and are looking for work.  For shownotes and more, hop on over to www.libbyj.ca/podcast 

Amber's work abroad with temping agencies in New Zealand and Scotland led to a career in her home city of Winnipeg that takes her around the world. She could be on a work trip in Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel or at home coordinating exchange programs with University students: both allow her to live a life of travel! Head over to www.libbyj.ca for show notes and more.  

“Wherever you are, be all there!”  May Lin left Canada 3 years ago to join her husband, Seb in France. We talk about treating culture shock with cheese sandwiches in Paris (worth a try),  becoming a ‘trailing wife’ in Nairobi, Kenya and how along the way, May Lin has been pulled out of her ‘Canadian bubble’ when it comes to race, multiculturalism and identity. “Wherever you are, be all there!” ― Jim Elliot When May Lin taught English in France, she got an International Experience Canada visa, available to all 18-35 year olds to work in dozens of countries around the world. Find out more here Recommended by Libby: For more on identity, race, language, and culture, check out NPR’s Code Switch podcast. Hosted by journalists of colour, a great description of their show is actually a question: “Ever find yourself in a conversation about race and identity and you just get… stuck?”

A far-reaching conversation that spans international development, responsible tourism, adaptation to climate change, and bad dance moves at a wedding. Susie shares how her 1 year teaching English in France turned into a total of 5 years spent between France, England, India and Malawi (southeastern Africa). Hop over to www.libbyj.ca for show notes and more!  2007: Susie initially went to France to teach english with the Assistants de langue program Studied International Development at Oxford University, England In Kerala India, Susie researched social change among the adivasi (Indigenous tribal people- no formal title for the group) who occupied part of the Harrisons Malayalam Ltd rubber plantation Found work in Zomba, Malawi via CIDA (now Global Affairs), which connected her with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, and in the end worked for LEAD: Leadership for Environment and Development with the Southern and Eastern Africa chapter in Zomba, Malawi. Highly recommends climbing the Mulanje Massif in Malawi

Miranda left for Europe in 2005, which kicked off a love story with Glasgow, Scotland. After finishing her initial working visa and working with a temp agency, Miranda studied nursing to eventually move back and get a sponsored visa. Now that Miranda and her son Declan have returned and are setting up life in Winnipeg, we talk pubs, working abroad, pop culture, and homesickness for Glasgow. Then we had a pure dead brilliant night out! When Miranda first left Canada, she worked in Scotland with the International Experience Canada visa, available to all 18-35 year olds to work in dozens of countries around the world. Find out more here Auchentoschan scotch is distilled just outside of Glasgow and known as a great ‘breakfast whiskey’ Eurovision 2014’s Conchita Wurst is a must watch: click here. To go further down the rabbit hole, check out Best of Eurovision, and Abba’s winning year in 1974. Český Krumlov is a fabulous little town in the Czech Republic “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” Samuel Johnson

Meet Matt and Ariel from Saskatchewan, who now live in Vancouver. Matt and Ariel travelled for 10 months in 2017-18 in Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, Tasmania and my favourite part: wrapped up the trip with a retrofitted van and camped their way through the United States public lands. This was their “pre-moon”: a honeymoon before getting married! Europe: 7:30 Germany, Switzerland, Spain, England Portugal in the off-season (November) was fantastic! Particularly: Lisbon, Ericeira, Porto, Coimbra, National Park of Peneda-Geres Southeast Asia and Australia/Oceania: 19:16 Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia Purple Monkey Hostel in Pai, Thailand Andaman Dive Adventures for scuba diving in Koh Lanta, Thailand Australia and a Tasmanian road trip: Tasmania was an underrated destination! Roadtrip in America: 30:00 The West is Best – camping on the public lands in the United States was some of their cheapest and most rewarding portion of our travels, in a Toyota Senyina mini-van. Southwest Corner: Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado (major National parks examples- Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyon Lands) Drove across the mid-west, explored the east coast White Mountain region, Maine (e.g. Acadia National park), Visited friends, family and the Great Lakes, finished the trip in Yellowstone National Park and the Teton region  

We’re hearing from my Aunt Judy and Uncle Ron, who in 1970, first left the Manitoba prairies for Ottawa, Canada’s capital and left for Australia one year later with the Federal Government. What followed was 34 years of long-term travel and over that time, a total of 12 moves: their postings would be anywhere from 2-4 years at a time, and ranged all corners of the earth including (in order): Ottawa, Australia, Cuba, Los Angeles, Edmonton Canada, Kuwait, Ottawa, Saskatoon Canada, Pittsburgh USA, Edmonton, Oslo Norway, Ottawa Canada, Ladysmith, Winnipeg. Find more at www.libbyj.ca  

This first episode is a little bit about my 3 experiences travelling long term: working in Ireland, as an intern in West Africa, and backpacking the world for a year. Thanks for welcoming me into your ears with this new podcast (has anyone ever thanked you for that?!). Head over to www.libbyj.ca for show notes and more. Travelling Minds is a podcast that explores long-term travel. Whether it’s sabbaticals, working abroad, volunteering abroad, backpacking, housesitting, teaching English or straight up vagabonding, I am interviewing people about their experiences in far flung places. I want to know where people have gone, what they’ve done, and why they left home in the first place. Whether you are looking for a long-term or an armchair travel adventure, traveling minds are splashed around the world and we'll find out where. Modern Gonzo: http://mg.mettamedia.ca/finish-the-sentence/ SWAP (Student Working Abroad Program): http://www.swap.ca More about Benin? Start here. More about our “year off” in the Cook Islands, New Zealand, China, Japan, Korea and Canada? Start here. Special thanks to Mark Dyck, who inspired this project with his bakers podcast, Rise Up!