Where Next? Travel with Kristen and Carol

Ireland - Blarney Stone, Beaches and Brexit with Lynne Nieman

eDreaming of Ireland but not sure where to start? We sit down with Lynne Nieman from Wander Your Way to map a smarter route: skip the bottlenecks, use Shannon as your launchpad, and find the coastal corners where the country’s character runs deepest. We talk through the big calls travelers face—Dublin for a day or two, or straight to the west; Ring of Kerry by bus, or quieter peninsulas that pack more into fewer miles; Blarney Stone bragging rights, or ancient stone circles without the lines.Lynne helps us build an itinerary that actually breathes. Kenmare replaces Killarney as a balanced base for lakes and high peaks in Ireland’s oldest national park. West Cork adds softer shorelines, Mizen Head’s lighthouse walks, and food that proves Ireland’s kitchen is thriving. We spotlight Kinsale’s Charles Fort, colorful small towns, and the kind of pub nights where fiddles trade leads while your Guinness settles. Then we head north to Donegal—wild, remote, and wildly underrated—for dune-backed beaches, cliffy headlands, and hikes in Glenveagh’s stark beauty.We also keep it practical: weather you can count on changing, layers you’ll be glad you packed, and honest advice on driving the left side or hiring a driver-guide for stories and peace of mind. We touch on border realities post-Brexit, easy crossings into Northern Ireland, and where to chase waves, from beginner-friendly Lahinch to Sligo’s surf scene. Along the way, we dismantle the “bad food” myth with fresh seafood, local lamb, and dairy that tastes like the fields it came from.If this guide helps you plan your route, follow the show, leave a quick rating, and share it with a friend who keeps saying Ireland is on their list. Your support helps more travelers find their way.You can also find Lynne at her website Wander Your Way.Her podcast is Wander Your Way.You can also find her on Instagram @wanderyourway.Map of IrelandSupport the showPlease download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/HostsCarol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.lifeKristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

How to Beat Jet Lag and Boost Your Travel Health with Andrew Herr, Founder of Flykitt

Jet lag isn’t just about time zones—it’s an inflammation problem you can solve. We sit down with Andrew Herr, founder and CEO of FlyKitt and former human performance strategist at the Pentagon, to unpack why flights drain you and how to land clear-headed, calm, and ready to sleep on night one. Andrew connects dots most travelers miss: rapid cabin pressure shifts mimic an 8,000-foot ascent, low-oxygen air boosts oxidative stress, and sleep debt compounds immune activation. The fix starts with managing inflammation, then using light, timing, and targeted supplements to shift your circadian rhythm on command.We go deep on what actually makes you feel lousy in the air—swollen legs, brain fog, gut issues—and how to counter it with simple, scalable steps. Andrew reveals how FlyKitt’s app personalizes a plan from six questions, no lab work needed, and why fasting can help but isn’t required when you address the root causes. We unpack diet basics that move the needle for most travelers (more protein, more vegetables, less sugar and ultra-processed foods), common deficiencies like omega-3s and B12, and the surprising link between inflammation and anxiety many noticed after COVID. You’ll also hear how elite performers—from special operations to pro sports teams—use these strategies, including a pro team’s world tour that saw a 94% reduction in jet lag symptoms.If red eyes usually wreck your next day, you’ll get a blueprint to make them productive. If domestic hops leave you foggy, you’ll learn a short protocol that protects your energy and digestion. Along the way, Andrew shares field stories—from Iceland’s Spartan Ultra to time with Kazakh eagle hunters—that highlight how resilience is built with smart stress, timing, and recovery. Ready to trade groggy landings for focused mornings and solid sleep? Press play, take notes, and try the protocol on your next trip.Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, rate us in your app, and leave a quick review so more travelers can find it. Share this episode with a friend who dreads jet lag and tag us on Instagram at Where Next Podcast.Flykitt - The All-In-One Solution for Healthy TravelSupport the showPlease download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/HostsCarol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.lifeKristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Quebec City with Melissa Rodway

What if the dream trip starts feeling like a job? We sit down with traveler and author Melissa Rodway to unpack the real highs and lows of a life built on movement—starting with a wild childhood year in Western Australia, a no-guidebook leap through Europe in the 90s, and the pre-smartphone hacks that kept her safe and curious in Costa Rica.The story turns when she quits an advertising job and heads to Southeast Asia for months of motion—Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China—where gritty bus rides collide with occasional five-star stays. Melissa shares how travel fatigue sneaks in, why purpose is the antidote, and the moment a seasoned traveler taught her the hardest lesson of the road: know when to go home. Those long rides turned into pages, and pages into The People You Meet, a witty, honest travel book about culture, food, and the human dramas that follow you across borders.Then we switch gears to a slower kind of adventure: five winter weeks in Quebec City during her year off. Daily cross-country laps on the Plains of Abraham, ice skating under big skies, a Nordic spa two minutes from home, and the electric roar of Carnival with its ice canoe races on the St. Lawrence. We dig into the ice hotel, maple syrup snow taffy, tourtière, French schools for all levels, and why Quebec is built for outdoor lovers in every season—plus practical tips on walkability, ferries to Lévis, nearby trails, and affordable stays that make lingering easy.If you’re craving travel that’s deeper, steadier, and more you, this conversation is your map.Map of Quebec CityYou can find Melissa:On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fly_travel_media/Her website at: https://flyrodway.comMelissa's book: The People You Meet BookSupport the showPlease download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/HostsCarol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.lifeKristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Jerez de la Frontera, Spain with Lyle and Leanne

We’re so excited to have Lyle and Leanne back from the Beach Travel Wine Podcast to dive into it all with us! Their stories and laughs always make the journey even better.This time, we’re stepping into the “cathedrals of wine” at Lustau, chasing legends at Tío Pepe, and getting into the nitty-gritty of how sherry is made—humidity, flor, patience—and why it smells like caramel dreams. The Royal Andalusian School’s dancing horses bring the drama, but it’s the tabancos that steal the show: guitar, singing, clapping, and a dancer who pulls everyone into the moment. No velvet ropes—just locals, clinking glasses, and “Olé!”Getting around is easy and budget-friendly. Fast trains link Sevilla, Jerez, and Cádiz, making day trips to castles, beaches, and white villages like Arcos de la Frontera and Grazalema a breeze. And when English tours are hard to find, the VoiceMap app turns your phone into a local guide with GPS-triggered stories you can pause for coffee and keep forever.We’ve got tips on when to go (May–June or September are magic), how to handle siesta time, late-night dinners, cards vs. cash, and what to order—chicharrones, jamón, albóndigas—and why Andalusian plazas at night feel straight out of a movie.If you’re chasing the real Spain—flamenco up close, sherry from the source, trains instead of traffic, and streets where tradition still lives—this is the place for you. To see pictures from Spain and hear about more adventures of Leanne and Lyle, visit their website:https://www.beachtravelwine.com/podcastTour app mentioned: https://voicemap.me/Map of Jerez de la FronteraSupport the showPlease download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/HostsCarol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.lifeKristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Hawaii life - Carol interviewed by James Hammond of the Winging It Travel Podcast

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to live in paradise? Wonder no more as Carol takes us behind the postcard-perfect beaches of Hawaii to reveal the authentic island experience that changed her life forever.Carol's journey began as a college exchange student at the University of Hawaii, where her perspective on travel—and life—underwent a profound transformation. Far from the Brady Bunch or Gilligan's Island vision she expected, Carol discovered a Hawaii of high-rises, diverse communities, and an infectious "aloha spirit" that slowed everything down. "People would say, 'Oh, you must be from the mainland because you walk so fast,'" she recalls with a laugh.The episode delves into the practical realities of Hawaiian living—from the creative housing solutions needed in one of America's most expensive markets to the respectful navigation of local customs and spaces. Carol offers fascinating insights into the distinct personalities of each island: bustling Oahu with its tourist-heavy Waikiki, honeymoon-perfect Maui with its whale watching opportunities, and the Big Island with its remarkable climate diversity and more affordable real estate options. Her insider tips are invaluable—like experiencing Diamond Head at sunset during a full moon or finding the perfect boogie boarding spot at Little Beach in Maui.Perhaps most compelling is Carol's reflection on how her Hawaii experience launched a lifetime of global adventures. Inspired by Australian travelers she met who would "travel for one or two years at a time," she developed a pattern of working in restaurants, saving money, and taking month-long international trips every six to nine months. Her parting wisdom resonates deeply: "If you want to grow as a human being, you've got to travel." Whether it makes you more grateful for home or opens your eyes to new possibilities, Carol's Hawaii story reminds us that sometimes paradise isn't just a destination—it's the beginning of a journey.Follow and rate us in your podcast app to support the show, and connect with us on Instagram @where_next_podcast for more travel inspiration!Map of HawaiiSupport the showPlease download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/HostsCarol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.lifeKristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.