The Elliott Podcast

Sydney is one of our favorite cities, but we’ve been enough times to stop acting like tourists. You know what I mean, right? No more stumbling around Sydney Cove with our cameras out, waiting for that perfect angle of the opera.We wanted a more authentic experience. The answer involved a barber, a biscotto and a tea shop run by a woman everyone calls Auntie Helen.(One housekeeping note: the podcast now has two camera angles, so you can see our production quality from two directions. Our standards remain low.)Question of the week: If you could return to only one place, where would it be?We’re asking because this was our third visit to Sydney. Which destination would you pick if you only got one? And what keeps you coming back?OK, there’s the mandatory shot of the opera house. Can we get on with it?A strange question we get asked a lotWhen we tell people that we travel 350 days a year, they often ask: “Where do you get your hair cut?” (Iden says the version he hears is closer to, “Why does your haircut look like that?”)In Sydney, the answer is Barbarico in North Sydney, a short walk from the Victoria Cross Metro station. It’s run by a Greek barber and it’s a special place.There’s a sequence to the visit, and we didn’t invent it. Next door is Bacino Espresso. The order is first coffee, then the chair. So when we walked into the barbershop, they took our orders. Then we got the haircut. Bacino is a legend in the neighborhood. Around 9 a.m., the owner’s father comes out and hands each customer a fresh biscotto. The recipe is simple: no eggs, no milk, orange juice instead, sesame seeds on top. People line up and wait for him.A visit to Don Fred, respectfullyAren and I are on a plant-based diet, which makes a city like Sydney either a problem or an adventure. In Newtown we found Don Fred, where Lorenzo cooks northern Italian food without meat or dairy, but without compromising on taste. We can respect that.He serves a set meal, and we weren’t sure we could finish it. The standout was the calamari, which is made from konjac. He explained that konjac is porous enough to take on whatever flavor he wants, and he coats it in polenta so it crisps up and stays gluten-free. The focaccia comes from Liguria, near the French border.Auntie Helen and the tea from UjiWe stayed in Bondi Junction, which is where we met Helen at the Taka Tea Garden. She and Taka-san import from Uji, near Kyoto, and the shop is full of tea containers, matcha bowls and whisks.Helen poured us a sencha that was so sweet we assumed it had sugar in it (it didn’t). When Iden asked whether turning it into a latte would offend anyone, she pointed out that young people already do it with soy milk. No offense taken.She also wanted to know whether Iden was working or just having fun. Answer: both!In Sydney, everyone is properly caffeinatedWe stayed in Woollahra this time. We walked to Paddington for the cafes and down to Bondi Beach, but kept going back to the same coffee shops until the staff recognized us. That’s how the locals do it. Sydney has no bad angle, but you don’t get to know a city by looking at it.Next time we’re reporting from Saitama, Japan, a place almost no tourist visits.Don’t forget our question of the week: If you could return to only one place, where would it be? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com

Vanuatu doesn’t show up in many top 10 lists, so of course we had to go.If you look at a map of the South Pacific, you’ll find it just west of Fiji. Since we’ve been based in Sydney for the last few months, it was only a 3.5-hour flight.Efate, Vanuatu’s main island, is a relatively flat jungle once you get outside of Port Vila. The soil is rich, dark volcanic, the palm trees are an impossible shade of green, and the roads are very rough. If you love being on a 4x4 off-roading jungle adventure, this is your place.We should be clear: our complaints about the roads are no dig on the people of Vanuatu. Some of the roads were built by Americans during World War II, and some by the Chinese.Question of the week: What’s the weirdest drink you’ve ever had in your travels?We ask because Iden had a kava experience. More on that in just a minute. What’s the strangest thing you’ve drunk in your travels? And (bonus point) how did it affect your trip?A word of caution about kavaIn an earlier podcast, we talked about kava, the native drink of the South Pacific. It’s made from a pepper root, and it functions as the region’s social lubricant. On Vanuatu, it’s extra strong.As Iden came to find out, you aren’t supposed to drink two liters of kava in one night. He did. He lived to regret it. He didn’t eat anything for two days, and when he tried, he said it felt like liquid lava going down.Pro Tip: Treat Vanuatu kava with respect. One serving is plenty for first-timers. Two liters is a mistake that will make you miss two days of your trip!.Standing on an active volcanoWe were lucky enough to visit the island of Tanna, home to Mount Yasur, an active volcano To reach it, you cross the long flat ash plains in Tafea Province. One side of the volcano looks like chocolate, dark earth with small trees and bushes pushing through.Once on the top, you’re standing on the caldera and watching the eruptions. You feel the ground shake, and then you see lava spewing into the sky. It is one of the few places on Earth where you can safely stand that close to the spectacle. (We’ll show you video of the eruption in the podcast.)The hotel that nursed Iden back to healthWe stayed at the Rockwater Hotel, which gets credit for getting Iden back to health. The garden alone was worth the trip. You walk through little passageways, and each one reveals a new section, with its own unique plant. Iden counted something like 50 sections. Banana, coconut, coffee. You name it, they’re growing it at Rockwater.Tanna has terrific volcanic soil, so everything grows there. Bananas, coffee, you name it. Iden made a speedy recovery, which was a big relief.A culture that preserves its traditionsOne of the most fascinating parts of Vanuatu is its culture. We toured one of the villages and saw how people live now, still embracing many of their traditions.Among the practices are their marriage rituals. Giving a pig to the father of the bride seals the marriage, according to our guide. (That’s one way to do it.)Some traditions are not for the faint of heart. Male circumcision happens later in life, often around age 10, and our guide told us the boys aren’t warned beforehand. They cut using bamboo and the ceremony takes about one hour. There’s an option to go to a hospital instead, but if you take it, the village never lets you forget it. You become, in the guide’s words, the “village coward.”Who should go to VanuatuIf you love off-roading, if you want to feel genuinely lost in the rainforest, and if you want to get close to communities still living their traditions, this is the place for you.Don’t forget our question of the week: What’s the weirdest drink you’ve ever had in your travels? Our top commenter gets a free one-year subscription to Elliott Confidential, our sister newsletter. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com

People visit Queenstown, New Zealand, for the thrills. But maybe that’s a mistake.You can ski the Southern Alps in August or drive a speedboat on the rapids of Shotover Canyon in January. You can even go bungee jumping off the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge.There’s more to this part of New Zealand than adrenaline. We were smitten by the beauty of this place—the jagged mountains (cue the Lord of the Rings theme) and the crystalline waters of Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown, it turns out, claims to be one of the most sustainable destinations on Earth. And since we cover tourism sustainability, we had to find out if that was true. (Spoiler: Truer that you might think.)Question of the week: What’s the most unusual form of mass transit you’ve ever taken?We ask because Queenstown is planning to build a gondola—yes, a gondola—from the airport to town. Tell us about your mass transit experiences, from tuk-tuks to canoes. We love your comments and will read them in our next podcast.Everything gets recycled hereQueenstown loves to repurpose things. Consider the TSS Earnslaw, a historic, coal-fired passenger steamship operating on Lake Wakatipu. It was launched in 1912 and decommissioned—and slated to be scrapped—in 1968. Conservation-minded citizens saved the ship, restored it, and it now carriers visitors around the lake. Now that’s what we call recycling.Pro Tip: If you’re thinking of visiting southern New Zealand, aim for December to February for a warmer experience. The best skiing here is in August, according to insiders. Lots of eco-lodges in QueenstownWe visited two fascinating eco-lodges in the Queenstown area. Kinloch Wilderness Retreat is a case study in respecting the past while powering the future. It featuring solar-powered “Ecoscape” huts constructed from New Zealand-sourced materials. And, like any self-respecting eco-lodge, there’s a yoga studio.The Headwaters Eco Lodge, another eco-lodge we saw, is designed to something called the Living Building Challenge standards. It doesn’t get much greener than that. Headwaters has a massive solar garden and guest chalets with composting toilets. We talk about that in the podcast, because composting toilets is where we draw the lineWhat we thought of QueenstownQueenstown is stunning, a little pricey, and exhausting. It’s a city that prides itself on being the ultimate playground, but seasoned traveler will see past the high-gloss world of its tourism machine and see the pristine beauty of the place. And they’ll appreciate the way its tourism officials are trying to keep their destination sustainable for future generations of visitors.Don’t forget our question of the week: What’s the most unusual form of public transport you’ve ever taken? Our top commenter gets a free one-year subscription to Elliott Confidential, our sister newsletter. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com

Melbourne is a collection of the world’s most intriguing flavors. From the Jewish heart of Caulfield to the Greek streets of Oakleigh and the Vietnamese pulse of Windsor, we wanted to see how the city’s diaspora keeps its heritage alive through food. So we did.Where’s the fluffiest pita in the Southern Hemisphere?Our first stop was Caulfield, home to one of the largest Jewish diasporas in Australia. We found ourselves at The Pita Man, where the pitas have the texture of a cloud. They remind me of the ones we had when we were in Jerusalem a few years ago. The falafel here is crisp and perfectly seasoned with Amba sauce.Pro tip: If you’re there on a Friday morning, grab a babka. It’s a layered masterpiece that is worth every calorie. (We’ll show you what we mean in the podcast.)A Greek odyssey in OakleighNext, we hopped a tram to Oakleigh. You can’t walk a block here without seeing signs in Greek. We stepped into Nikos Quality Cakes, a local institution that has been serving up traditional treats for decades. The display cases are full of honey, nuts, and phyllo dough. We sampled the melomakarona. These are honey and walnut cookies that are light and dangerously addictive. The boys even found a vegan-friendly carrot cupcake that ended up being our favorite.Pro tip: In Oakleigh, the coffee is as important as the pastry. Greek coffee is finely ground coffee boiled in a small pot called a briki and served unfiltered. It’s the perfect companion to a honey cookie.The banh mis and baos of WindsorWe rounded out our food tour in Windsor, a neighborhood known for its high density of Vietnamese restaurants. At Madam Saigon, the banh mi is all about texture: a crusty baguette filled with crispy tofu and pickled vegetables. One afternoon, we just sat there and kept ordering food, it was so good. (There goes our food budget!)Beyond the plate: Meeting the locals at Mt. RothwellThe trip was about more than eating. We took a detour to the Mt. Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre (here’s my story about it for Forbes).This is a sanctuary dedicated to protecting some of Australia’s most endangered species. Meeting the Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies was a highlight for Aren and Iden. These curious, tiny creatures are only about two feet tall. But they’re vital to the ecosystem. Managing these populations is a delicate balance. Our visit was a sobering reminder that while we enjoy the flavors of a city, the natural world around it requires our constant attention.What’s our verdict on Melbourne?Melbourne is a city that prides itself on its layers. It is sophisticated, slightly edgy, and deeply committed to its cultural roots. You might go for the coffee, the pitas, or the wallabies (please, don’t try to eat them). Either way, you will find a city that is constantly reimagining itself while staying true to its heritage.The only downside? The weather. One minute you’re enjoying a coffee in the sun, and the next, an Antarctic blast nearly knocks your pastry into the gutter.Question of the week: What is the most exotic animal you’ve ever eaten? (Bonus points if you tell us where!) The top commenter this week gets a free one-year subscription to Elliott Confidential. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com

Christchurch, New Zealand’s resilience is on display everywhere you look. From its jarringly contrasty architecture to its surprising diverse food scene, this city has reimagined what a modern urban center can be.But is it the world’s most interesting city? Hmmm, let’s find out …Architecture born of necessityChristchurch’s skyline is a curious blend of the old and the new. Following a series of devastating earthquakes, the city has seen a surge in “AutoCAD chic” architecture—modern, functional, and visually arresting. These buildings, designed for both style and seismic safety, give the city a forward-looking feel.Cultural context: The city’s rebuilding hasn’t just been about steel and glass. It’s also about honoring the past and the Māori heritage of the region, which is thoughtfully integrated into many of the new public spaces.💬 Our question of the week: What’s the LEAST exciting destination you’ve ever visited?We adore your comments, and read them on every podcast. This week we’d like to know about the most boring city you’ve ever been to. Tell us about the place you’ve already forgotten about … if you can still remember it. Our top commenter gets a free one-year subscription to Elliott Confidential, our sister newsletter.Let’s eat!The food scene in Christchurch is impressive. The always-crowded Riverside Market, with its diverse range of vendors, is a must-visit for anyone looking for a new culinary experience. Traditional New Zealand fare, Asian food, great coffee—they’ve got it all.Pro Tip: Don’t miss Base Pizza in the Riverside Market. Their wood-fired pizzas are some of the best in the city, and the atmosphere is always buzzing. For a truly world-class coffee experience, head to Espresso Studio. The long black (like an Americano) is our favorite.Sustainability is at the heart of the city (and so is Oscar)One of the most impressive things about Christchurch is its commitment to sustainability. Take the Te Pae Convention Center, for instance. As a certified carbon-neutral facility, it’s leading the way in sustainable event management. Here’s my Forbes story about the center.If you’re at Te Pae, keep an eye out for Oscar, the trash compactor. It’s a great example of how the city is using technology to reduce its environmental impact.Sometimes, you have to stop and … well, you knowHagley Park is the beloved centerpiece of Christchurch. Its botanical gardens are a stunning display of New Zealand’s diverse flora. Iden just had to stop and smell the roses (more on that in the podcast).Christchurch is a city that has taken its challenges and turned them into opportunities. It’s a place that’s full of surprises, and its special blend of history, innovation, and natural beauty makes it a must-visit destination. (This isn’t our first time.) OK, maybe it’s not the world’s most exciting destination, but that’s the way they like it here.Don’t forget our question of the week: What’s the most boring destination you’ve ever been to? Let us know in the comments! The top commenter gets a free one-year subscription to Elliott Confidential. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com

Wellington is a city of vertical hills and horizontal rain, a place where the sophisticated hum of Parliament meets the raw, salt-sprayed edge of the Cook Strait. It’s the next stop on our around-the-world adventure—and as we quickly learned, “Windy Wellington” is more than a nickname.Technically, it’s late summer here, but the Antarctic gusts didn’t get that memo. We nearly got swept into traffic a time or two, and locals joke that if you stand between two buildings at the wrong time, the wind might knock you down. You really have to watch out.Our question of the week: What’s the most traumatic weather experience you’ve ever had?We love your comments, and read them on every podcast. This week we’d like to know about your most traumatic weather experience. Have you ever been swept away by a storm or snowed under by a blizzard? Our top commenter gets a free one-year subscription to Elliott Confidential, our sister newsletter.A colossal catch at Te PapaIf Wellington has a spiritual center, it’s the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. We spent hours wandering through its halls, coming face-to-face with the world’s only intact colossal squid—a massive, oil-preserved specimen that will keep you out of the water.But the museum isn’t just about the deep sea. It’s also a deep dive into the heritage of the Māori and Moriori people. We marveled at the whaka (traditional boats) and the intricate Rongo Marae Roa meeting place.Pro Tip: Don’t miss the Gallipoli exhibit by Weta Workshop. The wax sculptures are 2½ times life-size and shockingly realistic—it’s an unforgettable, emotional gut-punch.Radical kindness at Everybody EatsOne of the most impactful stops on our trip was a restaurant called Everybody Eats, located just off the vibrant Cuba Street, where we lived. This isn’t your typical bistro. It’s a mission-driven space that rescues food from grocery stores and transforms it into three-course meals. (I wrote more about it in Forbes.)The concept is pay-as-you’re-able, ensuring that everyone—from travelers to those experiencing homelessness—can sit down to a high-quality meal. They are even turning banana peels into banana sugar in a quest for zero waste. It’s a beautiful, chaotic, and deeply human heart in the center of the city.Heights, harbors, and high-stakes landingsTo truly see Wellington, you have to get above it. We took the iconic Wellington Cable Car from the Central Business District up to the Botanic Gardens. The view from the top is a panoramic sweep of the city and the harbor, nearly rivaling the vistas from Mount Victoria.From the Mount Victoria lookout, you can watch the planes landing at Wellington Airport. Because of the fierce northwesterly winds, pilots often have to bring the planes in sideways—it’s a spectator sport for the brave and a nerve-wracking reality for the passengers.Pro Tip: If you find yourself in the capital on a Sunday morning, head down to the waterfront for the Harbourside Market next to Te Papa. It’s the oldest and most popular market in the city, and even in a cold summer, the atmosphere is electric with live music and the smell of roasting coffee. While the seasonal produce is world-class, the real move is to grab a hot snack from one of the many food trucks and huddle behind a concrete barrier to enjoy it out of the gale. (Just keep a firm grip on your compostable plate, or your breakfast will become a high-altitude snack for the seagulls.)Our verdict on New Zealand’s capitalThis is a city that rewards the curious. Whether you’re getting caffeinated on Cuba Street watching manta rays glide through the harbor, or eating vegan pastries from Vonuts that taste like a sugary dream, Wellington never stops moving.Our next stop is Christchurch, New Zealand, but we’re leaving a piece of our hearts—and probably a few umbrellas—behind in the wind.Don’t forget this week’s question: What’s your most traumatic weather experience? We’re giving away a one-year gift subscription! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com

Auckland is a city of skyscrapers and cedar masts, a place where the high-gloss world of international business meets the cobalt embrace of the Hauraki Gulf. And it’s the next stop on our around-the world adventure.New Zealand’s seasons are famously temperamental. Technically, the calendar says summer, but the air begs to differ. It’s a hoodie-and-shorts kind of weather. It’s been a minuteWe made a few changes to our newsletter. We’ve merged Elliott Advocacy and Elliott Confidential into a single newsletter called Elliott Confidential. Our Substack newsletter (the one you’re reading) will exclusively feature our podcast. You can also subscribe to our new YouTube channel.The jacarandas are in full, explosive bloom, painting the streets in a hazy lilac that makes the city feel like an impressionist painting. But there’s still that sharp, Antarctic-derived chill in the morning that reminds you that you’re on an island at the edge of the world.We spent the mornings wandering the Viaduct Harbor, where luxury yachts the size of small destroyers bob in the harbor, their hulls polished to a mirror finish. But Auckland has a funny way of checking its own ego. Just as you’re admiring an overpriced vessel, you hit the Wynyard Crossing. This pedestrian bridge is the city’s favorite comedy of errors—it always seems to be broken for repairs. The waterfront isn’t just for the elite, though. Beneath the shadow of the masts, you’ll find the real Auckland. Local kids on rental scooters weave through the tourists, their portable speakers blaring a mix of Pasifika hip-hop and chart-toppers. This is the stage for the Sailing Grand Prix, an event that has transformed the harbor into a high-stakes, wind-powered arena. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it’s surprisingly gritty for a sport usually associated with blue blazers and gin-and-tonics.If Auckland has a spiritual home, it might be the bread oven at Amano. Travel, for us, is defined by the quest for the perfect loaf, and we found it in their kumara sourdough. Kumara is the native New Zealand sweet potato, and when it’s folded into a fermented dough, something magical happens. The crust is dark and caramelized, while the inside is soft, purple-hued, and slightly sweet. We usually try to avoid processed carbs, but for this bread, we would fly another 18 hours.Jet lag is the tax you pay for visiting Auckland, and we were deep in the red. Our salvation was the Espresso Workshop in Britomart. New Zealanders take their coffee with a religious intensity, and the “long black” here is a sacrament. I ordered a triple-shot that smelled like old leather and dark chocolate. I told Iden that if this didn’t wake me up, I’d likely need CPR. Luckily, it did the trick, jolting me back to life.There’s a beautiful slowness to Auckland, especially during the summer holidays. Of course, that tempo extends to the infrastructure—we arrived just as the entire train network shut down for renovations. But even in the disruption, there’s progress. The “tap-to-pay” system is a dream for travelers. No more hunting for “AT Hop” cards; you just tap your credit card and hop on a bus. It’s a preview of a frictionless future in a city that still values its heritage.This is our third visit in three years, and people often ask why we keep coming back to the same harbor. The answer is in the podcast: it’s the way the light hits the water in the afternoon, the smell of the sourdough, and the feeling that you’re always just one boat ride away from an adventure.But the clock is ticking on our stay. Next, we’re heading south to Wellington to see if the coffee there can truly compete with Auckland’s best. Stay tuned.We’d love to hear your comments. As always, we’ll read them on a future podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com

Bula from Fiji!We’ve just returned from a whirlwind tour of these South Pacific islands. And we saw a lot. Before we get into it, here’s this week’s question: What is your favorite island? It’s that time of year when everyone is thinking of visiting a warmer place, so please cast your vote in the comments.Ah, the famous overwater bungalows! We didn’t stay in them, but they sure took a nice picture. These accommodations are at Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Malolo, one of the islands we visited that’s trying to protect the endangered iguanas.We were honored to visit a part of Fiji few visitors get to see, deep inland. These rivers are teeming with fish and other wildlife. We saw this during our visit to Nanuku Resort, a property that specializes in authentic experiences. A kava ceremony at Six Senses Fiji. This is one of the most important rituals in Fiji, but be warned: Kava can be a little bit intoxicating.Today’s podcast looks a little different. Iden just finished his MA in communication from the University of Florida and is putting his editing skills to good use for our reformatted podcast. I hope you like it!Hey, don’t forget our question of the week: What’s your favorite island? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com

Ia ora na from Tahiti.This is our first stop on our South Pacific tour. We’ve never been here and I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to discover this part of the world.Before we get to it, here’s this week’s question: Have you ever had a farm-to-table experience in your travels? It’s a big deal here in the South Pacific, where responsible tour operators have doubled down on locally sourced food. What did you think of your food experience? Was it worth the farm-to-table premium? Our comments are open.Our podcast format has changed a little. We’re reading your comments first, but there’s still a very good reason to stick around until the end because we’ll reveal our travel secrets. (This week, we have a few.)Even though Aren gets really seasick — I mean, really seasick — we coaxed him out onto into our friend Max’s outrigger canoe to get some pictures. As I was reviewing this week’s images, I thought a prankster had gone into my drive and Photoshopped a few of them, that’s how unrealistically beautiful they were. Alas, these are real images. No adjustments.The interior of Tahiti Nui, the largest island in French Polynesia, is equally beautiful. We did a half-day jeep tour and saw dramatic volcanic peaks, waterfalls and ancient temples. Wow.This is our friend Vicky, who we met on Raiatea, in the Society Islands. Her small wellness retreat offers a farm-to-table experience, which we really liked.That’s Vicky’s famous quiche, made from breadfruit and coconut. Yummy!We’ll have much more from Tahiti in our next podcast.Don’t forget this week’s question: Have you ever had a farm-to-table experience? Was it everything you hoped it would be? Do tell! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com

Hello one last time from Arizona. This week, the three of us were tourists in our adopted home state. But before we talk about what we did, here’s this week’s question: What’s the largest group you’ve ever traveled with? Usually, it’s just the three of us. But we’ve also been part of much larger groups, like tours with busloads of people. Tell us your stories of being part of the crowd.The hikes in Phoenix are awesome! This week, we had a little bit of rain from Hurricane Priscilla, which cooled things off. We’ll talk more about our hiking adventures in the podcast, of course.The Musical Instrument Museum is one of our favorite museums ever. Iden has a video in this podcast that will give you a great overview of their fascinating exhibits. He’ll also introduce you to the museum’s largest — and smallest — instruments.The most moving 9/11 memorial I’ve ever seen is the Hall of Flame, the largest firefighting museum in the world. None of the firefighters who were working in this truck on 9/11 made it back alive. Their names are inscribed on this beautifully restored fire truck. We have more details in this episode.We loved being back home in the States and look forward to our next trip home. But in the meantime, the road beckons …Hey, don’t forget this week’s question: What’s the largest group you’ve ever traveled in? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.elliottshow.com