A quest for meaning: Footnotes from the Way

In this heartfelt conversation, Veronica Soebarto shares her transformative journey along the Camino Primitivo, exploring themes of surrender, companionship, and spiritual awakening. From her initial motivations to the profound realisations she encountered along the way, Veronica reflects on the importance of letting go of control and embracing the unknown. The discussion highlights the beauty of connection with fellow pilgrims, the power of meditation, and the spiritual moments that shaped her experience. Ultimately, Veronica's journey is a testament to the enduring impact of pilgrimage on personal growth and self-discovery.

This week I'm joined by my wonderful friend Rocco Rossi. Rocco has walked 21 Caminos - most of them off the beaten path. In this episode, we discuss the lesser-walked Caminos - the Invierno, Aragones, Madrid, Baztan, Mozarabe, Lebaniego and Vasco. Rocco's amazing insight will help you prepare your Camino. Make sure you stay until the end for his incredible Camino story AND a special treat right at the end of the podcast.

I'm joined by George Greenia, a scholar of pilgrimage studies at the College of William and Mary in the United States. We chat about the profound themes of hope and community found in the Camino de Santiago. We explore the motivations behind pilgrimage, the evolution of the Camino experience, and the transformative power of shared grief and healing. Pilgrims walking with rebellious hope. George shares personal stories and insights from his decades of experience, and later, we talk advice for future pilgrims and reflections on the enduring nature of hope in the context of pilgrimage.

Imagine you get to your sixties and realise you're not who you thought you were. How would you react? Would you want to know the details and key players? That's exactly what happened to the American pilgrim Bill Wrobleski. This is an incredible journey of discovery and the Camino played a major role. You can find Bill's blog here

American teenage pilgrim Gavin Smith finished high school this year and decided to walk the Camino to honour his grandpa. This is a wonderful story of dedication to family and taking risks to learn who you are and who you need to be. This is a wonderful episode, like Gavin, full of hope and dreams.

In this episode of My Camino – the Podcast, I reflect on the Camino as a quest — a long and sometimes difficult search for something meaningful. I talk about the beauty of walking, the challenges pilgrims face, and the quiet moments of discovery along the way. I'm joined in the studio by British journalist Caitlin Powell, author of Notes from Down Under and Footnotes from the Way. Writing can help us make sense of the journey, whether we're on the path, preparing to walk, or already home.

Episode two of my two-part interview with Jack Hitt who wrote Off the Road: A Modern-Day Walk Down the Pilgrim’s Route into Spain  the book that was the inspiration for the movie, The Way. In this episode, I ask Jack what the rest of the world should make of what's happening in the United States right now. His honest insight provides a shapshot of an America of old, and an America of promise. He also tells a most beautiful Camino story.

Happy St James Day!! A very special BONUS episode to celebrate the feast day of the saint who inspires us all as pilgrims. Jack Hitt wrote the book 'Off the Road: A Modern-Day Walk Down the Pilgrim's Route into Spain'. The book was inspiration for the movie The Way - and the rest, they say, is history. This a chat about learning, yearning and being in the right place at the right time for YOU. The rest of the world will take its time to find you. And it does. This is the first of two episode featuring my chat with Jack.....the second half will be published Tuesday.

Leanne Robertson wrote to me to tell me about her family Camino. Initially wanting to walk alone, Leanne soon started to understand the true gift of walking with her daughter, and later her husband and son. Leanne's deep Christian faith guided her on this path - a path of discovery - and now it's part of her life back home, even though her life didn't pan out the way it might have. It's still a beautiful life.

This week Dan is joined by two special guests: Cam Wust, a teacher from Central Australia, and Steve Parry, a pilgrim from Canada, who met on the Camino and have remained great friends ever since. Their shared journey led to a creative collaboration—Cam wrote a moving song called Field of Stars, and Steve produced a stunning video to accompany it. In this heartfelt episode, Dan explores how the Camino brings people together across vast distances and life experiences. Cam reflects on the connection between walking the Camino and the Aboriginal concept of “Walkabout,” while Steve shares the joy of forming deep friendships later in life. The conversation moves from music to pilgrimage, from the vast Australian Outback to the quiet energy of Spain’s sacred paths. You’ll hear stories of challenge, connection, and self-discovery—and, of course, Cam’s beautiful song Field of Stars. Whether you're a seasoned pilgrim or dreaming of your first Camino, this episode captures the magic of walking, talking, and forming unexpected bonds along the way.