Dr Sarah Pye | Previewing the Australian Friends of the Camino Conference

The Australian Friends of the Camino will be hosting its third bi-annual conference this July. I'll be there, and you should be there too! In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Sarah Pye who's coordinating this year's event. It will be a wonderful celebration of everything Camino - and I can't wait. All the details here

Father Kevin Wittmayer's new book is 40 Days and Nights on the Camino de Santiago - A Pilgrimage for finding Clarity, Renewal and Healing. A forty-day spiritual journey of healing, faith, and transformation grounded in one pilgrim's journey on the Camino de Santiago. This is a wonderful discussion about the power of prayer, of love and of stepping out of our comfort zone to grow - not just ourselves, but our family and community. You can find Fr Kevin's book here

Pauline Wald is a French pilgrim who was living what she thought was her dream life - great job, great life. And then Pauline started to question if that was her REAL life. Soon after, pilgrimage and the Camino beckoned. I really enjoyed Pauline's film 'Paths of Life' and her journey is a message for us all - find what is essential and do everything you can to meet at that place. You can find Pauline, her film and her book here

Amanda Michelle Torralba is a pilgrim from the United States, who dreamed of walking the famed pilgrimage for over 15 years. When she finally got her chance, she grabbed it with gusto. This is a wonderful story of the impact the Camino can have on us all...it brings us together, brings us hope, light and love. I really enjoyed this chat, and I know you will too.

Mylinh Lee is a return guest, who has just returned from walking the Camino Portuguese and Camino Finisterre. Mylinh talks about the call of the Camino, how it warms her dedication and guides her heart to what's important in life. A child Vietnam refugee, Mylinh is working on telling the story of her life, her Camino, and her motivation for spreading the joy of walking. You can find Mylinh's YouTube account here And here is a link to Mylinh's Instagram

This week we talk all things as a brief history of the Camino and re-visit one of the most inspiring stories of the last nine years. Czarina Deldio's father travelled to Spain with her to travel in taxis and buses each day while Czarina walked with her mother to celebrate overcoming cancer, but Czarina's father had other plans...... And he walked very, very slowly

A re-visit of my chat with Malaysian pilgrim Xin Yan Gee. Xin Yan Gee is a Malaysian national who had just finished a double degree. She's living in Sydney - far from her family back in Malaysia. Her mother decided the family ought to walk the Camino....and it's a great lesson about having the courage to step outside our comfort zones; to celebrate family; and to celebrate life. The world is small, yet full of so much wonder.

Canadian pilgrim Alyson Davies is a visual artist and self-proclaimed Camino addict. We talk about her transformative experiences on the Camino de Santiago and explore the historical significance of the Camino, Alison's personal journey of healing and self-discovery, and how her artistic practice has been shaped by her walks. Alison shares insights about her new Field of Stars oracle deck inspired by her pilgrimages, the creative process behind it, and the lessons learned from embracing the unexpected during her travels. The conversation highlights the deep connections between art, spirituality, and the human experience. You can find Alyson here

Hope DeLuca is a 23-year-old American pilgrim who recently completed the Portuguese Camino. Hope shares what drew her to a winter Camino, seeking solitude, reflection, and meaning, and describes how the experience resonated with her spiritually despite not being religious. Hope also tells us about her pilgrimage as a songwriter. We talk about lessons of perseverance and self-discovery, ending with a touching story of kindness from a local that captures the Camino’s spirit of connection and hope. You can find Hope here

British pilgrim Matthew Williams shares his profound experiences of walking two Caminos. Matthew recounts his first journey in 2015 which was marked by personal loss and the challenges of winter walking. He reflects on how the Camino serves as a metaphor for life's uncertainties emphasising that there is no 'right way' to walk it. The discussion delves into the emotional weight of Matthew‘s experiences, including the tragic and sudden death of his mother and how those events shaped his perspective on resilience and healing. Matthew's return to the Camino in 2023 symbolises a journey of self-discovery and acceptance as he navigates the complexities of grief and personal growth through the lens of music and storytelling. Matthew's band is Savage Underdogs