The Magic Began in Mexico

What happens when you want to experience the culture, but skip the cocktails? From airport bars to champagne toasts, alcohol has a way of joining the itinerary. But what if the best part of your next adventure has nothing to do with what's in your glass? Teresa Bergen, author of Sober Travel Handbook, talks with Benefsheh, Paul, and Trecia about finding connection, navigating the pressure to drink, and seeing the world on your own terms. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com for more about the show.

You don't have to be single to travel solo. But you might have to get comfortable making a few decisions without everyone else's approval. In this Jet Lag Diaries episode, Benefsheh, Paul, and Trecia discuss Paul's book, Book the Damn Ticket, and the personal experiences behind it. Paul shares why traveling alone once felt like something people did because they had no friends. He takes us back to his first solo trip to Stockholm, from lying on the hotel bed wondering what to do next to repeatedly reading a restaurant menu because he felt awkward eating alone. The conversation goes beyond travel. Trecia connects the same struggle to returning to school, and we discuss how easily someone else’s fear can become a limit we place on ourselves. Expect honest stories, a little teasing, and a reminder that doing something alone doesn’t mean something is missing. What have you put off because you didn’t want to do it alone? Find Paul’s book and more Rhythm & Roam: RhythmAndRoam.com Follow the podcast for more travel stories, cultural conversations, and Jet Lag Diaries.

What happens when your dream travel hits a wall? Join us for a candid look at the frustrations of travel. This is for anyone who has had to pivot while traveling or planning to travel. We explore expectations when travel goes sideways and why it matters to talk about the moments that don't make it onto social media. We also talk about recent changes in our lives and what we expect for the future. Tune in now. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com for more about the show.

What does the world look like after decades of documenting it from the inside? Television director, documentary filmmaker, author, and global storyteller Craig D. Forrest has traveled to more than 160 countries and produced, directed, or crewed projects in 111 countries across six continents. Craig shares what travel has taught him about people, storytelling, cultural humility, creativity, and the difference between seeing a place through headlines and experiencing it through real relationships. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com for more about the show.

Born in Sicily to Bengali parents and now based in Montreal, Italian-Bengali author, speaker, mentor, finance professional, and host of Stories Beyond Borders, Urmi Hossain shares how growing up across cultures shaped her identity, sense of belonging, and definition of home. She discusses immigration, language, cultural expectations, and the journey behind her book, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle. This conversation is an honest exploration of multicultural identity, self-discovery, resilience, and the freedom to belong to more than one world. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com to find out more about the show.

Everybody is talking. Very few people feel heard. David Beckemeyer joins the Rhythm & Roam podcast to break down the outrage economy, political polarization, and the simple but difficult practice of seeing people as more than a label. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com for more travel, culture, and meaningful conversation episodes.

What happens when life hits reset at 50 and you answer with a passport instead of fear? In this episode of Rhythm & Roam, Tina shares how a series of life-changing moments pushed her to rebuild from the ground up through solo travel. We talk about identity, reinvention, loneliness vs. freedom, and why travel later in life isn't a last chapter; it's a reset. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com for more information about the show.

What happens when a 27-year educator leaves it all behind and moves permanently to Mexico? In this episode of Rhythm & Roam, hosts Benefsheh, Paul, and Trecia sit down with author and former educator Queen D. Michele to explore her decision to become a permanent resident of Jalisco, Mexico, and the unexpected spiritual awakening that followed. Michele shares practical insights from her book, Considerations: A Guide for Moving Abroad, discusses how her family and friends reacted to her bold decision, and opens up about the "magic" that unfolded after her move; from new books and blogs to discovering her Fula ancestry in Guinea-Bissau through an African Ancestry DNA test. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com for more on the podcast.

Travel is more than flights and photos; it is a mirror for our inner world. In this episode, Benefsheh, Paul, and Trecia sit down with Katie Krimitsos, founder and CEO of the Women's Meditation Network, a global family of meditation podcasts. Katie also recently launched the new show "Meditation for Travel," created to support travelers with calming, on-the-go meditations. Together, they explore how travel exposes our unconscious beliefs, biases, and cultural conditioning, and how mindfulness can help navigate discomfort with more grace and curiosity. Katie shares how she uses meditation to slow down, listen more deeply, and connect with people and places beyond surface-level sightseeing. Whether a frequent flyer or planning a first big trip, this conversation is for culturally curious listeners who see travel as a catalyst for growth, not just consumption. Visit our website RhythmAndRoam.com to find out more about our show!

Planning a mission trip, church group travel, or student outreach abroad? This episode is your blueprint. Dr. Joy, CEO of Butler Travel, joins Rhythm & Roam to break down the most common and costly mistakes travelers make when organizing international trips. We also explore how faith plays a role in travel, including a powerful story of survival and provision in a life-threatening situation abroad. Whether you're a trip organizer, a frequent traveler, or someone dreaming of going global, this episode offers practical guidance and perspective you won't want to miss. Visit RhythmAndRoam.com for more on the podcast.