Hope DeLuca | A songwriter's lessons on a quiet Camino

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

Kevin Riley walked his first Camino in 2019, carrying a golf club as his walking stick. He's now known as 'the hiking golfer'. In this episode of My Camino - the Podcast, Kevin talks about his journey of discovery through meeting people and sharing a common purpose of pilgrimage. AND how he now is embarking on a whole new Camino.....music.

Canada-based British writer Daniel D Six has written a new book 'Gracias Jacobus - Miracles, madness and a donkey with better timing than God'. It tells the story of Malcolm Hargreaves who has spent his life in the shadow of extreme trauma. The story is based on Daniel's life, his journey on the Camino de Santiago and the profound impact it had on his life. In this episode, Daniel shares his experiences of healing from childhood trauma, the importance of community and connection, and the spiritual lessons learned along the way. You can find the book here I loved it!!!

French pilgrim Marie Sonnois rode her beloved horse Zambomba, from her home to Santiago de Compostela and then onto Porto and back, covering over 2,200 miles in 521 days. Marie discusses her motivations for embarking on this adventure, the challenges she faced along the way, and the profound personal growth she experienced. We talk about the bond between Marie and Zambomba, the lessons learned from their journey, and the spiritual insights gained through the pilgrimage. The photograph was taken by Adele J. Huber.

My mother died last week. It was an amazing life. She once wrote about picking daisies.

With a family tragedy on the immediate horizon, Dan reflects on what the Camino means to him - and how it bring solace to those in need. We have a brand new Patreon offering for subscribers and sponsors. For all the details go to patreon.com/danmullins

Jo Penn is an award-winning, NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author. Jo writes thrillers, dark fantasy, horror and crime titles, and is also a Podcaster. Her book, 'Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways', is about preparing, learning and getting the most out of your pilgrimage. I so loved this chat, and you'll love Jo's book, too. Find Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways here. And Jo's writing website, so you can publish your OWN Camino book is here

Nick Sassan is a young pilgrim from the United States with one of the most unusual Camino stories you’ll hear. While most walkers arrive armed with sturdy hiking boots and meticulously tested shoes, Nick set out on the ancient pilgrimage in… Birkenstock sandals. And yes — he walked all 800 kilometres of the Camino Francés in them. By the time he reached Santiago, he'd worn right through the soles.

Ken Huang RUNS the Camino!! In this episode of My Camino - the Podcast, Ken reflects on her life of long-distance running, her experiences during her adventures, including the Camino and the contrast between the anticipation of enlightenment and the reality of a blank mind. Ken discusses the instinctual navigation that takes over during these experiences and the subsequent reflections that occur afterward, emphasizing the importance of the journey and the encounters along the Way. You can find Ken's videos here