Michael Rucker | Finding hope on the Camino

Deb and Justin Hansen have written Meriam & Oden's Guide to Walking The Camino. It's written from the perspective of their underwear! It's a light-hearted and fun look at what can make or break your Camino - and a playful and insightful take on the ancient pilgrimage. Much has been written about walking the Camino de Santiago..but never from the dark, murky and sometimes dangerous perspective of a Pilgrims’ underpants. You can find your copy of the book here

Australian Lisa Sweeney is a two-time Camino pilgrim who never really felt like she belonged. Of Irish decent, Lisa and her husband decided to walk the National Famine Way in Ireland and it changed her life forever, she'd found where she belongs. The National Famine Way is a 165km pilgrimage walking in the footsteps of 1490 men, women and children forced off their land and sent abroad during the Potato Famine in the 1840s. This is a wonderful discussion about history, its impact on us and the world. You can find the National Famine Way here.

Stacey Wittig is an American pilgrim, writer, and spiritual traveller - her new book A Spiritual Guide to the Camino Francés: Sacred Places Christian Pilgrims Don't Want to Miss, is not just another Camino guide, it's an opportunity to learn more about what we walk past on the Camino. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims walk the Camino Francés, and along the way, they pass ancient churches, chapels, monasteries, and sacred sites—often without realizing the spiritual depth these places have held for Christian pilgrims for centuries.Stacey's book is a place-based companion for pilgrims who want to walk with greater awareness, intention, and reverence. There are reflections to do each day, journalling prompts, prayers, passages from the Bible and directions to the places on the Camino you simply must see. You can find Stacey's new book here

Michael Rucker was a highly acclaimed music industry executive - and he knew his life was broken. He decided to start to walk, and walking led him to the Camino and a slow repair that has brought him untold joy. This is a wonderful conversation about finding hope on the Camino, learning to trust your heart and allowing God to bring you home. Michael's new book Under a Canopy of Grapes - Letting Go and Coming Home on the Camino de Santiago is out now. You can find it here

Canadian pilgrim Rocco Rossi has walked 23 Caminos. Today, he launched his first novel, a book set on the Camino called "Finding Grace". I loved it and you will too. In this episode of My Camino - the Podcast, Rocco and I talk about how and why we're drawn to the Camino, the process of writing, and we discuss Grace - both the concept and the character. You can find Rocco's book here

This week we launched our musical Camino for 2027. We're walking from Leon to Santiago de Compostela and it will be a trip of a lifetime. All the details are at my website. To launch I spoke with the American pilgrim Theresa Okamoto and my younger sister Amanda Mullins about their experiences. It's all about stepping out of your comfort zone to discover what's possible. Join us in 2027 for the trip of a lifetime!

Genevieve Quigley is Editor of Sunday Life, the magazine in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. Gen wrote a few weeks back about walking the Camino with some friends. I knew I had to interview her. We were joined by her friend Tara Trehy, who was the group's organiser and spreadsheet pilgrim. This interview is a great reminder not to judge, not to have pre-conceived ideas of what's right and wrong, but rather to find your own pilgrimage - on the Camino and in life. You can find Gen's article here

Ever wondered about the divine feminine on the Camino? In this episode, Dan interviews Alder Allensworth about her transformative journey on the Camino de Santiago, her personal battles with loved ones and Alzheimer's and Alder's own battle with a rare cancer, and her inspiring writing retreat. Discover stories of faith, resilience, female friendship, and the magic of slow travel. You can find Alder here

Colin Campbell wowed the audience at the American Pilgrims on the Camino Gathering in Texas last month. I knew I had to interview him. As it turned out, he kinda interviewed ME!! This is a great conversation about inspiration, finding answers on the Camino and learning to trust your instincts will guide you along YOUR path. You can find Colin and his music here

For tickets for Dan's upcoming tour of Canada here I've been dying to interview Annie O'Neill ever since hearing about Phil's Camino. This is a cracking yarn. Annie and I talk about how and why the Camino calls us; her amazing story with Phil; and her plans for the future. I loved this interview and I know you will too. dm