Busy Gallivanting

One luxury all-inclusive resort, two best friends, crystal-blue Caribbean water, questionable amounts of alcohol, and a possibly very real shaman’s curse. Leslie and Julianna’s birthday trip to Cancun delivers the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, friendship, and chaos.Julianna is experiencing her first international trip, first visit to Mexico, first all-inclusive resort, and first catamaran adventure, while seasoned Cancun traveler Leslie attempts to balance her instinct to explore everything with Julianna’s dream vacation of reading, swimming, and ordering room service. Together, they spend eight days at Garza Blanca Cancun, where a surprise upgrade, gourmet dining, swim-up-bar cheesecake shots, and a $980-per-person price tag make the case for doing vacation a little differently.You’ll hear about:Whether an all-inclusive resort can truly convert a lifelong beach loungerSnorkeling and sailing to Isla Mujeres, complete with open bars, tequila tasting, turquoise water, and a $110 hat justified by “girl math”The exhausting decision to climb Coba’s 120-foot Mayan pyramid in nearly 100-degree heatHow a missing lip balm, a mysterious bug bite, a soaked car seat, a gnarly bruise, and a post-trip breakup became evidence of the “shaman’s curse”Why traveling with someone who loves itineraries is surprisingly compatible with someone who would rather sleep in and read five books⁠Julianna⁠ (⁠Baked for Bushwick⁠, ⁠As Sewn by Jules⁠) brings the perspective of a first-time Mexico traveler, Midwest beach expectations, serious relaxation skills, and a newfound appreciation for all-inclusive resort life. Leslie shares her years of Cancun experience, travel-planning instincts, crystal-water standards, and the wisdom of knowing exactly when an excursion is worth leaving paradise for.The trip ultimately becomes more than a vacation recap. It is a lesson in letting yourself slow down, trying something outside your comfort zone, being a tourist in your own neighborhood, and finding your way back to movement, community, and joy after heartbreak.Perfect for anyone who loves travel stories, best-friend chemistry, resort reviews, spiritual detours, tequila, or the occasional cleansing sage ritual. Press play for the Cancun highs, lows, questionables, and whatever energy is still clinging to that Mayan shaman’s blessing.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:⁠⁠Garza BlancaCancun Adventures — Isla Mujeres, Coba ToursPlane, Bus, Club, Another Club, No Sleep Cancun Episode🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop — designed to bring the cozy, intentional vibe of Busy Gallivanting into your everyday space.✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at ⁠⁠Local Eclectic⁠⁠ — for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you.📍 WHERE TO FIND LESLIE:📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@busygallivantingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠@lesliemaclang⁠⁠⁠⁠🎵 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@lesliemaclang⁠⁠⁠⁠📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast📩 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠🌍 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠busygallivantingpodcast.com

After an unexpected eight-month hiatus, Leslie is back—and a lot happened while she was gone.In this comeback episode of Busy Gallivanting, Leslie and her best friend Christina unpack a season of home renovation, career instability, burnout, heartbreak, and major life changes. While Leslie was literally building a house from the ground up, she was also rebuilding other parts of her life—and learning that sometimes everything can feel under construction at the same time.Leslie gets candid about what it was like to build a home from scratch while working full-time, managing family expectations, navigating contractors, and making hundreds of decisions about everything from floor plans to bathroom tile. The renovation became a full-time job of its own and taught her some hard lessons about advocating for herself and trusting her instincts.Then came the career uncertainty: layoffs, changing managers, workplace instability, and the kind of decision fatigue that made even her favorite hobbies feel exhausting. Leslie shares why she ultimately stepped away from the podcast instead of forcing herself to create through burnout.And then there was heartbreak. Leslie opens up about falling hard for a long-distance relationship, grieving the loss of someone who made her feel truly seen, returning to therapy, leaning on her friendships, and slowly figuring out what healing and dating look like on the other side of a breakup.Along the way, she rediscovered the joy of analog hobbies and creative projects—including leatherworking, painting, scrapbooking, ceramics, markets, and junk journaling—as a way to spend less time on screens and reconnect with herself in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.This is a conversation about rebuilding your life, starting over, navigating burnout and heartbreak, and becoming someone new without having all the answers. No perfect transformation story—just an honest look at what happens when your home, career, relationships, routines, and sense of self are all under construction at once.If you're going through a major life transition, career change, breakup, burnout, or simply trying to figure out what comes next, this one's for you.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:⁠The Hub Studios⁠⁠Houss Freya⁠⁠Akashic Allures (Ari)⁠🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop — designed to bring the cozy, intentional vibe of Busy Gallivanting into your everyday space.✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at ⁠Local Eclectic⁠ — for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you.📍 WHERE TO FIND LESLIE:📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@busygallivantingpodcast⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠@lesliemaclang⁠⁠⁠🎵 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@lesliemaclang⁠⁠⁠📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast📩 Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠🌍 Website: ⁠⁠⁠busygallivantingpodcast.com

In this New Year reflection episode, Leslie looks back on a year shaped by growth, grief, and emotional transformation, and shares how those experiences reshaped her approach to creativity, career challenges, and relationships. Rather than rushing toward resolutions, she reflects on the lessons of intentional living, self-trust, and learning to offer herself more grace.This episode explores what it means to create more and consume less, step away from constant digital stimulation, and return to a more analog lifestyle rooted in mindfulness and quality. Leslie discusses how grief softened her expectations, how rejection became redirection, and why curiosity, creativity, and imperfection played a central role in her personal growth.Looking ahead to 2026, this conversation focuses on momentum without burnout, mindful consumption, spiritual growth, and living with intention—inviting listeners to reflect on their own goals, habits, and relationship with self-trust in the new year.🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop — designed to bring the cozy, intentional vibe of Busy Gallivanting into your everyday space.✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at Local Eclectic — for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you.🎧 Related Episodes:• Nourish & Flourish: 2024 Reflections and 2025 Manifestations• ⁠Simply Divine: Finding Balance between Feminine and Masculine Energies📍 WHERE TO FIND LESLIE:📸 Instagram: ⁠@busygallivantingpodcast⁠ | ⁠@lesliemaclang⁠🎵 TikTok: ⁠@lesliemaclang⁠📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast📩 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠🌍 Website: ⁠busygallivantingpodcast.com⁠

In this episode of Busy Gallivanting, I’m joined by Kate as we explore Yosemite National Park — one of the most iconic, photographed, and awe-inspiring destinations in the U.S. We share our full experience from wandering among the ancient Giant Sequoias in Mariposa Grove to standing at Tunnel View, taking in the panoramic sweep of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. We talk about the beauty of Yosemite’s dramatic cliffs, lush meadows, and powerful waterfalls, and what it feels like to hike through a place shaped by glaciers and time.We dive into what it actually takes to plan a Yosemite trip: navigating unpredictable weather, understanding trail conditions, and choosing the right gear when temperatures swing without notice. From the towering drop of Yosemite Falls — the tallest waterfall in the continental U.S. — to quiet moments on forested trails, we share the parts of Yosemite that surprised us, challenged us, and stayed with us long after we left the park.And, naturally, our adventure includes a joyful detour into California’s fast-food scene — proof that even the most nature-heavy trips can be paired with chaotic, delicious road snacks. If you’re planning a Yosemite itinerary, craving national park inspo, or simply want to immerse yourself in stories from the outdoors, this episode blends travel reflection, practical insight, and a whole lot of love for America’s national parks.🎙️ Plus: how to prepare for Yosemite’s shifting weather, why Mariposa Grove is worth the hype, and the best way to approach popular viewpoints without the crowds.✨ Featured in this episode:• Mariposa Grove and its ancient Giant Sequoias• Iconic Yosemite viewpoints — including Tunnel View• What to know before hiking in changing weather conditions• Yosemite Falls and why it’s a must-see• Planning tips for national parks and peak-season travel• How to prepare for varying trail difficulty and terrain• The surprising joy of California’s fast-food options• Nature, nostalgia, and reconnecting with the outdoors• How to make the most of a Yosemite trip with limited time🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop — designed to bring the cozy, intentional vibe of Busy Gallivanting into your everyday space.✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at Local Eclectic — for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you.🎧 Related Episodes:• Maine Character Energy: Portland and Acadia National Park• To Airbnb or Not to Airbnb?: Unique Stays, Horror Stories, Hotels vs. Airbnb📍 WHERE TO FIND LESLIE:📸 Instagram: @busygallivantingpodcast | @lesliemaclang🎵 TikTok: @lesliemaclang📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast📩 Email: [email protected]🌍 Website: busygallivantingpodcast.com

In this episode of Busy Gallivanting, I’m joined by Lauren Wallace, a licensed mental health counselor who shares insights on how culture, identity, and family expectations shape the way we experience our emotions. We explore the unique challenges faced by the Asian diaspora, the roles eldest daughters often take on, and how patterns of perfectionism and people-pleasing can lead to anxiety.Lauren dives into the power of therapy, the transformative impact of naming emotions, and why practicing self-compassion is both challenging and essential. We talk about setting boundaries, navigating shame, and cultivating connection — both with ourselves and others — as a foundation for healing.Whether you’ve struggled with anxiety, perfectionism, or cultural pressure, this conversation offers guidance on approaching emotions with curiosity, gentleness, and intentionality.🎙️ Plus: why “feelings aren’t facts,” how small moments in therapy can shift perspective, and how self-compassion can become a quiet superpower.✨ Featured in this episode:• Understanding the influence of culture on mental health• Anxiety, perfectionism, and eldest daughter expectations• People-pleasing, boundaries, and healthier relationships• Transformative moments in therapy and emotional clarity• The slow, non-linear journey toward self-compassion• Navigating shame, vulnerability, and connection• Cultural nuances in conflict patterns and relationships• Learning to show up as your most authentic self🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at ⁠busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop⁠ — designed to bring the cozy, intentional vibe of Busy Gallivanting into your everyday space.✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at ⁠Local Eclectic⁠ — for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you.🎧 Related Episodes:• ⁠Busy Becoming | Rebuilding, Experimenting, and Embracing Imperfection (https://open.spotify.com/episode/…)📍 WHERE TO FIND LAUREN:📸 Instagram: @laurenwallacelmhc📆 Book with Lauren hereLauren is currently accepting new clients and accepts insurance, private pay, and can work on a sliding scale if needed!📍 WHERE TO FIND LESLIE:📸 Instagram: ⁠@busygallivantingpodcast⁠ | ⁠@lesliemaclang⁠🎵 TikTok: ⁠@lesliemaclang⁠📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast📩 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠🌍 Website: ⁠busygallivantingpodcast.com⁠

In this episode of Busy Gallivanting, I’m joined by Fiorella Yriberry — the creator behind @growingslowandwild — to talk about what a slow and wild nomadic lifestyle really looks like. After five years of full-time RV living, she’s learned how van life can offer freedom, comfort, and a deep connection to nature, all while navigating remote work, community, and the emotional ups and downs of life on the road.We dive into how she and her husband went from college graduates to RV builders, what they learned from designing their own rolling tiny home, and why national parks, quiet campsites, and long drives have become the backdrop to some of their most meaningful travel experiences. If you’ve ever been curious about van life, building an RV, or embracing a more flexible way of traveling, this episode is full of practical insight and personal reflection.Fiorella also shares the real side of nomadic living — the loneliness, the freedom, the people you meet along the way — and offers tips for anyone considering renting an RV, trying a road trip, or setting up remote work from the wild.🎙️ Plus: how community shapes life on the road, finding joy in simple moments, and why slowing down might be the most transformative travel tip of all.✨ Featured in this episode:• What it’s really like to live as a full-time nomad• The journey from traditional life to RV living• How building an RV from scratch taught her the value of intentional design• Flexibility and planning for remote work while traveling• The emotional reality of van life — freedom, loneliness, and everything in between• National parks and nature-forward travel experiences• Why renting an RV is the best way to try van life before committing• How slowing down can transform even the simplest travel days🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at ⁠busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop⁠ — designed to bring the cozy, intentional vibe of Busy Gallivanting into your everyday space.✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at ⁠Local Eclectic⁠ — for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you.🎧 Related Episodes:• ⁠Maine Character Energy: Portland and Acadia National Park• Pretty Girls Walk Like This: Costa Rica📍 WHERE TO FIND FIORELLA:📸 Instagram: ⁠@growingslowandwild🎵 TikTok: ⁠@growingslowandwild📺 YouTube: Growing Slow and Wild🌍 Website: Rent an RV at RVshare.com📍 WHERE TO FIND LESLIE:📸 Instagram: ⁠@busygallivantingpodcast⁠ | ⁠@lesliemaclang⁠🎵 TikTok: ⁠@lesliemaclang⁠📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast📩 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠🌍 Website: ⁠busygallivantingpodcast.com⁠

In this episode of Busy Gallivanting, I’m sharing stories from my solo trip to Charleston, South Carolina — a city that completely surprised me. What started as a spontaneous getaway turned into an unexpected connection to the South: from wandering through pastel-lined streets and exploring centuries-old architecture to savoring the café and boutique culture that gives Charleston its quiet charm.Somewhere between reflection and curiosity, I found myself on a self-guided The Notebook tour, tracing scenes from the film without even meaning to — and realizing how travel often mirrors where we are in life. This trip became less about checking off sights and more about slowing down, listening, and being present in a place that felt both new and nostalgic.🎙️ Plus: thoughts on embracing unplanned moments, solo travel as self-discovery, and finding beauty in cities that make you feel something.✨ Featured in this episode:• Charleston’s historic architecture — where time and texture tell storiesCharleston Trolley Tour for the best way to get your bearings and receive admission to the Charleston Museum or a historic mansionJoseph Manigault HomeMagnolia Plantation• Café and boutique culture — small corners that make solo travel feel groundingTrue Lucia, My Sister's Clothing on King StBaba's CaféBad Bunnies CaféHarbinger Cafe• The accidental Notebook tour — rediscovering joy through spontaneity• Southern hospitality — navigating warmth, weight, and history• Mindful travel — letting go of control and trusting where the journey leads🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop — designed to bring the cozy, intentional vibe of Busy Gallivanting into your everyday space.✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at Local Eclectic — for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you.🎧 Related Episodes:• Busy Being | Season 2 Finale⁠• Busy Becoming | Season 3 Premiere📍 WHERE TO FIND US:📸 Instagram: @busygallivantingpodcast | @lesliemaclang🎵 TikTok: @lesliemaclang📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast📩 Email: [email protected]🌍 Website: busygallivantingpodcast.com

In this episode of Busy Gallivanting, I’m kicking off Season Three with life updates, reflection, and a sense of renewal. From navigating a full home renovation to taking a solo trip through the South, this season explores what it means to rebuild from the inside out. I’m diving deeper into mental health, spirituality, and personal growth — while still celebrating the travel experiences that continue to shape me.I talk about what it feels like to live “in between” — between homes, between versions of myself, and between rest and reinvention — and how that space has quietly grounded me. From rebuilding routines to redefining joy, this episode is about slowing down and finding meaning even in life’s messier chapters.🎙️ Plus: honest thoughts on dating apps, intentional living, and how embracing imperfection became my greatest form of growth.✨ Featured in this episode:• Home renovation — lessons in patience, chaos, and creativity• Solo travel through the South — reconnecting with self and purpose• Mental health & spirituality — redefining what grounding really means• Imperfection — learning to let go of control and enjoy the process• Modern dating — finding connection in unexpected ways🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop— designed to bring the cozy, intentional vibe of Busy Gallivanting into your everyday space.✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at Local Eclectic—for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you.🎧 Related Episodes:• Busy Being | Season 2 Finale📍 WHERE TO FIND US:📸 Instagram: @busygallivantingpodcast | @lesliemaclang🎵 TikTok: @busygallivanting📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast📩 Email: [email protected]🌍 Website: busygallivantingpodcast.com

In this episode of Busy Gallivanting, I’m opening up about my mental health journey in my 30s—sharing what it was like to get diagnosed with bipolar disorder, start mood stabilizers, and shift my healing practices to prioritize boundaries, rest, and self-worth. On my 32nd birthday, I’m reflecting on what it really means to be busy being—not performing, not hustling, but just existing, gently and fully.As an Asian-American woman, this diagnosis felt especially heavy—but also freeing. I talk about unlearning cultural stigma, navigating therapy and psychiatry, and creating daily rituals that feel like true care. Whether you’re in your 20s or 30s, if you’ve ever felt like healing is a solo journey, I hope this feels like a call-in, not a call-out.🎙️ Plus: numerology (the power of 8!), astrology, Mercury retrograde, and what it means to enter a personal transformation era.✨ Featured in this episode:Bipolar diagnosis in adulthood — what it’s like and how it changed thingsAsian-American mental health stigma — learning to speak up and seek helpMood stabilizers and therapy — how psychiatry complements talk therapy32nd birthday reflections — on identity, growth, and coming home to yourselfSetting boundaries in your 30s — clarity, not coldnessNumerology & astrology — turning 32 in a year of the snake and Mercury retrograde🎁 Hosting a birthday giveaway today on Instagram! Head to @busygallivantingpodcast for details and a chance to win something special.🕯️ Check out candles + merch at ⁠busygallivantingpodcast.com⁠—designed to bring the podcast’s energy into your everyday life.🎧 Related Episodes:Simply Divine: Finding Balance between Masculine and FeminineYappy Gal Q&A: Mental Health and Toxic Filipino Traits

In this episode of Busy Gallivanting, I’m sharing a peaceful and memorable day in Normandy, centered around a long-awaited visit to Mont-Saint-Michel. I’d been dreaming of seeing this UNESCO World Heritage Site for years—and it absolutely lived up to the magic.From wandering the tidal island’s medieval streets to reflecting briefly on Normandy’s World War II history, this day offered a rare chance to slow down and reconnect with myself. I dive into the Abbey’s stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the unique local flavors I tasted, and how solo travel creates space for healing and reflection.🎙️ Plus: thoughts on mental health, travel as therapy, and why a single souvenir can hold so much meaning. #pasalubong anyone?✨ Featured in this episode:• Mont-Saint-Michel — an iconic tidal island and must-see in northern France• A day in Normandy — history, beauty, and personal moments of calm• WWII memorials — quiet reflections on Normandy’s historic past• Normandy cuisine — crepes, seafood, and local specialties• Solo travel in France — finding clarity and connection on your own terms🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop—designed to bring the vibe of the podcast into your everyday space.✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at Local Eclectic—for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you.🎧 Related Episodes:I’m Not a Paris Girl | First Impressions from a Solo Working TripMagic in the Air | A Scottish Summer in the Highlands📍 WHERE TO FIND US:📸 Instagram: @busygallivantingpodcast | @lesliemaclang🎵 TikTok: tiktok.com/@busygallivanting📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast📩 Email: [email protected]🌍 Website: busygallivantingpodcast.com