The Courage to Leave What’s Comfortable - Real Talk with Jackie (JUMP 207)

What happens when you know you’re meant for more, but comfort has quietly started to win?In this different kind of episode, Jackie sits down with her friend Walker Smith for an honest, unscripted conversation about being at a crossroads. Walker shares how a childhood spent traveling the world shaped his perspective from an early age, why hospitality and human connection still drive his curiosity, and how a delayed dream of becoming a bush pilot in Namibia has forced him to reexamine what he really wants. Together, they explore purpose, courage, solo travel, community, relationships, people-pleasing, and what it actually takes to choose growth over staying comfortable. If you’ve been feeling the pull toward a bigger life but haven’t quite made your move yet, this conversation might be the nudge you need.Resources:Want to have this conversation with Jackie yourself? Check out group coaching opportunities with Jackie at TravelingJackie.com/coachingPlease follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.com Choose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.com Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when you combine one of the wildest road trips on Earth with local knowledge and a spirit of adventure? Jackie sits down with Chilean travel expert Christian Morrison, founder of EcoChile, to explore the magic of traveling through Chile and Argentina.From childhood stories of Patagonia and unforgettable nights on a penguin-filled island to driving the legendary Carretera Austral through glaciers, fjords, and rainforest, Christian shares what makes this region so special. Jackie and Christian talk about the power of traveling with local guides, leaving room for spontaneity, and how Patagonia has a way of shaping your journey in unexpected ways.They also explore how travelers can combine experiences across Chile—from the vast wilderness of Patagonia to the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert—and why slowing down and connecting with locals can transform a trip into something far more meaningful than simply checking places off a list.Resources:Find and follow EcoChile at EcoChile.travel Follow EcoChile on Instagram: @ecochileargtravelTell them Traveling Jackie sent you and save 5% off any booking!Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.com Choose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.com Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What if quitting your job led you to discover one of the most famous mountains in the world? In this episode, Jackie sits down with LeAnn Morris, co-founder of Flashpacker Connect, to share the wild story of how a year-long leap into travel took her from banking in the U.S. to hiking deep in the Peruvian Andes—where she and her husband stumbled upon what would soon become known as Rainbow Mountain. From trekking through Nepal during the earthquake to building a sustainable adventure travel company rooted in local partnerships, LeAnn’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you follow curiosity and trust the unknown. If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible on the other side of a big jump, this conversation just might spark your next one.Resources:Visit FlashpackerConnect.com (use code JUMP to get $50 off any booking)Follow LeAnn on Instagram: @flashpackerconnect  Use code JUMP to get $50 off any booking or use this direct link to access the same discount: https://www.flashpackerconnect.com/?trackingCode=099e2b91a0b64e73b2c97829c7d50ea8Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comChoose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.com Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when a long-term nomadic traveler rescues a dog and decides not to slow down, but to bring him along? Jackie sits down with travel writer and digital nomad Lora Pope to talk about building a life abroad, navigating burnout, and how one tiny pug named Puglo completely reshaped her journey. From backpacking solo across the world to creating a home base in Mexico, traveling through 16 countries with a dog, and pivoting her business when the travel industry changed overnight, Laura shares the honest highs, lows, and logistics of designing a life that actually feels good. This conversation is a refreshing look at intuition, reinvention, and how sometimes the thing you didn’t plan for becomes the thing that grounds you the most.Resources:Find and follow Lora and Puglo at @explorewithlora and @adventuresofpuglo Visit Lora’s website at ExploreWithLora.com Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comChoose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.comProduced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when you stop chasing the forecast and start listening to yourself? Jackie sits down with longtime meteorologist turned global traveler Jennifer Broome for a deeply honest conversation about curiosity, courage, and choosing a new direction when life shifts beneath your feet. From breaking glass ceilings in broadcast news to reporting from unforgettable places around the world, Jennifer shares how travel slowly became both her work and her compass.Together, Jackie and Jennifer explore how grief, silence, and movement intersect, and why travel can be a fast track to self-discovery when everything feels uncertain. They talk about weather as metaphor, preparedness on the road and in life, and the power of taking the scenic route instead of rushing through.This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and meet yourself where you are. If you’ve been feeling the pull to do something differently, Jennifer’s story might be the permission slip you need to take the next step and say yes.Resources:Find and follow Jennifer at @jenniferbroometravelVisit Jennifer’s Website Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comChoose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.com Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What if the thing you love most could become your passport to the world? Jackie sits down with ice hockey coach Pete Kamman to explore how following a personal passion can lead to deeper, more meaningful travel experiences.Pete shares how hockey has shaped his life, from growing up in the Midwest to coaching in Montana and eventually taking his work across the globe. He reflects on living and coaching in Namibia for a year, a decision that changed the course of his career and helped form the foundation of his relationship with his wife Whitney.From coaching in Kenya and India to running practices in Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan, Pete opens up about connecting through sport across language and cultural barriers. He also shares the humbling lessons he’s learned about access, privilege, and resilience, offering a fresh perspective on travel that goes far beyond sightseeing.Resources:Find and follow Pete Kamman on Instagram @elevatedhockey  Visit Elevated Hockey’s WebsiteLearn more about The Friendship LeaguePlease follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comChoose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.com Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when you finally say yes to the idea that won’t leave you alone, only to discover it isn’t meant to last forever? In this candid conversation, Jackie sits down with Carley to reflect on her eight months living in France, from the thrill of arrival to the quieter challenges that surfaced once the novelty wore off. Carley shares what it really looked like to build a life abroad without a job offer or formal program, navigating visas, housing in Lyon, remote work, and daily life far from home.As the story unfolds, Carley opens up about loneliness, cultural differences, and the realization that success doesn’t always mean pushing through discomfort. Choosing to come home wasn’t a failure, but a grounded act of self-trust. Together, she and Jackie explore why leaving can clarify what matters most, why having a contingency plan brings freedom, and why taking the leap is still worth it, even if you end up right where you began.Resources:Follow Carley on Instagram: @carleydyanListen to more episodes of the JUMP Podcast: travelingjackie.com/podcastJoin Jackie’s email list: TravelingJackie.comExplore JUMP Adventures: jumpadventures.com Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comProduced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this special solo episode closing out 2025 and celebrating episode 200 of JUMP, Jackie reflects on a year of travel, growth, and big transitions. Recorded alongside a real-time sunrise over Edinburgh Castle, she shares three lessons from her final JUMP Adventures trip of the year to Peru, including why the in-between moments matter more than landmarks, how taking the road less traveled deepens meaning, and why slow travel creates the strongest connection to place.Jackie also shares an important update on JUMP Adventures, explaining her decision to step back from leading public group trips after ten years of guiding people through challenging experiences around the world. While her role is shifting, the heart of JUMP remains intact, with trusted itineraries and partnerships still available for those ready to gather their own people and do hard things together.The episode closes with what’s next for Jackie, including a solo trip to Scotland for a writer’s retreat over Thanksgiving and her birthday, where she finally created space to focus fully on writing her book. She also shares her end-of-year reflection practices and her “word for 2026” as an invitation to make space, listen inward, and step intentionally into the next chapter.Resources:https://travelingjackie.com  https://jumpadventures.com  Instagram: @TravelingJackie  Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comMassive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What does it really take to build great adventure gear, and what does packing look like for the people designing it? In this energizing conversation, Jackie sits down with longtime friend and colleague Vince Mazzuca, Osprey's Category Director for Technical Products, to explore how Osprey creates the packs we trust on the trail, on the road, and in the unknown.Vince shares his journey from growing up between Sacramento and Pittsburgh to becoming a Yakima tech rep traveling from Florida to Maine, to working at Ruffwear, and finally landing at Osprey over a decade ago. After ten years as Osprey's Marketing Director, he recently transitioned into product, working with design teams across Colorado, Vietnam, and Tokyo, and shaping how packs evolve for different global markets.Jackie and Vince also reflect on years of creative collaboration, including the award-winning Chiloe documentary and the redesign of the Fairview/Farpoint series. They also dig into real-world packing: organization styles, packing cubes vs. chaos, and the layers and essentials they never travel without. Jackie also shares a bonus for listeners: her customizable Adventure Packing List (linked below). And as Vince says, the best pack is the one that gets you out the door. Book the ticket, go explore, and learn as you go.Resources:  Get my Adventure Packing List here - https://travelingjackie.com/packing-list/ Chiloé documentary - https://travelingjackie.com/chiloe-osprey-film/ My go-to luggage for adventure travel (video) - https://travelingjackie.com/best-luggage-for-adventure-travel/ Find and follow Vince Mazzuca IG @vmazzuca and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-mazzuca-58b14a1a/ OR Echo Hoodie https://rei.pxf.io/POXROMOR Helium Jacket https://rei.pxf.io/VxEAxJPatagonia Houdini https://rei.pxf.io/XmbG4yREI waterproof shell mittens https://rei.pxf.io/GKYn9V Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel https://osprey.pxf.io/mOvJyePacking Cubes https://osprey.pxf.io/XmRv3oTravel Accessories https://osprey.pxf.io/RGoN39Osprey Sirrus https://osprey.pxf.io/3JOZBB Osprey Mutant 22 https://osprey.pxf.io/nXGP4ROsprey Garment Folder https://osprey.pxf.io/6yOnPQMore like this: Catch episode 115 with Dan from Osprey Packs in PatagoniaPlease follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comMassive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddies!Don't miss Jackie's behind-the-scenes communications, hop on our email list at http://travelingjackie.com/Massive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Produced by NOVATake a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What if travel could become even more meaningful simply by bringing more of yourself into it?In this wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation, Jackie sits down with trail runner, storyteller, and adventure-driven creative Alex Sanchez, whom she met on a magical trail-running Day of Adventure in Patagonia during the Adventure Travel World Summit. What started as a chance encounter on a bus turned into a conversation about purpose, community, and the uncommon ways we can build deeper meaning into our travels.Alex shares how an immersive internship in the Dominican Republic transformed her understanding of connection and set her on a path toward community-centered travel, while she and Jackie explore the power of intention in travel, designing trips around what you love, and why the unplanned moments often matter most. They also dive into Alex’s experience running the Leadville 100, a 100-mile ultramarathon through the Colorado mountains, where she reflects on the emotional depth of the race, the support of her closest friends, and the profound realization that our limits are far more flexible than we think.Whether you're a seasoned traveler, a runner, or you’re craving more connection in your adventures, Alex reminds us to chase the things that light you up—and to bring your people along for the ride.Resources:Find Alex online: https://www.alexsanchezcreates.comFollow Alex on Instagram: @alexlogansanchezPlease follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddies!Don't miss Jackie's behind-the-scenes communications—hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comMassive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Produced by NOVATake a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands