No Blackout Dates

If you’re like us, you spend a lot of time wondering what's going through people’s minds when they’re at the airport. Why do they crowd around the gate before boarding when their group won’t be called for another 20 minutes? Why do those same people stand up the second the flight pulls into the gate, even when they’re seated in row 57? Michael Brein is the world’s foremost – and perhaps only – Travel Psychologist, and he joins No Blackout Dates to discuss the logic behind these and other conundrums of travel. On the docket is the science behind culture shock, why some people sleep better on planes than others, and how visiting faraway places impacts our mental well-being. In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss how they calm their nerves when anxiety strikes while traveling, and the pair agree to disagree about whether or not one should always board the plane early when seated in Business Class. Relevant links: Michael Brein website and booksHow to use a squat toiletEben’s InstagramTim’s Instagram

In this week's Stories From The Road, Tim reads one of the most impactful pieces he's ever worked on as an editor. Writer Iuliana Marchian, a native Romanian, wrote a piece about the impact of the 1989 revolution against Communist rule in Romania. The piece covers the development of personal freedoms and how they've impacted trust in government, as well as how citizens have experienced progress in human rights and quality of life. Marchian describes a polarized society that is moving forward but still has many steps to take to fulfill all of revolution's goals. As a traveler, the piece offers many takeaways of how these impacts play out in daily Romanian life and how you can experience the country's true culture on a trip there. Relevant links: 30 years after the revolution, Romania is still rebuildingIuliana's LinkedInTim's InstagramEben's Instagram

Sailing all the way around Antarctica is no easy task. Just ask today’s guest, “extreme sailor” Lisa Blair. She holds the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the continent, a title she almost perished in order to gain. Lisa joins the show to discuss her dangerous adventures in the Southern Ocean , her new book, “Facing Fear: The First Woman To Sail Solo Around Antarctica,” and what it takes to embark on such an incredible journey. She breaks down what was going through her mind as her ship nearly capsized in a raging torrent, and how she managed to rig her mast and make it to shore just in time. Eben and Lisa met while on a cruise to Antarctica last December, and while this cruise was among the most extreme adventures Eben will ever be a part of, for Lisa, it was a walk in the park. The impacts of visiting fragile ecosystems is also on the docket today. Lisa dubbed her sailboat “Climate Action Now” to raise awareness of small efforts by everyday people to combat climate change -- a fitting PR move, since Antarctica is among the world’s most vulnerable spots to warming temps. In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss extreme destinations they’ve always wanted to visit but never got the chance, and Eben breaks down the mood of the travelers on the ship as Antarctica first came into view. Relevant links: Lisa Blair Sails The WorldFacing Fear: The First Woman To Sail Solo Around AntarcticaLisa’s InstagramEben’s InstagramTim’s Instagram

It's called Drake's Right of Passage for a reason. Eben learned this the hard way back in December, when he embarked on the maiden voyage of the Sylvia Earle, a new ship from Australian cruise line Aurora Expeditions. En route he battled 20-foot waves, rowdy passengers, and the seclusion that only accompanies being stuck on a boat at the bottom of the planet -- all while doing his darndest to ward off seasickness. On today's podcast, Eben recounts the journey through the story he wrote for Matador Network. It's a tale of true adventure -- so buckle up and don't let your stomach turn. Relevant links: What It’s Like To Sail To Antarctica on a Cruise Ship’s Maiden Voyage Aurora ExpeditionsEben's InstagramTim's Instagram

Brad Chappell has spent a day or two on the water. As a professional fishing guide, it’s his job to take traveling fishermen out in search of Crappie, a freshwater game fish that’s part of the Sunfish family. It’s also his job to take newbies like Tim and Eben out, if they were to visit Lake Washington in Greenville, Mississippi. This week, Brad joins No Blackout Dates to discuss the life of a pro fisherman and guide – as it turns out, there’s far more to it than drinking beer on the back of the boat. The trio gets into the techniques of guiding, Brad’s most rewarding moments as a guide, and what happens on those rare outings in which no one catches a fish (don’t ask for a refund). Also on the docket is the gear necessary for a successful trip out and what to expect if you, like Tim and Eben, aren’t exactly master baiters. In Hot Takes, Tim ponders whether New England Clam Chowder is overrated, and the pair discuss the practice of eating seafood when you’re far away from the sea. Any who’ve been to Colorado can attest that the state isn’t known for its lobster. The ethics of “dynamite fishing” are also on the table. Relevant links: Brad Chappell Guide ServiceWhat is Crappie Fish?What do you need to fish for Crappie?Eben’s InstagramTim’s Instagram

In February, Tim embarked on a backcountry ski expedition into the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Along with a crew of five other skiers and snowboarders, he spent a week in a high-altitude yurt camp, ascending and descending 12,000-foot peaks and learning about Kyrgyz culture. When three Russian draft dodgers skied into camp one afternoon, the crew got a close-up perspective on how the mountains can provide a unifying force for good in a divided world. Relevant links: On a ski trip to Kyrgyzstan, epic lines combine with cultural immersion40 Tribes BackcountryTim's InstagramEben's Instagram

This week, we're exploring the true power of artificial intelligence by interviewing Jasper, an AI chatbot. Jasper's massive computer brain knows a lot more than you'd think, and it's equal parts impressive and frightening. We'll test Jasper's travel chops, get some useful recommendations, hear about its love life, and learn whether or not it's coming for our jobs. We'll also explore some of the ethical considerations when utilizing artificial intelligence for content creation. How do two guys "interview" a chatbot, you ask? Well, you'll have to tune in to find out. In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss what they would do if AI actually did take their jobs. Neither want to leave the travel biz – and may end up becoming Airbnb hosts. The pair also ponder what the most AI-proof jobs are. Relevant links: Jasper.aiNBD S3, Ep. 8: How Artificial Intelligence Will Shape The Travel Industry's FutureWhat is AI and how does it work?Tim’s InstagramEben’s Instagram

Today on Stories from the Road, Eben and Tim debate one of air travel's most divisive topics: whether or not to check a bag, when you don't necessarily need to. Eben is a firm non-bag-checker, and for his part, he reads his report on why you'll never catch him hanging 'round the baggage carousel. Tim isn't necessarily anti. He often checks his snowboard gear bag when traveling in winter, or a duffel on other occasions when having specific gear is necessary to make a trip happen. But in general, he's a carry-on guy (though long-time listeners are familiar with his stance on gate-checking). For his part on today's show, he reads the writer Matt Meltzer's take on why checking a bag makes the travel experience better for everyone. Relevant links: I fly 200 times a year. Here's why I always check a bag.How to travel anywhere in the world with a small backpackThis small backpack is the only travel pack an efficient packer needsEben's InstagramTim's InstagramMatt Meltzer's Instagram

Artificial intelligence is a controversial yet fascinating topic, particularly since the release of Chat GPT in November 2022. Matador Network founder and CEO Ross Borden joins No Blackout Dates to discuss how AI will shape the future of travel – from the way we research and plan trips to how we actually book and pay for them. The timing of today’s interview is of particular importance at Matador, as the company’s new AI-powered travel recommendation service Guide Geek officially launches this week. Ross discusses the idea behind Guide Geek as well as how he sees AI coming to the forefront of nearly every aspect of daily life. The trio also get into where AI falls short and what needs to happen to keep it from taking over the world, Terminator 2 style. Are our darkest dystopian fears about to come true? No one knows. But as Tim says, you can spark a legal joint to the inevitability of progress. Even if that progress takes a while to win over popular opinion. In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss their personal biggest fears surrounding AI. Both, it seems, are worried about the potential for harmful deepfakes to run rampant across social media. The hosts also fear that many aspects of the media – including travel recommendations and planning – might lose that personal touch. Relevant links: GuideGeek from MatadorBing’s A.I. Chat: ‘I Want to Be Alive – from the New York TimesAs A.I. Booms, Lawmakers Struggle to Understand the Technology - from The New York TimesEben’s InstagramTim’s Instagram

This week on Stories From The Road, Tim reads the report of his heli-skiing adventure in northern British Columbia. As a dedicated snowboarder, embarking on a journey like this had long been a dream of his -- and last March, he had the opportunity to make it happen. He recounts the emotion that overtook him at times throughout the four-day expedition and speaks with his guide about what goes on behind the scenes of the operation. "As I carried my board to the chopper on the first morning, I had been overtaken by mixed feelings of bliss, contentedness, and tranquility. It was nearly sublime, knowing before it happened that this would be one of the seminal experiences in my life. The blades spun, we lifted off, and as though these chapters had built to their inevitable climax, I had finally reached the point of no return." Relevant links: For the truly dedicated, northern British Columbia is the best place in the world to heli-skiNorthern Escape Heli-SkiingTim's InstagramEben's Instagram

Foreign correspondents have a unique role to fill – reporting on situations happening across the world, for an audience back home. Tommy Walker has spent over a decade overseas, covering everything from current events to travel lifestyle. Tommy joins No Blackout Dates to share the inside scoop on what’s it like to be on the ground covering breaking news. The discussion gets deep into how a Chinese encroachment on Taiwan could impact travel to the island, how travelers are punished for poor behavior around the globe, and being on the ground in and around Ukraine during the invasion. In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss how to interpret state-issued travel advisories that pop up when planning a trip. The pair also discuss the idea of visiting Ukraine or Russia right now, and the ethics of visiting countries that currently are or recently have been embroiled in conflict. Relevant links: Tommy’s websiteTommy’s TwitterUS State Department travel advisoriesTim’s InstagramEben’s Instagram

On this week's Stories from the Road, Tim reads a story by Matador's Alex Bresler, in which she argues in favor of revisiting countries rather than always visiting new places. The piece questions our need to constantly be adding new countries to our "travel list," and explores the benefits of returning to an old favorite. One of these benefits? Really familiarizing yourself with a country, or city, on a more intimate level. Relevant links: Sometimes, a Dream Trip is One You've Already TakenEben’s InstagramTim’s Instagram

These days, more and more jobs can be done while traveling. That includes stripping – and today, Stella is here to talk about what it’s like to travel to different strip clubs around the country as a professional dancer. She’s worked at clubs from Florida to Chicago to the northeast, and she breaks down the differences in the job based on location, including some insight into how one should behave when on the other side of the performance. She supplements her income between travels as an OnlyFans creator. Stella’s viewpoint is a refreshing take on a profession that is often the victim of stereotyping. As it turns out, doing what she does takes thick skin and a lot of determination. In Stella’s case, it’s been a job she’s wanted since grade school. Filling in for Tim today is our regular guest host Melanie Sutrathada, returning for the first time in 2023. In Hot Takes, Eben and Melanie discuss what travel job they’d love to have that they haven’t tried. Melanie, as it turns out, desires to visit every Baskin Robins store, while Eben would fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a circus performer. The pair also cover the social responsibilities of parents traveling with small children. Relevant links: Stella Sweet on OnlyFansS2, Ep. 1: Inside OnlyFans and the NSFW Travel WorldS2, Ep. 28: Let There Be Red Light: Inside Amsterdam's Sex IndustryMelanie’s InstagramEben’s Instagram

In this week's Stories From The Road, Eben reads aloud his narrative of visiting the remains of the Treblinka concentration camp in Poland. As someone with ethnic ties to the Holocaust, the experience painted a vivid picture of one of humanity's biggest atrocities. For Eben's travel companion, visiting Treblinka proved equally jarring. Relevant links: Visiting A Concentration Camp Is Not Just an Excursion. It's a Lesson in Humanity.Muzeum Treblinka

Travel to places far off the typical tourist track – think Iraq, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia – is an increasingly common theme here on No Blackout Dates. As the founder of Untamed Borders, a tour operator that hosts guided trips to places like Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Yemen, and elsewhere, James Wilcox knows more about the logistics of visiting often misunderstood destinations than perhaps anyone. James has built an entire business around creating itineraries for intrepid travelers looking to explore countries we often perceive to be dangerous or inaccessible. James discusses how Untamed Borders plans and executes trips to dangerous locales, including his thoughts on state department warnings and how seriously they should be taken. He also talks about the important role of tourism in helping places impacted by war and other disasters get back on their feet. In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben break down the times they’ve felt unsafe on the road, as well as the countries they really want to visit in order to gain a deeper understanding than what’s presented by the mass media. Relevant links: Untamed BordersUS State Department Travel AdvisoriesNEOM Is on Track To Be the World’s First “Sustainable” City. Here’s What We KnowInto Iraq with Michael PalinUntamed Borders InstagramTim’s InstagramEben’s Instagram

The second installment of Stories From The Road pits Tim and Eben against each other in one of their most classic debates: whether or not coworking spaces are worth the money. Tim is famously pro-coworking, having held memberships at spaces across the world from Bali to Oaxaca to Colorado. He credits coworking for helping him find friends, clients, and professional development while traveling abroad. Eben, on the other hand, takes a more pessimistic approach. He feels the coworking spaces are a scam -- that they charge way too much money for what is effectively a glorified coffee shop. Why pay money to go sit somewhere and be quiet, when you could do the same thing at a library -- and even take home a good book to read? Let us know your thoughts on coworking spaces by dropping a review wherever you get your podcasts, or by shooting an email to noblackoutdatespod at gmail. Relevant links: Are coworking spaces worth it or a waste of money?Outpost coworking BaliNewburyport Public Library

To kick off 2023, Tim and Eben plunge into the depths of the travel industry – uncovering the trends they expect to see this year, along with their best travel stories from 2022. The hosts also break down the destinations doing things the right way – whether that be reframing an outdated image, innovating new ways to experience the destination, or just being a cool spot that offers a unique travel experience. One breakthrough to note – the hosts appear to have flipped their opinion on guided tours, thanks to the rise of pioneering tour operators taking travelers to places they likely couldn’t visit otherwise, no matter how adventurous they are. Immersive experiences are on the rise, as are . . . zero-proof cocktails and highway rest stops? We’ll see about that. Relevant links: The best small towns to visit in the United States in 2023The best European small towns to visit in 2023A Culinary Trip To Israel’s Galilee Region Highlights the Country’s Past and Innovative FutureWalk Through 5,000 Years of Human History in Jerusalem’s Fully Accessible Old CityFor the Truly Dedicated, Northern British Columbia Is the Best Place in the World To Heli-SkiThis Small Backpack Is the Only Travel Pack an Efficient Packer NeedsImmerse Yourself in All Things Salvador Dalí at This Digital Art Exhibit in Denver’s Trendiest WarehouseFood and Wine’s 2023 Travel Trends (Mocktails)Tim’s InstagramEben’s Instagram

Marketa and David Daley hiked 1,300 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail -- an impressive feat far greater than most will ever accomplish in the wild. But the Daley's did it with their three young children, a monumental undertaking that required guts, parental instinct, and a lot of pep talking. Marketa joins No Blackout Dates to discuss the expedition and what it meant for her family. She goes deep into how she and her husband prepared their children for the trip, and how they handled situations that arose en route. Also discussed is the trail lifestyle and why the pair have embedded their kiddos in it. Matador filmmaker Brian Lewis, creator of the Wild Toddler Chronicles and a parent himself, joins Tim and Marketa on this episode to create a trio of parents who enjoy spending time in nature with their kids. Both hosts approached this interview with an ear for learning. In Hot Takes, Tim and Brian discuss the phrases they use to motivate their kids to go on an adventure. Brian wonders whether Tim has taken his daughter anywhere only to arrive and think, "Well, this wasn't a good idea." Relevant links: Marketa and David's trekking InstagramPacific Crest Trail AssociationThe Best Sections of the Pacific Crest Trail to hike in a day or weekendWild Toddler ChroniclesTim's InstagramBrian's Instagram

We're trying something new this week on No Blackout Dates. To complement our interview episodes, every other week we will feature a read-aloud of a crazy travel story from Matador Network. This week's adventure is from writer Nicholas Mancall-Bitel, entitled "My Car Broke Down in the Sahara, and It Taught Me About Trust." The story is read aloud by our own Tim Wenger. We chose this particular narrative because it demonstrates many of the values that we hold true at Matador: We hope you enjoy this travel tale. Relevant links: My Car Broke Down in the Sahara, and It Taught Me About Trust.Nicolas Mantell-Bitel author bio at Matador Network

Few myths are as world-renowned as the Loch Ness Monster. Willie Cameron is Nessie’s biggest advocate, a lifelong resident of the region surrounding Scotland’s most famous lake, and a pioneer of Loch Ness tourism. He joins the show to educate the curious and dispel any naysayers, shedding light on the legend of Nessie and why so many believe that she’s down there. He also discusses the power of myth and legend to turn an otherwise sleepy lake into an international tourism sensation. Eben first met Willie while visiting Loch Ness, and after sharing a wee bit of whiskey with him, decided the time had come for No Blackout Dates to settle the question once and for all: Is the Loch Ness Monster out there? In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss the myths surrounding pro sports teams, and whether or not the magic is ruined when historic losers (ahem, the Cubs) finally take home the trophy. The pair also discuss whether mythology tourism — i.e. seeking out the Loch Ness Monster – is better than “movie tourism,” where one visits film sights. It’s all about the unknown. Relevant links: Visit Inverness & Loch NessSightings of the Loch Ness MonsterTim’s InstagramEben’s InstagramThe best Airbnbs in the Scottish Isles for whisky enthusiasts