12 Podcast Episodes Featuring LGBTQ+ Stories from Activists, Travelers, And Explorers
Pride. What does it mean to you? Everyone experiences queerness differently, and despite the incredible connection that we can often easily make with other queer folks, no two experiences are exactly alike. That means that how people celebrate Pride month will be unique across the globe. Here at the Unruly Travel blog, we like to take time to reflect on how the first Pride was actually a riot, and celebrate pride year round (not just in June).
We share the stories of queer wanderers, travelers, activists, and artists from all over the world. So if you’re new here, we extend you a warm welcome and an invitation to dive head-first into this unruly (and queer-ran!) corner of the internet. This article is dedicated to highlighting some of the queer guests that we’ve had on the Unruly podcast over the years.
Before jumping into these transformational, comedic, relatable and adventurous episodes, we invite you to join us for a special mediation, created specifically for LGBTQ+ folks, on the podcast.
All of the podcast episodes shared can be listed to via the Unruly Podcast through SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the Unruly Travel website, or wherever you listen.
1. Courtney Vondran from Courtney The Explorer
Podcast episode recap: In this episode we sit down with lover of platform shoes, hot pink outfits from Limited Too, gayborhoods, and all things travel. Listen in as Courtney reveals why she decided to “retire” in college, how she hitchhiked through Guatemala and Mexico solo, and why you should check out the Lesbian Master Doc. We’ll also dive into the best LGBTQ+ travel destinations as Courtney shares some 00solid tips for queers that are new to traveling.
Connect with Courtney here.
Queer people are everywhere.
Courtney Vondran
2. Kristin Holden from Where The Road Forks
Podcast episode recap: Kristin Holden was sick of the 9-5 life when a friend suggested to her that she move into a van. Although she scoffed at the idea for herself initially, she couldn’t get that little beckoning voice out of her head. Over a period of time she transitioned her in-person job to online, sold her home and most of her belongings, and moved into a van with her two dogs.
Her story is a unique one – filled with talk of religion and witches, forests and finances – and we get to hear about how being a queer lesbian intersects with living the van life. In addition, Kristin shares her expert advice with Calen on financial questions.
Connect with Kristin here.
On top of wanting to travel, I felt this calling into the wilderness. Into a place where I could be at peace.
Kristin Holden
3. Rivers Wilder Green | Musician + Activist
Podcast episode recap: Rivers and Calen come at you in this episode having just finished a cross-country road trip and they have much to share. In this unfiltered episode they share all of their thoughts on big magic, spinal injuries, glamorous spiders, spiritual growth, and “inappropriate” protest signs. #Cool4TheSummer
Connect with Rivers here.
4. Glen Venezio | The Cat Man of Puerto Rico
Podcast episode recap: Glen Venezio lives and Puerto Rico and cares for 300 cats every single night. He’s done the same routine now for 15 years, despite hardship and harassment. He’s poured his heart and soul into these “unwanted” cats that roam the streets, and shares his full story today in this episode.
There are a handful of ways that we can support Glen that are not limited to in-person volunteering. It costs him about $200 each day to feed the cats, so donations are greatly appreciated and highly valuable. Money can be sent to Glen here through PayPal or can be transferred into PetSmart e-gift cards to be used for wet and dry cat food. Glen can be contacted at eachlifeischarmed@gmail.com. Glen also does TNR with the cats and will be able to do more with a boost of steady donations.
I continue because I know that the cats are waiting for me everyday. They depend on me and what I bring to them.
Glen Venezio
5. Dianni Hall | Host of the While She’s Away Podcast
Podcast episode recap: This episode comes to you raw from a solo budget backpacker just days after landing back in the US. Dianni Hall was also featured as a previous guest talking about “feeling fear and doing it anyway” when it comes to life and travels.
Dianni’s plans to travel South America changed drastically, taking her all over Asia on an adventurous and spontaneous backpacking experience. From living on an Ashram and shaving her head to boating through dark caves, this episode will motivate you to get up and go when the time is right. But in the theme of “messing up and posting it anyway,” our guest this week gets real about the difficult parts of travel and those post-travel blues.
Connect with Dianni here.
6. Taylor “Goose” Lancaster | Activist, Artist, and Wanderer
Podcast episode recap: Have you ever walked 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, or wondered if it is achievable without a packed wallet? Sit down and take notes while walking the path with someone who has. From the technical side of gearing up for a huge hike to the nitty-gritty stories of trail magic, his episode is ideal for anyone interested in hiking the PCT, nature adventure, alternative living, and genuine human connection.
My worst days on the trail were better than my best days off.
Taylor “Goose” Lancaster
7. Divina | Divydeasis
Podcast episode recap: Calen met Divina in a hostel in Los Vegas and felt an instant connection. After journeying outside and into the heat to find plant-based ice-cream, Divina shares her recent raw and real experiences as a solo traveler, and how she navigates facing these issues as a queer femme POC.
Issues that we discuss:
- Do people validate relationships, based on the gender(or lack of) of our partners?
- Can I wear what I want (when I want) in this body…. and feel safe?
- Is traveling solo, as a femme, safe?
Find answers to these questions, and more, as Divinia shares her stories in detail. She also gives us some tips as to how we can stay safe in our travels. And, as equally important, how we can support others in feeling safe as well.
Connect with Divinia here.
8. Nat & Lil | Moving Oasis Vans
Podcast episode recap: In this episode we have the pleasure of having a fun, real, and honest conversation with Nat and Lil, the couple behind the van building company Moving Oasis. While they live in a “traditional” home part-time and in their van part-time, their commitment to strong and clear communication is a full-time thing. In this show Nat and Lil talk about what it is like working working so closely with a partner, why couple’s therapy is a good idea for every couple, how their van building company started, how they met, and more.
In the theme of ‘making time for fun’, we discuss why it was so important for Lil to be able to dance in their van, and how you can now rent it out to have your own traveling dance party as well.
Connect with Nat & Lil here.
We’re trying to balance the building business, plus us wanting to travel in the van, and still make sure that we are having fun. Fun is really important to us.
Nat & Lil
9. Charlie Alexander | Activist and Sex Educator
Podcast episode recap: Charlie leads this podcast episode, reminding and/or teaching you new ways to pleasure yourself or your partner while spending more time isolated during the pandemic and beyond. Learn why these statements were said on the Unruly podcast:
“Treating yourself with care and love, and being sensual to yourself or partner, is a very loving thing.”
“I even have some drumsticks over here.”
“We want anal beads, not anal bleeds.”
“I like to think about sex instead of sickness.”
Connect with Charlie here.
10. Dez | Enlightened Exploration
Podcast episode recap: Dez is an 8 year nomad, queer vegan, healer, story teller, single parent, activist, and so much more. In this episode we weave together important issues such as racism, raising a nonbinary child, taking your healing into your own hands, and creating a life that you thrive in to create a beautiful basket that holds space for diversity, creative inquiry, and alternative living methods. You’ll learn why Dez unshakable when it comes to their faith in other people, and why they took the word “can’t” out of their vocabulary. You’ll also learn practical ways to make your nomadic lifestyle vision into a reality that you can afford.
Connect with Dez here.
You hear that when you heal yourself, it heals future generations. But it also heals past generations. I see the healing growing around me and it is so beautiful. Sometimes we have to focus less on changing our family, and focus more on being our true authentic selves. People are going to see us glowing and want a piece of that. Eventually there will be change.
Dez
11. Alexis Dean | Have Curves Will Travel
Podcast episode recap:
Meet Alexis, a 29 year young queer woman who is traveling the world and sharing helpful plus-size travel tips along the way. She started doing seasonal work when she was just 19 years old in Alaska, and from there her relentless stubbornness and curiosity took her around the globe.
In this vibrant conversation Alexis speaks to how she’s kept that spark ignited inside of her despite challenges she has faced as a plus-sized traveler, packing tips for all body sizes, seasonal work opportunities (regardless of age), and advice on how to pinpoint your passions.
Connect with Alexis here.
12. Robbie Lockie | Plant Based News and JustUnrealPeople
Podcast episode recap:
Meet the creative, compassionate, and talented Robbie Lockie as we discuss the parallels of queerness and veganism, explore why language is so important, and contemplate how gender is more of a galaxy, rather than a spectrum. We take a walk back in time to learn about what Robbie’s childhood was like growing up in Zimbabwe with their beloved rat named Mushroom, discuss the moment that Robbie got fired from their job for practicing individuality, and hear why Plant Based News was such a needed source of information in today’s world.
Robbie also shares with us their profound experience that they had while using psilocybin, and what that intense and beautiful moment taught them about climate grief. Robbie offers up a remedy and way for dealing with grief that is important of us all: finding, building, and passing on courage whenever possible.
Connect with Robbie here.
13. Calen Otto | Unruly Travel Blog Creator & Podcast Host
Podcast episode recap: This episode is a special one. It is a ceremony, a safe space, and a mantra. Today’s show is a meditation that was created specifically for queer folks that aims to soothe the nervous system, calm the mind, and open the heart. This episode features statements and mantras submitted by listeners. We hope that you get exactly what you need to out of this episode – and then some. You don’t have to be queer to partake in this listening ritual, and this episode is suitable for any time of the year (not just Pride month!). We hope that you feel seen, heard, and held.
A New Type Of Travel App Launches Just In Time For Pride Month!
The new app Rhino has launched just in time to close out Pride month. I got a sneak-peek of this app before it launched, and I’ve been so impressed by how it actually highlights and promotes diversity. As a queer vegan traveler, I’m always excited to find locations, activities, and even people who share common interests with me. Sure, you can virtually jump into those communities on other social medias, but Rhino seems to have really nailed making that experience much easier. On the app there are categories like “Women”, “API”, “BIPOC”, “Black”, “Latinx”, and “LGBTQIA+”, just to name a few. Through those labels you can tap into those communities and follow your favorite travel friends and creators.
App Co-Founder, Virginie Chan, says: “As a Cambodian-American, non-disabled, cisgendered woman, I am continuously learning about how my identities impact the way I see the world — and how the world sees me. As a kid, I would close my eyes and spin the classroom globe to see where my finger would land. I would imagine what it would be like to one day travel to Tanzania, Brazil, Laos. But travel isn’t always as simple as picking a place and going. For a lot of us, there’s an extra, taxing, step in the research process that goes beyond checking the weather: a search about a destination’s safety, accessibility, racism, profiling, discrimination, and more, that often is difficult to unearth.”
She then goes on to say, “We’re creating a space that doesn’t shy away from the identities that impact the way we live and see the world. A space where we can view and share travel content that resonates. A space that understands that travel is not one-dimensional. A space where you can share your experience and have it be just that — your experience.“
Learn more about Virginie’s story and about Rhino through this insightful blogpost. You can download the app here.
