Choose Your Happy Place

Monique is a trailblazer for living abroad. She has been living abroad for twenty years and shares her experiences and tips. She has been living in Mexico, Central America, Spain, South Africa and more. In this episode Monique will cover all about her Happy Place, Mallorca Spain. Listen to this episode to hear more about:

Best way to get to Mallorca

Best time to travel to Mallorca

How long should you stay in Mallorca

Weather in Mallorca

Transportation for Mallorca

Food to try in Mallorca

...

I started recording this episode with the intent of sharing about Mallorca Spain but knew right away I wanted to share Monique's life story of living abroad. Monique is a trailblazer for living abroad. She has been living abroad for twenty years and shares her experiences and tips. She has been living in Mexica, central America, Spain, South Africa and more. Listen to this episode to hear more about:

Monique's 3 recommendation for other people to visit

Animal conservation

What was Monique's motivation for traveling abroad

Animal conservation she has been involved...

Welcome to season 4! I am kicking off this season with one of my favorite people in the world, my mom, Sheryl Glovka. Sheryl was a single mom raising 6 kids in Utah and has one of the kindest hearts you will ever know. She is one of those people that would give her shirt off her back to anyone in need. Join me in this episode as we dive more into her life, her advice and some of her favorite travel adventures.  Thank you so much for being here!

Meet Chris Burkard! When I first started this podcast I made a list of dream guest that I would love to interview. Chris was one of my top 4 and I am so honored to have him as a guest today.

Chris Burkard is an accomplished explorer, photographer, creative director, speaker, and author. Traveling throughout the year to pursue the farthest expanses of Earth, Burkard works to capture stories that inspire humans to consider their relationship with nature, while promoting the preservation of wild places everywhere. 

Chris shares his love for nature and photography through his i...

Episode 111 with Blake Moynes from the bachelor, focusing on animal conservation across the globe

Blake Moynes is a Canadian television personality and wildlife conservationist. Formally, most well known for his appearances in reality television, Blake has now become well recognized and respected through his commitment to protecting wildlife and wild places. Beyond his television appearances, Blake has remained dedicated to his work in conservation through his company, SOSA. Advocating for endangered species, providing support to important non-profit organization initiatives and utilizing his notoriety in multiple facets for the betterment of our planet.

You can find...

This episode is a full itinerary of my most recent trip to New York City for my 20th wedding anniversary. We decided last minute to take this trip and have some quality time. To be able to see all the recommendations and itinerary  head over to my instagram at Choose Your Happ Place

In this episode I walk you through the planning process as well as our full itinerary for a long weekend. In this episode I will talk about

Where should you stay in NYC

Transportation from the airport

Go C...

Meet Mylo Fowler from @navajomylo

Growing up and living off the land on 12 acres with his grandparents, Mylo learned his Navajo language and his love for nature began before he was in school.

Now a renowned photographer mylos photos have been featured in numerous companies like National Geographic, Ni...

Meet Emma Weber! Emma is a mom of 5 and moved with her family to Stuttgart Germany. Since moving there she has embraced the culture, people and travel all around Europe. In this episode Emma shares all about her charming town of Stuttgart Germany and shares everything you need to start planning your next trip to Germany. In this episode we will cover:

Different seasons in Germany

When to travel to Germany

Festivals near Stuttgart Germany

Food to try in Germany

Transportation in Germany

Immersive experiences to try...

In this episode I will be doing a recap on our spring break trip to St George Utah/southern Utah. In this episode I will be covering:

Future podcast episodes

Take the trip

Favorite hikes in Southern Utah

Family friendly hikes in Zion National Park

Best parks in St George

Things to do in St George

Best time to travel to Southern Utah

Meet Miyuki!  Miyuki grew up in Japan and moved to the UK when she was 18 years old. She then moved back to Japan 5 years later. She hopes to share her country in a more immersive way, so she decided to be an independent travel guide. In this episode we will discuss:

Best time of year to visit Japan

Seasons in Japan

Japan travel tips

Food to try in Japan

Immersive experiences in Japan

Must do in Japan

Ideal itinerary for Japan

What should y...

Meet Lynett Nakamanya, a travel expert from East Africa and South of Africa. She has been in the travel industry for 10 years. Her love for travel has brought her to focus on the areas of wellness and adventure while on holiday. You can contact her through her instagram here. You can find her website here

In this episode we will be discussing what it would be like to travel to Uganda. In this episode we will talk about:

Is Uganda safe to travel to

What to wear in Uganda

Things to d...

Miriam Gersdorf is a Utah-based hiker, outdoor adventurer, and content creator behind the social media account @explore.hike.teach. Her passion is exploring Utah and inspiring others to get outdoors and discover their next favorite adventure.  She has been adventuring around Utah for 30 years, exploring the national parks and off-the-beaten-path locations.  She advocates for responsible recreation and empowers others to get outside and on the trails.  When not hiking, she teaches reading intervention at a local elementary school, spending time with her family and indulging in a good book or disaster movie.

In this episode we wil...

In this episode today I will be talking to Lee from Mango Tree Travel all about the Caribbean Island. Lee wanted to find a way to make family travel easy for the Caribbean islands and so she created her own company. In this company we will focus on Lee's three favorite Caribbean islands and share some of the tips and tricks to plan ideal trips to each. The three islands we will focus on are Grenada, St Maarten, and Bonaire

In this episode we will focus on:

Best time of year to visit the Caribbean<...

Nico is a Peruvian-American photographer, writer, and food obsessive who has spent the last four years documenting meals, thinking up stories, and occasionally remembering to put the camera down long enough to eat. When she’s not tracking down the best ceviche in Lima or dissecting the perfect pintxo in San Sebastián, she’s helping travel and hospitality brands tell their stories through marketing, content strategy, and digital consulting.    Her work blends storytelling, photography, and cultural deep dives, capturing how food and travel shape identity and experience. When she’s not eating or working (rare, but it happens), you can find...

In this episode today we will talking today to Elle Kwan, who has lived in Hong Kong with her husband and children for 18 years. We will talk about everything you need to help plan your perfect trip to Hong Kong

In this episode we will be talking about

Favorite places to see in Hong Kong

Best time to travel to Hong Kong

Food to try in Hong Kong

Where to stay in Hong Kong

Top things to do in Hong Kong

Travel to Hong Kong<...

Celebrating my 100th episode! Thank you so much for listening week after week about travel destinations around the world. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to talk to people around the world and to have incredible listeners.

In this episodes-  two of my children will be taking over and helping you get to know me better. Thank you so much for being here.

For over 25 years, Krista Kowalczyk has captured life’s most cherished moments throughout Southwest Florida, from Sanibel Island to Naples. As the owner of Impressions Photography, she is renowned for her exceptional wedding, and portrait photography, as well as her outstanding customer service.   Krista’s work and expertise have been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Good Morning America, ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, Fox Weather, The Weather Channel, and NBCLX. Her photography has also been highlighted in publications such as Rangefinder, Brides, The Knot, and Destination Weddings & Honeymoons.   After witnessing the destruction of family photos during Hurricane Ian, K...

In January, I had the unforgettable experience to join Move Morocco in Morocco. This week I am joined by the founder, Lindsey Brown and her tour guide, Yassin. 

Lindsey Brown is passionate about connection, adventure, and culture. She likes to seek out opportunites to explore new lifestyles, embrace traditions, and learn from the incredible women she meets along the way. 

Through recent travels, she has discovered the transformative power of stepping outside of her comfort zone and connecting with people from all walks of life. From hiking in the mountains, training for endurance events, or le...

Meet Lindsey Bybee from Abroadwife

Lindsey is an American expat mom of three who has lived in 5 different countires over the past 12 years. She is an avid traveler and shares tips for traveling with kids in Europe, destination itineraries, and relatable stories on her Instagram and website.

In this episode Lindsey will be sharing everything you need to plan your perfect trip to the Barvarian Alps, specifically Garmisch-Partenkirchen Germany. In this episode we will cover:

Top things to do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen weather

Favorite hikes in Garmisch

...

Meet Jessica Human from We Chose Adventures

For womens adventure travel you can also now find her on shechoseadventures

And for outdoor homeschooling you can find her at mid.atlantic.mama

In this episode Jessica will talk all things Baltimore so you can plan the perfect trip. In this episode we will discuss

Best time to visit Baltimore

Day trips from Baltimore

Food to try in Baltimore

Restaurants in Baltimore

Where to stay in Baltimore

Itinerary/must see things in Baltimore

Shelby was born and raised in Illinois and after some convincing (and a powerpoint) she talked her family into moving to Arizona. Once a social worker, Shelby now shares all the hidden gems and must see places about Arizona on Instagram azfamilyguide She also has a guide to purchase for a more complete guide to Sedona. You can find that here 

In this episode Shelby will cover everything you need to have your dream family vacation to Sedona Arizona. In this episode we will cover:

Best time of year to visit Sedona

Arizona R...

Join me this week as I talk to Jessica Wilkinson all about the U.K.  Jessica has had a love of travel from a young age, traveling abroad to explore the world. She has continued her love of travel and now lives in the United Kingdom with her husband and children. She created the instagram page Our Micro Adventures to inspire others to get out and travel, whether with children, solo, womens trips, our couples trips. 

In this episode we will be covering travel mainly around the midlands. In this episode we will discuss

Favorite ti...

Emily Cooper is an epidemiologist turned full-time traveler and content creator. In 2021, she started her social media platforms and website, Emily Eats and Explores, to teach women how to confidently travel solo. She has since worked with major travel brands, tourism boards and travel companies, while hosting her own group trips around the world. Today, Emily teaches her community of over 100,000 how they can get paid to travel. Emily has been featured in Newsweek, Huffpost, and is the co-host of the top travel podcast, Travel Chat with Ashley and Emily.

In this episode we will be discussing:<...

Alex Duhl, her husband, toddler, and two dogs decided to move to El Paso Texas for a job offer. They quickly fell in love with El Paso and Alex will be sharing all about it today. Alex strives to share more about El Paso, family friendly restaurants, side trips, and parenting hacks on her instagram, elpasotravelfamily

In this episode Alex will be sharing everything you need to plan your next getaway to El Paso Texas. In this episode we will be covering:

Best time of year to visit El Paso

Favorite restaurants in...

2024 Review of the podcast. Jut recapping the last year of the Choose your happy place podcast. In this episode I'll be chatting about some our the hightlights from this year. Listen to hear what the top episode of the year was, how many countries I have listeners in, and all the fun stats. Next, I'll be sharing about the ups and downs of 2024 as well as travels we have done with our family and recommendations in each location. Finally I'll be sharing about the future of this podcast, my goals, bucket list items and things to look forward to.  H...

Hannah Woodhams is sharing today all about Malaysia. As a mother of two, with a passion for adventure and exploring, has lived around the world. Originally from Northampton, UK, Hannah has traveled the world as an international teacher. Her family has lived in Shanghai, Malaysia (Penang), UK, and Malaysia again. Living in Malaysia gave her family an incredible access point for travel. Join me on this episode as we learn more about Hannah and her family and all the information she has about Malaysia

In this episode we will cover

Best time to travel to...

In this episode we dive into learning all about Guam from Alicia Mendiola. Born and raised in Guam, Alicia shares her story about growing up on the little and beautiful island of Guam. There she met her husband and after serving in the Army, the Mendiolas ended up in Georgia.

In this episode we will be covering:

Best time of year to visit Guam

Food to try in Guam

Hiking in Guam

Ideal itinerary for visiting Guam

Ben Higgins, a veteran of ABC’s hit series The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, won over the hearts of loyal viewers with his refreshing vulnerability and willingness to share himself fully. Following his appearances across franchises, Higgins has embarked on numerous ventures, entrepreneurial and otherwise, grounded in faith, a sense of hope for humanity, and a mission to help organizations connect more deeply with their employees and customers.

Ben co-founded Generous International in 2017, a for-purpose company dedicated to raising money to create jobs, feed children, improve education, and empower communities to eliminate poverty around the world. Outside of...

In this episode we will be covering everything you need to plan a trip to Roatan Honduras. I was joined this week by a new friend I made while visiting Honduras for a humanitarian trip. Cassi had taken her family to the humanitarian trip with Humanity and hope united. We were instant friends. Both in similar family situations and era of life. My husband and I visited Roatan before our humanitarian trip and Cassi and her family visited after. In this episode we discuss both perspectives as well as give ideas for planning your next trip. 

Cassi i...

Miriam Gersdorf is a Utah-based hiker, outdoor adventurer, and content creator behind the social media account @explore.hike.teach. Her passion is exploring Utah and inspiring others to get outdoors and discover their next favorite adventure.  She has been adventuring around Utah for 30 years, exploring the national parks and off-the-beaten-path locations.  She advocates for responsible recreation and empowers others to get outside and on the trails.  When not hiking, she teaches reading intervention at a local elementary school, spending time with her family and indulging in a good book or disaster movie.

In this episode we will be...

Riley Fuller is the President and Co-founder of Humanity and Hope United, a non-profit organization that inspires hope in communities in Honduras. Anyone who meets him immediately feels welcomed into his life and his purpose. He wants to help people break free from poverty, and to be able to make their dreams come true regardless of where they were born, what they look like, or who their parents are. You can learn more about humanity and hope here

In this episode we will be diving deep into the mission and goal of humanity and hope united. If...

Deborah Raarup from raarupadventures is a lodging photographer and travel blogger that loves to live life adventurously. After her and her husband got married, they sold most of their things and moved to Alaska. After visiting their 50th state together in January 2023, they embarked on a year long world trip with the goal to travel the world for an entire year on less than $100/day. From both their blog and their youtube channel they share their favorite places, things to do, and easy itineraries.

In this episodes we will be covering everything from Alaska to plan your...

Entrepreneur, adventurer, world traveler, and public speaker, Kat Medina has traveled to more than 35 countries, and lived in Ecuador, Argentina, France and Spain. She draws upon her passion for travel to inspire joy in others, teaching people how to show up and live fully by embodying a traveler's mindset in daily life. 

In this episode Kat shares all about her book, The Joys of Jet Lag, and gives helpful and inspirational advice for how to keep that traveler's mindset with you. In this episode we talk about:

How travel has changed after having kids

Summer 2024 Recap. I wanted to focus one episode on sharing about the ups and downs of our travel. We had a rough beginning to summer but ended with a bang. Summer is a time that I truly treasure with my family but decided to take a podcast break. In this episode I will be sharing about some of the highlights of our summer and recommendations for traveling to Boise and California.

Since they were kids, Eleanor and Dave dreamed of traveling around the world and in 2014 they finally took the leap! They spent 18 months on the road and that time changed them to the core; there was no going back... although they had to. They returned to work, started a family, bought a house, and focused on micro adventures but it didn't feel like "the good life." It just felt too busy. So they decided to forge a different kind of future for themselves driven by joy and intention. They made one change after another until they could leave again...

Summer Adamson is a mother of 4 who was born in California and now lives in Utah. She is an influencer and advocate for children with Down Syndrome, sharing her daughter's Jayne 'extra' witht the world, by showing all of the things she can do with her diagnosis! She loves to travel all around the world with her family. She also recently wrote a book that will be released September 24, 2024. You can preorder her book at Jumelle Press or A little extra Jayne

In this episode we will be discussing tips for

Traveling tips for big...

Mady Bazzle is a wife and mother of three (almost four) children. She has lived in several different states including California, Idaho, Utah, Virginia, and her families most recent adventure has been moving to Bentonville, Arkansas. She loves traveling on a budget, photgraphy, food, andything with water and meeting new friends. In this episode we will be covering:

What is Bentonville known for?

Traveling to Bentonville

Where to stay in Bentonville

What to do in Bentonville

Places to eat in Bentonville

Best trails to hike near Bentonville<...

Raimee Iacofano has been featured on Good Morning America and is a known TikTok travel influencer. With over 500,000 followers across socials- Raimee is inspiring people across the world to travel. At the age of 14, she took her first international trip to Honduras and Belize and she fell in love with experiencing different cultures. From there she spent time all over Europe from study abroad programs in Ireland, Germany France and the Netherlands.

She worked for the incredible nomadicmatt remotely managing media and content while getting to explore 5 different continents. In 2021 she had a TikTok she made about...

Mary Ellen is one half of the Wonderland on Points podcast duo. She was born and raised a Southern Girl who, as an adult, has bounced up and down the East Coast. She's a busy mom, who spends most of her days dreaming about travel while shuttling kids to sports practices and picking up shifts as a nurse at her local hospital. She's an expert in maximizing credit card rewards for travel and has redeemed thousands of dollars worth of free travel flying her family of 5 to magical destinations. A few of her biggest inspirations that helped mold her...

When Kelly Jensen joined Instagram she quickly gained a following of women from all walks of life who wanted to be inspired to see the good in themselves and each other. Kelly manages to balance her role as a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, wife, and mother of five with grace and almost makes you think having five young children is easy. When she has a moment to herself (which isn't often), Kelly likes to adventure and travel the world with her husband.

Kelly teaches her five children to live intentionally and dream big by making a "Live...