Marrying Your Passions: The DINK Travel and Adventure Podcast

Join us as we kick off fall marathon season with a Labor Day weekend twofer: the Tupelo Marathon in Mississippi and the Heart of America Marathon in Columbia, Missouri. These two races hold a special place in Nathan's 50 state marathon journey, Tupelo was marathon number 3, Heart of America was number 9, and both remain some of our earliest adventures together as a married couple.

We'll take you through what to expect on race day, from Tupelo's early 5 AM start and rolling country roads through Lee and Pontotoc counties, to Heart of America's five and a half miles of...

We know timeshares are a hot button topic. There are two camps out there, the owners who've had one for decades and won't hear a word against it, and everyone else convinced it's a scam. We fall firmly into the first camp, and in this episode we're opening up the books on all three of our timeshares to show you exactly why.

Married DINK (dual income, no kids) couple, Nathan and Alicia break down their ownership at Westgate Resorts, Hyatt Vacation Club (purchased originally as Welk Resorts before Hyatt's 2022 acquisition), and Disney Vacation Club, covering real numbers...

San Miguel de Allende is a four hundred and eighty five year old colonial city in central Mexico, and it's been named the number one small city in the world six separate times by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel and Leisure. In this episode we talk with Greg Gunter, an architect, MBA, and founder of the first Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise in Mexico, about why San Miguel de Allende has become one of the most compelling second home and retirement destinations for DINKs and expats from the United States.

Greg has lived in San Miguel de Allende f...

What if the destination where you honeymooned became the place you keep returning to for nearly two decades because it keeps getting better every time?

Married DINK couple Nathan and Alicia have been going to Gatlinburg, Tennessee since their honeymoon in 2007, and in this episode they share everything they have learned about one of the most popular travel destinations in the country. From heart-shaped jacuzzis at Honeymoon Hills to the best Thai food in the Smokies, from watching Westgate Smoky Mountains nearly burn to the ground in the devastating 2016 wildfire to watching it rebuild and thrive, this...

What if one of the best destinations for DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) in the country was a place that probably never crossed your mind?

Join us as we explore Hot Springs National Park and Hot Springs, Arkansas, a city and a national park so intertwined you genuinely cannot tell where one ends and the other begins. We hiked through the Ouachita Mountains in the morning, soaked in a private thermal bath in the afternoon, drank beer brewed from the same spring water that has flowed beneath the city for centuries, and walked a historic street with...

Most performance nutrition products are packed with synthetic ingredients you cannot pronounce. Zac Curhan built TRUWILD to change that, starting with $10,000 and a bad experience on a hiking trail. In this episode he joins married DINK couple (dual income, no kids) Nathan and Alicia to talk clean nutrition for adventure travel, what entrepreneurship really costs, and why you should stop only doing things you know you will finish.

We also get into what entrepreneurship does to your relationships and why TRUWILD products are just as much for the person walking their dog in the Florida heat as...

Married DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) couple, Nathan and Alicia have made adventure a non-negotiable part of their everyday life. In Episode 20, they take you back to May 2022 and one of the most unforgettable trips of their 50-state marathon journey as Nathan seeks to run a marathon in every state.

It started as a straightforward plan: drive from Denver to Keystone, South Dakota to visit Mount Rushmore, then head east to Brookings, South Dakota for the Brookings Marathon. Mount Rushmore delivered everything they hoped for and more. What happened on the drive to Brookings did not.

Think Disney World and SeaWorld are just for families with kids? Think again. In this episode, married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) Nathan and Alicia make the case that family-friendly destinations are some of the best places to be when you are child-free, and share exactly how they experience them differently and completely on their own terms.

From spontaneous mid-stay resort switches and late-night fireworks surprises at ‘Ohana restaurant to free resort hopping on a dinner reservation and the foot golf conversation that brought them back to SeaWorld, this episode is packed with personal stories, practical ti...

What does it take to actually go to the Olympics? Not watch it from your couch, but pack your bags, book your tickets two years in advance, and show up on a mountain in northern Italy with your family ready to experience one of the greatest spectacles on earth? This episode married DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) couple Nathan and Alicia sit down with their good friend Bryan Richards, who writes under the pen name Bryan Michael, to find out.

Bryan is a Charlotte-based crime thriller author and a guy who has made a habit of traveling...

test

On April 17, 2021, Nathan crossed the finish line of the Golden Driller Marathon in Tulsa, Oklahoma and finally believed he could qualify for the Bosto. Two years later, on April 17, 2023, exactly to the day, he crossed the finish line on Boylston Street at the Boston Marathon.

The Golden Driller Marathon is one of Oklahoma's best kept secrets. A flat, fast, Boston qualifying course along the beautiful Riverparks trail system on the Arkansas River, a small and friendly race with a big community feel, and a city that will genuinely surprise you.

Married DINK (Dual Income, No...

What happens when a marathon introduces you to a region so amazing you keep coming back? That's exactly what happened to us in Virginia's Historic Triangle!

Join us as we explore Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown, Virginia across two unforgettable trips. With 2026 marking both America's 250th anniversary AND Colonial Williamsburg's 100th anniversary, there has never been a better time to visit this incredible region.

Nathan and Alicia, your married DINK couple hosts, share where we stayedshare where we stayed, our favorite local eats and drinks, great shopping finds including a very eventful visit to the...

🏃‍♂️ We're returning to what started it all, marathons!

After focusing on our epic 2024 road trip and Virgin Voyages series, Episode 15 brings us back to marathon travel. Nathan and Alicia shares his experience running the inaugural 2015 One City Marathon in Newport News, Virginia, his state #17 in the quest to run all 50 states.

What You'll Hear:

✨ Power the Hype 2026 - Newport News's year-long celebration kicks off with the marathon!

🎉 Race Weekend Events:

Travel & Leisure's Top 50 for 2026: We Pick Our Dream Destinations

Ever wondered where a married DINK couple would go if they could travel ANYWHERE in 2026? Nathan and Alicia are tackling Travel & Leisure's The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026 list by sharing the 11 destinations we've already visited, then each picking our TOP 3 dream destinations from the remaining 39.

Where We've Been (11 of 50 and some highlights):

Our Virgin Voyages series continues!

Join Nathan and Alicia, a married DINK couple, as we share honest reviews of our favorite shore excursions across the Western Caribbean and Bahamas. We dive into scuba experiences with Roatan Dive Center (Leda's Hole and Shark Bait Date) and Neil Watson's Bimini Scuba Center, plus Virgin's healing spa ritual in Costa Maya and relaxing at Bimini Beach Club.

Discover our Key West walkthrough: Harry S. Truman Little White House tour, Hemingway Distillery rum tastings, and why Celtic Conch Public House surprised us. We also share our Bimini cultural tour...

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Virgin Voyages deep dive! In Episode 11, we covered all the amazing dining options. Now we're exploring everything else you can do on these adult-only ships.

In this episode, we cover:

Fitness & Wellness:

Entertainment:

BIG NEWS: We're officially Marrying Your Passions: The DINK Travel and Adventure Podcast!

After 10 episodes chronicling our epic cross-country road trips, we're getting crystal clear about who we are and who we serve. We're Nathan and Alicia - a childfree couple proving you don't have to wait for "someday" to live your best life.

Whether you're DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) like us, empty nesters with newfound freedom, recently retired, or couples taking kid-free trips, we're here to help you make adventure part of your everyday life.

And what better way to kick...

Join Nathan and Alicia, a married DINK couple, as they wrap up their epic 11,775-mile summer camping adventure! When Alicia had a Chicago conference on the calendar, instead of just flying in for work, they turned it into the anchor point for a two-month cross-country journey. This episode covers their last week on the road - proving that work and travel can mix perfectly when you get creative.

While Alicia worked, Nathan explored solo: running the Lakefront Trail, catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, and hunting down One Chicago filming locations. Evenings at the peaceful campground...

In this follow-up to our previous Denver episode where Nathan and Alicia, your married DINK couple hosts, shared their favorite places from living in the Mile High City, we're excited to bring you an interview with Ben and Jess Wiederholt, owners of two unique African-themed Airbnbs in Denver, Colorado - the Matooke House and the African Loft.

Our stop in Denver was a highlight of our cross country 2024 summer road trip that we've been chronicling throughout recent episodes, and it was made even more special by staying at the Wiederholt's beautiful Matooke House.

Discover how...

Join Nathan and Alicia, a married DINK couple, as we continue our epic 2024 summer road trip, heading west from Branson to the quirky Wizard of Oz-themed town of Wamego, Kansas, and then on to our former home of Denver, Colorado!

Hear about our first camper mishap and our SUV's "turtle mode" incident in 100+ degree heat—and why staying adaptable is key to any adventure!

Connect with us:

marrinyourpassions.com, @MarryingYourPassions on social media, Blog: https://marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on...

We're so excited to share this special milestone episode with you—our very first guest on Marrying Your Passions! We sat down with Danielle, owner of Gliding Light Paddle Company, for an insider's guide to one of our favorite destinations: Branson, Missouri. Nathan and Alicia, your married DINK couple hosts, sat down with Danielle to get the full scoop.

Danielle shares her inspiring journey from healthcare worker to paddle board business owner and how she's built a thriving community on Table Rock Lake that welcomes both locals and tourists alike.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

Married DINK couple Nathan and Alicia continue to discuss their 2024 cross-country adventure as they visit Lincoln, Nebraska and Branson, Missouri - a destination that's become one of their most beloved repeat visits over five years.

Episode Highlights:

Table Rock Lake Adventures

Food & Drink Must-Dos

Our epic 2024 road trip adventure continues!

Join Nathan and Alicia, a married DINK couple, as we explore Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah plus Laramie, Wyoming. We review Edge Steakhouse and Tekila Mexican Grill in Park City, visit the Park City Museum and Utah Olympic Park, and share our hilarious (and fly-filled!) experience at Great Salt Lake State Park.

Discover amazing vegetarian spots: Vertical Diner in Salt Lake City and Sweet Melissa's Cafe in Laramie, plus our favorite mead destination, The Great Untamed. We also recap camping at RJourney Laramie RV Resort and celebrating...

Our epic 2024 Summer Camping Trip continues!

In this episode, married DINK couple Nathan and Alicia share the story of how their decision to skip running a marathon led to an incredible extended adventure near the Grand Tetons and an unexpected visit to Yellowstone National Park.

What You'll Hear In This Episode

The adventure continues as married DINK couple Nathan and Alicia leave Maine behind and head west on their epic cross-country camping journey! This episode, we explore three incredible destinations: Ohio's hidden gem Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the dramatic landscapes of Badlands National Park, and the wonders of Wind Cave National Park. Between parks, we reconnect with family, discover an amazing BBQ whiskey in Wisconsin Dells, and have an unexpected encounter with everyone's favorite cartoon bear. Join us for our signature park reviews, foodie finds, camping recommendations, and practical tips for weaving your passions into daily life. Whether you're planning...

We're back after a year-long hiatus! Join married DINK couple Nathan and Alicia as we kick off our epic 2024 cross-country road trip adventure. In this episode, we take you through the highlights of our first two weeks on the road, including stunning visits to Congaree and Acadia National Parks. We also share our experiences running two Mainly Marathon events in New Hampshire and Maine, complete with honest reviews and race insights. Plus, we dish out practical tips and hard-earned wisdom from our initial weeks of life on the road. Whether you're planning your own national park adventure, considering a...

The journey begins here!

In our very first episode, married DINK couple Nathan and Alicia are rolling out the red carpet and giving you the ultimate introduction to what Marrying Your Passions is all about. Get ready to dive into a world where travel adventures meet personal relationships, where running goals intersect with life dreams, and where passion isn't just a word—it's a way of living.

What you'll discover in this episode: