In this episode of Wandering Wild, I sit down with my friend Natalie while we’re mid–road trip in Australia to talk about what it’s really like traveling solo, sleeping in your car, and learning to trust yourself along the way.

We dive into the freedom of road tripping, the reality of loneliness, safety as a woman, choosing the right people, and why solo travel isn’t an escape from real life—it’s just a different version of it. Natalie shares what she’s learned about decision-making, self-trust, meeting people on the road, and allowing yourself to have hard days even while living a dream life.

This conversation is honest, reflective, funny, and grounding—perfect for anyone craving adventure, independence, or a reminder that you’re allowed to move through life at your own pace.

In this episode, I share what it’s been like road tripping Australia — camping, sleeping in cars, meeting people by chance, and choosing the road instead of the flight. What began as a spontaneous decision became a turning point.

This episode explores:

• Road tripping Australia as a solo female traveler

• Transitioning from constant travel to wanting roots

• Trusting intuition and navigating uncertainty

• Finding freedom in the in-between places

If you’re entering a new season or standing at a crossroads, this episode is for you.

This New Year feels different.

After feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and caught in my own head, I made one simple decision — to move. What followed was an unexpected road trip, sleeping in cars and tents, meeting people who were strangers just days ago, and feeling more alive than I ever.

In this episode, I reflect on what it means to stop keeping our lives in our heads and start letting them exist in the real world. I talk about indecision, fear, and the ways we talk ourselves out of connection, action, and becoming the person we say we want to be.

Instead of resolutions, I’m choosing a theme for this year: letting my thoughts, ideas, and instincts turn into real experiences. Real movement. Real connection. Real life.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, restless, or like you’re waiting for the “right time” to start — this episode is a reminder that so much can change when you finally take the first step.

Not sure how to start traveling — or if you’re even “ready”? In this episode, I break it all down.

I talk through:
• Why travel is so transformative
• How to ease into solo travel (without jumping straight into months abroad)
• Group trips, work exchanges, and beginner-friendly options
• Safety, intuition, and mindset shifts
• The emotional ups and downs of travel
• Practical tips I wish I knew when I started

This episode is a companion to the Travel 101 PDF, where everything we discuss is laid out clearly so you can come back to it anytime.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start… this might be it.

Travel 101: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fAweMIRc1mH9TR6aUgsC8rD6nglXmWbK/view?usp=drive_link

In this solo episode, I talk about what it really means to feel “stuck” — and why it’s often not about being trapped, but about being undecided.

I’m currently in Australia, living a life I once dreamed of, and yet finding myself feeling lonely, foggy, stressed, and unsure of my next move. I share how gratitude and discomfort can exist at the same time, how indecision creates the illusion of being stuck, and what happens when we avoid consciously choosing to stay or leave.

We explore self-trust, intuition, alignment between thoughts, words, and actions, and how making decisions that don’t feel true to yourself can affect everything — including your sense of freedom and financial flow. I also share my personal journey through solo travel, heartbreak, growth, and learning to listen to myself again.

This episode is for anyone standing at a crossroads, afraid of choosing wrong, or feeling called toward something more but unsure how to move forward.

In this episode, I sit down with my aunt, Sarah, to talk openly about growing up Mormon, what it was like to question and eventually leave the church, and how those beliefs still show up in our lives today — even years later.

We explore family dynamics, identity, fear, freedom, guilt, community, and what it really means to rebuild your sense of self after leaving a high-control religion. This is an honest conversation about faith, autonomy, and self-discovery.

Whether you grew up Mormon, left a religion, or are still untangling inherited beliefs, this episode is for anyone who wants to learn more.

In this episode of Wandering Wild, Ashley sits down with traveler and podcaster Matt Mitzel, who has visited 65 countries and counting while living a full-time nomadic lifestyle with his partner.

Matt shares his journey from teaching English abroad in Spain, South Korea, and Turkey to spending the last two years traveling to one country per month, house-sitting around the world, and building a life rooted in curiosity, connection, and adventure.

We dive into:
• What it’s really like visiting 65+ countries as a long-term traveler
• The realities of digital nomad life and finding routine on the road
• How house sitting abroad has helped him travel affordably in 16 countries
• Culture shocks, challenges, and the mindset shifts travel creates
• What teaching English overseas is actually like
• The difference between slow travel, backpacking, and living abroad
• How world travel shifts your identity, worldview, and sense of home
• His most surprising destinations and the countries he loves most
• Why some people are simply wired for adventure

This episode is full of insight, vulnerability, and inspiration — perfect for anyone dreaming of long-term travel, becoming a digital nomad, or exploring more of the world.

Find Matt on social media:

Personal - https://www.instagram.com/mattmitzel?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Travel - https://www.instagram.com/makin_moves_with_matt_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/makinmovespod?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Travel Agency: https://www.instagram.com/trustedtravelers?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Matt & Perlie - https://www.instagram.com/mattandperlie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Keywords: travel podcast, world traveler, 65 countries, digital nomad life, teaching English abroad, solo travel stories, house sitting, backpacking, slow travel, global citizen, culture shock, expat life, long-term travel.

In this episode, I sit down with my little brother John to talk about his first-ever solo trip… an unforgettable adventure through Vietnam. Incredible food, hidden caves, the Ha Giang Loop, and the people who made his journey magical.

We talk about what it feels like to travel alone for the first time, the moments that made him fall in love with exploring the world, and how this trip sparked a travel bug he never expected. If you've been thinking about taking your own leap into solo travel, this episode is your sign.

Follow John on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john.bshaw?igsh=MnYzZnk3bHh5OWVn