Joel Oleson … Hungry For Travel

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  You might know Joel from his flowing beard on social media.  Joel is someone I have known of for years but virtually.  And in fact, we ran into each other randomly on our travels in Central Africa.  I speak with Joel and learn about his fascinating journey in life as well as Chasing 193.  Joel was very candid during this conversation about subjects that some people will avoid such as family and his faith.  This made our conversation richer and I appreciate that.  

If you are a listener, you have heard this before … the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok.  Discount code BANGKOK for $100, so please purchase your ticket today to lock in your savings at the Extraordinary Travel Fest.

Why would you want to come?  Some might say Bangkok, been there, done that.  And that might be true.  But have you been to every Nomad Mania region in Thailand or every UNESCO site, even the new one, Si Thep, announced in September?  Or maybe you have missed Laos, Burma, or Brunei?  All have direct and economical flights.  Or even Bhutan or Bangladesh.  Think of ETF as the hub and everywhere else the spokes of wherever you want to explore. 

Don’t get #FOMO over 160 people are committed!

I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gin, Philippe ‘JT’ Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine OTB Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, and Sam Williams for supporting this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries.  My patrons will hear extra content with Joel that you will not hear.

Time for our monthly 193 Milestones Segment, where we recognize travel accomplishments in the community.  Today, we will get updates from Mike Safo (check out his awesome podcast - the Mike Safo Podcast), Luc Jones, who I met in Armenia, and Chantal Patton, who travels as a 5 person family unit.  You will hear their updates throughout the podcast.  Let’s hear from my buddy Mike. 

I will be asking for travelers to submit audio files to recognize travel accomplishments.  To learn more follow the Counting Countries on IG and FB accounts and I will be making future call to actions.  Here are a couple of milestones to recognize now.  

And take a look at GlobalGaz.com and look for Joel’s Counting Countries podcast, I shared the photo of Joel walking over the “bridge” in CAR. 

I was in Boston for this recording while Joel was in San Diego. Please listen in and enjoy.   

Thank you to my Patrons - you rock!!  ….  Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, Dale Wursten, and Sam Williams.

Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel!  

 

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