Erik Futtrup has been to every country in the world

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of meeting Erik at ETF II in Bangkok, and I am looking forward to seeing him this October for ETF III.  Erik is looking forward to joining the stage at ETF for the UN Master photo as he just accomplished his quest just last year.  Erik was early to the internet, real early,...

Konstantin Liorek has been to every country in the world

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Kostia Liorek.  I met Kostia at the ETF in Bangkok in 2024, and I've known Kostia for years virtually on FB.  But on this podcast I really had the pleasure of learning his fascinating story from growing up in Ukraine, taking advantage of opportu...

Brian Johnson has been to 128 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Brian Johnson.  I met Brian twice in the last two years, first at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok in November of 2024 and 12 months later in the Omo Valley as we escaped a hot zone of Marburg Virus, more on that later.  Brian's stories of overlanding ...

Join the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, October 22-25, 2026.  Use code BANGKOK to save on your ticket.

One of the goals of the Extraordinary Travel Festival is to bring the leaders of the travel industry together.  Why?  We want to make your travels richer and more meaningful.  Hearing from these thought leaders keeps you abreast of changes and benefits that can help you.  We have founders and leaders like Ian Cumming of...

Yaël Pericard has been to 133 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Yael Pericard.  I met Yael briefly at the ETF in Bangkok and follow him on FB, but here is another case of a traveler who I really did not know well.  Of course that is no longer the case after our conversation.  Yael leads an adventurous life from summiting 7000 ...

The ETF/ABS Magellan Travel Index was announced and premiered at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok in 2024 by founder, João Paulo Peixoto.  The professor has recently moved into the #1 position on both the NM and MTP lists.  The professor joins us on the ETF to provide an update on the MTI.

You can learn more about the MTI by clicking here.

Please remember the Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held in Bangkok from Oc...

Thomas Preinl has been to 190 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. On this episode I have the pleasure to speak with Thomas Preinl who I met at the NomadMania meeting in Uzbekistan and spent time with him during a recent visit to Thailand. Thomas is one of those characters who has been Chasing 193 but only recently found the extreme travel community.  Thomas has benefited with flight be...

Orla Phillips has been to 172 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. On this episode I have the pleasure to speak with Orla Phillips who I was fortunate enough to meet at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok.  Orla was inspired as a child to travel as she thumbed through travel brochures in her home.  We trace her life as she leaves the Irish countryside to become a long term expa...

Hey now!  Welcome to the third season of ETF news and updates.

The destination for ETF III will be back to Bangkok, Thailand!

The dates will be October 22-25, 2026.

Join today to lock in great prices with these discount codes.

ETF3 - $140 DISCOUNT – EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 24

ALUMNI - if you are an alumni of ETF I or II please contact me for a bigger discount - expires September 24 as well

Tickets are non-refundable, but you may sell you...

Peter Fenger has been to 102 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. On this episode I have the pleasure to speak with Peter Fenger, who just celebrated his 50th anniversary of global traveler.  I always love to hear the insights of pre-internet travelers, as Peter visited both China and the USSR in the 1980s.  AS a young man, Peter turned left at the fork, which opened a path of explorati...

Thor Pedersen has been to every country in the world

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Thor returns for the 4th time to Counting Countries in addition to 7 other episodes for patrons.  During this conversation, we speak about his newly published book, The Impossible Journey (including Kindle on Amazon US - affiliate).  Despite knowing his journey well, this book shares more stories and additio...

Zsuzsanna Berencsi has been to every country in the world

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Zsu Berencsi shares with us her awesome travel adventures to every country in the world with a big celebration this past December in her last country, Jamaica.  I have met Zsu twice before at both ETFs and she promises a third.  I got it on tape.  I also reconnected with Zsu at April Peregrino's 193 par...

Michael Zervos has been to every country in the world

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. This is a bonus episode with Michael Zervos.  I interviewed Michael back in December of 2023, before he had started his quest.  His quest?  To travel to every country in the world in the quickest possible time.  We have heard this before … someone who wants to break the GWR.  And many in the community woul...

Jenna Pava has been to 181 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I had the pleasure of meeting Jenna Pava at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, only to discover that we were also  (distant) neighbors in the city. This conversation offered another fantastic opportunity to dive into the story of a truly compelling traveler in our community. Jenna's early life was marked by a tug...

We Married Adventure have been to 149 & 148 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  I met Angela and Michael Ballard, the couple behind We Married Adventure, who I met at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok.  Angela and Michael at times pushed and pulled between a 9-5 lifestyle and travel.  A wedding vow, an insane travel sabbatical and a retirement from work propelled them fully...

Sam Goodwin has traveled to every country in the world

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  This conversation was a long time in the making.  In fact, this interview was originally scheduled in 2020.  But as we say, better late than never.  Sam Goodwin back in the day was just one of us … Chasing 193.  But his life was changed forever during his visit to country 181, Syria.  As 193ers, we are co...

Hey now, this is your host, Ric Gazarian.  And today, we have a special episode.  The mission of this podcast is to speak to travelers who have been to every country in the world or who are in the process of completing that goal.  And, this is an amazing community of individuals which I am fortunate to get to speak with.

This episode is a bit different since Vance is not Chasing 193, but he is very well traveled.  He comes more fro...

Sandy Cohen has traveled to 102 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  We are back with a new guest, Sandy Cohen.  I have known Sandy for years on social media, and I was fortunate to meet her at both Extraordinary Travel Festivals.  But, this conversation was my opportunity to learn more about Sandy, her life and travels, and I found it to be a fascinating conversation.  Sandy shared ta...

Pav Mbeda has traveled to 106 countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  We are back with the second episode of 2025.  I hope your travels are off to a good start.  Today, I am happy to share this conversation with Pav Mbeda.  Pav was one of the 250 participants of the sold out Extraordinary Travel Festival.  I reach out to all ticket buyers and was happy ...