From art school skeptic to full-time travel creator — Nikki shares how she found her artistic voice behind and in front of the camera.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Nikki’s journey from South Dakota to New York — and beyond — as a photographer and creator
• How her perspective on influencers evolved after art school
• The creative freedom (and chaos) of life as a digital nomad
• What photography has taught her about storytelling and connection
• Inspiration for anyone redefining what “art” and “success” look like

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Hang out with us on Instagram and TikTok

We want to hear from you! Reach our via DM on Instagram or email at athousandmilespod@gmail.com

Hosts:

Maddie McLean || @thetravelmentors

Tyler Ferbrache || @theinfrequentflyers

Nikki Tomlin || @nikkiitomlin

Turning grief into purpose — Maddie opens up about the journey that inspired The Travel Mentors.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The emotional story of losing Maddie’s sister-in-law Emily and how it shaped her perspective on life and passion

• The highs, lows, and biggest lessons from building a travel content business

• Advice Maddie would give to anyone nervous to pursue their dream

• Honest reflections on what content creation has taught her about creativity, risk, and resilience

• Inspiration for listeners to chase what truly matters in their own lives

👉 Don’t forget to Rate, Review, and Subscribe!

Watch this episode on YouTube

Hang out with us on Instagram and TikTok

We want to hear from you! Reach our via DM on Instagram or email at athousandmilespod@gmail.com

Hosts:

Maddie McLean || @thetravelmentors

Tyler Ferbrache || @theinfrequentflyers

Nikki Tomlin || @nikkiitomlin

Travel, chaos, and redefining home — this episode dives into the hilarious and freeing reality of life on the road.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Tyler’s story of the trip that sparked her love of travel and how it changed her idea of “home”
• Maddie’s journey from stability to full-time adventure and the running joke about always feeling half-nomadic
• Nikki’s perspective on living nomadically, the funniest suitcase moments, and why “homeless traveler” feels freeing
• A group discussion comparing our travel origin stories and debating whether we’re true travelers or glamorous couch-surfers
• Reflections on how constant travel shapes identity and what home really means
• An invite for listeners to share their own travel stories

👉 Don’t forget to Rate, Review, and Subscribe!

Watch this episode on YouTube

Hang out with us on Instagram and TikTok

We want to hear from you! Reach our via DM on Instagram or email at athousandmilespod@gmail.com

Hosts:

Maddie McLean || @thetravelmentors

Tyler Ferbrache || @theinfrequentflyers

Nikki Tomlin || @nikkiitomlin