In this episode, we head to Lower Manhattan to explore the layers of history hidden beneath the skyscrapers of Wall Street. Longtime GoNOMAD contributor Susmita Sengupta, a New Yorker with a sharp eye for the city’s past, takes us on a walking journey through the Financial District — revealing the colonial streets, early American landmarks, and sacred spaces that shaped the beginnings of the United States.

We begin at the New York Stock Exchange, but instead of watching the crowds, Susmita leads us to the Federal Hall National Memorial, the “Birthplace of American Government,” where George Washington took the oath of office in 1789. The Doric columns, the bronze Washington statue, and the preserved balcony inside all bring the early republic vividly to life.

Just steps away stands Trinity Church Wall Street, a Gothic masterpiece and the oldest public building still in use in Manhattan. Inside, its stained glass windows glow above the grave of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers.

We continue to St. Paul’s Chapel, the Georgian-era sanctuary where Washington prayed after his inauguration, before wandering toward Stone Street, a cobblestone lane dating back to the Dutch colonial era — built by enslaved Africans and now lined with lively restaurants.

Susmita then guides us to Fraunces Tavern Museum, a Revolutionary War landmark where patriots gathered and history unfolded. Across the street, she discovers the preserved remains of 17th‑century New Amsterdam, including the 1667 foundations of the Lovelace Tavern, visible beneath glass panels in the sidewalk.

The journey concludes at the powerful and moving African Burial Ground National Monument, the largest colonial-era burial site for enslaved and free Africans in North America. Rediscovered in 1991, it now stands as a solemn memorial and educational center honoring more than 400 individuals whose labor helped build New York City.

This episode is a thoughtful walk through the origins of the city — a reminder that beneath the financial capital of the world lies a deep, complex, and essential American story.

Written by GoNOMAD contributor Susmita Sengupta.

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EPISODE: KOMODO — BEYOND THE POSTCARDS

In this episode, host Max Hartshorne takes listeners deep into Komodo National Park, exploring what it actually feels like to move through one of the world’s wildest island chains. This isn’t the postcard version—this is the lived version.

Drawing from on‑the‑ground insight in the uploaded script — “You start to realize Komodo National Park isn’t really a checklist kind of place. It’s something you feel your way through.” — the episode breaks down the rhythm, the slowness, the raw landscapes, and the moments in between that define the Komodo experience.

You’ll hear how the park has evolved, why access to Komodo Island is still open but more regulated, and what it’s like to wake up on the water day after day as the islands reveal themselves in layers.

• Komodo isn’t a checklist destination — it’s a place that unfolds slowly, shaped by tides, weather, and time.
• The dragons are iconic, but the surrounding landscape—dry hills, blue water, untouched islands—often leaves a deeper impression.
• Life on the water forces a different pace, where time stretches and the experience becomes more about presence than itinerary.
• Underwater is another world entirely, with mantas, coral, and visibility that stops you in your tracks.
• The in‑between moments matter most — sunsets on deck, quiet conversations, simple meals that taste better because of where you are.
• Komodo lingers long after you leave, not as a bucket‑list trophy but as a place that shifts your perspective.

This episode was created with the insight and experience of Derek Haight, an American entrepreneur based in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, whose writing captures the emotional truth of traveling through Komodo National Park. From the script: “There’s something about Komodo that doesn’t really end when the trip does… Whatever it is, it lingers.” info@maikakomodotour.com

• Labuan Bajo — gateway to Komodo National Park
• Padar Island, Pink Beach, Rinca Island
• Manta encounters and world‑class snorkeling
• Life aboard traditional wooden boats
• Conservation efforts and regulated access to Komodo Island

Explore more travel stories and destination deep dives at: 👉 WWW.VOYASCAPE.COM

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Episode: MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA — A RESILIENT CITY OF HISTORY, DIVING FEATS & ADVENTURE

In this episode, we travel to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina — a city where beauty, bravery, and centuries of history meet on the stones of one of the world’s most iconic bridges.

Host Max Hartshorne takes listeners to the edge of the 79‑foot Stari Most, where divers have leapt into the emerald Neretva River for nearly 500 years, continuing a rite of passage that has become one of Europe’s most thrilling spectacles.

We explore the rebuilt 16th‑century Ottoman bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage site that stands today as a powerful symbol of resilience after its destruction in 1993 and painstaking reconstruction stone by stone. Walking across it, you can feel the weight of history beneath your feet — the smooth limestone worn by centuries of footsteps, conflict, and renewal.

You’ll meet the Mostarski Icarí, the legendary divers who wait patiently for crowds to gather before taking their breathtaking plunge. Their tradition, named after the myth of Icarus, is one of the most unforgettable experiences in the Balkans.

Beyond the bridge, we wander through Mostar’s artisan‑filled Old Town, where shopkeepers proudly share hand‑made treasures — from glass mosaics to repurposed bullet casings transformed into art. These pieces tell the story of a city that has endured hardship yet continues to create beauty.

The episode also explores the adventures waiting just outside the city:

• Kravica Waterfall, a lush oasis 45 minutes from Mostar
• Počitelj, a hilltop town of Ottoman architecture
• Blagaj Tekke, the cliff‑side dervish monastery perched above the turquoise spring of the Buna River

Mostar is more than a postcard‑perfect stop — it’s a destination filled with meaning, memory, and a spirit that refuses to fade. Around every corner, visitors find reminders of resilience, creativity, and the enduring pride of its people.

This episode was produced by Max Hartshorne. Special thanks to GoNOMAD writer Monique Evdokiou for her help with the script and her vivid reporting from Mostar.

On today’s episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, we’re unpacking a safety warning you’ve heard on every flight but may not have taken seriously: don’t reach for your phone if it slips between the airplane seats — call a flight attendant instead.

It sounds like a small thing, but as we explore in this episode, it’s a rule written in fire. Literally.

This story comes from reporting in Afar Magazine, and it reveals just how dangerous a crushed smartphone can be inside an aircraft cabin.

When a phone gets wedged in the seat’s mechanical components, it can be crushed if the seat moves. That’s when the lithium battery can overheat and enter thermal runaway, a chain reaction where the battery “rapidly heats up, releases flammable gases, and can ignite.”

We highlight several dramatic examples, including:

• A Southwest flight where a crushed phone ignited a seat at the gate, forcing all 108 passengers to evacuate via emergency slides.
• A Hawaiian Airlines flight that declared an emergency after a trapped phone began emitting a burning smell near landing.
• An Alaska Airlines flight that returned to the airport after a phone and portable battery pack ignited in the cabin.

FAA records show 106 verified incidents between 2006 and early 2026 involving lithium batteries in phones overheating, smoking, or catching fire — with 21 incidents in 2025 alone.

Airline reps explain that crews are trained to access the tight, complex seat mechanisms safely. As American Airlines notes, “seats can vary between aircraft,” and flight attendants know how to retrieve a device before it becomes a hazard.

Delta adds that calling a crew member also prevents passengers from injuring themselves: “Those seats are tight. We’d rather get your phone out for you rather than have you potentially jam your finger.”

If a device becomes hot or begins emitting fumes, the crew can immediately activate fire‑safety protocols — another reason they want to know right away.

That quick line in the safety briefing isn’t just airline over‑caution. It’s a real, documented risk. If your phone slips into the seat, don’t reach for it — call a flight attendant. As the article concludes, “now you know, they weren’t kidding when they warned you about that.”

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• Max’s Travel Writing on GoNOMAD https://www.gonomad.com/author/max-hartshorne (gonomad.com in Bing)

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We explore this vibrant region, known for its stunning landscapes, mountains, local vineyards, and a plethora of agri-tourism opportunities. Our journey takes us through charming towns like Dunham, Bromont, and Frelighsburg, where we stay at the welcoming Gite La Maison Bleu and dine at Espace Old Mill, enjoying meals crafted from locally sourced ingredients.

This episode includes many photos and short videos from this region of Quebec, edited by Teh Chin Liang, a GoNOMAD Contributor.

We also visit innovative cideries and partake in activities such as mountain biking and disc golf, all while soaking in the views of the Vermont mountains. Join us as we discover the unique flavors and stories that this nearby region has to offer.

https://youtu.be/o3TS6ncDJZc

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Most travelers arrive with a cinematic image in mind: bulls charging, runners sprinting, adrenaline everywhere. But the reality is more layered. The route changes character from section to section, and your experience depends entirely on where you stand and how early you prepare.

We break down the difference between street-level and balcony viewing, explain why timing and geography matter more than chaos, and explore how the rhythm of the morning builds long before the bulls are released. Losu explains how locals read the route, anticipate the movement, and choose their vantage points with precision. We also quote a friend of Max's who has been to the San Fermin festival 48 times, every year since 1976, he explains what he loves so much.

You’ll learn why the run lasts only a few minutes but requires hours of preparation, how the old town’s compact layout can confuse even seasoned travelers, and why clarity—not proximity—is the key to a memorable experience.

Whether you’re planning your first trip to San Fermín or just curious about what it’s really like to be there, this episode gives you the insider’s view of Pamplona’s most famous morning.

Find out more about how you can attend the Running of the Bulls from Losu Value at Basque Views, in Pamplona, Spain

Listen now on the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, hosted by Max Hartshorne. Visit us at GoNOMAD.com and Voyascape.com for more travel stories, guides, and podcast episodes.

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In this episode, we travel to the vibrant island of Penang, Malaysia, where Lunar New Year isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a living, breathing celebration that spills into the streets of George Town. Senior Writer Chin Liang Teh takes us home to his island to experience Miao Hui, a community‑driven festival that preserves the traditions many big cities have long forgotten.

1. Why Penang’s Lunar New Year feels different from the commercialized celebrations found elsewhere
2. How George Town’s UNESCO‑listed streets transform into a cultural playground
3. The meaning and magic behind Miao Hui, held during the first week of the Lunar New Year

1. Dragon dances weaving through narrow lanes to the beat of thunderous drums
2. Lion dancers leaping between high platforms with acrobatic precision
3. The spectacular Chingay parade, where performers toss massive flags—sometimes catching them with their foreheads

1. Traditional glove puppet theater, where visitors try their hand at ancient storytelling
2. A quirky mini paddy field that lets festivalgoers plant a single rice seedling in real mud
3. Lanterns decorated with riddles, a centuries‑old tradition that turns the streets into a glowing puzzle trail

1. The surprisingly soothing knife massage, using the flat sides of blades to tap and press
2. Herbal face masks and threading, beauty rituals passed down through generations

1. Lei cha, a bright green Hakka tea‑and‑herb rice dish believed to cool the body
2. The crowd‑pleasing cannon popcorn, which explodes from a heated metal cannon with a booming blast

Miao Hui isn’t just a festival—it’s a reminder of how traditions survive when communities keep them alive. Locals, travelers, families, and curious wanderers all share the same streets, the same sounds, and the same joy. In Penang, Lunar New Year still feels like it always has: meaningful, communal, and full of heart.

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Episode Title: Skiing in Jasná: A Winter Adventure in Slovakia’s Low Tatras

Host: Max Hartshorne, GoNOMAD Travel Podcast

In this episode, Max takes listeners along on a winter journey through Slovakia, a country full of surprises — from affordable skiing and cozy chalets to wooden UNESCO churches and medieval castle ruins. Traveling with a small group of nine, Max explores the Low Tatras, skis the slopes of Jasná, and discovers why Slovakia is one of Europe’s most underrated winter destinations.

1. How to get to Slovakia via Vienna or Krakow, and why Bratislava makes a great first stop
2. The fun and camaraderie of small‑group travel
3. A scenic train ride across the country into the Liptov region
4. Staying in ski‑in, ski‑out chalets near Jasná
5. Three days of skiing Slovakia’s largest resort, with lift tickets around €61
6. Affordable on‑mountain dining, including Slovak classics like bryndzové halušky
7. A visit to the UNESCO‑listed Articular Wooden Church of Kežmarok, built entirely without nails
8. Exploring Spis Castle, historic towns, and local Slovak cuisine
9. A memorable electric train ride into the High Tatras for tubing, lake walks, and mountain views
10. Why Slovakia is a fantastic alternative to pricey U.S. and Western European ski destinations

This story highlights the joy of discovering places that don’t always make the top‑ten travel lists. Slovakia offers excellent snow, low prices, rich history, and warm hospitality — all wrapped into a trip that’s easy, social, and full of memorable moments.

1. Ski Jasná – Slovakia’s largest ski resort in the Low Tatras
2. Bratislava – Slovakia’s charming capital
3. Kežmarok Articular Wooden Church – UNESCO World Heritage Site
4. Spis Castle – One of Central Europe’s largest castle ruins
5. Poprad – Gateway city to the High Tatras

Short, 5–8 minute episodes featuring unusual destinations, great travel stories, and inspiration for your next adventure — hosted by Max Hartshorne, editor of GoNOMAD.com..

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This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

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This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.

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