It's the 100th episode of the Travel Creator Podcast!! We are two years old officially!!

Today is a bit of a special episode as I have my boyfriend Matt interview ME about our past year travelling out west in a rootftop tent and some of my spiciest travel opinions.

This episode is basically a collection of my most unfiltered travel stories, weird “how is this my job?” moments, and personal opinions I usually keep to myself. Consider this a thank-you gift to everyone who’s been here listening, DM’ing me, and building this community with me over the last two years! 💛

✈️ What We Talk About in This Episode:

• Why recording a podcast episode from a Walmart parking lot in 100-degree heat felt completely normal at the time
• The reality of van life and working from anywhere (libraries, cars, laundromats… you name it)
• The most chaotic travel moment of my life
• My biggest non-negotiables when traveling
• The strangest client requests I’ve ever gotten as a travel creator
• What I think are the most overrated travel destinations

💌 A Huge Thank You

If you’ve ever listened to a single episode, sent me a DM, shared the show, or told a friend about it, thank you! Truly. This podcast is my favorite thing I’ve ever created, and it exists because of you.

📣 Call to Actions

• If you loved this episode, take 30 seconds to leave a review — it helps more travel creators find the show
• Share this episode with a friend who loves travel stories or dreams of van life
• DM me on Instagram and tell me your most chaotic travel moment
• Got ideas for future episodes? My DMs are always open

Thank you for being here for 100 episodes. I’ll see you next week 💛✈️

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The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators.
You’ll get:
✔ monthly business systems
✔ coworking + Q&A calls
✔ a private community of creators building real businesses
✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy”

Sign Up HERE

Today I’m sharing my 2026 booklist for travel creators and content creators—the exact business books, mindset books, and creativity books I’m reading (or rereading!) to scale my creator business without burning out.

Whether you’re listening from a plane, a hostel bunk, or the world’s loudest café, these books will shape how you think, create, and build your business in 2026.

I’m pulling back the curtain on the physical books sitting on my desk and the digital ones on my to-read list. These are the titles I believe every travel creator, content creator, or creative business owner needs to read in 2026.

1. Mindset — Carol Dweck

2. Clear Thinking — Shane Parrish

3. Essentialism — Greg McKeown

4. Effortless — Greg McKeown

5. The Art of Persuasion — Bob Burg

6. Do Nothing — Celeste Headlee

7. Alchemy — Rory Sutherland

8. Slow Productivity — Cal Newport

9. 10x Is Easier Than 2x — Dan Sullivan

10. The 12-Week Year Field Guide — Brian P. Moran & Michelle Lewington

11. Never Not Working — Melissa Clark

12. A Healthy State of Panic — Farnoosh Torabi

13. Please Unsubscribe, Thanks — Julio Vincent Gambuto

14. Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity — David Whyte

15. The Great Stewardess Rebellion — Nell McShane Wulfhart

• Why creators need business books, not just “creator inspiration”
• How reading fits into my business planning for 2026
• The books I reread every year (and why)
• What fiction I’m reading behind the scenes (DM me if you want the list!)
• My nerdy love for surveillance capitalism and attention economy
• Why creators must learn business skills if they want sustainability
• How these books align with the systems we’re building inside my community

Travel creators weren’t meant to spend 12 hours hunched over a laptop in Croatia stressing about the algorithm. You became a travel creator to travel.

Inside The Travel Creator Business Plan, we focus on building an actual business—not just content.

You’ll get:
✨ One new monthly business system
✨ Co-working sessions
✨ Live Q&As
✨ A private community of creators building sustainable businesses
✨ And

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Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling.

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Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community!

The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators.
You’ll get:
✔ monthly business systems
✔ coworking + Q&A calls
✔ a private community of creators building real businesses
✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy”

Sign Up HERE

In today’s episode, I pull back the curtain on how tourism boards really choose creators—plus the step-by-step system I use to pitch, follow up, and land deals.

I’m breaking down the pitch mistakes that are tanking your chances, the exact process I use as a travel creator and UGC creator, and how you can confidently pitch—without needing a massive following.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why tourism boards love working with UGC creators
• How to build a pitch-ready portfolio in one afternoon
• The correct way to find decision-makers at tourism boards
• The 4 elements every winning pitch needs
• The truth about email volume (it’s a numbers game)
• The follow-up strategy that gets me responses on my 4th, 5th, and even 7th email
• Mistakes killing your pitching

💌 Tools + Links Mentioned

✨ Bento – My favorite pitching tool (400–600 automated emails/month)

I use Bento to send hundreds of pitches on autopilot for just $50/month. The ROI is actually wild. Grab my Bento discount code in the show notes to get 10% off anything you choose.

The affiliate code is: LAURA1
The affiliate link is: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=laura1

✨ Email-finding tools

• apollo.io
• hunter.io

Follow Me On:
Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling.

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Instagram

Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community!

The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators.
You’ll get:
✔ monthly business systems
✔ coworking + Q&A calls
✔ a private community of creators building real businesses
✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy”

Sign Up HERE

If you’ve ever wondered how the hell creators actually make money without having 100K followers and are able to do this full time? This episode is your cheat code.

Today, I’m sitting down with the one and only Maddy Garrett (yes, again) to talk about monetization as a content creator — UGC, affiliate, influencer partnerships, group trips, digital products… all of it.

And she’s here to tell you exactly what works right now — especially if you’re a travel creator trying to make this your full-time thing.

We dive into:

• The REAL ways content creators make money

Maddy breaks down every single path she’s used over the years:

• UGC (user-generated content)
• Micro-influencer partnerships
• Affiliate marketing
• Hosting group trips
• Digital products + coaching

If you’ve been thinking you need a massive audience to monetize — this episode will change your mind.

• Why UGC is the BEST place to start (especially for travel creators)
• Growing into bigger monetization as content creators
• Are group trips worth it for travel creators?
• Why Digital products are the most underrated monetization tool

Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach
Podcast: Paid to Travel — The UGC Podcast
✨ Save on Maddy’s UGC Program
Use my link below to save: Use 10% off with code LAURA

👉 AFFILIATE LINK

✨ Shelby Sapp's Alter Ego YouTube Video (Thanks, Marie!)
Learn how to create and step into your alter ego:

👉 WATCH HERE

Follow Me On:
Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling.

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Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community!

The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators.
You’ll get:
✔ monthly business systems
✔ coworking + Q&A calls
✔ a private community of creators building real businesses
✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy”

Sign Up HERE

Come to a Merry Travel Creator Christmas Party! https://forms.fillout.com/t/kPeoLQcKw6us

It feels like everyone and their aunt has a podcast and should you start one too?

Today, I’m sitting down with the guy who’s been podcasting since before most creators even knew what an RSS feed was.

This episode is pure gold for content creators, travel creators, and anyone who’s ever said, “I want to start a podcast… but where do I even begin?”

Today, I’m joined by David Brodie, long-time travel podcaster, founder & CEO of the Voyascape Podcast Network, and the literal grandfather of travel podcasting.

We dive into:

• How to tell better stories as a travel creator
• How to research destinations in a way that stands out
• The biggest shift in podcasting since 2005
• Should travel creators use video?
• Podcaster mistakes David sees constantly
• How to monetize a travel podcast beyond sponsorships

Including:
• podcast networks
• tours
• memberships
• community building
• digital products
• high-ticket offers
• affiliate marketing
• and the hyper-local creator strategy that blew my mind

I am literally obsessed with my producer Marie from Your Girl Media.

Jump on a 15 minute strategy call with her to brainstorm your podcast ideas!

(And tell her I sent you)

Email Marie: yourgirlmedia@gmail.com

Send her a DM: @yourgirlmedia

Check out her podcasts: Culture Cult Show / Your Girl

Voyascape Podcast Network: voyascape.com
David’s Podcast: Travel in 10
Find it on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Follow Me On:
Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling.

Website

Instagram

Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community!

The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators.
You’ll get:
✔ monthly business systems
✔ coworking + Q&A calls
✔ a private community of creators building real businesses
✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy”

Sign Up HERE

Today, I’m breaking down the exact systems you need to organize your content, create with intention, and finally start treating your creator life like a real business.

Whether you’re a travel influencer, UGC creator, or building your personal brand on the go, these five business systems will help you go from chaotic to CEO mode.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to finally organize your content files (without losing your mind)
• My go-to method for batching content before a big trip
• The easiest way to start and grow your email list as a creator
• What analytics actually matter — and how to use them
• How to repurpose your content so it keeps working for you

💻 Systems We Cover:

1. Content Organization: Where (and how) to store your travel footage without chaos.
2. Content Calendar & Batching: How to plan ahead before you go off-grid.
3. Email Marketing: Why every creator needs a newsletter — and how to start yours.
4. Analytics & Optimization: Learn what’s actually performing and how to double down.
5. Content Repurposing: Turn one video or blog into five new pieces of content.

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode:

• 🎧 Marie’s show: The Culture Cult Show
  — check out “The Cocaine Catastrophe of the Azores” episode
• 🎙️ My episode on Content Organization Systems — listen to it here
  .
• 💌 My go-to email tool: Kit
• ✈️ Join The Travel Creator Business Plan – $37/month to build your backend systems → DM me @travelcontentwriting to secure your spot.
  .

key points: travel creator systems, travel content creation tips, content batching for creators, email marketing for travel influencers, how to repurpose content, creator business plan, organize content for social media, travel influencer workflow, content strategy for travel creators, creative business systems

Follow Me On:
Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling.

Website

Instagram

Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community!

The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators.
You’ll get:
✔ monthly business systems
✔ coworking + Q&A calls
✔ a private community of creators building real businesses
✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy”

Sign Up HERE

If I could go back and start my travel creator business from scratch here’s everything I’d do differently — from setting up systems, to skipping the 10-page website, to actually treating my content like a business (not just a job).

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I knew this sooner,” this episode is going to hit home.

Today I’m diving into the real talk on what I’d change if I had to start my business all over again. Whether you’re just starting to monetize your travel content or you’ve been creating for years and want to operate like a real business owner, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reflect, and build smarter.

We’re talking about:

• Why you should make time to work on your business, not just in it
• The systems I wish I’d built earlier (and the chaos I could’ve avoided)
• Why you don’t need a five-page website on day one
• The power of “learning days” and how to actually use all those free webinars and masterclasses
• How to stop wasting time on tasks that don’t tie to your goals

Plus, I share why I created the Travel Creator Business Program — the only business-building community for established travel creators who want to save time, scale sustainably, and make a bigger impact online.

👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available!

💬 Listener Challenge:

I want to hear from you! What’s something you wish you’d done differently when starting your creator business? Message me on Threads or Instagram @travelcontentwriting
— I’d love to feature your story in a future listener-led episode.

🎧 Featured Resources & Mentions:

• Travel Creator Business Program — DM me on Instagram to join or get details.
• Check out the Paid to Travel Podcast — Hear how Maddy’s student made $450 in her first 3 weeks with UGC HERE

key points: travel creator business, content creator tips, creator systems, travel content strategy, UGC creator podcast, how to start a content business, travel creator education, build a creative business, creator entrepreneurship, content monetization

Follow Me On:
Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling.

Website

Instagram

Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community!

The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators.
You’ll get:
✔ monthly business systems
✔ coworking + Q&A calls
✔ a private community of creators building real businesses
✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy”

Sign Up HERE

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing every system and tool I use to stay organized, land brand deals, and keep my business running while I’m on the go. From pitching tools to project management to the #1 most underrated resource , you’ll walk away with practical tools you can plug into your own workflow today.

I break down the exact business systems and tools I use daily, weekly, and monthly to manage my travel creator business. If you’re a travel influencer or content creator who’s ready to turn your creativity into a streamlined business, this episode is packed with tips, tools, and insider tricks.

What You’ll Learn:
💻 The best tools to manage your business as a travel creator
📧 How I automate pitching and follow-ups for UGC deals
🧠 Why Airtable is my new secret weapon for automation and CRM setup
🗂️ How I use Asana and Apple Notes to organize content ideas and random inspo
🎬 My go-to apps for editing, time tracking, and creative workflow

Tools Mentioned:

• Bento – Pitching software for creators (Laura’s affiliate link in show notes!)
• Airtable – For automating pitches, follow-ups, and CRM setup
• Zapier – Connects all your tools and automates workflows
• Asana – Content and project management
• Apple Notes – Her “Dumping Ground” for random ideas, pitches, and notes
• Descript – Podcast recording and editing
• Edits App – Video editing + analytics tracking
• Google Sheets – Analytics tracking
• Google Meet – Replacing Zoom for client calls
• Kit (formerly ConvertKit) – Email list, landing pages, and lead forms
• Claude – AI brainstorming and system setup help
• Libby & Hoopla – Free business education through your local library
• Toggle – Time tracking and productivity insights

Resources & Links:
🔗 Try Bento – Laura’s favorite pitching software (code in show notes)Your unique Affiliate code is: LAURA1
Affiliate link is: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=laura1

📘 Check out Libby & Hoopla through your local library
🧠 Explore Kit (ConvertKit) for growing your creator business

business systems, travel creator, travel influencers, UGC pitching, creator tools, content creator workflow, Airtable automation, travel creator business, UGC tools

Follow Me On:
Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling.

Website

Instagram

Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community!

The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators.
You’ll get:
✔ monthly business systems
✔ coworking + Q&A calls
✔ a private community of creators building real businesses
✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy”

Sign Up HERE