Could not talking for a couple days benefit you? What about a break from responsibilities, and the onslaught of advertising and iPhones? John Holman returns to discuss his recent adventures on a multi-day silent retreat in California, including the benefits and challenges he encountered along the way. He and Will also discuss Buddhism and how its basic practices could help you while traveling and navigating life.

John Holman previously appeared on Episode 4 of the podcast: Antarctica on a Budget and Why It's Easier to Visit All 7 Continents Than All 8 Hawaiian Islands. He is the Founder of Evolution Coaching (www.johnpaulholman.com) and has traveled all over the world (60+ countries) and to all seven continents. He has climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and to Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas. He has also spent time backpacking the John Muir Trail in the Sierras, the W Circuit in Patagonia, and through the Peruvian Andes trekking to Machu Picchu. John has also organized expeditions to climb Haleakalā volcano on Maui, kayak the remote north coast of Molokaʻi, and whitewater raft down the Grand Canyon.

"Whole Wide World" Soundtrack by Boy Pierce (@boypiercemusic)

Chris Powers is a founding member and the bassist of The Hip Abduction, a reggae band from St. Pete currently on tour with Stick Figure and Stephen Marley. Chris joins Will on the pod to discuss seeing a show at the Sphere, how technology has changed the quality of live performances, teaching in Micronesia, what makes a song timeless, the challenges of being authentic in music, life on the road with The Hip Abduction (travel stories!), pre-show perks while on tour, and more! Will shares a story about winning a radio contest to interview Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows.

Further reading:
There’s Something Happening In St. Pete, Florida (Forbes)

Recording location: St. Pete, Florida (Shorecrest Prep School)

"Whole Wide World" Soundtrack by Boy Pierce Music (@boypiercemusic)

Will discusses tipping while traveling, a variety of news articles and listener mail, and his trip to Mesa Verde National Park in Southwest Colorado.

Why You Should Put Your Luggage in the Hotel Bathtub (Travel & Leisure)
Greenpeace: Train travel often more expensive than flying in Europe (DPA International)
Why 'best time to visit' no longer applies (BBC)

"Whole Wide World" soundtrack by Boy Pierce (@boypierecemusic)

Will discusses Joe Biden taking Ambien during his presidency, airlines announcing the use of AI to price flights, how autopilot might be making flying more dangerous, the TSA teasing the end of the liquid limit in carry-on luggage, and his experience dodging tsunamis and nuclear bombs in Hawaii.

News Clips:

Joe Biden puts little Delaware in big tourism spotlight | CNN
Delta moves toward eliminating set prices in favor of AI that determines how much you personally will pay for a ticket | Fortune
Michael O'Leary confirms staff are given bonuses for catching oversized cabin bags (Her.ie)
Autopilot Is Making U.S. Airline Pilots Worse (The Drive)
TSA Teases End Of Limits On Liquids In Carry-On Luggage (Forbes)
The Tsunamis That Shaped Hawai‘i’s Coastline And Emergency Response (Forbes)

"Whole Wide World" Soundtrack by Boy Pierce (@boypiercemusic)

Will answers listener questions and discusses his recent trip to Mt. Rushmore.

More reading:
Were the Airline Bailouts Really Needed? - The New York Times
The West - Thomas Jefferson | Exhibitions - Library of Congress

"Whole Wide World" soundtrack by Boy Pierce (@boypiercemusic)

Will discusses airlines overcharging certain passengers, the sole survivor of the Indian Airlines plane crash, the growing conflict over vacation rentals, and one of the worst cruises in the history of cruising.

More reading:

Maui Council set to begin deliberations on short-term rental phase-out bill : Maui Now
Maui Council hears another 70 testifiers on vacation rental phase-out bill; still more to come : Maui Now
Housing vs. tourism: Maui Council weighs vacation rental phase-out amid tears and warnings : Maui Now

"Whole Wide World" soundtrack by Boy Pierce (@boypiercemusic)

Will reacts to the barrage of news about Southwest Airlines abandoning some of its fan-favorite policies and a report suggesting that international travelers will avoid the U.S. because of Trump. He then shares some highlights and insight from his first trip to Belize.

Disturbing discovery at bottom of The Great Blue Hole (New York Post)

Largest 'blue hole' discovered is 1.3K feet deep and counting (New York Post)

"Whole Wide World" soundtrack by Boy Pierce (@boypiercemusic)

Sixteen months ago, Joe sold is house and left behind a career as a winemaker to travel the world. He sits down with Will while on a week break (before heading back out for another year of travel) to discuss his round-the-world trip, what it's like to travel continuously for 16 months, advice for planning such a journey, and to share various stories, such as how he only spoke with 2 people his entire month in Japan, saw bodies burning in India, traveled overland in Africa for two months, and why he loves Southeast Asia. You can follow his travels on Instagram @jpf3.

Recording location: Palisade, Colorado

"Whole Wide World" soundtrack by Boy Pierce (@boypiercemusic)