Mel Ripp is living proof that travel doesn't just take you places - it fundamentally changes who you are.

In this episode, we're talking about the kind of transformation that turns a "nice girl from Wisconsin" who dreamed about faraway places while reading encyclopedias into someone who casually drops "when I was in Cuba last month" into everyday conversation. Mel joined her first group trip to Morocco in fall 2023, and I've had a front-row seat watching her completely come out of her shell through travel.

What I find so fascinating about Mel's journey is how she went from being terrified of traveling with strangers to prioritizing travel over bathroom renovations (her words, not mine). We're diving into the magic of group trip dynamics, what it's like to shit on the side of a Moroccan highway with complete grace, and how stepping outside your comfort zone changes everything about how you show up back home in Door County, Wisconsin.

Credit card recommendations:

Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve

Capital One Venture

Upcoming Trips Mentioned:

• Mexico City: Oct 26 - Nov 3, 2025
• Cuba: Jan 4 - 11, 2026
• Kenya: March 25 - April 4, 2026
• Morocco: April 10 - April 19, 2026

Links & Resources (Mel):

• Learn more about Mel: workwithpeapod.com
• LinkedIn: @melissaripp
• IG: @peapodmel

Links & Resources (Laura):

• Follow my personal IG: @lolawhiskey
• Follow my business IG: @lauraericsongrouptrips
• Follow our podcast: @type2travelpodcast
• Learn more about upcoming trips: lauraericson.com
• Check out our podcast page: lauraericson.com/podcast
• Join my Facebook group: @lolalovestravel

Thanks for being here! As always, rate, review, share with a friend, and tag us if you’re listening.

Julie Danielson is the kind of person who reminds you that it's never too late to completely reinvent your life - and that sometimes the scariest decisions lead to the most transformative chapters.

We're diving into navigating divorce and rediscovering who you are on the other side. Julie went through her own divorce at 37 with two young kids, and she's now the founder of the Get Over Divorce Collective, helping women transform one of life's most difficult transitions into an opportunity for growth.

I was on Julie's podcast almost two years ago sharing my own divorce story, so this conversation feels like a full circle moment. We're talking about how travel can be a catalyst for healing, why your comfort zone will shrink if you don't intentionally stretch it, and the difference between destructive escapism and soul-healing exploration.

Links & Resources (Julie)

• Learn more about Julie: getoverdivorce.com
• Facebook group: Thriving Community: Women Supporting Women Through Divorce
• Get Over Divorce podcast

Links & Resources (Laura)

• Follow my personal IG: @lolawhiskey
• Follow my business IG: @lauraericsongrouptrips
• Follow our podcast: @type2travelpodcast
• Learn more about upcoming trips: lauraericson.com
• Check out our podcast page: lauraericson.com/podcast
• Join my Facebook group: @lolalovestravel

Thanks for being here! As always, rate, review, share with a friend, and tag us if you’re listening.

Andrés Asevis is one of those rare people who can show you the soul of a place while being completely honest about its realities. He's a published author, a painter, a singer, and an incredibly knowledgeable guide - but more than that, he's just an absolute joy to be around.

My travelers fall in love with him because he's fun, crazy intelligent, and has this way of making you feel like you're exploring Cuba with a friend rather than just following a guide around. What makes this conversation especially meaningful is that after years of dreaming and waiting, Andrés has finally gotten his Spanish citizenship and is about to embark on the biggest adventure of his life - leaving Cuba for the first time.

We're talking about what it's like to live in Cuba versus visit it, the reality of Cuban daily life beyond what tourists see, and what it means to chase your dreams across an ocean. This is a story about resilience, creativity, and the courage it takes to start over in a completely new country at 38 years old.

Upcoming Cuba Trips:

• Cuba: December 27, 2025 - January 3, 2026
• Cuba: January 4 - 11, 2026 (with Dawn + Mel)

Links & Resources (Andrés)

• Follow Andrés on Instagram: @andresasevis (bookstagram account with personal stories)

Links & Resources (Laura)

• Follow my personal IG: @lolawhiskey
• Follow my business IG: @lauraericsongrouptrips
• Follow our podcast: @type2travelpodcast
• Learn more about upcoming trips: lauraericson.com
• Check out our podcast page: lauraericson.com/podcast
• Join my Facebook group: @lolalovestravel

Cuba Travel Note: If you have unused medications (prescription or over-the-counter), consider bringing them on your next Cuba trip or sending them to Laura - they make an incredible difference in Cuban communities where pharmacies are often empty.

Thanks for being here! As always, rate, review, share with a friend, and tag us if you're listening.