Why You Should Never Skip travel podcasts to listen to

/ Articles / By Sarah Rothschild

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to miss out on the value of travel podcasts to listen to. These audio stories can take you on adventures, spark your sense of adventure, and broaden your world view¹.

As a professional copywriting journalist, I’ve grown to love podcast listening. I listen to about 35 hours of audio each week. A big part of that is top travel podcasts, best travel podcasts, and other must-listen travel podcasts¹.

Travel podcasts offer a deep and inspiring travel podcasts experience. Whether you want travel storytelling podcasts to take you to new places or adventure travel podcasts to spark your inner explorer, there’s a lot to explore².

Key Takeaways

Podcasts have become a big part of daily life for many.
Listening to podcasts uses different parts of the brain, making it more engaging than reading or watching TV.
Silence helps cell growth in the hippocampus and can improve health.
It’s key to balance media use to think deeply and absorb information well.
Trying out different travel podcasts to listen to, including top travel podcasts, best travel podcasts, and must-listen travel podcasts, can inspire and adventure you.

The Rise of Podcast Obsession

The podcast revolution has swept the globe, growing in popularity over the years. It began with “Open Source” in 2003, the first podcast ever³. Now, millions listen to podcasts regularly, with about 20 million people in the UK tuning in⁴.

Podcasts have changed how we enjoy entertainment, learn, and connect. “The Ricky Gervais Show” hit the top in 2006, with 261,670 downloads weekly³. They’ve even brought in big crowds at live events, drawing people who don’t usually go to comedy shows³.

True-crime podcasts have been a big hit, leading the way in entertainment. Shows like “Serial” in 2014 set records and led to TV shows³. Business podcasts like “WeCrashed” and “The Dropout” have also caught the public’s eye³.

The Search for Silence

With podcasts getting more popular, some people now listen for hours a day. This can make it hard to think clearly without quiet time⁴.

Finding a balance between podcasts and silence is key. As podcasts keep growing, it’s vital to enjoy them without losing our mental health.

travel podcasts to listen to: A Treasure Trove of Genres

As the world comes out of isolation, people are looking for travel entertainment again⁵. Travel podcasts have become very popular, offering a wide range of topics and stories⁶. You can find podcasts about unique places, tropical getaways, cultural experiences, luxury trips, outdoor adventures, and wellness-focused travel⁶.

Travel podcasts vary in length, from short episodes to longer ones⁶. They are hosted by different people, like reporters, travel experts, athletes, health experts, and adventurers⁶. You can find podcasts for planning Disney trips, learning about cruise ships, exploring national parks, or hearing stories from women travelers⁶.

Popular podcasts like “Amateur Traveler” and “Traveling Jackie” share budget-friendly tips and outdoor adventure stories⁷.
“Extra Pack of Peanuts” focuses on adventure travel and saving money, perfect for those who love to explore⁷.
“Blood Ties” is a fiction podcast that’s great for listening to during travel, offering a crime thriller experience⁵.
“The Experiment” is an educational podcast that talks about the American experiment and today’s issues, great for learning on the go⁵.
“Imaginary Worlds” is for fans of fantasy and science fiction, offering stories that take you away while discussing important topics⁵.

No matter what you like to do on your travels, there’s a travel podcast for you⁵. You can find these podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, making it easy to listen and connect with others⁷.

If you’re looking for travel inspiration, tips to save money, or just a good story, travel podcasts have it all⁶. Start exploring and enjoy a world of stories and adventures, one podcast at a time.

The Neuroscience Behind Podcasts

Podcasts have become a captivating medium, engaging listeners in ways that go beyond just entertainment. Recent research shows that listening to podcasts can be a brain workout, especially for narrative-driven content⁸.

A study by Jack Gallant, a neuroscientist at UC Berkeley, found something interesting. When people listened to The Moth Radio Hour in an MRI, their brains worked harder than expected⁹. Gallant says the brain has to turn audio into a full sensory experience, which is both engaging and mentally challenging⁹.

The study showed that certain words and details triggered the same brain areas in listeners⁹. Researchers used new methods to break down stories into meaningful parts, like social elements and emotions⁹. This means listening to podcasts might not be just passive; it requires a lot of brain work and engagement.

These findings are really interesting. As podcasts get more popular, knowing how they affect our brains could change how we make and listen to them. This could make the experience even better⁸.

“The brain must work to transform the audio input into a full sensory experience, which can be both captivating and exhausting.”

Understanding the brain’s effort in listening to podcasts helps us see how active our brains are when we engage with this media⁸⁹.

Finding the Right Balance

Travel podcasts can be really interesting, but it’s important to balance them with your well-being¹⁰. Shows like “Amateur Traveler” and “Zero to Travel” are very popular, with millions of downloads¹⁰. But, our brains need quiet time to really understand and use what we learn.

Mindfulness and Moderation

Dr. Steve Schlozman, a psychiatrist, says it’s key to balance and use mindfulness to handle the demands of podcasts¹⁰. Letting your mind relax and step away from screens helps you better understand and remember what you’ve heard. Finding the right mix of listening to travel podcasts and being mindful can make your experience more rewarding. It’s good for your mental health and how you think¹⁰.

Personal growth and learning need both thinking and quiet time. By controlling how much you listen to podcasts and being mindful, you can get the most out of your listening. This is good for your mind and mental health¹⁰.

The Power of the Written Word

When it comes to travel content, the written word beats podcasts and other formats. It’s more efficient, deeper, and easier to remember. This makes it a top choice for today’s travelers¹¹.

Written content is short and to the point. Authors make sure to focus on the main ideas. This means you get the most important info quickly. Podcasts and videos often have extra stuff that’s not needed, making it hard to find the key points. Written content lets you read at your own speed, helping you remember and use the info better¹¹.

Also, written content is easy to look through thanks to its clear layout. This lets you quickly find what you need. It’s great for travelers who are short on time or want to check out certain parts again¹¹.

Podcasts are great for listening while doing other things, but written content offers a deeper experience. It makes you think more and really get the info. This helps you learn and understand better¹¹.

“The written word has a power that transcends the limitations of audio and visual formats, offering travelers a more efficient and enriching way to explore the world.”

In today’s world full of distractions, written content is a clear and deep guide for travelers. It helps you learn, get inspired, and grow personally¹¹.

Embracing Variety

Written content is key to learning, but adding different multimedia formats can make it better¹². Mixing written and podcasts, or adding audio and visuals, can make learning more effective. This way, you can get more from your learning.

Some topics are easier to understand with audio or video. Podcasts are great for learning on the move. They let you use your time well and learn more efficiently¹².

Striking a Balance

But, it’s important to keep written content as the main focus. Travel podcasts can help, but they shouldn’t replace detailed written materials. Try to focus on quality written content and some audio/visuals to improve your learning.

Podcast Name	Focus	Highlights
Women Who Travel Podcast	Diverse travel topics including safety, female-led tours, and more	New episodes released weekly¹²
10Adventures Podcast	Adventure travel, including hiking, backpacking, biking, and more	Real people share their experiences to inspire others¹²
City Breaks Podcast	Exploring cities like Paris, Munich, and St. Petersburg	Hosted by Marian Jones, episodes produced weekly¹²
Zero To Travel Podcast	Achieving long-term travel goals, destination guides, and inspiring stories	Podcast has been downloaded over 12 million times¹³
Global Travel Channel Podcast	Different perspectives on travel, such as travelling with partners, handling illness, and adventures	Podcast launched in July 2019 and has 90 episodes from 34 different countries¹²
World Vegan Travel Podcast	Vegan travelers and animal protection efforts worldwide	Showcases diverse ways of traveling while maintaining a plant-based diet¹²
Not So Bon Voyage Podcast	Travel mishaps, crazy stories, headlines, urban legends, and tales from travelers worldwide	Co-hosted by Christine from Don’t Forget To Move¹²

Using different media formats can make learning better and more fun. Adding multimedia learning can open new views and deepen your understanding of the world.

“Diversity in learning approaches is key to unlocking the full potential of your intellectual growth. Embrace the power of combined written and audio content to elevate your knowledge and understanding.”

Learning for life isn’t just about one way. Mixing audio and visuals with your reading can make learning richer and more complete.

The Podcast Experience

Podcasts are now a big part of my daily life. They’re with me on my commute, at work, and even when I’m doing chores¹⁴. They take me on adventures to far-off places, quenching my desire for exploration. Shows like Abroad in Japan and Field Trip by The Washington Post¹⁴ make me feel like I’m right there, experiencing new cultures and landscapes.

These podcasts are not just for fun; they’re also educational. Shows like Not Lost, hosted by Brendan Francis Newnam¹⁴, draw me in with their stories¹⁴. But, I sometimes worry that listening to them too much might stop my brain from thinking quietly¹⁴. I’ve found that I remember more from reading than listening to podcasts¹⁵.

Finding the right balance is key for me. I love diving into the world of travel podcasts, from You Should Have Been There to Peak Travel¹⁴. But, I know I need to make sure they don’t take over my life.

Conclusion

Podcasts have changed how we get and process information. They are versatile and easy to access, reaching people all over the world¹⁶. But, it’s important to use them wisely for our mental health¹⁶.

About 60% of all podcasts are in English, showing how popular they are worldwide¹⁶. With so many travel podcasts out there, it can be hard to choose which ones to listen to¹⁶.

When exploring podcasts, remember that they’re great for fun and learning. But, written content is better for remembering things and understanding deeply¹⁶. This knowledge helps you pick the right mix of podcasts and reading for your needs¹⁷.

FAQ

What are the top travel podcasts to listen to?

The author loves “Criminal,” “Murder With My Husband,” “The Dropout,” “Crime Junkie,” “To Live and Die in LA,” “The Shrink Next Door,” and “Dr. Death.” These podcasts tell engaging stories that grab the listener’s attention.

How has the popularity of podcasts been rising?

Since “Serial” hit it big in 2014, podcasts have become super popular. Now, over a third of Americans tune in, often for hours each week.

What are the potential downsides of excessive podcast consumption?

Listening to a lot of podcasts can be good for your brain but bad for your mental health. It might make it hard to think clearly. Experts say our brains need quiet time to really understand and use what we hear.

How does podcast listening engage the brain compared to other media?

A study showed that listening to podcasts makes the brain work hard. It turns sounds into a full experience, which is both fun and tiring. This means listening to podcasts isn’t just sitting back; it’s a big brain job.

How can one find a balanced approach to information consumption?

Try to manage what you listen to by choosing quality over quantity. Focus on reading and listening to things that really matter. This way, you can learn better and feel more in control of your info intake.

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