Travel Tales by Afar

Author Charmaine Craig had always felt mysteriously drawn to India—pulled by childhood family legends of ancestors who arrived there centuries ago and copper plates inscribed with ancient privileges that still hang in a Kochi synagogue. But it would take a chance encounter at a dinner party—and the power of old friendship—to finally help her explore her roots. She set out on a pilgrimage through Kerala's ancient Jewish communities with a former college boyfriend turned U.S. Ambassador to India and a mutual friend who orchestrated their reconnection. From sacred sunrises where three seas converge to an impossible meeting with the last two Jews of Kochi, Charmaine discovers that sometimes journeys into the past have the power to change your life—especially when you have good friends by your side. Don't miss these transformative moments The dinner party revelation that set everything in motion Why Charmaine's childhood bedroom featured only one map—of India The legend of her ancestor who saved a ruler's son in 10th-century India Traveling by presidential motorcade through Kerala's lush landscapes The 4 AM journey through cyclonic winds to witness sunrise where three seas meet Meeting Keith and Queenie, the reclusive last Jews of Kochi who "never see visitors" The moment in the sacred waters that changed everything How friendship, timing, and ancestral calling converged to open a new chapter Resources Learn more about Charmaine Craig at charmainecraig.com Buy Charmaine's books: Miss Burma and My Nemesis Read Charmaine's Spin the Globe trip to Portugal or listen to theTravel Tales episode Read the transcript of the episode Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When 16-year-old Jayla Nicholas from New York City packed her one carry-on suitcase for Guatemala, she thought she had everything figured out. A seasoned city kid who loves the smell of airports and dreams of seeing the world, Jayla was ready for her second international trip, an adventure through Afar's Learning Afar program with Global Leadership Adventures. But Guatemala had lessons she never expected—from the vibrant yellow and purple buildings that felt "more real" than NYC's concrete jungle, to zip-lining through mountain canyons in a sudden downpour, to discovering that "pack light" advice might be the biggest travel myth of all. In this episode, we follow Jayla's journey from pre-trip excitement to post-adventure wisdom, as she learns about leadership, gratitude, and what it really means to be prepared for the unexpected. Don't miss these unforgettable moments: Why Jayla loves the smell of airports and considers flying a gift The colorful contrast between Guatemala's vibrant buildings and NYC's concrete jungle Working with elementary school kids who copied her every move (including snack time) An epic zip-lining adventure that turned into a rain-soaked truck ride sing-along The tamale that challenged her Chipotle-loving palate How flushing toilet paper became a luxury she'd never considered The floating egg chair moment overlooking volcanoes that perfectly captured her gratitude Why she's officially converting from underpacker to overpacker (and her advice for fellow picky eaters) Resources Learn more about Learning Afar and how to support future student travelers Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When polar bear biologist Alysa McCall was growing up in Kamloops, British Columbia, watching black bears raid fruit trees outside her living room window, she never imagined she'd dedicate her life to their Arctic cousins. But sometimes the most profound career changes happen when you least expect them—like when a world-renowned scientist responds to your "what's the worst that could happen?" email with "Sure. Come over. See you in September." McCall's journey from studying desert mice to becoming a polar bear researcher took her from the semi-arid landscapes of British Columbia to the frozen sea ice of Hudson Bay, where she learned that conservation isn't just about data—it's about connection, storytelling, and what she calls "big feelings." Don't miss these unforgettable moments: Growing up with black bears as backyard visitors (and banging pots to make them leave) The "imposter syndrome" email that changed everything Sleeping on a tundra buggy and mistaking a polar bear for a rock Getting stranded alone on moving sea ice in -30°F weather The mortifying moment of accidentally pointing a shotgun at your helicopter pilot (who later became her husband) Holding her first polar bear cub and feeling the weight of conservation responsibility Why emotion and storytelling are the key to saving Arctic habitat The sobering reality: this polar bear population has dropped from 1,200 to just over 600 bears The Science Behind the Story: McCall explains why polar bear conservation requires a completely different approach than other wildlife protection—you can't fence sea ice or hire patrols to guard it. Saving polar bears means addressing global climate change, making it one of the most complex conservation challenges on Earth. Resources: Learn more about Polar Bears International Discover Churchill, Manitoba as a polar bear viewing destination Read the transcript of this episode Listen to Alysa McCall's TED talk Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Santi Elijah Holley, writer and author of An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation They Created, was 25, he took the ultimate travel leap of faith: He hitchhiked 400 miles from Northern California to Portland through small-town Oregon. But for Holley—who had just moved to Portland from Michigan—it wasn't just about getting a ride. After a year of feeling like an outsider as a person of color in one of America's whitest states, this journey would test whether Oregon would accept him or leave him standing on the side of the road. What he discovered during those three days hitchhiking along Highway 101 changed everything. From sleeping on church roofs to walking barefoot on the beach with a wealthy New Yorker, and listening to a mother's fight for youth spaces to riding with speeders heading to court, Holley found that Oregon's people had stories to tell—and that he was the perfect stranger to hear them. Don't miss these unforgettable moments Why Holley thought of himself as a teenage "brown-skinned Kerouac" in Michigan Walking barefoot on an Oregon beach with a wealthy stranger in a red convertible The mom who's single-handedly saving her town's crumbling teen center with mop buckets and determination A white-knuckle ride with a speeding driver on his way to DUI court The paper mill ghost town and one man's 15-year story of economic change Sleeping on a church roof under the stars (and why Holley calls it "urban camping") The Willie Nelson cassette tape that sparked a conversation about human connection How three days on Highway 101 revealed Holley's future as a journalist Resources Visit Santi Elijah Holley's website: santielijahholley.com Read his book An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation They Created Read the transcript of the episode Read Santi's Afar story about New Orleans Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jessica B. Harris⁠, renowned food historian and author of High on the Hog, which later became a hit Netflix series of the same name, reveals the shocking truth about American cuisine—it's not what you think. From her couch in Brooklyn with a Siamese cat wandering by, Dr. Harris unpacks the surprising origins of beloved American classics and introduces us to the concept of the "American braid." Her new book, Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine, weaves together the three cultural strands that created what we eat today: Indigenous, European, and African influences. But prepare to have your assumptions shattered—coleslaw is Dutch, cookies aren't American, and the "wok hand" of enslaved African Americans shaped Southern food in ways we're only beginning to understand. Don't miss these eye-opening revelations: Coleslaw comes from Dutch "kool sla" (cabbage salad)—not American at all Cookies and waffles are Dutch gifts hiding in plain sight The "wok hand" concept and why Southern food doesn't taste British How barbecue represents the cultural braid of Africa and Europe Dr. Harris's childhood travel bug that started at the UN International School Her 50+ year relationship with a French host family Building chosen families across three continents: France, West Africa, and Brazil Why she's wittier in French and can flirt better too The personal recipes closest to her heart: her mother's fried chicken and grandmother's watermelon rind pickles Resources: Read Dr. Jessica B. Harris's Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine Watch High on the Hog on Netflix and read the book Read her memoir, My Soul Looks Back Learn more about Chef Sean Sherman's indigenous food work Read an excerpt on afar.com from Dr. Harris's Vintage Postcards from the African World: In the Dignity of Their Work and the Joy of Their Play Read an interview on afar.com with Dr. Harris about New Orleans, where she also lives for part of the year Read the transcript of the episode. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and ⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices