Broad Abroad

Whale shark tourism in the Philippines has exploded in recent years, especially in Oslob where encounters are guaranteed by feeding the sharks. When I first started planning my trip, I was so tempted — I mean, how often do you get the chance to swim alongside a whale shark? But then I started hearing more about the ethics behind it, and I knew I wanted to dive deeper into the debate. In this episode, I sit down with two incredible guests who love the ocean even more than I do.

Planning a trip to the Philippines can feel overwhelming — there are more than 7,600 islands to choose from, and I wanted to see everything. In this episode, I share what I actually did on my two-week trip and what I wish I had done differently. I’m joined by my friend (and actor) Mucho Garcia, who grew up in Cebu, and he adds local insight, cultural context, and plenty of must-do recommendations.

In the season finale of Broad Abroad: Korea, I travel to the DMZ to get a firsthand look at the world’s most surreal border—and then stumble into protests the next day. From secret infiltration tunnels to speakers blasting K-pop into North Korea, this episode unpacks the bizarre reality of life at the edge of two Koreas.

How did South Korea go from being one of the poorest, most war-ravaged countries on Earth…to becoming one of the richest and most influential in just 40 years?

From $60 Botox to K-pop boy band controversies, this episode of Broad Abroad goes more than skin deep. Katie spills on the Korean beauty treatments that froze her face at 30, the viral scalp therapy that humbled her soul, and the cultural expectations around male beauty and mandatory military service. Featuring insights from locals and laughs with co-host Grace, this episode is your all-in-one Korean makeover + military crash course.