I’m putting this disclaimer up front:  I try to avoid repeatedly pimping the same bloggers or vloggers in this column all the time, but I’m only human.  I have a full-time job in addition to this blog and sometimes, I even like to have a social life.  I can only read so many blogs, view so many travel videos,  and listen to so many podcasts every week.  So sometimes, you’ll see the same names show up in my blog–names like Keith Savage and Jodi Ettenberg and JoAnna Haugen and Lauren Quinn.  If you want to introduce me to some new talent to scope out, feel free to contact me and point me in their direction.  The reason I’m telling you this is because the same name turns up twice this week. Deal with it.

Last week, Brian Peters (of No Debt World Travel) interviewed Janice Waugh of SoloTravelerBlog.com via podcast about solo travel.  In this podcast, Janice offers great advice about solo travel and has some interesting stories to tell about connecting with people on the road–including a tale of a hairy encounter with con men in France when she was traveling solo in her twenties.  If you’re interested in solo travel, this is a must-listen.

This next item also bears Brian Peters‘ stamp. It’s an article he wrote called Why Do Travel Bloggers Blog? Because You Get Gifts Like this.  (It’s sure not because we’re making a fortune doing it!)  There is almost no greater feeling in the world than to be contacted by readers who tell us we’ve made a difference in their lives.  I loved his reader’s comment about how taking one small step gets you that much closer to your goal (of international travel, in this case). I also resonated with Brian’s comment about how we bloggers sometimes steer clear of topics we feel have been beaten to death, but we shouldn’t.  Read his article to find out why.

Two podcasts in one week:  What are the odds?  For all you Disney World fans out there, WDW Today’s Episode #726 covers the topic of Traveling Solo to an Online Group Event at Disney World, featuring guest Kimber Knight (LuxuryTravelGirl).  Kimber talks about what it’s like to go alone to an organized fan event at Disney World, when you don’t know anyone else there.  Of course, this can be translated to traveling solo to non-Disney group events as well.

At Matador this week, there’s an article about How Emotional Support Animals Are Changing Air Travel by Reannon Muth. For legal reasons, I can’t explain why this topic drew my attention.  The discussion going on in the comment section is as interesting as the article.

This week, Suzy Guese (of SuzyGuese.com) wrote about Traveling With Full Passion, Easier Said Than Done.  It reminded me of something that happened to me many years ago.  What do you do when you realize you’ve made a horrible mistake and you’re stuck in another country? Read Suzy’s article and find out what she did.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (16.8MB)