Planning a dark skies or aurora trip? Here’s what you actually need.

In this week’s Travel Talk episode, host Kim Anderson shares five essentials for planning an unforgettable stargazing or Northern Lights trip — without overpacking or overthinking it.

Inspired by recent conversations with Outside Magazines Dark Skies columnist, Stephanie Vermillion (Episode 172) and location astrologer, KJ Atlas (Episode 170), this episode is all about simplifying your astro-adventure and setting you up for success under the stars.

From light pollution maps to layering like a pro, you’ll learn exactly what to pack, how to find dark sky locations, and which apps help you make the most of the night sky — no telescope or fancy gear required.

You’ll walk away with:

• The top 5 things every dark skies traveler needs
• How to capture frame worthy photos without all the fancy gear
• The best tools to find dark sky locations and forecast the aurora

If you’ve ever dreamed of stargazing in a Dark Sky Park or chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, this episode is your no-stress prep guide.

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Ever wonder what happens when you actually design your life around your dream?

In this Best Of episode, host Kim Anderson rewinds the conversation with Lucas Chesterton, founder of Indy Escapes, a travel company creating epic group adventures for solo travelers in dreamy destinations like Kenya, Uganda, Turkey, Croatia, the Maldives, and Bali.

Lucas has explored over 120 countries, but his journey isn’t about ticking off a list. It’s about living with purpose, building meaningful community, and chasing the kind of joy that can’t be faked. In this episode, you’ll hear how he turned a soul-searching question"If money were no object, how would you spend your days?" into a life filled with travel, connection, and real impact.

If you’ve ever dreamed of ditching the 9-to-5, building something meaningful, or living with more freedom and heart, Lucas’ story is your permission slip.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• How one question can reshape your entire life
• Why travel is the ultimate connector—and what makes a trip truly transformational
• The power of building a lifestyle, not just a business

This one’s for the dreamers, the explorers, and anyone craving more adventure and intention in their everyday life.

Hit play and get inspired to design a life you don’t need a vacation from.

RESOURCES:

• Connect with Lucas & Indy Escapes
• ⚡ ROUND Book: 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz

WANT MORE? Check out these episodes from passionate travelers living life on their terms:

1. How a Travel Writer Built Peru’s Best Travel App While Living Abroad
2. The Mindful Traveler: Redefining Adventures in the Age of Sustainability

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In this week's Travel Talk episode, host Kim Anderson shares a personal story sparked by a recent conversation that unlocked a powerful memory. It’s a moment from her travels that's hard to put into words—and even harder to forget. It was brief, unexpected, and unlike anything she’s experienced before... or since.

This episode is all about those rare, strange, and beautiful travel moments that don’t come with a guidebook or a checklist—but leave a mark all the same.

🔹 A solo hike that turned into something completely unexpected
🔹 A moment of stillness that shifted Kim’s perspective
🔹 Why this short experience continues to resonate years later

If you’ve ever had a travel moment that stopped you in your tracks—or made you feel something you couldn’t quite explain—this one’s for you.

🎧 Hit play and see if you’ve ever experienced this too. Because let's be real... IYKYK

WANT MORE? Check out these epsiodes:

1. Astrotourism 101: How to Plan the Ultimate Stargazing, Dark Sky, and Northern Lights Trip w/ Stephanie Vermillion #172
2. Astrocartography Explained: How to Use Your Birth Chart to Choose Where to Travel, Live & Thrive w/ KJ Atlas #170
3. Travel Talk: Your National Park Guide - 3 Parks, 2 Quirky Histories, and 1 Luxury Stay #106
4. The Ultimate Guide to National Park Travel for Busy Professionals w/ Outdoor Influencer, Kendra Tustin #105

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You followed the rules. You checked all the boxes. So why does it still feel like you're living someone else’s dream?

In this Best Of episode, host Kim Anderson revisits one of the most powerful and soul-stirring conversations from last summer with travel blogger and content creator Bea Mitiner of Bea Adventurous.

Bea had it all: a high-powered corporate job, a successful marriage, and the kind of life that checked all the boxes. But something didn’t feel right. So she made the boldest decision of her life - she left it all behind to travel, create, and pursue a life that actually felt like hers.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Bea sold everything, ended her marriage, and set off on a year-long journey across Sub-Saharan Africa to build a travel business rooted in meaning and connection. She shares the raw truths of that leap - what it cost her, what it gave her, and how it reshaped everything.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why leaving a “good life” can be the hardest decision of all
• How to build a business aligned with your values, not just your resume
• Why redefining success means going beyond money, metrics, and titles

If you’ve ever looked around and wondered, “Is this really it?”—this episode is your sign.

Press play and get inspired to build a life that feels like your own.

RESOURCES:

• Connect with Bea: Instagram & Bea_Adventurous Travel Blog

⚡ ROUND BOOK: Ten Lessons From the Road by Allistair Humphrey

LOVE THIS & WANT MORE? Check out these stories from other corporate girlies turned travel entrepreneurs:

1. Behind the Scenes of a Delta Brand Ambassador: From Corporate Girlie to Full-Time Travel Creator w/ Janelle on a Jet #129
2. The Ultimate Guide for Travel Content Creators: How to Pitch Brands, Get Paid, and Grow Your Social Media Following w/ Leona Marlene #140
3. The Realities of Entrepreneurship & Turning Your Passion Into Profit w/ Travel Girl Gang Creator, Ashley Jones #97

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Looking for more joy in your everyday life?

In this short and inspiring episode, host Kim Anderson shares how the joy of travel begins way before you take off.

Whether you’re planning a big international adventure or a quick weekend getaway, this episode explores the emotional benefits of travel anticipation and why the lead-up to a trip might be just as magical as the trip itself.

You’ll walk away feeling inspired to plan your next vacation—and understand why booking travel in advance can be a powerful way to boost your mood, build excitement, and stay connected to your love for adventure.

Perfect for anyone craving a mindset shift, a spark of wanderlust, or a reason to finally book that trip.

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What if the bravest thing you ever did wasn’t getting on a plane — but stepping onto a dance floor?

In this episode of Design Her Travel, host Kim Anderson sits down with Jen Todling, a traveler, dancer, and memoirist who quite literally danced her way around the world and, in doing so, found her way back to herself.

At 30, Jen made a bold choice: to combine intentional travel with her love of dance. From the elegant Viennese waltz in Austria to the soulful samba in Brazil and the intimate tango in Argentina, she used movement as a way to heal, connect, and transform. Her global dance journey inspired her new memoir, Dancing on My Own Two Feet.

If you’ve ever dreamed of dancing your way through different cultures, living more creatively, or stepping into a more courageous version of yourself, this conversation will spark something deep inside you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How dancing around the world can deepen your connection to culture, community, and self
• What it really looks like to face your fears and move toward transformation, one step at a time
• How to start adding creative practices like dance to your travels, even if you’ve never taken a class before

This one’s for the travelers, the creatives, the late bloomers, and the dream-chasers. Hit play and find out what happens when you stop waiting and start dancing.

RESOURCES:

• Connect with Jen: Website, Substack
• Pick up a copy of her new book: Dancing on My Own Two Feet

⚡ ROUND BOOK: The Year of Yes by Shonda Rimes

LOVE THIS & WANT MORE? Check out these episodes:

1. TRAVEL TALK: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the World Through Your Hobby #153

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In this week's Travel Talk episode, host Kim Anderson shares the surprising items she never travels without - some might just change how you pack forever. Inspired by the lightning round question she asks every guest on Design Her Travel, Kim flips the mic and gives you a peek into her personal packing list as she preps for her next big adventure to Spain.

You'll learn why these unexpected essentials are always in her suitcase and how they’ve saved her trips more times than she can count.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The #1 thing Kim recommends for all international travelers (it will probably surprise you!)
• Her “sleep trifecta” for surviving noisy hotels and jet lag
• The natural remedies she always packs just in case

Whether you're planning your first trip abroad or you're a seasoned traveler, this quick episode is packed with simple, game-changing tips you won't want to miss.

Are any of these on your list? Let Kim know! Send her a DM on IG @designhertravel

WANT MORE? Check out this episode on packing like a pro with carry on only:

• TRAVEL TALK: How to Pack Light for Carry-On Only w/ the 5-4-3-2-1 Method #171

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Think jet lag is just part of the travel game? Not anymore.

In this episode, host Kim Anderson dives into the science of circadian rhythms, inflammation, and travel fatigue with human performance expert Andrew Herr—founder of FlyKitt, a revolutionary jet lag solution trusted by Olympians, pro sports teams, special ops, and now… you!

Andrew shares how jet lag is not inevitable—and why it’s actually a choice if you know the physiology behind it. From the power of light exposure and blue light blocking glasses to targeted supplement timing and anti-inflammatory tricks, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to take control of your energy, sleep, and mental clarity on your next trip.

Whether you're flying for business, adventure, or a dream vacation—you don’t have to waste a single day recovering.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What actually causes jet lag (hint: it’s not just your sleep schedule)
• Why inflammation disrupts your circadian rhythm—and how to stop it
• How this solution uses personalized algorithms and science-backed tools to help 93% of travelers avoid jet lag. Yes, 93% of travelers! Wild, right?!?

This episode is perfect for frequent flyers, international adventurers, digital nomads, or anyone who wants to hit the ground running—jet lag–free.

RESOURCES:

• Connect with Andrew on Instagram | Learn More About

⚡ ROUND RESOURCES:

• Book: The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
• Travel Tip: Try the goat enchiladas at La Paz Restaurant Calabasas, CA

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