Julie Ulstrup's journey along the Camino de Santiago serves as a profound testament to the transformative power of travel. Her experience on this ancient pilgrimage not only facilitated a deeper understanding of her own purpose but also culminated in a significant spiritual encounter that catalyzed her alignment with her true mission. Throughout our conversation, we explore the rich tapestry of her adventures, the sense of community she encountered, and the invaluable lessons gleaned from both the journey and the people she met along the way. Julie’s reflections illuminate the intricate relationship between passion and purpose, encouraging us to embrace our own paths of discovery. Join us as we delve into her inspiring narrative, which stands as a reminder of the profound impact that travel can have on our lives.

Guest's Bio:

Julie Ulstrup is a business strategist and coach who works with educators, medical professionals and other leaders in mission driven businesses who want to start or grow a profitable business so they can have more time and money freedom.

Connect with Julie Ulstrup

Website: julieulstrup.com/masterclass

Instagram: @julieulstrupco

Facebook: Julie Ulstrup

LinkedIn: Julie Ulstrup

YouTube: Julie Ulstrup

Traveler’s Mindset Course

This course is a beautiful companion for those facing fear, travel anxiety, or seeking clarity through travel. Learn how to use the 8 dimensions of wellness to plan intentional, confidence-building trips.

🔗 Join the course

How do faith, wellness, and travel intersect to create a fulfilling life? Dr. Alaine Ainsley, a Maryland-based primary care physician, joins The Random and Wonderful Podcast to share her journey of faith-driven purpose, patient-centered care, and personal growth through travel. Tune in for insights on staying spiritually, physically, and emotionally well—no matter where life takes you.

Getting to know today's guest:

Dr. Alaine Ainsley is a faith-driven primary care physician in Maryland who specializes in patient-centered healthcare for all ages. Passionate about medicine, wellness, and travel, she believes in holistic healing—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. When she’s not caring for patients, Alaine is growing in her faith, exploring new places, and embracing purpose in every season of life.

Ever thought about packing up and moving to a new country? Travel strategist and journalist Rafael Peña joins me on The Random and Wonderful Podcast to share his journey from event planning in New York to living in Thailand, Argentina, Italy, and Portugal. We dive into how travel expands your perspective, the power of representation in media, and why every Black and Brown traveler should spend at least a year abroad. Tune in for practical travel strategies, eye-opening stories, and a fresh take on global exploration!

Rafael Peña's Bio:

Rafael Peña is a travel strategist and journalist whose work has been featured in Black Enterprise, Travel Noire, Miami Herald, DetourXP, and many other publications. Having lived in Thailand, Italy, Portugal, and Argentina, Rafael is passionate about redefining the travel industry for Black and Brown travelers. He believes that everyone should experience living abroad for at least a year to gain a broader global perspective.

Resources Mentioned:

• Travel Noire – https://travelnoire.com/author/Rafael Pena

• Black Enterprise – https://www.blackenterprise.com/author/penar/

• DetourXP – https://detourxp.com/

• Ebony Expats & Black Expat Facebook Groups – Great resources for moving abroad

Happy Black History Month! Grace Simmons welcomes Shannon Walker, host of Your Hair Made Simple, to discuss the intersection of solo travel, natural hair journeys, and confidence-building. Shannon shares how an international trip as a teen kickstarted her natural hair journey and how solo travel helped her build resilience, embrace change, and step into new experiences with confidence. From navigating Hawaii’s breathtaking landscapes to embracing self-care on the road, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to travel solo and grow along the way.

Episode Highlights:

• How an international trip led to Shannon’s natural hair transformation.
• The connection between hair, identity, and travel for Black women.
• The importance of self-care and confidence while traveling.
• Planning and budgeting tips for solo travel.
• How embracing solo travel can lead to personal breakthroughs.

Learn a little more about Shannon Walker:

Shannon Walker is the Founder and Podcast Host of Your Hair Made Simple, a platform dedicated to sharing authentic stories and information to help people embrace their natural hair with clarity, confidence, and courage. She is also the founder of Elise Enablement Services, where she facilitates strategy development and planning workshops for entrepreneurs and leadership teams. With a professional background in Strategy, Enablement, and Operations, and a foundation in Business and Education, Shannon brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. An adventurer and a lover of life, she finds joy in exploring new places and inspiring others to embrace their journey with confidence.

Stay connected:

• Website: yourhairmadesimple.com
• Instagram: @wanderingtomyself
• Your Hair Made Simple Podcast: Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• Social Media: @yourhairmadesimple (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube)

Resources Mentioned:

• Shannon’s podcast Your Hair Made Simple
• National Parks in Hawaii (Volcanoes National Park)
• About the Green Sand Beach: https://www.lovebigisland.com/quick-and-remarkable-facts-about-hawaii/green-sand-beach/

Let's stay in touch:

• Interested in an upcoming retreat? Join the waitlist!
• Follow Grace Simmons on Instagram @amethystpalaverhut & @random.wonderful.

Grace Simmons sits down with Anika Jackson, a marcom executive, educator, and podcast host, to explore her inspiring journey of resilience, reinvention, and connection. Anika discusses her expertise in public relations, branding, and digital media, as well as her passion for empowering others to share their authentic stories. From leveraging storytelling to build impactful brands to balancing personal wellness and professional growth, this episode is packed with practical insights and empowering advice.

Let's Meet Anika Jackson:

Anika Jackson is a marcom executive and instructor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, where she also co-hosts the Mediascape podcast. She is the founder of the Your Brand Amplified® business podcast, ranked in the top 1.5% globally by ListenNotes, and a sought-after speaker on branding and digital media strategy. Anika is pursuing her MBA with a specialization in AI/ML at Villanova while contributing her expertise to organizations worldwide.

Episode Highlights:

• How storytelling creates authentic and meaningful connections.

• Anika’s career journey and lessons learned from life transitions.

• The role of travel in personal and professional growth.

• Tips for balancing creativity, leadership, and personal wellness.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Leveraging storytelling as a tool for brand building and personal growth.

• The intersections of public relations, branding, and digital media.

• Strategies for embracing change and thriving during life transitions.

• How travel offers perspective, creativity, and connection.

Takeaways:

• Authentic storytelling builds trust and drives meaningful impact.

• Travel can inspire both personal growth and professional creativity.

• Balance is essential for sustaining creativity and leadership.

• Embracing change creates opportunities for reinvention and growth.

Anika's Contact and Social Media:

Website: yourbrandamplified.com

Social Media:

• Facebook & Instagram: @yourbrandamplified
• Facebook, Instagram, TikTok: @amplifywithanika

Resources Mentioned:

• Your Brand Amplified® Podcast: Available on all major platforms
• Animal Love Rescue Center - Costa Rica https://animallove.cr/

Your Turn to Share:

What’s one way storytelling has influenced your personal or professional journey? Share your thoughts with us on social media using the hashtag #RandomAndWonderful.

Your Next Steps:

• Subscribe to The Random and Wonderful Podcast.
• Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help others discover the show.
• Follow Grace Simmons on Instagram @amethystpalaverhut

Learn more: amethystpalaverhut.com

Today, I’m sharing practical strategies for overcoming travel anxiety, including confidence-boosting tips and personal stories to help you manage those travel jitters and fully enjoy your adventures. Whether you’re heading out for your first trip or you’re a seasoned traveler, these insights will help you navigate unfamiliar situations with more ease. I also tell a funny story about how stepping away from frustration during a chaotic airport delay helped me stay calm. Plus, you’ll hear all about my upcoming Cultivating Confidence Wellness Retreat in Bacalar, Mexico, and a special course I created to help you plan your next trip with confidence!

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why travel anxiety happens and how it’s your brain’s way of keeping you safe.
• 5 Confidence-building strategies
• Personal story: Grace’s experience with a stressful airport delay in Spain and how a brief interaction and stepping away helped her reset.
• Upcoming Cultivating Confidence Wellness Retreat in Bacalar, Mexico (May 8-12, 2025).
• Details on Grace’s new travel planning course to help anxious travelers feel more confident.

Key Quotes:

• "Travel anxiety isn’t a sign that you shouldn’t be traveling—it’s just your brain’s way of trying to protect you."
• "Confidence isn’t about not feeling afraid; it’s about taking action despite the fear."
• "When anxiety feels overwhelming, remember—you can still have an amazing trip even if you experience moments of stress."

Takeaways:

• Travel anxiety is normal but manageable with the right mindset and tools.
• Small actions, like mentally rehearsing your travel day or having a solid safety plan, can significantly ease anxiety.
• Give yourself grace during stressful moments and celebrate small wins along the way.

Resources Mentioned:

• Cultivating Confidence Wellness Retreat: https://pages.amethystpalaverhut.com/products/journeytowellness
• Grace’s Travel Planning Course (with a special discount) – https://www.udemy.com/course/overcome-the-fear-of-traveling/?couponCode=91206B790BBBDA28F973

Grace Simmons talks with Michelle Newman, podcast producer, storyteller, and founder of Newman Media, about her love for solo travel, embracing spontaneity, and finding joy in the little things while on the road. Michelle shares hilarious and heartfelt stories, from staying in an Earthship in New Mexico to driving through Ireland under rainbows. With her unique blend of humor and insight, Michelle offers tips on balancing safety, self-care, and adventure during solo travels while giving a behind-the-scenes look at her creative work in podcasting.

Guest Bio:

Michelle Newman is a podcast producer, storyteller, and founder of Newman Media. A former Los Angeles artist, Michelle spent years creating DIY projects that blended musical performances, comedy, storytelling, and animation. Since pivoting to the podcasting industry in 2019, she has focused on creating high-quality, immersive audio experiences. Michelle’s work includes Deep Healing with Greg Barris, an award-winning experimental comedy podcast, and Tell Me a Ghost Story, a fast-growing show on the Scary.fm network where listeners share eerie and compelling tales. Her passion for audio storytelling and sound design brings creativity and depth to every project she undertakes.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Michelle’s favorite travel stories include a quirky adventure in New Mexico and exploring Ireland’s countryside.

• Why solo travel offers unparalleled freedom and opportunities for self-discovery.

• Tips for balancing spontaneity and safety while traveling alone.

• How self-care practices, like slowing down and “traveling at your own pace,” can enhance any trip.

• Insights into her creative journey in podcasting, from sound design to storytelling.

Key Quotes:

• "Just because you’re in a new place doesn’t mean you have to go non-stop. Take time to rest—everything will still be there when you’re ready."

• "Always be prepared to lie to strangers for safety—I’ve got a big beefy boyfriend back at the hotel."

Takeaways:

• Solo travel can be both liberating and transformative, offering opportunities to connect with yourself and the world in meaningful ways.

• Self-care, like taking breaks or going at your own pace, is essential for enjoying travel.

• Staying flexible and open to unexpected experiences leads to the most memorable adventures.

Resources Mentioned:

• Newman Media: newmanmedia.com

• Tell Me a Ghost Story: tellmeaghoststory.com

Summary:

In this inspiring episode, Grace Simmons chats with Michelle Plante, a travel advisor and pioneer in alcohol-free luxury travel for women. Michelle shares her journey to sobriety, her passion for creating meaningful travel experiences, and the transformative power of travel. From Boston to Costa Rica, Michelle’s focus on mindful connections and personal growth shines through as she discusses her luxury alcohol-free retreats and how travel can inspire change and self-discovery.

Guest Bio:

Michelle Plante is a travel advisor and a recent pioneer in organizing luxury alcohol-free trips for women. A dedicated member of the Wellness Tourism Association and the Transformational Travel Council, Michelle blends luxury, adventure, and wellness to create experiences that allow women to connect, thrive, and be their best selves.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Michelle’s journey to sobriety and how it led her to curate alcohol-free travel experiences.
• The importance of setting intentions for meaningful and fulfilling travel.
• How to find joy and connection while embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle.
• Michelle’s favorite self-care practices for wellness, both at home and during travel.
• Highlights of Michelle’s upcoming alcohol-free luxury retreats in Costa Rica and India.

Key Quotes:

• "It’s not about what you can’t do when you’re sober—it’s about the thousands of incredible things you can do."
• "Travel isn’t just about seeing new places; it’s a way to grow, connect, and rediscover yourself."
• "Set your intentions before you travel. Knowing how you want to feel afterward can transform your trip."

Takeaways:

• Sobriety can unlock a new perspective on travel and life, offering deeper connections and meaningful experiences.
• Setting clear intentions before a trip enhances its purpose and allows travelers to appreciate it fully.
• Simple self-care practices, like prioritizing sleep and disconnecting from devices, contribute to overall wellness while traveling.

Resources Mentioned:

Michelle Plante’s website: michelleplante.com

• Alcohol-Free Luxury Trips in 2025:
• Costa Rica: TBD
• India: TDB

Instagram: @michelleplantetravels

Connect with Michelle:

You can find Michelle on Instagram at @michelleplantetravels or visit her website for more information on her luxury retreats and travel advisory services.