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Unruly Podcast | Travel, Activism & Alternative Culture

Unruly Podcast | Travel, Activism & Alternative Culture

By: Calen Otto - Travel Writer & Activist
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About this listen

 The Unruly Travel & Living Podcast sits down with experts who share illuminating ideas, how-to tips, and personal stories on travel, alternative lifestyles, veganism, nature, queerness, and off-grid living. Calen Otto, host of the Unruly Podcast, is a writer, activist, and avid traveler. They've been to over 30 countries, 20 national parks and 5 continents on an extremely small budget, exploring the intersections of social justice and alternative living along the way. With gritty beginnings of crossing the USA with only a bike and $300, they now help newbies and experienced wanderers alike travel as ethically, creatively, and colorfully as possible. Tune in for epic adventures, exceptional storytelling, and practical ways to kickstart your adventures, regardless of income. UNRULYTRAVEL.COM | Subscribe For New Episodes MonthlyAll rights reserved Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 92. Build Confidence, Career Clarity, And Character Through Travel with Ariel Travis

    92. Build Confidence, Career Clarity, And Character Through Travel with Ariel Travis
    Dec 16 2025
    Nothing has impacted Ariel Travis more than the one thing so many of us fear: International travel. Journey back in time and you won’t find this professional pediatric medical speech-language pathologist in clean scrubs. The true beginning of her career started in a rugged fashion; she joined the Peace Corps just two weeks fresh out of collage before living and working in Mozambique, Brazil, China, and the Dominican Republic for the next seven years. When she finally returned to the US she realized that her unruly adventures gave her the confidence, flexibility, and compassion to thrive in her day-to-day work environment. In this episode Ariel dispels myths about traveling as a young person, inspires nervous listeners to book their first trip, and teaches how to decrease baseline travel anxieties by planning ahead and tuning into our bodies. As someone who has explored over 29 countries, Ariel gives nuanced advice on how much planning allows for safety AND travel magic during our journeys. Join this international speaker, creator of Wander Lounge podcast, and CEO of Nomadic Perspectives, LLC as we hitch-hike 900 miles from Mozambique to Zimbabwe, running into herds of wild elephants and making friends with complete strangers along the way. Learn how to build confidence, courage, character, and your dream career through travel. SHOWNOTES - Wander Lounge website: https://www.wanderloungepodcast.com - 2026 Unruly Finca Ganadito trip: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/finca-ganadito-in-costa-rica-calen-otto-01051353 - How to plan an international trip: https://wanderwoman.online/how-to-plan-international-trip/ - Join the Unruly Patreon: patreon.com/unrulytravel - Unruly Travel & Living Blog: unrulytravel.com
 -Unruly email newsletter: buff.ly/4a1bPwT


 - Support the podcast: SoundCloud - @unrulystories, Venmo - @unruytravel 
- Contact: calenotto@gmail.com
 - Unruly Instagram: www.instagram.com/unruly_traveller
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    50 mins
  • 91. Breaking The Binary, Slow Fashion, and Queer Euphoria with Rae Hill

    91. Breaking The Binary, Slow Fashion, and Queer Euphoria with Rae Hill
    Nov 16 2025
    Walk in just about any clothing store and you’ll find a few things to be true: a “fat tax” is imposed, clothing can’t be mended to accommodate changing bodies, and fast fashion drives the bottom dollar. Scroll through Rae Hill’s website and you’ll see the opposite: garments that can be altered, that are made to last, and break binaries.This business model is rare, but it’s the driving force behind Origami Customs. In this episode Rae, the founder, shares about starting their business from a suitcase, lugging their sewing machine from one flight to another. We learn how travel impacted their gender identity and how they break down binaries even in LGBTQ+ spaces. We also discuss: - What “fat tax” is and how Origami Customs does it differently - How the fashion industry based their standard sizes off small bodies (and how that impacts our mental health today) - How scarcity mindset pushes us to support fast fashion and disposability culture - How to do Black Friday differently, even if you’re not ready to boycott - How to have an anti-capitalist business in an ultra capitalistic society Throughout these important topics Calen and Rae weave messages of queer euphoria and joy, reminding folks of the cherished superpowers they possess. As a stressful holiday season descends upon us, let this be your reminder to keep building community and chosen family wherever you are. SHOWNOTES
 - 2026 Unruly Finca Ganadito trip: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/finca-ganadito-in-costa-rica-calen-otto-01051353 - Unruly Group Trips: wanderwoman.online/unruly-group-trips/ - Join the Unruly Patreon: patreon.com/unrulytravel - Origami Customs: https://origamicustoms.com - Unruly Travel & Living Blog: unrulytravel.com
 -Unruly email newsletter: buff.ly/4a1bPwT

 - Support the podcast: SoundCloud - @unrulystories, 
Venmo - @unruytravel

 - Contact: calenotto@gmail.com

 - Unruly Instagram: www.instagram.com/unruly_traveller
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • 90. The Ultimate Savasana: What It Means To Die In Community

    90. The Ultimate Savasana: What It Means To Die In Community
    Oct 30 2025
    There’s one transition we’ll all experience but hardly talk about: Death. Whether out of fear or taboo, so much of our culture and communities shy away from the topic. Still, it lingers in the back of our mind and flutters in our subconscious. On the topic of dying and deathwork we interview Scott Kirschenbaum, known for his stunning documentaries where he captures some of life's most intense and raw moments. His work with Ethan Sisser was no different; after learning of a young man with brain cancer, Scott agreed to filming his final weeks — and moments — of life. After spending fourteen days at his bedside, Scott’s relationship with death was transformed. “If you love something, start grieving for it. If you love someone, start grieving for them.” In this episode we discuss: * What it means to die in community * How reciprocity can be created in all aspects of life, including death * What the practice of “cracking your heart open” looks like in real time * “Slow death” and why it matters * Reflections for planning our own final moments SHOWNOTES
 - 2026 Unruly Finca Ganadito trip: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/finca-ganadito-in-costa-rica-calen-otto-01051353 - Unruly Group Trips: https://wanderwoman.online/unruly-group-trips/ - Join the Unruly Patreon: patreon.com/unrulytravel - The Last Ecstatic Days: https://www.thelastecstaticdaysmovie.com/about - Wailing Earth Docuseries: https://www.youtube.com/@TempleofSeaweed

 - Unruly Travel & Living Blog: unrulytravel.com
 -Unruly email newsletter: buff.ly/4a1bPwT

 - Support the podcast: SoundCloud - @unrulystories, 
Venmo - @unruytravel

 - Contact: calenotto@gmail.com

 - Unruly Instagram: www.instagram.com/unruly_traveller
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
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