174 episodes

Out of Office is a travel podcast hosted by us, Ryan Davis and Kiernan Schmitt. From early childhood, we were each infected with a serious case of wanderlust (among other things.)

We define travel broadly, from local day trips to high-flyin’ overseas adventures. Every episode, we dig into one topic—ranging from the serious to the silly, the practical to the outlandish—and give advice on how to get out there and explore the world.

Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast A Travel Podcast

    • Society & Culture
    • 3.3 • 4 Ratings

Out of Office is a travel podcast hosted by us, Ryan Davis and Kiernan Schmitt. From early childhood, we were each infected with a serious case of wanderlust (among other things.)

We define travel broadly, from local day trips to high-flyin’ overseas adventures. Every episode, we dig into one topic—ranging from the serious to the silly, the practical to the outlandish—and give advice on how to get out there and explore the world.

    Italian Cuisine Expert Fred Plotkin is BACK!

    Italian Cuisine Expert Fred Plotkin is BACK!

    On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan digs in on regional Italian cuisine with one of the show’s most interesting guests ever: opera and Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin. Fred talks us through some of the most popular and most obscure foods of Italy, sharing history and wonderful anecdotes all along the way. Part 2 of 3!
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    “Italy for Food Lovers”
    https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/italy-for-food-lovers
    Fred Plotkin biography
    https://www.wqxr.org/people/fred-plotkin/ 
    The Atlantic’s “Crying Myself to Sleep on the Biggest Cruise Ship Ever” by Gary Shteyngart
    https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/05/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-icon-of-seas/677838/
    CNN’s Grandmother and Son Are on the Move
    https://www.cnn.com/travel/grandma-joy-ryan-grandson-seven-continents/index.html 

    • 1 hr 21 min
    Trip Planning With ChatGPT

    Trip Planning With ChatGPT

    On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan grades ChatGPT, evaluating its organization of three weekend getaways. Ryan shares tips on how to correctly leverage ChatGPT for travel plans. Introducing a fresh segment, "The Layover," Ryan chats with Tommy Wallach from Hatch Escapes on the launch of their latest immersive adventure, "The Ladder."
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    ChatGPT:
    https://chat.openai.com/
    Hatch Escapes: 
    https://www.hatchescapes.com/
    OOO Episode on Escape Rooms:
    https://outofofficepod.com/podcast/episode-50-escape-rooms-with-tommy-wallach/
    LAST STOP
    Ryan: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-admin-accelerates-plan-to-unleash-apex-predator-near-rural-community-over-widespread-local-opposition
     
    Kiernan: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/willy-wonka-musical-parody-inspired-by-viral-event-1235852849/
     

    • 1 hr
    Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin

    Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin

    On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan interviews one of the show’s most interesting guests ever: opera and Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin. Decades ago, Fred published a breakout hit for intrepid eaters: his book “Italy for the Gourmet Traveler.” During COVID, he collaborated with frequent “Out of Office” guest Rick Steves on a new update, which the duo published in 2023 as “Italy for Food Lovers.” Fred’s knowledge proved so encyclopedic, this will be Part 1 of 2!
    Note: Some SFX are missing from the top of the show, which explains the weird pauses. We’ll talk about it on the next episode. 
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    Willy Wonka Immersive Experience
    https://www.salon.com/2024/03/02/fyre-festival-20-everything-to-know-about-the-less-than-stellar-willy-wonka-immersive-experience/ 
    “Italy for Food Lovers”
    https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/italy-for-food-lovers
    Fred Plotkin biography
    https://www.wqxr.org/people/fred-plotkin/ 
    “The Myth of Your Phone’s Airplane Mode”
    https://qz.com/phone-airplane-mode-myth-1851286214 
    “Pod Save the World” CPAC Doubles Down on Creepy Autocrats
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cpac-doubles-down-on-creepy-autocrats/id1200016351?i=1000647359648 

    • 51 min
    Buenos Aires 101

    Buenos Aires 101

    On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Ryan ventures to Buenos Aires and shares his top neighborhood picks, eats too much steak, and embarks on a quest for elderly giraffes. Also, the boys debut a fresh segment called Nonsense Banter.
    Ryan's BA photos on Insgagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/p/C32MfWpuTpH/?img_index=1
    Other Links:

    https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/02/air-canada-must-honor-refund-policy-invented-by-airlines-chatbot/

    • 47 min
    James Beard Foundation Awards

    James Beard Foundation Awards

    In this episode of "Out of Office: A Travel Podcast," Ryan speaks with Dawn Padmore, Vice President of Awards at the James Beard Foundation, about the newly released list of semi-finalists and how the JBF discovers these exceptional restaurants across the United States. Additionally, Ryan and Kiernan share some of their favorites from the list.
    The JBF:
    https://www.jamesbeard.org/
    Semi-Finalists List:
    https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2024-james-beard-awards-semifinalists

    Notre Dame Episode:

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notre-dame/id1438098925?i=1000436877749

    • 46 min
    NYT Travel Editor Amy Virshup Talks 52 Places In 2024

    NYT Travel Editor Amy Virshup Talks 52 Places In 2024

    On this episode of “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan talks to Amy Virshup, the Travel Editor of the New York Times, about the paper’s just released “52 Places to Visit in 2024” list. Plus, the boys launch a new segment called “The Judy Alert” to help Ryan’s mother determine whether her son is in danger.
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    “52 Places to Go in 2024”
    https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/travel/places-to-travel-destinations-2024.html 
    Quito, Ecuador episode
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quito-ecuador/id1438098925?i=1000610538652 
    Ecuador Travel Advisory
    https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/ecuador-travel-advisory.html 
    White House Press Release on Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument 
    https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/08/fact-sheet-president-biden-designates-baaj-nwaavjo-itah-kukveni-ancestral-footprints-of-the-grand-canyon-national-monument/ 
     

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

3.3 out of 5
4 Ratings

4 Ratings

Gina-00 ,

Great travel podcast

I’ve been struggling to find a good travel podcast for a while and Out Of Office podcast is just what I’ve been looking for! Good travel recommendations and fun casual chat! :)

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