The Adventure Calls Podcast Jessica Drucker

Join us on Adventure Calls as we traverse the evolving landscape of LGBTQ travel media with industry pioneer Matt Skallerud. Uncover the pivotal intersection of marketing and true queer-friendly destinations, discovering if the places that woo you as a traveler are ready to embrace you as a local. Dive into a compelling conversation that redefines the meaning of inclusive tourism and genuine welcome.


In this episode of Adventure Calls, we're delighted to feature Matt Skallerud, a luminary in LGBTQ online media and the president of Pink Media. His 30-year journey began with the pioneering gaywired.com and shewired.com and led to working with an extensive network of LGBTQ-focused online destinations. A former board chairman of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), Matt has lent his expertise to multiple boards including Travel Gay Canada. Today, he heads Pink Media and the impactful #ILoveGay Network, which aids queer-owned companies in reaching LGBTQ demographics through refined content marketing and social media strategies. An advocate for LGBTQ businesses globally, Matt shares his insights on what it takes to craft queer-friendly travel destinations that resonate with both locals and visitors alike. Join us as we explore the intersection of marketing and genuine LGBTQ-friendly spaces with industry authority, Matt Skallerud.


Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Matt Skallerud of Pink Media shares his journey from starting one of the first LGBTQ websites, gaywired.com, to now helping companies target the LGBTQ demographic through social media and content marketing.Destinations around the world seek Matt's expertise to market themselves as LGBTQ-friendly and appeal to queer travelers, highlighting the importance of authenticity in their marketing strategies.The discussion explores the difference between destinations that are LGBTQ-friendly for tourists versus being truly welcoming and inclusive for locals and expats who are part of the LGBTQ community.Matt reflects on the evolution of LGBTQ travel and how the concept of "gayborhoods" is changing as the community becomes more integrated into mainstream society.The episode touches upon the distinct travel and living experiences of the LGBTQ population and emphasizes the ongoing need for safe, inclusive, and welcoming destinations globally.

Find Jessica Drucker online:
Website: www.rainbowrelo.com 
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/queerexpats 
Find Matt online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattskal/
PinkMedia: https://www.pinkmedia.lgbt/
Website: https://dot.cards/mattskal

In this episode of Adventure Calls, you'll hear American expat Elissa Johnsen in her own words, as she narrates through her incredible journey of relocating with her family to New Zealand during COVID, offering an inspiring firsthand account of embracing change and creating a new life abroad.Elissa  is a Maryland native turned New Zealander who embarked on a life-altering journey two years ago with her close-knit family. She and her husband, together with their three young children, who at the time were roughly six, a toddler and a one-month old —left the familiarity of their United States home for a bit of an adventure  in the lush landscapes of New Zealand.Initially only for a year or two, the family set their roots roots a bit south of Auckland in the picturesque city of Tauranga, and Elissa and her family embraced the diverse culture and stunning environment of their adopted country. After spending two years assimilating and growing as a unit amidst Tauranga's coastal charm, Elissa and her  family decided they had no intention of returning to the United States, and made the vibrant capital city of Wellington their home. Elissa's journey represents a unique blend of adventure and family, showcasing her courage and commitment to providing a rich life full of experiences for her children. Now settled in Wellington, she continues to navigate the rewards and challenges of life abroad with grace and determination.Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Elissa Johnsen, an American expat living in New Zealand, shared her journey of relocating with her family and working as a nurse in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic.The decision to move to New Zealand was driven by the desire for a better, less stressful environment for their family, particularly for their children, and the opportunities for their careers.Elissa highlighted the significant differences in the healthcare system and societal environment between the United States and New Zealand, emphasizing the reduced stress and anxiety she experienced living in New Zealand.The importance of downsizing and preparation for moving abroad was underscored as Elissa shared her experience of moving with children and the support she found in the expat community.Elissa's TikTok account, KiwiFroyo, not only documents her family's life in New Zealand but also serves as a platform to share insights and advice with those interested in a similar move.

Find Jessica Drucker online:
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo


Find Elissa online:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kiwifroyo

Bridget Romanes is the visionary principal of Mobile Relocation, a consultancy that aids people in the complex process of moving and settling into New Zealand life. Born and raised in New Zealand herself, Bridget's early life was anything but ordinary. Her father, a mountaineer who ascended the Himalayas with the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary, infused Bridget's childhood with a spirit of exploration and a global perspective. Her home often buzzed with intriguing guests from various walks of life, enriching her understanding of the world.

Tune in to hear how the allure of New Zealand's community and breathtaking landscapes could be your family's next chapter on this episode of Adventure Calls.

From a young age, Bridget's vacations were a tapestry of experiences that spanned trekking in Fiji's rugged highlands to sailing across the azure waters of the Maldives. These adventures weren't common in the seventies and eighties, setting Bridget and her family apart as uniquely proactive global citizens.

It comes as no surprise that Bridget, influenced by her unconventional upbringing, would eventually carve out a niche in helping others navigate the life of an expatriate. Today, she intertwines her rich heritage of travel and cultural immersion with her professional acumen, serving as a guiding force for those embarking on their own journeys to new horizons. Bridget Romanes is not just a name but a synonym for cultural fluency and the passion to make the world one's home.


Perceived Social Liberalism and Safety in New Zealand: "once they get here, they do feel safe in a way that they haven't felt before." - Bridget Romanes


Find Jessica Drucker online: 
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com 
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching 
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo 


Find Bridget online:
Connect with Bridget on LinkedIn
Visit Mobile's website to learn about working with us to set up a new life in New Zealand
Access 100+ articles about relocating to New Zealand

Join Jess Drucker in the return of Adventure Calls as she shares her personal journey of expanding her family and launching a new company, and reveals the exciting new direction of the podcast focused on the adventures, challenges, and triumphs of LGBTQ folks and their families relocating internationally.


Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
The podcast will now have a specific focus on the interests and needs of LGBTQ folks and their families looking to relocate internationally.The host's new company, Rainbow Relocation Strategies, aims to help LGBTQ individuals and their families move, live, and thrive abroad.The podcast will feature interviews with relocation consultants, immigration specialists, thought leaders in LGBTQ spaces, and successful queer expats living abroad.The host emphasizes the importance of looking at moving abroad with a sense of adventure, despite the challenges and the need for backup plans.The episode concludes with a message of empowerment to the LGBTQ community and encourages them to follow their call to adventure and consider relocating abroad.

Living Abroad Challenges: "It's actually quite challenging to live abroad, but it's those challenges that shape us and give us life skills and tools that we wouldn't have otherwise.” - Jess Drucker


Find Jessica Drucker online: 
Rainbow Relocation: www.rainbowrelo.com 
Relocation Guide: www.jessicadrucker.com/guide 
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching 
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book

On Adventure Calls, we talk to international American expats living around the world and on today’s episode you’ll meet Chase Warrington, an American expat currently based in Spain. 
Chase Warrington is the Head of Remote at Doist, a remote-first company with 100 employees based in 30+ countries spanning all time zones. 
He's lived in a handful of countries and has been working remotely from around the world for 13 years. He is an instructor, writer, and speaker and host of the About Abroad podcast, dedicated to exploring all elements of life beyond your borders. 
On this episode, Chase and I talk about the importance of following your call to adventure, living abroad, and how your community will appear when you take the leap. We also talk about the shift to remote work, and the growth of remote-first companies. 
Find Chase Warrington online
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-warrington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dcwarrington
Podcast: www.AboutAbroad.com

Find Jessica Drucker online 
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
2022 Global Relocation Guide:  www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jessicadrucker

*Get Your Free Move Abroad Checklist at www.jessicadrucker.com/checklist*

Diem is a social knowledge sharing app for women and non-binary folks founded by Emma Bates, an international branding and marketing rockstar originally from the UK who grew a blog to over 100,000 followers at age 19, and continued on to become Head of Global Marketing at Away.

On this International Impact episode of Adventure Calls,  Emma talks about living and thriving in New York City as an expat entrepreneur, and how the impact of living abroad guided her to create this safe space that focuses on tackling the inequality that exists for women and non-binary folks IRL and on social media.

The International Impact series includes interviews with expat builders, creators and entrepreneurs whose products and services not only impact the world, but the key ingredient is the time spent abroad by the company’s founder.

Find Diem
Website: https://www.askdiem.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askdiem/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/askdiem

Find Emma Bates
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-bates-288a89a0

Find Jessica Drucker
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
2022 Global Relocation Guide:  www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jessicavdrucker
Linkinbio: https://linktr.ee/jessicavdrucker

*Get Your Free Move Abroad Checklist at www.jessicadrucker.com/checklist*