176 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

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.

    Guatemala

    Guatemala

    On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan leads us through highlights from his trip to Guatemala—museums of Guatemala City, the pyramids (and howler monkeys!) of Tikal National Park, Antigua volcano hikes, and the part-devil/part-saint of Lake Atitlan. Plus, LOTS OF GORY CATHOLIC STUFF!
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    The Rick Steves Guide to Life
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/04/29/rick-steves-home-partner-philanthropy-washington/
    US State Department Guatemala Safety Information
    https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Guatemala.html  
    Brief History of Guatemala’s complicated political history and civil war
    https://cja.org/where-we-work/guatemala/  
    Palacio Nacional de la Cultura
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Palace_(Guatemala) 
    Museo Ixchel
    https://museoixchel.org/en/museo-ixchel-english/ 
    Museo Miraflores
    https://www.museomiraflores.org.gt/ 
    Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia
    https://sig.muniguate.com/proyectosDIGM/cultura/museos/MUSEOS/Arqueolog%C3%ADa%20y%20Etnolog%C3%ADa.html 
    Tikal National Park
    https://www.tikalnationalpark.org/ 
    Antigua
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigua_Guatemala 
    Santa Catalina Archi
    https://theculturetrip.com/central-america/guatemala/articles/a-brief-history-of-antiguas-santa-catalina-arch 
    Convento de las Capuchinas
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iglesia_y_Convento_de_las_Capuchinas,_Antigua_Guatemala 
    Efrain Recinos sculpture park
    https://intothearmsofamerica.com/destinations/guatemala/antigua/the-little-museum-up-in-the-antigua-hills/ 
    Lake Atitlan
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Atitl%C3%A1n

    Maximon
    https://atitlanliving.com/guatemala-travel-information/how-to-visit-a-cofradia-in-santiago/ 
    Michelin Star Analysis
    https://www.chefspencil.com/michelin-dining-costs-analysis/ 
    Your iPhone’s Hidden Noise Machine
    https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/iphone-tips-tricks/ 
     

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Traveling For Concerts (Taylor’s version)

    Traveling For Concerts (Taylor’s version)

    On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Ryan interviews Emma Weissmann on the boom of concert travel led by Taylor Swift. Plus, Kiernan endorses Mitt Romney again. 
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    Mitt Romney for Harvard President.
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/16/mitt-romney-harvard-president-antisemitism/ 
    Emma Interview: 
    TravelAge West: https://www.travelagewest.com/

    Emma’s podcasts: https://www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts
    Taylor Swift cruise: https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Cruise/taylor-swift-cruise
    NPR article on economic impact:  https://www.npr.org/2023/12/27/1221483930/girl-economy-taylor-swift-beyonce-barbie-2023
    Last Stop:
    https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a60314481/literary-travel-boom/

    https://www.bnbfinder.com/
     

    • 36 min
    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

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