FRENCHITIVITY - A Family Travel Podcast

Frenchitivity | Kent & Michelle French

Welcome to the Frenchitivity Podcast!We are a family of three (Michelle, Kent and our then 7 year-old daughter Everly) who stepped away from conventional lives to travel the world for a year!  Here you will find: - How and why we decided to take a leap of faith - Stories from our travels - The facinating people we interviewed - Our discovery of world schooling - The lessons we learned along the way First, what exactly is Frenchitivity?? It is a philosophy and now a way of life that follows three main principles...Possibility, Creativity and Tranquility. It was born from a family of three...Kent, Michelle and Everly (7yrs) French. Kent has enjoyed a TV broadcast career that has spanned over 20 years with the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Angels. Michelle owned an events company for 15 years specializing in Galas and Charity Walks for major Southern California non-profits. Everly, their 7 year old daughter, is beyond her years and wants to be a an artist when she grows up!The Frenchitivity Podcast then puts the spotlight on those who have chased Possibility with Creativity to find Tranquility! On this Podcast you will experience:-Chronicles of our family adventure-Stories of other individuals, couples, and families who have "sold it all" to seek memories that will last a life time! -Journey's of small businesses who have chased their dream with "no plan B".So enjoy stories of inspiration, bravery, hardship, and love that all provide the foundation for a the Frenchitivity Podcast! Come with us!

  1. 4d ago

    A Taste for Adventure with Megan Hall

    What happens when two scientists with a love of wine, food, family, and adventure decide they don't want to experience the world from a hotel room? On Episode 27 of the Frenchitivity Podcast, Kent and Michelle sit down with Megan Hall—a wife, mother of two, wine scientist, professor, lifelong traveler, and founder of Terroir Adventure Travel. Megan and her husband Alex met while studying wine at Cornell University, and travel has been woven into their relationship ever since. Just six months after getting married, they packed up and moved to Tasmania for six months. After becoming parents, the adventures didn't stop—they simply evolved. When their oldest child was two, they bought a pop-up camper. Since then, their family has camped through more than 40 national, state, and county parks and national forests. And their love of camping doesn't stop at the U.S. border. One of their favorite adventures took them on a 1,200-mile camping trip through five of France's major wine regions with their two kids. More recently, the family explored Egypt and traveled down the Nile. For Megan and Alex, where they stay is an important part of how they travel. Whether it's a campground or a local guesthouse, they intentionally seek experiences that bring them closer to the people, food, landscape, and culture of a destination. Megan says camping has a unique ability to reset their family and reconnect them with one another. We also dive into Megan and Alex's fascinating careers in wine science—from vineyards and winemaking to microbiology, plant pathology and grapevine disease research. Today, they teach wine studies together, bringing the science, history, agriculture, and culture of wine into the classroom. And yes...we also learn how two food and wine scientists approach a BLT. Let's just say Alex's homemade BELTinvolves home-smoked bacon, eggs from their own chickens, and lettuce and tomatoes from the garden. 🥓🍳🍅 Finally, Megan shares the next chapter of her journey: Terroir Adventure Travel. In the wine world, terroir describes the relationship between land, soil, climate, history, culture, people, and food. Megan is taking that same philosophy and applying it to travel—creating intimate, immersive small-group experiences designed to help travelers truly understand the places they're visiting. She personally experiences every itinerary before offering it, partners with local guides, and limits each group to just eight travelers—creating space for curiosity, conversation, connection, and community. This conversation is about family travel, camping abroad, wine, food, science, entrepreneurship, and choosing to experience a destination rather than simply pass through it. Because sometimes traveling deeper doesn't mean going farther. It means getting closer. 🎙 The Frenchitivity Podcast releases new episodes every Sunday. 📺 Watch the full conversation on the Frenchitivity YouTube Channel and please subscribe. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 🍎 If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, we'd greatly appreciate a download, rating, and review. And if you're listening on Spotify, please follow the Frenchitivity Podcast so you never miss an episode. Frenchitivity Instagram Page Frenchitivity YouTube Channel Frenchitivity Website & Blog Frenchitivity Podcast

  2. Aug 9

    Collecting Crazy Experiences with Irina - Travel Content Creator

    What if the best way to measure a life wasn't by the things you own... but by the experiences you've collected? This week on the Frenchitivity Podcast, Kent and Michelle sit down with travel creator Irina, a self-proclaimed "Professional Collector of Crazy Experiences," whose adventures have taken her to more than 30 countries in pursuit of unforgettable stories. As a travel content creator and visual storyteller, Irina helps hotels, destinations, and travel brands capture the emotion behind every experience through stunning cinematic photography and video. But behind every beautiful image is an even better story. In this inspiring conversation, Irina shares what it was like to search for anacondas deep in the Amazon rainforest, swim alongside wild orcas, and survive getting lost alone in the jungles of Indonesia. She also opens up about discovering the peaceful world of freediving and how exploring beneath the ocean's surface has become one of the most meaningful experiences of her life. Beyond the adventure, Irina discusses what it takes to build a successful travel content business, becoming a brand ambassador, and creating authentic visual stories that inspire people to explore the world. She also reminds us that adventure doesn't always require crossing oceans—sometimes it's found during a weekend getaway close to home. Whether you're passionate about travel, photography, storytelling, entrepreneurship, or simply stepping outside your comfort zone, this conversation will leave you inspired to embrace curiosity and collect experiences that truly matter. Because in the end, the greatest souvenirs aren't things… They're the stories we bring home. 🎙 The Frenchitivity Podcast releases new episodes every Sunday. Frenchitivity Instagram Page Frenchitivity YouTube Channel Frenchitivity Website & Blog Frenchitivity Podcast

  3. Aug 3

    Koh Lanta, Thailand | Finding Community Around the World

    The Thailand adventure continues… In Part 3 of our Thailand Travel Series, Kent, Michelle, and Everly arrive in one of the most meaningful destinations of their 10-month journey around the world: Koh Lanta. What began as another stop on the itinerary quickly became something much bigger. It became home. On their very first evening, Michelle encouraged the family to attend a pool party hosted by the Bliss World School Hub—a decision that would completely change their experience in Thailand. Suddenly, they weren't simply traveling anymore. They had found something they didn't even realize they were searching for: community. Surrounded by like-minded families from around the world, Kent, Michelle, and Everly experienced what it felt like to truly live in Thailand. There were fitness classes for adults, crafts and games for children, moms' nights out, dads' nights out, and friendships that continue to this day. Along the way, they met unforgettable people who became part of their story—from their tuk-tuk driver, Yo Yo, who quickly became their trusted guide around the island, to Jessi and Tak at Silver Gypsie, where the family created custom sterling silver jewelry they'll treasure forever. Michelle also shares her meaningful connection with Magnus, a breathwork instructor from Sweden whose wisdom and guidance became one of the most unexpected gifts of the journey. The adventure continues with unforgettable experiences exploring the breathtaking Phi Phi Islands through both public and private boat tours. Kent and Michelle compare the two experiences, share funny moments from the water, and offer practical tips to help families planning their own Thailand adventure. This episode is about more than beautiful beaches and island hopping. It's about discovering that sometimes the most memorable part of travel isn't the destination—it's the people who become part of your story. ✨ Michelle has also created a FREE downloadable Thailand Family Travel Guide featuring recommendations, itineraries, and everything the family experienced throughout their time in Thailand. Here is the link to our Koh Lanta Travel Guide: www.frenchitivity.com/thailand-3 And the adventure isn't over yet... Part 4 of our Thailand journey is coming next as we wrap up our unforgettable time in the Land of Smiles. 🎙 The Frenchitivity Podcast releases new episodes every Sunday. Frenchitivity Instagram Page Frenchitivity YouTube Channel Frenchitivity Website & Blog Frenchitivity Podcast

  4. Jul 25

    Travel Writer Robin DeGracia talks about her New Book: Raising World Travelers While Staying Sane

    Can you raise a family, balance everyday life, and still explore the world together? This week on the Frenchitivity Podcast, Kent and Michelle sit down with travel writer, family travel advocate, and author Robin DeGracia to discuss her newly released book, Raising World Travelers While Staying Sane. For more than a decade, Robin has inspired families through her blog Around the World with Kids, sharing the honest realities behind traveling as a family. Her latest book, released on July 1 (now available on Amazon.com), pulls back the curtain on what family travel really looks like—from diaper bags and toddler meltdowns to navigating the ever-changing world of traveling with teenagers. In this candid and inspiring conversation, Robin shares why travel became such an important priority for her family, the lessons they've learned over years of exploring the world together, and why the most meaningful memories often come from the imperfect moments. Together, Kent, Michelle, and Robin discuss: ✈️ Why family travel is worth the challenges 🌍 The evolution of traveling with children—from toddlers to teenagers ❤️ How travel strengthens family relationships through shared experiences 📚 Balancing school, work, and everyday responsibilities while making travel a priority 💬 The importance of embracing the unexpected instead of chasing perfection 👫 Why couples trips and "me time" can be just as important as family adventures Whether you're planning your first family vacation, dreaming about international travel, or simply looking for encouragement to create more meaningful experiences together, this episode offers practical wisdom, honest stories, and plenty of laughter. At Frenchitivity, we believe travel is one of life's greatest classrooms—and Robin's story is a beautiful reminder that while the destinations are unforgettable, it's the shared experiences along the way that shape who we become as families. 🎙 The Frenchitivity Podcast releases new episodes every Sunday. 📺 Watch the full episode on the Frenchitivity YouTube Channel. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 🍎 If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, we'd be incredibly grateful if you downloaded the episode, rated, and reviewed the podcast. Your support helps us reach more families seeking a more intentional and connected life. 🎧 Listening on Spotify? Please follow the podcast so you never miss a new episode. #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #RobinDeGracia #RaisingWorldTravelers #FamilyTravelTips #TravelPodcast #Frenchitivity #FrenchitivityPodcast #Worldschooling #IntentionalLiving #AdventureFamily #TravelWriter #FamilyAdventure #TravelInspiration #AroundTheWorldWithKids Frenchitivity Instagram Page Frenchitivity YouTube Channel Frenchitivity Website & Blog Frenchitivity Podcast

  5. Jul 19

    Thailand (Part 2): Elephant Hills, Khao Sok & Ao Nang

    🎬 Episode 23 | Thailand Part 2: Elephant Hills, Khao Sok & Ao Nang The adventure continues... In Part 2 of our Thailand Travel Series, Kent, Michelle, and Everly experience what would become one of the most unforgettable chapters of their 10-month journey around the world. Our first stop is the incredible Elephant Hills—Thailand's first luxury tented camp and ethical elephant sanctuary, nestled in the heart of Khao Sok National Park. Over two unforgettable days, we immersed ourselves in the beauty of the Thai jungle while learning about the remarkable conservation efforts that make Elephant Hills so special. We share what it was like to stay in a luxury safari-style tent, meet and feed rescued elephants, and learn their incredible stories from our wonderful guide, Beam, whose passion for these gentle giants made the experience even more meaningful. The adventure continued with a peaceful kayak journey down the Sok River, quietly drifting beneath towering limestone cliffs while spotting monkeys, snakes, and incredible wildlife along the riverbanks. Back at camp, we experienced the rich traditions of Thailand through cultural performances, authentic cuisine, an elephant conservation documentary, and a live Thai cooking demonstration. On our second day, guide Mona led us deep into the rainforest on an unforgettable jungle trek. Along the way we discovered towering bamboo forests, rubber trees, giant spiders, fresh elephant footprints, and enjoyed a traditional lunch prepared over an open fire in a remote jungle hut. From there, our journey took us to the beautiful coastal town of Ao Nang, where we explored stunning beaches, wandered through the vibrant Landmark Night Market, and ventured to the iconic Railay Beach to experience its world-famous limestone cliffs and try rock climbing for the very first time. This episode is filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters, immersive cultural experiences, family adventure, worldschooling moments, and practical travel inspiration for anyone dreaming of exploring Southern Thailand. ✨ Don't forget to download Michelle's FREE Thailand Family Travel Guide, packed with recommendations, itineraries, and tips from our journey. www.frenchitivity.com/thailand-2 🎙 The Frenchitivity Podcast releases new episodes every Sunday. Frenchitivity Instagram Page Frenchitivity YouTube Channel Frenchitivity Website & Blog Frenchitivity Podcast

  6. Jul 12

    Thailand (Part 1): The Land of Smiles | Phuket & Khao Lak

    After exploring four incredible countries across Europe, it's finally time for the next chapter of our journey around the world. Welcome to Thailand—the Land of Smiles. 🇹🇭 In Episode 22 of the Frenchitivity Podcast, Kent and Michelle begin a three-part series exploring one of the most transformative chapters of their family's 10-month adventure. Stepping off the plane into the warm tropical air, everything felt different. Although many people have since asked, "How was your vacation?" this episode reminds us that what we were experiencing wasn't a vacation at all—it was a journey toward greater family fulfillment, intentional living, and building the foundation of what would become Frenchitivity. Still, after four months of constant movement through Europe, Thailand invited us to breathe. For Everly, the warm ocean and tropical landscape immediately brought back cherished memories of family trips to Costa Rica and Hawaii, making Thailand feel both exciting and wonderfully familiar. In Part 1, we revisit our first two destinations: 🌴 Phuket, where we celebrated New Year's Eve on Kamala Beach, experienced the energy of Thailand for the very first time, and climbed into our first tuk-tuk. 🌿 Khao Lak, where a slower pace allowed us to connect more deeply—with the destination, with local culture, and with incredible people who would become lifelong friends. We also met our very first travel family, a reminder that sometimes the greatest souvenirs aren't things at all—they're relationships. One of the highlights of this episode is our unforgettable experience at an authentic Thai cooking school, where we explored a local market before preparing a traditional Thai meal from scratch under the guidance of an incredible local chef. This episode is filled with family travel inspiration, cultural immersion, worldschooling moments, practical travel tips, and heartfelt stories about the people who made Thailand feel like home. ✨ Michelle has also created a FREE downloadable Thailand Family Travel Guide filled with recommendations, itineraries, and everything we experienced throughout our time in Thailand. (frenchitivity.com/thailand) Whether you're planning a trip to Thailand or simply dreaming about one someday, we hope this episode inspires you to travel more intentionally and embrace the joy of experiencing the world together. 🎙 The Frenchitivity Podcast releases new episodes every Sunday. Frenchitivity Instagram Page Frenchitivity YouTube Channel Frenchitivity Website & Blog Frenchitivity Podcast

  7. Jul 5

    Before We Continue Around The World

    Episode 21 | Before We Continue Around the World Before we continue our journey around the world and make our next stop in Thailand—the Land of Smiles—we felt it was important to pause. In Episode 21 of the Frenchitivity Podcast, Kent and Michelle step back from the travel itinerary to reflect on something much bigger than the destinations themselves. Because Frenchitivity was never meant to be just about travel. It has always been about pursuing a more intentional life, creating deeper family connection, and discovering what true fulfillment looks like. Travel simply became the classroom. In this deeply personal conversation, Kent and Michelle explore how their 10-month journey around the world continues to shape the way they live long after returning home. They discuss how the experience transformed their marriage, strengthened their relationship with their daughter Everly, and forever changed the way they define success, presence, and family. Together, they revisit the first four countries of their journey through an entirely different lens. 🇵🇹 Portugal taught them how to embrace the enormity—and uncertainty—of leaving everything familiar behind. 🇬🇷 Greece showed them the beauty of slowing down long enough to form genuine connections with people whose kindness became part of their story. 🇭🇷 Croatia reminded them that the greatest gift of the holiday season isn't found under a tree—it's found in uninterrupted time together as a family. 🇲🇹 Malta revealed that Christmas isn't defined by where you celebrate, but by who you're fortunate enough to celebrate it with. The conversation concludes with one of the questions they are asked most often: "What was it really like to spend 10 months together as a family, 24 hours a day?" The answer surprised them. This episode isn't simply a reflection on travel—it's an invitation to rethink what fulfillment, presence, and intentional living can look like for your own family. Whether your dream is to travel the world or simply create more meaningful moments at home, we hope this conversation inspires you to begin asking different questions and imagining new possibilities. ✨ Because sometimes the greatest journey isn't around the world... it's toward one another. 🎙 The Frenchitivity Podcast releases new episodes every Sunday. 📺 Watch the full video on the Frenchitivity YouTube Channel. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 🍎 If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, we'd be incredibly grateful if you would download the episode, rate, and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more families looking to live with greater intention. 🎧 Listening on Spotify? Please follow the podcast so you never miss a new episode every Sunday. Frenchitivity Instagram Page Frenchitivity YouTube Channel Frenchitivity Website & Blog Frenchitivity Podcast

  8. May 26

    Magical Malta

    In Episode 20 of the Frenchitivity Travel Series, Kent and Michelle revisit one of the most meaningful stops on their family journey around the world: Malta during the Christmas season. 🇲🇹✨ For years, Malta had been circled on the map as a dream destination — and in this episode, they share why it became the perfect place to spend Christmas as a family while traveling abroad with their then 7-year-old daughter, Everly. From staying at the beautiful Hilton Malta during the holidays, to finding the perfect Christmas tree for their room, attending a special Christmas Eve Mass at a local church, and waking up to unforgettable surprises on Christmas morning, Kent and Michelle open up about how they intentionally created magic and meaning away from home. The episode also takes listeners through the family’s exploration of Malta’s stunning capital city, Valletta, where Christmas markets, towering trees, festive lights, life-sized nativity scenes, and a giant Ferris wheel transformed the city into a holiday wonderland. Along the way, the family experienced the world’s oldest ceremonial saluting battery overlooking Valletta’s Grand Harbour and embarked on a private island tour with local guide Jamie, whose passion and knowledge brought Malta’s rich history to life. The journey included visits to: Blue GrottoDingli CliffsSt. Paul's CatacombsMdina GlassMdina, the famed “Silent City”Ancient Megalithic Temples that predate both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramidsThis episode is filled with family travel inspiration, practical insight, worldschooling moments, holiday traditions abroad, and unforgettable cultural experiences. ✨ Michelle has also created a FREE downloadable Malta Family Travel Guide featuring everything the family did throughout their stay. Frenchitivity Instagram Page Frenchitivity YouTube Channel Frenchitivity Website & Blog Frenchitivity Podcast

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Frenchitivity Podcast!We are a family of three (Michelle, Kent and our then 7 year-old daughter Everly) who stepped away from conventional lives to travel the world for a year!  Here you will find: - How and why we decided to take a leap of faith - Stories from our travels - The facinating people we interviewed - Our discovery of world schooling - The lessons we learned along the way First, what exactly is Frenchitivity?? It is a philosophy and now a way of life that follows three main principles...Possibility, Creativity and Tranquility. It was born from a family of three...Kent, Michelle and Everly (7yrs) French. Kent has enjoyed a TV broadcast career that has spanned over 20 years with the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Angels. Michelle owned an events company for 15 years specializing in Galas and Charity Walks for major Southern California non-profits. Everly, their 7 year old daughter, is beyond her years and wants to be a an artist when she grows up!The Frenchitivity Podcast then puts the spotlight on those who have chased Possibility with Creativity to find Tranquility! On this Podcast you will experience:-Chronicles of our family adventure-Stories of other individuals, couples, and families who have "sold it all" to seek memories that will last a life time! -Journey's of small businesses who have chased their dream with "no plan B".So enjoy stories of inspiration, bravery, hardship, and love that all provide the foundation for a the Frenchitivity Podcast! Come with us!