Untethered Childhood

Jordan Neri
  • 5.0 (11)
  • PARENTING

Dreaming of taking your kids on an international adventure? Untethered Childhood is a travel and parenting podcast for families curious about exploring the world with kids, but who feel held back. Together, we're rethinking what's possible. Each conversation opens a window into a different corner of the world. Join host Jordan Neri—a wildfire survivor who learned firsthand that memories don't burn—as she sits down with scientists, travel journalists, and historians, to tackle the real pain points keeping families home, while painting a picture of the story waiting for you. This show isn't about perfect itineraries or luxury trips. It's about raising explorers through meaningful, real-world experiences that build connection and resilience. We're mapping out a jumping-off point to put immersive cultural experiences within reach. From building borderless friendships at young ages to navigating unfamiliar places with confidence, we're creating comprehensive family-friendly destination guides with practical travel tips that inspire you to meet new faces in new places. We’re audio-first for a reason, because connection starts with conversations. Think of us as a gathering source. Step beyond routine. Collect memories that last. Take the kids. New episodes every Tuesday.

Episodes

  1. You Don't Get Extra Time If You Give It Away: Peru with Heather Greenwood Davis

    3D AGO

    You Don't Get Extra Time If You Give It Away: Peru with Heather Greenwood Davis

    You Don't Get Extra Time if You Give it Away: Peru with Heather Greenwood Davis Some conversations stay with you. This is one of them. In this episode of Untethered Childhood, host Jordan Neri sits down with Heather Greenwood Davis, a travel journalist, on-air personality, and mother of two who left a law career behind to build a life around storytelling and travel. In 2011, Heather, her husband Ish, and their two sons spent an entire year traveling the world together — 29 countries, six continents, 365 days. National Geographic named them their 2012 Travelers of the Year. In this episode, we hear about what that time taught her kids and what it taught her as a mother. About Our Guest: Heather Greenwood Davis is a force — she's been kicking doors wide open. She was the first Black woman to hold a travel column at both of Canada's national newspapers, The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail. For over 20 years, she's told travel stories that encourage parents to raise global citizens without sacrificing their own dreams. Her work has appeared in National Geographic (where she's been a contributing editor and columnist), Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and AFAR. She's appeared on and hosted travel segments on Good Morning America, CBS Sunday Morning, CTV's The Social, and CHCH Morning Live. She's won multiple gold awards for her writing, was named the Family Travel Association's Person of the Year, and was a finalist for Global Travel Writer of the Year. Heather's approach to travel and parenting comes down to this: we each get a life, and living yours fully isn't something to apologize for. She believes the world is kind and that the best thing you can do for your kids is show them — by example — what it looks like to be fulfilled. What We Cover: How Heather left a law career to return to journalism and travel writing and why creating that space changed everythingPeru as the family test drive before the year-long trip — what surprised them and what they learned about their kidsWhy Heather believes the best trips leave breathing room instead of packing every minuteRaising global citizens at home, even before you book a flightThe truth about motherhood no one says out loud: being fulfilled as a person makes you a better parent Destination: Peru LimaOllantaytamboMachu PicchuCuscoMirafloresRecommended tour company: G Adventures (partners with National Geographic) — gadventures.comHotel recommendation: SUMAQ Machu Picchu Hotel — family owned, incredible personal service, right at the bus stop to Machu Picchu — sumaqhotelperu.com Resources: Heather Greenwood Davis: heathergreenwooddavis.comInstagram: @byheathergdTV: CTV's The Social, CHCH Morning LivePublications: National Geographic, AFAR, Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, The Globe and MailG Adventures family tours: gadventures.com Untethered Childhood: Instagram: @untethered_childhoodEmail us your topic ideas: hello@untetheredchildhoodpod.com

    1h 17m
  2. Ecuador Unlocked: Quito, Galapagos, and Otavalo

    JAN 25

    Ecuador Unlocked: Quito, Galapagos, and Otavalo

    Think Ecuador might be too ambitious for a family trip? Kevin Wagar would disagree—and after hearing about his family's two-week adventure, you might too. Kevin is a journalist, photographer, and dad of two who's taken his sons to over a dozen countries since they were toddlers. He and his wife Christina plan trips around activities that build confidence, and Ecuador delivered: volcanoes, cloud forests, the Galapagos Islands, and the Amazon rainforest. In this episode, Kevin walks us through their itinerary, sharing why Ecuador turned out to be such a memorable trip. About Our Guest: Kevin Wagar is a journalist, photographer, and travel writer based just outside Toronto, Ontario. He's the creator behind Wandering Wagars, where he documents family adventures. Kevin's approach to travel is rooted in curiosity and intention. His family chooses culture and meaningful experiences over convenience and routine. They're happiest hiking through wild landscapes, sharing meals that tell a story, and staying in places with character. For Kevin, travel is about learning how the world works, understanding different perspectives, and growing together as a family. His work exists to show other families what's possible when you choose to travel with purpose. In this episode, we dig into these places in Ecuador: Quito: Valley of the Volcanoes, incredible food scene, equator museumsOtavalo: Textile market, animal market, Indigenous music workshopsCotopaxi National Park: Wild horses, volcano views, rustic lodge experienceQuilotoa: Crater lake, steep kayaking adventure, downhill mountain biking disaster (in the best way)Galapagos Islands: Small boat cruises, marine iguanas, sea lions, hawks, snorkelingEcuadorian Amazon (via Coca): La Selva Lodge, piranha fishing, canopy walks, Indigenous community visits Resources: Wandering Wagars: www.wanderingwagars.com Detailed Ecuador itinerary with accommodation recommendationsYouTube videos showing the Quilotoa hike, Galapagos wildlife, Amazon adventuresInstagram: @wanderingwagarsUntethered Childhood Instagram: @untethered_childhood

    1h 7m
  3. A Zoologist's Guide to Family Wildlife Travel: Namibia & Australia

    JAN 16

    A Zoologist's Guide to Family Wildlife Travel: Namibia & Australia

    Want to see wildlife with your kids but not sure where to start planning? This episode is your roadmap. Host Jordan Neri sits down with Dearbhaile Ni Dhubhghaill, a zoologist, conservationist, and founder of This Wildlife of Mine. Dearbhaile has worked with cheetahs in Namibia, sea turtles in Cape Verde, and researched wildlife on every single continent. We're diving deep into two family-friendly destinations: Namibia (Africa's best-kept secret for safaris) and Australia's East Coast. Dearbhaile walks through exactly how to plan these trips—where to go, what to expect, how to research ethical experiences, and why some of the best wildlife encounters require a little patience and a willingness to "earn it." This isn't about checking boxes or getting Instagram shots. It's about fostering empathy in your kids, teaching them to observe and wait, and giving them experiences that books and documentaries just can't replicate. What You'll Learn: What a cassowary is and why your kids will think they're seeing dinosaursWhy Namibia beats South Africa and Kenya for family safaris (hint: you won't be surrounded by dozens of other vehicles)The red flags to watch for when researching wildlife experiences How to self-drive through Etosha National Park and actually see leopards in the wildWhy Australia's East Coast is one of the best road trips in the world for wildlifeWhy stillness and silence in places like Namibia might be exactly what your overstimulated family needs About Our Guest: Dearbhaile Ni Dhubhghaill is a zoologist, conservationist, writer, photographer, and founder of This Wildlife of Mine. She graduated top of her class at University College Dublin with a degree in zoology and animal biology, earning the zoology medal for her achievements, and continued her studies at Linköping University in Sweden focusing on applied ethology and animal biology. Her real education? The field. She's worked as a researcher at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, as a field research assistant with OSA Conservation in Costa Rica, in wildlife rehabilitation in Ontario and Malawi, and studied kestrels in Spain. She's been to every continent and now lives in a medieval town in Italy (next door to a castle, naturally). Most importantly? She has an infectious passion for animals and a gift for making wildlife conservation feel approachable, not intimidating. Untethered Childhood Instagram: @untethered_childhood This Wildlife of Mine: www.thiswildlifeofmine.com Travel blog with wildlife-focused destination guidesInstagram: @thiswildlifeofmine_Destinations Discussed: Namibia: Etosha National Park, Skeleton Coast, Caprivi StripAustralia: Fraser Island (K'gari), Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands, Cape Tribulation, Brisbane to Cairns stretch

    47 min
  4. Conquering Jet Lag: A Sleep Scientist's Guide to Travel with Kids

    JAN 8

    Conquering Jet Lag: A Sleep Scientist's Guide to Travel with Kids

    Is anxiety about how your kids will sleep holding you back from booking that international trip? You're not alone—and this episode is here to change that. Host Jordan Neri sits down with Dr. Erin Flynn-Evans, a Harvard-trained sleep scientist with over 15 years of experience in sleep medicine, to tackle one of parents' biggest travel fears: jet lag and sleep disruption. Dr. Flynn-Evans breaks down the science of circadian rhythms in a way that's actually practical (not overwhelming!) and shares actionable strategies for helping your kids—and yourself—adjust to new time zones. From understanding why your toddler is wide awake at 2 a.m. in Paris to learning which items actually matter on your packing list, this conversation is packed with expert insights that will make you feel equipped and confident to plan that trip you've been putting off. What You'll Learn: The science behind circadian rhythms and what's actually happening in your child's body during jet lagSpecific strategies for eastward vs. westward travel Why traveling with infants might actually be easier than you thinkHow to embrace cultural norms (hello, 10 p.m. Italian dinners!) without derailing sleepThe essential vs. unnecessary items for your travel packing listHelpful phrases to use when negotiating with your wide-awake four-year-old at 2 a.m.How to protect your own energy while managing your kids' sleep schedules abroadWhy Dr. Flynn-Evans believes the transformative power of travel is worth the temporary disruption About Our Guest: Dr. Erin Flynn-Evans is a Harvard-trained sleep scientist who worked in the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital for over 15 years. She's a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, with 65 published peer-reviewed articles examining the effects of sleep loss and circadian misalignment. She's co-author of "Baby Sleep Science Guide: Overcoming the Four-Month Sleep Regression" and co-founder of Baby Sleep Science, a resource center providing parents with customized, science-backed sleep solutions. She holds a PhD from the University of Surrey in the UK and a Master in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health. Most importantly? She's a mom of two who has traveled the globe with her kids and has a refreshing perspective on integrating motherhood with her career. Key Takeaways: ✈️ Light is your secret weapon: Use bright morning light when traveling east, evening light when traveling west to help reset circadian rhythms 🌍 Embrace the culture: Sometimes staying on home time and enjoying late dinners abroad is easier than forcing a shift 👶 Infants are portable: Young babies' flexible sleep schedules can actually make them easier travel companions than older kids 🧳 Pack smart, not heavy: Familiar sleep cues (sleep sack, lovey) matter more than recreating your entire home routine ⏰ Compromise is key: Start with later bedtimes when traveling east, gradually shift earlier each day 🛏️ Routines still matter: Maintain shortened versions of bedtime routines to signal sleep time 💡 Creative solutions work: Aluminum foil on windows in Iceland's 24-hour daylight? Totally valid! Resources Mentioned: Baby Sleep Science: www.babysleepscience.com Free blog with comprehensive sleep resourcesFree jet lag travel guides for planning your trips

    41 min
  5. UNESCO Sites as Living Classrooms: Places That Have Shaped Our Collective Humanity

    12/31/2025

    UNESCO Sites as Living Classrooms: Places That Have Shaped Our Collective Humanity

    In this episode of the Untethered Childhood Podcast, host Jordan Neri speaks with environmental scientist and regenerative tourism expert Susana Shankar (Sooz) about the significance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They explore how these sites serve as transformative travel experiences for families, fostering global citizenship and environmental responsibility. Sooz shares her personal journey into regenerative tourism, the importance of understanding UNESCO designations, and how travel can be a powerful teacher for children. The conversation also highlights kid-friendly UNESCO sites, cultural and natural heritage experiences, and the value of agritourism. Destinations covered: 🇦🇺 Kakado National Park, Australia🇮🇹 Cinque Terre, Italy🇨🇦 Canadian Rockies Chapters 00:00 Introduction to UNESCO World Heritage Sites02:54 Transformative Travel Experiences05:49 The Journey to Regenerative Tourism08:59 Personal Impact of Travel11:46 Understanding UNESCO Designations14:55 The Importance of UNESCO Sites17:59 UNESCO Sites as Living Classrooms21:05 Kid-Friendly UNESCO Destinations24:04 Cultural Highlights: Cinque Terre30:00 Natural Wonders: Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks37:21 Traveling to UNESCO Sites: A Journey Begins39:01 Exploring Mixed UNESCO Sites: Kakadu National Park44:37 Cultural Immersion: Learning from Indigenous Communities46:19 Raising Global Citizens: The Role of Education in Travel52:13 Conversations on Conservation: Teaching Kids Responsibility01:01:23 Agritourism: Connecting Kids with Food and Nature01:09:03 Keeping the Spirit Alive: Post-Travel Reflections

    58 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    From Ashes to Adventure: Welcome to Untethered Childhood

    Meet Jordan Neri, your host and conversation starter for Untethered Childhood. A mom raising two little explorers, Jordan shares the personal story behind why she started this podcast. After losing her home in Colorado's Marshall wildfire, she opens up about the profound reset that led her family to reprioritize experiences over possessions—and why she's passionate about helping millennial parents rethink international travel with young kids. This season, we're bringing experts to the table to break down what makes an adventure worthwhile: connection. And connection starts with conversations. So if you're curious about taking your kids on a meaningful international adventure, this is her story, her why, and an invitation to learn right alongside her.

    8 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Dreaming of taking your kids on an international adventure? Untethered Childhood is a travel and parenting podcast for families curious about exploring the world with kids, but who feel held back. Together, we're rethinking what's possible. Each conversation opens a window into a different corner of the world. Join host Jordan Neri—a wildfire survivor who learned firsthand that memories don't burn—as she sits down with scientists, travel journalists, and historians, to tackle the real pain points keeping families home, while painting a picture of the story waiting for you. This show isn't about perfect itineraries or luxury trips. It's about raising explorers through meaningful, real-world experiences that build connection and resilience. We're mapping out a jumping-off point to put immersive cultural experiences within reach. From building borderless friendships at young ages to navigating unfamiliar places with confidence, we're creating comprehensive family-friendly destination guides with practical travel tips that inspire you to meet new faces in new places. We’re audio-first for a reason, because connection starts with conversations. Think of us as a gathering source. Step beyond routine. Collect memories that last. Take the kids. New episodes every Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Jordan Neri
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Jordan Neri
  • Show Website
    Untethered Childhood