The Camino Calls Podcast

Rebecca Weston
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I interview people about the Camino de Santiago (or sometimes do a Q&A with recent questions I've received). www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

  1. May 24

    Camino Conversations: What If Your Next Trip Changed You? A Live Talk About the Camino

    What if your next trip could change you? What happens when ticking sights off a checklist stops being enough — when you start craving something deeper from your travels but can’t quite name what it is? In this episode, I reflects on the shift from checklist tourism to transformational travel: the idea that the most unforgettable trips aren’t measured by the landmarks you see, but by the people you meet and the way they quietly change you. At the heart of it is the Camino de Santiago — a 1,200-year-old pilgrimage that draws walkers from 183 countries, open to every faith, age, and ability. Along the way, I share the stories that have stayed with me: a chance conversation on a train, the retired couple who took me in when I first moved to Asheville, the stranger who taught me that accepting a gift is itself a gift, and the numerous Caminos I’ve now walked—alone and with others. I dig into the lessons the trail keeps teaching — gratitude, slowing down, simplifying, and the surprising art of talking to strangers — and why the Camino doesn’t always give you what you want, but it gives you what you need. Love of Hiking Isn’t Required. . . I hated gyms. I had rarely hiked. I didn’t know how to use hiking poles. I didn’t own dry-wicking clothes. Yet something told me a 500-mile walk across Spain was a good idea. Enjoy Part 1 of my Camino story. More Camino Conversations To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive. Join us live here on Substack every Wednesday at 11am. 🥾Ready to start planning your Camino? Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready: * Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!). * 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (60 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call. * 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease. * 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.Rebecca Weston is an American who walked her first Camino in 2012. About me: I’ve walked more than a dozen Caminos since my first in 2012. I’ve spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

    40 min

  2. May 14

    Camino Conversations: What to Pack for the Camino de Santiago

    Thank you Pamela Marshall, Terry Larson, Katherine, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. In this episode of Camino Conversations, Rebecca Weston — owner of The Camino Calls and a 15-time Camino veteran — walks you through exactly how to pack for the Camino de Santiago when you’re 45+ and sending your luggage ahead. She tackles the questions that fill every Camino forum: which shoes actually work, how to handle rain and brutal heat waves, and how to avoid the rookie mistake of “fear-packing.” Along the way, she shares real stories from the trail plus tips on laundry, foot care, electronics, and the small comforts worth their weight. Whether it’s your first Camino or your tenth, you’ll come away with a clear-eyed, no-nonsense packing philosophy that prioritizes lightness, flexibility, and trust in the trail. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.       •     00:00 — Intro & who this episode is for (45+, sending luggage ahead)       •     01:21 — Core packing philosophy: “Don’t let your fears load your pack”       •     02:13 — Why you still pack light even when sending luggage       •     04:38 — Luggage size & weight limits; sending a bag ahead to Santiago       •     06:41 — Shoes: hiking shoes vs. boots, why Hokas work for her       •     09:21 — Second pair of shoes & sandals       •     10:32 — Breaking in shoes & training mileage recommendations       •     11:22 — Socks: wool, dry-wicking, toe socks, last-minute gear changes       •     14:20 — Training on uneven surfaces (not just paved roads)       •     15:36 — Town shoes & why heels are a bad idea       •     16:02 — Clothing: hiking pants (the zip-off kind), skirts for heat       •     18:43 — Sundress vs. hiking clothes for the evening       •     19:13 — Dry-wicking shirts & buying gear secondhand       •     20:06 — Layering strategy (short sleeve + long sleeve + rain jacket)       •     22:00 — More on toe socks       •     22:41 — Rain gear: jacket vs. pants vs. ponchos       •     24:49 — Sun gear: sun hats and sunscreen       •     27:29 — Umbrellas (yes, for sun!) & cooling towels for heat waves       •     30:07 — Guidebooks (Brierley, French guides) vs. Camino apps       •     31:55 — Journals & writing on the Camino       •     33:33 — Medical: prescriptions, first aid kits, emergency contact cards       •     35:57 — Spanish pharmacies & language expectations       •     36:57 — Laundry: washing in the sink, the towel-roll trick, drying time       •     40:07 — Electronics: phones, iPads, chargers, EU plug adapters       •     41:57 — Passports & important documents       •     43:04 — Cash, credit cards & ATMs       •     44:17 — Foot care: Moleskin, Compeed & treating hot spots       •     47:13 — Toilet paper in your pocket       •     48:37 — Pajamas & non-hiking clothes       •     50:19 — Water bottles & Camelbacks; drinking from fountains       •     52:25 — Kula Cloth recommendation       •     53:02 — Clothespins — do you actually need them?       •     54:14 — Toiletries, scissors, credit card notifications       •     55:04 — Earplugs & eye masks (and Spanish noise levels)       •     56:32 — Hiking/trekking poles: usage, getting them through airport security, buying them in Spain       •     59:29 — Binder clips, safety pins, snacks, headlamps, backup eyeglasses, swimsuits       •     1:01:17 — Closing recap & goodbyes​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ More Camino Conversations To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive. Join us live here on Substack every Wednesday at 11am. 🥾Ready to start planning your Camino? Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready: * Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!). * 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (60 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call. * 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease. * 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.Rebecca Weston is an American who walked her first Camino in 2012. About me: I’ve walked more than a dozen Caminos since my first in 2012. I’ve spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

    1h 3m
  3. Camino Conversations: A Journey with The Sober Creative

    Mar 1

    Camino Conversations: A Journey with The Sober Creative

    Josh calls sobriety “the pilgrimage inside,” and the parallels to the Camino are striking — the brave choice to begin something unknown, the humility to ask for help, the discipline of daily steps, the shedding of what no longer serves you, and the quiet transformation that happens along the way. Thank you Phil Powis ❤️⚡️, Rachel Connor, Inge van de Graaf, Amanda Goddard, and many others for tuning into my live video with Josh Woll! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

    44 min

  4. Feb 18

    Camino Conversations: Rebecca’s First 500 mile Camino across Spain

    I hated gyms. I had rarely hiked. I didn’t know how to use hiking poles. I didn’t own dry-wicking clothes. Yet something told me a 500-mile walk across Spain was a good idea. Enjoy Part 1 of my Camino story. 🥾Ready to start planning your Camino? Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready: * Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!). * 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (60 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call. * 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease. * 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.Rebecca Weston is an American who walked her first Camino in 2012. About me: I’ve walked more than a dozen Caminos since my first in 2012. I’ve spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. Originally from the US, I most recently spent 4.5 years living in Spain. Next stop? Who knows. That’s the fun part. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

    1h 1m
  5. Camino Conversations: Pam Marshall, at 64, walked 200 miles on the Camino Portuguese

    Jan 28

    Camino Conversations: Pam Marshall, at 64, walked 200 miles on the Camino Portuguese

    You can follow Pam @thefrugaltraveler on Substack. Get more Camino inspiration and information at inspiration.thecaminocalls.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

    45 min
  6. Camino Conversations: Pat Kappes and her adventures on the Camino Portuguese

    Jan 21

    Camino Conversations: Pat Kappes and her adventures on the Camino Portuguese

    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

    45 min

  7. 12/29/2025

    Camino Conversations: Kathie Carnahan joined my first Camino Walk with Rebecca in October (at 70).

    I sit down with first-time pilgrim Kathy Carnahan to talk about what it’s really like to finally answer the “Camino call”—and to do it at 70 on the Camino Inglés. If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a “big reason” to go, worried you won’t be social enough (or too social), or hoped the Camino might leave you feeling different—this conversation will make you smile, nod, and maybe start looking up flights. And wait until you hear the moment that completely caught Kathy off guard in the Santiago cathedral… * “How did you first hear about the Camino?” (00:00:33) — and why it kept “popping up” for years (00:00:49) * “What made you finally go…to making it happen?” (00:01:54) — the turning point that made her say this is it (00:02:01) * “What concerns did you have before embarking?” (00:03:31) — being shy, walking hills, and the fear of coming home unchanged (00:03:39–00:05:03) * Camino “angels” + a hill strategy that becomes a life metaphor (00:06:29–00:08:57) * A powerful grief-and-gratitude reframe after her husband’s passing (00:09:06–00:10:35) * “How did your sister-in-law come along—and what makes the right walking partner?” (00:12:40–00:15:16) * “What surprised you most on the Camino?” (00:15:51) — the ease, the glow months later, and why she didn’t even need to journal (00:15:59–00:17:54) * The Camino Inglés as a “perfect introduction” (00:20:22–00:26:43) — pace, crowds, planning, and letting go of control (00:27:23–00:28:03) * “What’s it like arriving in Santiago?” (00:28:09) — the tunnel, the plaza, and the emotion of the finish (00:28:52–00:31:06) * “What do you recommend for Santiago—should people stay longer?” (00:35:25–00:36:43) * The Botafumeiro: what it is, how to see it, and why it moved her to tears (00:37:01–00:40:45) * Final question: “What would you say to someone on the fence?” (00:44:12) — her answer is short…and it might just push you over the edge (00:44:25–00:45:12) Know someone who would enjoy this interview? Click below to share it:) To hear about my upcoming Camino Conversations guests (and get the recording after each interview), you can subscribe here. Bonus: You’ll receive my “5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Camino.” More Camino Conversations To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive. Join us live here on Substack every Wednesday at 11am. 🥾Ready to start planning your Camino? Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready: * 🎥Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!). * 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (45 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call. * 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease. * 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip. About me: I walked my first Camino in 2012 . Since then, I have walked over a dozen Caminos—alone or with others; in spring, summer and fall; in Spain, Portugal, and France. I’ve also spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

    47 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    Camino Conversations: Debbie Bartolomucci walked over 500 miles on the Camino Francés

    In this Camino Conversations episode, Debbie Bartolomucci shares how a spontaneous spark—one she can’t even trace—pulled her toward the Camino de Santiago. From navigating fears about safety to discovering the unexpected magic of walking solo, Debbie opens up about the moments that shaped her 500-mile pilgrimage across northern Spain. If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens when you walk over the Pyrenees alone, how the Camino compares to legendary long-distance challenges, or why so many pilgrims return home forever changed…this conversation is full of the insights and stories that will make you ask yourself, “Could I do this too?” * How do people first hear about the Camino—and what makes some of them say “I have to do that”? (00:00:00) * What finally pushes someone from dreaming about the Camino to actually booking the flight? (00:00:39) * How do nine friends shrink down to “me, myself, and I”—and what does walking solo change? (00:01:48) * Is the Camino really safe for women walking alone? Hear what Debbie experienced. (00:02:54) * Why do some seasoned hikers say you should walk the Camino alone at least once? (00:06:00) * What unexpected “Camino classroom moments” teach you more about yourself than any guidebook could? (00:07:02) * How prepared do you actually need to be before your first day on the trail? (00:10:00) * Is packing really the hardest part of the entire Camino? Debbie makes a surprising case. (00:11:19) * Why do some pilgrims carry everything…and others send their bags ahead? Which choice reveals more about you? (00:12:58) * What’s it really like navigating food, hunger, and nutrition while walking 500 miles? (00:24:41) * Does bread in Spain magically “fix” gluten sensitivity? One pilgrim shares her surprising story. (00:29:18) * What can nature teach you when your only job each day is to walk? (00:30:45) * Why does Spain feel so different from the U.S.—and why do many pilgrims long to return? (00:33:37) * What cultural shifts do Americans need to embrace to truly enjoy Spain? (00:37:19) * How do you even get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port—and why is getting there its own mini-pilgrimage? (00:19:12) * Why do so many pilgrims stretch their Camino longer the second time around? (00:22:14) * What makes someone finish a Camino and immediately start planning the next one? (00:20:47) * And finally…what would you say to someone who’s intrigued by the Camino but scared to try? (00:40:09) Thank you Maria Anderson , William Hadley, and many others for tuning into my live video with Debbie Bartolomucci! Know someone who would enjoy this interview? Click below to share it:) To hear about my upcoming Camino Conversations guests (and get the recording after each interview), you can subscribe here. Bonus: You’ll receive my “5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Camino.” More Camino Conversations To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive. 🥾Ready to start planning your Camino? Rebecca WestonCamino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready: * 🎥Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!). * 🗓️ Camino Planning Session (45 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call. * 📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease. * 🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip. About me: I walked my first Camino in 2012 . Since then, I have walked over a dozen Caminos—alone or with others; in spring, summer and fall; in Spain, Portugal, and France. I’ve also spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

    43 min
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I interview people about the Camino de Santiago (or sometimes do a Q&A with recent questions I've received). www.inspiration.thecaminocalls.com

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