Untethered Childhood

Jordan Neri

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

    6D AGO

    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
  2. 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

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 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.