Designed for Adventure: Family travel, parenting, and practical life stories

Ellie Sewell
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Designed for Adventure is a practical family travel and parenting podcast about planning meaningful experiences — from Disney trips and destination races to museum day trips and everyday adventures — without losing yourself or your sanity. Honest conversations about travel, money, parenting, and life by design.

  1. 2d ago

    Horses, Fudge, and No Screens: The Ultimate Guide to Mackinac Island with Kids

    In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Ellie and Jesse follow up on their kid-free getaway by sharing how to plan the ultimate family vacation to Mackinac Island with kids in tow. They break down why this car-free island is a giant playground for children, offering everything from horse-drawn carriage rides and scenic bike loops to cannon demonstrations and fudge shops. Whether you are trying to figure out hotel logistics for a family, renting bike trailers, or looking for a low-stress "no screens" vacation, this episode covers all the practical tips to make Mackinac Island a hit for all ages. Key Highlights: Ferry Ride & Island Arrival: Tips for sitting on the top deck during the 15-to-20-minute ferry ride, spotting fish in the bay, and packing jackets for the chilly lake breeze.Family Lodging Logistics: Why booking early is essential for families needing extra space, and highlights of kid-friendly properties like Mission Point Resort and The Grand Hotel with wide green lawns.Biking the M-185 Perimeter Loop: Navigating the 8.2-mile car-free highway with tag-along bikes, trailers, or kid bikes, plus important rules to know like the island-wide ban on rental training wheels.Horse Etiquette & Buggy Rides: Teaching kids how to yield the right-of-way to horses, watching for manure, exploring horse-drawn carriage taxis, and touring the Grand Hotel stables.Must-Do Kid Attractions: Visiting the Butterfly House & Insect World, playing mini-golf on real grass at Mission Point, flying kites, and finding hidden island playgrounds.Fort Mackinac & History: Experiencing hourly cannon and musket firing demonstrations, interactive museum buttons, and dining on the officer's balcony.The Grand Hotel Kids' Experience: Daily children's activities like the duck derby, flower pot painting, lawn games, and the fun tradition of dressing up for dinner.The "No Screens" Getaway: Why Mackinac Island's flexible pacing makes it easy to unplug and enjoy a spontaneous family trip without strict advance reservations.Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for Adventure⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Designed for Adventure PodcastE-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.comSubscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

  2. Oct 4

    Kid-Free Vacation: 3 Days on Mackinac Island

    In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Ellie and Jesse recap their very first kid-free vacation after five years of parenting—a three-night getaway to Mackinac Island in Michigan. From navigating a car-free island where transportation is limited to horse-drawn carriages and bicycles to experiencing the luxury of the historic Grand Hotel, Ellie and Jesse share logistics, dining highlights, historical discoveries, and why this unique island destination packs a punch for couples. Key Highlights: Island Logistics & Ferry Systems: How Mackinac Island bans personal vehicles, relying on Shepler’s Ferry or Arnold Transit Company with seamless porter service that delivers luggage directly to your hotel.Hotel Experiences: A look at staying in the Mission District at the Harbor View Inn versus the iconic Grand Hotel, featuring traditional dinner dress codes, cupola views, live piano music, and an unbeatable breakfast buffet.Biking the Island: Surviving tandem bike rides around the 8-mile outer perimeter past Arch Rock, conquering inner island hills on multi-speed bikes, and visiting Fort Holmes—the highest point on the island.History & Fort Mackinac: Exploring Fort Mackinac's history museum, military JAG exhibits, and dining with panoramic views of downtown and Lake Huron on the officer quarters' balcony.Activities & Nightlife: Finding dueling pianos, playing mini-golf on real grass at Mission Point, carriage tours, shopping downtown across 11+ fudge shops, and options for renting your own horse-drawn buggy.Low-Stress Planning: Why Mackinac Island is a refreshing destination where you can wake up and decide your day without needing advance reservations for activities.Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for Adventure⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠: Designed for Adventure PodcastE-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.comSubscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

  3. Sep 20

    15 Years of runDisney: Essential Tips, Corral Hacks, and Race Day Secrets

    In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Ellie and her mom return to share their ultimate insider guide to surviving and thriving during a runDisney weekend. Drawing from 15 years and 11 race weekends of experience, they cover critical logistics every runner needs to know—from navigating unexpected flight delays to beating the dreaded "balloon ladies". Key Highlights: The 2-Day Arrival Rule: Why you should always fly in at least two days before your race to account for travel delays, weather disruptions, and required expo bib pick-up.Carry-On Non-Negotiables: Never pack your running shoes or race outfits in checked luggage—wear your shoes on the plane and pack complete race outfits in gallon Ziploc bags inside your carry-on.Corral Warmth & Throwaway Clothes: How to stay warm during chilly 3:00 a.m. corral waits using thrift store robes, oversized sweatshirts, or Mylar blankets that can be tossed and donated before crossing the start line.Florida Weather & Chafing: Why you must bring cold-weather gear regardless of the forecast, plus strategies for managing Florida humidity and sun exposure.The Golden Rule of Race Day: Never wear brand-new shoes, sports bras, or untested costumes on race day—always run in them at least once during training.Beating the Sweepers: Understanding the strict 16-minute-per-mile pace requirement, training for a fast walk, and keeping comfortably ahead of the "balloon ladies".The Memory Maker Advantage: Why purchasing Disney's PhotoPass Memory Maker for your group saves precious time at character stops and captures high-quality race photos. Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for Adventure⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Designed for Adventure PodcastE-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.comSubscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

  4. Sep 6

    Sparkle, Sweat, and Safety Pins: The Ultimate runDisney Costume Guide

    In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Jesse is sitting this one out as Ellie welcomes her favorite running partner—her mom, Nana—to the show. Together, they look back at 15 years of running Disney races together across 13 different race weekends to share their best secrets, hacks, and lessons learned from designing and running in various costumes. From the genius method of securing Mickey ears to the painful reality of scratchy tutus, this episode is a must-listen for anyone planning to dress up for their next magical race. Key Highlights: The Ear-Securing Secret: Why you should use E6000 glue to attach broken-in-half hair combs to your Mickey ears so they stay firmly in place for all 26.2 miles.The Tutu Tragedy: A hilarious but painful cautionary tale about why you must always test-run your costumes before race day to avoid hours of chafing from scratchy tulle.Safety Pins Are Your Best Friend: How to use safety pins to secure everything from stuffed animals on your shoulders to little kid fairy wings.The Problem with Props: Why you should ditch heavy props or cardboard accessories, which are prone to warping in Florida's humidity and rain.A Journey Through Costume History: Ellie and Nana reminisce about their favorite designs, including the 121-person Dalmatian group run, the beautiful Cinderella and Fairy Godmother duo, and how a secondhand homecoming dress made the perfect outfit.Bib Placement Strategy: Why you need to plan where your race bib will go so it doesn't cover up your hard work but remains visible for character photographers. Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for Adventure⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠: Designed for Adventure PodcastE-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.comSubscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

  5. Aug 23

    Coasters, Waiting in Lines, and Delayed Gratification: Navigating Amusement Parks with Kids

    In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Ellie and Jesse dive into the sensory-rich, thrilling world of amusement parks with young kids. While Ellie grew up running from ride to ride at Cedar Point, Jesse’s rural Missouri childhood looked a bit different, leading to some hilarious family compromises. Together, they break down why amusement parks are more than just a day of fun—they are actual learning environments where kids can build independence, conquer fears, learn patience, and even practice team-building with their siblings. Key Highlights: Patience & Delayed Gratification: Ellie shares a real-life example from Kings Dominion on how discussing line lengths with kids can teach them to make decisions and practice delayed gratification.Screen-Free Line Survival: Creative ways to keep kids engaged while waiting, including math challenges, singing, and how a game of rock-paper-scissors in line evolved into a year-long favorite called "Rockstar Mirror".The Golden Rules of Line Toys: Why you should always pack quiet fidget toys and absolutely leave anything with wheels at home to avoid lost-toy meltdowns.Crowd Safety & Independence: Practical tips on prepping kids for large crowds, such as testing them on your real name and what you are wearing before entering, and letting siblings sit together to build trust.Survival Strategies for Solo Parents: Ellie’s advice on tackling major parks alone, utilizing quiet Family Care Centers for sensory resets, and keeping park days to a manageable 4 to 5 hours.Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for Adventure⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠: Designed for Adventure PodcastE-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.comSubscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

  6. Aug 9

    Chief Chaos Coordinator: Lessons from a Stay-at-Home Dad

    In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Jesse takes the lead to pull back the curtain on his role as the "Director of Domestic Survival". After nearly three years as a stay-at-home dad, Jesse shares the honest reality of transitioning from a professional teaching career to managing "small but very emotional humans". We discuss the events that led to this shift—including a non-discriminatory biting habit that got our son kicked out of daycare—and how we navigated the financial and social insecurities that often come with non-traditional parenting roles.Key Highlights: The Transition: Jesse discusses his initial "irrational confidence" and the steep learning curve of caring for a four-month-old, including the vital lesson that staying cooped up in the house is a recipe for disaster.The "Why Us?": An honest look at the logistics behind the decision, from Ellie’s career as active-duty military to the simple math of who provided the best benefits and income for the family.Social Hurdles: Jesse shares his experiences with the "stay-at-home mom bubble" and the challenges of finding a community as a dad in playground settings.A Day in the Life: Jesse breaks down his structured (but flexible) daily routine, which includes "spritly" exercise sessions, household chores, handwriting practice, and creative time with magnet tiles and bug terrariums.Marriage & Money: A serious discussion on why combining finances and maintaining mutual respect is critical for single-income families to avoid the high divorce rates sometimes associated with stay-at-home fatherhood.Fitness for Parents: How Jesse maintains his sanity through running—sometimes pushing 115 pounds of stroller and kids—and the benefits of involving children in your daily workout routine.The Adventure Gear Box In this episode, we mentioned several resources that help keep our household running and our kids (and parents) active: Double Jogging Stroller: Jesse’s secret to getting in a 100+ lb workout while keeping the kids entertained. Numberblocks & Alphablocks: The educational shows we trust to provide "non-garbage" screen time that actually helps with math and literacy. Magna Tiles: The go-to tool for our "creative time" that helps our kids learn to work together and share. Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for Adventure⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠: Designed for Adventure PodcastE-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.comSubscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

  7. Aug 2

    Disney Planning 101: Water Parks, Disney Springs, and the Great Ticket Debate

    In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Ellie and Jesse conclude their comprehensive Disney World planning series by exploring everything outside the four main theme parks. They dive into the immersive themes of Disney’s two water parks, discuss whether the massive Disney Springs shopping district is worth a visit, and break down the complexities of ticket pricing. The couple also engages in a spirited debate regarding the "value per hour" of a Disney vacation compared to major concerts and other popular amusement parks. Key Highlights: Water Park Showdown: A look at the "melting ski resort" theme of Blizzard Beach—home to the 12-story Summit Plummet—versus the "storm-ravaged" tropical vibe of Typhoon Lagoon. Ellie shares tips on the free water park entry perk for check-in days and why a 3,000-foot lazy river is her top priority.Navigating Disney Springs: Why Jesse views this complex as a "giant outdoor mall" while Ellie highlights unique draws like the World of Disney store, the Lego Store, and specialty entertainment like amphibious car rides and Cirque du Soleil.Ticket Strategies: An explanation of date-based tickets versus Park Hoppers, including why Ellie recommends a "one park per day" approach for longer family trips to avoid the stress and logistical hurdles of moving small children between parks.Military Benefits: A breakdown of the military-discounted ticket options, such as the 4-to-6-day Magic Your Way passes and the unlimited Celebrate America pass.The "Apples to Oranges" Value Debate: Jesse and Ellie compare the hourly cost of Disney (17.40–20.00/hour) to the price of nosebleed concert seats and regional parks like Cedar Point and Holiday World to determine if the "Disney tax" is truly worth it. Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for Adventure⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠: Designed for Adventure PodcastE-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.comSubscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

  8. Jul 26

    Disney Planning 101: Navigating the Four Disney Parks

    In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Ellie and Jesse continue their Disney planning series by breaking down the four major theme parks at Walt Disney World. They provide a high-level overview of the logistics, family-friendliness, and unique themes of each location, from the classic "most magical" atmosphere of Magic Kingdom to the massive 500-acre wilderness of Animal Kingdom. Whether you are looking for character meet-and-greets, immersive cinematic worlds, or a global culinary tour, this episode helps you decide which parks to prioritize for your next family adventure. Key Highlights: Magic Kingdom: Why it is considered the "crown jewel," featuring 25 rides across six themed lands, and tips on why it remains the must-do park for families with young children.Epcot: Exploring the 11 countries of the World Showcase, the "drink around the world" strategy, and why the World of Nature aquarium is a sleeper hit for kids who love aquatic life.Hollywood Studios: A look at the most thrill-heavy park, including the immersive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the intense heat of Toy Story Land, and the hilariously adult-friendly Frozen Sing-Along.Animal Kingdom: Navigating the largest park in the world, featuring the Kilimanjaro Safaris, the bioluminescent world of Pandora, and why you shouldn't miss the 300 animal carvings on the Tree of Life.Park Strategies: Personal takes on construction updates, the best parks for strollers, and why Epcot might be more family-friendly than its "drinking" reputation suggests. Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for Adventure⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠: Designed for Adventure PodcastE-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.comSubscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

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Designed for Adventure is a practical family travel and parenting podcast about planning meaningful experiences — from Disney trips and destination races to museum day trips and everyday adventures — without losing yourself or your sanity. Honest conversations about travel, money, parenting, and life by design.

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