Better Journeys Podcast

Mark Hodgson and Steve Demedio
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Places & Travel
  • Biweekly

Better Journeys is a fortnightly podcast from Mind & Body Travel, hosted by Steven Demedio and Mark Hodgson. Built on a simple philosophy — better, not more — each episode moves beyond the usual travel talk to explore what makes a trip truly meaningful: depth over distance, connection over checklists, and slower, more intentional exploration. Through real client stories and conversations with industry experts, guides, and facilitators, Steven and Mark dig into the experiences that actually change how people travel and, sometimes, how they see the world. From private touring in South America to

Episodes

  1. Oct 26

    EP6: Private Touring: The Option Nobody Mentions | Peru, Iguazu & Santiago with Sharon Walker

    Mark Hodgson and Steven Demedio are joined by Sharon to explore a style of travel many assume is out of reach: private touring. Following her husband Alex’s remission from leukemia, Sharon wanted to plan a bucket-list journey through South America. With a deep passion for photography and no desire to be rushed on crowded tour buses, they opted for a fully bespoke private journey across Peru. Sharon explains what having a dedicated guide and driver looks like on the ground. Beyond smooth logistics and daily check-ins, the real magic was flexibility. From pulling over on mountain roads whenever a photo opportunity appeared to having an English-speaking local on hand for spontaneous questions, the journey combined complete peace of mind with total freedom. As a budget-conscious financial planner, Sharon also tackles the misconception around cost, explaining why a tailored private itinerary often matches the value of large group tours by cutting itinerary filler and including authentic local meals. The conversation is packed with stories that only happen when you travel with a local. Sharon shares how an offhand question in Ollantaytambo led to an invitation into a villager’s traditional home, how guides in the Amazon spotted camouflaged sloths and helped them catch piranha, and how their guide’s vigilance at 5,100 metres on Rainbow Mountain picked up subtle changes in altitude response. She also shares how simple pacing tweaks—like waiting between bus waves at Machu Picchu or hiking to higher ridges at Rainbow Mountain—let them experience world-famous icons away from the crowds. This episode sits at the heart of the Better Journeys philosophy: the most powerful travel memories aren’t about rushing to tick off landmarks, but slowing down enough to notice what everyone else walks straight past. Whether it’s an Incan symbol carved into stonework or a quiet moment with a local family, local expertise transforms a holiday into a deeper human experience. If you’ve ever felt torn between the rigidity of big group tours and the stress of planning everything yourself, this episode shows how private guiding can create a richer, more personal adventure. Inside this Podcast Why private touring is far more accessible and cost-effective than most travellers realise How having a private driver and guide unlocks spontaneous photography stops and deeper immersion Unplanned cultural encounters: inside a local home in Ollantaytambo and fishing in the Amazon Practical crowd-avoidance and altitude strategies for Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu The hidden details of travel: noticing the carvings, wildlife, and moments most tourists walk right past Episode Highlights 00:00:43 - Introducing Sharon and the choice between group tours and private guides 00:01:53 - Setting a bucket-list goal after leukemia remission 00:03:09 - How private touring operates in practice: drivers, guides, and daily support 00:05:39 - An unplanned invitation: visiting a local home in Ollantaytambo 00:07:45 - The value equation: comparing bespoke travel costs against group tours 00:10:41 - Spotting Amazon wildlife and learning to fish for piranha 00:13:34 - Standing at 5,100 metres: the emotional impact of Rainbow Mountain 00:15:35 - How trained guides monitor altitude sickness and care for travellers 00:17:06 - Dodging the crowds at Rainbow Mountain by walking higher 00:18:42 - How to experience Machu Picchu between the busloads 00:21:00 - Noticing what others miss: hidden symbols in Incan stonework 00:23:38 - Why having a private guide creates a better journey Stay connected Better Journeys — Listen, follow, and join the conversation on Instagram: instagram.com/betterjourneys Mind & Body Travel — Explore our wellness travel experiences: instagram.com/mindandbodytravel Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mind-and-body-travel Learn more about Mind & Body Travel: mindandbodytravel.com

  2. Oct 12

    EP5: Travelling Better When You Can't Fully Log Off

    In this episode, Mark Hodgson and Steven Demedio explore one of the biggest dilemmas facing founders, entrepreneurs, and busy professionals today: how do you take a meaningful, restorative holiday when you can't completely log off from work? To answer this, they are joined by Lauren and Jason, co-founders of the Workplace Wellbeing Institute, who recently returned from a seven-week overseas honeymoon through the Maldives and Europe while continuing to lead their business. Rather than attempting an unrealistic, complete disconnect across the entire seven weeks, Lauren and Jason applied proactive workplace boundaries to their travel. Starting with a strict zero-work unplug in the Maldives, they transitioned into Europe by scheduling dedicated, non-negotiable four-hour work windows once a week. They unpack the communication systems they built beforehand—including asking each other permission before blurting out spontaneous business ideas during holiday downtime, ensuring one person's burst of inspiration didn't break the other's relaxation. The conversation dives deep into the psychology of stepping away from daily operations. Jason and Lauren share the vulnerability of wrestling with fear of missing out on revenue, learning to lean on their team's "zone of genius," and resisting the urge to jump in and solve every minor problem instantly. Remarkably, relinquishing that control didn't stall their business—it actually produced their highest revenue month on record while they were away. Mark and Steven also reflect on designing the couple's European itinerary, including the pivotal decision to drop the crowded Amalfi Coast in favour of the quieter, culturally rich Dolomites. This deliberate shift transformed their journey from a rushed checklist of famous sights into an experience that fostered authentic restoration and creative clarity. If you are a business owner or busy professional who feels trapped by your inbox, constantly postpones taking time off, or wonders how to step away without everything falling apart, this episode offers an honest, practical blueprint for travelling better while staying in control. Inside this podcast: How to structure a seven-week getaway while actively managing a growing business The "permission rule" that protects your holiday headspace from spontaneous work chat Why stepping away and trusting your team can actually lead to record revenue How swapping packed hotspots like the Amalfi Coast for the Dolomites created genuine recovery Achieving a true "four-hour work week" while travelling without dropping the ball EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:28 - The challenge of taking leave when you run a business: introducing Lauren and Jason 00:01:49 - Day-to-day reality: balancing an extended honeymoon with business operations 00:05:01 - Setting ground rules before departure: the Maldives complete switch-off 00:07:12 - The permission rule: protecting downtime when creative ideas strike 00:08:50 - Ticking the mental box: managing the business dopamine hit while away 00:10:32 - How working from Italian cafes unlocks a different creative energy 00:12:08 - Trusting your team: stepping back so others can step into their zone of genius 00:16:35 - Overcoming fear of lost revenue: why stepping back led to their biggest month 00:18:37 - The four-hour work week in practice: focusing only on the needle movers 00:22:48 - Ditching the Amalfi Coast for the Dolomites: choosing what you need over what you want 00:26:46 - What makes a better journey: intention, planning, and permission to unplug  Stay Connected Better Journeys — Listen, follow, and join the conversation on Instagram:⁠instagram.com/betterjourneys⁠ Mind & Body Travel — Explore our wellness travel experiences:⁠instagram.com/mindandbodytravel⁠ Connect with us on LinkedIn:⁠linkedin.com/company/mind-and-body-travel⁠ Learn more about Mind & Body Travel:⁠mindandbodytravel.com⁠

  3. Sep 28

    EP4: Cycling New Zealand’s Otago Rail Trail - Slow Travel, Active Days and Real Recovery

    In this episode, Mark Hodgson and Steven Demedio explore a completely different way to experience a destination: leaving behind the rental car or tour bus and stepping onto a bike. Joined by Simon Small, who recently completed the 160-kilometre Otago Rail Trail across the South Island of New Zealand on a hosted trip with Steven, the team discusses why slowing your journey down to human speed transforms the entire travel experience. For Simon, who had previously explored destinations from buses and cars, the idea of riding 160 kilometres was initially daunting. But rather than a grueling athletic endurance test, the journey unfolded into a relaxed, rhythm-filled exploration where luggage was seamlessly transferred ahead, leaving the days wide open to stop for local bakery pies, taste regional wines, and absorb the snow-capped landscapes. Supported by e-bikes, pedal power, and a mixed group of fitness levels and ages, it proved that multi-day active travel doesn't have to be intimidating or rushed. A major turning point came at the conclusion of the trail in Middlemarch. Driving back to Queenstown, the group traced in just two hours the exact route they had spent four full days exploring. That contrast sparked a powerful realization: how much of the world do we completely miss when we hurtle through landscapes on highways rather than immersing ourselves in tiny villages, sharing fireside conversations in local historic pubs, and taking spontaneous detours like trying indoor curling? Crucially, Simon shares how this rhythm completely inverted the familiar feeling of returning home exhausted and needing "a holiday from your holiday". By blending daily physical movement, fresh air, and deep social connection with comfortable evenings and zero scheduling pressure, the trip delivered genuine rest, mental clarity, and rejuvenation. Whether you are an experienced cyclist or someone who hasn't been on a bike in decades, this episode offers an inspiring look at how moving at a gentler pace helps you connect deeper, see more, and return home truly refreshed. Inside this podcast: What it is actually like to cycle New Zealand’s 160-kilometre Otago Rail Trail How active travel can be accessible and relaxed regardless of your fitness level The eye-opening contrast between a two-hour highway drive and a four-day immersive bike journey Why combining outdoor movement with local food and wine prevents post-holiday burnout How small-group cycling builds effortless, deep connections with fellow travellers EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00:25 - Beyond planes and cars: introducing the Otago Rail Trail with Simon Small 00:01:58 - Overcoming the intimidation of a 160km journey and finding the daily rhythm 00:03:01 - E-bikes, all fitness levels, and the joy of local pie and wine stops 00:06:05 - The comfort of having luggage transferred and hosted details taken care of 00:08:00 - Moving without rushing: avoiding the trap of "needing a holiday from your holiday" 00:10:08 - Earning the hot shower, roaring pub fires, and remote hospitality 00:13:46 - Age is just a number: why anyone who can ride a bike can do this 00:17:42 - Spontaneous adventures off the saddle: trying curling in Central Otago 00:21:04 - Returning recovered: the mental health and rejuvenation benefits of slow travel 00:23:03 - The 2-hour drive epiphany: realizing how much highway travel skips over Stay Connected: Better Journeys — Listen, follow, and join the conversation on Instagram: instagram.com/betterjourneys Mind & Body Travel — Explore our wellness travel experiences: instagram.com/mindandbodytravel Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mind-and-body-travel Learn more about Mind & Body Travel: mindandbodytravel.com

  4. Sep 14

    EP3: It's My Time - The Rise of the Solo Female Traveler

    This episode explores the rise of solo female travel and why more women, particularly those aged 50 to 70, are choosing to travel on their own. Mark and Steven are joined by Yvette from Intrepid Travel to talk about what is driving this shift, why women are becoming more adventurous, how group travel has changed, and what makes female-only travel experiences so powerful. The conversation goes well beyond the practicalities of travelling alone. It gets into confidence, safety, friendship, cultural immersion, relationships, family expectations and the idea that sometimes travel is exactly what we need to reconnect with ourselves. One of the most powerful themes is the idea of giving yourself permission to travel. You don't necessarily have to wait for your partner, friends or family to be available. Sometimes, taking the journey yourself can open the door to experiences and relationships you simply wouldn't have otherwise. Inside this Podcast: Why solo female travel is growing, particularly among women aged 50 to 70. How female-only travel experiences can create deeper cultural connections. Why modern small group travel is very different from the traditional group tour. How travel can build confidence, friendships and a stronger sense of independence. Why a better journey should leave you changed, connected and culturally immersed. Episode Highlights 00:00:00 - Why solo female travel is creating unexpected connections 00:01:26 - The rise of the 50-plus female traveller 00:04:01 - Why safety matters when travelling solo 00:04:45 - The thinking behind Intrepid's women's expeditions 00:05:45 - Yvette's powerful experience travelling with women in Nepal 00:06:35 - Discovering the reality of menstrual stigma in Nepal 00:08:35 - Why the people on a journey can become lifelong friends 00:10:17 - Why women shouldn't wait for someone else to travel 00:15:13 - Choosing where to go and how you want to travel 00:17:12 - How modern group travel creates deeper local experiences 00:18:09 - Sharing a room versus paying for your own space 00:20:41 - Why Vietnam and Morocco stand out for different travellers 00:22:03 - How the 50 to 70 age group is changing travel 00:23:13 - Yvette's definition of a better journey Stay Connected Better Journeys — Listen, follow, and join the conversation on Instagram:instagram.com/betterjourneys Mind & Body Travel — Explore our wellness travel experiences:instagram.com/mindandbodytravel Connect with us on LinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/mind-and-body-travel Learn more about Mind & Body Travel: mindandbodytravel.com

  5. Aug 31

    EP2: Why Self Driving can Make your Journey Better - Italy's Dolomites & Valpolicella Wine Region

    In this episode, Mark and Steve sit down with Kirsty to hear about her recent self-drive journey through Northern Italy with her husband. Having already travelled to Italy before, Kirsty wasn't looking to simply tick off the usual hotspots. The brief was to get beyond the big cities and experience more of the country, which made a self-drive journey through the Dolomites, Cortina and Valpolicella the perfect fit. Kirsty shares what it was actually like to drive in Italy, including the nerves around toll roads, parking, highways and getting used to driving on the other side of the road. But what comes through strongly is that the freedom of having a car created experiences they simply couldn't have planned. A wrong turn led them to Monza, another spontaneous exit took them towards a beautiful lakeside lunch, and stopping along the roads through the Dolomites gave them moments to simply take in the scenery. We also explore something that sits at the heart of Better Journeys: slowing down doesn't necessarily mean staying in one place for weeks. Kirsty's three-week itinerary still moved through several destinations, but the intention behind the journey allowed her to stop, wander, talk to locals, enjoy long lunches and actually experience the places she was visiting. The result was a holiday that left her feeling refreshed rather than exhausted. She returned to work feeling ready to go, which she believes came from taking the time to soak in the meals, views, local life and unexpected moments along the way. From the spectacular scenery of the Dolomites to the slower rhythm of Valpolicella, this is a great example of what can happen when you give yourself permission to take your time and let the journey unfold. Inside this podcast: Why self-driving gives travellers more freedom and flexibility What it's really like driving through Northern Italy How unexpected stops can become the best travel memories Why slowing down can leave you more refreshed after a holiday How Northern Italy can be experienced beyond the traditional tourist hotspots EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 - Introducing Kirsty and her Northern Italy self-drive journey 00:02:05 - Why Kirsty chose to self-drive through Italy 00:03:33 - The unexpected moments that made the journey special 00:06:25 - Why leaving space in your itinerary matters 00:08:10 - The reality of driving, tolls and navigating Italian roads 00:11:25 - Discovering the Dolomites from behind the wheel 00:14:14 - Why slowing down creates a better travel experience 00:18:27 - Finding the perfect balance in Valpolicella 00:20:59 - Experiencing everyday Italian life beyond the tourist hotspots 00:22:26 - How to start planning your own self-drive journey  Stay Connected Better Journeys — Listen, follow, and join the conversation on Instagram:instagram.com/betterjourneys Mind & Body Travel — Explore our wellness travel experiences:instagram.com/mindandbodytravel Connect with us on LinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/mind-and-body-travel Learn more about Mind & Body Travel:mindandbodytravel.com

  6. Aug 31

    EP1: Travel Overwhelm, FOMO And The Art Of A Better Journey | Better Journeys

    In the first ever episode of the Better Journeys Podcast, Mark Hodgson and Steven Demedio explore a question that sits at the heart of everything they believe about travel: what actually makes a great journey? With more information, recommendations and inspiration available than ever before, planning a holiday can quickly become overwhelming. Instagram, TikTok, Google, friends and endless opinions can create FOMO and turn a relaxing trip into a jam-packed itinerary where we're constantly trying to tick the next box. Mark and Steven question whether that is really what a holiday should feel like. They talk about the importance of restraint, calm and connection, and why travelling well isn't necessarily about seeing more places or fitting more experiences into a trip. Sometimes it's about slowing down enough to actually experience where you are, connect with the people you're travelling with, and create space to reconnect with yourself. They share personal examples from their own travels, including the Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand and time spent hiking and enjoying the quieter side of northern Italy. Both experiences highlight the same idea: when you remove the pressure to constantly move, you can become far more connected to the destination and the people you're sharing it with. This episode also introduces what Better Journeys is all about and what listeners can expect from future conversations with real travellers, industry experts and people finding better ways to experience the world. Because a better journey isn't about maximising how much you see. It's about maximising how much you experience. Inside this podcast: Why travel has become so overwhelming in the age of endless information How FOMO creates jam-packed holidays that leave us exhausted Why restraint and slowing down can create a better travel experience How connection with yourself, your companions and the destination changes a journey What Better Journeys will explore through real travellers and travel industry experts EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Better Journeys Podcast 00:02:02 - FOMO and the rise of jam-packed itineraries 00:03:10 - What inspired Better Journeys 00:04:14 - The importance of calm and restraint 00:06:07 - What it means to actually immerse yourself in a destination 00:11:24 - What listeners can expect from Better Journeys Stay Connected Better Journeys — Listen, follow, and join the conversation on Instagram: instagram.com/betterjourneys Mind & Body Travel — Explore our wellness travel experiences: instagram.com/mindandbodytravel Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mind-and-body-travel Learn more about Mind & Body Travel: mindandbodytravel.com

  • 6 Episodes

About

Better Journeys is a fortnightly podcast from Mind & Body Travel, hosted by Steven Demedio and Mark Hodgson. Built on a simple philosophy — better, not more — each episode moves beyond the usual travel talk to explore what makes a trip truly meaningful: depth over distance, connection over checklists, and slower, more intentional exploration. Through real client stories and conversations with industry experts, guides, and facilitators, Steven and Mark dig into the experiences that actually change how people travel and, sometimes, how they see the world. From private touring in South America to

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Hodgson and Steve Demedio
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mark Hodgson and Steve Demedio
  • Show Website
    Better Journeys Podcast

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