No Blackout Dates

Eben Diskin
  • 4.6 (52)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
No Blackout Dates

No Blackout Dates, hosted by Eben Diskin and Tim Wenger, is the official podcast of Matador Network and provides a truly unfiltered and honest look at the world of travel and adventure. Join these two travel writers each week for completely raw stories from the road that any responsible editor would (and has) cut from print. They talk about what it’s like to travel for a living, introduce you to the wild characters they’ve met along the way -- from astronauts and flight attendants to Amsterdam sex workers -- and expose a side of the travel lifestyle that Rick Steves doesn’t want you to know about. No Blackout Dates introduces you to the beautiful, bizarre, and batsh*t crazy world of travel!

  1. 05/16/2023

    S3, Ep. 12: Walrus Syndrome: The Psychology of Travel

    If you’re like us, you spend a lot of time wondering what's going through people’s minds when they’re at the airport. Why do they crowd around the gate before boarding when their group won’t be called for another 20 minutes? Why do those same people stand up the second the flight pulls into the gate, even when they’re seated in row 57? Michael Brein is the world’s foremost – and perhaps only – Travel Psychologist, and he joins No Blackout Dates to discuss the logic behind these and other conundrums of travel. On the docket is the science behind culture shock, why some people sleep better on planes than others, and how visiting faraway places impacts our mental well-being.  In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss how they calm their nerves when anxiety strikes while traveling, and the pair agree to disagree about whether or not one should always board the plane early when seated in Business Class. Relevant links: Michael Brein website and booksHow to use a squat toiletEben’s InstagramTim’s Instagram

    45 min

  2. 05/02/2023

    Stories From The Road: 30 Years After The Revolution, Romania Is Still Rebuilding

    In this week's Stories From The Road, Tim reads one of the most impactful pieces he's ever worked on as an editor. Writer Iuliana Marchian, a native Romanian, wrote a piece about the impact of the 1989 revolution against Communist rule in Romania. The piece covers the development of personal freedoms and how they've impacted trust in government, as well as how citizens have experienced progress in human rights and quality of life. Marchian describes a polarized society that is moving forward but still has many steps to take to fulfill all of revolution's goals. As a traveler, the piece offers many takeaways of how these impacts play out in daily Romanian life and how you can experience the country's true culture on a trip there. Relevant links: 30 years after the revolution, Romania is still rebuildingIuliana's LinkedInTim's InstagramEben's Instagram

    12 min

  3. 04/25/2023

    S3, Ep. 11: Facing Fear and Sailing Antarctica with Lisa Blair

    Sailing all the way around Antarctica is no easy task. Just ask today’s guest, “extreme sailor” Lisa Blair. She holds the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the continent, a title she almost perished in order to gain. Lisa joins the show to discuss her dangerous adventures in the Southern Ocean , her new book, “Facing Fear: The First Woman To Sail Solo Around Antarctica,” and what it takes to embark on such an incredible journey. She breaks down what was going through her mind as her ship nearly capsized in a raging torrent, and how she managed to rig her mast and make it to shore just in time. Eben and Lisa met while on a cruise to Antarctica last December, and while this cruise was among the most extreme adventures Eben will ever be a part of, for Lisa, it was a walk in the park. The impacts of visiting fragile ecosystems is also on the docket today. Lisa dubbed her sailboat “Climate Action Now” to raise awareness of small efforts by everyday people to combat climate change -- a fitting PR move, since Antarctica is among the world’s most vulnerable spots to warming temps. In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss extreme destinations they’ve always wanted to visit but never got the chance, and Eben breaks down the mood of the travelers on the ship as Antarctica first came into view. Relevant links: Lisa Blair Sails The WorldFacing Fear: The First Woman To Sail Solo Around AntarcticaLisa’s InstagramEben’s InstagramTim’s Instagram

    41 min

  4. 04/18/2023

    Stories From The Road: What It’s Like To Sail To Antarctica on a Cruise Ship’s Maiden Voyage

    It's called Drake's Right of Passage for a reason. Eben learned this the hard way back in December, when he embarked on the maiden voyage of the Sylvia Earle, a new ship from Australian cruise line Aurora Expeditions. En route he battled 20-foot waves, rowdy passengers, and the seclusion that only accompanies being stuck on a boat at the bottom of the planet -- all while doing his darndest to ward off seasickness. On today's podcast, Eben recounts the journey through the story he wrote for Matador Network. It's a tale of true adventure -- so buckle up and don't let your stomach turn.  Relevant links: What It’s Like To Sail To Antarctica on a Cruise Ship’s Maiden Voyage Aurora ExpeditionsEben's InstagramTim's Instagram

    12 min

  5. 04/11/2023

    S3, Ep. 10: A Mad Search for Crappie On Mississippi's Lake Washington

    Brad Chappell has spent a day or two on the water. As a professional fishing guide, it’s his job to take traveling fishermen out in search of Crappie, a freshwater game fish that’s part of the Sunfish family. It’s also his job to take newbies like Tim and Eben out, if they were to visit Lake Washington in Greenville, Mississippi. This week, Brad joins No Blackout Dates to discuss the life of a pro fisherman and guide – as it turns out, there’s far more to it than drinking beer on the back of the boat.  The trio gets into the techniques of guiding, Brad’s most rewarding moments as a guide, and what happens on those rare outings in which no one catches a fish (don’t ask for a refund). Also on the docket is the gear necessary for a successful trip out and what to expect if you, like Tim and Eben, aren’t exactly master baiters. In Hot Takes, Tim ponders whether New England Clam Chowder is overrated, and the pair discuss the practice of eating seafood when you’re far away from the sea. Any who’ve been to Colorado can attest that the state isn’t known for its lobster. The ethics of “dynamite fishing” are also on the table. Relevant links: Brad Chappell Guide ServiceWhat is Crappie Fish?What do you need to fish for Crappie?Eben’s InstagramTim’s Instagram

    27 min

  6. 04/04/2023

    Stories From The Road: Powder Lines + Cultural Clarity in Kyrgyzstan

    In February, Tim embarked on a backcountry ski expedition into the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Along with a crew of five other skiers and snowboarders, he spent a week in a high-altitude yurt camp, ascending and descending 12,000-foot peaks and learning about Kyrgyz culture. When three Russian draft dodgers skied into camp one afternoon, the crew got a close-up perspective on how the mountains can provide a unifying force for good in a divided world. Relevant links: On a ski trip to Kyrgyzstan, epic lines combine with cultural immersion40 Tribes BackcountryTim's InstagramEben's Instagram

    12 min

  7. 03/21/2023

    S3, Ep.9: Jasper the Friendly Ghost Writer: Interview with an AI Chatbot

    This week, we're exploring the true power of artificial intelligence by interviewing Jasper, an AI chatbot. Jasper's massive computer brain knows a lot more than you'd think, and it's equal parts impressive and frightening. We'll test Jasper's travel chops, get some useful recommendations, hear about its love life, and learn whether or not it's coming for our jobs. We'll also explore some of the ethical considerations when utilizing artificial intelligence for content creation. How do two guys "interview" a chatbot, you ask? Well, you'll have to tune in to find out. In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss what they would do if AI actually did take their jobs. Neither want to leave the travel biz – and may end up becoming Airbnb hosts. The pair also ponder what the most AI-proof jobs are. Relevant links: Jasper.aiNBD S3, Ep. 8: How Artificial Intelligence Will Shape The Travel Industry's FutureWhat is AI and how does it work?Tim’s InstagramEben’s Instagram

    29 min

  8. 03/14/2023

    Stories From The Road: To Check A Bag Or Not To Check A Bag, That Is The Question

    Today on Stories from the Road, Eben and Tim debate one of air travel's most divisive topics: whether or not to check a bag, when you don't necessarily need to. Eben is a firm non-bag-checker, and for his part, he reads his report on why you'll never catch him hanging 'round the baggage carousel. Tim isn't necessarily anti. He often checks his snowboard gear bag when traveling in winter, or a duffel on other occasions when having specific gear is necessary to make a trip happen. But in general, he's a carry-on guy (though long-time listeners are familiar with his stance on gate-checking). For his part on today's show, he reads the writer Matt Meltzer's take on why checking a bag makes the travel experience better for everyone. Relevant links: I fly 200 times a year. Here's why I always check a bag.How to travel anywhere in the world with a small backpackThis small backpack is the only travel pack an efficient packer needsEben's InstagramTim's InstagramMatt Meltzer's Instagram

    9 min
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4.6
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

No Blackout Dates, hosted by Eben Diskin and Tim Wenger, is the official podcast of Matador Network and provides a truly unfiltered and honest look at the world of travel and adventure. Join these two travel writers each week for completely raw stories from the road that any responsible editor would (and has) cut from print. They talk about what it’s like to travel for a living, introduce you to the wild characters they’ve met along the way -- from astronauts and flight attendants to Amsterdam sex workers -- and expose a side of the travel lifestyle that Rick Steves doesn’t want you to know about. No Blackout Dates introduces you to the beautiful, bizarre, and batsh*t crazy world of travel!

Information

  • Creator
    Eben Diskin
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2023
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Eben Diskin
  • Show Website
    No Blackout Dates

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