Notes from Somewhere

Eri Mizobe Ryan
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Notes from Somewhere is a conversation-driven travel podcast about travel as lived experience – not destination guides or bucket lists, but the stories beneath the surface. Hosted by Eri Mizobe Ryan, each episode explores a city, a country, or a season of life somewhere else, and the people and places that shape us. Through intimate storytelling (something Eri brings from her work in marketing), we talk culture shock, identity, and personal growth – and the lessons that stay long after you’ve left. If you love travel stories, reflective conversations, and podcasts about culture, this one’s for you.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    005 | Cyprus: A Mini-Moon on a Divided Island with David Ryan

    What happens when your romantic post-wedding getaway turns into an unexpected history lesson? In this episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri is joined by her husband David Ryan as they revisit their recent mini-moon in Cyprus – an island that surprised them in more ways than one. From the coastal towns of Paphos and Polis to the winding roads of the Troodos Mountains, Eri and David share their favorite discoveries, including some unexpectedly fantastic Cypriot wine, beautiful mountain scenery, and a few memorable dining experiences. But what really stayed with them was the island's fascinating and complicated history. They talk about Cyprus's British colonial legacy, the cultural differences they experienced traveling between the southern and northern parts of the island, and what it was like crossing the Green Line in Nicosia, a capital that remains divided to this day. They also explore Kyrenia and reflect on their visit to Varosha, the haunting former resort town that offers a sobering reminder of the human impact of conflict. What started as a conversation about travel became something much bigger: a reflection on identity, history, perspective, and the importance of looking beyond what we think we know about a place. Because sometimes the most meaningful part of traveling isn't what you see, but what you learn along the way. Takeaways: Why Cyprus?The expectations vs. reality of visiting the islandExploring Paphos, Polis, and the Troodos MountainsDiscovering Cyprus's underrated wine sceneThe island's British influences and complex historyNicosia and the experience of crossing the Green LineExploring Kyrenia and northern CyprusThe haunting history of Varosha in FamagustaCultural differences, food, and unexpected discoveriesHow travel can challenge assumptions and broaden perspectivesChapters: 00:00 Welcome to Our Cyprus Mini-Moon02:17 Why Cyprus?03:32 Expectations vs. Reality05:29 Understanding Cyprus's Complex History14:42 Exploring Paphos & Polis18:28 A Road Trip Through the Troodos Mountains19:36 Discovering Cypriot Wine23:48 Nicosia: Life in a Divided Capital26:31 Crossing the Green Line28:25 First Impressions of Northern Cyprus40:39 Exploring Kyrenia: Food, Culture & History52:01 Varosha: A Haunting Reminder of Conflict55:52 How History Shapes Our Understanding of a Place01:00:58 The Unexpected Lessons of Traveling01:04:45 Final Reflections and Lighting RoundNotes from Somewhere is a podcast about the people and places that shape us – and the versions of ourselves we meet along the way.

  2. Oct 14

    004 | What Makes a Place Feel Like Home? with Kelsea Woods

    In this episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri sits down with her friend and former colleague Kelsea Woods to explore what it really takes to make somewhere new feel like home. The two met while living in New York, and since then Kelsea’s path has taken her from Brooklyn to Cambridge and London. Together, they talk about what Kelsea missed after leaving New York (including, naturally, Trader Joe’s), the emotional reality of starting over in another country, culture shock at Cambridge, and how to build community when familiar routines and support systems are suddenly thousands of miles away. The conversation also covers reinventing a career in a new country, British vs. American communication and workplace culture, making friends as an adult, and why adaptability may be one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Kelsea also shares practical advice for anyone considering a move abroad. This one runs longer than the usual episode. There was too much thoughtful, funny and genuinely useful insight to cut it down – hope you enjoy. Takeaways Home is a feelingCommunity fosters belonging Emotional transitions in movingCultural adaptation in new cities Adapting to new culturesImportance of storytelling Embrace adaptability in new environmentsPlanning is crucial for relocation success Chapters 00:00 Defining Home: A Personal Journey04:57 The Impact of Change and Resilience11:24 Building Community in New Places16:03 Brooklyn vs. London: A Tale of Two Cities19:56 Nostalgia and the Trader Joe's Experience29:28 Reflecting on New York's Changes30:32 The Decision to Move to London35:22 Neighborhood Evolution and Personal Growth38:04 Choosing Cambridge: A Transformative Experience41:42 Navigating Work Culture Differences43:08 Coping with Grief and Academic Challenges46:48 Navigating Career Transitions50:23 Cultural Nuances in Communication56:44 Building Social Connections in London01:01 Adapting to New Environments01:09 Planning Your Move01:14 Exploring New Destinations01:25 The Joy of Starting Fresh

  3. Jul 6

    003 | What I Discovered From 6 Weeks of Remote Work in France

    In this episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri reflects on what she discovered after spending six weeks working remotely from France. From Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Lyon, Bordeaux and Paris, while balancing everyday work with the desire to be fully present somewhere new. This isn’t a conversation about productivity hacks or idealized remote work routines. It’s about the rhythm of temporarily building a life in another country and the tension between structure and spontaneity. Eri shares what it meant to navigate the quiet emotional challenge of trying to balance work, travel, and presence all at once. She also reflects on the role that food, flexibility, and cultural immersion played in shaping the experience – from long lunches to leaving parts of the trip unplanned and discovering new places along the way. The episode touches on why this season of travel mattered personally, especially while balancing wedding planning and the decision to prioritize adventure anyway. Ultimately, this is a story about what can happen when you step outside your usual routine long enough to see your life differently, and what Eri realized about the need to create novelty even when she's home in New York City. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode 03:12 Why I chose to work remotely from France 08:24 The fantasy vs. reality of remote work abroad 14:37 Time zones and routine, or the lack thereof 20:11 Food, culture, and feeling grounded in France 25:06 Flexibility, spontaneity, and what I’ll take with me 29:10 Final reflections

  4. Mar 15

    002 | Growing Up Filipina American in New York — Travel, Beauty, and Career with Kristina Rodulfo

    In this episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri sits down with Kristina Rodulfo, a Filipina American beauty writer, editor, consultant, and creator based in New York. Formerly the Beauty Director at Women’s Health and Senior Beauty Editor at ELLE, Kristina has built a career at the intersection of beauty, culture, and storytelling – advocating for more inclusive beauty standards and championing women of color in the industry. Together, they explore Kristina’s journey growing up Filipina American in New York City and how her cultural identity shaped the way she navigated both media and beauty spaces. Kristina reflects on discovering and embracing her heritage over time, the influence of culture on beauty perception, and her transition from magazine editor to independent content creator in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The conversation also touches on Kristina’s perspective on innovative and Filipina-led beauty brands, as well as the nuances of navigating culture in both professional and personal spaces – including her intercultural relationship with her Australian husband. As an avid traveler, Kristina shares how exploring the world has shaped her perspective, from carving out solo days during trips to fully immerse herself in local culture, to the importance of traveling thoughtfully and respectfully. The episode wraps with a fun lightning round where Kristina shares quick insights on beauty, travel, and identity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Notes from Somewhere and Kristina Rodulfo 06:17 Kristina's Filipina cultural heritage and career in media 13:18 Starting a career in beauty media 20:18 Beauty, culture, and identity 26:28 Pivoting to content creation 31:59 Innovative and Filipina beauty brands 38:01 Navigating cultural differences in relationships 44:11 Solo days while traveling

  5. Feb 22

    001 | Growing Up in Hawaii, Singapore, and Hong Kong – A Travel Story About Embracing Discomfort

    In this first episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri shares a travel story about growing up in Hawaii, Singapore, and Hong Kong – and how moving between cultures shaped her identity, resilience, and comfort with the uncomfortable. From childhood in Hawaii to navigating life in Singapore and Hong Kong, Eri reflects on the culture shock, quiet adaptations, and in-between moments that come with growing up between countries. The episode explores how those early experiences influenced her sense of belonging, her perspective in college, and eventually her decision to build a life in New York. This is a conversation about cultural identity, adaptability, and what it means to grow up without a single definition of “home” – and how learning to live between worlds can become a quiet strength. Takeaways Cultural identityAdaptabilityGrowing up between culturesLearning to embrace discomfort Chapters 00:00 Childhood in Hawaii 08:56 Transition to Hong Kong 16:17 College experience 22:28 Life in New York

  6. Trailer

    Notes from Somewhere Trailer

    The podcast "Notes from Somewhere" by Eri Mizobe explores the transformative nature of travel and its impact on personal identity. Each episode delves into the essence of travel as a journey of self-discovery and the power of storytelling in marketing, offering insights into the ways in which travel shapes our perspectives and understanding of ourselves. Subscribe and follow for new episodes full of meaningful conversation!

  • 1 Trailer
    5 Episodes

Trailer

About

Notes from Somewhere is a conversation-driven travel podcast about travel as lived experience – not destination guides or bucket lists, but the stories beneath the surface. Hosted by Eri Mizobe Ryan, each episode explores a city, a country, or a season of life somewhere else, and the people and places that shape us. Through intimate storytelling (something Eri brings from her work in marketing), we talk culture shock, identity, and personal growth – and the lessons that stay long after you’ve left. If you love travel stories, reflective conversations, and podcasts about culture, this one’s for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Eri Mizobe Ryan
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Eri Mizobe Ryan
  • Show Website
    Notes from Somewhere