166 episodes

Out of Office is a travel podcast hosted by us, Ryan Davis and Kiernan Schmitt. From early childhood, we were each infected with a serious case of wanderlust (among other things.)

We define travel broadly, from local day trips to high-flyin’ overseas adventures. Every episode, we dig into one topic—ranging from the serious to the silly, the practical to the outlandish—and give advice on how to get out there and explore the world.

Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast A Travel Podcast

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 261 Ratings

Out of Office is a travel podcast hosted by us, Ryan Davis and Kiernan Schmitt. From early childhood, we were each infected with a serious case of wanderlust (among other things.)

We define travel broadly, from local day trips to high-flyin’ overseas adventures. Every episode, we dig into one topic—ranging from the serious to the silly, the practical to the outlandish—and give advice on how to get out there and explore the world.

    Guayaquil, Ecuador

    Guayaquil, Ecuador

    This week on the pod, join Ryan as he explores Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city. Discover a Millennial Malecon, delve into miniature history museums teeming with pirates, and encounter feral iguanas. Also, stay tuned as Kiernan learns what a chameleon is.
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    Quito Episode: https://outofofficepod.com/podcast/episode-149-quito-ecuador/
    https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-crime-cocaine-fernando-villavicencio-4f96684926c2600e2483373555a7cf42
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malec%C3%B3n_2000
    https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador/pacific-coast-and-lowlands/guayaquil/attractions/museo-en-miniatura-guayaquil-en-la-historia/a/poi-sig/1504404/363353
    https://www.theworlds50best.com/discovery/Establishments/Ecuador/Guayaquil/Casa-Juli%C3%A1n.html
    https://www.theworlds50best.com/discovery/Establishments/Ecuador/Guayaquil/Mikka.html
    The Last Stop:

    Ryan: Z-Food in Quito (https://zfoodquito.com/)

    Kiernan: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/us/death-valley-lake.html 
     

    • 49 min
    Shakespeare Travel for the Big Folio 400

    Shakespeare Travel for the Big Folio 400

    This week on the pod, Kiernan takes us to merry old England to visit sites related to William Shakespeare in honor of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio. Without the Folio, we would likely have lost half—HALF!—of Shakespeare’s plays. Libraries around the world will be hosting special events throughout the year, and there’s never been a better time to head to the theatre!
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    Ryan’s OTHER podcast Red Pen
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/red-pen-a-grammar-podcast/id1658608663 
    Folio 400
    https://folio400.com/where-are-they/ 
    Panda Diplomacy
    https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/us/politics/panda-zoo-china.html 
    Atlanta Zoo
    https://zooatlanta.org/activity-type/wild-encounters/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5pxOo1X0nXLy7cGyxIpUqgR-UgVVrsz2trHpg2aUUxlotA-4Pp-j6_hoCQtEQAvD_BwE 
    NYer article about Panda Mating
    https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/09/02/bears-do-it 
    Folio anniversary write-ups we like
    https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/03/books/review/shakespeares-first-folio-turns-400.html 
    https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2023/november/the-first-folio-at-400 
    Misc:

    https://news.artnet.com/art-world/theater-floorboards-shakespeare-uncovered-2376341
     

    • 43 min
    Bear Safety

    Bear Safety

    On this week’s episode of “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan teaches Ryan how to protect himself from bears, and not the Fire Island-type.
    National Parks Bear Safety
    https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/idkt_bears.htm 
    Bear Spray
    https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/species/livingwithwildlife/bears/pdfs/bear_spray_what_you_should_know.pdf 
    Critter Gitter Sensor
    https://crittergittersensor.com/ 
    Futuro House
    https://www.wboc.com/news/kent-county-futuro-house-nears-national-historic-register-landing/article_44c49dca-6e0d-11ee-a74d-671f80e01aed.html?fbclid=IwAR3h371CgsAgIFynOBhO9yJhGHkOMC4XOaVIjCiTp8lnoGzdbNGnyTFCAP4 
    Ark Encounter
    https://arkencounter.com/ 
     

    • 53 min
    Ryan's Adventure In Bahía Solano, Colombia

    Ryan's Adventure In Bahía Solano, Colombia

    Join Ryan as he recounts his recent adventure in Bahía Solano, Colombia. Encounter tall, handsome motorcycle drivers, majestic whales, Colombian Huck Finns, and baby turtles. Don’t miss Ryan's many exhilarating experiences crossing multiple bridges.
    Things We Talked About in Today's Episode: 

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/ooopodcast/
    Airbnb:
    https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/917672623315797476?source_impression_id=p3_1697708123_XGHn8l8m1zAwtWd6
    Turtles:
    https://www.instagram.com/tortugasdelpacifico/

    Coolest Bar In Town:
    https://www.utriahostel.com/
    The Bitch: 
    https://www.amazon.com/Bitch-Pilar-Quintana/dp/164286059X

    • 50 min
    Rick Steves!

    Rick Steves!

    In honor of the “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast” 5 year anniversary, Kiernan landed a big interview: travel luminary Rick Steves. Rick has been THE dream guest for the boys since Day 1 and he’s finally here in studio. Kiernan and Rick talk European sightseeing, the ins-and-outs of travel book writing, and why Portugal is better than Orlando, FL. 
    Is it the end of The Quest for Rick Steves or the beginning of The Great Kiernan-Rick Bromance?
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    Everything Rick Steves
    https://www.ricksteves.com/  
    Rick Steves’ Europe Season 12
    https://www.ricksteves.com/tv-programmers/season/twelve 
    The Last Stop: 
    Stuff You Should Know: Night of the Grizzlies
    https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/night-of-the-grizzlies/id278981407?i=1000630016148 
     Banff Grizzly Deaths
    https://www.npr.org/2023/10/02/1203036630/bear-attack-couple-dies-canada-banff

    • 58 min
    National Park “Field Trip” with WashPo’s Lillian Cunningham

    National Park “Field Trip” with WashPo’s Lillian Cunningham

    On this week’s episode, Kiernan talks to Washington Post journalist and podcaster Lillian Cunningham about her fantastic 5-episode National Park podcast “Field Trip.” They talk about environmental disasters, how Native American communities relate to the Parks, and the challenges of making audio stories about highly visual landscapes.  Plus, RYAN VISITS BOSTON.
    Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
    “Field Trip”
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/field-trip/ 
    “Presidential”
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/business/podcasts/presidential/ 
    Rich Men North of Richmond
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqSA-SY5Hro 
    Spoke in Somerville
    http://www.spokewinebar.com/ 
    Chez Baldwin
    https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/chez-baldwin 
    Plum Island
    https://www.newburyport.com/plum-island-beach/ 
    Bob Lobster
    https://boblobster.com/

    • 1 hr 3 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
261 Ratings

261 Ratings

cargillf ,

Map please

Love the podcast, went to Norway and Colombia recently and really enjoyed the Colombian episodes, don’t know if there are Norway episodes. This inspired my thought. I think it would be super awesome if there could be an interactive map on your website where someone could click a country or region and it would list all of the episodes that talk about that country or region. I think it would be great for travel preparation and inspiration! Thanks.

Greg Paré ,

Fun and informative

I have been looking for a travel podcast that fills in the week between Rick Steves episodes for quite some time and never found one to be worthwhile — that is until I discovered OOO (ooh-OOH-ooh). They feature many interesting destinations (if you like Mexico City or Boston, are you in for a treat!), and their good natured banter is a load of fun. I sometimes laugh out load during my workout (which is when I listen), which gets me some looks! The only slightly disconcerting thing is that we embark on this journey each episode on a plane and then disembark, at The Last Stop, from a train 😜! Seriously, it is entertaining and informative — I love the show!

Melanie Marsell ,

Fun listen for travel lovers!

I stumbled upon this podcast and have really enjoyed it! There’s a ton of great recommendations, from what to do in Panama City to little gold nuggets like the Wikipedia list of post office murals (will be looking out for these!). Big fan of the destination episodes, so keep those coming :)

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