174 episodes
Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast A Travel Podcast
-
- Society & Culture
-
-
4.7 • 271 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.
-
Italian Cuisine Expert Fred Plotkin is BACK!
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan digs in on regional Italian cuisine with one of the show’s most interesting guests ever: opera and Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin. Fred talks us through some of the most popular and most obscure foods of Italy, sharing history and wonderful anecdotes all along the way. Part 2 of 3!
Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
“Italy for Food Lovers”
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/italy-for-food-lovers
Fred Plotkin biography
https://www.wqxr.org/people/fred-plotkin/
The Atlantic’s “Crying Myself to Sleep on the Biggest Cruise Ship Ever” by Gary Shteyngart
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/05/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-icon-of-seas/677838/
CNN’s Grandmother and Son Are on the Move
https://www.cnn.com/travel/grandma-joy-ryan-grandson-seven-continents/index.html -
Trip Planning With ChatGPT
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan grades ChatGPT, evaluating its organization of three weekend getaways. Ryan shares tips on how to correctly leverage ChatGPT for travel plans. Introducing a fresh segment, "The Layover," Ryan chats with Tommy Wallach from Hatch Escapes on the launch of their latest immersive adventure, "The Ladder."
Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
ChatGPT:
https://chat.openai.com/
Hatch Escapes:
https://www.hatchescapes.com/
OOO Episode on Escape Rooms:
https://outofofficepod.com/podcast/episode-50-escape-rooms-with-tommy-wallach/
LAST STOP
Ryan: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-admin-accelerates-plan-to-unleash-apex-predator-near-rural-community-over-widespread-local-opposition
Kiernan: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/willy-wonka-musical-parody-inspired-by-viral-event-1235852849/
-
Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan interviews one of the show’s most interesting guests ever: opera and Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin. Decades ago, Fred published a breakout hit for intrepid eaters: his book “Italy for the Gourmet Traveler.” During COVID, he collaborated with frequent “Out of Office” guest Rick Steves on a new update, which the duo published in 2023 as “Italy for Food Lovers.” Fred’s knowledge proved so encyclopedic, this will be Part 1 of 2!
Note: Some SFX are missing from the top of the show, which explains the weird pauses. We’ll talk about it on the next episode.
Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
Willy Wonka Immersive Experience
https://www.salon.com/2024/03/02/fyre-festival-20-everything-to-know-about-the-less-than-stellar-willy-wonka-immersive-experience/
“Italy for Food Lovers”
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/italy-for-food-lovers
Fred Plotkin biography
https://www.wqxr.org/people/fred-plotkin/
“The Myth of Your Phone’s Airplane Mode”
https://qz.com/phone-airplane-mode-myth-1851286214
“Pod Save the World” CPAC Doubles Down on Creepy Autocrats
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cpac-doubles-down-on-creepy-autocrats/id1200016351?i=1000647359648 -
Buenos Aires 101
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Ryan ventures to Buenos Aires and shares his top neighborhood picks, eats too much steak, and embarks on a quest for elderly giraffes. Also, the boys debut a fresh segment called Nonsense Banter.
Ryan's BA photos on Insgagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C32MfWpuTpH/?img_index=1
Other Links:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/02/air-canada-must-honor-refund-policy-invented-by-airlines-chatbot/ -
James Beard Foundation Awards
In this episode of "Out of Office: A Travel Podcast," Ryan speaks with Dawn Padmore, Vice President of Awards at the James Beard Foundation, about the newly released list of semi-finalists and how the JBF discovers these exceptional restaurants across the United States. Additionally, Ryan and Kiernan share some of their favorites from the list.
The JBF:
https://www.jamesbeard.org/
Semi-Finalists List:
https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2024-james-beard-awards-semifinalists
Notre Dame Episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notre-dame/id1438098925?i=1000436877749 -
NYT Travel Editor Amy Virshup Talks 52 Places In 2024
On this episode of “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan talks to Amy Virshup, the Travel Editor of the New York Times, about the paper’s just released “52 Places to Visit in 2024” list. Plus, the boys launch a new segment called “The Judy Alert” to help Ryan’s mother determine whether her son is in danger.
Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
“52 Places to Go in 2024”
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/travel/places-to-travel-destinations-2024.html
Quito, Ecuador episode
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quito-ecuador/id1438098925?i=1000610538652
Ecuador Travel Advisory
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/ecuador-travel-advisory.html
White House Press Release on Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/08/fact-sheet-president-biden-designates-baaj-nwaavjo-itah-kukveni-ancestral-footprints-of-the-grand-canyon-national-monument/
Customer Reviews
❤️
I love these guys. It’s a little bit of a nerdy show, but with enough irreverent humor to give them an edge. It’s the best travel podcast.
Favorite Travel Podcast
Very fun travel podcast with good info and down to earth laid back hosts. I enjoy the interviews with folks like the NYT person or Rick Steves. Also the (insert city) 101 is quite helpful.
I LOVE THIS PODCAST
I always laugh at how they are either too woke or not woke enough. I totaly identify with Ryan and Kieran! Anyways! I love this podcast, as it introduces me to places that I hope to make it soon (Like Buenas Aires!) I also love hearing takes on places I have been like Bogota and Stowe. Thank you Ryan on the focus on Mexico and Latin America! after visits to Santiago, Lima, Cuzco, and Bogota, I 100% feel this is a part of the world that should get more travel attention! Kiernan, as far as your Disney World plans, I 100% agree. We have always been fans of Disneyland. However, after visiting Epcot this year before our Spring Break cruise, we have decided we should finally do that Spring Break Disney World trip. My college son has the same Spring Break as my 6th grader. We are slowly seeing it will cost as much as our two weeks in the Balkans or Northern Spain that we have done in the past! However, it’s that one experience I have always wanted to do with my kids. So, next year is the year! FYI, not staying on property! It’s too expensive for five, as we are treating our son’s girl friend to her first Disney experience. Also, your 4 year old is not too young! As far as this episode, I will not use AI. I have been to all three of those cities, and those itineraries were soooo generic! I research extensively through guide books, podcasts, and youtube blogs when we decide on a destination. We look at our interests and the time we have and build our itinerary. AI will never be able to do that! I 100% agree with the C rating on Seattle. It didn’t mention that fantastic Boeing Museum. Now, I am not even a avaiation historian. My son is studying to be a pilot and my husband works in aviation. So, this was a must for us. I even found that tour and museum amazing! Then, no Burrough Market for London or Camden Town? No Indian food in East London? Granted, I had 6 days verse 3. However, those were experiences I knew I wanted to have with my family! Anyways, I love this podcast and always eagerly wait for my new episode! Keep up the work and sorry for any typos in my review!!!