Wheels Are Off

Ella and Mary
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We’re Ella and Mary—two former guides with an insatiable love for the open road and the extraordinary people we meet along the way. This is our podcast dedicated to celebrating those gloriously imperfect travel moments when things go sideways, and something even better unfolds. Surrounded by a global community of guides and adventurers, we realized we were sitting on a goldmine of stories begging to be shared. So we created this platform as a space to share the stories that remind us why we explore in the first place: to be surprised, to be humbled, and to connect.

  1. 12/30/2025

    The Journey Inwards: Embracing Mindfulness, Farms, & Silent Retreats

    Meet Casey. A primary care physician who’s taking a different kind of journey—one rooted in intention, patience, and curiosity. From connecting with food through farming to turning inward on a 10-day silent retreat, Casey shares stories and insights on traveling with purpose.

    36 min

  2. 12/23/2025

    Tim The Wizard of Long-Form Travel

    Meet Tim – a long-distance hiker and cyclist who uses playfulness to transform challenge and discomfort into joy. His love for long-form travel has taken him across the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, the Tour Divide, and beyond. Along the way, he shares what life on the trail—both alone and with others—can teach us about embracing the unknown and finding delight in unexpected places.

    42 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    From Dough to Deckhands: Rafi’s Wild Rise to Hilltown Hot Pies

    Meet Rafi — pizzaiolo, dough whisperer, and mastermind behind The Berkshire’s own Hilltown Hot Pies. In classic Italian pizzaiolo fashion, Rafi spins us a tale that stretches from his family’s sauce-splattered culinary history to his wanderings through U.S. and European food scenes — with an unexpected detour onto an Alaskan fishing boat. It’s all part of the winding path that eventually led to the birth of Hilltown Hot Pies. Expect carbs, chaos, sea spray, and a whole lot of heart.

    40 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    The Last Frontier

    Meet Kathleen, an enthusiast for finding adventure right outside your back door. In this episode, we explore how food can connect people to place, how Kathleen has found both adventure and misadventure in Alaska, and a very memorable lesson in how not to handle bear spray.

    36 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    Bikepacking with a Surfboard and Snowboard

    Meet Henna. A lifelong athlete who’s traded structured competition for the free-flowing adventure of cycling with a surfboard and skis in tow. In this episode, we dig into what it’s like to transition out of college athletics, embrace being a beginner again, and why asking for help can actually make your travels better.

    26 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    Turning Chaos Into Comedy

    Expect zero glamour and maximum honesty. Ella and Mary hear from Eric as he roasts France, relives Mexico GI nightmares, debates the tragedy of modern airplanes, and recounts why bungee jumping is probably a bad idea.

    43 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Tuned Up Humans in a Tuned Out World

    Meet Marshall, who’s redefining cycling by inspiring people to unplug from metrics, slow down, and reconnect—on bikes and with each other. Through unplugged adventures, he and his friend Lucas create a moving container for deeper connection. We discuss Strava, gear culture, and how a playful, mindful approach to riding can make us feel more alive.

    29 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    Don't Try This on a Plane

    Meet Chris!  A pilot with a passion for scuba diving and history, he shares with us a few airplane don'ts and learn about some unexpected family connections.

    32 min
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About

We’re Ella and Mary—two former guides with an insatiable love for the open road and the extraordinary people we meet along the way. This is our podcast dedicated to celebrating those gloriously imperfect travel moments when things go sideways, and something even better unfolds. Surrounded by a global community of guides and adventurers, we realized we were sitting on a goldmine of stories begging to be shared. So we created this platform as a space to share the stories that remind us why we explore in the first place: to be surprised, to be humbled, and to connect.

Information

  • Creator
    Ella and Mary
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ella and Mary
  • Show Website
    Wheels Are Off