On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Ryan interviews Emma Weissmann on the boom of concert travel led by Taylor Swift. Plus, Kiernan endorses Mitt Romney again.  Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Mitt Romney for Harvard President. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/16/mitt-romney-harvard-president-antisemitism/  Emma Interview:  TravelAge West: https://www.travelagewest.com/ Emma’s podcasts: https://www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts Taylor...

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...

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...

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! ...

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/

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...

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...

On this episode of “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys revisit their 2023 Travel New Year’s Resolutions, set down some new ambitions, respond to some SCATHING listener reviews, and then relax into full New England Winter Mode with a city guide to Stowe, Vermont. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Vermont Covered Bridges ...

Grab your nog, it’s the annual OOO Christmas Spectacular where the boys put aside their passports to focus on Santa’s operational efficiencies and Sesame Street Christmas music. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Rankin Bass Musicals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rankin/Bass_Animated_Entertainment  Freeze Miser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEbFfoBPfw4  The Largest Nativity Scene in South America ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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: ...

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: ...

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” ...

On this week’s episode, Kiernan and Ryan discuss their sometimes divergent philosophies of what makes a perfect airplane movie, the best thing to do with your screen if you’re not using it, and why you don’t want to sit in front of Ryan when he’s engaged in a heated round of Tetris.  Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Fail Foliage Map: https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/ Last Stop: https://www.roerich.org/ https://www.factorytoursusa.com/ Rate and Review Us: ...

On this week’s episode, Ryan takes us between two oceans to Panama. Pirates, Teddy Roosevelt, and propeller planes: what more could you want in an episode? Things we talk about in this week’s episode: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Favorite-Novel-Lawrence-Wright/dp/1416562478 Restaurants:  Fonda Lo Que Hay  Intimo Restaurante  Maito Restaurante  Cantina del Tigre  https://www.amazon.com/Path-Between-Seas-Creation-1870-1914/dp/0671244094 ...

On this week’s episode, the boys make recommendations for their favorite city in the world: New York City! NYC has SO MUCH to do it can be overwhelming, so let Kiernan and Ryan recommend their curated must-do list for a first trip to the city—museums, theater, and famous landmarks abound! Things we talk about in this week’s episode: American Museum of Natural History https://www.amnh.org/  The Met Museum https://www.metmuseum.org/ MoMA https://www.moma.org/  The Cloisters ...

This week, join the boys as they take you back to Nashville, Tennessee, reliving their December 2019 episode to the Music City. Original Nashville Episode With All Links: https://outofofficepod.com/podcast/episode-61-nashville/ More Tennessee Content:  Chattanooga & Lookout Mountain: https://outofofficepod.com/podcast/episode-88-chattanooga-lookout-mountain/ Knoxville & The Great Smoky Mountains: https://outofofficepod.com/podcast/episode-85-knoxville-the-great-smoky-mountains/

This week, the boys discuss the viral article on the most popular tourist attractions in the United States from HawaiianIslands.com with Brittany Mendez. Listen to find out why they both may end up in an asylum.  Check out the article and maps here: https://hawaiianislands.com/blog/favorite-american-tourist-attraction/ Things We Talked About In Today’s Episode: Ryan on Overcoming The Divide: ...

On this episode of “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys debate a recent New Yorker article arguing against travel! Things we talk about in this week’s episode: The Case Against Travel https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/the-case-against-travel Icon of the Seas https://www.insider.com/royal-caribbean-icon-of-the-seas-images-freaks-people-out-2023-7?amp Wes Anderson sites ...

On this week’s episode, Kiernan takes us deep into the wilds of Alaska to visit one of the greats: Denali National Park. He talks us through sled dog training, why “Mount McKinley” happened, and a set of skulls that tell the tale of an epic battle to the death. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Denali National Park https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm  “Denali or Mount McKinley” ...

On this week’s episode, Ryan and Kiernan head to Motor City to talk Motown, Coney dogs, and Diego Rivera. Ryan also sits down with Melody Baetens, The Detroit News' restaurant critic, to discuss her favorite dining spots and live music venues in town. Get revved up for your first trip to Detroit!  Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Melody at The Detroit News: https://www.detroitnews.com/entertainment/dining-bars/ Melody on Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodybaetens Train from...