Is it our season 1 finale of House Sitting Travel already?! In this episode, we reflect back on our favorite moments, quotes, and lessons learned from our guests this season. We give some insights into what's next for the podcast and share what our summer travel and house sitting plans are looking like! Between seasons, we'll be regrouping and reflecting, so please please please fill out our super quick listener survey to help us help you:
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Our book, The House Sitting Handbook: https://www.alternativetravelers.com/house-sitting-handbook/
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
Dalene Heck is one half of traveling duo Hecktic Travels, one of the OG travel bloggers and winners of National Geographic Travelers of the Year in 2014. Dalene is the Chief Storyteller, Ladyboss at Hecktic Media Inc., and slayer of Leukemia. She was schooled in business and spent her twenties as a corporate climber, before discovering her true passions while on the road. Dalene and her husband Pete have been house sitting since before it was cool, and in fact, their blog is how we first found out about house sitting!
We talk about:
- Dalene and Pete's many house sitting adventures
- How they found out about house sitting and their first house sit
- Unique experiences that could only have happened through house sitting
- Shifting to becoming pet owners and having house sitters themselves
- The connection with pets
- The house sitting community
- How they became National Geographic Travelers of the Year
- Much more
Connect with Dalene on Instagram @HeckticTravels, read their website at HeckticTravels.com, and get their house sitting e-book, How to Become a House Sitter and See the World.
Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect with us:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
The fear of the bad house sit is one that is on every prospective house sitters mind. They're like the boogey monsters of house sitting!
But never fear: with the right strategies, you can avoid bad house sits. While we have certainly experienced a spectrum of house sitting experiences, we've never experienced a true horror story in all our many years of house sitting.
In this episode, we share all the things that you should keep in mind as a house sitter to avoid potentially negative experiences. We'll talk about why the "bad house sit" is highly subjective: one person's nightmare could be another person's dream. We'll also share why listening to your gut and having the right mindset is key to all things house sitting, especially when determining if a house sit is right for you.
Blog Post version: https://www.alternativetravelers.com/avoid-bad-house-sits/
Our book, The House Sitting Handbook: https://www.alternativetravelers.com/house-sitting-handbook/
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect with us:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
Jess Swenson travels full time with her family of five, including three young children!
Jess and her husband Will lived a typical suburban lifestyle in the San Francisco Bay Area until 2017. That year, they left their jobs, home, and stuff behind in exchange for a trip around the world. During that year, they experienced 20 countries together with their three hooligans. From 2017-2021, they were digital nomads, world-schooling their children and housesitting around the world. William is an accountant working remotely and Jess is a professional photographer.
In 2021, they purchased a new home base in NW Arkansas and continue to travel part time after 5 years of full nomadic living.
Connect with Jess on Instagram @letsadventuremore, her website letsadventuremore.com and her portrait photography at www.jswensonphotography.com.
We talk about:
- How Jess and her husband Will decided to take their young family on the road
- Traveling full time as a family with young children
- House sitting around the world, from the US to Asia to Europe
- Worldschooling
- How the pandemic has changed their nomadic life
- and much more!
Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
Links + Resources:
"Paying for a house sitting website? That sounds like a scam!"
It's a common refrain that we hear time and again. It usually happens when people ask how we house sit, and we tell them that we find all of our house sits through TrustedHousesitters, the biggest house sitting membership website. It's also one of the most common searches that land people on our TrustedHousesitters Review, one of the most popular articles on our website.
While the title refers to TrustedHousesitters (aka THS), this question could be applied to paying for any house sitting website (THS is just the biggest and most frequently asked about). So today's episode is an in-depth answer to this question. We talk about why paying for a website is actually a good thing, the myth of free, the importance of having the right mindset, and more.
We hope this episode helps quell any mistrust and fear behind joining a house sitting websites, which have been the only way that we've been able to have countless house sitting adventures since we first started in 2016!
Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
Links + Resources Mentioned
Vanessa and Ian like to live differently. They enjoy a freedom lifestyle as full-time nomads and house sitters, happy to follow the twists and turns wherever life takes them. They divide their time between producing House Sitting Magazine, running a large support group for the community, helping others begin their own unique lifestyle journeys, partaking of frequent travel adventures, while spending a large amount of their time cuddling pets!
Sam initially connected with Vanessa in 2016, back in the early days of our house sitting adventures. While we've been connected virtually over the years, it was so cool to have this conversation. We covered so much, from living on Ian's private island in the Caribbean to getting started house sitting, to how they've adapted to the pandemic, and everything in between.
We talk about:
- How Vanessa moved to Ian's private island in the Caribbean after only having met once before!
- How they first got started house sitting
- Their life as nomads
- House sitting as a couple
- Running House Sitting Magazine
- Hosting the first house sitting conference
- How they've adapted to the pandemic
- much more!
There was so much to talk about that we didn't nearly cover it all, so if there's something you'd like to hear more about from Vanessa and Ian's fascinating life, let us know and maybe we can wrangle them back on the show! ;)
Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
Links + Resources Mentioned
- House Sitting Magazine
- House Sitting Community Support Group
- New Lives in the Wild Documentary (shows their off grid life in Panama!)
While we usually talk about house sitting from the perspective of house sitters, in this episode we flip the script and talk to pet owners that might want to use house sitters when they go away. We talk about why using house sitters is a win-win-win for you (the pet owner), the house sitter, and most importantly, the pets themselves!
We address all of the common questions and concerns related to trust that we hear from pet owners, including the idea of having a "stranger" in your home. We also share actionable tips for feeling more safe and secure about engaging a house sitter.
If you're a house sitter - don't tune out of this one! We strongly believe that knowing the perspective from the other side is crucial to happy house sitting. Understanding some of the common concerns of pet owners will only make you a better house sitter. Also, you'll be well-equipped to address any of these concerns when talking to pet owners that might be interested in house sitting but aren't sure if they could make the leap!
Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
Show Notes:
https://www.alternativetravelers.com/thinking-of-using-house-sitters/
[click here for the sign up link to the free crash course on using house sitters]
In this episode, Sam interviews Tricia Kandik is a fellow (former) full time house sitter and nomad. Originally from Ohio, she's also lived in Oregon, Missouri, and Washington D.C as well as France and the Czech Republic. By her own admission, she's not the best planner, but it's lead to an interesting life. We definitely think so! We met at a vegan cafe in Sarajevo, Bosnia in late 2019, on the eve of her flight to start her house sitting journey in Asia.
Tricia has a lot of great insights as a former professional (aka paid) pet sitter in Washington, D.C. She shares how her house sitting adventures in Asia went, how the pandemic affected her travels, and where she is now.
Connect with Tricia on Instagram @TrishKandik!
We talk about:
- How she got started dog walking and professional pet sitting in Washington, D.C.
- The differences between exchange based house sitting and paid pet sitting
- Making the move from home owner to nomad
- Her first unpaid house sit taking care of the cutest puppy in Portland, Oregon
- Tricia's experiences house sitting in Vietnam and Singapore
- Getting started volunteering at animal rescues
- How the pandemic affected her travels
- Landing in Mexico and how she likes living there
- Finding community and making friends while on the road
- Much more!
Links + Resources Mentioned:
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect with us:
Email us: thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: Instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
Think of this episode as a house sitting 101! Many people ask us where to even start when getting into house sitting, so this episode is the answer to that! We go over the basics of house sitting, breaking down the house sitting process into 10 steps. This episode will give you a good overview of the process from start to finish! If you're newer to house sitting, don't miss this one =)
Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
Links + Resources Mentioned:
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
- TrustedHousesitters Review
- House Sitting Community Support Group
- Creating a Kick-Ass House Sitting Profile
- Craft a Winning Application Message
- All our house sitting resources on one page
Connect:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: Instagram.com/housesittingtravel
In this episode, we chat with solo house sitter Ryan Patey. So much of the discussion around solo house sitting centers on solo female house sitting (check out episode 3 with Kelsey Frey for more on that!). But what about the solo dude house sitters out there? Is it possible to house sit as a guy alone? Sam speaks with Ryan about exactly this topic, which has lead to some interesting experiences around the world, like having to pretend to be a family member of a pet owner!
We talk also about:
- How Ryan first started house sitting in his native Canada
- Experiencing cultural differences house sitting in Turkey
- House sitting around Southeast Asia
- Exploring different pars of Saigon through house sitting
- The difficult parts of house sitting
- Funny parts of house sitting (aka poop stories)
- His book, This Job is Sh*t
- much more!
Links + Resources Mentioned:
- Connect with Ryan on Instagram @ryanpatey or on Twitter @ryanpatey
- Snorble, better bedtime routines for kids (project Ryan is currently working on)
- Ryan's Website
- Ryan's Interview for our blog
- Ryan's book, This Job is Sh*t
- Ryan's Facebook Live series turned podcast: #OurNewNormal
- Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
- Click to stream the episode on our website (Also perfect for sending to folks who are not yet podcast listeners and don't have a podcast app!)
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect with us:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: @housesittingtravel
In this episode, we talk about common house sitting misconceptions and myths. These core myths come up again and again every time we talk about house sitting with others. These house sitting myths are so common that we'd wager a guess that you may be harboring one of them! We'll talk about why holding onto these house sitting misconceptions is hurting your chances of house sitting success, if there is any truth to any of these myths, and how to divest yourself of these unrealistic expectations.
Blog Post Version: Common Misconceptions About House Sitting
Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
Connect:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
In our first ever interview, Sam interviews Kelsey Frey, solo female house sitter and nomadic travel blogger, Pinterest manager, online English teacher, and freelance writer who can usually be found somewhere in Europe or the USA. Before becoming nomadic, she worked in the environmental field for organizations like the conservation corps and her local Audubon society.
You can follow her (mis)adventures as a solo female traveler without a permanent address at www.sightsbetterseen.com or on Instagram @sightsbetterseen, which is how we originally connected!
We talk about:
- loving and searching out the winter as a nomad (rare!)
- Kelsey's first house sitting experience
- House sitting as a solo female traveler (her experience, tips, and advice)
- House sitting in Norway, Germany, the UK, Thailand, and more
- Dating as a nomad
- Lessons she's learned along the way
- The importance of and finding community on the road
- Funding her nomadic lifestyle
- How she's been affected by and adapted to the pandemic
- Pinterest management
- and more!
Links Mentioned:
Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
Connect:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
In this episode, we discuss how house sitting has changed as a result of a pandemic. We share tips for approaching house sitting while the pandemic is still very present, questions to ask when arranging house sits, things to be aware of, and more. We also share how the pandemic affected us as full time house sitters and how we've adapted as a result.
Our book: The House Sitting Handbook
Connect:
Email us: https://thehousesittingpodcast.com/contact/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesittingtravel/
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
In this episode, we share our journey as house sitters, from our first house sit to full time house sitters – and everything in between!
Our book: https://www.alternativetravelers.com/house-sitting-handbook/
Connect:
Instagram: @HousesittingTravel
Podcast website: TheHouseSittingPodcast.com
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
In this quick trailer, we introduce House Sitting Travel and what you can expect from the show! House Sitting Travel is the first ever podcast dedicated to house sitting as a means to travel the world. We'll share inspiring interviews with fellow globe trotting house sitters, tips, advice, stories, and more.
Connect with us:
Instagram: @HousesittingTravel
Website: TheHouseSittingPodcast.com
>>Click here to sign up for TrustedHousesitters with our discount<<
14: Season 1 Finale!
23:19
13: Hecktic Travels with Dalene Heck
1:02:33
12: The Dreaded Bad House Sit AKA Every House Sitter's Worst Fear
48:33
11: Let's Adventure More: House Sitting as a Family with Jess Swenson
1:11:50
10: Is TrustedHousesitters a Scam?
30:06
9: House Sitting Magazine with Vanessa Anderson and Ian Usher
1:17:41
8: Can I Trust House Sitters?
50:21
7: From Pro Pet Sitter to Nomadic House Sitter with Tricia Kandik
1:08:03
6: 10 Steps to Start House Sitting
48:20
5: This Job is Sh*t with Ryan Patey
1:28:38
4: Common House Sitting Misconceptions
48:22
3: Sights Better Seen with Kelsey Frey
1:18:44
2: House Sitting in 2021 and Beyond
39:08
1: Our House Sitting Story
36:36
House Sitting Travel Trailer
2:18