Changing Roads: Adventure, Self-Discovery, and the Transformative Power of Travel

Welcome to Changing Roads! As we gear up for our official January 1st launch, this introductory episode marks the start of a transformative journey. Join your host Brad as he invites fellow wanderers to join him as he sets out to unravel the profound essence of travel. 

In this precursory episode, Brad introduces himself and his loyal dog, travel companion and co-host, “Ranger”, and unveils the vision behind Changing Roads. Here, we venture beyond conventional paths, delving into themes and aspects of travel that not only shape our individual stories but define our very identities.

Through compelling narratives, insightful conversations with remarkable guests, and direct engagement with our listeners, Changing Roads aspires to reshape your perception of travel. Each episode serves as an expedition, inviting you to traverse uncharted territories, evolve in understanding, and embrace the infinite possibilities that emerge when we bravely embrace change.

Fearlessly seeking our place in the world, we navigate the intricate roads of life, discovering how these journeys mold the very core of our existence. Together, we'll unravel the threads of self-discovery, exploring the nuanced tapestry of human experience and the transformative power that lies within.

Join us on Changing Roads, where every step is an adventure, every turn a revelation, and every journey a reflection of our ever-changing selves!

Website:
www.changingroads.com

Email:
changingroadspodcast@gmail.com

Insta:
@changingroadspodcast
@rangerlovestravel

Facebook:
#changingroads

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome wanderers, dreamers and fellow seekers of the open road. This is Changing Roads, a sanctuary for explorers of the world and the self. Not only are our roads always changing, but our roads change us. They're not mere pathways, they're the architects of our existence. They lead us to cross roads where choices echo through our lives, shaping who we are and what we aspire to become. Sometimes the road ahead unveils itself an unwavering certainty guiding our steps. Other times, it's an uncharted trail beckoning us to forge our own path. Yet within this stance of certainty and uncertainty lies our own power, the power to choose which roads we traverse, how we journey upon them and why. In this podcast, we'll unveil the profound essence of travel. We'll explore not just the destinations but the transformation within. Join me as we unravel the various themes, aspects and narratives of travel that define us, shape us and lead us to the heart of our own stories. So I invite you to join me on Changing Roads, where every step is an adventure, every turn a revelation and every journey a reflection of our own ever-changing selves.

Speaker 1: 1:21

Hi, I'm your host, brad, and welcome to Episode Zero of Changing Roads. Why Episode Zero? Because Episode One launches on January 1st, a brand new podcast for a brand new year of adventures and, hopefully, nothing too post-apocalyptic. So grab those hiking boots that you got for Christmas and break them in, and if you were one of those that had an especially generous person in your life this year that got you a brand new Tesla Cybertruck, then make sure to have your driver's license, your current registration and proof of insurance and, most importantly, a spare battery, because we're about to put the key in the ignition and get this podcast rolling down the road, so let's dive right into it. The goal of this podcast is to uncover the profound essence of travel and to explore how that relates to us in our daily lives and, more specifically, how it contributes to our own personal growth and development. I believe that in my life, my experience with travels have defined my views and experiences in the world and has played a vital role in shaping who I am as a person, and I would like to share that with you. A little bit about myself my name is Brad. I have blonde hair, blue eyes, am tall and am theoretically handsome. I enjoy long walks on the beach, find culinary experiences at truck stops, sleeping under the stars and in the back of my car and talking with my dog, ranger, who will listen to anything, I have to say, as long as I continue to give him treats. You will learn more about Ranger as this podcast continues on. He is my loyal travel companion and also the honorary co-host of Changing Roads.

Speaker 1: 3:18

My travel resume is quite extensive. I have hundreds of thousands of road miles under my belt. I have been on hundreds of flights, from airliners to bush planes. At times I have lived full time on the road, either out of my car or out of my small camper. I have been to five different countries. I have been to the Arctic Circle and down below the equator. I've also traveled for work. I work in the emergency medical services industry, as well as the fire and disaster response industries, which have taken me to some pretty crazy places in some pretty intense situations. That's kind of an aspect of travel that most people don't ever get to experience. So at some point in this podcast I will get into that because I think it's important to talk about.

Speaker 1: 4:10

Most recently I took Ranger, who is my service animal, actually to every single one of the US 63 national parks. We did that in under 11 months, living on the road, basically full time. That is also quite the adventure, and we will get to that at some point in this podcast as well. That's going to be really fun to talk about. So, coming off the road from that, ranger and I were working with the National Park Service to provide them some feedback on accessibility for people with disabilities in the national park system and also just generally spreading awareness to the public about traveling with service animals and traveling as a person who has a disability. We really wanted to spread the message that, no matter what your physical condition is or where you're at in life, everybody has the opportunity to get out and explore the world. Not only do they have the opportunity, but it's vital to their experience in this world.

Speaker 1: 5:16

So, as I've continued to do that, I have spent the past few months brainstorming on what to do next and how I can keep that message to the world going on the importance of travel and how profoundly impactful it can be in our lives, and the idea for the Changing Roads podcast came up and I just went with it.

Speaker 1: 5:37

So bear with me this is my very first attempt at a podcast and I am literally learning all of this as I go my ultimate goal for this podcast, as we explore these various themes, aspects and narratives of travel is to give you guys some insights that you can take away from each episode and bring back into your own lives and your own journeys through the world. So if I can share with you something that you find valuable, that makes a difference in your life, then I will have done my job here. We will do one episode every week and each episode will be a different and unique topic. I will also, at least once a month, be having guests on to interview, and actually I prefer the term conversation, because that is the tone that I am trying to achieve here on this podcast is one that is relaxed and fun and unridged and unscripted. So, yeah, make sure that you tune into those interviews or conversations. Rather, they are going to be a lot of fun. They are going to be really interesting.

Speaker 1: 6:46

These people have a lot of good insights and things to say and stories to tell. So I have bunch lined up already. You are going to love them and I would like to thank them in advance for being a part of this show and we are really looking forward to hearing from you guys. I would also like to add, going back to the topic of the tone that I am trying to set here with this podcast is that I want it to be our podcast, not just my podcast.

Speaker 1: 7:13

So I would love if you engaged in whatever way you like Send me feedback, send me stories, send me episode ideas, maybe someone you want me to try and get into contact with for a conversation. Let's make this our own and let's make this a community. So I hope you're as excited as we are and we're just going to jump in and see where this thing goes. Once again, welcome to Changing Roads. I am your host, brad, and I am sitting here with my co-host, ranger, and we are really looking forward to spending 2024 with you guys and seeing what this podcast has to bring over the next year. Bye, guys.