EPoP 025: Hacking Productivity, Sleeping in Narita Airport, and Achieving Freedom with Thomas Frank

epop-thomas

When was the last time you heard of someone:

  • starting their own successful website
  • crushing their courses
  • and paying off their student debt

…all while they were still in college?

Mark Zuckerberg, you say?

Pssshhh…He never even graduated!

How about someone who did all that AND got his degree?

Like a unicorn, Thomas Frank of CollegeInfoGeek is a rare specimen.

He’s built an incredible website that, despite the name, helps people of ALL ages figure out how to become more productive, get a job they actually want, and pay off debt.

And in his spare time, he’s also taken multiple trips to Japan, which has to lead to a few funny stories.

One of the main reasons I wanted to have Thomas on the podcast was because, unlike many past guests, he hasn’t galivanted all over the globe…yet!

But, at the young age of 22, he has found a way to give himself freedom. 

Freedom from a job and freedom from debt, so that now he’ll be able to do something he’s always wanted to do, and that’s to travel more.

And FREEDOM is what many people, especially those who yearn to travel, are after.

So if you’re one of those people looking to achieve some more freedom in your life, soak in these wise-beyond-his-years words from Thomas Frank.

Right-click to download this episode directly

Win $100!

I’m giving away $100 once we hit 100 ratings on iTunes.  Come on people, let’s do this…the money is burning a hole in my pocket!

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In This Episode:

  • How to make yourself indispensable for a company.
  • The most important quality you need to set yourself up for the long term success.
  • Why prepared people get lucky.
  • How failure to land a “dream position” lead to an even better opportunity.
  • How Thomas paid off $14,000 in debt while still in school without a full-time job.
  • Sleeping in a Japanese airport for 13 hours.
  • Why freedom is the most important goal to work towards.

And much more!

Links Discussed in This Episode:

I Need Your Help

Thomas is doing something many of us wish we had done; taking control of his life at a young age, and helping others do the same.  Show him some love by click “Tweet This” below:

@TomFrankly is wise beyond his years! Thanks for awesome tips on productivity, freedom, and Japan on the EPoP Podcast with @PackofPeanuts

Tweet This!

I’m giving away $100 once we hit a 100 ratings on iTunes, so why not take 1 minutes, leave a rating, and enter to win!

Leave a Rating for the Podcast, Win $100! (now fixed so it works).

EPoP 024: Why 7 Million People Open Their Homes to Travelers for Free With Martina Steinmann

Martina-Couchsurfing

Would you open your home to someone you’ve only met on the internet who was traveling through your area and looking for a place to stay?

Martina Steinmann would, and so would 7 million other people (including myself) who are part of the global phenomenon that is Couchsurfing.

Wait…couch WHAT?

CouchSurfing, which is the term used for opening up your couch for travelers who are passing through and giving them a place to stay…for free.

After reading that sentence, you’ve already whether CouchSurfing is either the craziest idea you’ve ever heard or the most awesome.

Think it’s the most ludicrous?

Good.  Apprehension and nervousness are natural.  Let us convince you otherwise by discussing why CouchSurfing is much safer than you think (I’ve surfed and hosted, and I’m still alive) and why over 7 million people have joined.

Think it’s the most awesome?

Martina will tell you how to get started, what to include in your profile, and how to make the most of the amazing opportunities Couchsurfing provides travelers and hosts.

Martina will also tell you the 3 most interesting Couchsurfing stories she’s ever heard (and there are a lot) and why being lost in 3 languages is the best travel experience she’s ever had.

No matter what side you fall on, you’ve got to have a listen to this incredible interview.

Right click to download this episode directly

In This Episode:

  • The benefits of Couchsurfing vs. a hotel or hostel.
  • How Couchsurfing has grown, completely through word of mouth, to 7 million people in every country in the world.
  • The multiple ways Couchsurfing ensures the safety of its guests and hosts.
  • How new members can build appealing profiles and get accepted by hosts.
  • Why taking 45 minutes for lunch can change your world, even if you can’t travel.
  • The best and cheapest way to explore a city.
  • Being lost in 3 languages…and loving it!

And much more!

Links Discussed in This Episode:

I Need Your Help

Martina and the whole team at Couchsurfing is doing an amazing job making the world better for travelers.  Show them some love by clicking “tweet this” below:

@martlsteinmann Thanks for sharing the awesome story of @couchsurfing on the EPoP Podcast with @PackofPeanuts. #Timetosurf

Tweet This!

I’m giving away $100 once we hit 100 ratings on iTunes, so why not take 1 minute, leave a rating, and enter to win!

Leave a Rating for the Podcast, Win $100! (now fixed so it works).

EPoP 023: The Secret to Being Treated Like a Rockstar When Flying with Johnny Jet

Johnny-Jet

Johnny Jet is a travel rockstar.

He’s constantly being interviewed by national media outlets like CNN, USA Today, and MSNBC.

He’s been the host of a TV show on the Travel Channel.

He’s been writing his own travel website since 1995.

And yet, all those things aren’t why he is treated like a rockstar when flying.

Instead, it’s one simple thing that he’s done over the years that has earned him the good graces of airline staff and crews around the world.

In addition to sharing his secret, he’ll also uncover some of his best tips and tricks for traveling cheap but still traveling well, and we’ll geek out about frequent flyer miles.

And believe it or not, Johnny himself used to have severe anxiety when flying, so much so that he gave up a “once in a lifetime trip.”

Learn how he was able to deal with it and how he is now able to travel over 100 days a year with no issues.

Right-click to download this episode directly

In This Episode:

  • How to cure yourself of anxiety over flying.
  • A few simple tricks to make traveling as easy as possible.
  • How to be treated like a rockstar on a flight with one simple gesture.
  • The #1 tip for saving money when booking travel.
  • Why social media is the key to scoring the best travel deals.

And much more!

Links Discussed in This Episode:

I Need Your Help

It was a pleasure to finally get to interview Johnny, one of the first people I started reading back in the day.  Show him some love by clicking “tweet this” below:

@JohnnyJet Thanks for sharing the secret to being treated like a rockstar when flying on the EPoP Podcast w/ @PackofPeanuts. #goodguyswin

Tweet This!

I’m giving away $100 once we hit a 100 ratings on iTunes, so why not take 1 minutes, leave a rating, and enter to win!

Leave a Rating for the Podcast, Win $100! (now fixed so it works).

 

EPoP 022: The Secrets to Packing in Just a Carry-on with Fred Perrotta

Fred-Perrotta-Tortuga-Backpacks

How many times have you thought

“Man, I could make something better than this?”

Or

“I can’t believe that this doesn’t exist?”

Probably a lot, huh?

Well, back in 2009, while on a backpacking trip through Eastern Europe, Fred Perrotta had the same thoughts.

But instead of shoving them out of his mind, thankfully for us, he did something about them.

Because now the age-old travel problem that plagues many of us when we travel, the daunted “what should I pack in?” question has an obvious answer.

Introducing the Tortuga Backpack, one of the world’s best carry-on luggage options.

As someone who only ever travels with a carry-on, I am a huge fan of Fred’s and the things he is doing at Tortuga.

Today, we sat down to reveal all our best tips for traveling in just a carry-on, even for trips that stretch weeks or months.

And ladies, if you think this doesn’t apply to you, think again!

My wife, a fashion blogger, and expert has been traveling in just a carry-on for the last year!

Fred also pulls back the curtain on his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the mistakes he made, the successes he’s had, and giving invaluable advice for anyone wishing to create a physical product.

After listening to this podcast, you’ll never travel the same way again.

And you may just be inspired to finally turn that idea of yours into a reality.

Right-click to download this episode directly

In This Episode:

  • The 3 major advantages of not checking a bag.
  • The one thing everyone overpacks…and how to deal with it.
  • The 3 things to look for when buying a backpack.
  • How to start a company on a limited budget.
  • Where to find “free money” for businesses and startups.
  • The biggest key to getting media and press mentions even if your business is super small.
  • The 5 sentences or less rule.
  • Why you should be embarrassed by your first product.

And much more!

Links Discussed in This Episode:

EPoP 021: Chris Guillebeau on Going Big, Guinea-Bissau, and the $10 Rule

Chris post pic

Since starting this podcast, I’ve dreamed of having on Chris Guillebeau, New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and one of the few people who has traveled to every country in the world.

And today, it’s a reality!

If you’re interested in creating a lifestyle that is full of passion and purpose, Chris is the man to talk to.

10 years ago, he admittedly wasn’t sure what direction his life should take.  Since then, he’s…

Built an incredible online community…

Traveled to every country in the world…

Written a New York Times Bestseller…

…and hosted a conference for 3,000 of the world’s most motivated and inspired world changers (which I’ve attended and written about here).

The Dos Equis “most interesting man in the world” has nothing on Chris!

He’ll touch on how he’s been able to do all that as well as geek out on travel planning in this amazing, informative, and inspiring interview.

Right-click to download this episode directly

In This Episode:

  • The importance of “going big”, and how to do it.
  • Guinea Bissau, and why it holds a special place in Chris’s heart.
  • How the hardest part of completing a big goal might be moving on afterward.
  • Turning a “no, you can’t do a book tour” into a 50 state, 10 province bonanza.
  • Growing an audience without a magical blog fairy.
  • What it feels like to walk around with $100,000 in cash.
  • Why a Brief Guide to World Domination was more important than a masters’ thesis.
  • The $10 Rule and how it makes your travel infinitely better.

And much more!

Links Discussed in This Episode:

I Need Your Help

Ever since I started a podcast, I’ve wanted to have Chris on the show, so PLEASE show him some love by clicking “tweet this” below:

Just listened to your EPoP Podcast with @PackofPeanuts, and you rock @ChrisGuillebeau! The $10 Rule is a CLASSIC! #thanksforinspiring

Tweet This!

I’m giving away $100 once we hit 100 ratings on iTunes, so why not take 1 minute, leave a rating, and enter to win!

Leave a Rating for the Podcast, Win $100! (now fixed so it works).

Cheers!

Trav

 

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