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Live From Sealand! … Extreme Travelers Gather & A Conversation With Prince Michael

Counting Countries

Release Date: 07/11/2019

Michael Angelo Zervos … A Happy Moment show art Michael Angelo Zervos … A Happy Moment

Counting Countries

Michael Zervos has been to every country in the world   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. This is a bonus episode with Michael Zervos.  I interviewed Michael back in December of 2023, before he had started his quest.  His quest?  To travel to every country in the world in the quickest possible time.  We have heard this before … someone who wants to break the GWR.  And many in the community would ask what is the point?  This is not a race.  What will the traveler gain from spending just a day or two in each country?   And once the record is...

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Jenna Pava … #FOMO show art Jenna Pava … #FOMO

Counting Countries

Jenna Pava has been to 181 countries   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I had the pleasure of meeting Jenna Pava at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, only to discover that we were also  (distant) neighbors in the city. This conversation offered another fantastic opportunity to dive into the story of a truly compelling traveler in our community. Jenna’s early life was marked by a tug-of-war between her birthplace in Russia and her new home in the United States, shaping a deep sense of resilience from a young age. Remarkably, her travel journey took two major turns...

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We Married Adventure … All Shawarma Visits Count show art We Married Adventure … All Shawarma Visits Count

Counting Countries

We Married Adventure have been to 149 & 148 countries   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  I met Angela and Michael Ballard, the couple behind We Married Adventure, who I met at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok.  Angela and Michael at times pushed and pulled between a 9-5 lifestyle and travel.  A wedding vow, an insane travel sabbatical and a retirement from work propelled them fully into the world of extreme travel.  I am fortunate to have these amazing conversations to learn about my guest’s amazing and unique lives.  Angela and Michael...

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Sam Goodwin … Ice Rink Up The Escalator show art Sam Goodwin … Ice Rink Up The Escalator

Counting Countries

Sam Goodwin has traveled to every country in the world   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  This conversation was a long time in the making.  In fact, this interview was originally scheduled in 2020.  But as we say, better late than never.  Sam Goodwin back in the day was just one of us … Chasing 193.  But his life was changed forever during his visit to country 181, Syria.  As 193ers, we are constantly pushing the envelope.  What we consider standard or normal travel is to others somewhere between poorly conceived to outright insanity.  Soon...

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Vance ... My Latin Life show art Vance ... My Latin Life

Counting Countries

Hey now, this is your host, Ric Gazarian.  And today, we have a special episode.  The mission of this podcast is to speak to travelers who have been to every country in the world or who are in the process of completing that goal.  And, this is an amazing community of individuals which I am fortunate to get to speak with. This episode is a bit different since Vance is not Chasing 193, but he is very well traveled.  He comes more from the 2nd passport / permanent residency world, which overlaps here and there with some members of the 193 community. Vance has been a virtual...

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Sandy Cohen … A Different World show art Sandy Cohen … A Different World

Counting Countries

Sandy Cohen has traveled to 102 countries   Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  We are back with a new guest, Sandy Cohen.  I have known Sandy for years on social media, and I was fortunate to meet her at both Extraordinary Travel Festivals.  But, this conversation was my opportunity to learn more about Sandy, her life and travels, and I found it to be a fascinating conversation.  Sandy shared tales of her life, from being a chocolatier to hosting a top travel TV show for over a decade to running drugs in Guinea-Bissau.  Well, not exactly.   ...

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Pav Mbeda … Go Big Or Go Home show art Pav Mbeda … Go Big Or Go Home

Counting Countries

Pav Mbeda has traveled to 106 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  We are back with the second episode of 2025.  I hope your travels are off to a good start.  Today, I am happy to share this conversation with Pav Mbeda.  Pav was one of the 250 participants of the sold out Extraordinary Travel Festival.  I reach out to all ticket buyers and was happy to note that Pav was from Kenya.  Whether it is ETF or this podcast, it is great to hear different perspectives and life experiences.  And speaking with Pav, I am reminded how different my upbringing...

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Counting Countries

Yooshita has traveled to 108 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  A giant Happy New Year to all of you country counters!  We are back today with a new episode after a small break.  Over the past year, you’ve likely heard me mention many times the Extraordinary Travel Festival on this podcast. In November, I had the privilege of organizing this incredible sold-out event in Bangkok, hosting 250 participants over four action-packed days. With 30 inspiring speakers and lively evening events and some amazing sponsors, it was a truly memorable experience. I’m excited...

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The Maverick Show ... Hosted By Matt Bowles show art The Maverick Show ... Hosted By Matt Bowles

Counting Countries

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian.  Well not really.  Today I am sharing an interview of me hosted by Matt Bowles who hosts the Maverick Show Podcast.  Matt and I had great conversation and wanted to share it with my listeners.  So, please check out this conversation and also make sure you subscribe to the Maverick Show Podcast.  He has over 300 episodes to binge.  A ton of interesting people.  Including the 2nd part of our conversation on our feed.   The other reason I don’t have one of my typical interviews is things were a bit overwhelming...

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Extraordinary Travel Festival II Update #11 - Charles Veley show art Extraordinary Travel Festival II Update #11 - Charles Veley

Counting Countries

Hey now!  This is it, the last episode before the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok.  Still a little time left to join.  Use code BANGKOK. My special guest is speaker and sponsor Charles Veley, founder of the Most Traveled People, and considered one of the most traveled people in the world.  Charles teases some of the updates he will be sharing in Bangkok, from updates on the App to next location of the MTP Summitt.  Please listen in and enjoy.   www.extraordinarytravelfest.com

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On today’s episode, I speak with eight extreme travelers at Sealand.  Well, let me explain that, the interviews did not take place at Sealand, but at the nearby port of Harwich in England.  And yes, these interviews are recorded, so it is really not live. But, I loved the title … Live From Sealand.  

I am reminding you that Counting Countries is now partnered with Patreon.  Patreon is a platform that allows patrons, that’s you, to support creators, and that is me creating Counting Countries. Thanks to new patron, Adam Hickman, who is also a former guest. Make sure you check out his interview and his blog, Hick Hiker.  And thanks to my other patrons, Bisa Myles, Ryan Gazder, and Ted Nims.  As thanks, they are able to listen to additional interviews, only available to them.    

And a reminder, Counting Countries is offering its first group tour to Bhutan on November 7th.  This is a great agenda which I consulted on and helped create.  I have been to Bhutan three times and looking forward to returning for a fourth time. Besides seeing amazing things like Tiger’s Nest and the Punakha Dzong, I have scheduled this trip to coincide with two festivals. I have also negotiated a daily $25 discount from the mandated government minimums.  Please go to GlobalGaz.com to see more information as well as disclosures.  And I am announcing a new trip to Madagascar in August of 2020 with G Adventures.    

As some of you might know, the Extreme Travel International Congress met in June at the Principality of Sealand, considered by some to be the smallest country in the world.  Sealand is a former military fortification built in the North Sea.  ETIC is organized by Kolja Spori and has had previous meetings in places like Grozny, Mogadishu, and Baghdad.  Twenty-five extreme travelers gathered at this congress; including the founders of Nomad Mania (Harry Mitsidis) and MTP (Charles Veley) as well as the president of TCC (JoAnn Schwartz).  I was able to sit down with eight travelers for brief interviews during my visit. Some are familiar faces, and others are brand new to Counting Countries. I also want to thank ETIC for recognizing Counting Countries with their Community Award.  

 

The guests for this episode are -

Kolji Spori

Joao Paulo Peixoto

Michael Runkel

Jeroen Agneessens

Gustav Adolf Junge

Per Besson

Mike Kendall

David Yang

 

And after the interview with the extreme travelers I am very excited to share that I will be speaking with Prince Michael of Sealand.  Prince Micheal is a direct descendant of the Sealand’s founder, Prince Roy. Prince Michael shares with us the amazing history of Sealand.   

I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify and write a review, even better if it is 5 stars.    

But for now, here’s my conversation with eight awesome travelers and an extended interview with Prince Michael.  Please listen in and enjoy.   

Thank you to my Patrons …. Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims & Ryan Gazder.

 

Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel!  You can purchase today on Amazon.

  

And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa!

 

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!

Check out our friend: Large Minority.  They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.  And watch my full length documentary in Cambodia when I traveled with Large Minority.   

About Counting Countries

Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who’ve spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space.

Theme music for this podcast is Demeter’s Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi.

About GlobalGaz

Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl.  He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.  

Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com

How Many Countries Are There?

Well… that depends on who you ask!

An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.  

Check out our friend and his new book:    

The Curious Case of William Baekeland William is a former guest of Counting Countries.  Harry Mitsidis, the author and extreme traveler, traces William’s arrival and unraveling in the travel community.  It is a story worthy of a film … and this book. 

 

Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.

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