Zsuzsanna Berencsi … Thanks Tammy
Counting Countries
Zsuzsanna Berencsi has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Zsu Berencsi shares with us her awesome travel adventures to every country in the world with a big celebration this past December in her last country, Jamaica. I have met Zsu twice before at both ETFs and she promises a third. I got it on tape. I also reconnected with Zsu at April Peregrino’s 193 party in Bratislava where Zsu arranged a special field trip. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my...
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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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Yooshita Fathi … Breaking Stereotypes
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
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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- Support Counting Countries, and check out these trips from G Adventures
- https://www.patreon.com/CountingCountries
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Counting Countries Apparel
- Group Trip To Bhutan In November
- Group Trip To Madagascar
Blog: Lexie Limitless
Instagram: Lexie Limitless
TedEx: Lexie
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Lexie Alford … Collecting 10,000 Documents
Lexie is the youngest person to travel to every country in the world
This is my second conversation with Lexie. As I have mentioned before, I constantly debate whether to invite guests back for a second conversation, especially since I only publish podcasts on a monthly basis at this time. But I considered Lexie’s accomplishment worth a second conversation as I had become vested in her journey as I tracked her travels on social media and we would occasionally converse. And I also admire Lexie. As a 21, she carries herself with a lot of grace and maturity.
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. And thanks to my other patrons, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, Ryan Gazder, and Adam Hickman. As thanks, they are able to listen to additional interviews.
Counting Countries is offering its first group tour to Bhutan on November 7th. Please go to GlobalGaz.com to see more information as well as disclosures. And I am reminding you of a trip to Madagascar in August of 2020 with G Adventures. On this episode, I also have a brief discussion with Chris Duncan, he is a a product manager for Africa. Check out the link to see some of their trips.
Lexie became the youngest person to travel to every country in the world completing the goal as a 21 year old. She will soon be applying to earn the Guiness World Record for youngest as she gathers 10,000 plus documents. Lexie shares some of the highlights of her journey to Pakistan and Venezuela. And shares some frustration during her technical visits to Syria and North Korea.
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. Why? Because that is what keeps this podcast going.
But for now, here’s my conversation with Lexie who was in the City of Angels and I was in the Windy City. Please listen in and enjoy.
Thank you to my Patrons …. Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims & Ryan Gazder.
Links:
Support Counting Countries: G Adventures
Blog: Lexie Limitless
Instagram: Lexie Limitless
TedEx: Lexie
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!
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The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
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The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
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The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
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The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
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The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1281 regions.
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SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
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Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way.
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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Produced by Simpler Media