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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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
info_outlineLuisa Yu has traveled to every country in the world
Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I am excited to have Luisa Yu on the podcast. She is well known and beloved member to many in the community. For those not in the know, Luisa just visited her last country this year. She accomplished this goal as a 79 year old. When many in her age group have retired to more placid and serene pastures, Luisa has demonstrated grit and determination. And Luisa has not slowed down .. trips since she has completed the quest include Mogadishu, the north Caucasus, and the Kalash Festival in Pakistan. Truly, she is an inspiration. A quick show out to Phillipe for assisting in scheduling my conversation with Luisa.
A public service reminder, the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok. Discount code BANGKOK for $100, so please purchase your ticket today to lock in your savings at the Extraordinary Travel Fest. This $100 discount will be reduced starting September 1.
What I did not mention is at ETF we will be hosting a moderated conversation with Luisa and her multi-decade journey to every country in the world. Luisa has a unique voice which is different than the traditional stereotype of a traveler in the extreme travel community.
Don’t get #FOMO over 170 people are committed! Including of course, Luisa.
I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Adam “one away” Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Gin, Philippe ‘JL’ Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine OTB Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, and Sam Williams for supporting this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons will hear extra content with Luisa that you will not hear.
For those who listen a lot, I am a big fan of small world stories … and this is relevant when I introduce a new patron Ani Chaturvedi, who I randomly met while getting a Covid test in Armenia the other year. Ani is originally from Mumbai but now is in San Francisco. Regarding travel, Ani was inspired by his mom who made frequent trips to Mauritius and Singapore. He is now Chasing 193 and nearing 70 countries. Welcome aboard! And also a quick thank you to new patron, Craig, unknown last name at this time.
Besides hosting a podcast, I listen to a ton of podcast, including community favorites Palle Bo’s Radio Vagabond, and Francis Tapon, WanderLearn. In fact, you can check me out on WanderLearn with Francis speaking about the ETF.
But, I am late to the dance with the Maverick Show podcast, hosted by Matt Bowles. Maverick Show has nearly 300 episodes and is ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts. I recently found out about this travel podcast and I have started binging episodes. Matt is a great host who guides the conversation while naturally sharing his travel experiences adding to the conversation. I have heard great conversations with people like Eriva Vivro, who has lived an incredible travel life, living in multiple countries like Qatar, Thailand, Zambia, and now has been wintering in Ghana with her family. Very, very cool. Of course, Counting Countries is all about Chasing 193. Matt is more focussed on digital life and travel, but there are many interesting lessons and parallels within our community. Listen to The Maverick Show on your Favorite Platform Here
I was in Boston for this recording while Luisa was in Miami. Please listen in and enjoy.
Thank you to my Patrons - you rock!! …. Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, Sam Williams, Aniruddh Chaturvedi, and Craig.
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Luisa Yu Counting Countries
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 Traveler’s Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
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The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 regions.
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The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world.
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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.
Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Luisa Yu Counting Countries