Tom Walks the Camino de Santiago
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Release Date: 03/18/2025
YOUR Adventure Tales from Greece, Paris, Disney, Chicago, and more!
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Why settle for one vacation story when you can get a whole passport’s worth in a single episode? Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are joined by fellow wanderlusters from the Stacking Adventures community to swap tales that stretch from Main Street U.S.A. to the shores of Zakynthos. Think budget-friendly Disney hacks, Parisian magic, Chicago deep-dish memories, and the kind of Greek beach you only find when you take a wrong turn and just keep driving. In true Adventurer fashion, these stories aren’t just about where we went—they’re about what we learned along the way. Whether...
info_outline
One Year of Stacking Adventures: The Highlights, the Laughs, and the Gear We Can't Travel Without
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
What happens when you spend a year crisscrossing the globe (and occasionally your own backyard) with a microphone, an eye for hidden gems, and a love of a good travel story? You get twelve months of unforgettable moments, unexpected lessons, and more “Gear of the Day” picks than we can count. In this milestone episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy celebrate our first birthday in style—revisiting epic destinations, listener favorites, and the travel themes that defined our debut year. From the romantic charm of Italy and the windswept coasts of...
info_outline
Affordable Lodging in Paris? It Can Be Done! (with travel author Caroline O'Connell)
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Paris might be the City of Light, but if you’re not careful, it can also be the City of “Why did I pay this much for that?” In this episode, Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy welcome travel expert Caroline O’Connell, author of Affordable Paris Hotels, to help you fall in love with Paris without falling into tourist traps—or questionable bedding situations (Crystal’s unexpected bedbug encounter is proof). From booking boutique hotels that make you feel like a Parisian in the know, to picking neighborhoods that mix romance with walkability, Caroline’s tips will save you money,...
info_outline
Adventures Grounded in Pop Culture (a Top 5 episode!)
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Ever daydreamed about stepping straight into the world of your favorite movie, book, or TV show? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy set off on a whirlwind journey through the destinations that captured their hearts—both the ones they’ve visited and the ones still waiting on their bucket lists. Some were inspired by Hollywood magic, others by literary pages, gaming consoles, or catchy song lyrics. From wandering the romantic streets of Paris to tracing the history-soaked corners of Romania, chasing the mythical in a werewolf-haunted Bavarian...
info_outline
Exploring the Colorado Trail with Darrow Kirkpatrick
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Dreaming of your next big hiking challenge? In this episode, Crystal and Joe welcome Darrow Kirkpatrick — retired financial writer, seasoned adventurer, and author of Two Sticks, One Path. Darrow takes us along his trek across the Colorado Trail, sharing lessons that will inspire your own outdoor adventures, whether you’re planning a weekend hike or a multi-week expedition. From practical packing strategies to mindset shifts that keep you moving when the trail gets tough, you’ll walk away with tools to make your next hike safer, lighter, and more rewarding. We’ll explore how to...
info_outline
Exploring Italy Through Adventure and Mystery
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
What do you get when you mix Vatican politics, mafia secrets, fine art forgery, and a dash of gelato? Award-winning mystery author Michael Balter joins us to share the real-life adventures that inspired his novel The Vatican Deal—a fast-paced thriller set against the backdrop of Rome, Florence, Naples, and Capri. But this episode isn’t just about fiction. Michael brings stories from his own globetrotting life: negotiating with the Vatican, almost buying a centuries-old foundry, and getting swept up in the magic (and madness) of Italy’s cities. From sipping espresso in ancient coffee...
info_outline
Greek Getaway: Athens, Santorini & Crete (with a VERY special guest!)
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
What happens when you mix millennia-old ruins, sun-drenched islands, and gourmet Greek cuisine? You get an unforgettable adventure—plus a podcast episode to match. In this wanderlust-packed episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond are joined by a very special guest: Joe’s wife, Cheryl Saul-Sehy, a seasoned traveler with a keen eye for luxury, efficiency, and surprise gems you won't find on most itineraries. Together, they unpack their latest trip to Greece, spanning the historic streets of Athens, the Instagram-ready cliffs of Santorini, and the charming...
info_outline
YOUR Favorite Roadside and Roadtrip Attractions
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Ready to take the scenic route? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond fire up the engine of nostalgia and hit the metaphorical road to celebrate America’s quirkiest, kitschiest, and most unforgettable roadside attractions. Whether it's a giant ball of twine, a hidden sea beneath Tennessee, or that magical place you stumbled upon because someone in the car had to stop for a soda, this episode is a love letter to those wonderfully weird detours that turn a road trip into a full-blown adventure. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Crystal’s...
info_outline
The Ultimate Chicago Experience: What to See and Do
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Planning your first visit to Chicago? Don’t just snap a selfie at The Bean and call it a day—let Stacking Adventures hosts Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy be your insider guides to one of America's most vibrant, layered, and delicious cities. In this jam-packed episode, Crystal and Joe serve up their personal Top 5 experiences every first-time visitor to the Windy City has to try—plus a few lesser-known gems that even longtime locals might have missed. Think towering views from the not-Sears-anymore Tower, eye-opening museum...
info_outline
Kevin Adventures To Walt Disney World
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Dreaming of the ultimate Disney World vacation—but not the sky-high price tag? This week on Stacking Adventures, we sit down with Kevin Payne from Family Money Adventure to help you create maximum magic without maxing out your wallet. Kevin brings the goods: How to make the most of Genie+ without losing your mind (or your place in line) The best ways to dodge long waits and still hit all your must-do rides Pro tips for navigating the parks with kids and keeping your budget intact From culinary gems hidden across all four parks to smart strategies for picking your...
info_outlineDo you dream of embarking on a legendary pilgrimage filled with breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable encounters, and just enough unexpected twists to keep things interesting? This episode, we lace up our boots and dive into the adventure of a lifetime: hiking the Camino de Santiago with special guest Tom Schwab (founder: Interview Valet).
Tom trekked 500 miles in 26 days alongside his wife, Karen, and he’s here to spill the details—from the magic of the journey to the blisters that tried to ruin it. We cover everything from essential packing tips to the cultural moments that made the Camino unforgettable. Plus, Tom reveals one hiking item he swears by: Salty Britches (trust us, you’ll want to hear this one).
In this episode:
- Crystal’s Hiking Adventure in Tucson – A warm-up before the main event!
- Camino 101: What You Need to Know – Planning, packing, and why this pilgrimage is unlike any other hike.
- Daily Life on the Trail – Walking, eating, meeting fellow adventurers, and dodging blisters.
- Travel Logistics & Points Hacks – How to fly into France, traverse Spain, and make the most of your journey.
- Reaching the Cathedral – What it feels like to finally step into Santiago after weeks on foot.
- Language Barriers & Cultural Moments – Spoiler: Smiling and hand gestures go a long way.
- Gear of the Day: The One Item That Saves Hikers Everywhere – Hint: It’s not what you think.
Whether you’re planning your own Camino adventure or just love hearing about epic travel stories, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few surprises along the way.
🎧 Tune in and take the first step toward your next great adventure!
Looking for our gear of the week? Head to https://stackingadventures.com/gotd