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Artwork for Unpacked by Afar

Unpacked by Afar

Afar
Travel
Sustainability
Afar
Travel Tips
Cruising
California
Charleston
Experiential Travel
Wisconsin
Travel Planning
Solo Travel
Puerto Rico
Albuquerque
Solar Eclipse
Madison
Holiday Travel Season
Japan
Bad Bunny
Travel Insurance
Best New Hotels

Unpacked by Afar tackles one tricky topic in travel each week. Whether you want to hack your points and miles, figure out where to travel next, or need advice on an ethical dilemma, we're your expert travel guides. Because the travel world is complicated. We're here to help you unpack it.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes181Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePlaces & Travel

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Artwork for Unpacked by Afar

Latest Episodes

LGBTQ+ Americans are more than twice as likely as the general population to hold a valid passport. That stat sits at the heart of (Out )on the Road: The Radical Joy of Queer Travel, a new book from writer Lindsey Danis that's part memoir, part guide.... more

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Welcome to Travel to Listen, a new Unpacked series hosted by veteran music journalist Tim Chester. Over four episodes, Tim took us into the cities where music is more than entertainment—it's the shortcut to a place's soul. In this season finale, he h... more

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It’s the last Feel-Good Friday before host Aislyn and producer Nikki take a summer break. And they’re sending the season off with two of summer’s great pleasures: a viral World Cup food obsession and a very American bourbon.

First, why international... more

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On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene and producer Nikki Galteland hit the road in Michigan and find epic adventures, gorgeous waterways—and a new way to connect.

Join them as they follow Michigan's mitten counterclockwise, exploring the s... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Lucy Kehoe
Afar's senior editor and editor of Suitcase (UK edition)
Afar; Suitcase
Episode: Feel-Good Friday: An Ode to Obama, New London Museums, and a Hopeful Ocean Story
Whitney Wara
Chief Operating Officer of Traverse City Tourism
Traverse City Tourism
Episode: Why the Best New Hotels of 2026 Aren’t All "New"
Roc Gardner
Songwriter and entrepreneur who moved to the Mojave to turn a house into a recording studio
Escape (creative retreat)
Episode: Travel to Listen: The Spacey, Sunbaked Rock of California's Mojave Desert
Michelle Heimerman
Travel writer and contributor featured on the episode
Afar
Episode: Feel-Good Friday: Australia’s Plastic Win, a Different Kind of Summit Story, and the Women Changing Safari
Ellen Carpenter
award-winning writer and editor
Afar (story subject)
Episode: What a Safari Looks Like When a Woman Is at the Wheel
Kathrine LaGrave
Guest on Feel-Good Friday segment
Episode: Feel-Good Friday: A Queer Dance Revolution, Dog-Friendly Hotels, and What Actually Makes You Happy
Joy (Grandma Joy)
Brad Ryan's grandmother and co-adventurer featured in the book
Grandma Joy and Me (book subject)
Episode: What My 96-Year-Old Grandmother Taught Me About Travel
Charles Davis
Lead for the Macon Music Revue, local musician
Macon Music Revue
Episode: Travel to Listen: Why This Southern City Is America's Most Underrated Music Town
Justin Andrews
Director of special projects and outreach at the Otis Redding Foundation
Otis Redding Foundation
Episode: Travel to Listen: Why This Southern City Is America's Most Underrated Music Town

Hosts

Nikki Galteland
Host of Unpacked by Afar; Afar Media
Aislyn Greene
Co-host of Unpacked by Afar; Host of Unpacked; Afar Media

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 92 ratings
  • Behind the scenes

    Wonderful podcast that takes us behind the scenes of Afar. The recent episode about a photographer’s assignment in Egypt delves into the trust that must be built before any photos are made. A good mix of travel tips and insights into how magazines are put together.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joe's View
    United States2 months ago
  • It good

    Good

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    List h
    United States8 months ago
  • Slow, dreary and a really bad presenter

    Could have been an interesting podcast but too much waffle from the presenter whose vocabulary doesn’t extend much past “wow’

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Disgruntled BA traveller
    United States2 years ago
  • Wrong place to go for ethics advice

    AFAR is a partner of the Saudi regime that has a long history of silencing dissent—from murdering journalists to imprisoning Wikipedia editors, denying basic human rights to immigrants, and LGBTQ+ citizens continue to be legally tortured and imprisoned. AFAR needs to get its own house in order and say no to Saudi money before handing out advice on ethics to anyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    WmWordsworth
    United States3 years ago
  • Toms world walk

    Many thanks to Jason and Tom for the humble and rich conversations.

    Sharing the complex story of Toms walk in a very caring yet educational

    manner. Just awesome. Reading Toms own words in the book is next.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CLiebhardt
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback is mixed on pacing and presentation style, but overall positive about depth and variety of topics.
Audience appreciates practical tips and real-world applicability.
Insights are consistently travel- and storytelling-forward, with a strong ethical lens.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why the Best New Hotels of 2026 Aren’t All "New"
Q: What makes a hotel qualify as the best beyond just being new and beautiful?
The hotel must have a strong, tangible story that connects to its place, community, and landscape, not just hit list-worthy design; staff vetting and honest reporting are crucial to ensure the experience translates to readers.
Feel-Good Friday: An Ode to Obama, New London Museums, and a Hopeful Ocean Story
Q: What makes the London museum openings noteworthy for visitors this year?
The discussions cover how each museum emphasizes the process of ideas and creativity shaping global culture, with stores and multi-level spaces designed for immersive learning and hands-on experiences.
Feel-Good Friday: An Ode to Obama, New London Museums, and a Hopeful Ocean Story
Q: What exactly is the Obama Presidential Center and why is its location on Chicago's South Side significant?
Lucy explains that the center is designed to be more of a community and civic space than a traditional library, fully digitized to center public access and engagement, with the South Side being integral to the Obamas' story and memories.
He's Been Designing California's Outdoors for Decades. Here's What He's Learned.
Q: How do you approach projects like a winery in California to preserve a sense of place while making spaces for conversation and reflection?
The guests discuss a garden-forward approach that emphasizes seasonality, scaled intimate spaces, and a domestic sense of gathering, while drawing inspiration from local landscapes and historical contexts to make the experience feel uniquely Californian.
He's Been Designing California's Outdoors for Decades. Here's What He's Learned.
Q: How would you describe San Francisco now in terms of creativity or artistic expression?
He explains that the medium changes but the California mindset remains, with a focus on outdoor experiences year-round, the region's modernist roots, and a willingness to experiment with new forms like driverless cars as part of the landscape.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Unpacked by Afar

What is Unpacked by Afar about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on thoughtful travel storytelling with a focus on ethical choices, sustainable tourism, and practical travel insights. Episodes blend personal travel anecdotes, destination deep-dives, and industry-context discussions—often weaving in how destinations are experienced, planned, and seasoned with local perspectives. Branded sponsor reads are common, and guests span photographers, editors, architects, musicians, and travel-advisory experts, which gives listeners a well-rounded view of travel culture, design, and storytelling. A notable strength is its ability to pair aspirational travel with concrete takeaways (planning, responsible tourism, and unique local angles) suitable for curious, planning-minded travelers and industry... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Unpacked by Afar?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unpacked by Afar:

1. Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
2. Earsay: The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club
3. NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
4. To Catch a Thief: North Korea On Our Payroll
5. The Frommer's Travel Show

How many episodes of Unpacked by Afar are there?

Unpacked by Afar launched 4 years ago and published 181 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Unpacked by Afar?

Recent guests on Unpacked by Afar include:

1. Lucy Kehoe
2. Whitney Wara
3. Roc Gardner
4. Michelle Heimerman
5. Ellen Carpenter
6. Kathrine LaGrave
7. Joy (Grandma Joy)
8. Charles Davis

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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