Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story

• YOUR Adventure Tales from Greece, Paris, Disney, Chicago, and more!

  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 it’s how to make the most of Disney Vacation Club points, why rope drop might be your best friend, or which off-the-beaten-path spots will earn a permanent place on your bucket list, this episode is packed with practical tips wrapped in wanderlust. You’ll hear about unexpected gems, clever ways to stretch your travel budget, and the gear that makes every trip smoother. If your suitcase is already half-packed (mentally, at least), get ready for new ideas to add to your itinerary and a few “I need to try that!” moments. Consider this your boarding call for a whirlwind tour of travel tales you’ll want to steal for your own adventures. What You’ll Explore in This Episode: Hidden gems in Disney, Chicago, Paris, and Greece that deserve a spot on your map Disney park strategies—from rope drop at Epcot to navigating Hollywood Studios like a pro How to make the most of Disney Vacation Club points and other timeshare perks A little-known Greek beach that might just ruin you for all other shorelines Travel gear picks that earn their place in your carry-on every time Community stories packed with tips, laughs, and new travel inspiration Questions for the Adventurers’ Clubhouse: What’s the best hidden gem you’ve ever stumbled upon while traveling? If you had to pick only one—Disney, a European city, or a tropical island—which gets your suitcase? What’s your go-to piece of travel gear you’d never leave home without? For our gear of the day head to StackingAdventures.com/GOTD AND to be on our NEXT Adventurer's Tales episode, record your up-to-five minute story here: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

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• One Year of Stacking Adventures: The Highlights, the Laughs, and the Gear We Can't Travel Without

  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 Ireland to the magical streets of Disney World and the rugged trails of our national parks, we’ve shared the journey with you, our Adventurer community. We’ll swap stories about our most memorable stops, laugh about the surprises (bedbugs and airport bookstore “borrowing” included), and spotlight the listener tales that made us want to pack our bags all over again. Along the way, we’ll talk packing strategies that actually work, the value of travel reward programs that don’t collect dust, and the adventures you can find just a few steps outside your own front door. Whether you’ve been with us since episode one or you’re just discovering the Clubhouse, this anniversary episode is part travelogue, part gratitude letter, and part rallying cry for the adventures still to come. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Our top five travel moments and the lessons that came with them The listener stories that stole the show Why Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, and Disney World keep calling us back The power of point reward programs (when you actually use them) How to find adventure in your own hometown Why the right travel gear makes all the difference Questions to Bring to the Clubhouse What’s your own “top travel moment” from the past year? Have you ever had a trip saved (or ruined) by one piece of gear? Which place from our past year’s adventures would you most like to visit next? Our Gear of the Day Catalog is at StackingAdventures.com/gotd Join the show with YOUR story at StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

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• Affordable Lodging in Paris? It Can Be Done! (with travel author Caroline O'Connell)

  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, elevate your stay, and help you avoid the “too good to be true” listings. She shares the charm of Saint-Germain, why you should book directly with hotels, and how to time your trip to avoid crowds (and get better rates). And because romance is as much a part of Paris as croissants, we also explore jazz clubs, afternoon teas, and lazy cruises down the Seine. Whether you’re chasing a whirlwind weekend, a slow stroll through history, or the perfect spot for café people-watching, this episode delivers the insider knowledge Adventurers need to make their Paris trip unforgettable—and affordable. What You’ll Discover How to score budget-friendly stays without sacrificing charm or location The top neighborhoods for romance, convenience, and local flair Why booking directly (and early) with boutique hotels pays off Unique Paris experiences, from jazz clubs to river cruises, that won’t drain your wallet Street-smart tips for avoiding scams and making the most of your time in the city Questions for the Adventurer’s Clubhouse What’s your favorite “hidden gem” hotel or neighborhood in Paris? Would you rather spend your Paris budget on a luxury hotel room or unforgettable experiences? Have you ever booked a place that looked amazing online but turned out to be… less so? Our gear of the day helps you adventure better using ONLY items curated by us and our guests: https://stackingadventures.com/gotd Help us by telling YOUR Paris stories: https://stackingadventures.com/MyStory

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• Adventures Grounded in Pop Culture (a Top 5 episode!)

  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 forest, and imagining a stroll through the high-tech wonderland of Wakanda, this conversation is a globe-spanning mix of personal stories, live audience memories, and unexpected detours. You’ll hear how certain places leave a permanent mark—whether it’s sipping coffee in a real-life movie location or standing in a spot you’ve only seen in 8-bit graphics. And because every good adventure needs a twist, Crystal and Joe also share some surprising destinations they never expected to love, shout out audience favorites from around the world, and reveal how you could score a premium Adventures by Disney backpack by joining the Stacking Adventures Clubhouse. If you’ve ever found yourself adding “just one more” dream trip to your list after watching a movie or reading a book, you’ll feel right at home here. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: How movies, books, video games, and music can inspire real-world adventures The places Crystal and Joe have actually visited because of pop culture influences Unexpected travel experiences that changed their perspective Audience favorites—from Moroccan markets to Michigan’s Mystery Spot How to join the Stacking Adventures Clubhouse for exclusive perks and giveaways Questions for Fellow Adventurers: Which movie, book, or song has most inspired your travel bucket list? Have you ever visited a place just because it was in a TV show or film? Was it worth it? If you could live inside one fictional location for a week, where would it be? Share your answers on our call in line: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory Want to win a backpack? Join our Facebook group! On Facebook search for "Stacking Adventures Clubhouse" and you'll be automatically entered to win a sweet Adventures by Disney backpack.

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• Exploring the Colorado Trail with Darrow Kirkpatrick

  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 prepare your body for long-distance trekking, choose gear that works for you (not against you), and stay safe when wildlife or weather take an unexpected turn. You’ll also hear the story behind a near-moose encounter, what the Colorado Trail taught Darrow about resilience, and how his “Gear of the Day” pick could change the way you pack forever. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to choose lightweight gear without sacrificing comfort or safety Training strategies that prepare you for elevation, distance, and endurance challenges Smart ways to handle unpredictable weather in the mountains Essential gear for water purification on the trail How to navigate wildlife encounters with confidence and caution Packing tips that help you avoid overloading while still being ready for anything Why mental preparation is just as important as physical conditioning for long hikes An “adventure-approved” Gear of the Day you might not see coming You'll find Darrow's photos and more at TrailMemoir.com (specifically THIS LINK) You'll find Darrow's new Gear of the Day picks at StackingAdventures.com/GearOfTheDay Ready to tell YOUR hiking story? You'll have five minutes AND appear in a future episode at StackingAdventures.com/MyStory Join our growing Facebook community of nearly FIFTY adventurers! We're sharing tips, photos, and more! Here's the link.

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