Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story

• The Music Museums Worth Planning Your Road Trip Around

  Here's what most music lovers get wrong about road trips: they hit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and call it done, missing dozens of museums where music history is still alive, personal, and unexpected. Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Josephine Matyas and Craig Jones, co-authors of The Music Lovers' Guide to North America, who've spent decades visiting music museums across the continent—from world-famous institutions to tiny storefronts kept alive by passionate locals. They've got the insider stories about what makes each one special, which ones are worth the detour, and why some of the smallest museums pack the biggest emotional punch. From Chicago's blues archives to Detroit's Motown Museum, from Alabama's surprising music riches to Seattle's MoPOP celebrating grunge, Josephine and Craig reveal the museums that bring music history off the walls and into your heart. You'll hear about Minneapolis and the legacy of Prince, the studio musicians who shaped your favorite hits but never got famous, and why Craig's museum visit somehow ended with a pickup basketball game with Bob Seger. But here's the reality: many of these smaller museums are struggling. Visiting them isn't just about your experience—it's about keeping music history alive for the next generation. Whether you're planning a music pilgrimage or just want to add depth to your next road trip, this episode will completely reshape what you think belongs on your travel list. Crystal also shares her Gear of the Day—the one thing every music museum explorer should pack. What You'll Discover: • The music museums everyone knows (Rock Hall, Country Music Hall of Fame) and the lesser-known ones that rival them • Why Alabama is a surprise goldmine for music museums—and what makes them worth the trip • Seattle's MoPOP and how it brings the grunge era to life in unexpected ways • Minneapolis, Prince, and the music museums that honor his legacy • What makes Motown Museum in Detroit such an essential pilgrimage for music fans • Hidden museum gems in places like Floyd, Virginia and Indianola, Mississippi that most travelers miss • The unsung heroes of music: studio musicians whose work you know by heart but whose names you've never learned • How small-town music museums are fighting to survive—and why your visit matters more than you think This Episode Is For You If: • You've been to the big music museums but want to discover the ones that still feel like secrets • You love music history but want immersive experiences, not just glass cases and plaques • You're planning a road trip and want destinations that add story and soul to your journey • You want to support the passionate people keeping music history alive in small towns across North America • You believe the best museums are the ones where you feel something, not just see something Ready to Plan Your Music Museum Road Trip? Grab a copy of The Music Lovers' Guide to North America and start plotting your route - we'll have a link at our Gear of the Day page: StackingAdventures.com/GOTD. Then come back and tell us: what's the most memorable music museum you've ever visited? Drop it in the comments—we're building the ultimate music lover's travel list together.   

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• Maximize Your Travel Points: Expert Tips & Tricks

  Ready to turn your everyday spending into first-class experiences? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond, Joe Saul-Sehy, and Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez dig into the art (and a little science) of mastering travel points. Whether you're a seasoned jet-setter or just starting to explore the rewards world, this episode will help you stack your points like a pro—and actually use them for those dream vacations. From strategic credit card pairing to maximizing transfer bonuses, the trio dives into how to make every dollar work double-time. You'll learn how to build flexible reward strategies, avoid common mistakes that waste miles, and understand when loyalty programs are worth the effort (and when they're not). Along the way, expect personal travel stories, a few point-hoarding confessions, and plenty of practical advice you can start using before your next trip. Of course, it wouldn't be a true Stacking Adventures episode without some road-trip banter, a gear reveal, and a reminder that travel hacking isn't just for the wealthy—it's for anyone who loves to explore without emptying their wallet. What You'll Learn ✈️ Smart Stacking: How to layer credit cards, loyalty programs, and travel portals for maximum rewards. 💳 Card Strategy 101: Picking the right mix of cards that match your travel goals and lifestyle. 🧭 Flexible Rewards: Why transferable points often beat fixed airline or hotel programs. ⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid: How to keep your points from expiring—or your rewards from losing value. 🏨 Pro Travel Tips: Making the most of upgrades, lounge access, and elite status (without the snobbery). Perfect for Adventurers Who… Want to travel more and spend less doing it. Love swapping travel stories and clever money moves. Are curious how to turn credit card perks into real-world adventures. Believe the best souvenirs are memories—preferably earned in business class.

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• Haunted Alexandria: A Ghost Tour That's Actually Worth Your Time (And Money)

  Ever wondered if ghost tours are actually fun, or just touristy gimmicks that sound better on Instagram than in real life? Crystal Hammond just got back from a ghost tour through Alexandria, Virginia with U.S. Ghost Adventures, and she's got answers. Spoiler: this one's worth the price of admission—especially if you like your history served with a side of haunted pub crawl. From the allegedly haunted Gatsby Hotel to the centuries-old Carlisle House, Crystal walks you through cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and the kind of local stories that make you wonder if that cold breeze was just October air... or something else. And because this is Crystal, the evening includes stops at some of Alexandria's best bars—O'Connell's Irish Bar, Union Street Pub—where the spirits come in more than one variety. But this isn't just ghost stories and good beer (though there's plenty of both). Crystal breaks down what makes a walking tour worth your time and money, shares her secret weapon for capturing travel moments without lugging around a DSLR, and gives you the insider tips that turn a tourist activity into a genuine local experience. Whether you're planning a fall getaway, looking for unique date ideas, or just wondering if ghost tours are your thing, Crystal's got the honest review you need. What You'll Take With You: • The real deal on ghost tours: what makes them worth it (and what to watch out for) • Crystal's favorite haunted stops in Alexandria—and the stories that'll stick with you • How to turn a walking tour into a full evening experience (hint: strategic pub stops) • Her go-to travel camera for capturing moments without the bulk: the Insta360 Go • Why sometimes the best travel adventures are the ones that feel a little silly... until they don't This Episode Is For You If: • You've been curious about ghost tours but weren't sure if they're cheesy or actually cool • You love history but want it served with personality (and maybe a cocktail) • You're looking for fall travel ideas that aren't just "look at leaves" • You want honest travel reviews  • You believe the best trips are the ones where you laugh, learn, and maybe get a little spooked Tell us YOUR favorite ghost story travel adventure: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory Check out our curated selection of travel gear: StackingAdventures.com/GearOfTheDay Thank you to US Ghost Adventures for inviting Crystal to try out a tour. You'll find them at USGhostAdventures.com

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• How They Road-Tripped for 26 Days Without Going Broke

  What if the trip you've been dreaming about doesn't have to wait until retirement—or cost a fortune? Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with road-trippers Miranda and Jason, who just wrapped a 26-day adventure from Idaho to Oregon. Hot springs. Star-filled skies. A night in a giant flowerpot Airbnb (yes, really). And the best part? They didn't come home broke. Miranda and Jason break down exactly how they made it work: credit card points, camping hacks, and the art of saying "yes" to spontaneity without blowing the budget. Because here's the thing—adventure doesn't require endless cash. It requires courage, creativity, and knowing where to splurge and where to save. This episode isn't just a highlight reel of epic stops (though Crater Lake and Boise's Pride Festival definitely make appearances). It's about what happens when you prioritize experiences over perfection, unplug from the noise, and rediscover why you wanted to explore in the first place. Whether you're planning your own cross-country trip or just daydreaming about one, you'll walk away with the roadmap—and the permission slip—to finally go. What You'll Take With You: The exact strategy Miranda and Jason used to fund 26 days on the road (points, perks, and smart camping) How to balance spontaneity with a budget that won't give you anxiety at the gas pump Hidden gems and unforgettable stops from Craters of the Moon to the Oregon coast Why unplugging (even for a few days) might be the best investment you make this year Proof that you don't need fancy hotels or a perfect plan to have the trip of a lifetime Before You Hit Play, Ask Yourself: What trip have you been putting off because you think you can't afford it—or don't have the time? What if the real problem isn't money or schedules... it's just giving yourself permission to go? Got a road trip story or a dream destination? Drop it in the comments—we want to hear where you're headed next. For our gear of the day pic head to StackingAdventures.com/GOTD Tell us your story! Head to StackingAdventures.com/MyStory with YOUR road trip adventure!

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• Money Geeks Share GREAT Travel Tips (LIVE From FinCon!)

  Imagine if you went to a place where people knew how to save money AND also to have fun? How about if those same people LOVED dishing out advice? Crystal and Joe attended FinCon, a financial media creator's conference in Portland, Oregon, and Crystal shoved her microphone in the faces of some of the TOP money people at the event. Luckily, they all loved it AND shared some incredible gems. From reward stacking to where to stay in the hotel, and from visas to food, we cover everything so that you're ready for your next adventure. Find our Gear of the Day at stackingadventures.com/GOTD Join the show yourself by sharing a story! You'll have five minutes to tell it by going to stackingadventures.com/MyStory

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