Friends Along The Way

This week, I take you with me from Northern Italy across the Alps into Austria, where I explored Innsbruck’s fairytale mountains and Salzburg’s musical magic. From Red Bull history to Swarovski crystals, café culture, cooking classes, and a traditional festival I stumbled into—I’m sharing it all.

If you love slow travel, mountain views, and European charm, this episode is for you.

This week on Friends Along the Way, Bethany talks with Natalie, who lived in India and shares what life abroad is truly like — the travel, the community, and the perspective that comes from stepping into a new culture. For anyone thinking about moving overseas, this episode is a must-listen.

Bethany reconnects with her friend Michelle, who moved from Germany to the U.S. at just 16 years old as a foreign exchange student. They talk about what it was like to experience a new culture, the differences between Europe and America, and how that year abroad shaped who she is today.

Cristal joins Bethany to share how travel has deepened her faith and sense of gratitude. From her annual best-friend trips with her roommate Kiley to moments of awe in new places, she reflects on seeing God’s hand in every destination. This episode is a reminder to pause, take it in, and recognize the grace woven into every journey.

Bethany sits down with her friend Sara, whose adventures span from studying abroad in Spain to exploring hidden corners of Europe. Together, they share stories of almost crossing paths overseas and how travel creates lifelong friendships, perspective, and those magical “small world” moments that remind us how connected we really are.

In this episode, Bethany looks back on her time in Canada — the trip that inspired Friends Along the Way. From meaningful conversations at Café Olimpico to the chance encounters that felt like fate, she shares how travel often brings the right people into your life at just the right time.

In this episode, Gabby reflects on her time living in Mexico — and how its slower rhythm and close-knit community changed her outlook on life. We talk about the differences between Mexican and American culture, what small-town living taught her, and how she’s finding her way back to what truly feels like home.

Meet Megan — high-energy, hilarious, and unapologetically herself. From working at Tommy Bahama in Hawaii just for fun to getting proposed to in Italy, her adventures are full of laughter and lessons in living boldly. This episode is a reminder to say yes to joy, spontaneity, and every wild story life throws your way.

Odalys shares how her passion for languages has taken her beyond classrooms and into new cultures. From learning multiple languages to dreaming of living abroad, her story is a celebration of curiosity, connection, and courage to explore. Perfect for anyone who’s ever wanted to see the world through a new lens.

Bethany sits down with her first-ever EF Ultimate Break travel buddy, Briteny, to talk about the magic of group travel and the friendships that make every trip unforgettable. From skincare hacks for long flights to the adventures still on her horizon, this episode is packed with laughs, stories, and travel inspiration for women who love to explore.

From London’s energy to Paris’s magic and Amsterdam’s charm, Bethany shares stories from her first solo trip through Europe with EF Ultimate Break. You’ll hear about the highs, cultural quirks, and funny moments that made this trip unforgettable — and what she learned about herself along the way.

Stephanie’s story begins with a leap of faith — moving abroad at 21 and discovering a new world in Jordan. In this episode, we talk about culture, courage, and the joy of saying yes to what scares you. Her journey is a beautiful reminder that exploration starts when we step outside our comfort zone.

After a difficult breakup, Reyna decided to travel solo — a decision that changed everything. What began as a way to heal became a journey of courage, laughter, and connection. From navigating unfamiliar places to meeting strangers who became friends, her story is a beautiful reminder that the world feels smaller when we open ourselves to it.

What started as work trips became opportunities for discovery. Melissa shares how she’s visited 40 countries, blending career with curiosity, and finding joy in every destination. This episode is all about turning everyday moments into lifelong adventures.

From Nigeria to the UK and back — and now in Montreal — Farouk’s story is one of courage, connection, and self-discovery. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of starting over, the lessons learned along the way, and the beauty of building a new life abroad.

In this first episode of Friends Along the Way, host Bethany shares how childhood trips in Wisconsin sparked her love for travel — and how solo adventures around the globe built her confidence and independence. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the world on your own, this episode will inspire you to say yes to the journey.