Your Travel Bestie Kat

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, Jesse shares his unforgettable 10-day solo journey through Sydney and Cairns, packed with adventure, wildlife encounters, incredible food, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

We dive into:

• Scuba diving and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

• Close encounters with colorful stingrays, kangaroos, koalas, and dingoes

• The magic of Sydney's Vivid Festival and Opera House district

• Austr...

In Part 2 of my conversation with world traveler and leadership coach Pam Leinmiller, we dive deeper into the life-changing experiences that come from seeing the world through a different lens.

Pam shares unforgettable stories from Antarctica, India, and other incredible destinations that challenged her assumptions and expanded her perspective.

In this episode:

• What Antarctica...

In Part 1 of this inspiring conversation, professional speaker, leadership expert, and world traveler Pam Leinmiller joins Your Travel Bestie Kat to share her incredible journey across all seven continents.

Pam takes us behind the scenes of one of the hardest challenges she's ever faced—climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. From altitude sickness and preparation to mental resilience and teamwork, she shares what it really takes to rea...

Welcome back to Your Travel Bestie Kat!

Picture this: You're excited for your dream vacation, bags are packed, and then... flight delays happen. That's exactly how our Viking River Cruise adventure began. We lost our entire first day in Amsterdam and had excursions already booked.

Was the trip ruined? Absolutely not.

In this episode, I'm sharing the travel lesson that saved our vacation: why building a relationship with your tra...

What happens when a professional dirt bike racer trades the starting gate for a coffee shop?

This week on Your Travel Bestie Kat, I sit down with former pro dirt bike rider Andrew Ingram to talk about the adventures that shaped his life, the lessons learned from racing across the country, and his newest venture, Reef Coffee in Farragut, Tennessee.

We dive into how travel broadened his perspective, the challenges of transitioning ...

Have you ever returned from an incredible vacation only to realize you barely have any photos with everyone actually in them? In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I'm sharing why I believe a professional vacation photoshoot is one of the best investments you can make while traveling.

We'll talk about why hiring a local photographer lets you be fully present in the moment, creates timeless keepsakes you'll treasure for years,...

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to stay on a European river cruise? In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I'm taking you aboard the Viking Kara for a tour of Cabin 216.

I'll share what surprised me about the stateroom, the thoughtful Scandinavian-inspired design, the clever use of space, and why river cruising offers such a different experience from larger ocean cruises. We'll also talk about what you can expect ...

What happens when a simple travel idea turns into a life-changing adventure?

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, Kat sits down with Hanna, Rachel, and Carlos to relive their unforgettable journey through Morocco. From navigating bustling markets and exploring the ancient streets of Fez to riding camels into the Sahara Desert, this conversation is packed with honest insights, surprising discoveries, and plenty of laughs.

Th...

Welcome to Day 1 of my Viking River Cruise adventure!

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I'm taking you along as our European river cruise begins in beautiful Amsterdam. From kicking off the trip with a professional photo shoot to learning how to make authentic Dutch waffles, every moment set the tone for an unforgettable journey.

We'll also head to the iconic A'DAM Tower for incredible views over the city before wrapping...

Disney Travel Tips, Family Vacations & Hidden Gems with Jillian Shults

Part 2 with former Disney Cast Member and travel advisor Jillian Shults is packed with practical Disney tips, family travel advice, and some HOT takes on what’s actually worth the splurge at Disney.

We’re talking:

🏰 Best Disney resorts for families

🍌 Most underrated Disney snack

🎢 Favorite rides and Disney cruise opinions

💸 What’s wor...

Ever wondered what it’s REALLY like being a Disney Cast Member?

This week on Your Travel Bestie Kat, I’m joined by former Disney Cast Member and travel advisor Jillian Shults to talk behind-the-scenes Disney magic, customer service lessons, and why planning Disney vacations has become more complicated than ever.

We chat about: ✨ Working at Disney...

What happens when luxury hospitality meets fantasy storytelling? 

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I sit down with Melissa Blettner, CEO of Ancient Lore Village, to talk about creating immersive guest experiences, leading with heart, entrepreneurship, and why travelers are craving meaningful connection more than ever.

We dive into:

Building a one-of-a-kind destination experience

Luxury hospitality trends

Leadershi...

This week on Your Travel Bestie Kat, I’m joined by Arlene Stearns, founder of Image Up System, to talk all things confidence, personal branding, travel style, and showing up like the powerful woman you already are.

We dive into:

Why image impacts opportunity

Style mistakes entrepreneurs make

Packing tips for business and leisure travel

Confidence transformations she’s witnessed

Fashion disasters, airport style & r...

Part 2 gets FUN. 🚢🥓🌴

Robin Haffer is back on Your Travel Bestie Kat and this episode is packed with cruise stories, travel laughs, Belize adventures, Virgin Voyages talk, and somehow… bacon becomes part of the conversation too. 😂

From favorite cruise experiences to what makes Virgin Voyages different, Robin shares his thoughts on travel, food, relaxing at sea, and the destinations that keep calling him back. If you lov...

What’s it like moving from Germany 🇩🇪 to Las Vegas 🇺🇸 as a teenager and starting over in a completely different world?

In Part 1 of this episode of *Your Travel Bestie Kat*, Robin Haffer shares his journey as a 15-year-old immigrant adjusting to American culture, navigating culture shock, and discovering when the United States finally started to feel like home. From hilarious differences between Germany and America to he...

The countdown is ON… and so is the chaos 😅✈️

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, we’re diving into the emotional rollercoaster that is the 7 days before vacation. From the delusional “I have plenty of time” phase to the last-minute packing panic at 10pm… you know exactly what I’m talking about.

We’re covering:

The week-before-vacation spiral we all pretend we don’t have

W...

Packing for a trip with teens and tweens?

Yeah… good luck with that 😂

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, we’re talking about the fine line between giving your kids independence… and making sure they actually pack what they need (like underwear… because apparently that’s optional now??).

From the “independence illusion” to the silent suitcase check 👀, I’m sharing real-li...

What do plumbing and travel have in common? More than you think 👀✈️

In this episode of *Your Travel Bestie Kat*, I’m joined by Abi Wilson of Friendly Neighborhood Plumber to talk about what it really looks like to build a successful business from the ground up—without losing your life in the process.

We’re diving into the real behind-the-scenes of entrepreneurship: the hustle, the systems, and the shift from wo...