Zero To Travel Podcast Curiosity As Your Travel Guide + Exploring Overlooked Destinations with John McKenzie
Jan 27, 2026
John McKenzie, a long-time traveler who curates curiosity-driven trips and contributes to National Geographic, discusses travel led by wonder. He talks about treating curiosity like a muscle. He explores overlooked and misunderstood places, why reputation and reality differ, and how community and flexible planning enable meaningful, daring journeys.
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Choosing Somaliland And Mogadishu
- John traveled to Somaliland and Mogadishu despite reputations of danger after doing research and connecting with extreme-travel communities.
- He accepted measurable risk and found the experience manageable and informative.
Community Makes Extreme Travel Accessible
- Community normalizes ambitious travel goals and supplies timely, on-the-ground knowledge.
- John credits meeting other travelers with making previously intimidating destinations feel accessible.
Surprising Charm Of Eritrea
- John found Eritrea unexpectedly pleasant with Italian-era cafes and good food despite its intimidating reputation.
- Lack of internet felt like a pro, enabling slower, more local interactions.