Travel Tales with Mike Siegel

Henry Saxby

11 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

All aboard the Emerald Princess cruise ship as Mike sits down with Australian piano man Henry Saxby to discuss the finer points of life on th...

Rachel Brill

28 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

TV exec. Rachel Brill knows how to make the most of a layoff. After getting her pink slip she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, which set he...

Christy Stratton

14 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

TV writer and fellow Rock Solid co-host Christy Stratton joins to tell all about her native Texas, trips to Europe, and flying with a vomitin...

Spencer Spellman

31 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Traveler and food & drink expert Spencer Spellman (WhiskeyTangoGlobetrot.com) shares how he got from small town North Carolina kid to worldwi...

Graham Elwood

17 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

First Travel Tales guest ever, Comedian, Filmmaker and podcast ambassador Graham Elwood joins us in the Travel Tales studio to talk about his...

Laura Grier

03 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Photographer Laura Grier shares Tales of shooting exotic weddings in far-reaching places around the world, and growing up with parents in the...

Andrew Tyree

19 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Tyree started his own business, Coast to Costa, where he leads tours through Spain, Cuba, and Mexico. He stopped by the studio to exp...

Lisa Curry

05 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Lisa Curry talks about running with the bulls in Spain, scuba diving in Asia, and more! Mentioned in this episode:Check out th...

Trish Suhr

22 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian/TV host (Clean House) Trish Suhr shares stories of her journey from small-town Kentucky to Hollywood. She also has great Tales of be...

Jim Pickell

14 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The president of HomeExchange.com stops by to talk about his company and a new way to travel in today's shared economy. Mentioned in th...

Lucas Cardholm

01 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Before heading to the Stockholm Airport, Mike sat down with his generous host Lucas Cardholm to talk about living life in Sweden. Menti...

Erin Cahill

17 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Prolific actor Erin Cahill just joined her musician boyfriend on his tour of Europe and the east coast, and recounts her recent trips to Afri...

Kristin Herold

03 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Actress/TV Host Kristin Herold joins us to chat about her recent trip to Staniel Cay in the Bahamas, and give us tips on which are her favor...

Lisa Alvarado

18 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Lisa Alvarado stops by to discuss the six weeks she recently spent in Mexico to shore up her Spanish skills. Ole'! Mentioned i...

Pat Francis

06 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Longtime friend and host of the Rock Solid Podcast, Pat Francis joins us to talk about his recent trips to Rome, Dublin and London, and how h...

Steve Benaquist

20 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian/writer Steve Benaquist shares Travel tales of his two-week trip to Cuba with his girlfriend. Mentioned in this episode:Check o...

Joe Miragliotta

09 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Miragliotta, the man behind the popular JoesDaily.com lifestyle website, stops by to talk about his travels as a style influencer and the...

Tony Dimond

25 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

TV producer Tony Dimond Shares Tales of his travels for HGTV's Island Hunters. He also talks about his early days doing standup on the road,...

Jahnavi Goldstein

12 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Lawyer Jahnavi Goldsteing makes her 2nd appearance on Travel Tales, and she's got a doozy of a Tale: during her last trip to Bali she contac...

James Lawrence

28 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Lifestyle journalist James Lawrence specializes in wine, restaurants and travel - a great way to live! The London-based Lawrence was one of t...

Jeff Pelletier

26 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

BONUS EPISODE! All aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train! Celebrating its 25th anniversary, The Rocky Mountaineer invited members of the media i...

Lisa Ellen Niver

11 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Writer, teacher, scuba diver, blogger and founder of the We Said Go Travel website Lisa Ellen Niver (as in diver) joins us in the studio for ...

James Fell

28 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

James Fell saw photos of himself over 20 years ago and didn't like what he saw. He decided to lose weight before proposing to his girlfriend,...

Josh Johnson

13 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Video producer/storyteller Josh Johnson is a seeker of new experiences, new lands, and new hallucinogens.  Mentioned in this episode:C...

Tom Rhodes

30 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

No comedian has parlayed comedy into more worldwide travel than Tom Rhodes. He's hosted a late night talk show in Amsterdam, and performed co...

Jessica Howard

16 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

LA native Jessica Howard works as an expert in education. Her last vacation with friends was also a chance for her to fulfill a dream of expe...

David "Reaper" Justin

02 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

David "Reaper" Justin came by his fearsome moniker as a tactical expert and crack shot on the professional paintball circuit. Justin honed hi...

John Bizarre

17 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Back in '94, John Bizarre quit a successful stand-up and acting career in LA to move to Amsterdam, drive a pedicab, and smoke a lot of weed. ...

Jessica Bendinger

02 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Hollywood screenwriter Jessica Bendinger shares Tales of traveling through Asia and her younger days as a model living in Europe. Ment...

Lee Abbamonte

20 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Some people are well-traveled, and then there's Lee Abbamonte. By the ripe old age of 32, Lee became the youngest American to visit every cou...

Rosie Tran

06 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

An American-born child of Vietnamese immigrants, Rosie's parents met in the thriving expat community in the Crescent City. It may seem like...

2014 Year in Review

24 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Highlights from Travel Tales guests and a wrap-up from a great year of travel.  Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel P...

Flight Attendant Gretchen

08 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We all have questions about flying, and Gretchen (not her real name) is here to answer them.  Mentioned in this episode:Check out the ...

Yoshi Obayashi

24 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Yoshi Obayashi grew up with Japanese and Korean parents in Japan and emigrated to the US as a boy. He adopted a love of many thing...

Robert Peters

13 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

You may recognize Robert Peters as an actor in numerous films and commercials, but he's also a writer/director whose films have played in fes...

Lesley Nagy

30 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Lifestyle and entertainment editor for Travelzoo.com Lesley Nagy stops by the studio to talk about her love of travel and her sweet gig. ...

Kathy Bianchi

14 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Small-town Illinois gal finds her fortune flipping real estate in London and Mexico. Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Trav...

Rachel Rudwall

29 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Rudwall has traveled a lot for her job as a reality TV producer, mostly to Alaska (Ice Road Truckers, Deadliest Catch) and for her own...

J. Keith Van Straaten

15 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Actor/comedian utilizes frequent flyer programs and low fares to see the world. Latest travels have been to Easter Island, Peru, Spain, Nepa...

Amy Daniels

02 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Daniels just came down from hiking the John Muir Trail to share Tales of her time spent in China, the Peace Corps in Ukraine, Mt. Everest...

Amsi Hernandez

19 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

Laura Kiniry

05 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Want to be a travel writer, or ever wonder how someone becomes one? Laura Kiniry tells her story about traveling the world and getting paid f...

Alex Robinson

23 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Photographer/travel writer Alex Robinson splits his time between his native England and his adopted home of Brazil. And has the jungle kidnap...

Paul Bradbury

08 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Blogger Paul Bradbury visited over 90 countries before he was 30, and now lives on the Croatian island of Hvar.  Amazing life and amazing Tr...

Matt Knudsen

23 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A young man spends what would have been his college years working on cargo ships around the world. Mentioned in this episode:Check out ...

Jamie Kaler

09 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The actor/comedian got his first taste of world travel when he signed up for a hitch in the U.S. Navy.   Mentioned in this episode:Ch...

Jahnavi Goldstein

27 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

From a Hare Krishna daughter to a comedian / lawyer, Jahnavi has traveled and seen the world from all sides. Mentioned in this episode...

Phyllis Katz

13 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Off to India for a new hip and a new way of thinking. Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is s...

Bradley Dobler and Bertha Villalobos

15 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A whirlwind press tour through Bangkok and beyond combines yours truly with a travel writer and a Muay Thai  boxer. Mentioned in this ...

Mike Dwyer

02 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A private jet pilot sees the world while transporting the rich and famous. Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel Podcast...

Matt Harris

20 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A TV writer/producer reflects on a teenage life spent  living in Asia and Venezuala. Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Tra...

Karin Jones

05 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A NY native finds a career helping others discover her beloved Africa. Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis...

Michele Mahone

17 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The Kentucky native and TV host/comedian talks about her days spent working for Australian television and how she earned the nickname "Wrong-...

Eric Rosen

03 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Rosen from The Points Guy website drops in to talk about maximizing your rewards points and miles, and his life in the travel biz.  ...

Mary Anne Been

27 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Editor-In-Chief of travel site JetsetExtra.com Mary Anne Been stops in to give us the lowdown on travel media, seeing the world, and more! ...

Julie Andersen

13 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A succesful P.R. exec gives up her career to form a non-profit dedicated to saving the world's endangered sharks. Mentioned in this epi...

Lauren Marke

30 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Lauren Marke is not your everyday attorney. Here she discusses her climbs of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Everest base camp, and some of her other tr...

Andy Wood

16 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

A solo surf trip to Nicaragua leads a  comedian down some unexpected paths. Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel Podca...

Jonathan Taylor

03 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathon's career as a camera assistant, along with his passion for travel, has taken him around the world. Mentioned in this episode:C...

Christine Blackburn

18 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

The actress/comedian shares Tales of working as a flight attendant before joining the Peace Corps. Fasten your seat belts! Mentioned in...

LA Podfest part 2

04 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Comedians Wayne Federman, Jackie Kashian, and Murray Valeriano join us backstage at LA Podcast Festival to share some Travel Tales! Men...

LA Podcast Festival 1

28 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Benaquist, Chris Mancini, and Matt Knudsen sit down with Mike backstage at the 2013 LA Podcast Festival to talk Travel.  Mention...

Lauren DiMarco

15 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Creater if the travel website Lola's Travels, Lauren Dimarco sits down to share her Travel Tales! Mentioned in this episode:Check out t...

Mehera Blum

01 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Multiple trips to Asia were enough to send an actress on an entirely new career path. Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Tra...

Bruno Trapan

19 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

The winemaker welcomed Travel Tales to Croatia with open arms - and open bottles. Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel ...

Sara Dodson

05 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

Chris Fairbanks

07 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

Laurenne Sala

06 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

From childhood in suburban Chicago to leading travelers through the Amazon, this writer has come a long way, baby. Mentioned in this ep...

Murray Valeriano

03 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

Christina Myers

29 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

ep. 29 April Richardson

24 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

ep. 78 Russ McGarry

18 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

Tanya Memme

10 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

The star of A&E's "Sell This House - Extreme" shares Tales of life on the road, both on and off-camera. Travel Tales is pleased to welcome l...

ep. 77 Mark Parton

26 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

A love of wine drove this Chicago native to relocate to the West Coast, then seek out the finest grapes in Europe and South America. Some of ...

New site announcement!

20 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Travel Tales Podcast version 2.0! Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported ...

ep. 76 Iris Braydon

15 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

The actor (not actress!) shares how her travel experiences have shaped her life and profession. They say every actor draws on life experienc...

ep. 75 Adam Gropman

25 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what life on an Israeli kibbutz is like? Do you even know what the heck a kibbutz is? This episode's guest, comedian/writer Adam...

ep. 74 Darin Dusan

09 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Is film producer Darin Dusan's life story more interesting than yours? Probably. Darin has lived many lives since leaving small-town Iowa so...

ep. 73 Ashley Colburn

26 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

How did a nice San Diego girl end up a TV star in Croatia? We find out as we're joined by TV host/producer Ashley Colburn, who saw her brothe...

ep. 72 Melanie Wynne Waldman

11 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Melanie Wynne Waldman may have three names but her travel website is all about two's. Melanie started Travels with Two to urge couples to get...

ep. 71 Jason McAnear

28 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of people say they're going to chuck it all and move to a tropical island, but very few have the stones to do it. Jason McAnear possess...

ep. 70 Matt Bannister

13 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Ahoy, Mates! All aboard The Rock Boat! What's the Rock Boat, you say? It's a floating 5-day rock festival with over 30 bands playing multiple...

ep. 69 Taryn Sammons

19 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Taryn Sammons is a small woman with a big title: Social Media and Media Relations Manager for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visit...

ep. 68 The Cranky Flier

25 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Brett Snyder has a thing for air travel. While most kids were building tree houses and playing Little League, Brett was collecting flight sch...

ep. 67 Voyage Vixens

18 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsay Taub and Lanee Lee met as travel writers on a press trip. They decided to join forces to create their own travel/lifestyle website, a...

ep. 66 Justin Rosenfeld

09 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

The TV producer dropped everything to travel around the world for a year. Our kind of guy! Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smar...

ep. 65 Nick King

03 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Australian filmmaker/cameraman Nick King joins us to share his Travel Tales! Nick recently shot a film project that took him from the North P...

ep. 64 Kiersten Rich

20 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Kiersten Rich got her business degree and took a job in the big city of Los Angeles. All was going to plan, but like so many of us, she heard...

ep. 63 Melissa Curtin

12 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The travel writer stops by to tell us about her favorite locales around the world Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel ...

ep. 62 Johnny Jet

04 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The man behind the popular website JohnnyJet.com shares the Tales of how he became travel blog royalty. Johnny Jet is living the dream. In t...

ep. 61 Marla Bautista

28 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The TV producer dishes dirt on her native Philippines and getting robbed in Barcelona! Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Tr...

ep. 60 Matt Kirshen pt. 2

20 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

More with our favorite worldly English comic! Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported...

ep. 59 Matt Kirshen pt. 1

14 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The English comedian shares Tales of his life in the US and across the pond.  Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel Pod...

ep. 57 Vicky Taylor

02 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded in London with our favorite Brit! Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by...

Ep. 56 Dara McGarry

24 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Talkin ' England with Dara McGarry! Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the ne...

ep. 55 Jessica Nahmias

17 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Around the world with TV producer Jessica Nahmias! Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supp...

ep. 54 Stamie Karakasides

11 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

ep. 53 Laura House

04 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

ep. 52 Sandy Clabaugh

27 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...

ep. 51 Becky Pedigo

19 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — a...