How the experience of long-term travel changes (in good ways) as you get older

Deviate

How the experience of long-term travel changes (in good ways) as you get older

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“That’s part of the fun of travel. Methodically crossing items off a Bucket List is less exciting than reimagining things as you go. It makes your life’s journey part of an ongoing conversation rather than just a static list of things to be crossed off.” – Rolf Potts

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Jamin talk about how Rolf travels differently now that he’s married to Kiki, and how his relationship to home has transformed as well (2:00); how travel changes at different phases of one’s life, how travel shouldn’t be a competitive pursuit, and where Rolf has yet to travel (8:30); how The Vagabond’s Way has an older sensibility than Vagabonding, and what travel teaches you about fear and boredom (18:00); the travel metaphors embedded in The Odyssey, places Rolf might not return to, and what travel teaches you about faith traditions (27:00); good international places to begin journeys, and what a lifetime of travel can teach you about home (36:00).

Jamin Coller hosts the If I’m Really Honest podcast.

Notable Links:

• The Odyssey (2026 film)
• Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts (book)
• Hero’s journey (ancient narrative template)
• José Ortega y Gasset (Spanish philosopher)
• Richard Rohr (priest and spiritual writer)
• Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
• The Vagabond’s Way, by Rolf Potts (book)
• Desert Fathers (early Christian hermits and ascetics)
• The Entertainment System Is Down (upcoming moive)
• The Geography of Mourning, by Rolf Potts (essay)
• Syncretism (merged belief systems)
• Siberut (island near Sumatra)
• Trojan Horse (mythological war strategy)
• Nolan’s Odyssey Softens the Original Epic (article)
• Paris Writing Workshops (Rolf’s annual writing classes)
• Chiang Mai (city in Thailand)
• Arctic Circle Trail (hiking trail in Greenland)
• Zacatecas (region in Mexico)
• Adventurers’ Club of Los Angeles (private social club)

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.