Extraordinary Travel Festival III Update VI - Ian Ord - WSE & Justin Murphy - The Murph Foundation

Extraordinary Travel Festival III Update VI - Ian Ord - WSE & Justin Murphy - The Murph Foundation

Author: Ric Gazarian July 17, 2026 Duration: 59:38
✈️ ETF III Update #6: Bangkok 2026 Hey now! I am your host Ric Gazarian, and I am here with the sixth update for the Extraordinary Travel Festival (ETF III), happening October 22-25, 2026, in Bangkok. We have 4 amazing days of community, content, and exploration of Bangkok and beyond. Over 175 people have committed to joining ETF III — 25 additional people have joined since the last podcast just 4 weeks ago. Use code BANGKOK to join and save $100. 🎉 Community, Content & Exploration We will have amazing community and networking: lunches, coffees, a dinner, a party, a meetup, and the NomadMania Awards. We have amazing content, screening travel documentaries on Thursday with Thor Pedersen and Johnny Ward, and 30+ amazing speakers — from DPRK defector Eunhee Park, to motorcycle explorer Maral Yazarloo, to Michelle Cabrera, a 22-year-old adventurist. 🎙️ This Week's Guests: Ian Ord & Justin Murphy On today's episode, I am joined by two great ETF partners: Ian Ord of Where Sidewalks End and Justin Murphy of the Murph Foundation. Ian Ord and Where Sidewalks End joins for a third time as a virtual sponsor. Where Sidewalks End (WSE) was born through tragedy and healed via Sak Yant tattoos, a centuries-old tradition in Southeast Asia believed to provide mystical powers to their owners. WSE helps travelers participate in this tradition and receive one of these tattoos themselves. Use code ETF10. (10% off any WSE tour) One of the most electric festivals I've ever attended is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, held the weekend before ETF. WSE is hosting a three-night trip to this unique event, which unfolds over multiple days across shrines and processions throughout Phuket. It's difficult to describe — search for the festival online to see the images and videos. Use code ⁠ETFVEG. (20% off, only for this event, cannot be combined). Check out the experience here. WSE also creates memorable experiences in Oaxaca, Mexico. Ever dreamed of experiencing Day of the Dead? WSE offers multiple experiences built around this sacred tradition. I'm also pleased to introduce Justin Murphy of The Murph Foundation, a traveler who has dedicated his journeys to giving back and making a real impact. We cover several examples of his organization changing lives. Murph will also host a Network Session — an interactive conversation about giving back on the road. And on Monday, the day after ETF, we'll visit the Mercy Center, an organization that has served the needy in Thailand for 50 years. The Murph Foundation will be making a donation, and we invite you to join us. I was in Boston for both conversations, while Ian was in Oaxaca and Justin was in Seattle. Please listen in and enjoy.

The journey to visit every country on the map is a pursuit that defines a life, blending obsession, logistics, and profound personal discovery. Counting Countries, hosted by Ric Gazarian, explores this rarefied world through conversations with the travelers who are doing it. This isn't a typical travel podcast about tips or destinations; it's about the human stories behind the stamps. Each episode delves into the motivations, the decades-long itineraries, the close calls, and the unexpected moments of connection that happen along the way. Listeners hear firsthand accounts of what it truly costs-financially, emotionally, physically-to chase this singular goal. The podcast naturally examines the shifting definitions of travel and countryhood, the ethical considerations of crossing borders for a list, and the quiet reflections that come from a lifetime of movement. Gazarian guides these discussions with the insight of someone who understands the quest, creating a space for honest talk about an endeavor fewer people have completed than have gone to space. It’s about the texture of the world, one border at a time, and the unique perspective gained from seeing all of it. Tune in for intimate narratives that go far beyond passport counts, revealing the deeper meaning of a global life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Counting Countries
Podcast Episodes
Shagg Makino … Trading Train Tickets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:21
Shagg Makino Counting Countries has been to 169 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Shagg Makino. Shagg is a part-time resident of Bangkok, and we have me…
Avi Ivan … His Superpower [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:27
Avi Ivan Counting Countries has been to every 166 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Avi Ivan, who I just met at the TCC meeting in Hanoi. And when he de…
Dr Tim Astandu … Berhasil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:16
Dr Tim Astandu has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Tim Astandu. Tim and I have been in the same room three times in less t…
Jason Mayfield … Can't Is Not An Option [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:30
Jason Mayfield has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Mayfield. Jason was propelled into his travel life as a high school…
Mihai Dascalu … Plan B & C [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:05
Mihai Dascalu has been to 99 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mihai Dascalu. I met him at the ETF in Bangkok in 2024, and I am excited he is coming bac…
Sherri Donovan … Hugs From Old Mommas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:01
Sherri Donovan has been to 187 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sherri Donovan, a well-known member of the community. I was taken aback when Sherri sha…