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
Peter Fenger … The Milk Run [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Jenna Pava … #FOMO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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We Married Adventure … All Shawarma Visits Count [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Sam Goodwin … Ice Rink Up The Escalator [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Sam Goodwin has traveled to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. This conversation was a long time in the making. In fact, this interview was originally scheduled in 2020. But as we say, bett…
Vance ... My Latin Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Sandy Cohen … A Different World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:41
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Pav Mbeda … Go Big Or Go Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Pav Mbeda has traveled to 106 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. We are back with the second episode of 2025. I hope your travels are off to a good start. Today, I am happy to share this conversation with P…