Riza Rasco … Embedding While Traveling

Riza Rasco … Embedding While Traveling

Author: Ric Gazarian March 15, 2023 Duration: 2:22:17
Riza Rasco has traveled to 192 countries Riza Rasco is a well-known person in the extreme travel community. And I have crossed paths with her twice, once for breakfast in the North End of Boston and for the multi-day Extraordinary Travel Festival in Armenia. She is a prolific and immersive traveler who is only one country away from completing her quest. Riza shares so many experiences yet this podcast could have been double the time since there was so much to discuss. Riza shares some very personal moments from her life and how travel began to dominate. She shares her philosophy of travel, which should be more than taking selfies and checking boxes, but how you can give back to the community. This is a reminder that I am partnering with SafetyWing, a travel insurance company. I have been using them personally for over 2 years. And yes, there are a couple of reasons why … let me highlight a couple of the features. First, you can purchase insurance while you are already on the go. Some insurance products force you to sign up before you leave on your trip. Second, you only have to share your initial country on your trip. Many of my trips are open-ended when it comes to the agenda. I don't have to worry about forgetting to update SafetyWing. They've got me covered. Third, most countries are covered. Exceptions are Cuba, Iran, DPRK, Syria, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Everywhere from Mogadishu to Tripoli is covered. And fourth, you do not have to declare a dollar value for the trip. Many providers force you specify the cost of your trip. Most times I have no idea how much my trip will cost. To me, this insurance is fire and forgot. It will renew every month or you can set an end date. But compared to many of the other products out there, this one to me is the most flexible. So, take a moment, check out SafetyWing, and click on the link to sign up for your next trip. https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=Counting-Countries&utm_source=Counting-Countries&utm_medium=Ambassador I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Lucy Shoe, Phillip Jones, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, Thor Pedersen, Adam Hickman, Katelyn Jarvis, Ed Hotchkiss, and Barry Hoffner for supporting this podcast. They help pay for the production of this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons hear extra content with Riza that you will not hear. It is also time to recognize three more patrons. Sunir Joshi, Gintaute Liutkeviciute (so sorry for butchering your name), and Philippe Izedian. Our Chasing 193 community is fascinating how it is changed and grown over the years. Sunir and I have been corresponding for three years talking about travel. Sunir has changed his entire life in regard to work to pursue his dream of Chasing 193. Philippe is a fascinating guy, still at university but so well traveled. For those who read my blog, GlobalGaz, you might know I enjoy writing an end of the year review. I encourage you to check out Philippe's year end review. Impressive! You can also support Counting Countries by writing a review or sharing this podcast with a travel lover. These reviews were written a while ago but I just noted them. Thanks guys for the review. Excellent Podcast I love your interviews of very interesting travel stories that make me to want to travel more around the world. Thank you - DallasTX7 Great podcast Inspiring travel stories. Look forward to each episode. - divebookreader And there is a lot of updates for this podcast. This is a special announcement before we return to my conversation with Riza.. I am excited to announce a special conversation with two of the best known and best traveled individuals, Harry Mitsidis and Charles Veley, both former guests. Harry is known as the founder of NomadMania and Charles is the founder of Most Travel People. I will be hosting a conversation with these two travel legends on March 25 at 1700 GMT. Want to stay in the loop, click on the link in the podcast notes and share your email so we can follow up with viewing instructions. LIVE chat with Ric Gazarian (mailerlite.com) I was in Boston for this recording while Riza was in the Philippines. Please listen in and enjoy. Thank you to my Patrons …. Barry Hoffner, Ed Hotchkiss, Katelyn Jarvis, Lucy Shoe, Phillip Jones, Thor Pedersen, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Sunir Joshi, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Philippe Izedian & Dale Wursten. Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel!

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: 166

Counting Countries
Podcast Episodes
Pav Mbeda … Go Big Or Go Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:10
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…
Yooshita Fathi … Breaking Stereotypes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:01
Yooshita has traveled to 108 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. A giant Happy New Year to all of you country counters! We are back today with a new episode after a small break. Over the past year, you've li…
The Maverick Show ... Hosted By Matt Bowles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:45
Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Well not really. Today I am sharing an interview of me hosted by Matt Bowles who hosts the Maverick Show Podcast. Matt and I had great conversation and wanted to share it with my li…
Extraordinary Travel Festival II Update #11 - Charles Veley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:16
Hey now! This is it, the last episode before the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok. Still a little time left to join. Use code BANGKOK. My special guest is speaker and sponsor Charles Veley, founder of the Most Tr…
Phillips Connor … IBZ To SIN Via GGR [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:21
Phillips has traveled to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Today, we are speaking with Phillips Connor. I had the pleasure of meeting PC in Singapore with a group of extreme travelers and…
Andy Hicks ... Recatalogging DNA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:35
Andy Hicks Counting Countries has traveled to 120 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Today, we are speaking with Andy Hicks. I have had the pleasure of meeting Andy at the first ETF in Armenia and the TCC m…
Luisa Yu … The Black Sheep [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:02
Luisa Yu has traveled to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I am excited to have Luisa Yu on the podcast. She is well known and beloved member to many in the community. For those not in the…