Sherri Donovan … Hugs From Old Mommas

Sherri Donovan … Hugs From Old Mommas

Author: Ric Gazarian April 1, 2026 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 shared her solo international travels as a young teenager — a true free spirit. These early adventures paved the way for a truly global life of travel. You can meet Sherri at the third Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok this October. Don't miss out! 🎧 Listen to Counting Countries Spotify Apple Podcasts Alexa: "Play Counting Countries podcast" 🙏 Thank You to Our Patrons I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know them, you love them: Bisa "fully nomadic" Myles, Ted Nims, Adam "one-away" Hickman, Steph "Phuket" Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Philippe "BC" Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Peter Fenger, Mihai Dascalu, Ryan Knott, Zipping Around The World Podcast, and Shawn McDonough. 👉 Support the podcast at Patreon Patrons receive access to the full conversation with Sherri as well as other goodies. 🌏 Extraordinary Travel Festival 📍 Bangkok 📅 October 22–25, 2026 Join us and use code BANGKOK at www.extraordinarytravelfest.com We are also excited to announce our second documentary screening: "What Age Were You Born" This film follows Maura Ward, in her 70s and living with Parkinson's, who has still managed to visit 50 countries — from backpacking in Afghanistan to walking a marathon in the Serengeti, to summiting Mt. Fuji. The filmmaker follows her and her son Johnny as they take on this journey together. 👉 Instagram 👉 Facebook Latest Travel Fashions 🎙️ Episode Notes Ric was in Bangkok while Sherri was in Anguilla for this recording. Please listen in and enjoy. 🔗 More About Sherri Donovan Instagram Facebook Books 📚 Books (affiliates) Thor Pedersen The Impossible Journey (Kindle): https://amzn.to/46pRuDi More options Barry Hoffner Belonging To The World 🌍 About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who've spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter's Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi. ✈️ About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia. Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey to every country in the world at GlobalGaz.com 🌎 How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask! United Nations: 193 UK Foreign Office: 226 Traveler's Century Club: 330 Nomad Mania: 1,301 Most Traveled People: 1,500 SISO: 3,978 👉 My goal: the 193 countries recognized by the UN — though I'll visit more along the way. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

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
Jenna Klotz … making friends in Mogadishu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:58
Key Links Counting Countries Apparel --------------------------------------- On today's episode, I welcome jenna klotz to Counting Countries. I learned about Jenna from two previous guests; Randy williams traveled with h…
Robert A. (Bob) Bonifas … is ranked #2 on MTP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:53
Key Links Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa --------------------------------------- On today's episode, I spoke with Bob Bonifas. I have seen Bob's name on the top of…
Mar Pages … has completed her 100th country [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:13
Key Links Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa --------------------------------------- On today's episode, I welcome Mar Pages to Counting Countries. I first learned abou…
Stephen Hughes … is a threat to national security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:37
Key Links Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa --------------------------------------- On today's episode, I welcome Stephen Hughes to Counting Countries. Steve and I met…
Boris Kester … has completed the 193 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:19
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa More about Boris Kester: Born in: The Hague, Netherlands Passports from: Netherlands Favorite trave…
Maurice Brand … has completed 148 UN countries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:42
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa More about Maurice Brand: Born in: Kerkrade, Netherlands Passports from: Dutch Favorite travel film…
Michael Runkel … has completed 193 UN countries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:49
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa ---------- More about Michael Runkel: Born in: Bavaria, Germany Passports from: Germany Favorite tr…
Lexie Alford [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:01
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa More about Lexie Alford: Born in: Nevada City, California Passports from: US Passport Favorite trav…
Taylor Demonbreun … has completed 125 UN countries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:39
Key links & critical information: Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa More about Trek With Taylor Born in: Tuscaloosa, Alabama Passports from: 2 US Passports Favorite tr…