Season One: A Tale of Five Cities
Global Travel Interviews & 100 Episodes in Season One of THE QUEST EXPRESS: Travel, Culture & Untold Stories
VENICE | NEW ORLEANS | EDINBURGH | JERUSALEM | ASPEN and lots of bonus episodes and interviews with innovators.
The Quest Express: A Five-City Journey into Local Culture, People, and Personality
Most cities are living breathing organisms with electricity, a personality, and a story.
The culture, values, & traditions of a city evolve throughout its history. Seemingly inconsequential events can shape a city's zeitgeist & traditions forever. How they do business, how they welcome visitors, or what they create.
The truth is, it's the people who write a city's story. And that's what this podcast is all about: listening to the stories of citizens on their own quest to express themselves in the city that supports them.
In this podcast, we will get to know the cities each guest calls home, listen to their story, and hopefully provide some inspiration to travel and begin your own quest.
Board The Quest Express with me as we journey across the world together.
Venice, Italy
To her creativity that has never stopped.
Venice, the timeless enchantress of cities, is a soul wrapped in the silk of history's embrace. Born from the lagoon's embrace, she is the embodiment of resilience, her essence intertwined with the ebb and flow of the tides. Her ancient heart bears the weight of a thousand stories, whispered by the cobblestone streets and echoed through the opulent palazzos that stand sentinel over her winding canals.
Venice's soul, like a gondolier's serenade, navigates the waters of time, a testament to human ingenuity and an enduring love affair with the sea. She is the shimmering mirage of the past, forever beckoning explorers to wander her labyrinthine alleys and bask in the ethereal beauty of her existence.
Imagine living in a Venetian Palazzo for 1-2 weeks with artists, adventurers and innovators. This like most experiences are unique and limited space experiences. Please fill out the waiting list form to indicate interest.
First stop: Venice
Off to Venice, Italy. The most serene & sublime city of magic.
Beautiful Serenissima.
Unique in almost every way: environmentally, architecturally, and historically, Venice enchants and enthralls. She is resilient, enchanting & mysterious. She is the home of many miracles her inhabitants perform out of necessity. She floats on a lagoon carrying dreams and art, bridges and food, churches and museums, memories of conflict and peace.
Friedrich Nietzsche said about the city; “When I seek another word for ‘music’, I never find any other word than ‘Venice.”
New Orleans, Louisiana
To her innovative & inclusive spirit
New Orleans, the vivacious maestro of the Mississippi, dances to the rhythm of its own soul, a melody harmonizing with the echoes of jazz and the heartbeat of Creole heritage. Rising from the delta's embrace, the city is a gumbo of stories etched in the iron lace of its balconies and the vibrant hues of shotgun houses. Here, history wears a mask, concealing tales of voodoo priestesses, whispered secrets in the French Quarter's courtyards, and the soulful wail of the blues drifting through the humid air.
New Orleans' spirit, a jubilant carnival of flavors and festivities, flows through the lively streets like the mighty river that cradles its shores. It's a culinary symphony of beignets and jambalaya, a celebration where every dish tells a story, and every note carries the weight of Mardi Gras memories. The city is a testament to the resilience of its people, who, like the sturdy cypress trees in the bayou, have weathered storms and emerged with an unflappable joie de vivre. Here, beneath the moss-draped oaks and flickering gas lamps, the city's soul is an invitation to revel in the joy of the present, to savor the unique blend of culture, and to join the perpetual party that defines the heartbeat of the Big Easy.
Want to join Table 12, our pop-up dinner club and meeting others in Miami, New Orleans, Aspen, or Austin? Join the waiting list which will give you access to dinners, traveling incubators, and immersion experiences.
Second stop: New Orleans, Louisiana
The Captivating Crescent City
Distinct in myriad dimensions—culturally, gastronomically, and historically—New Orleans bewitches and dazzles. The city's heartbeat syncopates with the jazz notes drifting from the French Quarter, where history veils itself in the patina of wrought-iron balconies and the rainbow hues of Creole cottages. Navigating its streets feels like dancing to the syncopated rhythm of a second-line parade, where the scent of gumbo wafts through the air, and the spirit of Mardi Gras is a year-round celebration.
"New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin." - Mark Twain
In the words of Louis Armstrong, the city's beloved son, "There are a lot of places I like, but I like New Orleans better."
Edinburgh, Scotland
To her enduring charm, where history whispers life into the present.
Edinburgh, the poetic guardian of Scotland's past and present, possesses a spirit that resonates through its cobbled wynds and regal stone facades. Nestled between the rugged embrace of Arthur's Seat and the stoic silhouette of its iconic castle, the city whispers tales of kings and poets, of enlightenment and rebellion. Edinburgh's spirit is a symphony of contrasts, where the haunting melody of bagpipes meets the intellectual resonance of the Royal Mile's bookshops. In the shadows of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the city reveals its resilience, standing as a proud keeper of traditions that span centuries.
The essence of Edinburgh lies in the mysterious allure of its closes and the spirited discussions echoing within its taverns. It's a spirit woven into the tartan patterns of its culture, where the melancholic notes of a lone piper tell stories of honor and valor. The city's heartbeat, like the rhythm of a ceilidh dance, pulsates through the annual Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where creativity blossoms like heather on the moors. In Edinburgh, history is not a distant echo but a living, breathing companion, guiding the steps of those who wander its atmospheric streets and inviting them to partake in the timeless dance of Scottish identity.
Want to spend 1-2 weeks in a medieval castle about 30 minutes outside of Edinburgh? You can. Join the waiting list which will give you access to dinners, traveling incubators, and immersion experiences.
Third stop: Edinburgh, Scotland
Auld Reekie
A city draped in the ethereal mists of its past, beckons explorers into a realm where time is but a whisper among ancient stone walls. The haunting silhouette of Edinburgh Castle atop Castle Rock stands as a sentinel to centuries, echoing with the whispers of kings and queens who once tread its corridors. Descend the cobblestone streets of the Royal Mile, where the air is alive with the harmonious hum of bagpipes, weaving a melody that transcends generations.
As twilight descends, the city reveals itself anew, adorned in the soft luminescence of streetlights. Edinburgh becomes a dreamscape where the past and present coalesce, where the ancient and modern share a timeless dance.
"The most beautiful of all the capitals of Europe." - Sir John Betjeman
"Edinburgh is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again." - Alexander McCall Smith
Jerusalem, Israel
To her ancient soul, where divinity whispers through every stone.
Jerusalem, the cradle of faith and resilience, embodies the convergence of humanity's sacred narratives. Nestled within the embrace of the ancient walls, where the Dome of the Rock gleams in celestial splendor, the city resonates with the echoes of prophets and pilgrims. Jerusalem's spirit is a mosaic of faiths, a symphony of prayers rising from the Western Wall to the minarets of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the bells tolling from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Amidst the labyrinthine alleys of the Old City, where the scent of incense mingles with the strains of devotion, Jerusalem reveals itself as a sanctuary of the soul, where the divine presence guides each reverent step.
The essence of Jerusalem lies in the timeless bonds of belief and resilience, woven into the fabric of its streets. It is a city where the tombs of Biblical figures, from King David to the Prophet Samuel, stand as silent witnesses to the enduring power of faith. And in the shadow of the ancient Temple Mount, where King Solomon's temple once stood, Jerusalem's heart beats with the rhythm of centuries, an eternal testament to the enduring bond between humanity and the divine.
Would you like to take a pilgrimage to Israel, perhaps meeting one of our guests? Join the waiting list which will give you access to dinners, traveling incubators, and immersion experiences.
Fourth stop: Jerusalem, Israel
העיר הנצחית | The Eternal City
Jerusalem, a timeless beacon nestled in the heart of the Land of Israel, embodies the convergence of faith, history, and resilience. As the cradle of the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—Jerusalem stands as a sacred nexus, where the divine presence is palpable in every stone, every prayer, and every shared moment of reverence.
This ancient city, with its storied past and enduring spirit, bears witness to the ebb and flow of civilizations, yet remains steadfast in its resolve to endure. Through conquests and conflicts, Jerusalem has risen time and again, a testament to the indomitable resilience of its inhabitants and the unwavering faith of its pilgrims, guided by the hand of the Creator.
Wander through the narrow alleyways of the Old City, where the echoes of prophets mingle with the aromas of incense and spices. Each step unveils layers of history, each wall whispers tales of triumph and tribulation, weaving a tapestry of human experience that transcends time itself.
"Jerusalem is a festival and a lamentation. Its song is a sigh across the ages, a delicate, robust, mournful psalm at the great junction of spiritual cultures." - David K. Shipler
"Cities are built of bricks and stones, but Jerusalem is built of dreams and prayers." - Yitzhak Rabin
"In the heart of Jerusalem beats the pulse of the divine, where the resilience of the human spirit finds solace in the embrace of the eternal." - Elie Wiesel
Aspen, Colorado
To Aspen's evergreen spirit, may its peaks always inspire us to reach new heights.
Aspen, the majestic muse of the Rockies, is a spirit woven into the tapestry of nature's grandeur. Cradled by towering peaks and whispering pines, she embodies the essence of tranquility, her heart beating in rhythm with the seasons' timeless dance. Her rugged trails and pristine rivers tell tales of adventure and discovery, etched into the very soul of her wild landscapes.
Aspen's essence, like the shimmering snowfall under a winter moon, captures the awe of nature's brilliance and the harmony of community spirit. She stands as a beacon of resilience and beauty, inviting wanderers to lose themselves in her endless vistas and find solace in her serene embrace.
While grand estates rise and exclusive enclaves flourish, Aspen's essence endures, rooted in the timeless beauty of her natural surroundings and the strength of her community spirit. She welcomes all who seek her charm, yet steadfastly maintains her identity, a harmonious blend of luxury and unspoiled wilderness that transcends the passing tides of affluence.
Want to be included in an Aspen group experience? Join the waiting list which will give you access to dinners, traveling incubators, and immersion experiences.
Fifth stop: Aspen, Colorado
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Aspen, Colorado, unveils itself as a haven where natural splendor and cultural richness intertwine. This iconic town, known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant community, invites visitors to experience a unique blend of rustic charm and sophisticated allure. Aspen's soaring peaks and lush valleys offer a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, while its historic downtown, adorned with Victorian-era buildings, pulsates with the rhythm of world-class dining, shopping, and arts.
In every season, Aspen radiates a distinct magic. Winter transforms it into a snow-covered wonderland, renowned for its premier skiing and snowboarding slopes. As the snow melts, summer reveals a paradise for hikers, bikers, and festival-goers, with verdant trails and sparkling rivers that beckon adventure. Aspen’s dedication to preserving its natural beauty and fostering a tight-knit community spirit is palpable, making it not just a destination but a lifestyle.
"Here in Aspen, it's all about living in the moment and appreciating the beauty around us." - Goldie Hawn
"I lived in Aspen for many years, and it's a special place where you can find peace and inspiration." - John Denver
"In Aspen, there's a sense of community and a connection to nature that you can't find anywhere else." - Hunter S. Thompson
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