Thirty-two thousand people. Forty miles. Five boroughs. One bridge that will test everything you have left in your legs. Crystal and Joe did the NYC Five Borough Bike Ride together — Joe with his family, Crystal flying solo from DC with her own bike strapped to the back of her car — and came back […]

Podcast Show Notes

May 20, 2026

The NYC Five Borough Bike Ride: Honest Tips, Hidden Costs, and Why That Last Bridge Almost Broke Us

You don’t know what you don’t know — and nowhere is that more true than when you’re planning your first international trip. Group travel solves a problem most people don’t realize they have: not just the logistics, but the insider knowledge, the local connections, and the moments that never make it onto any itinerary. Joe, […]

Podcast Show Notes

May 5, 2026

Group Travel 101: The Good, the Bad, and Why It’s Almost Always Worth It

The gate agent calls for volunteers. The number keeps climbing. It feels like free money. Crystal took it once in Denver and spent the night in a windowless hotel with a $12 meal voucher she couldn’t use. This week Joe and Crystal break down what actually happens when you say yes, plus everything else changing […]

Podcast Show Notes

April 9, 2026

Why That Airline Voucher is Almost Never Worth Taking

Prepaying for travel extras feels like smart planning. Until you lose money because your plans change and there are no refunds. Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond trade travel updates and money lessons, starting with Crystal’s quick February return to Barbados. She chose an Airbnb near the beach with a pool over an all-inclusive resort, made […]

Podcast Show Notes

March 5, 2026

Travel Lessons from Barbados to Disney World

What happens when you stop treating retirement like an ending… and start treating it like an expedition? On this episode of Stacking Adventures, Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond connect with retirement mindset mentor George Jerjian (creator of the DARE Method) from London to unpack the 80-day, around-the-world journey that reshaped how he thinks about identity, courage, and life […]

Podcast Show Notes

February 24, 2026

George Jerjian’s 80-Day Trip Around the World (and the Retirement Mindset Shift It Sparked)

Want to travel more without overspending or falling for tourist traps? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal reports back from the Travel & Adventure Show in Washington, DC, breaking down what the experience is really like, whether the upgraded ticket was worth it, and what she’d absolutely do differently next time (hint: show up early […]

Podcast Show Notes

February 19, 2026

Alaska, Bike Tours, Study Abroad, and Smart Travel Tips (Crystal visits the DC Travel Show!)

What starts as a European trip in 1987 turns into a quirky quest across England after a chance bookstore discovery, and eventually becomes something far more meaningful than anyone expected. Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are joined by award-winning mystery writer Michael Balter, who shares how stumbling upon a coffee table book listing historic pubs […]

Podcast Show Notes

February 7, 2026

One Book, Dozens of Pubs, and a Life-Changing Journey

Our kickoff show for 2026 details many cool changes to the show, including a brand new contest!

Podcast Show Notes

January 17, 2026

Our 2026 Travel Plans! (January Clubhouse Meeting)

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that surprise you. In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy hit the road expecting a great trip—and come back with a whole new appreciation for West Virginia (and a certain famous theme park just over the border). From the cozy charm of small towns […]

National Parks, Podcast Show Notes, Trip Walkthrough

January 6, 2026

Exploring West Virginia: Dollywood Theme Park, Mountain Views, and New River Gorge Wins

River cruises look amazing in the brochures, but are they actually worth the money? Or do you end up trapped on a floating hotel with mediocre food and tours you could’ve Googled yourself? Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Nathan and Kathrin, two experienced travelers who just finished a Viking River Cruise through […]

Podcast Show Notes

November 27, 2025

Is a River Cruise Actually Worth It? (We Asked People Who Just Did One)

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