YOU on the Camino de Santiago

TURNING DOWN THE NOISE OF EVERYDAY LIFE For many people, the story of a Camino dream is a series of false starts. You hear about the Camino and hear its call, but it’s not the right time to go. Then it is the right time, and you put some dates on the calendar, and something comes up – a significant family event, like a wedding, graduation or birth of a grandchild, a loved one gets sick or injured, you get sick or injured, there’s a global pandemic, or you have to move unexpectedly. There are so many things that can derail our plans. Today I am talking with a pilgrim whose Camino dream has been brewing for quite a long time, and he is finally going to be taking his first steps on the trail next week. After a series of setbacks – some quite intense – Erik from Colorado has the perfect window to walk the Camino Francés. It’s time for him to step away from the noise of everyday life and celebrate how far he has come. GET YOUR CAMINO ON THE CALENDAR! If you are sensing that it is time to set the noise aside and get your Camino on the calendar, I would love for you to join me on the trail this September. Walk with Nancy and a small group in September 2025 and get your pilgrimage off on the right foot. Learn more here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ Or send me an email to let me know you are interested: [email protected] GUIDEBOOK BY SANDY BROWN Here is the guidebook Erik mentioned in this episode: https://sandybrownbooks.com/ Sandy and his sister, Rocky, also run Pilgrim Paths, which leads guided walks throughout Europe. They offer a Concierge Service that books rooms and luggage transport along the Camino routes. Learn more at https://pilgrimpaths.net/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO YOUR GOALS In this episode we pick up where we left off in episode 101 by taking my #1 strategy for goal success to an even deeper level. Then I am going to share with you five tactical steps and three top ideas that will guarantee your success in reaching your Camino goals. DO YOU NEED THE HIGH-LEVEL PLAN FOR HOW TO MAKE YOUR CAMINO DREAM A REALITY? Get your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap and reach your goal of walking the Camino step by step by step. WHAT'S STOPPING YOU FROM WALKING THE CAMINO? Bust through all your obstacles by starting your pilgrimage with my September 2025 Camino Experience group. Walk with me: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

SAVED BY WALKING! Pilgrim Adam walks the Camino Portuguese to process and heal from some devastating losses . . . and finds his way to peace and connection. Content warning: My guest in this episode mentions his personal experience with suicide ideation and suicide within his circle of friends. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in a crisis situation, please know that help is available. If you are in the US, you can call 988 from any phone to access the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside of the US, there is a list of hotline numbers for the countries where most of my listeners reside below, as well as a Wikipedia link with numbers for additional countries. Again, help is available. And you deserve that help. If you are struggling, please reach out to one of the hotlines provided below, or to a trusted friend. RESOURCES FOR SUICIDE AND CRISIS HELP : USA and Canada: call 988 For more help: https://988lifeline.org/ Australia: call 13 11 14 New Zealand: call 1737 Spain: call 024 United Kingdom: call 999, 112, or 0800 689 5652 For more help: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/ The charity mentioned by Adam: https://www.thecalmzone.net/ List of global suicide crisis lines from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The albergue on the Caminho Português with the heated pool: https://www.gbchostel.com/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

GO FROM CAMINO DREAM TO CAMINO REALITY Have you ever wanted something, dreamed about something, maybe even longed for something, but the wanting and dreaming wasn’t making anything happen? What’s missing there? Well, what’s missing is a clear goal. In this episode I explore: Why we’re not reaching our goals How to craft a goal that hits the mark My #1 success strategy for reaching your goals Let's do this! READY TO GET YOUR CAMINO VISION ON? Here's how: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/visioning IS 2025 YOUR YEAR TO WALK THE CAMINO? There are still spots available in my September 2025 Camino Experience groups. Get your Camino on the calendar! https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

THE 100th EPISODE! Thank you for tuning in and for making this podcast one of the most sought after and reliable resources for first time pilgrims walking the Camino routes in Spain, France, and Portugal. With this episode, the podcast hits a milestone – the 100th episode! I love milestones. I love the feeling of hitting a mark, of reaching a big goal, of noticing and noting when you do something significant. The significance for me is helping thousands of pilgrims get ready for their first-ever pilgrimage on one of the Camino routes. YOU on the Camino de Santiago! [grin] In this episode I lay out where we are heading next: we will be following two different themes that are sure to inspire you and also ensure your Camino dreams becomes a reality. I NEED YOUR INPUT! What happens after the Camino? That is my "topic of the year", in terms of creating impactful content for my listeners. To help me hit the mark on that, will you take a few minutes to complete this survey? https://thecaminoexperience.com/aftersurvey/ WALK WITH ME IN SEPTEMBER Overcome your fears and doubts about walking the Camino by joining my September Camino Experience group. Details are here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ JUST GETTING STARTED ON YOUR CAMINO JOURNEY? Don’t miss a step with my Camino Planning Roadmap! Available from the home page of my website, https://thecaminoexperience.com/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

DEAR YOU . . . Now we come to the final step of our year-end practice. The only thing we have left is my favorite New Year’s tradition. This is the one I have been doing since 1976, long before I started setting goals and intentions for the new year. Uh, long before I even knew what that meant, because in 1976 I was 11 years old. My best friend was Kristi, who lived next door and who had all kinds of fun and creative ideas. Usually, they involved getting into a little mischief and making it look like it was my idea rather than hers. The New Years idea, though, was a good one, and completely trouble-free. Although, it did involve eating an ill-advised amount of Reese’s peanut butter cups as we pushed ourselves to stay awake until midnight. I hope you enjoy this tradition as much as I do, and I hope you will incorporate it into your year-end practice each year from here on. You may even want to use this tradition when you are getting ready to leave for the Camino! MAKE YOUR CAMINO DREAM A REALITY https://thecaminoexperience.com/ Here's how I can help: >> Guided start on the Camino Francés >> Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide - 20% off through December 26th!!! >> One-on-one Camino coaching P.S. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

LET'S SET THE STAGE FOR YOUR BEST YEAR YET Forget asking Santa for what you want . . . go after it yourself! In this episode we walk through my annual goal setting process. We have already reviewed our accomplishments and successes (episode 18). We tallied up what didn't go as well as hoped and planned. And we mined both those lists for lessons and messages (episode 19. Now it's time to pick our priorities for the coming year and think through and draft our goals and intentions. What do you want more of in 2025? How about less of? Let's get that going! And hopefully one of the goals on your list will be walking your chosen route of the Camino de Santiago! MAKE YOUR CAMINO DREAM A REALITY https://thecaminoexperience.com/ Here's how I can help: >> Guided start on the Camino Francés >> Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide - 20% off through December 26th!!! >> One-on-one Camino coaching P.S. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy Kwanza! #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

NOW WE LOOK AT OUR NOT-SUCCESSES In last week's episode we spent time reviewing our wins and successes for the year. This week we are moving on to the second step of the year-end process by listing our regrets and disappointments. Wait! This is not about beating yourself up or dragging yourself through the mud, or finding fault with who you are as a human being. If you are prone to self-criticism, I invite you imagine yourself setting down whatever you usually use to beat yourself up with – the frying pan, the baseball bat, the mean words. Agreed? Okay, let’s dive into this. MAKE YOUR CAMINO DREAM A REALITY https://thecaminoexperience.com/ Here's how I can help: >> Guided start on the Camino Francés >> Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide - 20% off through December 26th!!! >> One-on-one Camino coaching #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

THANK YOU 2024, AND GOODBYE! (WELL, ALMOST) As this episode releases on Tuesday, December 10, we have four Tuesdays left in 2024 and four episodes left in this season of the podcast. That timing feels perfect for me to share with you something I do every December to wrap up the year. In this episode and the next three, I am going to share with you my four-step end-of-year practice, in the hopes that you will find value in ending the year strong and setting a solid foundation for the New Year (which I am not-so-secretly hoping will be the year of your first Camino pilgrimage.) 20% OFF DECEMBER 13th - 26th! Nancy's 12 days of Christmas (plus two more, but who's counting?!?) begins on Friday, December 13th, when I will be taking 20% off my Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide. Through Boxing Day. Get the guide here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/getting-started-audio-guide/ GET CAMINO CONTENT IN YOUR INBOX WEEKLY! How? Easy, join my email list. In addition to my weekly Friday email which is filled with Camino tips and stories, you will also receive my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up in the top 10 lists) and my Camino Planning Roadmap. Sign up here: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

A "TRIP OF A LIFETIME" - FOR REAL! John covers all the bases as he shares his story of walking the Camino Francés in May and June 2024. Overnight in the Pyrenees? Check. Stay at a monastery? Check. Sing with the nuns? Check. Meet an undertaker who wants your business? Wait . . . check? Here are the places and helpful tools John referenced in this episode: >> Book your bed at Refuge Orisson: https://www.refuge-orisson.com/en or >> Auberge Borda: https://www.aubergeborda.com/ >> Stay with the nuns in Santo Domingo de la Calzada: https://www.cister-lacalzada.com/albergue/ >> Enjoy the vocal talents of the nuns in Carrion de los Condes: Albergue parroquial Santa María >> Retreat for a couple days at the San Salvador de Monte Irago Monastery in Rabanal del Camino: https://monteirago.org/en/ >> Document your pilgrimage using the Find Penguins app: https://findpenguins.com/ >> Grab one of the coveted 10 spots for lunch at the Parador Hotel in Santiago de Compostela: https://paradores.es/en/blog/pilgrims-treat-parador-santiago-de-compostela >> Get your Spanish language skills just right for the Camino with Maria Seco of Spanish for the Camino: https://spanishforcamino.com/ BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE WITH CAMINO COACHING with Nancy Make sure your pilgrimage plans are on the right track for the kind of experience you are hoping for. Nail your pre-Camino confidence. Give your family or spouse the peace of mind to know that an expert has looked over all your plans, with Camino coaching with Nancy. Now scheduling for January 2025: https://thecaminoexperience.com/camino-coaching-with-nancy/ WALK WITH ME IN 2025! Start building your Camino family now! If you want the freedom to walk the Camino your way, to walk at your own pace, take breaks when you need them, choose the accommodations – dorm rooms or private rooms – that suit your needs and budget, AND you want the confidence that comes from not starting out on this – I’ll say it – epic journey alone, start your pilgrimage with one of Nancy's Camino Experience groups: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ JOIN ME IN SAN FRANCISCO ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2025 I will be talking briefly about WHY I walked the Camino de Santiago, and why it might be calling you, too. Where: Sports Basement store, 610 Old Mason St, San Francisco, CA When: Sunday, December 15, 2025, 9:30 am to 11:15 am (I have the first 10-minute time slot) Who: YOU! Whether you are Camino-curious or your flights or booked . . . or if you have already walked one of the Camino routes, all are welcome. Hope to meet you there! #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU? That is the question pilgrim Danielle had to ask herself over and over again as she walked the Camino Francés in April and May 2024. And as she answered that question, she gradually learned to trust herself and to know that she did, in fact, know what is most important and what is also best for her. Danielle had the honor of carrying Tracy's backpack, and you can hear that whole story in Danielle's first interview, in season four, episode five. She is going to share with us the bumps she hit on the Road to Santiago, along with how she addressed those bumps. What kind of bumps? Illness, injury, anxiety, bad weather, and the unexpected physical toll of walking the Camino Francés. JOIN ME ON THE TRAIL IN 2025! Want to get your pilgrimage started in the best possible way, with all the support you need in the planning and preparation phases? I still have a few spots left in my May and September 2025 Camino Experience groups, and I would love for you to join us! Take the next step here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ GET STARTED ON THE RIGHT FOOT Have you claimed your free Camino Planning Roadmap? How about my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists)? Get both delivered to your inbox when you join my email list. Here's how to do that: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap Let's get you off to a successful start! #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

WHAT HAPPENS IF . . . ? That seems to be the theme of Roger's pilgrimage on the Camino Francés! What happens if . . . . . . you become injured? . . . you need a dentist at 6:30 am on a Saturday in a small village in northern Spain? . . . you don't want to book accommodations in advance in July? Find out in this episode. And Roger has some well-earned, fabulous advice for first-time pilgrims. JOIN ME ON THE TRAIL IN 2025! Want to get your pilgrimage started in the best possible way, with all the support you need in the planning and preparation phases? I still have a few spots left in my May and September 2025 Camino Experience groups, and I would love for you to join us! Take the next step here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

SHIFTS HAPPEN ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS Back today with a story of peace from one of the pilgrims who you met in season four (episode six) – Joshua from Corpus Christi, Texas. It is also a story of plot twists and disappointments. But in true Camino fashion, the trail brought it all full circle, and Josh found out what blessings really feel like. Like many of my guests in this season of the podcast, Josh’s biggest lesson came from the adversity he experienced on the trail, and it’s a lesson I am taking to heart right now. Spoiler alert: it’s something about moving forward no matter what. In last week’s episode I talked about how to deal with uncertainty – on the Camino and at home. Josh’s experience on the Camino perfectly echoes a few of the strategies I shared – especially the idea to connect with community (code name: Camino family). WALK WITH ME IN 2025! Ready to find the peace and life-shifts that come from walking the Camino Francés? If you are dreaming of walking the Camino in 2025 but are hesitant to venture out on your own, I would love for you to grab one of the last two spots* in my May Camino Experience group or one of the five spots left* in the September group. Here's where to get all the details and to take your first step: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ *Available as of November 11, 2024 I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! I love hearing from my listeners - what you like, what you find most useful, what you want more of. I would especially love to hear how you are using the 6 strategies for dealing with uncertainty from last week's episode. You can reach me at [email protected] or [email protected] #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

WHEN THE WORLD IS CRAZY AND LIFE IS UNCERTAIN Our topic today is dealing with uncertainty, and I have been thinking about this a lot lately. About two weeks ago I noticed that I was feeling really anxious, super worried, and nervous about the outcome of the upcoming election. But I won’t be talking about politics because that’s not what we are here for. We are here to get you ready for your pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, to inspire you to make that dream a reality. But what about the rest of reality? What about the things going on in the world and in our communities that aren’t so inspiring and are definitely not dream-like? In this episode I am going to draw some parallels between how we deal with uncertainty in our daily lives and how we deal with uncertainty on the Camino. HELP THE FLOOD-DEVASTATED REGION OF VALENCIA, SPAIN If you would like make a donation to support the relief efforts for the recent devastating floods in the Valencia region of Spain, please check out the resources shared by Americans-living-on-the Camino Kelli and Jeff Fields. Here is the specific page on the website: https://vivaespanamovingtospain.com/2024/11/02/valencia-flood-relief/ WALK A LABYRINTH, FIND PEACE One of the things I will be doing on election day to find some quiet amidst the noise is a meditative walk on a labyrinth in my neighborhood. led by my friend Mary. If you are in the Santa Rosa/Rohnert Park, California, area and you would like to join us on Tuesday, November 5, we will be at Doratea Park in Rohnert Park at 5 PM. To get directions on Google maps or similar, use "Donna Ct Rohnert Park." You can find a labyrinth near you using this tool: https://labyrinthlocator.org/ And to find out more about labyrinths in general, check out this website: https://veriditas.org/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

CAN YOU FIND VEGAN FOOD IN SPAIN? My guest today, Kurt, from Palm Springs, California, follows a vegan diet, which is sometimes difficult to do in Spain. But it doesn’t have to define your pilgrimage. He has some great tips for finding vegan and vegetarian food amidst the landscape of pork-based meal options. Kurt is a fairly speedy walker, and his pace did help define his experiences. And he did something I recommend every first-time pilgrim does and does thoroughly – he trained for the physical challenge of the walk. He is going to share with you how that helped define his experience. Spoiler alert: Training makes a difference! And he is going to share his perspective on Day One walking on the Francés route, from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles in one day – what that experience is like for a first-time pilgrim filled with anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead. What does lie ahead? In a word, the unknown. How to get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime experience? That’s in this episode, too! GET STARTED ON THE RIGHT FOOT Have you claimed your free Camino Planning Roadmap? How about my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists)? Get both delivered to your inbox when you join my email list. Here's how to do that: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap Let's get you off to a successful start! #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE WEATHER! Coming to you today with another healthy dose of reality on the Camino Francés. This week you will hear from Melissa, who you met in season 4, episode 10. Melissa had a plan to walk the Camino as a way to reclaim what she remembered as her "bad-ass self from her 20s". Who wouldn’t want that, right? Melissa had a few surprises along the Way, including a vastly different experience of the meseta than she had expected. She discovered why you don’t want to rush the start of your pilgrimage and why the end – from Sarria to Santiago – isn’t as bad as people say it is. Melissa lost a few things and ended up finding even more than she lost. She almost went home due to illness but by sticking with it she discovered something very significant, which you are going to hear about. And Melissa is going to share her pro tip for getting a bed at Refuge Orisson, which is one of the places you can stay to break the first giant stage out of Saint Jean Pied de Port into two smaller stages. RIDE A HORSE UP THE BIG MOUNTAIN TO O'CEBREIRO Would you like to add a different and unique experience to your pilgrimage and take an easier path up the mountain to O'Cebreiro? You can make that climb on horseback! Reservations are essential. Contact: Victor Echeverria [email protected] JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO IN 2025! My Camino Experience groups start in Saint Jean Pied de Port on May 10 and September 14. Join me? All the details are here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

PLOT TWISTS AND DEEP CONNECTIONS Day two: plot twist. And that's the day that set the tone for the entire pilgrimage for John and his son. In this episode, you will hear how John describes the impact of that day as well as lyrics from his Lizard Song, how their rain gear worked out, and what's next for this now-Camino family. FREE MINI-WEBINAR: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 What is it really like to walk the Camino Francés? I will show you - through photos and stories from the trail from this year - in a free mini-webinar coming up soon. And I will share my list of top four ingredients for a successful start on the Camino. But only if you are on my email list! Join the list and get your free copy of Nancy's Camino Planning Roadmap by following this link: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap Full disclosure: This is also a promotional event for my two 2025 Camino Experience groups. Learn more about starting your Camino with Nancy: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ Hope to see you on the 24th! Listening to this episode after that date? For current information on what Nancy has going on, join the email list and go to https://thecaminoexperience.com/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

PILGRIMAGE BECOMES A WAY OF LIFE Fiona walked the Camino Frances in 2023 and now she is hooked on walking pilgrimages! This year she took on two new routes, and she has a third one - not a Camino - planned for later this year. And then next year she plans to become a "dual pilgrim" by walking the Kumano Kodo in Japan. Here are the resources we talk about in this episode: The Kerry Camino in Ireland, https://www.caminosociety.ie/ Kumano Kodo in Japan, https://www.kumano-travel.com/en/kumano-kodo MAKE YOUR DREAM OF WALKING THE CAMINO A REALITY Walking the Camino Francés is a huge undertaking. But you don't have to dive into this all on your own. Instead, you can start your journey with a group and then venture out on your own! Find out how here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ Registration is now open for my May 2025 Camino Experience group, and registration opens soon for my September 2025 group. Follow this link to let me know you are interested. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

LIVING THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL ON THE CAMINO Pastor Rich takes his faith out for a long walk as a way to get to know God and his daughter-in-law better. Along the Way he finds a deeper sense of compassion and an understanding of what it means to walk through pain. I met Rich through my email list, and I am so glad I did! He brings his kind, gentle spirit to this post-Camino conversatation and shares four words that could change your life. I'VE GOT MORE GREAT CAMINO INFO FOR YOU! Starting with my Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists), and then more Camino-themed info in your inbox every week. To get the tips and get on the list, follow this link: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/tips MAKE YOUR DREAM OF WALKING THE CAMINO A REALITY Walking the Camino Francés is a huge undertaking. But you don't have to dive into this all on your own. Instead, you can start your journey with a group and then venture out on your own! Find out how here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ Registration is now open for my May 2025 Camino Experience group, and registration opens soon for my September 2025 group. Follow this link to let me know you are interested. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

A DEEPER CONNECTION TO NATURE BRINGS A DEEPER CONNECTION TO SELF Kate was pretty clear on why she was walking the Camino. As a nurse, she was feeling beyond burned out after the intensity of pandemic and the huge impact it had on people serving in her profession. She wanted to focus on well-being, and actually discover a deeper meaning of what those words meant. That she did. In her quest for well-being, Kate discovered what she now recognizes as the Aboriginal practice of "Dadirri", which is the practice of deep inner listening and quiet still awareness that connects us and nurtures spiritual well-being resident in the indigenous people of her home country of Australia. For a visual introduction to Dadirri, check out this video on YouTube. READY TO MAKE YOUR CAMINO DREAM A REALITY? Let's get started together! Join Nancy's next DIY-plus Camino planning program, which starts in October. Our first group planning and coaching call is scheduled for November 7. Get all the details and register here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/diy-camino/ If you prefer to start your Camino with a small group, and then venture off on your own, consider joining one of Nancy's Camino Experience groups. Registration is now open for the May 2025 group, and early registration begins for the September 2025 wait list on October 7. Details and registration here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ A SIMPLE WAY TO PLAN YOUR STAGES ON THE FRANCÉS ROUTE Here is one of my favorite tools to make your stage-by-stage plan on the Camino Francés: https://godesalco.com/ Just a heads up: this tool doesn't include all the alternative paths, so you will want to consult a guidebook or app and adjust your plan to be sure you don't miss any of those. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

WALKING AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE Chad has now walked the Francés and Primitivo routes, plus the Camino Portuguese from both Lisbon and Porto. But it's not about how many routes or how many times he has walked. He's not keeping score. What matters most about pilgrimage? Chad explores this question as well as the role of his shadow on and off the trail. On his most recent pilgrimage, Chad walked to honor the life of a beloved family-by-choice second son. He shares this story as well as how he brings the Camino back home into his daily life. WALK WITH ME IN 2025 Registration is now open for my May 2025 Camino Experience group - only 2 spots left! Early registration opens for my September 2025 group on October7, and the first 10 people on that wait list are guaranteed a spot in the group. Find out all about how we get started together and let me know you are interested here. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

AN EPIC, TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY FROM LE PUY TO SANTIAGO Join me as pilgrim Nysie shares her journey from Le Puy, France, to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Along the way she discovers that bumps in the road are an essential part of the transformation found by walking the Camino de Santiago. With higher highs and lower lows than every before experienced, Nysie finds her power and comes home strong and even more determined. Nysie walking into the plaza in front of the Cathedral Here is the blog post in which I share Chad's version of Nysie's arrival story, including the video he made. (You might want to have some tissues on hand.) Follow Nysie's art journey here: https://www.nysiehurstart.com/ MEET ME IN PAMPLONA? If you will be in Pamplona on September 10 & 11, drop me a quick email and let's see if we can meet up for a café con leche or a pintxo or two. Email: [email protected] CHECK OUT GEORGE AND JOHN'S STORY George and John walked the Camino Frances from Saint Jean Pied de Port in honor of the memory of George's friend Aaron. You can listen to this incredibly moving two-part story in season two, episode 19 and season one, episode 1 of this podcast series. READY TO MAKE YOUR CAMINO DREAM A REALITY ? I am right there with you! Find out how to make it happen here. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

INTENTION AND ATTITUDE ARE EVERYTHING What do you do when your pilgrimage gets "rained out"? How do you cope with walking in the snow? Joycelyn shares how the motivation and intention behind your pilgrimage can set the tone and bring the experience you are seeking. She and Nidia (from episode 3) shared an incredible journey on the Camino Francés and even added a third generation to a real "Camino family." TELL ME YOUR STORY! Has this podcast helped you get started on your pilgrimage? I would love to hear how. Drop me an email: [email protected] Join me on the Camino in 2025? Here's how. Wishing you a beautiful journey! ~ Nancy #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

. . . ABOUT THE WEATHER Nidia's story shows us that having an incredible, life-impacting pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago isn't dependent on the weather. What is it dependent on? Listen in to hear Nidia's moving and inspiring stories of love, faith, and connection. To listen to Nidia's before-the-Camino interview, check out episode 16 in season three. GO FROM CAMINO DREAM TO REALITY With the Camino Experience. Everything you need to get started on your pilgrimage on the Camino Francés. https://thecaminoexperience.com/ Get your free copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists). Go here: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/tips #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

PILGRIMS HELPING PILGRIMS, THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE Cinda’s story shows us that trail angels are everywhere. In fact, YOU might be a trail angel to someone on the Way. What gifts do you have to give? Cinda shares with us how training walks do and don’t prepare you for the rigors of walking the Camino. She discovers the joy of movement and the delight of connecting with others who are headed in the same direction with a similar purpose. And she shares with us the internal battle of taking a taxi or not, and how she resolved that for herself. That and more. GO FROM CAMINO DREAM TO REALITY With the Camino Experience. Everything you need to get started on your pilgrimage on the Camino Francés. https://thecaminoexperience.com/ Get your free copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists). Go here: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/tips #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

SHOULD WALKING THE CAMINO COME WITH A WARNING LABEL? In season five of the YOU on the Camino de Santiago podcast you are going to hear some amazing stories of perseverance, courage, determination, adventure, and community. Stories of shared meals, life-changing conversations, and new friendships, trail tested and built to last. You are also going to hear that things didn’t always go as planned. In fact, sometimes things went completely sideways. You are going to hear about injuries, illnesses, lost items, getting lost on the trail, boots that gave out, unexpected expenses that blew the budget, accommodations that were unexpectedly far away from the center of town, and missed transportation connections. These stories have prompted me to ask the question: Should walking the Camino come with a warning label? And if yes, what would it be? Episode one answers those questions and introduces you to the pilgrims stories coming your way this season. Here are the pilgrims you will be hearing from, along with the season and episode of our first conversation, in case you would like to refer back to them: Chad - S2 Ep 18, S3 Ep 12 Fiona - S3 Ep 3, 20 Nidia - S3 Ep 16 Danielle - S4 Ep 5 Josh - S4 Ep 6 Nysie - S4 Ep 9 Melissa - S4 Ep 10 Kate - S4 Ep 12 Cinda - S4 Ep 13 John V - S4 Ep 14 Plus peregrinos Kurt, John M, and Rich, who you haven't yet met! JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO IN 2025 If you would like to find out why people start their pilgrimages with the Camino Experience, check out the Walk-with-me page on my website, https://thecaminoexperience.com/ Don't want to start your Camino with a group? Then check out my DIY-plus Camino planning program and get all the great content my groups get, plus access to the same six group planning and coaching calls as the pilgrims in my groups. Go to my website, above, and click on DIY Camino on the home page menu. You can also get on my email list to get advance notice of what I have coming up for first-time pilgrims planning to walk the Camino Francés. As a thank you for signing up, you will immediately receive a free copy of my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists). Sign up on my website or by following this link. I can't wait to hear from you! [email protected] #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

FINAL EPISODE OF SEASON FOUR! Thank you for joining me for this fourth season of the YOU on the Camino de Santiago podcast. I hope you have enjoyed the season and are many steps closer to taking your first steps on your chosen Camino route. Need more assistance getting started? 2025 CAMINO EXPERIENCE GROUP REGISTRATION STARTS SOON! Let me know you are interested in joining one of my 2025 groups here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ Get on my email list so you are the first to know when registration opens (and get your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap): https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap Prefer email? I'd love to hear from you! [email protected] NANCY'S SPRING 2024 ACCOMMODATIONS Pension San Lorenzo, Nájera: https://pensionsanlorenzo.es/?lang=en Casa Victoria, Cirueña: reserve on https://www.booking.com/ Apartmento Mirador de Grañon, Grañon: reserve on https://www.booking.com/ Albergue Caminante, Belorado: reserve on https://www.booking.com/ Hotel San Anton Abad, Villafranca Montes de Oca: https://www.hotelsanantonabad.com/ Casa Rural El Brocal, Fresno de Rodilla: https://www.atapuercarural.com/en/ Hotel Cuéntame La Puebla, Burgos: https://hotelcuentamelapuebla.hotelescuentame.com/ HOW TO FIND THE RIVER ROUTE INTO BURGOS When walking into Burgos, the most beautiful route is along the river. The Wise Pilgrim app has the best mapping of this route. And here are some general directions: Follow the trail markers from Atapuerca Pass through the village of Cardeñuela Riopico Pass through the village of Orbaneja Riopico Cross the highway overpass Take the first left turn and follow the dirt path, not the street Continue for about 45-50 minutes to the town of Castañares Cross the road and continue on to the river Cross the river and turn right, then follow the trail markers through the park and along the river, all the way to Burgos LUGGAGE TRANSPORT COMPANIES Donkey Service, from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Refuge Orisson and Roncesvalles: https://sites.google.com/view/donkeyservice/transport-bagages-en Express Bourricot: https://www.expressbourricot.com/ Jacotrans, discount code = DAG: https://www.jacotrans.es/en/ ADDITIONAL RESOURCES For all your pilgrim gear needs in Pamplona, visit the Caminoteca shop: http://caminoteca.com/ To take the worry out of booking your accommodations, check out the Concierge Service offered by Pilgrim Paths: https://pilgrimpaths.com/ Wishing you a beautiful planning journey, ~ Nancy #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode we touch on the subject of suicide among military veterans. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in a crisis situation, please know that help is available. If you are in the US, you can call 988 from any phone to access the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Additional resources are listed below. US Veteran Paul has been selected to join the Warriors on the Way pilgrimage this fall. In this episode Paul shares his experience serving in the US military and what he hopes to gain - or heal - by walking the Camino de Santiago with his fellow former comrades-in arms. For Paul and other veterans, failure is not an option. With a staggering success rate in reducing PTSD in veterans, Warriors on the Way is bringing peace and healing to those who have served. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR WARRIORS ON THE WAY From their website: Veterans who go on pilgrimage with Warriors on the Way are all fully sponsored so that nobody misses a healing opportunity due to lack of funds. We rely on donors like you to put Warriors on the Way to healing. To support this organization: https://warriorsontheway.org/ RESOURCES FOR SUICIDE AND CRISIS HELP : USA and Canada: call 988 For more help: https://988lifeline.org/ Australia: call 13 11 14 New Zealand: call 1737 Spain: call 024 United Kingdom: call 999, 112, or 0800 689 5652 List of global suicide crisis lines from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

HOW DO YOU MAKE THE "RIGHT" DECISIONS FOR YOUR CAMINO? The ongoing dilemma: how to see everything on your first pilgrimage, or how to tame that fear of missing out. My guest in this episode is Natasha, and she loves to plan travel. She will share with us how that planning journey has been going and the role FOMO is playing in the process. We also touch on the topic of loss, but it’s not the kind of loss we usually talk about. We kick off the episode with a chat about how to decide what to do after the Camino, before heading back home across the sea. WALK WITH ME IN 2025 Are you dreaming of walking the Camino Francés in 2025? I would love to help you make that dream a reality! Let me know you are interested by visiting my website and adding your name to the wait list for one of my 2025 groups. You can do all the details and get on the list here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ Can't or don't want to start with a group? Check the DIY-plus Camino planning program and get on that wait list instead! https://thecaminoexperience.com/diy-camino/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

***CONTENT WARNING*** We are talking about some difficult topics in this episode, including mental health, suicide, and human trafficking. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in a crisis situation, please know that help is available. If you are in the US, you can call 988 from any phone to access the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside of the US, there is a list of hotline numbers for the countries where most of my listeners reside below, as well as a Wikipedia link with numbers for additional countries. To give you some more specifics, my guest in this episode will be sharing his experience with multiple cases of suicide within his immediate circle of friends, his own suicidal ideation, and his career work with Safeguarding programs helping victims of human trafficking in the United Kingdom. If these are difficult topics for you, you may want to consider not listening to this episode. On the other hand, you may find this conversation incredibly inspiring. Again, help is available. And you deserve that help. If you are struggling, please reach out to one of the hotlines provided below, or to a trusted friend. RESOURCES FOR SUICIDE AND CRISIS HELP : USA and Canada: call 988 For more help: https://988lifeline.org/ Australia: call 13 11 14 New Zealand: call 1737 Spain: call 024 United Kingdom: call 999, 112, or 0800 689 5652 For more help: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/ The charity mentioned by Adam: https://www.thecalmzone.net/ List of global suicide crisis lines from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

TROUBLE AT HOME WHILE ON PILGRIMAGE What if something happens at home while you are away on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela? What do you do when someone you love is in trouble, hundreds or thousands of miles away? My guest today is going to share her real life experience with that very thing. In this episode you are going to meet Natalie from near Portland, Oregon in the US. Her Camino story has – at least – two parts, one that has already happened and one that will happen in 2025. And it is so much more than a story about trouble at home! WALK WITH ME IN 2025 Are you dreaming of walking the Camino Francés in 2025? I would love to help you make that dream a reality! Let me know you are interested by visiting my website and adding your name to the wait list for one of my 2025 groups. You can do all the details and get on the list here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ Can't or don't want to start with a group? Check the DIY-plus Camino planning program and get on that wait list instead! https://thecaminoexperience.com/diy-camino/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

SANTIAGO + FÁTIMA + LOURDES After an unexpected and devastating loss, the whole family is in on the Camino plans. Learn how pilgrim Roger will make the journey to three major pilgrimage sites, in Spain, Portugal, and France. VISIT BURGOS ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS Visit the beautiful Catedral de Burgos: https://catedraldeburgos.es/ Visit the Atapuerca dig site: https://www.atapuerca.org/ GET YOUR FREE CAMINO PLANNING ROADMAP Discover all the big decisions you will need to make and the steps you will take to get you from where you are now – saying yes to your dream – all the way to your starting point. You can get the roadmap for free by following this link: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap Be sure to download the roadmap to give your consent to receive future emails from me. GET STARTED ON YOUR FIRST CAMINO HERE: The Camino Experience, with Nancy: https://thecaminoexperience.com/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

PONDERING ON THE CAMINHO PORTUGUESE In this episode you are going to hear from John from Canada, who will be walking the Portuguese route in May. As you will hear, John is looking ahead to his next decade and pondering what it will look like. We talk about some practical considerations, such as the debate between taking a rain jacket or a poncho, if you really need trekking poles, and what to do if your walking pace is different from that of the person you are doing the pilgrimage with. We also touch on some more contemplative topics like how to embrace whatever the Camino throws at you, how to make the journey significant if it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and what does religion or spirituality mean at different times in our lives. GET YOUR FREE CAMINO PLANNING ROADMAP Discover all the big decisions you will need to make and the steps you will take to get you from where you are now – saying yes to your dream – all the way to your starting point. You can get the roadmap for free by following this link: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap Be sure to download the roadmap to give your consent to receive future emails from me. ALL ABOUT THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO Find out what it is, how it works, and who does this pilgrimage. Also, information on the terrain, where to eat and sleep, and how to document your journey. https://thecaminoexperience.com/about-the-camino-de-santiago/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

AGAINST ALL ODDS Wait until you hear this story. So inspiring. It truly is time to dream big again. Keep an eye out for Cinda and Persie on the Camino Frances in April and May! GET YOUR FREE CAMINO PLANNING ROADMAP Discover all the big decisions you will need to make and the steps you will take to get you from where you are now – saying yes to your dream – all the way to your starting point. You can get the roadmap for free by following this link: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap Be sure to download the roadmap to give your consent to receive future emails from me. GET STARTED ON YOUR FIRST CAMINO HERE: https://thecaminoexperience.com/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

WHEN YOU JUST NEED TO GET AWAY My guest today is Kate from Australia who will be leaving soon to walk the Camino Francés from Saint Jean Pied de Port. As she tells her story, you are going to hear that she is actually planning two Caminos at the same time! Kate has some great tips for us on what not to do when you are training for the Camino, and we have a fun chat about what to do with eight days after the Camino. TROUBLE ON FACEBOOK If you have any questions or concerns about my involvement in the recent trouble in the WOACA the Camino Facebook, please reach out to me at [email protected]. I will do my best to respond to your questions and concerns within 72 hours. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025? I will be opening registration for the next DIY-plus Camino Planning Program in June. The what??? The short answer is that this is all the content from my do-it-yourself getting started audio guide plus six group coaching sessions and email support. If you would like to learn more about the program and get on the wait list for the next group, you can do that on my website: https://thecaminoexperience.com/diy-camino/ Also the wait list for my 2025 Camino Experience groups is open. THE MOST POPULAR ENGLISH-LANGUAGE CAMINO FORUM Have you found this? Every question you could imagine, asked and answered many time. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/ Related: Here is the two-part episode on luggage transport services Kate and I talked about: Part 1, Part 2 #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

BEAUTY AND WONDER ON THE CAMINO Catherine of First Nation in Canada knows the truth about the land and our role in caring for the earth. She is eager to walk through Portugal and Spain to discover the rich diversity of what grows in their soils. Join me as we explore the Anishinaabe teaching of the Four Hills and how walking the Camino fits into this deep exploration of life's journey. WALK WITH ME THIS SEPTEMBER! To get started on your own unique Camino journey, grab the one final spot in my September Camino Experience group. Find out more and let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ One spot left as of April 9, 2024 SIMs AND eSIMs FOR THE CAMINO On the more practical side of things, join us for a walk-through on how to stay connected while on the Camino using an eSIM, a physical SIM card, or your home-country cell phone plan. For more information about eSIMs, check out this write up by pilgrim Lachlan Cooke: https://caminotips.wordpress.com/esims-what-you-should-know/ GET MORE CAMINO TIPS! Join my email list and collect more tips to help you get ready to walk the Camino de Santiago. To get started with my free Camino Planning Roadmap, go here: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

HOW TO HAVE THE "PERFECT" CAMINO EXPERIENCE We all have ideas of what walking the Camino is going to be like. It's hard not to, with all the YouTube videos, blogs, books, and movies about the Camino de Santiago out there. What is your idea of a "perfect" Camino? In this episode we explore that question and also bust some myths about the meseta, or high plain, that stretches from Burgos to León on the Camino Francés. WHERE TO GET A MASSAGE IN PAMPLONA AND SANTIAGO Here are two great stops for massage on the Camino Francés: In Pamplona - Ultreia Masaje, right on the Camino trail shortly after you enter the old city walls, https://ultreiabuencamino.com/ In Santiago - Quintana Massage, located in Plaza de Quintana, next to the Cathedral, https://www.quintanamassages.com/ JUST GETTING STARTED ON YOUR CAMINO DREAM? To be sure you are taking the right and best steps to get you to the trail, grab your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap here. If you don't see an email from nancy@thecaminoexperience right away, be sure to check your Spam or Junk folder. And don't forget to open the email and click the link to download your roadmap! That will put you on my email list so you can begin to receive tips and stories to help you plan and prepare for your pilgrimage. Related: Check out the conversation with Judith and hear about her "perfect" Camino experience. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

A SURPRISINGLY LONG WALK, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES Nysie has a new lease on life after years of living with a debilitating illness. And she is celebrating her second chance by making the journey from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint Jean Pied de Port on the Chemin de Saint-Jacques, and then from there to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Francés. Nysie knows ahead of time that she won’t be walking every step of the way, but that fact doesn’t make this any less remarkable. You will see why I say that as you get to know Nysie and her story, which is nothing short of a miracle. WALK WITH ME! Start your Camino with confidence. If you are someone who can imagine yourself on the Camino but who can’t yet see how to make it happen, someone who doesn't yet know how to go from the dream to those first steps on the trail, then consider joining my small group that starts in Saint Jean Pied de Port in September and I will ensure you get there. Are you planning to walk the Camino alone but you don’t necessarily want to start off alone? This group is for you, too. Let's connect! Follow this link to find out how I help first-time pilgrims get started on their Way. Or email me at [email protected] HOW TO KEEP MEDICATIONS COLD ON THE CAMINO Nysie will need to keep medication cold for her entire pilgrimage. She will be using The Voyager travel fridge by All Family. Explore this and other options here: https://4allfamily.com/ BRUSH UP ON YOUR SPANISH PRONUNCIATION Join me for a fun exploration of how to pronounce Spanish place names along the Camino Francés in season two, episode 10 of this podcast. Follow this link to the episode or find it wherever you listen to this podcast. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

THE CAMINO PROVIDES - WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN? Usually my guests are people getting ready to walk the Camino for the first time. They have lots of questions plus touching and inspiring stories. This week I am happy to host David Ault, teacher, writer, adventurer, and visionary leader who has walked two of routes of the Camino de Santiago. His most recent walk, in summer 2023, was to raise funds for his non-profit organization, Kaleidoscope Child Foundation. Listen in to find out what lessons David took away from his first pilgrimage and how those lessons kept deepening on his second walk. Here is the albergue on the Caminho Português that David shared about: Albergue De Peregrinos Casa Da Fernanda, Vitorino dos Piães, Portugal, +351914589521 Connect with David: >> Kaleidoscope Child Foundation: donations gratefully accepted >> Instagram: @thedavideault >> Books on Amazon: Where Regret Cannot Find Me, and The Grass is Greener Right Here READY TO MAKE YOUR CAMINO DREAM A REALITY? I can help! Find out how at https://thecaminoexperience.com/ Get on my email list to receive my Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists) plus weekly tips and Camino-themed musings: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/tips #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

WHAT MAKES FOR A "PERFECT" CAMINO? Pilgrim Judith walked from Sarria to Santiago over 11 days, and found her footing pretty easily. Was it the perfect Camino experience? What would she do differently the next time? How does it feel to walk into Santiago? Find out in this episode of the YOU on the Camino podcast. Related: Did you catch my first conversation with Judith, in season three, episode 10? You can listen in here. SOMETHING FREE FOR YOU! Get your free copy of Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists) and join my email list to get more tips and tricks, plus news, updates, and special offers delivered right to your inbox. Go to: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/tips #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

WHEN IT'S TIME . . . IT'S TIME! In this episode we hear from Josh from Corpus Christi, Texas, who is on his way to the airport as this episode releases. Josh heard the Camino call and said a quick yes. How quick? Ah, just wait. I love what Josh said – he realized he had to stop looking for reasons not to walk the Camino and just go. Now. During our conversation I will also introduce you to my favorite Spanish phrase. As someone whose Spanish language skills are pretty mediocre, especially my listening skills, this phrase is a lifesaver. A DEEPER JOURNEY ON THE CAMINO There are so many ways to "do" the Camino - how about a writing retreat and introspective writing pilgrimage? The owner of The Stone Boat guesthouse in Rabanal Camino is co-hosting a beautiful writing retreat experience in the beautiful and iconic village of Castrillo de los Polvazares, just steps from the Camino trail. Get on Kim's email list and learn all about this incredible Camino experience at https://www.thestoneboat.com/ #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

TRACY'S BACKPACK IS HEADED BACK TO THE CAMINO! Join me as we explore the inspiring story of Tracy's backpack and meet the next person to take it on pilgrimage on the Camino Francés. Danielle and I explore such challenging questions as >> What are the "rules" for this pilgrimage? >> What if you don't make it to Santiago? >> How do you build the courage to get past your Camino-anxiety? >> And if you don't walk the Camino now, when??? Here are the Facebook groups we talked about in this episode: CAMIGAS: a buddy system for women Slow Strollers on the Camino Here are the books we talked about: Off the Road, by Jack Hitt How to Walk, by Thich Nhat Hahn And if you would like to explore the work on self-compassion by Kristen Neff, PhD, you can check out her website. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

IS THE CAMINO, FOR YOU, A PILGRIMAGE? If yes, then this episode is for you! Here are some of the questions we explore, with my guest, spiritual teacher and pilgrimage guide, Dr. Edward Viljoen: >> What calls us to go on a pilgrimage? >> What happens on pilgrimage, really? >> Why is the pilgrimage experience the same yet different for each person? >> How do you prepare your heart and spirit for pilgrimage? >> And how do you talk about pilgrimage when you return home? Dr. Edward is the senior minister at the Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa, California. You can hear his recent Sunday messages at https://cslsr.org/video-archive/ Dr. Edward is also the author of several books, including: The Power of Meditation: An Ancient Technique to Access Your Inner Power Ordinary Goodness: The Surprisingly Effortless Path to Creating a Life of Meaning and Beauty JUST GETTING STARTED ON YOUR CAMINO PLANS? Get your free copy of Nancy's Camino Planning Roadmap: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap This also puts you on my email list so you can get more helpful Camino tips, timely information, and special offers. Be sure to open the email with the roadmap and click the download to confirm your subscription. Don't see the email? Check your Spam or Junk folder. ;) MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF SOMEONE WITH HIV/AIDS In this episode Dr. Edward referred to the annual 545-mile AIDS/LIFECYCLE ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles which he and Nancy have both participated in. The ride benefits two non-profit organizations that provide free HIV/AIDS medical care, testing, and prevention services and support for people living with AIDS. If you would like to make a donation to this cause and support one of our team's riders, you can do that here: https://giving.aidslifecycle.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=7019 If you would like the team to carry the name of someone who has lost their life to this awful disease, please send an email to Nancy at [email protected] (Use Subject line: AIDS ride) Thank you for your support! xo #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

"I DESERVE THIS" You give and give and give . . . and then one day you ask, What about me? What happens when you finally decide you matter just as much as everyone else? For Tiffany, the answer was you go for a walk on the Camino de Santiago. And then you take on the next dream, and the dream after that one. Find out how Tiffany went from preschool teacher to dementia caregiver, from caregiver to pilgrim on the road to Santiago, and then from pilgrim to mirthologist. CONNECT WITH TIFFANY AND LEARN HOW TO WULF Ready for a shift in your life? Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 17, 10am PST and sign up for Tiffany's upcoming webinar here: https://www.wulfnow.com/ TECH PROBLEMS, SOLVED! If you have reached out to me recently and I have not yet responded, please try again! The powers that be recently made some changes to the rules around sending out business emails, and those changes caused an unexpected mess. Specifically, all the contact forms on my website effectively broke. So if you have reached out in the past week about joining my September Camino Experience group, or about my Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide or DIY-plus Camino Planning Program, and you haven't heard back from me, please reach out again! https://thecaminoexperience.com/ GET MORE GOOD STUFF ABOUT THE CAMINO Are you on my email list? Sign up today and get your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

6 WAYS TO MOVE PAST YOUR CAMINO-RELATED FEARS When you think of walking the Camino de Santiago, what fears or concerns come up? What is slowing you down from going after your dream of walking the Camino? In this first episode of season four, I am going to be talking about the fear that often surrounds walking the Camino for the first time, and how to find the courage to do it anyway. I will share some of my own story as well as six strategies for moving through your fear. The book mentioned in this episode is Wishcraft, by Barbara Sher. THINKING MAYBE GOING IT ALONE ISN'T FOR YOU? Or maybe you would just like some help getting started. The Camino Experience September group has a spot for you! All your questions answered at https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ ARE YOU ON MY EMAIL LIST? Sign up here to receive my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists) as well as a weekly email with tips and ideas for your Camino pilgrimage. Here's how to sign up: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/tips MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF SOMEONE WITH HIV/AIDS In this episode I refer to the annual 545-mile AIDS/LIFECYCLE ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles that I participated in back in 2018. The ride benefits two non-profit organizations that provide free HIV/AIDS medical care, testing, and prevention services and support for people living with AIDS. If you would like to make a donation to this cause and support one of our team's riders, you can do that here: https://giving.aidslifecycle.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=7019 If you would like the team to carry the name of someone who has lost their life to this awful disease, please send an email to Nancy at [email protected] Thank you for your support! xo #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

FINAL EPISODE OF SEASON THREE! It's time to catch up with Dawn and Fiona from Australia, who we met in season three, episode three. These two peregrinas walked the Camino Francés in August and September this year. You will hear how their plans unfolded and if booking all their accommodations in advance turned out to be the best way for them to do this . . . and what they would do differently next time. Because it sounds like there will be a next time, for both Dawn and Fiona. We will be talking about what it means to have a hard day on the Camino and how they supported each other through those difficult times as well as how they shared the joy of their early morning walks during a 17-day heat wave. And you will find out if it is possible to have a Camino family if you are staying in hotels and guesthouses, rather than in the albergues where most pilgrims stay. I think that while listening to Dawn and Fiona’s story you will find yourself wondering what big thing you will be doing next, whether that is walking the Camino or something else, maybe something you have been dreaming of for decades. Dawn and Fiona booked their Camino with the Australian company, Raw Travel. Here is there website: https://rawtravel.com/ A DIFFERENT WAY TO START THE CAMINO Find out how the groups I lead are unlike any other Camino groups out there. Go to https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ for the whole story. HAS THIS PODCAST HELPED YOU GET READY FOR YOUR PILGRIMAGE ON THE CAMINO? Thank-you donations gratefully accepted. Please go to https://thecaminoexperience.com/donate/ HALFWAY CERTIFICATE FOR THE CAMINO FRANCÉS An attractive certificate marking your arrival at the halfway point between Saint Jean Pied de Port and Santiago de Compostela is available at the Santuario de la Virgen Peregrina in Sahagún. Be sure to check the opening hours when planning your visit. Related: Check out Dawn and Fiona's "before" story in episode three of this season of the "YOU on the Camino de Santiago" podcast. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU In this episode I share with you one of the audio sessions for my signature program, the Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide, which will be available for 25% off the regular price for three days starting on December 1, 2023 (Saturday the 2nd in Australia and New Zealand). The sample audio session in this episode is on how to use the most popular guidebooks and apps to plan your Camino journey, either before you leave home or day by day. To find out all about the Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide, skip ahead to the 37 minute mark. DON'T MISS A THING . . . In order to get the special price on the Audio Guide, you need to be on my email list, because I will be sending out the promo code on Friday, December 1 (or 2nd for Australia and New Zealand). Then, starting on Friday, December 8 (or the 9th for Australia and New Zealand), I will begin sharing my favorite end-of-year tradition with everyone on my email list. To get on the list, go to my website, https://thecaminoexperience.com/, or follow this link: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/. By the way, I promise, you won't ever get any spam-y emails, or emails not about the Camino and your dreams and goals, and I won't ever sell your email address. #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

START THE CONVERSATION: TO BOOK OR NOT-TO BOOK ON THE CAMINO In this episode I share a preview audio session on booking accommodations on the Camino from my Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide. Let's look at . . . >> the different types of accommodations available on the Camino >> which places accept reservations >> when you should book >> how to find places to stay Oh, and I also share with you my (nearly) famous pre-de-jet-lag plan. Works like a charm. STEP BY STEP, FROM HOME TO SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT Learn how to make it happen with the Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide. https://thecaminoexperience.com/getting-started-audio-guide/ DON'T MISS THE NOT-BLACK FRIDAY, NOT-CYBER MONDAY OFFER!!! Add the Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide to your holiday gift wish list and get on my email list to get the coming-soon special offer. When you sign up for my email list you also get your free copy of "Nancy's Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists)." Sign up and get your tips here: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/tips #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

SUCCESS AND FAILURE ON THE CAMINO Meet Kaye from Australia! She and I had a fun conversation about spirituality, and we discovered we share a love for asking some of the deeper questions. In this episode we explore questions like: >> Who are you walking the Camino for? >> Why are you walking now, and who is doing the walking? >> When is the best time to walk the Camino for you? >> What is success and what is failure when it comes to walking the Camino? And is either success or failure really even possible? Toward the end of our conversation Kaye asked me for my best piece of Camino advice, so you will get to hear the answer to that question, too. NEED ANSWERS TO YOUR CAMINO QUESTIONS? I can help! Find out how on my website: https://thecaminoexperience.com JOIN THE WOACA Facebook group If you are a woman of a certain age - meaning age 50+ - check out this empowering, uplifting, and helpful Facebook group. Click that link or simply search in Facebook for "WOACA the Camino." Coming soon: a new book with short Camino stories from 50 women over age 50, that will inspire you to get to the trail and start walking! What are your favorite Facebook Camino groups? I would love to hear from you: [email protected] Related: Did you catch the conversation with Beebe Bahrami? Beebe is the author of the beautiful Moon Camino de Santiago guidebook. Check out this subtitle: "Sacred Sites, Historic Villages, Local Food & Wine" Yes please! #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

TURNING TRIALS INTO BLESSINGS Nidia from Utah, USA, shares her story of turning incredible trials into blessings, plus how and why she is preparing to walk the Camino Francés in 2024. Faith is a choice, she says, and life itself is a pilgrimage. Find out about the "power of gathering" and how religion can bring you peace. You will also hear another approach to visiting the Cruz de Ferro, or Cross of Iron on the Way. And when I asked for Nidia's questions about the Camino, she turned the tables and asked me how hosting the podcast has impacted my life. What a delight it was for me to explore that question! WANT MORE TIPS ABOUT WALKING THE CAMINO? Get on my email list and you will be the first to know about the special holiday offer coming soon on my ultimate getting-started Camino programs. Plus, I will be in your inbox every Friday with more good stuff! Go to https://thecaminoexperience.com/ and look for the pop-up sign-up form (on computer) or scroll down the home page to find the sign-up form (on smartphone). Be sure to open the email I send and click on the button to get your Top 10 Camino Tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists) and confirm your subscription. READY FOR A WINTER WRITING RETREAT? Reserve your time at The Stone Boat guesthouse in Rabanal del Camino, directly on the Camino Francés path. Just you, your creative projects, the wood burning stove, and pilgrims walking past your window throughout the day. Find out more at: https://www.thestoneboat.com/ , menu tab "Writing Retreats." Or email Kim at [email protected] #youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast