Broad Abroad

About Broad Abroad

Join Katie as she spills all the tea about her globe-trotting adventures—volcano hikes, local bites, and bathroom blights—sharing it all with her witty co-worker Grace. This is Broad Abroad!

Publisher

Gotham West Studios

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Dec 2024

Latest episode

16 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Sept 2025

   Under the Sea: Whale Sharks, Coral Reefs & Climate Change 🐋

   Host interviews two ocean experts about the ethics of whale shark tourism in the Philippines and its impact on coral reefs and climate change.

2. 

   15 Sept 2025

   What to Do in the Philippines (Ultimate Travel Guide) 🇵🇭

   Host discusses a two-week trip to the Philippines, including must-do recommendations and cultural context, in an interview with actor Mucho Garcia, who shares local insights from growing up in Cebu.

3. 

   7 Jul 2025

   Inside Korea’s DMZ: Poop Balloons, Secret Tunnels & Political Chaos 🇰🇷

   The host explores the Korean DMZ, revealing the strange realities of life on the edge of North and South Korea, from infiltration tunnels to K-pop broadcasts.

4. 

   23 Jun 2025

   From War-Torn to World Power: Korea's Epic Glow-Up

   This episode explores South Korea's remarkable transformation from a war-torn nation to a global economic and cultural powerhouse in just four decades.

5. 

   9 Jun 2025

   Korea Froze My Face and Melted My Mind

   Katie shares her experiences with Korean beauty treatments, scalp therapy, and cultural expectations around male beauty and military service, offering listeners a glimpse into Korean culture; this is a discussion with co-host Grace.

6. 

   26 May 2025

   Kimchi, K-Pop & King Crab, oh my! Welcome to South Korea

   Katie explores South Korea, highlighting housing hacks, ice fishing at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, skiing at Yongpyong Resort, navigating Korean maps, and sampling street food like beondegi.

7. 

   21 May 2025

   Season 2 Trailer: South Korea – K-Pop, Kimchi, and the Real Korea

   In Season 2 of Broad Abroad, I travel curiously through South Korea—from ice fishing to the DMZ, spa treatments, sizzling K-BBQ, and Seoul street snacks. But it’s not just about food and fun—I sit down with locals, professors, and creators to ask: what does it really mean to be Korean today? Expect honest conversations about beauty standards, family pressures, cultural taboos, and Korea’s dramatic rise from war-torn to world stage. This season peels back the glossy surface to reveal the heart of Korea. Full episodes drop every other Monday starting May 26. Let’s travel curiously.

8. 

   28 Jan 2025

   El Salvador's Complex Transformation

   My last few days in El Salvador have given me so much to think about. This trip wasn’t just about the amazing adventures, like the jaw-dropping seven waterfalls hike with my guide, Elmer, or devouring pupusas (seriously, I could eat those every day). It was also about getting a deeper understanding of the country’s complicated history with gang violence and political struggles. One of the most impactful moments was a free walking tour with Hector, who shared what life was like during the height of gang control. Hearing his firsthand story of resilience and hope, along with his take on President Bukele’s controversial security policies, gave me a new perspective on how much El Salvador is changing. The more I travel, the more I realize how important it is to listen to local voices and their stories—it’s what makes exploring new places so meaningful to me. I’m already dreaming about my next adventure… Asia might be calling! 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 01:57 Seven Waterfalls Hike 05:34 Héctor and His Story 12:59 Bitcoin and Tourism in El Salvador 21:28 The Height of Gangs 26:17 Bukele's Rise to Power 29:06 Personal Encounters with Police 32:26 CECOT: The Harshest Prison 42:50 Historical Context of Gangs 44:22 Hope for El Salvador's Future 48:44 Reflections on Travel 51:02 Credits and Acknowledgments https://www.instagram.com/hector_kw6 https://www.guruwalk.com/es/walks/46025-el-encanto-atemporal-de-santa-ana-recorrido-historico-comida-y-mercado?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabFdpJ_SphgoPs-1W-f4f5bPokbKDrw2QEFQY157EZxyDqv9lQT41lIrrc_aem_PgT97HZDwTzUNDTEdCyuKA

9. 

   21 Jan 2025

   El Salvador: Surf and Spanish Lessons

   Next stop: El Salvador! I’ve heard so much about the country’s dramatic improvements in safety under President Nayib Bukele, and I was curious to see it for myself. I met Giovanni, a local Spanish teacher, who shared his perspective on how things are changing here—especially when it comes to security and tourism. Spending time with Giovanni reminded me why I love learning Spanish so much. It’s not just about the language itself but about connecting with people on a deeper level. And speaking of new challenges, I decided to try my hand at surfing for the first time! Let’s just say it was a humbling experience, but there’s something so exhilarating about learning a skill that forces you to let go and go with the flow (literally). El Salvador surprised me in all the best ways, and I’m leaving here inspired and more curious than ever about this vibrant country.

10. 

    14 Jan 2025

    Antigua, Guatemala: My Acatenango Volcano Hike Experience

    After checking out of my birthday villa, I took a quick two-minute lancha ride to Free Cerveza, an eco-friendly hostel, to spend my final two nights at Lake Atitlán. In hindsight, I’m starting to think I should’ve done these two stays in reverse order... Next, I headed to Antigua—a picturesque Spanish colonial city brimming with museums, restaurants, and shops. It’s truly a tourist’s haven. With its lava cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and incredible food scene, it’s no surprise this gem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To dive deeper into Guatemalan history, I joined a free walking tour with Happy Harold, who brought the city’s rich history and culture to life. He was so entertaining and, true to his name, so happy! Definitely a 10/10 tour. But, of course, no trip is complete without a little chaos. Just when everything seemed picture-perfect, disaster struck… below the belt. And, of all nights, it happened right before my Acatenango Volcano overnight hike—a must-do experience in Guatemala if you’re up for it. Let’s just say it became a cautionary tale of what not to do before tackling the country’s most iconic trek. But hey, what’s an adventure without a few hiccups? Between the laughs, lessons, and jaw-dropping views, this trip has already secured its spot as one for the books. I should get some rest now because tomorrow I’m up early for my flight to… El Salvador!

11. 

    7 Jan 2025

    Lake Atitlán: My Bougie Birthday Bash in Guatemala

    Turning 30 at Lake Atitlán: Volcanos, Culture, and Celebration What better place to celebrate my 30th birthday than at Lake Atitlán, AKA the Lake Como of Central America. This place is pure magic—surrounded by three towering volcanoes and home to indigenous Mayan communities who craft the most beautiful handmade clothing and cook up mouthwatering local dishes. I found the dreamiest (and budget-friendly!) Airbnb villa with jaw-dropping views of the lake and volcanos, and to make things even more special, I hired local chefs to whip up a feast twice a day. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off the trip! The warmth of the people here, the vibrant culture, and the sheer beauty of the landscapes have completely stolen my heart. Guatemala isn’t just a hidden gem—it’s a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences. If it’s not on your bucket list yet, trust me, it should be! https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/23190006?source_impression_id=p3_1726064605_P3kI4LvqzZbML7uF https://www.simoontours.com https://www.avianca.com/en/

12. 

    30 Dec 2024

    Trailer - Season 1 begins January 7

    I’m Katie, and traveling the world is basically my main personality trait. I just got back from my latest adventure—Guatemala and El Salvador—and I can’t wait to overshare every juicy detail with my desk-mate Grace (whether she likes it or not). On this trip, I turned the big 3-0, leveled up my Spanish (hola, ¿cómo se dice “help”?), explored the fascinating culture of the local Mayans, surfed some gnarly waves, and dove deep into the recent political discourse in El Salvador. This travel series has it all—laughs, learning, food that’ll make your mouth water, and moments so unforgettable they’ll have you reaching for your passport. So, join me as we head south to Central America, meet incredible locals, and uncover how tourism is shaping their world. This is Broad Abroad!

Who has been a guest on Broad Abroad

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• ocean experts
• Mucho Garcia
• Katie

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

83,131

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

5

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

51