Journiosity

About Journiosity

Blending unapologetic curiosity with easy conversation, I interview ordinary people—just like you and me—to discover their extra~ordinary. journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Ann Thomson

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Feb 2026

Latest episode

15 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Discovering Marrakech and Moroccan life with spice trader Abdulkarim

   In this French episode with English subtitles, I interview Abdulkarim in Marrakech’s spice market in the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter named for salt trading. Abdulkarim explains the area’s mixed communities today, contrasts houses (dar) with riads built with thick earth-and-stone walls that insulate against heat and cold, and discusses sun exposure and vitamin D deficiency. He describes his rented shop selling spices, teas, medicinal plants, oils, perfumes and natural creams, and his 15+ years of experience, noting how commission-based selling can inflate prices. We compare saffron pricing and types, and his advice for using saffron with milk. Abdulkarim shares how he learned remedies over time, talks about tourism in lesser-known alleys, his Marrakech origins and family, rising living costs since COVID and his hopes for the future. 00:00 Introduction 01:04 The Mellah and its origins 01:48 Guéliz and the riads 02:47 Thick walls and climate 03:33 Sun, vitamin D and allergies 04:15 Inside the spice shop 05:38 Prices and secrets of saffron 07:44 Learning about medicinal plants 10:19 The real Morocco 11:54 Family and roots in Marrakech 14:41 Cost of living in Morocco 16:57 Dreams of a new shop 19:26 Respect This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Alberto's learnings from personal collapse to embracing life's vibrations

   Finding Yourself in Mexico City: Loss, Solitude and Vibration I meet Alberto in Mexico City by chance after chatting at a street stall. Alberto, 53, recounts losing his father on his 33rd birthday, divorcing the same week, losing his job and contact with his young son, and nearly becoming homeless, leading to years of depression and alcoholism without professional help. He says time alone is essential to heal, forgive yourself, accept impermanence and stop seeking perfection in others. He emphasises personal responsibility, empathy and human equality, valuing simple, free things over wealth. Alberto describes reality as energy and vibration, shaping who we meet, and urges honesty with oneself, going through pain fully, respecting boundaries, learning and “going with the flow”. 00:00 Introduction 01:37 Why Alone Time Matters 04:50 Learning Self Love 05:54 Simple Living and Gratitude 06:38 Vibration and Inner Mirror 09:48 Depression 12:10 Giving Back and Humanity 16:46 Empathy and Untold Stories 19:56 Rebuilding Through Learning 21:30 Go With the Flow 22:33 Energy Is Vibration 25:28 Creation and No Vibration 26:14 Learning Over Years 26:48 Enjoy Life Without Extremes 28:35 Strength to Be Alone 29:26 Victim Aggressor Pattern 31:12 Passing the Same Tests 33:12 Honesty and Self Respect 35:05 Every Mind Is Unique 35:51 Final Message of Respect This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   1 Sept 2026

   How Sergio has been living his own movie hitchhiking South America

   [ENG] This interview is in Spanish. Visit the Journiosity Substack for subtitles in English and an English-language blog post covering Sergio's fascinating life experiences. [ESP] Esta entrevista está en español. Visita el Substack de Journiosity para ver subtítulos en inglés y una publicación en inglés que cubre las fascinantes experiencias de vida de Sergio. ENG Living the Journey: Sergio’s Hitchhiking Life, Three Years and Counting In Puerto Iguazú, near Iguazú Falls, I interview Sergio, a 42-year-old Argentine backpacker from the province of Córdoba who has been travelling for nearly three years through much of Argentina plus surrounds, often hitchhiking, walking and camping. He highlights the marvels of El Chaltén and Patagonia, and says his tent is his best “room”, sometimes sleeping at gas stations for added safety, amenities and spontaneous social moments. Sergio contrasts slow, immersive travel with buses and planes, values nature and solitude, but also enjoys travelling with others for connection. He describes emotional highs and lows, fear, boredom and learning to release feelings, crediting a pivotal self-question—“How many hours do you have left to live?”—with pushing him forward. He discusses resistance from family, inspiration from strangers, living with less and his guiding ideas, including getting out and trying the “impossible”. 00:00 Introduction 01:02 Three years backpacking 02:55 Hitchhiking and camping 04:07 Slow travel and nature 06:23 Gas stations and spontaneous moments 08:03 Travelling alone or with company 10:17 Emotions and fears 13:44 Why Sergio started travelling 15:38 Family on the road 18:08 Fear and the comfort zone 24:20 How travelling changed Sergio 28:48 Health, stress and money 31:46 Phrases and inspiration 33:48 Freedom has no price 35:21 The road as freedom 37:10 Venting without fear 42:40 Everything depends on you 44:58 Hunger and valuing food 47:06 Recognition and online work 49:48 The impossible doesn’t exist 52:09 Trying things to know them 58:55 Live your movie 01:02:29 Turtle vs hare 01:04:07 Letting go of the mental backpack **** ESP Viviendo el viaje: La vida de Sergio haciendo dedo, tres años y contando En Puerto Iguazú, cerca de las Cataratas del Iguazú, entrevisto a Sergio, un mochilero argentino de 42 años, oriundo de la provincia de Córdoba, que lleva casi tres años viajando por gran parte de Argentina y alrededores, a menudo haciendo dedo, caminando y acampando. Destaca las maravillas de El Chaltén y la Patagonia, y dice que su carpa es su mejor “habitación”, durmiendo a veces en estaciones de servicio por mayor seguridad, comodidades y momentos sociales espontáneos. Sergio contrasta el viaje lento e inmersivo con los buses y aviones, valora la naturaleza y la soledad, pero también disfruta viajar acompañado para conectar. Describe altibajos emocionales, miedo, aburrimiento y el aprendizaje de soltar sentimientos, atribuyendo a una pregunta clave —“¿Cuántas horas te quedan de vida?”— el impulso para seguir adelante. Habla de la resistencia de su familia, la inspiración de desconocidos, vivir con menos y sus ideas guía, incluyendo salir y probar lo “imposible”. 00:00 Introducción 01:02 Tres años mochileando 02:55 Haciendo dedo y acampando 04:07 Viaje lento y naturaleza 06:23 Estaciones de servicio y momentos espontáneos 08:03 Viajar solo o acompañado 10:17 Emociones y miedos 13:44 Por qué Sergio empezó a viajar 15:38 La familia en el camino 18:08 Miedo y zona de confort 24:20 Cómo viajar cambió a Sergio 28:48 Salud, estrés y dinero 31:46 Frases e inspiración 33:48 La libertad no tiene precio 35:21 La ruta como libertad 37:10 Descargar sin miedo 42:40 Todo depende de vos 44:58 Hambre y valorar la comida 47:06 Reconocimiento y trabajo online 49:48 Lo imposible no existe 52:09 Probar cosas para conocerlas 58:55 Viví tu película 01:02:29 Tortuga vs liebre 01:04:07 Soltar la mochila mental This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   25 Aug 2026

   Gaby's leap of faith from married life to the fulfilment of purpose

   Solo Travel, Starting Over and Building Olive: Gaby’s Journey from Ecuador to Buenos Aires I’m interviewing Gaby, an Ecuadorian living in Buenos Aires, about starting over after a 13-year marriage ended. Gaby’s first solo trip to Argentina—originally for a Coldplay concert—led her to fall in love with the city’s walkability, friendliness, and opportunities, and to pursue an MBA at the University of Palermo, which she is finishing soon. She describes how solo travel helps her meet people and feel at home, including examples like attending a Dua Lipa concert alone. Gaby shares her business story: creating Olive, a healthy-food cafeteria in Ecuador (now with two locations), rooted in her culinary and hospitality training, feeding 200+ people daily and employing 14 people. She reflects on divorce, purpose, therapy and mentoring, and advises caring for body and mind through gym, healthy eating, meditation, and getting out even on hard days. 00:00 Introduction 00:58 Divorce and First Solo Trip 02:35 Chasing an MBA Dream 04:15 Building a New Life 05:10 Friendly City Culture Shock 05:53 Solo Travel Safety and Confidence 06:57 Meeting People While Traveling 09:19 Her Healthy Cafe Business 10:09 Chef School and Early Career 13:47 Scholarship and Business Degree 16:37 First Restaurants and Hard Lessons 19:19 Bootcamp Diets Inspired Olive 21:28 Winning Over Locals 23:20 Finding Purpose in Life 25:44 Love Life And Divorce 30:00 Reflections on Marriage 32:24 Life Dreams 33:44 Therapy And Mind Care 35:16 Look After Yourself 37:40 Final Reflections This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

5. 

   18 Aug 2026

   How faith, silence and joy helped Ivna chase her dreams

   From Brazil to Bariloche: Ivna on Faith, Healing and Making Dreams Happen I’m in a hostel in Bariloche, Argentina, interviewing Ivna, a 32-year-old Brazilian on her first trip outside Brazil. Ivna shares a lifelong dream of seeing the world sparked by a childhood movie, her belief that strangers become familiar through conversation, and her mother’s advice that speaking can take you anywhere. She describes saving money, adjusting travel plans while getting her driver’s license, and trusting God and intuition rather than coincidences. After multiple hardships including a breakup and depression, she chose life and her dreams, rebuilding faith through prayer, journaling, and a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat that helped her manage overthinking by returning to breath and the present. Ivna works remotely in content creation, supports hostel communications and hopes to teach video creation, travel more, and eventually marry and have a family. 00:00 Introduction 01:22 First Trip Abroad 03:33 Talking to Strangers 04:31 Saving and Trusting Timing 06:32 No Coincidences and Heartbreak 07:47 Choosing Dreams Over Darkness 11:34 Overthinking and Breathwork 12:25 Vipassana Retreat 16:05 Rebuilding Through Art 18:53 Remote Work and Content Creation 21:28 Future Goals and Family 22:12 Closing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

6. 

   11 Aug 2026

   How Facundo's path has taken him from Engineering studies to solo travel and aerial heights

   From La Plata to aerial heights: on solo travel, changing tracks and flying high I interview Facundo at a hostel in San Martín de los Andes, Argentina, where he is vacationing alone from La Plata near Buenos Aires. Facundo says solo travel is easier for meeting people if you are sociable and brave. He describes switching from an engineering degree (after two stressful years with only 2–3 hours of sleep) to a tourism degree, supported by his mother despite family doubts, and later starting physical education to better understand the body and teach aerial circus. He explains how the pandemic and lack of a computer disrupted his tourism studies, while he now works five days a week and studies on the other two with only two weeks off annually. Facundo trains in aerial silks despite fear of heights, has injured fingers, performed shows, worked a month in a Jujuy hostel that improved his English, hopes to visit Chile and Brazil, and explains the communal tradition of drinking mate. 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Solo Travel Confidence 01:54 From Engineering to Tourism 03:16 Family Doubts and Choosing Yourself 04:16 Tourism and Physical Education Studies 05:50 Pandemic Pause and Stress 09:05 Aerial Circus Passion 11:28 First Solo Trip 12:46 Learning English on the Job 14:04 Dream Trips and Chilean Spanish 15:20 The Importance of Mate 17:00 Wrap Up This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

7. 

   11 May 2026

   Young professional perspective on the economic challenges and cultural resilience of Argentinians at a historic crossroad

   Young Argentinians on Milei’s Reforms: Inflation, Taxes, Hope and Daily Life in Mendoza In Mendoza, Argentina, October 2025, I interviewed Juli, a lawyer, and Tomi, a small business owner/engineer, about changes under President Milei after recent elections that ostensibly strengthened his position in Congress. They describe life before Milei as marked by extreme inflation, product shortages, import restrictions and high taxes, with people using instalments to cope and some abusing government benefits due to weak oversight. They discuss “ventajeros” as taking advantage of situations, including with tourists, and explain how heavy taxation and instability made professional salaries feel insufficient. Under Milei, they report greater price stability, more predictable salaries and hope that young professionals may return from abroad, though they note the transition has been exhausting and that pensioners and public services still struggle. They also share views on Trump, corruption in past governments, and Argentina’s welcoming culture and natural beauty. 00:00 Introduction to Mendoza and Guests 00:53 Election Win and Hopes 02:03 Life Under Inflation 03:13 Import Controls and Shortages 04:57 Welfare State and Abuse 07:07 The Ventajeros Culture 09:29 Taxes, Travel and Chile Runs 10:59 Installments and Beating Inflation 12:18 Young Professionals' Frustration 14:36 Stability Under Milei 16:45 Dollar Pricing Logic 17:20 Peso Swings and Brazil Trips 18:03 Hopeful Economic Outlook 19:22 Work, Wages and Brain Drain 21:24 Fairness and Public Services 23:13 Milei Crazy or Genius 24:31 Trump and Immigration Views 26:22 Corruption and Voting Change 29:36 Why Argentina Is Special 31:35 Farewell and Invite to Mendoza This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

8. 

   9 Apr 2026

   Cata's journey from buried trauma to empowerment and healing

   How do we deal with trauma that bubbles to the surface years down the road? What can that journey look like? In this episode, I’m speaking with Catalina in a cafe in downtown Santiago, Chile. What starts out as a conversation about her background and her unconventional career path turns into a multi-layered story of navigating the buried trauma that eventually becomes impossible to ignore, and what it means to face the inevitable. A bold, brave conversation—with a pinch of streetside noise. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

9. 

   17 Mar 2026

   How Marian has taken quiet power from profound trauma

   Is it possible to find strength in traumatic events? How can we empower ourselves despite life’s challenges? In this episode, I’m speaking with Marian, a young law student from Mexico City, interning in Ottawa, Canada. Despite losing her father at a young age and having her trust abused by another family member, Marian has an appreciation of the unique things life has taught her, a deep desire to support other women and grand visions for her future. Thanks for listening to Journiosity! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

10. 

    4 Mar 2026

    How Jenny's dating life holds lessons for understanding US politics

    In some ways, given current world events (for posterity, it is early March 2026), this interview could not be better timed: in this episode, I’m speaking with Jenny, a US citizen who moved to Ottawa, Canada, in mid-2025 and who has an eye-opening perspective on what is at work in the top levels of the US administration. We actually spoke only two months after her move—about how her dating experience has given her a whole other level of insight into the current state of US politics. Chillingly, in the months since I spoke to her, a lot of what she highlighted back in September 2025 has found resonance in the actions of the US and their consequences for the rest of the world. Thanks for listening to Journiosity! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and posts, and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

11. 

    25 Feb 2026

    How Betty has learnt to live with life's grey zones

    Do you believe in right and wrong, black and white? When that dichotomy no longer serves, can you exist in the grey zone? In this episode, I’m speaking with Betty, a nurse living in Ottawa, Canada, who grew up in a religiously conservative family in Iran. Living under the “dictatorship” of her own father and then, later, the Islamic Republic, Betty’s story shows us how it is entirely possible—perhaps even necessary—to navigate the grey zones of life. Thanks for listening to Journiosity! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and posts, and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

12. 

    17 Feb 2026

    Growing up in Communist Romania, why Oana had to leave Mexico and burnout despite joy

    Have you ever felt like there must be more to life? And have you been brave enough to follow that feeling? In this episode, I speak with Oana, a Waldorf teacher currently living in Ottawa, Canada, whose life took her from rural Communist Romania to Mexico, learning about alternative approaches to understanding the world, and finally to Canada. Her story is driven by her joy for learning—and shows us that even a joyful journey has its challenges. Thanks for listening to Journiosity! Subscribe on Substack to receive new episodes and posts, and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

13. 

    10 Feb 2026

    How Mohammed had to leave a country that holds a special place in people's hearts

    What do you know about Yemen? Does it hold a special place in your heart? In this episode, I’m speaking with Mohammed, a Yemeni legal scholar living in Ottawa, Canada, whose life has been directly touched by some of this century’s most defining moments and who takes us on a journey of discovery as we delve into Yemeni geography, history and culture. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit journiosity.substack.com (https://journiosity.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Reach and audience

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

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Contact Journiosity

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.