Your Travel Bestie Kat

What happens when a bicycle ride becomes a family tradition, a physical challenge, and an unforgettable vacation all at once?
 
In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, Kat Mahn sits down with Mark Shupe to talk about RAGBRAI—the world’s largest week-long bicycle ride that stretches across the state of Iowa from west to east.
 
Mark shares what makes this iconic event so special, from rolling hills and small-town hospitality to legendary food stops and unexpected roadside entertainment. He offers practical advice for first-time riders, including training tips, packing essentials, camping logistics, and common mistakes to avoid.
 
Along the way, you'll hear stories about homemade pies, famous pork chop vendors, local breweries, and unique attractions like the Field of Dreams movie site and Glenn Miller's boyhood home. Most importantly, Mark reflects on the family memories created during the ride and why RAGBRAI is about much more than cycling.
 
Whether you're an avid cyclist, adventure traveler, or simply looking for a unique travel experience, this episode offers an inside look at one of America's most beloved annual events.
 
🎙 Hosted by Kat Mahn
✈️ Travel Advisor, Podcaster, and Founder of Kat's Purrfect Getaways
 
Subscribe for more travel stories, adventure inspiration, and conversations with travelers from around the world.
 
#RAGBRAI #CyclingAdventure #BikeLife #AdventureTravel #TravelPodcast #YourTravelBestieKat #BicycleTouring #IowaTravel #OutdoorAdventure #ActiveTravel #BucketListTravel #RoadCycling #TravelStories #ExploreMore #TravelInspiration #FamilyAdventures #BikeTour #EnduranceChallenge #CyclingCommunity #TravelTips #PodcastLife #AdventureSeeker #SeeTheWorld #MidwestTravel #RideAcrossIowa

 
In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, Jesse shares his unforgettable 10-day solo journey through Sydney and Cairns, packed with adventure, wildlife encounters, incredible food, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
 
We dive into:
• Scuba diving and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
• Close encounters with colorful stingrays, kangaroos, koalas, and dingoes
• The magic of Sydney's Vivid Festival and Opera House district
• Australia's unique food scene, including emu, kangaroo, and crocodile
• Travel tips for getting around Sydney without a car
• Why Cairns is the perfect gateway to reef adventures
• Lessons learned from traveling solo across Australia
 
Plus, Jesse shares his biggest surprises, favorite meals, and what he would do differently if he returned.
 
If Australia is on your bucket list, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice to help you plan your own adventure Down Under.
 
Subscribe to Your Travel Bestie Kat for more travel stories, destination inspiration, and expert travel tips from around the world.
 
#AustraliaTravel #GreatBarrierReef #SydneyAustralia #SoloTravel #TravelPodcast #YourTravelBestieKat #AdventureTravel #ScubaDiving #BucketListTravel #TravelTips

In Part 2 of my conversation with world traveler and leadership coach Pam Leinmiller, we dive deeper into the life-changing experiences that come from seeing the world through a different lens.
 
Pam shares unforgettable stories from Antarctica, India, and other incredible destinations that challenged her assumptions and expanded her perspective.
 
In this episode:
• What Antarctica taught her about reflection and perspective
• Cultural lessons from traveling through India
• How travel helps people gain clarity and confidence
• Adventure travel tips every woman should know
• Favorite destinations for future adventures
• Why curiosity and listening are leadership superpowers
• The surprising conversations that changed her life
 
Whether you're a traveler, entrepreneur, or leader, this episode will encourage you to stay curious, embrace new experiences, and never stop learning.
 
Hosted by Kat Mahn
Your Travel Bestie Kat & Kat's Purrfect Getaways
 
#YourTravelBestieKat
#PamLeinmiller
#AdventureTravel
#Leadership
#TravelPodcast
#WomenWhoTravel
#Kilimanjaro
#Antarctica
#TravelInspiration
#PersonalGrowth
#EmotionalIntelligence
#LeadershipDevelopment
#BucketListTravel
#TravelStories
#ExploreMore
#TravelAdvisor
#KatspurrfectGetaways

In Part 1 of this inspiring conversation, professional speaker, leadership expert, and world traveler Pam Leinmiller joins Your Travel Bestie Kat to share her incredible journey across all seven continents.
 
Pam takes us behind the scenes of one of the hardest challenges she's ever faced—climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. From altitude sickness and preparation to mental resilience and teamwork, she shares what it really takes to reach the summit.
 
We also discuss:
• Why communication is essential when planning international travel
• Common mistakes travelers make before a trip
• Adventure travel after age 50
• Building trust quickly in unfamiliar environments
• How travel strengthens leadership skills
• Lessons learned from guides, porters, and people around the world
 
If you've ever dreamed of tackling a big adventure or stepping outside your comfort zone, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.
 
Hosted by Kat Mahn
Your Travel Bestie Kat & Kat's Purrfect Getaways
#YourTravelBestieKat
#PamLeinmiller
#AdventureTravel
#Leadership
#TravelPodcast
#WomenWhoTravel
#Kilimanjaro
#Antarctica
#TravelInspiration
#PersonalGrowth
#EmotionalIntelligence
#LeadershipDevelopment
#BucketListTravel
#TravelStories
#ExploreMore
#TravelAdvisor
#KatspurrfectGetaways
 

Welcome back to Your Travel Bestie Kat!
 
Picture this: You're excited for your dream vacation, bags are packed, and then... flight delays happen. That's exactly how our Viking River Cruise adventure began. We lost our entire first day in Amsterdam and had excursions already booked.
 
Was the trip ruined? Absolutely not.
 
In this episode, I'm sharing the travel lesson that saved our vacation: why building a relationship with your travel advisor or tour operator before you travel can make all the difference when unexpected delays happen. I'll explain how a quick conversation helped us adjust our plans, reduce the stress, and get back to enjoying our adventure.
 
If you've ever worried about canceled flights, missed connections, or losing money on pre-booked experiences, this episode is for you. Travel doesn't always go as planned—but with the right support, it can still become an incredible adventure.
 
Subscribe to Your Travel Bestie Kat for practical travel tips, cruise stories, destination inspiration, and a little sass to help you travel smarter and with confidence.
 
#TravelPodcast #TravelTips #FlightDelays #Amsterdam #VikingRiverCruise #TravelAdvisor #RiverCruise #TravelSmarter #YourTravelBestieKat

What happens when a professional dirt bike racer trades the starting gate for a coffee shop?
 
This week on Your Travel Bestie Kat, I sit down with former pro dirt bike rider Andrew Ingram to talk about the adventures that shaped his life, the lessons learned from racing across the country, and his newest venture, Reef Coffee in Farragut, Tennessee.
 
We dive into how travel broadened his perspective, the challenges of transitioning from professional sports to entrepreneurship, and why creating a space where people feel like they've stepped into an adventure was so important to him.
 
Whether you're a traveler, coffee lover, motorsports fan, or aspiring entrepreneur, Andrew's story is packed with inspiration, resilience, and a reminder that your next chapter can be your best one yet.
 
☕ Adventure.
🏍️ Racing.
🌎 Travel.
🤝 Community.
 
All fueled by passion and purpose.
 
#YourTravelBestieKat #AndrewIngram #ReefCoffee #FarragutTN #TravelPodcast #PodcastLife #AdventureTravel #MotocrossLife #DirtBikeRacing #CoffeeCulture #CoffeeLovers #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessOwner