YOU on the Camino de Santiago

FROM INSPIRATION TO A PERSONALIZED PLAN Will walking the Camino de Santiago change your life? Will it change you? My guests this week, Mark and Krista, put together their Camino plan with that very hope in mind. After over a year dealing with some near-debilitating mental health challenges, Mark allowed himself to be inspired by Krista’s experiences on the Camino Primitivo, and they booked a pilgrimage on the Francés route. The first decisions they had to make were how much time to take and where to start, two questions every first-time pilgrim must answer. The answers to these questions are important, as you need to know them before you can book your flights to Europe. And for Mark and Krista it wasn't as easy as "start at the beginning." It's easy to become consumed with the logistics of planning a pilgrimage to Santiago, but the logistical questions were not the only ones Mark was wrestling with. What if you've never stayed in a hostel or albergue before - will it work for you? What if you're an introvert who easily becomes overwhelmed in social situation? These are just a couple of the questions Mark was sorting out. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE For many people, the hardest part isn't walking the Camino - it's taking that first step. And the idea of doing that alone can be daunting. That's why I created the Camino Experience. We do this together, from the very first planning steps to our first steps out of Saint Jean Pied de Port and on to Pamplona.  Learn what it means to start your pilgrimage with the Camino Experience and to let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/2027 Or you can email me here: nancy@thecaminoexperience.com    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

FOR THE LOVE OF PILGRIMAGE If you love the Camino, Spain, and the spiritual practice of pilgrimage, you are going to love this episode of the YOU on the Camino de Santiago podcast. I love all those things! I also love talking with my guest this week, Chad, who has already been on the podcast several times to share about his pilgrimages on various Camino routes. This time Chad took on the long and intimidating Via de la Plata route, which starts in Seville in the south of Spain and makes its way to Santiago over nearly 1,000 kilometers. Chad’s story is only partly about the route, though. It’s mostly about the inner journey to peace, honesty, and authenticity, spread out over some very long days. Our conversation touched on some topics that are hard to pin down: Why are you walking the Camino, and is it important to be able to answer that question before you begin? And if you do have a reason why or an intention for the journey, how does that impact how you plan? And what does it mean to “cheat” on the Camino, and who are you cheating when you do cheat? After Chad and I chatted for a bit, we were joined by members of our La Terraza online pilgrim community who asked some questions to take this conversation even deeper. You can catch Chad's conversation with Dave Whitson on The Camino Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tfEeQ2gN_s  WILL 2027 BE YOUR CAMINO YEAR? Your pilgrimage can start today, just by saying yes and putting the dates on the calendar. Walk with me in May or September next year and let's get you off to a great start. There is space available in all 2027 Camino Experience groups. Dates and details available here. FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME THIS YEAR I have the pleasure of leading two groups of first-time pilgrims from Saint Jean Pied de Port this year in September. If you'd like to see what starting your pilgrimage with the Camino Experience is all about or simply reminisce about your own Camino memories, please follow along. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Tik Tok   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHEN BLISTERS DERAIL YOUR CAMINO PLANS Sometimes it takes more than one try to complete a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. That’s what happened with my guest this week, Mark, who is headed back to finish the Portuguese route this month. Mark had a tough time with blisters and had to cut short his first pilgrimage. What does it feel like to not be able to finish your first Camino? That’s one of the topics we will be exploring, along with some logistical realities of ending your pilgrimage early. WILL 2027 BE YOUR CAMINO YEAR? Your pilgrimage can start today, just by saying yes and putting the dates on the calendar. Walk with me in May or September next year and let's get you off to a great start. There is space available in all 2027 Camino Experience groups. Dates and details available here. FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME THIS YEAR I have the pleasure of leading two groups of first-time pilgrims from Saint Jean Pied de Port this year in September. If you'd like to see what starting your pilgrimage with the Camino Experience is all about or simply reminisce about your own Camino memories, please follow along. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Tik Tok   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

START THE CAMINO ALONE? FOR SOME THAT SEEMS C R A Z Y I know that many pilgrims feel nervous about traveling to the Camino alone and starting out alone. That’s how my guest this week, Jan, was feeling when she reached out to inquire about joining one of my groups. As it turns out, she had a giant plot twist that nearly threw her Camino plans in the trash bin, and she ended up revising her plans to go on her own. But not without some trepidation. It’s when these plot twists happen that we find out just how badly we want our Camino dream to become a reality. For Jan, there’s nothing she wants more. This is one determined pilgrim, and she suspects that this is going to be a hugely transformational journey for her. JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO IN 2027! If starting the Camino alone feels like a no-go for you, I can help. And your pilgrimage can start today, just by reaching out to let me know you want 2027 to be your Camino year. There is space available in all 2027 Camino Experience groups. Dates and details available here. FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME THIS YEAR I have the pleasure of leading two groups of first-time pilgrims from Saint Jean Pied de Port this year in September. If you'd like to see what starting your pilgrimage with the Camino Experience is all about or simply reminisce about your own Camino memories, please follow along. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Tik Tok   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

NERVES, TRAINING, AND OTHER PILGRIM CONCERNS In this week's pilgrim conversation, Maura is in the process of writing her Camino story. I had the pleasure of speaking with her back in June, as she was getting ready for her pilgrimage. Maura has had her share of nerves, mostly around how physically rigorous the pilgrimage is and whether she would be able to complete it, given the physical challenges she has experienced in the past five years. She has literally gone from the couch to the Camino in an inspiring story filled with determination, resilience, and family support. THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF PILGRIMAGE Watch Nancy's message of walking with her shadow, setting intentions on the Camino, and slowing down to the pace of walking. Don't miss the songs before and after the message! In the August 30 Sunday service at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa in California. If you prefer not to watch the entire service, jump ahead to the 14:15 mark for the songs and the message. Watch now on YouTube HOW TO GET SAFELY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN INTO RONCESVALLES One of the trickiest descents on the Camino Francés comes on the first day or two, when you have to decide which route to take down the mountain into Roncesvalles. This video shows you how to choose the path that's right for you. Watch now on Facebook Watch now on Instagram 2027 COULD BE YOUR CAMINO YEAR! Your pilgrimage can start today, just by saying yes and putting the dates on the calendar. Walk with me in May or September next year and let's get you off to a great start. There is space available in all 2027 Camino Experience groups. Dates and details available here.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING NEXT In my experience, plot twists are all part of the Camino experience. You make a plan, and then you leave home, board a flight to Europe, and see what happens. Then, inevitably, not everything goes according to plan. Some plot twists we like, some we don’t. But it turns out that they are all part of the Camino experience. This week on the podcast I am talking with Christine who had, shall we say, a pre-Camino plot twist. That’s a plot twist that happens long before you ever board your flight. It’s the one that takes your Camino dream on hold until . . . whenever. The important part of this story is that Christine didn’t give up. And she even has a word to identify what’s happening as she counts down to her start date, makes her way to Europe, and takes on this potentially life-changing pilgrimage. The word is my new favorite word. It’s a word you’ll use when you need to make a big change in your life and you discover that walking the Camino is the way to bridge the gap between the old and the new. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE For many people, the hardest part isn't walking the Camino - it's taking that first step. And the idea of doing that alone can be daunting. That's why I created the Camino Experience. We do this together, from the very first planning steps to our first steps out of Saint Jean Pied de Port and on to Pamplona.  Learn what it means to start your pilgrimage with the Camino Experience and to let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/2027 Or you can email me here: nancy@thecaminoexperience.com    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

REAL PILGRIMAGE, "REAL PILGRIM" If you've been dreaming of walking the Camino, my conversation with pilgrim Danya will likely push you over the edge and inspire you to get your Camino on the calendar. If you're a mom who wants to walk the Camino but can’t see how to juggle everything to make it possible, Danya’s family has a message for you. And, if you have already walked the Camino, I think you will find yourself in Danya’s story somewhere. You may remember Danya from episode 148. We talked shortly before she was leaving her home and family in Colorado to join my May Camino Experience group. Danya is going to share how her pilgrimage went, what she learned, and why starting this way was the perfect choice for her. IS THIS THE RIGHT WAY FOR YOU TO START YOUR CAMINO? For some people, starting the Camino with a guide and a small group is the perfect way to walk through the overwhelm and uncertainty that is part of every first pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago.  Learn what it means to start your pilgrimage with the Camino Experience and to let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/2027 GOT QUESTIONS?  Join me for a Q & A call on Tuesday, July 28, at 4 pm PDT (if you are in a different time zone, you can confirm your time here) RSVP to my email and I will send you the Zoom link shortly before the call: nancy@thecaminoexperience.com     #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHAT IS THE CAMINO, FOR YOU? There are so many different ways to answer the question, what is the Camino? Do we define it? Do we explain it? Do we talk about what it is for me? We know that the Camino is an ancient pilgrimage route. Or more specifically, it is a collection of routes that end at the Cathedral in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, and we know that millions of people have made this pilgrimage over the last thousand plus years. But what is it?  In this episode of the YOU on the Camino de Santiago podcast we explore what the Camino is and what happens when you say YES to the call of the Camino. I also share about how I support people in making their Camino dreams a reality. GET YOUR CAMINO STARTED RIGHT I have just announced the dates for my 2027 Camino Experience groups. You can learn all about what it means to start your Camino with one of my groups and let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/2027  Registration for the May 2027 groups opens on Monday, July 20th and on Monday, August 3rd for the September groups.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHEN YOU CAN'T DO THE "WHOLE" THING Let’s just say you have exactly four weeks for your Camino trip. Not just the walking part, but out the door from home . . . to the Camino . . . walk . . . travel back home . . .  and then back at your desk at work on day 29. Is that enough time to walk the Camino Francés? My guest today worries that it’s not. So what are his options? And how does he make the right decision on how to put together your Camino itinerary, given what feels like a limitation? That's what we explore in this episode of the podcast, along with other interesting questions like: Is it cheating if you don't walk the whole way? What are you really afraid of when you feel fear around your Camino plans? GET YOUR CAMINO ON THE CALENDAR Want to walk the Camino Francés 2027? I will have the dates on the calendar in July for my 2027 Camino Experience groups. You can let me know you're interested in joining me here: https://forms.gle/zMS8hVbKJZwsoYRaA  Or reach out to me at nancy@thecaminoexperience.com And here is the whole story on the Camino Experience program: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

CALLINGS, EXPECTATIONS, AND OTHER PILGRIM THOUGHTS When you feel called to walk the Camino de Santiago, what are you being called to? And what is this thing, the pilgrimage to Santiago? I ask myself that question a lot, especially when I am on the Camino. And it turns out that I am not the only one asking these questions. In this episode I am talking with Neil from the United Kingdom. Neil has the gift of a long lead up to his pilgrimage, allowing him to contemplate meaning and motivations, and to take his time choosing which route to walk. That might be the biggest challenge of all – which route to walk first, when you suspect you are going to want to eventually walk them all.   MAKE YOUR CAMINO DREAM A REALITY IN 2027 You don't have to start the Camino alone, even if you ultimately want to walk the Camino solo. You don't have to figure out everything yourself just to get packed and to your starting point. Instead, begin your pilgrimage with the Camino Experience and get yourself off to a great start! Let me know you are interested in walking with me from Saint Jean Pied de Port in 2027 here: https://forms.gle/py2bcdQqtqKvJT1e6 You can also drop me an email: nancy@thecaminoexperience.com   HEAR MAURICE'S CAMINO STORY This May I was blessed to have an assistant guide with me and my Camino Experience group in Saint Jean Pied de Port and on the trail to Pamplona. You can hear Maurice's Camino story in season 2, episode 12 and in episode 107.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

SLOWING DOWN, TAKING IT ALL IN, HEALING FROM LOSS Sometimes what drives people to go on pilgrimage is the need to make sense out of an unbearable loss and to heal our hearts so we can move forward with some sense of peace. Losing a loved one can be disorienting, devastating, knocking us to our knees and throwing us off course. Now imagine losing not just one person who is dear to you, but instead losing multiple people and having that happen in an unusually short period of time. My guest today, Bec, is in the unenviable, awful position of grieving the loss of several family members over too short of a time and to be coming out of some very difficult years. The Camino is the perfect place to take her broken heart. The pilgrimage is going to give her the chance to slow down, take it all in, and heal. JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS IN 2027? Some of my pilgrims would never walk the Camino without this support. Others just want the camaraderie that comes with starting with people they already know and who are equally passionate and excited about the journey. Still others love that starting this way takes the edge off of the fear and anxiety that comes with taking on something like a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. Others love planning and preparing and appreciate doing that in an organized, linear, and thorough way. How can I support you in making your Camino dream a reality? Walk with me in 2027! Go here to let me know you're interested.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

SEEING THE WORLD AT THE PACE OF WALKING What comes after the Camino de Santiago? What do you take on next, after you’ve shown yourself that you can do big and hard things and when you realize that you are physically, emotionally, and mentally strong? And what do you do when you realize that the practice of pilgrimage is now completely a part of you, and your favorite way to travel is to move at the pace of walking? You do what my guest today, Fiona, has done, and you find other pilgrimage and trekking routes in other parts of the world, and you keep walking. Fiona refers to herself as a “rogue pilgrim” – someone who walks to explore life’s deeper questions but who doesn’t have a religious reason for going on pilgrimage. In this episode, Fiona is sharing about her Kumano Koda pilgrimage in Japan, plus an extraordinary story of survival and camaraderie on her journey to Everest Base Camp. Here are some helpful links: Kumano Kodo website - tb-kumano.jp/en/lodging/list/    Information on the Larapinta Trail - https://www.larapintatrail.com.au/   Check out the previous episodes with Fiona: Season 3, episode 3 Season 3, episode 20 Season 5, episode 9   JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS IN 2027? Some of my pilgrims would never walk the Camino without this support. Others just want the camaraderie that comes with starting with people they already know and who are equally passionate and excited about the journey. Still others love that starting this way takes the edge off of the fear and anxiety that comes with taking on something like a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. Others love planning and preparing and appreciate doing that in an organized, linear, and thorough way. How can I support you in making your Camino dream a reality? Walk with me in 2027! Go here to let me know you're interested.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE DEEPEST QUESTION OF ALL: AM I A REAL PILGRIM? What is the story of your life that you’re writing right now? That’s one of the questions my guest this week is asking as she counts down to her pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. Today I am talking with Danya, who is starting her pilgrimage with my May Camino Experience group in just over a week. As a wife and mother of two daughters who is approaching the end of her 40’s, Danya is asking some big questions – some profound questions that will accompany her on her pilgrimage. Questions like, “is it selfish to ask, what do I want?” “What does it mean to be a real pilgrim, and am I one?” And, “what is the story of my life that I’m writing right now?” I love the conversation Danya and I had, and I especially love that her family was able to join us at the end, to weigh in with their perspective on what mom is heading out to do and how they can support her in making this significant journey. JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS IN 2027? Some of my pilgrims would never walk the Camino without this support. Others just want the camaraderie that comes with starting with people they already know and who are equally passionate and excited about the journey. Still others love that starting this way takes the edge off of the fear and anxiety that comes with taking on something like a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. Others love planning and preparing and appreciate doing that in an organized, linear, and thorough way. How can I support you in making your Camino dream a reality? Walk with me in 2027! Go here to let me know you're interested. #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE COURAGE TO TAKE THE FIRST OF *MANY* BIG STEPS If there’s one thing we don’t talk about enough when we talk about walking the Camino de Santiago, it’s the courage it takes to take on something like this pilgrimage. For many people, walking the Camino is unlike anything else they’ve ever done before. It’s the first time they’ve traveled alone. The first time they’ve traveled internationally. The first time they’ve been away from home for so long. The first time they’ve carried everything they needed for the trip in one small backpack on their back. It was no different for my guest today, Carie, who is walking the Camino Portuguese this spring. The fear and the anxiety are, I think, why we need to hear these stories from other first time pilgrims, from people who are in the exact same head and heart space – feeling all that uncertainty, feeling fear and anxiety, yet bravely doing it anyway. My conversation with Carie takes us through all that plus some practical considerations. We also touch on the modern-day pilgrimage planning phenomenon called AI. Be careful with that, by the way, as AI doesn’t always understand the needs of walkers on the Camino de Santiago, and you may get some wacky stage and accommodation suggestions. Here is the book Carie recommended: Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking 3 Ancient Ways, by J.F. Penn JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS IN 2027? Some of my pilgrims would never walk the Camino without this support. Others just want the camaraderie that comes with starting with people they already know and who are equally passionate and excited about the journey. Still others love that starting this way takes the edge off of the fear and anxiety that comes with taking on something like a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. Others love planning and preparing and appreciate doing that in an organized, linear, and thorough way. How can I support you in making your Camino dream a reality? Walk with me in 2027! Go here to let me know you're interested.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE PILGRIMAGE JOURNEY CONTINUES FOR PILGRIM CHAD It seems as though the default choice for walking the Camino de Santiago these days is to walk either the Francés route or the Portuguese route. Now, that does oversimplify things, but the statistics from the pilgrim’s office in Santiago de Compostela do show that those have been the two most-walked routes in recent years. My guest on the podcast this week,Chad, has walked both those routes, and now he has taken his pilgrimage practice to other less traveled routes. What I love about talking with Chad is that he loves the spiritual practice of pilgrimage as much as I do, and it’s become a regular part of his life and his family’s life. This time Chad will be talking about what he calls his “connector Camino”, which he shared with his 25 year old daughter and regular pilgrimage partner, Bonnie. What does that mean, connector Camino? Well, you’ll see. Here are the routes Chad is sharing about: Camino Lebaniego Camino Vadiniense Camino San Salvador The church he talks about with the the relic of the cross of Jesus Christ is at the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana. The mountain location he talked about is called Fuente Dé, and it is located inside the Picos de Europa National Park. If you'd like to get to know Chad from his first Camino experience to now, check out these previous episodes: Season 2, Episode 18: “A Conversation with Pilgrim Chad Before His First Pilgrimage on the Camino Francés”  Season 3, Episode 12: "After the Camino with Pilgrim Chad”  Season 5, Episode 6: "Chad writes the next two chapters of his pilgrimage story"    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WEATHERING THE PLOT TWISTS OF CAMINO PREP If the Camino starts when you say YES, which I think it does, what are the implications of that? If the moment you decide you are definitely going to do this thing is when the journey begins, what can you expect to happen next, after you commit? In my experience, when I say yes to something big, something bold, something that will take me way outside my comfort zone, I have to expect some plot twists along the way. And that’s exactly what has happened for my guest today, Dara. P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! GET READY TO WALK WITH OTHERS If you're planning to walk the Camino with a friend, family member, or a group, you may want to have some specific conversations before you get too far in your planning. Check out this episode of the podcast - season one, episode 12 to sort out who will you walk with and what you'll want to talk about beforehand.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND THE WAY, MY WAY This week on the podcast I am delighted to be sharing a conversation I had with two very talented and Camino-spirit filled people, Bill Bennet and Jennifer Cluff. [See their bios below.] You may know Bill as the director and lead character of the film The Way, My Way, and the author of the book of the same name, which tell the story of his pilgrimage on the Camino Francés. You may know Jennifer as the actress who played Bill’s wife in the movie, but what you may not know is that Jennifer is also Bill’s real-life wife and they are solid partners in their creative endeavors. And what a delightful and insightful pair they are.  Let's see where this conversation goes . . .  In this episode I am trying a new format: a "live" audience asking questions of our guests. Let me know what you think!  HAVING TROUBLE BRINGING YOUR CAMINO HOME? Join us in La Terraza, where pilgrims gather to share in the spirit of the Camino. MEET BILL BENNETT Bill Bennett studied Journalism at the University of Queensland before joining the ABC as a journalist. He moved into documentaries and stayed with the ABC for twelve years before going freelance as a documentary filmmaker. During this time he won two Logies, (Australia’s equivalent of the Emmy)for Television Reporter of the Year, and Most Outstanding Television Documentary of the Year. He then moved into feature films. He’s made 17 feature films as writer, producer and director. He’s won Australian Film Institute Awards (Australia’s equivalent of the Oscar) for Best Film and Best Director and been nominated a further twelve times. He’s had two films in Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival and four films selected for the Toronto Film Festival. In 2024 his movie The Way, My Way became the third highest grossing Australian film of the year. It was based on his best-selling Camino memoir of the same name. In 2025 the Spanish Government awarded Bill the 8th annual Malaspina Award for his outstanding contribution to furthering cultural ties between Australia and Spain through his book and film, The Way, My Way. As an author, Penguin Random House has published his YA supernatural thriller trilogy, Palace of Fires. MEET JENNIFER CLUFF Jennifer Cluff is a producer of feature films and a dramaturge who has taken her skills from theatre into literature and film. She began her career as an actress, at the tender age of 17, starring in the classic ABC TV series, SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS. Then followed more TV, some movies, and theatre – at the Sydney Theatre Company and the Queensland Theatre Company. During this time she worked with playwrights on the development of their material. She later script edited Bill Bennett’s first feature screenplay for the film A STREET TO DIE, which was nominated for five AFI Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. As Bill’s partner, she subsequently script edited all his screenplays, including the multiple AFI Award winner KISS OR KILL – a film which she also produced with Bill. Jennifer has since produced, along with Bill, 10 feature films, all of which were released theatrically.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHAT DO THE CAMINO AND THE KUMANO KODO PILGRIMAGES HAVE IN COMMON? Let's find out! If you are looking for your next big trip and you love the spiritual practice of pilgrimage, then you are going to love this episode of the podcast. But it’s not about the Camino, per se. It’s Camino-adjacent, but about something that, turns out, is totally different. Chris from episode 142 is back! It feels like the blink of an eye since I talked with Chris the last time, but in the interim, he has completed the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage in Japan, which is no small thing. So we are going to be taking a look at the similarities and differences between the Camino and the Kumano Kodo through the lens of pilgrimage. Here is some information about this pilgrimage: https://www.kumano-travel.com/en https://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHEN YOU CAN DO WAAAAAY MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU CAN If you haven’t yet walked the Camino because you think you can’t do it because of an illness, my guest today is about to turn that idea on its head. Today I am talking with Phil, who walked the Camino after recovering from a serious illness. And, as many of us have done, he walked to honor a family member and make a statement about how he wants to live his life going forward. Phil also shows us that it’s not so much that the Camino provides, as the popular saying goes, but that the Camino teaches us. He discovered that while problems on the Camino seem to be inevitable, they don’t need to be debilitating. And actually, some of the problems we anticipate never even show up. NEW TO THE PODCAST?  If you are just getting started with your planning for the Camino, you may want to hop back to season one, episode one. That's where the journey begins. And if you'd like something to get you started, grab your copy of my FREE Camino Planning Roadmap. #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE CHALLENGES OF WALKING A WINTER CAMINO Will I find a place to sleep? Will I find food? Will it rain the entire time? These are questions all pilgrims ask when getting ready to walk the Camino, but none more so than the winter pilgrim. Imagine walking the Camino when most services are closed, when only 75 of the 450+ albergues on the Francés route keep their doors open for the winter. Imagine walking into a town after a long day out in the cold and discovering the one albergue you thought would be open isn’t. In this episode we are talking with Chris, who walked the Camino Francés in the winter. But believe it or not, that is even the most interesting part of his story. What drew me in was why Chris walked, and that he is the father of Savannah, who you met in the last episode. To find open albergues on the Camino Francés in the winter: http://winterpilgrim.com/  The pilgrimage in Japan Chris talks about is called the Kumano Kodo. Learn more here: https://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo/    FIND (AND FOLLOW) ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA Here's where to find my new video format on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancyreynolds-CaminoExperience/shorts  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/  Tik Tok: Nancy @ the Camino Experience   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHEN EXPECTATIONS DON'T MEET REALITY Is the Camino safe for a woman traveling alone? What about for a young woman, say one in her early 20s walking alone? You may hear many different answers to those questions – many different experiences from the various Camino routes, and many people will argue with you about the safety of the Camino if you try to say it’s not safe. In this episode you are going to hear the real-life experiences from Savannah. She is young and she walked the Camino alone. She encountered some of the legendary Camino magic, but she also encountered some truly unpleasant experiences. Here are the safety tips Savannah shared: Download the AlertCops app Know the emergency help numbers - 112 for medical and fire emergencies, and 062 for the Guardia Civil (Civil Guard) to aid with other urgent issues.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WANT TO HAVE THE CAMINO ALL TO YOURSELF? If you’ve been contemplating a winter pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, this episode is for you. But even if you haven’t been thinking about walking in the winter, this episode may still be for you – especially if you are worried about getting blisters or becoming injured and not being able to finish. In this episode, you are going to meet Sarah from Seattle who is going to tell you all about her first winter Camino on the Francés route. She also shares about her second winter pilgrimage, which will be on the Camino Mozárabe. You may discover a winter pilgrimage is exactly what you’ve been longing for. READY FOR SOME SHORT ANSWERS TO YOUR CAMINO QUESTIONS? Here's where to find me on social media in video format: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancyreynolds-CaminoExperience/shorts  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/  Tik Tok: Nancy @ the Camino Experience   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHEN SANTIAGO ISN'T THE END This week we are hearing from Richard, who you met back in episode 127. Richard’s story really stood out because he is living with a significant vision impairment. But it didn’t stop him from walking the Camino Francés from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago and then on to the coast, to Fisterra and Muxía. And his pilgrimage didn’t stop there. Here’s the question Richard answers for us: What do you do when you realize that what you had planned wasn’t going to be enough? FREE MEAL AT THE PARADOR IN SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA! Here is some information about the free lunch Richard talked about. Available to the first 10 pilgrims to present themselves at the Pilgrim's Reception Office each day.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

ON BEING A BRIDGE How often do you have the time – or inclination – to ask deep, existential questions? My guest today – Michael – had just about two weeks on the Camino Portuguese to do just that. And he really made the most out of the opportunity. This conversation that may just change the way you see this pilgrimage. After years of dreaming, months of planning, days of walking, Michael shares his story of how he is getting the most out of his pilgrimage experience. JOIN ME IN SEATTLE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND Free pilgrim gratitude walk! Join your host, Nancy, and pilgrim and author Jen Manglos for a reflective and contemplative gratitude walk on Friday, November 28, 10 am to noon, at Carkeek Park in Seattle, Washington. Free. Not in the Seattle area? You can host your own gratitude walk! Nancy and Jen will provide the reflective guide to share with your walkers. Get the details and register for the Seattle walk or to host your own walk here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/gratitude  JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO IN MAY 2026 The most daunting part of walking the Camino is getting started. Why go it alone then? Two spots have opened up in my May 2026 Camino Experience group. Grab your spot today: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

BEYOND "WHO AM I?" There are times in our lives when we just need something. Something different, something new, something challenging, to shake things up and show us who we are right now. Something is what has called my guest this week – Marina – to walk the Camino. Marina is asking a really important question as she embarks on this journey. It’s an existential question, really, like who am I? But it goes even deeper and broader. JOIN ME IN SEATTLE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND Free pilgrim gratitude walk! Join your host, Nancy, and pilgrim and author Jen Manglos for a reflective and contemplative gratitude walk on Friday, November 28, 10 am to noon, at Carkeek Park in Seattle, Washington. Free. Not in the Seattle area? You can host your own gratitude walk! Nancy and Jen will provide the reflective guide to share with your walkers. Get the details and register for the Seattle walk or to host your own walk here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/gratitude  JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO IN MAY 2026 The most daunting part of walking the Camino is getting started. Why go it alone then? Two spots have opened up in my May 2026 Camino Experience group. Grab your spot today: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE POST-CAMINO BLUES We don’t talk about this enough. It’s something almost every pilgrim feels: the emotional and spiritual challenge of returning home. After all the walking, the quiet, the moments of connection and clarity, it’s jarring to come back to schedules, noise, and expectations. You may feel disoriented. Disconnected. Even a little lost. That’s not a sign something went wrong—it’s a sign that something changed. This is sacred ground. Today I am sharing two audio sessions from the Bringing home the Camino guided journey inside our new La Terraza online pilgrim community: The post-Camino blues Why integration matters just as much as the journey These are the first steps to life after the Camino and the start of your next pilgrimage. BRING IT HOME WITH OTHER PILGRIMS Join La Terraza, where pilgrims gather to share in the spirit of the Camino de Santiago. https://thecaminoexperience.com/laterraza/  Enrollment is open from noon on Tuesday, November 4 through Friday, November 14, 2025. FREE PILGRIM GRATITUDE WALK Join your host, Nancy, and pilgrim and author Jen Manglos for a reflective and contemplative gratitude walk on Friday, November 28, 10 am to noon, at Carkeek Park in Seattle, Washington. Free. Not in the Seattle area? You can host your own gratitude walk! Nancy and Jen will provide the reflective guide to share with your walkers. Get the details and register for the Seattle walk or to host your own walk here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/gratitude    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

BRINGING THE CAMINO HOME You walked the Camino de Santiago and met YOU. Maybe it was the best version of you, maybe it was the worst. Maybe it was your authentic self that you were longing to meet and had suspected was hiding somewhere within you. My guest today is Kathy Kehe, pilgrim and life coach who is passionate about you finding and bringing home the gold from your pilgrimage. She and I really get into it, as that is my passion, too. We are all about what happens after you walk the Camino. We are about how you bring home the gifts of the Camino to change your life for real. It’s not just about tending to the inner landscape, which is, of course, important and necessary. It’s also about adjusting the external features of your life – what you do each day, who you share your time with, and how you find your post-Camino dream and go after that. Find out more about Kathy's work here: https://www.kathykcoaching.com/  Check out Camino Wisdom Stories here: https://www.heroscamino.com/wisdomstories  BRING IT HOME WITH OTHER PILGRIMS Join La Terraza, where pilgrims gather to share in the spirit of the Camino de Santiago. https://thecaminoexperience.com/laterraza/  Enrollment is open from noon on Tuesday, November 4 through Friday, November 14, 2025. FREE PILGRIM GRATITUDE WALK Join your host, Nancy, and pilgrim and author Jen Manglos for a reflective and contemplative gratitude walk on Friday, November 28, 10 am to noon, at Carkeek Park in Seattle, Washington. Not in the Seattle area Why not host your own gratitude walk? Nancy and Jen will provide the reflective guide to share with your walkers. Get the details and register for the Seattle walk or to host your own walk here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/gratitude    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

SLOWING DOWN FOR THAT CAMINO CONNECTION Every so often, timing lines up just right. This week, I catch Lisa and Abhay just days before they leave for Spain to begin their pilgrimage on the Camino Francés. They are both used to moving fast and taking on big challenges, but the Camino offers them something different: a chance to slow down, be present, and savor the shared experience of walking this ancient pilgrimage path. READY TO BRING HOME YOUR CAMINO EXPERIENCE? Registration in our new pilgrim community, La Terraza, opens on Tuesday, November 4 for anyone who has already walked one of the Camino routes. The La Terraza community takes your Camino experience to the next level, with targeted audio sessions that walk you through the transition back home and numerous opportunities to connect with other pilgrims who share the awe and wonder of making this pilgrimage. IS 2026 YOUR YEAR TO WALK THE CAMINO?  I have ONE spot left in my September 2026 Camino Experience group. Let's get started together: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/  (The May 2026 group is full.)   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

İ SÍ SE PUEDE ! (YES WE CAN!) Imagine facing down your fears with such clarity and determination - with a sure and clear statement of yes I can - that your fear transforms into freedom. That's what happened on the Camino for pilgrim Jen Manglos, and her life has never been the same. She has since written and published a landmark book for pilgrims returning home from walking the Camino de Santiago: The Way Back: Reflections, Practices, and Rituals to Help You Bring Home the Wisdom of Your Pilgrimage Available on Amazon or contact Jen via her website: https://jenmanglos.com/  Jen shared a couple of fantastic resources available to pilgrims wanting to debrief their pilgrimage experiences, both of which are available in Santiago: Pilgrim House, located at Rúa Nova, 19 Camino Companions, located in the same building as the Pilgrim's Reception Office, at Rúa das Carretas, 33 The very special place to stay on the Camino Portugués is Albergue De Peregrinos Casa Da Fernanda, in Vitorino dos Piães, Portugal And the musical Jen referred to is called Come From Away: https://comefromaway.com/    IS 2026 YOUR YEAR TO WALK THE CAMINO?  Let's get started together. Drop me an email at nancy@thecaminoexperience to grab one of the final spots in my 2026 Camino Experience groups.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

NOW IS THE TIME TO GO AFTER YOUR DREAMS I hope you are ready to be inspired, because in this episode you are going to hear from someone who knows how to make dreams happen. And more than that, she knows the value of going after those dreams . . . now. Kat is living in Spain with her husband and daughter, following one of the best plot twists ever. When Kat said yes to walking the Camino, it sparked an amazing and seemingly unlikely chain of events. “Yes” is a powerful word, so use it wisely! You just never know where one yes will lead you. For Kat, it led her to motherhood, moving to Spain, and a whole new take on career and family. She learned the benefits of slowing down, and at this new pace she was able to contemplate the question of who she wanted to be, for real. IS 2026 YOUR YEAR TO WALK THE CAMINO?  Let's get started together. Join me on the trail: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHEN PLANS CHANGE - FOR THE BETTER How many pilgrims were inspired to walk the Camino after seeing a movie set on the trail? For most people it was the movie The Way, with Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen. For my guest today it was the charming (although largely inaccurate) Hallmark movie, Journey to You. Jeff is recently retired, and his discovery of the Camino after watching the movie Journey to You, led to an immediate plot twist in his newly implemented retirement plans. Jeff asked some excellent questions, so you are going to get some more information on using trekking poles on the Camino – how to get the most benefit from them, and how not to lose your poles. And I’ve got some pro tips for you on staying in Roncesvalles. IS 2026 YOUR YEAR TO WALK THE CAMINO?  Let's get started together. Join me on the trail: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

REDEFINING AGE ON THE CAMINO What is the Camino really all about? Many pilgrims say it’s all about the people, and my guest today is likely to agree with that. Cheryle walked the Camino with her friend, Janet, at the age of 81. Together they made friends all along the Way. Cheryle doesn’t consider herself a walker, but she did it, and when she wrote to me last week, she said this: I still have the love and glow of the beautiful walk I had on the Camino.”   IS 2026 YOUR YEAR TO WALK THE CAMINO?  Let's get started together. Join me on the trail: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

BEING A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN OURSELVES I love the perspective of the first-time pilgrim. There is so much excitement and anticipation. Eagerness and nervousness. And such great questions! We could talk forever about what it means to walk the Camino de Santiago and what it takes to get ready. My guest today is Jill from California who is just about to board a plane to go walk the Camino Francés. We had a wonderful conversation, spanning such topics as pilgrim meals, planning your stages, when to take rest days, women’s safety, and using ATMs to get cash. We also touched on the tender position of being one small person in a big world and how we can connect with others in a way that restores our hope and trust in humanity. Here is the book Jill mentions in this episode: The Way of the Heart, by Henri Noewen Join Jill in supporting the World Central Kitchen: https://donate.wck.org/fundraiser/6443097  HOW ARE YOUR 2025 GOALS COMING ALONG? I'd love to hear from you! You can write to me at nancy@thecaminoexperience.com  IS 2026 YOUR YEAR TO WALK THE CAMINO?  Let's get started together. Join me on the trail: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE UNIVERSALITY OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE What happens when you want to walk the Camino, but you have a physical limitation that could prevent you from doing it? Well, in the case of today’s guest, Richard, you just go do it anyway. Today's inspiring pilgrim conversation filled with spiritual insight, courage, and determination. Talking with Richard reminded me how much I take for granted, with all my senses working and my body as able as it can be one week away from turning 60. He also reminded me that there are gifts hidden in loss and trials, gifts that we can use to deepen our human experience and understand its universality. IS 2026 YOUR YEAR TO WALK THE CAMINO?  Let's get started together. Join me on the trail: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY Bringing the Camino experience home. Anyone tried that? It’s tricky, right? You spend all this time in the liminal space of the Camino – in this alternative world where strangers are kind, people are good, and making connections is easy and fun. You walk yourself into a stronger, braver version of yourself, and you discover you like that person. You dial into the simplicity of spending your day at the pace of walking, carrying only what you need, and listening to the messages from your body about what it needs and how to care for it. You laugh, you cry, you celebrate, and you grieve. And you do it all with a couple dozen people who have the same purpose as you: to walk day by day and eventually reach Santiago de Compostela, Fisterra, or Muxia. You do all that, and then you have to return home. It’s hard, isn’t it, to transition from the Camino back to everyday life? We do it, but many of us don’t like it. Many of us flounder, struggle, and suffer. There has to be a better way. Now there is! Check it out . . . JOIN THE LA TERRAZA COMMUNITY Take the next step of your pilgrimage here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/laterraza/  Registration is open from noon on August 19, through midnight August 23, 2025, Pacific time zone. Next registration period will be in late October/early November. GET THE FULL CHALLENGE Sign up here to get all the content of the Mining the Lessons of the Camino challenge: https://thecaminoexperience.com/challenge  #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

YOUR PILGRIMAGE ISN'T OVER When we walked the Camino, we discovered a few things. We discovered something called Camino magic – that experience of awe and wonder when we slowed down to the pace of walking, when we settled deeply into the present moment, and when we opened our hearts to strangers, ourselves, and something bigger than ourselves. We discovered the true meaning of the phrase, "the Camino provides." Curiously, the Camino didn’t always provide what we wanted, but if we looked closely enough, we could see that it provided what we needed. We discovered a new version of ourselves – one we liked and wanted to become better acquainted with. One we would like to hang out with on a regular basis. We discovered an inner strength and confidence, and we suspected it may have been there all along; we just didn’t know how to access it. We discovered the spirit of the Camino and wanted more of it. How do we keep all that alive? Here's how: JOIN THE LA TERRAZA COMMUNITY Take the next step of your pilgrimage here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/laterraza/  Registration is open from noon on August 19, through midnight August 23, 2025, Pacific time zone. Next registration period will be in late October/early November. GET THE FULL CHALLENGE Sign up here to get all the content of the Mining the Lessons of the Camino challenge: https://thecaminoexperience.com/challenge  #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHY SHARING YOUR CAMINO STORY IS SO IMPORTANT When we return home from the Camino, one of our greatest needs is simply to talk about the experience. We need to tell our stories. You can see this on social media and all over YouTube. So many stories! So many people feel compelled to recount what happened and where and with whom. Look at this, look at that! Our stories connect us to each other and inspire us to reach higher. In sharing about our Camino experiences, we come to understand them better, and we discover hidden treasures in the factual accounting of what happened, when, where, and how. Today I am going to share with you five reasons why telling our Camino stories is so important. And then I want to share with you some actual stories pilgrims have been sharing within La Terraza. Then, we will wrap up with the third audio session from our community challenge, mining the lessons of the Camino. GET THE FULL CHALLENGE Sign up here to get all the content of the Mining the Lessons of the Camino challenge: https://thecaminoexperience.com/challenge  #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR AFTER THE CAMINO? For many people, walking the Camino totally lives up to the hype. Their experiences match what they see in all the YouTube videos and the movies like The Way. For others, not so much. But here’s the catch: no matter what experience you had on the Camino, you still had to re-enter life at home. In this episode, I am going to share with you a bit more of my after-the-Camino story as a way to show you what’s possible if you put as much attention on what happens after the Camino as you do to getting ready and walking. And then I am going to share with you the second part of our August challenge, mining the lessons of the Camino. The goal here is to give you a glimpse into our new pilgrim community, La Terraza, and to show you how we are meeting the seemingly insurmountable challenge of bringing home the Camino experience. You invested so much time and money in your pilgrimage, let’s make sure you reap the rewards of your efforts and investment. GET THE FULL CHALLENGE Sign up here to get all the content of the Mining the Lessons of the Camino challenge: https://thecaminoexperience.com/challenge  #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE CHALLENGE OF BRINGING THE CAMINO HOME If you have already walked one of the Camino routes, you may have discovered that coming home after the Camino is the hardest part of the entire Camino experience. I’ve been there, and not just once or twice. Every time I have come home from the Camino over the past 20 years, I have been faced with what seemed like a monumental, insurmountable challenge: adjusting to life off the Camino and somehow keeping the spirit of the Camino alive in my life. We have to talk about this. We focus so much attention on getting ready for the Camino, and then you spend your time on the trail deeply immersed in the experience. Now we have to attend to the after part. We have to gather some tools and resources for pilgrims returning home from the Camino, so we can round out the Camino experience. In this bonus episode and the next four, we are going to look at how to bring home the Camino experience. Specifically, we are going to explore what you have been up against since returning home. And then I am going to share with you some ideas for how to take on one of the biggest challenges pilgrims face when they come home: finding and understanding the lessons of the Camino. GET THE FULL CHALLENGE Sign up here to get all the content of the Mining the Lessons of the Camino challenge: https://thecaminoexperience.com/challenge  #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

PLOT TWIST!!! What do you do when your Camino experience is hit with a massive plot twist, and not the good kind? Who do you turn to when you are far away from home, immersed in a life-changing pilgrimage, and you are blindsided by a medical emergency? In this week’s episode you are going to hear from pilgrim Jodi, whose Camino derailed in the most spectacular fashion, again, not in a good way. But Jodi has found several ways to walk through the surprises and the disappointment that came with them, and today you get to hear her story. JOIN THE LA TERRAZA CHALLENGE! Starting on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, everyone is welcome to join our challenge, Mining the Lessons of the Camino, and get a preview of our new pilgrim community, La Terraza. Sign up here to get the bonus content not shared on the podcast: http://thecaminoexperience.com/challenge  JOIN ME ON THE CAMINO IN 2026 Registration is now open for both of my 2026 Camino Experience groups. Here are the dates we will be together on the trail from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona: May 8-15September 11-18 Get the whole story at https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

CAMINO ROUTE FACE OFF: FRANCÉS VS PORTUGUESE Pilgrim Clare's story has two parts – with pilgrimages taking place on two different Camino routes, one year apart. On her first walk, she had the mother of all plot twists, but curiously, she’s not mad about it. On her second walk, she filled in all the Camino blanks and finished strong in Santiago. Because Clare walked on two different routes, she is able to give us a really helpful comparison of what it was like to start from Saint Jean Pied de Port and Porto. If you are debating between the two routes, this is going to help you make that decision. Clare is also going to give us what I think is the number one reason to share your Camino experience with friends and family. Spoiler alert: it has something to do with inspiration. READY FOR A CHALLENGE? Reconnect with the spirit of your Camino journey and uncover the lessons that still have the power to guide and transform your everyday life with the La Terraza August challenge: Mining the lessons of the Camino. Sign up today: https://thecaminoexperience.com/challenge  Register before Wednesday, August 13 so you don't miss a thing!   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE SHARED PILGRIM EXPERIENCE What is at the heart of the pilgrim experience? So may things, but one stands out: The moments we share with other pilgrims. Some of these are people we meet along the way, and then there are the ones we bring with us, like Jarrett and Amy who walked the Camino as a couple. Amy shares what she learned from walking in the mud, and Jarrett shares the joy of slowing down to someone else's pace. And a whole lot more! WALK WITH ME IN 2026! The most daunting part of walking the Camino is getting started. Why not get off to a great start with the Camino Experience. The start dates for 2026 are now available. Get the dates and put your name on the early registration wait list here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk  BRING IT ALL BACK HOME WITH YOU Why walk the Camino if you are going to leave all the lessons, stories, and connections on the trail or in Santiago? Instead, bring it all back home with you and keep the magic and spirit of the Camino alive in your everyday life.  Registration for our new pilgrim community, La Terraza, opens for seasoned pilgrims in mid-August 2025. Find out more here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/laterraza    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

MISHAPS MAKE THE MEMORIES Walking for two weeks in solid rain didn't dampen Paul's spirits. In fact, he found that the tough times make for better memories. He discovers the generosity of other pilgrims, and a deeper sense of our shared humanity, and it all leads to the beautiful simplicity found in the life of a pilgrim. Have you found your passion? Paul has. Spoiler alert: It's the Camino de Santiago! GET ON MY EMAIL LIST . . . NOW! I have some exciting things coming up in August 2025. To be the first to hear of all the cool stuff coming your way, be sure to get on my email list. You will also get my Camino planning Roadmap and my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists). Go here: http://thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

JOIN ME ON THE TERRACE OF THE SPANISH BAR How many months did you spend – or have you spent – planning and preparing for your pilgrimage? What if you planned to spend that much time on bringing back the benefits of your journey? It’s an interesting question, yes? The thing is, we can’t really avoid spending that time integrating the Camino into our lives - it has to be done - so I think a better question is how do we do that well? That’s what this big reveal is all about. How do we keep that spirit alive? The answer: community GET ON MY EMAIL LIST . . . NOW! I have some exciting things coming up in August 2025. To be the first to hear of all the cool stuff coming your way, be sure to get on my email list. You will also get my Camino planning Roadmap and my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists). Go here: http://thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHEN IT'S TIME FOR YOU *** The podcast is taking a break next week and will return on Tuesday, July 15*** Some dreams have to be put on hold for a very long time. What I love about this week's pilgrim conversation is Katey’s honesty and vulnerability as she explores the themes of her pilgrimage. Specifically, what is the significance of going after your dream – you know, the one you have been hanging onto for decades. And what happens when you finally give yourself permission to make that dream come true? Maybe you will hear parts of your own story in Katey’s story.   GET ON MY EMAIL LIST . . . NOW! I have some exciting announcements coming up in July 2025. To be the first to hear of all the cool stuff coming your way, be sure to get on my email list. You will also get my Camino planning Roadmap and my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists). Go here: http://thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

TESTING BOUNDARIES, EXPLORING FAITH Telling our stories is such an important part of the Camino experience, and it starts long before we take our first steps on the trail. My guest this week, Eden, does an amazing job of showing just how important the pre-Camino story is. And she shows us that pilgrimage isn’t just about the pilgrim; rather, it touches the lives of everyone who knows you are going to make this journey. You’ll see. There’s more to it, too. Eden reminds us that walking the Camino is so much more than the physical walk. So getting ready to walk the Camino can’t be all about packing and getting the right backpack and boots and other gear. It also has to be about getting ready mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This is a story of courage, on several fronts. I hope you enjoy it!   WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MY GUEST? I am always looking for compelling stories to share on this podcast. Right now I am looking to talk with people who have walked more than one Camino and who can share about their experiences bringing the Camino home. Let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/podcast-guest-request-form/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THIS IS NO SMALL FEAT Life can be challenging at times, but what do you do when those tough times come at you rapid fire, one thing right after the next?  You walk the Camino. Life: no small feat The Camino: no small feat Pilgrim Kristen will be walking with one of her best friends, and they intend to walk an "entire Camino." Find out why, along with some solid inspiration to make this journey your own. Here are the shows Kristen talked about in the interview: Rick Steves' Europe on YouTube Alex Polizzi's Secret Spain on YouTube Alex Polizzi's Spectacular Spain on YouTube The trailer for 3 Caminos The trailer for The Way My Way The song I Shall Not Walk Alone Here is the poem she shared: I Will Leave This House, by Joseph Auslander   BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT'S NEXT The Camino Experience has some exciting things coming your way soon. If you would like to be the first to know about them, join my email list and grab your free copy of my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists). Sign up here: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/tips    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

SHARING MY BIG VISION! Today I have some updates on the pilgrim registration requirements and for the Francés route:  >> updates to the luggage transport services >> new places to buy gear, and  >> where to find the best pizza And then my favorite topic:  >> How do we deal with the hardest part of the entire Camino experience?  >> How do we fill our lives with what I call Camino-grade experiences? To jump ahead to this part of the episode, when I talk about bringing home the Camino experience, go to the 14:20 minute mark. Here are the places mentioned in this episode:  >> Caminoteca pilgrim shop: https://caminoteca.com/  >> Rock N Roll Pizza: https://rockandrollpizza.es/  >> Jacotrans, use discount code DAG: https://www.jacotrans.es/en/ GET REGISTERED BEFORE YOU GO In 2025 and beyond, accommodation hosts are required to collect additional data on their guests. For a list of albergues currently using the Pilgrim Pass system, go here: https://pilgrim-pass.web.app/#/lodgings If you would like to get this taken care of before go, here is the website: https://cms-pilgrim-pass.web.app/preregistration TELL ME ALL ABOUT IT! If you have walked at least two Caminos, I would love to have you as a guest on the podcast to answer this question: What has been the secret of your success in bringing home your pilgrimage? Or maybe you haven't been all that successful. Let's talk about that too! You can let me know you're interested in being a guest here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/podcast-guest-request-form/   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

LET'S CLEAR UP A FEW THINGS! In this episode I am going to answer a handful of first-time pilgrim questions that are showing up nonstop on social media. Questions like: How hard is it, really? Do you have to train? What’s the weather going to be like? Do I need a sleeping bag? Do I need to reserve a bed or room in advance? READY TO TELL YOUR STORY? I would love to help you do that! If your pilgrimage had an "alternative ending," meaning you didn't finish in Santiago, I would love to have you as a guest on the podcast. You can email me directly at nancy@thecaminoexperience.com or complete this form to let me know you are interested.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

MAKING MEMORIES, LIVING HIS DREAMS My guest in this episode said yes to walking the Camino before he even knew what that really meant. Is it a leap of faith or simply saying yes to life? Either way, Ron shows us that now is the time to say take on those big dreams and goals. After losing nearly 80 lbs by eating less and moving more, Ron is ready to take on the physical, mental, and spiritual challenge of walking the Camino. Wondering about the "marvelous resource" Ron refers to during our conversation? That's the Camino Planning Kit, available at https://thecaminoexperience.com/kit/ It will take you from where you are now - wherever you are in the research and planning process - all the way to taking your first steps on the Camino Francés and beyond.   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

SAY YES. YES, THIS IS POSSIBLE. What happens when you sense a loud, clear calling to walk the Camino de Santiago? Well, you do it. You put some dates on the calendar and you plan this thing. That’s what my guest today, Noel, did. The calling was mysterious yet unmistakable, so who was she to refuse it? And the timing coincides perfectly with a big milestone birthday, so this is the perfect time to take this journey.   DON'T MISS ANYTHING! Everything I offer to the pilgrim community is announced first on to my email list. You can join that list and also pick up your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap/   FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA Looking for some Camino tips, wisdom, and inspiration? It's all here: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHEN HEALING TAKES PLACE ON THE PILGRIMAGE TRAIL I hope you are ready to be inpsired, because today I have the compelling after-the-Camino story of US veteran Paul who walked the Camino last October with the life-changing program offered by Warriors on the Way. (https://warriorsontheway.org/) Warriors on the Way is a pilgrimage on the Camino De Santiago that is designed to facilitate a combat veteran’s healing from PTSD and Moral Injury. This program works to reduce PTSD and Moral Injury symptoms, which in turn improves quality of life and helps in the effort to reduce the veteran suicide rate. The pilgrimage is led by Fr Steven Rindahl (US Army, Retired), who is an experienced pilgrim. Fr Steve has designed this pilgrimage based on his own pilgrimage experiences and supported by his doctorate in responding to combat trauma and through the US Army Chaplaincy course he developed and taught on how to provide a Ministerial Response to Moral Injury.   JOIN ME ON THE PODCAST? Do you have a story to tell? Of course you do! Let me know you are interested in being a guest on the podcast here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/podcast-guest-request-form/   FOLLOW ME ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS During the month of May I will be posting tips and tricks right from the trail. Follow me here: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/ Or better yet, meet me out there somewhere!   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, AND HOW OF IT Diana will be walking the Camino Portuguese with her daughter, and in this episode she reminds us that it is as important to plan the journey home from the Camino as it is to think about and plan the actual walking part. I won’t spoil the surprise; instead, I will invite you to open your mind and heart to new ways of doing things. In all, this is a story of getting the most out of the pilgrimage experience, and noticing before you go that reaching Santiago de Compostela isn’t the end of the journey. This is a story of love and the relationship between a mother and daughter, who are each finding their own reasons for making this pilgrimage, and for making it together. I also sneak in some thoughts on how to plan your return home from the Camino, in case you would like to make that transition go a little bit more smoothly.   LAST DAY TO TAKE 20% OFF THE CAMINO PLANNING KIT! Get your hands on all the instructions - all the how-tos – for how to plan your pilgrimage on the Camino Francés. But it has to be today if you want 20% off! Here's where to find it: https://thecaminoexperience.com/kit/   DON'T MISS ANYTHING! Everything I offer to the pilgrim community is announced first on to my email list. You can join that list and also pick up your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap/   FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM I will be posting right from the Camino trail throughout most of May as I make my way from Logroño to Burgos and then from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona. (I know, it's a bit out of order. Crazy pilgrim that I am.) https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/ Hope to see you out there!   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHAT CHALLENGES DO COUPLES FACE ON THE CAMINO? Claire and Richard walked the Camino Francés in 2023 and had the time of their lives. While they walked the same trail, the same day-to-day stages, and they stayed in the same places every night, they still had their own unique experiences. What is it like to walk the Camino with a partner? Well, it's time to find out. The book we talked about is called In Movement There is Peace: Stumbling 500 Miles Along the Way to the Spirit, by Elaine Orabona Foster and Joseph Wilbred Foster III.   NOW THROUGH MAY 6 - 20% OFF THE CAMINO PLANNING KIT! Imagine a box delivered to your doorstep with everything you need – all the instructions, all the how-tos – for how to plan your pilgrimage on the Camino Francés. Imagine that rather than searching high and low on the internet to find the answers you need, you have it all in one place, at your fingertips, on one website or on in one app. That is the Camino Planning Kit, and now through May 6, 2025, you can take 20% off and get started right away with putting together your pilgrimage plan. Here's where to find it: https://thecaminoexperience.com/kit/   FOLLOW ME ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS During the month of May I will be posting tips and tricks right from the trail. Follow me here: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/ Or better yet, meet me out there somewhere!   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

6 FRIENDS MAKE THE JOURNEY TO SANTIAGO Kimberly shows us the value of making this pilgrimage with friends, with "your people." Any way you do it is valid, and I believe that each person ultimately chooses the way that is best for them, but there is definitely something to be said for sharing this journey with people who know you well, who know you at your best and at your worst and who love you anyway. Did someone say cheesecake?!? Yes! Here is where you find the best cheesecake in Santiago de Compolstela: Airas Nunes Café (easy to find with Google maps or similar)   GET YOUR CAMINO PLAN TOGETHER - 20 % OFF! The promotion on the Camino Planning Kit starts on Friday, April 25, here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/kit/   FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM I will be posting right from the Camino trail as I make my way from Logroño to Burgos and then from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona. (I know, it's a bit out of order. Crazy pilgrim that I am.) https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/ Hope to see you out there!   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

READY FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF PILGRIM WISDOM? It's all here! Pilgrim Sandra is taking a thoughtful and well thought out approach to her Camino experience. There's gold in here! Here is the pilgrim planning resource in Porto (Nicoletta) that Sandra used: https://your-camino.com/  WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED? If you have already walked one of the Camino routes, I would love to hear from you about what challenges you faced in returning home from the Camino. You can take the survey here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/aftersurvey/ BE ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO GET THE NEWLY REMODELED "CAMINO PLANNING KIT"! Promotion coming the last weekend in April. Let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/promo/   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHAT IF YOU ONLY HAVE 21 DAYS? How do you break up the Camino Francés route if you have only 21 days for your pilgrimage? Jarrett and Amy tackled that challenge and came up with a plan that suits them perfectly. Find out how they did that, using this podcast and my Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide. Be the first to know when the audio guide gets its remodel and goes on sale at the end of April 2025. Go to https://thecaminoexperience.com/promo/ Here is the planning tool we talk about: https://godesalco.com/plan Full instructions for using the Godesalco tool and for how to plan your entire Camino journey are in the audio guide!   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

THE ENTIRE CAMINO EXPERIENCE Our pilgrim wisdom continues this week, this time with someone getting ready to walk the Camino, rather than with someone who has already walked. Today you are going to meet pilgrim Annie who is walking the Camino Francés this spring. You'll hear what Annie says about the intersection of human spirit and Camino spirit and how she intends to explore how the themes of surrender and restoration will work into her pilgrimage. I think Annie is going to speak for many of us, as she shares how she is being called to walk the Camino as a long walk with God, to discover what God is trying to do in her life. Beautiful, right? It reminds me that the Camino experience isn’t a one-off experience. Yes, it can be an incredible experience, and there is so much to explore and discover along the many Camino routes. So much to see and feel and smell and taste and touch. It is truly a journey of the senses. Enjoy! READY TO TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP? Head back to season one, episode one to start at the true beginning, and don't forget to grab your free copy of Nancy's Camino Planning Roadmap: https://thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap/   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

WHY DO CAMINO CONNECTIONS HAPPEN SO QUICKLY? This is just one of the questions my guest Maurice and I ponder in this episode of the YOU on the Camino de Santiago podcast. Before he walked his first Camino, Maurice spent some time exploring the question of why he was going to do this pilgrimage. It’s a question I recommend every pilgrim ponders. You may not know exactly why you want to walk the Camino, but simply by asking the question, you invite answers that may take you off in new and exciting directions. Here is the book we discussed: The Art of Pilgrimage, by Phil Cousineau   READY TO GET MOVING ON PLANNING YOUR PILGRIMAGE? Check out Nancy's 13-eBook series and watch your plans come together. https://thecaminoexperience.com/start/ For the DIY pilgrim. Or, let's do this together! Join the Camino Experience group in September - only two spots left as of March 25, 2025. Let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/inquire   HOW TO PROCESS YOUR CAMINO EXPERIENCE WHILE IN SANTIAGO Here are the two places in Santiago that we talked about where pilgrims can go to process their pilgrimage: Pilgrim House in Santiago: https://www.pilgrimhousesantiago.com/ Camino Companions: https://www.fcjsisters.org/who-we-are/where-we-are/europe/camino-companions/    #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF YOUR CAMINO EXPERIENCE? Colleen does. Walking the Camino isn't a life-long dream and she doesn't have a deeply compelling reason to walk the Camino. So why do it? Let's find out! Colleen also shares the common pilgrim concerns – how to find beds and if there will be beds available when they need them, how to use trekking poles without doing a lot of flailing about, how to pronounce those tricky Spanish words for the cities and towns you will be walking through. We talk about all those things and more in this episode. Here are the resources we talked about: How to use the straps on your trekking poles How to get the most out of your trekking poles How to pronounce Spanish place names LET'S GET YOUR CAMINO ON THE CALENDAR! If you are tired of dreaming and are ready to make this pilgrimage happen, or if one of your goals is to start the Camino Francés in September this year, let’s connect. I still have three spots left in my September Camino Experience group, and I would love to have those go to three of my podcast listeners. https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/ Email me at nancy@thecaminoexperience.com   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

A JOURNEY OF BECOMING Why walk the Camino de Santiago? Why walk it now? These are questions that will take you from the idea or dream of walking the Camino to a full-on pull to make it happen. In this episode, Janet shares her plans for walking the Caminho Português with her sister in a journey of becoming. And without too much consideration, she knows she will be doing it her way. Find out what that means as we explore Janet's plans and the health benefits of walking.   WALK WITH ME IN SEPTEMBER! If walking the Camino this year is one of your goals but you haven’t quite gotten around to planning, or if you want to walk the Camino but the idea of getting started alone is holding you back, let’s talk. I have four spots left in my September Camino Experience group, and I would love for you to take one of those spots. Interested? Go here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/   JUST GETTING STARTED ON YOUR CAMINO PLANS? The Where to Start eBook series will take you from where you are now - wondering what to do first or next - all the way to getting your Camino on the calendar. Get it now: https://thecaminoexperience.com/where-to-start/   READY TO TELL YOUR CAMINO STORY? Be a guest on this podcast! Go here to let me know you are interested: https://thecaminoexperience.com/podcast-guest-request-form/   #youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

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: nancy@thecaminoexperience.com   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 nancy@thecaminoexperience.com or youonthecamino@gmail.com   #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 Echeverriav.vigaray@gmail.com 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: nancy@thecaminoexperience.com   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: nancy@thecaminoexperience.com 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! nancy@thecaminoexperience.com   #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! nancy@thecaminoexperience.com   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 youonthecamino@gmail.com. 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 nancy@thecaminoexperience.com   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