Podcast Summary: “Eugene Levy is a 'Reluctant Traveler'”

All Of It with Alison Stewart, WNYC – Sept 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, actor and comedian Eugene Levy sits down with host Alison Stewart to discuss the third season of his Apple TV+ series, The Reluctant Traveler. Known for his self-described "reluctant" approach to travel, Levy shares candid reflections on his evolving views about travel, the experiences that have shaped the show, overcoming personal hesitations, and the new season’s “bucket list” adventures – from celebrating Day of the Dead in Mexico to exploring Ireland and India. Listeners call in to share their own travel ambitions, leading to a lively, thoughtful exploration of what it means to leave your comfort zone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Eugene Levy’s Travel Origins and Reluctance

• Childhood Travel Experience
  • Levy reveals he had little exposure to travel as a child, growing up in Hamilton, Ontario.
    • “We went to the same kind of vacation spot...Crystal Beach, which was on Lake Erie...And that’s the only traveling I did.” (00:56)
• Roots of Reluctance
  • As an adult, he avoided travel due to the hassles, jet lag, and overplanned sightseeing:
    • “I found that the sightseeing aspect...was almost borderline irritating because there were too many things planned in a day...and you just wonder why you left home.” (01:50)
  • Admits preference for stability and routine, especially given the unpredictability of his career:
    • “As a person who's spent a lot of time being someone else, when you’re yourself, you just want to be home.” (03:13)

How 'The Reluctant Traveler' Changed His Perspective

• Initial Rejection and Format Shift
  • Originally declined Apple TV’s offer—wasn’t interested in hosting a show about luxury hotels when he wasn’t drawn to travel or adventure.
    • “I’m not a curious person. I’ve got a low threshold for adventure. I think they’ve got the wrong person.” (04:32)
  • The pitch pivoted after a candid, humorous phone conversation—producers decided his reluctance should be the show.
    • “This conversation...That’s what the show should be. Somebody who doesn’t love to travel, doing a travel show with him. That’s what it is.” (05:05)
  • Accepted once allowed to be honest on camera:
    • “If I could be myself, I thought, okay...there’s an honesty here that I totally get.” (05:31)

Building a “Bucket List” for Season Three

• Focus on Experience Over Location
  • Designed season around unique cultural events, not just destinations:
    • “It was a bucket list of experiences. Like being in Mexico for Day of the Dead, being in Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, trying to, you know, figure out what the K-wave is in South Korea.” (06:25)

Reflections on Age, Mortality, and Growth

• Doing It For the First Time, Even Late
  • Levy admits his age played a role in his new willingness:
    • “I'm not really getting any younger...This show kind of made sense to me…At least you can say you did it.” (08:02)
  • He encourages firsthand experience before forming opinions:
    • “Do it and then decide…But I was making opinions about travel, having not traveled nor wanting to travel. It wasn’t doing much for me as a person.” (08:53, 09:03)
  • Recognizes his “enlightenment”:
    • “It’s definitely made me a kind of a more enlightened person. I’m feeling better about that.” (09:18)

What Makes a Trip Worthwhile?

• Curiosity and Openness
  • Emphasizes learning through experience, not just from preconceived notions or lists:
    • “Now I can go to places knowing, okay, this would not be first on my list...that’s what I’m learning most on the show.” (11:08)
  • Candid about episodes he enjoyed less and others he’d revisit:
    • “There are places I can say, you know what? I’d rather not go back, to be honest. Interesting, but not worth a second trip. Some places I would love to go back to two and three times.” (09:37)

Notable Listener Calls & Eugene’s Responses

• Micah (Brooklyn): Bucket List – Scotland & Ireland
  • A musician and weaver, Micah hopes to experience folk music and textiles in the UK.
    • Eugene: “Scotland was an amazing destination. Really had a great time there. Beautiful, beautiful country. And so was Ireland...the music is quite exciting over there...It’s really great.” (12:49)
• Philomena (Westchester): 50 States Quest
  • Completing visits to all US states. Final three: Oklahoma, Mississippi, Kentucky.
    • Eugene (on RVing in Louisiana): “I drove it, yes. Not well, but I did drive it...The friendliest people in the world, I found down there—charming and gracious...Would I want to see [the Everglades] again? Maybe not, but...the people absolutely would want to go back and spend time.” (15:29)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

On Vienna’s Social Season

• Eugene: “Here’s a fact. They throw 200 formal balls in the span of two months a year.” (13:46)
• Alison: “Wow….That many fancy people.” (14:04)
• Eugene: “They kind of stick to tradition...and there was something about it...that I found kind of refreshing.” (14:08)

On Eating Abroad

• Eugene (self-aware humor): “I’m not a Michelin guy...I have a basic palate...meat and potatoes...Don’t give me food that isn’t cooked. I’m not a sushi eater.” (17:22)
• On local delicacies:
  • “In Mexico, they did...a dish that was grasshoppers. And it’s hard to say no because you don’t want to insult anybody, right? But I did say no because I don’t eat insects.” (18:24)
  • “Tried a raw oyster in France last year...it was in my mouth and out in about a half a second. You tried reindeer in Finland. That was...almost an unpleasant experience...the texture was borderline nauseating.” (18:44–19:26)

On Natural Beauty

• Eugene: “Italy’s one of my favorite spots...Their priorities are family, friends, food, and work, in that order. The countryside is just...Everywhere you look is a postcard.” (16:37)

On Canada and Coming Home

• Eugene (on filming with Michael Bublé in Vancouver): “It was nice being in my own backyard up in Canada...Vancouver was a fun episode, had a lot of laughs. Did that episode with Michael Bublé, who...showed me the side of Vancouver I hadn’t seen before.” (19:31)
• On Banff: “Beautiful, beautiful. Lake Louise, it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the world. An emerald lake, set against the backdrop of the most majestic Rocky Mountains.” (20:32)

On the Show’s Appeal

• Eugene (closing thought):

  "I think, honestly, even if you don’t like traveling, I think you’re going to love the show. I’m hoping it appeals to people who don’t like to travel and people who do love to travel...This season I think is going to be a really exciting one to see." (21:03)

Key Timestamps

• 00:52–01:41: Levy’s childhood travel experiences
• 01:50–03:24: Reasons for his travel reluctance
• 04:32–06:13: How he was convinced to host 'The Reluctant Traveler'
• 06:25–07:26: Designing a bucket list of experiences for season three
• 08:02–09:18: Reflections on aging, mortality, and new openness
• 12:47–14:08: Irish folk music, Scotland and fun facts – Vienna’s ball season
• 15:29–16:09: RVing through Louisiana, regional U.S. experiences
• 16:37–17:22: On the beauty of Italy and importance of food
• 18:24–19:26: Culinary adventures and mishaps abroad
• 19:31–20:32: Vancouver, Michael Bublé, and the Canadian landscape
• 21:03: Final pitch to viewers and show’s unique perspective

Takeaways

• Candid Humor and Honesty: Levy’s reluctance brings a unique authenticity to the travel show genre.
• Growth Through Discomfort: His journey encourages others to step out of their routine, regardless of age.
• Shared Experiences: Engaging with listeners highlights the universal curiosity and variety in how we approach travel.
• Reluctant or Not, There’s Something For Everyone: Whether you crave adventure or prefer the comfort of home, Levy’s journey—and The Reluctant Traveler—showcases that expanding horizons is always possible, in big ways and small.