If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that certainty is fragile. The one thing we can control is our actions, be it stepping forward into the unknown or staying put and wondering “what if.”

Twenty years ago, Adrian Landin chose to flip the American script and step into a life of travel. Since then, he has visited nearly 80 countries, built a network of friendships that spans borders and cultures, and changed lives through microdonations sourced from his caring With Gusto community.

In this conversation, we explore:

* How travel dismantles ignorance and builds empathy.

* Why he walked away from corporate America and never looked back.

* Raw stories—from kindness in Laos to resilience in Cambodia—that shaped his worldview.

* His belief that regret is worse than risk, and why action is the only certainty we have.

It’s a reminder that life doesn’t have to follow a single script, and that sometimes the most important step is to buy the f’ing ticket!

Enjoy the episode! And, be sure to check out all the episodes of Foreign Radio and Adrian’s publication here on Substack.

Show Notes

* Leaving the American Dream behind to pursue aliveness.

* Travel as an alternative education: empathy, compassion, and tolerance.

* Laos motorbike breakdown and lessons in honesty and generosity.

* Southeast Asia as a transformative region: Thailand, Cambodia, Burma.

* Reflections on regret, fear, and cultural expectations around career/family.

* Stories of serendipity and human connection across the world.

* With Gusto: how micro-donations create meaningful local impact.

* Cambodia’s resilience and joy in the face of tragedy.

* Advice for hesitant travelers: “Just buy the ticket.”

* Where Adrian is headed next: Iraq, India, Nepal, and back to Southeast Asia.

Adrian and I recorded this episode on August 14, 2025.

Thanks for watching!

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