My 2025 Review of My Travels, Winging It, Personal Goals + What Is To Come in 2026
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My 2025 Review of My Travels, Winging It, Personal Goals + What Is To Come in 2026.
In this bonus New Year’s Day episode of Winging It, I’m taking a deep dive into my 2025 travel year, the evolution of the podcast, and what’s coming next in 2026.
I break down the numbers behind my travels — 22 flights, 90,000km flown, nine countries, three new destinations — but more importantly, I reflect on the moments that shaped me as a traveller and storyteller. From seeing wild elephants in India to sharing breakfast with a Bhutanese monk overlooking Thimphu, this episode is about perspective, purpose, and how travel changes over time.
I also open up about the realities of running a long-form travel podcast, including burnout, why I’m stepping back from guest-heavy interviews, and why immersive, sound-rich storytelling is where Winging It is heading next.
If you’re interested in slow vs purposeful travel, how travel content is evolving, or what it’s really like to juggle full-time work with global adventures, this episode pulls the curtain back.
In this episode, I talk about:My full 2025 travel recap across Asia, Europe, Australia, and North AmericaWhy Bhutan was my favourite country and Bangkok my favourite cityThe most surreal travel moment of my life (and why it changed me)What I learned after releasing 57 podcast episodes in one yearWhy immersive travel podcasts matter more than everHow travel priorities shift as you get olderThe behind-the-scenes reality of podcasting, pitching, and guest fatigueBecoming a dual UK–Canadian citizen and what that means for future travelA full preview of my Bhutan podcast series is coming in 2026Upcoming trips, travel ideas, and where Winging It is heading next
This episode is part travel reflection, part creator reality check, and part forward-looking roadmap for anyone who loves meaningful, honest travel stories.
🎧 Next up: the first episode in my immersive Bhutan series, recorded on location in Thimphu.
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⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to the 2025 Travel & Podcast Year in Review
02:00 – 2025 travel stats: flights, distance & time in the air
04:40 – Why I don’t slow travel anymore
07:00 – India reflections: Bangalore, media trips & first impressions
10:20 – Luxury travel vs real experiences on the road
13:40 – Wildlife moments & seeing wild elephants in India
16:40 – Favourite countries, cities & food from 2025
19:20 – The most surreal moment: breakfast with a monk in Bhutan
22:20 – Podcast stats, burnout & lessons from 2025
25:20 – What’s coming in 2026 & final reflections
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Produced by Winging It Productions - https://www.wingingitproductions.com
Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/
Winging It Travel Podcast - Website
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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits
Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond
Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com
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Cheers James.
