The Observer Effect

These are strangers' travel stories. Each time I ask how travel has changed them and hope listening like this evaporates borders.

Places & Travel Personal Journals Society & Culture Other Religion & Spirituality

Update frequency: every 6 days
Average duration: 33 minutes
Episodes: 135
Years Active: 2016 - 2022

Share to:

Episode 14: In the Guise of the Most Ordinary Things—The U.S., Where Ramchandra Melted a Little

Ram, along with his wife Janhavi and daughter Sharayu, stood in line with us to get into Vatican City. While waiting, we asked if they would tell us their best travel story ... and hope listening li…

00:23:24 | Mon 30 May 2016

Episode 13: There and Back Again—Catalonia, Where Manfredi Was Saved by Columbus

Manfredi lost his way in Barcelona. We asked how he got back to where he was going ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Check out Kiva.o…

00:15:54 | Mon 23 May 2016

Episode 12: Same Blood—Pisa, Where Souka Sells Watches

Souka migrated from Cameroon to Italy and now sells watches next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We asked how he got there ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Special thanks to the m…

00:26:09 | Mon 16 May 2016

Episode 11: Two Ovens—Indonesia, Where Freya Fell Ill

Freya got sick traveling alone. We asked whom she turned to ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Check out Kiva.org to knit the world on…

00:23:44 | Mon 09 May 2016

Episode 10: The Hostel Grampa—Nicaragua, Where Kai Started to Heal

Kai embraced solo travel wholeheartedly when his wife betrayed him. We asked whether it made any difference ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Special thanks to the musician, Dana…

00:22:59 | Mon 02 May 2016

Episode 9: A Piece of Glass Floating in the Air—Iran, Where Gordon Was Summoned

Gordon's Iranian father-in-law summoned him from the UK in 1986. We asked what awaited him there ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Ch…

00:19:55 | Mon 25 Apr 2016

Episode 8: The Lucky Note—Málaga, Where Ann-Sophie's Friend Surprised Her with a Trip

Ann-Sophie's friend Flore planned all the details of their trip to Spain without revealing any of them. We asked what happened when they got there ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders…

00:30:34 | Mon 18 Apr 2016

Episode 7: Ser Alguem Na Vida—Holland, Where All of Lucas' Dreams Were Just ... Real

Lucas' father always taught him that "to be someone in life" ("ser alguem na vida") he needed to make a lot of money, but Holland changed him. We asked how ... and hope listening like this evaporate…

00:35:35 | Mon 11 Apr 2016

Episode 6: The Getting Out—Borneo, Where Rhum's Handler Had a Bit of an Epiphany

Steve is a falconer. We asked him how ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Check out Kiva.org to bring greater connection to the world. …

00:29:39 | Mon 04 Apr 2016

Episode 5: My Easy Yoke—Sevilla, Where Jesus Stands Perfectly Still

It's Holy Week, Semana Santa, in Sevilla. Everyone is celebrating by walking through the streets. We set out to find Jesus and ask him why ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Spec…

00:23:21 | Mon 28 Mar 2016

Episode 4: Jaw of Gold—Tunisia, Where Faustino Met Stares

Faustino does not like Tunisia. We asked him why ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Special thanks to the musician who provided our opening and closing, Dana Boulé. Check out www.…

00:23:30 | Mon 21 Mar 2016

Episode 3: The Art of Listening—Liverpool, Where Ophirah Has Made Not One But Two Pilgrimages

Whether travel stories spring from joy or sorrow, result in change or status quo, they always sound fascinating ... Ophirah has twice gone to England to see her heroes' homes. We asked her why ... a…

00:31:35 | Mon 14 Mar 2016

Episode 2: Passing by the Door of Night—America, Where Moonif Learned to Smile

Whether travel stories spring from joy or sorrow, result in change or status quo, they always teach us something ... Moonif found it easier to smile than to not when he moved to America. We asked hi…

00:27:15 | Mon 07 Mar 2016

Episode 1: Too Many Times in a Row—Vietnam, Where Will Did Something He Regrets

Will, a student of flamenco, contrasts his time in Spain with his previous life in Australia and tells a great story about Vietnam. Special thanks to Dana Boulé for sharing her wonderful music with …

00:45:48 | Mon 29 Feb 2016