In this uplifting and adventure-packed episode, Elisabeth sits down with Joy Owens, a woman whose life has been shaped by faith, curiosity, and a deep love for exploring the world.

Joy shares her extraordinary childhood as a missionary kid, moving from the U.S. to Zambia at age 13, where she grew up surrounded by community, culture, and the wide-open beauty of Africa. Her passion for people and education took her across continents, working as a teacher in Germany, Portugal, and Honduras, before an unexpected twist of fate and a love story brought her to Taiwan, where she met her husband.

From there, Joy’s path led to Alaska, where teaching proved far more challenging than expected. Feeling burnt out and ready for a new purpose, she and her husband prayed for guidance… and found it in the form of a bold leap: buying Butler Travel and stepping fully into a new season of growth, service, and discovery.

In this inspiring conversation, Joy shares:

✨ Growing up in Zambia as a missionary kid

✨ Teaching around the world and how each country shaped her

✨ Meeting her husband in Taiwan and starting their shared journey

✨ The unexpected challenges of teaching in Alaska

✨ How prayer and faith led them to purchase Butler Travel

✨ Her adventures across 60+ countries

✨ A family cycling trip through Austria and Hungary

✨ The hilarious story of planning a road trip through all of Central & South America… but only making it to Panama!

Joy’s story is a reminder that life unfolds beautifully when we follow our curiosity, trust our calling, and stay open to new beginnings.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

#MostMemorableJourneys #JoyOwens #FaithJourney #MissionaryKid #TravelStories #ButlerTravel #AdventureLife #GlobalTeacher #NewBeginnings #ElisabethVilligerToufexis

In this powerful and profoundly human episode, Elisabeth welcomes Rand Timmerman, Marine Corps veteran, attorney, author, and living testament to resilience. Rand shares his extraordinary life journey, beginning with his decision to enlist in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, following a family tradition of service. He speaks openly about his years as a Mustang Lieutenant, his work in military legal roles, and the difficult transition home.

Rand courageously reflects on overcoming PTSD and alcoholism, and how sobriety transformed the course of his life, allowing him to build a successful decades-long career as a self-employed attorney.

One of the most inspiring chapters of Rand’s story is his unforgettable adventure hiking more than 1,800 miles of the Appalachian Trail at age 72, side-by-side with his brother. Rand paints a vivid picture of the funny, humbling, and deeply meaningful moments along the trail, a journey that became both physical challenge and spiritual renewal.

In this episode, Elisabeth and Rand explore:

✨ Why he chose to enlist & the legacy of service in his family

✨ Life as a combat Marine in Vietnam and the emotional aftermath

✨ Healing from trauma through recovery, purpose, and discipline

✨ The life lessons found on the Appalachian Trail

✨ Sibling bonds, trail humor & encounters with fellow adventurers

✨ The inspiration behind his book A Spiritual Passage

Rand’s courage, honesty, and spirit remind us that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, face your shadows, and set out on a new journey — even one stretching across mountains.

📘 Rand’s book, A Spiritual Passage, is available on Amazon.

🔗 Learn more about his work at randtimmerman.com.

🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

#MostMemorableJourneys #RandTimmerman #VietnamVeteran #AppalachianTrail #Inspiration #Resilience #HealingJourney #AspirationalStories #ElisabethVilligerToufexis

In this deeply moving and thought-provoking episode, Elisabeth speaks with Despo Pavlou, author of the powerful debut novel "My Kind of Normal."

Born in South Africa to Greek Cypriot parents who immigrated there in the 1960s, Despo grew up between two worlds, steeped in tradition yet surrounded by the vibrant diversity of South African life. Her cross-cultural upbringing and her lifelong journey between Cyprus and South Africa gave her a unique perspective on identity, belonging, and the courage to be yourself.

For more than 30 years, Despo ran her own businesses, but it was during a challenging period in her life that she turned to writing, a creative outlet that became both healing and liberating. My Kind of Normal tells the story of Irene, a woman born into a conservative Greek-Cypriot family, who struggles to reconcile her true identity with societal expectations. It’s a story of love, denial, courage, and ultimately, self-acceptance.

In this candid conversation, Elisabeth and Despo discuss:

✨ The immigrant experience and what it means to grow up between cultures

✨ How writing became a form of therapy and self-discovery

✨ The challenges of breaking free from traditional roles and expectations

✨ The taboo of homosexuality in conservative communities and why Cyprus still needs a major upgrade in terms of acceptance, empathy, and education

✨ How personal courage can inspire others to live their truth without shame

Despo’s story is one of resilience and authenticity, a reminder that “normal” is different for everyone, and that love, in all its forms, deserves understanding and respect.

As Despo beautifully puts it:

This episode is a heartfelt exploration of courage, compassion, and what it truly means to live authentically.

🎧 Tune in to this unforgettable conversation available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

#MostMemorableJourneys #DespoPavlou #MyKindOfNormal #Authenticity #Courage #LGBTQStories #Cyprus #SouthAfrica #GreekCypriotDiaspora #BreakingTaboos #ElisabethVilligerToufexis #LoveIsLove #Inclusion #Storytelling #Inspiration