What happens when a world traveler finds himself detained in one of the most dangerous places on Earth—completely by accident?

What happens when a world traveler finds himself detained in one of the most dangerous places on Earth—completely by accident? In this gripping episode of Travel With Meaning, we sit down with Sam Goodwin, an American adventurer whose mission to visit every country in the world took an unexpected and harrowing turn. After successfully traveling to 193 countries, Sam’s journey led him to Syria—where a single misstep resulted in him being accused of espionage and held captive for 63 days.

What happens when a world traveler finds himself detained in one of the most dangerous places on Earth—completely by accident? In this gripping episode of Travel With Meaning, we sit down with Sam Goodwin, an American adventurer whose mission to visit every country in the world took an unexpected and harrowing turn. After successfully traveling to 193 countries, Sam’s journey led him to Syria—where a single misstep resulted in him being accused of espionage and held captive for 63 days. Through humor, humility, and powerful reflection, Sam shares not only how he endured this life-altering experience, but how it deepened his understanding of faith, freedom, and the resilience of the human spirit. His story is a testament to the transformative power of travel—even in its most extreme form—and to the unexpected kindness of strangers in the darkest of places.

What to Listen For

[00:00:00] Meet Sam Goodwin: How a spontaneous trip became a mission to visit every country

[00:06:34] What Sam learned about fear, perception, and hospitality in conflict zones

[00:13:20] The day everything changed: Sam’s mistaken entry into Syria and sudden arrest

[00:19:58] Inside a Syrian prison: survival tactics, mental challenges, and unexpected routines

[00:26:42] Faith under fire: how prayer, gratitude, and visualization kept him sane

[00:33:10] Release and reintegration: stepping out of captivity and into a new reality

[00:39:47] Life after prison: overcoming PTSD, finding purpose, and reclaiming identity

[00:46:11] Travel as a teacher: why Sam believes the world is safer than we think

[00:52:28] The power of human connection: how kindness changed his perspective forever

[00:58:55] Final reflections: what Sam wants every traveler to remember

In this special Travel With Meaning podcast episode, recorded live in front of an intimate audience at The KINN in Venice Beach, we reconnect with Jessica Blotter — CEO and Co-Founder of Kind Traveler, and a returning guest on the show.

Jessica shares the powerful origin story of Kind Traveler, sparked by a life-changing trip that opened her eyes to a new way of thinking about travel. We catch up on the platform’s inspiring journey, including a meaningful pivot that has deepened its community impact and solidified its role as a leader in purpose-driven hospitality.

Through its award-winning Every Stay Gives Back™ program, Kind Traveler has partnered with destinations and hotels in 9 countries, raised over $700,000+ in donations to date for 100+ vetted nonprofits in just 20 months, and redefined what it means to travel with purpose.

From early startup challenges to bold pivots and global vision, Jessica’s story is packed with inspiration for conscious travelers, mission-driven entrepreneurs, and anyone who believes in doing good while seeing the world.

Tune in to hear how kindness, grit, and innovation can transform the way we travel.
And discover what it means to travel kindly at KindTraveler.com.

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On this episode of the Travel With Meaning podcast, we sit down with Nick Monica, the founder and CEO of Gnarwhal Coffee and Companion Restaurant in Venice Beach. Recorded in front of a live audience at The Kinn, this inspiring conversation explores the meaningful experiences that shaped Nick’s path—from pivotal mentors and personal growth to the unforgettable road trip that inspired the name “Gnarwhal.”

Nick is a passionate explorer, entrepreneur, and community builder who’s brought his love of travel, storytelling, and connection into everything he creates at Gnarwhal Coffee. His journey is filled with lessons learned on the road, and he’s infused that spirit into a space that brings people together every day.

Please share, follow and subscribe for more inspiring travel stories