O's Odyssey

Since the Branches recently celebrated their 5th anniversary, it's only right that we run their episode back and discuss the details of their trip to northern Georgia.  Congrats to the Branches and we wish you the best of travels as you continue your marriage journey together!  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we continue to explore opportunities outside of the US one may consider when they've had enough of America.  As protests continue to happen across the country, this week's guest and new friend, Bukola, shares why you should add Gambia to your list of considerations.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

After taking a much needed mental health break, we're back this week and continuing to talk about alternatives when one is exploring other places to call home outside of the US.  In today's episode, we interview Nicole Brewer, entrepreneur, teacher and founder of @iluv2globetrot about her experience living in Oman and how it came to be.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we converse with new friend, Dani J. As an original ATLien, she now calls Ghana home and if you're curious about how that journey began for her, here's your chance.  Not only do we cover her personal journey, but she also shares exactly what makes Ghana special.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week's episodes celebrates mothers yet again as we interview my own, Pam.  During this time last year, we spent time in Egypt, saw the pyramids, had dinner on the Nile and a special dinner with esteemed members of Parliament.  It was the perfect trip to reminisce in the midst of the madness of this time.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

In honor of Mother's Day, we're reposting the Mamma Mia episode featuring my mother, Pamela James, discussing our trip to Greece one year ago to the day. Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

When you have the time of your life during your friend's celebratory birthday trip AND you're generous with your time, you share those experiences just as this week's guest, Joye Speight, does in today's episode.  She runs down what makes Colombia special during an epic celebration of life and friendship just in time to beat Rona.  She also fills us in on what @virtueevents is up to now that this pandemic has struck. Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we speak with fellow entrepreneur and avid traveler, Sabriya Dobbins, about her trip to Europe.  First being bitten with the travel bug as a teenager, this life-changing experience has resulted in several trips since as well as the creation of @ProjectPassportLLC, a wellness and travel company whose experiences are well-curated.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we talk to new friend and business owner of Full Moon Botanica, Jasmine about her not ONE, but TWO trips to Paris in 2019.  She talks about the serendipitous circumstances that not only led to the creation of her business, but also her first trip to Paris.  As we're chatting, we also find out what other favorite podcast we have in common.  Hint: They've been guests on the show before.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we make our way to Tulum, Mexico.  My friend, Joey,  and I discuss his fairly impromptu trip to Mexico and he even shares some of his (romantic) adventures while attending the World Cup. Luckily, Joey has some tips for the more adventurous traveler as well.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week we sit down and speak with Esha Davis, co-founder of The Ultimate Trinidad Carnival.  As a Trinidad native, she shares her expertise on what makes Trinidad the ultimate Carnival destination, what parties/fetes are a must see, as well as why her business takes all the stress out of planning your Carnival turn up and cool down!  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

When COVID 19 has you self isolating, what do you do?  Interview your mother Pam about your mother-daughter trip to Greece, naturally.  Although this was a part of a longer trip that included a trip to Cairo, we cover our time in Athens and Mykonos and all the details in between pretty well.  Tune in to see where we stayed and why Greece should be a part of your bucket list if it's not already.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter.  #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

When you're self-distancing for 2 weeks and in your feelings about COVID 19, what do you do?  Tune into your favorite travel podcast and reminisce about Beychella, of course!  Coachella may be postponed until October, but you can definitely hear my friend, Jessica and I discuss our experience at Coachella in 2018.  Don't forget to check out our travel playlist on Spotify as well.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter.  #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we talk to my best friend from middle school, John Branch, and his wife, Ailee. While some travelers may not see the magic northern Georgia has to offer (including myself; I mean, have you SEEN Deliverance?!), there were definitely some adventures to be had for risk takers and foodies alike. John's thoughtfulness behind the experience for this birthday proves just that and Ailee's cosign made it all worth it. Tune in to see what we mean.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter.  #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

On the THIRD day and month of the year, we speak with the dynamic trio and hosts of the Triple Teaaa Podcast, Ebby, DM and Pretty Britti!  They are just as fun as they are on their own show and in this mash up episode we discuss whether or not we'd be willing to go to another country in the name of love 90 Day Fiance style, as well as other fun related travel topics. Tune in to this special episode and make sure to subscribe and listen to  Triple Teaaa EVERY Monday on your favorite podcast platform.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on  IG, Facebook and Twitter #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!  

Love is in the air here at Sardines and what better place to find it than in Jamaica?  The year our guest, Clarence Barr, turned 30 he took a life-changing birthday trip to Jamaica.  Due to a serendipitous sequence of events, things couldn't have worked out better for him.  Not only was this his first solo international trip, but this was also the trip he would meet his wife and begin a new adventurous chapter in his life filled with what screenwriters' dreams are made of.  Tune in to find out why.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week we interview Milian Johnson,  owner of Eye Dress Faces, a mobile eyeglass store, and bootcamp participant in 2019's Black Entrepreneurship Week and Pitch Competition.  He shares his commentary on the Rachel True airplane incident in late 2019 and of course gives us the rundown on his trip to Fiji with his uncle's church.  Trust and believe, it's as tropical as you think it is and yes, the water is extra crisp.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter.  #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

As we head into Black History Month, it seems more than appropriate to kick things off with the recipient of Spectacular Magazine's Emerging Leader in Tech Award and Founder of T.H.E. Founder Project, Tarryn Henry.  In 2018. she spent four months in Antigua and while she encountered a few challenges, she overcame them and shares her experiences with us.  In addition to her time in Antigua, she also shares the way to cure sleepiness during long road trips.  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we interview Jonathan Hayes, fellow technologist and travel enthusiast, and founder of RewardStock.com.  He was kind enough to take time to discuss what inspired him to create the disruptive and revolutionary travel platform and give us a rundown of how his methods scored him a $200 trip to the Maldives for his honeymoon. Appearing on ABC's Shark Tank and scoring a deal with Mark Cuban, has given him the luxury of swimming with sharks without doing so in the literal sense (although he still managed to dine with them underwater)!  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook, and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

Sak Pase?!! Just in time for Haiti's 216th Independence Day declaring themselves independent from French rule, we interview Ricard the Saint about his trip home earlier this year.  Today's episode is not only special because it marks our last episode of 2019, but it also speaks to the theme of "home" as we've explored it from various perspectives throughout the year.  Wherever you're tuning into today's episode from, we wish all Sardines and Sardine Seekers find peace wherever you call home and wish you the best in the New Year and beyond!  Please send any travel related questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we continue our season of gratitude by speaking with Clarybel Peguero, whose episode we've appropriately titled "The Good Daughter" (I'm sure her parents would agree).  Although she has New York and Dominican roots, she went to the DR earlier this year in order to take care of her parents' affairs over the course of a month. Naturally, our conversation covers some of the cultural differences between living stateside and spending time in the Dominican Republic, but still manages to delve into why Dominican spaghetti may need to be on your next "must try," list of foods to eat.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook and Twitter. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!    Heads Up: Audio is a little funky at the beginning of the interview, but we make it.

This week, we speak with my friend and hairstylist, Etheopea Balogun, who I had the pleasure of travelling to Belize with in June 2018.   As a pescatarian, she was easily sold on choosing Belize as our travel destination because of their annual Lobster Festivals.  Since then, she’s been an unofficial ambassador of Caye Caulker, sending plenty of family and friends to visit.  If you’re interested in getting there for 2020, NOW is the time to start planning and today’s episode provides plenty of great considerations as you put together your itinerary.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Facebook, and Twitter.  #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

In the spirit of another HBCU Homecoming, we talk to Shante Hayward, who visited China for 10 days with other Rams of Winston Salem State University's MBA Program in 2013.  While she's since been taken "off the market," she shares why the Marriage Market might just be the move for those seeking love and marriage in the Shanghai area.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter, and Facebook. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

In this week's episode, we sit down and speak with Jacqueline Platt about one of her many trips to Atlanta to have a good time with her line sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  She shares her strategies when picking places to eat or relax for a chill vibe.  We even talk about why Atlanta may arguably be the hub of Black Hollywood with all the celebrity sightings she had.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter, and Facebook. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week's release is extra special as we not only celebrate the release of TEN episodes, but also interview co-founder of Sardines, Shenee Matthews-Hayes.  Shenee is not just Odofoley's business partner, but she is equally an avid traveller and shares her experiences from her trip to Costa Rica earlier this year.  While Costa Rica is certainly not known for having elephants as part of their wildlife, that hasn't stopped this Delta from bringing that energy to Central America.  Oo-Oop!  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter and Facebook. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

On this week's episode, we speak with Cody Sellers who managed to mix business with pleasure on his trip to Korea, Thailand and Singapore  earlier this year.  He managed to pull this off with help from some of our favorite folks at Destination Thailand VIP (we discussed them in the Destination Dubai episode).  As a true and proper gentleman, he's the furthest thing from ghetto, but we share great laughs about why being dapper has its perks.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter and Facebook. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we speak with Convoz family member, Larry Robinson, who currently resides in Medellin, Colombia.  He shares his perspectives about his lifestyle changes as an expat living in Colombia.  He also carefully outlines his intentional decision to choose Colombia as his home with his 411 Action Sheet, the steps he took to get there, and why the water there seems to do a body good even more than milk.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter and Facebook. #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

In this week's episode, we interview venture capitalist and founder of Backstage Capital, Arlan Hamilton, at the Black Communities Conference in Durham, NC. In between me gushing over this esteemed founder, Arlan gives us insight as to why Sardines have the advantage on planning the trip details, why her mom is BOSS level traveller, if newlywed life has impacted her travel plans and why "Shane is her homegirl."   Thank you, Chacho and Arlan for being so gracious with your time.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter and Facebook.  #SardinesLLC  Thanks for listening!

This week, in anticipation of the upcoming annual trip organized and sponsored by Destination Dubai VIP and The Shade Room, friend and travel buddy, Makeda Parker, and I reminisce on our 2017 experience.  We made a couple of stops and friends along the way in London and Amsterdam, and we even share our tips on how to maximize the time spent in each place.  She also shares her misadventures at the Dubai Mall which thankfully did NOT get her arrested.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter, and Facebook. #SardinesLLC  Thanks for listening!

This week, we speak with former Minister of Energy, High Commissioner to India, acting President of Ghana, Professor, and CURRENT Speaker of Parliament (and my beloved uncle), Mike Oquaye.  We talk about his vision for the future of Ghana in the form of investment opportunities for Black Americans, and I open up today's episode with an outline of my experiences from the trip I took to Ghana in 2005 with Fayetteville State University.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter, and Facebook.  #SardinesLLC  Thanks for listening!

In anticipation of Made in America coming up this Labor Day Weekend, my friend and fashion influencer, Jessica ("Gorjess") and I reflect on our experience at Made in America in 2015.  This was the year Queen Beyonce headlined and the same year I lost my festival v-card.  We have tons of great tips for first-time festival attendees and managing expectations versus reality.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter and Facebook.  #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

This week, we talk to rapper Snyp Luciano about his time in Wakiki Beach, Hawaii.  He also talks about his Panamanian roots and what events he has coming up.  Please send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter and Facebook.  #SardinesLLC Thanks for listening!

On our premiere episode, we talk to Mr. Blue of the Urban Breakdown Podcast.  We talk about his trip to Antarctica with the US Navy and other stops made along the way.  Send any travel questions you have to 'asksardines@gmail.com' or find us on IG, Twitter and Facebook. #SardinesLLC  Thanks for listening!