I’m Katie, and traveling the world is basically my main personality trait. I just got back from my latest adventure—Guatemala and El Salvador—and I can’t wait to overshare every juicy detail with my desk-mate Grace (whether she likes it or not).

On this trip, I turned the big 3-0, leveled up my Spanish (hola, ¿cómo se dice “help”?), explored the fascinating culture of the local Mayans, surfed some gnarly waves, and dove deep into the recent political discourse in El Salvador.

This travel series has it all—laughs, learning, food that’ll make your mouth water, and moments so unforgettable they’ll have you reaching for your passport.

So, join me as we head south to Central America, meet incredible locals, and uncover how tourism is shaping their world. This is Broad Abroad!

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement.
Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved.

Episode 1, Lake Atitlán: Volcanos, Culture, and Celebration

What better place to celebrate my 30th birthday than at Lake Atitlán, AKA the Lake Como of Central America. This place is pure magic—surrounded by three towering volcanoes and home to indigenous Mayan communities who craft the most beautiful handmade clothing and cook up mouthwatering local dishes.

I found the dreamiest (and budget-friendly!) Airbnb villa with jaw-dropping views of the lake and volcanos, and to make things even more special, I hired local chefs to whip up a feast twice a day. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off the trip!

The warmth of the people here, the vibrant culture, and the sheer beauty of the landscapes have completely stolen my heart. Guatemala isn’t just a hidden gem—it’s a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences. If it’s not on your bucket list yet, trust me, it should be!

00:00 – Welcome to Broad Abroad

00:04 – Exploring Guatemala & El Salvador

02:22 – Travel Adventures & Reflections

03:16 – How Katie Planned Her Big 3-0 Bash 🎉

07:09 – First Impressions of Guatemala

10:11 – Magical Moments at Lake Atitlán

12:56 – ATV Town-Hopping

15:28 – Crafts & Culture: Weaving & Pottery 🧶

17:41 – Katie’s Birthday Bash Highlights 🎂

24:20 – Jewelry Shopping & Local Life

29:43 – Reflections & Farewell Feels

Pack your bags and get ready to wander with Katie in this inspiring and playful episode of Broad Abroad!

Links

Air BnB, Villa Patziac

ATV tour with Simoon Rentals & Tours

Avianca Airlines

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement.
Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved.

After checking out of my birthday villa, I took a quick two-minute lancha ride to Free Cerveza, an eco-friendly hostel, to spend my final two nights at Lake Atitlán. In hindsight, I’m starting to think I should’ve done these two stays in reverse order...

Next, I headed to Antigua—a picturesque Spanish colonial city brimming with museums, restaurants, and shops. It’s truly a tourist’s haven. With its lava cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and incredible food scene, it’s no surprise this gem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To dive deeper into Guatemalan history, I joined a free walking tour with Happy Harold, who brought the city’s rich history and culture to life. He was so entertaining and, true to his name, so happy! Definitely a 10/10 tour.

But, of course, no trip is complete without a little chaos. Just when everything seemed picture-perfect, disaster struck… below the belt. And, of all nights, it happened right before my Acatenango Volcano overnight hike—a must-do experience in Guatemala if you’re up for it.

Let’s just say it became a cautionary tale of what not to do before tackling the country’s most iconic trek. But hey, what’s an adventure without a few hiccups? Between the laughs, lessons, and jaw-dropping views, this trip has already secured its spot as one for the books.

I should get some rest now because tomorrow I’m up early for my flight to… El Salvador!

00:25 Villa Vibes to Hostel Horrors

01:17 Hostel Horrors: Katie's Experience at Free Cerveza

03:01 Grace's Nightmare Hostel Story in Bali

08:35 Kayaking and Hiking Misadventures

10:59 Preparing for the Volcano Hike: Tips and Warnings

16:50 Antigua Adventures: Exploring the Town and Its History

24:00 Tourism and Inequality in Guatemala

25:30 Challenges and Hopes for Guatemala's Future

31:06 Volcano Hike

42:50 Conclusion and Credits



Season 1, Episode 2, Links

Free Cervesa Hostel

Barbara’s Boutique Hostel

Shuttle between Lake Atitlán and Antigua

Free Walking Tour with Happy Harold

Rincón antigüeño

Sources

Poverty Stats

Children living in poverty

Corruption

Discrimination

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement.
Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved.

Next stop: El Salvador! I’ve heard so much about the country’s dramatic improvements in safety under President Nayib Bukele, and I was curious to see it for myself. I met Giovanni, a local Spanish teacher, who shared his perspective on how things are changing here—especially when it comes to security and tourism.

Spending time with Giovanni reminded me why I love learning Spanish so much. It’s not just about the language itself but about connecting with people on a deeper level. And speaking of new challenges, I decided to try my hand at surfing for the first time! Let’s just say it was a humbling experience, but there’s something so exhilarating about learning a skill that forces you to let go and go with the flow (literally).

El Salvador surprised me in all the best ways, and I’m leaving here inspired and more curious than ever about this vibrant country.

0:44 Welcome to El Salvador

1:11 El Salvador's Dark Past and Hopeful Future

5:02 Exploring El Salvador: From Flights to Fun

08:58 Practicing Spanish with Lisbeth

17:17 Transportation in El Salvador

18:35 Surfing Adventures

22:07 Culinary Delights: Pupusas

23:59 Spanish Lessons with Giovanni

26:26 Bitcoin and Safety in El Salvador

Links Episode 3

Esencia Nativa

Los 3 Hermanos Surf School

Sources

​​NBC News Clip

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement.
Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved.

Welcome to Broad Abroad, the travel podcast that explores the world with curiosity, chaos, and a bit of humor 🌍🎙️

My last few days in El Salvador gave me so much to reflect on. This trip wasn’t just about the adventure—though that seven waterfalls hike with my guide Elmer was jaw-dropping and the pupusas were life-changing (seriously, I could eat them every day) It was also about getting a deeper understanding of El Salvador’s complex history—from gang violence to shifting political tides. One of the most powerful moments was a free walking tour with Héctor, who shared his firsthand story of growing up during the height of gang control. His resilience, honesty, and take on President Bukele’s controversial policies gave me a whole new perspective. Every time I travel, I’m reminded that the most important stories come from local voices. That’s what makes exploring new places so meaningful to me. And as this chapter closes... I think Asia might be calling next 🛫🌏

📍 Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Disclaimer

01:57 – Seven Waterfalls Hike

💧 05:34 – Héctor’s Story of Resilience

12:59 – Bitcoin & Tourism ₿✈️

21:28 – Living Under Gang Control 26:17 – Bukele’s Rise to Power 29:06 – Encounters with Police 🚓 32:26 – CECOT: The Harshest Prison 🏢 42:50 – Historical Gang Context 44:22 – Hope for El Salvador’s Future 48:44 – Reflections on Travel 🌍 51:02 – Credits & Acknowledgments 🧭 Links 🚶‍♂️ Walking Tour with Héctor https://www.guruwalk.com/es/walks/62117-come-como-un-local-camina-como-un-amigo?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeOG_Lig-uB3FYFqHGV71QApR59XCe9-nmx2PIYcdi7AT0eSAFAZqqmUTZtRg_aem_zX6OiTDPQuS_X39MM1M0xg https://www.instagram.com/hector_kw6?igsh=bGw1bWo3cWZncDUx

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement.
Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved.

Watch Full Videos + Bonus Content on YouTube @BroadAbroadPodcast

Instagram @BroadAbroadPodcast

In Season 2 of Broad Abroad, I travel curiously through South Korea—from ice fishing to the DMZ, spa treatments, sizzling K-BBQ, and Seoul street snacks. But it’s not just about food and fun—I sit down with locals, professors, and creators to ask: what does it really mean to be Korean today?

Expect honest conversations about beauty standards, family pressures, cultural taboos, and Korea’s dramatic rise from war-torn to world stage. This season peels back the glossy surface to reveal the heart of Korea.

Full episodes drop every other Monday starting May 26. Let’s travel curiously.

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement.
Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved.

• Katie’s housing hack that helped her afford a month of global travel 🏠
• Visiting the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival — a 3-week trout ice fishing festival complete with bare-handed fishing and heated “foreigner shelters”
  → Festival Website (runs in January)
• Skiing at Yongpyong Resort, the biggest ski resort in Korea and home to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang
  → Yongpyong Resort
• Getting around Korea without Google Maps (hint: download Naver Maps or Kakao Maps)
• Using a T-money card for metro rides (pick one up at any CU convenience store!)
• Grilling freshly caught Sancheoneo trout and trying bare-hand ice fishing 🐟
• Navigating etiquette with a toddler, an octopus, and a very helpful Korean man
• Visiting a traditional fish market and witnessing the king crab selection process at Sorae Pogu Fish Market (소래포구 종합어시장)
  → Sorae Pogu Info
• Sampling beondegi (번데기) aka silkworm pupae 🤢 and classic street snacks like hotteok (호떡)
• Dining at Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자), a Michelin guide restaurant serving legendary kalguksu noodles
  → Myeongdong Kyoja
• Joining a Gwangjang Market food tour with a guide who may or may not be a K-model 😳
  → Gwangjang Market

• Don’t rely on Google Maps in Korea! Naver and Kakao are your besties.
• Hold onto that T-money card—you’ll use it for trains, buses, and more.
• Want to ski in Korea? Rentals are cheap, slopes are accessible, and you can even rent ski clothes on the spot.
• Sharing food is the norm—expect lots of plates, scissors, and communal bites.

• Soju + Beer = Somaek (소맥): The country’s go-to drink combo
• Makgeolli (막걸리): A traditional, slightly fizzy rice wine served in bowls

• 🎙 Maria & Mark (Dan’s friends on sabbatical in Korea)
• 🎙 Bryan Jun, Korean-American content creator
  → Bryan on TikTok

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement.
Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved.

Welcome to Broad Abroad: the travel podcast that explores the world with curiosity. 🌍

✈️ In Season 2, I flew across the world in the dead of winter to uncover the real South Korea—from K-beauty to the DMZ, street food to K-pop, and everything in between.

🎧 Episode 2: Korean Beauty & Military Service – Glowing Up and More
Summary:
From $60 Botox to K-pop controversies, this episode of Broad Abroad is more than skin deep. I’m Katie, and I let Korea freeze my face and melt my double chin (for science and for content). Then I sat down with Koreans to ask why looking good is mandatory—and so is the military. We talk BTS enlistment, Yoo Seung-jun’s dramatic downfall, and how beauty standards shape identity. Plus, co-host Grace helps me unpack viral scalp facials, snail slime serums, and a love letter to Olive Young.

Highlights:
💉 Get $60 Botox in Korea (and freeze your forehead at 30)
🔬 Experience a Korean skin analysis, redness therapy, and viral scalp facial
🔥 Try a fat-zapping “InMode” treatment and debate salmon DNA injections
🧴 Haul the best K-beauty at Olive Young (snail mucin, birch juice, and more)
🛍️ Discover why Korean shirts say “Michigan” instead of Hangul
🎤 Dive into K-pop culture, BTS enlistment, and Singles Inferno
🪖 Explore South Korea’s mandatory military service—and Yoo Seung-jun’s downfall
💬 Chat with Korean-American creator Bryan Jun about identity, fame, and controversy

🎙️ Featuring: ⁨@TheBryanJun⁩
📸 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@broadabroadpodcast
🌏 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broadabroadpodcast/

🎧 Listen to the podcast:
Apple Podcasts (enhanced audio-only) → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/broad-abroad/id1787966980

✈️ Planning a trip to Korea?
Get 10% off your cultural experience with Korea by Local using code BROADABROAD.

👇 CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Botox in Korea: $60 and Frozen at 30
03:00 - Full Rundown: Facials, Lifting, Fat-Melting Tech
07:00 - What Is InMode? And Is It Worth It?
10:00 - Salmon DNA, Glass Skin & Korean Beauty Standards
13:05 - Budget Beauty Travel Tips
14:43 - Viral Scalp Therapy & Olive Young Haul
18:40 - Snail Mucin, Birch Juice & More
19:52 - Korean Shopping Culture (Wallace & Gromit??)
22:00 - K-pop Fame & Public Scrutiny
26:12 - Military Service: Law, Loyalty, & the K-pop Dilemma
33:00 - Will BTS Reunite?
35:10 - Sneak Peek: Korean History with Prof. Lee
35:45 - Credits & Gratitude

—

💬 Say hi in the comments! Have you tried Korean skincare? Do you think celebrities should be exempt from military service?

#koreabeauty #kbeauty #travelpodcast

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Agreement.
Broad Abroad is a production of Gotham West Studios. All rights reserved.