We Can Laugh About it Now: Travel Stories Thu, 05 Mar 2026 01:27:21 -0500 https://WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast.com en-us © 2026 We Can Laugh About it Now: Travel Stories yes bac8cbe0-8d1f-5a2d-bf25-86e9c533d856 Toi Burdick episodic false Listen as host Toi Burdick interviews her guests about their travel adventures, sharing laugh-out-loud stories that will ignite your curiosity. Each episode provides unique perspectives of destinations through tales of red-eye flights, high-speed rail journeys, cross-country road trips, and more. Plus, get insights on "must do" or "skip that" activities, highly recommended local food + beverage establishments, and helpful tips to make domestic and international travel easier. All lovers of travel will find something that encourages them to continue to expand their horizons. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Toi Burdick https://storage.buzzsprout.com/knr4ihqb9zsa9fju5pt1ct9erq7h?.jpg We Can Laugh About it Now: Travel Stories San Jose, Costa Rica with Natalie McSwain: There are schedules to be maintained, even in Costa Rica. San Jose, Costa Rica with Natalie McSwain: There are schedules to be maintained, even in Costa Rica. True Crime?  This is as close as it gets on our podcast.  Natalie McSwain, a high school Spanish teacher, shares her frightening experience while on a study abroad program in Costa Rica.  Her night out with friends takes a wrong turn when they realize they are not on the bus they thought they were.  Listen in to hear how this tale unfolds…spoiler: it’s not a Dateline episode, but it’s worth a few laughs – now.  

 Explore travel to Costa Rica:

 https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/knowing-costa-rica/san-jose

 https://costarica.org/cities/san-jose/

 Volcan Poas

https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/accvc/pnvp/Pages/default.aspx

 La Paz Waterfall

https://costarica.org/waterfalls/la-paz/

 Coffee Plantation Tour

https://dokaestate.com/costarica-coffee-tour/ 

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> True Crime?  This is as close as it gets on our podcast.  Natalie McSwain, a high school Spanish teacher, shares her frightening experience while on a study abroad program in Costa Rica.  Her night out with friends takes a wrong turn when they realize they are not on the bus they thought they were.  Listen in to hear how this tale unfolds…spoiler: it’s not a Dateline episode, but it’s worth a few laughs – now.  

 Explore travel to Costa Rica:

 https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/knowing-costa-rica/san-jose

 https://costarica.org/cities/san-jose/

 Volcan Poas

https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/accvc/pnvp/Pages/default.aspx

 La Paz Waterfall

https://costarica.org/waterfalls/la-paz/

 Coffee Plantation Tour

https://dokaestate.com/costarica-coffee-tour/ 

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-13248038 Fri, 21 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400 2854 1 15 full false Puerto Rico with Tracy Butcher: Livin' La Vida Loca Puerto Rico with Tracy Butcher: Livin' La Vida Loca Today’s episode takes us to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.  My friend and colleague, Tracy Butcher, who recently returned to Ohio where is is continuing to teach high school, had the good fortune of participating in the Exchange Student Program while attending the University of Akron.  Her choice of locale resulted in huge personal growth and enrichment, and provided some hilarious stories from those seemingly easy, carefree college days.  Listen as she shares some highlights of her antics during her semester in the Caribbean the nearly cut her time short.  

Explore travel to Puerto Rico
Playa El Combate Beach 
https://www.puertoricotravel.guide/blog/el-combate-a-tranquil-holiday-destination/
La Parguera (Bioluminescent)
https://www.puertorico.com/la-parguera-bioluminescent-bay
El Morro San Juan
https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/exploring-castillo-san-felipe-del-morro-old-san-juan
El Yunque
https://www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque
Cinnamon Bay
https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/prvi/pr44.htm

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Today’s episode takes us to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.  My friend and colleague, Tracy Butcher, who recently returned to Ohio where is is continuing to teach high school, had the good fortune of participating in the Exchange Student Program while attending the University of Akron.  Her choice of locale resulted in huge personal growth and enrichment, and provided some hilarious stories from those seemingly easy, carefree college days.  Listen as she shares some highlights of her antics during her semester in the Caribbean the nearly cut her time short.  

Explore travel to Puerto Rico
Playa El Combate Beach 
https://www.puertoricotravel.guide/blog/el-combate-a-tranquil-holiday-destination/
La Parguera (Bioluminescent)
https://www.puertorico.com/la-parguera-bioluminescent-bay
El Morro San Juan
https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/exploring-castillo-san-felipe-del-morro-old-san-juan
El Yunque
https://www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque
Cinnamon Bay
https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/prvi/pr44.htm

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-13136135 Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400 3719 1 14 full false Paris, France with Laurie Johnson Paris, France with Laurie Johnson “See Paris for its bones.”

 Laurie Johnson, a retired 39-year veteran teacher, joins the podcast to share her love of Paris and all things travel.  

France is near and dear to her heart as it truly runs in her blood.  Years of teaching high school French has given her the benefit of being fluent, which is an asset when traveling abroad. But even she was not immune to the tactics of those looking to take advantage of a tourist. Listen as she shares her experience on the crowded Paris subway that elicited a visceral response.  Although shaken, she used it as a learning moment, as any good teacher would do.  

 Laurie also gives a recommendation for visiting Iceland, either en route to Europe, or as a stand-alone destination.  

Explore travel to Paris
https://en.parisinfo.com/
Angelina
https://www.angelina-paris.fr/?y_source=1_MTE5MzAwODYtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
Laduree Paris
https://www.laduree.fr/en/laduree-paris-champs-elysees.html
Museum Pass
https://www.parismuseumpass.fr/t-en

Moulin Rouge
https://www.moulinrouge.fr/en/homepage/

Eiffel Tower
https://www.toureiffel.paris/en
https://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/en/jules-verne-restaurant.html#_ga=2.47083431.1804911953.1687446094-599862304.1687446094

Palace of Versailles
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/

Iceland Air Stopover
https://www.icelandair.com/flights/stopover/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s-kBhDqARIsAN-ipH2DiNQYYzfNurkxLq4k6UnOeFdg3A55PwExnOhjSR6Iz4bEOeDHs0caAmtKEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Iceland Restaurants
https://sandholt.is/en/getting-started/
https://www.sjavargrillid.is/

Ireland
https://www.lakehotelkillarney.ie/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> “See Paris for its bones.”

 Laurie Johnson, a retired 39-year veteran teacher, joins the podcast to share her love of Paris and all things travel.  

France is near and dear to her heart as it truly runs in her blood.  Years of teaching high school French has given her the benefit of being fluent, which is an asset when traveling abroad. But even she was not immune to the tactics of those looking to take advantage of a tourist. Listen as she shares her experience on the crowded Paris subway that elicited a visceral response.  Although shaken, she used it as a learning moment, as any good teacher would do.  

 Laurie also gives a recommendation for visiting Iceland, either en route to Europe, or as a stand-alone destination.  

Explore travel to Paris
https://en.parisinfo.com/
Angelina
https://www.angelina-paris.fr/?y_source=1_MTE5MzAwODYtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
Laduree Paris
https://www.laduree.fr/en/laduree-paris-champs-elysees.html
Museum Pass
https://www.parismuseumpass.fr/t-en

Moulin Rouge
https://www.moulinrouge.fr/en/homepage/

Eiffel Tower
https://www.toureiffel.paris/en
https://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/en/jules-verne-restaurant.html#_ga=2.47083431.1804911953.1687446094-599862304.1687446094

Palace of Versailles
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/

Iceland Air Stopover
https://www.icelandair.com/flights/stopover/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s-kBhDqARIsAN-ipH2DiNQYYzfNurkxLq4k6UnOeFdg3A55PwExnOhjSR6Iz4bEOeDHs0caAmtKEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Iceland Restaurants
https://sandholt.is/en/getting-started/
https://www.sjavargrillid.is/

Ireland
https://www.lakehotelkillarney.ie/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-13088841 Fri, 23 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400 3738 1 13 full false Mexico City and Beyond with Kelly Rogers: She works hard for the money...or does she? Mexico City and Beyond with Kelly Rogers: She works hard for the money...or does she? Kelly Rogers returns to the podcast with more tales from her 7 and 1/2 week road trip adventure with her mom, granny, sisters and cousins.  She shares some of the highlights from the two weeks spent in Mexico, including cliff divers, bull fights, and pyramid climbing.  
But, most importantly, she reveals a deep, dark secret about the trip and how she  capitalized on her own cousin to turn a profit from a truly "dirty job."  

If you haven't heard my first interview with Kelly, be sure to check out Episode 1, Monterrey, Mexico with Kelly Rogers: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-can-laugh-about-it-now/id1679675578?i=1000606384665  

Explore travel to Mexico City, Guadalupe, Acapulco, and Puerta Vallarta: 

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe 
https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-basilica-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe/

Cliff Divers in Acapulco
https://imagine-mexico.com/cliff-diving-in-acapulco/

Pyramid of the Moon
https://historicalmx.org/items/show/139
Pyramid of the Sun
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/414/

Puerto Vallarta
https://visitpuertovallarta.com/

Explore great road trip hotels in Mobile, Alabama and Tucumcari, New Mexico
https://www.malagainn.com/
https://blueswallowmotel.com/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Kelly Rogers returns to the podcast with more tales from her 7 and 1/2 week road trip adventure with her mom, granny, sisters and cousins.  She shares some of the highlights from the two weeks spent in Mexico, including cliff divers, bull fights, and pyramid climbing.  
But, most importantly, she reveals a deep, dark secret about the trip and how she  capitalized on her own cousin to turn a profit from a truly "dirty job."  

If you haven't heard my first interview with Kelly, be sure to check out Episode 1, Monterrey, Mexico with Kelly Rogers: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-can-laugh-about-it-now/id1679675578?i=1000606384665  

Explore travel to Mexico City, Guadalupe, Acapulco, and Puerta Vallarta: 

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe 
https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-basilica-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe/

Cliff Divers in Acapulco
https://imagine-mexico.com/cliff-diving-in-acapulco/

Pyramid of the Moon
https://historicalmx.org/items/show/139
Pyramid of the Sun
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/414/

Puerto Vallarta
https://visitpuertovallarta.com/

Explore great road trip hotels in Mobile, Alabama and Tucumcari, New Mexico
https://www.malagainn.com/
https://blueswallowmotel.com/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-13040602 Fri, 16 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400 2597 1 12 full false Captiva Island, Florida with Audra Diaz: Going, Quite Literally, Off the Grid Captiva Island, Florida with Audra Diaz: Going, Quite Literally, Off the Grid Parents usually have the best intentions at heart, yet sometimes that can be a huge burden, especially when travelling.  

Audra Diaz, a high school history teacher, shares her first vacation experience with her infant daughter and how her overzealous packing efforts caused undue stress for her husband shortly after hitting the road.  Fortunately, the frustration melted away soon after arriving in Captiva Island.  

Listen in as she shares how her husband was suddenly taking an “off the grid” vacation and gives her recommendations for anyone wanting to escape to the beautiful gulf coast of Florida.   

Learn about travel to Captiva Island, Florida:
https://www.captivaisland.com/
https://sanibel-captiva.org/ 

Royal Shell Vacation Rentals
https://www.royalshell.com/?NCK=PPC_GA1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-IWkBhBTEiwA2exyO4HB9damj6VYn15vfg9lb9kfCdmcN86J0f2acqMaKaDog3NfhseEIBoC1m0QAvD_BwE  

The Captiva Cantina
https://captivaislandinn.com/captiva-island-restaurant/cantina-captiva/

The Key Lime Bistro
https://captivaislandinn.com/captiva-island-restaurant/keylime-bistro/

The Bubble Room
https://www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com/

The Mucky Duck
https://www.muckyduck.com/

RC Otters at Captiva Island Inn
https://captivaislandinn.com/captiva-island-restaurants/rc-otters-menu/

Beach Equipment Rentals
https://yolowatersports.com/ 

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Parents usually have the best intentions at heart, yet sometimes that can be a huge burden, especially when travelling.  

Audra Diaz, a high school history teacher, shares her first vacation experience with her infant daughter and how her overzealous packing efforts caused undue stress for her husband shortly after hitting the road.  Fortunately, the frustration melted away soon after arriving in Captiva Island.  

Listen in as she shares how her husband was suddenly taking an “off the grid” vacation and gives her recommendations for anyone wanting to escape to the beautiful gulf coast of Florida.   

Learn about travel to Captiva Island, Florida:
https://www.captivaisland.com/
https://sanibel-captiva.org/ 

Royal Shell Vacation Rentals
https://www.royalshell.com/?NCK=PPC_GA1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-IWkBhBTEiwA2exyO4HB9damj6VYn15vfg9lb9kfCdmcN86J0f2acqMaKaDog3NfhseEIBoC1m0QAvD_BwE  

The Captiva Cantina
https://captivaislandinn.com/captiva-island-restaurant/cantina-captiva/

The Key Lime Bistro
https://captivaislandinn.com/captiva-island-restaurant/keylime-bistro/

The Bubble Room
https://www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com/

The Mucky Duck
https://www.muckyduck.com/

RC Otters at Captiva Island Inn
https://captivaislandinn.com/captiva-island-restaurants/rc-otters-menu/

Beach Equipment Rentals
https://yolowatersports.com/ 

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-13002775 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400 1916 1 11 full false Wales, UK with Diane Mikolon: Finding Her Roots Wales, UK with Diane Mikolon: Finding Her Roots It’s not often that people get the opportunity to travel to the country where their family originated, but Diane Mikolon was fortunate enough to do just that.  Thanks to her father’s exhaustive research on the family ancestry, she and her parents, brother, and grandmother toured all of Wales for two weeks, leaving what felt like no castle unturned.  

Listen in to hear all the good, old-fashioned family fun that ensued during this historical and hysterical trip abroad.  

 Learn more about travel to Wales, UK and London, England: 

https://www.visitwales.com/

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/wales

https://walesguidebook.com/castles/south-wales/caerphilly-castle/history/

 https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/castle/carmarthen-castle-1843256

 Coal Mine Tours:

https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Tourism/RhonddaHeritagePark/Home.aspx 

 The Great Barn Bed and Breakfast:

https://www.cityofcardiff.com/greatbarn.html

https://snowdonia.gov.wales/visit/snowdon/

https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/events/festivals/national-eisteddfod 

Llanglofan Farmhouse Cheese
https://www.cheese.com/llanglofan-farmhouse/ 

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> It’s not often that people get the opportunity to travel to the country where their family originated, but Diane Mikolon was fortunate enough to do just that.  Thanks to her father’s exhaustive research on the family ancestry, she and her parents, brother, and grandmother toured all of Wales for two weeks, leaving what felt like no castle unturned.  

Listen in to hear all the good, old-fashioned family fun that ensued during this historical and hysterical trip abroad.  

 Learn more about travel to Wales, UK and London, England: 

https://www.visitwales.com/

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/wales

https://walesguidebook.com/castles/south-wales/caerphilly-castle/history/

 https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/castle/carmarthen-castle-1843256

 Coal Mine Tours:

https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Tourism/RhonddaHeritagePark/Home.aspx 

 The Great Barn Bed and Breakfast:

https://www.cityofcardiff.com/greatbarn.html

https://snowdonia.gov.wales/visit/snowdon/

https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/events/festivals/national-eisteddfod 

Llanglofan Farmhouse Cheese
https://www.cheese.com/llanglofan-farmhouse/ 

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12943851 Fri, 02 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400 3633 1 10 full false New York City and Broadway with Greg Burdick: In a New York State of Mind New York City and Broadway with Greg Burdick: In a New York State of Mind The New York City of 1988 was quite a different experience than it is today.   

Greg Burdick is a Theatre Arts teacher and playwright, with 30 years of experience as an educator.  He also happens to be my husband.  In this episode, Greg shares the story of his first trip to The Big Apple and the nerve-wracking incident he and his friends experienced while exploring the city.  While traveling with his high school theater group, he had the good fortune to see multiple Broadway shows and take in many of the sights and sounds of Times Square and the Theatre District.  This visit had a profound effect on him and solidified his love of theatre.  

Explore travel to New York City:
https://www.nycgo.com/
https://www.iloveny.com/
https://playbill.com/
https://www.tdf.org/discount-ticket-programs/tkts-by-tdf/tkts-live/
https://www.thehighline.org/
https://www.centralparknyc.org/
https://www.tonysnyc.com/

Hotel Edison
https://www.edisonhotelnyc.com/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw67ajBhAVEiwA2g_jEAr55DTwoglpx0Ucqju_BRZpMrxV6Eh2gdnFHGo2R5N9iz0FTyJ7DhoCeJ0QAvD_BwE



To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> The New York City of 1988 was quite a different experience than it is today.   

Greg Burdick is a Theatre Arts teacher and playwright, with 30 years of experience as an educator.  He also happens to be my husband.  In this episode, Greg shares the story of his first trip to The Big Apple and the nerve-wracking incident he and his friends experienced while exploring the city.  While traveling with his high school theater group, he had the good fortune to see multiple Broadway shows and take in many of the sights and sounds of Times Square and the Theatre District.  This visit had a profound effect on him and solidified his love of theatre.  

Explore travel to New York City:
https://www.nycgo.com/
https://www.iloveny.com/
https://playbill.com/
https://www.tdf.org/discount-ticket-programs/tkts-by-tdf/tkts-live/
https://www.thehighline.org/
https://www.centralparknyc.org/
https://www.tonysnyc.com/

Hotel Edison
https://www.edisonhotelnyc.com/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw67ajBhAVEiwA2g_jEAr55DTwoglpx0Ucqju_BRZpMrxV6Eh2gdnFHGo2R5N9iz0FTyJ7DhoCeJ0QAvD_BwE



To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12915843 Fri, 26 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400 3349 1 9 full false Disneyland Tokyo with Morgan Stark, host of Just Some Magic podcast: Disney fans unite!! Disneyland Tokyo with Morgan Stark, host of Just Some Magic podcast: Disney fans unite!! Morgan Stark, host of Just Some Magic podcast, joins me for a collaboration and dishes all things Disney.  She shares how, as a former Disney College Program Cast Member, living her best life, frequently visiting Disneyland, and being an early Disney IG influencer, led to a chance meeting with the host of a popular Disney-themed podcast, The Dis Unplugged.  

She also gushes over the wonders of Disneyland Tokyo and her love for Sleeping Beauty.  Join us as we chat about all the magic of Disney.  And follow Morgan for even more. 

 

Morgan Stark
https://www.instagram.com/morganstark__/?hl=en

Just Some Magic
https://www.justsomemagic.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-some-magic/id1542908551
https://www.instagram.com/justsomemagic/

DisUnplugged
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbFqSGIcm2bI71hM7M1Om5Q
https://www.wdwinfo.com/disunplugged/

Pin Trading
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/shops/pin-trading/

Disneyland
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/

Disneyland Tokyo
https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/

Disneyland Paris
https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-usd/

WDW
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Disney College Program
https://jobs.disneycareers.com/job/orlando/disney-college-program/391/43525101856?utm_source=google.com&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=CP&utm_content=search_engine&utm_term=357692374&ss=paid&gclid=CjwKCAjwjYKjBhB5EiwAiFdSfum6fxzLgZ2dIOBs-w-NdFQyRl4v_tCWCoVXR-wRvUGG6dCQf41C2RoC7FUQAvD_BwE

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Morgan Stark, host of Just Some Magic podcast, joins me for a collaboration and dishes all things Disney.  She shares how, as a former Disney College Program Cast Member, living her best life, frequently visiting Disneyland, and being an early Disney IG influencer, led to a chance meeting with the host of a popular Disney-themed podcast, The Dis Unplugged.  

She also gushes over the wonders of Disneyland Tokyo and her love for Sleeping Beauty.  Join us as we chat about all the magic of Disney.  And follow Morgan for even more. 

 

Morgan Stark
https://www.instagram.com/morganstark__/?hl=en

Just Some Magic
https://www.justsomemagic.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-some-magic/id1542908551
https://www.instagram.com/justsomemagic/

DisUnplugged
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbFqSGIcm2bI71hM7M1Om5Q
https://www.wdwinfo.com/disunplugged/

Pin Trading
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/shops/pin-trading/

Disneyland
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/

Disneyland Tokyo
https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/

Disneyland Paris
https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-usd/

WDW
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Disney College Program
https://jobs.disneycareers.com/job/orlando/disney-college-program/391/43525101856?utm_source=google.com&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=CP&utm_content=search_engine&utm_term=357692374&ss=paid&gclid=CjwKCAjwjYKjBhB5EiwAiFdSfum6fxzLgZ2dIOBs-w-NdFQyRl4v_tCWCoVXR-wRvUGG6dCQf41C2RoC7FUQAvD_BwE

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12847133 Fri, 19 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400 3147 1 8 full false Knoxville, TN and the 1982 World's Fair with Cat & Martha McDonald: Calling all Gen-Xers! Knoxville, TN and the 1982 World's Fair with Cat & Martha McDonald: Calling all Gen-Xers! Come along for a trip back in time to the 1982 World’s Fair – the International Energy Expo – showcased all things tech.  

 

Cat and Susan McDonald are sisters who recount their tale of the family road trip to Knoxville, TN and the surrounding Great Smoky Mountain area.  Cade’s Cove, Clingman’s Dome and the Nahantahela River are just a few of the highlights of this trip.  Listen in to hear how the natural world impressed them, even as young children, more than the latest and greatest technological advances.  

Learn about travel to Tennessee: 
https://www.visitknoxville.com/ 
https://www.mypigeonforge.com/
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48684
https://www.romanticasheville.com/bridal_veil_falls_highlands.htm

KOA Campgrounds
https://koa.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpPKiBhDvARIsACn-gzAs9ribEIkDQWP9pVnsqukOqTx8Mfb5opsfSBZrk683PFjgbjdP9pYaAiVbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Rand McNally Road Atlas
https://www.randmcnally.com/product/rand-mcnally-road-atlas

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Come along for a trip back in time to the 1982 World’s Fair – the International Energy Expo – showcased all things tech.  

 

Cat and Susan McDonald are sisters who recount their tale of the family road trip to Knoxville, TN and the surrounding Great Smoky Mountain area.  Cade’s Cove, Clingman’s Dome and the Nahantahela River are just a few of the highlights of this trip.  Listen in to hear how the natural world impressed them, even as young children, more than the latest and greatest technological advances.  

Learn about travel to Tennessee: 
https://www.visitknoxville.com/ 
https://www.mypigeonforge.com/
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48684
https://www.romanticasheville.com/bridal_veil_falls_highlands.htm

KOA Campgrounds
https://koa.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpPKiBhDvARIsACn-gzAs9ribEIkDQWP9pVnsqukOqTx8Mfb5opsfSBZrk683PFjgbjdP9pYaAiVbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Rand McNally Road Atlas
https://www.randmcnally.com/product/rand-mcnally-road-atlas

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12833060 Fri, 12 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400 4214 1 7 full false Istanbul and Antalya, Turkey with Susan Infield: Don't Leave Home Without It! Istanbul and Antalya, Turkey with Susan Infield: Don't Leave Home Without It! "Travel while you're young" is great advice, although it's age and experience that give us the wisdom we need for a smooth trip.  

Susan Infield has worked in the aviation industry for most of her career and has had the good fortune to visit every continent, except Antartica.  She shares her hysterical tale of traveling with a friend to Istanbul and Antalya, Turkey, immediately followed by a cruise with a different friend.  Susan walks us down memory lane as she recounts the more glamorous days of air travel, contrasted with the not-so-glamorous aspects of her back-to-back trips.  Listen as she shares the gut-wrenching account of her trip to Turkey.  

Explore Travel to Istanbul, Antalya, and Ephesus: 
Official Istanbul website
https://istanbul.goturkiye.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwjMiiBhA4EiwAZe6jQ1VDYqgmjMOGna59u-6zHaQeYRLGF4qzJSE52ZYLLN193_Q3b-IpxhoCgFoQAvD_BwE

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/istanbul
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/ephesus
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g297962-Antalya_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast-Vacations.html

British Airways
https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_us/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> "Travel while you're young" is great advice, although it's age and experience that give us the wisdom we need for a smooth trip.  

Susan Infield has worked in the aviation industry for most of her career and has had the good fortune to visit every continent, except Antartica.  She shares her hysterical tale of traveling with a friend to Istanbul and Antalya, Turkey, immediately followed by a cruise with a different friend.  Susan walks us down memory lane as she recounts the more glamorous days of air travel, contrasted with the not-so-glamorous aspects of her back-to-back trips.  Listen as she shares the gut-wrenching account of her trip to Turkey.  

Explore Travel to Istanbul, Antalya, and Ephesus: 
Official Istanbul website
https://istanbul.goturkiye.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwjMiiBhA4EiwAZe6jQ1VDYqgmjMOGna59u-6zHaQeYRLGF4qzJSE52ZYLLN193_Q3b-IpxhoCgFoQAvD_BwE

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/istanbul
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/ephesus
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g297962-Antalya_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast-Vacations.html

British Airways
https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_us/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12780296 Fri, 05 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400 3750 1 6 full false Northern Germany with Lily Beery: All Aboard for Adventure! Northern Germany with Lily Beery: All Aboard for Adventure! Kids love trains, so a two-hour trip should have been a fun and easy first adventure. 

Lily Beery, a graphic designer and former Walt Disney World Cast Member, shares her story of traveling through northern Germany by train as a young child via several other countries.  Listen as she describes the valiant attempt by Lily's mother to give her and her brother a new travel experience, made even more challenging by her choice of hostess gift.

Explore travel to Germany:
https://www.germany.travel/en/home.html
https://www.germany.travel/en/inspiring-germany/magic-by-the-river-dragons-knights-and-courageous-maidens.html   

Rhine River Cruises
https://www.tourradar.com/v/river-rhine
New Year’s Eve River Cruise
https://www.k-d.com/en/events/new-years-eve-party-cruise-cologne 

Neuschwanstein Castle in Southern Germany
https://neuschwansteincastle.net/ 


To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Kids love trains, so a two-hour trip should have been a fun and easy first adventure. 

Lily Beery, a graphic designer and former Walt Disney World Cast Member, shares her story of traveling through northern Germany by train as a young child via several other countries.  Listen as she describes the valiant attempt by Lily's mother to give her and her brother a new travel experience, made even more challenging by her choice of hostess gift.

Explore travel to Germany:
https://www.germany.travel/en/home.html
https://www.germany.travel/en/inspiring-germany/magic-by-the-river-dragons-knights-and-courageous-maidens.html   

Rhine River Cruises
https://www.tourradar.com/v/river-rhine
New Year’s Eve River Cruise
https://www.k-d.com/en/events/new-years-eve-party-cruise-cologne 

Neuschwanstein Castle in Southern Germany
https://neuschwansteincastle.net/ 


To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12655757 Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400 1475 1 5 full false New York City with Daphne Harris: To Airbnb or Not to Airbnb, that is the question. New York City with Daphne Harris: To Airbnb or Not to Airbnb, that is the question. Vacation rentals have so much to offer over a standard hotel room, but be sure to read the reviews before booking.  

Dr. Daphne Harris, and Literacy Coach and colleague of mine, shares what happens when her attempt at giving her daughters a feel for "real New York" by staying in a residential neighborhood, instead of a touristy hotel, goes wrong.  She details how their week-long trip, centered around the musical, Hamilton, nearly unravelled less than two hours after arriving in the city. However, her protective instincts and decisiveness served her well as she brought the issue to resolution with little impact on the trip. 

We talk all about the iconic city: Broadway, Times Square, Ellis Island and more, plus share tips for transportation and sightseeing.

Explore travel to New York City, NY:
https://www.iloveny.com/
https://www.nycgo.com/

Hamilton The Musical
https://hamiltonmusical.com/new-york/home/
The New York Public Library
https://www.nypl.org/
Ellis Island
https://www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Vacation rentals have so much to offer over a standard hotel room, but be sure to read the reviews before booking.  

Dr. Daphne Harris, and Literacy Coach and colleague of mine, shares what happens when her attempt at giving her daughters a feel for "real New York" by staying in a residential neighborhood, instead of a touristy hotel, goes wrong.  She details how their week-long trip, centered around the musical, Hamilton, nearly unravelled less than two hours after arriving in the city. However, her protective instincts and decisiveness served her well as she brought the issue to resolution with little impact on the trip. 

We talk all about the iconic city: Broadway, Times Square, Ellis Island and more, plus share tips for transportation and sightseeing.

Explore travel to New York City, NY:
https://www.iloveny.com/
https://www.nycgo.com/

Hamilton The Musical
https://hamiltonmusical.com/new-york/home/
The New York Public Library
https://www.nypl.org/
Ellis Island
https://www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12613408 Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400 2198 1 4 full false Venice, Italy with Sarah Lenhart: Lurkers, Lusters, and Luggage Venice, Italy with Sarah Lenhart: Lurkers, Lusters, and Luggage Solo travel can be treacherous, in more ways than one, especially when you don't speak the language. 

Sarah Lenhart,  a choir teacher, free-lance musician, and friend of mine, regales us with her hilarious, and sometimes scary, tale of traveling solo to Venice, Italy.  She proves that women can travel  alone with confidence and that, when incidents do arise that set off our internal alarms, we don't need to be completely "derailed" from our adventure.  Sarah also provides us with so many travel tips, she may need to consider launching her own podcast.  She's an invaluable resource for anyone planning to travel to Europe.

Explore travel to Venice, Italy and Europe:
https://citymapper.com/?lang=en
Murano Glass Factory  
https://www.visitmuranoglassfactory.com/
Venetian Apartment with Rooftop Terrace
https://abnb.me/5k76LEDkOyb
Learn to Row a Gondola Like a Venetian 
https://abnb.me/2JmKA1NkOyb
Bookstore in Venice  
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/libreria-acqua-alta

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Solo travel can be treacherous, in more ways than one, especially when you don't speak the language. 

Sarah Lenhart,  a choir teacher, free-lance musician, and friend of mine, regales us with her hilarious, and sometimes scary, tale of traveling solo to Venice, Italy.  She proves that women can travel  alone with confidence and that, when incidents do arise that set off our internal alarms, we don't need to be completely "derailed" from our adventure.  Sarah also provides us with so many travel tips, she may need to consider launching her own podcast.  She's an invaluable resource for anyone planning to travel to Europe.

Explore travel to Venice, Italy and Europe:
https://citymapper.com/?lang=en
Murano Glass Factory  
https://www.visitmuranoglassfactory.com/
Venetian Apartment with Rooftop Terrace
https://abnb.me/5k76LEDkOyb
Learn to Row a Gondola Like a Venetian 
https://abnb.me/2JmKA1NkOyb
Bookstore in Venice  
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/libreria-acqua-alta

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12609062 Fri, 14 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400 3381 1 3 full false Chattanooga, TN with Cassidy Wade: A romantic mountain retreat or cabin of terror? Chattanooga, TN with Cassidy Wade: A romantic mountain retreat or cabin of terror? A quick getaway to a quaint mountain retreat quickly turns frightening, even before they've unpacked.  

Cassidy Wade, a former student and now colleague of mine, weaves a nail-biting tale of a romantic rendezvous in the Tennessee mountains gone wrong.  She shares what she enjoyed about the trip and what she learned about herself as a result of this experience.  

Explore travel to Chattanooga: 
https://www.visitchattanooga.com/
https://www.tnvacation.com/
https://www.rubyfalls.com/
https://www.seerockcity.com/plan-your-day/
https://www.reagansretrobar.com/
https://www.westboundbar.com/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> A quick getaway to a quaint mountain retreat quickly turns frightening, even before they've unpacked.  

Cassidy Wade, a former student and now colleague of mine, weaves a nail-biting tale of a romantic rendezvous in the Tennessee mountains gone wrong.  She shares what she enjoyed about the trip and what she learned about herself as a result of this experience.  

Explore travel to Chattanooga: 
https://www.visitchattanooga.com/
https://www.tnvacation.com/
https://www.rubyfalls.com/
https://www.seerockcity.com/plan-your-day/
https://www.reagansretrobar.com/
https://www.westboundbar.com/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12519715 Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400 3114 1 2 full false Welcome to We Can Laugh About It Now with Toi Burdick Welcome to We Can Laugh About It Now with Toi Burdick I love to travel. And I'm inspired when I hear other people share their travel stories.  At work, I have a giant map of the United States on my wall, with pushpins in all the destinations I’ve visited around the country, and pictures of me and my family in each of these locations. The map is always a conversation starter when people stop by my office.  So it's only natural that I decided to create a podcast based around travel stories. 

My new podcast is all about those awkward or frightening travel mishaps that may not have been funny in the moment, but are, well...hilarious now. 

As a kid, I loved watching the afternoon talk shows, especially Merv Griffin.  I would set up my bedroom like his set and pretend to interview celebrities (and sometimes even sing!).  Now, I'm interviewing real live people - maybe one day it will be YOU!

The title for this podcast comes from the indelible words of Del Griffith… (unforgettably played by John Candy) in the film Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.  It’s an homage to the notion that no matter how trying travel can get, sometimes the greatest gifts come to us not at the destination, but through the journey.

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> I love to travel. And I'm inspired when I hear other people share their travel stories.  At work, I have a giant map of the United States on my wall, with pushpins in all the destinations I’ve visited around the country, and pictures of me and my family in each of these locations. The map is always a conversation starter when people stop by my office.  So it's only natural that I decided to create a podcast based around travel stories. 

My new podcast is all about those awkward or frightening travel mishaps that may not have been funny in the moment, but are, well...hilarious now. 

As a kid, I loved watching the afternoon talk shows, especially Merv Griffin.  I would set up my bedroom like his set and pretend to interview celebrities (and sometimes even sing!).  Now, I'm interviewing real live people - maybe one day it will be YOU!

The title for this podcast comes from the indelible words of Del Griffith… (unforgettably played by John Candy) in the film Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.  It’s an homage to the notion that no matter how trying travel can get, sometimes the greatest gifts come to us not at the destination, but through the journey.

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12552880 Thu, 30 Mar 2023 21:00:00 -0400 221 trailer false Monterrey, Mexico with Kelly Rogers: Gravity's the Enemy Monterrey, Mexico with Kelly Rogers: Gravity's the Enemy "The bus rolled down the mountain today," read her sister's postcard to their father back home.  In the summer of 1974, my dear friend, Kelly Rogers and her all-female traveling companions, encountered some gravitational challenges in the mountains of Mexico.  Never fear; however, as Granny secured a boulder behind the tire to keep it from rolling backwards.  Listen as Kelly shares how their perilous adventure resolved with the help of some friendly locals.  

Explore travel to Monterrey: 
https://www.mexperience.com/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/
https://www.zonaturistica.com/en/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> "The bus rolled down the mountain today," read her sister's postcard to their father back home.  In the summer of 1974, my dear friend, Kelly Rogers and her all-female traveling companions, encountered some gravitational challenges in the mountains of Mexico.  Never fear; however, as Granny secured a boulder behind the tire to keep it from rolling backwards.  Listen as Kelly shares how their perilous adventure resolved with the help of some friendly locals.  

Explore travel to Monterrey: 
https://www.mexperience.com/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/
https://www.zonaturistica.com/en/

To stay up to date on all our adventures, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get yours.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email us at WeCanLaughAboutItNowPodcast@gmail.com

]]> Toi Burdick Buzzsprout-12520198 Tue, 28 Mar 2023 20:00:00 -0400 1930 1 1 full false