What is it about travel that transforms us? Does setting out on a journey make us wiser, more compassionate, or more connected to the world? Or is travel sometimes just an escape, a break from the everyday?

Today, we’re diving into these questions with Douglas Brouwer, a seasoned traveler, author of The Traveler’s Path: Finding Spiritual Growth and Inspiration Through Travel, and someone who has spent a lifetime exploring the world—not just for the sights, but for the deeper lessons travel can teach us.

From childhood road trips across North America to living abroad multiple times, Douglas has experienced travel in all its forms—pilgrimages, study tours, mission trips, and even encounters with prisons around the world.

His new book isn’t about where to go, but how to go—how to make travel meaningful, how to reflect on the journeys we take, and how to turn travel into a "worthy adventure." We’ll talk about the spiritual restlessness that drives us to explore, the myths of bucket lists, and the ways travel can shape who we are.

So, if you’ve ever wondered whether travel can truly change you—or if you’re just planning your next trip—this conversation is for you.

Takeaways:

• Travel often serves as a profound catalyst for personal transformation, fostering wisdom and compassion.
• Engaging in meaningful travel experiences allows individuals to forge deeper connections with diverse cultures.
• The act of traveling may sometimes serve merely as an escape from quotidian life, lacking substantive impact.
• Intentional travel encourages reflection and understanding of the world, enriching our perspectives on humanity.
• Experiencing history firsthand while traveling offers profound insights into our shared human journey.
• Compassion and empathy developed through travel can enhance our interactions with others, fostering global connections.