Counting Countries

Key Links video Thank you to my Patrons…Phillip Jones, , Thor Pedersen, Steph Rowe, Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles & Ted Nims.  You can purchase them today on Amazon. And now, you can listen to ! And Alexa! And write a review! Check out our friend: .  They organize international rallies around the world, including Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines, and the Amazon.  And watch my full-length when I traveled with Large Minority.   I met Ted at a small travel meetup in Boston a couple of years ago, but knew him prior to that as one of my patrons for Counting Countries.  We both have homes in Chicago and we also connected a couple times in the Windy City.  We met up in late June for lunch and then retired to the Counting Countries Studio to record this podcast.  After I speak with Ted we will hear from Nick Butter once again at the end of the podcast, a guest from earlier this year.  Nick founded the .  This is a charity inspired by his trip around the world.  I will let Nick explain how this all works during our conversation.  But I will add that I have become a supporter of the foundation.  And I am now one of 500 plus people who have joined together in this project.  I imagine everyone of us is inundated with multiple offers to donate or support one cause or another.  It can become overwhelming but nonetheless I would suggest to take a moment and to check out his website to learn more.  My patrons will hear more of the interview with both Ted and Nick than you will.  AKA as exclusive content.  Thanks to Phillip Jones, , Steph Rowe, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, Thor Pedersen, and Adam Hickman for supporting Counting Countries. They help pay for the production of this podcast.  You can support this podcast by going to .    Ted shares how his collection of stamps propelled him around the globe.  Like many other 193ers, he likes to collect and create lists.  Country Counting can be another outlet for this passion.  Ted shares many of his experiences including cutting his trip short in Socotra during the beginnings of Covid.  And also a big thanks to Tony Wheeler for doing the guest introduction. Ted and I met up for incredible hamburgers at Lux Bar and then recorded this episode in the City of Big Shoulders.  Please listen in and enjoy. About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who’ve spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Fewer people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter’s Dance, written, performed, and provided by . About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: , , and .  He is the producer of two travel documentaries: and .  Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has and keep up with his journey at . Well…that depends on who you ask! The United Nations states that there are. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are. The Traveler’s Century Club states that there are. The Most Traveled Person states that there are. The Nomad Mania SISO says there are. Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way. Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda. Or book a trip through G Adventures.  PS  Thanks!   ----- Produced by