Travel, at its most memorable, is rarely as much about the destination as it is about discovery. It is an overheard conversation in the supermarket in a language you don’t yet speak. The rhythm of footsteps on unfamiliar streets. The way a moment on the metro can reshape your memory of a place entirely. That is the space The World Awaits travel podcast sets out to explore. Produced and hosted by Kirstie Bedford and her colleague Belinda (Belle) Jackson, the show focuses less on itineraries and more on the people, cultures and ideas behind each destination.
How The World Awaits Travel Podcast Began
“Our inspiration was because of our own love of both travel and broadcasting, and wanting to inspire others to travel,” Kirstie explains. “We have both worked in radio; I was a radio news journalist in New Zealand, and Belle is regularly heard on ABC, where she comments on all things travel-related.”
Kirstie also chose the name. “I came up with the name The World Awaits as I feel this perfectly sums up what we are about – inspiring travellers to see the world. Travel is so transformative, and we’d love people to see it the way we do, and hope that through our interviews and chats, we can do just that. Learning about a place from its people, connecting with other cultures and giving back when you travel are all things we are deeply passionate about.”
The pair launched the podcast in 2023. “We started our podcast in June 2023. It has been a very big learning curve, but such a rewarding journey,” Kirstie says. Episodes tend to linger on the texture of a place — its people, traditions and initiatives — rather than simply ticking off landmarks.
Travel With Purpose
Several episodes look at how travel can make a difference. Keith Sproule, head of philanthropy at Abercrombie & Kent, explains how travellers can supply bicycles to women across Africa, helping them earn an income and support their families. Dennis Bunnik reflects on 30 years of running small-group tours for Australians. And Lucy Barnard, Australian Geographic’s 2024 Adventurer of the Year and the first woman to walk the length of the Earth, talks about giving a voice to communities rarely heard. Together, these conversations show how travel can combine curiosity, connection and impact.
The Journalists Behind the Mic
Both hosts come from journalism. Kirstie has decades of experience reporting and editing magazines, including Luxury Escapes magazine, while Belle brings a background in broadcasting and regular travel commentary on ABC radio. That shows in the interviews, which tend to focus on the human side of each story.
Kirstie’s own listening habits offer a clue to the show’s mix of practical advice and adventure. She regularly tunes into The Content Byte, Luxury Unpacked by KarryOn, and Rescued: An Outdoor Podcast for Hikers and Adventurers.
Beyond the Guidebook
At its heart, The World Awaits treats places as lived experiences, explored through conversations and the people who live there rather than guidebook lists. Travel, the podcast suggests, is as much about listening and learning as it is about seeing.
In an era of checklists and curated highlights, it’s a reminder that the most memorable travel experiences are often shaped by curiosity, connection and storytelling — and by the unexpected moments that stay with you long after you’re home.
Episodes of The World Awaits are available at theworldawaits.au.
