My 2025 Review of My Travels, Winging It, Personal Goals + What Is To Come in 2026.

In this bonus New Year’s Day episode of Winging It, I’m taking a deep dive into my 2025 travel year, the evolution of the podcast, and what’s coming next in 2026.

I break down the numbers behind my travels — 22 flights, 90,000km flown, nine countries, three new destinations — but more importantly, I reflect on the moments that shaped me as a traveller and storyteller. From seeing wild elephants in India to sharing breakfast with a Bhutanese monk overlooking Thimphu, this episode is about perspective, purpose, and how travel changes over time.

I also open up about the realities of running a long-form travel podcast, including burnout, why I’m stepping back from guest-heavy interviews, and why immersive, sound-rich storytelling is where Winging It is heading next.

If you’re interested in slow vs purposeful travel, how travel content is evolving, or what it’s really like to juggle full-time work with global adventures, this episode pulls the curtain back.

In this episode, I talk about:

• My full 2025 travel recap across Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America
• Why Bhutan was my favourite country and Bangkok my favourite city
• The most surreal travel moment of my life (and why it changed me)
• What I learned after releasing 57 podcast episodes in one year
• Why immersive travel podcasts matter more than ever
• How travel priorities shift as you get older
• The behind-the-scenes reality of podcasting, pitching, and guest fatigue
• Becoming a dual UK–Canadian citizen and what that means for future travel
• A full preview of my Bhutan podcast series is coming in 2026
• Upcoming trips, travel ideas, and where Winging It is heading next

This episode is part travel reflection, part creator reality check, and part forward-looking roadmap for anyone who loves meaningful, honest travel stories.

🎧 Next up: the first episode in my immersive Bhutan series, recorded on location in Thimphu.

Want to travel with me to El Salvador?

Click this link to hear more - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000734952340

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❤️ Support the Show

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on your favourite podcast app — it helps new listeners discover the show. And share this episode with a friend who loves adventure, travel and big ideas.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the 2025 Travel & Podcast Year in Review

02:00 – 2025 travel stats: flights, distance & time in the air

04:40 – Why I don’t slow travel anymore

07:00 – India reflections: Bangalore, media trips & first impressions

10:20 – Luxury travel vs real experiences on the road

13:40 – Wildlife moments & seeing wild elephants in India

16:40 – Favourite countries, cities & food from 2025

19:20 – The most surreal moment: breakfast with a monk in Bhutan

22:20 – Podcast stats, burnout & lessons from 2025

25:20 – What’s coming in 2026 & final reflections

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Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

Please leave a review and a 5-star rating wherever you get your podcasts!

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com 

Social Media - follow me on:

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Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.