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JUMP with Traveling Jackie

Some GOOD PEOPLE stories for you

Published 4 months ago • 3 min read

Happy September!

I hope you had a great summer, mine was gloriously long and slow -- starting with 6 weeks in Europe, and then a couple solid months in Montana full of outdoor adventures, lots of ice hockey, and quality time with quality people. I can feel time speeding up now as I'm heading into my busier travel season, but before we get there, let's take a step back.

We've had some incredibly inspiring people join us on the podcast this summer, and I am so impressed by them and the stories they've shared with us that I want to make sure you don't miss out on hearing them too.

Besides, I'm of the opinion that everyone could use some good people stories these days...

Like Chelsea, a veterinarian who uses her vacation time to volunteer working with animals all over the world, or Sherry (one of our faves!) who is cycling from state to state, or Ginger, who broke herself out of a corporate career and is now living beyond her dreams... or Andy, who wooed Chelsea (yes, the vet!) in a heart-warming love story across every continent, or Eric, who rides his bike 400 miles across Iowa every summer with his dad. ❤️

These are real, everyday people doing BIG, BOLD THINGS with their lives.

Tune in now or bookmark them for next time you are craving some inspiration.

Volunteering with Animals: A Traveling Veterinarian's Story

Dr. Chelsea Anderson never imagined that becoming a veterinarian would allow her to travel the world and work and live in places like Sri Lanka, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and beyond. But early on in her career, she figured out how to combine her two passions of traveling and working with animals. Today she shares with us her stories from volunteering her veterinary services all across the globe. Tune in to this inspiring story to find out how she does it, where she’s been, and the things she’s learned abroad that she applies every day to her veterinary work at home.

She Took Up Biking at 51, Now She's Riding Across the USA

She grew up watching her dad walk across the country—literally—from capital to capital. Decades later, Sherry Ott is finishing what he started… by bike. In this episode, Jackie sits down with the travel veteran (and six-time guest!) to talk about her latest quest: a cross-country cycling journey that’s equal parts tribute, personal challenge, and epic adventure. What began in the 80s with paper maps and pushpins has become “Capital to Capital,” Sherry’s self-filmed docuseries chronicling her ride through rural America. Along the way, she’s faced down busy highways, wild dogs, flat tires, and self-doubt—but also discovered unexpected connection, confidence, and joy in the process. It’s a story about legacy, learning as you go, and saying yes to something big before you’re ready.

You're Not Stuck. (PREACH, GINGER!)

She was a corporate high-flyer who traded boardrooms for backcountry trails. After joining Jackie on the O Circuit in Patagonia—celebrating a sobriety milestone and conquering suspension bridges—Ginger Cooper came home and sold her house, quit her job, and built a life on her own terms. From solo camper van trips above the Arctic Circle to kayaking with beluga whales, her story is a joyful reminder of what’s possible when you say yes to what calls you.

7 Dates on 7 Continents: A Travel Love Story

He was a small-town guy from Montana, she was living the big city life in New York. They met on a trip to Morocco and got engaged four years later in Antarctica, and they had an adventure date on every continent in between. Listen in as Jackie gets the whole story from guests Andy Austin and Chelsea Anderson, two globe-trotting professionals who fell in love as they journeyed to the ends of the earth, together.

RAGBRAI: "Put it on your bucket list"

What if the biggest party on two wheels was happening in the middle of Iowa every summer—and you were invited? Cyclist Eric Whaylen joins Jackie to share the magic of RAGBRAI, the week-long ride across the state that’s equal parts endurance, community, and carnival. From pies and slip-n-slides to costumes and late-night music, Eric reveals how this ride became a father-son tradition and why it’s one of the most joyful cycling adventures in the country.

Thank you for being here, for tuning in to the show, and for your words of encouragement and positive reviews.

Let's keep spreading good stories and being courageous with our lives, because these things ARE within our control.

❤️ Jackie

JUMP with Traveling Jackie

Jackie Nourse

Host of JUMP with Traveling Jackie - awarded Best Travel Podcast of 2025 by iHeartRadio - and founder of JUMP Adventures - inviting you on epic adventures to Patagonia and beyond. Join Jackie behind the scenes for podcast news, adventure opportunities, and personal journey updates.

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