The Journey Is The Reward (dot) ORG

Afleveringen

• Episode 136: Points Path Julian Is Back 22.06.2026 1u 2min

  Welcome to episode 136 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Micah and Brian are catching up with Julian Kheel from Points Path—one of their absolute favorite browser extensions (even if Brian still wants to call it an "application").Before the deep dive into point values, Brian is checking his gear for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh!  If you're heading to the show this summer, let Brian know so you can connect in person.And because it wouldn’t be an complete episode without her, we dive back into the mailbag to answer yet another question from our most frequent of flyers, Listener Lu.The guys wanted to have Julian back on the show because Points Path has been busy adding some serious "thrust" to its feature set. If you’re tired of guessing if you're getting a good deal, you’ll want to hear about:Hotel Point Values: You can now see the real-world value of your points on hotel stays right in your browser.Smart Alerts: Points Path is now acting like your personal air traffic controller, monitoring price drops on flights you’ve booked—or are even just considering—so you can rebook and save without the manual labor.To wrap things up, the guys put Julian in the hot seat. They ask what he would do with a 100,000-point windfall, and his strategy might just surprise you. Plus, Julian gets honest about his own biggest "points turbulence"—the mistakes and regrets he's had while navigating the world of miles.So sit back, relax, and enjoy the stories. Because around here, the journey is the reward.As always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.You can always find the audio recording at www.thejourneyisthereward.org.
• Episode 135: Momma Coleman Turns 91!!! 08.06.2026 1u 2min

  Welcome to episode 135 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Micah and Brian are back together to recap an incredible milestone celebration—Momma Coleman’s spectacular 91st birthday party—along with a fantastic combined aviation meetup in Toms River, New Jersey.Because the airspace is completely packed, the guys are temporarily skipping the listener feedback segment. However, they did hear from their favorite frequent flyer, Listener Lu. Micah thinks she might be stuck in a bit of a holding pattern, though, because her question sounded suspiciously similar to a previous one!Before we get into the weekend's festivities, a quick reminder that Brian is packing his bags for EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI this summer. If you are planning to head out to the big event, please drop him a line—he would love to connect with listeners face-to-face.To get out east for Momma Coleman’s big celebration, Brian suffered the ultimate frequent flyer tragedy: his United Airlines PlusPoints upgrades failed to clear, leaving him stuck in the back of the bus. But a little economy-class turbulence was a small price to pay to celebrate with Mom, family and friends.The trip got even better on Sunday with a combined aviation meetup. It was wonderful to catch up with old friends and welcome some new faces to the group. The travel and aviation community truly is full of the best people.And finally, while the catering on the plane and the spread in the United Club left a lot to be desired, Brian found culinary redemption on the ground with a classic New Jersey pork roll sandwich… NOT Taylor Ham!So sit back, relax, and enjoy the stories. Because around here, the journey is the reward.As always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.You can always find the audio recording at ⁠⁠⁠www.thejourneyisthereward.org⁠⁠⁠.
• Episode 134: Eric Is Back From Europe 25.05.2026 55min

  Welcome to episode 134 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Micah and Brian are back with a packed show featuring international adventures, listener mail, and the ultimate puzzle of frequent flyer routing.Before getting to the main interview, the guys dive into Listener Lu’s fascinating question about Delta sponsoring a premium lounge inside The Sphere in Las Vegas. Should you expect incredible visuals, immersive entertainment, and knowing Vegas, a very long line to get in, or will this be a boring airport lounge?Next, we head across the Atlantic to the Emerald Isle. We tune in to a fantastic, on-the-ground interview that Chef Kathy recorded while traveling around Ireland with the one and only Momma Coleman.Before we get to the main topic, in major domestic travel news, Brian is packing his bags for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh! If you are planning to head out there for the big event, please let Brian know—he’d love to meet up face-to-face.Of course, getting there is where the real story begins. Brian managed to sniff out a first-class award ticket to Wisconsin for just 27,000 points, but the layout of the trip seems to have been designed by a computer making things unnecessarily complicated. He breaks down the bizarre choices he has to make to actually claim that first-class seat.Our main guest today is Eric the Mapmaker, who recently returned from a grand tour of Italy with his lovely wife, Bella. Eric gives us the full trip report on:The experience flying across the pond with Delta.Navigating local Airbnb stays and finding the best spots.The logistics of actually getting around Italy (and surviving the local driving).And because it’s Italy, a deep dive into the incredible food that made the trip unforgettable.But as any seasoned traveler knows, even the best-planned trips can throw you a curveball. When plans went sideways, Micah stepped in to save the day, finding Eric a creative way home… albeit with a very "scenic" detour.So sit back, relax, and enjoy the stories. Because around here, the journey is always the reward.As always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.You can always find the audio recording at ⁠⁠www.thejourneyisthereward.org⁠⁠.
• Episode 133: Capt Mukhedkar An Indian Treasure 11.05.2026 1u 9min

  Welcome to episode 133 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Micah and Brian have a fascinating conversation with Retired Captain Mukhedkar, a former Indian Air Force instructor and Captain for Air India. "Capt. Mookie," as we were lucky enough to call him, joined us from India. He is currently recovering from heart surgery, so while his voice is a bit weathered, the wealth of history he shares is more than worth the listen.Captain Mookie brings over 45 years of aviation experience to the table, spanning both military and commercial operations. With more than two decades in the Indian Armed Forces—much of it spent as a flight instructor—he eventually transitioned his skills to Air India. Over his career, he logged an incredible 15,000+ flight hours across 14 different aircraft types. The guys dive into his experiences with an impressive tail-number roster, including:Trainers & Props: Lycoming-5, Harvard T6G, HT-2 (the Indian-made trainer), Dakota, HS748, and the Pushpak.Military Jets: The L29 and L39 (flown in the Iraqi Air Force) and the HJT 16 Jet Trainer.Commercial Heavies: The Boeing 707, Airbus 310, and the legendary Boeing 747-200, 300, and 400 series.As a special treat, we are joined by his daughter, Priya, who shares an adventurous family story about driving all the way from Iraq to England for a vacation. It’s truly the definition of a journey of a lifetime!Join us for a Meetup! If you are in the New Jersey area on May 17th, we would love to see you:·       When: Sunday, May 17, at 4:00 PM·       Where: Charlie’s Pizza, Restaurant and Pub·       Address: 1980 Rt. 37, Manchester Township, NJ 08759And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.You can always find the audio recording at www.thejourneyisthereward.org.
• Episode 132: Singapore Airshow 2026, Part 5 27.04.2026 45min

  Welcome to episode 132 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Micah and Brian bring the epic storytelling of Brian’s trip to Singapore to a close. You might be wondering, "Will it ever end???" and the answer is finally yes—this is the final installment covering the Singapore Airshow 2026.To make sure we reached our destination in under an hour, the guys skipped the standard listener feedback mailbag this week. However, we did have to address a trending story brought to us by listener Lu regarding pets on planes. We share our thoughts on the recent incident in Las Vegas where a passenger abandoned her dog at the airport after failing to pass it off as a service animal to avoid fees. (This version of the show has the correct Listener Lu audio file.)We also have several important community updates to share. We get the latest on Cousin Mitchell’s situation in Thailand, and we hear that listener Tanya, who unfortunately won't make it to our New Jersey meetup as she’ll be heading across the pond for the 600th recording of Plane Talking UK. Additionally, Grant checks in to provide some "course corrections" on a few details Brian might have missed during previous segments on the airshow.For the main event, Micah has Brian break down his final post-trade show adventures and the long trek back across the Pacific. Despite some heavy turbulence on the flight home, Brian touched down safely at LAX and managed the drive back to Pasadena in record time.Join us for a Meetup! If you are in the New Jersey area on May 17th, we would love to see you:·       When: Sunday, May 17, at 4:00 PM·       Where: Charlie’s Pizza, Restaurant and Pub·       Address: 1980 Rt. 37, Manchester Township, NJ 08759And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.You can always find the audio recording at ⁠www.thejourneyisthereward.org⁠.
• Episode 131: Singapore Airshow 2026, Part 4 13.04.2026 52min

  Welcome to episode 131 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Micah and Brian continue the epic storytelling of Brian’s trip to Singapore. You might be wondering, "Will it ever end???" but the journey is progressing.Before the guys reach the main event, they dive into some essential listener feedback. Listener Peter shares some fantastic tips and tricks regarding Kosher meals—information so good that Brian plans to implement these strategies the next time he’s at 30,000 feet. Then, listener Lu checks in to get the guys' thoughts on the recent changes to the United MileagePlus program. It seems the "earning and burning" game is shifting, with a United credit card becoming more of a requirement than a suggestion to get the best rates.We also have a couple of important community updates. First, we get a cousin Mitchell update from Thailand; it is truly incredible to hear about the level of planning required to navigate a route back home to Florida during a time of conflict. Closer to our hearts in Zambia, we have an update on Baby Chipego, our newest listener. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our audience, Brian was able to make an additional $100 contribution to support Connie and her new arrival.For the main event, Micah has Brian break down his post-trade show adventures and gives us a detailed look into the public days of the Singapore Airshow. Brian managed to capture some great recordings with Grant and Nigel, and even sat down for a departure day chat with listener Matt.The guys actually ran out of flight time before they could finish the trip back to the States, so you'll have to tune in next time to hear the final leg of the journey home!Join us for a Meetup! If you are in the New Jersey area on May 17th, we would love to see you:·       When: Sunday, May 17, at 4:00 PM·       Where: Charlie’s Pizza, Restaurant and Pub·       Address: 1980 Rt. 37, Manchester Township, NJ 08759And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.You can always find the audio recording at www.thejourneyisthereward.org.
• Episode 130: Singapore Airshow 2026, Part 3 30.03.2026 1u 11min

  Welcome to episode 130 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Brian and Micah continue their discussion of the Singapore Airshow 2026, Sadly, again, there is no listener feedback.  However, Listener Lu still wants to know stuff.  This time it’s about picture taking and filing etiquette on an airplane.Then, Micah gives us a new update on his cousins Thailand adventures. Yes, the questions keep coming.  Brian also gives an update on the delayed departure of Momma Coleman who was flying on Spirit.  Seems like someone is telling a story or there really was weather casing the delay in her return to New Jersey.  For the main event, Brian and Micah continue their discussion of the Singapore Airshow 2026.  Brian was able to record some interviews with Jimmy Beeson, VP Product Development at Textron, Patrick Botter, Manager, Brand, Content and Creative Services at CAE, Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, CEO of ATR and David Bradshaw, Director of Business Development at Top Aces.And no airshow would be complete without a static display and Brian was able to get some private tours of some incredible aircraft.As always, our ears are blessed by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir. Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded at the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, are the perfect way to bring this flight to a close.You can always find the audio recording at ⁠⁠⁠www.thejourneyisthereward.org⁠
• Episode 129: Singapore Airshow 2026, Part 2 16.03.2026 1u

  Welcome to episode 129 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Brian and Micah continue their discussion of the Singapore Airshow 2026, Sadly, there is no listener feedback.  However, Listener Lu didn’t let us down and she wants to know about the WiFi wars. Then, Micah gives us an update about his cousins Thailand adventures, an update on Chase cash back cards and Brian corrects himself on business class layouts.  For the main event, Brian and Micah continue to discuss the Singapore Airshow 2026.  Brian was impressed with the static displays and chalets offered by some of the major companies in attendance.With the help of YanLin of Bell Helicopter, Brian was also able to record an interview with Dan McQuestin, Country Manager, Australia.  It’s a great conversation about the MV 75 and the rest of the Bell product line. And no airshow would be complete without an aerial display. Brian was impressed by some displays and let down by some others.As always, our ears are blessed by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir. Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded at the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, are the perfect way to bring this flight to a close.You can always find the audio recording at ⁠⁠www.thejourneyisthereward.org⁠
• Episode 128: Brian Returns to Singapore. 02.03.2026 1u 3min

  Welcome to episode 128 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Brian and Micah discuss the trek to the Singapore Airshow 2026, but first, the guys have some listener feedback to clear from the runway. Listener Eric writes in about his luggage choices and why "Team Carry-On" sometimes hits maximum capacity for his lifestyle, while Listener Mark issues a "correction notice" to Brian regarding the Auto Train. We also hear from Listener Tanya, who gives us a nice climb in altitude with a compliment on our last episode featuring Carlos of Plane Talking UK.As we reach cruising altitude, the guys dive into the industry radar. Listener Lu wants to know about the potential mergers of Sun Country and Allegiant, along with the rumored "hookup" between United and JetBlue. As usual, Brian and Micah have a different flight path than the rest of the pundits. Then, Micah shares a cautionary tale about his cousin who decided to ignore "Air Traffic Control" (Micah’s advice) for a long-haul flight to Thailand—proving that sometimes, ignoring the pre-flight briefing leads to a bumpy ride. In much happier news, Connie’s baby finally has a name! We are officially cleared to welcome Chepego as our newest (and youngest) listener.For the main event, listen in as Brian and Micah discuss the potential turbulence of booking through Chase Travel and the pitfalls of third-party manifests. While United didn't disappoint on the long haul to Singapore, the flight was so empty that Brian discovered the "Poor Man’s First Class"—where a full row of coach seats might have actually been a better value than a premium pod. Regardless, Brian made a safe landing in Singapore just in time for the airshow. As always, our ears are blessed by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir. Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded at the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, are the perfect way to bring this flight to a close.You can always find the audio recording at www.thejourneyisthereward.org
• Episode 127: Plane Talking UK With Carlos 16.02.2026 1u 5min

  Welcome to episode 127 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this episode, Brian and Micah are joined by Carlos, the founder of Plane Talking UK, for a deep dive into the world of aviation podcasting from a UK perspective. Before the guys get to the main event, they start with some essential ground handling from listener Marc. He checks in to discuss the legendary durability of Kirkland Signature luggage and gives us the lowdown on the new location for Geno’s Steaks in Hampton, Virginia—a destination definitely worth the detour.The conversation then moves to the airport lounge, as listener Tonya writes in about the perks of buying an annual Priority Pass membership. It’s a savvy move for anyone who wants the VIP treatment without being forced to carry a credit card with a "heavy-lift" annual fee. We also tackle a question from listener Lu regarding the ever-expanding world of Basic Economy. Lu wants to know if Micah and Brian would ever actually book one of those "no-frills" seats, and Carlos chimes in with his two pounds of thought, noting how the fare wars look a bit different across the pond.In the spirit of the season, Brian celebrates a successful delivery of Dubai chocolate for Christmas, while another listener proposes a massive trip to India for 2027. We want to know if you’re ready to join the crew, so please write in and let us know if you’d be interested in a listener trip to the subcontinent!  Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG.Finally, the boys sit down with Carlos to celebrate a milestone that’s definitely cleared for departure: the 600th episode of PTUK. Micah and Brian reminisce about attending the 200th and 400th shows, but sadly, Brian has a "maintenance day" for this particular milestone. Because of Momma Coleman’s 91st birthday party, Brian will be staying local—after all, family always gets priority boarding.And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.
• Episode 126: Happy New Year... And A Confession 02.02.2026 55min

  Welcome to episode 126 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this show, Micah has an interview with Eric The Mapmaker.We are kicking off this week’s podcast by celebrating the heartbeat of the show—our listeners. We first hear from Mark in Largo, FL, who shares his recent biking adventures. Mark was also one of our winners of Brian Kelly’s book, How to Win at Travel, and it’s inspiring to see him putting those strategies to use on his own local trails. We also welcome back Listener Lu, who asks a timely question about holiday travel. Micah and Brian weigh in with their personal experiences navigating the busy season, proving that while the crowds can be a challenge, the perspective gained from a change of scenery is always worth the effort.The centerpiece of today’s episode is an interview Micah conducted with Eric the Mapmaker. Though this conversation was recorded back in July, some things are truly worth the wait. In the world of travel and podcasting, schedules don’t always follow a straight line and "ground delays" are part of the process, but the wisdom Eric shares about how we chart our paths is timeless. Because our recording schedule has been a bit of a scenic route lately, Brian and Micah also finally take the time to recap their 2025 travel highlights and look toward the horizon at what 2026 has in store. We’re looking forward to a year of clear skies for Micah—specifically, trading in time at surgery centers for more time at the boarding gate!And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.
• Episode 125: The Planes Of Black Sheep Squadron 19.01.2026 43min

  Welcome to episode 125 of The Journey Is the Reward!On this show, Micah and Brian get to talk about one of our most favorite aviation TV shows... well, the planes of our move favorite TV show.But first, we heard from one of our listeners—truly, the best part of the show!No Listener Lu question this week. Hopefully, she is on vacation to someplace warm and that’s preventing her from sending in a question.On today’s show Brian and Micah get to talk about dramatic fiction, but dramatic fiction that’s historical. They have a guest that has documented all the history around and iconic TV show that many of us have watched over and over again.  The guest this week is Stephen Chapis, a highly respected aviation historian and photographer with a deep passion for military aircraft. His work has appeared in numerous magazines, including Warbird Digest, and he is the author of the book, Allied Jet Killers of World War 2. For over 15 years, he has been meticulously researching the specific aircraft that starred in the classic television series, Baa Baa Black Sheep. All that work has culminated in his new book, Poor Little Lambs: The Baa Baa Black Sheep Story, which details the fascinating, untold stories of these iconic planes.  The book is being published by Key Publishing Ltd. and is now available for sale.And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.
• Episode 124: A Surprise Vist To See Mom 05.01.2026 38min

  Welcome to episode 124 of The Journey Is the Reward!Although the Government might have been shut down, that didn't stop Brian from hitting the throttle, braving the airports, and executing a cross-country flight plan to see Mama Coleman. He performed a masterful landing right on her doorstep!But before we get into Brian's unscheduled government-shutdown-defying mission, we heard from some of our listeners—truly, the best part of the show!·       Listener Martha wrote in, asking why I give out gifts to the flight crews. Someone's never heard of the importance of crew resource management!·       We also heard from Listener Cassandra, all the way from Botswana, who was telling Brian about the leopard in her backyard. Now that’s something you don’t hear every day... unless you are living in the wild of Southern Africa! ·       No Listener Lu question this week. Hopefully, she'll have an important air traffic control query for the next episode.For the main event, buckle up! Micah asks Brian all about his flights to New Jersey during the great shutdown. Although there were a few aircraft changes, they were really Brian’s decision—he likes to keep the ground crew guessing! Chef Kathy provided excellent ground transportation services to safely transport Brian to yet another surprise visit with mom. Micah called to wish everyone well, and finished up the episode with a detailed analysis of Brian’s journey home. Spoiler alert: he didn't try to file a flight plan on a different continent.And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.
• Episode 123 : ​Brian And Sir Paul McCartney 22.12.2025 46min

  Welcome to episode 123 of The Journey Is the Reward!We're back to our regularly scheduled programming—or, as we like to call it, our regularly scheduled flight plan—as we track Brian's recent trip to the frigid but fabulous state of Minnesota. His itinerary was packed: he attended an unforgettable concert by the legendary Sir Paul McCartney and spent time performing essential Uncle Duties with his niece in St. Paul.But first, let's check the cargo hold for some listener mail!·       Listener Sharon wrote in, asking us to rewind the tape and explain how we got into this crazy, sometimes turbulent podcasting business.·       Chef Kathy sent in an audio file where she was in utter amazement that Brian, somehow, someway, has never heard of Dubai chocolate. (We'll address this serious gap in his culinary education.)·       And Listener Lu is back with a pressing question about United’s new flights to Europe, specifically asking if we would personally dare to fly across the pond in a single-aisle 737.For the main event, Micah asks Brian about his flights to Minneapolis, which, let's just say, involved a couple of unexpected "holding patterns" (a.k.a., delays) with stops in Denver. Tune in to hear all the issues and details from his bumpy journey, followed by his smooth landing into the unforgettable Sir Paul McCartney concert.Finally, after the bright lights of the stadium, Uncle Brian happily put in some work on the ground, helping his niece with some necessary yard work at her new home purchase.And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.
• ​​Episode 122 : ​Micah Goes To The Dark Side 08.12.2025 54min

  Welcome to episode 122 of The Journey Is the Reward!Hold onto your tray tables, folks, because in this episode, we're not just flying—we're doing a full 180-degree turn on our usual format! We've deployed the flaps for a fresh introduction, and Brian takes the controls to interrogate (er, interview) Micah about his recent aerial journey from Portland, Maine, all the way to Philadelphia for a very important mission: attending his niece's wedding. But first, we're diving into the mailbag! Listener Murilo sent in an audio message wanting the full story behind why your host refuses to check a bag—is it a matter of principle or just an overly large carry-on? Then, Listener Peter details a mid-flight issue with his seating assignment, asking for our expert guidance on how we would have navigated the turbulence of that awkward situation. For the main event, we get all the from Micah’s trek on American Airlines, dissecting the journey from the tarmac to his landing at the Marriott Residence Inn.  We also cover his ground haul to the wedding venue, including a key fuel stop to catch a football game. Micah took a deliberate detour to a local kosher deli, and the food was so utterly divine, it completely ruined his dining experience at the swanky Chase Sapphire Lounge. And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.
• ​​Episode 121 : ​Southern Africa; Part 3 24.11.2025 56min

  Welcome to episode 121 of The Journey Is the Reward!All good flights must come to an end, and sadly, the incredible 15-day Southern Africa adventure of a lifetime is concluding! Join Brian and crew as their journey wraps up and they depart Botswana.  Fortunately, he remembers to pull out the microphone at the airport lounge to capture a fantastic conversation with the rest of the crew: Barb, Jim, Gerrit, and Malin. It's a bittersweet moment as the group parts ways, with Gerrit and Malin flying off to Windhoek, Namibia, while Barb, Jim, and Brian head to Johannesburg for the final leg of their "flight plan." This last push includes important city sightseeing in both Johannesburg and Pretoria, one last chance for thrilling game drive, and immersive museum visits. Of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without a crucial stop for souvenirs! The crew made sure they filled their suitcases with treasures and gifts discovered at the Artisan Market at the Rosebank Mall for everyone back home. It seems like only yesterday the trip started, but a very quick 15 days later, the adventure was over, sealed with the memory of the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! You'll hear their poignant Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, adding pure magic to this final African episode.
• Episode 120 : Southern Africa; Part 2 17.11.2025 45min

  Welcome to episode 120 of The Journey Is the Reward!Prepare for the continuing high-flying stories and adventures across Southern Africa.The episode begins with Ground Control Howie taxiing the group to the Cape Town International (CPT) for the next leg of their journey, a flight to Victoria Falls. Immediately, they encountered turbulence with Brian's Priority Pass access, resulting in a temporary grounding. However, quick thinking from either Gerrit or Jim bypassed the holding pattern. They successfully executed a rescue mission, allowing Brian to join the crew in the lounge closer to the departure gate, ensuring smooth sailing into their next flight.With ground operations complete, the crew boarded their scheduled service flight with ProFlight Zambia on a CRJ-500, as they headed toward the mighty mist of Victoria Falls. They landed safely at the Victoria Falls (VFA) aerodrome where they logged three days at the Avani hotel and enjoyed the spectacular Victoria Falls and surrounding areas.  The group also explored the town of Livingstone with a very pregnant Connie was acting as their friendly tour guide. During this layover, Malin, Gerrit and Brian also completed a cross-border transit—a quick international hop—gaining another Passport Stamp as they walked across the Victoria Falls Bridge to enter Zimbabwe. Following the successful layover, the crew transitioned smoothly into Botswana. Here they engaged in specialized safaris conducted by both land and rivercraft. Treating themselves to First Class Amenities, they enjoyed therapeutic massages by CasLea Beauty Spa. Brian, ever the charismatic traveler, found a lifelong friend in his favorite masseuse, Cassandra! The show closes with an announcement: a special recording with the whole flight crew was captured inside the airport lounge. However, listeners will have to wait for the next episode to hear the full crew banter from the terminal!And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.
• Episode 119: Eating and Drinking At An Aviation Trade Show 10.11.2025 1u 25min

  Welcome to episode 119 of The Journey Is the Reward!Get ready to ascend to cruising altitude, because this episode is a first-class ticket straight into the culinary and cocktail world of the skies! Brian takes you along as he walks the Airline Passenger Experience trade show—an entire show dedicated to what fills those little metal carts... and Brian ate and drank everything he could.We kick off with some listener correspondence from Listener Aavi who asks if we've ever requested a special meal. Did we navigate the complexities of "low-sodium" or "kosher," or are we happy with the standard "chicken or pasta" approach? Find out our preferred inflight dining strategy!Listener Lu wants to know our take on the serious incident involving a passenger who made a direct threat to the safety of an aircraft in Seattle. It begs the question: Have we ever been on a flight where a passenger tried to open the emergency exit before the jet bridge was attached? We share our least favorite inflight passenger stories.In the Shoutouts section, Brian delivers a truly high-altitude promotional idea for Emirates, involving a second version of The Sphere. It's so creative, it might just require a NOTAM of its own.!Buckle up! The main event is the series of interviews Brian conducted while sampling the latest and greatest products destined for a seat tray near you. Undercover Snacks, Quinoa chocolate cookies, their new flavor is preparing for Gate Release!Mission Craft Cocktails, Premixed, large-format cocktails, A high-stakes operation—their profits help those in need.Snack Box to Go, Great bread & airplane french fries, perfect for when you need a smooth, non-spicy landing.Just Enough Wine, Canned wine that’s actually good, A woman-owned business providing perfect altitude-friendly pours!Brett and Cranky Dorkfest, Aviation geek gathering, Brian had a missed approach on the date. Micah, your boarding pass is waiting!Sheps Bakery, The best stroopwaffle, This is the Superior Flight Level of stroopwaffles; United, time for a vendor change!Gin and Juice, Great mixing gin, Brian's "Watermelon Drink" is still stuck in a holding pattern for licensing.  Rocco liked the mix but wasn’t sold on the licensing deal.Egal Pads, Feminine hygiene on a roll, The most unique ground support equipment at the show, and Brian needed put it to use after a gear-down deployment (aka blowing out stitches)!After all that taxiing around the show floor, Brian sadly experienced a Missed Connection—he wasn't able to land an interview with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby!And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.
• Episode 118 : A Listener Trip To Southern Africa 03.11.2025 49min

  Welcome to episode 118 of The Journey Is the Reward!We want to dive right into the main topic this week, but first, let's address the elephant in the control tower.We have zero listener feedback, the best part of the show when you write in. No questions from Listener Lu, the second-best part of the show. So it seems like the digital winds are calm, or maybe everyone is too busy packing their bags for our next adventure.  Who knows…While the feedback section is experiencing a bit of radio silence, our listener audience is absolutely booming! We have a new listener in Zambia!Seriously, huge congratulations to friend-of-the-show and all-around super-helpful listener, Connie, who has given birth to a beautiful 7.25-pound baby boy! That's right, Connie, you've successfully completed the most demanding international flight of all, and landed a perfect new human. Welcome to the world, little one! We thank you, Connie, for helping us grow our audience!If you'd like to help Connie and the baby with a small fuel surcharge contribution, please send an email to Brian at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.org, and he’ll give you the information for a contribution via Remitly.Forget the gate agents, we are skipping the pre-flight checks and jumping right into the main event: The Journey Is The Reward listener trip to Southern Africa!The journey began with a bit of a turbulence warning courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines, but your intrepid host, Brian, was able to level the wings and resolve the issues before taking a United flight to Johannesburg. A quick stop to visit Momma Coleman in New Jersey for some essential pre-flight nourishment (and probably a very stern warning about remembering his fleece and passport), and then he was officially airborne.The stress of international travel only continued with a tight connection in South Africa—the kind of connection that makes you wish you had an afterburner installed on your carry-on luggage. But thanks to the super-friendly airport staff, Brian was able to successfully navigate the terminal like seasoned ground crew, making his gate just in time. Upon final arrival in Cape Town, South Africa, Brian finally met up with Barb, Malin, Jim, and Gerrit for the start of three days of city sightseeing and country wine tasting.Stay tuned to hear how Brian managed to keep his V-speeds in check while tasting all that excellent South African vino!And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.
• Episode 117 : Interview With The Points Guy 20.10.2025 58min

  Welcome to episode 117 of The Journey Is the Reward!We've got a full manifest for this episode. First up, we're taking on some listener feedback from Terrific Tanya. She's been listening to Chris Hutchins on the Tim Ferriss Show and says we're both right about points versus cash back. Sorry, Tanya, you can't be a straddler on this one! Just like you can't say you love both Airbus and Boeing equally, you've got to pick a side—Team Points or Team Cash Back.As always, our listeners are the real experts on this crew, so keep those flight plans coming to brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.org.Then, we’re getting into the ground-level drama. Listener Lu wants to know about the new technology American Airlines is using to fight the "gate lice" who try to cut the line and board before their group is called. It's a real pet peeve of ours, so you know we have some strong opinions on this one.For our main segment, we're climbing to cruising altitude with our guest, Clint Henderson, from The Points Guy. We'll chat about his journey to becoming the managing editor, the tools he uses to maximize his points, and find out what team he's on. Though, as you might guess from his job, he’s firmly Team Points.And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.