Hey, it's Lulu. We're off this week, but I'm excited to share a conversation that I had last

year with travel guru Rick Steves. We talked about his early days spreading the gospel of

transformative travel, the difference between being a tourist and being a traveler, and why he

thinks going out into the world is more important than ever right now. Also, an update to Rick's story.

After we spoke, he announced that he is, in his words, now cancer-free.

If you're heading out on vacation this summer, or even if you're just sitting at home,

dreaming about where you might want to go next, it's a really great listen.

Enjoy it, and we'll be back with a new episode next week.

From the New York Times, this is the interview. I'm Lulu Garcia Navarro.

The minute I left university, I put on a backpack and went to see the world. I climbed the Andes in Ecuador. I taught

English in Cambodia. I spent months visiting monasteries in Tibet. It was the most transformative

period of my life. Lately, though, I feel like my travel mojo is gone. Instead of traveling to discover, I now travel to retreat.

I'm often overwhelmed by the demands of daily life,

so when it's time for vacation,

I choose a destination that doesn't ask too much of me,

and I don't give much back.

Rick Steves has been helping millions of people, including people like me,

expand their travel horizons since he was in his 20s.

The prolific guidebook writer and beloved PBS personality

believes that travel can make not only the world a better place,

but you a better person.

He's 69 now, but his upcoming book is about how it all began,

...