Travel, at its most memorable, is rarely about destination as it is 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 inhabits. Produced and hosted by Kirstie Bedford and her colleague Belle Jackson, the travel podcast trades itineraries for insight, guiding listeners into stories that reveal not just destinations, but the people, cultures, and ideas that define them.
“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.”
The name of the podcast perfectly captures its mission. Kirstie says, “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 World Awaits
Launched less than 5 years ago, the podcast has a depth that belies its youth. “We started our podcast in June 2023. It has been a very big learning curve, but such a rewarding journey,” Kirstie reflects. Each episode invites listeners to slow down and absorb the texture of a place — its people, traditions, and initiatives — rather than simply ticking off landmarks.
Some of the podcast’s most compelling episodes highlight travel’s potential to make a difference. Keith Sproule, head of philanthropy at Abercrombie & Kent, shares how travellers can supply bicycles to women across Africa, enabling them to generate income and support their families. Dennis Bunnik celebrates 30 years of guiding Australians to every corner of the globe through small-group tours. And Lucy Barnard, Australian Geographic Adventure of the Year and the first woman to walk the length of the Earth, works to give a voice to communities rarely heard. Through these stories, listeners are shown how travel can combine curiosity, connection, and impact.
Kirstie’s background in journalism and editorial leadership lends the podcast a confidence and precision that elevates it beyond typical travel content. With decades of experience reporting, editing magazines, and founding Luxury Escapes, she brings a storyteller’s eye for detail and a reporter’s instinct for the human element. Alongside Belle’s expertise in broadcast and travel commentary, the episodes are polished yet personal, blending insight with intimacy.
Experience the world differently
Listeners will also notice Kirstie’s broader curiosity in her choice of other podcasts. She regularly tunes into The Content Byte, Luxury Unpacked by Karryon, and Rescued: An Outdoor Podcast for Hikers and Adventurers. These shows inform the podcast’s style, weaving practical insight with inspiration and a sense of adventure that mirrors the experience of travelling itself.
Ultimately, The World Awaits is an invitation to experience the world differently. It encourages listeners to engage with places as lived experiences — through conversations, connections, and stories that extend beyond guidebooks. Travel, the podcast suggests, is not only about seeing, but about feeling, listening, and learning.
Curiosity, connection, and storytelling
Amid the endless checklists and curated highlights of modern travel, The World Awaits proves that the richest journeys are those defined by curiosity, connection, and storytelling. And that true travel is ready to reward adventurers with unexpected moments that stay with them forever.