[Ep. 001] She Chased 50 States and 50 Countries, But Found Something Else Instead

In this first episode of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, I’m joined by Ebony Walden, an author, filmmaker, consultant, and speaker based in Richmond, Virginia. In this conversation, we explore her journey across all 50 states and 50 countries and what she has learned about Black travel, belonging, and navigating space across the United States and beyond. Ebony shares what it means to move through different places as a Black traveler, how safety and freedom show up in unexpected ways, and what it looks like to find connection and cultural immersion across borders. We also talk about how travel becomes a tool for reflection, storytelling, and transformation. If you’re curious about the Black travel experience across the U.S. and around the world, or you’re looking for meaningful insights on the best destinations for Black people to find comfort and community through the lens of someone who has deeply traveled both domestically and internationally, this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: 📌 What it’s like to travel across all 50 states and 50 countries as a Black woman 📌 How safety, belonging, and freedom shape the Black travel experience 📌 Where and how to find immersive Black cultural experiences across the U.S. 📌 How travel can become a practice of reflection, storytelling, and transformation 📌 The toll travel can take on your body, mentally and physically 📌 Why Ebony advises people to explore their home first before exploring the country or the world _______________________________________________ RELEVANT LINKS FOR TODAY'S EPISODE 🔗 A Black Woman's Guide to Visit All 50 States, State-by-State: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/a-... 🔗 15 Black Women Traveling to All 50 States: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/bl... 🔗 Check out her award-winning documentary: https://blackbeyondborders.com/ 🔗 Pre-Order her Book, Where I’m From: https://amzn.to/4v2V13S (affiliate link) 🔗 For all things: https://linktr.ee/allthingsebonywalden CONNECT WITH EBONY WALDEN Website → www.ebonywalden.com Instagram →   / ebonywalden80   Youtube →    / @ebony.aroundtheworld   LinkedIn →   / ebonywalden   TikTok →   / ebony.aroundtheworld   Facebook →   / ebony.walden   Substack → https://substack.com/@ebonywalden CONNECT WITH DR. FRANNY Website → https://frannythetraveler.com/ Instagram →   / franny_the_traveler   YouTube → ‪@frannythetraveler LinkedIn →   / princess-francois   SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST 📺 YouTube → @frannythetraveler 🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/201u7B1... 🎧 Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎧 iHeart Radio → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-un... 🎧 Amazon Music → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/73e... ADDITIONAL LINKS 📧 SUBSCRIBE to Unlock Black Journeys: The Newsletter https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr... 🎙️CHECK OUT all episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/ca... 💜 Enjoying my content? LEAVE A TIP here https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr... 📗 PURCHASE my Support BLACK Greenbook & Framework https://amzn.to/4vskd3R NOTE: This contains affiliate links. If you book through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!