Winging It: A New Chapter Begins
Myself visiting Tikal in Guatemala
Winging It: A New Chapter Begins + 2024 Summary
Hey everyone, James here!
I recently spent a month travelling around Central America, and I have some amazing memories from my time there, which I will share later in this blog.
During my trip, I was still releasing episodes with guest interviews, and even though there were no blogs to accompany them, you could still find those episodes on my channel through your podcast player of choice.
Therefore, my blog has gotten behind schedule, so I am trying to catch up.
As we wrap up 2024, I wanted to share some exciting news, reflect on the year that’s passed, and give you a sneak peek into what’s coming in 2025.
Let’s dive into some topics.
The Skyscanner logo to book those flights!
No, really. You should book those flights to Central America! If you scan the QR code below or click the QR, a link will open a new tab on Skyscanner!
Scan or click the photo to get the link
Book those flights with the link or QR code and help the Winging It Travel Podcast make a tiny commission.
The Winging It Travel Podcast updated logo
Why I Decided to Join Voyascape Network
After four incredible years of independently running The Winging It Travel Podcast, I knew it was time for the next step.
David Brodie, founder of Voyascape Network, approached me with a vision that really resonated: a network dedicated to elevating independent travel podcasts.
We discussed the potential partnership for weeks, and honestly, I wasn’t willing to say “yes” to just anyone. But David’s experience—he’s been podcasting since 2005—and his passion for travel storytelling made it an easy decision.
Joining Voyascape gives Winging It access to a broader audience, opportunities for curated and sponsored content, and the chance to collaborate with other like-minded creators.
And don’t worry—everything you love about the show stays the same. I still control the content, and the episodes will continue to drop weekly.
This move simply allows me to take the podcast to new heights while recouping some of the costs I’ve carried along the way.
As a creator, I am really looking forward to working with other people in the travel space. I want to hear other people’s ideas, collaborate on podcast episodes or series, and even potentially start new podcasts within the network.
All options are open for creativity, and this excites me.
David is local to Vancouver, so I met him in person for coffee and the unofficial Voyascape Christmas Party, which further strengthened my decision to join.
2025 promises to be a huge year, and I can’t wait to get stuck after the festive break.
A huge shoutout to David and Tim Johnson, Global Head of Content and Executive Editor at Voyascape, for believing in Winging It and bringing me to the Voyascape family.
I can’t wait to see where this partnership takes us.
David and James meeting in Downtown Vancouver
Reflecting on 2024
This year has been transformative for the podcast. Here are some highlights I’m particularly proud of:
Better Production Quality: Upgraded sound equipment made a massive difference. I invested in new microphones, a top-notch interface, and fine-tuned everything so the podcast sounds its absolute best.
Audio-Immersive Episodes: Launching these was a game-changer. I’ve loved creating sound-rich episodes that bring you along on my adventures. I can’t wait to expand this format next year.
Audience Growth: Winging It climbed to the top 3% of global podcasts on Listen Notes, and FeedSpot consistently ranked us among the top 3 travel podcasts in their list of the Top 100 Travel Podcasts. I also saw incredible growth in my biggest listener base: the USA, Canada, and the UK.
Venturing into Video: 2024 was the year Winging It went visual. Guest episodes are now available on YouTube and Spotify, and I’m toying with bringing solo episodes to video in 2025.
Epic Guests and Popular Episodes: Whether it was Ross Borden from Matador Network, Shafik Meghji sharing Patagonia stories, or Will Hatton’s Broke Backpacker adventures, I’m proud of the conversations we had this year.
This year felt like a culmination of hard work, growth, and a few big wins. It’s proof that passion and consistency can take you places—literally and figuratively!
What’s Coming in 2025
Buckle up because next year is already shaping up to be a wild ride. Here’s a taste of what you can expect:
Central America Series: I’ll be releasing a full podcast series covering my recent travels through El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. You’ll get eight immersive episodes, itinerary tips, interviews, and a solo recap.
More Travel Guests: I’ve lined up interviews with experts like Richard de Gavea, who’ll talk about exploring Africa, and my friend Ed, who’s diving into sports travel. Plus, I’ll share stories from the people I met during my Central America trip.
Collaborations and Sponsored Content: With Voyascape in my corner, there’s potential for exciting collaborations and partnerships with travel brands. Expect curated content and new opportunities to inspire your adventures.
Shorter, Punchier Content: While guest episodes remain, I’m planning shorter solo content sprinkled in-between—quick travel hacks, destination tips, and more.
And, of course, 2025 remains a blank canvas in the best way. I haven’t booked any trips yet, which means anything can happen. Spontaneity has always been at the heart of Winging It, and I can’t wait to see where the year takes me (and you!).
Check out my latest Roaming with Hammo YouTube episode about packing for my trip to Central America.
Other ways to support the podcast
My Patreon for Roaming with Hammo - support me today!
Supporting the podcast can be quick, easy and free. You can visit the platform you use for listening to podcasts and leave a five-star review and a nice little comment to go hand-in-hand. Check out my podcast page here.
Alternatively, you can contribute to the podcast by using my Buy Me A Coffee page where you can buy me a nice coffee for $5 whilst I conduct the interviews or click the button below.
I imagine most people listening to the podcast and reading this article are travel enthusiasts. Another way to support the podcast is to use my affiliate links to book flights, accommodations, tours, transport, and more. Click here to use them today!
My Instagram promotion for my latest guest episode
What is the Voyascape Network?
VOYASCAPE MEDIA is a digital media company on a mission to inspire global travel and cultural exploration. We create engaging, informative content for the modern traveller. Whether you’re dreaming of the serene beaches of Bali, the bustling streets of Tokyo, or the historic charm of Rome, our podcasts transport you there through vivid storytelling and immersive audio experiences.”
In the Summer of 2024, we launched our exciting new podcast network featuring a diverse mix of in-house productions and collaborations with independent creators. But our journey doesn’t stop at audio – we’re also bringing dynamic travel content to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and beyond, connecting adventurers worldwide.
Finally, thank you to everyone who listened, downloaded, or left a review this year.
Whether you discovered Winging It in 2024 or you’ve been here since day one, your support keeps this adventure alive. Joining Voyascape feels like the start of an exciting new chapter, and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
Here’s to 2025: more stories, more adventures, and, hopefully, more inspiration to book that next trip. Cheers to what’s next!
This episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible and YouTube. And anywhere else, you get your podcasts!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram too!