Podcast Interview - Pilgrims' Podcast

Yes, I had a podcast interview! I was a guest on the Pilgrims' Podcast, where Bradley Chermside interviews pilgrims who have walked the Camino de Santiago. You can listen HERE, but first, I want to share a few things.

Podcast Interview - Pilgrims' Podcast

This wasn't my first appearance on this particular podcast! I also appear on Week 68, way back in 2020 - yes, during Covid. I had been staying connected to the Camino by listening to podcasts, and when Bradley said he was looking for guests, I reached out.

Looking back, I feel like I was a newbie. After all, I had only walked the Camino de Santiago once - The Camino Frances. But we had a lovely chat, and I believe that a seed was planted for me to write a book.

Bradley's book, The Only Way is West, is a best selling memoir about his own Camino journey (it's a great story, funny and inspiring.) He was also the first published Camino author that I had met, even if it was over the internet.

On that first episode, I spoke about my experience walking with my daughter Rachel, and offered some tips for other pilgrims. You can listen HERE.

An earlier Podcast Interview

This time was different. I have now been to the Camino three times, and walked three more routes. I am a more confident pilgrim, and now I am also a published Camino author. So we talked a lot about my book.

I would like to expand on a couple of his questions, since they are important to me.

Bradley: There is a point in the story when someone says to Lucy. "Don't pack your fears." Can you unpack that last sentence? What exactly did Frank, the character who said that, mean?

Arlene: I heard this expression, probably on a podcast, and it stuck with me. Many of us have a tendency to overpack – whether for the Camino or any kind of travel. Or even in your home (do you have too much stuff?) This attitude is based on scarcity, and we really want to live in abundance.

When you think about the things you overpack, they are usually ‘just in case’ items, tied to a fear. When you bring too many clothes or other items, is it because you are afraid you might be cold, or afraid you might have to cook?

I met a pilgrim last year who carried camping gear, a tent, cookware, food – all the way from Germany. When asked how many times he used it – once or twice. Another pilgrim suggested, "just carry half as much plus a credit card."

When you offload those fear-based items you lighten the load both literally and emotionally. It is so freeing to carry everything you need and realize how little that really is. Plus, you can buy anything extra that you need.

Bradley: So many sentences in your book jumped off the page at me and resonated: this one included:  “A big enough WHY eliminates all the WHY NOTs.” 

So let's imagine someone who's listening to this is considering walking the Camino, but they're still not sure. Give them one big WHY!

Arlene: I recently decided that the Camino is good for my soul. That is my big why – when I walk I feel re-charged, it’s a gift to myself. I love it.

That makes it easy to figure out all the little why-nots, like how can my husband cope without me, how will my bills get paid while I’m away, how can I afford the time, the money, whatever.

What is your big Why?

Think about how your future self will thank you. You don’t even know yet how good this will be for you! And like I said earlier, you don’t want to regret missing out on this experience!

Your Big Why may not be walking the Camino de Santiago, but I believe that you have a big goal inside of you. Focus on that big goal and how it will feel to achieve it - and watch the excuses fall away!

Buen Camino!