Joss has traveled to 204 countries. Joss Stone Counting Countries.
I have spoken to so many travel legends on Counting Countries, but this interview marks my first time speaking with a person, who gained their fame outside of the travel world. Joss Stone is a multi-platinum artist who has won a Grammy. But of course on this podcast, we focussed on her travel accomplishments. Joss created the audacious project, Total World Tour, which entailed Joss performing in every country around the world.
I only learned about Joss at the beginning of 2019 when Thor Pedersen, former guest, shared with me that he saw Joss perform in North Korea. With help from Thor and Simon Cockerell from Koryo Tours, I got Joss’s email. What proceeded next was a 13-month email drip campaign. Joss had an interest in being on Counting Countries but it was difficult to schedule. I increased my efforts with self-sheltering during Covid assuming Joss might have more free time. And my efforts were rewarded with an interview in early May.
I was quite hesitant to share with Joss that many of my interviews lasted over two hours. Prior to the interview, Joss agreed to 45 minutes. Thankfully, she extended this time several times during our conversation. While our talk neared two hours, I still had dozens of questions left. I will keep my fingers crossed for a future interview someday.
I would like to remind you that Untamed Borders supports Counting Countries. Untamed Borders specializes in challenging locations like Afghanistan, Somalia, and Yemen. Please consider Untamed Borders when the safety of travel improves. James, a co-founder, speaks to me about my travels to Afghanistan with Untamed Borders.
Also, I would like to introduce Counting Countries Mini. I am hosting live interviews with Country Counters on my Instagram account, GlobalGaz.
Support your content creators during this time of self-sheltering. Support Counting Countries on patreon.com. And thanks to my other patrons, Steph Rowe, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, Stephen Rothwell, and Adam Hickman. Patrons get to hear additional content, only available to them.
I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, or Spotify and write a review, even better when it is 5 stars.
Joss and I met up online, with Joss in New Jersey while I was in the Bangkok studio of Counting Countries. Please listen in and enjoy.
Thank you to my Patrons …. Stephen Rothwell, Steph Rowe, Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims.
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Check out our friend: Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon. And watch my full length documentary in Cambodia when I traveled with Large Minority.
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About Counting Countries
Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who’ve spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space.
Theme music for this podcast is Demeter’s Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi.
About GlobalGaz
Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com
More About Joss Stone Counting Countries:
- Born in: United Kingdom
- Passports: UK
- Instagram: Joss Stone
- YouTube: Joss Stone
- Website: Joss Stone
How Many Countries Are There?
Well… that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Traveler’s Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 949 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1281 regions.
- SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
- Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way.
An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda. Or book a trip through G Adventures. PS Thanks!
Joss Stone Counting Countries
Photos From Chernobyl
Sign up to receive your free copy of Photos From Chernobyl. Over 100 photos from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
Very very nice project… Very nice project indeed. It’s a shame that this did not get more media attention. I mean not that I follow the media much, so I would not have heard about it myself but my friends send me links when there is such news. I had only come across it briefly somewhere before. Whereas it should definitely have got much more coverage. I checked to see if it made the headlines in the main media outlets, nope; the only web search results are announcements in Joss’s own website and some local news. Such a shame, such a shame…
Same with Anthony Asael who went to every country working with school children, doing art. At least his project was sponsored by UNICEF but it did not get main stream media attention either. Instead, the likes of Lexie Alford make the news. One more stone added to the confirmation of what a crap world we live in.
Joss may not be very knowledgeable about the world and issues, I doubt she got to see much about the world to come to any understanding of it by the way she travelled, but what she says is so right, she has a magical talent, music, bringing people together and she is wise enough to use it. Plus, it is doubtful how much the people who travel “deeper” and “longer” have an idea about the world or any care for the people.
I share Joss’s view that it’s wrong for people to call it a world tour just by going to some countries. Even Elizabeth Gilbert has done a world tour after all, by going to three countries! Oh how the world of advertisement and media channels and promotes whatever they want and masses just buy it.
Plus, her message at the beginning of this interview was very important. That there are people who are content to just stay in their small corner of the world. That people who are constantly on the move may be the troubled ones in a way, unsatisfied with what they have. Of course there is a point to see, learn and experience the world, but her way of putting it “So sweet…” about her boyfriend going to London from Devon only at the age of 20, yet finding something wrong with herself, not being content to stay where she is instead of slamming the person who does not travel is such a refreshing look. It is important to note that people can gain the wisdom travellers gain by staying in the same place.
This podcast was also refreshing as well, taking a break from the vanity project travellers.
Ric,
I’m really enjoying your podcast. I’m amazed at some of the places people have traveled too. I am an avid traveler and podcaster as well. My podcast is Zipping Around The World.com. If you are ever looking for a guest, I would be interested to be on your podcast. I could offer a view from almost 30 years of traveling, and wanting to get to new countries every year, but not sure I want to hit all 193.
Hi Dan…thanks for checking in. I will check out your podcast! Ric
Rick finally got around to listening to this…what an INSPIRING interview, I mean many of us are chasing the 193, but Joss has really made a big difference to the world through her travels, music and her foundation. This is just wonderful, she really is someone who gets amazing energy from her travels and gives out that energy too. Love love love this interview.
Glad you enjoyed as much as I did. I really thought she was an impressive person and came off so well for a lot of the reasons you pointed out.