Sam Goodwin … Ice Rink Up The Escalator

Sam Goodwin has traveled to every country in the world

Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. This conversation was a long time in the making. In fact, this interview was originally scheduled in 2020. But as we say, better late than never. Sam Goodwin back in the day was just one of us … Chasing 193. But his life was changed forever during his visit to country 181, Syria. As 193ers, we are constantly pushing the envelope. What we consider standard or normal travel is to others somewhere between poorly conceived to outright insanity. Soon after entering Syria, Sam was imprisoned by the Assad government and spent over 60 days in prison. This is the real deal, the stuff of nightmares. This is an incredibly, compelling conversation, and a reminder of the risks we take in the community.

I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know them, you love them! Bisa “fully nomadic” Myles, Ted Nims, Adam “one-away” Hickman, Steph “Phuket” Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe “BC” Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sam Williams, and Scott Day for supporting this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons will hear extra content with Sam that you will not hear and you can be part of our members only FB group.

And … I want to introduce a new patron, Dana Mahoutchian. She has been close to 70 countries and grew up in Kobe, Japan! Think of how much steak she got to eat. Thanks for joining.

Also, please remember if you are interested in traveling to Papua New Guinea to partake in your own private Sing Sing to meet scores of tribes in an intimate setting, check out our friends Tribes of Papua New Guinea. Reach out to me to learn more about this experience and how to get a 10% discount.

Remember to keep up to date with the Extraordinary Travel Festival by joining our Instagram and Facebook groups and signing up for the ETF newsletter on our website or the Show Notes. ETF will be sometime, somewhere in 2026 around October/November, destination unknown.

This episode could have easily been double in length. I had so many more questions. You can read the full story with his book, Saving Sam.

I was in Boston for this recording while Sam was in St. Louis. Please listen in and enjoy.

Thank you to my Patrons – you rock!! … Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam Hickman, Steph Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Phil Marcus, Sam Williams, Scott Day, and Dana Mahoutchian.

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More About Sam Goodwin Counting Countries

Instagram: Extraordinary Travel Festival (@extratravelfest) • Instagram photos and videos

Website: Bio – Sam Goodwin

Born In: US

Lives in: US

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

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 Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 regions.
The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world.
SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
And the video that explains it all!
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.