Randy is a well-known radio personality who happens to be on a quest to travel to every country in the world.
Randy became intrigued with travel while listening to his Spanish teacher’s travel stories. At the age of 26, he ventured abroad for the first time, and immediately became smitten with Brazil. He traveled there over 30 times, and lived there for two years. While discovering Brazil he decided to visit every country in the Americas before the age of 40. That goal transitioned to visiting all UN countries.
Randy enjoys visiting those countries which are less visited. He spent New Year Eve’s in Tripoli. He also recently visited South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Venezuela, Nauru, and North Korea. Yet, he has not been to Greece, Turkey or Egypt. On the podcast Randy shares with us many travel tales. Randy was stopped in the Tripoli airport when departing and had several items confiscated from his bag. When crossing into Burundi, he picked up a police escort who did not leave his side, and encouraged Randy to buy many drinks for him and his friend in the bar. Randy also shares why he hates the city of Clorinda, Argentina. And he tells us where to find the best beach vendor in the world.
Randy began his radio career as a teenager. Today, his syndicated radio show, Sunday Night Slow Jams, is heard in over 130 cities and in nine different countries. In fact, Randy visits radio stations when traveling and has made some sales of his show. Randy was also featured on Shark Tank. Check out the links below. And please listen in and enjoy the show.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
And take a look at Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Randy Williams:
- Born in: IL, USA
- Passports from: USA
- Favorite travel book: Wild Coast
- Favorite travel film: The Madagascar Journals (WATCH THIS!!! AMAZING!
- Favorite travel site: Starting to love Million Mile Secrets. I also like the simple “BEEN” app.
- Must carry: iPhone
- Favorite food: Sonoran Mexican food (BEST carne asada in the WORLD!)
- Favorite drink: Egg Nog
- Favorite Airline: Icelandair and Tam
- Favorite Hotel: For less expensive, I love the Hyatt Place brand, but have been rollin’ with SPG hard for the past two years. Specific hotel? I had the best room ever in Prague at The Paris Hotel (Tower Suite)
- Website: RamblinRandy
- Facebook: Ramblin’ Randy
- Shark Tank: Randy on Shark Tank
- His Syndicated Show: Slow Jams
- Map: Randy’s Map
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 Century Club states that there are 325 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Best Traveled states that there are 1281 unique 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.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
Photos From Chernobyl
Sign up to receive your free copy of Photos From Chernobyl. Over 100 photos from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
Great podcast with Randy! I actually found his blog through Johnny Blair (Don’t Stop Living) and have been following him for the better part of a year. I find his stories to be interesting – almost like a child who is seeing and experiencing life for the first time. Please keep it up!
My question for Randy is of all your travels to date, what has been the most life changing event or experience you’ve ever had? What did you learn from this experience? And how did it change your outlook on life or change you as a person?
Thanks Ray, I thought it was a great conversation with Randy. Glad he joined Counting Countries.
BTW, my suggestion for Country #100, you should consider Angola, Somalia, Afghanistan, Equitorial Guinea, Iraq (Kurdistan), Bhutan, Myanmar, Pakistan , Yemen (Socotra Island), Syria (if possible), Bangladesh, Timor L’Este or Papau New Guinea.
All great suggestions, we will see where he ends up!
Whoops. I also left out Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and Djibouti!
I have not yet met Randy but love his interview and his outlook on travel and life. This is the best travel Podcast I have heard for a long time. Thanks for the tips about Burundi, ouch! Safe travels. Jonny
He will be happy to hear this since you were part of his inspiration!
Thanks Jonny!!! I may have mentioned before, your blog was the inspiration for mine, especially the layout! And also, I went to DPRK specifically because of YOUR blog.
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