Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Welcome to the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, where we go far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruises to explore the really cool places, people, and activities that adventurous travelers crave. If your idea of a great vacation is sitting on a beach at an all-inclusive resort, you’re in the wrong place. However, if you’re like me, and a beach resort vacation sounds like torture, stick around. You’ve found your tribe.
My name is Jason Elkins, and as an adventure travel marketing consultant and tour operator myself, I am on a mission to impact the lives of adventure travelers, the tour operators they hire, and the communities that host them, creating deeply meaningful experiences that make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
Are you ready to discover your next great adventure, whether that looks something like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, SCUBA diving in the South Pacific, or hot air ballooning in Turkey? Then you’ll be happy to know that each episode of the Big World Made Small Podcast features a fascinating interview with an adventure travel expert that has agreed to share, with us, their own personal stories, favorite adventure destinations, and even some incredibly helpful tips and tricks they’ve learned while in the field. I trust that by the end of each episode you’ll feel like booking a ticket to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these amazing places, and getting to know the incredible people that live there.
I’ll be your guide as we explore this amazing planet and its people on the Big World Made Small podcast. I am a former US Army paratrooper, third generation commercial hot air balloon pilot, paramotor pilot, advanced open water SCUBA diver, and ex-Montana fly fishing guide and lodge manager. I have managed boutique adventure tour operation businesses in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, off-shore in Belize, the Adirondacks in New York, and the desert of Arizona. I also spent nearly a decade with Orvis International Travel, leading a talented team of tour operation experts, putting together and hosting amazing fly fishing and adventure travel excursions around the world. I have tapped into my experience and network of travel pros to put together a weekly series of exclusive expert interviews that I am excited to share with you.
For the last couple of years I have lived a fully nomadic lifestyle, feeding my passion for exploration, creating amazing adventures, and meeting some of the most fascinating people along the way. I record every episode while traveling, so in a sense you’ll be joining me on my journey. Let’s discover some great adventures together and make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
And, don’t forget to take a quick trip over to our website at bigworldmadesmall.com and join our adventure travel community, where you’ll benefit from new episode announcements, exclusive adventure travel opportunities, and special access to the experts you’ve met on the show. You can also follow us on social media, using the links in the show notes below. And, if you’re getting value out of the show please help us grow by sharing it with your friends, family, and anyone else you know that wants to get far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruise ships, the next time they travel.
I’ll publish another episode soon. Until then, keep exploring. It’s the best way to make a big world feel just a bit smaller.
https://bigworldmadesmall.com
Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Adventure Travel with Azdean Elmoustaquim - Host of the Destination Morocco Podcast
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Guest Bio
Azdean Elmoustaquim is the creator and host of the Destination Morocco Podcast, an immersive audio series that explores the heart of Moroccan culture, travel, and hospitality. Originally from the vibrant city of Marrakech, Azdean grew up with strong family ties to the nearby village of Telouet. After moving to the United States in 1995, he eventually settled in Houston and began finding new ways to reconnect with and share the richness of his homeland.
Launched in 2022, the Destination Morocco Podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at Moroccan life — with practical travel tips, cultural insights, and real conversations with locals and travelers alike. In 2023, Azdean returned to Morocco to capture authentic on-location audio, bringing listeners even closer to the sounds and soul of the country. The podcast is a powerful extension of his passion for storytelling and cultural connection.
Azdean is also the founder of Destination Morocco, a boutique travel company he co-runs with his wife, Khadija Elomari. Together, they design personalized itineraries that help travelers explore Morocco not as tourists, but as welcomed guests. Whether through sound or experience, Azdean’s mission is to help people discover Morocco deeply and meaningfully.
Show Summary
In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Azdean about his journey from Morocco to the U.S. and how that path eventually led to the creation of both a travel company and a popular podcast. Azdean shares stories from his early life in Marrakech, his immigration experience, and how time away helped him fall back in love with the land he left behind.
The episode highlights the evolution of the Destination Morocco Podcast — from its humble beginnings during the pandemic to its current form as an immersive storytelling experience. Jason and Azdean discuss the power of capturing ambient sounds, the beauty of cultural imperfections, and the importance of open-minded travel. They also unpack the common misconceptions about Morocco and reflect on the country’s growing popularity as a world-class destination.
Key Takeaways
- ✓ The Destination Morocco Podcast brings Moroccan culture to life through immersive audio storytelling.
- ✓ Azdean’s journey from Marrakech to Houston reflects the richness of the immigrant experience.
- ✓ The podcast began as a pandemic project and has grown into a cultural travel guide.
- ✓ Real background sounds and on-location interviews make the podcast feel truly authentic.
- ✓ Travel is a powerful way to reconnect with one’s roots and rediscover identity.
- ✓ Morocco’s hospitality is a highlight for travelers and a theme throughout the podcast.
- ✓ Storytelling plays a central role in both the podcast and the tour business.
- ✓ Embracing imperfections in podcasting adds charm and relatability.
- ✓ Morocco is full of hidden gems and diverse cultural experiences beyond the tourist track.
- ✓ The podcast is a bridge between travelers and the real Morocco, inspiring deeper connections.
Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Some guests support the show through paid production features, cross-promotion, referrals, or other partnerships. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.
Learn more about the Big World Made Small Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.
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