Travel Happier Together
Author Amy White on Mindful Family Travel, Empathy, and Joyful Trips
Episode 74 – The Family Vacationer with Rob and Danny
🧳 What if your next vacation could bring your family closer, reduce stress, and even build empathy in your kids? In this episode, author and travel writer Amy White joins Rob and Danny to explore how we can reframe family travel as a meaningful, even transformative, experience.
🎙️ In this episode, we cover:
- How the pandemic reshaped our perspective on travel and why it’s more valuable than ever
- Why “bucket lists” might be the wrong approach—and what to consider instead
- The benefits of letting your kids help plan the trip (and how to do it)
- One-on-one trips: how Amy’s journey to Paris with her daughter deepened their bond
- Practical ways to travel mindfully and engage with local culture
- How travel boosts brain health and stimulates curiosity
- Encouraging gratitude, empathy, and respect through real-world travel experiences
🧠 “Travel is like a massage for your brain,” says Amy—offering families an opportunity to reset, reconnect, and grow together.
📖 About our guest:
Amy White is an accomplished travel and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic, AARP, and more. She’s the author of several novels and a passionate advocate for helping families find joy through intentional travel.
🌍 Read more of Amy’s work at: www.amybrecountwhite.com
The Family Vacationer
The Family Vacationer is a weekly podcast helping families travel smarter, spend better, and create lasting memories together. Hosted by Rob and Traci, the show features expert interviews, real-life stories, and practical tips for planning meaningful, family-first adventures. From hidden gems to budget hacks, it's a must-listen for parents who want stress-free, joy-filled travel.
Meet the Hosts
Growing up, Rob Jones mainly traveled to Florida for vacation. Those family trips to Orlando and the Gulf Coast are cherished memories that influence him to this day. His entire professional career has involved travel. From working in the music business to event marketing, Rob has traveled to 46 states and five countries. Rob has been married to his wife, Traci, for 16 years and they love to travel with their three children: Ruthie, Nash, and Chase.
Traci's been shaking up the Dawson County School System for four years now, injecting it with her unique brand of energy and enthusiasm. When she's not molding young minds, you'll find her co-conspiring with her sister at Seasonal Events and Design—because who doesn't love a good party?
She's a self-proclaimed beach aficionado, never meeting a sandy shore she didn't instantly click with. And let's not forget her partner-in-crime for the past eighteen years, Rob, who's been keeping up with her antics and their three beautiful troublemakers—Ruthie, Chase, and Nash. Together, they're a whirlwind of chaos, laughter, and love.
Support Us
If you like the Family Vacationer content and would like to give us a little pat on the back. How about buying us a soda? We'd love that! Rob loves Diet Dr Pepper Strawberry and Blackberry and Traci loved Cherry Coke!