A simple concept brought to life
In 2023, I established a passion project based around sustainable travel. I had been writing a travel blog for years, but wanted to grow it into an interactive, multi platform product. The result was TravelCaster with one simple selling point : it was the only travel podcast recorded on location.
TravelCaster is a multi platform podcast and website promoting independent, sustainable journeys
It amazed me that almost all of the existing travel-based podcasts were done in a studio, often with a guest retelling their favourite holiday stories. Why do that when you could actually be there, guiding the listeners around the place itself? Although what you see here is a video promo, the podcast is audio first. Why? Because the pictures sound better on an audio platform.
An audio extract from The Caledonian Sleeper episode
Aligning the brand
It was important that the podcast aligned with what I’d already created online, so I tweaked the original website and simplified the design, making it easy to navigate to different destinations. Optimising the content for mobile phones, I then linked each episode of the podcast with its own blog page, exploring additional locations mentioned in those episodes, with a practical “fact box” of each destination.
Clean design lines and clickable buttons ease navigation through the website
Walking the audience through every stage of the trip, with links to the podcast content and tips on how to get there
Additional assets
Recording content on location was just one part of the production process. Most podcasts use off the shelf library music, but I wanted to reflect the changing pace and emotions of travel. So I composed and produced a bespoke theme tune, evoking adventure and tradition, with multiple variations to set the mood.
The TravelCaster theme – with three variations
Along with the guides to over 30 destinations, it struck me that what independent travellers really wanted was the information to do things for themselves. I recognised that not everyone was ambitious or confident enough to do that for themselves. The solution was to create a series of explainer videos.
While I considered different platforms like Tik Tok, I settled on YouTube. The reason? Many people I’d met on my journeys were of an older demographic, and YouTube offers an accessible window that’s easy to navigate.
How to book rail reservations across Europe – the TravelCaster explainer
Of course, I also recognised the need for a presence on other platforms, so added an Instagram channel featuring promotions for the podcasts and some of the key destinations covered. Some of the visual assets were stills, whist others offered videos.
Postcard-style design was combined with effective messaging to direct Instagram followers to the audio podcast
TravelCaster’s unique style and approach led to steady growth. Within three years the podcast had attracted thousands of listeners in dozens of countries around the world. Europe’s biggest railpass operator, Eurail, also featured TravelCaster in its first community spotlight article.
TravelCaster continues to gain momentum and grow its numbers. I’m immensely proud of the project, and am now in a position to help you with your own communications journey. Content that stands out makes a huge difference to your brand and reputation. Click on the contact button below to start the conversation.
© 2026 Kevin Stanley