Rick changed my life in that he inspired me to experience other cultures and perspectives through travel. Being curious about other ways of living outside of America has enriched my life. Rick somehow has been vilified for his open minded approach, which is unfortunate and unfair. This podcast offers interesting topics and guests and I often learn something new. Learning is the very essence of growing as a human and I will be forever grateful to Rick for introducing me to travel long ago.
Steve I appreciate your shows and podcast and learn many wonderful things from your guests. However it would be much more enjoyable and respectful to please let your guests finish their sentence and not interrupt or talk over them. I know it’s not your intent but as a listener it’s hard to hear. Otherwise please continue bringing interesting perspectives and cultures to the show.
I very rarely cancel or boycott someone for their politics but after several years of listening I can’t take Rick’s absolute disdain for Americans and for the US.
So tired of hearing we are rude, fat, lazy, and stupid. Also Rick - the US Senate is not a “problem to be solved.” The balance of popular will and states rights is BY DESIGN from the founding. Stop portraying it as a flaw. Sorry you don’t get everything you want in government. That’s our system and it works, so coastal libs don’t get to steamroll the rest of the country.
If he had a whole lot of new content I might stomach this nonsense another day. But he’s been on repeat since the shutdown. So long.
Rick and I don't see eye to eye on everything but I appreciate his research and experience and take them into consideration. I like to garden and listen and dream about far away places. Thanks, Rick!
Love Rick and been loyally watching and listening for years, but have little/no interest in u.s. destinations…sure I’ve traveled around the u.s. a lot but I come to Rick for Europe, where I prefer to spend my vacation time. Also not loving the travel-adjacent topics: I really want practical travel information on European destinations, not reasons to scuba dive, or a writer’s discussion of his life in Cambodia, etc
I really enjoy Rick Steve TV programs. I like the content and interviews here. But it is difficult to hear Rick Steve regularly interrupt or interject abruptly before his guests are done talking. Annoying habit.Let your guests finish their thoughts!
Rick’s guide books are the best. Podcast has lost a step over the years. It needs to focus on on destinations with tour guide interviews and real life traveler experience and stories. Throw in travel Authors selling their book !
Rick has a lot of political views on the show with a lot of leading questions ONLY because he can afford to. He can walk away tomorrow and doesn’t need your money. So, When he says a lazy and ignorant statement like MAGA people don’t like immigration (no difference between open borders and immigration???) he does so because someone still listening believes the same.
I enjoy his PBS shows and his podcast, which covers more than just Europe. He has an incredible variety of destinations that he covers, and has local guides/experts to opine. Try this travel podcast if you enjoy taking a journey without leaving your home. Very entertaining.
Rick promotes travel as a way to learn about and engage with the diverse human experience of places other than our own. The sad discourse on some of these reviews paints him simultaneously as a raging anti-American communist and a preachy Christian missionary. Pathetic! Rest assured Rick only wants you to learn about others and break your own prejudices. Have fun!
There are other travel podcasts to listen to if one is not onboard traveling WITH Rick. There are various reasons WHY people make their travel destination choices. Personally, I don’t know how one can avoid religion and politics when traveling to other countries/cultures (even our own) or entering a museum / historical site-unless it’s for food, spa, or entertainment. Oh, and this podcast covers that, too. Rick presents a wide range of travel ideas to a wide range audience. Bravo!
As someone who lives and owns a travel business in Central America, Rick’s takes on this part of the world always leave me asking new questions about my home here. Which is humbling and exciting, two feelings I think resonate among people who travel the world. Amazing work, love listening!
I enjoy hearing about travels. I fast forward through the religious stories. Sadly it seems I’m having to fast forward through more than ever.
I understand Rick’s 2nd wife is a pastor. But please don’t impose all that religiousity on listeners.
Yes, I’ve accepted that his program focuses on religion around the holidays but it’s now May. Is it going to be year round
If you think you can have a podcast about global travel and history without ever discussing politics I don’t know what to tell you. Keep up the good work, Rick.
I’ve started listening to The Amateur Traveler podcast A good no frill travel podcast without the side of deprecating comments about the U.S. that Rick Steves snidely drops frequently
I’ve been a fan of Rick’s work for years and am always impressed with his tireless commitment to thoughtful travel. I understand that some folks only want travel info, but I applaud Rick for voicing his opinions and concerns even at the risk of losing customers. Bravo!
Too preachy. Don’t want to hear about your political thoughts. Just want to know about travel on vacation or future retirement. You don’t want to hear me preach about my political feelings, hold on to yours please.
I love this show! However, the editing is anxiety producing... I assume it's in an effort to save time, but each speaker's natural pause in speech is edited out, and the effect is unnerving. It also makes it seem as though Rick speaks over and interrupts his guests. I like to listen to this show to savor all the delicious details about travel I'm longing for, but when it's being crammed in like this it kind of defeats the purpose. Just keep it natural, please, and thank you either way for bringing this much needed content.
UPDATE:
I continue to listen, but it's become clear that it's not just the editing; Rick does actually speak over and cut off his guests mid-comment. Very cringy and unfortunate.
I’m begging you Rick! Please don’t let politics infiltrate your awesome work! Please!!! I lean a certain way and if there are too many guests that bring a certain ideology to the show and podcast I can’t listen anymore and I adore you and your work! Please don’t let guests bring politics into the fold! Love love love Rick Steve’s show and podcast episodes!
Rick & his guest take jabs at America & Americans every chance they get. Socialism might work for some small European countries, but not here. Capitalism is what helped you create the empire you have profited from, Rick.
I am usually fan of this podcast, however, after listening to the first ten minutes of the episode about New Orleans, I have some serious concerns.
The guests on this episode are Caucasian-presenting tour guides. I had to stop listening when the man was discussing what “Creole” means and the origins of jambalaya. He describes the dish’s origins and how the enslaved Africans attempted to create paella, and through language barriers and with only local ingredients at hand, arrived at “the mess that is jambalaya.”
Why wouldn’t the team behind this production reach out to representatives of this community to speak on the history and heritage of their culture? Why are they only relying on white people to educate on the history of communities of color of New Orleans?
The content is solid and the guests are knowledgeable, but why bother host guests if they aren’t allowed to finish a sentence? Rick asks and answers all of his questions before the guest can offer an opinion.
I grew up watching Rick on PBS with my parents, and these moments inspired me to become a travel writer. I love this show and Rick’s travel style. He has a wonderful curiosity about the world, and he focuses on people, not politics. Love this show!
I really do love this podcast and enjoy the topics very much. However, I have to mention that I find Rick talking over and interrupting the guest speakers very hard to listen to. He does it constantly and I find myself cringing out of the awkwardness of it throughout the episodes. Rick, please allow the guests to answer your questions and share their knowledge with us too.
Rick often strikes just the right balance of information and entertainment - but please stop interrupting and talking over your guests. Sometimes I wonder why the guests are even there, Rick asks a question then immediately interrupts and answers the question himself. It’s awkward and annoying.
Iv never found Rick Steve’s episodes to be extreme left views or political. He uses common sense and decency. I think the trump supporters should go listen to another podcast the crybaby’s!
Through my college travels in the 1990s to the present, Rick has been there with his signature blend of Western Civ, gastronomy, and insightful understanding of human relations. I am delighted to have this podcast as an additional way to connect with other world citizens.
I grew up watching Rick’s travel show on PBS & throughly enjoyed it. Now I am listening to his podcasts & he turned into a socialist commi! C’est dommage! Very disappointing! ☹️
This program continues to give tips on itineracy but more importantly the attitude of traveling. If jumping off and on the bus after numerous selfies is your idea of travel this could help transform your experience
I’m a former local politician who is disillusioned by the state of our politics. I love Rick Steves and specifically listen to it to get away from the disappointments that I encounter in the news daily. I want to beg you. Please, please stop using your platform to promote a political party ideology. We are currently having to endure the politicization of absolutely everything from the partisan way we are forced to choose between a pair of sneakers to trying to attend a game or concert and being compelled to take a side. We are judged for our politics by the car we drive in and even the grocery store we go to. We need one space to go where we can get away from this and escape.
I describe Rick Steves as a “political extremist.” He must have become radicalized over time. It’s important to keep fanatics from abusing us in neutral forums like this so for this reason I will no longer subscribe. I find the podcast stressful.
I’m a fan of Rick Steves but for the love of god, let your guests talk! He asks a question and then immediately interrupts his guests while they’re trying to respond.
It drives me nuts. I have to stop listening to this.
