The Middle Seat

This week on The Middle Seat, we’re rewinding to the trip that accidentally started it all: our Gatlinburg “honeymoon” that was really more chaotic mini-moon with a heart-shaped tub, a 3am airport alarm, and an unopened Airbnb email that almost derailed the whole thing. Consider this our official origin story and a loving cautionary tale: why you should not fly out the morning after your wedding, what happens when you plan activities on the fly, and how opposite travel styles show up the minute you

This week on The Middle Seat, we’re picking up where we left off in Costa Rica — trading Papagayo’s coastline for mineral-rich rivers, volcano views, and a hillside hideaway that made Dakota rethink what a “good bathroom” even is.In true Claire-and-Dakota fashion, this episode is part adventure recap, part honest storytelling, and part “we learned this the hard way so you don’t have to.” Consider this your guided wander through Guanacaste’s dry forest, an unforgettable zipline-to-hot-springs kind of

This week on The Middle Seat, we’re heading to Costa Rica — a destination that somehow manages to feel both wildly alive and completely at peace all at once.In true Claire-and-Dakota fashion, this episode is equal parts travel inspiration, honest storytelling, and “we learned this the hard way so you don’t have to.” From embracing the pura vida lifestyle to finding out why “rainy season” is actually Costa Rica’s best-kept secret, we’re sharing everything we loved (and what we’d tweak next

In this episode, Claire (the travel advisor) and Dakota (the traveler) unpack one of the most obvious—but most misunderstood—topics in the travel world: why using a travel advisor still matters in 2025.From information overload to industry connections to the rise of AI, they explore how working with a travel advisor isn’t about outsourcing decisions—it’s about elevating your entire travel experience. Plus, they share a few personal stories (including the infamous gas-X incident and a nearly-burst

Peru, but make it personal: Lima + an Amazon river cruiseWhat you’ll hearWhy Lima is so much more than a gateway city (Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco—yes, please)What a DMC is (and why I always partner with one for authentic, in-country experiences)A stay at the storied Country Club Lima Hotel and why its lobby lives rent-free in my head (Architectural Digest's 3rd best hotel lobby in the world!)The two Lima must-dos I’d book again tomorrowAmazon river-cruising on a 19-suite, small-ship vessel

Welcome to The Middle Seat—the podcast where a travel advisor and a traveler (who just happen to be married) finally hit record. In this “episode triple-zero,” Claire, founder of Paradise Falls Travel Co., and her husband Dakota share the story behind the show, how they see travel differently, and why those differences might just be what make every trip unforgettable.From window vs. aisle debates to big-picture reflections on how travel can shift the way you see the world, this candid kickoff is

Welcome aboard The Middle Seat—a travel podcast from a husband-and-wife team: she’s a travel advisor who unlocks smarter logistics and hassle-free plans; he’s a photographer who turns every trip into a highlight reel. Together, we’ll help you choose destinations that fit your style, time your bookings with confidence, dodge rookie mistakes, and come home with photos you’ll actually print.In this trailer, we share what to expect each week: destination spotlights, resort and cruise deep-dives, dining