What if a walk changed the entire trajectory of your life? For Judy of Spanish Steps, a spontaneous decision to walk the Camino de Santiago in 1994 sparked a journey that would transform everything.

00:00 Preview
00:53 How a gift started it all
03:00 Meeting her Camino Family
15:06 How the Camino Tour Company, Spanish Steps, Started
24:34 How the Camino de Santiago has changed
29:07 Splitting time between the US and Spain
33:17 Tips for moving to Spain
45:39 Falling in Love on the Camino

When Judy first set foot on the Camino, she walked alone through dusty wheat fields, not encountering a single pilgrim for days. The pilgrim experience was vastly different then—no smartphones, no apps, just a guidebook and the occasional payphone for making expensive international calls. At an albergue in Puente la Reina, everything changed when she met a group of international pilgrims—including a handsome Spanish man named Juan Carlos who would later become her husband.

This captivating conversation reveals how their Camino romance blossomed into a 30-year partnership that includes running Spanish Steps, a company that has guided countless groups across various Camino routes. Judy shares the remarkable story of how she asked Santiago for a sign about whether to start guiding pilgrims, only to have her press release published in the LA Times a month later—launching her unexpected career.

Beyond the business side, Judy offers intimate insights into the challenges and rewards of expat life in rural Spain. Having renovated an old farmhouse in Asturias into a boutique hotel, she speaks candidly about language barriers, integration challenges, and why maintaining connections to your home country might be the wisest approach for Camino-inspired dreamers.

Whether you're contemplating your first Camino or fantasizing about opening an albergue someday, Judy's three decades of wisdom provide both inspiration and practical guidance. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful journeys don't end in Santiago—they'

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The Camino Cafe's intro and outro song with thanks to fellow Pilgrim, Jackson Maloney. Original Song - "Finnis Terre" - written and performed by Jackson Maloney - Singer, Musician, and Songwriter. Connect with Jackson: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fdQsSqq9pDSwKcWlnBHKR

The rain beats down on Santiago de Compostela's ancient stones as Johnny Walker connects from the Parador's Royal Dining Room, overlooking sodden pilgrims braving hailstones and downpours during the spiritually significant Holy Week. Despite the weather, pilgrimage numbers continue to swell as travelers arrive hoping to experience Easter in this sacred city.

Fresh from a whirlwind North American tour promoting "The Way, My Way," Johnny shares heartwarming stories of packed theaters and pilgrim connections across major cities. What began as film screenings transformed into impromptu pilgrim gatherings, complete with blessing ceremonies using scallop shells from Santiago's cathedral. Most moving was a 16-year-old viewer who, inspired by the film, publicly committed to walking the Camino—receiving her own blessed shell amidst thunderous cries of "Buen Camino" from fellow audience members.

Santiago's Holy Week traditions take center stage in our conversation, from Palm Sunday's blessed branches to Easter Sunday celebrations, with thirteen traditional processions threading through the city's narrow streets. Johnny provides fascinating historical context about the distinctive medieval penitent costumes worn during these processions, clearing up common misconceptions about their origins. We also discuss the Pilgrim Office's revised Compostela requirements, which now recognize journeys of at least 70 kilometers within Spain, and hear from veteran pilgrim Rocco Rossi, who perfectly articulates why so many of us return to the Camino time and again: "If you find something in your life that brings you joy, clarity, and energy, the real question is why aren't you doing it more than once?" Whether you're planning your first Camino or your twenty-first, this perspective reminds us of the path's enduring power to transform lives with each journey.

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The Camino Cafe's intro and outro song with thanks to fellow Pilgrim, Jackson Maloney. Original Song - "Finnis Terre" - written and performed by Jackson Maloney - Singer, Musician, and Songwriter. Connect with Jackson: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fdQsSqq9pDSwKcWlnBHKR

2026 Camino Walks with the Camino Cafe Podcast - with Leigh and Rocco:

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The Camino Cafe podcast makes an exciting return as host Leigh Brennan welcomes listeners back from a hiatus caused by her move to the United States. Though she misses the immediacy of Santiago and stepping directly onto Camino paths, Leigh shares her renewed commitment to promoting pilgrim journeys as pathways toward healing.

Joining the conversation is veteran pilgrim Rocco Rossi, speaking directly from Santiago de Compostela after completing what he considers his 21st Camino since 2002. Rocco offers fascinating real-time insights about current conditions on various routes, noting dramatic differences in pilgrim traffic. While he walked the Camino Madrid completely alone, Santiago now welcomes over 2,000 pilgrims daily during Holy Week, with the vast majority arriving via the Frances or Portuguese routes.

Rocco's wisdom shines through as he explains why he keeps returning to the Camino: "If you find something in your life that brings you joy, clarity, and energy, the real question is why aren't you doing it more than once?" He likens the Camino to an oxygen mask that centers and revitalizes him annually, enabling him to better navigate life's challenges. Despite walking solo at times, Rocco emphasizes that the heart of every Camino lies in the connections formed with locals and fellow pilgrims who enrich the journey immeasurably.

The episode concludes with an exciting announcement about Leigh and Rocco potentially co-leading a group Camino in 2026, inviting listeners to share input about their ideal pilgrim experience. Whether you're planning your first Camino or your tenth, this episode rekindles the special magic that draws us to these ancient paths time and again. Email the address in the show notes to join the waitlist and help shape this future journey!

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The Camino Cafe's intro and outro song with thanks to fellow Pilgrim, Jackson Maloney. Original Song - "Finnis Terre" - written and performed by Jackson Maloney - Singer, Musician, and Songwriter. Connect with Jackson: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fdQsSqq9pDSwKcWlnBHKR