Send us a text

Endings deserve as much care as beginnings. We invited Faith and Nate, founders of Pilgrim House in Santiago de Compostela, to reflect on eleven years of offering a soft landing for pilgrims who have just completed the Camino—and on the bittersweet move back to the United States after nearly eighteen years in Spain. Their journey started with backpacks and a love for traveler culture; it matured into a vocation to practice simple, excellent hospitality where it matters most: the threshold between a long walk and the return home.

They share how a dream of opening an albergue evolved into creating a Pilgrim center instead when circumstances didn't go as they had originally imagined. Yet, that pivot proved to be better than their original idea as it unlocked a deeper and wider impact in the Camino community as a whole. Without beds to manage, Pilgrim House could stay open to everyone, not just those with reservations. That choice created time for real conversations, quiet rooms for reflection, a kitchen that hosted shared meals and impromptu lessons, and a staff of experienced pilgrims ready to help with both blisters and big questions. We discuss the early, scrappy days, grants that shaped the space, and the teammates whose fingerprints are everywhere.

We also look outward. Santiago’s season is longer, the pilgrim tide is higher, and the city has grown more global while holding onto its slow, walkable rhythm. For would‑be expats, Faith and Nate offer grounded advice: test a 90‑day stay before committing, learn the language with patience, build local friendships, and find a purpose that outlasts novelty. And for pilgrims nearing the finish, their counsel is clear—don’t rush. Linger in Santiago, use resources like Pilgrim House and Camino Companions, and let your ending become a thoughtful transition.

As Pilgrim House continues under the creative leadership of Gabe with Jessica and Emily, its DNA stays intact: warmth, presence, and the spirit of the Camino made tangible. If Santiago is on your horizon, stop by Pilgrim House and exhale. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend who loves the Camino, and leave a review to help others find the show.

Support the show

Become a supporter of The Camino Cafe Podcast:

🎙️💖 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1751717/support

Buy Me a Coffee:

☕️💛 https://buymeacoffee.com/caminocafepodcast

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
🔴 ▶️https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQw

Follow us on Instagram:
📸 https://www.instagram.com/thecaminocafepodcast/

🎵 The Camino Cafe's intro and outro song is in thanks to fellow Pilgrim, Jackson Maloney. Original Song - "Finnis Terre" - written and performed by Jackson Maloney - Singer, Musician, and Songwriter.

Send us a text

Start the year with a pilgrimage you can do from your front door. We sit down with Leanne Pritchard to share how a small Tasmanian walk blossomed into a Global Camino that now brings together more than a thousand pilgrims across 40+ countries for two days of movement, meaning, and community. Whether you’re training for Spain, curious about your first Camino, or simply craving a gentle reset, this weekend gives you a simple way to reconnect with your body and your Camino family—no airfare required.

Leanne explains how the event began during lockdown and why it endures: flexibility, inclusion, and the shared joy of posting a photo that says, “I walked.” We talk through practical details—mirroring Tasmania’s 15 km and 18 km routes if you want, or choosing any distance that fits your weather, health, and time. You’ll hear stories that capture the spirit, from brave northern walkers crunching through snow to the Memphis crew bringing humor with Elvis costumes, plus smart safety choices when storms hit. We also preview the weekend’s livestreams: an opening ritual, a closing at St. James Church in Cygnet with a Botafumeiro, an interview with two Texas pilgrims flying in, and a live cross to Spain.

This episode is also an act of remembrance. We dedicate this show in memory of to Judy Colaneri and Ella Neal, honoring their courage, kindness, and love for the Camino. If you’ve felt the yellow arrow tug at your heart, use this weekend to set intentions, test your gear, and reconnect with friends you met on the trail. RSVP on Facebook, share where you’ll walk, post a photo when you finish, and encourage others in the comments. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs a nudge to lace up, and leave a review to help more pilgrims find the path. Ready to walk with us next weekend?

RSVP Now for the Global Camino - https://www.facebook.com/events/1274566273763679

Judy's Podcast Episode on YouTube

https://youtu.be/p22Vo-z20h8

Ella's Podcast Episode

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/119-the-neal-family-walking-the-camino-a/id1562037974?i=1000666935472

Leanne's Podcast Episode:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/120-walking-the-global-camino-from-home-leanne/id1562037974?i=1000667888051

Support the show

Become a supporter of The Camino Cafe Podcast:

🎙️💖 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1751717/support

Buy Me a Coffee:

☕️💛 https://buymeacoffee.com/caminocafepodcast

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
🔴 ▶️https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQw

Follow us on Instagram:
📸 https://www.instagram.com/thecaminocafepodcast/

🎵 The Camino Cafe's intro and outro song is in thanks to fellow Pilgrim, Jackson Maloney. Original Song - "Finnis Terre" - written and performed by Jackson Maloney - Singer, Musician, and Songwriter.

Send us a text

Ever wonder what mistakes pilgrims make on the Camino de Santiago?
In this episode, Dan Jarvis shares his biggest lessons, surprises, and why he keeps returning to walk the Camino again and again.

Join host Leigh Brennan of The Camino Cafe Podcast for a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Dan Jarvis, creator of Camino Hacks and Tips. Together, they explore what the Camino teaches us when things don’t go as planned — from packing regrets and planning missteps to the deeper emotional lessons of walking The Way.

Dan opens up about what led to his first Camino de Santiago journey in 2016, as well as stories from the numerous other Caminos he has walked since then. He shares vulnerable moments of struggle and self-discovery, and how walking continues to heal his anxiety and shape his purpose. Whether you’re a first-time pilgrim or a seasoned walker, this episode offers a mix of inspiration, laughter, and honest reflections from the trail and life back home.

🎧 In This Episode:

• Common Camino de Santiago mistakes (and how to avoid them)
• What keeps Dan coming back to the Camino Frances
• How the Camino helps Dan with anxiety and restores clarity
• The power of solo travel and pilgrimage
• Lessons learned from years of walking The Way

🛤️ About Dan Jarvis:
Dan is a UK-based Camino pilgrim who has been walking Caminos since 2016. He is the content creator of Camino Hacks and Tips, a YouTube Channel, where he shares his passion for the Camino along with practical advice and heartfelt stories to help others prepare for their own Camino de Santiago journeys. Camino Hacks and Tips has over 3 million views! Visit the links below to connect more with Dan!

🔴 ▶️Camino Hacks and Tips YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@Caminohacks

Episodes mentioned in the interview:

🔴 ▶️Camino Primitivo https://youtu.be/CHoj97X2vR8?si=IeffATBD83hTTuD5

🔴 ▶️The Truth About Walking the Camino de Santiago - 6 Things You NEED to Know Before You Start

https://youtu.be/Pea_0sV4Uvg?si=_yfoH0Q8ddUky48h

📸 Camino Hacks and Tips Instagram https://www.instagram.com/caminohacksandtips/

Support the show

Become a supporter of The Camino Cafe Podcast:

🎙️💖 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1751717/support

Buy Me a Coffee:

☕️💛 https://buymeacoffee.com/caminocafepodcast

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
🔴 ▶️https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6VN9ze3z61n6tRLtDXWuQw

Follow us on Instagram:
📸 https://www.instagram.com/thecaminocafepodcast/

🎵 The Camino Cafe's intro and outro song is in thanks to fellow Pilgrim, Jackson Maloney. Original Song - "Finnis Terre" - written and performed by Jackson Maloney - Singer, Musician, and Songwriter.