John Burkin

John Burkin is an avid traveler, writer, and licensed therapist who has spent decades exploring the diverse corners of the globe. Long before the era of smartphones, instant translation apps, and ubiquitous GPS, he specialized in independent, shoestring travel—relying on paper maps, local hospitality, and a healthy dose of curiosity to navigate the world.

In 2002, John embarked on a monumental 254-day, 20-country journey, capturing his raw, real-time observations in a series of vivid emails sent to loved ones back home. That travelogue, now preserved in his memoir Around the World in 254 Days, serves as a heartfelt time capsule of independent travel at the dawn of the digital age.

With a professional background spanning international training development and mental health counseling, John brings a deeply observant, empathetic, and often humorous lens to the human connections made while getting lost. He currently resides in Louisiana, where he runs his private practice, always keeping an eye on the horizon for his next adventure.