Episode 101: Cole Sjoholm

What happens when travel becomes more than destinations on a map, and instead becomes a reflection of our shared humanity?

In this episode of At the Podium, Patrick Huey sits down with Cole Sjoholm to explore solo travel, self-discovery, and what it means to find belonging in a deeply interconnected world.

After more than twenty years in banking and finance, Cole made an extraordinary decision in 2023, to travel solo to all seven continents in a single calendar year. What followed was not a bucket-list journey, but a deeper exploration of identity, perspective, and shared humanity. Learning along his journey that the most meaningful travel experiences are not about destinations, but about who we become along the way. A journey that he detailed in his book, Filling My Bucket - A Year of Solo Travel Across Seven Continents.

Throughout the conversation, Cole reflects on moments of growth, the unseen support of those cheering him on, and how choosing grace and perspective in unfamiliar situations reshaped how he views success and fulfillment. He speaks candidly about learning that he was enough, about expanding what he once thought was possible, and about recognizing that life’s defining moments are not endings, but beginnings.

This episode of At the Podium is a reflection on solo travel, courage, gratitude, and the quiet work of becoming yourself in a world far larger, and more connected, than we often realize.

*The beautiful photography featured in this episode was shot by Cole.