Cassandra De Pecol
Cassie De Pecol is an author, entrepreneur, award-winning podcast host, and record-breaking explorer. Her work is shaped by a lifelong curiosity about the world and a belief that the most meaningful lives are built when we move beyond what feels familiar, embracing adventure, beauty, growth, and the stories that connect us.
I grew up in Connecticut with a deep curiosity about the world and a desire to understand it firsthand. That curiosity eventually led me to set out on a journey that would change the trajectory of my life: traveling solo to every sovereign nation on Earth.
In 2017, after 18 months on the road and 196+ countries, I became the first woman on record to visit every country in the world, being awarded recognition in the National Women’s History Museum as well as in TIME ‘Female Firsts’ production. Along the way, I set two Guinness World Records for the fastest time to visit every sovereign nation – overall and female. But the most lasting part of the experience were the people I met, the perspectives I gained, and the realization that much of the world is more generous, nuanced, and connected than we are often led to believe.
That journey became Expedition 196, my personal account of what it takes to pursue a seemingly impossible goal – through uncertainty, solitude, resilience, and a great deal of faith in myself. It also expanded into years of speaking, media, partnerships, and conversations centered on responsible travel, women’s empowerment, mental health, and the power of choosing a path that is entirely your own. I’ve had the privilege of speaking with thousands of students across 40 countries and sharing this message with audiences around the world.
Today, I continue to build at the intersection of media, entrepreneurship, and storytelling. I am a founder and CEO, and I co-host an award-winning podcast called Against the Odds, Audible’s narrative podcast about extraordinary true stories of survival and resilience. Through every project, I’m interested in the same question: how do we create a life that feels both expansive and deeply ours?
This site is an extension of that question. It is a place for the ambition and adventure, but also for the softer things: an organic modern designed studio space, a well-traveled story, a thoughtful routine, an unforgettable meal, a weekend away, a conversation that changes your perspective, and the confidence that comes from knowing yourself more fully.
My hope is that what you find here inspires you to take the trip, speak your truth, begin the project, pursue the idea, wear the thing, set the table, or make the change you have been waiting for. You do not need to see the entire path to begin – you only need enough courage to take the next step.
Thank you for being here.
In gratitude,
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