Joelle Machia

Ryan Slough is an award-winning travel writer, content creator, photographer, and podcaster, and the co-founder of Wanderers Compass, an online travel website dedicated to immersive, experience-driven travel storytelling. With more than a decade of extensive international travel, Ryan brings a global perspective shaped by time spent across Europe, the Mediterranean, and beyond, often returning to places to understand them more deeply. Ryan’s path to travel was shaped by more than 20 years of service in the U.S. Army, where exposure to different cultures, landscapes, and histories sparked a curiosity that would later become transformative. Travel became a way for him to reconnect with purpose, perspective, and a sense of possibility beyond uniformed life. That personal transformation became the inspiration behind the creation of Wanderers Compass. As co-host of the Wanderers Compass Podcast, Ryan shares stories that explore how travel can be a powerful tool for growth, reflection, and connection. His work frequently highlights castles, fortifications, heritage sites, and destinations shaped by resilience and conflict, blending historical context with modern travel experiences. Through writing, photography, and conversation, Ryan hopes to show how meaningful travel can help others navigate their own journeys—both across the world and through life.