Candace MacPhie | World Traveler | Award Winning Author (Audio)

The Kino Isaac Podcast

I sat down with Candace MacPhie, a world traveler and award-winning author with a fascinating journey. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Candace spent years backpacking and working across four continents, gathering experiences that would one day fuel her writing career. After earning her Bachelor of Commerce and MBA, she thrived in the corporate world for two decades before choosing a new path closer to home in Calgary, Alberta. When the pandemic hit and life slowed down, Candace found herself with time to explore a passion for writing, leading to the creation of her beloved Back in a Year series. Between writing sessions and shouts of “Just a few more pages, then I’ll make dinner,” Candace takes time to enjoy hiking in the Rocky Mountains, indulging in hot yoga, and savoring romance novels. With her witty and candid take on life, including her partnership with her self-proclaimed “grumpy motherf*%ker” husband, Candace offers a refreshing perspective on blending adventure, family, and creativity. This episode is a heartfelt look at how life’s unexpected turns can lead to new beginnings and a richer narrative, both in books and in life. Don’t miss out on this inspiring conversation with a true storyteller at heart. Back in a Year series: Finding Color: Book One (A hilarious and messy backpacking adventure in the '90s): "Grab your backpack and get ready for an adventure in the '90s when the Internet was scarce but laughs weren’t. Finding Color is book one in the five-part Back in a Year series, the true story of a young woman traveling around the world. Each book can be read independently, but it’s more fun to take the full trip." Life Strikes Back: Book Two "Ahh—here I am—on my dream backpacking trip overlanding from Russia—through Eastern Europe—to Istanbul with my travel partner, Khadejah. Bring on the sunny days of exotic sightseeing, tasty new food, interesting people, and places I can get lost in to soothe my tattered heart. But … It rains most days. Don’t even get me started on the food. The locals are low on smiles. And I’m drowning in grief. Then the sun finally comes out. With the help of my friends, George Michael’s music, and laughter we tackle culture shock, wild interactions, changing plans, and uncover gems I never thought I would see with my own eyes. But the leers, catcalls, and gropes are never-ending. Regardless we persevere … until a vicious and humiliating encounter causes me to question if life on the road will save me or break me."