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The future of travel is women because they are the ones often engaging in their communities and are engaged in networks that are critical for success in the travel space today.

Support from other women in the industry is something Christine values, especially in a world where gender bias is still a frequent experience for many female travelers. Travel company CEOs are pushing the boundaries to locals calling the shots in the field. 

Christine’s guest is a trailblazer in the travel sector and an expert in gender empowerment and mentoring.

Alessandra Alonso is the pluri-nominated, award-winning founder and MD of Women in Travel CIC and a professional with 20 years of experience in travel and tourism. Alessandra started her career as a trainee in Tourism at the European Commission and later gained senior roles in companies including The World Travel & Tourism Council and KPMG.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode63

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Alessandra Alonso (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Old travel was to escape the world and new travel should be to engage in the world. In this pandemic, we're really seeing the issues facing the planet, people and travel is one way that we can use to address this. 

Looking at the future of travel, since the beginning of the pandemic, a lot of focus on the way that travel creates a negative impact, with carbon emissions, over-tourism, bucket list travel. 

We've seen all of these things floating around. And we've also been fortunate enough to see that since these issues have come to light, there's been a lot of innovation and collaboration in the industry, creating more responsible travel experiences, and organizations really coming together to support this. 

What have you seen that really gives you hope for the future of travel?

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode64

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Travel is so much more than a destination and education. It is something that truly connects us to ourselves and others. Christine wanted to shape this season of Soul of Travel and examine who women in the travel industry are and how they're shaping our future.

Today’s guest is Kathleen Rellihan. Kathleen is an ideas woman, writer and adventurer who has written many articles about the achievements of women in the tourism industry. As a travel journalist, she's written about adventure, culture and sustainability.

As Newsweek's travel editor she spearheaded Newsweek's future of travel 2021 Awards, which highlighted those creating a travel industry that's more sustainable, responsible, innovative and inclusive. She also contributes to other outlets such as afar, CNN travel, hemisphere's Conde Nast Traveler, scuba diving, father's Travel and Leisure and more.

In our conversation, Kathleen shares what it was like for her early in her career, to find herself in her dream job at the Travel Channel, but still longing for more, she finds herself leaving inspired by a trip to hike Kilimanjaro, we discover how this experience foreshadowed this period of the great resignation, and her recent move to become location independent.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode65

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Kathleen Rellihan (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Today's guest is Sarah Ray. Sarah is the Principal Consultant at Neema Development.  Sarah has worked in social enterprise and international development since 2008 when she co-founded Yobel Market as a means of promoting global artisans. 

​Recognizing a pervasive need for in-depth entrepreneurial training in developing communities, Sarah created the first of several low-barrier business training curricula in 2012, and has since offered her programs to thousands of emerging business owners around the world.

Helping friends succeed in business, gain stability, and achieve long-held dreams brings Sarah great joy. Consulting provides an outlet for her 12 years of experience, now extended to others pursuing sustainable development globally.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode66

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Sarah Ray (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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On this episode of Soul of Travel, Christine welcomes a woman who is a writer, yoga teacher, dog mom, backcountry skier, world traveler, & lover of all things business. She also has been empowering leaders & coaching others through experiential education & yoga since 2004.

Mollie Busby is a driven entrepreneur with the spirit of a summer camp counselor and a kind, midwestern smile. 

Mollie is also a seasoned yoga and meditation teacher and off-grid home builder with her husband, Sean. Although the pair now calls Alaska their home, they have deep roots in the Flathead Valley of Montana. Wherever they are, the Busbys choose to live close to the land off-the-grid and pursue their life’s work.

In this conversation, Mollie and Christine discuss mindfulness and business, living life aligned with your values, dreaming big dreams and off-grid living. 

Tune in for this soulful conversation with Mollie Busby.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode67

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Mollie Busby (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Kristina is a Professional Certified Coach and a Mental Fitness Coach who helps entrepreneurs and corporate leaders maximize their potential at work while experiencing more happiness and fulfillment in life. Kristina is also the owner and director of Selva Vida Lodge & Retreat Center, where she conducts her life transformation programs and hosts travelers who want to explore the Peruvian Amazon. 

Her holistic retreats address one’s body, mind, heart, and spirit, and use a combination of workshops, medicinal plants, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, connecting with nature, and follow-up coaching. 

In our conversation, Kristina and Christine talk about how Kristina’s experiences in early childhood and studies abroad created the awareness that travel would be an important part of her life. She also shared her educational and career journeys and the internal struggles she had, when what she longed for wasn't fully in alignment with a seemingly perfect life she had worked so hard to create.


For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode68

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Kristina Liu (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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This episode is one that will warm your heart and spark your imagination. Christine’s guest today is no stranger to new experiences and adventures. She is inspiring, awesome, travel oriented. 

Christine's guest today is Kinga Philipps. She is never one to sit still and has tested herself for the past 20 plus years by traveling the globe scuba diving, free diving, spearfishing surfing, jumping out of airplanes, spelunking, and swimming with sharks, as a writer, producer and on-camera journalist for networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC, USA, AMC, the Travel Channel, Fox Sports, universal sports, the Food Network's National Geographic and more. Kinga was born in Warsaw, Poland to a family of explorers and adventurers. 

In our conversation, Kinga shares how her childhood explorations shaped who she is today. We talked about what it has been like to be one of the few females in this space of adventure and exploration, and what it was like to be the first woman to host her own show on Shark Week. 

She shares about her latest project-finding adventure, which began airing on February 1 on very local and how she is dabbling in something she calls a mini-podcast. We spend some time uncovering what adventure means to her and others, and how everyone can find adventure in their own lives. However, they define it and how important this adventure is to us. We also talk about how travel has inspired her to give back in the form of ocean conservation with organizations like Shark allies and Waves for Water.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode69

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Kinga Philipps (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Ever wonder how travel can correlate with mindfulness? Is there a link between travel and the development of emotional intelligence? When we travel, mindful practice strengthens our skill to make decisions with emotional intelligence, not emotional reaction. 

With increased experience, we broaden our worldview and develop more empathy towards others. Over time we become more flexible within our own perspective and can manage a greater level of compassion, patience and self-acceptance. 

Sophia Hyder Hock is the Chief Diversity Officer for Destinations International. In this role, Sophia will provide leadership, coordination and strategic direction for the design and implementation of an overall strategy within the association, across member organizations and the broader tourism industry. 

Prior to joining Destinations International, Sophia was the Founder and CEO of Papilia, an organization dedicated to developing tailored equity, diversity and inclusion strategies for the travel industry to attract new audiences while respecting cultural heritage and diverse perspectives.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode70

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Sophia Hyder Hock (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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REWIND: DESTINATION HIGHTLIGHT

This episode was previously aired during season 1 of the podcast. We are sharing it again to highlight Jordan and what is important to Christine as she designs her Sojourns.

Malia Asfour is the Director of the Jordan Tourism Board in North America (JTBNA) and has worked for the Jordanian government since 1995. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Tourism Association Services, Inc.(NTASI). She is a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Advisory Board and also serves on the US Tour Operator Association’s Allied & Associate Committee (USTOA); the National Tourism Association’s Faith Tourism Advisory Council (NTA) and is Vice Chair 1 of Tourism Cares.

Malia Asfour's job is to "build bridges between people throughout the world." As you listen to this episode, you'll hear her clarity around treating this responsibility with the utmost care and passion.

Christine  and Malia talk about the value of leaving what you know and exploring the world in a new context, the beauty of sharing space over traveling to "fix" or provide a solution, and the magic of tourism that is connected to a place's history.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode71

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Malia Asfour (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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This is a special conversation between Christine and her mentor, Maria Pacheco. Maria's story is fascinating; she is a Biologist, Entrepreneur, Mother, and firm believer in the idea that collective dreams are unstoppable. 


Maria was born in Guatemala, and is a Biologist and Entrepreneur. She is a firm believer in the idea that collective dreams are unstoppable. She is also one of the people I look up to most and cherish as a mentor and friend. Maria is a Fulbright Scholar with her Master's Degree in Biology, and she has received much well deserved recognition of the work she has done to end the cycle of poverty in Guatemala.

In this episode, they discuss the potency of witnessing culture through ancestral art, knowing why you travel, and the importance and power of individual and collective dreams. Christine and Maria dive deep into why assessing and supporting a community in ways that it really needs is so impactful, as well as how investing in women creates a greater impact.


For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode72


Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Maria Pacheco (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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You've heard the phrase "digital nomad", and you've wondered what it means. Today, Christine and her guest, Keri Pfeiffer, are talking about all aspects of traveling, from visiting places, living abroad and what we can do to make it easier and more sustainable. 

Christine and Keri also take a look at life as a digital nomad and how people can transition to this way of life. Keri shares her own experiences living the digital nomad lifestyle, the pros, and some of the cons. 

In today’s episode, Christine and Keri explore exactly how digital nomads might make more sustainable choices. And also bring in Keri’s expertise to explore the power of tech to bring in accessibility and sustainability to travel. 

Christine and Keri cover quite a bit of territory in this conversation, all with passion, joy and enthusiasm. 

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode73

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Keri Pfeiffer

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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What do you think when you hear the words “travel” and “ethics”? If you have traveled a lot you are probably nodding your head saying yes, these two words are important. 

I am sure you have come across many different experiences of culture, behavior, and environment during your travels. Not all of us travel because we want charter or luxury vacations. Some of us travel to gain wisdom or to experience nature or both.

Travel is something we all participate in, no matter how extreme or mundane. This episode explores the small ways we can work toward more sustainable travel practices and ways to create inclusive and ethical experiences. 

Education is important in all aspects of life: it teaches us how to work with the government, how to improve our communities, and how to live ethically. Some of you might be wondering, "how is this relevant when I'm traveling?"

Understanding the importance of education within travel and how we can create change through travel is important for us in order to make our business and personal lives more sustainable and ethical.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode74

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Liz Tuck

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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When women travel don't just visit the places they travel to. They also take home with them the people they met, the questions they asked, and most importantly the answers they sought. 

Traveling is transformative. It shapes us into alert, open-minded people who see the world in its true colors – not just as a physical place full of diverse cultures and people, but something much more subtle. Every traveler is changed by the experiences he or she has during the trip.

Prachi Thakur is a TEDx speaker and diversity trainer who focuses on building inclusive workspaces for women in the tourism and hospitality industry. Using training as her tool, Prachi has been actively working with tourism and hospitality staff in equipping them with inclusive skills and competencies. 

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode75

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Prachi Thakur

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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At some point traveling became more than just a pleasure. It’s now an adventure, and you might be surprised at who, besides the backpackers and the adventurers, are on the road.

Traveling awakens your senses: through scents of exotic foods, sounds of waves crashing against sand, and sight of the rolling hillsides of vineyards…and best of all, experiencing cultures and people from around the world.

Christine’s guest today is Alice Ford.

Alice Ford is an award winning host, stunt woman and executive producer. Strong, confident and adventurous she is an entrepreneur, explorer, environmentalist and athlete. An adrenaline junkie she has hiked some of the world’s tallest mountains, swam with sharks, jumped out of airplanes, repelled down cliff sides and traveled solo all over the world documenting every moment for her Award Winning Series Alice’s Adventures on Earth.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode76

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Alice Ford

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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The value of women in tourism has been progressively increasing. Studies have proven that women play a significant role in tourism, economics, culture and society. This episode aims to show how important women are specifically when it comes to traveling and exploring the globe. Women are the future of travel.

Komal Darira is the Founder of Women for World, a travel organization that aims at creating safer, sustainable, and memorable experiences for all. Komal became the first female tour leader/guide at the age of 19.  

Her award-winning work has been featured in Teenvogue, Natgeo, Femina India Magazine, Hindustan Times Newspaper, Dainik Bhaskar and Bangkok Post. She was recently featured on TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia.

Her mission is to empower and create better opportunities for younger generations, especially females, and to create an impact by uplifting local businesses in the country.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode77

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Komal Darira

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Originally from Colombia, Nikki Vargas is a travel editor published author and writer now living in New York City. 

Her first book Wanderess was published in February of 2022. It is an exhaustive women's travel resource combining the wisdom, expertise and experience of leading women in the travel industry. She is currently writing her second book which is a personal travel memoir. 

Currently, Nikki is an editor for photos travel where she commission's writes and edits and produces daily travel stories for the Digital Site. In addition, she is also the Founding Editor of Unearth Women, a women's travel publication she founded back in 2018. Unearth Women's mission is to show travelers how to support women worldwide, while also sharing women's stories. Her work with unearth women has appeared in The New York Times, Good Morning America, CNN, Vogue, Spain and the Washington Post. 

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode78

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Nikki Vargas

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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For more than a decade, Paula Vlamings has worked at the intersection of tourism and sustainability. She is currently the Chief Impact Officer at Tourism Cares, a travel industry nonprofit whose mission is to be a catalyst of positive social, environmental, and economic impact for the people and places of travel.

Prior to Tourism Cares, Paula was the Executive Director of The Planeterra Foundation, the nonprofit foundation of the global travel company, G Adventures, where she pioneered incubating social enterprises supporting women, youth, and indigenous communities into the tourism supply chain. Paula spent over 10 years in politics which provided her with a unique set of skills in diplomacy, fundraising, and cross-sector collaboration. Paula’s sustainability work includes leading a national multi-stakeholder Food for the Parks initiative at the Institute at the Golden Gate, a program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. That effort resulted in a national policy change to more sustainable practices in our nation’s parks, in collaboration with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Council on Environmental Equality.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode79

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Paula Vlamings

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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When you think of bike riding, I'm sure you don't think of women. Well perhaps...if you ride road bikes. Since mountain biking differs greatly, many women are surprised to see how many women are involved and interested in mountain biking. In fact, around the world there is actually a growing number of female mountain bikers.

Christine’s guest has been lucky enough to be able to travel a lot over the past few years, usually with friends and always in search of new experiences and adventures.

Julie Hanen is the owner and founder of Ride the Earth, a mountain bike tour operator based in Bozeman, MT. As the owner and founder of RTE, her mission is to get more people out exploring the world on their bike. Julie carefully selects each destination where she operates and then designs her itineraries in a way to really showcase the location. She wants her guests to experience all the best that each destination has to offer during their mountain bike vacation. 

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode80

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Julie Hanen

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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The difference between a nice vacation and an adventures vacation is where your travel takes you. If you're looking for a vacation that feeds your soul and strips away the stress of your everyday life. Adventure doesn't have to be limited to hiking in the mountains, cycling through Europe, or simply exploring the great outdoors. 

Christine’s guest today is a Bicycle Travel Pioneer.

After graduating in anthropology from Cornell University, Lauren Hefferon studied fine arts and photography in Florence and annually cycles thousands of miles throughout the Europe and her beloved New England. She has been a professional bicycle tour guide for over 40 years and as the founder of bike tour company Ciclismo Classico, is considered a pioneer in the bicycle travel. She is a bicycle travel visionary, bike educator, advocate and supports many cycling causes, such as Rails to Trails, Bikes Belong, Pan Mass Challenge and Mass Bike.

Lauren has been a panelist at the National Bike Summit Panel on Bike Tourism, is a bike photographer, founded the annual Ciclismo Classico Bike Travel Film Festival and leads the Jingle Ride, an annual holiday event now in its 25th year that pedals, sings and jingles its way from Arlington to Boston and back. She and her bicycling passion have been featured in an array of media outlets, ranging from Inc. Magazine, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, to Bicycling, CNN.com and Forbes. Her purpose in life is simple: to share her passion for bicycle travel, especially to those who are new to this wondrous two-wheeled activity (for life).

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode81

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Lauren Hefferon

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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The tourism industry is growing at a rapid pace across the globe. However, in many developing countries, there is a lack of comprehensive data available on the extent and types of tourism services currently being provided and on how they are managed. In addition, there is little information regarding their economic viability and their wider socio-cultural and environmental impacts.

Christine’s guest is here to talk about why she is so passionate about travel and why making positive impacts on the spaces and places you are traveling to is crucial to the growth and development of that destination.

Genevieve Huneault is the Principal Consultant and Founder of Social Root Consulting, an award-winning consulting collective that advises on ethical and sustainable development practices in BC. ​​​​​​​​

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Genevieve’s work is grounded in participatory-based community development, with expertise in natural resource management, gender analysis, cross-cultural communications, and regenerative tourism development.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode82

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Genevieve Huneault

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Travelers discover the world through their footprints and experiences adding to their list of memorable adventures. But are there actions really leaving a positive effect on the areas we visit? 

Travel companies market each destination's uniqueness, which attracts us to travel there. However, it also brings in a wave of tourism and may negatively impact local communities by harming their culture and environment.

So for Christine, travel has been about that deep connection and interconnectivity. It's been about being part of the human experience, being a human experience, having her life transformed by other cultures, by other peoples.

Responsible travel is about tacking the big issue of travel – its effect on communities, environments and people. Whether you want to change the world or just discover it, you want to be a responsible traveler.

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This week Christine gets to talk to a someone who is a real inspiration to her.

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Christine is honored to be joined by Vincie Ho, Founder and Executive Director of Rise Travel Institute on this week’s episode.

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Vincie is a humane educator and social justice advocate, founded RISE Travel Institute in June 2020 with a mission to inspire responsible, impactful, sustainable, and ethical travel through education. Her work focuses on engaging young people in important conversations around human rights, animal protection, and environmental sustainability in the context of travel and beyond. ​​​​​​​​


For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode83

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Vincie Ho

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Her mission is to open borders and show Morocco in an authentic way. She's a professional travel designer bringing these authentic connections to life with her company Asgunfa Impact Traveling. 

Habiba El Kasri was born in Casablanca, and has been traveling to all parts of Morocco since a very young age. Moving far away from touristic traps. She is a professional travel designer bringing these authentic connections to life with her company Asgunfa. She works with experienced local drivers and guides in all parts of the country. Throughout her trips, she handpicks the most traditional accommodations including riads and experiences that will have a positive impact on the people and the planet. 

In this conversation, Chrsitine and Habiba talk about the ways she puts these ideas into practice and talks about visiting female cooperatives, eco- friendly lodging and tree planting projects she's involved in. Habiba also shares why she's so passionate about getting visitors to Morocco off the beaten path and what this offers both travelers and communities. 

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode84

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Habiba El Kasri

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Travel has the capability to heal, reconnect and refresh you. The term wellness travel is used because it's not just about recreation and relaxation but also a mean to achieve wellness. The concept of healing is really picking up all over the world.

Travel getaways and relaxation, that feeling you get when you are on a vacation from your daily routine. These days, travel often means more stress than a break from regular life. People are increasingly looking for ways to redefine traveling: change your pace and approach to life in order to feel healthier, relaxed and rejuvenated.

The world is becoming more and more aware of the importance of wellness, meditation, and healing. If you travel, you are likely to seek out an oasis that can help you relax and escape. Is this how you think about your vacation? If not, it is time to learn what wellbeing travel is all about!

Christine’s guest today is a Wanderluster, Artist and Animal-Lover.

Sahara Rose De Vore is a Wellness Travel Coach and the Founder and CEO of The Travel Coach Network, a global community of Travel Coaches in which are certified through her ICF accredited Travel Coach Certification Program.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode85

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Sahara Rose De Vore

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Volunteer travel has its roots in the "voluntourism" through which people volunteer on projects abroad. Volunteer travel has been reimagined as a social enterprise model with a focus on working within local communities and creating value for them, rather than for the volunteers themselves. 

Volunteering abroad, especially in developing countries, has become a necessary experience for many people who label themselves as 'world citizens'. However, like any other growing industry, volunteer tourism brings with it new experiences and new problems.

Christine’s guest today is curious, an animal-lover, an a feminist. 

Nora Livingstone is the CEO & Co-Founder of Animal Experience International. Her work has taken her to over 45 countries, including Oman, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, and Mongolia. Nora is a qualified Crisis Counselor and holds FEMA certifications in leadership and deployment during natural disasters. 

Nora and Christine talk about the ethics of volunteer travel, consent based tourism and what that means to her having a values align business and her commitment to addressing social issues, and how we can understand white privilege narratives that exist in companies like ours, that are run by white women.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode86

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Nora Livingstone

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Today’s guest always thought that if she climbed the corporate ladder and became the CEO of an established company, she could finally travel around the world. But after being in a high-level position at her job, working so many hours that there wasn't any time for her to enjoy herself and it just felt like she was living in a perpetual cycle of work and nothing else.

Yulia Denisyuk is an award-winning travel photographer and writer who turned to travel journalism after working as a US Navy Sailor and a Fortune 500 brand manager. Yulia's work appears in National Geographic Traveller, TIME, Conde Nast Traveler, BBC Travel, Lonely Planet, and more. For past assignments, she’s shared a roof with nomads in Mongolia, traced the origins of Iznik tiles with artisans in Turkey, and learned the art of Imigongo with artist collectives in Rwanda. 

Yulia is the founder of NOMⴷD + JULES, a small-group travel company with trips to the Middle East. She’s also the founder of Travel Media Lab, a platform for women and allies in travel media, where she teaches the Introduction to Travel Journalism program and runs a membership for travel photographers and writers.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode87

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Yulia Denisyuk

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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It is important to stay aware of the many diverse communities that make up our local, national, and global environments. This is increasingly becoming more important as travel is being enjoyed around the world by increasing numbers of people. 

Diversity, equity, inclusion and women are important aspects for travel and tourism industry leaders to consider if we want our industry talent pool to continue to innovate and grow. 

Travel is not just about visiting new places. It's also about creating a world in which we all can live and thrive. That's why the travel industry needs to be more inclusive.

Christine’s guest today travels the globe because she wants to continue to educate herself and be open to new cultures. She wants to continue challenging systems of oppression and spread the stories of people who are working for social justice.

She’s been apart of amazing projects, social changes beginning to happen, women creating powerful movements in their communities and she strives to have better conversations that move us forward on racial equity, gender equity, equal access for people with disabilities, fair wages and empowering people from historically marginalized communities to be able to independently travel in safety.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode88

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Marinel de Jesus

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Just like people have a carbon footprint, trees have one too. If a tree is cut down for lumber, it is the same as a person who burned the furniture in the living room from the house — releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. But trees can also generate CO2. 

Christine’s guest today is here to talk about how trees and connected to travel, our carbon foot print, and climate change.

Elkie Nicholas is a tree hugging, eco-warrior with a tenacious entrepreneurial spirit. A visual communicator and brand builder who has worked in a variety of sectors, ranging from fashion to packaging, education, travel, and technology. She has created numerous award-winning, feel-good products and brands, but is now channelling her extensive experience and knowledge into supporting the fight against climate change through the creation of Trees4Travel in a new era of mindful travel.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode89

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Elkie Nicholas

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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When Christine picked it up the book, Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World, for the first time, she read the prologue, which is about four pages long, and immediately got on LinkedIn and messaged today’s guest. 

This book had already shifted so much or created so many awarenesses that Christine was really excited to bring this book the conversation.  

This book and this conversation have helped Christine find the language she needed to bring this conversation to the surface and shaped to the feelings she felt in the past but couldn't find a way to put into words.

Dr. Anu is a speaker, facilitator, consultant, author and educator specializing in issues of racial equity, diversity, and social change. She believe in pushing the conversation without pushing folks away. One of her core beliefs is all of us want to feel a deep sense of belonging and worthiness.

Tune in as Christine and Dr. Anu dive in her book, Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode90

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Dr. Anu Taranath

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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This episode originally aired on June 14, 2022 on the Lunar Inspired: The Flow Mamas Podcast and starts with a celebration of the Full Moon in Sagittarius and honors the fun loving, adventurous part of yourself.

In this pod swap, Christine had the joyous experience of being interviewed by Monica de Vitry on her Lunar Inspired: The Flow Mamas Podcast. Monica, the Flow Mamas Founder, is an Artist, Teacher and Lunar Coach. 

Christine love getting to share a bit more about who she is and why she’s so passionate about building community and designing spiritual adventures for women.

Christine Winebrenner Irick has worked in the tourism industry for 20 years, concentrating on community-based tourism and sustainable tourism development. She brings these passions into the journeys she creates and guides for Lotus Sojourns, founded in 2019. 

She is a natural connector and is dedicated to creating space for women to authentically connect around the world.  She also wants each woman to connect to their purpose and know themselves as valuable and equal members of this global community.

In the spring of 2020, Christine launched her award-winning Soul of Travel interview series to celebrate the impactful work of her colleagues as they navigated the challenges and loss associated with the shut-down of tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Join Christine for her soulful conversation with Monica de Vitry.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode91

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Monica de Vitry

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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In this pod swap,  Christine got to sit on the other side of the mic from her friend and colleague, Jackie Roby.

This time she's asking the questions, and I was able to fully express the intention behind each experience with Lotus sojourns, the magic I see and travel and the importance of community in a way that I haven't before.

In this conversation, Christine shares a bit about the messages she received from the universe, and how she decided to honor the guidance, listen closely and create change in my business.

We explore Christine’s mission to create a global sisterhood of cultural empathy to honor each other, embrace our voices, and celebrate ourselves.

Christine shares how travel can be a big part of our personal growth journey and what it is like to take a trip with a foundation in education community and an inner journey.


For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode92

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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LOVE these conversations...support the production of this podcast by making a donation here! 

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Jackie Roby

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Christine Winebrenner Irick, Host of Soul of Travel reflects on season 3 and some unexpected topics the came up with many of the guests.

As Christine wraps up season three, she looks back on her favorite parts from this season and talks about how far we've come in this community. From the beginning of this season, fall 2021, when we were all still very much in the midst of a global pandemic to the women she has spoken to that have been a constant source of inspiration as she sees the work they are doing to create change in countries all over the world.

Throughout this season, Christine has found out that this podcast has become a very important part of her personal and professional journey. And she will be ever grateful for this experience and the time and the space she’s been given to connect with women she admires from around the world.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode93

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Welcome to Season Four!

Christine is so excited for season four, she’s already began to record a few of the conversations and she’s feeling something different happening here.

In this season, you're still going to hear inspirational stories about travel, how it changes our lives, and how it has led our guests to create the businesses that are changing the world. You'll also hear how these women are changing the status quo across the board.

Looking for ways to be a part of the community, learn more here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns or @souloftravelpodcast

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Travel is about conscious journeys and decisions about tourism, which seek to respect and preserve local environments, cultures, and economies. Sustainable tourism is the solution in which tourism is conducted over a long period without adversely impacting natural and cultural environments. 

Today, we're gonna learn how a journey to Guatemala has led Christine’s guest, Chelsea Glass to where she is now. 

Some of the things that really resonated with Christine and why she wanted to have Chelsea on the podcast is because Chelsea is so passionate about responsible and sustainable travel and really believes in the power of travel to improve local economies and break down barriers. 

In this conversation, Chelsea and Christine talk about how her first trip to Guatemala and her love of the Spanish language truly changed the course of her life. This deep passion Chelsea has comes through in this interview and in the experiences she offers in Guatemala and Latin America, and so much more!

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode96

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Chelsea Glass

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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The world is awakening to what women can bring and being a successful woman in business means taking on this mantle and sharing it to encourage others, and using your position as a role model to those looking to be successful. After all, each woman gets to determine what success means to her, what she believes makes her life satisfying and fulfilling.

Women define success, especially success in business, by the rules that others set. Sometimes women are stuck with a single goal and define their lives around that one goal, when there are actually several stages to success over the course of a lifetime. Keep in mind that you will have different definitions of success at different times of your life.

Christine guest today is a change maker, personal development enthusiast, yogi and is passionate about creating spaces for women to fully express themselves in business and in life.

Iris Serbanescu is an adventure travel enthusiast and champion for gender equity in the tourism industry, as proud founder of wmnsWORK, the tourism industry’s first 12-week business accelerator for early-stage women/non-binary entrepreneurs. 

She is also founder of B2B sales agency By Iris, established to help experiential tour operators and hotels develop meaningful industry partnerships. By Iris’ portfolio of clients include companies in Asia, Central America, Mexico, and Canada. 

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode95

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Iris Serbanescu

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Whether you enjoy visiting the same places or exploring new ones, travel inspires the mind. The mental boost you get from adventure travel may be more important than the physical boost. 

Christine’s guest today knows firsthand the benefits of travel.

Becki Rupp is a Personal Trainer and Adventure Coach and owner of Trailblazer Wellness. She has hiked, biked, sea kayak and explored over 40 US states as well as several countries in Europe, Central America and South America.

In this conversation, Becki shares how the grind of 60 hour work weeks left her longing for more time to travel and be outdoors. She explains what adventure coaching is and who it's for and how it enriches our travel experience, and so much more!

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode97


Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Becki Rupp

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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As a traveler, you may want to take photos from time to time that could be considered ethically questionable. Do we ever stop and think about why we want to take a photo? Are we really doing anything wrong by taking photos of the less fortunate?

Christine’s guest knows the impacts ethical photography can have on local communities around the world.

Amina Mohamed has always had a passion for photography. She spent fifteen years exploring this passion while working in film and television as a producer and production manager on numerous movies and documentaries.

In 2018, she started a for-profit travel business, Triple F Photo Tours and an initiative called Cameras For Girls, which was granted charity status in 2021. Through Triple F, Amina brings her travelers on culturally immersive photography tours and helps them improve their photography on every excursion.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode98

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Amina Mohamed

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Traveling is an integral part of the human experience. Whether it's to visit family, friends, or for a well-deserved vacation, it brings about an opportunity for reflection and self-discovery. 

The most valuable part of travel is not just the destination but rather the journey itself and by partnering with socially responsible tourism initiatives, travelers can make a positive impact on social justice and the communities where they operate.

Christine’s guest today is Sofía Godoy.

Sofía has a Bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a Masters in Cultural Tourism. She made her way into the tourism industry, as she started working with different international DMC's as a freelance Group Tour Leader. This gave her experience in group travel, logistics and operations in Guatemala, Belice and Southern Mexico.

She is the Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of Etnica, a Guatemalan based social enterprise; focused on responsible travel through community and immersive experiences.


For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode99

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Sofía Godoy

(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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We are celebrating 100 episodes of the Soul of Travel Podcast!

Thank you so much for listening and for your support, for cheering me on along the way. Christine thought this would be a great time to share some of the reflections and feedback she’s received from guests and listeners over the past two and a half years.

Christine has learned after talking with a few women at recent industry conferences that many of them remembered a moment of feeling very emotional, even finding themselves moved to tears. What Christine really felt is a deep connection and trust. She is so grateful to be able to have these truly soulful conversations with each person. 

On the podcast, Christine talks about professional successes and the personal growth it takes to get there. She loves that her guests offer that part of their journey with each of you. She’s seen a lot of personal growth herself over the last three seasons of the podcast. And she is thankful to have the space for that self development.

Join this reflective and soulful conversation with Christine!

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode100

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) 

Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Mehgan Heaney-Grier is a pioneering free diver, ocean explorer and longtime conservationist. With more than 20 years of experience working both above and below the waterline. Mehgan has built a career as a professional speaker, marine educator, stunt diver, podcast host and television personality.

As an advocate, ocean explorer, and narrative-teller on a variety of media platforms, Mehgan is dedicated to raising awareness and equipping the next generation of ocean stewards to participate in and address the critical issues facing our oceans today. 

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode101

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Mehgan Heaney-Grier (Guest)  Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Christine knows travel is one of the best things of life in spite of all of its challenges. Whether you are traveling within your own city or around the world. Learn the art of serendipity, enjoy the journey, and tackle problems one at a time. 

Maybe you cannot get out there and find serendipity, but you can cultivate a mindset that accepts boldness, openness, and whimsicality. 

There are a lot of great things planned but the joys of traveling are spontaneous events that cannot be structured in a schedule. For the modern traveler, serendipity is that one thing that every journey needs, yet nobody can plan. 

Every travel story needs a plot twist: an accident, an accident of fate, a lucky twist that leads to a new world. 

Today’s guest is Patricia Schultz. Patricia is the author of the #1 New York Times best seller 1000 Places to See Before You Die, and 1000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before you Die.  Most recently she is the author of Why We Travel.

For years Patricia Schultz has been telling us where to travel. Now, in telling us why to travel, she reveals what makes travel such a richly rewarding experience.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to 

https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode102

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.)  Patricia Schultz (Guest)  Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Women travelers are creating multiple communities of their own, as well as coming together to demand rights and representation. In an era where solo women travel and sustainable tourism are moving from trend to norm, communities are all the more critical for informing, inspiring, and empowering women to travel well.

Christine’s guest today, Carolyn Ray, encourages female solo travelers to go out and explore the world.

Carolyn Ray believes that anything is possible when you set your intention and follow your intuition. After 25 years in consulting, most recently as the CEO of Interbrand Canada, she gave up everything she owned to travel full-time after a transformative trip to Kenya with her daughter in 2018. 

The following year, through a series of coincidences, she unexpectedly became the owner of JourneyWoman, the beloved women’s solo travel publication founded in 1994 to empower women with travel as a shared passion.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to 

https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode103

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor) Carolyn Ray (Guest)

Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Julana Dizon is a professional model TV host and wildlife educator. Her travel and lifestyle blog called Julana Goes is inspired by wildlife and fueled by curiosity. It is her main mission to inspire millennial women and couples to get offline and get outdoors to create memories together while being mindful of our planet. 

In this conversation, Christine and Julana talk about the lack of representation of women in wildlife and conservation in the media and so much more!

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to 

https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode104

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor) Julana Dizon (Guest)

Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Locally-led tourism initiatives are more sustainable as they sustain and promote healthier, happier communities. Community-based tourism is one of the most critical ways that travel can benefit the local economy, preservation, and wilderness. 

Christine’s guest today knows all too well the magic and beauty of India.

Allison Sodha is the President of Sodha Travel and Author of Go! Girl Guides India. In the past two decades, she has spent considerable time exploring the Indian subcontinent to create experiences fueled by a deeper understanding of local communities.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to 

https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode105

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor) Allison Sodha (Guest)

Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Emily Goldfischer is the Editor-In-Chief at Hertelier. She has an insatiable curiosity and deep love for hotels and the people that run them. Hertelier is a convergence of all of her passions. 

Hertelier is an online media platform that enlightens and inspires women in hospitality to pursue navigate and nurture their careers at every stage through sharing information and sparking conversation. 

This conversation is so full of important topics, Christine cannot believe they touched on them all. A few of the things Christine and Emily discussed are how important representation really is to inspire peers and the next generation in amplify the voices of women in the hospitality industry. 

They also share the innovative ways women are using technology to solve problems in the hospitality industry. And they talk about the increase of women becoming CEOs and GMs right now. And the shift that is created this change. There's so much more. 

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Emily Goldfischer.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to 

https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode106

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor) Emily Goldfischer (Guest)

Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Travel gives us new experiences, memories, and can even aid in our journey towards self-discovery. Travel is an excellent way to break monotony and rekindle our love for life. Traveling is a great way to break away from the stresses and obligations of daily life, offering newness and changes in the form of new people, sights, and experiences. 

Traveling is about learning a lot about the world, allowing you to meet new people, mix with cultures that you might not have had a chance at back home.

Christine’s guest today is Jen Ruiz.

Jen Ruiz is a lawyer turned full time travel blogger and author. She is a five time Amazon Best Seller, two time readers favorite award winner and three time TEDx speaker. She has been featured by the Washington Post, Forbes and ABC News. 

In this conversation, Jen talks about her upcoming book and how her plan to take 12 trips in 12 months really set her off on this path, and how traveling truly changes the course of her life and so much more!

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to 

https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode107

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor) Jen Ruiz (Guest)

Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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Various organizations are acknowledging the value of women's leadership, and are actively working towards increasing the visibility and positions of women within the hospitality sector.

While there has been a rise in gender diversity at operational and managerial levels of the hospitality industry, women are a tiny minority of those at senior leadership levels and the highest levels of executive management. It is critical that hotels employ more effective female leaders at top levels of leadership in order to maximize company performance.

In this episode, Christine is sitting down with Magdalena Rungaldier.

Magdalena is the principal of MAp Boutique Consultancy. She co-founded MAp in 2014, with the strong belief that the hospitality industry needed a fresh, human and sustainable approach, along with innovative ideas and services.
 
For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to 

https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode108

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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor) Magdalena Rungaldier (Guest)

Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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It is a way of traveling that is focused on experiencing the country, town, or specific location while connecting with the countrys history, people, food, and culture. Travel is not only about visiting places and taking pictures, but also about discovering new ideas and perspectives, a real investment in self. 

Traveling to new places allows you to get out of your comfort zone and try new experiences and challenges as you learn more about the world around you.

The people you meet along the way, and the experiences you get to share with friends, are the things that will stay with you long after you have left. Whether they are a local person or a bunch of like-minded travelers, the memories you have from interacting with others can be fleeting or life-changing. 

Christine’s guest today is Chantal Potgieter.

Chantal combined her love for travel, volunteering work in communities, and operational skills learned working in a travel company to start Themba Travel. 

Themba Travel is based in the UK and offers South African journeys that inspire hope. Themba Travel specialises in Educational Expeditions, Volunteering and Leisure Holidays.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to 

https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode109

Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns or @souloftravelpodcast

LOVE these conversations...support the production of this podcast by making a donation here! 

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor) Chantal Potgieter (Guest)

Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth

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“When women travel alone, they find strength and courage in themselves that they’ve never had before.” - Tess Millhollon

In this episode, Christine shares the possibilities of redefining solo travel with Tess Millhollon, Founder and CEO of Her House and author of Sherbet Skies: A Woman’s Solo Journey to Find Adventure, Fun, and God. 

Tess explains that her time solo traveling was the most confidence-building, healing time in her life, and no job experience compared to the transformation she experienced while traveling.

Her House is an app that makes it easy for solo women travelers to connect with background-checked hosts, so they have safe places to stay and save money while they travel. Tess believes solo women travelers need a way to easily connect with local women so they can find safe accommodation, support, and friendship while traveling alone.

Christine and Tess discuss:

• The magic of solo travel and redefining what it might look like
• Helping women heal and grow through travel and connection
• Traveling in times of transition
• The benefits of hosting travelers and getting to know your own backyard
• Increasing women’s opportunities for life-changing travel experiences
• The link between solo travel and entrepreneurship

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Tess Millhollon.

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To learn more about Her House, visit the website at https://www.herhouse.co/.

Join the Her House Facebook Group for solo women travelers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/herhouseapp

Looking for ways to be a part of the community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode110.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Tess Millhollon (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“Travel is a mindset. It doesn't get greater the further you go; it's almost the opposite. It gets greater the more inside you go.” - Eva Mossberg

In this episode, Christine and guest Eva Mossberg explore the business and the global potential of adventure travel. Eva Mossberg is a leader, innovator, and adventuresome expert in the field of sustainable tourism. 

Rooted in the connection between tourism and conservation, they discuss ways to become a more responsible and mindful traveler or tourism professional. 

The definition of adventure travel doesn’t need to be rigid or exclusionary. Instead, think of adventure as a mindset. You’re placing yourself in a new situation with an open mind, ready and willing to learn new truths about yourself and the world.

Listen for the welcoming community both Eva and Christine found in this segment of the industry as you look for your place in the adventure tourism space.

Christine and Eva discuss:

• Responsible tourism from a natural resources perspective
• Defining “Adventure Travel” and the broad types of experiences that may fit into the category
• The business of adventure travel and the potential of adventure tourism professionals collaborating on the same goal
• How to be a more responsible and ethical traveler
• The potential positive impact of responsible travel on destinations

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Eva Mossberg.

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To learn more about the Adventure Travel Trade Association and begin your free membership, visit the website at https://www.adventuretravel.biz/.

Explore the programs and courses at RISE Travel Institute by visiting https://www.risetravelinstitute.org/.

Looking for ways to be a part of the community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode111.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Eva Mossberg (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“It really made all the difference to have that practice and that achievement, that feeling of actually getting there and doing a thing that you set out to do, it was really spectacular for me. ” ​​​​​​~ Jess Stone

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with activist, entrepreneur, and world traveler Jess Stone. Jess is the founder of Ruffly premier outdoor dog gear, and she’s eight months into a global adventure by motorcycle with her dog, Moxie, and husband, Greg, to raise $100,000 for the global nonprofit Girl Up. 

Christine and Jess discuss:

• Creating work for women artisans in Guatemala through Ruffly
• Go Ruffly Around the World supporting Girl Up
• Tips for planning and preparing for long-term travel - on motorcycles or otherwise!
• Making your own schedule with life as a digital nomad
• Dog ownership as a frequent traveler
• The power of travel and reflection in writing your own life’s narrative

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Jess Stone.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Ruffly ethical dog gear, to follow Jess’s Go Ruffly journey on motorcycle with her dog Moxie, or to purchase your own motorcycle dog carrier, visit the website at https://www.goruffly.com/.

Watch new episodes every Sunday! Go Ruffly Around the World is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@GoRUFFLY.

Follow Jess’s journey on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/goruffly/.

To learn more about the nonprofit Girl Up or to make a direct donation, visit https://girlup.org/.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode112.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Jess Stone (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“The travel industry sees that something needs to change, but how do you do that on a large scale? How can you make these shifts? How can we really co-create instead of having a transactional relationship?” ​​​​​​~ Sanne Meijboom

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with passionate travel entrepreneur Sanne Meijboom, who believes that organizations must find the right balance between profit and positive social and environmental impact.

In combination with her hunger for travel and curiosity to learn from people from different cultures, in Sanne founded I Like Local, an impact travel marketplace where you can directly book authentic travel experiences with local people and community organizations. Recently, she joined forces with ResiRest, a company that connects travelers with social food experiences through travel partners around the world. Both organizations connect travelers with local communities through authentic, immersive travel experiences while building a more inclusive and fair tourism industry. Sanne was recognized in 2020 by Travel Massive as one of the top 100 inspiring woman travel founders.

In this episode, Christine and Sanne discuss redefining success for ourselves and our travel businesses to secure the well-being of people and our planet.

Christine and Sanne discuss:

•  Different models of success in entrepreneurship and business
• The process of creating abundance
• Creating a shift from profit-driven to values-driven business practices
• The inner work that catalyzes outer change
• How the responsible business of travel creates a positive impact

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Sanne Meijboom.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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Connect with Sanne on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sannemeijboom

To learn more about I Like Local and explore impactful travel experiences, visit https://www.i-likelocal.com/en/.

To learn more or partner with Resi Rest, visit https://resirest.com/.

Looking for ways to be a part of the community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode113.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Sanne Meijboom (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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“When you travel, and when you enter a different world and way of being and engaging with people and the world at large, that’s when you really start to question everything that up until then, for you, has been normal.” ​​​​​​~ Lena Papadopoulos

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Lena Papadopoulos, Life Purpose and Leadership Coach and founder of Lena Papadopoulos LLC, where she coaches heart-centered, mission-driven visionaries and changemakers to uncover their personal power and honor their unique gifts so they can live their truth, embody their purpose, and make a positive impact in the world.

With 15 years of experience designing and facilitating intercultural learning, community-building, and leadership development programs, Lena has worked with individuals, schools, non-profits, and social enterprises in 10+ countries. She has won awards for her commitment to personalized experiences and successful efforts in humanizing communities, and she’s been featured by Go Overseas, World Footprints, Huffington Post, Elite Daily, and more. Lena has an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology and a graduate certificate in International Development Studies from the University of Colorado. She also has a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology from Clemson University in South Carolina.

Christine and Lena discuss: 

• Definitions of culture and how they apply to both travel and life
• Growing up between cultures
• Cultural conditioning and internalized culture and norms
• How astrology can help us see ourselves and help us find our purpose
• Accessing and noticing shifts in your “right-now” purpose
• Behind-the-curtain look at some of the things Christine loves and how they align with her birth chart and soul purpose

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Lena Papadopoulos.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Lena’s work helping visionaries embody their power and purpose, visit https://www.lenapapadopoulos.com and https://www.instagram.com/lena_papadopoulos/.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode114.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Lena Papadopoulos (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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“It's not enough to say, okay, yes, as women we can do it. We need sometimes to push each other into the water. Because no matter how much we repeat to ourselves we can do it, we don't believe we can. It's not until someone throws us into the water and then we'll realize we can swim. ” ​​​​​​~ Juliana Medina

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Juliana Medina. Juliana is the founder and CEO of Impulse Travel, Colombia’s most innovative DMC. Impulse Travel’s purpose is to mesh travel with the creative and social sectors in order to create meaningful trips that are a part of the peace process and social transformation of Colombia.

Christine and Juliana discuss:

• Learning as much as we can about the rich and complex history of every destination when we travel
• The role of tour guides and DMCs in sharing destinations’ stories 
• Columbia’s history and progress toward peace
• Columbia’s exciting position as a destination poised to embrace sustainability and regenerative travel
• Growth management for travel industry leaders in sustainability
• How to embrace difficult conversations about culture and place as a tour guide
• Expanding our understanding of happiness, wealth, and stability
• Encouraging other women business owners and entrepreneurs to take the leap

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Juliana Medina.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Impulse Travel in Colombia, visit the website at https://impulsetravel.co/en/.

Catch Juliana and her team on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/julianamedina14/ and https://www.instagram.com/impulse_travel/.

Connect with Juliana on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-med-riv.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode115.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Juliana Medina (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“Through building the community, connecting those leaders and having a place where they're learning from each other and growing together…it helps to spread the ripples further.” ​​​​​​~ Catherine Gallagher

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Catherine Gallagher, UK-based travel business coach, social entrepreneur, and mastermind facilitator and co-founder of Women Travel Leaders. After spending the first decade of her career in recruitment and talent development, she followed her dreams and set up her own travel business, which she led for the next decade. She loved arranging ethical experiential travel for high-end clients, but she felt lost in the wilderness of entrepreneurship. She wished there was an industry-specific trusted community that she could call upon for support, and now she's excited to be helping shape just this kind of community with Women Travel Leaders. Catherine passionately believes in the transformational effects that travel can bring and is committed to supporting leaders that share this belief.

Christine and Catherine discuss:

• The importance of community, especially for women in business
• How entrepreneurship and business creation are a type of creative expression
• Experiencing community in travel with Women Travel Leaders
• How community can reinforce your values
• How to align travel experiences with personal transformation
• Creating work in alignment with your values
• Designing and encouraging transformational experiences through travel
• Bringing children into the travel experience

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Catherine Gallagher.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Women Travel Leaders or to become a member, visit the website.

Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn, and follow Women Travel Leaders on Instagram or Facebook.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode116.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Catherine Gallagher (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, pr

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“My work has changed everything I think I know about life… it's really allowed me to figure out who I am as a person and what my values are, but also to allow things that I haven't known before to influence what I am going to be going forward.” ​​​​​​~ Shivya Nath

Christine’s guest this week is Shivya Nath, bestselling author and founder of Climate Conscious Travel. Shivya creates stories at the intersection of travel, the environment, and local communities on her blog and in publications like BBC Travel, The Washington Post, and Lonely Planet. She also launched the digital storytelling platform Voices of Rural India. At age 23, Shivya quit her nine-to-five corporate job with a dream of traveling the world and gave up her home, sold most of her belongings, and began living the digital nomad life. Shivya is a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, Instagrammer, social entrepreneur, solo traveler, vegan, and environmentalist. But in her heart, she's just a girl who believes in the transformational power of travel. 

In this week’s episode, Christine and Shivya discuss:

• Climate awareness and what it means to travel for past, present, and future
• The human connection to storytelling
• Taking a moment to be present and celebrate our efforts as entrepreneurs
• How to bring values of slow, sustainable, and regenerative travel into your travel experiences
• Traveling while practicing a vegan lifestyle
• Creating content consciously
• Utilizing social media to create impact with your storytelling

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Shivya Nath.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Climate Conscious Travel, visit the website at  https://www.climateconscioustravel.com/. Connect with Shivya on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook! Read Shivya’s blog here.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode117.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Shivya Nath (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“I think one of the major things that has always been the turning point was finding other, like-minded women who were there to help, to support and to build that supportive community that helped me reach this point where I am now today.” ​​​​​​~ Aneeqa Ali

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Aneeqa Ali, Founder and CEO of The Mad Hatters, an experiential travel company for adventure-seekers to journey into some of the less explored areas of Pakistan. She also created Root Network, an organization that strives to create an equitable and inclusive tourism industry in Pakistan. The Root Network sponsors the Women in Tourism Fellowship in Pakistan, supporting recent graduates of travel and hospitality in reaching their goals within the tourism sector.

Aneeqa shares the obstacles women face in Pakistan, both from her perspective as a traveler and a business owner in a male-dominated industry and patriarchal society. 

Christine and Aneeqa discuss:

• How travelers can inform themselves to break down misconceptions about places
• Starting a travel business as a woman entrepreneur
• Building community connections to promote trust
• Sharing about the places we love
• Bringing local voices into the travel conversation to limit the adverse effects of tourism
• Women in the tourism industry of Pakistan
• Helping travelers prepare for backpack and adventure travel destinations

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Aneeqa Ali.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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To learn more about The Mad Hatters Pakistan, visit the website at https://themadhatters.pk/.

To support and learn more about The Root Network, visit https://www.rootnetwork.org/. 

Connect with Aneeqa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-mad-hatters/

Follow Aneeqa on Instagram or Facebook! 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode118.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Aneeqa Ali (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly

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“The main point of transformational travel, transformational education, is to help people, to guide them, to facilitate them, to get from where they are to where they want to be. ” ​​​​​​~ Ivana Damnjanović

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Ivana Damnjanović, who is an educator, scientist, and writer working in the transformational travel space. Ivana is an Associate Professor at Singidunum University in Serbia. She focuses her professional interests on sustainable tourism, specifically in protected areas, as well as community wellbeing, amplifying the regenerative and transformational potential of tourist experiences through storytelling, wellness through recreation and adventure, and nature-based tourism.

Christine and Ivana discuss:

• The language of transformational travel
• How we share transformational travel experiences
• Ways to bring students and industry professionals into the conversation of transformational travel
• The role of education in creating a positive ripple effect 
• How both travel and education are most rewarding as co-created experiences 
• Passport equity and other barriers keeping folks from physical and academic equity

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Ivana Damnjanović.

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To learn more about The Transformational Travel Council, visit the website at https://www.transformational.travel/.

Connect with Ivana on LinkedIn.

Follow Ivana on Instagram or Facebook! 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode119.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Ivana Damnjanović (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“Women around the world want a solution to navigate safer or to know that they have trustworthy contact wherever they're going. And to me, that drove me. It still drives me.” - Vanessa Karel

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Vanessa Karel, CEO and Founder of Greet Her, a travel startup that helps women travel safer. Vanessa is a serial entrepreneur, storyteller, and creative producer and was recently named one of the 100 Rising Latinx Startup Founders to Watch. Vanessa is also currently leading Girls in Tech San Francisco as their managing director. In 2020, she finally realized what had been lacking throughout her solo journeys while traveling alone, being stranded in Morocco in the middle of the pandemic, which led her to found Greet Her. In our conversation, Vanessa shares her draw to entrepreneurship, her travels, and her passion for bringing more girls and women into tech.

Christine and Vanessa discuss:

• Entrepreneurship and resilience
• Building a business from idea to execution
• Navigating safely as a solo woman traveler 
• Utilizing technology inclusively and globally
• Creating opportunities for women worldwide
• Breaking down barriers for women to enter tech
• Improving accessibility for global travelers
• Mentorship and community in entrepreneurship

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Vanessa Karel.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Greet Her, visit the website at https://www.greether.com/.

Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn.

Follow Greet Her on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook! 

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Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode120.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Vanessa Karel (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“It’s the adventure that makes you travel within as well as outside, by the connection you have with the environment you’re in and where it takes you and how it makes you grow and change.” - Elyse Mailhot

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with transformational travel proponent Elyse Mailhot. Elyse is the Founder and CEO of EM Adventure Marketing, a boutique consultancy specializing in integrated marketing and communication in transformational adventure travel. Elyse brings over 25 years of industry experience and an impressive global media portfolio, having worked with some of North America’s most innovative tourism organizations and DMOs, including Destination Canada, Tourism Vancouver, Destination BC, and leading adventure tour specialists around the world.

Christine and Elyse discuss:

• The transformational power of travel
• Creating micro-travel experiences in our everyday lives
• The power of saying “No” to create more balance in our lives and businesses
• The concept of awe and what it means in travel and our lives
• Creating a positive impact through responsible storytelling

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Elyse Mailhot.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Elyse and EM Marketing, visit the website at http://emadventuremarketing.com/.

Connect with Elyse on LinkedIn!

Follow EM Adventure Marketing on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook! 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode121.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Elyse Mailhot (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“For me, travel is a necessity; sometimes it's with my family, and sometimes it's with my friends, and sometimes it's by myself or strangers. And it's part of what I need in order to be a good person in the world. ” - Bronwen Lodato

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Bronwen Lodato, Founder and CEO of Bronwen Jewelry, an artisan jewelry line designed for active and traveling women. Coming from a background in outdoor education, Bronwen experienced the need for jewelry that was beautiful but also durable enough to withstand the grit of wilderness, adventure, and world travel. It turns out she wasn't the only one. Today she runs a bustling business in Bend, Oregon, where all the jewelry is made by hand by a team of local women. 

Bronwen's passion for travel has led her to many corners of the globe, where she connects with craft artisans of all types. She has spent over a decade building friendships and partnerships with individuals and groups of artists to bring products with a high social impact to the market. 

Christine and Bronwen discuss:

• Their common love language and value of community
• People coming together to have a shared experience
• Solo travel, loneliness, and perseverance
• The transformative power of travel and outdoor experiences
• The magic of connecting with new people
• How to dispel the myth that travel and self-care are luxuries
• Create a new narrative around the restoration and healing of travel

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Bronwen Lodato.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Bronwen Jewelry, visit the website at https://bronwenjewelry.com/.

Connect with Bronwen on LinkedIn!

Follow Bronwen on Instagram and Facebook! 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode122.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Bronwen Lodato (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“The more that we can be in the present moment, the more that we can see the intricacies and the nuances of what's happening where we are.” - Bethany Betzler

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Bethany Betzler, Founder and Experience Designer of Hinoki Travels. After the death of her father in 2016, Bethany had an intuitive urge to visit Bhutan – and her transformational travel experience there changed the trajectory of her life in nearly every way. Since then, she began overseeing international partnerships and travel experiences for My Bhutan and completed the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s sustainable tourism program. 

As a community development consultant, Bethany has visited 32 countries – but prefers to return often to a select few. Bethany believes in the importance of going offline and discovering the wild places around us and within us. Through Hinoki Travels, she designs conscious, custom journeys to help you reconnect to yourself and your environment.

Christine and Bethany discuss:

• Working in alignment with our values
• The benefits of small group travel
• The power of transformational travel
• Deepening connections and forging friendships through travel
• Boutique, curated travel experiences with experienced guides
• Mindful and slow travel and considering how where we go affects our minds and wellbeing

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Bethany Betzler.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe to Apple Podcasts here so you don’t miss the latest episodes! —> https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-of-travel/id1552279594

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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To learn more about Hinoki Travels, visit https://www.hinokitravels.com.

Connect with Bethany on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-betzler/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hinokitravels/!

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode123.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Bethany Betzler (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“Learning to be okay in your own company is one really big factor of solo traveling, because once you feel confident with your own company, then you can take on anything else.” - Nabila Ismail

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Nabila Ismail, founder of the Dose of Travel Club and solo female traveler, entrepreneur, and pharmacist. Nabila is a Pakistani-American who is originally from New York and calls the world her home. She’s been solo traveling for the past ten years with the mission to educate herself about the world and inspire other women of color to follow their dreams. Her personal travel brand is Dose of Travel, which combines all of her interests from healthcare, pharmacy, entrepreneurship, and travel into content and idea sharing online. 

Nabila founded the Dose of Travel Club to create a safe, accessible, and inclusive place for travelers on a mission to see more diversity and representation in the travel space. 

Christine and Nabila discuss:

• The drive to create a welcoming space for other South Asian women travelers and entrepreneurs
• How our passions can intertwine
• The role of a different background (like pharmacy!) in giving us unique connections to destinations
• How journaling while you travel can help you track your shifts in perspective
• Sharing travel experiences as a content creator
• Making travel meaningful and impactful

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Nabila Ismail.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Dose of Travel and check out Nabila’s upcoming group trips, visit the website at https://www.doseoftravel.co/!

Connect with Nabila on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabila-ismail-pharmd/

Follow Nabila on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doseoftravel/.

Find Nabila on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doseoftravel

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode124.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Nabila Ismail (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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“If we are saying that we are here to do storytelling for impact, and storytelling in solidarity, then we would want to tell stories that would be best suited to further the work of our collaborators in country.” - Aubrie Canfield

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Aubrie Canfield, Founder and Managing Producer of Actuality Abroad, an educational travel organization that leads purpose-driven travel experiences with a focus on ethical collaborative documentary storytelling. Actuality Abroad teaches storytellers to seek the knowledge of local experts, leaders, and changemakers with the purpose of listening and learning from them, then documenting and sharing their work and wisdom. Aubrie also moonlights as an advertising producer, partnering with marketers and creatives on meaningful storytelling campaigns. 

Christine and Aubrie discuss:

• How to make travel and storytelling more meaningful and impactful
• Traveling to consume versus traveling to connect
• Distinguishing concepts of “your job” and “your work”
• Finding and following what lights you up – while keeping the lights on
• Types of storytelling projects within Actuality Abroad
• Storytelling as co-creation and collaboration
• Responsibly sharing photos, videos, and stories after traveling

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Aubrie Canfield.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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To learn more about Actuality Abroad, visit the website at https://www.actualityabroad.org/.

Connect with Aubrie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubrie-canfield-134b014a/

Follow Actuality Abroad on your favorite social media network!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubriecc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ActualityAbroad

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActualityAbroad/

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode125-aubrie-canfield

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Aubrie Canfield (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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Welcome to this special interview series on the Soul of Travel Podcast. We are excited to partner with Women in Travel (CIC) to bring you exclusive conversations with their community members to set the stage for the upcoming International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum to be held on June 22nd at Google headquarters in London. 

This partnership is important because of the aligned missions of Soul of Travel and Women in Travel, founded by past podcast guest and award-winning founder Alessandra Alonso. Women in Travel (CIC) is a UK-based social enterprise dedicated to empowering all women using travel, tourism, and hospitality as a force for good. They offer employability, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and male allyship programs and communities. 

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Zina Bencheikh, the Managing Director of the EMEA region of Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest travel B-corp regarded as a leading advocate for gender equality. 

Christine and Zina discuss:

• Driving innovation toward more responsible ways of travel
• Increasing inclusivity in travel
• The intersection between travel and social justice
• The International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum
• Intentionally creating jobs for women in efforts to eradicate poverty and eliminate the gender opportunity gap

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Zina Bencheikh.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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Take a look at Women in Travel (CIC)! https://www.womenintravelcic.com/

Register for the International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum and Awards here!

Learn more about Intrepid! Connect with Zina on LinkedIn. Follow Intrepid on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

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To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Jo Hendrickx, Founder and CEO of Travel Without Plastic and Horeca Sustainability Solutions. Jo has worked in plastic reduction in the hospitality industry since 2007 after spending her career in tourism, from tour operations to health and safety auditing. Travel Without Plastic creates personalized toolkits and support packages for the hospitality industry with the goal of reducing and even ending the use of single-use plastics without compromising on the travel guest’s experience. 

Christine and Jo discuss:

• Ways to reduce our single-use plastic as we travel
• Jo’s experience collaborating with tour operators and collaborating organizations to eliminate and reduce single-use plastic items in Mallorca and Ibiza
• Plastic-Free Laos - a project that aims to reduce the top five single-use plastic in hospitality by supporting hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops
•  Hospitality goals in the context of plastic reduction and the considerations to be faced when it's time to scale

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Jo Hendrickx.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To learn more about Travel Without Plastic, visit the website!

Learn about Plastic Free Laos and reducing single-use plastic in Mallorca and Ibiza.

Connect with Jo on LinkedIn, or follow Travel Without Plastic on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook! 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Jo Hendrickx (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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Welcome to the second installment of this special interview series on the Soul of Travel Podcast. We are excited to partner with Women in Travel (CIC) to bring you exclusive conversations with their community members to set the stage for the upcoming International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum on June 22nd in London. 

This partnership is important because of the aligned missions of Soul of Travel and Women in Travel, founded by past podcast guest and award-winning founder Alessandra Alonso. Women in Travel (CIC) is a UK-based social enterprise dedicated to empowering all women using travel, tourism, and hospitality as a force for good. They offer employability, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and male allyship programs and communities. 

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Sofya Muhrer-Muromets, Sustainability Lead at Tour Radar, an online adventure booking platform offering over 50,000 organized adventures by trusted global operators. Sofya holds a BA in political science specializing in climate politics and an MBA  in sustainable management. She has set a personal goal to show, guide and support the journey of change toward a better future. Sofya strongly believes that everything is connected and the current climate challenges can be overcome collaboratively. 

Christine and Sofya discuss:

• Connections between gender equity and sustainability
• Climate challenges and a collaborative approach to solutions
• The transformational power of travel
• The positive impact of tourism and the force in our collective power

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Sofya Muhrer-Muromets.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!  Be sure to rate and review.

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To learn more about Tour Radar, visit the website!

Connect with Sofya on LinkedIn, or follow Tour Radar on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, or Facebook! 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotuss

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Eyitemi Popo, Founder of Girls Trip Tours, an alternative tourism economy driven by women that will change how people travel in Africa. Eyitemi’s companies have been featured in National Geographic, Forbes, Talks and Google, Business Day, and in a United Nations case study on travel and tourism. She is a dedicated global traveler and cultural curator as well as a Forbes-listed social entrepreneur invested in the products, services, and ecosystems that help women thrive.

Christine and Eyitemi discuss:

• Influence of our family history on our own work
• Ecosystems of women-led businesses
• Curating custom, purpose-filled itineraries
• Importance of catering to women of African ancestry
• Sharing perspectives that center African women in social, cultural, and historical contexts

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Eyitemi Popo.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To learn more about Girls Trip Tours, visit the website!

Learn about The Girls MAP Foundation here.

Connect with Eyitemi on LinkedIn, or follow Girls Trip Tours on Instagram or Twitter!

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Jo Hendrickx (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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Welcome to the third installment of this special interview series on the Soul of Travel Podcast. We are excited to partner with Women in Travel (CIC) to bring you exclusive conversations with their community members to set the stage for the upcoming International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum, being held on June 22nd at Google headquarters in London. 

This partnership is important because of the aligned missions of Soul of Travel and Women in Travel, which is founded by past podcast guest and award-winning founder Alessandra Alonso. Women in Travel (CIC) is a UK-based social enterprise dedicated to empowering all women using travel, tourism, and hospitality as a force for good. They offer employability, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and male allyship programs and communities. 

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Eljesa Saciri, General Manager at the Zetter Townhouse Marylebone. 

Eljesa is a pioneer in the hospitality industry who passionately advocates for women in business, equal pay, and gender equity. She has been recognized by a number of media outlets, including Top50Boutique Hotels, Inspiring Women in Hospitality, and The Independent Hotel Show. 

Christine and Eljesa discuss:

• Women in leadership in hospitality management
• Breaking down barriers
• Women taking leadership roles in the workplace
• Getting comfortable with taking up space and being more visible
• Acknowledging and celebrating our successes and accomplishments

If you are inspired by this conversation and want to connect with other women influencing change, be sure to join us for the International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum. 

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Eljesa Saciri.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

🌎​​​​​​​​

Take a look at Women in Travel (CIC)! https://www.womenintravelcic.com/

Register for the International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum and Awards here!

To learn more about The Zetter Hotels & Co, visit the website.

Connect with Eljesa on LinkedIn, or follow The Zetter Hotels & Co on Instagram.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns an

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Shay Sane, Founder and Executive Director of Black Girls On The Go, Inc. ®, an innovative wellness brand for ambitious, conscious, dynamic, trailblazing, Strong Black Women (SBW) to Live in Wellness, Exuberance & Happiness™. Their mission is to help women prioritize their mental health through advocacy work, conferences, facilitating seminars, delivering training and workshops, and facilitating Therapeutic Travel Experiences aka (TTraVsperiences®). After being diagnosed with high-functioning major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and epilepsy, Shay became a Mental Health Advocate. She is currently in training to become a Facilitator with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and is also a Brand Ambassador for Invisible Disabilities. Her work of creating an outlet for black women to heal has been featured in Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, Travel Noire, Madame Noire, and Work Your Business Magazine, and she was selected to participate in Facebook’s Leadership Summit. To date, Shay has amassed a tribe of over 30,000 women who desire to heal and build sisterly bonds through travel. 

In the episode, Christine and Shay discuss:

• How her personal journey has inspired the community and experiences she creates for black women to heal through travel
• Therapeutic travel experiences
• The increased need for more mental health support in recent years
• Getting out of the box when creating your business
• How women can create communities of support in their affinity spaces
• Upcoming events by Black Girls On The Go, Inc. ®

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Shay Sane.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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To learn more about Black Girls On The Go, visit the website!

Connect with Shay on LinkedIn, or follow Black Girls On The Go on Facebook or Instagram!

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Shay Shane (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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Welcome to the final installment of this special interview series on the Soul of Travel Podcast. We are excited to partner with Women in Travel (CIC) to bring you exclusive conversations with their community members to set the stage for the upcoming International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum to be held on June 22nd at Google headquarters in London. 

This partnership is important because of the aligned missions of Soul of Travel and Women in Travel, founded by past podcast guest and award-winning founder Alessandra Alonso. Women in Travel (CIC) is a UK-based social enterprise dedicated to empowering all women using travel, tourism, and hospitality as a force for good. They offer employability, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and male allyship programs and communities. 

In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Christina Lawford, Founder and CEO of Diamond Air International and Co-Founder and CEO of Evolve Car. In 2022, Christina became part of the book Unstoppable Women, telling the story of Female Entrepreneurs and their respective journeys through business and life. She also serves on the Executive Board for Women in Travel CIC. 

Christine and Christina discuss:

• Improving the air and rail travel experiences with custom meet and assist services
• Women in leadership in travel and aviation
• Creating meaningful and reliable employment in the travel industry for women who have experienced homelessness, domestic abuse, or gender violence
• Resilience in business through challenging moments

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Christina Lawford.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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To learn more about Diamond Air International, visit the website!

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn, or follow Diamond Air International on Twitter or Facebook! 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Christina Lawford (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with award-winning travel and tourism executive Carla Campos, who served as the Government of Puerto Rico’s Tourism Minister.

Through her own consulting practice, Carla supports governments and organizations as a destination manager, strategist, and sustainability specialist. Carla’s practical experience in tourism development throughout Latin America and the Caribbean has positioned her as a fiercely determined and purpose-driven industry leader capable of transforming challenging circumstances as catalysts for tourism growth. 

Carla is recognized as a key driving force behind the recent transformation of Puerto Rico into an avant-garde destination that has overcome historical challenges, including Zika virus, Hurricanes Irma and Maria, earthquakes, political unrest, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the implementation of destination management plans, sound public policy, and building strategic public-private alliances, the island has been able to bounce back and report record-breaking travel and tourism performance repeatedly.

Carla is a strong supporter of women’s leadership in travel and tourism and believes that sustainability must serve as a pillar for operational excellence in travel and tourism.

Christine and Carla discuss:

• Sustainable tourism and shifting perspectives
• Mindset shifts we can make when responding to crises
• Navigating transitions in our career and personal life
• Experiencing early career success
• Aligning our work with our purpose, values, and identity

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Carla Campos.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

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Connect with Carla on LinkedIn! 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Carla Campos (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with award-winning sustainable travel consultant and educator Rose O'Connor. Rose is the founder and CEO of Sustainable Wanderlust, which helps travel businesses assess, develop, market, and promote sustainable practices to travel professionals and recreational travelers. 

Rose has consulted with several top travel brands on various sustainability projects, including serving on the Virtuoso Sustainability Council, where she collaborates with other travel leaders on initiatives to move the industry toward a more responsible and sustainable future. Rose is a trusted source on the subject of sustainable travel for several media outlets, including Condé Nast Traveler, The New York Times, Virtuoso Life, and Barron’s. The Environmental Defense Fund selected her as a 2021 Climate Corps Fellow, received the 2021 Virtuoso Luminaries, Legends, and Leaders Environmental Award, and was recently named one of 2023’s Most Influential Women in Travel by Travel Pulse.

Christine and Rose discuss:

• The role that travel advisors play in educating travelers
• Shifting the market demand toward sustainable travel
• Rose’s 10-week sustainable travel course that was created for travel advisors 
• Sustainability assessments and business strategy and marketing
• Defining sustainable and regenerative travel practices
• The transformational power of travel

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Rose O'Connor.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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Discover more about Sustainable Wanderlust.  Learn more about Sustainable Wanderlust’s ten-week course on sustainability here.

Connect with Rose on LinkedIn or follow Sustainable Wanderlust on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Rose O’Connor (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Lynan Saperstein, Owner, CEO, and Chief Marketing Strategist of The Experience Experts. Lynan is a luxury marketing strategist who has been intuitively guiding the launchpads for retreat centers & boutique hotels to consistently get more bookings and revenue for over 12 years.

Lynan and her team offer a comprehensive, full-service approach for all your digital marketing needs, including a high-converting & driving-traffic online presence, big-picture business growth strategies around the dynamic retreat & wellness market, and increased profitable lead generation. The end result is your property and brand transformed from being virtually unknown to a highly-coveted and booked-solid destination or experience. She is currently based in Colorado with her partner & new baby girl, sharing her online marketing wisdom and hosting entrepreneur immersions, Trailblazer’s Retreats.

Christine and Lynan discuss:

• What it takes to make living a location-independent lifestyle a reality
• How Lynan brings intuition and expertise together to create unique marketing strategies for her clients
• How we can bring intentional and mindful travel experiences into our family lives
• Opportunities for families to travel and have transformational experiences together
• Lynan’s unexpected experience living in India and Thailand in 2020 and 2021
• Entrepreneurship as a pathway to growth

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Lynan Saperstein.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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To learn more about The Experience Experts, visit the website!

Connect with Lynan on LinkedIn or Facebook, or follow The Experience Experts on Instagram!

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Lynan Saperstein (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Lebawit Lily Girma, an Ethiopian-American freelance travel journalist specializing in sustainable tourism and storytelling from both consumer and business perspectives. Lily contributes to various travel publications, primarily Bloomberg Pursuits, and her writing and photography have been published over the years in BBC, CNN, Skift, National Geographic Traveller UK, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and Sierra, among others. 

Lily ditched her Washington, DC law office in 2008 to follow her passion for storytelling and social impact through sustainable tourism. She hasn’t looked back since and splits her time between Maryland and the Dominican Republic, where she has family on both ends.

Lily recently launched Tourism Lens, a hub for travelers and travel industry members to gather around ideas to center nature and host communities as key beneficiaries of travel. 

Christine and Lily discuss:

• Transitioning from law to travel writing
• Early career decisions and writing for travel guidebooks
• Curating stories mindfully and sustainably
• The effects of the global pandemic on conversations in travel
• The work of Tourism Lens in sharing diverse perspectives and solutions from tourism advocates and leaders from all parts of the travel industry

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Lebawit Lily Girma.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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To learn more about Tourism Lens, visit the website!

Read Lebawit Lebawit Lily Girma’s Bloomberg articles here.

Find Moon Travel Guides here.

Connect with Lebawit Lebawit Lily Girma on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram, or follow Tourism Lens on Instagram!

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Lebawit Lily Girma (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Casey Hanisko, a passionate advocate for women’s leadership in adventure travel and tourism. Casey is a leadership and business coach and adventure travel marketing and sustainability consultant.

As former president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and an executive in the private travel industry, Casey has a history of seeking ways to uplift and spotlight women+ leaders in travel. Her endeavors include leading ATTA’s women's leadership initiative, organizing women’s leadership forums, and mentoring women+ personally and through Camber’s Ann Krick Mentorship program. Casey is a member of the International Women’s Forum and Washington Women’s Foundation and has written and spoken about women+ leadership throughout her career.

Casey helps women+ in the adventure and outdoor industries be great leaders and build great businesses. As an advocate for women’s advancement in the industry, she collaborates with women+ to support their leadership growth with creativity, empathy, and accountability. Tapping into passion and purpose, she focuses on helping women+ bring their whole selves to work and embrace their natural leadership style, giving it value and a voice.

Christine and Casey discuss:

• Gender equity in tourism
• Leadership in travel and tourism
• Experiences with and influences of masculine leadership in adventure travel
• Entrepreneurship and aligning business with our whole selves

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Casey Hanisko.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To learn more about Casey Hanisko’s leadership coaching and sustainability consulting, visit the website!

Connect with Casey on LinkedIn or Facebook!

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Casey Hanisko (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Samantha Runkel, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Heyterra, a sustainable travel platform and digital publication for families.

Heyterra shares sustainable travel tips as well as stories of trailblazing travel families, leading changemakers and purpose-driven organizations to help families use travel as a tool to educate, inspire, and improve the world.

A former recording artist and musician, Samantha has translated her career of touring and making records into the sustainable tourism sector through a decade of documentary travel with her husband (a travel photographer and photojournalist) and their two small children. 

Samantha is also a sustainability advocate across different spaces, from working with plastic initiatives in Europe to producing music with communities living on the front lines of climate change. 

Christine and Samantha discuss:

• How to use music as a way to connect with and explore the world
• Traveling sustainably as a family
• How travel can be a catalyst for challenging conversations
• How to support children as they move through the discomfort and growth associated with travel

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Samantha Runkel.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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To learn more about Heyterra, visit the website!

Connect with Samantha on LinkedIn, or follow Heyterra on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter!

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Samantha Runkel (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Elinor Fish, CEO of Run Wild Retreats, which offers women-only running retreats around the globe.

Elinor’s career began at Banff Lake Louise Tourism, where she managed travel media relations for the crown jewel of Canada’s national park system. She learned the art of itinerary design while creating fam trips for the travel industry’s best writers, photographers, and film crews worldwide.

Leaving the Canadian Rockies in 2004, Elinor moved abroad, first to Australia, then the USA, where she bounced between her passions: travel and running. For the next 10 years, she spent time working as the editor of a running magazine and doing tourism marketing for destinations ranging from the Province of Alberta to Catalina Island, California.

She founded Run Wild Retreats Inc in 2010 as a way to marry her passion for running and travel, and over the past dozen years has grown the organization into one of the top travel companies for runners, winning an award from Runner’s World magazine in 2020 for “Best Women-Only Trips.” Today, Run Wild Retreats is an IATA-accredited tour operator offering tours in 10 countries; they employ seven women and are proud to be on the leading edge of the transformational travel movement.  

Christine and Elinor discuss:

• The experience of starting an adventure travel company for women
• The changing landscape of adventure travel
• The transformational power of travel
• How Run Wild Retreats helps create spaces for travelers to be more mindful and present

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Elinor Fish.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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To learn more about Run Wild Retreats, visit the website!

Connect with Elinor on LinkedIn or follow Run Wild Retreats on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram!

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Elinor Fish (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Katie Broadhurst, Online Business Manager and Travel Systems Specialist and co-founder of Peak Flow OBM, a business management agency specializing in supporting adventure travel and tourism businesses with software & processes.

As a passionate, process-driven Certified Online Business Manager, Katie specializes in helping travel-based businesses get organized, automate, and get found. Combining her software knowledge, productivity expertise, and over 15 years working in the adventure travel & tourism industry with her OBM skills, Katie has developed the drive to help her clients take their businesses to the next level. 

Watching clients transition from confused and unorganized to calm, confident decision-makers brings Katie joy. When she’s not helping entrepreneurs online, you can find her outside enjoying nature - hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and skiing - with her partner Will and our pup Zaya. They usually spend ski seasons in the Kootenay region of British Columbia and summers exploring in their '84 Winnebago.

Christine and Katie discuss:

• Love of outdoors and adventure guiding
• Transitioning from adventure guiding to behind the scenes
• Information management for travel business owners
• Travel tech and how we can use it to simplify and strategically grow our businesses

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Katie Broadhurst.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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Learn more about Peak Flow OBM.

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Instagram,  or Twitter, or join Peak Flow OBM’s Facebook Group.

Check out Katie’s workshop for travel professionals, “Find Your Freedom with Automation.” 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Katie Broadhurst (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with freelance journalist and meteorologist Jennifer Broome. Jennifer is a freelance multimedia travel and environmental journalist for broadcast, digital, and print outlets, including AAA, The Weather Channel, Local Now, The List TV Show, Matador Network, NewsBreak, and multiple television stations in top 50 markets. 

With 29 years of experience as a television meteorologist and anchor, Jennifer is an on-camera travel and outdoors expert, host, and reporter. She’s also a content creator, blogger, and speaker. Based in Denver, Colorado, she has traveled to 44 countries and 4 continents, all 50 U.S. states and 170 U.S. National Park Service sites, including 37 national parks. She specializes in adventure travel, solo travel, national parks, road trips, sustainable tourism, weather and climate, and luxury travel, and is currently on a quest to visit all 424 National Park Service sites.

Christine and Jennifer discuss:

• The magic of National Parks and National Park Service sites
• The most overlooked opportunities in US National Parks
• The most difficult-to-reach US National Park
• Ideal times and strategies for visiting US National Parks
• The spirit of adventure and how that drives our travel

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Jennifer Broome.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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Learn more about Jennifer Broome and Broome Endeavors on her website, Swept Away Today. Facebook: JenniferBroomeTV Instagram: @jenniferbroometravel TikTok: @jenniferbroometravel Twitter: @jenniferbroome YouTube: Swept Away With Jennifer Broome LinkedIn: JenniferBroome Pinterest: Swept Away With Jennifer Broome

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Jennifer Broome (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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• How a ten-day trip impacts the lives of 607 women
• Transformational travel through community-based tourism
• Connecting with values-aligned partners to support strategic growth harmonious with community needs
• Designing adventures based on nature, people, and culture
• Following your dreams and your soul’s work with grit and determination
• Finding our way through burnout and back to our vision

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Juliana Dever, a travel writer, photographer, actor, and TV host and the founder of Clever Dever Wherever.

Juliana is a cultural tour curator who has traveled to more than sixty countries and has lived in four (USA, France, Russia, and Greece). Each year, she spends several months abroad, connecting with locals and gathering insider information to help other curious travelers take more meaningful trips.

Combining her love of cultural connection with her natural storytelling abilities, Juliana works with women in Central Europe to develop small-group cultural immersion adventures in their home countries. These travel deep-dives work to support local female and family-owned businesses in Georgia, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Poland.

Juliana has been featured on Fox’s Good Day LA and Smithsonian.com, and was selected by Frommer’s as someone shaping modern travel trends. As an actor, she’s best known for her role as Jenny Ryan on the globally popular show Castle and as Rachel Hawkerson on 9-1-1.

Christine and Juliana discuss:

• Traveling more slowly
• Connecting with people in a meaningful way while traveling
• Helping travelers move past the highly marketed versions of travel 
• Creating equal exchanges during travel
• Traveling beyond the places on most people’s bucket lists
• GOATS!

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Juliana Dever.

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Learn more about CleverDever Wherever, and download your Free CleverTraveler Checklist Bundle!

Connect with Juliana on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or YouTube!

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes. Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Juliana Dever (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Esme Benjamin, an award-winning writer, editor, and broadcaster based in New York City. Her editorial work can be found in ELLE, Condé Nast Traveler, Refinery29, SELF, Well&Good, Trip Advisor, Culture Trip, and more. 

Esme is the current Editor-in-Chief of Full-Time Travel and host of the podcast The Trip That Changed Me, which features transformative travel stories from guests including writer/illustrator Mari Andrew, Top Chef judge Gail Simmons, and more.

In Season Four of the podcast The Trip That Changed Me, Esme interviews many exciting guests in the travel world, including Laurie Woolever (Anthony Bourdain’s former assistant), prolific travel writer Pico Iyer, and Emmy award-winning host Samantha Brown.

In the episode, Christine and Esme discuss:

• Their most powerful travel experiences
• Travel’s role as a catalyst for change
• Navigating mental health and travel
• Traveling with anxiety
• Wanderess: The Unearth Women Guide to Traveling Smart, Safe, and Solo

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Esme Benjamin.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

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Learn more about Esme on her website!

Explore the world like an insider with Full Time Travel.

Stay up-to-date on The Trip That Changed Me podcast by Full-Time Travel.

Get your copy of Wanderess by Unearth Women on Penguin Random House.

Follow Esme on your favorite social media network!

Connect with Esme on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Esme Benjamin (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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Welcome to a special podswap episode of the Soul of Travel Podcast! Host Esme Benjamin of The Trip That Changed Me podcast interviewed our very own Christine Winebrenner Irick.

Christine is the entrepreneur behind the group travel company, Lotus Sojourns, and the host of The Soul of Travel podcast, which features guests making a positive impact on the tourism industry.

In this episode, Christine shares the story of her first big trip to Asia. Amid a period of rebirth, as her career and marriage were crumbling, Christine took inspiration from Alex Garland's book, The Beach, and set off for Thailand with one good friend and no solid plans. In Christine's own words, what unfolded was a perspective-shifting experience that would "reveal who she would become."

Fast forward to 2023, and Christine was recently named one of the most influential women in travel, an accolade that speaks to her work highlighting how sustainable tourism can support gender equality.

Available now on The Trip That Changed Me Podcast, and in our Soul of Travel feed on your favorite podcast app!

In the episode, Esme and Christine discuss:

• The powerful draw of travel and the possibilities it creates
• Stepping into Thailand for the first time… into an MTV Halloween party
• The transformational power of travel
• Traveling mindfully and responsibly

Join Christine and Esme now for this soulful conversation.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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Stay up-to-date on The Trip That Changed Me podcast by Full-Time Travel.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Esme Benjamin (Host). Christine Winebrenner Irick (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Full-Time Travel. Content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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In the final episode of Soul of Travel Season 4: Women Influencing Change, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Rebecca Braak, founder of Rebecca Adventure Travel and EcuaFina. 

Rebecca Adventure Travel’s mission is to create authentic and adventurous experiences for every world-minded traveler. Rebecca leads a multicultural team to create experiences designed to be as socially, economically, and ecologically responsible as possible, paying close attention to the local community's well-being and working with community-based tour operators, restaurants, and hotels.

In 2019, Rebecca opened a travel concept store, offering artisan handcrafted blankets, ponchos, and home decor exported directly from Ecuadorian indigenous weavers and makers.

Christine and Rebecca discuss:

• How a love of horseback riding led to a horse ranch into the Andes, a move across the world
• Creating horseback riding trips in Ecuador
• The evolution of Rebecca Adventure Travel
• Meaningful and community-based tourism in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru
• The road to following your passion and heart and leaning into the unknown

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Rebecca Braak.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

🌎​​​​​​​​

To learn more about Rebecca Adventure Travel, visit the website! Learn more about EcuaFina, and visit upcoming trip itineraries to Ecuador and the Galapagos and this nine-day trip to the Amazon specifically designed for women.

Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or find Rebecca Adventure Travel on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest!

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Rebecca Braak (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this special replay episode, we revisit Season 1: Travel Rising’s most popular episode! And in fact, it’s the very first episode of the Soul of Travel Podcast!

Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Gabriella Stowell, current Vice President of Regional Development at the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the largest global network of adventure travel leaders.

Gabi has always loved nature, from early in her childhood and studying ecology to her current endeavors in travel. Born in Brazil, Gabriella now lives in the U.S. She is known for her ability to motivate and unite teams in accomplishing a common goal, managing different stakeholder expectations, and bringing different people together to accomplish shared goals.

The ATTA is a privately held, for-profit industry trade group that serves to network, educate, professionalize and promote the adventure travel industry.  They find their success by serving its members and advancing responsible, sustainable adventure travel practices.

Christine and Gabi discuss:

• The importance of soaking in the culture of the places where we travel
• The power of choosing small, local properties and restaurants
• The future of travel
• Re-orienting the travel industry toward women
• Changing the face of the travel industry with intention and care

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Gabriella Stowell.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

🌎​​​​​​​​

Check out the Adventure Travel Trade Association.

Connect with Gabi on Instagram, Facebook,  or LinkedIn.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Gabriella Stowell (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this special replay episode, we revisit one of Season 2: Voices of Women’s most popular episodes! Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Nikki Padilla Rivera, Co-Founder of The Global Guide Alliance. After a career of guiding of her own in NYC, Nikki created and ran the Guide Program for Intrepid’s Urban Adventures, creating a community amongst 1500+ guides in 160+ cities around the world. She believes that travel should benefit a local place and that guides are in the perfect position to educate travelers on how to protect and appreciate their destinations.

Christine and Nikki discuss:

• How travel guides continue to be left out of the conversation of moving the travel industry forward
• How guides are the perfect people to educate travelers on connecting with and caring for destinations and communities
• Travel guides taking ownership of the travel experience
• Bringing the female perspective into guides and travel leadership

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Nikki Padilla Rivera.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

🌎​​​​​​​​

Guide Together - ShareTheLove

Check out the Global Guide Alliance and TripKinetics!

Visit Atlas Obscura to find trips designed by experienced travelers, including Nikki.

Connect with Nikki on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit The Global Guide Alliance on Instagram.

Listen to Christine’s Season 2 interview with Rosette Dekool & Hannah Bamwerinde of Adventures With Locals on the Soul of Travel Podcast.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Nikki Padilla Rivera (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

Support the show

Send us a text

In this special replay episode, we revisit one of the most popular episodes of Soul of Travel Season 3: Shaping Our Future.

Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Jessica Blotter, CEO and Co-Founder of Kind Traveler, the first socially conscious give + get hotel booking and media platform that empowers travelers to impact the communities they visit positively. Kind Traveler recently launched the Every Stay Gives Back Collection, a first-of-its-kind community impact program that features a collection of exceptional destinations, boutique gems, glamping experiences, and luxury resorts from around the world, where every guest stay with participating lodging and destination partners funds local charities that are important to the community.

Christine and Jessica discuss:

• Jessica’s trip to Belize
• The importance of making traveling sustainably easier for travelers
• Why sustainable travel should be the rule, not the exception
• The shift Jessica is seeing in the market toward more purposeful travel

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Jessica Blotter.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

🌎​​​​​​​​

Check out Kind Traveler on the web, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn!

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Listen to Soul of Travel Episode 106, Women Making an Impact with Emily Goldfischer.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Jessica Blotter (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

Support the show

Send us a text

In this special replay episode, we revisit one of the most popular episodes of Soul of Travel Season 4: Women Influencing Change.⁣

Christine shares the possibilities of redefining solo travel with Tess Millhollon, Founder and CEO of Her House and author of Sherbet Skies: A Woman’s Solo Journey to Find Adventure, Fun, and God.

Tess explains that her time solo traveling was the most confidence-building, healing time in her life, and that no job experience compared to the transformation she experienced while traveling.

Her House is an app that makes it easy for solo women travelers to connect with background-checked hosts so they have safe places to stay and save money while they travel. Tess believes solo women travelers need a way to easily connect with local women so they can find safe accommodation, support, and friendship while traveling alone.

Christine and Tess discuss:

∙ The magic of solo travel and redefining what it might look like
∙ Helping women heal and grow through travel and connection
∙ Traveling in times of transition
∙ The benefits of hosting travelers and getting to know your own backyard
∙ Increasing women’s opportunities for life-changing travel experiences
∙ The link between solo travel and entrepreneurship

Join Christine for this soulful conversation with Tess Millhollon.

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

🌎​​​​​​​​

Check out HerHouse!

Join the Her House Facebook Group for solo women travelers.

Hop on the HerHouse newsletter and waitlist.

Looking for ways to be a part of the community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast

To read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode150-tess-millhollon.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Tess Millhollon (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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In this solo introduction to Season Five of The Soul of Travel Podcast, Christine shares the privilege it’s been to sit across from so many incredible, beautiful people, to learn from them, and to witness how the ways in which they work weave into the tapestry that truly is the soul of travel.

Christine shares:

• The history and future of the Soul of Travel Podcast
• Soul of Travel’s reach around the world
• Soul of Travel joins the JourneyWoman family
• Our Amplification Allies: Women’s Work, The Travel Coach Network, and Women Travel Leaders
• How to Support the Show

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with you, our Soul of Travel listeners. 

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the latest episodes! We rely on listener support to produce our podcast. Make a difference by making a donation to The Soul of Travel on PayPal.  

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @she.sojourns, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this first episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Melissa DaSilva, President, TTC Tour Brands North America, The Travel Corporation.

Melissa DaSilva is the president of the TTC Tour Brands North America and has an industry career spanning over 30 years. Travel is both a personal passion and a professional pursuit. An avid and lifelong traveler Melissa has been to more than fifty countries and has lived in both the US and the UK. Her contagious enthusiasm comes from a deeply held belief she shares with The Travel Corporation; travel helps broaden perspectives through the connectivity of shared experiences of adventure, exploration, learning and laughter showing how we are all more alike than different.

Christine and Melissa discuss:

• Inherent Passion and Impactful Purpose, and how these areas of focus create a foundation for travel with a positive impact
• Challenges some businesses may face quantifying and measuring impact and TTC's Sustainability Strategy
• Different ways to put sustainable strategy into action
• Using your seat at the table to create the most impact possible

Thank you to TTC Tour Brands and The Travel Corporation for joining us as our first founding sponsors and helping Soul of Travel Podcast to tell the stories of women creating a positive impact in travel!

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Melissa DaSilva.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the latest episodes! We rely on listener support to produce our podcast. Make a difference by making a donation to The Soul of Travel on PayPal.  

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @she.sojourns, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Melissa DaSilva (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

Support the show

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Dawn Booker, Founder of Pack Light Global.

Dawn Booker founded Pack Light Global with the mission to inspire women to travel the world fearlessly and joyfully. Grounded in reverence for sustainable and equitable travel, Booker facilitates shared experiences and creates life-long memories with the women who choose her thoughtfully curated cultural adventures.

With an emphasis on Black women over 40 who are often overlooked by the travel industry, Booker caters to a niche group of women who prefer experiences over things and privilege meaningful connections between travelers and local cultures. Her bespoke travel itineraries have taken women to Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, and Tanzania. Her customers and their circumstances are as diverse as the locales Dawn selects: they are at a career crossroads, recently retired, empty nesters, child-free, recently divorced, happily married, blissfully single, life changers, or work-life balancers, all labels that Dawn strongly encourages her clients to leave at home. 

Christine and Dawn discuss:

· How knowing leads to confidence
· What “Packing Light” truly means
· How travel can help us get to know ourselves beyond the labels we create–and those created for us
· Travel marketing and the gap that exists when Black women are not included in the marketing and storytelling of travel
· Travel values and their importance in helping us guide and shape our experiences

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Dawn Booker.

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Visit Pack Light Global for more information.

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Dawn Booker (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

Support the show

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by JourneyWoman, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Jo Swann, Co-Founder and Director of Adventures in Borneo by Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures. Jo is a dynamic and multi-talented individual who has made significant contributions to the fields of adventure travel and personal development. Alongside her husband, she is the co-founder of "Adventures In Borneo," an esteemed adventure travel company based in Malaysia.

Christine and Jo discuss:

· Jo’s early connection to animal welfare, conservation, and travel

· The connective and immersive qualities of diving

· How Adventures in Borneo supports the local community

· The transformational power of travel highlighted in Adventures in Borneo’s Journey of Self Discovery itinerary

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Jo Swann.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! Rate and review your favorite episodes on your preferred podcast app.

🌎​​​​​​​​

Visit insightvacations.com/soul to experience conscious and sustainable travel with Insight Vacations. Each tour includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®️ Experience, which will teach you about your destination while also having a positive social or environmental impact on the local community.

Visit the Downbelow Website for more information!

Connect with Jo on LinkedIn. 

Learn more about Adventures in Borneo on your favorite social media network! Facebook / YouTube / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter.

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Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Jo Swann (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by JourneyWoman, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with author and visual storyteller Lola Akinmade, founder of Geotraveler Media Academy. Lola is an award-winning visual storyteller, international bestselling author, and travel entrepreneur based in Stockholm, Sweden. She is the editor-in-chief for Slow Travel Stockholm and has written for National Geographic Traveler, BBC, and CNN, among others. She has been named a 2022 Hasselblad Heroine and received the 2018 Travel Photographer of the Year Bill Muster Award. In addition to contributing to several travel books, Lola authored Due North, LAGOM: Swedish Secret of Living Well, In Every Mirror She’s Black, and Everything is Not Enough.

Christine and Lola discuss:

• Creating balance in our lives as mothers and travel professionals
• Our shared value of connection and how our travel values show up in our photography, travel, and life
• The question: Who Gets to Share the Story of a Place?
• An update from Lola about Local Purse, first featured in Soul of Travel Podcast Episode 26

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Lola Akinmade.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Visit https://akinmade.com/ and Geotraveler Media Academy. Connect with Lola on your favorite social media network. Instagram / Instagram / LinkedIn / Twitter

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Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman. Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Lola Akinmade (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Fernanda Villacis, Managing Partner at Neotropic Expeditions in Ecuador.

Being born and raised in Ecuador, one of the most biodiverse places on earth, has shaped Fernanda’s love for exploring and her deep appreciation for the natural world. She is an adventurer at heart that truly believes travel has the power to transcend boundaries and create positive impact within local communities and globally. 

Fueled by passion for creating cooperative and strong connections and inspired by the curious minds of her two kids, Fernanda has made it her mission to create meaningful, sustainable, and authentic adventures that cater to the needs of families, adventure seekers and fellow women by listening and understanding their values and motivations.

Christine and Fernanda discuss:

· The transformational power of travel

· Intentionally creating meaningful and sustainable experiences

· Encouraging travelers to dig deeper

· Understanding our travel values and goals

· Women-only journeys focused on nature in Ecuador

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Fernanda Villacis.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

🌎​​​​​​​​

Visit Neotropic Expeditions to book your next tour in Ecuador. 

Visit Fernanda on your favorite social media network: Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn.

🌎​​​​​​​​

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Fernanda Villacis (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, content writing by

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Akvile Marozaite, Founder and CEO of Expedition Cruise Network.

Born in Lithuania, Akvile moved to the UK in 2007 to pursue her career in travel. In 2011, she joined a luxury cruise brand where she discovered a passion for expedition cruising. Having traveled to some of the remotest corners of the world and worked in various roles in the sector, in 2023, Akvile co-founded Expedition Cruise Network, a B2B organization that connects expedition cruising brands to the travel trade community to promote and grow the sector.

Christine and Akvile discuss:

· Their shared love for expedition cruising

· The deeper connections forged through the intimate nature of expedition cruising

· Nature-based community travel

· Expedition cruising for solo travelers

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Akvile Marozaite.

🌎​​​​​​​​

To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

🌎​​​​​​​​

Visit expeditioncruisenetwork.com to connect and link to tour operators to find your next expedition cruise. For expedition cruise operators, join the network!

Connect with Akvile on your favorite social media network: Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn.

🌎​​​​​​​​

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Akvile Marozaite (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Sherry Ott, Founder of Ottsworld.com.

Sherry is a pioneer in the world of new media, writing about her travel lifestyle and adventures around the world on Ottsworld.com since 2006. In her 11 years of living nomadically, she’s circled the globe multiple times, visiting all seven continents and providing continuous blog coverage. She primarily writes about outdoor adventure travel for women with the goal of inspiring and teaching women how to get outdoors and travel. She is also biking from Capital to Capital in the United States, finishing a project her father started on foot in 1984. Named an “Influencer to follow” on OprahMag.com, she continues to seek out epic adventures to intriguing places, inspiring people to overcome their fears and reap the benefits of travel.

Christine and Sherry discuss:

· Thinking and living outside the box and how creative thinking leads to opportunities and magical journeys
· Following in Sherry’s father’s footsteps through a cross-country bike tour
· Connecting with rural communities and learning about local history

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Sherry Ott.

Read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode on the Soul of Travel Website. Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal. Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts.

Learn about Sherry’s Capitol-to-Capitol quest and watch her video DocuSeries on Ottsworld.com. Follow Sherry on your favorite social media network: Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn / YouTube / Pinterest / Twitter/X 

Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman. Learn more about the upcoming Lotus Book Sojourn! Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Sherry

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Tara Busch, creator of the Conscious Travel Collective.

Tara was raised in California, the only child to a fearless single mother who gave her lots of rope to explore in her backyard on her own. Tara started Conscious Travel Collective with a mission of doing right by the destination and giving travelers an authentic experience, and when she looked closely, what she was really doing was crafting opportunities for connection. She decided to create trips that take travelers to amazing places around the world and introduce them to the incredible people who embody the spirit of their home while facilitating opportunities for them to share their home and heritage with travelers in a way that honors its traditions and positively impacts the communities, the travelers, and the planet.

Christine and Tara discuss:

· Tara’s earliest travel experiences and hopping on a plane by herself at the age of six
· Crossing the Atlantic and becoming a part of what has become her extended family in France
· Deep connection and traveling in a way that aligns with travel values
· Creating companies aligned with the value of connection

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Tara Busch.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

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Visit Conscious Travel Collective to discover private travel experiences for small groups seeking meaningful connection. Connect with Tara on your favorite social media network: Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn.

Visit insightvacations.com/soul to book your next meaningful vacation.

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Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman. Follow on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns, @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Tara Busch (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with bestselling travel author Nikki Vargas.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Nikki Vargas is the author of the newly-released bestselling CALL YOU WHEN I LAND (HarperCollins 2023), named one of the best women's memoirs of 2023 by Glamour Magazine, selected as a Staff Pick by Apple Books, and a recommended read by Good Morning America, Forbes, Shondaland, Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, and more. Nikki is also the co-author of WANDERESS (Penguin Random House, 2022), a women's travel guide in stores now.

Nikki is a Senior Editor for Fodor's Travel. She is also the Founder of Unearth Women, a women's travel publication set on championing women's stories and spotlighting women-owned businesses.

Christine and Nikki discuss:

· Nikki’s new book, Call You When I Land
· Navigating challenges when you find yourself out of alignment
· How to change direction to head toward the right path

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Nikki Vargas.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

Support the podcast on PayPal. Click here to subscribe! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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Visit Nikki’s website to stay tuned at https://www.nikkivargas.com.

Get your copy of Nikki’s newest book, Call You When I Land, and check out her upcoming book engagements.

Visit Nikki on your favorite social media network: Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter. Follow Call You When I Land on Instagram and Twitter.

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Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.  Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Nikki Vargas (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Samantha Smits.

Samantha is a Sustainable Tourism Consultant with a passion for travel and a commitment to making a positive impact. She has dedicated her entrepreneurial journey to helping tour operators and travel agencies embrace sustainability. Samantha empowers them to integrate sustainable practices into their operations through hands-on project assistance, strategic coaching, personalized training, certification coaching, and more. With a background in tourism management, society, and environment studies and experience in the field, Samantha brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and real-world solutions. She loves diving into local contexts to expand her horizons and learn daily. Samantha offers her own Thrive Track course, helping tour operators, travel agents, and agencies jumpstart their 2024 sustainability goals. Samantha is an active Travellife coach within the African continent.

Christine and Samantha discuss:

· Following the curiosity to learn more about the world at a young age
· The impact of graduating and beginning a career during the global pandemic
· Acknowledging the mistakes of our past to travel and live more sustainably
· The responsibility of individuals, as well as travel agents, tourism boards, and travel operators, to adopt more sustainable practices

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Samantha Smits.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  Subscribe, rate, and review!

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Visit SmitsSusTourConsultancy.com to learn more, and check out Samantha’s Thrive course. 

Connect with Samantha on your favorite social media network: Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn / LinkedIn.

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Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman. IG: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns, @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Samantha Smits (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Dr. Morgan Brosnihan.

Dr. Morgan Brosnihan is a physical therapist, thru-hiker, and van dweller dedicated to combining her passions to bring quality injury care to long-distance hikers. She has a sidekick with four legs named Honey and has helped over 1,200 hikers continue on their journeys to hike from Mexico to Canada with her unique business model. 

Morgan’s hiker training series provides 20 home workouts with education about injury prevention and backpacking tips.

Christine and Morgan discuss:

· From helping hikers on the PCT to a mobile rehab business

· Van life and its challenges and benefits

· Long-distance hiking

· Creating a business aligned with the life we want to lead

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Morgan Brosnihan.

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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 

LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.

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Visit Blaze Physio to learn more about Morgan’s mobile physical therapy.

Purchase Morgan’s proven Pre-Hike Training System or PCT E-Book!

Connect with Morgan on your favorite social media network! Instagram / Facebook

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Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Morgan Brosnihan (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

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