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Send us Fan Mail Cindee Brown-Mills, Founder of Breathe Alaska, joins Christine as the Soulful Trailblazer honoree for this week’s soulful conversation, produced in collaboration with ​Strictly Jane Austen Tours​. We continue our special Soul of Travel series celebrating three extraordinary women who are being recognized as Soulful Trailblazers—women who are creating positive change through travel while opening doors and creating opportunities for others. We are excited to share that we are partnering with friend and colleague Becki Rupp, Founder of Trailblazer Wellness, to honor these trailblazers. Cindee Brown-Mills is the founder of Breathe Alaska, where she creates experiences designed to help people slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience Alaska in a more meaningful way. A breathwork facilitator, nervous system educator, guide, and longtime Alaskan, Cindee’s work sits at the intersection of personal wellbeing, nature, and intentional travel. After more than 20 years working in corporate, government, and nonprofit finance, Cindee stepped away from a career that no longer felt aligned and began building a life and business centered around connection, presence, and the things that make her feel most alive. Through Breathe Alaska, she works with individuals, groups, and workplaces through breathwork and nervous system education, while also creating intimate Alaska experiences that invite guests to move more slowly and connect with the land, local food, community, Alaskan culture, and themselves. Cindee has called Juneau, Alaska home since 1998 and believes some of the most meaningful travel experiences happen when we stop trying to see everything and give ourselves permission to truly be where we are. Whether she is guiding someone through the forests of Southeast Alaska, sharing a meal around a table, or helping someone reconnect with their breath, her work is rooted in creating space for people to pause, notice, and leave a little more connected than when they arrived. In this conversation, Cindee and Christine discuss: · The importance of slowing down, listening, being present in our lives and in our travel experiences · The simplicity and importance of breath in our lives and how it can transform our experiences and help us to heal and feel more connected to self and others · Cindee’s experience being welcomed into Native Alaskan culture and the value that has added to her life · Sharing experiences with travelers to help them to connect more deeply to land and culture in Alaska Each of our Soulful Trailblazers series honorees is charting their own path, championing the people and communities around her, and helping us imagine what a more thoughtful and inclusive travel industry can look like. In these conversations, we’ll explore what it means to be a trailblazer, the moments that shaped their journeys, and the ripple effect their work is creating. Most of all, we hope their stories inspire you to recognize the trailblazers in your own circle—and consider how you can help make the path a little wider for those who follow. Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Cindee Brown-Mills. With special thanks to our season sponsor, Strictly Jane Austen Tours! LOVE these soulful conversations? Make a difference by making a donation on ​Buy Me a Coffee.​​ ❤️​​​​​​​​ Learn more about Breathe Alaska here, including retreats, private tours, breathwork, and nervous system education designed to help people slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience both travel and everyday life more intentionally. Connect with Cindee: ​Instagram​ / ​Facebook​ / ​LinkedIn​ Find out more about Alaska Forest & Feast, a small group experience Cindee created through Breathe Alaska that blends nature, local food, mindfulness, and connection to place in Southeast Alaska.  🌎​​​​​​​​ 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 Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app to help us expand our reach. 🌎​​​​​​​​ Follow us on Instagram: ​@she.sojourns​ and ​@souloftravelpodcast​.  Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator). Cindee Brown-Mills (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by ​Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Grace Philipp is the founder and CEO of Discover Queer Travel, which designs bespoke travel experiences around the unique needs of queer women, trans, non-binary and non-cis travelers. Grace's path to Discover Queer Travel winds through a travel agency in Seville, public health and economic development work across Colombia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, India, and her hometown of NYC, and a decade building social responsibility initiatives across NYC government and corporate America. Wherever she travels, she looks for the same thing: queer spaces where community thrives. Discover Queer Travel aims to turn tourism dollars into economic power for LGBTQ+ organizers and businesses that make destinations welcoming. ​Learn more about the Soulful Trailblazer series in partnership with Becki Rupp of Trailblazer Wellness! In this conversation, Grace and Christine discuss: · The gap in the travel industry for serving queer travelers · The need for education and advocacy, with the need for resources for inclusive spaces where queer travelers feel seen, safe, and welcome · Going beyond surface level gestures of inclusivity toward deeper conversations and setting aside fears of 'getting it wrong' along the way in order to push progress forward Each of our Soulful Trailblazers series honorees is charting their own path, championing the people and communities around her, and helping us imagine what a more thoughtful and inclusive travel industry can look like. In these conversations, we’ll explore what it means to be a trailblazer, the moments that shaped their journeys, and the ripple effect their work is creating. Most of all, we hope their stories inspire you to recognize the trailblazers in your own circle—and consider how you can help make the path a little wider for those who follow. Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Grace Philipp. LOVE these soulful conversations? Make a difference by making a donation on ​Buy Me a Coffee.​​ ❤️​​​​​​​​ 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 Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app to help us expand our reach. 🌎​​​​​​​​ Learn more about ​Discover Queer Travel here.​ Connect with Grace: ​Instagram​ / ​Facebook​ / ​LinkedIn​ Special thanks to ​Strictly Jane Austen Tours​ for your partnership in the production of Season 7 of Soul of Travel Podcast! 🌎​​​​​​​​ Follow us on Instagram: ​@she.sojourns​ and ​@souloftravelpodcast​.  Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator). Grace Philipp (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by ​Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail This week, we introduce special Soul of Travel series celebrating three extraordinary women who are being recognized as Soulful Trailblazers—women who are creating positive change through travel while opening doors and creating opportunities for others. We are excited to share that we are partnering with friend and colleague Becki Rupp, Founder of Trailblazer Wellness, to honor these trailblazers. Becki is a certified Personal Trainer and Adventure Travel Coach whose vision is to empower more people to pursue their travel dreams by helping them gain the strength, stamina and confidence to make the most of their adventures and life. She supports her clients through a transformation, from being uncertain about their upcoming adventure to being physically prepared and confident. Over the past 6 years, she has worked with more than 100 clients who have completed multi-day hikes and cycling trips in 27 countries.  Becki has summited Kilimanjaro, hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and completed the Portuguese Camino from Porto to Santiago, among many other multi-day hikes and cycling trips. Each of our series guests is charting their own path, championing the people and communities around her, and helping us imagine what a more thoughtful and inclusive travel industry can look like. In these conversations, we’ll explore what it means to be a trailblazer, the moments that shaped their journeys, and the ripple effect their work is creating. Most of all, we hope their stories inspire you to recognize the trailblazers in your own circle—and consider how you can help make the path a little wider for those who follow. We’re thrilled to share these Soulful Trailblazer nominees so YOU can be inspired and WE can create a ripple effect across the travel community! Angela Rice | Boutique Travel Advisors Ashley Blake | Traverse Journeys Baylee Waterman Shapiro | Boutique Travel Advisors Cindee Brown-Mills | Breathe Alaska Elizabeth Harrington | Vital Ventures Grace Philipp | Discover Queer Hayley Cooper | Wild Dreams Hospitality Janet Semenova | Boutique Travel Advisors   Karolina Guilcapi | Sated Ventures In this conversation, Becky and Christine discuss: · How their paths have crossed and the ways they have worked together · The spark for this recognition and why we think it is important right now ·How the Soulful Trailblazers recognition expands the work and impact of the Soul of Travel Podcast Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Becki Rupp. Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or listen from souloftravelpodcast.com. LOVE these soulful conversations? Make a difference by making a donation on ​Buy Me a Coffee.​​ ❤️​​​​​​​​ 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 Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app to help us expand our reach. 🌎​​​​​​​​ Follow us on Instagram: ​@she.sojourns​ and ​@souloftravelpodcast​.  Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator). Becki Rupp (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by ​Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Thushni de Silva, Director at Magical Isle Holidays, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Thushni de Silva is a Sri Lankan travel professional with a deep appreciation for culture, heritage, and meaningful connections. With a passion for crafting authentic travel experiences, she is dedicated to showcasing the beauty, diversity, and stories that make Sri Lanka so special. Known for her thoughtful approach and genuine enthusiasm for people and places, Thushni believes that travel is not simply about visiting destinations, but about creating lasting memories and fostering a deeper understanding of the world around us. Through her work, she continues to inspire travellers to experience Sri Lanka with curiosity, respect, and wonder. In this episode, Thushni and Christine discuss: · The power that travel has as a force for good and balancing positive and negative impact  · The importance of visibility and creating pathways for women in tourism in Sri Lanka, including the Female Guide Training Program offered by Women in Travel Collective · Building a community in which women support women and creating generational pathways  Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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 Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Learn more about Magical Isle Holidays at https://magicalisleholidays.com/. Learn more about Women in Travel Collective at https://www.womenintravelcollective.org/. Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Thushni de Silva (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Alessandra Alonso, Founder of Women in Travel CIC and the IWTTF (International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum), joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Alessandra 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. Alessandra is a keynote speaker and regular contributor to travel publications. She was awarded the JourneyWoman Award in 2021 for her lifetime dedication to gender empowerment.  Alessandra has been named one of 9 women transforming travel by the Matador Network; one of 50 ‘most important women in travel’ by Wonderlust Travel and recently completed the Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida. In this episode, Alessandra and Christine discuss: · How the Women in Travel, CIC Tour Guide Academy centers women's voices and narratives as a pathway to economic empowerment · Expanding the ripple effect beyond our own lives and shifting how we perceive who is the expert and whose stories are worth being told as a part of history · The importance of allyship in creating big, lasting changes in the industry Join us Wednesday for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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 WebsiteLOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Learn more about Alessandra and Women in Travel at https://www.womenintravelcic.com Learn more about Alessandra and Women in Travel at https://www.womenintravelcic.com Follow Alessandra Alonso on your favorite social platform: Instagram @women in travel _cicFacebook Women In Travel CICTwitter @WTMwomenLinkedIn Women In Travel CIC GroupSpecial thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Soul of Travel, we are thrilled to share the inspiring wmnsWORK 2025 Cohort 7 Demo Day presentations. wmnsWORK helps women and non-binary folks build thriving tourism businesses through education, mentorship and community. The goal of wmnsWORK is to flatten the learning curve when it comes to industry knowledge and entrepreneurship, helping you reach your goals faster and with more fun through 12 weeks of expert-led workshops, mentorship, and community. Demo Day is your chance to learn more about what these inspiring wmnsWORK Cohort 7 grads have been up to. They've worked so hard to refine their pitches and business offerings, and are excited to share them with the tourism industry at large. Through each company's 5-minute pitch, you'll get a glimpse of their passion and dedication as they unveil their unique ventures to fellow members of the tourism industry, and learn how YOU can support them. From tour operators to travel designers, it's a diverse lineup that captures the essence of the evolving tourism landscape. We encourage you to connect and collaborate with these fabulous wmn+! Featuring: Pooja Akula | Ibtida Homes Giuditta Pileri | numenvia Lisa Bisceglia | Surf For Life Dr. LaDonna Sanders Nkosi | Ubuntu Global Collective, LLC Diana Oglivie  | Urban Sass Travels - http://urbansass.io/ Grace Philipp | Discover Queer Sara Champagne | Avia Collective  Iman Childs | Booked by Iman LaKeshia Banks | Revive and Roam Travel Maya Strasser | Delicious Discoveries Join us for this special soulful presentation from the graduates of WmnsWork Cohort 7. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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 Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit https://wmnswork.com/ to learn more about the Tourism Business Accelerator program and support their efforts to support women and non-binary early-stage entrepreneurs. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @she.sojourns 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 Fan Mail Sheridan Samano, founder of Reefs to Rockies & Her Wild Life Expeditions, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Sheridan Samano is a wildlife enthusiast, guide, and co-founder of Reefs to Rockies. Her passion for animals began as a child, flipping through National Geographic magazines, and has only grown since then. Sheridan holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science and a master’s in biology. Her guiding journey began when she launched a study abroad program focused on sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica. In the field, Sheridan’s ability to spot a break in the pattern and quickly adapt leads to plenty of “wows” from the guests in her groups. When she’s not traveling, you’ll find her along a trail in Colorado with her family, searching for something feathered or furred, or enjoying a local craft beer after a day in the field. Her favorite animal? The cheetah. In this episode, Sheridan and Christine discuss: · The connection between tourism and conservation and how our understanding of that connection evolves · How following a passion for creating more opportunities for women, nature, and birding guides has the potential to shift systems that perpetuate gender disparities · How tourism leaders can show up, set examples, be mentors, and open doors for more women to participate in tourism and conservation Join us Wednesday for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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 Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit https://reefstorockies.com/ to learn more about experiencing wild places in a way that feels meaningful, seamless, and deeply connected to the natural world.  Visit https://herwildlifeexpeditions.com/ to explore immersive, expert-led adventures – designed by women. Connect with Sheridan Samano: Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook /  Instagram / Facebook Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Sheridan Samano (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Theresa McDermott, founder and CEO of ECT Travel, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Theresa is the founder and CEO of ECT Travel, a company based in Bath with worldwide operations, and the founder of Strictly Jane Austen Tours. She is a seasoned travel professional with over 40 years’ experience, starting with facilitating seamless group travel for over 25,000 customers traveling from the UK and Germany into destinations across Europe and culminating with today’s specialist, bespoke packages for customers from all parts of the globe. Active in her local community as well as regionally and nationally, Theresa is a former President of Bath Chamber of Commerce, Director of Future Bath Plus, Business West and UK Inbound. Theresa is currently a director of the regional tourism organisation, VisitWest, and Chair of the Bath Advisory Group. She also curates an annual series of “Phenomenal Women” lectures at YTL’s Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel and is responsible for marketing the iconic and award-winning Thermae Bath Spa. Strictly Jane Austen Tours was created in 2015 to provide in-depth immersive experiences for fans of Jane Austen, including Cosplay, film locations, and bespoke multi-day tours customized for guests. We are so grateful for Theresa and Strictly Jane Austen Tours for their collaboration in producing our Trailblazer Series! In this episode, Theresa and Christine discuss: · The impact that the Soul of Travel Podcast space has on creating a platform for women’s conversations in travel and tourism · What makes travel meaningful for ourselves and others · The privilege it is to design experiences that have an impact on the lives of others · Jane Austen’s trailblazing story Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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 Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit https://www.ecttravel.com to learn more and turn your travel dreams into reality.  Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Theresa McDermott (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Beth Santos & Nikki Padilla Rivera, Co-Owners of She Shapes History, join Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as guests in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Beth is a changemaker shaping the future of the travel industry, recognized by Business Insider, Conde Nast Traveller, and Travel Pulse, and was named Godmother of the Azamara Onward cruise ship. She is the author of solo travel guide and manifesto Wander Woman and works to amplify underrepresented voices in travel while challenging each of us to do better in her work as a keynote speaker, an industry consultant, and a startup and small business coach. At home, she is a co-owner of Ula Cafe, an inspired cafe and community hub in the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, where she lives with her husband and children. Nikki has worked across the tourism industry worldwide, from operations and tour design to marketing and business development. She is co-owner and guide of She Shapes History NYC, celebrating the hidden history of women who built the city. By day, she leads brand and content strategy at WalksDevour while mentoring independent guides and creators through workshops and female-focused communities like Wanderful and wmnsWORK. She believes all tours can be better, and actively works to ensure she's less frequently the only woman at the table for larger industry conversations. In this episode, Beth, Nikki, and Christine discuss: ·  Uncovering the stories of women left out of documented history and challenging perceptions of credible sources ·  The ways in which women were made invisible in the guiding, travel and tourism industries · The impact of women telling the stories of people and places to both travelers and locals who want a broader understanding of their home Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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 Soul of Travel Podcast. JOIN the Soul of Travel Podcast Email Community! 🌎​​​​​​​​ LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit She Shapes History NYC to learn more and book your tour of New York’s hidden history of women – stories you never knew you were missing. Use the Code Soul10 for a special listener discount for your next Badass Women of NY Tour! Connect with Beth & Nikki on your favorite social media network! Instagram / LinkedIn Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Beth Santos & Nikki Padilla Rivera (Guests). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Nadah Feteih, Founder and CEO of Ma’wa Collective, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Nadah Feteih is a runner, hiker, and mountaineer who grew up with a deep love for the outdoors. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder and has guided dozens of group hiking trips across the U.S. and internationally. After summiting Kilimanjaro, she founded Ma'wa Collective to make the outdoors more accessible to women in her community. Under her leadership and alongside her fantastic team, Ma'wa has grown into the largest adventure travel community for Muslim women, connecting thousands online and on the trails. Nadah's background as a Software Engineer at Google and Meta enables her to solve problems at scale and build systems that support growth. In her free time, she continues to push her limits through endurance races and high-altitude summits. She's always looking for new ways to combine her faith with her passion for exploring the beauty of Allah SWTs creation. In this episode, Nadah and Christine discuss: · Building cross-cultural understanding through adventure travel · Resume virtues versus eulogy virtues — and how a non-linear path in life can be a source of power · The barriers Muslim women face accessing outdoor spaces, from modest performance gear to representation in the industry · What authentic inclusion in travel looks like Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: https://www.souloftravelpodcast.com/season-7/episode-256-nadah-feteih. Our Trailblazer Series Needs You! We hope that you will share about a woman who inspires you and who is working to amplify the voices of women, champion local communities and working to create positive change in the world. Submit your nomination here: Soulful Trailblazer Campaign! LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit Ma’wa Collective to learn more and support Muslim women in a unique adventure community rooted in faith, exploration, and self-discovery. Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Nadah Feteih (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Irstel Jansen, Founder of the Women in Travel Collective, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Irstel is a social entrepreneur and a consultant in human rights in the tourism sector in Sri Lanka and collaborates with international and non governmental organizations, the private sector and public sector institutions on human rights policies, including child protection & child trafficking, gender equality and diversity and social cohesion through peace building initiatives.  Irstel is the founder of the Women In Travel Collective, a supportive community that advocates for gender equity in tourism while creating tangible opportunities for women across the industry in Sri Lanka. She has over 20 years of working experience in the field of international development, international human rights and sustainable tourism. She is a public speaker on women empowerment & gender equality in the tourism sector in Sri Lanka and is an associate of Equality in Tourism, a non-profit organisation based in the UK transforming the lives of women by advocating for gender equality across the global tourism industry. In this episode, Irstel and Christine discuss: · The barriers facing women in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, where less than 10% of the formal workforce is comprised of women · Child protection and trafficking in tourism, breaking industry taboos, and working at every level to enact change · Community-based tourism and experiential travel · The future of tourism in Sri Lanka and why women’s leadership, responsible development, and human connection are essential Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: https://www.souloftravelpodcast.com/season-7/episode-255-irstel-jansen. LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit The Women in Travel Collective to learn more about empowering women in the travel and hospitality industries.  Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Irstel Jansen (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Sophie Llenos, Land advocate and Board Secretary of the Porter Voice Collective, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as the first guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Sophie is a settler guest on Anishinaabe Aki, originally from Toledo, Ohio, and currently based near Waawiyatanong (Detroit), Michigan. Growing up accompanying her civil engineer father to construction sites and camping in Hocking Hills, she developed an early interest in how humans shape and are shaped by the Land. An avid hiker and wife, Sophie’s personal and professional life are grounded in a love of Land and community. Sophie is a PhD candidate in Earth and Environmental Science at Michigan State University, collaboratively researching ethical engagement in Land-based industries. She holds a B.S. in Geology with a minor in Anthropology and has worked across museums, parks, nonprofits, and higher education. She serves in leadership roles with the Buckeye Trail Association and the Porter Voice Collective and has contributed to international applied research through the American Geophysical Union’s Thriving Earth Exchange. Sophie’s graduate certificates include Adult Learning, Indigenous Studies, Museum Studies, and Nonprofit Leadership, and is committed to fostering ethical, community-centered approaches to Land stewardship and ensuring future generations have access to and care for the natural world, of which we are all a part. In this episode, Sophie and Christine discuss: · Expanding gender equity in the outdoors and creating systemic change in tourism · The concept of rematriation and how a single word reframes indigenous women's power and relational responsibilities · The Porter Voice Collective's mission and the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders initiative in Nepal · Intergenerational thinking as a source of hope for the future of equitable outdoor leadership Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: https://www.souloftravelpodcast.com/season-7/episode-254-sophie-llenos. LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit The Porter Collective to learn more and support workforce equity in mountain tourism. Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Sophie Llenos (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this solo episode of Soul of Travel, Season 7: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, Christine offers a soulful launch, celebrating 6 years of Soul of Travel Podcast and the kick off of Season 7 with our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. I am so excited to bring you this season and I hope that we can continue to be a space for connection, growth, and belonging. And do it in a way that allows for us to show up as our most human selves while navigating a complex and beautiful world, together. ~ Christine Winebrenner Irick 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: https://www.souloftravelpodcast.com/season-7/episode-253-season-7-launch-christine LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/souloftravelpodcast. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, 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. 🌎​​​​​​​​ As part of our Trailblazer series, we hope that you will share about a woman who inspires you and who is working to amplify the voices of women, champion local communities and working to create positive change in the world. Submit your Trailblazer recognition in audio, video, or written form here: Soulful Trailblazer Campaign!  🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @journeywoman_original, @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 Fan Mail In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, Christine hosts a soulful celebration of Season 6 and 250+ episodes of the Soul of Travel Podcast. Christine shares: · Celebrations for the nearly 50,000 downloads and 250+ episodes of the Soul of Travel Podcast · Upcoming Soul of Travel projects, including quarterly meetups! · Soul of Travel Podcast Merch & CommuniTees · The importance of rest and the podcast’s upcoming brief hiatus · Ways to support the Soul of Travel podcast production going forward, including sponsorship and partnership opportunities Join Christine for this soulful celebration. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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 Buy Me a Coffee! 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. 🌎​​​​​​​​ Special Thanks to Our Guests! Amanda & Asnath Kessy, Founders | Still Waters Safaris Becki Rupp, Adventure Coach, Founder | Trailblazer Wellness Carly Oduardo, Content Marketing Consultant | ConVerGente.io Hilary Matson, MBA, Founder | Yugen Earthside Mary Ellen Mansfield, Small Business and Nonprofit Accountant | Natural Accountant LLC Siham Lahmine, Luxury Culinary & Heritage Specialist, Founder | Morocco Travel Organizer Suzanne Rommelfanger, Tourism & Sustainable & Adventure Travel Leader  Vincie Ho, Social Change Leader, Founder and Executive Director | RISE Travel Institute 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @souloftravelpodcast and  @lotussojourns. 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 Fan Mail In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Kate Williams. Kate Williams is CEO of 1% for the Planet, a global movement that inspires action and commitment so that our planet and future generations thrive. In more than a decade of leadership at the organization, Kate has scaled 1% for the Planet’s network to span 110 countries and 65 industries, driving more than $800 million in certified giving to vetted environmental solutions. A sought-after public speaker and recognized environmental leader, Kate was honored as a 2025 MO 100 Top Impact CEO, named among the 2025 Top Keynote Speakers by the Real Leaders Impact Awards, and received the 2024 New Era of Leadership Award from Chief. Kate earned her BA from Princeton University and her MS from the MIT Sloan School of Management. A dedicated connector and changemaker, she has served on a variety of nonprofit and advisory boards throughout her career. Outside of work, she’s a mom to two grown children and an avid trail runner, living in Vermont with her husband of 30 years and their dog, Maeve. Christine and Kate discuss: · Kate’s journey from outdoor leadership to environmental impact leadership · Adaptive leadership, vulnerability, and authenticity · The shift from charity to responsibility in business with community-based impact and localized support · Work-life balance and resilience in leadership Join Christine for this soulful conversation with Kate Williams. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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? Support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee. 🌎​​​​​​​​ Learn more at onepercentfortheplanet.org. Connect with Kate and the 1% for the Planet team on social media! / Instagram / Facebook / Kate’s LinkedIn  Now through the end of the year, 1% for the Planet is on a mission to unlock $1 million in support for their organization through their annual Challenge Grant. Support here: https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/donate?form=donate. 🌎​​​​​​​​ 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: @souloftravelpodcast and  @lotussojourns. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Kate Williams (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show