Send us a text

In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Amanda Kendle, host of the Thoughtful Travel Podcast.

Amanda’s motto is: Why just have one career when I can do everything I love all at once? In March 2016, Amanda launched The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, one of the most downloaded travel podcasts in Australia. She speaks with fellow travel-lovers about many of the wonderful ways travel has changed their lives, but also about how we can make sure that travel is a force for good for others, too. As a passionate advocate for thoughtful travel, Amanda tries to stay immersed in this space, and this has led to her role as the Vice President of the board of the RISE Travel Institute. Amanda also offers social media and blogging training and speaking engagements, where she facilitates workshops, training sessions, and keynote addresses on online presence, digital marketing, and responsible tourism.

Christine and Amanda discuss:

· Amanda’s podcast, The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
· Amanda’s travel blog, Not a Ballerina, and what it has been like to keep up a travel blog for nearly 20 years!
· What Amanda loves about podcasting
· RISE Travel Institute and the work RISE is doing to educate and inspire mindful travelers and travel professionals
· The importance of mindful travel

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Amanda Kendle.

🌎​​​​​​​​

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!

🌎​​​​​​​​

Visit NotABallerina.com to read Amanda’s travel blog!

Subscribe to the Thoughtful Travel Podcast on Apple or Spotify.

Connect with Amanda for consulting or speaking.

🌎​​​​​​​​

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). Amanda Kendle (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine continues her conversations with a special summer mashup of guests focused on specific Sustainable Development Goals and how travel can support them coming to life.

Guests highlighted include:

· Maria Pacheco

· Fiona Jeffery

· Celine Cousteau

· Geetika Agrawal

· Christina Beckman

· Sofia Godoy

Follow our guests on social media! ​Maria​ / ​Fiona​ / ​Celine​ / ​Geetika​ / ​Christina​ / ​Sofia

Soul of Travel Podcast is nominated for a Women in Podcasting Award in the Travel Category! You can vote for Soul of Travel as your favorite travel podcast from August 1 through October 1. ​Vote now!​

🌎​​​​​​​​

Click​ here​ to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

🌎

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

​Support the podcast with beautiful Soul of Travel merch!​

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​, and ​@souloftravelpodcast​.

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

​Check out our latest feature in Forbes!​​

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Maria Pacheco, Fiona Jeffery OBE, Celine Cousteau, Geetika Agrawal, Christina Beckmann, Sofia Godoy (Guests). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by​​​ Carly Oduardo.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a special summer showcase of authors who wrote some of our favorite books at Soul of Travel.

Christine is so happy to share about her past guests’ recent books – as well as some favorites from the last few years! These women continue to show up in big ways to shift the narrative around who is traveling. The result: Getting more memoirs and travel stories written by women on bookshelves around the world, and inspiring future generations of travelers.

Authors highlighted include:

· Dr. Anu Taranath

· Beth Santos

· Nikki Vargas

· Maria Baltazzi

· Lisa Niver

· Kat Medina

Join Christine for this special soulful book-isode.

🌎​​​​​​​​

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). Dr. Anu Taranath, Kat Medina, Beth Santos, Maria Baltazzi, Nikki Vargas, Lisa Niver (Guests). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y76XFGFWCMEV8)

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

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.) Jackie Roby

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

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.) Monica de Vitry

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

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.) Dr. Anu Taranath

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

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.) Elkie Nicholas

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

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.) Marinel de Jesus

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Yulia Denisyuk

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Nora Livingstone

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Sahara Rose De Vore

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

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Martinique Lewis.

Marty Lewis is an award-winning diversity in travel consultant, President of the Black Travel Alliance, both Travel and Leisure and Travel Pulse’s ''Most influential people in travel.” And don't forget the creator of The ABC Travel Greenbook! The number one resource connecting travelers to the African Diaspora Globally. She is proud to serve on the advisory boards of Conde Nast Traveler, Hurtigruten Expedition Cruises, and the National Outdoor Leadership School. She is the change she wants to see and is committed to ensuring the travel industry is a welcoming space for all.

Christine and Marty discuss:

· The ABC Travel Greenbook
· The Black Travel Across America project with National Geographic
· Travel marketing and the importance of seeing ourselves in travel publications and assets
· Supporting Black-owned businesses in global travel

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Martinique Lewis.

🌎​​​​​​​​

LOVE these soulful conversations? Make a difference by donating to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal. Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

🌎​​​​​​​​

Download the ABC Travel Green Book App on the App Store and Google Play. 
Learn more and get your copy of the ABC Travel Greenbook.
Connect with Marty and learn about her many projects and adventures on her website.
Connect with Marty on Instagram / LinkedIn.
Learn more about the Black Travel Alliance, Women in Travel Summit, and Wanderful Women’s Travel Community.

🌎​​​​​​​​

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). Martinique Lewis (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Habiba El Kasri

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

​​​​​

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

​​​​​

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

​​​​​

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

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.) Vincie Ho

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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. ​​​​​​​​

​

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

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.) Genevieve Huneault

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

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.) Lauren Hefferon

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Julie Hanen

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Paula Vlamings

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Nikki Vargas

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Komal Darira

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Alice Ford

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Prachi Thakur

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

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Retha Charette.

Retha Charette, aka “The Roaming Nanny,” is an adventurer, blogger, and travel nanny based in Vermont, USA. Retha is all about women supporting women and has been from a young age because of her membership in the Girl Scouts. She has been traveling consistently for over 6 years and, in February of 2019, left her full-time job as a Nanny to be a Travel Writer, Adventure Guide, and Travel Nanny (just to name a few things she does). In 2020, she found herself on the Long Trail and completed the Appalachian Trail. Retha loves sharing her passion for travel and discovery with others and is always looking for new and exciting places to explore. She shares her expertise as a trip leader for WHOA Travel and Damesly, and created The Beginner’s Guide to Hiking.

Some of her favorite adventures so far include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, learning to scuba dive in Cozumel, Mexico, and camping in Antarctica.

Christine and Retha discuss:

· Retha’s trip to Africa that changed so much in her life
· Creating spaces for women
· Why women-only adventures, travel experiences, and communities are so important
· The importance of sustainability in travel
· Traveling with kids and what it brings into their lives

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Retha Charette.

🌎​​​​​​​​

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.

🌎​​​​​​​​

Follow Retha on your favorite social media network: Instagram / LinkedIn

Book your next woman-powered adventure at Whoa 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. 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). Retha Charette (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Liz Tuck

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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.) Keri Pfeiffer

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Geetika Agrawal.

Geetika is a designer, avid traveler and founder of VAWAA: Vacation With An Artist. She discovered her love for learning and travel during her early college days when she spent her summers working with local artisans in small towns of Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu in India. As she traveled to countries around the world, she sought similar experiences where she could immerse herself into the local culture, make things with her hands, and get inspired by learning something new. She noted that there were others like her expecting the same from their travels, but there was no easy way to find local artists and designers in cities they would visit, sitting at home. Thus the idea of ‘Vacation With An Artist’ was born. Geetika's creative endeavors have garnered international recognition and have been prominently featured in the New York Times, SXSW, Artsy, National Geographic, Vogue, CondeNast Traveler, and more.

Christine and Geetika discuss:

· The importance of art in our lives and cultures
· The extinction of traditional crafts and keepers of wisdom
· How travel may play a role in the preservation of wisdom
· How we need to be careful in our approach in bringing artists and cultural preservation into our travel experiences

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Geetika Agrawal.

🌎​​​​​​​​

LOVE these soulful conversations? Support the show on PayPal.  Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!

🌎​​​​​​​​

Book your mini-apprenticeship with an artist online or in your next destination with VAWAA.
Connect with Geetika on Instagram and follow VAWAA to learn more.
Listen to Soul of Travel Podcast episode 171 with Beth Santos, author of Wander Woman.
Subscribe to VAWAA's weekly newsletter: https://vawaa.com/subscribe.

🌎​​​​​​​​

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). Geetika Agrawal (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

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

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

Support the show

Send us a text

Travel gives people a sense of understanding their place in the world. There is this desire for people to understand the beauty of all people, places and species and once you’ve traveled and you see that magic for yourself, you want to share it with others. 

You want every single person to sit beside you and have that sense of awe and wonder.

Christine’s guest today is Kristen Sargent. Kristen is a nomad, entrepreneur, and Life Coach.

Kristen is living her wildest dreams. She owns Legit Trips with her best friend, travels every day with the love of her life in their RV, and contributes as a life coach in a way that feels her soul. 

Legit Trips was born out of an understanding that the world is better when we're connected to it and each other. They're in business to help people discover the world together. 

They strive to help people feel curious, alive and free to try or do new things. And they aim to help their guests live their best lives so their guests can share their unique awesomeness with the world. 

Join Christine for her soulful conversation with Kristen Sargent.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode62

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

Support the show

Send us a text

When Christine first heard her guest share the story of her path in the tourism industry and how that led her to be a sustainable travel advocate, Christine was inspired. It was something that really resonated with her so much that she reached out to ask if she would share this inspirational journey and guide other businesses and travelers who are navigating the travel industry.

Christine’s guest today is one of the most compassionate, driven people you’ll ever meet. Dayana Brooke is not just a fierce businessperson and the face of two ventures, The Sustainable Traveller and Positive Environment.

Dayana has positioned her business to help others incorporate small yet powerful changes to reduce carbon emissions and wastage through sustainable travel to fight the climate crisis.

In our conversation, we discuss her journey to sustainability and why this is so important to her. She gives us tips on how to start our own sustainability journey and ways we can get involved as travelers and as an industry.

Tune in for this soulful conversation with Dayana Brooke.


For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode61

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

Support the show

Send us a text

Jennine Cohen is a longtime trip planner, leader, and advisor in the adventure travel industry. Frequently called upon as a media source, she has been quoted in Travel & Leisure, AFAR, National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue, YahooTravel, Fortune, Forbes, Fox News, and others and was named a Forbes Changemaker. 

This passion has fueled a lifetime of her own adventuring to the farthest corners of the earth and two decades of guiding, scouting, cultivating relationships, and planning once-in-a-lifetime journeys for discerning clients. 

In this conversation, Jennine shares about her career in tourism, as well as her personal journey over the past two years. And during this pandemic, she gives us an uncensored description of this journey and shares how travel opens her up to a deeper exploration of self and connection to spirituality. 

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode60


Time to join our 2022 Lotus Sojourn Book Club!

This is a unique journey exploring the heart, the mind and the globe through the pages of nine specially selected books written by inspiring female authors. Your year-long journey will include 18 guided virtual discussions with a community of light-hearted women, as well as weekly journaling prompts, reflection and an assigned travel companion for each book in the journey.

Join us for rich discussion, meaningful connection and opportunity for exploration from the comfort of your home, or wherever you might be in 2022. Visit the website at www.lotussojourns.com/book-sojourn to join today.

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

Support the show

Send us a text

Today’s guest, Dee Gibson, designs experiences for conscious travelers while also talking about things she’s passionate about. Dee knows design plays a key part in travelers experiencing other cultures and countries.

Dee Gibson is a London-based Interior Designer and Hotelier and a regular speaker and panelist. As founder of the Kalukanda House, a luxury villa in Sri Lanka, Dee has used the interplay between design and travel to delight guests in Sri Lanka and inspire clients in London.

Dee works with clients and colleagues across the world and believes that these cross-influences and connections bring an enriched portfolio of work through an exploration of other cultures and viewpoints. 

Christine is so excited to explore the idea of how travel and design can come together to create a richer tapestry for our travel experiences. 

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode59

Time to join our 2022 Lotus Sojourn Book Club!

This is a unique journey exploring the heart, the mind and the globe through the pages of nine specially selected books written by inspiring female authors. Your year-long journey will include 18 guided virtual discussions with a community of light-hearted women, as well as weekly journaling prompts, reflection and an assigned travel companion for each book in the journey.

Join us for rich discussion, meaningful connection and opportunity for exploration from the comfort of your home, or wherever you might be in 2022 to our first book club gathering on Zoom is January 12. Visit the website at www.lotussojourns.com/book-sojourn to join today.

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

Support the show

Send us a text

Christine is very excited to be joined by Elisa Spampinato. They had the pleasure of connecting at the Transformational Travel Council.

Elisa’s story is really representative of a lot of people that Christine speaks with because they really find themselves or tourism finds them because they're out there engaging with the world. Travel is less about going someplace and more about unwrapping and sharing the story of the world with others. Travel is this way to show the beauty, the story and people with others.

Elisa Spampinato is a Writer, Photographer & Gypsy Soul. 

She is a travel writer who focuses on the untold stories of local communities with the purpose to unveil sustainable and regenerative practices at the grassroots level, discovering ways to travel in a responsible way and preparing transformational encounters.


For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode58

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

Support the show

Send us a text

Safe and clean drinking water is essential for survival and good health. Without safe access to clean water, clean hygiene practices are impossible. Safe hygiene practices lead to improved health, improved education, access to food sources, improved women's rights and greater prosperity.

Globally, 1 in 3 people do not have access to safe drinking water. 2 out of 5 people do not have a basic hand-washing facility with soap and water, and more than 673 million people still practice open defecation. Access to clean water should be a basic right. Everyone in the world should have clean water and sanitation.

In this episode, Christine sits down with Fiona Jeffery, OBE, Founder & Chairman of Just a Drop to discuss the impacts not having clean water has on communities and how we can help make a huge impact and change lives around the world.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode57


Time to join our 2022 Lotus Sojourn Book Club!

This is a unique journey exploring the heart, the mind and the globe through the pages of nine specially selected books written by inspiring female authors. Your year-long journey will include 18 guided virtual discussions with a community of light-hearted women, as well as weekly journaling prompts, reflection and an assigned travel companion for each book in the journey.

Join us for rich discussion, meaningful connection and opportunity for exploration from the comfort of your home, or wherever you might be in 2022 to our first book club gathering on Zoom is January 12. Visit the website at www.lotussojourns.com/book-sojourn to join today.

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

Support the show

Send us a text

When you travel, are you present? Are you aware of what your body is doing and feeling when you’re traveling?

By changing your environment and focusing on new experiences around you, the people, the surrounding landscape, you awaken your mind. You’re breaking out of your normal routine and allowing yourself to be self-aware. When you are self-aware is when you can start changing and improving things. 

Christine’s guest is Travel Coach, Author, and Podcaster, Sonia Cruz Oro.

Sonia Cruz Oro is a certified travel coach, an organizational psychologist, and founder of Travel Awakens. Having experienced her own transformation through travel, Sonia helps individuals, couples and groups to enjoy travel as a means to achieve the experiences, goals and transformation they seek. Travel Awakens provides comprehensive travel and personal development service by combining the best of travel planning and life coaching.

In this soulful conversation, Christine and Sonia discuss Sonia’s transition from a corporate career to creating Travel Awakens, why a year of travel was the catalyst for this transformation, and what travelers can do to make their own experiences more personally transformational.

For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode56


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

Support the show

Send us a text

Are you an avid traveler? Are you conscious of the footprint they are leaving along the way?

Most people think the effects of travel are solely based on climate but covid has shown us that the world is dependent on tourism and the pandemic has affected many businesses around the world. 

In this episode, Christine and Hilary Matson are talking about all things sustainable travel and how travelers can make a huge impact on the countries they are visiting by being more conscious of the footprint they are leaving along the way.

Hilary Matson is the founder of Yūgen Earthside, a sustainable travel booking platform. An avid traveler, and passionate about sustainability, she has visited nearly 40 countries & territories across five continents. Her top travel bucket list destinations are Greece (for the food) and Bolivia (for the salt flats). Hilary is an American living in Paris.

For full show notes and to get resources mentioned in the episode, head over to https://www.lotussojourns.com/episode55

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

Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y76XFGFWCMEV8)

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 5: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Kathy Dragon.

Kathy has over three decades of experience spanning every facet of the travel industry and continues to believe in the power of travel to bring about positive change in the world. Since she began in the travel industry in 1987, Kathy has been involved in over a dozen startups, with limited success and extensive personal learning. She’s been a founder of several of her own companies, including The Dragon’s Path Cultural Walking Tours, ActiveWomen.com, TravelDragon.com, and Whole Journeys. Personally, Kathy’s a bit of a tech geek, an enthusiastic photographer, and consistently imagines new business ventures, products, and opportunities almost daily. She's unsure of what is next for her.

Christine and Kathy discuss:

· The changes in the travel industry over the last 25 years
· What these changes have been like for women in the adventure travel industry
· How we can set out to create the changes we want to make
· Big Magic ideas and where to invest our time and energy
· How to work in a way that continues to spark inspiration and joy

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Kathy Dragon.

🌎​​​​​​​​

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!

🌎​​​​​​​​

Connect with Kathy! Instagram / LinkedIn.

Discover your next destination at Whole Journeys. 

Visit Travel Dragon to find your next itinerary.

Get your copies of Kathy’s current reads: Build the Life You Want, Wonder Year, and Take Less, Do More.

🌎​​​​​​​​

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). Kathy Dragon (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

Support the show

Send us a text

Ellenore Angelides is a lawyer by training and defines her path as “following her curiosity.” She spend 13 years in a corporate career and eventually founded Open Hearts Big Dreams, which focuses on increasing literacy and educational opportunities. In this soulful conversation, she and Christine talk about the foundation that literacy provides, culturally representative literature, and how Open Hearts is making a profound impact by instilling a love of stories.

Learn more about Ellenore here.

Learn about Open Hearts Big Dreams here.

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.) Ellenore Angelides(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Alex Ammons and For The Love Media, LLC.

Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y76XFGFWCMEV8)

Support the show

Send us a text

What would it look like to live in a world where we knew who made our products and where they are sourced? Costa Rica-based local Galit Flasterstein and her company, Local Keeps, is out to make that happen. In this conversation, Galit and Christine talk about the rising levels of entrepreneurship amongst women in Latin America, how re-purposed waste can become beautiful works of art, and impactful supporting local artisans is for women and communities.

Galit Flasterstein is the CEO and Co-Founder of Local Keeps, an organization that positively impacts both buyers and suppliers. Local Keeps find authentic products from faraway places and help artisans and entrepreneurs deliver their creations to the world.

Visit Local Keep's website here.

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.) Galit Flasterstein (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Alex Ammons and For The Love Media, LLC.

Support the show

Send us a text

This conversation begins with breath and the Amazon rainforest and continues to traverse subjects such as healthcare, being a traveling woman, and exploring the inner artist. This is what it is like to talk with traveler, filmmaker, artist, and author Céline Cousteau. Her interests and travels are bone-deep and far-reaching, and this conversation is a journey. We are thrilled to share it with you and hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Céline is an environmental activist, storyteller, and author who speaks through film, art, and jewelry design. Learn more about Céline Cousteau here.

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.) Céline Cousteau (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Alex Ammons and For The Love Media, LLC.

Support the show