Explore every episode of the podcast Untethered Childhood

In this episode of the Untethered Childhood Podcast, host Jordan Neri speaks with environmental scientist and regenerative tourism expert Susana Shankar (Sooz) about the significance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They explore how these sites serve as transformative travel experiences for families, fostering global citizenship and environmental responsibility.

Sooz shares her personal journey into regenerative tourism, the importance of understanding UNESCO designations, and how travel can be a powerful teacher for children. The conversation also highlights kid-friendly UNESCO sites, cultural and natural heritage experiences, and the value of agritourism.

Destinations covered:

• 🇦🇺 Kakado National Park, Australia
• 🇮🇹 Cinque Terre, Italy
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Rockies

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• 02:54 Transformative Travel Experiences
• 05:49 The Journey to Regenerative Tourism
• 08:59 Personal Impact of Travel
• 11:46 Understanding UNESCO Designations
• 14:55 The Importance of UNESCO Sites
• 17:59 UNESCO Sites as Living Classrooms
• 21:05 Kid-Friendly UNESCO Destinations
• 24:04 Cultural Highlights: Cinque Terre
• 30:00 Natural Wonders: Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
• 37:21 Traveling to UNESCO Sites: A Journey Begins
• 39:01 Exploring Mixed UNESCO Sites: Kakadu National Park
• 44:37 Cultural Immersion: Learning from Indigenous Communities
• 46:19 Raising Global Citizens: The Role of Education in Travel
• 52:13 Conversations on Conservation: Teaching Kids Responsibility
• 01:01:23 Agritourism: Connecting Kids with Food and Nature
• 01:09:03 Keeping the Spirit Alive: Post-Travel Reflections

Meet Jordan Neri, your host and conversation starter for Untethered Childhood. A mom raising two little explorers, Jordan shares the personal story behind why she started this podcast. After losing her home in Colorado's Marshall wildfire, she opens up about the profound reset that led her family to reprioritize experiences over possessions—and why she's passionate about helping millennial parents rethink international travel with young kids. This season, we're bringing experts to the table to break down what makes an adventure worthwhile: connection. And connection starts with conversations. So if you're curious about taking your kids on a meaningful international adventure, this is her story, her why, and an invitation to learn right alongside her.