Travel With Meaning

Part 3 of our "Celebrating Seattle" series culminated in gathering our community of like-minded travelers, eager to hear the captivating travel tales and deep affection for Seattle from James Beard Award nominee Chef Kristi Brown of Communion Restaurant in Seattle's Central District. Recorded at Kinn Venice amidst a live audience comprising media, influencers, travel advisors, and travel enthusiasts.   Chef Kristi illuminated how her passion for Seattle's rich and diverse cultures ignited her curiosity to delve into the city and fuel her culinary ingenuity. Her favorite dish might catch you off guard, and her quest to savor this meal was a journey filled with meaning and appreciation. Securing two James Beard nominations in four years stands as a remarkable achievement, and Chef Kristi graciously acknowledged the significance of the honor. She attributes it to the supportive community, her dedicated team, and the vibrant city of Seattle, which has provided her the platform to inspire people worldwide. Before the event, our community mingled over Washington State wines and Pacific Northwest-inspired fare and desserts from Akasha’s, kindling the wanderlust for Seattle. Raffle prizes, including Alaska Airlines tickets and a stay at downtown Seattle's Hotel Andra, along with an array of donated items from Visit Seattle partners and friends such as Atrium Kitchen Pike Place, Bite Society, Eighth Generation, Filson, Monorail Espresso Seattle, Arvin Goods, Seattle Refined, and Refugee Artisan Initiative added to the excitement of the evening. A heartfelt thank you to Chef Kristi Brown, Jeannette Ceja, Visit Seattle, and the TWM team as well as the incredible assembly of travelers, for making the night truly memorable. For all your Seattle travel needs and cozy season deals, visit visitseattle.org.  

In part two of our special series “Celebrating Seattle”  in collaboration with Visit Seattle TWM podcast host Mike Schibel is joined again by the acclaimed bilingual travel journalist Jeannette Ceja.  For any traveler, the heart of a destination lies within its people and community. We had the privilege of connecting with remarkable small business owners within the Hispanic, Latino, and BIPOC communities. Exploring hidden treasures, perhaps not yet on the visitor map but beloved by locals, was a true delight. We enjoyed a fantastic cup of coffee on a quintessential cozy Seattle morning at the Station Coffee Shop, where we had the pleasure of conversing with Co-Owner Luis Rodriguez. Luis, who moved to Seattle over thirty years ago from Baja Mexico, shared with us the profound importance of owning a coffee shop—to inspire pride in his children and demonstrate to the youth in the community that they can achieve anything. In Seattle's White Center neighborhood, we ventured to the Salvadorean Bakery, founded by sisters Ana Castro and Aminta Elgin, originally from El Salvador. This establishment, comprising a restaurant, bakery, and market, stands as a pillar in the community. From authentic pupusas to heavenly baked goods, it's no wonder Seattleites rave about this bakery. Having a local guide is invaluable, and we were fortunate to have Laura Clise from Intentionalist show us the diverse tapestry of small businesses and the passionate individuals behind them. Understanding how our everyday choices—where we dine, drink, and shop—impact the places we visit is truly enlightening. Our Seattle journey concluded with a toast alongside Ken Dillon, owner of Footprint Wine Tap, the city's first sustainable keg wine-on-tap bar. The inviting ambiance, stellar wine selection, and warm locals made leaving this spot a challenge. For all your Seattle travel needs and cozy season deals, visit VisitSeattle.org Part three of our special series is coming up with a live podcast recording with acclaimed Chef Kristi Brown.

We’re excited to kick off a special three-part podcast series “Celebrating Seattle” in collaboration with Visit Seattle. Our friend Jeannette Ceja, an award-winning bilingual travel journalist and TV host, joins TWM podcast host Mike Schibel to explore some of Seattle’s iconic attractions and connect with small business owners in the vibrant Hispanic, Latino, and BIPOC communities. Our adventure in Seattle took place during the cozy season, arguably one of the best times to visit the Pacific Northwest with its mellow vibes, lush scenery, and welcoming locals. Never heard of the cozy season? We suggest giving it a try—we loved it! In part one of “Celebrating Seattle,” we explore some of Seattle's most iconic and well-known attractions, including Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Space Needle. For over a hundred years, Pike Place Market has been a staple in Seattle and a top attraction for travelers. During our visit, we explored three Hispanic and Latino-owned restaurants: Maíz, Copacabana, and Los Agaves, serving authentic cuisines from Mexico and Bolivia. Copacabana was the first Bolivian restaurant in the western United States when it opened over sixty years ago. In the second part of the episode, we talk with Randy Cote from the Space Needle and neighboring Chihuly Garden and Glass. We were mesmerized by the work of the famed glassblower and Tacoma, Washington native Dale Chihuly. You’ve probably seen Chihuly's work around the world, but walking through Chihuly Garden and Glass is an enchanting experience. Sitting in the famed Chihuly Glasshouse, looking up at the Space Needle, we learned the connection between these two landmarks was enhanced in 2018 when the first-of-its-kind revolving glass floor was installed one floor below the upper observation level of the Space Needle. Visitors now have two incredible views of Seattle and the surrounding areas—from looking out at Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, to looking down them at the different neighborhoods of Seattle. Many travelers also noticed the Chihuly Garden and Glass right next door. It was pretty cool to look up at the bottom of the Space Needle from inside the Glasshouse and then look through the top of the Glasshouse from the top of the Space Needle. Travel tip: have lunch at The Bar at Chihuly Garden and Glass, which sources incredible local dishes and cocktails and displays many of Dale Chihuly's unique collections. A big thank you to all the amazing people we met: Kathy (Maíz), Vivian (Copacabana), Chef Jaime (Los Agaves), and Randy from the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Thank you to our partners on this series, Visit Seattle, for coordinating our adventure, and the wonderful Jeannette Ceja. For all your Seattle travel details and cozy season packages, visit VisitSeattle.org Stay tuned for part two of Celebrating Seattle!

On episode 112 we talk with Mickela Mallozzi the four-time Emmy® Award-winning Host and Executive Producer of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi, a travel series highlighting the diversity of dance which airs on PBS stations nationwide and on Amazon Prime globally.    A professional dancer and trained musician, Mickela decided to start a journey around the world, taking her camera with her to follow dance in the lives of everyday people wherever she went.  From re-discovering her family’s heritage in Southern Italy to dancing tango on the main stage in Buenos Aires, the series covers Mickela’s adventures as she experiences the world, one dance at a time.    In this episode, Mickela shares her early memories of traveling with her family to Italy.  This was not the typical Italian vacation, but the experiences left a lasting impression on her future career in TV.  We learn about Mickela’s aha moment that came to her in the middle of the night, and how her passion to make friends by dancing with strangers has led her to a community of friends around the world.  We’ve been lucky on Travel With Meaning to meet incredible travelers, Mickela is a like-minded traveler and a wonderful addition to the TWM community.   To watch episodes of Bare Fee on PBS visit www.travelbarefeet.com Make sure you give Mickela a follow @travelbarefeet   As always we appreciate if you subscribe and share episodes of the TWM podcast you enjoy!   See you on the open road!

In episode 111, we sit down with Jeff Jenkins, the host of Never Say Never on Nat Geo and Disney+, a motivational speaker, and the creative mind behind @chubbydiaries, a platform inspiring individuals of all sizes to explore the globe. Jeff's journey began with his first flight to Japan in his early twenties, a pivotal moment that transformed his life forever. During our conversation, Jeff delves into the stories behind his Never Say Never episodes and recounts his pivotal "AHA moment" when he realized his dream of combining travel with earning a living. Jeff's journey with Chubby Diaries exemplifies his commitment to making this dream a reality. Jeff's authenticity and inspiring journey make him one of the most captivating guests we've had on the podcast.  Don't forget to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on our latest releases!  

Welcome to the 110th episode of the Travel with Meaning podcast. In this distinctive feature, we delve into the tale of a culinary fascination with a dish we encountered in Austria back in 2022. Our journey led us over 6,000 miles to the world's oldest festival dedicated to this particular delicacy. Enter Knödel, the Austrian dish that transcends its once-perceived simplicity, especially in the town of St. Johann. Here, at the Knödelfest, these dumplings are anything but basic. For over four decades, enthusiasts from all walks of life have converged, regardless of the weather, to partake in a day of revelry involving beer and a myriad of Knödel varieties, solidifying St. Johann as the global epicenter of Knödel celebration. Our very own Mike Schibel nurtured his fascination for Knödel and embarked on a pilgrimage to the Austrian Alps to immerse himself in the firsthand experience of Knödelfest. What unfolded on a rainy day in late September could easily be deemed one of the most remarkable food festivals ever attended. Tune in to hear Mike's captivating adventure, offering a glimpse into the world of Knödelfest and the unique culinary journey it entails. All this and more awaits you on this special edition of the Travel with Meaning podcast. Enjoy the journey!

In the latest edition of the TWM podcast, Episode 109 unfolds a captivating conversation with the intriguing and unconventional Matt Meltzer, a distinguished travel journalist. Matt delves into his early travel recollections, sharing how one of his adventures as a teenager fueled his decision to enlist in the military. Alongside anecdotes of the unique characters he has encountered on his journeys, Matt's passion for exploring less-traveled destinations makes his genuine travel narratives both enthralling and enlightening for us all. Renowned for his zeal in discovering off-the-beaten-path locales, Matt's tales, coupled with his authentic connection with people, offer valuable insights and entertainment. Injecting a dose of playfulness into his escapades, Matt is famously known for traveling with a Muppet companion, doubling as his twin, and has even spearheaded a campaign for a tourism board with Matty the Muppet. Give muppet a follow on Instagram @mattymeltzer  The interestingly hilarious story of Matt's love for Buffalo and the Buffalo Bills is worth listening to the episode just for this tale alone.  This episode was recorded in front live audience, as part of the Andeana Hats pop-up event at the Water Gardens in Santa Monica, CA. As always, we would greatly appreciate your support in liking and sharing this episode on social media, tagging @Travelwithmeaning. Feel free to leave us a positive review on your preferred podcast platform. See you on the open road!

Episode 108 of the Travel With Meaning podcast features a conversation with Bruce Wallin, a travel journalist who has experienced his share of meaningful adventures. As editorial director for Robb Report for 15 years covering luxury travel to co-founding Trip magazine in the nineties, and today as the host of the award-winning #travelthatmatters podcast. In our conversation, Bruce shares his thoughts on wellness travel, and what sparked his desire to enter travel publishing + journalism and his most meaningful adventure. Bruce sums up what travel means to him simply as “fun” and we couldn’t agree more.  Enjoy our conversation with  Bruce.  #Travelwithmeaning #Travelstories #Travel

Episode 107 is a special conversation recorded in front of a live audience at the infamous Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, CA.  This podcast features one of our favorite past guests, Ruben Rojas an artist, author, podcast host, a new dad, and Founder of Live Through Love.  It had been five years since we sat down with Ruben in front of a live audience and wow how his life, career, and travels evolved since 2018. Click here to listen to the past episode's conversation.   In this exciting episode, Ruben shares his adventures, projects, and connections he's had over the past few years that shaped a new lens of meaning in his life.    We learn about how Ruben's project with the city he calls home, Santa Monica, and the mural painted in Brighton Beach, England as part of a sister city initiative came to be.   The live recording of this episode with Ruben could not have been possible without the support of the Fairmont Miramar, Santa Monica, and our partners for the evening - Bombay Sapphire, Arvin Goods, and Eagle Creek.    Show highlights: 12:20 Ruben shares about an incredible partnership he's formed with the NFL. As a former football player himself, this partnership is a dream come true to spread LOVE through a CHOOSE LOVE campaign.  21:37 Experience of leaving his hometown of Santa Monica and coming back with a new appreciation.  23:27: Santa Monica and Brighton, England sister city project. 24:40: How has his life changed as a traveler with a two-year-old son. 28:40: How does he live through love when he travels. 29:50: Ruben's most meaningful travel experience.

Episode 106 of the podcast features a conversation with Co-Founder and CEO of Unbound Merino,Dan Demsky.  An intrepid business leader, and serial entrepreneur, Dan started Unbound Merino as a way to offer travelers freedom through simplicity. In just five years, Dan has transformed the company from a small crowdfunding campaign to an international brand worn by travelers, entrepreneurs, and minimalists across the globe. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in the startup space, Dan has appeared on BNN Bloomberg and has been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Globe and Mail, VICE, and more. He is also a board member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization Toronto and a regular contributor to Learn with Shopify. When he isn’t traveling, Dan enjoys live music, good food, and spending time with his pug, Walter   Highlights of this episode:   Dan shares his first big trip to Japan which was a gift from his brother and had a drastic effect on him. 3:47-4:21   Dan shares a big tradition he and his best friends share when going to see their favorite band in the world Phish. No matter where they are in the world, when this happens, Dan is present to how good his life is in that moment. 9:37-12:12   Dan also shares travel advice 14:31-15:10   For more information on Dan and Unbound Merino visit ww.unboundmerino.com   This episode was sponsored UnCruise, the leading small-ship adventure company. If you're looking for a memorable and meaningful adventure in pristine nature with unique activties, gourmet meals, and so much more, visitwww.uncruise.com

Episode 105 is a two-part series with Amy and Nick Thomson, podcasters and creators of What The Pho Travel Podcast (WTP).    Amy is a former BBC Radio producer and current podcast production business founder. Nick Thomson is a podcast producer at Manchester United Football Club Together they are, What The Pho Travel Podcast. They travel around the globe making a travel podcast to entertain, inspire and teach you about the world.  In part two of Episode 105 we learn about Nick and Amy the travelers. Who are they as individual travelers, as a couple, and where did the idea for WTP podcast come from?   We’re big fans of Nick and Amy and hope you will be as well after listening to episode 105.  Enjoy! If you like what you’ve heard, please live a rating, comment, and share with your friends.

Episode 105 is a two-part series with Amy and Nick Thomson, podcasters and creators of "What The Pho"  (WTP) Travel Podcast.  Amy is a former BBC Radio producer and current podcast production business founder. Nick Thomson is a podcast producer at Manchester United Football Club. Together they are, What The Pho Travel Podcast. They travel around the globe making a travel podcast to entertain, inspire and teach you about the world.    In part one of episode 105 we hear about Amy and Nick meeting Mike from WTM on an adventure in Austria as part of the Untold Stories Series with Austria Tourism. This trip was an absolute dream itinerary.  Nick, Amy, and Mike retell the stories from their Austrian adventure and why they think Austria is an underrated wellness mecca.  It’s pretty clear in this episode there was an instant appreciation and friendship between Nick, Amy, and Mike, the rest is podcast history and a fun episode to enjoy!  

On this episode of the Travel With Meaning podcast, we meet Christine Peterson, a freelance writer based in southeast Wyoming. TWM podcast host Mike Schibel met Christine on a trip to Ganglers Lodge in Northern Manitoba. This conversation shares the unique adventure of Gangelers Lodge and Christine's lens as a journalist covering wildlife, the environment, hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and public lands. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, High Country News, Outside, Outdoor Life, and many other publications. When she's not writing, she's wandering the West with her husband, 6-year-old daughter, and two yellow Labradors (one greying, the other very much a puppy).  Give Christine a follow on Instagram @ she.will.roam As Always we appreciate the support.  Please like, and share this episode to help spread meaningful and memorable travel stories. BIG thank you to our episode sponsor UnCruise, the small boat adventure company (www.uncruise.com)

In episode 103 of the podcast, we talk with Jen Ruiz, AKA Jen On A Jet Plane. Jen is a truly unique professional who transformed her life and career through incredible travel experiences.  Jen is a lawyer turned full-time travel blogger and author. She is a 5-time Amazon bestselling author, 3-time TEDx speaker and multi-award-winning travel journalist. She has been featured by The Washington Post, Forbes, and ABC News and is the solo female traveler behind Jen on a Jet Plane. In our conversation, Jen shares with us her reasons to leave the law career behind, and what is her inspiration for her travels.  For more information on Jen visit www.jenonajetplane.com Please give Travel With Meaning a follow on social  @TravelWith Meaning  If you liked this episode please leave a comment and share it with your community. 

In the latest episode of the Travel With Meaning podcast, host Mike Schibel speaks with Lillian Rafson, the CEO and founder of Pack Up + Go. Originally from Pittsburgh, Lillian shares how her passion for travel after a carefree Summer backpacking around a region she knew nothing about led her to start her own company that plans surprise trips for its customers.  Pack Up + Go, encourages spontaneity, exploration, and adventure among American travelers. She launched the bootstrapped business at 23 years old and has grown it to 25+ team members and $7 million+ in annual revenue. Lillian has been honored as a member of the Pittsburgh 30 Under 30 and 40 Under 40, a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, a Travel & Leisure A-List Travel Planner, and a Top Woman in Hospitality. Outside of Pack Up + Go, Lillian is a business coach, focusing on helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses!   Show Notes: 15:22 This could be one of the most ambitious ideas for a passionate traveler about starting a new job.  26:24: Where did the idea for surprise travel come from? Where was Lillian and who were where the other travelers that got Lillian thinking about the idea? 30:57: Who was the first guests to try Pack Up + Go and how did the brand go viral?    As always thanks for listening.  If you like the episode, please leave a rating and share it with your friends.    For more information on Pack Up+Go www.packupgo.com

In this episode, we're joined by a woman who's blazing a trail in the travel industry and never intended to start a travel company.  As the Colombian-American founder and CEO of El Camino Travel, Katalina Mayorga has been on a mission to change the way women travel, making it more accessible and inclusive. Katalina shares the two meaningful moments while in Guatemala  (19:00) that changed the course of her life. As a veteran of the travel industry, she has led El Camino to become one of the fastest-growing experiential marketplaces and subscription services that empower women to travel boldly and off the beaten path. She’s equally determined to develop the technology that will make a positive impact by supporting the local operators who are critical to the experience but lack the tech stack to grow and scale. Katalina has been featured in the New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, and Washington Post, among several other prominent media outlets, and is often tapped for her expertise in emerging trends within the travel industry.  If this episode makes you want to travel or at least smile, please like and share it with your community. We appreciate your support.

Welcome to episode 100 of the Travel with Meaning podcast! We're excited to celebrate this milestone by sharing a very special episode with our listeners. In this episode, we're joined by my travel inspiration, my mom, Linda Schibel. In this episode, we delve into mom’s earliest travel memories and explore where her wanderlust comes from. We also reminisce about our family trips to our cabin in northern Minnesota and a road trip we took together in Scotland. Additionally, we discuss her impactful adventures in Africa, Paris, and Israel. Join us as we share my mom’s unique perspective on travel and the meaningful experiences it has brought to our lives. Thanks for tuning in and for all the encouragement and support of Travel With Meaning. I hope to see you on the open road!

Hello Travelers! What a year 2022 has been!  TWM is beyond grateful for all of you and your support of the podcast and for sharing meaningful travel stories. This episode is a recap of travels, unique experiences, and inspiring conversations from this past year. Our most meaningful episode recorded this year was 98A and 98B with Owen Conflenti recorded at the Westin Hilton Head, absolutely one of our favorite podcast conversations ever!  We're very excited to officially announce the launch of the How To Travel With Meaning course. Helping to identify past meaningful moments to offer ways to travel with more meaning in the future.  The feedback on the course has been incredible. Click the workshop link on the Travel With Meaning website or click here to check it out.  Use the code "Community" for added discount.  A BIG thank you to Your Travel Analyst, Claire Burt for all her passion and support of the HTTWM course.  So excited to continue to share meaningful conversations with extraordinary travelers to help encourage, inspire and support all of your future adventures!  Happy New Year!  See you on the open road! 

Episode 98B - This is part two of the conversation recorded at the Westin Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. If you haven't listened to 98A with Steve French from the Westin make sure you do so. In this episode, we talk with news anchor Owen Conflenti, who's been getting up at 2:30 am for seventeen years to deliver the morning news in Houston. Owen has amassed a large social media following of over one million followers on Tik Tok offering a fun approach to the sometimes heavy work of delivering the news. Owen and TWM podcast host Mike Schibel were college broadcasting partners at Emerson College. Winning Associated Press Best College Sports Radio show two years in a row and play-by-play announcers for the Emerson basketball team. In this episode, Mike and Owen talk about some of their past shared experiences, reminisce on college adventures, and Owen talks about his connection to the Carolinas. Owen also gets very vulnerable about his feelings about travel, how this trip was an important step to regain his desire for future adventures.  This episode also includes a conversation about the shared experience Mike and Owen had while in Hilton Head and the unique experiences they had exploring the island.  As friends for over twenty-five years, this episode was meaningful and a long time coming. A BIG thank you to Steve French and the team at the Westin Hilton Head for the warm hospitality. We loved our time in the Low Country and look forward to returning!

Episode 98 of the podcast is a special two-part conversation 98A and 98B recorded at the Westin Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.  Our guest for episode 98 is Houston news anchor/content creator Owen Conflenti. Owen also happens to be the college broadcasting partner of TWM podcast host Mike Schibel  We learn more about Owen and his meaningful travels in episode 98B.  In episode 98A Mike and Owen talk with Steve French, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Westin Hilton Head.  Steve shares his insights on what makes Hilton Head so unique, why he's come back to live on the island three times, and his most meaningful/memorable trip.  A big thank you to Steve and the team at the Westin Hilton Head for the warm hospitality and for introducing TWM to the magic of the Low Country. Enjoy this episode and make sure to listen to the second part of episode 98 with Owen Conflenti.