During normal times, that is. This past year has been completely different. With everyone locked down and working from home, including us, we’ve had to find new ways to relate both to travel and our partners, Keith and Jeff. We thought listeners might enjoy hearing their perspectives on what it’s like being with a person who travels for a living, including how they handle our personal... shall we say, quirks. And how everything has changed lately.

First up is  Karel Bockstael, the vice president of sustainability at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which has recently undertaken research into futuristic aircraft and sustainable aviation fuels, among other measures.

Next is Samantha Bricker, the chief sustainability and revenue management officer for Los Angeles World Airports. During a massive expansion, LAX is fast-tracking green building projects that will cut down on traffic, emissions, energy and water use, and waste.

Finally, we turn to Tim Johnson, the director of the U.K.-based Aviation Environment Federation to examine aviation's climate and community impacts. He also tells us how travelers can make more responsible choices when flying.

Follow and message us on Facebook and Instagram to let us know!

To explore this concept we looked to a few individuals who have created some of our most positive and illuminating foodie outings. First up is Marwa Preston, a vivacious Egyptian expat living in Barcelona who founded a company called Wanderbeak that curates experiences around the city. 

Kathryn gained far more knowledge than she anticipated during a pho-focused walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City with Saigon Street Eats, founded by a husband-and-wife team comprising Australian Barbara Adam and Vietnamese Vu Vo. 

For some delectable food pics, follow @wanderbeak and @therealsaigonstreeteats. 

While staying at Elewana Kifaru House in the biodiverse Lewa Wildilfe Conservancy, Eric spoke to the CEO of Lewa, Mike Watson, about how the conservancy is persevering through tough financial times with projects like rhino anti-poaching activities to protect the area’s animals, and micro-lending programs that help local women support their families.

Back in Nairobi, Eric visited Micato Safaris’ philanthropic arm, AmericaShare, which runs a community center in one of the city’s largest slums and underwrites the education of hundreds of students each year. He spoke to AmericaShare’s country director, Albanous Gituru, about all the efforts the organization has been making throughout COVID to ensure that its students remain connected to educational resources during these challenging times.

First we speak with Dr. Anu Taranath, a teaching professor on issues of diversity, racial equality and social change at the University of Washington. Dr. Anu recently wrote an award-winning book called Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World.

We also call up Simon Lynch, director of sales for Luxury Travel Group, the parent company of Scott Dunn, a conscientious bespoke tour operator. Simon  shares Scott Dunn’s efforts to work with locally owned and operated businesses in each of their destinations to ensure tourism dollars directly benefit communities. 

We begin by interviewing Clyde Mansell, an elder of Tasmania’s Palawa community and founder of an Indigenous-owned and operated multi-day trek through the Bay of Fires along Tasmania’s dramatic northeast coast called wukalina walk.

Next, we check in with Wade Anthony, who founded Devils @ Cradle to help preserve Tasmania’s unique marsupials through focused educational and breeding programs. 

Finally, we called Rodney Dunn, the food writer, chef, and farmer who started The Agrarian Kitchen cooking school back in 2007, just as Tasmania’s burgeoning food scene was starting to take off. 

First up, African Parks’ Jean-Paul Karinganire talks to us about how the nonprofit conservation and management company took a Rwandan wildlife refuge from post-genocide decimation—think few animals, no more carnivores, and an unstable relationship with the surrounding communities—to overwhelming success. Akagera National Park is now also home to Wilderness Safaris’ eco-sensitive yet radiant Magashi Camp, which Kathryn visited in late 2019.  

We also speak with passionate changemaker and conservationist Peter Gash, the self-styled caretaker of Lady Elliot Island. Part of Australia’s southern Great Barrier Reef, the island was was nearly destroyed by guano harvesting in the 19th century. Peter’s relationship with the island—where he runs an incredibly environmentally friendly resort—has spanned 40 years, and he’s been nothing if not persistent in his quest to restore the island’s natural equilibrium.

Listen to the episode for these fascinating stories, including some truly inspiring messages that hit on the importance of engaging community—whether it’s the locals who live nearby, or the travelers who visit and can take lessons home with them—and the power of collaboration to make a real difference. As Peter tells it, our planet has suffered near-death by a thousand cuts, and it’s up to human beings to help reverse the damage with a thousand—or more!—innovative band-aids. Follow @africanparksnetwork, @akagerapark, @wearewilderness, @visitrwanda_now, @ladyelliotislandecoresort and @queensland for gorgeous visuals to bring these tales to life.

Jon Rose is a former pro surfer–turned-humanitarian, and founder of Waves For Water. This NGO’s courier program gives travelers a way to be part of the solution in a very tangible way: By bringing portable water filtration systems to communities they seek out while on the road.

Claude Graves, cofounder and managing director of the Sumba Foundation, is our second guest. He shares the story of how he discovered the serious need for potable water sources on Sumba Island as he was building one of the world’s premiere surf resorts, Nihi Sumba. As he’s seen firsthand, clean water is a necessary first step in a chain of events that leads to improved nutrition, health, and even educational opportunities for the island’s people.  

We took a (sanctioned and pre-arranged) hike up to the iconic Hollywood Sign to learn more about this landmark’s checkered past, talked to writer and architecture expert Jessica Ritz about some of the city’s underappreciated design gems, and interviewed Amy Luftig-Viste and Jasper Dickson of Angeleno Wine Co. about the city’s past as a wine-producing powerhouse.

Our three conversations all uncovered fascinating facets to Los Angeles that have us viewing our adopted hometown through a whole new lens.

In this episode, we talk to Ride 4 A Woman founder Evelyn Habasa about her mother’s dream to help the women of their community, and how the organization has grown from bicycle tours to sewing and weaving, plus a microfinance program and accommodations for travelers. 

Next, we turn to Susie Crippen, a fashion designer and cofounder of J Brand jeans about how she partnered with Evelyn to launch a dress line called 4, hand-sewn by the ladies of Ride 4 A Woman. Follow them @ride4awoman, @susiecrippen and @thisis4official for more on their work and products.

In this episode, we first speak with Reda Amalou, architect and founder of AW², who allowed the dynamic topography of Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula to guide his low-impact designs for the intimate yet sprawling beach and jungle retreat, Kasiiya Papagayo.

On the other side of the world, on the tiny yet lush Christmas Island, Swell Lodge is the result of wildlife photographers and guides Chris and Jess Bray’s passion for what’s sometimes referred to as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean.” 

What Kasiiya and Swell Lodge have in common is a reverence for the natural environment that runs so deep they have not sought to change it. Listen to the episode for more from these visionaries, and follow them on Instagram at @kasiiyapapagayo, @redaamaloudesign, @aw2_architecture, @swelllodge and @chrisbrayphotography.  

Come along for the ride and follow us on Instagram @conscioustravelerpod, @ericrosenla and @katromeyn. Also like our new Facebook page!

Among the treats they’ve been enjoying are Manjimup truffle honey from Western Australia, Iittala glasses used aboard Finnair flights, sentimental brass cutlery from Bali, and hand-dyed textiles from Rwanda and Laos. This time also helps us remember that there are hidden gems right in our backyards just waiting to be discovered, and how rewarding it can be to explore your own hometown as a travel writer, even if you aren’t leaving the country anytime soon.

Building upon the legacy of visionary researchers like Dian Fossey, who brought awareness to the plight of mountain gorillas when it was most critical, conservation of these primates is a case study in how of tourism can accomplish a tremendous amount of good – not just because of the international interest and funds coming in, but because of how carefully the industry is managed by dedicated people in Uganda and Rwanda.

On today’s episode, we talk to three individuals whose work is ultimately crucial to the survival of the mountain gorillas of Africa’s Great Lakes region. Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is the first Wildlife Veterinary Officer of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the founder of an NGO called Conservation Through Public Health. They work to educate and empower the communities living around the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and make them partners in protecting the endangered mountain gorillas.

Praveen Moman grew up in Uganda and, when he founded Volcanoes Safaris in 1997, pioneered the idea of luxury gorilla tourism in the country. He was also among the first operators to open a safari lodge in neighboring Rwanda after that country’s strife in the 1990s and 2000s. His unique perspective on the central role of tourism to gorilla conservation programs, and how travelers can bring much-needed attention, aid, and action to the effort to save the great apes, leaves us hopeful and all the more determined to visit this part of the world once again.

We would also like to thank Emmanuel Bugingo of Partners for Conservation in Rwanda, who spoke to us on background. His organization helps communities living around Volcanoes National Park and promotes conservation efforts by focusing on three main priorities: public health, literacy, and conservation education and employment..

But what if you could use some of your luggage allotment to do real good for others in the places you visit? If you get a free checked bag with your international airfare, why not bring a full-size suitcase packed to the brim with school materials? Heading out on safari? Bring two outfits, and fill the rest of your duffel with much-needed medical supplies. On this episode, we explore ways that travelers can positively impact destinations they visit simply by packing a few thoughtful items.

Our first guest is Rebecca Rothney, the founder of Pack for a Purpose. Her philanthropy matches travelers up with destinations and suggests supplies they can bring along for worthy grassroots organizations across the globe. Check out some of their latest work on Instagram. 

Our next guest gives us a fuller understanding of how much-needed philanthropic efforts can impact projects like the ones Pack for a Purpose works with. Emma Kennedy is the administration and fundraising manager at Tujatane School in Zambia, which is supported by a beautiful tourist lodge near Victoria Falls called Tongabezi. The school and lodge work together to incorporate a charitable component into guests’ visits and to keep them involved long after they go home. Plus, their Instagram feed is pretty inspirational.

Snorkeling and scuba diving around the world, we’ve been fortunate to swim with everything from whale sharks and dolphins to sea turtles, sea lions, manta rays and even a few (vegetarian) sharks—all totally wild, in their native habitats. But we’ve also witnessed dangerous and poor practices, too, from 50 tourists being allowed to jump off one boat into a pod of spinner dolphins off Oahu, to businesses profiting from keeping sea creatures in captivity. Knowing what we do about highly intelligent marine mammals makes these these situations totally unacceptable, and we want to spread awareness.

We begin this episode hearing all about how underwater photographer (and children’s book author and entertainment industry executive) Pier Nirandara uses her compelling aquatic wildlife images to excite viewers about conservation. She also discusses her own boundaries and how she chooses excursion outfitters. Next, marine expert Frank Murphy, director of the Tetiaroa Society in Tahiti, shares his experiences with humpback whales as they make their annual migration past the atoll where resort guests of The Brando can safely observe them. And we connect with Chad D’Souza, general manager of Perth Wildlife Encounters, about their company’s long-running wild dolphin swims, which Eric experienced years ago but remain a highlight.

We hope listeners will come away from this episode not only inspired to plan a life-affirming swim of their own, but confident that they can do so ethically, respectfully and sensitively. What’s more, we attempt to answer the question of whether the benefits to humans outweigh any potential risk or negatives for the wildlife, since we believe these firsthand experiences can directly result in an increased desire to support conservation.

Kathryn met our first guest, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, on a trip to Uganda in 2019. Not only is she the first Wildlife Officer of the Ugandan Wildlife Authority, but she is also the founder of an NGO called Conservation Through Public Health that works with communities living around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to promote gorilla conservation efforts there. She and her husband, Lawrence, founded Gorilla Conservation Coffee to help farmers living around the park support themselves by growing and selling coffee at fair prices.

Next, Eric calls Todd Moore, the director of Saffron Coffee. Along with a lovely little cafe in Luang Prabang, Laos, Saffron Coffee was founded in 2006 to help farmers in the hill villages of northern Laos shift from growing opium to farming coffee. Today, they work with more than 800 farmers in 25 of these villages. That success didn’t come without challenges, though, which we learn during our conversation.

Follow Gorilla Conservation Coffee on Instagram @gorillaconservation_coffee, and Saffron Coffee @saffroncoffee. And as always, be sure to check out our own Instagram feed @conscioustravlerpod.

In an effort to find better, more respectful ways of engaging with indigenous cultures and immersing ourselves in truly unique experiences as we travel, we look to an anthropologist guide, Rita Prochaska (author of Taquile, Weavers of a Magic World), who embedded herself with the people of Lake Titicaca in Peru. Her advice for being a gracious guest is echoed by as well as traveler and epidemiologist Nabarun Dasgupta, who talks about a yearlong trip he took full of deep, meaningful cultural interactions. 

Kathryn and Eric have sought out these experiences, too, from Namibia to Tasmania, where Eric trekked with Wukalina Walk, learning not only Aboriginal skills but stories.

For images from Eric’s and Kathryn’s encounters with indigenous groups such as the Himba and people of Taquile, follow @conscioustravelerpod. And to get a peek into the adventures of Wukalina Walk, check out their Instagram @wukalinawalk.

To gain insights on the future of airport development and design, we talk with Terence Young, an aviation principal and design director at the architecture firm Gensler. Terence shares ways that designers, cities, airlines and governments, not to mention fliers themselves, are looking at the evolving airport experience and what we can all expect in the coming years.

For a specific example, we hear from Cathay Pacific head of brand insights, Ed Bell, to learn how the airline is designing their lounges and working with airports in general to improve the passenger experience and promote traveler health.

Follow @basecampexplorer and @roarafrica for daydream-worthy safari photos and @conscioustravelerpod for a peek at Kathryn’s experience with Nash.

Despite receiving plenty of luxury jet-setters and budget-strapped backpackers, Luang Prabang retains its many-layered charm. That’s thanks in part to some extraordinary tourism-based businesses that incorporate community development, cultural education, and environmental initiatives into the way they conduct their affairs.

On this episode, we talk to Jo Smith about Ock Pop Tok, the textile workshop and visitor center she and her Lao partner, Veomanee Douangdala, established there over a decade ago, and why it’s important to preserve traditional crafts from the area. Next up is a discussion with Susie Martin, the Australian expat who co-founded the Laos Buffalo Dairy, which not only produces delicious cheeses and ice creams for restaurants in town, but does so with a sustainable business model that helps local farmers breed and care for their animals. Finally, co-founder Michael Vogler tells us why they embrace a no-riding approach on the treks they offer at MandaLao Elephant Conservation.

Visit our Instagram feed @conscioustravelerpod for images from Eric’s visits to these wonderful outfits. And follow @ockpoptok to check out some drool-worthy handmade textiles, @laosbuffalodairy to see the cute little calves and their moms, and @mandalao_elephants for pictures of the elephants out on their daily rounds.

But the novel coronavirus isn’t the only thing that raises health flags when it comes to travel. In this episode, we talk to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill epidemiologist Nabarun Dasgupta (a college friend of Eric’s) about how to travel safely and with awareness—of not only your own health but the issues concerning your destination. 

We discuss strategies for anytime, but especially during a global pandemic. Nab happens to also be a world traveler with a talent for taking stunning photos from airplane windows, so follow him on Instagram @nabarund.

First up is Katie Day, an environmental scientist from the Surfrider Foundation who speaks about extensive research that links oxybenzone - a common sunscreen ingredient - to physical deformities, bleaching and other traumas to ocean-dwelling creatures. (Katie wrote a helpful guide to reef-friendly products that you can find here.) 

Brian Guadagno, who founded the pioneering reef-safe sunscreen brand Raw Elements, shares his journey and what all sun-seekers can do to stay safe. 

And finally, we hear from Teresa van Greunen, marketing director for Hawaii’s Aqua-Aston hospitality brand, about the tourism-driven initiative, For Our Reef, she helped create that led to Hawaii banning non–reef safe products. 

You can follow them on Instagram, too, at @surfrider, @rawelementsusa and @aquaaston, respectively. Plus, find Eric’s National Geographic Traveler informative piece on the subject here.

If this little taste whets your appetite for more, take a deeper dive into our exploits and adventures on our individual Instagram accounts, @katromeyn and @ericrosenla. And stay tuned for further episodes where we talk to experts in conservation, sustainability, design, the environment and more!