The Altruistic Traveller Podcast

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Court Whelan, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Natural Habitat Adventures (Nat Hab).

Court shares insights from his journey, from his upbringing in Florida to his passion for conservation and sustainability. We discuss the intersection of biodiversity conservation and ecotourism, the impact of travel on local communities, and Nat Hab's efforts to promote sustainable travel practices.

One of Nat Hab's key initiatives is to empower local communities and support grassroots conservation efforts. Court shares, "We work closely with local partners to ensure that our trips benefit the communities we visit. Whether it's providing funding for small-scale projects or fostering sustainable livelihoods, we believe in creating shared value for all stakeholders."

Through its innovative conservation projects and immersive travel experiences, Natural Habitat Adventures is helping to shape a more sustainable future for our planet. As Court summarises, "Our goal is to inspire travellers to become stewards of the environment and advocates for conservation. By exploring the world responsibly, we can protect and preserve the natural wonders that make our planet so unique."

Follow Court's adventures on Instagram.

Follow Natural Habitat Adventures on Instagram.

Join one of NatHab's upcoming conservation adventures.

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana, and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Anniina Sandberg, the founder of Visit Natives, a sustainable travel company dedicated to promoting cross-cultural tourism in Tanzania, Norway, and Papua New Guinea. 

Anniina is Norwegian-born but has spent most of her life living amongst the Maasai people in the rural landscapes of Tanzania. She is fluent in Swahili and has a background in anthropology and African studies. In the interview, Anniina shares insights into cultural relativism, community-based tourism and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives.

We learn about her experience and wisdom gained from years in the field, discussing the transformative power of cultural exchange and the potential pitfalls of ethnocentrism.

Discover how embracing cultural diversity can enrich our lives and receive advice on how you can support sustainable travel initiatives and the communities you visit through conscientious tourism practices.

Follow Anniina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theanthropologisttraveler/

Connect with Anniina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniina-sandberg-b91127196/

Find out more about the cultural experiences offered: https://www.visitnatives.com/

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I welcome Jarka Kunova, co-founder of La Vita Sukha – a conscious and intentional coliving, coworking, and retreat space in the heart of Southern Italy. Jarka, a psychology-informed coach, consultant, and investor, shares her insights into creating a conscious community and navigating life as a location-independent entrepreneur.

Discover how this unique coliving experience goes beyond physical spaces, fostering connections that facilitate profound personal growth and healing. Jarka shares insights into the intentional approach to conscious living at La Vita Sukha, creating an environment that supports individuals on their healing journeys.

Visit the website: https://lavitasukha.com/

Join the coliving experience: https://lavitasukha.com/coliving/

Follow co-founder Jarka Kunova on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarka-kunova/

Follow co-founder Jarka Kunova on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulfulnomadlife/

Follow co-founder Liz Cirelli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizcirelli/

Follow co-founder Liz Cirelli on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_cirelli/

Welcome back to the final series of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. I'm your host, Bianca Caruana, and for the past five years, I've been sharing stories from influential change makers shaping a better world.

In this episode, I speak with Peigi Rodan, a dedicated advocate for sustainable tourism and the Senior Sustainability Manager at Invia Travel Germany (formerly the Sustainability Manager at WithLocals.)

We delve into her journey and passion for sustainable travel, exploring what "sustainable tourism" means in today's world.

Join us as Peigi sheds light on the advantages of experiencing a destination through the eyes of locals and how technology can enhance sustainable travel experiences. We also discuss valuable tips for authentic cultural immersion and meaningful interactions with locals.

Related article: https://thealtruistictraveller.com/blog/6-websites-that-help-you-travel-like-a-local-while-supporting-a-local/

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Marcus Hansen, a senior lecturer in tourism & events at Liverpool John Moores University. Dr. Hansen teaches and conducts research in relation to tourism and event management. His research interests are particularly around the topics of accessible tourism & events, including travelling with a vision impairment, accessible destination management, creating dementia-friendly destinations and leveraging mega events to deliver accessible outcomes.

We discuss destination management strategies that create inclusive environments for people with physical and cognitive disabilities. We also delve into the concept of accessible tourism, who are the stakeholders and what are some of the benchmarks for accessibility in tourism.

Dr. Hansen provides valuable insights on how destinations can adapt to cater to individuals with disabilities and highlights the benefits of creating environments that support those with cognitive impairments.

Tune in for an informative and inspiring conversation on making tourism accessible for everyone.

Follow Dr. Hansen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hansen-tourism/

Listen to Dr. Hansen's podcast - The Accessible Tourism Podcast

Email Dr. Hansen - M.H.Hansen@ljmu.ac.uk

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Shaun Busuttil, an anthropologist and travel writer currently completing a PhD on digital nomadism at the University of Melbourne, Australia. A nomad himself for over a decade, his ethnographic research illuminates and unveils some of the struggles, challenges and existential dilemmas encountered within this hypermobile community, as well as the various strategies digital nomads employ to resolve, reconcile or overcome them. His multi-sited ethnography also situates digital nomadism within a global neoliberal political landscape and critiques the impact of this relatively privileged class of transnational actors on the communities that host them. 

Shaun and I met at the Bansko Nomad Fest in June of this year. I was fascinated by his research-led reflections and insights into this modern nomadic lifestyle. Specifically, the balance we "digital nomads" endeavour to find when we value freedom but also crave community and connection.

In this discussion, we talk about the existential considerations of the life of a modern-day nomad and how location-independent individuals negotiate their identities in diverse cultural contexts. We explore the dichotomy of isolation versus community and unpack the monetisation and commodification of a sense of belonging.

Follow Shaun's research on his website: https://www.shaunbusuttil.com/

Follow Shaun's travels on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshaunbusuttil/

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with James Ellsmoor, an award-winning serial entrepreneur, writer, and influential advocate for island sustainable development. He is the CEO of the sustainable impact consultancy Island Innovation - a global network helping advance innovation and drive sustainable change across island communities worldwide.

In this episode, we talk about the Island Innovation project and the Virtual Island Summit that brings representatives from island nations together to discuss pressing challenges and create solutions for them, while learning sustainable development techniques that ripple across oceans. We talk about the influence of tourism on island nations and how we, as travellers, can practice sustainable tourism when visiting nations more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and mass tourism. 

Be inspired, educated and moved by global initiatives making this world a better place. 

The Virtual Island Summit will be held on September 25. Register here.

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Chris Christou - a writer, educational curator, activist and founder of the End of Tourism Podcast. 

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, he moved to Oaxaca, Mexico in 2015 after a decade of “delirious wanderlust”. In 2016, Chris began concurrently working in and writing about the tourism industry. In 2021, he created and launched the End of Tourism Podcast where he holds deep dialogues that confront, unknot, and subvert the unauthorised histories of wanderlust and exile.

“For some, tourism can entail learning, freedom, and financial survival. For others, it means the loss of culture, land, and lineage.” In this episode, we talk about the “other” side of tourism - how our freedom of movement has inherent consequences on place, people and culture. 

Chris shares his knowledge and insights from years as an academic in this arena, as well as learnings from guests he hosts on his podcast. We discuss gentrification, exile, capitalism, tourism and radical hospitality. 

Get ready for thirty minutes of deep dialogue and thought-provoking discussion about what it means to be human in the age of hypermobility.

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Marinel De Jesus - the founder of the award-winning media platform, Brown Gal Trekker, and mountain trekking enterprise, Equity Global Treks, both of which aim to elevate the status and roles of women and indigenous communities in the outdoor and travel industries. 

In this podcast episode, we talk about how the former civil rights lawyer turned her passion for hiking into a full-time endeavour as a social entrepreneur, solutions-focused journalist, activist, and speaker.

During the show, we talk about: 

• Human rights violations in the trekking industry

• The plight of porters’ rights in Peru, Nepal, Pakistan and Tanzania

• Gender inequity in the trekking industry 

• Female leadership as a way to decolonise the tourism and outdoor industries

• The Porter Voice Collective and the KM82 documentary

• The Great Himalayan Trail campaign

• How to support porters and advocate for their human rights 

Learn more about the project here: https://theportervoicecollective.org/

Watch the KM82 trailer here: https://youtu.be/Y6wQ3SCinE8

Follow Marinel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browngaltrekker/

Welcome back to season 5 (and the season finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Carolin Zeitler - Culture Alchemist, Business Coach, Writer and Chief Adventurer at Women Who impACT - an initiative that uses storytelling to inspire people to change the way they work and build their businesses.

In this podcast episode we talk about Carolin’s journey, social innovation and fempreneurship in Africa, and what led her to the dream of riding from Cape Town to Alexandria on a motorbike, documenting the stories of eight women who are creating amazing, successful social innovative, and community-based projects. 

During the show, we talk about: 

• Social entrepreneurship and social enterprise
• Social enterprise vs the NGO model
• How we can learn the true meaning of community from women across Africa 
• How important social impact initiatives are and what they can contribute to shaping the future of work
• How to support the Women who impACT initiative 

Learn more about the project here: https://womenwhoimpact.co/

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/pRYANrn1wkw

Donate to the project here: https://www.patreon.com/WomenWhoImpact

Memoir Coming 2023 - Sign up for pre-sale access: https://subscribepage.io/the-altruistic-traveller-book-launch

In this episode, I speak with Sam Tayyari, an American entrepreneur, product developer and founder of the Lucky Rabbits Club - a Web3-based travel company, creating culturally immersive experiences enhanced by the use of blockchain technology and extended reality technologies (VR/AR/MR/AI).

Sam shares about his entrepreneurial journey, how he came to realise the benefit of Web3 technologies in travel and the launch of the Lucky Rabbit Club NFT - a digital collectible that allows collectors to unlock private club membership and access to adventure experiences and IRL clubhouse HQ on an island in Fiji.

We discuss the story behind the innovative creation and the focus Sam’s team place on cultural preservation and sustainability when it comes to a project like this. We’re also in for a Lucky treat at ~36 minutes, when Sam drops a special reveal for all the listeners out there.

Whether you’re just starting your inquisitive Web3 research or are well-versed in this movement, tune in for a progressive and personal discussion about what the future holds.

Follow Lucky Rabbits Club on Twitter - https://twitter.com/luckyrabbitsio

Visit the Lucky Rabbits Club website - https://www.luckyrabbitsclub.com/

In this episode, I speak with the co-founder and CEO of SafetyWing, Sondre Rasch, about the idea of a borderless society and a country on the internet, off the back of a growing movement of global location independence.

Sondre comes from a background in economics and computer science, bringing his experience in policy and socio-economics to SafetyWing back in 2018 when it was founded to provide health insurance for freelancers and remote workers. Since then, the company has evolved to offer a more comprehensive suite of social security, with more options in the pipeline that will support those who choose to live a lifestyle undefined by the country on their passport.

In the episode, we talk about SafetyWing and its evolution, Plumia - the world’s first country on the internet. We discuss the benefits and challenges of a borderless future, as well as the current digital transformation of our world as we know it.

Tune in for this insightful and inspiring discussion about paving the way for a future that could improve the global mobility rights of millions of people in our world today.

Visit SafetyWing website - https://safetywing.com/

Visit Plumia Website - https://plumia.org/

In this episode, I speak with Sajana Bhadel, the Founding President of Girls Empowered by Travel, Nepal, a non-governmental organisation empowering girls and women, specifically from marginalised communities, through travel and leadership programs.

Sajana shares her story of growing up in a rural village in Nepal where she often felt disconnected, not only from the world around her but from her own opportunities as a woman.

After moving to the city and becoming involved with local travel initiatives, Sajana saw travel as a pathway to personal growth. She was determined to find a way to make freedom of mobility more easily accessible to other women, like her, so they could access opportunities for personal development, specifically in a country where patriarchal norms hinder many women’s ability to live their truth.

Five years ago, Sajana founded Girls Empowered By Travel (GET). The organisation provides safe opportunities for women to travel and participate in community work with like-minded youth in a welcoming and safe environment. GET strives to promote leadership among women and youth that will have a ripple effect on the reality of their families and their communities.

In our discussion, we talk about the work of GET, the barriers women in Nepal face when it comes to travel and opportunity, as well as Sajana’s story and vision for a future where women are treated equally.

Website: http://girlsempoweredbytravel.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/get_nepal/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Girlsempoweredbytravel/

In this episode, I speak with Soul Travel Blog and Soul Travel India founder Ellie Cleary on all the above magic, as well as transformational travel in India, astrocartography and using our intuition to guide us.

Ellie is a former corporate tourism professional turned full-time traveller. She was raised in London before falling in love with India and becoming a self-confessed India-phile, She now splits her time between the UK & India.

Her work on sustainable and mindful tourism has been featured by leading publications such as Lonely Planet, and Ellie continues to guide her community on travel to India through her Facebook Group - India Travel Planning & Tips by Soul Travel India.

In more recent times, Ellie has started offering astrocartography readings to help her clients tap into wisdom and knowledge that guides them on their journeys in the world. To get an intuitive reading from Ellie, visit this link: https://soultravelindia.com/oracle

This June, on behalf of RunTheWorld, I joined the Sierra Leone Marathon – an annual event hosted by the NGO, Street Child, with the aim to bring supporters together for a life-changing adventure in Sierra Leone.

This is a recorded audio version of a blog I wrote where I share my recap from one week in Sierra Leone and some insight into why Street Child’s development work is paramount in this part of the world.

Access the full blog with images here.

In this episode, I speak with Rachel Dodds, a mother, professor, director and co-author of the new book, Are We There Yet?: Travelling More Responsibly with Your Children.

Rachel has worked in the hospitality and tourism industry for over 25 years and holds a PhD focusing on sustainable tourism. With the help of Richard Butler, Rachel has brought her knowledge and insight into her new book which focuses on helping parents and guardians make responsible and sustainable choices before, during and after their travels. The book includes over 100 stories and detailed advice from parents and grandparents around the world on how to travel more responsibly with kids.

Throughout our discussion, we talk about the concept of sustainable tourism and how to overcome some of the barriers we face when it comes to bringing sustainability to the forefront of our lives.

Are We There Yet?: Travelling More Responsibly with Your Children is now available online. Purchase here.

This June, I will challenge myself in a rather unique and unconventional way and run my first ever (half) marathon in West Africa’s Sierra Leone with RuntheWorld, supporting the work of NGO, Street Child.

The marathon will raise money to provide education to vulnerable children in Sierra Leone by supporting local education projects in rural villages.

I invited RuntheWorld founder and CEO, Carole Sanchez, and European Development Manager for Street Child, Marina López, on the show to speak about this amazing collaboration.

Support my fundraiser at: https://www.facebook.com/donate/707086313835570/10158492532757765/

About RuntheWorld: 

RuntheWorld is a social enterprise providing adventure and sporting touristic experiences with a positive impact. They offer authentic experiences that involve local immersion and support social projects from a place of humility, optimism and solidarity.

About Street Child:

Street Child is a global organisation that helps vulnerable children to overcome barriers to gain access to the education they deserve.

Their work in Sierra Leone:

Street Child of Sierra Leone works with rural communities in some of the most remote parts of Sierra Leone, where children often miss out on the opportunity to gain the most basic literacy and numeracy skills. In places with no access to schools, they work in partnership with willing rural communities to build ‘first-ever schools’ and identify members of the community to undertake formal distance teacher training. They also support struggling rural schools with teaching and learning materials and essential school repairs, alongside tailored teacher training that emphasises inclusive education.

Why education?

As the world’s focus continues on the aftermath of the pandemic and the war unravelling in Ukraine, more than 300 million children around the world lack basic literacy skills, inhibited by poverty and lack of access to education. According to UNESCO, “Education is a human right and a force for sustainable development and peace.” If we are to achieve Sustainable Development Goal #4 - Quality Education, the work of organisations like Street Child is imperative.

The event:

It’s not just a marathon. It’s about one week’s immersion in the local community, an adventure that has an impact on many lives. After visiting rural and urban projects and meeting the families that benefit from the program, I will run a unique and ambitious race through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the north of Sierra Leone that wind through exuberant green countryside and local communities.

In this episode, I speak with Bhav Patel, the founder of Storyteller - a social enterprise that sells travel accessories with 10% of each product helping to fund educational programs around the world.

During the episode, we speak about Bhav’s inspiration to take his skills in corporate law and passion for community development into a business venture that would combine profit with purpose. We discuss the main mission behind Storyteller and how the organisation works with communities to increase access to education for children and adults.

Bhav shares the important values behind Storyteller, for example, integrity, transparency and sustainability. He shares how the flagship travel accessories are sustainably sourced across the supply chain, including the use of fair trade practices and sustainable materials, and how their team works directly with local grassroots organisations to ensure Storyteller’s impact is sustainable long-term.

To date, Storyteller has donated over £16,000 and impacted over 1500 people, with a vision to impact 1 million people throughout its lifetime.

• Visit the Storyteller website
• Connect with Bhav on LinkedIn
• Shop Storyteller's flagship products
• Follow Storyteller on Instagram
• Follow Storyteller on Facebook

In the episode, Nads shares about the mission behind Manira Palm, its values, and alignment with authentic Moroccan traditions. We learn about Nads’ journey to creating Manira Palm, and how her rich Moroccan cultural heritage influenced her decision to move to Marrakech and open an eco villa for guests from all around the world.

Visit the Manira Palm website for more information or follow Nads' journey on Instagram. 

In this episode, I speak with Vanessa Karel, the founder of Greether - a platform that safely connects women travellers to a verified local female guide upon arrival at their destination. 

Vanessa Karel is a second-time founder, entrepreneur, storyteller, and creative producer born in the USA, and raised in Mexico City. Growing up an avid traveller, Vanessa always found an interest in exploring different cultures and expanding her horizons.

In 2020, after her own experiences as a solo female traveller, Vanessa founded Greether, a safety platform for female travelers around the world. The platform is now available to women in over 75 countries and 256 cities.

In the episode we speak about Vanessa's founder journey, the inspiration behind the Greether idea, the challenges women face when it comes to safety abroad, and ways the female traveller community continue to support each another and enable safe freedom of movement.

Website: https://www.greether.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greet.her/

In this episode, I speak with the founders of the Minimalist Journeys platform, Paul and Sandra.

Farewelling their corporate careers in Sydney in 2016, Paul and Sandra have made it their mission to help others experience more by living with less.

In the interview, we hear how the couple sold their home and belongings to embrace a more simplistic way of living, in line with their values and what makes them truly happy.

On their website www.minimalistjourneys.com, the couple now provides practical advice and simple, tested tools to people who want to:

• design a better life for themselves and pursue what truly matters to them;

• travel in a more authentic and respectful way.

Listen to this inspiring conversation on how to live a life intentionally aligned with your values.

Elbrus4Alpinists is a sustainable development project aiming to open the Northwest Face of Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe and one of the world’s “Seven Summits”, as a climbing route. In this episode, I speak with founder and mountaineer, Matthew C Johnson, about the Elbrus4Alpinists project and foundation.

Matt is a family man who loves intellectual challenges, adventure travel, endurance sports, and bringing together unlikely groups of people to share passions and connect humanity. In 2018, Matt became curious about alternative climbing routes on Mount Elbrus. That curiosity led him to explore the Northwest Face, a lesser-known climbing route.

“I discovered that the Russian climbers in the area climbed by a route from the west side that is not normally advertised. So I took a solo trip over there to explore. I discovered it was phenomenally beautiful. The people on that side of the mountain are wonderful, albeit with very few economic opportunities…I looked at the population, I looked at the terrain and I thought, why has nobody developed a climbing infrastructure here?”

Over the past three years, Matt engaged with Alpinists from all over the world including Nathaniel J. Menninger, the film director of The Porter: The Untold Story at Everest (2020), and gathered a team of passionate individuals who could help bring this project to fruition. With sustainability and cultural sensitivity at the forefront, the Elbrus4Aplinists project aims to bring economic development to the people living and working below the mountain.

In the podcast, we discuss Matthew’s vision for the project, how his passion for mountaineering and sustainable development drives the project and the steps he and his team are taking to ensure a community-first approach.

Find out more about the project here: https://www.elbrus4alpinists.org/

In this episode, I speak with Green Destinations Top 100 Partnership Program Coordinator, Louise de Hemmer, on the topic of recognising and awarding the world’s sustainable destinations.

The Green Destinations Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on sustainable destination development and recognition. Founded in 2014, they are one of three sustainable tourism certification bodies accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) with an aim to support global destinations through their journey towards sustainability.

The top 100 competition was created to give destinations a higher level of exposure and recognition for their good practices in the areas of social and environmental impact.

In the interview, Louise speaks with me about the destination certification process and the Top 100 submissions process, and shares some of the award-winning destinations recognised for their efforts. The awards cover a range of categories including localising the destination supply chain, decarbonising the destination supply chain, environment and culture, nature and ecotourism, and more. 

Participants are invited to apply to the competition and are required to self-report on core sustainability criteria of the Green Destinations Standard. Criteria include but are not limited to responding to tourism impacts on nature, solid waste reduction, reducing transport emissions and energy consumption, tangible cultural heritage and community involvement in planning.

Learn more about Green Destinations on their website: https://greendestinations.org/

In this episode, I speak with Valery Joanne Super about sustainability and ecotourism in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. Valery is the co-founder of Emboo River, a luxurious lodge with sustainability at the forefront of its operations.

Emboo River is also the first lodge in the region to offer guests the chance to embark on carbon-neutral safaris in converted electric safari vehicles powered by solar energy.

As Valery explains, “the vehicles are silent enough to help guests tap into all their senses. You can smell animals in the area, you can hear a lion roar in the distance. This increases our guest's chances of animal sightings.”

In the interview we discuss Emboo River’s award-winning sustainability practices including running showers with solar-heated water, utilising lagoons with local wetland plants that filter and recycle 100% of wastewater, farm to fork meals from an organic vegetable garden prepared on biogas created from organic waste, reusable beeswax paper, a tree-planting project called 'Rooting for our Future' and much more.

As the Maasai saying goes, “Mataramat enkop pee eramat iyook.”, which translates to “If you take care of nature, nature will take care of you.”

Be inspired by this story of innovation from the beautiful plains of the Maasai Mara, Kenya.

Website: https://www.emboo.camp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emboocamp/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmbooCamps

Apply to be a guest here.

My guest, Jeff Blumenfeld, is the author of 'Get Sponsored: A Funding Guide for Explorers, Adventurers, and Would-be World Travelers', - and the more recent book - 'Travel With Purpose: A Field Guide to Voluntourism'.

Jeff's interest in volunteering took him to Nepal in 2013 and 2017 where he served as communications director for the Dooley Intermed Foundation’s “Gift of Sight” Expedition ­– an effort to bring quality eye care to 700 impoverished villagers. Prior to that, he volunteered as a chaperone on a high school trip to Antarctica, which he speaks about in the interview.

In August 2020 he was honored with the Iceland Exploration Museum’s Leif Erikson Award for Exploration History and is currently an adjunct lecturer at CU’s College of Media, Communication, and Information.  

Jeff brings his expert knowledge of voluntourism into the interview and shares ways and resources on how we can have a positive, immpactful experience when volunteering.

You can purchase Jeff's book on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com.au/Travel-Purpose-Field-Guide-Voluntourism/dp/1538115328

In this episode, I speak with Philippe Moreau the founder of Greener Act - an app giving individuals arriving at their destination awareness of local sustainable activities crafted by responsible organisations.

Philippe has a vibrant history in the tourism industry. Starting out as a hotelier in various global destinations, he then spent 10 years managing sustainable tourism development for HBD Principé in São Tomé & Príncipé (West Africa) and has since taken his passion for sustainable tourism into the creation of the Greener Act.

In the podcast, we discuss the sustainable tourism development of São Tomé & Príncipé and how Philippe and his team, along with funding from the UNDP and the Spanish Ministry of Environment, were able to implement a water-refill program that saw the removal of over 900,000 plastic bottles off Príncipé, the distribution of over 7000 reusable bottles and the installation of 15 water-purification fountains around the island.

The success of this project showed how much impact can be made by a small group of mindful individuals and so Philippe was inspired to help others share their sustainability efforts, hence the creation of the Greener Act app.

Find out more at https://www.greeneract.com/

In this episode, I speak with Ruth Franklin who is the co-founder of Secret Paradise Maldives, a community-based tour company specialising in private and group adventure and cultural tours from Hulhumale and Male, as well as multi-day local island hopping tours throughout the Maldives.

I met Ruth back in 2018 when I was planning my first ever trip to the Maldives and was determined to see these beautiful islands in the eyes of a local. I wanted to explore how to visit the Maldives and learn about the Maldivian culture without staying at a resort, and Ruth was one of the first people I connected with to assist me on this journey. 

Ruth left a successful 28-year retail management career behind in the UK and took her passion for travel and sustainability to the Maldives in 2012 to co-found Secret Paradise Maldives. Since then, the company has grown into a pioneer in the eco-tourism sector in the Maldives, working with grassroots organisations and government bodies to promote positive environmental impact and community development. 

In the podcast, we discuss Ruth's journey, the tourism economy in the Maldives, and how Secret Paradise Maldives embrace responsible tourism practices while promoting local experiences on the islands. We also discuss the Maldives embracing the UNDPs "Reimagining Tourism" project, a joint initiative between the Government and UNDP Maldives to explore, develop and test pathways for making tourism in the country more inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

Website: https://secretparadise.mv/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretparadisemaldives/

Accompanying blog posts: https://thealtruistictraveller.com/blog/category/maldives/

We discuss the role of travel when it comes to carbon emissions, how individuals can reduce their environmental impact, and creative ways to offset such as using crypto to offset your footprint.

For more information on Offsetra visit their website: https://offsetra.com/

In this podcast I speak with Gonçalo Hall, a remote work consultant and evangelist who launched projects like the Remote Work Movement, Future of Work Conference, Remote Portugal, Remote Europe and most recently a digital nomad village in Madeira, Portugal. 

Gonçalo is passionate about remote work and believes in the link between digital nomadism and community development. Through his new project, Madeira’s first digital nomad village in Ponta do Sol, Portugal, Gonçalo and his team have brought together a thriving community of nomads focused on positive impact and connections.

In the episode, we talk about the nomad village model as a tool for decentralisation, repopulation and community-building. Before conception, Gonçalo’s team spent time in Madeira, speaking with locals and educating them on the positive impacts nomads could bring to their town. This facilitated discussions around adding vegetarian menu options to restaurants, creating stronger internet connections, and even education around making the perfect flat white. 

The village attracts visitors to Madeira in the tourist low season and closes in the high season, an economically viable decision to best support the local people. This decision also helps the village to thrive both in the low and high season. 

Nomads are encouraged to take part in community activities run by Digital Nomads Madeira, including tree planting projects, beach cleanups and support for local NGOs such as animal shelters. 

This model is a pioneer of its times as more countries introduce nomad visas, making it easier for remote workers to legally work and settle abroad for longer periods of time. Gonçalo and his team hope to use this model as a pilot for future villages and set an example for what the future of work could really look like.

Follow Gonçalo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goncalohall/

Follow Gonçalo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gonzohall/

Follow Digital Nomads Madeira on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalnomadsmadeira/

Visit Website: https://digitalnomads.startupmadeira.eu/team/

Read the corresponding blog post: https://thealtruistictraveller.com/blog/sustainable-tourism-volunteering-in-madeira-portugal/

In this episode, I am talking with writer, speaker, and solutions advocate JoAnna Haugen. JoAnna is the founder of Rooted, a solutions platform at the intersection of sustainable tourism, social impact, and storytelling. In her work, JoAnna provides insight into a more conscious, inclusive type of storytelling and assists both content creators and industry professionals in shaping their storytelling language.

Our thought-provoking discussion opens up a number of perspectives on tourism. In her work, JoAnna supports the idea of reshaping the tourism narrative to not only promote equality and diversity but also challenge the idea that tourism should be traveller focused. As JoAnna explains, “the idea that tourism “need(s) us” is the epitome of privilege, and it’s a story the tourism industry is perpetuating...leading travellers to believe they are the answer to this industry’s survival perpetuates a dangerous and destructive history of white supremacy and colonialism.”

We reference JoAnna’s recent articles ‘What we risk when we rush back to travel’ and ‘5 words to cut from your travel writing’, and dissect the concept of vaccine-privilege, as well as the ethics of returning to a type of travel that is not centred around the benefit and empowerment of local communities.

JoAnna offers a number of free resources on her blog, including:

The Content Creator's Guide to Building Back Better

Flipping the Negative Narrative on Impact

As well as short courses to assist in positive storytelling:

Strategic Storytelling for Travel Service Providers

Responsible Travel Writing

For the past 10 years, the BLUE Missions Group has been working to provide families with clean water and sanitary environments through sustainable, community-owned projects that empower progress and transform rural communities for the better.

Their model for aid is focused on sustainability, ensuring local leaders are equipped with the skills to prepare for community-led construction of projects, and the ability to maintain healthy water systems.

To date, BLUE Missions has helped over 22,000 people gain access to clean drinking water through innovative solutions such as gravity-driven aqueducts that gather and distribute water from higher-elevated sources. With the help of volunteers, engineers and members of the local community they have completed over 100 water projects in countries including Colombia, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

In the podcast, Danny talks about 10 years with BLUE Missions, the systemic barriers that limit communities' access to clean water and how volunteers and individuals can help to support the work of BLUE Missions. 

For more information visit:  https://www.bluemissions.org/

Website: https://travel4purpose.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travel4purpose/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travel4purpose/

Eco Projects: https://travel4purpose.com/ecoprojects/

PODCAST DOUBLE: This episode is linked to my interview on the How To Be Global podcast that can be found here: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-how-to-be-global-podcast/episode/36-part-i-sustainable-travel-and-nomads-giving-back-with-bianca-from-the-altruistic-traveller-blog-podcast-79600965

...

What does it mean to be a global citizen? This week I speak with Sarah Rapp about eradicating poverty, empowering youth and becoming a global citizen. 

Sarah is the founder of ‘How To Be Global’, an initiative that aims to discover what it takes to be global in today's fast-paced and culturally mixed world, through podcasting, education and crowdsourcing. Its mission is to connect the world by lowering boundaries, reducing fears about other cultures, and encouraging others to embrace diversity. Sarah is the former president of JA Alumni Europe and is currently Senior Manager Alumni & Campaigns at JA Worldwide, a large nongovernmental organization that serves youth around the world. 

In the podcast, we talk about Sarah's journey, her involvement with JA Worldwide, and the How To Be Global scholarship program she runs to put disadvantaged youth in school. Sarah currently partners with Educom to deliver scholarships in Jamestown, Ghana and has since provided opportunities for more than 60 orphans and kids from single-parents to get an education.

"I wanted to make sure that these amazing girls and boys have the chance to go to school, get food and education which empowers them to shape a better future for themselves and the whole community."

Follow Sarah's journey: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrapp._/

Support How To Be Global: https://www.gofundme.com/f/how-to-be-global-scolarship

Listed to the How To Be Global podcast: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-how-to-be-global-podcast

These are the questions I explore in this conversation with Tom Dawkins, the Co-founder/CEO of the social impact crowdfunding platform Start Some Good - the leading home of cause-driven crowdfunding, innovative partnerships and social entrepreneur education.

In the episode, we discuss the limiting mindsets that inhibit fundraisers to meet their full potential. We discuss the psychology of fundraising, the nuances of crowdfunding and the way that Start Some Good work with projects to achieve the highest project success rate in cause-crowdfunding (at 53% compared to equivalent platforms who are as low as 13%).

Tom discusses how Start Some Good has transformed into an educational, innovative hub for social entrepreneurs to gain insights into the best practices for crowdfunding, enabling changemakers to launch groundbreaking projects that can change the world.  

Learn more at https://startsomegood.com

Learn about Strat Some Good's recurring fundraising opportunities at https://startsomegood.com/recurring

Join the Starting Good Network: https://startsomegood.com/starting-good

Established in 2003 by global adventure travel company G Adventures’ founder, Bruce Poon Tip, Planeterra is a non-profit organisation that has contributed millions of dollars towards projects in areas of social enterprise, healthcare, conservation, and emergency response.

In this episode, I speak with Alanna Wallace - Planeterra's Program & Communications Manager. We discuss Planeterra’s strategy to empower community tourism businesses to create sustainable livelihoods and how in the midst of a pandemic, Planeterra has helped their partners cope with the complete halt in global travel, and loss of customer base.

Many projects around the world have been left without an income as global travel stopped entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, communities need assistance to rebuild and recover from months without income. Planeterra has been able to provide grants to help with emergency needs, and also to build resilience for community tourism businesses and those that rely on them.

In the episode, Alanna shares how the organisation has raised tens of thousands of dollars for their partners and continue to fundraise much-needed dollars that will support their tourism partners through this difficult time. Listen in to hear about the work of Planeterra, stories of resilience and kindness and see how you can show your support. 

Website: https://planeterra.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PlaneterraCares/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlaneterraCares/

Donate: https://www.classy.org/give/288889/#!/donation/checkout

Website: https://clickatree.com/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/clickatree

Website: http://voice4girls.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voice4girls/

Ted Talk: Raising Hope

Ted Talk: Raising a Feminist Generation

Website: https://thecoupleinrow51.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNPB8iCCGI0hEBL5W_k0tQ

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecoupleinrow51/

Facebook: http://fb.me/thecoupleinrow51

The Altruistic Traveller Podcast is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google and Anchor.

For more information visit https://www.colourthemsafe.org/

For more information about KSES visit: https://kselephantsanctuary.com/

To join the Biosphere Expedition Thailand elephant research project visit: https://www.biosphere-expeditions.org/volunteeringinthailand

For previous elephant research reports visit: https://www.biosphere-expeditions.org/images/stories/pdfs/reports/report-thailand18.pdf

Website: https://www.nomadsgivingback.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadsgivingback/ | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomadsgivingback/

Or follow Tarek's journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarek.world/ | YouTube: https://youtu.be/zQnnBuqeD-A

For more information about Jonathan's work visit https://subtledream.com/

Watch the latest Conscious Impact documentary - https://vimeo.com/consciousimpact/sustainus

For more information on the Olive Ridley Project visit https://oliveridleyproject.org/

Website: https://www.highlymeditated.co/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/highlymeditated.co

*In this podcast we touch on the topic of mental health. If you or anyone you know needs help please visit this link for more information on support lines. 

Website: https://chooseachallenge.org/

For more information visit the Green Stars website: http://greenstars.eco/

View the crowdfunding campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-magic-of-trash2cash-truck