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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Rachel Vigil.

Rachel Vigil is the CEO and Founder of UpClose Marketing, a company that connects brands with vacation rental operators across the U.S. By providing free products for vacation stays, UpClose Marketing creates unique trial opportunities that introduce guests to new products in an authentic and memorable way. In addition to leading her company, Rachel also self-manages two of her own short-term rentals, giving her firsthand insight into the industry she serves. Originally from Oregon and now calling Southern California home, Rachel brings a grounded yet adventurous spirit to both her work and her life. As a proud mother of two, she balances entrepreneurship with family life, showing that ambition and heart can go hand in hand. Her passion for travel fuels her curiosity and creativity, giving her fresh perspectives to bring into every project she takes on. Whether she’s growing partnerships through UpClose Marketing, managing her own properties, exploring new corners of the world, or spending quality time with her kids, Rachel leads with connection, purpose, and a drive to make a meaningful difference.

Christine and Rachel discuss:

· The power of travel to connect women across cultures

· How supporting fair trade and women-led initiatives can uplift whole communities

· Bridging business and travel to amplify voices and create equitable opportunities for women

· Fostering cultural understanding and mindful travel through home exchanges, learning language basics, and authentic experiences

· The importance of bringing respect, curiosity, and generosity into travel

Join me now for this soulful conversation with Rachel Vigil.

Special thanks to our episode sponsor, Casey Hanisko! Through business coaching and consulting, Casey collaborates with women+ and purpose-driven leaders in adventure, outdoor and non-profit industries helping them become great leaders and to build great businesses. Work with Casey by reaching out through her website at caseyhanisko.com – or email her at hello@caseyhanisko.com.

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We only have a few more episodes left of Season 6, and we would like to extend a special invitation to you for our Season Wrap Party & 250 Episode Celebration on November 18 at 10:00 am MT! Register to attend here to connect with past guests and other listeners, and hear what’s next on the podcast.

We’re gearing up for Season 7 and we’re so excited to carry the podcast forward, and need financial contributions in order to make it happen. If you can’t attend the wrap party but would like to contribute, you can support the production of Soul of Travel directly at our Buy Me a Coffee link here.

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Visit Up Close Marketing to learn more!

Christine is inviting you to join a virtual gathering to celebrate the end of Season 6 of Soul of Travel Podcast and the 250 episode milestone!

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Anna Grodzki.

Anna Grodzki is Managing Director and Co-Owner of Matoke Tours Africa, a leading DMC based in Uganda. Committed to exploring regenerative thinking, place-based sustainability, and innovative impact reporting, Anna sees tourism as a catalyst for connection and creating space for personal and collective transformation. Every journey she and her team designs aims to enrich travelers’ lives while supporting the wellbeing of the communities and ecosystems that make these experiences possible.

At Matoke Tours, she loves building projects that give depth and purpose to travel — from Travelling Sisterhood Safaris, empowering women through adventure and connection, to Matoke Academy, a digital B2B learning platform, and Trails of Tomorrow, a soon-to-launch accelerator for new tourism products in Uganda.

Christine and Anna discuss:

· How decisions open doors and a single “Yes!” can keep on giving for years to come

· The process of creating Traveling Sisterhood Safaris

· Identifying and closing industry gaps for women in tourism

· Curiosity, adaptability, and flexibility leading to innovation and reward in entrepreneurship

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Anna Grodzki.

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Love these soulful conversations and want to expand our reach? Support Soul of Travel on Buy Me a Coffee, subscribe here to Apple Podcasts, and rate and review your favorite episodes.

To discuss advertising or sponsoring an episode, reach out to Christine at souloftravelpodcast@gmail.com.

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Visit Matoke Tours to explore your next visit to Uganda.

Connect with Anna on your favorite social media network! Instagram / LinkedIn

Learn more about Traveling Sisterhood Safaris.

Subscribe for news about Matoke’s soon-to-launch eco-conscious and community-led tourism accelerator, Trails of Tomorrow.

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Learn more about the Lotus Sojourns community here!

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Anna Grodzki (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, produ

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Karin Jones.

Karin Jones is the Founder & CEO of Artisans of Safari, a bespoke safari company dedicated to creating meaningful, conservation-centered journeys across Africa. With nearly four decades of experience designing safaris since 1987, Karin has been recognized on Travel + Leisure’s A-List and Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist list for Africa in 2025. Through her deep relationships with Africa’s leading conservationists, guides, and lodge owners, she connects travelers with transformative experiences that support wildlife protection, empower local communities, and rewild African tourism, using travel as a tool for positive change. Karin is also the creator and host of the Safari ChangeMakers video podcast, spotlighting Africa’s conservation pioneers and tourism innovators. For Karin, a safari is never just a trip; it’s a way to create impact, purpose, and lifelong connection.

Christine and Karin discuss:

· The magic of slow, intentional travel, being present, and embracing detours

· Highlighting women guides, trackers, and lodge leaders to shape the safari story

· How to design trips to combine conservation with community benefit

· Traveling with empathy, awareness, and stewardship

Join Christine for this soulful conversation with Karin Jones.

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LOVE these soulful conversations? Support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee.

Subscribe to Apple Podcasts!

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Explore bespoke Africa safaris with Artisans of Safari.

Connect with Karin on your favorite social media network! Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn

Subscribe to the Safari Changemakers podcast! YouTube / Spotify

Editor’s Note: We would love to dedicate this episode to the great Dr. Jane Goodall. We remember and honor her legacy of justice, conservation, and compassion. To support the continuation of her work, visit the Jane Goodall Institute.

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

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Cynthia B. Mothelesi.

With over thirteen years in the tourism industry, Cynthia B. Mothelesi has turned her lifelong love for travel into a purpose-driven journey that connects people, places, and cultures through her Botswana-based award-winning responsible tour company, Happy Soul Adventures. Cynthia’s travels in Malaysia, Australia, and the world sparked a dream: to create a safe, inclusive, and joyful space for solo female travelers and anyone seeking meaningful adventures. Cynthia believes that to truly experience Africa, you must go beyond the game drives and take time to immerse yourself in local life—share a meal, listen to stories, and dance under the stars with your hosts. Through her storytelling, Cynthia brings these moments to life and uses tourism as a tool for community empowerment and cultural exchange. Beyond travel, Cynthia also works as a tourism business consultant, leading training workshops in rural Botswana to help communities understand and thrive within the hospitality industry. Her long-term dream has been to establish a foundation (HSA Impact) that supports these initiatives sustainably—because empowering local hosts means building a stronger, more authentic tourism ecosystem for everyone.

Christine and Cynthia discuss:

· Transitioning from a short-term rental model to a full-service tour operator

· People and culture-centered soulful travel that prioritizes connection and safety

· Learning how to appreciate and showcase your own backyard

· Slow, responsible travel with community-building initiatives

· Breaking stereotypes and nurturing belonging and deeper mutual understanding through cultural exchange

Join Christine for this soulful conversation with Cynthia B. Mothelesi.

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LOVE these soulful conversations? Support us on Buy Me a Coffee!

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Visit Happy Soul Adventures to learn more about responsible tours in Botswana.

Connect with Cynthia on your favorite social media network! Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn

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

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Cynthia B. Mothelesi (Guest). Origina

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Purvi Shah.

Born a 3rd-generation Kenyan-Indian, Purvi’s passion for travel was fueled from the road trips and visits to national parks around Kenya with her family as a child. Some of her earliest memories are watching elephants at a salt lick in the Aberdares. During her university years, she travelled extensively around Europe, USA, South America and Australia, but there was always a great pull to return home; her soul would always be in Africa. After starting a career in dentistry, Purvi met and launched a travel blog with her husband, Kamal, which would become Kampur Travel Diaries, which leads customized safaris throughout Africa with the tagline: Adventure With a Cause. Purvi now dedicates all her time to the company as a senior tour consultant and the head of sustainability, specializing in the little details that make travelers’ safaris exceptional.

Christine and Purvi discuss:

· Transitioning from a traditional career to full-time tourism work in the field of impact-driven travel

· How to emphasize storytelling and soul connection in travel

· The power of impact initiatives that support community projects including menstrual equity, animal care, and education

· Mindful entrepreneurship that focuses on trusting the process, following intuition, and aligning business with values

· Intentional community-building through local guides and authentic cultural exchange

Join Christine for this soulful conversation with Purvi Shah.

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LOVE these soulful conversations? Support our work on Buy Me a Coffee!

Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber?

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Visit Kampur Travel Diaries to connect with Purvi and discover your next safari adventure in Kenya.

Connect with Purvi on LinkedIn and check out Kampur Travel Diaries updates on Instagram and Facebook.

Learn more and support the Mara Elephant Project.

Visit Days for Girls International to learn about and support menstrual equity and education.

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

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Amanda and Asnath Kessy.

Amanda Kessy is Managing Director and Co-Founder of Still Waters Safaris. Together with her sister, Asnath Kessy, Co-Founder, they create luxury, immersive, personalized safaris across Tanzania, including wildlife adventures in the Serengeti, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, relaxing on Zanzibar’s beaches, and immersing in authentic local cultures. Still Waters Safaris connects guests with the heart and soul of Tanzania. Amanda is passionate about sustainable travel, making sure every journey is unforgettable for their guests while also giving back to local communities and supporting conservation. For her, travel is more than seeing beautiful places; it’s about meaningful experiences, connection, and leaving a positive impact.

Christine, Amanda, and Asnath discuss:

· What it’s like to grow up with a parent in the travel industry

· The value of international education and careers

· Following joy and building a business rooted in sustainability and community impact

· Reshaping the safari experience through women’s leadership

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Amanda and Asnath Kessy.

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LOVE these soulful conversations? Support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee.

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

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Visit Still Waters Safaris for authentic, luxurious, and personalized experiences that allow you to enjoy the wildlife, beaches, and nature of Tanzania.

Connect with Amanda, Asnath, and Still Waters Safaris: Email / Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn

Learn more about Still Waters Safaris’ upcoming trip with chef and activist Miyoko Schinner.

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

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman.

Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Amanda Kessy, Asnath Kessy (Guests). Original musi

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In this special episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, we are thrilled to share the inspiring wmnsWORK 2025 Cohort 6 Demo Day presentations.

wmnsWORK is an accelerator focused on women and non-binary early-stage entrepreneurs designed to help you get a leg up on your tourism business and rally a community while you build it. They do this through 3 main pillars: Education, Mentorship, and Community.

Through each company's 5-minute pitch, you'll get a glimpse of their passion and dedication as they unveil their unique ventures to fellow members of the tourism industry, and learn how YOU can support them. We encourage you to connect and collaborate with these fabulous wmn+!

Featuring:

WellGather | Marla Mae Ramos

Morocco with Hope | Amal Bachikh

Blue Lobster Travel | Caroline Quinn

Three Waves Retreats | Tanya Stojovic, Sam Mikhael, and Hailey Martin

Adventure Collective | Lindsay White

Amble Journeys | Tina Finan

Avventura Vida Travel | Maria Herrera

Lovely Little Adventures | Jodi Suckle

Join us for this special soulful presentation from the graduates of WmnsWork Cohort 6.

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Support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee!

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Visit https://wmnswork.com/ to learn more about Tourism Business Accelerator!

Casey Hanisko’s Leading People Program is for leaders looking to deepen your leadership skills, strengthen your team, and create a thriving workplace. Learn more at caseyhanisko.com or contact hello@caseyhanisko.com to register.

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

Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women. Find solo travel trips for women over 50 on JourneyWoman. Follow us on Instagram: @journeywoman_original, @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcast.

Credi

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In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Casey Hanisko.

Casey Hanisko is a distinguished leader in the adventure travel industry, celebrated for her extensive contributions and thought leadership. She has shaped the landscape of adventure tourism and business coaching for tourism leaders in pivotal roles including President of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). Casey has been featured in prominent media outlets and is recognized as a thought leader while sharing her perspective on adventure travel, business strategy, and leadership through major industry conferences and her ‘Leading Naturally’ LinkedIn newsletter.

Transitioning to coaching and consulting, Casey leverages her extensive industry knowledge to guide businesses and leaders in travel to navigate changes and challenges, enhance strategic planning, and implement innovative solutions. Casey is a certified coach through the International Coaching Federation and the Coach Training Alliance with training in assessments such as EQ-i 2.0® and Everything DiSC™. She offers a Leading People ProgramTM twice a year for people leaders looking to develop their management and leadership skills; the next cohort begins September 30th!

Christine and Casey discuss:

· Casey’s path through tourism to coaching and consulting

· Supporting leaders in understanding their values and bringing these values into their work

· Elevating purpose-driven leaders and women-owned businesses

· Coaching resources and book recommendations for travel industry leaders

· Personal retreats as a way to create time for self-reflection

· Leading People, Casey’s upcoming 9-week transformative leadership program beginning September 30

Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Casey Hanisko.

#executivecoaching #leadership #womenleaders

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Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee.

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Visit caseyhanisko.com to learn more about Casey’s work in executive coaching and mentoring.

Connect with Casey on LinkedIn and subscribe to her newsletter, Leading Naturally.

Reserve your space in Casey’s Fall cohort of the Leading People Program, beginning September 30th.

There is space in my Fall cohort of the Leading People Program starting September 30th - https://www.caseyhanisko.com/services/leading-people-program

Learn more about the Women Travel Leaders Elite membership level and reserve your space in Casey’s leadership cohort here.

Explore RISE Travel Institute’s Flagship Program, based in sustainability and anti-oppression in travel. Learn more about RISE Travel Institute’s Carbon Literacy and Climate Justice Workshop for Tr

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