From Safari to Lost Luggage: Michaela Guzy’s Wildest Travel Tales
Travel With Meaning
In this episode of the Travel with Meaning podcast, we sit down with Michaela Guzy, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, travel journalist, and founder of Oh The People You Meet. Michaela’s global adventures have taken her to 120 countries, from the savannas of Africa to the lakes of Northern Michigan. In this episode, Michaela shares incredible stories, from navigating lost luggage with the help of social media to summiting mountains and encountering wildlife up close. Michaela dives into her passion for sustainable travel and the human connections she’s made across the globe. She...
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Cooking With Aloha: Lee Anne Wong's Journey from NYC to Hawaiʻi
Travel With Meaning
In Episode 119 of the Travel With Meaning podcast, we are thrilled to host Chef Lee Anne Wong, a culinary visionary known for her impactful journey from New York City's fine dining scene to the vibrant food culture of Maui. Chef Wong, a Top Chef alumna, shares her incredible story of moving to Hawaiʻi, opening Koko Head Cafe and eventually planting roots in Maui. After the devastating 2023 wildfire that claimed her Lahaina restaurant, Chef Wong's resilience and dedication shone through as she tirelessly supported her community, cooking thousands of meals daily for displaced residents. She...
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Living Aloha: Maui’s Influence on Top Chefs & People Around the World
Travel With Meaning
In this special episode of the Travel With Meaning podcast, host Mike Schibel brings you a unique blend of conversations with renowned chefs and a talented local musician from Maui. They highlight the depth of Maui’s culinary and cultural richness, reveal how Maui has impacted their lives, and share their stories of community resilience after the Lahaina wildfires. Recorded at the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, join us as we chat with, Chef Maneet Chauhan, Chef Stephanie Izard, Chef Jonathan Pasion from Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, and Chef Ryan Schelling from Four Seasons Resort...
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Beauty Beyond Borders: Shalini Vadhera's Inspirational Story
Travel With Meaning
In episode 117, we welcome Shalini Vadhera, a renowned global beauty expert and entrepreneur. Shalini's journey from a celebrity makeup artist to a leading figure in the beauty industry is truly inspiring. She shares her experiences growing up with a multicultural background and traveling the world, which shaped her unique perspective on beauty. Shalini discusses her brand, Ready, Set, Jet, aimed at empowering women through inclusive beauty solutions and entrepreneurship. Join us as Shalini reveals the beauty secrets she's discovered globally and her commitment to celebrating diversity. This...
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Behind the Lens: Danny Lee's Passion for People, Places, and Meaningful Stories
Travel With Meaning
In episode 116, we are thrilled to host visionary filmmaker and storyteller Danny Lee, whose work has profoundly impacted the arts and travel landscape. Danny's journey began with his passion for hip hop, street art, and sports, which he seamlessly wove into a thriving filmmaking career. He takes us behind the scenes of his latest PBS project, "," highlighting unsung heroic artists across America and showcasing the transformative power of art in healing communities and catalyzing change. Danny recounts his experiences, from a life-changing trip to Taiwan to a trip early in his professional...
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Celebrating Seattle Part 3
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...
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Celebrating Seattle Part 2
Travel With Meaning
In part two of our special series “Celebrating Seattle” in collaboration with TWM podcast host Mike Schibel is joined again by the acclaimed bilingual travel journalist 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 , where we had the...
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Celebrating Seattle Part1
Travel With Meaning
We’re excited to kick off a special three-part podcast series “Celebrating Seattle” in collaboration with . Our friend , 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...
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Episode 112: Mickela Mallozzi
Travel With Meaning
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...
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Episode 111: Jeff Jenkins
Travel With Meaning
In episode 111, we sit down with Jeff Jenkins, the host of on Nat Geo and Disney+, a motivational speaker, and the creative mind behind @ 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...
info_outlineGathering the Travel With Meaning community of like-minded travelers together to hear meaningful stories from our special guests is what we missed most during the pandemic. Episode 93 features not one but two incredible guests for the podcast recorded in front of an intimate audience at the Shay Hotel in Culver City, CA. This event was a collaboration with Wanderful and their LA Chapter. Our extraordinary guests Nailah Hayward and Rachel Firchau are two meaningful content creators and have both been active within the Wanderful community and with Travel With Meaning.
Big thank you to our partners to help make this event a success Travelers Autobarn, State Bags and Book Outdoors are supporters of sharing authentic meaningful stories and providing raffle prizes for the audience attending. Thank you also to all the people who watched the conversation live through zoom and thank you again to the Shay for hosting us and providing a raffle prize of a Shaycation.
About our two guests:
Nailah Hayward
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA Nailah is a passionate traveler and advocate for others' travel adventures. Starting her popular travel blog “There’s So Much To See” in 2009. As the LA Chapter Director for Wanderful Nailah helps organize community events and inspire her fellow travel community.
Rachel Firachu - AKA Rachel Off Duty
Balancing her passion for travel and her corporate job has given Rachel a new spin on her popular travel blog “Rachel Off Duty” instead of quitting her job to travel she’s utilized her professional stability to thrive in workcation opportunities all over the world. Born and raised in Hawaii her wanderlust interest came at an early age and her desire to inspire other women to see the world has been the basis for Rachel Off Duty. One of her recent adventures to Lebanon has sparked her interest to lead trips to places that moved her. To find out more about Rachel’s small group trip to Lebanon click here.
Enjoy our conversation with Naialah and Rachel.