Mentors, Miles & Meaning: The Story Behind Gnarwhal Coffee with Nick Monica
Travel With Meaning
On this episode of the Travel With Meaning podcast, we sit down with Nick Monica, the founder and CEO of and in Venice Beach. Recorded in front of a live audience at this inspiring conversation explores the meaningful experiences that shaped Nick’s path—from pivotal mentors and personal growth to the unforgettable road trip that inspired the name “Gnarwhal.” Nick is a passionate explorer, entrepreneur, and community builder who’s brought his love of travel, storytelling, and connection into everything he creates at Gnarwhal Coffee. His journey is filled with lessons learned on the...
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From Travel Agent to Fora CEO, Henley Vazquez’s Unexpected Travel Journey
Travel With Meaning
In this episode of the Travel with Meaning podcast, we sit down with Henley Vazquez, co-founder of Fora Travel and a self-proclaimed hotel junkie. Henley’s journey into the travel industry was anything but conventional—from growing up on a farm in Virginia to building a cutting-edge travel agency that empowers advisors and travelers alike. Along the way, she shares stories of her early travel experiences, including a childhood trip to Cancun that didn't go quite as planned, and how she unexpectedly fell in love with the world of travel while working at a magazine. Henley opens up about...
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¡Celebrando Seattle!
Travel With Meaning
While recording the Celebrating Seattle series with Jeannette Ceja, in collaboration with Visit Seattle, we had the privilege of meeting inspiring business owners within Seattle’s Hispanic-Latino communities. We listened to their stories, explored the evolution of these vibrant communities in Seattle, and discovered what makes the city so special to them. In part 1 and part 2 of the series, we featured insightful conversations with Ana Castro from Salvadorean Bakery, Luis Rodriguez from Station Coffee Shop, and Jaime Mendez from Los Agaves. As a special addition, we recorded...
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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...
info_outlineOn episode 112 we talk with Mickela Mallozzi the four-time Emmy® Award-winning Host and Executive Producer of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi, a travel series highlighting the diversity of dance which airs on PBS stations nationwide and on Amazon Prime globally.
A professional dancer and trained musician, Mickela decided to start a journey around the world, taking her camera with her to follow dance in the lives of everyday people wherever she went. From re-discovering her family’s heritage in Southern Italy to dancing tango on the main stage in Buenos Aires, the series covers Mickela’s adventures as she experiences the world, one dance at a time.
In this episode, Mickela shares her early memories of traveling with her family to Italy. This was not the typical Italian vacation, but the experiences left a lasting impression on her future career in TV. We learn about Mickela’s aha moment that came to her in the middle of the night, and how her passion to make friends by dancing with strangers has led her to a community of friends around the world.
We’ve been lucky on Travel With Meaning to meet incredible travelers, Mickela is a like-minded traveler and a wonderful addition to the TWM community.
To watch episodes of Bare Fee on PBS visit www.travelbarefeet.com
Make sure you give Mickela a follow @travelbarefeet
As always we appreciate if you subscribe and share episodes of the TWM podcast you enjoy!
See you on the open road!