The Road to Inspired Businesses with Laura Grier
Travel With Meaning
Recorded in front of a live audience at the in Venice Beach as part of their weekly Startup Café series, this is a special Travel Talk episode hosted by Travel With Meaning, exploring how travel can spark entrepreneurial ideas. We discussed global brands like Starbucks, Tom’s Shoes, and Away Suitcases — all companies whose founders were inspired by travel. In this episode, our two guests share their own stories of how their journeys interweave with their businesses. First, host Michael sits down with Jeffrey Chernick — serial entrepreneur, author, podcast host, and DJ — who...
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More Than Miles: Sam Goodwin’s Story of Survival, Resilience, and Self-Discovery
Travel With Meaning
What happens when a world traveler finds himself detained in one of the most dangerous places on Earth—completely by accident? What happens when a world traveler finds himself detained in one of the most dangerous places on Earth—completely by accident? In this gripping episode of Travel With Meaning, we sit down with Sam Goodwin, an American adventurer whose mission to visit every country in the world took an unexpected and harrowing turn. After successfully traveling to 193 countries, Sam’s journey led him to Syria—where a single misstep resulted in him being accused of espionage and...
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Redefining Travel with Purpose: A Conversation with Jessica Blotter
Travel With Meaning
In this special Travel With Meaning podcast episode, recorded live in front of an intimate audience at The KINN in Venice Beach, we reconnect with Jessica Blotter — CEO and Co-Founder of Kind Traveler, and a returning guest on the show. Jessica shares the powerful origin story of Kind Traveler, sparked by a life-changing trip that opened her eyes to a new way of thinking about travel. We catch up on the platform’s inspiring journey, including a meaningful pivot that has deepened its community impact and solidified its role as a leader in purpose-driven hospitality. Through its...
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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...
info_outlineWe’re excited to kick off a special three-part podcast series “Celebrating Seattle” in collaboration with Visit Seattle. Our friend Jeannette Ceja, 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 a try—we loved it!
In part one of “Celebrating Seattle,” we explore some of Seattle's most iconic and well-known attractions, including Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Space Needle.
For over a hundred years, Pike Place Market has been a staple in Seattle and a top attraction for travelers. During our visit, we explored three Hispanic and Latino-owned restaurants: Maíz, Copacabana, and Los Agaves, serving authentic cuisines from Mexico and Bolivia. Copacabana was the first Bolivian restaurant in the western United States when it opened over sixty years ago.
In the second part of the episode, we talk with Randy Cote from the Space Needle and neighboring Chihuly Garden and Glass. We were mesmerized by the work of the famed glassblower and Tacoma, Washington native Dale Chihuly. You’ve probably seen Chihuly's work around the world, but walking through Chihuly Garden and Glass is an enchanting experience.
Sitting in the famed Chihuly Glasshouse, looking up at the Space Needle, we learned the connection between these two landmarks was enhanced in 2018 when the first-of-its-kind revolving glass floor was installed one floor below the upper observation level of the Space Needle. Visitors now have two incredible views of Seattle and the surrounding areas—from looking out at Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, to looking down them at the different neighborhoods of Seattle. Many travelers also noticed the Chihuly Garden and Glass right next door. It was pretty cool to look up at the bottom of the Space Needle from inside the Glasshouse and then look through the top of the Glasshouse from the top of the Space Needle.
Travel tip: have lunch at The Bar at Chihuly Garden and Glass, which sources incredible local dishes and cocktails and displays many of Dale Chihuly's unique collections.
A big thank you to all the amazing people we met: Kathy (Maíz), Vivian (Copacabana), Chef Jaime (Los Agaves), and Randy from the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Thank you to our partners on this series, Visit Seattle, for coordinating our adventure, and the wonderful Jeannette Ceja.
For all your Seattle travel details and cozy season packages, visit VisitSeattle.org
Stay tuned for part two of Celebrating Seattle!