Travel With Meaning Mike Schibel, 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 catch you off guard, and her quest to savor this meal was a journey filled with meaning and appreciation. Securing two James Beard nominations in four years stands as a remarkable achievement, and Chef Kristi graciously acknowledged the significance of the honor. She attributes it to the supportive community, her dedicated team, and the vibrant city of Seattle, which has provided her the platform to inspire people worldwide.
Before the event, our community mingled over Washington State wines and Pacific Northwest-inspired fare and desserts from Akasha’s, kindling the wanderlust for Seattle. Raffle prizes, including Alaska Airlines tickets and a stay at downtown Seattle's Hotel Andra, along with an array of donated items from Visit Seattle partners and friends such as Atrium Kitchen Pike Place, Bite Society, Eighth Generation, Filson, Monorail Espresso Seattle, Arvin Goods, Seattle Refined, and Refugee Artisan Initiative added to the excitement of the evening.
A heartfelt thank you to Chef Kristi Brown, Jeannette Ceja, Visit Seattle, and the TWM team as well as the incredible assembly of travelers, for making the night truly memorable.
For all your Seattle travel needs and cozy season deals, visit visitseattle.org.
 

In part two of our special series “Celebrating Seattle”  in collaboration with Visit Seattle TWM podcast host Mike Schibel is joined again by the acclaimed bilingual travel journalist Jeannette Ceja. 
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 Station Coffee Shop, where we had the pleasure of conversing with Co-Owner Luis Rodriguez. Luis, who moved to Seattle over thirty years ago from Baja Mexico, shared with us the profound importance of owning a coffee shop—to inspire pride in his children and demonstrate to the youth in the community that they can achieve anything.
In Seattle's White Center neighborhood, we ventured to the Salvadorean Bakery, founded by sisters Ana Castro and Aminta Elgin, originally from El Salvador. This establishment, comprising a restaurant, bakery, and market, stands as a pillar in the community. From authentic pupusas to heavenly baked goods, it's no wonder Seattleites rave about this bakery.
Having a local guide is invaluable, and we were fortunate to have Laura Clise from Intentionalist show us the diverse tapestry of small businesses and the passionate individuals behind them. Understanding how our everyday choices—where we dine, drink, and shop—impact the places we visit is truly enlightening.
Our Seattle journey concluded with a toast alongside Ken Dillon, owner of Footprint Wine Tap, the city's first sustainable keg wine-on-tap bar. The inviting ambiance, stellar wine selection, and warm locals made leaving this spot a challenge.
For all your Seattle travel needs and cozy season deals, visit VisitSeattle.org
Part three of our special series is coming up with a live podcast recording with acclaimed Chef Kristi Brown.

We’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!

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 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!

In episode 111, we sit down with Jeff Jenkins, the host of Never Say Never on Nat Geo and Disney+, a motivational speaker, and the creative mind behind @chubbydiaries, 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 making this dream a reality.
Jeff's authenticity and inspiring journey make him one of the most captivating guests we've had on the podcast. 
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Welcome to the 110th episode of the Travel with Meaning podcast. In this distinctive feature, we delve into the tale of a culinary fascination with a dish we encountered in Austria back in 2022. Our journey led us over 6,000 miles to the world's oldest festival dedicated to this particular delicacy.
Enter Knödel, the Austrian dish that transcends its once-perceived simplicity, especially in the town of St. Johann. Here, at the Knödelfest, these dumplings are anything but basic.
For over four decades, enthusiasts from all walks of life have converged, regardless of the weather, to partake in a day of revelry involving beer and a myriad of Knödel varieties, solidifying St. Johann as the global epicenter of Knödel celebration.
Our very own Mike Schibel nurtured his fascination for Knödel and embarked on a pilgrimage to the Austrian Alps to immerse himself in the firsthand experience of Knödelfest. What unfolded on a rainy day in late September could easily be deemed one of the most remarkable food festivals ever attended.
Tune in to hear Mike's captivating adventure, offering a glimpse into the world of Knödelfest and the unique culinary journey it entails.
All this and more awaits you on this special edition of the Travel with Meaning podcast. Enjoy the journey!