Travel With Meaning

Mike Schibel, Travel With Meaning
  • 5.0 (82)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Semimonthly

Travel stories that have impacted the lives and careers of artists, entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, CEO's and travel experts. Hosted by Mike Schibel, Founder of Travel With Meaning.

  1. Jun 5

    The Journey Behind Parks Project | Keith Eshelman

    Welcome to another episode of the Travel With Meaning Podcast. This episode was recorded live in front of an audience at The Kinn in Venice Beach as part of their weekly Startup Café series, featuring conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Our guest is Keith Eshelman, Founder and CEO of Parks Project, the purpose-driven outdoor lifestyle and apparel brand that has given back nearly $3 million to support our national parks. Prior to launching Parks Project, Keith built his career with brands including TOMS, Quiksilver, and Puma. As a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and adventurer, Keith recognized a growing need to support and protect our public lands after a meaningful trip with his daughter—a story he also shares in Parks Project's 10-Year Anniversary video. Click here to watch. In this conversation, Keith shares his founder story behind Parks Project, which organically began in a small apartment just across the street from where our episode was recorded. We discuss restoration projects, and conservation efforts that Parks Project and its community have supported over the years. Keith also shares some powerful lessons for entrepreneurs and dreamers alike, including the importance of confidence, taking risks, and not accepting "no" as the final answer. We hear about several of the meaningful travel experiences that have shaped his perspective and influenced both his personal journey and professional path. We also dive into the launch of Parks Project Trips, something Keith has envisioned for quite some time. He shares why now feels like the right moment to bring people together through intimate, shared experiences in nature and create deeper connections with both the outdoors and one another. Full transparency:  TWM is helping curate unique adventures alongside the Parks Project team. This fall we'll be visiting Sequoia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park, staying at the incredibly cool AutoCamp properties. If either of these iconic parks has been on your bucket list—or if you're simply looking to connect with a community of like-minded adventurers—these trips offer a special opportunity to experience nature in a meaningful way. To learn more about Parks Project Trips and upcoming adventures, visit parksproject.us. Enjoy our conversation with Keith Eshelman, Founder and CEO of Parks Project.

    1 min

  2. May 8

    The Magic of Mountain Yoga Festival

    From the moment you arrive in St. Anton, something shifts. In this episode of Travel With Meaning, Mike shares conversations from the Mountain Yoga Festival in Austria — where nature, community, and presence come together in a way that's hard to explain but easy to feel. Through voices of locals, teachers, and travelers, this episode explores the deeper side of travel: belonging, slowing down, and reconnecting with what actually matters. Sometimes the most meaningful destinations aren't about what you see — but what you feel. 00:00 – Arriving in St. Anton and feeling it instantly 03:15 – How the Mountain Yoga Festival began 07:45 – Why nature + community create belonging 11:00 – Travel, identity, and coming home to yourself 15:30 – The connection between nature, yoga, and presence 20:00 – Why Austria feels different

    26 min

  3. May 7

    Chapter 2

    Welcome to Chapter 2 of the Travel With Meaning podcast. This isn't a full episode — it's the beginning of what's ahead. A real conversation about where we've been, the heartache and human moments we've been navigating, and the search for meaning through it all. This year, we're taking a more intentional approach to travel, storytelling, and connection — with extraordinary adventures and incredible conversations on the horizon. Thanks for being here for the next chapter.

    17 min

  4. 12/22/2025

    One Bite Changed Everything with Lawrence Longo

    Mike sits down with Lawrence Longo, a serial food and hospitality entrepreneur whose journey from hidden menu curator to restaurant empire builder has reshaped how people connect through food. Lawrence shares how his early obsession with experience over ego led him from launching Off the Menu — a community built around secret dishes and insider dining — to reviving Irv's Burgers, expanding Prince St. Pizza nationwide, and building a hospitality group that's redefining what "premium fast food" really means. They dive into the lessons learned from scaling beloved brands without losing their soul, the role of storytelling and community in hospitality, and what travel and culture have taught Lawrence about simplicity, obsession, and belonging. This episode isn't just about food — it's about the universal language of connection, the places that shape us, and the people who keep showing up for what feels real. Chapters: 00:00 – From hidden menus to hospitality visionary 05:00 – The story behind Off the Menu and food as connection 10:00 – Reviving Irv's Burgers and honoring old-school soul 15:00 – Expanding Prince St. Pizza without losing authenticity 20:00 – Scaling restaurants while keeping local roots 25:00 – Simplicity, obsession, and the power of hospitality 30:00 – Partner alignment and trusting local voices 35:00 – The community mindset behind every concept 40:00 – The travel that shaped a hospitality entrepreneur 45:00 – What it really means to build brands people love

    53 min

  5. 11/27/2025

    Pacific Palisades: A Story I Never Expected To Tell

    In this deeply personal episode, Mike returns to his childhood home in Pacific Palisades — a place that once symbolized comfort, community, and family — now forever changed by one of the most devastating wildfires in U.S. history. Through intimate conversations with his mother (and her experience of living in the Palisades for over 50 years), as well as his childhood best friend, photographer Chris Clinton, Mike explores themes of loss, resilience, and the unshakable spirit of community. Together, they reflect on growing up in the Palisades, the day the fire struck, and what it means to rebuild not just homes, but hope. This is a story about memory, change, and finding connection in the aftermath of tragedy — a love letter to a place that shaped a lifetime of meaning. Click here to read the New York Post article about Chris     Chapters: 00:00 – Returning home to the Palisades 04:00 – A call from Mom: loss, displacement, and silver linings 08:00 – Rebuilding community after the fire 10:00 – A conversation with childhood friend Chris Clinton 15:00 – Growing up in the Palisades 18:00 – The day the fire hit 24:00 – Escaping the flames and saving what remains 30:00 – The aftermath: grief, survival, and resilience 40:00 – What we lost — and what remains 48:00 – Finding meaning, healing, and home again

    51 min

  6. 11/13/2025

    How Condor Airlines Is Bringing Fun Back to Flying

    Ever wondered what it's like to record a podcast at 38,000 feet? Host Mike Schibel takes Travel With Meaning to new heights—literally—onboard Condor Airlines' flight from Frankfurt to Los Angeles on the sleek Airbus A330-900neo. Joined by flight attendant Brendan Osborne, this episode captures the heart of travel, connection, and adventure midair. Brendan shares what makes Condor stand out—from its stylish new striped fleet and boutique-style business class to its family-like culture and genuine hospitality. He also opens up about his personal journey from banking to flying, his most meaningful travel moments, and how travel represents freedom in his life. Plus, listeners get an inside look at Brendan's appearance on The Voice Germany and how he balances his passion for music with his career in the skies. This episode celebrates wanderlust, storytelling, and the joy of seeing the world through new eyes—no passport required. What to Listen For [00:00:00] Mike introduces Travel With Meaning's first-ever in-flight recording [00:02:14] The boutique comfort of Condor's new Airbus A330neo fleet [00:03:32] Brendan shares the meaning behind Condor's colorful striped design [00:04:43] How Condor's team culture creates a family-like atmosphere onboard [00:05:41] Brendan's strategy for beating jet lag after long-haul flights [00:06:19] His first solo flight and inspiration to become a flight attendant [00:07:05] What "freedom through travel" means to him [00:07:42] A magical moment watching the sunset from Table Mountain in Cape Town [00:09:10] Brendan's journey on The Voice Germany and his upcoming single "Let It Go" [00:11:36] Mike wraps up the journey from 38,000 feet and looks forward to the next adventure

    12 min

  7. 10/29/2025

    Moments That Flow: Redefining Slow Travel

    What happens when you trade speed for stillness? In this special episode, Mike shares his journey along the legendary Danube River aboard the Riverside Mozart. From the historic streets of Vienna to quiet castles and vineyards, this slow travel experience reveals why river cruising isn't just another trip — it's an invitation to breathe, connect, and be fully present. Along the way, Mike talks with the Riverside crew, and fellow travelers to explore what makes this kind of journey different — from intimate hospitality and local cuisine to community, wellness, and moments under the stars. If you've ever dreamed of slowing down without missing out, this episode will make you rethink how you travel. What to Listen For [00:00:00] Welcome from Vienna and intro to Riverside Luxury Cruises [00:01:18] Why Vienna sets the perfect tone for the journey [00:03:07] Ocean vs. river cruising — the flow that changes everything [00:04:31] Nicole on how Riverside exceeded expectations [00:06:50] Intimate hospitality: Sonja explains why river cruising is different [00:08:47] Communal spaces, music, and creating connection onboard [00:10:06] Chef Johannes on local sourcing and authentic regional cuisine [00:12:13] Wellness and slow travel — saunas, spas, and stillness [00:13:48] The beauty of slowing down with someone you love [00:15:16] A moment of stillness: Nicole's favorite memory on deck [00:17:19] Chad on why river cruising reveals the world's hidden beauty [00:18:28] Jenn on travel as a calling, not just a job [00:19:54] Finding stillness, reflection, and your North Star on the river

    22 min

  8. 08/18/2025

    The Road to Inspired Businesses with Laura Grier

    Recorded in front of a live audience at the KINN 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 shares the story of a business trip to Japan that didn't go as planned but ultimately inspired his newest venture. That journey led him to partner with one of Japan's largest travel platforms, Hafa, to launch Kabuk— a white-glove itinerary service offering personalized plans and exclusive hot deals. This could be one of the best turnkey solutions we've seen for travelers heading to Japan.   We want the Travel With Meaning community to try it out and get your personalized itinerary to start planning your Japan adventure. Here's how: 1. Click this link 2. Click Meet Your Concierge                                                                (a real concierge — not AI) 3. Fill out a short survey about what you'd like to do and where you'd like to go in Japan 4. Add your email and make sure it includes the referral code for Travel With Meaning so you receive special attention, support, and are moved to the front of the line   Kabuk is poised to become one of the leading travel platforms in the U.S., and we're getting an exclusive first look for a mainstream travel community.   Our second guest on this episode is Laura Grier, a renowned adventure photographer and founder of Andeana Hats, who's no stranger to the TWM community.  Laura's love for travel took her to Peru, where she became fascinated by the traditional hat culture of local women. Her "aha" moment turned into a business employing Peruvian artisans and returning income to their communities, often surpassing what the women's husbands earn. Laura's mission with Andeana Hats has also led to launching the nonprofit Maya Missions, further expanding her impact. From Japan's bustling cities to Peru's mountain villages, this episode captures how transformative travel can lead to impactful, purpose-driven businesses.  Links & Resources:    •   Andeana Hats: Click here    •   Laura Grier's incredible photography: Click here    •   Kabuk Travel Concierge: Click here As always, we appreciate the community's support — make sure you subscribe, follow us on all socials, and share this episode with friends and fellow travelers. See you on the open road.

    52 min
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About

Travel stories that have impacted the lives and careers of artists, entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, CEO's and travel experts. Hosted by Mike Schibel, Founder of Travel With Meaning.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Schibel, Travel With Meaning
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    136
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Travel With Meaning
  • Show Website
    Travel With Meaning