Soul of Travel: Women's Wisdom and Mindful Travel

Christine Winebrenner Irick, Lotus Sojourns
  • 5.0 (35)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Soul of Travel: Women Inspiring Mindful, Purposeful and Impactful Journeys Hosted by Christine Winebrenner Irick, the Soul of Travel podcast explores the transformative power of travel while celebrating women in the industry who are breaking down barriers and inspiring others. Each episode features conversations with passionate travel professionals, thought leaders, and changemakers who share insights on mindful travel practices, meaningful connections, and purposeful journeys. The podcast highlights how travel can support personal growth, cultural understanding, and global sustainability, inspiring listeners to explore the world in a way that enriches both their lives and the communities they visit. Tune in to discover how travel and women in the industry are creating a positive impact.

  1. Jul 29

    Sisterhood and Meaningful Tourism in Sri Lanka with Thushni de Silva

    Send us Fan Mail Thushni de Silva, Director at Magical Isle Holidays, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Thushni de Silva is a Sri Lankan travel professional with a deep appreciation for culture, heritage, and meaningful connections. With a passion for crafting authentic travel experiences, she is dedicated to showcasing the beauty, diversity, and stories that make Sri Lanka so special. Known for her thoughtful approach and genuine enthusiasm for people and places, Thushni believes that travel is not simply about visiting destinations, but about creating lasting memories and fostering a deeper understanding of the world around us. Through her work, she continues to inspire travellers to experience Sri Lanka with curiosity, respect, and wonder. In this episode, Thushni and Christine discuss: · The power that travel has as a force for good and balancing positive and negative impact  · The importance of visibility and creating pathways for women in tourism in Sri Lanka, including the Female Guide Training Program offered by Women in Travel Collective · Building a community in which women support women and creating generational pathways  Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Learn more about Magical Isle Holidays at https://magicalisleholidays.com/. Learn more about Women in Travel Collective at https://www.womenintravelcollective.org/. Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.  Follow us on Instagram: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Thushni de Silva (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

  2. Jul 22

    Allyship and Centering Women’s Voices in Travel with Alessandra LoTufo Alonso

    Send us Fan Mail Alessandra Alonso, Founder of Women in Travel CIC and the IWTTF (International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum), joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Alessandra is the pluri-nominated, award-winning founder and MD of Women in Travel CIC and a professional with 20 years of experience in travel and tourism. Alessandra started her career as a trainee in Tourism at the European Commission and later gained senior roles in companies including The World Travel & Tourism Council and KPMG. Alessandra is a keynote speaker and regular contributor to travel publications. She was awarded the JourneyWoman Award in 2021 for her lifetime dedication to gender empowerment.  Alessandra has been named one of 9 women transforming travel by the Matador Network; one of 50 ‘most important women in travel’ by Wonderlust Travel and recently completed the Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida. In this episode, Alessandra and Christine discuss: · How the Women in Travel, CIC Tour Guide Academy centers women's voices and narratives as a pathway to economic empowerment · Expanding the ripple effect beyond our own lives and shifting how we perceive who is the expert and whose stories are worth being told as a part of history · The importance of allyship in creating big, lasting changes in the industry Join us Wednesday for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel WebsiteLOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Learn more about Alessandra and Women in Travel at https://www.womenintravelcic.com Learn more about Alessandra and Women in Travel at https://www.womenintravelcic.com Follow Alessandra Alonso on your favorite social platform: Instagram @women in travel _cicFacebook Women In Travel CICTwitter @WTMwomenLinkedIn Women In Travel CIC GroupSpecial thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.  Follow us on Instagram: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Support the show

  3. Jul 15

    Special Episode: Cohort 7 wmnsWORK Demo Day

    Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Soul of Travel, we are thrilled to share the inspiring wmnsWORK 2025 Cohort 7 Demo Day presentations. wmnsWORK helps women and non-binary folks build thriving tourism businesses through education, mentorship and community. The goal of wmnsWORK is to flatten the learning curve when it comes to industry knowledge and entrepreneurship, helping you reach your goals faster and with more fun through 12 weeks of expert-led workshops, mentorship, and community. Demo Day is your chance to learn more about what these inspiring wmnsWORK Cohort 7 grads have been up to. They've worked so hard to refine their pitches and business offerings, and are excited to share them with the tourism industry at large. Through each company's 5-minute pitch, you'll get a glimpse of their passion and dedication as they unveil their unique ventures to fellow members of the tourism industry, and learn how YOU can support them. From tour operators to travel designers, it's a diverse lineup that captures the essence of the evolving tourism landscape. We encourage you to connect and collaborate with these fabulous wmn+! Featuring: Pooja Akula | Ibtida Homes Giuditta Pileri | numenvia Lisa Bisceglia | Surf For Life Dr. LaDonna Sanders Nkosi | Ubuntu Global Collective, LLC Diana Oglivie  | Urban Sass Travels - http://urbansass.io/ Grace Philipp | Discover Queer Sara Champagne | Avia Collective  Iman Childs | Booked by Iman LaKeshia Banks | Revive and Roam Travel Maya Strasser | Delicious Discoveries Join us for this special soulful presentation from the graduates of WmnsWork Cohort 7. 🌎​​​​​​​​ To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website.LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit https://wmnswork.com/ to learn more about the Tourism Business Accelerator program and support their efforts to support women and non-binary early-stage entrepreneurs. 🌎​​​​​​​​ Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.  Follow us on Instagram: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

  4. Jul 8

    Gender Equity in Responsible Wildlife and Conservation Guiding with Sheridan Samano

    Send us Fan Mail Sheridan Samano, founder of Reefs to Rockies & Her Wild Life Expeditions, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Sheridan Samano is a wildlife enthusiast, guide, and co-founder of Reefs to Rockies. Her passion for animals began as a child, flipping through National Geographic magazines, and has only grown since then. Sheridan holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science and a master’s in biology. Her guiding journey began when she launched a study abroad program focused on sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica. In the field, Sheridan’s ability to spot a break in the pattern and quickly adapt leads to plenty of “wows” from the guests in her groups. When she’s not traveling, you’ll find her along a trail in Colorado with her family, searching for something feathered or furred, or enjoying a local craft beer after a day in the field. Her favorite animal? The cheetah. In this episode, Sheridan and Christine discuss: · The connection between tourism and conservation and how our understanding of that connection evolves · How following a passion for creating more opportunities for women, nature, and birding guides has the potential to shift systems that perpetuate gender disparities · How tourism leaders can show up, set examples, be mentors, and open doors for more women to participate in tourism and conservation Join us Wednesday for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit https://reefstorockies.com/ to learn more about experiencing wild places in a way that feels meaningful, seamless, and deeply connected to the natural world.  Visit https://herwildlifeexpeditions.com/ to explore immersive, expert-led adventures – designed by women. Connect with Sheridan Samano: Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook /  Instagram / Facebook Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.  Follow us on Instagram: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Sheridan Samano (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

  5. Jun 24

    Trailblazing in Purposeful Travel with Theresa McDermott

    Send us Fan Mail Theresa McDermott, founder and CEO of ECT Travel, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Theresa is the founder and CEO of ECT Travel, a company based in Bath with worldwide operations, and the founder of Strictly Jane Austen Tours. She is a seasoned travel professional with over 40 years’ experience, starting with facilitating seamless group travel for over 25,000 customers traveling from the UK and Germany into destinations across Europe and culminating with today’s specialist, bespoke packages for customers from all parts of the globe. Active in her local community as well as regionally and nationally, Theresa is a former President of Bath Chamber of Commerce, Director of Future Bath Plus, Business West and UK Inbound. Theresa is currently a director of the regional tourism organisation, VisitWest, and Chair of the Bath Advisory Group. She also curates an annual series of “Phenomenal Women” lectures at YTL’s Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel and is responsible for marketing the iconic and award-winning Thermae Bath Spa. Strictly Jane Austen Tours was created in 2015 to provide in-depth immersive experiences for fans of Jane Austen, including Cosplay, film locations, and bespoke multi-day tours customized for guests. We are so grateful for Theresa and Strictly Jane Austen Tours for their collaboration in producing our Trailblazer Series! In this episode, Theresa and Christine discuss: · The impact that the Soul of Travel Podcast space has on creating a platform for women’s conversations in travel and tourism · What makes travel meaningful for ourselves and others · The privilege it is to design experiences that have an impact on the lives of others · Jane Austen’s trailblazing story Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit https://www.ecttravel.com to learn more and turn your travel dreams into reality.  Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.  Follow us on Instagram: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Theresa McDermott (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

  6. Jun 17

    Shaping the Tourism Industry with Women’s Stories with Beth Santos & Nikki Padilla Rivera

    Send us Fan Mail Beth Santos & Nikki Padilla Rivera, Co-Owners of She Shapes History, join Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as guests in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Beth is a changemaker shaping the future of the travel industry, recognized by Business Insider, Conde Nast Traveller, and Travel Pulse, and was named Godmother of the Azamara Onward cruise ship. She is the author of solo travel guide and manifesto Wander Woman and works to amplify underrepresented voices in travel while challenging each of us to do better in her work as a keynote speaker, an industry consultant, and a startup and small business coach. At home, she is a co-owner of Ula Cafe, an inspired cafe and community hub in the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, where she lives with her husband and children. Nikki has worked across the tourism industry worldwide, from operations and tour design to marketing and business development. She is co-owner and guide of She Shapes History NYC, celebrating the hidden history of women who built the city. By day, she leads brand and content strategy at WalksDevour while mentoring independent guides and creators through workshops and female-focused communities like Wanderful and wmnsWORK. She believes all tours can be better, and actively works to ensure she's less frequently the only woman at the table for larger industry conversations. In this episode, Beth, Nikki, and Christine discuss: ·  Uncovering the stories of women left out of documented history and challenging perceptions of credible sources ·  The ways in which women were made invisible in the guiding, travel and tourism industries · The impact of women telling the stories of people and places to both travelers and locals who want a broader understanding of their home Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to Soul of Travel Podcast. JOIN the Soul of Travel Podcast Email Community! 🌎​​​​​​​​ LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit She Shapes History NYC to learn more and book your tour of New York’s hidden history of women – stories you never knew you were missing. Use the Code Soul10 for a special listener discount for your next Badass Women of NY Tour! Connect with Beth & Nikki on your favorite social media network! Instagram / LinkedIn Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.  Follow us on Instagram: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Beth Santos & Nikki Padilla Rivera (Guests). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

  7. Jun 10

    Adventure Travel for Muslim Women in Community with Nadah Feteih

    Send us Fan Mail Nadah Feteih, Founder and CEO of Ma’wa Collective, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Nadah Feteih is a runner, hiker, and mountaineer who grew up with a deep love for the outdoors. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder and has guided dozens of group hiking trips across the U.S. and internationally. After summiting Kilimanjaro, she founded Ma'wa Collective to make the outdoors more accessible to women in her community. Under her leadership and alongside her fantastic team, Ma'wa has grown into the largest adventure travel community for Muslim women, connecting thousands online and on the trails. Nadah's background as a Software Engineer at Google and Meta enables her to solve problems at scale and build systems that support growth. In her free time, she continues to push her limits through endurance races and high-altitude summits. She's always looking for new ways to combine her faith with her passion for exploring the beauty of Allah SWTs creation. In this episode, Nadah and Christine discuss: · Building cross-cultural understanding through adventure travel · Resume virtues versus eulogy virtues — and how a non-linear path in life can be a source of power · The barriers Muslim women face accessing outdoor spaces, from modest performance gear to representation in the industry · What authentic inclusion in travel looks like Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website: https://www.souloftravelpodcast.com/season-7/episode-256-nadah-feteih. Our Trailblazer Series Needs You! We hope that you will share about a woman who inspires you and who is working to amplify the voices of women, champion local communities and working to create positive change in the world. Submit your nomination here: Soulful Trailblazer Campaign! LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit Ma’wa Collective to learn more and support Muslim women in a unique adventure community rooted in faith, exploration, and self-discovery. Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.  Follow us on Instagram: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Nadah Feteih (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

  8. Jun 3

    Building Pathways for Human Rights in Travel and Tourism with Irstel Jansen

    Send us Fan Mail Irstel Jansen, Founder of the Women in Travel Collective, joins Christine for this week’s soulful conversation as a guest in our Trailblazer Series, produced in collaboration with Strictly Jane Austen Tours. Irstel is a social entrepreneur and a consultant in human rights in the tourism sector in Sri Lanka and collaborates with international and non governmental organizations, the private sector and public sector institutions on human rights policies, including child protection & child trafficking, gender equality and diversity and social cohesion through peace building initiatives.  Irstel is the founder of the Women In Travel Collective, a supportive community that advocates for gender equity in tourism while creating tangible opportunities for women across the industry in Sri Lanka. She has over 20 years of working experience in the field of international development, international human rights and sustainable tourism. She is a public speaker on women empowerment & gender equality in the tourism sector in Sri Lanka and is an associate of Equality in Tourism, a non-profit organisation based in the UK transforming the lives of women by advocating for gender equality across the global tourism industry. In this episode, Irstel and Christine discuss: · The barriers facing women in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, where less than 10% of the formal workforce is comprised of women · Child protection and trafficking in tourism, breaking industry taboos, and working at every level to enact change · Community-based tourism and experiential travel · The future of tourism in Sri Lanka and why women’s leadership, responsible development, and human connection are essential Join us now for this soulful conversation. 🌎​​​​​​​​ To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website: https://www.souloftravelpodcast.com/season-7/episode-255-irstel-jansen. LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on Buy Me a Coffee. Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes! 🌎​​​​​​ Visit The Women in Travel Collective to learn more about empowering women in the travel and hospitality industries.  Special thanks to Strictly Jane Austen Tours for your partnership in the production of our Trailblazer Series! 🌎​​​​​​​​ Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here! Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.  Follow us on Instagram: @she.sojourns and @souloftravelpodcast. Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Irstel Jansen (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo. Support the show

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Soul of Travel: Women Inspiring Mindful, Purposeful and Impactful Journeys Hosted by Christine Winebrenner Irick, the Soul of Travel podcast explores the transformative power of travel while celebrating women in the industry who are breaking down barriers and inspiring others. Each episode features conversations with passionate travel professionals, thought leaders, and changemakers who share insights on mindful travel practices, meaningful connections, and purposeful journeys. The podcast highlights how travel can support personal growth, cultural understanding, and global sustainability, inspiring listeners to explore the world in a way that enriches both their lives and the communities they visit. Tune in to discover how travel and women in the industry are creating a positive impact.

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