The Sustainable Voice® Podcast Presented by Big Five Tours and Expeditions

Ashish Sanghrajka
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Biweekly

Bringing you big successes from small places worldwide, The Sustainable Voice Presented by Big Five is hosted by Ashish Sanghrajka (President of Big Five Tours & Expeditions) and focuses on bringing awareness to sustainability, sustainable projects, and making the world a better place for the next generation. Ashish has boots-on-the-ground experience implementing and deploying several different sustainability-based projects around the world and wants to share that with you. Join us each episode as we journey around the world and dive into the unheard success stories of those trying to make it a better, safer, and more sustainable place for not only everyone in their community but the global community at large.

  1. 3d ago

    The New Leverage: Rare Earth Minerals and the Power Shift to Emerging Markets | Ep. 88 | The Sustainable Voice®

    A chance conversation on a cross-country flight sends host Ashish Sanghrajka down an unexpected path in this episode of The Sustainable Voice®. What starts with a seatmate laughing at a crooked tie on the news unfolds into a wide-ranging look at rare earth mineral deals, national debt cycles, and the real role sustainable tourism can play in helping resource-rich nations find their footing. ✨ Key Takeaways ✅ Tourism revenue, reinvested wisely, can directly ease the debt burdens carried by resource-rich, cash-poor nations ✅ Countries once without leverage are now using rare earth mineral reserves to negotiate local jobs, processing plants, and infrastructure ✅ When communities aren't included in tourism the right way, the alternative is exploited labor — and a culture lost this way doesn't come back ✅ Children immersed in other cultures through travel show measurably higher test scores and are far more likely to pursue advanced degrees ✅ Wealth and quality of life look different across cultures — sometimes measured in land, livestock, or relationships rather than money in the bank 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome back and episode setup 01:15 – A flight, a seatmate, and a crooked tie 06:00 – The old world playbook: predatory lending and debt cycles 10:30 – Argentina's default and turning leverage on its head 13:30 – The $62 billion rare earth mineral deal with Kenya 18:00 – Introducing the Five Pillars of Global Economic Realignment 23:30 – Where sustainable tourism fits into the equation 28:00 – Community elders, engagement, and the risk of exploited labor 35:00 – Redefining wealth: a conversation with an elder in northern Kenya 40:00 – Closing thoughts and a challenge to dig deeper 👉 Give this one a listen with an open mind — it connects some dots you might not expect. For more on how tourism ties into national debt, check out our earlier episode, "You Owe How Much": https://bigfive.com/podcasts/you-owe-how-much-ep-55/ Engage with Us: 👍 Like this video if you believe tourism can be a force for real change 🔔 Subscribe to The Sustainable Voice® for honest conversations on culture, travel, and the world we share 💬 What does "wealth" mean in your own community? Tell us in the comments Follow us on X: https://bit.ly/3TdnFigTag us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3OXkFnULike us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Te1Tv1Find us on Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3UNwKj8Visit our Website: https://bit.ly/42VuDf8

  2. Sep 18

    Restoring What Was Lost: On-the-Ground Land Restoration in Latin America | Ep. 87 | The Sustainable Voice®

    In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, Ashish Sanghrajka sits down with three-time sailing champion and Peru travel expert Diego Zimmermann to explore the restoration of Illescas Peninsula, one of Peru’s most remote and remarkable coastal ecosystems. From illegal fishing and conservation challenges to the role of local fishermen and responsible travelers, Ashish and Diego discuss how tourism can support restoration without overwhelming the place it hopes to protect. ✨ Key Takeaways ✅ Illescas is a rare living ecosystem where desert, ocean, wildlife, migratory birds, and thousands of years of fishing history intersect. ✅ Restoration is not a single act. Political changes, bureaucracy, limited resources, and illegal fishing can all slow the process of protecting fragile places. ✅ The nine artisanal fishing associations connected to Illescas are natural stewards of the reserve, acting as the eyes and ears of the ecosystem while protecting responsible fishing practices. ✅ Mariano’s story shows how fishermen can expand into sustainable tourism while maintaining their connection to the ocean and creating new opportunities for their communities. ✅ Responsible travelers have a role in restoration too: choosing appropriate experiences, listening to local guides, respecting wildlife, and understanding that authentic travel may mean being comfortable being uncomfortable. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Diego Zimmermann and the story behind Illescas02:02 – Entering one of Peru’s most remote coastal regions05:22 – The struggle to establish Illescas as a national reserve08:23 – Bureaucracy, conservation, and political challenges11:16 – Could UNESCO recognition help protect Illescas?18:10 – Local fishermen as guardians of the reserve20:29 – Mariano’s shift from fishing to sustainable tourism27:01 – Bringing travelers to Illescas without creating mass tourism31:32 – What responsible visitors should understand 👉 Travel can be more than seeing a place. It can become part of protecting it. Engage with Us:👍 Like this video if you believe responsible tourism can strengthen local communities and conservation.🔔 Subscribe to The Sustainable Voice® for more conversations connecting travel, culture, conservation, and communities.💬 What role should travelers play in restoring the places they visit? Follow The Sustainable Voice®:Follow us on X: https://bit.ly/3TdnFigTag us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3OXkFnULike us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Te1Tv1Find us on Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3UNwKj8Visit our Website: https://bit.ly/42VuDf8

  3. Aug 28

    The Tourism Tax: Where Does Your Money Actually Go? | Ep. 86 | The Sustainable Voice®

    Tourism taxes, levies, conservation fees, and visitor charges are becoming increasingly common—but how much do travelers really know about where that money goes? In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka examines tourism taxation through examples from Bhutan, the Galápagos, Hawaii, East Africa, and beyond, asking whether destinations should do more than simply say, “trust us.” ✨ Key Takeaways ✅ Why transparency matters when travelers are asked to pay tourism taxes, conservation fees, and levies. ✅ How Bhutan, the Galápagos, Hawaii, and East African conservancies approach tourism revenue differently. ✅ Why published allocation formulas, independent oversight, and direct reinvestment can strengthen accountability. ✅ How visible outcomes can connect tourism revenue to conservation, cultural preservation, infrastructure, and local communities. ✅ Why the travel industry has a role in explaining fees to travelers—and why a more consistent global model could build greater trust. 📌 Timestamps: 00:09 – Why tourism taxes are increasing worldwide 02:00 – Understanding the different types of tourism fees 04:00 – When tourism taxes begin changing traveler behavior 06:00 – Comparing tourism revenue models 08:29 – Tax transparency and international lending 10:00 – Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee 12:30 – The Galápagos allocation model 15:00 – Hawaii’s green fee and Maui recovery 18:00 – Following the money and building trust 21:00 – East African conservancies and community revenue sharing 24:00 – Closing loopholes and enforcing tourism fees 27:00 – The case for a centralized model 30:00 – What good tourism tax governance looks like 34:00 – Independent oversight and direct reinvestment 40:00 – Measuring visible outcomes and tourism’s role 👉 If you travel, work in tourism, or care about the future of destinations, consider asking one simple question: Where does the money go? Engage with Us: 👍 Like this video if transparency in tourism matters to you. 🔔 Subscribe to The Sustainable Voice® for thoughtful conversations on sustainable tourism and global perspectives.💬 What should destinations be required to show travelers about tourism taxes and fees? Follow The Sustainable Voice®: Follow us on X: https://bit.ly/3TdnFig Tag us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3OXkFnU Like us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Te1Tv1 Find us on Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3UNwKj8 Visit our Website: https://bit.ly/42VuDf8

  4. Aug 7

    Real AI vs. Pretend AI: What It Actually Means for Tourism | Ep. 85 | The Sustainable Voice®

    Artificial intelligence is changing every industry, but what does "AI-powered" actually mean? In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka sits down with communication strategist, author, and AI expert Dr. Jill Schiefelbein for an honest conversation about separating hype from reality. Together, they explore how travel leaders, business owners, and innovators can think beyond automation, embrace strategic innovation, and keep people at the center of technology. ✨ Key Takeaways ✅ Learn the difference between machine learning, generative AI, and the technology many companies simply rebrand as "AI." ✅ Discover why successful AI adoption starts with defining your ideal end state—not chasing the latest trend. ✅ Understand how legacy systems can slow innovation and why process matters before adding new technology. ✅ Explore why human judgment, creativity, and communication remain essential in an AI-enabled future. ✅ Hear about Dr. Jill Schiefelbein's podcast Humanize Automation and her upcoming book, Artificial Anxiety, which offers practical strategies for leading people through the age of AI. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and introducing Dr. Jill Schiefelbein 02:00 – What "AI-powered" really means 07:45 – Spotting real AI versus rebranded automation 14:25 – Why every AI strategy needs an end goal 18:20 – AI, innovation, and creating more human experiences 22:30 – Healthcare, travel, and solving bigger challenges 26:45 – Dr. Jill's new book Artificial Anxiety 30:50 – Understanding AI risks and responsible adoption 👉 AI should create more time for meaningful human connections—not replace them. Share this episode with someone exploring the future of travel, leadership, or technology. Engage with Us: 👍 Like this video if you believe technology should strengthen—not replace—the human experience. 🔔 Subscribe to The Sustainable Voice® for conversations on sustainable tourism, leadership, and global perspectives. 💬 What is one way AI can improve travel while preserving authentic human connections? Follow Dr. Jill Schiefelbein: 🎙️ Podcast: Humanize Automation 📘 Book: Artificial Anxiety (Coming Soon) Connect with The Sustainable Voice®: Follow us on X: https://bit.ly/3TdnFig Tag us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3OXkFnU Like us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Te1Tv1 Find us on Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3UNwKj8 Visit our Website: https://bit.ly/42VuDf8

  5. Jul 24

    Who Decides What Gets Preserved? | Ep. 84 | The Sustainable Voice®

    n this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka explores a question that rarely gets asked: Who decides what deserves to be preserved? Looking beyond the prestige of UNESCO World Heritage designations, Ashish examines how these decisions are made, why local communities are often left out of the process, and what travelers can do to become better advocates for cultural preservation.✨ Key Takeaways✅ Why UNESCO World Heritage status is valuable—but why the process deserves closer examination.✅ How governments and international committees often make preservation decisions without meaningful community involvement.✅ Real-world examples from Peru, Cambodia, Easter Island, Kenya, and Argentina that reveal the human impact behind heritage designations.✅ Why protecting a community's way of life is just as important as preserving historic sites and monuments.✅ Three questions every traveler should ask before visiting a UNESCO site to help support responsible, community-centered tourism.📌 Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome and today's question: Who decides what gets preserved?03:10 – Understanding how UNESCO World Heritage designations work09:35 – Why community voices are often missing from preservation decisions18:40 – Cambodia's community-led conservation success28:10 – The financial barriers and global inequality behind UNESCO nominations40:15 – Peru, Easter Island, and the cost of preserving places without preserving people55:40 – How travelers can support community-centered cultural preservation01:08:20 – Final thoughts and three questions every traveler should ask👉 Every destination has a story beyond the landmark itself. Watch the full episode and join the conversation about how tourism can protect both heritage and the people who call these places home.Engage with Us:👍 Like this video if you believe local communities should have a voice in preserving their own heritage.🔔 Subscribe to The Sustainable Voice® for thoughtful conversations about sustainable tourism, culture, and the future of global travel.💬 What role do you think local communities should play in deciding what gets preserved? Share your perspective in the comments below.Follow us on X: https://bit.ly/3TdnFigTag us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3OXkFnULike us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Te1Tv1Find us on Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3UNwKj8Visit our Website: https://bit.ly/42VuDf8

  6. Jul 10

    Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Times of GeoPolitical Tension | Ep. 83 | The Sustainable Voice®

    What does it really take to make aviation more sustainable—and who gets left behind when fuel becomes a global issue? In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and special guest Jennifer Ochsenfeld unpack sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the realities behind today’s jet fuel challenges, and why the conversation extends far beyond carbon emissions. Together, they explore how innovation, policy, and global equity intersect with the future of travel.✨ Key Takeaways✅ What sustainable aviation fuel is, how it differs from traditional jet fuel, and why it matters for aviation.✅ Why fuel shortages affect developing nations differently—and why those voices deserve more attention.✅ How waste, used cooking oil, algae, and other feedstocks could reshape aviation fuel production.✅ The role governments, industry, and travelers play in moving sustainable solutions from ideas to action.✅ Why investing in local infrastructure can strengthen energy independence while supporting sustainable tourism.📌 Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome and introducing Jennifer Ochsenfeld02:05 – What is sustainable aviation fuel?05:30 – SAF, politics, and global fuel challenges08:15 – The unequal impact on developing countries11:20 – Brazil, energy independence, and policy15:15 – Can SAF become financially viable?20:45 – Turning waste into opportunity25:15 – Building the infrastructure for the future30:00 – The business case for sustainable aviation👉 What role do you think sustainable aviation fuel should play in the future of travel? Share your thoughts in the comments—we'd love to hear your perspective.Engage with Us:👍 Like this video if you believe travel can create a positive impact.🔔 Subscribe to The Sustainable Voice® for conversations on responsible tourism, conservation, and global travel.💬 What innovation do you think will have the biggest impact on sustainable tourism over the next decade?Follow us on X: https://bit.ly/3TdnFigTag us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3OXkFnULike us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Te1Tv1Find us on Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3UNwKj8Visit our Website: https://bit.ly/42VuDf8

  7. Jun 26

    Heat Index Rising: Travel in a Hotter World | Ep. 82 | The Sustainable Voice®

    Travel can leave a destination better than it found it, but only when it's done with intention. In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka welcomes Annie Jones, founder of the Travel For Better Foundation, for a candid conversation about climate data, luxury travel, and the role tourism can play in supporting communities, protecting destinations, and creating long-term positive impact.Together, they explore how travelers, advisors, and industry leaders can make thoughtful choices that improve experiences while strengthening local economies and preserving cultural heritage for future generations. Key Takeaways ✅ Why "climate data" may be a more productive conversation than "climate change" ✅ How the rise of "coolcations" is reshaping luxury travel planning around the world ✅ Practical ways travel advisors can guide clients toward better experiences without sacrificing comfort ✅ Why progress over perfection is essential when building a more sustainable tourism industry ✅ How luxury travel can support conservation, local employment, and cultural preservation when tourism dollars are directed intentionally 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and introducing Annie Jones & Travel For Better 01:22 – Why climate data matters to the future of tourism 03:20 – The mission behind the Travel For Better Foundation 04:55 – Can luxury travel be part of the solution? 05:43 – Understanding the rise of the "coolcation" 08:13 – Bringing climate conversations into the travel planning process 11:13 – Redirecting travelers toward less crowded destinations 12:41 – Luxury travel's responsibility and opportunity 15:06 – Progress over perfection in sustainable tourism 18:42 – Creating meaningful traveler experiences through local connections 20:15 – The founding vision of Travel For Better 23:34 – Finding your personal connection to sustainability 25:07 – Moving beyond greenwashing 26:26 – Making intentional travel choices that create positive impact 👉 How do you balance luxury travel with responsible travel choices? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Engage with Us: 👍 Like this video if you believe travel can be a force for good. 🔔 Subscribe to The Sustainable Voice® for conversations that connect tourism, community impact, and global perspectives. 💬 What is one travel experience that changed the way you think about a destination or community? Follow us on X: https://bit.ly/3TdnFig Tag us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3OXkFnU Like us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Te1Tv1 Find us on Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3UNwKj8 Visit our Website: https://bit.ly/42VuDf8

  8. Jun 12

    Disappearing Bloodlines: Racing Against Time - The Sustainable Voice® | ep. 81 |

    When cultural heritage weakens, entire generations lose the ability to trace where they come from. In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka explores how Indigenous communities are impacted when economic pressure forces migration to cities, and what is lost when traditions, land, and lived knowledge are left behind. The conversation connects data, lived experience, and real-world tourism models that show a different path forward.✨ Key Takeaways✅ Indigenous migration to cities often leads to cultural erosion and loss of generational identity✅ Community-based tourism can directly increase local employment and preserve heritage on ancestral lands✅ Data from multiple destinations shows tourism can generate 30–72 jobs per visitor when structured inclusively✅ Elders and Indigenous knowledge systems carry lessons on leadership, grief, and community service✅ Preserving culture requires intentional economic models that prioritize local voices at the center📌 Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: personal story and cultural identity loss03:10 – Indigenous migration and erosion of ancestral heritage07:45 – Real-world examples of land loss and corporate pressure12:30 – Community-based employment and tourism job data model17:20 – Peru case study and shifting employment ratios22:05 – Danilo and cultural teachings through lived tradition27:40 – Maasai perspectives on grief and generational wisdom32:15 – Tourism, AI, and the future of community employment36:50 – Exploitation vs. cultural exchange in travel41:10 – Closing reflections on teachers, elders, and learning👉 True sustainability begins when communities are not observers of progress, but active participants in shaping it.Engage with Us:👍 Like this video if cultural preservation matters to you🔔 Subscribe to The Sustainable Voice® for more conversations on sustainable tourism and global communities💬 How do you think travel can better support Indigenous voices today?Follow us on X: https://bit.ly/3TdnFigTag us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3OXkFnULike us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Te1Tv1Find us on Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3UNwKj8Visit our Website: https://bit.ly/42VuDf8

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Bringing you big successes from small places worldwide, The Sustainable Voice Presented by Big Five is hosted by Ashish Sanghrajka (President of Big Five Tours & Expeditions) and focuses on bringing awareness to sustainability, sustainable projects, and making the world a better place for the next generation. Ashish has boots-on-the-ground experience implementing and deploying several different sustainability-based projects around the world and wants to share that with you. Join us each episode as we journey around the world and dive into the unheard success stories of those trying to make it a better, safer, and more sustainable place for not only everyone in their community but the global community at large.

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