Ingeborg Sæbø Oluka Managing Director Alakara Travels https://alakaratravels.com/ As the founder and managing director of Alakara Reiser (Norway) and Alakara Travels (Uganda), I work to create customized, small-scale journeys that connect travelers with Uganda’s incredible landscapes, cultures, and communities. What drives me is not only a deep passion for meaningful travel experiences—but also a strong commitment to creating dignified employment and economic opportunities in Uganda. Alakara...

Eric Segalstad Vice President & Partner Gondwana Ecotours https://www.gondwanaecotours.com A Norwegian native now based in Vermont, Eric Segalstad has spent the past two decades working in the travel industry, with adventures spanning five continents. His career has included guiding exploratory ski trips in Kashmir, Patagonia, and Japan, collaborating with leading tour operators, and volunteering with the Rainforest Alliance to support indigenous-owned lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Er...

Jordi Llonch Esteve Head of Growth Satlantis https://satlantis.io/ Jordi Llonch Esteve is a lifelong nomad, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for freedom technologies. After traveling over 50 cities as an airline pilot, he transitioned into entrepreneurship and innovation, helping hundreds of entrepreneurs grow their startups each year. Today, he leads growth at Satlantis.io, a social network built for frequent travelers and digital nomads. Satlantis empowers users to discover their next ...

Dolores Gangotena Founder Quasar Expeditions My husband and myself founded Quasar Expeditions in 1986. Up to then, my life had been filled with several experiences in the Galapagos Islands. My first trip was in 1969 when there was no airport and navigations had to be done from Guayaquil. My first experience visiting Galapagos, still quite young, in the company of a biology teacher and 5 friends truly changed my life. It is since we founded the company that my professional life saw a big turn ...

Charles Odom Founder Painted Circle Travel Guide Charles is a supporter of the sustainable travel movement through his platform Painted Circle. He has a degree in International Development and has worked in tourism since 2008. Starting his travel career in Germany, he is now working with travel companies around the world to build an ethical travel platform that helps travelers explore more intentionally and with a more positive impact. summary In this episode, Charles Odom, founder of Painted...

Ami Jones CEO & Founder TerraFauna Journeys Ami Jones is a seasoned travel professional, passionate conservationist, and respected leader in sustainable tourism with over 15 years of experience designing and guiding meaningful journeys across the globe. Her path began in 2008 in Placencia, Belize—an early spark that ignited a lifelong commitment to using travel as a force for good. Since then, Ami has held key roles in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors spanning student travel, wellnes...

Trish Sare Founder/Owner BikeHike Adventures https://www.bikehike.com/ Trish Sare is a passionate adventurer, cultural connector, and founder of BikeHike Adventures, a pioneering travel company that has been curating unforgettable active journeys around the world for over three decades. With a deep love for meaningful travel and cross-cultural experiences, Trish has guided travelers through remote corners of the globe—always with a bike, a pair of hiking boots, and an open heart. Her mission ...

Chris Torres Director The Marketing Coach & Tourprenuer I started at 16 illustrating children’s books and never looked back. After that, I spent years learning on the job—working in design studios and marketing agencies as an art-worker, designer, web developer, and eventually a marketing strategist. I didn’t go to university. Truth is, I hated school. I was told I’d never amount to much. That doubt didn’t discourage me—it fuelled me. I’ve spent my whole career proving people wrong, bui...

Chelsea RossFounder & Creative Director Goddess Retreats Chelsea Ross is the founder of Goddess Retreats, a pioneering women’s wellness and adventure travel company that began in 2003. With over 23 years of experience leading transformative retreats around the world, Chelsea is passionate about creating spaces where women can reconnect with themselves through nature, culture, and meaningful exploration. Her work blends a deep commitment to holistic well-being with a love for adventure, in...

Sharyn Means CEO Doves Rest Cabins “I’m Sharyn Means, CEO of Doves Rest Cabins. I am the creator of the Kia Oro customer service brand that develops a culture of excellence, powered by staff that can anticipate customer needs, exceed expectations, create goodwill and make it all feel seamless.” “Born and raised on the remote Island of New Zealand, I learned at a young age to stand on my own two feet, how to do things myself, or find an alternative solution to the issue. My entire career has b...

Mari-Liis LuhaSales DirectorTaisto Bussid | Europe Mari-Liis Luha is the heart behind our partnerships. With a background in hospitality, sales, and team management, she leads the sales department at Taisto Bussid with care, clarity, and purpose. As the main point of contact for travel agencies, tour operators, and corporate clients, Mari-Liis ensures every collaboration is smooth, efficient, and built on trust. She combines over a decade of experience in customer-facing roles with a deep und...

Nancy De LosaCo-Founder A’qto Cycling Nancy De Losa is the Co-Founder of A’qto Italian Cycling Tours, a boutique cycling tour company offering immersive experiences in Italy. With a background in brand, marketing, and entrepreneurship, Nancy blends her deep connection to Italy with her passion for people and travel. Since launching A’qto Cycling Tours with her husband Damian Hancock in 2015, she has curated unforgettable experiences that combine cycling, cultural exploration, and authentic I...

Matthew C. Johnson President Sustainable Ascents Foundation Matthew is a self-described adventure traveler in search of a plot, a part-time endurance athlete, a mosh pit enthusiast and an accidental Fellow at the Royal Geographical Society. summary In this episode, Jason Elkins speaks with Matthew Johnson, president of the Sustainable Ascents Foundation, about the importance of sustainable tourism in climbing and how it can empower local communities. Matthew shares his personal journey from a...

Mark Everton CEO Explore Seattle Southside Mark spent 35+ years managing hotels for Four Seasons, Marriott, Hilton and Joie de Vivre on the west coast and Hawaii. In 2016 Visit Oakland (California) was searching for a new leader. Mark chose to make the leap from hotel to destination leadership. In the midst of Covid and the shut down of travel, the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority began a search for a replacement for the retiring founder of the organization. The area surrou...

Gerardo NiklitschekOwner & Founder ALSUR Expediciones Gerardo Niklitschek is the founder of ALSUR Expediciones and one of Patagonia’s most seasoned and respected adventure guides. With more than 30 years of experience exploring the wild landscapes of southern Chile and Argentina, Gerardo leads unforgettable journeys into the heart of Patagonia—combining cultural insight, deep environmental knowledge, and technical expertise. Born and raised in Chile, Gerardo is a certified Physical Educat...

Jeff PetersonOwner & Founder Reelin Family Fun Meet Jeff Peterson, the spirited owner of Reelin Family Fun! He’s all about transforming ordinary family outings into extraordinary adventures filled with laughter and learning. With a deep passion for fishing and exploring the outdoors, Jeff, along with the dedicated Reelin Family Fun Staff, creates interactive experiences that bring families closer to nature and each other. It’s not just about the fish you catch, it’s about the time spent t...

David BrodieFounder & CEO Voyascape Podcast Network David is founder of Voyascape and one of the world’s first travel podcasters, having launched the Travel in 10 podcast in 2005. He continues to host and produce Travel in 10 & also co-hosts the Journeytelling Podcast. He’s the former Global VP of an award-winning PR agency where he led award-winning campaigns for clients like Tourism Australia, Destination British Columbia, Emirates, Expedia. He’s also a former senior advisor to the ...

Tony Carne Co-Founder Videreo Tony has travel flowing through his veins. From starting as a guide to building the global Urban Adventures business at Intrepid Travel, Tony has always worked in service of the local businesses & communities who underpin travel. Tony continues this today at Videreo. summary In this episode of the Big World Made Small podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Tony Carne, co-founder of Videreo, about the intersection of AI and travel, the creator economy, and the...

Wells Jones Author A Line in the Sand MediaWells Jones (aka Tad Jones) is former Navy Antarctic Pararescue & Survival Instructor, American Academy of Dramatic Arts NYC graduate with Off-broadway, commercial, TV & film credits, producer/director of multiple live events in venues including Kennedy Center Opera House, Lincoln Center Avery Fisher Hall and along the Red Sea Coast, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Wells is co-author of Wells Jones (aka Tad Jones) is former Navy Antarctic Pararescue...

Emanuel RoseFounder/Author Strategic eMarketing Emanuel Rose was born and raised on the West Coast of the United States. He has spent over three decades earning a reputation in cutting edge marketing. As an author and expert in the field, Emanuel specializes in direct response advertising, and content marketing at his digital agency, Strategic eMarketing. His passion lies in helping companies achieve business success with authentic storytelling. Emanuel’s unique approach to marketing strategi...