The Altruistic Traveller Podcast Bianca Caruana

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Court Whelan, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Natural Habitat Adventures (Nat Hab).

Court shares insights from his journey, from his upbringing in Florida to his passion for conservation and sustainability. We discuss the intersection of biodiversity conservation and ecotourism, the impact of travel on local communities, and Nat Hab's efforts to promote sustainable travel practices.

One of Nat Hab's key initiatives is to empower local communities and support grassroots conservation efforts. Court shares, "We work closely with local partners to ensure that our trips benefit the communities we visit. Whether it's providing funding for small-scale projects or fostering sustainable livelihoods, we believe in creating shared value for all stakeholders."

Through its innovative conservation projects and immersive travel experiences, Natural Habitat Adventures is helping to shape a more sustainable future for our planet. As Court summarises, "Our goal is to inspire travellers to become stewards of the environment and advocates for conservation. By exploring the world responsibly, we can protect and preserve the natural wonders that make our planet so unique."



Follow Court's adventures on Instagram.

Follow Natural Habitat Adventures on Instagram.

Join one of NatHab's upcoming conservation adventures.

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana, and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Anniina Sandberg, the founder of Visit Natives, a sustainable travel company dedicated to promoting cross-cultural tourism in Tanzania, Norway, and Papua New Guinea. 

Anniina is Norwegian-born but has spent most of her life living amongst the Maasai people in the rural landscapes of Tanzania. She is fluent in Swahili and has a background in anthropology and African studies. In the interview, Anniina shares insights into cultural relativism, community-based tourism and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives.

We learn about her experience and wisdom gained from years in the field, discussing the transformative power of cultural exchange and the potential pitfalls of ethnocentrism.

Discover how embracing cultural diversity can enrich our lives and receive advice on how you can support sustainable travel initiatives and the communities you visit through conscientious tourism practices.



Follow Anniina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theanthropologisttraveler/

Connect with Anniina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniina-sandberg-b91127196/

Find out more about the cultural experiences offered: https://www.visitnatives.com/

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I welcome Jarka Kunova, co-founder of La Vita Sukha – a conscious and intentional coliving, coworking, and retreat space in the heart of Southern Italy. Jarka, a psychology-informed coach, consultant, and investor, shares her insights into creating a conscious community and navigating life as a location-independent entrepreneur.

Discover how this unique coliving experience goes beyond physical spaces, fostering connections that facilitate profound personal growth and healing. Jarka shares insights into the intentional approach to conscious living at La Vita Sukha, creating an environment that supports individuals on their healing journeys.

Visit the website: https://lavitasukha.com/

Join the coliving experience: https://lavitasukha.com/coliving/

Follow co-founder Jarka Kunova on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarka-kunova/

Follow co-founder Jarka Kunova on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulfulnomadlife/

Follow co-founder Liz Cirelli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizcirelli/

Follow co-founder Liz Cirelli on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_cirelli/

Welcome back to the final series of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. I'm your host, Bianca Caruana, and for the past five years, I've been sharing stories from influential change makers shaping a better world.

In this episode, I speak with Peigi Rodan, a dedicated advocate for sustainable tourism and the Senior Sustainability Manager at Invia Travel Germany (formerly the Sustainability Manager at WithLocals.)

We delve into her journey and passion for sustainable travel, exploring what "sustainable tourism" means in today's world.

Join us as Peigi sheds light on the advantages of experiencing a destination through the eyes of locals and how technology can enhance sustainable travel experiences. We also discuss valuable tips for authentic cultural immersion and meaningful interactions with locals.

Related article: https://thealtruistictraveller.com/blog/6-websites-that-help-you-travel-like-a-local-while-supporting-a-local/

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Marcus Hansen, a senior lecturer in tourism & events at Liverpool John Moores University. Dr. Hansen teaches and conducts research in relation to tourism and event management. His research interests are particularly around the topics of accessible tourism & events, including travelling with a vision impairment, accessible destination management, creating dementia-friendly destinations and leveraging mega events to deliver accessible outcomes.

We discuss destination management strategies that create inclusive environments for people with physical and cognitive disabilities. We also delve into the concept of accessible tourism, who are the stakeholders and what are some of the benchmarks for accessibility in tourism.

Dr. Hansen provides valuable insights on how destinations can adapt to cater to individuals with disabilities and highlights the benefits of creating environments that support those with cognitive impairments.

Tune in for an informative and inspiring conversation on making tourism accessible for everyone.

Follow Dr. Hansen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-hansen-tourism/

Listen to Dr. Hansen's podcast - The Accessible Tourism Podcast

Email Dr. Hansen - M.H.Hansen@ljmu.ac.uk

Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better.

In this episode, I speak with Shaun Busuttil, an anthropologist and travel writer currently completing a PhD on digital nomadism at the University of Melbourne, Australia. A nomad himself for over a decade, his ethnographic research illuminates and unveils some of the struggles, challenges and existential dilemmas encountered within this hypermobile community, as well as the various strategies digital nomads employ to resolve, reconcile or overcome them. His multi-sited ethnography also situates digital nomadism within a global neoliberal political landscape and critiques the impact of this relatively privileged class of transnational actors on the communities that host them. 

Shaun and I met at the Bansko Nomad Fest in June of this year. I was fascinated by his research-led reflections and insights into this modern nomadic lifestyle. Specifically, the balance we "digital nomads" endeavour to find when we value freedom but also crave community and connection.

In this discussion, we talk about the existential considerations of the life of a modern-day nomad and how location-independent individuals negotiate their identities in diverse cultural contexts. We explore the dichotomy of isolation versus community and unpack the monetisation and commodification of a sense of belonging.

Follow Shaun's research on his website: https://www.shaunbusuttil.com/

Follow Shaun's travels on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshaunbusuttil/