The RISE Traveler: Unpacking Conversations of Sustainable Travel

Episodes

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  Sustainability, Motherhood & Family Business at Saiyuen with Chi Lo 26.08.2026 41m

  In this episode, host Amy Hager sits down with Chi, a sustainability professional based in Hong Kong, who wears multiple hats! Chi shares her journey of relocating her family from the US back to Hong Kong, pursuing a PhD focused on the intersection of motherhood and female entrepreneurship in eco-tourism, and helping run her family's camp and adventure playground,Saiyuen, on one of Hong Kong's outlying islands, Cheung Chau. The conversation explores cultural differences in tourism manag...
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  Travel With Purpose: Building Ethical Community Partnerships with Candice Young of Trek Relief 28.07.2026 17m

  What does it truly mean to travel with purpose? In this episode of RISE Traveler, host Amy Hager sits down with Candice Young, founder of Trek Relief, to explore how adventure travel can become a force for meaningful, community-led change. Rather than focusing on "voluntourism," Candice shares how Trek Relief partners directly with local communities to support projects they have identified as priorities—ensuring that travel empowers rather than unintentionally harms. Drawing from her experien...
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  Reimagining Tourism Through Justice with James Nadiope 03.07.2026 35m

  What if travel could do more than create unforgettable memories? What if it could create lasting change for the communities we visit? If you were able to attend the RISE Travel Institute Annual Conference this is a wonderful follow up to Jame’s presentation. And if you weren’t able to attend, take a listen to this interview and then head to our YouTube channel to catch his presentation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbMeOB4AA_0. In this episode of RISE Traveler: Unpacking Conversations...
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  Travel, Technology, and the Right to Belong with Maria Hernandez 10.06.2026 21m

  In this powerful continuation of our conversation with Maria Hernandez, we explore the future of travel through the lens of identity, technology, privacy, and belonging. Drawing from her lived experience as a transgender traveler and technologist, Maria shares thoughtful reflections on how modern systems—from passports and biometrics to surveillance and social media—shape who gets to move freely through the world and who faces barriers along the way. Together, Amy and Maria unpack questions a...
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  When Travel Doesn’t Feel Safe: Borders, Identity, and Mobility with Maria Hernandez 16.05.2026 37m

  In this powerful episode of RISE Traveler: Unpacking Conversations of Sustainable Travel, host Amy Hager sits down with self-acceptance coach and longtime traveler Maria Hernandez for an honest conversation about borders, identity, safety, and belonging. Maria shares her perspective on political borders as human-made systems that shape how people move, travel, and experience freedom. Drawing from her own experiences as a transgender woman and person of color, she reflects on the emotional rea...
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  Empowering Women Through Travel with Carolyn Ray 08.01.2026 31m

  In this inspiring episode of The RISE Traveler: Unpacking Conversations of Sustainable Travel, host Amy Hager sits down with Carolyn Ray, CEO of JourneyWoman, the world’s first solo travel publication for women. Together, they explore how travel can empower women, foster empathy, and become a catalyst for global understanding. Carolyn shares her journey of stepping into the legacy of founder Evelyn Hannon, transforming JourneyWoman into a thriving, values-driven community that promotes sustai...
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  Love, Loss, and the Hidden Stories Behind Immigration – with Michael Luongo 21.11.2025 11m

  In this heartfelt episode of The RISE Traveler, host Amy Hager speaks with writer and academic Michael Luongo again to explore the moving true story behind his New York Times Modern Love essay. Michael opens up about his late husband, Wing-Ho “Harry” Chow, an undocumented and closeted gay man who lived with him in New York for over two decades. When Harry was diagnosed with late-stage cancer, their decision to marry became an act of both love and necessity — allowing Michael to care for him, ...
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  Rebuilding Through Tourism with Michael Luongo 24.10.2025 28m

  In this powerful conversation, Amy Hager sits down with journalist and academic Michael Luongo to explore how tourism can become a tool for recovery, peace, and rebuilding after war and conflict. From Ground Zero to Gaza, Iraq, Rwanda, and Ukraine, Michael shares firsthand stories of resilience, research, and the human capacity to heal through travel. If you care about ethical travel, social justice, and the transformative power of tourism, this episode will challenge and inspire you. It’s a...
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  From Brazil to Bazaar: Laëtitia Damonsing on Travel, Identity & Sustainable Fashion 26.09.2025 35m

  In this episode of The RISE Traveler, we sit down with Montreal-based entrepreneur Laëtitia Damonsing to explore how her global experiences shaped her identity, worldview, and business. From volunteering in Brazilian communities during the World Cup to working in international diplomacy in Paris and Australia, Laëtitia shares how travel transformed her perspective on privilege, resilience, and representation as a woman of color. Her journey led her to launch DoDo Bazaar, a circular fashion br...
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  Community-Based Travel: Building Connections Beyond Borders with Janna “Jaz” Zinzi, CEO of Wander Womxn Travels 29.08.2025 35m

  In this episode of RISE Traveler, host Amy Hager sits down with Janna “Jaz” Zinzi founder of WanderWomxn Travels, to explore how travel can go beyond sightseeing to support local communities, small businesses, and marginalized groups. Jaz shares her journey from New York to New Orleans, her passion for community-based tourism, and how today’s U.S. policies—from immigration to DEI rollbacks—are reshaping how people experience travel. Together, they discuss the power of local action, cultural p...
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  Championing Inclusive Travel with Roni Weiss 08.07.2025 27m

  In this powerful Season 6 premiere, host Amy Hager sits down with Roni Weiss, Executive Director of Travel Unity, to explore the intersection of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and global travel. From his personal journey as a neurodivergent traveler to addressing how political climates impact tourism, Roni brings insight, honesty, and heart to the conversation. Highlights from this great conversation: How Roni’s early experiences with ADD shaped his career and travel mindset The ...
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  Celebrating 5 Years of Purposeful Travel: The RISE Travel Institute Story 20.06.2025 46m

  In this special 5th anniversary episode of the RISE Traveler Podcast, we reflect on five powerful years of growth, learning, and impact at RISE Travel Institute. Host Amy Hager is joined by founder Vincie Ho and Board Vice President Amanda Kendle to explore the origin story of RISE, the evolution of its mission, and how a grassroots idea blossomed into a global movement for ethical and justice-focused travel. We discuss: How a graduate school capstone became a nonprofit with internation...
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  Natalie Amezua on Leading with Kindness and Connection When Traveling 30.05.2025 26m

  In this inspiring episode of the RISE Podcast, host Amy Hager sits down with longtime RISE volunteer and educator Natalie Amezcua to explore the deep questions that travel can spark. From her beginnings with RISE during the pandemic to her work as a systems thinker and educator, Natalie shares how travel, when done mindfully, can help bridge cultural gaps, promote sustainability, and reconnect us to our shared humanity. Whether you're a curious globetrotter or an industry professional, this...
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  From Camper Vans to Conscious Travel with Cathy Ji 23.05.2025 23m

  In this episode, host Amy chats with Cathy Ji, a longtime RISE volunteer and Senior Manager of Finance and Fundraising. Cathy shares her journey into sustainable travel—from a spontaneous campervan trip during the pandemic to a life-changing solo adventure in Vietnam. She opens up about the ethical wake-up call that led her to veganism, reflects on the hidden impacts of Airbnb, and champions the value of slow, intentional travel. Tune in for thoughtful stories, practical tips, and a reminder ...
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  How experiential travel can create positive impact with Jodi Suckle 16.05.2025 16m

  In this episode, Amy sits down with Jodi Suckle, Experiential Travel Manager at RISE Travel Institute, live from Guatemala. They explore what it means to plan ethical, intentional journeys that benefit both travelers and host communities. Jodi shares her path into sustainable travel, the power of homestays, and how conscious travel can shape future global citizens—especially students. If you're curious about how to travel with purpose, this episode is for you. Website: https://www.riset...
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  Kara King on Conscious Travel, Refugee Work, and Rewriting the Travel Narrative 09.05.2025 22m

  In this powerful and inspiring conversation, host Amy Hagar reconnects with longtime RISE volunteer and content creator Kara King. From writing blog posts and editing podcasts to working with refugees in Greece, Kara shares how her experiences have shaped her commitment to ethical storytelling and conscious travel. A few key takeaways in the episode: Why Kara joined RISE during a pandemic-era virtual summit How volunteering at RISE sparked personal and professional growth Lessons fr...
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  A Journey of Connection with Kristin Barron 02.05.2025 26m

  In this episode, host Amy Hager talks with Kristen Barron, grant manager at RISE Travel Institute, about her journey from corporate life to sustainable travel advocacy. Kristen shares how her 18-month career break transformed her approach to travel, the deeper lessons she learned from experiences like walking the Camino de Santiago, and how RISE’s mission aligns with her personal values. Together, they explore the importance of critical thinking, intentional travel, and cultivating deeper con...
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  Embracing the unknown: A conversation with Barbara Zerbe on Travel and Growth 04.04.2025 21m

  The episode features a conversation with Barbara Zerbe (she/her), a volunteer who heads up our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policy and implementation. Barbara is the founder and CEO of BZ Strategies, LLC, where she helps businesses navigate chaos and achieve growth through strategic project management, streamlined operations, targeted marketing, and impactful coaching. A firm believer in authentic leadership, Barbara is dedicated to building systems and processes that drive success while...
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  Mini-episode! A focus on Travel Education with Steve Hesse 26.03.2025 14m

  The RISE Travel podcast is packed with valuable insights, so we’ve pulled out some key highlights for our listeners. Alongside our full-length episodes, we’ll also release shorter ones to make it easier for everyone to find the information they need. This mini-episode is from Season 1, Episode 5 (link for full episode). In this episode Steve Hesse, RISE Institute Board member, highlights the importance of integrating with local communities during student travel, avoidi...
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  Focus on tourism and forced migration with Dr. Gada Mahrouse 07.03.2025 57m

  In this episode of the Rise Traveler podcast, Vincie Ho interviews Dr. Gada Mahrouse, an Associate Professor at Concordia University's Simone de Beauvoir Institute, about the intersection of tourism and forced migration. Dr. Mahrouse discusses her research on the representation of refugees in media and the challenges of solidarity across racialized power relations. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of colonization and the need for decolonizing travel. Dr. M...