Guest Bio

Elinor Fish is a Tourism Business Consultant and founder of Open Air Consulting. With over 14 years of experience building and leading an international travel company, Elinor has firsthand insight into the challenges of growing a tourism business and preparing it for sale. After successfully scaling her own company and navigating the complexities of a business exit, she now helps travel industry owners understand the true value of their companies and guides them through the process of scaling, structuring, and ultimately selling their businesses on their own terms.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Elinor Fish about her journey from founding and operating a women-only travel company to becoming a trusted consultant in tourism business sales and growth. Elinor shares her experience of building her company from a solo endeavor into an international operation with a dedicated team and explains how the pandemic and post-Covid travel surge impacted her business and contributed to her decision to sell.

Elinor dives into the importance of preparing a business for sale well in advance, focusing on creating systems that allow the company to operate independently of the owner. She discusses the due diligence process, the role of business brokers, and how early planning can greatly improve outcomes for sellers. Additionally, she emphasizes that the steps taken to ready a business for sale can also free entrepreneurs to enjoy their businesses more and avoid burnout.

Throughout the conversation, Elinor offers practical advice on managing employee concerns during ownership transitions, capturing meaningful customer feedback, and aligning business sales with personal life goals. Her insights extend beyond selling to building a sustainable, valuable asset that supports both business success and personal well-being.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

Guest Bio

Kristine Eksteine-Nizka is the founder of Love Your Italy, a travel planning service and blog focused on helping travelers explore Italy, with a special emphasis on the Dolomites. Kristine and her husband Michal live in Europe and draw from their personal experiences living in Northern Italy and extensive travels throughout the country to create tailored itineraries and practical advice for visitors. Her approach combines a deep understanding of Italy’s diverse regions with a commitment to responsible and enjoyable travel.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Kristine about her journey from growing up in Latvia to becoming a travel planner specializing in Italy’s Dolomites. They discuss how Kristine’s passion for travel evolved through years of personal exploration, including her time working as a flight attendant and living near Lake Iseo in Northern Italy.

The conversation delves into what makes the Dolomites unique, from their limestone peaks and extensive cable car networks to the challenges of overtourism and the importance of responsible travel. Kristine shares how her business, Love Your Italy, offers custom itinerary planning and a vibrant online community for travelers seeking to navigate the region thoughtfully and safely.

Listeners also learn about the practical side of Kristine’s work, including why she chooses not to handle bookings directly and how she supports travelers with detailed planning advice, emphasizing safety and local respect. The episode highlights her dedication to making Italian adventures approachable, especially in areas less familiar to the average tourist.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

Guest Bio

Peter Bergman is an Australian expedition leader and the founder of Beyond Expedition Consulting. With nearly a decade of experience guiding expeditions across diverse and remote regions including Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Indo-Pacific, Peter has developed a broad expertise in expedition cruising. His career began with Silversea Expeditions, where he advanced from Staff Assistant to Expedition Leader, managing complex operations and ensuring guest safety on challenging itineraries. Through Beyond Expedition Consulting, Peter provides specialized advice to expedition operators, drawing on current, hands-on experience in the field to support companies in delivering safe and authentic adventure travel experiences.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Peter Bergman about his journey from studying marine science to becoming an expedition leader and founder of Beyond Expedition Consulting. Peter shares insights into the expedition industry, explaining what expedition tourism entails and how it differs from traditional travel. He highlights the challenges of operating in remote regions, from polar areas to tropical islands, and the importance of thorough planning and local knowledge.

Peter discusses the balance he seeks between his career at sea and life on land, as well as the personal challenges of leading expeditions in high-stress environments. He reflects on the legacy of his late father and how it shaped his adventurous path. The conversation delves into the evolving nature of expedition travel, the role of consulting in supporting new and established operators, and the need for mental and physical wellbeing among expedition staff.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

Guest Bio

Gregg Bleakney is the founder of WhereNext Travel, a premium destination management company (DMC) serving international travel advisors, luxury tour operators, and experiential travel brands across Colombia, Peru, and Latin America. Before launching WhereNext Travel, Gregg spent more than two decades leading a creative agency that produced campaigns for global lifestyle brands, tourism ministries and international development organizations, including USAID’s $40 million Destination Nature tourism initiative in Colombia and a collaboration with 60 Minutes on the country’s tourism revival. Unlike traditional DMCs, WhereNext Travel grew out of destination storytelling before building its operational infrastructure across Latin America. Today, the company combines cinematic storytelling with operational excellence to design bespoke, multi-country journeys supported by trusted, on-the-ground teams.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Gregg Bleakney about his path from competitive athlete and tropical fish enthusiast to founder of WhereNext Travel, a premium destination management company based in Colombia and  Peru and expanding into other Latin American countries. Gregg shares stories from his 18,000-mile bicycle journey from Alaska to Argentina, the challenges he encountered along the way, and how the experience reshaped his life and career.

Gregg explains how, unlike traditional DMCs, WhereNext Travel grew out of destination storytelling before building its operational infrastructure across Latin America. The conversation explores how modern destination management extends far beyond logistics, requiring deep local relationships, operational excellence, cinematic storytelling and reliable on-the-ground support to deliver exceptional travel experiences.

Gregg also reflects on his work promoting sustainable tourism in Colombia, including a landmark campaign for ProColombia that helped position the country as the world’s leading birding destination, and his commitment to community-based tourism through the restoration of his boutique coffee agroturismo in the Colombian Andes.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

Guest Bio

Gilly Gwilliams is the founder of Retreats In Greece, a travel agency focused on wellness retreats throughout the country. After a career in the British Army as an intelligence analyst, Gilly relocated to the island of Kos where she transitioned into fitness and Pilates instruction. Combining her love of holistic health with her deep connection to Greece, she created a platform that offers carefully matched retreats emphasizing healing, fitness, and personal growth. Her work also supports other retreat hosts by helping them connect with travelers seeking meaningful wellness experiences.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Gilly about her journey from a military career to founding a specialized retreat travel service in Greece. They explore how Gilly’s early experiences, including her time as a fitness instructor on Kos, led her to create Retreats In Greece—an agency that curates a wide range of wellness retreats beyond the usual yoga and fitness options.

The conversation delves into the unique qualities that make retreats different from typical vacations, such as their focus on healing and providing tools for long-term well-being. Gilly shares insights into the diversity of retreats offered, including a mythology-based healing retreat that uses the story of the Minotaur to help participants process trauma. She also discusses the challenges and rewards of building her business, the importance of personalized retreat matching, and how her own health journey influenced her approach to fitness and wellness.

Listeners gain an understanding of the practical steps involved in booking a retreat through her agency and the supportive community she has cultivated among hosts and travelers alike. Gilly’s story reflects a thoughtful evolution from military discipline to nurturing wellness and connection in a place she describes as deeply healing.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

Guest Bio

Eva Westerling is the co-owner of Berber Adventure Tours Morocco. Originally a radiologist, Eva spent many years working in global hospital consulting, which took her to countries such as Iraq, India, and Chile. After deciding to take time off to travel, she returned to Morocco and has remained based there ever since. Her deep connection to the country, especially the desert regions, shapes her approach to life and travel. Eva manages many of the operational aspects of Berber Adventure Tours, including tour design, calculations, marketing, and customer communications.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Eva about her unique journey from a medical career to becoming a key figure in Morocco’s adventure tourism scene. They discuss how living in the desert has changed her perspective on life, focusing more on presence and simplicity rather than material concerns. Eva shares stories from her extensive travels throughout Morocco, including favorite spots like Essaouira, Tetouan, and the vast desert around Merzouga.

Eva also talks about the challenges and rewards of designing tours that explore lesser-known areas, offering travelers a chance to experience Morocco beyond the typical tourist paths. She reflects on her partnership with Hassan, whom she met on a desert trek, and how their shared passion for adventure informs the tours they create.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

Guest Bio

Chris Prewitt is the owner and operator of Chris Prewitt Surf, bringing over 25 years of experience in luxury surfing experiences across yachts, resorts, and villas in tropical destinations worldwide. Specializing in bespoke surf coaching and guiding, Chris works with busy professionals, families, and solo travelers who seek private, discreet, and tailored surfing improvement holidays. His expertise lies in creating personalized programs that help clients quickly advance their surfing skills while enjoying exclusive, high-end hospitality settings.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Chris about the unique world of luxury surf travel. Chris shares insights into how his company crafts custom surfing experiences that blend skill development with comfort and exclusivity in some of the world’s best tropical locations.

They discuss the challenges and rewards of working with a diverse clientele, from families to solo adventurers, all seeking meaningful progress in their surfing abilities. Chris also highlights the importance of privacy and personalized attention in creating memorable and effective surf holidays.

The conversation sheds light on the balance between high-end hospitality and authentic surfing culture, illustrating how these tailored experiences cater to those who want to improve on the waves while enjoying the finest accommodations and services.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

Guest Bio

Hayley Donigan is a brand voice strategist and copywriter specializing in responsible travel brands. Based in the UK, she combines her expertise in content marketing with a personal commitment to slow, thoughtful travel. After moving from the US to England in 2010, Hayley adopted a flexible lifestyle that blends remote work with extended stays in diverse locations, allowing her to develop a deep understanding of how travel shapes both people and places. Her professional journey began in copywriting for a global travel company, evolving into a career focused on strategic content marketing for purpose-led companies. Today, she channels this experience into her own business, helping culture-led travel brands connect with their communities with clarity and care.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Hayley about the intersection of travel, storytelling, and responsible brand communication. They discuss how adopting a slow travel mindset has influenced her approach to writing and strategy, emphasizing the importance of depth over speed in both exploration and messaging.

Hayley shares insights from her years living between countries and working remotely, describing how this flexible lifestyle has shaped her understanding of cultural nuance and the challenges of representing travel authentically. Their conversation explores the ways generic travel marketing can overlook the complexities of real experiences and how brands can do better by embracing thoughtful, tailored narratives.

Throughout the episode, Hayley reflects on her transition from traditional copywriting roles to founding a business that aligns with her values, highlighting the balance between strategic work and lived experience that informs her approach to brand voice in the travel sector.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

Guest Bio

Mike Engiles serves as the Executive Manager of Crystal River Watersports, a family-run business since 2014 dedicated to offering sustainable nature experiences along Florida’s Nature Coast. Under Mike’s leadership, Crystal River Watersports specializes in guided manatee swim tours, scuba diving, scalloping excursions, and river cruises, all focused on observing and preserving the local aquatic environment.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Mike holds multiple degrees in business from Pennsylvania State University and spent years in information technology consulting near Washington, D.C. His move to Citrus County, Florida, was driven by a desire to work more closely with people in the hospitality industry while sharing his love for the outdoors, particularly scuba diving. Beyond his business role, Mike has contributed extensively to local environmental and tourism efforts, including serving on advisory boards and participating in statewide initiatives like the Florida Adventure Tourism Network. His family remains deeply involved in the business, with his children certified as scuba instructors and licensed boat captains.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Mike Engiles about his journey from a career in IT consulting to managing Crystal River Watersports, a unique operation centered on connecting visitors with Florida’s manatees and natural waterways. Mike shares insights into the delicate balance of offering immersive wildlife experiences while protecting these gentle giants under federal guidelines.

The conversation explores the biology and behavior of manatees, the importance of conservation, and the challenges of responsible tourism. Mike also discusses how Crystal River Watersports has adapted over the years, including shifts to private tours post-COVID and expanding into scuba trips and scalloping excursions during Florida’s warmer months. Listeners gain a behind-the-scenes look at the logistics of running a seasonal water-based business with a focus on ecological preservation.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.

Guest Bio

Felex Musinguzi is the Managing Director of Kazinga Tours, a leading travel company based in Uganda. With over two decades of experience in the tourism industry, Felex has dedicated his career to creating meaningful travel experiences while supporting sustainability and community empowerment. He grew up near Lake Bunyonyi and has channeled his deep connection to Uganda and commitment to local development into building one of East Africa’s most trusted safari companies.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Felex Musinguzi about his journey from a challenging childhood in rural Uganda to founding Kazinga Tours. Felex shares how his early work experiences and unexpected support from international volunteers shaped his path into tourism and entrepreneurship. He discusses the importance of building partnerships with international operators and how Kazinga Tours offers authentic, community-focused travel experiences.

The conversation also explores the complexities of tourism in Africa, addressing common misconceptions about the continent and emphasizing Uganda’s unique wildlife and cultural diversity. Felex highlights the company’s approach to responsible tourism, including immersive homestays and educational programs that connect visitors with local communities. He also talks about Kazinga Tours’ strategic shift toward business-to-business partnerships following the COVID-19 pandemic and plans to expand across East Africa.

Felex reflects on the personal values that have guided his success, including honesty, hard work, and a commitment to making a positive impact. He shares insights into family life, community projects focused on education and women’s health, and his hopes for the future of tourism in Uganda and the region.

Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.

Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.