AK Compass Podcast

Have you ever wondered whether your everyday choices really matter when it comes to sustainability?

In this episode of the AK Compass Podcast, Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi look at individual and industrial responsibility and discuss how the two should be treated in a balanced way.

They start with the choices we can make in daily life: bringing our own containers, choosing locally sourced food and cosmetics where possible, and finding realistic ways to create less waste. Talking with family and friends can help us see what works in our own daily lives. The aim isn’t to just stay in our comfort zones, but it isn’t to demand perfection either.

Companies also have a great role. They have far more power to change how products and services are designed, how supply chains work, and where investment goes. Karolina and Ágnes discuss why polluter-pays rules need to be enforced, why businesses should consider long-term value alongside short-term profit, and why the right technology should serve people and the environment, but not dictate what change is possible. 

They also explore greenwashing and the EmpCo anti-greenwashing directive. What’s the difference between plastic described as “ocean-bound” and plastic actually recovered from the ocean or a river? And why is a specific claim, such as the number of bottles saved, more useful than a vague promise to be “eco-friendly”?

At its heart, this is a conversation about making an impact at the scale available to us: through our choices, the companies we support, and the decisions businesses make about their environmental and social future.

In this episode, Karolina Czakó and Ágnes Gárdonyi look back on Karolina’s time as a guest student in Madrid. They talk about the everyday atmosphere of the city: families spending time together in public squares with children playing outside, and a daily rhythm shaped by the siesta. Around midday, life slows down; work and conversations continue in the afternoon after the siesta, which is unknown in many other cultures. 

They also share what it’s like to move around Madrid and beyond: the simple use of the metro system, the high-speed trains, and the quiet beauty of Atocha station with its indoor garden. Karolian also shares a funny and cautionary story about thinking you’re on time and still somehow missing the train.

Toledo is a calm escape from the city. As the former capital of Spain, it carries layers of history: Various cultural and historical influences are still visible in the streets and on the buildings. The episode also reféect on why the capital moved to Madrid, and how Spain tends to honor its past instead of erasing it, including the Moorish times.

Climate change isn't a distant threat. It's reshaping our lives right now. In this raw and relatable episode, Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi drop the dry statistics we often hear about and get personal about how a warming world has already changed their daily routines, health choices, and future plans.From Japan-inspired water reuse systems to reducing PET packaging, Ágnes and Karolina share what actually works when you're trying to live sustainably. They talk about reusable diapers, chemical-free cosmetics, food containers that cut waste. They also address the real cost of climate change on human health and wallets. No preachy lectures, just two people figuring it out as they go.They also tackle the big questions: What's one realistic thing you've already started doing to adapt? What are you still thinking about but haven't done yet? And if things get worse, would you actually move somewhere cooler, like the Great Lakes region, Northern Europe, or Scandinavia?This episode is for anyone who's done with doom-and-gloom and ready for honest conversations about adaptation, practical changes, and what the future might really look like. You'll walk away with actionable tips, fresh perspective, and maybe a bit more clarity on your own climate journey.

Welcome to the Summer Miniseries of the AK Compass Podcast! During the summer season, we’ll share short, to-the-point episodes on various travel and sustainability topics.In this episode, Ágnes Gárdonyi and Karolina Czako discuss what to pack for festivals and hiking trips, and how to spend time outdoors with less waste. They talk about practical ways to stay hydrated, including why a reusable bottle or thermos can sometimes be more useful than a reusable cup, and why disposable bottles should not be reused because they may release microplastics into drinks.They also explore the challenges of waste at festivals, where people need better alternatives to single-use products. They discuss the current bottle-return system, including people collecting bottles for money and the social problems that can arise when and why they search through bins. Ágnes shares a possible solutions, although these had not yet been successful.It is important to carry your trash with you whenever possible because, plastic waste can harm wildlife and remain in the environment as a pollutant for a long time. Karolina shares waste management examples from Japan. She also gives practical packing advice on choosing certified, nature-friendly cosmetics, using solid shampoo, conditioner and soap, and taking only the amount of product you need in refillable containers instead of buying miniature versions.

Welcome to the Summer Miniseries of the AK Compass Podcast! During the summer season, we’ll share short, to-the-point episodes on various travel and sustainability topics.

In this episode, Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi talk about coolcation, meaning traveling to cold places like Tromsø, Norway, Stockholm, Sweden, and Iceland. Sometimes the best summer trip is to skip the hot locations. They share personal experiences from the Nordics, from building a snowman in summer to reading by the midsummer skylight at night, and reflect on how refreshing it can be to choose cooler places instead of the usual more traditional beach destinations. Yet, if you are going to Iceland you shouldn't leave your swimsuit at home. The Blue Lagoon and hot springs await visitors. Karolina also describes Iceland’s moon-like landscapes, imported trees and points out why the cold should be taken seriously. Ágnes shares her own summer snowman story in Tromsø. Karolina talks about her experiences about Stockholm and Iceland as less summer touristy alternatives. They also touch on overtourism, how expensive the Nordics can be, and why Iceland’s tax-refund shopping makes it a smart place to buy really warm, high-quality clothes.

If you’re looking for a coolcation that feels different from the usual summer break, this episode is for you.

Enjoy this cool episode during the European heat wave!

Welcome to the Summer Miniseries of the AK Compass Podcast! During the summer season, we’ll share short, to-the-point episodes on various travel and sustainability topics.

In this episode, Karolina Czakó and Ágnes Gárdonyi explore how to stay healthy and well-hydrated during the summer months. They share practical ideas for light, refreshing foods, including cold soups like salmorejo and gazpacho, as well as lighter warm soup options.They highlight smart hydration choices, from herbal teas and infused waters to homemade lemonades, and emphasizes reducing waste by avoiding bottled beverages. Karolina shares her personal method for preparing a perfect matcha, while Ágnes brings a touch of indulgence with her favorite iced coffee with vanilla ice cream.They also dive into the debate around hot versus cold drinks in the heat, offering different perspectives. The key takeaway: keeping your body cool – both internally and externally – is essential for staying hydrated and feeling well in summer.

Welcome to the Summer Miniseries of the AK Compass Podcast! During the summer season, we’ll share short, to-the-point episodes on various travel and sustainability topics. On this episode of the AK Compass Podcast, Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi discuss smart packing. Karolina shares her tips on packing and to be careful with social media trends on packing light, as they may be misleading. She also explains how to prepare for different weather conditions in one trip, with real examples,like when she visited a cold cave in the summer, or when the weather cooled down suddenly at a festival.Karolina emphasizes packing a bit under the bag weight limit, since airport scales might not show the same weight as your travel luggage scale. She also discusses multi-purpose and practical items such as a Turkish hammam towel, a sarong, as well as a special carabiner that can serve as an “extra hand.” The episode covers transporting toiletries, cables, and other useful things on the road. Packing cubes are very trendy, but there are pros and cons to using them, so it’s important to be smart about whether and how to use them.Most importantly, research is essential to know what is accepted and what can be illegal in another country.We hope you enjoy this episode and find these tips useful!If you like this short miniseries format, please subscribe and leave a like or comment!

Welcome to the Summer Miniseries of the AK Compass Podcast! During the summer season, we’ll share short, to-the-point episodes on various travel and sustainability topics. On this episode of the AK Compass Podcast, Ágnes Gárdonyi shares her tips on traveling with a kid as an experienced traveling mother. Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi discuss some interesting and insightful topics, such as traveling light and making travel more comfortable when people with children and people without children share the same space.It's important to prepare books and a few toys, and not pack too many clothes — it's best to wash what you need at the destination. Ágnes will also explain how it's possible to travel sustainably with kids and how to keep them entertained responsibly without disturbing fellow travelers as little as possible. At the same time, this respect must be reciprocal and other people should also be tolerant with families. Ágnes also emphasizes teaching children independence. She also highlights that it’s okay to take things slower without feeling like missing out. If you like this short miniseries format, please subscribe and leave a like or comment!

Welcome to the Summer Miniseries of the AK Compass Podcast! During the summer season, we’ll share short, to-the-point episodes on various travel and sustainability topics.

In this episode, Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi share practical tips for traveling safely and confidently, whether you’re heading to Europe or exploring a developing country. 

Two horror stories kick off this episode: the man who got into the hotel room, and the man who almost got in. These real-life incidents set the stage for many things, we'll talk about when it comes to safe travel. 

Karolina compares safety considerations in different types of accommodation, from hotels with keycards to apartments, and shares clever low-tech safety tricks using everyday items like dress hangers and glass cups. She also recommends lockable bags and explains why traveling alone means taking on a different level of responsibility, with no one else to rely on except the authorities.

We also talk about how research is key to planning a safe trip, how to choose secure accommodation, and how to avoid common scams before they happen or as they happen.

The conversation also covers what to pay attention to on the spot: staying aware of your surroundings, learning to say no, and being confident rather than always trying to be nice can make a big difference. Knowing a few words of the local language, and understanding when it’s best not to have your phone out or even check a map in public, can also help you blend in as much as possible and avoid becoming a target. For solo female travelers especially, drinking responsibly, choosing transport carefully, and avoiding unnecessary risks at night are key.

Finally, Ágnes makes an important point about not depending too much on digital devices, and why it’s smart to print out the most important information before you go.

If you like this short miniseries format, please subscribe and leave a like or comment!

In this episode of the AK Compass Podcast, Karolina Czako and Ágnes Gárdonyi talk about Harbin, a city off the beaten path. Karolina looks back on her visit from almost 20 years ago and shares why this lesser-known Chinese city, with its Russian and Chinese influences and famous ice and snow festival, left such a lasting impression on her.

They discuss what made Harbin feel so different from other cities in China at the time, from the intense attention Karolina received as a white European woman to the culture shock of highly specialized jobs, six-day workweeks, and everyday life there. The conversation also touches on the locals’ surprise when meeting European visitors in Harbin, the importance of having great local tour guides, and the challenges of traveling in a place that could feel unfamiliar in many ways.

Karolina also shares experiences about the good and the bad. These include hotel overpricing, restaurants limiting foreigners to the most expensive dishes, and food that was sometimes almost too fresh, including live fish shown before it was prepared. Among the highlights of the trip were Sun Island and the Temple of Bliss. She also shares her visit to a big cat nature reserve where the animals roam freely, along with a funny story from there.

The episode also reflects on safety in a broader sense, including unwanted attention, inappropriate comments, and scams on the streets and also how guides help to protect visitors from these situations. Karolina closes with practical tips for travelers, while the episode also notes how much Harbin has changed since then, becoming more modern and developing into a technological hub.