Our journey in this episode of Karryon Podcast's Into the Hearts of Canada, I’m delighted to welcome Marg Leehane, co-owner of The Great Bear Lodge in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest on Vancouver Island- An ecosystem, home to ancient trees, wild salmon, and… grizzly bears.

Originally from Melbourne, Marg co-created an off-grid floating lodge that has become a model of conservation tourism. Her story shows how travel can protect fragile places while creating life-changing encounters for those who visit.

Learn more about The Great Bear Lodge here

Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Karryon, in partnership with Destination Canada.

Subscribe to Into The Hearts of Canada Podcast here

Visit: www.destinationcanada.com for more on Canada

Visit: karryon.com.au for more from Karryon

Presented by Karryon, Into the Hearts of Canada takes you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart and soul of one of the world’s most progressive travel destinations. Hosted by Karryon’s Matt Leedham, this 10-part series explores the people, places, and powerful ideas shaping the future of travel through a Canadian lens. From Indigenous knowledge-keepers and local changemakers to iconic landscapes and regenerative tourism pioneers, each episode offers an intimate conversation with the people reimagining what travel can be:

For the traveller, communities, and for the planet. Whether you’re a curious wanderer or a travel professional seeking fresh insights, this podcast invites you to see Canada with new eyes and an open heart.

Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Matt Leedham and produced by Cassie Walker, with audio production by Rebecca Lewis.

Karryon acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which Karryon Media is made and the lands you are listening from today.

In this episode of Karryon' Into the Hearts of Canada, I’m delighted to welcome Gloria Loree, Destination Canada's Senior Vice President of Marketing Strategy and Chief Marketing Officer.

Gloria has been a key architect of Destination Canada’s ‘A World of Opportunity’ strategy, a bold vision to position Canada as one of the top seven global tourism destinations by 2030.

For our travel professionals tuning in, Gloria’s insights will provide actionable strategies for marketing Canada as a must-visit destination.

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Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Karryon, in partnership with Destination Canada.

Subscribe to Into The Hearts of Canada Podcast here

Find your local Canada Specialist Travel Advisor here

Visit: www.destinationcanada.com for more on Canada

Visit: karryon.com.au for more from Karryon

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Presented by Karryon, Into the Hearts of Canada takes you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart and soul of one of the world’s most progressive travel destinations.

Hosted by Karryon founder Matt Leedham, this interview series explores the people, places, and powerful ideas shaping the future of travel through a Canadian lens. From Indigenous knowledge-keepers and local changemakers to iconic landscapes and regenerative tourism pioneers, each episode offers an intimate conversation with the people reimagining what travel can be:

Whether you’re a curious wanderer or a travel professional seeking fresh insights, this podcast invites you to see Canada with new eyes and an open heart.

Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Matt Leedham and produced by Cassie Walker, with audio production by Rebecca Lewis.

Karryon acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which Karryon Media is made and the lands on which you are listening to this podcast today.

Mentioned in this episode:

ITHC midroll updated 14/07/2025

Softer take

14/07/2025 edit

In this captivating episode of Karryon Into the Hearts of Canada, hosted by Matt Leedham, we delve into the remarkable narrative of Zita Cobb, an eighth-generation Fogo Islander and the visionary behind the Fogo Island Inn.

Located at the confluence of the vast North Atlantic and the rugged landscapes of Newfoundland and Labrador, Fogo Island serves as a poignant testament to the potential of community-led tourism that harmonises cultural immersion with environmental stewardship.

Through her pioneering endeavours, Zita exemplifies how luxury can be redefined, not merely as opulence, but as a meaningful engagement with place, heritage, and community.

Our discussion reveals the deep-rooted connections between the island's unique geography and its vibrant culture, as well as the dynamic interplay between hospitality and local identity.

Whether you’re a curious traveller or a travel professional, prepare to be inspired as we explore how Zita's journey and the Fogo Island Inn have transformed not only the local economy but the very essence of what it means to travel with intention.

For travel professionals, Zita's work highlights the importance of sharing these values with your clients to ensure everyone benefits from tourism.

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Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Karryon, in partnership with Destination Canada.

Subscribe to Into The Hearts of Canada Podcast here

Visit: www.destinationcanada.com for more on Canada

Find your local Canada Specialist Travel Advisor here

Visit: karryon.com.au for more from Karryon

Learn more about the Fogo Island Inn: https://fogoislandinn.ca/

Learn more about Shorefast: https://shorefast.org/

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Presented by Karryon, Into the Hearts of Canada takes you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart and soul of one of the world’s most progressive travel destinations.

Hosted by Karryon’s Matt Leedham, this interview series explores the people, places, and powerful ideas shaping the future of travel through a Canadian lens. From Indigenous knowledge-keepers and local changemakers to iconic landscapes and regenerative tourism pioneers, each episode offers an intimate conversation with the people reimagining what travel can be:

Whether you’re a curious wanderer or a travel professional seeking fresh insights, this podcast invites you to see Canada with new eyes and an open heart.

Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Matt Leedham and produced by Cassie Walker, with audio production by Rebecca Lewis.

Karryon acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which Karryon Media is made and the lands on which you are listening to this podcast today.

Mentioned in this episode:

ITHC midroll updated 14/07/2025

Softer take

14/07/2025 edit

In this episode of Into the Hearts of Canada,  we’re joined by John Gunter, President and CEO of Frontiers North Adventures, based in Churchill, Manitoba — a remote subarctic community perched on the edge of Canada’s vast tundra and known as the polar bear capital of the world.

Churchill is one of the few places on Earth where you can experience the raw beauty of the Arctic — from the spectacular Northern Lights and roaming polar bears to thousands of migrating beluga whales each summer. It’s a place where climate, culture, and conservation intersect.

Under John’s leadership of this proud 35-year-old family-owned business, Frontiers North Adventures has become a Certified B Corp and a shining example of how tourism can operate as a force for good. Through community partnerships, environmental stewardship, and unforgettable wildlife experiences, the company is helping lead Canada’s shift toward more sustainable and regenerative travel.

Whether you’re a curious traveller or a travel professional, you’re in for an inspiring conversation as John shares his story on how to connect with the magic and meaning of Manitoba.

For travel professionals, John's work highlights the importance of sharing these values with your clients to ensure everyone benefits from tourism.

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Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Karryon, in partnership with Destination Canada.

Subscribe to Into The Hearts of Canada Podcast here

Visit: www.destinationcanada.com for more on Canada

Find your local Canada Specialist Travel Advisor here

Visit: karryon.com.au for more from Karryon

Learn more about the Tundra Buggy here: https://frontiersnorth.com/experience/tundra-buggy 

Visit: frontiersnorth.com for more on Frontiers North

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Presented by Karryon, Into the Hearts of Canada takes you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart and soul of one of the world’s most progressive travel destinations.

Hosted by Karryon’s Matt Leedham, this interview series explores the people, places, and powerful ideas shaping the future of travel through a Canadian lens. From Indigenous knowledge-keepers and local changemakers to iconic landscapes and regenerative tourism pioneers, each episode offers an intimate conversation with the people reimagining what travel can be:

Whether you’re a curious wanderer or a travel professional seeking fresh insights, this podcast invites you to see Canada with new eyes and an open heart.

Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Matt Leedham and produced by Cassie Walker, with audio production by Rebecca Lewis.

Karryon acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which Karryon Media is made and the lands on which you are listening to this podcast today.

Mentioned in this episode:

Softer take

14/07/2025 edit

ITHC midroll updated 14/07/2025

In this episode of the Into The Hearts of Canada series, Karryon's Matt Leedham joins Leslie Bruce, CEO of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, for an inspiring and uplifting conversation where Leslie shares the success story of leading tourism for good.

Leslie’s leadership at Banff & Lake Louise Tourism reminds us of the profound impact sustainable and regenerative tourism can have on our communities, environments, and economy.

For travel professionals, Leslie's work highlights the importance of sharing these values with your clients to ensure everyone benefits from tourism.

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Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Karryon, in partnership with Destination Canada.

Subscribe to Into The Hearts of Canada Podcast here

Visit: www.destinationcanada.com for more on Canada and www.keepexploring.com.au

Visit: www.banfflakelouise.com for more on Banff and Lake Louise

Watch the Tourism For Good with Leslie Bruce video here

Find your local Canada Specialist Travel Advisor here

Read more about Into The Hearts Of Canada episode 1 here

Visit: karryon.com.au for the latest travel news and trends

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Presented by Karryon, Into the Hearts of Canada takes you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart and soul of one of the world’s most progressive travel destinations.

Hosted by Karryon’s Matt Leedham, this interview series explores the people, places, and powerful ideas shaping the future of travel through a Canadian lens. From Indigenous knowledge-keepers and local changemakers to iconic landscapes and regenerative tourism pioneers, each episode offers an intimate conversation with the people reimagining what travel can be:

Whether you’re a curious wanderer or a travel professional seeking fresh insights, this podcast invites you to see Canada with new eyes and an open heart.

Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Matt Leedham and produced by Cassie Walker, with audio production by Rebecca Lewis.

Karryon acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which Karryon Media is made and the lands on which you are listening to this podcast today.

Mentioned in this episode:

ITHC midroll updated 14/07/2025

Softer take

14/07/2025 edit

Karryon: Into the Hearts of Canada takes you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart and soul of one of the world’s most progressive travel destinations.

This 10-part series explores the people, places, and powerful ideas shaping the future of travel through a Canadian lens. From Indigenous knowledge-keepers and local changemakers to iconic landscapes and regenerative tourism pioneers, each episode offers an intimate conversation with the people reimagining what travel can be.

Whether you’re a curious wanderer or a travel professional seeking fresh insights, this podcast invites you to see Canada with new eyes and an open heart.

Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Matt Leedham and produced by Cassie Walker.

Karryon Media acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which Karryon Media is made and the lands from which you are listening today.

– – – –

Into The Hearts of Canada is presented by Karryon, in partnership with Destination Canada.

Subscribe to Into The Hearts of Canada Podcast here

Visit: www.destinationcanada.com for more on Canada

Visit: www.banfflakelouise.com for more on Banff and Lake Louise

Watch the Tourism For Good with Leslie Bruce video here

Find your local Canada Specialist Travel Advisor here

Visit: karryon.com.au for the latest travel news and trends

Karryon Podcasts and Destination Canada proudly present Into The Hearts Of Canada, an exclusive series that delves into the profound narratives of the individuals who are reshaping the travel landscape in Canada.

We explore how these inspiring leaders and community champions are redefining travel, safeguarding cultural heritage, and crafting experiences that elevate both communities and global travellers.

So, whether you're a travel professional, an industry leader, or simply passionate about travelling responsibly, this podcast connects you deeply to Canada's open-hearted communities and transformative journeys.

Subscribe now to Into the Hearts of Canada and join us in discovering the powerful human stories behind Destination Canada's thriving vision for wealth and wellbeing for all.

Into The Hearts Of Canada is a Karryon Podcasts production, hosted by Matt Leedham, executive producer Matt Leedham and podcast production by Cassie Walker.