Soul Wanderer : Mindful Travel for Women of Color

In this episode Adrian Galvan and I have a conversation about money, freedom, and solo travel for women.

•Adriana shares what she does and who she helps with financial coaching and the largest emotion women of color feel around money

•Two solo trips that were especially impactful for her, one in Mexico and one in Morocco

•Adriana shares how she travels and how to utilize credit cards

•Safety measures she uses when she travels

•How she helped her client with a meaningful trip

•Finance tools to help budget and save for travel

"There's always some sort of healing process no matter where you go"

Adriana is a first generation Mexican-American whose personal mission is empower her community with Financial Literacy Education. After leaving a toxic job at the beginning of the her career and being laid off in 2022, she realized how important it is to have financial stability and how much power comes with it. Her business, Adriana Talks Dinero, was created to educate and empower the minority and disadvantaged communities around their knowledge of personal finance by building wealth, knowing their worth, fighting the system oppression and fighting the patriarchy. Adriana is in the work of breaking generational trauma and norms to better the individuals in the community.

Connect with Adriana:

IG https://www.instagram.com/adrianatalksdinero/?hl=en

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@adrianatalksdinero

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/adrianatalksdinero

Website: https://adrianatalksdinero.com/

Lunch Money App: https://lunchmoney.app/?fp_ref=adriana88

Venture X Referral Link: https://i.capitalone.com/JlqIT92du

Relevant links:

Flight Angels https://flightangels.org/

Episodes you might enjoy:

Episode 3 Why You Should Travel Solo

Episode 22 Why You Should Travel Solo to Mexico

Episode 23 My Solo Summer: Traveling to Mexico

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I share why I think birthday trips are special. I include examples of a few that were significant in my personal journey.

I cover:

• Why a birthday trip might be for you and why they add an additional layer of meaning to your travel

• Including astrology in your decision including utilizing astrocartography

• The birthday trip that changed how I travel and influenced my now business

Episode you might enjoy:

Ep. 30 How to Start Solo Female Travel

Book referenced:

Coffee in Japan by Merry White

Grab your complimentary guide to packing lighter https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/packing-list-download

Let me help you plan your birthday trip https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/contact

Read about this trip on my travel blog https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/blog/rivieramayabirthdaytrip

Connect with on IG https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc/

https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/packing-list-download

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I expand on what it means to get off the beaten path in Japan and how you can do so. If you’re wanting to travel solo, with a friend or partner, or your family to Japan this year, avoid the generic and lean into an off the beaten path itinerary. I expand on:

•Where to go and why traveling outside of the "Golden Route" is better for you and supporting Japanese businesses

•When to go as timing is key

•What to do and why leaning into your own interests and desires will have an impact on your travel experience

•Some surprising food facts you might not know about Japan

Episode referenced:

Episode 9 How to Avoid Adding to Overtourism

Book referenced:

" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coffee in Japan by Merry White

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very brief episode I share a summary of this year and what I'm aiming for in 2026, especially in helping women begin or continue to travel.

-Reflecting on this year in life and business

-What I'm proud of and loved

-An offering coming in 2026 and travel plans

Episode referenced:

Ep.25 Reflections and Lessons of a Solo Summer Trip to Oaxaca 

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I share ways to approach your future travel plans for 2026 to create more intention. Intention begins much before your trip.

Here's what you'll learn:

•Why diving into your values is important

•Different styles of travel that create intention

•How my travel style changed in my late 20s and 30s

•Thinking about the present and the future versus the past you

•Considering the impact your travel will have on local communities

Episode referenced:

Episode 1 What is Conscious Travel?

Resources:

No Place Like Home Show with Antoni Porowski

Take me to Japan https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/japan

Follow Sequoia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc/

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I share how women can start traveling solo and do so mindfully. It's never too late to begin traveling solo. I go over:

• Where to begin

• Figuring out where to go and how your interests can guide you

• Why it doesn't have to start with a big or far trip

• Seek out a diverse group of people to gain perspective (people you know, forums)

• Who to work with to help you and the benefits

• What you can do before and during your trip

Episodes Referenced:

Episode 17 Women's Safety, Travel, and Understanding Men with Alison Armstrong

Episode 4 Female Solo Travel in Japan

Episodes you might enjoy:

Episode 3 Why You Should Travel Solo

Episode 22 Why You Should Travel Solo to Mexico

Episode 23 My Solo Summer: Traveling to Mexico

Episode 25 Reflections and Lessons of a Solo Summer Trip to Oaxaca

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Having a bigger why is going to have a significant impact on your experience"

In this episode I share the reasons why a special event is a wonderful and intentional focus for a trip. I use upcoming examples with special events like the FIFA World Cup 2026, F1® races, and total solar eclipses. You'll learn:

- More about my own interest and experience with events like these

-The specific reasons why a special event creates intention before and during a trip

-How it can be strategic financially to plan a trip like this

-How it suits solo travelers as well as those traveling with partners, friends, or families

-When, where, and ideas for how to experience upcoming total solar eclipses

-How working with a travel advisor or consultant like me can help

Resources:

National Solar Observatory Upcoming total solar eclipses listed under "Maps for Upcoming Events"

FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule

F1® 2026 Schedule

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was inspired by a current client who felt challenged with how to organize her upcoming trip to Japan. I share how you can make a Japan itinerary :

•That's unique to your interests and travel style

•Avoids being generic and overtourism by going to the same 2-3 places

•Allows you to have deeper experiences while traveling

Episodes mentioned:

Ep. 27 Expanding My Travel Business with Purpose

Ep.7 Choose Quality Over Quantity

Resources:

Translation app Deepl https://www.deepl.com/en

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I share why I'm expanding my business, how travel can be transformative, and why I want to bring that to more women.

• The decision to expand where I help travelers plan trips to to countries besides Japan and Mexico
• Decolonizing travel by starting with words
• Feeling conflicted with speaking about Hawai'i in regards to tourism
• Way in which I was blocking my own business growth

Episode mentioned:

26 Matcha Crisis: Inside Japan’s Matcha Shortage

Resources:

The history of the colonization of Hawai'i

Reel about decolonizing the words I use in travel

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOJFrFzDnLV/

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Japan doesn't use ceremonial grade"

In this episode, I address the worldwide matcha shortage.

• What is matcha?

• Defining the crisis in terms of demand and supply

• Where did "ceremonial" grade match come from?

• What qualifies matcha as matcha

• How you can be more discerning as a buyer

• Tea regions, production and types in Japan including sencha, gyokuro, and hojicha

Relevant episodes:

Episode 5 Recommendations for First-Time Travelers to Japan

Episode 4 Female Solo Travel in Japan

Episode 18 Top Tips for High-Season Travel in Japan

Resources:

Hojicha Co The hojicha powder I buy

If you're planning a trip to Japan soon, I'd love to help you. Work with me

Soul Wanderer is a podcast for mindful women of color who want to travel deeper, not just farther. Each episode blends solo travel inspiration, destination storytelling, and honest conversations about what it means to move through the world with purpose and intention.

From Japan to Portugal, Mexico to beyond, Soul Wanderer centers what mindful, conscious travel looks like for women of color navigating the world on their own terms.

New episodes every two weeks. Come wander.

Join the The Wander Letters

Visit Website: https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/

Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequoia.armstrong/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.