Adventure luxury meets purpose-driven travel. Amy sits down with Kevin Jackson and Maxie Johnson of EXP Journeys, a B Corp adventure operator designing bespoke, conservation-forward experiences across the American Southwest and beyond. From helicopter-only lunches atop Tower Butte to Navajo-led cultural immersions and regenerative partnerships, learn how eco luxury travel can be exclusive, ethical, and life-changing. You’ll hear powerful guest transformation stories, why guided experiences beat DIY itineraries, how EXP vets sustainable partners, and what’s next for adventure travel: privacy, remoteness, and deeper cultural connection.

Who this episode is for

Conscious travelers, luxury hospitality leaders, and families seeking meaningful, sustainable, and bespoke adventure travel.

Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

00:29 – Why adventure travel matters: connection, wellness, and shared experiences

01:17 – Origin stories: from John Muir Trail inspiration to leaving law for guiding

05:19 – Transformative moments: Tower Butte surprise lunch and a grandmother’s first rappel

10:22 – The “aha” loop: continuous innovation in experiential design and family programming

13:18 – Career pivot advice: loving the outdoors vs. loving guiding—what it really takes

16:48 – Spirit animals of guiding: eagle vision and “duck mode” calm under pressure

20:30 – Ideal traveler: curious families and guests who want to connect and give back

24:16 – How custom trips are built: collaboration, curiosity, and going beyond “see the Grand Canyon”

26:30 – Why guided beats DIY: mental load off, on-trip flexibility, and white-glove logistics

30:27 – Backstage access: Navajo Nation cultural leaders, code talker Peter MacDonald, and real fossil digs

33:28 – Conservation and culture: Navajo-led slot canyons, hoop dancing, and intergenerational storytelling

39:20 – Vetting sustainable partners: B Corp framework, local sourcing, and low-impact luxury camps

43:16 – What B Corp means for travelers: long-game stewardship for people, planet, and place

48:10 – Dream trips: GPS-only surprise journeys and a Colorado River land-water-sky odyssey

52:26 – How to connect with EXP Journeys and start your custom itinerary

Key Links

Connect with the guest(s):

• EXP Journeys website: https://expjourneys.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/expjourneys

Out platforms

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conscious-check-in/id1832522451

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YfXT8SElYqYEbhYqbD1AJ?si=00fad07476c14a70

Connect with us

Sponsor this Podcast: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/partner-with-us

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouscheckin/

About Greenluxe: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/

1:1 with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality

About the podcast

The core mission of The Conscious Check-in is to inspire travelers and hospitality leaders to embrace sustainability, showing how conscious choices in travel and luxury hospitality can create meaningful experiences for guests while driving positive impact for people, planet, and business.

Can a luxury Amazon cruise actually protect wildlife and empower local communities?

In this episode on sustainable luxury travel, we explore how Delfin Amazon Cruises and Relais & Chateaux are redefining regenerative tourism in Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Host Amy Wald sits down with tropical biologist and sustainability lead Gabriela Orihuela of Delfin Amazon Cruises to unpack what it really means to cruise with purpose in the Amazon. From pink river dolphin research and giant river otter sightings to community-driven “BioRest” reforestation with native species, this conversation spotlights nature-based tourism that restores ecosystems and culture.

You’ll learn how Delfin’s Relais & Chateaux partnership elevates eco luxury travel through seasonal, locally sourced gastronomy; why keystone species like river dolphins matter; and practical ways travelers and hoteliers can avoid wildlife trafficking, reduce impacts, and turn sustainability into a richer guest experience. Whether you’re a conscious traveler, hotelier, or brand leader, you’ll take away field-tested ideas for sustainable hospitality, community-based conservation, and storytelling in hospitality that inspires action.

Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

00:00 - 00:57: Redefining Luxury in the Amazon — pristine rivers, biodiversity & culture

00:57 - 02:42: Delfin Amazon Cruises × Relais & Châteaux — sustainability at sea

02:42 - 04:39: Tropical biologist’s perspective + Peru’s Ramsar wetland & migratory birdlife

04:40 - 10:25: From community handcrafts to BIOREST — women-led impact & native reforestation

10:25 - 18:45: Aboard Delfin III — food heritage, seasonal landscapes & what river luxury means

18:46 - 26:49: Citizen science & wildlife conservation — pink dolphins, giant otters & trafficking threats

26:49 - 31:05: Partnering with the National Reserve + conscious traveler tips (what not to buy)

31:05 - 38:03: Biophilic ship design & Amazonian gastronomy with Relais & Châteaux standards

38:03 - 45:18: A day in the life on Delfin — sunrise skiffs, wildlife talks, community visits & how to get there

45:18 - 51:21: Hotelier playbook anywhere — water & energy savings, sustainable menus, sourcing responsibly

51:21 - 54:06: What to pack for the Amazon + guest takeaways (guides, culture, cuisine)

54:08 - 56:30: Why sustainable tourism matters + closing thoughts

Guest Intro

Gabriela Orihuela is a tropical biologist and the head of sustainability at Delfin Amazon Cruises, the first Amazon cruise line partnered with Relais & Chateaux. She leads community-based conservation, citizen science on pink river dolphins, and Delfin’s BioRest program restoring forests with native, culturally significant species.

Learn more: https://www.delfinamazoncruises.com

💬 Help us grow our Podcast – don’t forget to subscribe!

Stay Tuned on your favorite platform

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Find us on Social Media

LinkedIn

Instagram

📅 Book a 1:1 with Amy

🌿 Learn more about Greenluxe

Can luxury and sustainable hospitality truly coexist—and even drive profitability?

Step into Casa di Langa in Piedmont, Italy, for a masterclass in sustainable luxury hotels, storytelling, and community impact.

In this episode, we explore how a Beyond Green property brings regenerative design, local heritage, and guest delight together—without compromise.

This Conscious Check-in takes you to northern Italy for a behind-the-scenes look at Casa di Langa, a Beyond Green boutique property redefining sustainable hospitality in the Piedmont region. Host Amy Wald is joined by General Manager Eva Codina and Krause Group Director of Sustainability, Jessica Hinman, to unpack how shared value, ESG strategy, and community-first design show up in real operations—from curated local minibars to biodiverse landscaping and white truffle experiences. You’ll learn how Casa di Langa combines regenerative practices with quiet luxury, why integrity is a non-negotiable across the Krause Group portfolio, and how hospitality leaders can start (and scale) sustainability in authentic, profitable ways.

Whether you’re a conscious traveler or a hotel executive, this episode offers practical inspiration on guest experience innovation, sustainable luxury, and building a brand that travelers love—and remember.

Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 – 00:01:10: Welcome to The Conscious Check-in: sustainable hospitality meets unforgettable travel and conservation storytelling.
• 00:01:10 – 00:04:07: Destination spotlight: Casa di Langa in Piedmont, Italy—heritage, hospitality, and sustainability with Beyond Green.
• 00:01:33 – 00:04:07: Minibar done right: curated local products, Alta Langa sparkling from Enrico Serafino, and place-based guest amenities.
• 00:05:05 – 00:08:19: Why Beyond Green? How Casa di Langa aligned with Preferred Hotels & Resorts and built sustainability into the DNA from day one.
• 00:06:59 – 00:11:39: Kraus Group’s philosophy: businesses as a force for good, shared value, and aligning to the UN SDGs.
• 00:12:26 – 00:15:32: Opening a hotel during a pandemic: hiring locally, building culture, and retention through purpose.
• 00:16:23 – 00:18:02: Stewardship over ownership: preserving heritage across brands and regions without “Americanizing” local identity.
• 00:18:54 – 00:22:06: Leadership, values, and animal energy: the horse (Eva) and the octopus (Jessica)—adaptability, EQ, and empowering teams.
• 00:23:22 – 00:26:23: Designing soulful service: warmth, spontaneity, and guest touchpoints that feel human (not “penguin” formal).
• 00:27:23 – 00:32:01: ESG that works: integrity as a non-negotiable, public CSR reporting, and proof beyond checklists.
• 00:32:28 – 00:34:16: Storytelling and sense of place: how conscious travelers recognize authenticity—and return for it.
• 00:34:16 – 00:41:29: What guests feel: slow travel, biodiversity in the landscape, cuisine rooted in terroir, and deep belonging.
• 00:42:00 – 00:44:23: Truffle capital: Alba’s white truffle season, responsible truffle-hunting with trained dogs, and cultural heritage.
• 00:44:50 – 00:46:07: Closing reflections: why sustainability in hospitality matters—and why quality means caring for people.

About our Guests

Eva Codina, General Manager, Casa di Langa (Beyond Green). A veteran luxury hotelier, Eva leads with warmth, empowerment, and precision—shaping a guest experience that’s both elevated and deeply human.

Jessica Hinman, Director of Sustainability, Krause Group. Jessica guides ESG and CSR strategy across a multi-brand luxury portfolio—operationalizing shared value, transparency, and regenerative practices.

Learn more about Casa di Langa: https://www.casadilanga.com

Learn more about Krause Group: https://www.krausegroup.com/

--

💬 Help us grow our Podcast – don’t forget to subscribe!

Stay Tuned on your favorite platform

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conscious-check-in/id1831789668

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YfXT8SElYqYEbhYqbD1AJ?si=00fad07476c14a70

Find us on Social Media

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouscheckin/

📅 Book a 1:1 with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality

🌿 Learn more about Greenluxe: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/

#sustainablehospitality #sustainablehospitality #sustainabletravel #luxurytravel #italytravel

Sustainable luxury hotels, eco-friendly hotels, boutique hotel sustainability, regenerative tourism, storytelling in hospitality, ESG, shared value, guest experience innovation, Piedmont Italy, Beyond Green, truffle experiences.

This episode shows how nature-based tourism can deliver bucket-list safaris while creating real impact for wildlife, communities, and the planet.

Go beyond the Big Five with a purpose-driven look at modern safaris. Amy sits down with Liesel van Zyl, Head of Positive Impact at Go2Africa (a B Corp) to explore how luxury, conservation, and community can thrive together.

Learn how to plan a safari that feels indulgent yet regenerative—from choosing accredited partners to tailoring hands-on experiences for your interests and values. You’ll also hear practical tips for maximizing your impact, questions to ask operators, and how guest dollars translate into biodiversity protection and community uplift.

• Reframing “bucket list” safaris into journeys of connection, culture, and purpose

• What B Corp and third-party accreditations signal (and why they build trust)

• How Go2Africa vets partners for regenerative impact (beyond sustainability)

• Practical planning tips: share interests early; ask how your dollar benefits locally

• Nature-based luxury: low-volume, high-impact models, farm-to-fork, plastic reduction

Liesel van Zyl is the Head of Positive Impact at Go2Africa, where she helps redefine what a luxury safari can be by aligning conservation, community development, and exceptional guest experiences. Her work spans partner vetting, NGO collaborations, and guest education—turning every journey into a force for good across Africa’s diverse ecosystems.

Learn more about Go2Africa: https://www.go2africa.com/

💬 Help us grow our Podcast – don’t forget to subscribe!

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/br/podcast/the-conscious-check-in/id1832522451

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YfXT8SElYqYEbhYqbD1AJ?si=00fad07476c14a70

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouscheckin/

📅 Book a 1:1 with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality

🌿 Learn more about Greenluxe: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/

Can luxury and sustainable hospitality truly thrive together? In this episode, we unpack how the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality program is redefining five-star service through responsible hospitality—without sacrificing guest experience or profitability.

Legendary hotelier Hervé Houdré—creator and global ambassador of Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality—joins Amy to explore how sustainability becomes a competitive advantage in luxury hotels. From designing energy- and water-smart properties to eliminating single-use plastics across the guest journey, Hervé shares practical frameworks leaders can use now.

You’ll hear how the triple bottom line (People, Planet, Profit) informs winning brand strategy, why development and procurement decisions are decisive, and how verification (not box-ticking) builds real trust with guests and advisors. Secondary topics include GSTC certification alignment, energy efficiency in hotels (energy efficiency hotels), and elevating sustainable guest amenities.

- Takeaways:

• Embed sustainability at concept stage: align owners, architects, designers, engineers, and operators with shared KPIs.
• Focus on energy, water, and waste: design for efficiency first, then layer renewables where feasible.
• Procurement is the lever: buy local, reduce disposables, and choose durable, guest-loved alternatives.
• Verification vs. certification: Forbes VERIFIED follows the guest journey to ensure promises match on-property reality.
• Luxury x responsibility x profit can (and should) co-exist—done right, it drives guest loyalty and brand value. 

Hervé Houdré is the creator and Global Ambassador of the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality program and a pioneer who helped popularize the term “sustainable hospitality.” A former COO of Kempinski and former leader at icons like the Hôtel de Crillon and Plaza Athénée, he advises global brands on integrating sustainability, GSTC certification principles, and operational excellence into luxury service.

💬 Help us grow our Podcast – don’t forget to subscribe!

Stay Tuned on your favorite platform

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conscious-check-in/id1831789668

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YfXT8SElYqYEbhYqbD1AJ?si=00fad07476c14a70

Find us on Social Media

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouscheckin/

📅 Book a 1:1 with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality

🌿 Learn more about Greenluxe: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/

#SustainableHospitality, #SustainableLuxury, #EcoFriendlyHotels, #ConsciousTravel, #ForbesVERIFIED, #GSTC, #UNSDGs, #EnergyEfficiency, #SustainableGuestAmenities, #GreenHospitality, #LuxuryTravel

Discover how The Palms Hotel and Spa in Miami Beach integrates sustainability into its core identity, proving that eco-conscious hospitality is more than a trend — it's a continuous journey. Join marketing and sustainability director Tanya Morariu as she candidly shares the challenges, successes, and impactful guest experiences that come with leading a truly green luxury hotel. This conversation offers valuable insights for hospitality professionals striving to embed sustainability authentically and effectively and inspiration for your next feel good tropical getaway!

• Sustainability is a journey, not a destination — evolving with ongoing goals and challenges like composting and local sourcing.
• Combining marketing and sustainability roles creates clearer, honest guest communication and helps prevent greenwashing.
• Collaborations and certifications like Beyond Green and Green Key validate genuine sustainability efforts through rigorous audits.
• Engaging staff and guests with approachable sustainability initiatives boosts participation and enhances community impact.
• Sustainability strategies must be tailored to geographic and operational realities; starting small and pushing suppliers for accountability are key steps.

💬 Help us grow our channel – don't forget to subscribe!  

📅 Book a 1:1 with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality  

🌿 Learn more about Greenluxe: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/

#SustainableTravel, #LuxuryHospitality, #EcoChic, #HotelLife, #TravelSustainably, #HospitalityandTravelPodcast, #GreenluxeMedia, #BeyondGreen, #ThePalmsHotel&Spa,  #SustainableTourism,

In this insightful conversation, Greenluxe founder Amy Wald sits down with global travel influencer and digital marketing expert Scott Eddy to explore what truly drives loyalty and emotional connection in hospitality today. From storytelling and sustainability to personal branding and ROI, Scott shares lessons from decades of experience that hoteliers, marketers, and entrepreneurs alike can apply right now.

Make sure to follow along all of Scott's exciting journeys at:

Website:

www.mrscotteddy.com

Twitter:

@twitter.com/MrScottEddy

Facebook:

facebook.com/MrScottEddyPage

Instagram:

instagram.com/mrscotteddy

LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy

TikTok:

tiktok.com/@mrscotteddy

Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast so we can continue to bring you more valuable content. Have an idea? Let us know what or who you would like to hear about!

📅 Ready to take your sustainability marketing to the next level?

➡ Book an intro call with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality

🌿 Learn more about Greenluxe:

www.greenluxeinc.com

Anegada is unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Flat, wild, and naturally resilient—this coral island has preserved its beauty not because of development, but in spite of it.

In this special episode, I visit Anegada Beach Club and with Bunchie who know the island best. We explore:

• What makes Anegada geologically and culturally rare
• How tourism is being balanced with protection
• Why remoteness may be its greatest strength—and greatest challenge
• And what travelers need to understand if we want to keep places like this intact

This isn’t a sustainability success story. It’s a preservation-in-process story.

💚 For travelers who crave unspoiled destinations—and the hoteliers who want to protect them—this one’s for you.

📅 Ready to take your sustainability marketing to the next level?

➡ Book an intro call with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality

🌿 Learn more about Greenluxe: www.greenluxeinc.com

Join Amy Wald in this inspiring episode of the Conscious Check-in as she sits down with Bria Guishard, General Manager of Long Bay Resort in the British Virgin Islands. Discover how Bria blends authentic hospitality with thoughtful sustainability initiatives to create a luxurious yet eco-conscious guest experience. Learn how community engagement, resilient leadership, and innovative practices define visionary hospitality in the Caribbean and beyond.

Discover:

• Authenticity is key: Long Bay Resort prioritizes genuine guest experiences and meticulous care to ensure consistency between online representation and in-person reality.
• Community integration enhances business resilience, talent pooling, and reputation – vital for island hospitality sectors like the BVIs.
• Sustainability efforts at Long Bay include eco-friendly products, protecting local wildlife habitats, and reducing plastic waste with initiatives like wristband room keys.
• Balancing technology with the human element preserves meaningful guest interactions, a hallmark of visionary hospitality management.
• Future plans focus on expanding farm-to-table offerings to increase local sourcing, reduce import dependence, and deepen the sustainable impact.

💬 Help us grow our channel – don't forget to subscribe!  

📅 Book a 1:1 with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality  

🌿 Learn more about Greenluxe: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/

Join us in this inspiring episode of the Conscious Check-in as Costas Christ, a pioneer of eco-tourism and sustainable travel, shares his groundbreaking journey transforming the tourism industry. Discover how sustainability not only protects our planet but also enhances profitability and creates lasting benefits for communities and businesses alike.

Discover:

• How early observations in Kenya led Costas to challenge traditional conservation and promote tourism as a solution, not a problem.
• The evolution from eco-tourism to sustainable tourism, expanding responsibility across the entire travel industry.
• The critical importance of embedding sustainability into a company’s core mission to outperform competitors and build credibility.
• Practical steps hotels can take immediately, like eliminating single-use plastic water bottles, to make impactful sustainability gains.
• Insights from the Blue Climate Initiative on innovative approaches to reducing carbon footprints in coastal tourism and balancing travel with climate action.

💬 Help us grow our podcast – don't forget to subscribe! 

📅 Book a 1:1 with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality  

🌿 Learn more about Greenluxe: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/