Travel With Meaning

In this special live audience recording of Travel with Meaning, presented by Redwood Outdoors in Santa Monica, host Mike Schibel welcomes Amanda Kloots—New York Times bestselling author, fitness entrepreneur, television personality, and host of the Good Grief podcast—for an inspiring conversation about meaningful travel, grief, healing, wellness, and the power of adventure. Amanda shares her emotional return to Africa with her son Elvis, retracing the unforgettable South African honeymoon she shared with her late husband, Nick Cordero. From an African safari filled with extraordinary wildlife encounters to revisiting Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands, Amanda reveals how traveling after loss can create new memories, honor loved ones, and help us embrace both grief and joy.

Discover how transformational travel, family adventures, nature therapy, and wellness retreats can support emotional healing, personal growth, and deeper human connection. Amanda opens up about solo parenting, raising a child who loves to travel, finding peace on the beaches of Malibu and Italy's Amalfi Coast, and the life-changing perspective behind her Good Grief podcast. She also shares her favorite luxury wellness destinations, the benefits of sauna and cold plunge rituals for relaxation and friendship, and why travel doesn't have to take you across the world to change your life. Whether you're planning an African safari, exploring wellness tourism, navigating grief, or searching for more purposeful travel experiences, this heartfelt conversation is a reminder to stop waiting, book the trip, and live your life.

Special thanks to Redwood Outdoors, a U.S.-based outdoor wellness company specializing in premium saunas and cold plunge systems designed for at-home use.

Chapters

00:00 – Redwood Outdoors: Bringing Finnish sauna and wellness traditions home 03:03 – Amanda Kloots returns to Africa with her son Elvis 06:02 – Finding joy and healing while living with grief 08:18 – What an African safari is really like: Wildlife, lodges, and adventure 11:09 – How travel and nature help Amanda heal after loss 14:48 – Childhood family vacations that inspired a lifetime of travel 18:37 – Memorable adventures and traveling with family 21:15 – Healing through local adventures in Malibu and California 24:30 – Good Grief: Amanda's life-changing perspective on loss 29:05 – Why meaningful travel can transform your life 32:53 – Wellness retreats, fitness travel, and unforgettable destinations 36:03 – Sauna, cold plunge therapy, and the meaning of travel

Most people think travel is about seeing more places. It's not. The journeys that stay with us the longest are the ones that change how we see ourselves and the people around us. In this episode, Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, shares why meaningful travel isn't about luxury or checklists—it's about curiosity, connection, and stepping outside your comfort zone.

Bruce reflects on the backpacking trip that inspired him to build G Adventures, why small group travel creates deeper cultural experiences, and how travel can become a force for good by supporting local communities. He also explains why the travel industry should focus less on transactions and more on transformation, and how purpose, entrepreneurship, and community have shaped his life's work.

If you've ever wondered how travel can expand your perspective, build empathy, and create lasting impact—for both travelers and the places they visit—this conversation offers a powerful reminder that the greatest souvenir is often a new way of seeing the world.

Chapters 00:00 – Why travel is true freedom 01:45 – Building G Adventures from a backpacking dream 09:03 – The trip that changed everything 14:41 – Why travel should transform, not entertain 22:07 – Reinventing tourism through community 31:41 – How COVID reshaped G Adventures 35:14 – What transformational travel really means 39:34 – The journey that changed Bruce's life 42:28 – Why travel creates empathy and understanding 48:38 – Bruce's favorite places, travel tips, and rapid fire

What can food teach us about culture, connection, and living a meaningful life?

Recorded inside Baldi Restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, this episode of Travel With Meaning features acclaimed chef and restaurateur Edoardo Baldi.

Born in Seravezza and raised in Forte dei Marmi on the Tuscan coast, Chef Edo's earliest memories are rooted in family, food, and community. From trips to the local market with his mother to learning recipes from his mother and grandmothers, those formative experiences shaped not only his love of cooking but also his understanding that food is one of the most powerful ways we connect with others.

At the age of ten, his family moved to Los Angeles, bringing with them the traditions, flavors, and hospitality of Italy. Today, Chef Edo is known for creating authentic Italian dining experiences that celebrate simplicity, seasonality, and the joy of gathering around a table.

In this conversation, we explore his journey from Tuscany to Los Angeles, the influence of family on his career, the importance of preserving cultural traditions, and why hospitality is ultimately an act of generosity and love.

We also discuss travel, identity, and how the places we come from continue to shape who we become.

Topics discussed include: • Growing up in Tuscany and moving to Los Angeles • Family traditions and Italian culture • The connection between food and community • Hospitality as a way of life • Simplicity and authenticity in Italian cuisine • Travel, heritage, and personal identity

Whether you're passionate about food, travel, culture, or meaningful conversations, this episode is a reminder that some of life's greatest connections are made around a shared meal.

Enjoy my conversation with Chef Edoardo Baldi.

Welcome to another episode of the Travel With Meaning Podcast.

This episode was recorded live in front of an audience at The Kinn in Venice Beach as part of their weekly Startup Café series, featuring conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

Our guest is Keith Eshelman, Founder and CEO of Parks Project, the purpose-driven outdoor lifestyle and apparel brand that has given back nearly $3 million to support our national parks. Prior to launching Parks Project, Keith built his career with brands including TOMS, Quiksilver, and Puma. As a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and adventurer, Keith recognized a growing need to support and protect our public lands after a meaningful trip with his daughter—a story he also shares in Parks Project's 10-Year Anniversary video. Click here to watch.

In this conversation, Keith shares his founder story behind Parks Project, which organically began in a small apartment just across the street from where our episode was recorded. We discuss restoration projects, and conservation efforts that Parks Project and its community have supported over the years.

Keith also shares some powerful lessons for entrepreneurs and dreamers alike, including the importance of confidence, taking risks, and not accepting "no" as the final answer. We hear about several of the meaningful travel experiences that have shaped his perspective and influenced both his personal journey and professional path.

We also dive into the launch of Parks Project Trips, something Keith has envisioned for quite some time. He shares why now feels like the right moment to bring people together through intimate, shared experiences in nature and create deeper connections with both the outdoors and one another.

Full transparency: TWM is helping curate unique adventures alongside the Parks Project team. This fall we'll be visiting Sequoia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park, staying at the incredibly cool AutoCamp properties. If either of these iconic parks has been on your bucket list—or if you're simply looking to connect with a community of like-minded adventurers—these trips offer a special opportunity to experience nature in a meaningful way.

To learn more about Parks Project Trips and upcoming adventures, visit parksproject.us.

Enjoy our conversation with Keith Eshelman, Founder and CEO of Parks Project.

From the moment you arrive in St. Anton, something shifts.

In this episode of Travel With Meaning, Mike shares conversations from the Mountain Yoga Festival in Austria — where nature, community, and presence come together in a way that's hard to explain but easy to feel.

Through voices of locals, teachers, and travelers, this episode explores the deeper side of travel: belonging, slowing down, and reconnecting with what actually matters. Sometimes the most meaningful destinations aren't about what you see — but what you feel.

00:00 – Arriving in St. Anton and feeling it instantly 03:15 – How the Mountain Yoga Festival began 07:45 – Why nature + community create belonging 11:00 – Travel, identity, and coming home to yourself 15:30 – The connection between nature, yoga, and presence 20:00 – Why Austria feels different

Welcome to Chapter 2 of the Travel With Meaning podcast.

This isn't a full episode — it's the beginning of what's ahead. A real conversation about where we've been, the heartache and human moments we've been navigating, and the search for meaning through it all.

This year, we're taking a more intentional approach to travel, storytelling, and connection — with extraordinary adventures and incredible conversations on the horizon.

Thanks for being here for the next chapter.

Mike sits down with Lawrence Longo, a serial food and hospitality entrepreneur whose journey from hidden menu curator to restaurant empire builder has reshaped how people connect through food.

Lawrence shares how his early obsession with experience over ego led him from launching Off the Menu — a community built around secret dishes and insider dining — to reviving Irv's Burgers, expanding Prince St. Pizza nationwide, and building a hospitality group that's redefining what "premium fast food" really means.

They dive into the lessons learned from scaling beloved brands without losing their soul, the role of storytelling and community in hospitality, and what travel and culture have taught Lawrence about simplicity, obsession, and belonging.

This episode isn't just about food — it's about the universal language of connection, the places that shape us, and the people who keep showing up for what feels real.

Chapters: 00:00 – From hidden menus to hospitality visionary 05:00 – The story behind Off the Menu and food as connection 10:00 – Reviving Irv's Burgers and honoring old-school soul 15:00 – Expanding Prince St. Pizza without losing authenticity 20:00 – Scaling restaurants while keeping local roots 25:00 – Simplicity, obsession, and the power of hospitality 30:00 – Partner alignment and trusting local voices 35:00 – The community mindset behind every concept 40:00 – The travel that shaped a hospitality entrepreneur 45:00 – What it really means to build brands people love

In this deeply personal episode, Mike returns to his childhood home in Pacific Palisades — a place that once symbolized comfort, community, and family — now forever changed by one of the most devastating wildfires in U.S. history.

Through intimate conversations with his mother (and her experience of living in the Palisades for over 50 years), as well as his childhood best friend, photographer Chris Clinton, Mike explores themes of loss, resilience, and the unshakable spirit of community. Together, they reflect on growing up in the Palisades, the day the fire struck, and what it means to rebuild not just homes, but hope.

This is a story about memory, change, and finding connection in the aftermath of tragedy — a love letter to a place that shaped a lifetime of meaning.

Click here to read the New York Post article about Chris

Chapters: 00:00 – Returning home to the Palisades 04:00 – A call from Mom: loss, displacement, and silver linings 08:00 – Rebuilding community after the fire 10:00 – A conversation with childhood friend Chris Clinton 15:00 – Growing up in the Palisades 18:00 – The day the fire hit 24:00 – Escaping the flames and saving what remains 30:00 – The aftermath: grief, survival, and resilience 40:00 – What we lost — and what remains 48:00 – Finding meaning, healing, and home again

Ever wondered what it's like to record a podcast at 38,000 feet? Host Mike Schibel takes Travel With Meaning to new heights—literally—onboard Condor Airlines' flight from Frankfurt to Los Angeles on the sleek Airbus A330-900neo.

Joined by flight attendant Brendan Osborne, this episode captures the heart of travel, connection, and adventure midair.

Brendan shares what makes Condor stand out—from its stylish new striped fleet and boutique-style business class to its family-like culture and genuine hospitality. He also opens up about his personal journey from banking to flying, his most meaningful travel moments, and how travel represents freedom in his life. Plus, listeners get an inside look at Brendan's appearance on The Voice Germany and how he balances his passion for music with his career in the skies.

This episode celebrates wanderlust, storytelling, and the joy of seeing the world through new eyes—no passport required.

What to Listen For

[00:00:00] Mike introduces Travel With Meaning's first-ever in-flight recording

[00:02:14] The boutique comfort of Condor's new Airbus A330neo fleet

[00:03:32] Brendan shares the meaning behind Condor's colorful striped design

[00:04:43] How Condor's team culture creates a family-like atmosphere onboard

[00:05:41] Brendan's strategy for beating jet lag after long-haul flights

[00:06:19] His first solo flight and inspiration to become a flight attendant

[00:07:05] What "freedom through travel" means to him

[00:07:42] A magical moment watching the sunset from Table Mountain in Cape Town

[00:09:10] Brendan's journey on The Voice Germany and his upcoming single "Let It Go"

[00:11:36] Mike wraps up the journey from 38,000 feet and looks forward to the next adventure

What happens when you trade speed for stillness? In this special episode, Mike shares his journey along the legendary Danube River aboard the Riverside Mozart. From the historic streets of Vienna to quiet castles and vineyards, this slow travel experience reveals why river cruising isn't just another trip — it's an invitation to breathe, connect, and be fully present.

Along the way, Mike talks with the Riverside crew, and fellow travelers to explore what makes this kind of journey different — from intimate hospitality and local cuisine to community, wellness, and moments under the stars. If you've ever dreamed of slowing down without missing out, this episode will make you rethink how you travel.

What to Listen For

[00:00:00] Welcome from Vienna and intro to Riverside Luxury Cruises

[00:01:18] Why Vienna sets the perfect tone for the journey

[00:03:07] Ocean vs. river cruising — the flow that changes everything

[00:04:31] Nicole on how Riverside exceeded expectations

[00:06:50] Intimate hospitality: Sonja explains why river cruising is different

[00:08:47] Communal spaces, music, and creating connection onboard

[00:10:06] Chef Johannes on local sourcing and authentic regional cuisine

[00:12:13] Wellness and slow travel — saunas, spas, and stillness

[00:13:48] The beauty of slowing down with someone you love

[00:15:16] A moment of stillness: Nicole's favorite memory on deck

[00:17:19] Chad on why river cruising reveals the world's hidden beauty

[00:18:28] Jenn on travel as a calling, not just a job

[00:19:54] Finding stillness, reflection, and your North Star on the river