Do you Even Want me Here?

Jane | Overtourism and Life in Venice

Honest conversations about how we can travel and show up better, wherever we go. Keeping you from being THAT tourist. Venice is one of the most visited cities in the world—but it’s also someone’s home. In this episode, Jane, a Venice local of 36 years, shares what it actually feels like to live inside a place the world treats as a destination. This conversation is about what it means to be a guest, how tourism shapes a city, and the small choices travelers can make to support the places they visit. You can book time with Jane and learn to row like a Venetian on their website https://rowvenice.org/ [https://rowvenice.org/] . All thoughts and opinions are, like, our own man. Chapters * 03:21 A Day in the Life of a Local * 07:17 The Role of Tourism in Venice * 09:30 Balancing Tradition and Modernity * 12:05 The Future of Venice and Its Residents * 15:05 Supporting Venice as a Tourist Destination * 17:16 Conscious Tourism and Local Living * 19:39 Environmental Responsibility in Venice * 41:06  Show Recap and What’s Next

Connie | Animals & Vacation

Honest conversations about how we can travel and show up better, wherever we go. Keeping you from being THAT tourist. Wildlife encounters are often sold as magical and educational, which it can be. More than likely though, it’s not as it seems. In this episode, wildlife educator https://www.instagram.com/connie.needham/ [https://www.instagram.com/connie.needham/]  shares the truth about wildlife tourism, what ethical experiences actually look like and how travelers can make more educated decisions when looking for a company or guide. This conversation isn’t about guilt, it’s about awareness, responsibility and learning how to experience wildlife in a way that protects, rather than harms, the animals we love. All thoughts and opinions are, like, our own man. Chapters * 02:58  Connie’s Journey with Animals * 06:34  Understanding Wildlife Tourism * 07:24  The Ethics of Animal Interaction * 21:42  Red Flags in Wildlife Tourism * 27:32  The Impact of Social Media on Wildlife * 34:04  Green Flags for Ethical Wildlife Tourism * 41:06  Show Recap and What’s Next Red Flags 🚩 * Touching, petting, bathing, feeding, or riding animals * Selfies or close-contact photo opportunities with wildlife * Tourists walking animals or handling them in any way * Photos on their website or social media showing tourist interaction * Vague statements like “all animals are rescues” without specific stories * Baby animals without clear rescue explanation * Claims that interaction is “beneficial” to the animal * Lack of transparency about where animals came from * No clear conservation mission or goals * Heavy promotion of hands-on, “once-in-a-lifetime” animal encounters Green Flags ✅ * Observation-only experiences * Clear physical distance between animals and visitors * No touching, feeding, or handling allowed * Detailed rescue stories and animal histories * Strong educational focus * Transparent conservation mission and goals * Local guides and community involvement * Funds clearly supporting rescue, rehabilitation, or conservation * Animals behaving naturally, without human interaction * Marketing focused on education, not entertainment

Catherine | A Look at 'Disaster Tourism'

Honest conversations about how we can travel and show up better, wherever we go. Keeping you from being THAT tourist. Today we talk about the sensitive nature of traveling after a natural disaster. We are curious creatures by design and that makes it easy for us to often overstep the private boundaries that communities need to heal. We’ll learn about Asheville and it’s rise to fame, how the community came together right after the tragedy. We’ll be introduced to the 3-types of post-disaster tourists and explain the purpose of each. While each disaster is on it’s own timeline, it is important that you travel there with a gentle approach – keep in mind that these communities are grieving.   All thoughts and opinions are, like, our own man. Chapters * 02:36  Introduction to Asheville * 07:22  Impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville * 12:24  Community Response and Business Recovery * 18:57  Tourism’s Role in Post-Disaster Recovery * 23:03  Lessons Learn and Moving Forward * 27:36  Show Recap and What’s Next   If you are feeling called to support Asheville, below are the two places you can donate that were mentioned in the episode: Explore Asheville  [https://www.exploreasheville.com/] The Always Asheville Fund [https://www.exploreasheville.com/about-us/community-investments/always-asheville-fund]   Please give a shout out or a follow to the 3 nonprofit groups that have been instrumental in post-Helene recovery work: AVL Greenworks [https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/] Beloved Asheville is still taking care of Helene impacted folks [https://www.belovedasheville.com/] Equal Plates [https://equalplatesproject.org/]   If you’d like to get in touch with Catherine, you can find her agency here: One For The Books [https://www.oneforthebooks.com/]

Birhanu | Different is not Dangerous

Honest conversations about how we can travel and show up better, wherever we go. Keeping you from being THAT tourist. Africa is not a country — and different does not mean dangerous. In this episode, Leeah sits down with Birhanu, an Ethiopian tour guide and founder of New Ethiopia Tours, to explore what it really means to travel with curiosity and respect in a part of the world that is often overlooked. Together, they unpack the fear-based narratives often associated with Africa, the beauty and diversity of Ethiopia’s landscapes and cultures, and the fine line between cultural curiosity and exploitation. From tribal tourism and photography ethics to food, hospitality, and practical travel tips, this conversation challenges listeners to rethink what they’ve been taught about “safety,” difference, and belonging. If you’ve ever felt drawn to a place but hesitated because it felt unfamiliar, this episode is an invitation to listen closer — and travel more intentionally. If you're interested in learning more about the co-ed Ethiopia tour led by Newberry Travel, you can find the itinerary here. [https://www.newberrytravel.com/ethiopia26]Interested in learning more? Book a discovery call with Leeah here. [https://calendly.com/hello-newberrytravel/group-trip-qa] All thoughts and opinions are, like, our own, man. Chapters * 02:13  Introduction to Ethiopia and it’s Wonders * 06:16  Cultural Richness and Diversity of Ethiopia * 10:30  Breaking Stereotypes: Africa is not a Country * 14:29  Respectful Travel: Engaging with Local Cultures * 18:05  Show Recap and What’s Next

Flore | How to make a Parisian Smile

Honest conversations about how we can travel and show up better, wherever we go. Keeping you from being THAT tourist. Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world — but what is it like to live there? In this episode, Leeah sits down with Flore, a third-generation Parisian, to explore what conscious travel really looks like in a city shaped by romance, history, and mass tourism. Together, they unpack the stereotypes surrounding “rude Parisians,” the impact of Instagram and photo-driven tourism on daily life, and why places like Montmartre are struggling under the weight of being endlessly documented. From café culture and sidewalk etiquette to practical ways travelers can be more aware, patient, and present, this conversation offers a thoughtful guide to experiencing Paris as a guest — not a backdrop. If you’re planning a trip to Paris, or simply curious about how our behavior as tourists affects the places we love, this episode invites you to slow down, look up, and travel with intention. All thoughts and opinions are, like, our own, man. Chapters * 02:36  Introduction to Parisian Life * 07:22  Cultural Differences and Missunderstandings * 12:24  The Impact of Tourism on Daily Life * 18:57  Respectful Tourism in Paris * 23:03  Final Thoughts on Being a Conscious Tourist * 27:36  Show Recap and What’s Next Typical little bars/café where to get some decent French classics, without ruining your life savings:  * Le petit Celestin, great bread! Close to the Seine  * Le Léopard, musique live, very chill, I like that they do herring and potato salad, a classic - eastern Paris   * Le café Content - a little trendy, in the 11th arrondissement, very nice too and good wine  * Le temps des Cerises, small and intimate restaurant in the Marais, very nice  Park: Buttes Chaumont, it's beautiful and super hilly, avoid weekends ;) it hosts the place to be for thirty something couples with children on a Sunday evening : the Rosa Bonheur bar, also a gay friendly get together at the heart of the parc  Museums :  * Moderne - see the fondations Pinault or la fondation Louis Vuitton, Museum of Modern Art with a nice view on the Eiffel Tower.  * The nice and lesser known museums: Jacquemart André if you like a mini-Versailles * The Musée Carnavelet - free of charge, in a beautiful mansion in the Marais, it's the museum recounting the history of Paris dating back to the 4th Century * For photography fiends, small but great museum: Maison européenne de la photographie in the Marais.  Live musique : Le bar rouge on rue de Bagnolet, on Sunday nights Iconic cinemas:  * Louxor  in Barbès  * Le christine 21 / Le champo(llion)  Connect with Leeah on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/newberrytravel/]to get contact details to work with Flore.