The decisions we make as travelers impact more than just us. Our travels impact the communities we visit, in different ways, from economic, to even political. And nowadays, health is a major factor, too.
Erin is joined by JoAnna Haugen, a solutions-oriented writer, editor, and public speaker who works at the intersection of sustainable travel, environmental conservation, and community-based advocacy efforts. We discuss what it means to de-center ourselves as travelers, the role of the travel industry in doing so, consequences of a traveler-focused mindset and how to get the "casual traveler" to care about responsible travel.
SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month! GUEST: JoAnna Haugan
RESOURCES

What We Risk When We Rush Back To TravelConnecting With Casual Travelers: Out-of-the-Box Collaborations the Tourism Industry Must Consider

Thank you to our sponsor, WORLD NOMADS!
Inspiration, opportunities and travel insurance to help you fuel your curiosity, find your journey and travel bravely. @worldnomads Check out www.worldnomads.com. Benefits limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Be sure to read your policy wording.
HOW TO SUPPORT US!
Alpaca My Bags is the podcast that is creating a platform for discussing travel through a critical lens and responsible travel. If you're a fan of the podcast, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Alpaca My Bags!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month!
ALSO, we're looking for more info on what you like and dislike about the podcast, and how you found us! If you have one minute today, please fill out this quick survey for us!
Follow us on social media @alpacamybagspod
CREDITS
Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes
Producer: Kattie Laur
Music from Motion Array
Logo by Christopher McCluskey

There are just two northern white rhinos left in the world. Staggering rates of illegal hunting for its horn have led to its (almost certain) extinction in the wild.
The rise of conservation tourism, or, safaris, is one way that tourists can support species that are going extinct. But how effective is conservation tourism? James Mwenda joins the podcast to tell us about conservation and our role as tourists in protecting endangered species and our planet. James was a caretaker for the last northern white rhinos at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and now he has started his own expedition company, Jemu Expeditions, to show travellers to Kenya what he loves most about his country.
SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month! GUEST: James Mwenda @jemu_mwenda
RESOURCES

Jemu Mwenda Expeditions

WATCH: Witnessing Extinction | Get to Know James Mwenda and the Last Two Northern White Rhinos
WATCH: My journey to conservation.
Solo Traveling Woman Tiktok: @jesswetzstein Thank you to our sponsor, WORLD NOMADS!
Inspiration, opportunities and travel insurance to help you fuel your curiosity, find your journey and travel bravely. @worldnomads Check out www.worldnomads.com. Benefits limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Be sure to read your policy wording.
HOW TO SUPPORT US:
Alpaca My Bags is the podcast that is creating a platform for discussing travel through a critical lens and responsible travel. If you're a fan of the podcast, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Alpaca My Bags!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month.
ALSO, we're looking for more info on what you like and dislike about the podcast, and how you found us! If you have one minute today, please fill out this quick survey for us!
Follow us on social media @alpacamybagspod.
CREDITS
Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes
Producer: Kattie Laur
Music from Motion Array
Logo by Christopher McCluskey

Wheelchair users around the globe are having some of the worst travel experiences imaginable, because aircrafts do not allow wheelchairs to roll right on. Most mobility devices have to be stowed in the cargo hold along with luggage.
But mobility devices aren’t just luggage. This system is resulting in thousands of dollars worth of damage to wheelchairs, and scary, uncomfortable experiences for travelers with disabilities.
We talk to Maayan Ziv and Chris Wood to unpack why inclusive air travel is lagging, how accessible air travel in a human right, and what legislation and changes are needed to make it possible for wheelchairs to roll right on.
GUESTS:
Maayan Ziv
Founder of the Access Now App. Disability Activist. Canada’s Top 40 under 40.
Find Maayan on Instagram here. (@maayanziv_)
Christopher Wood Bio
Founder of Flying Disabled and Air4All. Christopher lobbies and campaigns for the aviation industry and governments to make commercial airlines power wheelchair accessible.
SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR, WORLD NOMADS!
Inspiration, opportunities and travel insurance to help you fuel your curiosity, find your journey and travel bravely. Check out www.worldnomads.com.
Benefits limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Be sure to read your policy wording.
HOW TO SUPPORT US:
Alpaca My Bags is the podcast that is creating a platform for discussing travel through a critical lens and responsible travel. If you're a fan of the podcast, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Alpaca My Bags!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month.
ALSO, we're looking for more info on what you like and dislike about the podcast, and how you found us! If you have one minute today, please fill out this quick survey for us!
Follow us on social media @alpacamybagspod.
Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter Pod the North, here.
CREDITS
Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes
Producer: Kattie Laur
Music from Motion Array
Logo by Christopher McCluskey

Finding the right balance between travel and life can be hard. Especially as we get older there is more and more pressure to follow the traditional life path, which – let's be honest – doesn’t include tons of world travel.
Amanda Kendle joins us to have an honest discussion about how we’ve made travel fit into our lives, while balancing work, finances, and other commitments.
GUEST:
Amanda Kendle is a travel podcaster, travel blogger, social media consultant and trainer.
RESOURCES:

• Amanda's website: https://www.notaballerina.com/
• Amanda's podcast, The Thoughtful Travel Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtful-travel-podcast/id1269489189

SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR, WORLD NOMADS!
Inspiration, opportunities and travel insurance to help you fuel your curiosity, find your journey and travel bravely. Check out www.worldnomads.com.
Benefits limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Be sure to read your policy wording.
HOW TO SUPPORT US:
Alpaca My Bags is the podcast that is creating a platform for discussing travel through a critical lens and responsible travel. If you're a fan of the podcast, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Alpaca My Bags!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month.
ALSO, we're looking for more info on what you like and dislike about the podcast, and how you found us! If you have one minute today, please fill out this quick survey for us!
Read Erin's award-winning blog: https://pinatravels.org/hiking-volcano-acatenango/
Follow us on social media @alpacamybagspod.
Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter Pod the North, here.
CREDITS
Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes
Producer: Kattie Laur
Music from Motion Array
Logo by Christopher McCluskey

Hey there Alpaca Pal, Erin and Kattie here!
We wanted to quickly check in with you and let you know how things are going during these wild times - what's happening with production, and what you can expect in the future.
We'll give you a mental picture though of our current states in the meantime:
Erin has been binge watching Trailer Park Boys and going up and down her staircase every day for "excercise". She's been snuggling her cats 24/7 and is now realizing the value of animal therapy. She's wondering if now's the right time to adopt another cat?
Kattie has been googling "top sweatpants", anticipating her next meal and still making podcasts, but from home. She hasn't been able to bring herself to do any excersise despite the encouragement all over social media and the flexible schedule, so please reach out to her to make sure she hasn't officially become a couch.