Travel With Meaning

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.

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

In this episode of the Travel with Meaning podcast, we sit down with Michaela Guzy, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, travel journalist, and founder of Oh The People You Meet. Michaela's global adventures have taken her to 120 countries, from the savannas of Africa to the lakes of Northern Michigan. In this episode, Michaela shares incredible stories, from navigating lost luggage with the help of social media to summiting mountains and encountering wildlife up close. Michaela dives into her passion for sustainable travel and the human connections she's made across the globe. She reflects on her journey from the corporate world to following her true calling in travel media, explaining why she believes every trip is an opportunity to grow. Join us for this inspiring conversation filled with laughter, unexpected moments, and insights into the beauty of human connection through travel. Don't miss this episode as Michaela Guzy takes us around the world with her most unforgettable experiences and lessons learned along the way! Special thank you to this episode's sponsors: Smooth Move, the #1 tea for going #2. For more information visit www.Traditionalmedicinals.com/smoothmove to shop today and use SM20OFF for a 20% discount World Trips, Atlas Journey travel insurance, visit www.worldtrips.com to explore your coverage options and travel fearlessly with an Atlas Journey plan from WorldTrips. As always, we appreciate your support, please leave a rating, comment, and share the episodes you love. We look forward to seeing you on the open road!

In this special episode of the Travel With Meaning podcast, host Mike Schibel brings you a unique blend of conversations with renowned chefs and a talented local musician from Maui. They highlight the depth of Maui's culinary and cultural richness, reveal how Maui has impacted their lives, and share their stories of community resilience after the Lahaina wildfires. Recorded at the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, join us as we chat with, Chef Maneet Chauhan, Chef Stephanie Izard, Chef Jonathan Pasion from Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, and Chef Ryan Schelling from Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, as well as musician Ua Bradshaw from Maui. This episode is a celebration of the island's resilient community—a community that invites travelers to return to Maui, now more than ever. Tune in to be reminded of the beauty of Maui, the strength of its community, and the unbreakable bond between the people, the places, and the culture. Tune in to this heartfelt episode and be reminded of the beauty of Maui, the strength of its community, and the unbreakable bond between the people, the places, and the culture. The people and the spirit of Maui is strong – Maui is open and welcomes you back, now more than ever. Visit GoHawaii.com/Maui. #TravelWithMeaning #TravelStories #MauiStrong #GoHawaii #VisitMaui

In episode 116, we are thrilled to host visionary filmmaker and storyteller Danny Lee, whose work has profoundly impacted the arts and travel landscape. Danny's journey began with his passion for hip hop, street art, and sports, which he seamlessly wove into a thriving filmmaking career. He takes us behind the scenes of his latest PBS project, "The Express Way with Dulé Hill," highlighting unsung heroic artists across America and showcasing the transformative power of art in healing communities and catalyzing change. Danny recounts his experiences, from a life-changing trip to Taiwan to a trip early in his professional career to explore his roots in Korea, the diverse streets of Los Angeles, and how his father's passing pushed him to pursue his dreams. He delves into the importance of mentorship and nurturing emerging talent, reflecting on his journey of self-discovery and authentic storytelling. Join us as Danny Lee shares the moments that shaped his career, emphasizing the importance of cultural bridges and the human connections that define us. Subscribe and share if you enjoy the episode, and don't forget to check out "The Express Way with Dulé Hill" on PBS. Special thank you to this episodes sponsors: Smooth Move, the #1 tea for going #2. For more information visit Traditionalmedicinals.com/smoothmove to shop today and use SM20OFF for a 20% discount World Trips, Atlas Journey travel insurance, visit www.worldtrips.com to explore your coverage options and travel fearlessly with an Atlas Journey plan from WorldTrips. As always, we appreciate your support, please leave a rating, comment, and share the episodes you love. We look forward to seeing you on the open road!

In part two of our special series "Celebrating Seattle" in collaboration with Visit Seattle TWM podcast host Mike Schibel is joined again by the acclaimed bilingual travel journalist Jeannette Ceja. For any traveler, the heart of a destination lies within its people and community. We had the privilege of connecting with remarkable small business owners within the Hispanic, Latino, and BIPOC communities. Exploring hidden treasures, perhaps not yet on the visitor map but beloved by locals, was a true delight. We enjoyed a fantastic cup of coffee on a quintessential cozy Seattle morning at the Station Coffee Shop, where we had the pleasure of conversing with Co-Owner Luis Rodriguez. Luis, who moved to Seattle over thirty years ago from Baja Mexico, shared with us the profound importance of owning a coffee shop—to inspire pride in his children and demonstrate to the youth in the community that they can achieve anything. In Seattle's White Center neighborhood, we ventured to the Salvadorean Bakery, founded by sisters Ana Castro and Aminta Elgin, originally from El Salvador. This establishment, comprising a restaurant, bakery, and market, stands as a pillar in the community. From authentic pupusas to heavenly baked goods, it's no wonder Seattleites rave about this bakery. Having a local guide is invaluable, and we were fortunate to have Laura Clise from Intentionalist show us the diverse tapestry of small businesses and the passionate individuals behind them. Understanding how our everyday choices—where we dine, drink, and shop—impact the places we visit is truly enlightening. Our Seattle journey concluded with a toast alongside Ken Dillon, owner of Footprint Wine Tap, the city's first sustainable keg wine-on-tap bar. The inviting ambiance, stellar wine selection, and warm locals made leaving this spot a challenge. For all your Seattle travel needs and cozy season deals, visit VisitSeattle.org Part three of our special series is coming up with a live podcast recording with acclaimed Chef Kristi Brown.

On episode 112 we talk with Mickela Mallozzi the four-time Emmy® Award-winning Host and Executive Producer of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi, a travel series highlighting the diversity of dance which airs on PBS stations nationwide and on Amazon Prime globally. A professional dancer and trained musician, Mickela decided to start a journey around the world, taking her camera with her to follow dance in the lives of everyday people wherever she went. From re-discovering her family's heritage in Southern Italy to dancing tango on the main stage in Buenos Aires, the series covers Mickela's adventures as she experiences the world, one dance at a time. In this episode, Mickela shares her early memories of traveling with her family to Italy. This was not the typical Italian vacation, but the experiences left a lasting impression on her future career in TV. We learn about Mickela's aha moment that came to her in the middle of the night, and how her passion to make friends by dancing with strangers has led her to a community of friends around the world. We've been lucky on Travel With Meaning to meet incredible travelers, Mickela is a like-minded traveler and a wonderful addition to the TWM community. To watch episodes of Bare Fee on PBS visit www.travelbarefeet.com Make sure you give Mickela a follow @travelbarefeet As always we appreciate if you subscribe and share episodes of the TWM podcast you enjoy! See you on the open road!

Welcome to the 110th episode of the Travel with Meaning podcast. In this distinctive feature, we delve into the tale of a culinary fascination with a dish we encountered in Austria back in 2022. Our journey led us over 6,000 miles to the world's oldest festival dedicated to this particular delicacy. Enter Knödel, the Austrian dish that transcends its once-perceived simplicity, especially in the town of St. Johann. Here, at the Knödelfest, these dumplings are anything but basic. For over four decades, enthusiasts from all walks of life have converged, regardless of the weather, to partake in a day of revelry involving beer and a myriad of Knödel varieties, solidifying St. Johann as the global epicenter of Knödel celebration. Our very own Mike Schibel nurtured his fascination for Knödel and embarked on a pilgrimage to the Austrian Alps to immerse himself in the firsthand experience of Knödelfest. What unfolded on a rainy day in late September could easily be deemed one of the most remarkable food festivals ever attended. Tune in to hear Mike's captivating adventure, offering a glimpse into the world of Knödelfest and the unique culinary journey it entails. All this and more awaits you on this special edition of the Travel with Meaning podcast. Enjoy the journey!