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:&n ..read more

Global travelers still don't think much about Indigenous tourism when they think about travel to Canada. Usually, post cards are filled with Mountees and maple syrup. But Canada has a long, rich, and diverse history that was shaped by the people who were here first: Canada’s First Nations. We're talking to Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) to find out what economic reconciliation looks like for the travel industry. We discuss the impact of bringing back place names across the country, the importance of bloggers and travel influencers on Indi ..read more

At the end of every year Lonely Planet releases their list of top destinations for the following year. Erin and Kattie chat about the 2023 Lonely Planet destinations that caught their eye and what's missing from the list. They also look back that at their long-awaited travels in 2022 - from Iceland to Belize and Madeira Island - and discuss what's ahead for the podcast! SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month! 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 podca ..read more

You cannot travel through Nepal without thinking about the world’s tallest mountain.  So what does Mount Everest mean to Nepalese people, and how is it shaping Nepal’s culture, economy, and tourism? And what is it like to climb Mount Everest in the first place? We’re chatting with Philip Henderson, a member of the first all Black team of climbers to have summited Mount Everest, and Amrit Ale and Shanta Nepali, two friends of Philip’s who call Nepal home and have special connections to the local climbing community as well as Mount Everest itself.  GUESTS: Philip Henderson: One of fe ..read more

Hey Alpaca Pals! Life has been FLYING by these days and so we'll be a bit delayed with the release of our next episode. Instead of launching today, we'll have a brand new episode out this Friday. Thanks for your patience, we appreciate you ..read more

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 ..read more

Traveling within Canada is incredibly difficult. The quick options are expensive and the cheap options take FOREVER! The transport landscape in Canada is extremely limited, which means that if you don’t have a car, there are barriers to get around. This is a problem not just for people in Canada, but for people who would like to visit and spend tourism dollars here.  Paris Marx joins us to help us understand why getting around Canada is so hard and the deep structural changes needed to create a sustainable mobility system that serves the public good. GUEST:Paris Marx is a socialist wri ..read more

For immigrants and the generations that follow them, traveling back to a “home” country can be a complicated experience. For some, visiting a place that their parents, grandparents, or generations even further back left by choice, or fled, can bring happiness and learning. But for others, it might bring conflicted feelings. Leah from the Ticket 2 Anywhere podcast joins Erin to talk about her experience of traveling for the first time to her homeland, The Philippines. GUEST:Leah is one of the hosts of the Ticket 2 Anywhere Travel Podcast. Leah's Instagram  Ticket 2 Anywhere Podcast - You ..read more

In the last few decades travel has become increasingly accessible, resulting in a tourism boom around the world. But while there are many benefits to the growth in tourism, there's a downside too: Overtourism. Today, we’re diving into the reality of overtourism. Erin and travel journalist Paige McLanahan discuss what overtourism is, what causes it, how travelers can avoid contributing to overtourism, and what needs to change to make tourism more sustainable. GUEST: Paige McLanahan is a travel journalist and NY times contributor based in the French Alps. She reports often on overtourism and r ..read more

Going on vacation doesn't mean your depression is on vacation, too. Even when you're out traveling the world, it's important to take care of your mental health.  Erin is joined by Tammy Tran to explore mental health and travel. They chat about what it feels like to be depressed while traveling, how to take care of your mental health while traveling, and how social media contributes to our travel experiences, and expectations.  GUESTS: Tammy is a traveler, skydiver, TikToker, mental health advocate, and future marathon runner. Find her on TikTok at @travelthesky. RESOURCES:BOOK: Ru ..read more