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The Secret to Happiness: What Finland Taught Us

The Secret to Happiness: What Finland Taught Us

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 The Secret to Happiness: What Finland Taught UsWhat is the secret to happiness? My guest today went searching for that answer in the United Nations' happiest country in the world — no, not Disneyland, but Finland — and not only found the answer, but also went through her own personal soul-touching moments and transformations in the process.Welcome to Travel That Touches Your Soul podcast and video channel, where I bring you the people and places around the world to help you connect with something greater than yourself and fulfill your heart's desires. I'm Karen Cleveland, and today's guest is Doni Belau.Doni founded the women-only tour company Girls' Guide to the World in 2009 with a mission to empower women of all ages to explore the world. She has led thousands of women across 80 countries on journeys that blend cultural immersion, personal growth, and sisterhood. Her story is one of transformation — including how travel shaped her purpose, and how she now creates journeys that touch women's souls in return.Guest BioDoni Belau founded the women-only tour company Girls' Guide to the World in 2009 with a mission to empower women of all ages to explore the world. Girls' Guide to the World now offers 85 tours to 51 countries. As an intrepid traveler who has explored over 80 countries herself, Doni has used her destination knowledge to curate a diverse portfolio of trips catering to a wide range of interests, from cultural immersion and culinary tours to active adventures and wellness retreats. Each itinerary is thoughtfully crafted to spark curiosity, foster authentic connection, and create lasting memories. Doni's diverse experiences, from television production to humanitarian work in South Africa, have fueled her passion for creating transformative journeys that blend personal growth with the joy of exploration. With over 15 years of experience in the travel industry, Doni's in-depth understanding of destinations, travel trends, and evolving consumer desires ensures that each tour offered prioritizes connection, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences. When not leading trips, she divides her time between France, New Orleans, and a sailboat named Relish — a testament to her adventurous spirit.Host BioKaren Cleveland is the creator and host of Travel That Touches Your Soul. She is a safari and wildlife trip host, spiritual teacher, and animal communicator devoted to helping people reconnect with what matters most through meaningful travel. Her work centers on connection with animals, land, culture, and inner truth, and the quiet inner knowing that says, this is the kind of life I came here to live.Episode Topics and Timestamps• What is the secret to happiness? The question that launched a journey to Finland (00:00)• Welcome and introduction — Karen introduces Doni Belau and Girls' Guide to the World (00:20)• The Arctic Snow Hotel in Rovaniemi — ice bars, ice sculptures, and -13°F nights (01:20)• Two Finland trips — one chasing Northern Lights, one chasing happiness (05:00)• Reindeer rides, husky mushing, and why these dogs live for this (06:29)• The boat sauna in Tromsø — hamam, cold plunge, and hot tub in the snow (10:55)• Northern Lights magic — why your phone camera sees them better than your eyes (12:10)• The summer happiness research trip — meeting the nine Nordic Queens (13:48)• The countryside farmstead — ancient rye bread, matriarchal tradition, and the old ways (15:00)• The group dynamic — solo travelers, sisterhood, and "meet as strangers, depart as friends" (17:27)• Free education through PhD and nearly 50% female government representation (21:00)• The sauna and cold plunge — what Finland has known for centuries that we're only learning now (24:00)• Trust in government — the factor that silenced the whole room (28:07)• What Doni brought home — why travel truly eliminates prejudice (33:40)• Upcoming trips — Finland, Italy's Dolomites, Sicily, Galapagos, Madagascar, Molokai, and more (36:32)• How to find Girls' Guide to the World and join The Traveling Sisterhood (39:43)Girls' Guide to the World websitehttps://www.girlsguidetotheworld.com/Email info@girlsguidetotheworld.comJoin our email community to receive notice of upcoming trips, new podcasts, and find out the "Top Travels of 2026 to Soothe Your Soul" https://mailchi.mp/soulful/travelsor https://soulful.travelBe sure to Subscribe and review the podcasts!Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/travel-that-touches-your-soul/id1865822112Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IMDYh43NAVhKXXfoUUNlsiHeart https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-travel-that-touches-your-315490361/Facebook:Karen https://www.facebook.com/karentclevelandTravel that Touches Your Soul https://www.facebook.com/RevKarenCleveland/Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/safarisandsacredjourneys/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@soulfultravelchannel
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