Karen and I are back with part 2 of our conversation from last episode where we discussed Karen’s experience growing up in Nigeria, living abroad Ukraine, Germany and now Portugal, and we are continuing our discussion about hot travel takes today.

on this episode, we chat about:

- the dark side of travel — racism and colonialism*

- cultural exoticism/fetishization

- voluntourism and how it’s problematic

*disclaimer: Karen and I are NOT experts on this topic, and our intention isn’t to “school” anyone, blame, or shame — but rather start a dialogue about travel topics that aren’t really talked about.

*this is PART 1 of a 2-part conversation with Karen :)

featured questions:

1. What is implicit racism and how have you experienced it?

2. How does racism start, and how does it manifest in the travel industry?

3. Why are things such as cultural appropriation and exoticism/fetishization such big problems and how can you avoid them yourself?

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connect with Karen here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kirukayaking?igsh=MXU3Z3R1eDh5ejFweA==

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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please welcome our FIRST SEASON 5 GUEST: Karen Amadi !!

Karen was born and raised in Nigeria, and has lived abroad in different European cities since 2020 to pursue higher education.

Karen is now in Porto studying as a medical student where she has found a second home.

*this is PART 1 of a 2 part conversation with Karen :)

on this episode, we chat about:

- the multifaceted vibrancy of Nigeria’s culture

- Karen’s unfiltered experience of living abroad in different cities in Europe

- the best advice about moving abroad and finding community that EVERYONE needs to hear

- and much more!!

stay tuned for PART 2… 👀

featured questions:

1. ​ What was it like to grow up in Nigeria?
2. ​ How was the transition from Nigeria to Ukraine and then Portugal like for you? What challenges did you experience living abroad?
3. ​ How did you find community in Porto? What advice do you have for integrating abroad?

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connect with Karen here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kirukayaking?igsh=MXU3Z3R1eDh5ejFweA==

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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listen to how my travel opinions have changed since I first began solo traveling :)

*this is PART TWO of two episodes

read the full article version here:

https://gottacaseofwanderlust.com/2025/05/02/how-my-mindsets-about-travel-have-shifted-since-the-beginning/

welcome back and let’s kick off SEASON FIVE !!

I re-listened to my older podcast episodes and realized I don’t hold entirely the same opinions as I used to… so I’m calling out my past self and sharing what I think about travel now.

let me know your thoughts and I’m so excited to share this new podcast season with you !

mentioned:

* TripBFF

* NomadHer

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

listen to how my travel opinions have changed since I first began solo traveling :)

*this is PART ONE of two episodes

read the full article version here:

https://gottacaseofwanderlust.com/2025/05/02/how-my-mindsets-about-travel-have-shifted-since-the-beginning/

welcome back and let’s kick off SEASON FIVE !!

I re-listened to my older podcast episodes and realized I don’t hold entirely the same opinions as I used to… so I’m calling out my past self and sharing what I think about travel now.

let me know your thoughts and I’m so excited to share this new podcast season with you !

mentioned:

* TripBFF

* NomadHer

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

joy is your birthright !!

it’s NOT cringey to express your happiness — let’s feel every emotion to the fullest <3

Gi Shieh is a travel content creator known for her travel brand “The Sensible Fay” online.

Gi is a Taiwanese American passionate about mindful living, slow travel, outdoor adventures, and sustainable fashion, who is alternates between New York City and Taiwan for her home base.

on this episode, we chat about:

- Gi’s favorite places in Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Italy

- benefits of slow travel

- how can we ensure we are shopping sustainably?

- and much more!!

featured questions:

1. On your blog, you feature 4 countries with jam-packed insider information for travelers — which are Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and Italy. Which country left the biggest impact on you?

2. Is there anything you wish you would’ve done differently on your trips?

3. Of the places you visited, where were the best beaches?

4. How has your traveling style and mindset changed since your first trips until now?

5. Why and how do you practice slow living in your travels?

6. Why is sustainable fashion such a huge passion for you and how does it leak into your travel experiences?

7. Do you think traveling is subversive or supportive to capitalism?

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sustainable fashion database name:

https://directory.goodonyou.eco

connect with Gi here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thesensiblefay?igsh=d2hkOXBzeDJsNG41

✨ Travel blog:

https://thesensiblefay.com/destinations

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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Sequoia Armstrong is a conscious travel consultant and entrepreneur who is the founder of the travel planning organization Puebla York, and host of the Soul Wanderer podcast.

Puebla York designs custom travel experiences in Japan and Mexico centered around the principles of cultural connection, environmental sustainability, and conscious travel.

on this episode, we chat about:

- what is “conscious travel” and how do we implement it into our traveling?

- the true value of traveling solo, especially for women!

featured questions:

1. When did you become more intentional about “conscious travel,” and what exactly is it?

2. Have you always wanted to become a travel consultant? What was the inspiration behind “Puebla York” and can you share a little bit about the process of creating it?

3. What about Mexico and Japan specifically makes you want to devote your company around only these 2 countries?

4. How do we fight the feeling of FOMO when traveling?

5. Do you have any advice for “getting off the beaten path” in popular destinations?

6. If there’s 1 piece of actionable advice you’d like all travelers to implement into their experiences to make their trips more “conscious”, what would it be?

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connect with Sequoia here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc?igsh=MWd4ODQ5eG45cGd6dQ==

✨ Puebla York:

https://www.pueblayorkinc.com

✨Soul Wanderer podcast

https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/podcast

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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Shania Stewart, who also goes by Kya, who was born in South Africa but raised in Switzerland.

Kya started backpacking when she was 18 after deciding to take a gap year before university.

Since then, she has solo traveled to dozens of countries — Scotland being one of her favorites.

on this episode, we chat about:

- the value of taking a gap year

- travel tips before visiting to Scotland

- meeting people while solo traveling

featured questions:

1. What would you say to those hesitant about taking a gap year?

2. How did you spend your gap years and what were some of your favorite involvements?

3. For first time travelers to Scotland, where are the best places to visit and what should they know beforehand?

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name of hostels mentioned:

connect with Kya here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shaniatstewart?igsh=MWF6bXEwY3QxMW5keA==

✨ Travel guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@shaniastewart

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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