“For me, travel is a necessity; sometimes it's with my family, and sometimes it's with my friends, and sometimes it's by myself or strangers. And it's part of what I need in order to be a good person in the world. ” - Bronwen LodatoIn this episode, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Bronwen Lodato, Founder and CEO of Bronwen Jewelry, an artisan jewelry line designed for active and traveling women. Coming from a background in outdoor education, Bronwen experienced the need for jewelry that was beautiful but also durable enough to withstand the grit of wilderness, adventure, and world travel. It turns out she wasn't the only one. Today she runs a bustling business in Bend, Oregon, where all the jewelry is made by hand by a team of local women. Bronwen's passion for travel has led her to many corners of the globe, where she connects with craft artisans of all types. She has spent over a decade building friendships and partnerships with individuals and groups of artists to bring products with a high social impact to the market. Christine and Bronwen discuss:Their common love language and value of communityPeople coming together to have a shared experienceSolo travel, loneliness, and perseveranceThe transformative power of travel and outdoor experiencesThe magic of connecting with new peopleHow to dispel the myth that travel and self-care are luxuriesCreate a new narrative around the restoration and healing of travelJoin Christine now for this soulful conversation with Bronwen Lodato.LOVE these soulful conversations? We rely on listener support to produce our podcast! Make a difference by making a donation to Lotus Sojourns on PayPal.  Are you a Soul of Travel subscriber? Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss the latest episodes!Listener reviews help expand our reach and help us rise up the ranks! Rate and review your favorite episodes on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.?​​​​​​​​To learn more about Bronwen Jewelry, visit the website at https://bronwenjewelry.com/.Connect with Bronwen on LinkedIn!Follow Bronwen on Instagram and Facebook! Looking for ways to be a part of the Lotus Sojourns community? Learn more here!Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns and @souloftravelpodcastTo read a complete transcript, see full show notes, and access resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode122.Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Bronwen Lodato (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.Support the show