Welcome to a special podswap episode of the Soul of Travel Podcast! Host Esme Benjamin of The Trip That Changed Me podcast interviewed our very own Christine Winebrenner Irick.Christine is the entrepreneur behind the group travel company, Lotus Sojourns, and the host of The Soul of Travel podcast, which features guests making a positive impact on the tourism industry.In this episode, Christine shares the story of her first big trip to Asia. Amid a period of rebirth, as her career and marriage were crumbling, Christine took inspiration from Alex Garland's book, The Beach, and set off for Thailand with one good friend and no solid plans. In Christine's own words, what unfolded was a perspective-shifting experience that would "reveal who she would become."Fast forward to 2023, and Christine was recently named one of the most influential women in travel, an accolade that speaks to her work highlighting how sustainable tourism can support gender equality.Available now on The Trip That Changed Me Podcast, and in our Soul of Travel feed on your favorite podcast app!In the episode, Esme and Christine discuss:The powerful draw of travel and the possibilities it createsStepping into Thailand for the first time… into an MTV Halloween partyThe transformational power of travelTraveling mindfully and responsiblyJoin Christine and Esme now for this soulful conversation.?​​​​​​​​To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website. 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.?​​​​​​​​Stay up-to-date on The Trip That Changed Me podcast by Full-Time Travel.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 @souloftravelpodcast.Credits. Esme Benjamin (Host). Christine Winebrenner Irick (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Full-Time Travel. Content writing by Carly Oduardo.Support the show