//podcastplus.net/feed/why-we-wander~e908509a Why We Wander is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Shannon Keating and Tamara Walker, co-founders of The Wandering Scholar. We talk about all things travel: the places people go, the experiences that have transformed their lives, and how the travel landscape is evolving to meet the demands of a changing world. We also feature interviews with founders, documentarians, boundary pushers and advocates - people leading the charge of transforming the who, how, and why of travel. Tue, 29 Sep 2026 03:25:51 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1027143892-whywewander-episode-49-markets-street-vendors-food-travel-with-a-smithsonian-food-historian.mp3 In this episode we explore the intersection of travel, history and food with food historian Ashley Rose Young, PhD. Dr. Young joined the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 2017 as the Historian of the American Food History Project. In January 2021, Britannica recognized Young as one of the “20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future” in the category of Academia and Ideas for her work with the Smithsonian and her scholarly research. We discuss the meaning of culinary diplomacy; how paying attention to the way food plays a role in society helps you understand cultural, socioeconomic, and political influences of a region; and explore the ever-evolving role of street markets across the globe.We've also rounded up some links related to topics covered in this episode. For more on Dr. Young's background and research, check out: https://ashleyroseyoung.com/And if you'd like to see her work in action through the Smithsonian's "Cooking up History" program, a free virtual series in which Dr. Young ... Sun, 11 Apr 2021 15:29:12 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1027143892-whywewander-episode-49-markets-street-vendors-food-travel-with-a-smithsonian-food-historian.mp3 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1018031287-whywewander-episode-47-food-travel.mp3 As we round out a year of no travel, we are all continuing to find ways to stay connected to the world around us. In this episode, that means through our stomachs! Food, for many, is reason enough to hop on an airplane. And while some of us are lucky enough to live where you can have shakshuka for breakfast, banh mi for lunch and mole for dinner, nothing can compare to the moment you discover a new dish in a new place - or can it?We've also rounded up some links related to topics covered in this episode.To learn more about the history of Brazilian Acarajé, the street food popularized by Afro-Bahian women that Tamara mentions, check out:https://blog.amigofoods.com/index.php/brazilian-foods/brazils-acaraje-dish/We also talk about diversity in the travel and food programming world. Shannon gives a shout out to Samin Nosrat's "Salt Fat Acid Heat" series (https://www.saltfatacidheat.com/)for bringing a much-needed female perspective to the landscape, and Tamara credits a show called "Late Night Eats," which is ho... Sun, 28 Mar 2021 19:14:33 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1018031287-whywewander-episode-47-food-travel.mp3 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1006681966-whywewander-episode-46-talking-with-dr-kiona-how-not-to-travel.mp3 In this episode we talk with Dr. Kiona, an online educator and founder of How Not To Travel Like A Basic Bitch. She blends travel with accessible learning by spotlighting different cultures, uplifting marginalized voices, and inspiring her audience to travel mindfully. She also hosts How Not To Travel, a biweekly podcast, curates monthly education trips to Cuba, and works alongside local populations on income-generating projects, which you’ll hear more about in this episode. We talk to her about all of these ventures, as well as what it means to travel mindfully, what it’s like to be an online educator on social media, and her advice for travel-curious students. Dr. Kiona's Website:https://hownottotravellikeabasicbitch.comDr. Kiona's Instagram Page @hownottotravellikeabasicbitchhttps://www.instagram.com/hownottotravellikeabasicbitch/Dr. Kiona's Podcast How Not to Travel:https://ochentastudio.com/how-not-to-travel-podcastDr. Kiona's forthcoming film, Barrio Chino: https://www.instagram.com/barriochinofilm/... Sun, 14 Mar 2021 16:34:25 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1006681966-whywewander-episode-46-talking-with-dr-kiona-how-not-to-travel.mp3 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/990269740-whywewander-episode-45-emily-in-paris-and-the-travel-stories-we-dont-see.mp3 It’s the evening of the Golden Globes, and we have the surprise - and controversial - multi-nominee Emily in Paris on our minds. We talk about what we liked about the show, how we’d approach the story if we were in the writers’ room, and whether it’s possible to tell escapist stories about travel while staying grounded in reality. Mon, 22 Feb 2021 01:29:46 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/990269740-whywewander-episode-45-emily-in-paris-and-the-travel-stories-we-dont-see.mp3 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/987510127-whywewander-episode-44-study-abroad-memories.mp3 If we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic, it would be study abroad season for high-school and college students around the US. In the spirit of nostalgia and with hope for a future of safely-opened borders, we decided to reflect on our own memories of studying abroad, and share some from our listeners, too. We also preview the second virtual workshop in our Intentional Travel series, “Anti-Racist Travel,” which will take place on Saturday, February 27 from 3-5 pm. To sign up, check out: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intentional-travel-a-virtual-workshop-series-tickets-135083078123Thanks to Marie Martin and Dr. Chinyere Osuji, host of Getting Woke by Dr. Chi (https://anchor.fm/drchi), for allowing us to share their stories in this episode. Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:29:06 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/987510127-whywewander-episode-44-study-abroad-memories.mp3 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/981148582-whywewander-episode-43-vaccine-tourism.mp3 In this postcard episode Tamara and Shannon talk about what everyone is talking about, vaccine tourism. From out of staters crossing the border in Florida to international travel agencies marketing yet to be available trips to New York City to wealthy elites for the vaccine, people are cutting lines left and right to get the vaccine. We talk about what this kind of travel means in the context of a pandemic as well as how it fits into the broader definition of medical tourism. What counts as vaccine tourism? Who are the winners and losers? We also talk about how the pandemic has put a finer point on thinking about not only where you are going, but more importantly where you are from and how our relationship to the pandemic can change based not only on what country you live in but even potentially what neighborhood or county you are from. We preview the second virtual workshop in our Intentional Travel series, “Anti-racist Travel” and look back on our first session focused on Ethical Travel to the Caribbean... Mon, 08 Feb 2021 01:07:32 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/981148582-whywewander-episode-43-vaccine-tourism.mp3 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/976702111-whywewander-ep-42-you-can-still-visit-paris.mp3 In this episode, we talk with Elisa Jéhanno, a licensed tour guide in Paris who - it might surprise you - has been keeping very busy these past few months . We cover a range of topics, including the French licensing process, how she pivoted from in-person tours to virtual offerings, Parisians’ mixed feelings about having their city to themselves during the pandemic, and so much more. To learn more about Elisa, visit: https://www.elisaguideparis-en.com/As Elisa notes in the interview, Google Arts & Culture has partnered with several museums around the world, making it possible to view high-resolution reproductions of some of your favorite art pieces from the comfort of your own home. Musée d’Orsay collection: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/musee-dorsay-parisThe Louvre collection: https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/the-louvre/m04gdr?categoryId=placeStill, these collections only scratch the surface of the museums' holdings. Be sure to listen to the episode so you can hear Elisa’s sto... Mon, 01 Feb 2021 04:47:29 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/976702111-whywewander-ep-42-you-can-still-visit-paris.mp3 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/972092281-user-88865630-episode-41-the-real-housewives-of-travel.mp3 In this episode, Tamara talks with Brandon, a friend of the podcast who you last heard from him in episode 36 (https://soundcloud.com/user-88865630/ep-36-getting-away-but-not-escaping). In addition to loving to talk about travel, the two of us also love to talk about all things Real Housewives. So we got together to explore the intersection of those two topics: the places they go, the things they do while there, and what it’s like to watch it all unfold.We also touch on a more serious topic in this episode, which is the racially-motivated killing of Bakari Henderson while he was on vacation in Greece. For more on his family’s quest to bring his killers to justice, see: https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/05/parents-of-son-slain-in-greece-say-he-never-met-a-stranger/Henderson’s family has also set up a scholarship fund that provides travel opportunities to families that have lost loved ones to violence. You can learn more and make a donation at: https://thebakarifoundation.org/If you enjoy the podca... Mon, 25 Jan 2021 04:14:13 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/972092281-user-88865630-episode-41-the-real-housewives-of-travel.mp3 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/972092281-whywewander-episode-41-the-real-housewives-of-travel.mp3 In this episode, Tamara talks with Brandon, a friend of the podcast who you last heard from him in episode 36 (https://soundcloud.com/user-88865630/ep-36-getting-away-but-not-escaping). In addition to loving to talk about travel, the two of us also love to talk about all things Real Housewives. So we got together to explore the intersection of those two topics: the places they go, the things they do while there, and what it’s like to watch it all unfold.We also touch on a more serious topic in this episode, which is the racially-motivated killing of Bakari Henderson while he was on vacation in Greece. For more on his family’s quest to bring his killers to justice, see: https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/05/parents-of-son-slain-in-greece-say-he-never-met-a-stranger/Henderson’s family has also set up a scholarship fund that provides travel opportunities to families that have lost loved ones to violence. You can learn more and make a donation at: https://thebakarifoundation.org/If you enjoy the podca... Mon, 25 Jan 2021 04:14:13 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/972092281-whywewander-episode-41-the-real-housewives-of-travel.mp3 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/956769379-whywewander-episode-40-a-yearmostly-without-travel-reflections-and-resolutions.mp3 In our 40th and final episode of 2020, Tamara and Shannon reflect on a year without travel (or at least much travel) and talk about what this coming year will look like for us personally and for the travel industry at large. We reminisce about the last places we traveled to pre-COVID, consider the closest we got to “getting away” during lockdown, share ways we’ve kept the spirit of wanderlust alive through gift giving and make some predictions for 2021. From window swaps to new bicycles, canceled flights to virtual cooking classes - 2020 wasn’t what anyone had imagined and frankly we’re glad it’s over, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some lessons learned and small victories (like Shannon’s inclusion in Accidentally Wes Anderson). Perhaps what is most exciting is what we have planned for 2021. We'll be launching a workshop series, Intentional Travel, covering different themes for mindful travelers. From Antiracist Travel to Intentional Travel Influencing; Intentional Family or Group Trave... Wed, 30 Dec 2020 22:00:13 +0000 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/956769379-whywewander-episode-40-a-yearmostly-without-travel-reflections-and-resolutions.mp3