Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Welcome to the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, where we go far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruises to explore the really cool places, people, and activities that adventurous travelers crave. If your idea of a great vacation is sitting on a beach at an all-inclusive resort, you’re in the wrong place. However, if you’re like me, and a beach resort vacation sounds like torture, stick around. You’ve found your tribe. My name is Jason Elkins, and as an adventure travel marketing consultant and tour operator myself, I am on a mission to impact the lives of adventure travelers, the tour operators they hire, and the communities that host them, creating deeply meaningful experiences that make this big world feel just a bit smaller. Are you ready to discover your next great adventure, whether that looks something like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, SCUBA diving in the South Pacific, or hot air ballooning in Turkey? Then you’ll be happy to know that each episode of the Big World Made Small Podcast features a fascinating interview with an adventure travel expert that has agreed to share, with us, their own personal stories, favorite adventure destinations, and even some incredibly helpful tips and tricks they’ve learned while in the field. I trust that by the end of each episode you’ll feel like booking a ticket to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these amazing places, and getting to know the incredible people that live there. I’ll be your guide as we explore this amazing planet and its people on the Big World Made Small podcast. I am a former US Army paratrooper, third generation commercial hot air balloon pilot, paramotor pilot, advanced open water SCUBA diver, and ex-Montana fly fishing guide and lodge manager. I have managed boutique adventure tour operation businesses in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, off-shore in Belize, the Adirondacks in New York, and the desert of Arizona. I also spent nearly a decade with Orvis International Travel, leading a talented team of tour operation experts, putting together and hosting amazing fly fishing and adventure travel excursions around the world. I have tapped into my experience and network of travel pros to put together a weekly series of exclusive expert interviews that I am excited to share with you. For the last couple of years I have lived a fully nomadic lifestyle, feeding my passion for exploration, creating amazing adventures, and meeting some of the most fascinating people along the way. I record every episode while traveling, so in a sense you’ll be joining me on my journey. Let’s discover some great adventures together and make this big world feel just a bit smaller. And, don’t forget to take a quick trip over to our website at bigworldmadesmall.com and join our adventure travel community, where you’ll benefit from new episode announcements, exclusive adventure travel opportunities, and special access to the experts you’ve met on the show. You can also follow us on social media, using the links in the show notes below. And, if you’re getting value out of the show please help us grow by sharing it with your friends, family, and anyone else you know that wants to get far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruise ships, the next time they travel. I’ll publish another episode soon. Until then, keep exploring. It’s the best way to make a big world feel just a bit smaller. https://adventuretravelmarketing.com/podcast
Episodes
Trish Sare
Founder/Owner
BikeHike Adventures
https://www.bikehike.com/
Trish Sare is a passionate adventurer, cultural connector, and founder of BikeHike Adventures, a pioneering travel company that has been curating unforgettable active journeys around the world for over three decades. With a deep love for meaningful travel and cross-cultural experiences, Trish has guided travelers through remote corners of the globe—al...
Chris Torres
Director
The Marketing Coach & Tourprenuer
I started at 16 illustrating children’s books and never looked back.
After that, I spent years learning on the job—working in design studios and marketing agencies as an art-worker, designer, web developer, and eventually a marketing strategist.
I didn’t go to university. Truth is, I hated school. I was told I’d never amount to much. That doubt did...
Chelsea Ross
Founder & Creative Director
Chelsea Ross is the founder of Goddess Retreats, a pioneering women’s wellness and adventure travel company that began in 2003. With over 23 years of experience leading transformative retreats around the world, Chelsea is passionate about creating spaces where women can reconnect with themselves through nature, culture, and meaningful exploration. Her work blends a...
Sharyn Means
CEO
Doves Rest Cabins
“I’m Sharyn Means, CEO of Doves Rest Cabins. I am the creator of the Kia Oro customer service brand that develops a culture of excellence, powered by staff that can anticipate customer needs, exceed expectations, create goodwill and make it all feel seamless.”
“Born and raised on the remote Island of New Zealand, I learned at a young age to stand on my own two feet, how to do things myself, ...
Mari-Liis Luha
Sales Director
Mari-Liis Luha is the heart behind our partnerships. With a background in hospitality, sales, and team management, she leads the sales department at Taisto Bussid with care, clarity, and purpose.
As the main point of contact for travel agencies, tour operators, and corporate clients, Mari-Liis ensures every collaboration is smooth, efficient, and built on trust. She...
Nancy De Losa
Co-Founder
A’qto Cycling
Nancy De Losa is the Co-Founder of A’qto Italian Cycling Tours, a boutique cycling tour company offering immersive experiences in Italy. With a background in brand, marketing, and entrepreneurship, Nancy blends her deep connection to Italy with her passion for people and travel. Since launching A’qto Cycling Tours with her husband Damian Hancock in 2015, she has curated un...
Matthew C. Johnson
President
Sustainable Ascents Foundation
Matthew is a self-described adventure traveler in search of a plot, a part-time endurance athlete, a mosh pit enthusiast and an accidental Fellow at the Royal Geographical Society.
summary
In this episode, Jason Elkins speaks with Matthew Johnson, president of the Sustainable Ascents Foundation, about the importance of sustainable tourism in climbing and how it c...
Mark Everton
CEO
Explore Seattle Southside
Mark spent 35+ years managing hotels for Four Seasons, Marriott, Hilton and Joie de Vivre on the west coast and Hawaii. In 2016 Visit Oakland (California) was searching for a new leader. Mark chose to make the leap from hotel to destination leadership.
In the midst of Covid and the shut down of travel, the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority began a search for a r...
Gerardo Niklitschek
Owner & Founder
ALSUR Expediciones
Gerardo Niklitschek is the founder of ALSUR Expediciones and one of Patagonia’s most seasoned and respected adventure guides. With more than 30 years of experience exploring the wild landscapes of southern Chile and Argentina, Gerardo leads unforgettable journeys into the heart of Patagonia—combining cultural insight, deep environmental knowledge, and technical e...
Jeff Peterson
Owner & Founder
Reelin Family Fun
Meet Jeff Peterson, the spirited owner of Reelin Family Fun! He’s all about transforming ordinary family outings into extraordinary adventures filled with laughter and learning. With a deep passion for fishing and exploring the outdoors, Jeff, along with the dedicated Reelin Family Fun Staff, creates interactive experiences that bring families closer to nature and each ...
David Brodie
Founder & CEO
Voyascape Podcast Network
David is founder of Voyascape and one of the world’s first travel podcasters, having launched the Travel in 10 podcast in 2005. He continues to host and produce Travel in 10 & also co-hosts the Journeytelling Podcast. He’s the former Global VP of an award-winning PR agency where he led award-winning campaigns for clients like Tourism Australia, Destination Brit...
Tony Carne
Co-Founder
Videreo
Tony has travel flowing through his veins. From starting as a guide to building the global Urban Adventures business at Intrepid Travel, Tony has always worked in service of the local businesses & communities who underpin travel. Tony continues this today at Videreo.
summary
In this episode of the Big World Made Small podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Tony Carne, co-founder of Videre...
Wells Jones
Author
A Line in the Sand Media
Wells Jones (aka Tad Jones) is former Navy Antarctic Pararescue & Survival Instructor, American Academy of Dramatic Arts NYC graduate with Off-broadway, commercial, TV & film credits, producer/director of multiple live events in venues including Kennedy Center Opera House, Lincoln Center Avery Fisher Hall and along the Red Sea Coast, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Wells ...
Emanuel Rose
Founder/Author
Strategic eMarketing
Emanuel Rose was born and raised on the West Coast of the United States. He has spent over three decades earning a reputation in cutting edge marketing. As an author and expert in the field, Emanuel specializes in direct response advertising, and content marketing at his digital agency, Strategic eMarketing.
His passion lies in helping companies achieve business success wit...
Edward Lyimo
Founder & CEO
Pristine Trails
As the founder of Pristine Trails, Edward brings 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, backed by a degree in African Wildlife Management. His commitment to ethical travel, team development and personal growth for his staff sets a unique standard in the local tour industry. Edward’s vision for Pristine Trails is clear: to stand out by embodying ethical travel practices ...
Angelo Carotenuto
Founder and Co-Owner
LivTours
Angelo Carotenuto, founder of LivTours, has been transforming travel since 2009 by creating intimate, unforgettable experiences across Europe. Starting as a tour guide and performer in his hometown of Rome, Angelo saw the demand for authentic, small-group and private tours and launched LivTours (formerly LivItaly Tours). A hands-on leader, he forges partnerships, ...
Tom Rosenbauer
Chief Enthusiast
The Orvis Company
Tom Rosenbauer has been with the Orvis Company since 1976, and while there has been a fishing school instructor, copywriter, public relations director, merchandise manager, and was editor of The Orvis News for 10 years. He is currently their chief marketing enthusiast, which is what they call people when they don’t know what else to do with them.
He has fished extensively ...
Juli Berwald
Author & President
Tela Coral
Marine invertebrates stole my heart on my first snorkel in the Red Sea during college. Hoping to study the ocean forever, I spent seven years building mathematical algorithms to interpret satellite imagery of the ocean, receiving my Ph.D. in ocean science.
My husband stole my heart next, and I drifted away from the ocean to Austin, Texas to be with him. Over the yea...
Kelsey Tonner
Founder
Guest Focus
Kelsey Tonner is the founder of Guest Focus Tour Business Coaching and for two decades he’s been helping tour business owners as a mentor, consultant, speaker, experience designer, guide trainer, and award-winning tour leader.
Since 2015, their programs have helped over 2,000 tour operators from 75+ countries around the world and Kelsey has been a regular speaker at o...
Jake Field
Owner
The Ultimate Adventure Travel Company
https://www.ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk/
My Name is Jake and I am the founder and owner of The Ultimate Adventure Travel Company. I have been working in the travel industry for the past 7 years and after leading many trips abroad to places like Everest base camp and Kilimanjaro i set out to pursue my dream of being a business owner and helping as many people as...
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