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
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
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 possible travel the world and experience their...
Brian Schon
Co-Founder and President
True Colombia Travel and Cannúa
With ten years of experience leading travelers around Colombia, Brian is an expert in Colombian tourism and hospitality. He is focused on True Colombia Travel’s commercial and administrative departments, and is also one of a small number of internationally certified rummeliers (rum sommeliers) in Colombia. Brian grew up in the United States and earned an MBA and an M...
Maddi Bourgerie
Travel Expert
RVshare
Maddi is a seasoned travel expert with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Having explored nearly all 50 states, more than 25 countries, and 25 RV rentals, Maddi has a wealth of knowledge in outdoor travel. She is currently a full-time advocate for RVshare, where she passionately supports the company’s mission to help travelers discover the magic of RV adventures.
David Long
Founder
Eko Patagonia
A former exchange student turned visionary founder, my journey to creating Eko Patagonia led me to Chile’s pristine Aysén region. Through personal transformation and deep connection to the land, I developed the ALIVE AWAKE AWARE framework that now guides our lux boutique eco-lodge. Our innovative approach to regenerative travel combines world-class fly fishing, cultural immersion, a...
Lindsey Conroy
Owner, Lead Guide
AdZENtures
Lindsey is an avid traveler and has designed a life that is centered around movement, travel, unique experiences and social interactions…and yoga. She has been practicing yoga for the past 13 years and after a few years of practice, decided she wanted to learn more while having no intention to teach…that changed very quickly. She received her teaching certification in 201...
Kieron Wilde
Founder and CEO
First Nature Tours
Kieron Wilde is an Ecologist and Entrepreneur with 18 years of tourism industry experience. His company First Nature specializes in curating tours for individuals, corporations, and school groups that blend education, adventure, and sustainability to make a positive impact on the planet. Kieron is also the Vice Chair of the Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance – a bi-state...
Julian Kheel
Founder and CEO
Points Path
Over the last 15 years, Julian Kheel has become one of the world’s top experts on travel rewards. He first learned the ins and outs of travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment (and yes, of course it’s all real). He expanded his expertise on travel topics in the following years, writing...
Kim Bennett
Founder/CEO
AtlasGuru
Kim Bennett is a passionate leader with a mission to revolutionize travel planning through building an AI itinerary to Advisor. She launched AtlasGuru to empower travelers with honest information, sourced from a global community and uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology to personalize trip planning using human-curated itineraries from the platform.
Before AtlasGuru, Kim had ove...
Vanessa Gordon
CEO and Publisher
East End Taste
Vanessa Gordon is not just a name; she’s a powerhouse in the world of culinary travel and lifestyle!
As the CEO and Publisher of East End Taste, she curates a digital publication that dives deep into sustainable and international culinary travel, all with a refined focus on seasonal coastal destinations. Her passion for food and travel is palpable, making her...
Eric Sheets
Founder / Director
Latin Excursions
In Spring 2004, then a corporate-world warrior, I decided to bring some colleagues to the Galapagos Islands for an adventure in Darwin’s archipelago. My Ecuadorian mother instilled in me a deep love and appreciation for the islands, so this adventure to the Galapagos was a chance to share my insider knowledge with fellow travellers. The success of that first trip left...
Simon Locke
Co-Owner
Colombia57 Tour, Travel & Logistics
Simon grew up on a dairy farm in the beautiful New Forest, England where he developed a strong love for the countryside and fishing. His adventures in various industries helped him build valuable business skills—starting with Mechanical Engineering at an automotive leader and later launching his own successful startup focused on oak timber frame buildings...
Simon Grove
Company Owner
Simon Grove Travel
Having travelled extensively across Europe Simon embarked on an epic overland journey from London to Kathmandu via Nairobi in the mid-90s. Upon his return, he found his calling in the travel industry and joined Explore Worldwide as a tour leader.
Over the past three decades, he's worked in adventure, luxury, tailor-made, small group tour operators and has e...
Richard McColl
Colombia Jack of All Trades!
Colombia Calling Podcast
Richard is a long-time freelance foreign correspondent based in Colombia, host of the Colombia Calling podcast and the LatinNews podcast, author of Colombia at a Crossroads and owner of two small guesthouses in Mompos...in addition to being a husband to Alba and father to two small boys.
summary
In this episode, Jason Elkins speaks wi...
Sagar Pandey
Founder & CEO
Himalayan Glacier Adventure & Travel Company
Sagar Pandey, a name synonymous with excellence in adventure tourism and hospitality, has carved a remarkable legacy as the CEO and Founder of Himalayan Glacier Adventure and Travel Company. With a career spanning decades, his passion for connecting people with the splendour of the Himalayas and his commitment to uplifting local communi...
Popular Podcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!