Meet Charles Odom, the founder of Painted Circle, a platform on a mission to make travel more ethical, direct, and impactful. With a background spanning international development and years of experience across the US and Europe, Charles is passionate about connecting travelers with local experts and authentic experiences. In this episode, we dive into a powerful idea: “Travel isn’t just about what we bring to a place, it’s about what that place gives back to us. Every journey is a two-way street...
Jun 23, 2025•47 min•Season 8Ep. 10
Meet Shannon Dobbs, former nightclub owner, systems thinker, and fierce advocate for climate resilience. His path is anything but linear: - Army Psychological Operations - Running Nevada’s top LGBTQ+ nightclub - Donating 17,000 sq ft to tackle a food desert - Fighting off resistance from nonprofits and food lobbies - And now… pushing to bring water-growing soil tech to the U.S. But this story isn’t just about soil. It’s about systems that resist change, and the people who dare to push back anywa...
Jun 09, 2025•30 min•Season 8Ep. 9
You’ve seen tree planting. But not like this. Dr. Vinita Apte’s team isn’t planting saplings. They’re planting 15-foot indigenous trees with a 95% survival rate, even on barren land. Each site is surveyed, ponds are dug, irrigation systems are built, and fire protection lines are laid. It’s not a green PR exercise. It’s a high-effort, ground-up eco-restoration. This is what reforestation actually looks like when it’s designed to last. 🎧 Full episode with Dr. Vinitaa Apte available on Spotify, A...
May 26, 2025•32 min•Season 8Ep. 8
In this remarkable episode of Now Boarding , biologist and consciousness researcher Carlos Millan discusses documented cases of patients with complete brain damage who, astonishingly, regain full lucidity shortly before passing away. His explanation? Memory isn’t stored in the brain. It’s recorded in the electromagnetic field around the body. Carlos is the founder and head researcher at Biome, a company developing health tools to revitalize the holosomes- nano-units of conscious life within our ...
May 19, 2025•40 min•Season 8Ep. 7
In this powerful episode of Now Boarding , we sit down with Ali Horriyat, former financier and founder of Compassivist , a global movement that reimagines giving, compassion, and systemic change. Ali opens up about the radical decision to part with his entire fortune. He does this not for headlines, but to reclaim his freedom and realign his life with purpose. He shares how this choice changed his relationships, challenged traditional ideas of charity, and led him to create a platform focused on...
Apr 28, 2025•45 min•Season 8Ep. 6
What if the clothes you donate never make it to the shop floor? In this heartfelt episode of Now Boarding , we sit down with Julie Moorhouse, Founder of Good Maker Tales , to explore the surprising realities of sustainable fashion. Julie’s journey began not in fashion, but during quiet moments of reflection as a new mother navigating an unexpected career pause. What followed was a deep dive into the environmental cost of our wardrobes and a mission to make ethical fashion accessible and honest. ...
Apr 14, 2025•24 min•Season 8Ep. 5
In Episode 4 of Season 8 we raise a very pertinent question, Is sustainable tourism a myth? Jamie Burr, a responsible tourism marketer, challenges the way we think about travel. From an acting background to a career in tourism, Jamie’s journey revealed the hidden costs of the industry—from greenwashing to the exploitation of local communities. In this episode, we uncover: 🌍 Why "sustainable tourism" might not be what you think 💡 The real impact of tourism beyond carbon emissions 🚨 Why travele...
Mar 30, 2025•30 min•Season 8Ep. 4
In episode 3, Season 8, we are in conversation with Padma Chebrolu, a force to reckon with. From a childhood filled with dance, music, and poetry in Guntur, India, to winning 36 international awards as a filmmaker, Padma Chebrolu has always believed in the power of storytelling. But for her, it’s more than just art—it’s activism. Her latest film, Passage of the River, brings together Indian and Indigenous wisdom, highlighting the sacred connection between nature and humanity. “Trees, water, ai...
Mar 17, 2025•27 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Payal Nayar speaks with Trisha De Pasquale, an early childhood educator with 17 years of experience who combines her love for teaching with her personal travel experiences. Through innovative programs like Passport Adventures and American Adventures, Trisha takes children on immersive, imaginary journeys to explore cultures and destinations around the globe. Trisha explains how she integrates global insights into her lessons, creating interactive activities that encourage curiosity and connectio...
Jan 20, 2025•23 min•Season 8Ep. 1
In episode 4 of our series Natures Narratives, we meet Wajid, a dynamic individual whose life journey spans continents and diverse fields. Hailing from Pakistan, Wajid's path took him to England and eventually to America where he has made an impact in numerous arenas. As a Field Service Engineer, he transitioned into the world of entertainment, establishing himself as a stand-up comedian and union actor. His extensive experience includes voice-over work, narration, commercials, and roles in both...
Sep 23, 2024•32 min
In episode 3 of our new series Natures Narratives we meet Barbara Ann Briggs, a poet, podcaster, and author with a deep passion for spiritual growth and the exploration of consciousness. Barbara is also a certified Consciousness Advisor and has taught Transcendental Meditation for over 30 years. Her background in philosophy, poetry, and journalism offers a unique perspective on the path to self-awareness. Barbara has travelled widely and embraces the beauty of diverse spiritual traditions and co...
Sep 16, 2024•40 min
In our all new Season 7, series Natures Narratives, we meet Mary Trudeau, an experienced public speaker and university lecturer. She is also a professional engineer specialising in community water infrastructure, environment policy and climate adaptation. Mary has four university degrees with a PhD in geography. She has read her children’s books in schools and enjoys speaking with children about what the book inspires in their imaginations. Stay tuned and continue listening to the episode with o...
Sep 09, 2024•24 min
Our new season kicks off with a brand new series Natures Narrative. In episode 1 we meet Antara Lahiri, a distinguished social impact professional with nearly two decades of multi-country experience in philanthropy and evidence-based social policy. As a Fulbright scholar, she holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and has a strong legal background. Antara's passion lies in developing programs and policies that make a tangible differe...
Sep 01, 2024•27 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In episode 21 of Lens on the environment we meet Mathieu Johnsson, the visionary founder and CEO of Marble, a company revolutionising maritime monitoring with high-speed drone fleets. His deep-rooted passion for aerospace was nurtured by a family of aviators and skydivers. After studying aerospace engineering and working at Airbus on cutting-edge projects, his interest to innovate led to the creation of Marble. Stay tuned and continue listening to the episode with our host Payal Nayar to know mo...
Aug 19, 2024•37 min•Season 6Ep. 21
In episode 20 of our ongoing Lens on the environment series we talk to Julia Freer Goldstein, an accomplished author and business owner dedicated to making manufacturing more environmentally sustainable. A self-proclaimed materials geek, Julia's fascination with engineered materials like metals and plastics began during her college years in an Intro to Materials Science course. Julia emphasised the importance of reducing emissions and waste while recognising the need to impact the manufacturing ...
Aug 13, 2024•28 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Deyan Angeloev, as the founder of Organic Tee Star, has significantly contributed to the eco-friendly textile printing industry. With over 20 years of experience in advocating for a greener future, his journey from early initiatives in recycling to becoming a certified leader in organic textile production is remarkable. Stay tuned and continue listening to the episode to know more about Deyan’s insights on sustainability and how we can all contribute to a healthier planet. Deyan has dedicated hi...
Aug 05, 2024•30 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In episode 18 of our ongoing series Lens on the environment, we meet Selma Bichbich a passionate social and climate youth activist from Algeria. As the founder of the national NGO "Together for Blue and Green," Selma is dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable practices. Her commitment extends beyond national and regional efforts. Selma serves as the focal point for the environment and human rights thematic group at the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY), advocating for the...
Jul 29, 2024•43 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In this episode of our ongoing Lens on the Environment series we meet Jeffrey Charles Hardy, a distinguished healthcare system, service, and facility planning and design consultant. Jeffrey, is also a prolific writer, lecturer, speaker, and media guest, known for his expertise in topics such as “Patient Safe Hospital Design” and “The Mini-Hospital.” Jeffrey’s career began as a hospital corpsman in the United States Coast Guard, and he has since developed hospital services and facilities across t...
Jul 22, 2024•33 min•Season 6Ep. 30
In episode 16 of our ongoing series Lens on the Environment, we meet Pablo Vidal Santos, a talented documentary filmmaker and producer known for his impactful work with the NGO Education Without Borders and his own company, Producciones MundoDoc. Pablo’s inspiration to become a filmmaker started while pursuing his studies when he visited the Sahara refugees. Stay tuned to the episode with Payal Nayar to witness his dedication to storytelling. Pablo’s journey is one of a kind. Apart from his star...
Jul 08, 2024•30 min•Season 6Ep. 16
In episode 10 of our ongoing series Lens on the environment, we meet Kavya Saxena, a visionary founder of Craftpotli, an initiative dedicated to building an ecosystem for Adivasi tribal crafts from various parts of India. Despite her corporate career, Kavya remained deeply connected to India's diverse cultures and villages by frequently visiting neighbouring towns. The COVID-19 lockdown pushed her to pursue this passion full-time and she began travelling where saw the need to support tribal arti...
Jul 01, 2024•36 min•Season 6Ep. 10
In episode 10 of our ongoing Lens on the Environment series we meet Alex, a passionate traveller, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner dedicated to making authentic, responsible, and mind-expanding travel accessible to adventurers and curious souls worldwide. Hailing from Belarus, Alex has lived, studied, and worked in five countries before making Mexico his second home. Stay tuned to the episode with our host Payal Nayar as Alex shares his insights and experiences on navigating the world with pas...
Jun 24, 2024•28 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In episode 9 of our ongoing series, Lens on the environment, we meet Linda King, a seasoned author, travel writer and a travel blogger who brings wealth of experience from her former careers as a travel agent and banker. Travel has been a central part of her life since childhood and she has travelled around 34 countries discovering incredible destinations and cultures along the way. She also aims to inspire and help people make the most of their travel experiences while staying within budget. St...
Jun 18, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 9
As the producer and host behind two shows " Melting Po t" and " Now Boarding ," I'm deeply passionate about celebrating cultural diversity and advocating for our planet. With " Melting Pot ," my aim is to always create engaging content that highlights the beauty and significance of different cultures, fostering understanding and unity among listeners. Meanwhile, with " Now Boarding " it allows me to dive into the crucial topics of sustainability and wildlife conservation, inspiring and empowerin...
Jun 11, 2024•56 sec
In episode 14 of our ongoing series Lens on the Environment, we meet Eoghan Mcdonaugh, a filmmaker whose passion for storytelling is deeply rooted in his background in cultural anthropology. He has a distinctive approach that blends human-centered narratives with a profound reverence for the natural world. Eoghan's storytelling not only captivates audiences but also serves a higher purpose, aiming to provoke thought and inspire action. Stay tuned and listen to the episode with Payal Nayar as we ...
May 14, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 14
In episode 8 of our series Lens on the environment we meet Aner Etxebarria, a passionate documentary filmmaker whose dedication to biodiversity and indigenous communities has taken him on extraordinary journeys across the globe. Aner's love for wild nature and human connection has fueled his quest to capture and preserve stories that showcase these remarkable links. Stay tuned for the episode with our host Payal Nayar where Aner will take us on a journey to spotlight the untold stories of resili...
Apr 30, 2024•52 min•Season 6Ep. 8
In Season 6, episode 7 of our series Lens on the environment, we meet Kapil Bhatia, a trailblazer in the realm of sustainable brands. With a keen eye for style and dedication to the wellbeing of the planet, he stands at the forefront of a movement towards eco-conscious fashion. Kapil has not only pioneered the concept of fashion-forward garments but also is driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the planet. Stay tuned to listen to the episode with our host Payal Nayar as we explore the ...
Apr 22, 2024•25 min
In episode 6 of the series Lens on the Environment we discover the storytelling magic of Farida Pacha, a celebrated filmmaker with a passion for documentary. With awards spanning her career since 2000, Farida's journey from anthropology to filmmaking promises to captivate. Tune in to the episode with host Payal Nayar as we delve into Farida's inspiring work and cinematic vision. Step into the world of Farida Pacha, where storytelling meets profound exploration of the human condition. With her fi...
Mar 18, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 6
In Season 6 episode 5 we meet Darryl Owen, Owner of Freestyle Divers. Passionate about marine conservation, Darryl's initiatives empower citizen scientists and local conservationists. Tune in to this episode with host Payal Nayar as we dive into Darryl's efforts to protect our oceans and coastal communities globally. Join us in celebrating Darryl Owen, an entrepreneur and diving expert whose passion for marine conservation knows no bounds. As the owner of Freestyle Divers, Darryl spearheads inno...
Mar 04, 2024•36 min•Season 6Ep. 5
In this episode we are in conversation with Kim Haas, the visionary behind "Afro-Latino Travels." With over a decade of activism in Afro-Latino issues and fluency in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, Kim's journey is as inspiring as it is diverse. Stay tuned for the episode with host Payal Nayar as we explore Kim's trailblazing work and uncover the vibrant Afro-Latino culture she's dedicated to showcasing. Join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of Kim Haas, a trailblazer in Afro-Lati...
Feb 26, 2024•38 min•Season 6Ep. 5
In Episode 4 of Season 6, we are in conversation with Pawan Kapoor, who has over 45 years of professional experience, and Poonam Kapoor, a visionary leader, form a dynamic duo. Pawan's expertise spans technical and managerial roles, enriched by his philosophy of authentic Yoga. Poonam's multidisciplinary background in economics, counselling, and entrepreneurship complements his journey seamlessly. Stay tuned for an enlightening conversation with host Payal Nayar and the Kapoor couple, exploring ...
Feb 13, 2024•38 min•Season 6Ep. 4
