Travel With Meaning Podcast Spotlights Seattle’s Vibrant Multicultural Businesses – Travel And Tour World

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Visit Seattle has teamed up with the travel narrative platform Travel With Meaning (TWM) to launch an engaging three-part podcast series that explores purposeful tourism in Seattle. This series takes a deep dive into the narratives surrounding Seattle’s diverse, BIPOC-owned businesses, highlighting the dynamic individuals that energize the city’s bustling commercial landscape. Mike Schibel, the host of the TWM podcast, navigates through both renowned and obscure sites in Seattle, aiming to spark interest in visiting during the city’s “cozy season” from October to April. This period offers a gentler, quieter visitor experience with milder winters and more economical lodging options.

“The cozy season in Seattle offers a unique opportunity to experience the city’s warmth and culture at a relaxed pace,” said Mike Schibel, host of TWM, a lifestyle network connecting people through travel storytelling, with over 100 episodes featuring notable guests such as Chef Eric Adjepong, Jason Mraz, Christina Ochoa, and Phil Rosenthal. “It allowed us to connect more deeply with the community and explore the city’s rich multicultural tapestry.” 

In the initial episodes, co-host Jeannette Ceja, an acclaimed bilingual travel journalist and television presenter (also known as Jet Set with Jeannette), accompanies the exploration. They focus on local Black and Hispanic-owned businesses such as Copacabana Restaurant, Footprint Wine Tap, Los Agaves, Maiz, Salvadorean Bakery & Restaurant, and The Station, while also visiting signature attractions like the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass.

“I loved traveling to Seattle and connecting with the Hispanic-Latino community there,” said Ceja. “It was a very heartwarming experience, especially as a Latina journalist and traveler, to be able to do interviews in English and Spanish. Thank you, Visit Seattle and TWM, for uplifting and celebrating the Hispanic-Latino community and business owners. I was honored to share their important contributions and stories from Seattle with the world.” 

The third episode, recorded in front of a live audience in Los Angeles, features an interview with James Beard-nominated Chef Kristi Brown, founder of That Brown Girl Cooks! and owner of COMMUNION Restaurant and Bar. She shares how Seattle’s multicultural communities influenced her culinary journey and the impact of opening a restaurant in the Central District, Seattle’s historically Black neighborhood.

“I still am discovering things about Seattle, even now, I’m finding new things all the time,” said Chef Kristi Brown in the podcast, while documenting her experiences visiting Seattle’s Asian food markets. “There’s so much to learn about and so many cultures … It broadened my mind.” 

The series recording witnessed the participation of over 70 Los Angeles travel industry professionals at KINN Venice Beach. The event featured wines from Washington, provided by the Washington State Wine Commission, and dishes inspired by the Pacific Northwest from the LA-based Akasha Restaurant. Key partners of Visit Seattle and various local enterprises, including Alaska Airlines, Atrium Kitchen, Bite Society, Eighth Generation, Filson, Hôtel Ändra, Monorail Espresso, Seattle Restored, Arvin Socks, and Refugee Artisan Initiative, contributed gifts and raffle items for the event.

“The way travelers are consuming content and seeking destination inspiration is shifting,” said Kau’ilani (Ui) Robinson, director of public relations for Visit Seattle. “Today, people can ‘press play’ on their wanderlust – and delve into a new destination through viewpoints of storytellers who resonate with their unique travel styles. Partnering with TWM – a podcast that has thrived through its growing community of travelers – is a way for us to tap into this shift and get acquainted with a new audience, while showcasing the diverse businesses that are the heart of our city.” 

This initiative underscores Visit Seattle’s continued dedication to enhancing accessibility to travel for multicultural groups and informing visitors about the city’s deliberate travel opportunities. Furthermore, Visit Seattle recently announced the third iteration of its Community Partnership Program with Seattle Bank, which is dedicated to fostering tourism and economic growth by supporting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+-owned businesses in less represented Seattle areas. Additionally, a Spanish-language episode recounting the Seattle adventures, narrated by Jeannette Ceja, is set to be released by TWM later this year.

For a detailed directory of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ businesses in Seattle, Intentionalist, an online resource aimed at purposeful spending and founded by Seattle’s own Laura Clise (who appears in the podcast), is available.

“Travel is about more than just seeing new places; it’s about connecting with the people and stories that make those places unique,” said Schibel. “Through this podcast series, we hope to inspire travelers to explore Seattle with intention and discover the rich diversity that makes the city so special.”