Travel With Meaning Podcast Celebrates Seattle’s Diverse Business Community

Host Mike Schibel is joined by Chef Kristi Brown, Laura Clise, and other notable Seattleites in a three-episode series presented by Visit Seattle 

Seattle – Visit Seattle has partnered with travel storytelling network Travel With Meaning (TWM) on a new three-episode podcast series centered on intentional travel in Seattle. The series delves into the stories behind many of Seattle’s multicultural and BIPOC-owned establishments, showcasing the personalities that contribute to the city’s vibrant business community. Along the way, TWM podcast host Mike Schibel visits Seattle’s top attractions and hidden gems, in a series set to inspire travel during Seattle’s ‘cozy season’ (the travel period from October – April, where travelers can enjoy the city’s mild, cozy winters – with less crowds and more budget-friendly accommodations). The series is now available on all major streaming platforms (including Apple, Audible, Spotify, and iHeart) and at www.travelwithmeaning.com

“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 first two episodes of TWM, co-host Jeannette Ceja, an award-winning bilingual travel journalist and TV host (known as Jet Set with Jeannette), joins the journey. Together, they spotlight Seattle’s Black and Hispanic-owned establishments, including Copacabana Restaurant, Footprint Wine Tap, Los Agaves, Maiz, Salvadorean Bakery & Restaurant, and The Station, alongside iconic attractions such as 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.

Over 70 members of LA’s travel community joined the live recording at the KINN Venice Beach. Guests enjoyed Washington wines, courtesy of the Washington State Wine Commission, along with Pacific Northwest inspired bites from LA-based Akasha Restaurant. Visit Seattle partners and local businesses, including Alaska Airlines, Atrium Kitchen, Bite Society, Eighth Generation, Filson, Hôtel Ändra, Monorail Espresso, Seattle Restored, Arvin Socks, and Refugee Artisan Initiative, donated items for attendee gift bags and raffles.

“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 podcast series is part of Visit Seattle’s ongoing commitment to making travel more accessible to multicultural audiences and educating visitors on intentional travel offerings in the city. Visit Seattle recently announced the third year of its Community Partnership Program with Seattle Bank, which aims to bolster tourism and economic vitality by supporting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+-owned establishments in underrepresented Seattle neighborhoods. A Spanish-language episode from the Seattle adventure, narrated by Jeannette Ceja, will be released by TWM later this year.

To view a comprehensive list of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ businesses in Seattle, visit Intentionalist, an online guide to intentional spending founded by Seattle local Laura Clise (who is featured in the podcast).

“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.”

The full series is now available at travelwithmeaning.com