Soul of Travel: Women's Wisdom and Mindful Travel
Soul of Travel: Women Inspiring Mindful, Purposeful and Impactful Journeys
Hosted by Christine Winebrenner Irick, the Soul of Travel podcast explores the transformative power of travel while celebrating women in the industry who are breaking down barriers and inspiring others.
Each episode features conversations with passionate travel professionals, thought leaders, and changemakers who share insights on mindful travel practices, meaningful connections, and purposeful journeys.
The podcast highlights how travel can support personal growth, cultural understanding, and global sustainability, inspiring listeners to explore the world in a way that enriches both their lives and the communities they visit. Tune in to discover how travel and women in the industry are creating a positive impact.
Presented by JourneyWoman and Lotus Sojourns.
Soul of Travel: Women's Wisdom and Mindful Travel
Traveling with Heart and Connecting with Purpose with Cynthia B. Mothelesi
In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Cynthia B. Mothelesi.
With over thirteen years in the tourism industry, Cynthia B. Mothelesi has turned her lifelong love for travel into a purpose-driven journey that connects people, places, and cultures through her Botswana-based award-winning responsible tour company, Happy Soul Adventures. Cynthia’s travels in Malaysia, Australia, and the world sparked a dream: to create a safe, inclusive, and joyful space for solo female travelers and anyone seeking meaningful adventures. Cynthia believes that to truly experience Africa, you must go beyond the game drives and take time to immerse yourself in local life—share a meal, listen to stories, and dance under the stars with your hosts. Through her storytelling, Cynthia brings these moments to life and uses tourism as a tool for community empowerment and cultural exchange. Beyond travel, Cynthia also works as a tourism business consultant, leading training workshops in rural Botswana to help communities understand and thrive within the hospitality industry. Her long-term dream has been to establish a foundation (HSA Impact) that supports these initiatives sustainably—because empowering local hosts means building a stronger, more authentic tourism ecosystem for everyone.
Christine and Cynthia discuss:
· Transitioning from a short-term rental model to a full-service tour operator
· People and culture-centered soulful travel that prioritizes connection and safety
· Learning how to appreciate and showcase your own backyard
· Slow, responsible travel with community-building initiatives
· Breaking stereotypes and nurturing belonging and deeper mutual understanding through cultural exchange
Join Christine for this soulful conversation with Cynthia B. Mothelesi.
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To read our episode blog post, access a complete transcript, see full show notes, and find resources and links mentioned in this episode, head to the Soul of Travel Website.
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Visit Happy Soul Adventures to learn more about responsible tours in Botswana.
Connect with Cynthia on your favorite social media network! Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn
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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Cynthia B. Mothelesi (Guest). Origina
