Brewing Travel Shots: Recent Episodes
The Flapper Life
Brewing Travel Shots is an audio podcast featuring unsung travel stories of women travelers in India. In each episode, we share the journey of a woman who has taken an unconventional path in travel and tourism with exclusive unknown stories of what goes behind the scenes, advice on achieving dreams of travel, and insights on careers in the travel and tourism industry. It features all kinds of female boss travelers archeologists, bikers, wildlife naturalists, travelpreuners, and everything in between.
Brewing Travel Shots is hosted by The Flapper Life, women's travel and lifestyle company.
Welcome to the final episode of Brewing Travel Shots Season 3. This season was a blast! We had so much fun bringing to you different kinds of content, women and everything they do. In our last episode, we bring to you the wonders of the wild. Our host Zinal Doshi is in conversation with Vidya Venkatesh , the Director for the Last Wilderness Foundation, an NGO that focuses on conservation projects pertaining to Human-Wildlife coexistence. They work in partnership with the Forest Department along with local communities living around the forests of Central India.
Vidya has also been working with the Pardhis, a traditional hunting community, and the Baiga tribe, a vulnerable tribe, both of which depend on the forests. She was also the Project Coordinator for the Mumbaikars for SGNP Project, which is a citizen's project for managing the Human-Leopard conflict in Mumbai. Join us as we wrap up the year and the season with a roar!
To know more about Vidya Venkatesh and her work, you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidyavenkatesh/
To know more Last Wilderness Foundation : https://thelastwilderness.org/
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
On this week’s episode of Brewing Travel Shots, our host Zinal Doshi is talking about a very important topic of the tourism industry with Prachi Thakur a TEDx speaker and diversity trainer who co-wrote the regional report for Asia and the Pacific on Gender in Tourism for United Nations World Tourism Organisation in 2022. Using training as her tool, Prachi has been actively working with businesses in equipping individuals with inclusive skills and competencies. She frequently engages with a global audience via different mediums, including lectures at international universities, podcasts, and articles. She is a sought-after speaker and has been invited at multiple international conferences including UNWTO’s Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific to share how women can contribute to the future. She has trained women across several industries to build their way forward through her critical conversation program. Using both virtual and real-life training systems, Prachi is preparing workplaces to be more mindful of women.
Prachi also talks about the safety of women traveling, investing in their welfare, and strategies to help them advance in the tourism sector. As a young change-maker, her insights were truly helpful. Join us as they shed new light on diversity and inclusivity in travel and tourism.
To know more about Prachi Thakur and her work, you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prachi-thakur/
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
On this week’s episode of Brewing Travel Shots, our host Zinal Doshi is talking ecology and sustainability with Shagun Sinha, the founder of Geeli Mitti.
Geeli Mitti uniquely blends art and architecture to create vibrant ecologically sustainable structures. Based out of Nainital, they offer a wide range of workshops and courses and boast an exceptional research wing dedicated to the development of products like eco-bricks™. The foundation also promotes animal welfare, organic farming, and sustainable livelihoods for marginalized communities.
Shagun actually comes from a background in corporate management but now dwells her dreams in mud and aims for the sky! Join us, as they speak about the magic of living in a truly special community.
To know more about, Shagun Singh you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shagun-singh-161546a/?originalSubdomain=in
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
On this week’s episode of Brewing Travel Shots, our host Zinal Doshi is going on a gastronomical adventure with Hoihnu Hauze , author of The Essential North-East Cookbook. Hoihnu is extremely passionate about bringing the cuisine and culture of the North East to the rest of the world. She believes that the entire region is capable of becoming a major centre of world tourism. They also talk about the changes & challenges faced by the travel & hospitality industry in different states of the North East.
She is also a keen promoter of Northeast India which she hopes to promote and connect with the rest of the country and beyond, through her writings and entrepreneurial ventures, Northeast Odyssey (www.northeastodyssey.com), the only digital platform dedicated to showcase the wonderful and little-known hotels/resorts and homestays from the Northeast, founded in 2010. She also runs a digital magazine on Northeast of India called The NE Stories (www.thenestories.com), a digital magazine that narrates stories of hope, grit and success of people from Northeast India.
To know more about Hoihnu Hauzel's Initiatives : https://www.hoihnuhauzel.com/
To know more about Hoihnu Hauzel connect at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoihnu-hauzel-402b298/
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In our latest episode of Brewing Travel Shots, our host Zinal Doshi talks about Forest Therapy and healing with the Dipika Sinha , founder of Forest therapy India, who imbibes a concept very close to our hearts.
Dipika Sinha is the ultimate nature lover! She has studied at the European Forest Therapy Institute in Ireland and is a certified Forest Bathing Guide. She hosts regular walks in and around Delhi and exclusive Himalayan retreats in Uttarakhand. They talk about Shinrin-Yoku, a Japanese concept of bathing in the forest atmosphere or taking in the forest through our senses. They also discuss the growth of wellness tourism in India. A very interesting episode indeed.
To know more about Forest Therapy India : https://foresttherapyindia.com/
To know more about Dipika Sinha connect at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/dipika-sinha-36679042/
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
On our latest episode of Brewing Travel Shots, our host , Zinal Doshi is in conversation with Dr. Lajwanti Naidu, a tourism expert who gained her PhD at the age of 54. She sheds light on the latest tourism trends, her contribution towards Andhra Pradesh tourism and her mission for working towards responsible and inclusive tourism for the visually impaired.
Dr. Lajwanti also has an advanced certification course in Tourism from Cambridge University London. Additionally, her passion lies in Vocational Training where she has successfully imparted training programmes to several students at Amity University Noida and Air Force Vocational College Race Course New Delhi.
To know more about , Dr. Lajwanti Naidu you can reach her on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/lajwanti-naidu-ph-d-967aa914/
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In our latest episode of Brewing Travel Shots, our host Zinal Doshi talks about Astro-tourism and love for stars , space with Founder of Astrostays , Sonal Asgotraa . They discuss all about using Astronomy as tool for curating experiences to drive economic growth through Astro-tourism and community development.
Sonal Asgotraa is the Founder of Astrostays (www.astrostays.com) - a unique community centric Astro-tourism model that leverages Astronomy for creating sustainable Socio- economic Development opportunities for rural communities. The initiative merges Astronomy and community development initiatives to promote astro-tourism as a more sustainable form of travel that brings the economic benefits of tourism to remote areas, away from built up tourist regions - transforming village homestays into Cultural and Astronomy Hubs and economically empowering rural communities. Sonal was also a team member of the 2013 International Antarctic Expedition led by Polar Explorer, Sir Robert Swan, OBE
The Astrostays is owned and operated by the local Ladakhi community where village homestays are transformed into cultural and astronomy hubs. It offers an opportunity to reconnect with nature while gazing at the night sky, right under heavenly stars and constellations.
To know more Astrostays : www.astrostays.com
To know more about Sonal Asgotraa connect at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonal-asgotraa-bb055761/
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
Did you know that the little hamlet of Spiti in Himachal has its own ecosphere? Founded by Ishita Khanna, Ecosphere involves a wonderful relationship between locals and professionals. They focus on creating sustainable livelihoods that are linked to nature and culture conservation. In our latest episode of Brewing Travel Shots, our host Zinal Doshi talks about how trips and experiences can be carbon-neutral and less harmful to the environment. They also discuss volunteerism and its many benefits.
Ishita Khanna has been featured as one of India's 50 leading social entrepreneurs and was given the CNN-IBN Real Heroes award as well as an Ashoka Fellowship. Recognized as one amongst 50 amazing ambassadors of sustainable travel featured by Conde Nast Traveler India in 2019. Awarded with “Global Awards for Empowered Women in Tourism - Celebrating Her at ITB Berlin”, in 2017. Awarded with the L’Oréal Paris Femina Women Award in 2013 for our work in Spiti in the field of Environment. Awarded with the “Real Heroes award” from CNN-IBN in 2010. Featured as one of the 50 social entrepreneurs in India by Outlook Business (Sept 2009) that is making a positive difference to lives of people and the environment. "Conservation must be taken into account while travelling", says the co-founder of Spiti Ecosphere
To know more Spiti Ecosphere : https://www.spitiecosphere.com/
To know more about Ishita Khanna connect at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishitaecosphere/
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
Someone wise once said that people who have no knowledge of their history are like trees without roots. In our latest episode of Brewing Travel Shots, our host Zinal Doshi is doing her part to honor the heritage of our country with the guidance of Dr. Kamakshi Maheshwar
Kamakshi is a professor at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management and the coordinator of the Integrated Regional Tourism Development Program of Madhya Pradesh. She gives us some amazing insight into what exactly goes into converting a site into a UNESCO World Heritage Site ! She has been working in several flagship projects of Ministry of Tourism like Swachhta Action plan, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, IITFC. She has also been honored with awards like Limca Book of Awards(2008, 2010, 2012), Paryatan Gaurav Award by Gwalior Vikas Samiti, Kamla Devi National Award for Handicraft. She has recently authored a book titled 'Cultural and Heritage Resources of India' describing the different aspects and forms of Indian cultural heritage.- Heritologist - Community based Heritage Tourism. Join us as they discuss heritage tourism, sustainability, challenges and more.
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To Know more about Dr.Kamakshi Maheshwari you reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamakshi-maheshwari-813a125/
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 21, Season 3 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Garima Poonia Founder of The Kachrewaale Project, a young activist leading the way to make the Andamans plastic waste-free. The Kachrewaale Project is the first waste management project of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The first phase of TKP was executed with the aim of initiating source segregation and finding a way to transport recyclables to the mainland for recycling. waste from a beach cleanup was sent to Port Blair for recycling instead of being buried and burnt in the local landfill, thanks to the support of local divers and the DSS. In 2019, Garima was onboarded as a Solid Waste Management Consultant for Andaman and Nicobar Islands and spent the next two years supporting the government in various SWM initiatives
Waste segregation is the real challenge, and it is the most important thing to do because resorts are the primary generators of waste. Such a small island has 42 resorts registered, some of which are big, the kind you would find in cities. Unless resorts segregate their waste, Neil Island and other tourist islands are going to drown in their own waste,”
The Kachrewaale Project is now in Uttarakhand, conducting a study on waste and its impact in the Kumaon region, in collaboration with Green Communities Foundation.
There is nothing like ‘away’! When we throw something away, it ends up somewhere. And it stays there, creating problems for our planet.
To Know more about Garima Poonia, you reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garima-poonia-545a67203/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 20, Season 3 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Young changemaker Prachi Shevgaonkar, a Climate Entrepreneur and the founder of Cool The Globe - An app for climate action with users from 100+ countries. Prachi is the first Indian citizen to be appointed to the advisory board of Climate Leadership Coalition, alongside the prime minister of Finland and European Union Leaders. She has been named Green Crusader of the year by the International Advertising Association and is the youngest recipient of the prestigious Taru Lalvani Award for Environment Protection by Rotary. Prachi was awarded the Young Change-maker of the year by the Hon. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Hindu Businessline awards
Cool The Globe began with a simple question- what can I do about climate change? It helps citizens reduce their own Greenhouse Gas Emissions via targets. They discuss how to travel more mindfully and urge us to not live like there is another planet waiting for us. Earth is all that we have, and we should fight for it, together.
Download the Cool The Globe App NOW!
To know more about Prachi Shevgaonkar, you reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prachi-shevgaonkar-b8145714a/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 19, Season 3 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Dr. Shailaja Sharma, who has trained over 1,500 tour guides and tour leaders. She is a qualified trainer of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Association from London. She has designed and delivered various tour leadership programmes for travel corporates along with various tour guiding and leadership programmes for various state governments. Besides these, she has designed and delivered more than 35 training programmes for a range of stakeholders in the tourism industry, which include tour guides, tour leaders, tourist information officers, senior government officials posted in state tourism departments, cab drivers, travel agents, army personnel and so on. community projects such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. PHD IN tour guiding , Authored books on tour guiding : Introduction to Tourism
Sustainability is a beautiful balance between ecology and economy. And while there are many ways to achieve it, Dr Shailja Sharma brings one simple yet extremely effective way to do so- hiring local guides and tour leaders, not only to give you an authentic experience but to also help give back to their culture and community.
To know more about Dr. Shailaja, you reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-shailja-sharma-bb904116/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 18, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with, Mahila Fairooz, a 31-year-old Bangladeshi travel writer, based in Berlin, Germany. She has traveled to 97 countries on a Bangladeshi passport. Through her blog www.maliharoundtheworld.com, Maliha shares her experience of traveling as a brown, Muslim, Bangladeshi woman while simultaneously encouraging a culture of travel amongst Bangladeshi youth.
Mahila's three shots of Advice for every woman who wishes to start her Solo woman journey :
- On the first trip, you know the safety guidelines, places to go, and people, you want to meet.
- Stay in social places so that you don't feel completely alone.
- Don't be afraid to make connections, try day trips and you will surely make friends
To know more about Mahila Fairooz, you reach her on Instagram: @maliharoundtheworld and http://www.maliharoundtheworld.com/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 17, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Priyanka Mohite, a 30-year-old Indian Woman Mountaineer who hails from Satara district in Maharashtra and breaking the record of climbing 5 peaks above 8000m. Mohite has achieved this feat by climbing the third highest mountain on the earth recently on 5 May , Mount Kanchenjunga, which stands at a height of 8586m above sea level. Earlier in April 2021, she became the first Indian woman to climb the 10th highest mountain peak, Mt. Annapurna which stands at the height of 8091 m above sea level. Among her many achievements, she had also climbed the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, which is at a height of 8849 metres, back in 2013.
Mohite had also climbed Mount Lhotse which is at a height of 8516 meters, the fourth highest mountain, Mount Makalu (8485m), and Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m) in 2016. She started her mountaineering journey as a teenager by climbing the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra. Along the course of her mountaineering journey, Mohite has been awarded the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award as well as the Maharashtra Government’s Shiv Chhatrapati State Award for Adventure Sports. Currently, she works with Aurigene Discovery Technologies, as Research Associate . A scientist by profession and Mountaineer by Passion !
Priyanka's three shots of Advice for every women who wish to start mountaineer journey :
1) Get to know yourself first with basic courses and preparation required
2) Don't be an "Everester" , be a good "Climber " and try to climb every mountain peak in world
3) Taking one step back is not a failure , mountains will always be there , prepare and go back again , as life is important too
To know more about Priyanka Mohite , you reach her on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyanka-mohite-b3962090/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 16, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Eshika Fyzee, a wildlife filmmaker who emphasizes conservation in all the work that she does. After having finished placements at the BBC Natural History Unit and Icon films, as well as a Masters's in wildlife filmmaking in Bristol, Eshika founded the production company Pangea Films in January 2018 to focus on creating wildlife, adventure, and travel content that inspires change and further conservation of the natural world. She has produced a short film on a snow leopard expedition in the Indian Himalayas and has recently filmed in Nepal with National Geographic Traveller India. Eshika is currently producing a feature-length documentary on a critically endangered species. Motto: – Giving back to the earth by telling its stories through her films. Eshika’s first documentary, Vinu the Elephant Keeper, got nominated at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Then, her film on the snow leopard won The Best Mountain Wildlife Film at the IMF Mountain Film Festival. Later, her brown bear film won multiple accolades, which opened up many other opportunities for her. Eshika's advice on travel:
Try and contribute something on your travels. Support local communities Tune into yourself to tune into Nature.
To know more about Eshika Fyzee, you reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshika-fyzee-94406218/ If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon. To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/ To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 15, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Rigzin Lachic, the daughter of a serving Indian Air Force officer from Ladakh, had barely lived there. Education and vocation had taken her from Ladakh to the cold climes of Ooty, Japan and eventually Delhi. After working for a South Delhi-based startup for two years, she moved back to Leh in 2017 wanting to start a sustainable boutique resort in her grandmother’s orchard. Eventually, Lachic and her team found a group of women weavers, who used hand-picked and hand spun wool from Changthang (a high-altitude plateau in southeastern Ladakh famous for its pristine lakes and pashmina) to weave carpets.
Founder : Hatti Ladakh Shop |Vice President - All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association |
Dolkhar Ladakh - An upcoming boutique stay that aims to preserve and promote Ladakh's history and tradition through art, architecture and food. | Founder : Tsas, translates to ‘a kitchen garden’ in the Ladakhi language - A hyper-local, plant based restaurant set in an apple and apricot orchard within an upcoming luxury boutique stay, Dolkhar, in Leh, Ladakh.
Founder : Hatti Ladakh Shop : That’s where the idea for the ‘Hatti’ (which means shop in local parlance) initiative—a shop where these traditional artisans can sell their goods to both locals and tourists—came into being.
“Ladakh’s craftsmanship is a perfect reflection of our cultural heritage. Most art and craft serve the needs of local people. Understanding why these products were made only makes us realise how much thought went into creating and then eventually using these things in our daily life
Rigzin's advice for everyone who wants to visit Ladakh:
1) Research well more on the culture than the scenic value of Ladakh.
2) Expand your horizon as a traveler.
To know more about Rigzin Lachic , you reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rigzin-lachic-90598ba3/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 14, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Azmat Ali Mir, founding partner at Manzar and assumes the role of the COO. After studying Computer Science Engineering, Azmat worked with multiple Ed-Tech and youth leadership start-ups before joining a design firm. Having spent considerable time working in the crafts and events sector, she decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge and founded Manzar in 2019. Her creative flair and experience of over 7 years in Leadership, Management, Sales, and Operations help drive the company towards its vision.
Azmat's three shots of advice for everyone who wants to visit Kashmir:
1) Kashmir is the safest and most comfortable to travel for solo women travelers. This is proved by statistics. (must listen to the conversation)
2) One word of recommendation for any traveler - come with an open mind and time. Spend time with locals to understand the life there.
3) Don't take more than you can give back. Be a sensitive traveler.
To know more about Azmat Ali Mir, you reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azmatalimir/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 13, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Hemali Mehta aka @productivitytheory on Instagram.
Pune-based artist Hemali Mehta who is also an illustrator, designer, and art instructor, took her passion for urban sketching and created a colorful chronicle of her travels to Ladakh. From mountains to monasteries, her artwork will stoke the fire of wanderlust in you.
Hemali's shots of advice:
1) Don't over plan and Google the places before traveling. Don't make a to-do checklist.
2) Take volunteer projects and try and give back to the community.
To know more about Hemali Mehta, you reach her on Instagram - https://instagram.com/productivitytheory?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 12, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Anuja Phadke and Sneha Mahashabde - Co-Founders of The Kokum Tree, an experiential home-stay nestled amongst a flourishing orchard situated in Raigad District of Konkan.
Their lives before The Kokum Tree were made up of very different elements. While managing jobs (Anuja worked as a management consultant and Sneha as an architect) and the hectic lifestyle that came with it, they continually longed to live closer to nature. Over the years they wished to adopt a way of life that was rustic and primal.
Their grandmother's orchard at Lonere is a place that has been cultivated over a span of 30 years. Aaji's hard work and wisdom nourish everything - From the lush textures of this land to the bounty of fruit that grows here. Every time they visited Lonere over the years it pushed them to think more about the lifestyle they envisioned. So, packing up from their jobs, families, and friends in the city Anuja and Sneha are nowhere.
The Kokum Tree represents their sentiment of a life that is open and organic; where people connect to the virtues that safeguard our eco-system. They are always willing to personally interact with guests and look forward to a creative exchange!
Three Shots of Advice from Anuja and Sneha:
1) Women should take breaks for themselves, Period Don't ignore yourself.
2) Experience food from home away from home , without any load .
3) Experience local and enjoy the best of your own company and feel part of the community in Homestay.
To know more about Anuja Phadke you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuja-phadke-5a932a16/
To know more about Sneha Mahashabde you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sneha-mahashabde-18812229/?originalSubdomain=in
Want to know more about The Kokum Tree: Check out their Website: https://www.thekokumtree.in/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review, and lookout for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 11, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Aparna Vedpuri Singh Founder & CEO, and Anju Jayaram, Co-Founder of Women's Web, India's leading digital platform for women, a space that enables story-telling, inspiration, connection, and learning for working women and women who aspire to work & empower themselves.
Aparna holds a post-graduate diploma in Communications (PGDC) from the prestigious Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA). After a decade-long corporate career, she started Women’s Web, perceiving a need in the Indian market, for an authentic market that served all the women’s interests.
Anju Jayaram is the Co-Founder of Women's Web. With an MBA from Pune University and Digital Marketing from Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad (MICA). Anju is passionate about brands and has been at the helm of product launches, brand building, and events.
Three Shots of Advice from Aparna and Anju:
- Take Routine self-care sessions. Incorporate it into your daily routine.
- Me time and self-care should not be a special thing that is done once a while, it should be in your DNA
- Find your tribe who brings joy in your life
- Focus on your happiness First, Don't lead an unhappy life.
To know more about Aparna Vedpuri Singh you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparna-vedapuri-singh/
To know more about Anju Jayaram you reach her on Linkedin -https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-jayaram-she-her-742422b/
Want to know more about Women's Web: Check out their Website: https://www.womensweb.in/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and lookout for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 10, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Madhureeta Anand, a filmmaker, activist, and the Founder of Phree For Safety- a safety ratings app that makes public spaces safer by harnessing user safety ratings.
She is an activist for women’s rights and the rights of other minorities. She has consistently used her films and influence to support the causes of ending violence against women and children. Madhureeta has a column “The Big M” on India Today’s website DailyO. Madhureeta has twice been awarded the Karamveer award for her work that combines filmmaking with activism.
The ‘Phree App’, allows users, particularly women and the transgender community, to rate commercial establishments, streets, and areas for safety. The app helps create a map marking out safe/unsafe spaces, thereby creating a pre-emptive safety environment for these vulnerable segments of society. It is a unique app open to users from around the world backed by ‘Made in India’ technology.
Madhureeta Anand's advice for safe solo traveling:
- Rely more, Communicate more, and seek community support.
- Be empowered, and empower others.
To know more about Madhureeta Anand you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhureeta-anand-5010382/
Want to know more about Phree: Check out their Website: https://phree.co/about.html
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
"Most people pick hills, beaches, and such because they think rural travel is unsafe, unhygienic, and inaccessible. I wish to break that myth," says the solo & Rural traveler, Kavya Saxena who is on a quest to build a rural experience ecosystem with Craftpotli.
In Episode 9, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with Kavya Saxena aka @crazyfeetkavya on Instagram.
Kavya Saxena an HR Generalist with 13 years of Strategic HR / L&D expert, started her quest for traveling solo through rural India during a pandemic and has clocked 118 days already on road with her Mahindra, lovingly called ‘Shakti’. After 9 long years of surviving the corporate treadmill in one of the top Fortune 500 companies, as well as heading interesting brands like @treeofliferesorts @canvaslaughclub @vajor, and others, she finally bid farewell to corporate life and started on the journey of a lifetime. Hailing from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Kavya had always been interested in the indigenous arts and crafts of rural India, which made her often engage in projects related to the same. But juggling both a full-time job, along with her passions proved too much for her. Hence, It was during the lockdown that she took the plunge and left the confines of conventional life to embark on a career that would change her forever. Her chief motivation was none other than getting to know the grassroots of this country down to the very detail.
Kavya Saxena's three shots of advice:
1) If you want to start traveling Solo, especially in rural tourism - Go explore within 50 Kms of your backyard, Just walk down/hire bike/car and explore.
2) Create layers of income to start traveling. You don't have to quit your jobs to travel.
3) Look out for opportunities to support and experience in rural areas of our country.
To know more about Kavya Saxena, you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kavyasaxena/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In India, conversations on Women sanitation and hygiene has always been considered as a taboo. Women do not travel because they are afraid of not finding hygienic restrooms on the go.A high percentage of women hold their urine for long hours, at times the whole day due to inaccessibility. This has adverse effects on women’s health and overall body system 90% of the women check about restroom facilities in the journey location before signing up.
In Episode 8, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the hos Zinal Doshi is conversing with Co-Founder Woloo - Mrs. Rupali Kelshikar, the one who is building restrooms/powder rooms for women in India.
Rupali come with 20+ years experience in Global Fashion Retail Supply-chain. Ex-Country Head of an Italian Fashion House. A globally experienced Fashion Apparel Retail Buying and Merchandising professional, specializes in Buying /Merchandising & Supply Chain Management. Rupali has done her graduation in Textile Chemistry & Post Graduation in Textile Management. Has worked as Country Head for Gianel SRL, Italy. An Italian origin Fashion house catered to brands like Armani, Miss Sixty, Guess, Marlboro Clothing, Diesel. Rupali Co-Founded DSGN Inc & headed the business development and operations of Woloo.
Woloo enables women to locate nearest clean, safe & hygienic washrooms as you travel. Woloo has 1000+ Hygiene Certified Washrooms hosted by premium restaurants & cafes in Mumbai.Woloo is an app that helps working women find a nearest safe & hygienic washroom. Each washroom follows a standard protocol to ensure safety, cleanliness, and hygiene therefore ensuring that women do not have to think twice before walking into a Woloo enabled loo.
To know more about Rupali Kelshikar, you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoba-mohan-734b3226/
To know more about Woloo, you can check the Website: https://woloo.in/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and lookout for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
Sustainability has been the center of dialogue since climate change has become a global concern. In tourism, sustainability is about adapting not only to the environment but to culture and local communities too. Sustainable practices drive economic growth and benefit the local community of a destination.
A lot of travelers are getting aware and conscious about their carbon footprints but we have a long way to go. In Episode 7, Season 2 of Brewing Travel shots the hos Zinal Doshi is conversing with Founder Partner of Rare India - Mrs. Shoba Mohan. She is a sustainability patron and leading the path in redefining the term luxury travel.
Shoba Mohan is the Founder Partner of RARE India, a company that has been promoting experiential travel in the subcontinent for over two decades. Luxury alongside conservation and community-based tourism with sustainability as a keystone value for tourism and hospitality is a value addition RARE India promotes to travelers around the world. She has been the A list Advisor for tourism and hospitality for Travel+ Leisure and sits onboard associations for change like RTSOI and TTC USA. Well known for her ideal to promote sustainable travel as a future-ready idea, she believes that luxury has to be redefined around parameters that believe in the protection and preservation of the planet.
RARE India is a collection of some of the finest boutique hotels with its heart set around conscious luxury travel.
Shoba Mohan's three shots of advice:
- There is a direct correlation between women's empowerment and sustainable development. Women are naturally nurturers, more aware, and are action-oriented. More voices on sustainable goals, louder the impact.
- Something that has worked for you, share with your tribe. Sharing and creating your tribe is key to the spread of sustainability values.
- Ask questions to get the authenticity to come out.
To know more about Shoba Mohan, you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoba-mohan-734b3226/
To know more about Rare India, you can check the Website: https://www.rareindia.com/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and lookout for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 6 of Brewing Travel Shots, the host Zinal Doshi converses with Saumya Pankaj Founder and driving force of The Indian Craft Project. The India Craft Project (TICP) co-creates products and experiences with traditional partner artisans across India.
At The Indian Craft Project, they make constant endeavors to facilitate first-hand cultural experiences with artisanal communities, across crafts, pan India. Widening the 'handicraft' portfolio in, co-creating for them to learn and grow, together.
Corporate Gifting, Wedding trousseau, and animated invite to branding and packaging - they're constantly working towards keeping the creative curve high.
They facilitate from conducting creative photography workshops to helping, setting up online and Instagram accounts - Artisans today, from remote villages, are all set to conduct online workshops and teach their craft and have been active in doing so so far! In return, they have received humbled virtual tours of villages, which gave them a much-needed respite during the lockdown.
The India Craft Project being youth-driven, plays a humble but sure part, in celebrating our cultural heritage. Saumya's work has moved seamlessly into Community Engagement and Social Design especially in the creative spaces of rural India. "The Spaces Between Art, Craft and Humanity" presents most of her work, focused on asking unique questions that challenge the conventional wisdom of how stories run objects and every object has a memory.
Saumya's three shots of Advice :
- Be open to Unlearning.
- Trust the process and be mindful of your actions
- Take baby steps and remember no kind of learning is gonna go waste
To know more about Saumya Pankaj, you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/saumya-pankaj-b6533159/.
To know more about The Indian Craft Project, you can check the Website: https://theindiacraftproject.com
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and look out for the next season coming soon. To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 5 of Brewing Travel Shots, the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with two of the Co-Founders of Tripster Buddies Lakshana Suresh & Durgesh Nandhini
Tripster Buddies is one kind of holistically curated mom and kids Educational, Experiential, Rejuvenating, and soul-nourishing Trip. It creates moments where you will learn a lot and unlearn even more.
-Mindfully curated trips by two unschooling mothers who believe in experiential learning.
-Trips are curated keeping in mind the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual development of the child.
-At Tripster, the intention is to expose the child and not teach; kindle the fire in the child and not expect outcomes.
-We are a family of unconditional parenting practitioners. We work towards building an environment of a nonjudgmental community.
-Tripster trips are theme-based. We would be visiting a variety of places and be doing a variety of activities but a centric idea would be more focused. Because children learn through repetition and correlation.
-Tripster Buddies trips are not rushed. We do not aim to tick off our to-do list. But rather cherish the present moment by letting the kids be themselves.
-Tripster Buddies is not just a travel company but a growing community of unconditional love.
Lakshana's and Nandhini's three shots of advice:
- Believe in yourself and face your fears.
- Listen to the nature and local side of the world as there is so much to learn from slow life.
- Adventure makes you meet your true self, so grab the adventure opportunity.
To know more about Tripster buddies, you can reach them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripsterbuddies/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and lookout for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 4 of Brewing Travel Shots, the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with two of the Co-Founders of Nima Goos Goos - Padma Angmo and Rigzin Angmo.
Nima Goos Goos was started by four women from Ladakh, to promote the uniqueness of the ingredients of the Himalayas through working with traditional knowledge. We started with pop-up stalls where we sold cakes and beverages made from local buckwheat, wild rose, and apricot, which took us from one event to the next. The overwhelming response from these experiences made us focus on herbal tea that is non-perishable and can be shared with the world more conveniently. The stories of the potent benefits of these herbs can be traced back to Tibetan meditators like Milarepa, who solely survived on nettles leaves. Our big vision is to awaken people to the nutritional and economic value of these ingredients and bring the highest quality tea from Ladakh to the world.
Padma acts as a bridge, connecting local farmers, foragers with Nima Goos Goos. Her passion to reconnect with the local culture and trace local flavors led her to embark on a journey across Ladakh to discover the uniqueness of the place. She is also a big-time foodie and keeps on exploring new things around her. In her pursuit, she wants to preserve and showcase the traditional delicacies of the region in the form of mouth-watering pesto’s and rejuvenating varieties of tea to the world. Her love for farming keeps her close to nature and she lives a farm life in the abode of the Himalayas. As a young entrepreneur, she is challenging the status quo of society and walking the road untaken.
Rigzin Angmo is a political science student with a flair for working for heritage and its preservation. She is a woman with an aptitude for promoting local culture and cuisine and a diehard fan of sustainability. Hence most of the organizations she was a part of were enshrined with these ideas. After her schooling in Ladakh, Rigzin moved to Delhi to pursue higher studies only to realize that away from home, she was lost. She was interested in doing something for her own people through social Entrepreneurship. So, she came back and joined Naropa Fellowship Program in Ladakh which is aimed at cultivating entrepreneurs to bring positive change to the society. It was during this program that she and her co-founders found the potential of home-grown crops and herbs. Hence, founded the venture “Nima Goos Goos” to promote the uniqueness of Ladakh through food. She is currently the chief marketing Officer of Nima Goos Goos.
Padma's & Rigzin's three shots of advice:
- If you have a great idea, there are great opportunities and communities to support you. Collaborate and grab all the support to flourish.
- Explore more and take risks.
- There is no right or wrong pace to entrepreneurship, if you are taking time, you are researching and analyzing more.
To know more about Nima Goos Goos, you can reach them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimagoosgoos/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 3 of Brewing Travel Shots, the host Zinal Doshi converses with an entrepreneur who is into community building and travel.
Happiness ambassador, workaholic traveler, community builder, and a colossal creative think tank – these are just a handful of adjectives that define this young and vibrant entrepreneur. An engineering graduate with an unmatched passion for sales, Vandita Purohit began her entrepreneurial journey with Mint Tree, essentially focussing on lead generation. She attributes the learnings from her first venture to the best of their kind, which gave her the desired inertia to dream big, hustle, and never give up. Few years and many more diverse ventures down the line, she is a co-founder of one of the most sought-after co-working spaces in Pune – The Daftar, she also lends her keen expertise in areas such as space design, collaborations, and events.
Vandita's three shots of advice:
- If you have a zeal to do something, just go for it. Don't think about your failures and stop yourself.
- Innovation is key, keep changing with time.
- Listen to everyone but do what you want to do and what is best for your business.
To know more about Vandita Purohit, you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanditakediapurohit/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and look out for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 2 of Brewing Travel Shots, the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with one of the leading women on wheels in India - Jai Bharthi
An avid motorcyclist, Jai Bharathi has experienced immense freedom and joy owing to her passion for motorcycles and travel. She was conferred the “Vishishta Mahila Puraskaram” under the Adventure category by the Department of Women & Child Welfare, Govt. Of Telangana in 2019 and several other awards. Leading Bikerni Hyderabad, a regional chapter of ‘The Bikerni’ an all-women motorcycle club since its inception in 2013, she has led multiple motorcycle expeditions - to Ladakh, from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, a cross-country expedition across six nations in South East Asia covering 17000 km, Bathukamma ride in Telangana covering 1200 km and 17380 km Wheels of Will expedition across the USA in 35 days. She has also authored a book (in English and Telugu) on organizing & leading the first of its kind all-women cross country motorcycle expedition.
Her efforts in the field of motorcycling have been appreciated by our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi & the Chief Minister of Telangana Mr. K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Professionally an architect, Jai Bharathi has also worked with several nonprofit organizations in the space of economic empowerment of women, education for children, solar lighting, and has also been active in relief work during natural calamities. Her passion for her motorcycles and inclination towards social issues inspired her to work towards empowering women using mobility as a tool. She founded Mowo Social Initiatives in February 2019, to build an eco-system for women in mobility.
Jai Bharathi's three shots of advice:
- Every woman should go on one solo adventure or join a group/like-minded tribe, it will help connect her with the best and worst of abilities.
- Don't let the questions in your mind let you down or stop you from traveling.
- Make travel part of your life not once but every year.
To know more about Jai Bharathi, you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaibharathi/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and lookout for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life, connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi, you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
In Episode 1 of Brewing Travel Shots, the host Zinal Doshi is conversing with India's first woman Safari guide, Ratna Singh.
Ratna Singh has been working in the field of wilderness tourism for over 15 years. After having spent about a decade with India's premier Safari company, the Taj Safaris, she has been working as an independent professional for the last few years. Her focus now is sustainable wilderness tourism and community development, with women empowerment having a very special spot in her endeavors. Along with private hospitality companies, Ratna works on training projects with various Tiger Reserves and wilderness parks in the country, helping train locals to work in the tourism sector. She was awarded the Rex Karmaveer Chakra, instituted by the UN & iCongo for her work with communities living on the periphery of the jungle.
Ratna's three shots of advice:
- Give it a shot, Try and fail rather than not tried at all.
- Power through the World.
- If you put on a brave face, bravery will follow.
To know more about Ratna Singh, you reach her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratna-singh-0907182b/
If you liked our episode, please subscribe and leave us a review and lookout for the next episode coming soon.
To know more about The Flapper Life connect at: https://www.instagram.com/theflapperlife/
To know more about the host Zinal Doshi you can reach her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/
Brewing Travel Shots is an audio podcast featuring unsung travel stories of women travelers in India. In each episode, we share the journey of a woman who has taken an unconventional path in travel and tourism with exclusive unknown stories of what goes behind the scenes, advice on achieving dreams of travel, and insights on careers in the travel and tourism industry. It features all kinds of female boss travelers archeologists, bikers, wildlife naturalists, travelpreuners, and everything in between.
Brewing Travel Shots is hosted by The Flapper Life, women's travel and lifestyle company.