The Sustainable Voice® Podcast Presented by Big Five Tours and Expeditions

What does it really take to make aviation more sustainable—and who gets left behind when fuel becomes a global issue? In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and special guest Jennifer Ochsenfeld unpack sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the realities behind today’s jet fuel challenges, and why the conversation extends far beyond carbon emissions. Together, they explore ho...

Travel can leave a destination better than it found it, but only when it's done with intention. In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka welcomes Annie Jones, founder of the Travel For Better Foundation, for a candid conversation about climate data, luxury travel, and the role tourism can play in supporting communities, protecting destinations, and creating long-term p...

When cultural heritage weakens, entire generations lose the ability to trace where they come from. In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka explores how Indigenous communities are impacted when economic pressure forces migration to cities, and what is lost when traditions, land, and lived knowledge are left behind. The conversation connects data, lived experience, and real...

Ashish Sanghrajka sits down with special guest Aziz Hajee, Tanzania Country Manager and longtime safari expert, for an honest conversation about luxury tourism, living wages, and the future of African safaris. Using the backdrop of the New York Times article on Maasai Mara overcrowding , this episode of The Sustainable Voice® explores the real cost of travel, the pressure of “lowest price” marketi...

Step aboard The Sustainable Voice® as host Ashish Sanghrajka reconnects with Ines Orihuela of Delphine Cruises to revisit the idea of “locally owned” tourism and why it matters more than ever. Building on a previous episode, this conversation looks at what really happens behind the scenes when travelers choose locally rooted experiences over convenience-driven models. Key Takeaways ✅ Locally owne...

In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, Ashish Sanghrajka breaks down what fair trade tourism really means, beyond the labels and marketing. From fair wages and community ownership to environmental responsibility and cultural preservation, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how tourism can either empower or exploit. Through real-world stories from Africa, South America, and beyond, Ash...

Step beyond the headlines and into the real Colombia. In this episode of The Sustainable Voice® , host Ashish Sanghrajka sits down with Abraham Dau—entrepreneur and owner of El Arsenal: The Rum Box in Cartagena—to explore the country’s evolution, its challenges, and the vibrant culture often overlooked. From politics and economic shifts to hospitality and resilience, this conversation offers a gro...

In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka explores what it’s really like to witness democracy in action while traveling. After being in Uganda during a presidential election and nationwide internet shutdown, Ashish shares firsthand observations from conversations with voters waiting in line across cities and rural villages. The discussion offers a deeper look at civic pride...

Water is not a future crisis — it’s a present responsibility. In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka sits down with special guest James Currie, former South African field guide and current host of A Wild Connection, to explore the delicate balance between tourism, water scarcity, and local communities. From safari camps in Botswana to drought-stricken Cape Town, this con...

Tipping is more than a transaction, it reflects culture, dignity, and human connection. In this episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka sits down with special guest Cris Vera to explore the ethics, economics, and expectations behind global tipping culture. From Peru to the United States and Europe, they unpack how gratuities shape traveler behavior, influence livelihoods, and rev...

Recorded on location in Northern Kenya, this episode of The Sustainable Voice® captures a rare, intimate conversation about community-led conservation, trust, and what sustainable tourism looks like when it truly serves local people. Hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and special guests Boni and Solomon, leaders and team members behind Olentile, explore how cultural respect, long-term thinking, and shared re...

The Sustainable Voice® returns with a reflective, honest conversation about what it really means to set goals that matter. Hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky sit down at the close of the year to talk about pressure, panic, progress, and the power of small, intentional choices. From personal loss to professional milestones, this episode centers on redefining success in a way that brings pea...

In this heartfelt episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka sits down with his sister-in-law, artist Sheena Patel (@sheenapatelart), for an honest conversation about translating emotion into visual expression. From her studio in the cold while Ashish broadcasts from Luxor, Egypt, they explore how art becomes a bridge between our inner world and human connection. Sheena shares the s...

In this revealing episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka welcomes back Cris Vera for his third appearance to explore the uncomfortable reality of manufactured protests and paid dissent across the globe. This conversation breaks the myth that organized protests only happen in developing nations—from Peru's countryside to documented cases in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Cris...

In this eye-opening episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka welcomes sisters Inés and Gaby Orihuela to separate fact from fiction about the Amazon rainforest. Gaby, a field biologist and tropical conservation expert, teams up with Inés, who has dedicated 15 years to sustainable luxury tourism with Delfin Amazon Cruises, to reveal what the Amazon truly means for our planet and why...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Sustainable Voice®, host Ashish Sanghrajka reconnects with his longtime friend and guide Cristian Vera to explore the complex realities of land protection, development, and Indigenous heritage in Peru. From discovering ancient pottery in backyards to witnessing the removal of squatters from protected lands, this conversation reveals the urgent challenges fa...

In this heartfelt episode of The Sustainable Voice®, hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky welcome Sterling and Lise-Marie Wertanzl to explore what makes second-generation family businesses thrive in luxury sustainable travel. From Lise-Marie's days as a lead singer on Crystal cruise ships to Sterling's leap from academia into the family business, this conversation reveals the trust, humor, a...

In this inspiring episode of The Sustainable Voice® titled "Generational Squared," hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky sit down with the dynamic mother-daughter duo Susan and McKenzie Green to explore the challenges and triumphs of second-generation business success. Through candid conversations and plenty of laughs, they share how they've built a thriving travel business toge...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Sustainable Voice®, hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky welcome storyteller and Alaska expert Sue Rooney for a deep dive into the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and its unexpected parallels with indigenous communities worldwide. Through Sue's extensive knowledge and personal connections to Alaska's tribal communities, this conversation reveals t...

In this high-energy episode of The Sustainable Voice® , hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky crank up the volume as they dive into the wild, teased-hair world of 80s hair bands. Where did they go? Are they still rocking? Joined by guest Chris , their resident rock star, the trio explores the rise, fall, and cultural legacy of one of music’s most flamboyant eras. 🎸 Expect laughter, nostalgia...

In this explosive episode of The Sustainable Voice®, hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky return from their travels to share incredible volcano adventures from around the world. From cooking pizza over lava in Guatemala to making s'mores on an active volcano, these stories reveal the remarkable ways humans coexist with nature's most powerful forces. ✨ Key Takeaways✅ There are 47 active vol...

In this powerful episode of The Sustainable Voice®, hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky dive deep into the dangerous phrase "trust me" and its real-world consequences for vulnerable communities worldwide. Through personal stories and hard truths, they examine how broken promises from governments and institutions leave children without food and families torn apart by circumstances...

In this groundbreaking episode of The Sustainable Voice®, hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky welcome back Ashish's son Shiv, a recent high school graduate heading to the University of Florida. Fresh from his presentation at the Kennedy Space Center, Shiv shares how CubeSat technology could revolutionize sustainable tourism through real-world applications like anti-poaching efforts, rem...

In this compelling Part 2 of The Ivory Tower series, hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky welcome Gisella Polo from Chiclayo, Peru, to discuss the transformative leadership of the newly selected Pope Leo. This conversation explores how authentic leaders earn their positions through service and sacrifice, examining what it truly means to lead from the bottom up. ✨ Key Takeaways ✅ Real leade...

Join hosts Ashish Sanghrajka and Leigh Strinsky as they explore the disconnect between decision-makers and those on the front lines in this thought-provoking episode of The Sustainable Voice®. Through personal stories from corporate America, military service, and government, they examine how the "ivory tower" mentality impacts everything from workplace culture to public policy. ✨ Key Takeaways ✅...