#210. Why You Should Take the Trip: Travel That Changes Your Life with Jewel Rozanski

There’s a trip on your list. You know the one. Maybe it’s Egypt. Maybe it’s Ireland. Maybe it’s somewhere you’ve never even said out loud. Jewel Rozanski wants to know what’s stopping you. This week’s guest is Jewel Rozanski, founder of Cultured Travel. She spent 14 years teaching Spanish in a rural public school, and led her first student trip to Mexico at 23. Then a dinner invitation from a student’s parents turned into a business partnership. Her first tour was New Orleans in January 2020. You can guess what happened next. Her trips aren’t the flag-waving, bus-hopping kind. They’re built around real local friendships, like the captain of New Orleans’ Joan of Arc Parade, whose parade Jewel’s groups now get to march in. In Belfast, her travelers sat down to lunch with women whose families lived through the Troubles. And that complainer you’re dreading on a group trip? Jewel has a fix. Every traveler checks a box agreeing they’re a generally awesome person who rolls with the punches. Frankly, every family could use a check box like that before a trip. So who actually shows up? Most of her travelers are between 50 and 75, and plenty come solo. Some are widowed, some divorced, some finally doing the thing they waited their whole lives to do. They leave with friends they keep meeting up with long after the trip ends. Her tattoo says it best: beyond fear lies freedom. Her advice is even simpler. Just take the trip. More people regret the trip they didn’t take than the one they did. What’s the trip that’s been on your list the longest? Give this episode a listen and start planning it. Bio:Jewel Rozanski spent 14 years as a public high school Spanish teacher before transitioning to lead Cultured Travel full time. With a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, she now creates immersive educational journeys that bring history, culture, and meaningful human connections to life. Whether discussing entrepreneurship, travel, lifelong learning, or relationship building, Jewel helps listeners discover how curiosity, authentic connections, and stepping outside their comfort zones can transform the way they learn, lead, and see the world. Connect with Jewel Rozanski: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube Books mentioned:The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – Bookshop | AmazonJonathan Livingston Seagull: The Complete Edition by Richard Bach – Bookshop | Amazon Podcasts mentioned: Balance and Breakthroughs | A Lady Well-Travelled ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a friend. The more we educate, inspire, and empower each other, the further this conversation goes. Questions or just want to say hi? Find me at PocketsofKnowledge.com or on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening! This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services mentioned. Nothing here is medical advice—I’m not a doctor. Please consult a qualified health professional for any medical concerns.