Alpaca My Bags

Erin Elizabeth Hynes of Pina Travels

Travel enthusiast, Erin, chats with guests about travel controversies, ethical tourism and travel stories with no holds barred!

  • 53 minutes 8 seconds
    Allergic and Abroad: How Food Allergies Shape Travel

    What is it like to travel with severe food allergies? Erin and Kattie chat with food allergy consultant Allie Bahn about what it takes to travel confidently with severe allergies.

    We discuss how allergic travelers experience travel slightly differently, the misconceptions that still exist about food allergies, and how the tourism industry can make small changes that make travel more inclusive for allergic people.

    Allie Bahn is a travel writer, educator, and consultant who empowers people with severe food allergies to explore the world safely. Learn more about her and her work, here: https://missallergicreactor.com/

    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    Music is "Night Stars" by Wolf Saga/David R. Maracle/Chippewa Travellers. Additional music from Motion Array.

    Logo by Nicole Hall

    28 November 2025, 3:17 am
  • 25 minutes 29 seconds
    What Happens When AI Plans Your Trip? | POSTCARD #5

    AI is becoming increasingly embedded into the travel planning experience. While AI might seem like a great hack for creating a travel itinerary, it does come with problems. We unpack these issues, from hallucinated locations to incorrect logistical information.

    POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in travel-related media and hot-button topics.

    Send your questions or commentary to the show on Instagram @curioustourismpod or email [email protected]

    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    12 November 2025, 12:30 pm
  • 53 minutes 6 seconds
    Unpacking Representation of Women in Aviation | REPLAY

    Joi Schweitzer joins the podcast to unpack the ins and outs of what it takes to become a pilot as a black woman and the state of represention in the skys. She also shares where her love of flying came from and what's ahead for the next generate of pilots. 

    PLUS, Erin and Kattie discuss the latest news about Air 4 All's wheelchair accessible airplane seats being developed in partnership with Delta.

    Guest: Joi Schweitzer is a commercial airline pilot who got her start in the industry working as a flight attendant. She is also an athlete, and known for her appearance on the reality TV show, The Mole.

    Resources:

    • https://www.instagram.com/thejoischweitzer/ 
    • https://www-insider-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.insider.com/delta-developing-first-of-its-kind-seat-for-wheelchair-users-2023-6?amp 

    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast!

    Read Erin's award-winning blog: https://pinatravels.org/

    Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter Pod the North, here.

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    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes

    Producer: Kattie Laur

    Music from Motion Array

    Logo by Nicole Hall

    29 October 2025, 12:30 pm
  • 29 minutes 23 seconds
    Bad Bunny and Bad Fireworks Displays | POSTCARD #4

    Erin and Kattie discuss the recent fireworks display in the Himalayan region of Tibet, which drew backlash and an apology from outdoor brand Arc'teryx. They also discuss Bad Bunny's decision to not tour the US and the economic and tourism impact of the 30-show residency on his home island of Puerto Rico.

    • https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1eddw19042o
    • https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/13/americas/bad-bunny-puerto-rico-residency-economy-latam-intl

    POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in travel-related media and hot-button topics.

    Send your questions or commentary to the show on Instagram @curioustourismpod or email [email protected]

    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    15 October 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 45 minutes 53 seconds
    Navigating Travel With Age and Disability

    Erin chats with Cary Lowe and his wife Trish Butler. Trish lives with multiple sclerosis and uses a mobility scooter, and she and Cary have continued to travel well into their seventies, traveling to nearly half the US states and another twenty countries.

    We talk about the realities of disabled and elderly travel, what it takes to plan accessible trips, and how travel can remain rewarding even as our bodies and circumstances change.


    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    Music is "Night Stars" by Wolf Saga/David R. Maracle/Chippewa Travellers. Additional music from Motion Array.

    Logo by Nicole Hall

    24 September 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 35 minutes 39 seconds
    Emma, the AI Travel Influencer | POSTCARD #3

    Erin and Kattie discuss Germany Tourism's latest AI Travel Influencer, Emma and the nuances around authentic travel content. They also review the chaotic and hilarious posts coming from TSA on Threads that have the internet cracking up.

    • .instagram.com/emmatravelsgermany

    POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in travel-related media and hot-button topics.

    Send your questions or commentary to the show on Instagram @curioustourismpod or email [email protected]

    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    10 September 2025, 12:30 pm
  • 44 minutes 50 seconds
    Rethinking Tourism in Tofino with the Tribal Park Allies Program

    Erin chats with Julian Hockin‑Grant about the Tribal Park Allies program, an initiative created by the Claoquiat First Nation on Vancouver Island. The program invites local businesses, from coffee shops to surf resorts, to become Indigenous Allies by contributing an ecosystem service fee and committing to reciprocal, respectful tourism.

    Learn more about the Tribal Parks Allies program: https://www.tribalparks.com/tribal-park-allies

    Julian Hockin‑Grant is the Tribal Parks Liaison and co‑creator of the program under Allied Certifications. He works directly with the Tla‑o‑qui‑aht First Nation to help businesses become certified Tribal Park Allies, guiding them through the protocol agreements and supporting Indigenous-led stewardship initiatives.

    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    Music is "Night Stars" by Wolf Saga/David R. Maracle/Chippewa Travellers. Additional music from Motion Array.

    Logo by Nicole Hall

    27 August 2025, 7:00 am
  • 40 minutes 39 seconds
    Should The "World Wonders" List Exist? | POSTCARD #2

    Erin and Kattie discuss what constitutes a "New World Wonder," and why Egypt refused to participate in the contest to decide what would appear on this list.

    We also dive into the sticky world of travel scams, and react to a hilarious before/after backpacking trend blowing up on TikTok.

    POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in travel-related media and hot-button topics.

    Send your questions or commentary to the show on Instagram @curioustourismpod or email [email protected]

    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    13 August 2025, 12:30 pm
  • 47 minutes 27 seconds
    What It’s Like to Travel the World as an Interracial Couple

    Travel media still often presents a narrow version of what travel looks like, and interracial couples are rarely a part of that picture. For these couples traveling together across cultures and borders can bring unique challenges, but also, really special and meaningful moments. 

    Katie and Bhavik join the show having just returned to Canada after spending 14 months traveling through Asia and beyond. We dig into what that experience was like, and how their shared identity as a interracial marriage couple shaped their trip. 

    PLUS we chat about the ethics of sharing the perished trekkers of Mount Everest on social media, and the glorification of traveling with an irresponsibly financial budget!

    Guests: Katie & Bhavik. Burnt-out from their pharmacist jobs and re-assessing life after a severe honeymoon illness, Katie and Bhavik quit it all to travel the world for a year. Now, they are travel content creators and bloggers. 

    Links: 

    https://katieandbhav.com/ 

    https://www.instagram.com/katieandbhav/ 

    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    Music is "Night Stars" by Wolf Saga/David R. Maracle/Chippewa Travellers. Additional music from Motion Array.

    Logo by Nicole Hall

    30 July 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 35 minutes 29 seconds
    The Hike That Shouldn't Happen | POSTCARD #1

    Erin and Kattie are hitting the feed with a new monthly series of "POSTCARDS"!

    In between each regular episode, catch discussions on the latest in travel-related media and one hot topic that's fresh on Erin's mind.

    In this POSTCARD:

    • A first-time-traveler heads to Fiji to star reality TV.
    • The extreme day trip content flooding social media.
    • The illegal stairway to heaven hike makes us question the economy of travel content.

    Send your questions or commentary to the show on Instagram @curioustourismpod or email [email protected]

    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    16 July 2025, 12:30 pm
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Let's Talk About Sex Tourism

    Sex tourism has existed for hundreds of years. And with the rise of globalization, it’s become a booming industry that exists in most corners of the earth. Sex work and sex tourism is complex. This kind of work intersects with history, power, race, economics, and global inequality. 

    Dr. Christopher Ewing joins the show to unpacking the history, misconceptions, impacts of sex tourism on local communities, and how travelers can think more critically about this side of the tourism industry.

    PLUS we chat about Erin's recent travels and award WIN at the TMAC conference in Saskatoon, SK!

    Guest: Christopher Ewing is an assistant professor of history at Purdue University. His first book, The Color of Desire: The Queer Politics of Race in the Federal Republic of Germany traces the trajectory queer, German racisms from 1970s sex tourism to twenty-first century fascism, and the queer of color activists who contested them. He’s currently working on a new book project about hate crime law and activism to explain how, in the 1990s, hate became an international crime. Chris has authored pieces for Time Magazine, The Conversation, and The Washington Post on queer politics, and has written extensively on the history of sex tourism in journals including Rethinking History, Central European History, and the Journal of the History of Sexuality. He received his Ph.D. in History from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in 2018. When he’s not thinking about problems of sex and travel, Chris is pursuing his lifelong goal of rewilding the prairie, starting with his Indiana garden.

    Links: 


    If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast.

    Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod.

    Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels.

    Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North.

    CREDITS

    Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

    Produced by Kattie Laur

    Music is "Night Stars" by Wolf Saga/David R. Maracle/Chippewa Travellers. Additional music from Motion Array.

    Logo by Nicole Hall

    25 June 2025, 12:30 pm
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