Think you know Africa? Ugandan tourism specialist Lynett Nakamanya is here to show you why one country is never the whole continent.

Uganda is smaller than you might expect, yet it holds mountain gorillas, snow-capped peaks near the equator, roughly 150 crater lakes in a single region, and a nightlife scene people call unmatched. In this episode of The Wander Lounge, Ariel sits down with Lynett Nakamanya, a Ugandan tourism specialist who markets the country on TV, radio, and at expos around the world.

Lynett shares what it was like to grow up in the middle of Kampala, where her parents ran shops and her family hosted exchange students from the US. Those early moments sparked a career that took her from volunteering at tourism expos to working across Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana, and back home to the Uganda Tourism Board.

They talk about how the traditional safari is changing, why slow travel and wellness matter (especially for women), and what to know before you trek mountain gorillas. Lynett also explains why she started Girls Travels Africa, a community for women who want to explore the continent with more confidence and connection. Ariel adds a few stories of her own from her years in Mozambique and China along the way.

About the guest:

Lynett Nakamanya is a passionate tourism expert and East Africa travel specialist based in Uganda. She supports the Uganda Tourism Board, founded the women's travel community Girls Travels Africa, and hosts group trips around Uganda. She speaks Luganda, Lusoga, English, Swahili, and a little Spanish.

Connect with Lynett

Instagram: @lynett_luxtravel

TikTok: @Lynett_luxtravel

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nakamanyalynett8341

Connect with Ariel:

Instagram: @wander_lounge

Website: https://www.wanderloungepodcast.com/about

What does it look like to build a life rooted in family, adventure, and an unshakeable belief that the world is meant to be explored? This week's guest, Lisa Stanworth, is living proof that the two don't have to be in conflict.

Lisa is a Salt Lake City-based mom of five, host of the Choose Your Happy Place podcast, and a lifelong adventurer whose travels have taken her from the mountains of Utah to the beaches of Hawaii, and all the way to Japan, Thailand, and Italy. A Brigham Young University graduate with a degree in child development, Lisa brings a thoughtful, family-centered lens to everything she does, including how she moves through the world.

In this episode, Lisa shares what nearly two decades of marriage and motherhood have taught her about saying yes to new experiences, how she navigates travel with a big family, and why stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your children. She also dishes on some of her most unforgettable bucket list moments, including swimming with whale sharks.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or someone still dreaming of your first big trip, Lisa's warmth, humor, and passion will leave you ready to book the flight.

Connect with Us:

Ariel Travis

• @wander_lounge
• wanderloungepodcast.com

Lisa Stanworth:

• @chooseyourhappyplace
• Choose Your Happy Place Podcast

In this episode, host Ariel of Wander Lounge speaks with Colleen Vincent of Elevate Travel Group, to walk you through the full itinerary for our upcoming Greece group trip. Together, we break down what to expect in Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos, how the trip is designed to balance culture, connection, and ease. We answer the most frequently asked questions; from accommodations, activities, and payment plans. If you’ve been curious about joining a women’s group trip to Greece, this episode gives you all the details you need to decide if it’s the right fit.

Sign-Up for the Greece group trip at www.wanderloungepodcast.com

Connect With Us:

Ariel Travis: @wander_lounge

Colleen Vincent: @colleenvincent7

Today’s guest is Iantha Richardson, a talented American actress whose journey from Washington, D.C. to our screens is rooted in artistry, resilience, and intention. Trained as a dancer with a BFA from Fordham University: The Ailey School, Iantha began her creative path through movement before transitioning into acting.

She landed her first major role on This Is Us and went on to captivate audiences as Tessa Lorraine in American Soul. Her breakout performance as Faith Mitchell on ABC’s hit series Will Trent highlights her ability to bring depth, strength, and humanity to a character navigating loyalty, identity, and integrity within a male-dominated profession.

Beyond acting, Iantha is also a writer, director, and producer, driven by a desire to “control the narrative” and elevate meaningful stories from underrepresented perspectives. In this conversation, we explore her creative evolution, the courage it takes to pivot careers, and how intention plays a central role in both her art and life.

Whether she’s stepping into complex roles on screen or building stories behind the camera, Iantha brings thoughtfulness, ambition, and vision to everything she creates.

✨ In this episode, we discuss:

• Transitioning from dance to acting
• Navigating the entertainment industry with purpose
• Representation and storytelling from underrepresented voices
• What it means to control your own narrative
• Creating art with intention and integrity

This episode is a reminder that your path doesn’t have to be linear, and that owning your story is a powerful act.

Connect With Us:

Iantha Richardson: @ianthasherii

Ariel Travis: @wander_lounge

Today’s guest is Nikki Vargas, an undeniable force in the worlds of travel, storytelling, and women’s empowerment. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Nikki is a two-time published author and the voice behind the bestselling memoir Call You When I Land, a deeply personal exploration of identity, belonging, and becoming. Her work has been widely recognized by Glamour, Real Simple, and Good Morning America.

Nikki is also the author of Wanderess, an evergreen women’s travel guide praised by Forbes and Refinery29 for its thoughtful approach to exploration and self-discovery. Beyond the page, she serves as Senior Digital Editor at Fodor’s Travel and is the founder of Unearth Women, a groundbreaking magazine dedicated to amplifying women’s stories from around the globe. In this episode, we dive into Nikki’s journey as a writer, editor, and entrepreneur, the power of travel as a tool for self-expression, and what it means to take up space as a woman, both creatively and professionally. Nikki brings a global perspective, deep intention, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling that uplifts and connects.

This conversation is an invitation to reflect on where travel has taken you, and where it might lead you next.

Connect with Nikki:

Follow her journey at @niknakvargas , or on her website. Get a your copy of Call You When I Land and Wanderess.

Connect with Ariel:

Follow her on @wander_lounge. Sign up for the newsletter to learn travel tips and to get details about our upcoming group trip to Greece here.

Today on Wander Lounge, we’re joined by Lydia Copeland. By day, Lydia is a data analyst, but by passion, she’s a travel blogger and educator on a mission to make travel more accessible, inclusive, and less intimidating for everyone. Her journey from small-town roots to exploring the world is a reminder that travel isn’t reserved for the privileged—it’s something we can all learn to do, step by step.

Lydia is also the author of “An Introduction to Traveling: The First Step of Many Around the World,” a comprehensive travel skills handbook featuring 183 practical tips to help you plan, budget, pack, and navigate your way with confidence. Whether you’re preparing for your very first trip or seeking to refine your travel style, Lydia’s insights are a masterclass in turning wanderlust into action.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

How Lydia learned to travel without a “blueprint”

The key mindset shifts that make travel feel possible for anyone

Practical, beginner-friendly tips from her book

Why representation and accessibility matter in the travel space

How you can start taking your first steps around the world

Tune in and get inspired to plan your next adventure—no matter where you’re starting from.

Connect with Lydia:

Follow her journey @lydslifeskills, and grab a copy of her book, An Introduction to Traveling: The First Step of Many Around the World https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK45BH92?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_478SAY775GYNN7XFF19E&bestFormat=true

Connect with Wander Lounge:

Follow @wander_lounge, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.wanderloungepodcast.com/ for more travel stories, solo travel tips, and community for women who love to explore.

Today’s guest is Kayla Kelly, a fighter, dream-chaser, and true global citizen. From studying abroad in Spain and Italy to now living and training full-time in Mexico as a Muay Thai fighter, Kayla has designed a life fueled by exploration, resilience, and bold self-belief.

In this episode, Kayla opens up about how falling in love with Muay Thai during the pandemic transformed her path. She shares what it’s like to train as a woman in a male-dominated sport, how solo travel shaped her worldview, and what it means to bet on yourself even when the odds feel stacked. With five fights under her belt and a spot in the Amazing Muay Thai Festival in Italy on the horizon, Kayla’s story reminds us of the power of discipline, intuition, and carving your own lane.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How travel and sport intertwine to shape identity
• Kayla’s transition from study abroad to full-time athlete
• The emotional and mental strength behind stepping into the ring
• How to stay grounded while living boldly abroad
• Advice for anyone chasing an unconventional dream

Connect with us:

Kayla Kelly: @kaykelly13

Ariel Travis: @wander_lounge and wanderloungepodcast.com

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Leave us a 5-star review and help us reach more listeners who crave connection, adventure, and community through travel. Your support makes all the difference in growing the Wander Lounge family.

What if making new friends didn’t feel awkward—but joyful? This week on Wander Lounge, Ariel sits down with Liv Schreiber, a creative entrepreneur redefining what it means to build authentic connection in adulthood. As the visionary behind Hot and Social and Camp Social, Liv is turning social spaces into soulful ones, crafting intentional experiences where community thrives and fun comes first.

From lakeside journaling and water sports to wine nights under the stars, Camp Social is a retreat designed for women and nonbinary folks craving meaningful friendships and playful reconnection. Liv shares how she grew a simple idea into a movement, why adult friendships deserve celebration, and how loneliness can be replaced with laughter, presence, and sisterhood.

In this episode, we explore:

• The inspiration behind Hot and Social
• How Camp Social creates space for real connection
• The power of joy, intention, and nostalgia in adult friendships
• Why it’s okay to seek new community (at any age)

Whether you're craving deeper connection or dreaming of starting your own community—this episode will inspire you to make friendship a fun priority.

Connect with us:

Liv Schreiber: @livschreiber and hotandsocial.com

Ariel Travis: @wander_lounge and wanderloungepodcast.com

Loved the episode? Leave us a 5-star review and help us reach more listeners who crave connection, adventure, and community through travel. Your support makes all the difference in growing the Wander Lounge family.