Episode 155 - Lola Akinmade, Geotraveler Media
There are few better ways than travel to ignite within you the story ready to be told. Is it time to find your voice and share that story with the world?
In this episode of the Soul of Travel Podcast, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with author and visual storyteller Lola Akinmade Åkerström, founder of Geotraveler Media Academy.
Lola Akinmade Åkerström is an award-winning visual storyteller, international bestselling author, and travel entrepreneur based in Stockholm, Sweden. She is the editor-in-chief for Slow Travel Stockholm and has written for National Geographic Traveler, BBC, and CNN, among others. She has been named a 2022 Hasselblad Heroine and received the 2018 Travel Photographer of the Year Bill Muster Award. Her work has also been featured in National Geographic, BBC, CNN, The Guardian, Travel + Leisure, Slate, Travel Channel, Lonely Planet, Forbes, Fodor’s, AFAR, National Geographic Channel, Adventure Magazine, several in-flight magazines, The New York Times, amongst others.
In addition to contributing to several travel books, Lola is the author of the following books – 2018 Lowell Thomas Award winner for Best Travel Book, Due North, bestselling LAGOM: Swedish Secret of Living Well, and internationally-acclaimed novel In Every Mirror She’s Black. In her most recent novel, Everything is Not Enough, Lola shares the stories of three women which intersect through themes of place, prejudice, and patriarchy in Europe.
In 2018, Lola was recognized as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in the media and culture. As a mentor, she has launched her own online academy: Geotraveler Media Academy, which runs photography experiences around the world and is dedicated to visual storytelling and helping the next generation of travel storytellers put the heart back into the craft.
Always a Traveler—Now an Explorer
Lola comes from a traveling family, always seeking new cultural experiences. On her first trip out of Nigeria, Lola was just a year old. She knew growing up that traveling, getting to know new people, and interacting with different cultures would be a part of her future. When she studied in the U.S., she specialized in geographic information systems (GIS). This launched her career until the moment she realized travel writing and photography would be her future.
In 2002, she volunteered with a program in Fiji and began honing her travel writing skills. On the podcast, she shares the exact moment when she realized that she wanted to spend her future sharing experiences with the world.
Leading as a Mother in Travel
“It makes me so happy to see you smile.” Lola shares one moment in which her daughter acknowledged seeing Lola doing what made her happy. She continues to be intentional about the work she does and how she spends her time; rather than fitting herself into boxes and labels, Lola believes in chasing her passion without limits. She and Christine speak of the importance of showing this perseverance and passion with their children, knowing that every decision is made with meaning and purpose.
Lola continues to travel with her children and has shared extensively through various pieces about letting go of ‘mommy guilt.’ “The world isn’t ready to make space for the possibility of being a mom with younger kids who travel,” she shares.
Creating Connection through Storytelling
Lola suggests that if you are struggling to find your voice as a storyteller, it may be time to go back and reflect on when you first had that experience so you may begin to open up the artist within. Christine shares that Lola’s writing invites the feeling, “I feel seen,” “I feel heard,” and “I feel witnessed.”
Lola shares that she doesn’t go for “epic” shots when photographing; she looks for opportunities to find the ways in which people can fully see and be seen, that create a shared humanity, “and see the people for all they are.”
Evolving Your Voice as a Storyteller
Lola’s first novel, In Every Mirror She’s Black, received over 70 rejections. The feedback was primarily around making the protagonist’s voice even smaller; Lola refused, staying true to her own voice and the voice she had chosen for her characters.
The process, she describes, was painful. The rejections had come with high praise, touting the potential in each story, but with the desire for Lola to dilute the power of her voice.
“Your voice,” she says, “Is what makes you special and unique.”
“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle that any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” - e. e. cummings
“Once your spirit and the universe say, “This is IT,” you feel it. It gives you enough courage and bravery to follow it. You know that this is what moves your spirit.”
Soul of Travel Episode 155 At a Glance
In this conversation, Christine and Lola discuss:
Creating balance in our lives as mothers and travel professionals
Our shared value of connection
How our travel values show up in our photography, travel, and life
The question: Who Gets to Share the Story of a Place?
An update from Lola about Local Purse, first featured in Soul of Travel Podcast Episode 26
Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Lola Akinmade.
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Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goal #4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Sustainable Development Goal #8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Sustainable Development Goal #11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode
Visit https://akinmade.com/ to get to know Lola and all her stories.
Visit Geotraveler Media Academy to enroll in Lola’s storytelling courses.
Lola will be leading an Aurora Photo Experience in Sweden from February 12-17. Only 2 slots left!
Connect with Lola on your favorite social media network.
https://www.instagram.com/lolaakinmade https://www.instagram.com/geotravelermedia https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolaakinmade https://www.twitter.com/lolaakinmade
Listen to Rebel Mothers Podcast by Christine’s friend, Susie Fishleder.
About the Soul Of Travel Podcast
Soul of Travel honors the passion and dedication of people making a positive impact in the tourism industry. In each episode, you’ll hear the stories of women who are industry professionals, seasoned travelers, and community leaders. Our expert guests represent social impact organizations, adventure-based community organizations, travel photography and videography, and entrepreneurs who know that travel is an opportunity for personal awareness and a vehicle for global change.
Join us to become a more educated and intentional traveler as you learn about new destinations, sustainable and regenerative travel, and community-based tourism. Industry professionals and those curious about a career in travel will also find value and purpose in our conversations.
We are thought leaders, action-takers, and heart-centered change-makers who inspire and create community. Join host Christine Winebrenner Irick for these soulful conversations with our global community of travelers exploring the heart, the mind, and the globe.
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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Esme Benjamin (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.
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Soul of Travel Episode 155 Transcript
Women’s travel, transformational travel, sustainable travel, women leaders in travel, social entrepreneurship
You can find me on Facebook at Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community, or follow me on Instagram either @lotussojourns or @souloftravelpodcast. Stay up to date by joining the Lotus Sojourns mailing list. I look forward to getting to know you and hopefully hearing your story.