Maira Nolte from Nürnberg, Germany originally chose her job as a flight attendant so she could travel all over the world. She loved that a large part of her job was about working with people and helping others. One day, her work took her to Addis Abeba, the capital of Ethiopia, where she discovered not only the beauty of the country, but also met some people in need of support, especially mothers and children. She decided to help and got involved with the Lufthansa Help Alliance to get support for the Mother and Child Rehabilitation Centre.

Today’s show is special because for the first time, our protagonist actually works for Lufthansa and discovered her life-changing place, Ethiopia, because she was flying there as a flight attendant. Host Shelby Stanger talks to Maira about finding fulfillment in helping others as well as the fascinating country of Ethiopia. Listen to get Maira’s personal tips on what to see, do and eat in Ethiopia and what you can do to help people in need.

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Maira Nolte: On discovering the joy of helping others in Ethiopia

Originally a musician, Charlotte Orba from Southampton, England was running the pop music and music production degree at Leeds College of Music until a midlife-crisis made her reconsider what she was doing with her time. Desperate for a change in her life, Charlotte decided to take the leap, googled “volunteering overseas” and found first an internship and then a job in marine conservation in Seychelles. Today, Charlotte still works as a marine educator and says she wishes she had known how much she would enjoy her life change. Host Shelby Stanger talks to Charlotte Orba about the calming quality of the ocean, scuba diving, her passion for corals and how traveling to a new place can change your life forever. Listen to find out Charlotte’s personal tips on what to see, eat and do on the Seychelles and learn what you can do to conserve our oceans and marine life.   Please give us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. This episode concludes Season 1 of Lufthansa’s LifeChangingPlaces podcast. Stay tuned!

Charlotte Orba  - On falling in love with the ocean while volunteering in Seychelles

Jeffrey Parks, an attorney turned social entrepreneur, was shocked to see the devastating effects of de-industrialisation on his community after the closure of the famous Bethlehem Steel works in Pennsylvania, USA. While looking for a solution to revive the community he was offered a tour of Germany’s Ruhr Valley, an area that had suffered similar problems after the closure of its coal mines and steel plants. He found that many of the abandoned industrial sites such as Zeche Zollverein had since been turned into thriving cultural centers and, in some cases, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Germans were celebrating the old industrial heritage while using the spaces for museums, concerts and other events – a discovery that changed his life forever. Jeff returned home and suddenly saw the old Bethlehem Steel works in a new light. The idea for SteelStacks, a vibrant cultural center, as well as several other arts projects, was born. Host Shelby Stanger talks to Jeffrey Parks about the importance of arts and culture for community life and discovers the historical links between Germans and the Pennsylvania Dutch. Listen and hear about Jeffrey’s life-changing trip to Germany and find out what to do for fun in the Ruhr Valley and which beer goes best with Jägerschnitzel. Lufthansa’s Life Changing Places podcast has a new episode out every other week so don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

Jeffrey Parks - On finding inspiration for his Pennsylvanian hometown’s SteelStacks in the Ruhr Valley, Germany

Irene Rouwenhorst was worried that having children might mean the end of traveling for her and her husband, but then the Dutch couple took the leap and embarked on a year-long journey through Asia with their two young children, loving every minute of it. Being on sabbatical gave them time to do some soulsearching and think about what they really wanted out of life. When the family reached the Philippines, Irene was offered her dream job working with furniture and interior design and decided to make Manila their new home. Host Shelby Stanger talks to Irene about taking risks, believing in yourself and finding the courage to start over. Listen and find out what to see and do in Manila, where to find the coolest bar, the best beaches and what locals eat after a night out.
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Irene Rouwenhorst - On taking her family on sabbatical and finding her dream career in the Philippines

Benjamin Adrion, the son of a German soccer coach, started pursuing a professional career in soccer at an early age and ended up playing in midfield for FC St. Pauli in Hamburg, Germany, a club that is famous for its die-hard supporters and social conscience.

During a winter training camp in Cuba, Benjamin became aware of the need for clean drinking water there. After his return to Germany, the plan for a clean drinking water charity began to take shape, and “Viva con Agua de St. Pauli” was born with the support of his club. Soon after, Benjamin quit his soccer career to develop the project full-time. More than a decade later, Viva con Agua continues to raise money for clean water and builds wells all over the world, amongst other things.   

Shelby Stanger talks to Adrion about soccer, Salsa and how nothing could be more fulfilling than helping others while doing something you love. 

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Benjamin Adrion - How an FC St. Pauli player gave up soccer for clean drinking water in Cuba

Lotti Meier was a fashion designer in Switzerland and enjoyed the glamour that came with it until she "caught the dogsledding bug“ on holiday in Lapland and decided to move to Sweden. Today, she runs the Snowtrail Dogcamp near Gällivare in Lapland. Host Shelby Stanger talks to Meier about finding inner peace while dogsledding through untouched nature some 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle and learns why managing a hundred huskies is no different from managing the same number of people. Find out more about activities, culture and food of northern Sweden through one woman’s amazing journey to self-fulfillment.

Lotti Meier - On trading catwalks for dogsleds in Swedish Lapland

Somnath Halder’s life as an IT consultant was turned upside down when he travelled to New York City and walked into a music workshop run by jazz legend Barry Harris. He realized that jazz to him meant freedom, and that playing music was the thing he loved doing most in life. Inspired by Harris, Somnath decided to leave his old life behind to study and teach music back home in India. He talks to host Shelby Stanger about taking the leap to start a new, fulfilling life. Listen to learn how to follow your dream of a creative life and make a living at the same time, and find out about the best street food and live jazz venues in New York City. 
Don’t forget to subscribe so you can listen to more inspiring travel stories and Life Changing Places every other week!

Somnath Halder - On discovering the power of music in New York

Gesa Neitzel, writer and safari-guide, discusses her life-changing travels through South Africa with host Shelby Stanger. Originally a TV producer from Berlin, she became fed up with her work and went on a soul-searching trip around the world. When she finally set foot in South Africa, she realized that she belonged among the wild animals and beautiful nature there. Today she splits her time between Berlin and South Africa and offers guided tours for tourists. In Lufthansa’s first ever podcast series, guests tell their inspiring life-stories and give insider travel advice on their favorite places. Listen to find out more about Gesa’s incredible journey, learn why you should never run from an animal in the bush and get some great tips on what to see and do in South Africa.

Gesa Neitzel - On changing careers to be one with nature in South Africa

Cici Li, founder of Wine Weekend in China, tells host Shelby Stanger how the first taste of Burgundy wine inspired her to study wine-making in France rather than pursuing a career in the cosmetics industry. In Lufthansa’s first ever podcast series, guests tell their inspiring life-stories and give insider travel advice on their favorite places. Cici explains how the French spirit and love of freedom and wine inspired her to become an entrepreneur who imports wine and French joie de vivre to China. Listen for great advice on French wine and cheese, what to eat and where to stay in Burgundy as well as Cici’s favorite places to check out in Provence.

Cici Li – On discovering joie de vivre in France

Thomasina Miers, founder of the Wahaca restaurant chain and Guardian food columnist, talks to host Shelby Stanger about her life-changing travels through Mexico. She fell in love with Mexican food and was shocked to find that it simply didn’t exist in 1990s’ Britain – so she trained as a chef and opened up a Mexican restaurant herself. 

In Lufthansa’s first ever podcast series, guests tell their inspiring life-stories and give insider travel advice on their favorite places. Thomasina reveals how she struggled to find her dream career but eventually found a mentor who encouraged her to follow her passion for food.

Listen to learn more about her journey, get a great recipe for guacamole and Thomasina’s personal tips for what to see and do and eat in Mexico.

Thomasina Miers - On changing careers to bring Mexican cuisine to London

Find out why surf photographer Chris Burkard traded sunny beaches and palm trees for the rugged coastline and icy waters of Lofoten, Norway. 
In Lufthansa’s first ever travel podcast series, host Shelby Stanger interviews people who tell their own personal stories of how traveling to a new country has been a life-changing experience for them.  
Chris Burkard reveals how battling the elements not only brought him closer to himself but made his work more personal and meaningful. Listen to learn more about his journey and get some great advice on ice surfing, taking better photographs, and Chris’ favorite places on the Lofoten Islands.  
Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast today so you don’t miss an episode, and give us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

LifeChangingPlaces - a Travel Podcast

LifeChangingPlaces - a Travel Podcast

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