In the latest episode of The Visionary Mom Podcast, “Exploring the World Through Travel and Representation with Natalie Preddie,” we had the pleasure of speaking with Natalie, an award-winning travel journalist and advocate for BIPOC representation in travel. Natalie shared her inspiring journey, her passion for storytelling, and her mission to encourage families—especially Black families—to explore the world and embrace the beauty of diversity.
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:
1. Travel as a Tool for Empathy and Change
Natalie believes that travel is more than just an adventure—it’s a way to gain perspective, foster empathy, and ultimately create a more peaceful world. She shared how her upbringing as a first-generation Canadian with Jamaican and English roots shaped her love for travel and storytelling.
“You know, that traveling gives us perspective and perspective provides empathy and empathy is what’s going to change the world. And that sounds very existential, but it’s truly what I believe.” (06:12-06:27)
2. The Role of Motherhood in Shaping Travel Experiences
As a mother of three boys, Natalie emphasized the importance of exposing children to different cultures, languages, and experiences. She shared how travel has become a way to teach her kids about the beauty and diversity of the world while fostering a sense of responsibility toward the planet.
“I want them to have that moment of, my goodness, the world is this big, beautiful place with so much to offer. And how do we do our best to maintain it? How do we celebrate it? How do we find that the joy in our interactions, our interactions with both people and then the planet itself.” (19:13-19:41)
3. Raising Mixed Children with Pride
We then opened up about the joys and challenges of raising mixed-race children. Natalie asked me what strategies do I use to help my kids embrace their heritage and feel proud of their unique backgrounds. I responded with:
“I tell them how special it is to be Colombian and Antiguan. I verbally say, don’t you know how special you are that you have this amazing background and culture” (30:51-31:04)
4. Encouraging Black Families to Reclaim Outdoor Spaces
Natalie highlighted the importance of connecting with nature for mental and physical health. She addressed the cultural and historical barriers that may discourage Black families from engaging in outdoor activities and offered practical advice for reclaiming these spaces.
“I think it is deciding that this space is for you and, and, however, in whatever capacity that is for you and your family… how can I get them climbing trees? How can I get them, you know, even scavenger hunts?” (49:15-49:38)
5. Traveling with Intention and Supporting Black-Owned Businesses
Natalie shared actionable tips for traveling with intention, including supporting Black-owned businesses and experiences. She emphasized the importance of making thoughtful decisions about where to spend your tourism dollars to create meaningful and impactful travel experiences.
“When you are making your decisions on how you spend your tourism dollars, spend them on people, on black businesses and black experiences. That’s what I would do. You’re gonna show up and you’re going to feel like home.” (01:13:28-01:13:54)
Final Thoughts
This episode was a powerful reminder of the transformative power of travel and the importance of representation in the travel industry. Natalie’s insights and advice are not only inspiring but also actionable, making it easier for families to embrace the joys of travel while fostering empathy and understanding.
If you haven’t already, be sure to listen to the full episode for more tips and stories from Natalie Preddie.
Ready to explore the world with intention? Listen to the full episode of The Visionary Mom Podcast on Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!
For more travel inspiration and resources, visit Natalie Preddie’s website at nattyponline.com.