Introducing Jeanine, the vibrant force behind Oh My! Travel Podcast. Driven by a passion to amplify POC voices in the travel industry, Jeanine and her co-host are carving a space where Latinas and underrepresented communities shine. Their journey unfolds with rewarding moments of inspiring others to explore, while navigating challenges to ensure inclusivity. Through insightful interviews and engaging content, they strike a balance between diverse perspectives and broad audience appeal, fostering a welcoming space for all travelers. As a POC entrepreneur and content creator, Jeanine shares her wisdom, encouraging others to pursue their dreams in travel and media. With a keen eye on evolving diversity and inclusion, Oh My! Travel Podcast is not just a platform but a catalyst for change, with aspirations to grow and offer even more to the community.
What inspired you to focus specifically on highlighting POC voices in the travel industry?
My co-host and I wanted to have a platform where we could amplify POC voices because as Latinas we saw that there isn’t much representation in the travel space.
What have been some of the most rewarding moments in your journey with the podcast so far?
Every time I hear someone tell me that they took a trip or did something related to travel because they saw that another Latina did it. I love that the podcast can help other Latinas, women, and POC to take that step and get out there.
On the flip side, what are some of the challenges you’ve faced in running the podcast, especially in amplifying underrepresented voices?
One of the challenges is getting recognized as a space for POC travelers. While we are a podcast for everyone we focus on highlighting POC voices whether that’s with an interview from one of our guests or through our own experiences.
How do you navigate the balance between showcasing diverse perspectives while also ensuring the content resonates with a wide audience?
We still try to focus on broader topics that can resonate with a wider audience but bring it back to a POC perspective.
Can you share any memorable stories or insights from interviews that have stood out to you?
We had Laurie Navarro as a guest who travels frequently with her husband, Danny using points and miles. Laurie talked about how she takes these luxury trips, flying in first class but how as a Latina you sometimes have that first-generation guilt. The “first-gen guilt” is so common and I’m so glad we got to talk about it on this episode.
As a POC entrepreneur and content creator, what advice do you have for others who are looking to start their own ventures in the travel or media industry?
Get out there, meet people, go to the conferences, create the content. It’s going to feel uncomfortable but it gets easier and it’s 100% worth it. If this is your dream go for it.
How do you see the travel industry evolving in terms of diversity and inclusion, and what role do you hope your podcast plays in that evolution?
Brands have caught on and know that they need to focus on inclusion and I think that will continue to grow. Oh My! Travel Podcast will continue to serve as a place for all travelers and amplify POC voices and hopefully evolve into more than just a podcast.
What steps do you take to ensure that your podcast remains inclusive and welcoming to all listeners?
We keep an open mind when thinking of different topics and stories to focus on. Our focus is a mix of current events/trending topics, unique stories, and also highlighting under represented travel destinations.
Finally, what are your hopes and goals for the future of the Oh My! Travel Podcast?
We hope we can continue to grow the podcast and offer more to the community. Weather that’s events, a scholarship, and more. We have big goals!
