How Nicole Blaser Blends Adventure Travel with Powerful Social Change
With decades of experience guiding trips from Alaska to Nepal, Nicole shares how compassion and connection shape every aspect of her expeditions. She dives into the origins of the Karuna Project, born from years of leading wilderness expeditions and a desire to blend adventure travel with positive social impact. Nicole opens up about her journey in outdoor leadership as a woman, the unique growth that happens for both kids and adults in nature, and the powerful transformations she’s witnessed through programs like Positive Adventures. From the behind-the-scenes logistics of large-scale programs to the lessons learned from global communities, Nicole’s stories will leave you inspired to seek out adventure, build resilience, and create meaningful change—whether on the trail or in your own backyard.
Hey there, Outdoor Adventurers!
Welcome back to another edition of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast newsletter—your inside track on the latest industry insights, trail-tested gear, and the stories shaping the outdoor world.
Here’s what you’ll discover in episode 534:
🌄 From Knowles to Karuna: Nicole shares how her early days guiding 30-day wilderness expeditions shaped her ethos of integrating compassion, connection, and thoughtful leadership. She and her partner Seth Quigg are building adventure travel that’s about more than just summits—it’s about changing lives.
👧👦 Transformative Youth Experiences: Hear how Nicole helps kids and young adults step outside their comfort zones, whether at Joshua Tree or canoeing through the Boundary Waters. Spoiler: Real transformation happens somewhere around day three in the woods!
🤝 Responsible Adventure Tourism: Learn why “toxic charity” is a trap and how the Karuna Project are building relationships in communities worldwide, designing trips and projects for long-term benefits that matter to those communities, not just visitors.
🌱 Why Outdoor Ed Matters More Than Ever: From emotional resilience, self-regulation, and environmental stewardship, Nicole believes the outdoors is where genuine growth happens—for kids and adults. (Maybe, she and Rick joke, it’s time to get government and business leaders out on those sixth-grade camp trips….)
🛠️ Insider Tips for Guides & Leaders: Nicole offers wisdom on staff training, scaling programs without losing the magic, and the importance of culture, feedback, and keeping things fun—even as organizations grow.
Nicole’s Gear Pick:
A 2x2’ piece of closed-cell foam. Simple, light, and could just save your life (not just your seat). Comfort and safety? Yes, please!
Dreaming Bigger:
Nicole wraps up with her vision for the future: a travel industry where compassion and well-being—not just profit—shape our adventures and our world.
If you’re an adventurer, educator, or just love powerful stories from the wild, you’ll be inspired by Nicole’s journey and her practical advice for a more connected, compassionate outdoor community.
🎧 LISTEN NOW: [Link to Episode]
And if your own small town or business wants to share its outdoor story, get in touch with Rick for a chance to be featured! Email rick@ricksays.com with “Small Town Adventure” in the subject.
Until next time—get outside, challenge yourself, and make the world a little kinder with every adventure.
Happy trails,
The OAL Podcast Team
P.S. Don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend who loves the outdoors! Looking for show notes or past episodes? Visit ricksaez.com
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Happy trails,
Rick Saez & The Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Team
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See you on the trail,
Rick Saez & The Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast Team