19: Slow, Conscious, and Local: Sustainable Travel with Renee de Ronde

What if travel could be a form of care — for the planet, for ourselves, and for each other?

This week, I’m joined by Renee de Ronde, the creator behind Conscious Compass, where she shares slow, nature-led travel experiences rooted in beauty, intention, and connection. We talk about everything from glamping and family road trips to Canadian landscapes and creator community — and what it really means to travel consciously in today’s world.

Renee’s storytelling is gentle and grounded, and her photography will make you want to pack up and head straight for the forest (after you refill your reusable water bottle, of course). This conversation is a thoughtful look at how we experience place, why local adventures matter, and how slowing down can bring us closer to the things that actually make travel meaningful.

Takeaways

• Why sustainable travel is about how we travel, not just where we go
• The connection between photography, memory, and environmental activism
• How local travel — especially in Canada — can be just as awe-inspiring as international trips
• The role of community and friendship in shaping a more connected, conscious life
• Why “buy less” might be the most underrated travel (and life) tip out there

One Small Shift

Renee shares how buying less (and buying more intentionally) helped shift her relationship with both travel and sustainability. It's not about doing without —  it's about doing with care.

Connect with Renee

Conscious Compass – Instagram