Einar Torfi Finnsson
CEO & Lead Guide
Arctic Hiking and Expeditions

https://adventuretravelmarketing.com/guest/einar-torfi-finnsson/

Guest Bio

Einar Torfi Finnsson is the founder and CEO of Arctic Hiking and Expeditions, and a pioneering figure in Iceland’s adventure travel scene. Born in Kópavogur in 1965, Einar grew up immersed in Iceland’s natural beauty, inspired by nature-loving parents. His passion for the outdoors took root early through mountaineering with the Reykjavik Alpine Club and two decades of service with the FBS-R Mountain Rescue Group. By his early twenties, Einar had already trained as a National Park Ranger and begun guiding winter and summer expeditions across Iceland’s rugged terrain.

In 1989, Einar transitioned to guiding full-time, specializing in cross-country ski journeys and remote trekking adventures. His career has included landmark expeditions across the Icelandic Highlands and Greenland Icecap. In 1993, he co-founded Icelandic Mountain Guides, later launching Iceland Rovers with his wife and close friends. After these companies merged in 2008, Einar continued to lead until his departure in 2020. Today, he brings decades of hard-earned experience to Arctic Hiking and Expeditions, leading small-group treks through some of the North’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Einar about a lifetime spent exploring the far reaches of Iceland and Greenland. From his early days hiking volcanic plateaus to leading ambitious crossings of the Greenland Icecap, Einar shares what it takes to guide safely and meaningfully in some of the most remote places on Earth.

The conversation dives into the evolution of Einar’s guiding career, the founding of Arctic Hiking and Expeditions, and the philosophies that drive his approach to adventure travel. Jason and Einar also explore the changing climate’s impact on glacial landscapes, the role of local culture in expedition experiences, and the powerful draw nature has for travelers seeking perspective and connection.

Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.

Bianca Rappaport
Creator
Wanderwell Club

https://adventuretravelmarketing.com/guest/bianca-rappaport/

Guest Bio

Bianca Rappaport is the founder of Wanderwell Club and a full-time nomad who has spent nearly a decade house and pet sitting across more than 20 countries on five continents. Since 2016, she has crafted a lifestyle that fuses financial freedom with meaningful travel—saving over $300,000 in rent, leveraging travel hacks for low-cost flights, and building a multi-six-figure investment portfolio. Remarkably, she reached Coast FI by age 34 without ever earning a six-figure salary.

Her approach combines intentional, slow travel with smart financial strategies, values-based spending, and a commitment to community. Whether she’s volunteering with locals or supporting small businesses, Bianca believes in giving back to the places she visits.

Through Wanderwell Club, Bianca empowers digital nomads and remote workers to build a sustainable lifestyle that balances exploration, financial independence, and positive social impact.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Bianca Rappaport, founder of the Wanderwell Club and long-time global nomad. Bianca shares how her multicultural background and early desire to see the world led her to a lifestyle rooted in slow, intentional travel and personal freedom.

The conversation explores how Bianca built a financially sustainable life on the road through house sitting, frugal living, and long-term investing. She emphasizes the importance of community, mindfulness, and reciprocity in travel—encouraging listeners to slow down, build local connections, and make a positive impact along the way. Her journey is a compelling example of how travel and financial wellness can go hand in hand.

Key Takeaways

• ✓ Sustainable travel and financial freedom can go hand in hand with the right strategy.
• ✓ Bianca embraces the term “digital slow mad” to describe her intentional travel style.
• ✓ Slowing down allows for deeper relationships and a stronger sense of place.
• ✓ A powerful passport is a privilege that opens doors to global mobility.
• ✓ Even challenging moments—like crashing on a friend’s couch—can lead to transformation.
• ✓ House sitting offers a cost-effective, immersive way to travel long-term.
• ✓ Financial literacy is key to sustaining a nomadic lifestyle and planning for retirement.
• ✓ Wanderwell Club provides a supportive space for community, growth, and guidance.
• ✓ Mindful travel creates ripple effects that benefit local communities.
• ✓ Saying yes to new opportunities often leads to unexpected, life-changing adventures.

Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.

Guest Bio

Jerry Elkins is a lifelong adventurer whose journey has spanned skies, caves, coastlines, and countless open roads. He began flying hot air balloons in 1979 and, for nearly a decade, made his living as a traveling balloon barnstormer — eventually becoming the first pilot to fly in all 50 U.S. states. But Jerry’s adventures go far beyond the basket. Over the past four decades, he’s explored underwater worlds through SCUBA diving, delved into deep caves, traveled extensively, and built lasting connections through storytelling. As the second of four generations of Elkins balloon pilots, Jerry brings a rich legacy of curiosity, courage, and a deep love for the outdoors to every experience he shares.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with his father, Jerry, about a life defined by exploration, personal growth, and family legacy. From early days in Wyoming to adventures across land, air, and sea, their conversation paints a vivid picture of what it means to live fully and intentionally.

They reflect on memorable childhood moments, the power of storytelling, and how a spirit of curiosity led Jerry into ballooning, cave exploration, SCUBA diving, and beyond. With heartfelt honesty, Jerry shares lessons learned from a lifetime of adventure — and Jason explores how those moments have shaped his own path. Together, they celebrate the value of memories, connection, and embracing the unknown.

Key Takeaways

✓ Adventure is about personal growth, not just thrills.
✓ Childhood experiences often shape our worldview and identity.
✓ Embracing discomfort can lead to meaningful transformation.
✓ Strong communities and friendships enrich the journey of life.
✓ Life’s most treasured possessions are often memories, not things.
✓ Writing offers a powerful way to preserve and reflect on experiences.
✓ Staying present opens the door to unexpected discoveries.
✓ The path of life is a continuous cycle of learning and adapting.
✓ Parental support can inspire a lifelong spirit of exploration.
✓ It’s never too late to pursue new creative passions.

Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.