Guest Bio

Charlie Krarup is the Owner and Managing Director of Adventure Base, a leading adventure travel company specializing in experiences across the European Alps. With a deep passion for mountain sports and a knack for big-picture thinking, Charlie leads a dedicated team that designs unforgettable alpine adventures—from mountaineering and trekking to ski touring and trail running.

A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Charlie brings an energetic, hands-on approach to leadership, blending strategic vision with a love for challenge and exploration. As both founder and operator, he’s grown Adventure Base into a trusted partner for guided and self-guided experiences, known for its personalized service, meticulous planning, and commitment to safety. Whether working with solo travelers or custom group tours, Charlie and his team aim to make every journey seamless, inspiring, and deeply memorable.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Charlie about his journey from a corporate career to becoming the owner of one of the Alps’ most respected adventure travel companies. He shares how a pivotal moment—and his wife’s encouragement—sparked his transition into building a business around his love for the outdoors.

The conversation explores the unique appeal of the European Alps, where Adventure Base offers a wide range of year-round activities for all skill levels. Charlie dives into the philosophy behind the company’s trips, the importance of language in adventure marketing, and how client expectations shape each experience. He also opens up about working alongside his wife and business partner, navigating cultural differences across alpine regions, and the values that drive his team’s success—chief among them: authenticity, communication, and meaningful connections with clients.

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

Keith Sproule is the Executive Director of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP), where he oversees a global portfolio of 73 community-led projects across 30 countries. With a career spanning over three decades, Keith has worked extensively in sustainable tourism and development, advising ministries and nonprofits on five continents. His expertise bridges ecotourism, conservation, and community investment — with fieldwork ranging from joint-venture tourism in Namibia with the World Wildlife Fund to strategic tourism planning in Georgia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.

Keith’s background includes serving as a Fulbright Scholar in Belize, acting as a tourism lead in post-conflict regions like Kosovo and Cyprus, and holding leadership roles in international organizations such as The International Ecotourism Society and the Wild Foundation. His work consistently centers on the belief that travel can be a force for good — creating real impact through thoughtful, place-based engagement with local communities.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Keith about the deep intersection between travel, philanthropy, and lasting impact. As Executive Director of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, Keith shares how AKP supports local communities through strategic investments in education, healthcare, job creation, and conservation — often in places that travelers may never see, but whose lives are touched by responsible tourism.

Recorded in a casual coffee shop setting, the conversation dives into Keith’s personal journey — from his early travel experiences to a career spent fostering meaningful connections between travelers and the communities they visit. He offers heartfelt stories from the field, like how a simple school lunch in Uganda can spark broader community engagement, and how small-scale investments can ripple outward to create systemic change. For anyone interested in making their travel matter, Keith offers both inspiration and practical insights.

Key Takeaways

• ✓ Travel choices can have lasting, positive impacts on local communities
• ✓ A nutritious school lunch in Uganda costs just 21 cents — and changes lives
• ✓ Sustainable tourism is most effective when communities are active partners
• ✓ Philanthropy isn’t innate — it’s something we can all learn and grow into
• ✓ Authentic travel fosters compassion, curiosity, and cultural understanding
• ✓ Long-term change comes from investing in education and healthcare
• ✓ Collaboration amplifies efficiency and scale in global development projects
• ✓ Personal travel stories can shape lifelong missions of service and impact
• ✓ Even modest interventions can lead to structural improvements in communities
• ✓ Smiles and shared moments build the human connections that matter most

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

Azdean Elmoustaquim is the creator and host of the Destination Morocco Podcast, an immersive audio series that explores the heart of Moroccan culture, travel, and hospitality. Originally from the vibrant city of Marrakech, Azdean grew up with strong family ties to the nearby village of Telouet. After moving to the United States in 1995, he eventually settled in Houston and began finding new ways to reconnect with and share the richness of his homeland.

Launched in 2022, the Destination Morocco Podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at Moroccan life — with practical travel tips, cultural insights, and real conversations with locals and travelers alike. In 2023, Azdean returned to Morocco to capture authentic on-location audio, bringing listeners even closer to the sounds and soul of the country. The podcast is a powerful extension of his passion for storytelling and cultural connection.

Azdean is also the founder of Destination Morocco, a boutique travel company he co-runs with his wife, Khadija Elomari. Together, they design personalized itineraries that help travelers explore Morocco not as tourists, but as welcomed guests. Whether through sound or experience, Azdean’s mission is to help people discover Morocco deeply and meaningfully.

Show Summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Azdean about his journey from Morocco to the U.S. and how that path eventually led to the creation of both a travel company and a popular podcast. Azdean shares stories from his early life in Marrakech, his immigration experience, and how time away helped him fall back in love with the land he left behind.

The episode highlights the evolution of the Destination Morocco Podcast — from its humble beginnings during the pandemic to its current form as an immersive storytelling experience. Jason and Azdean discuss the power of capturing ambient sounds, the beauty of cultural imperfections, and the importance of open-minded travel. They also unpack the common misconceptions about Morocco and reflect on the country’s growing popularity as a world-class destination.

Key Takeaways

• ✓ The Destination Morocco Podcast brings Moroccan culture to life through immersive audio storytelling.
• ✓ Azdean’s journey from Marrakech to Houston reflects the richness of the immigrant experience.
• ✓ The podcast began as a pandemic project and has grown into a cultural travel guide.
• ✓ Real background sounds and on-location interviews make the podcast feel truly authentic.
• ✓ Travel is a powerful way to reconnect with one’s roots and rediscover identity.
• ✓ Morocco’s hospitality is a highlight for travelers and a theme throughout the podcast.
• ✓ Storytelling plays a central role in both the podcast and the tour business.
• ✓ Embracing imperfections in podcasting adds charm and relatability.
• ✓ Morocco is full of hidden gems and diverse cultural experiences beyond the tourist track.
• ✓ The podcast is a bridge between travelers and the real Morocco, inspiring deeper connections.

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.