Living in landlocked Nebraska makes ocean visits precious. In this episode, Chris Gorman reflects on why he and his wife keep returning to Hawaii, how they approach travel with care and curiosity, and what made their manta ray experience unexpectedly impactful. It’s a conversation about slowing down, traveling with intention, and bringing a little of the Aloha Spirit back home.

In this episode:

Chris’s approach to sustainable travel and experiencing places from a local’s perspective
How to cut through online noise and figure out which experiences are actually worth your time
Why choosing fewer, better experiences often leads to deeper trust and more meaningful moments
Carrying lessons from travel back home: slowing down, consuming more thoughtfully, and being more aware of everyday choices

Key moments:

(00:00) Intro and living in landlocked Nebraska

(04:37) Swimming with manta rays during a stressful season

(05:20) Learning about Hawaii from locals, not guidebooks

(08:19) Choosing responsible travel experiences

(10:05) A magical moment in the water with the manta rays

(17:09) "Serial research" and planning trips with intention

(18:16) Going beyond the guidebooks and maximizing your travel experience

(26:51) Reading between the lines of online reviews

(32:48) How preparation and experience create trust on the water

(38:02) What indigenous cultures reveal about sustainability

(42:19) Feeling more tuned into the planet after time in Hawaii

(44:39) Aloha as a way of living, not just a greeting

Resources

• Episode page and resources: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/chris-intentional-travel
• Get Martina’s emails: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter
• More about manta rays on https://mantarayadvocates.com
• Watch the full video on YouTube