Do you travel with intention?
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Jake Haupert to explore the transformative power of travel: how mindful journeys can profoundly change the way we see the world–and ourselves.
Podcast Highlights
- Passion for travel. Jake shares how his love for travel began.
- Transformational travel. Jake explains what transformational travel means.
- The Hero’s Journey. Jake shares how he drew inspiration from Joseph Campbell’s ‘hero’s journey.’
- The power of unlearning. Jake talks about ‘unlearning’ as part of transformational trips.
- The four houses of transformation. Jake explains the four houses of transformational travel.
- The Transformation Economy. Jake discusses how transformational travel is part of the broader ‘Transformation Economy.’
- Balancing technology and human connection. Jake explains the tension between AI and the need for meaningful human connection.
Jake Haupert
Jake Haupert is the founder of the Transformational Travel Council. He has built a reputation as a next-generation experience strategist, designer, and sustainable tourism expert, and is also a leading voice in regenerative consulting and facilitation.
At the heart of Jake’s work is a deep belief: experiences are sacred. They awaken us, shake us, and stir us into a greater awareness of who we are and how we’re connected—to one another, to nature, and to ourselves.
His approach to transformational travel invites us to live and travel differently—more consciously, more lovingly, and more fully aligned with our true selves.
Passion for travel
Jake’s love for travel began when he was young. His grandparents were adventurous travelers who explored the world for months at a time. They returned with stories, souvenirs, and a sense of wonder. These stories opened Jake’s imagination and showed him how powerful travel could be.
He didn’t travel constantly as a child, so the few trips he did take felt special and stayed with him. As soon as he was old enough to explore on his own, he embraced travel fully — and never really slowed down.
Today, travel is not only his passion but also his career. He works with travel companies, hotels, and destinations around the world to help them design trips that have purpose and meaning, not just sightseeing schedules.
“There’s so much power in travel. It gets us out of our comfort zones, away from our homes, and brings us back to who we are, why we’re here, and who we want to become.” - Jake Haupert
Transformational travel
Transformational travel is the intentional act of traveling to stretch, learn, and grow into new ways of being. It is not defined by luxury, bucket lists, or crowded tourist spots. Instead, it invites travelers to engage deeply, ask questions, and use travel as a tool for self-discovery. Rather than seeking entertainment, the transformational traveler seeks awareness — of purpose, of connection, and of possibility.
“It’s exciting to move beyond luxury holidays and crowded tourist spots—to travel in a way that helps you grow, challenge yourself, and connect with locals meaningfully.” - Nicholas Kemp
The Hero's Journey
One of Jake’s main ideas comes from Joseph Campbell’s ‘hero’s journey.’ This is a story pattern that shows how people change by leaving home, going through challenges, and then returning. Haupert uses this idea in his travel programs to help people notice when they are feeling the ‘call to adventure.’
The departure starts even before you pack your bags. You ask yourself: Why do I want to travel? What do I want to learn or become? The initiation happens during the trip, when you step into a new world. You may feel confused, amazed, challenged, and playful as you have new experiences. The return is the final step and often the most important: bringing what you learned back into daily life.
The power of unlearning
Transformation is not only about acquiring knowledge — it is also about releasing old ways of seeing. Jake emphasizes ‘unlearning’: loosening entitlement, ego, extraction, and expectation that often shape tourism today. Many travelers approach destinations as things to consume rather than communities to relate with. To unlock travel’s deeper potential, we must shift from ‘What can I take?’ to 'How can I participate, connect, and contribute?’
“When you travel with intention—knowing who you are, where you are, and where you want to go—you unlock travel’s real potential.” - Jake Haupert
The four houses of transformation
Jake and his colleagues developed a foundational framework for transformational travel centered on expanding relationships across four dimensions:
- Introspection – deepening self-awareness and identity
- Bridging – building authentic connection with others
- Expansion – developing relationship with nature, systems, and place
- Integration – bringing insights home and turning them into action
Integration, Jake notes, is the ‘holy grail.’ Travelers commonly return glowing with clarity and inspiration, only to slip back into routine. To prevent this, he encourages accountability partners, milestone calendars, and ongoing reflection.
The Transformation Economy
Jake also places transformational travel in the growing ‘transformation economy.’ Instead of focusing only on selling products or services, this approach helps people grow and develop. In this new way of thinking, value is measured not just by money, but by how we change and what we learn.
Travel becomes a tool to connect with our values and goals, encouraging reflection for both travelers and the travel industry. By helping people become better versions of themselves, the transformation economy fosters a deeper connection to purpose and community.
Balancing technology and human connection
In an era of advancing technology, Jake acknowledges the tension between AI and meaningful human connection. He envisions a future where AI enhances the travel experience by providing insights into travelers' motivations, allowing for more conscious and impactful design. However, the heart of transformational travel remains in deepening our humanity and fostering genuine connections.
Conclusion
Transformational travel invites us to slow down, reflect, and engage more deeply with the world and ourselves. It turns travel into a practice — something that helps us grow, not just something we buy.
With intention, awareness, and integration, every journey has the potential to change who we are and how we live.