Beyond the Journey

In the heart of Quito’s Historic Center stands one of the city’s most storied mansions, a house that holds four centuries of memory within its walls. In this episode, we step inside Casa Gangotena through the voices of those who knew it best: the family who lived there, a mayor who fell in love with it and the team who dared to bring it back to life. From the scent of palo santo drifting in from the plaza, the painted murals, to a mirror that survived a fire, every nook and cranny of the mansion tells a story. Join us for an intimate portrait of a place that has been, at once, a home, a landmark and a living piece of Quito’s soul. https://www.casagangotena.com/blog/accomodation/quiteno-tale/  

We venture to Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador’s cloud forest to tell the story of a fragrance — how the distinctive bloom of the rare Magnolia mashpi inspired a scent shaped by the art of perfumery. This episode reveals how a passionate team created an innovative way to help finance the protection of this endangered species, and how fragrance can become a powerful language for connecting people to nature. A journey where scent becomes storytelling, and art becomes conservation.www.mashpilodge.com/blog/news/magnolias-conservation  

From its origins as a family camping spot to a model of how hospitality can be an engine for conservation, most people would have balked at taking on a project like Mashpi. But Roque Sevilla isn’t most people. Find out how Roque, a local farmer and a young biologist transformed a bold dream into reality, and how perseverance, vision and respect for nature turned Mashpi into a world-class lodge that not only creates incredible, memorable experiences for its guests, but also benefits local people, protects the forest and generates scientific knowledge for the world.  ⁠www.mashpilodge.com⁠

This is an invitation to slow down, to listen closely, and to experience places not just as destinations, but as living stories.From forests wrapped in mist to streets filled with history and islands shaped by time, we’ll explore what happens when a journey becomes something deeper.I’m Dominic Hamilton, your host, and I’m glad you’re here. Let’s begin.