Dr Anu Taranath - Author of "Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World”. - a podcast by Sarah Williams

Dr. Anu Taranath brings both passion and expertise to her work as a speaker, facilitator, author and educator. 

A University of Washington professor for the past 20+ years, she has also received the Seattle Weekly’s “Best of Seattle” recognition, the University's Distinguished Teaching Award, and multiple US Fulbright Fellowships to work abroad. 

As a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and racial equity consultant Dr. Anu offers coaching, training and facilitation services, and has partnered with over 300 clients from Amazon to the Raging Grannies. 

Her book "Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World" was named a finalist for several book awards including the Washington State Book Award and included in Oprah Magazine’s “Best 26 Travel Books of All Times.

Aun in her own words:

“As the daughter of immigrants who has grown up between two cultures, I often draw on my personal experience as a way to connect with and amplify the voices of those who have historically not been heard. As a scholar and academic, I also know that racial equity work is challenging, emotional, institutional, and personal. 

I’ve taught about global issues, race, gender, identity, and equity to thousands of students, presented at high-profile as well as more humble events, and collaborated with social change agents and innovative thinkers around the world. I partner with clients for the long haul and strive to build inclusivity and collaboration, inviting people into conversation.”

 

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Show Notes

• Who is Dr. Anu
• Being based in Seattle in the USA
• Working as a professor for the University of Washington 
• Is it possible to travel well in an unequal world?
• Her job and roles
• How do we deal with history in the present?
• Her family and love for travel
• Her experience of not feeling a sense of belonging
• Introducing students to new places in the world
• Finding yourself through travel
• Her first solo travel experience through university
• Spending 1.5 yrs in India
• Figuring out who we should be
• Following a very traditional academic road
• Studying computer science, but not finding her passion
• Not knowing what she wanted to do 
• Finding passion in discussions on social issues
• How do we travel and be aware of the inequities that structure our world
• Book: "Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World”
• How to navigate uncomfortable feelings 
• Working in collaboration and community with many change makers
• Travelling with privileges 
• Wanting to use our privileges to help others 
• Why our goal should be to travel mindfully
• What is ethical travel?
• Why ethics is never just a tickbox exercise 
• Understanding my place in an unequal world
• Going through the hard things to get to the other side
• Getting more comfortable with my discomfort 
• Feeling bad is not a strategy of social justice
• Thinking and reflecting on travel and why it doesn’t feel like work
• Feeling joyous and alive while engaging in tricky conversations 
• The importance of different types of conversations 
• Learning about the world and ourselves 
• How to connect with Dr. Anu
• Final words of advice and what Dr. Anu has learned from her travels
• Feeling grateful for being part of the community of change makers around the world 

 

Social Media

Website www.anutaranath.com 

Instagram @dr.anutaranath 

 

 

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