Episode 92: Scot Tatelman

Travel With Meaning

In this episode, we talk about Scot's passion for travel and how it lead to launching the Travel Academy. An initiative with State Bags and Puzzle International to provide the opportunity of travel for young adults from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Travel With Meaning podcast host, Mike Schibel was lucky enough to be a last-minute addition to the inaugural Travel Academy trip in California and even earned a special nickname. The Travel Academy California adventure was turned into a short film premiering on October 2, 2022, online. Click here to see the inspiring trailer of the film.

More about Scot Tatelman:

Scot defines the term ‘social entrepreneur’ and has made it his life’s work to balance profitable business ventures with making the world a better place. In 2005, he collaborated with The Mark Wahlberg Foundation and The Boys and Girls Club to create Camp Northbound - a residential camp for kids growing up in the inner cities of Boston. Following its success, Scot set out to build a similar program for kids in New York City’s most underfunded communities, creating Camp Power. In fourteen years, the volunteer-based nonprofit organization provided life-changing experiences, positive role models and college scholarships to thousands of kids. After seeing many Camp Power kids carrying their belongings in ripped trash bags, he and his wife founded STATE Bags - a Brooklyn-born bag brand that uses the power of business to give back and support American children and families in need, in the ways they need it most. He has worked to evolve their charitable model through STATE's innovative giving initiatives and #WhatDoWeTellTheKids platform and recently launched a consulting company to help build out the company's charitable and giving efforts. Scot is a graduate of UVM and a Boston native, he currently resides in Northern California with his wife, two kids, and dog, Bird.

This could be one of our favorite and most inspiring episodes ever!