In this fascinating conversation, Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Debra Kouda about how a career working with cheetahs eventually led her to the Peace Corps, a small village in Benin, and a completely new understanding of travel, culture, and belonging.
Raised in Alaska, Debra’s love of adventure first took her to Namibia to work in wildlife conservation. Later, she joined the Peace Corps expecting to continue working with animals—only to be assigned to Benin, a country she knew almost nothing about. That unexpected assignment changed her life forever.
Not only did she immerse herself in the local culture, she met her future husband, built a second home in Benin, earned a doctorate studying transformational learning through tourism, and is now creating a travel company designed to help visitors experience Africa far beyond the stereotypes.
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In this episode, Chris and Debra discuss:
Growing up in Alaska and developing a lifelong love of travel
Working with lions, tigers, bears, and cheetahs
Joining the Peace Corps and being unexpectedly assigned to Benin
Falling in love with West Africa—and with her future husband
Living in a rural African village for more than two years
Why disconnecting from technology creates deeper travel experiences
Reverse culture shock after returning home
The misconceptions many Westerners have about Africa
Transformational learning through immersive travel
Building a tourism company focused on authentic cultural exchange
One of the most compelling ideas Debra shares is that meaningful travel isn’t about checking destinations off a list. It’s about allowing another culture to challenge your assumptions, expand your perspective, and change the way you see the world.
Rather than offering traditional safari vacations, Debra’s vision is to invite visitors into everyday life in a Beninese village—sharing meals, meeting artisans, exchanging knowledge, and experiencing Africa as a living culture rather than a tourist attraction.
If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling more deeply, living more intentionally, or discovering parts of the world that few tourists ever experience, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical insight.
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