Speaking Of Travel ®

Dayna Reggero, a documentary film director and founder of the Climate Listening Project, is partnering with Kelly Sheehan, Director of Energy Campaigns for the Sierra Club, to create the Gulf Climate Listening Project.Dayna's  work on the Gulf Coast started when she was 19, appearing with animals on television to talk about environmental concerns. 2021 Pulitzer Winner Lauryn Higgins wrote: “By trade, Dayna Reggero is an environmentalist. Her work ranges from filmmaking to beginning her career as a spokesperson. However, her most skilled work might come in the form of organizing conversations, or simply starting them.” Kelly is working in the Gulf with the Sierra Club and local communities to stop fracked gas exports. She shares why we need radical love, real healing, investing in communities and why we all need to all get involved to move beyond fossil fuels and protect the places we love. Also on Speaking of Travel,  discover what we can expect to see in travel in 2022 with marketing and marketing resea

Enter the world of Omileye Achikeobi-Lewis. Omi’s life has prepared us for this moment for her to be our guide. Her name means Water Gives Me Joy, Honor, and Dignity and she shares valuable insights on healing, happiness and mindfulness. Omi is trauma-focused counselor, kids yoga teacher, diversity facilitator, a mom, an artist and an author. She is a total water fanatic and for the last 15 years has traveled to many sacred waterways across the world. And she's been researching the iconography and connecting  stories of African and Asian Water Mother Goddesses and how they connect us to each other, and a world of  peace.A must listen for anyone who wants to reawaken to the fact that it is normal to feel.Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Chantal Patton has traveled to over 100 countries with her husband and three daughters over the last eight years. They document this amazing journey on their YouTube Channel “Growing Up Without Borders.”Chantal is a location independent entrepreneur who has traveled to over 100 countries together with her husband and three daughters over the last eight years. They have a family goal to visit every country in the world together and are documenting their journey on their YouTube Channel “Growing Up Without Borders.” Originally from Canada, the Patton family now world schools their kids while sharing their adventures and showcasing the beauty of different countries and cultures. The three Patton girls have even created a series of online classes for other kids called “Geography Made Fun: Learning Geography from a Kids Perspective.”  And, through it all, Chantal continually prioritizes a healthy work/life/education/travel balance for her family.  Chantal gives tips on designing travel itineraries with kids, creat

Nathan Evans Fox is an accomplished songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. His fourth album, Wasted Love, ignites joy, nostalgia and solidarity, shifting simmering anger and contemplative reflection to wry wit and unexpected sass.Writing the album in the midst of all this loss and uncertainty, Nathan wanted to write songs that would provide respite. In this sense, Fox’s music is all about work: blue-collar work, care work, reflective work. "We need music to do work for us that we’re too tired to do ourselves. Our feelings are spent and our ability to do work is exhausted and we just need somebody to put some good feeling back in our body," Nathan said.Nathan was trained as a hospital chaplain and his songs draw on his proximity to grief, his struggles with religion, his love of place, and a fast commitment to reflective work.  A must listen! Also on Speaking of Travel, Jen Brooks of RomanticAsheville.com, the most popular online travel guide to the mountains and foothills surrounding Asheville and We

Enjoy this special conversation on Speaking of Travel with Franny of Franny’s Farm and Mike of Pasta & Prana.What is Pasta & Prana and what does Prana have to do with pasta? It will all be discovered!Franny and Mike share the inspiration in creating an amazing event that's a love story and not about pasta at all. It's all about Food & Love!This new interactive dinner theatre is witty, enlightening and educational. It also tells a story of LOVE with Nona, the star of the show.Franny and Mike are collective thinkers and bring their heart and creative ideas into a system for others to participate, work and thrive. Join in the revitalizing of Franny’s Farm. You'll find love all around. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

The Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace Series continues and helps inspire actions through environmental stewardship. Richard Crawford is passionate about the health of our planet and finds solutions as he travels the world. During season one of Amazon Prime's "Leave No Trace TV," Richard brought us inside some of the world's most awe-inspiring destinations and connected us with cultures around the globe. And he delivers solutions to becoming more mindful travelers.With season two approaching, Richard fills us in on what's in store and where he's headed as our ambassador to conservation, sustainable travel and eco-tourism today and in the future. Also on Speaking of Travel, laugh to the point of tears with Jen Lauzon, the co-founder of LaZoom Tours in Asheville, NC. Leave your exhausting days and fretful nights behind and get a smile on your face.And be aware of what to expect this holiday season to ensure you’re a savvy and safe traveler. There are things you really must know. T

Mark Gordon Smith, founder of Private Italy Tours, recently returned from a four-week trip through Italy.  Mark shares how easy, based on his experience, travel is today and what you need to know to be stress-free. International travel is changing every day, and Mark provides a first-hand account of what it's really like to embark on a trip overseas to one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. Also, Don Cason, Executive Director for the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority in Western North Carolina, fills us in on some fun-filled, and family friendly, winter activities in this beautiful mountain region.And if you’re taking to the skies this holiday season, be prepared for a drama-free experience. Tina Kinsey, Director of Marketing, PR and Air Service Development for the Asheville Regional Airport, provides some useful tips on how to fly safer and what to expect during the holidays. And where to go for sun and fun!Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.

Andrew L. Nehlig, founder of the Sauna House in Asheville, NC, is an ambassador for health and wellbeing. Discover how Andrew's own wellness journey, and his travels around the world, became the catalyst to create a communal bathing experience. And Justin Bellame, the publisher of Romantic Asheville.com, shares what the latest travel trends are looking like and how innovative marketing approaches are soaring high. Also, Tina Kinsey Director of Marketing, PR and Air Service Development at the Asheville Regional Airport, provides an update on their expansion plans for sustainable growth and success as an airport for the next 50+ years. Asheville Regional Airport Is A GatewayAsheville Regional Airport is Western North Carolina’s Gateway. When you fly home, you're home! Prestige Subaru- Welcome To SubievilleWe're grateful to serve our community's local charities and non-profits with our Love Promise! Romantic Asheville Offers Getaway IdeasPlan A Getaway Trip To Asheville & The North Carolina

The Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace Series with Richard Crawford of the Amazon Prime TV Show, Leave No Trace, spotlights Glenn Jampol, an ecotourism pioneer and owner of Finca Rosa Blanca in Costa Rica. Glenn chairs the Global Ecotourism Network, a global group of other ecotourism pioneers and practitioners who want to share their years of experience in ecotourism and sustainable tourism practices, and their wide contact network, to help others.The Global Ecotourism Network brings the world’s regional and national ecotourism associations, networks and destinations, together with indigenous and rural peoples, global operators, professionals and academics, to grow the industry, provide advocacy, encourage thought leadership and innovation, and add greater authenticity to ecotourism.Richard and Glenn encourage greater social entrepreneurship through empowerment, skills transfer and capacity building. A must listen! Also join Katrina Addison Skye-Evans of Asheville Urban Photo Tours as she shares how the amaz

Is there hope for the future?  In his latest book, A Thing of Beauty: Travels in Mythical and Modern Greece, Peter Fiennes travels to the sites of famous Greek myths on the trail of hope, beauty and a new way of seeing what we have done to our world. Peter explores what the ancient Greeks have to say to us today and why it's the people who give us hope. Peter walks through stunning and spoiled landscapes on the trail of dancing activists and Arcadian shepherds, consults the Oracle and loses himself in the cities, remote villages and ruins of this storied land. Find out if the ancient Greeks actually had anything to say to us about our climate crisis and our other ecological concerns. From Greek mythology to Greek food and all the way to picturesque beaches of the Greek islands, Peter draws on dreams and moments of hope that he encountered during the first year of Covid. If you're not able to visit Greece right now, you can visit a little bit of paradise in the North Carolina Mountains. Although ever

The autism journey begins very early for some and it can be an exploration filled with challenges. Michele Louzon, Executive Director of Arms Around ASD, a non-profit center providing holistic therapies for people on the autism spectrum, their families, care givers and the professionals who work with them, created a community of supporters and resources to help ensure a happier and more fulfilled life.The mission of Arms Around ASD is to support the autism community through self-care and development of executive functioning skills promoting the growth of the community as a whole. What makes Arms Around ASD unique is they support the entire family including siblings, caregivers and support staff. The therapies provided are not typically covered by insurance and are all provided by a team of volunteers. They understand the need for self-care is a priority and not a luxury.Learn more about this important organization located at the Asheville Mall and support their community.As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Life is

Ukrainian-born American pianist Inna Faliks was a performer from the earliest time she can remember and her distinguished career has taken her to thousands of recitals and concerts throughout the US, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. She is currently Professor of Piano and Head of Piano at UCLA.  As a concert pianist, Inna's life was often consumed with traveling from performance to performance, across the country and around the world. In Spring 2020, all that stopped for over a year. Inna explains how she occupied herself through this drastic lifestyle change and began her weekly Corona Friday series.  She also managed to release two new albums, one with music by Robert and Clara Schumann, and the other in which living composers responded to music by Beethoven and Ravel. In addition to performing and teaching, Faliks founded and is the curator of Music/Words, an award-winning series of collaborations between musicians and distinguished poets, which was the genesis of her current autobiographical show, “

 Suzanne Stavert of AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com is a travel writer, brand ambassador and culinary explorer and she recently returned from a trip to Italy. Find out how she planned her international travel and what you can do to make your travel dreams come true. Her work with Collette Travel, China Southern Airlines, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Viking Cruises, Hotels.com, Expedia, Oldways, and most recently with Tuscan Women Cook has taken her on culinary journeys through Italy, Japan, Iceland and many other countries in Europe. But it's been a while since traveling and going to Italy during this time of Covid provided some strategies and preparation to make that dream a reality.  Find out what it was like for Suzanne not to travel for so long and what it's like to be traveling in Italy today. Suzanne explores what stood out after all this time and offers some helpful and timely tips for people getting ready or dreaming of travel. Italy is one of our favorite bucket list destinations but has had

The Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace Series with Richard Crawford, host of the Amazon Prime TV series Leave No Trace, continues with Richard reflecting how traveling surprises, and challenges, him.Richard explains how he first realized his love of travel and what it was like growing up in Scotland across the road from a major airport. After a soccer scholarship brought him to the U.S., he relates how awe-inspiring the excitement of traveling really was and how his life changed when he went out in the world as a brand ambassador. Over time, his love of travel and his passion for ecotourism and sustainability impacted his future. Today, with his successful TV series, Leave No Trace, he is able to help break down barriers, support the places he loves and highlight the importance of conservation, sustainable travel and eco-tourism.Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Mark Gordon Smith, founder of Private Italy Tours, loves to talk about his love affair with the most gorgeous country known for epic architecture, history, food, wine and gracious people. For a tour company, not touring and traveling equates to great loss.  However, for Mark, there was no time for feeling sorry for himself. Instead, he created opportunities to bring together community across the globe. Mark talks candidly about the challenges and silver-linings during the time of the pandemic. There are new tours and plans unfolding moving forward and Mark explains how he has found strength in the Italian people and their cultures and traditions. He's ready to share this all with you now. Find out how to come home to Italy. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Suzanne Stavert has a unique perspective to inspire empty nesters (and others) to find adventure wherever they go. Her blog, Adventures of Empty Nesters, is a movement and a valued resource. These stories are a way to open doors to new ideas and experiences and inspire you to find your version of an exciting and adventurous life.Her newest adventure is a podcast called Travel Connections.  Suzanne will be talking with industry professionals and others and highlight special stories to make valuable and long-lasting travel connections.Discover how Suzanne answered the  gnawing question of... "what now?"  when the emptiness of the day-to-day fun she and her husband had with with their kids evolved into finding a new life full of joy and excitement for the future. #findadventureAlso on Speaking of Travel, now is the best time to check off your must do list for the upcoming leaf season in the mountains and foothills surrounding Asheville and Western North Carolina. Jen Brooks, the editor and social media

Stephanie Carroll Carson, co-owner of Gypsy Circus Cider Company, has many balls in the air. But she and her husband have found traveling with their kids is the most rewarding, exhilarating experience and builds unforgettable memories. A recent month-long trip to Ecuador allowed them to explore the country without the pressure that every day had to be phenomenal. Their flexibility paid off when they were able to book a trip two hours before the boat left for the Galapagos and they saved a ton of money on an eight-day first-class cruise. Discover why seeing this trip through the eyes of their children was the most rewarding part of the trip and how they experienced the "fly by the seat of your pants" approach. Maybe traveling with your kids is something to consider for the future. Stephanie is a pro!Also on Speaking of Travel,  explore how to be good stewards of our planet and support the communities we visit by leaving a smaller footprint. Clark Lovelace, Executive Director of the Brevard/Transylvan

Explore the Mediterranean through acclaimed food and wine experiences with Felix Meana of CÚRATE. Felix is a pioneer of sustainable food systems and promotes eco tourism, conservation, and mindful travel.Felix and his wife, Chef Katie Button, have many endeavors through Katie Button Restaurants, including CÚRATE Tapas Bar and La Bodega by CÚRATE. They're changing the industry at its core by doing what they love.Felix’s close relationships with importers and wineries throughout Spain and his hyper-focus on guest experience is integral to the CÚRATE brand. CÚRATE Trips allow guests to experience fascinating and unique culinary destinations first-hand. Felix explains how priceless insider access, life-long connections and a tantalizing insight into the food that shapes the cultural essence of every locale on the itinerary is what makes a CÚRATE Trip so memorable and exciting. And speaking of tours, think how fun it is to discover new cities on a local tour, with a local tour guide. Also on Speaking of Trave

Arnfinn Oines, Secretary of the Soneva Foundation and Social & Environmental Conscience of Soneva, discusses eco-tourism and sustainability and their environmental, social and economic impact programs in the Maldives and the world. The Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace Series with Richard Crawford, host of the Amazon Prime TV series, continues with guests from all over the globe, highlighting the importance of conservation, sustainable travel and eco-tourism.Arnfinn and Richard explore how Soneva's forward thinking ideas are ground-breaking and where the inspiration comes from and they talk about how the Foundation's successes are making huge changes in supporting the development of projects having positive impacts. Also join Tyler Donaldson, Sales & Marketing Director for French Broad Adventures in Western North Carolina and discover how this small family-owned outdoor company is celebrating its 40th year providing fun and thrilling activities. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel!

Jennifer Ball is a Chinese-speaking, magenta-haired, French horn-playing, rock 'n' roll singer/novelist who focuses on inclusive language. Jennifer explains how travel requires more listening because you're often in a new place. With listening comes thinking about language and word choice so you're not offending another culture. She lived in China for two years and taught English to Chinese college students. In the Fingerpuppets rock band she plays French horn, trumpet and keyboards and she sings too.Jennifer has an MFA in Creative Writing from San Diego State University and a BFA in Theater from University of California at Los Angeles and is the author of Catalyst, Higher Math, The Book Moose Minnon Never Wrote, and she co-authored of The Verbum Book of Digital.Jennifer Ball's Chinese name is 包弫 Bao Zhen (bao1 zhen3). In Chinese, last names come first. Bao/Ball. Zhen/Jennifer. The little known 弫  means "impactful, powerful." Very true.Jennifer has researched ancient written