Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Masters in Travel

This month’s Shop Talk starts with an AI bootcamp neither host fully loved and ends with both of them rethinking how their businesses are built. Brianna and Whitney trade notes on “simplify to scale,” why profit matters more than revenue, and what happened when Claude mined years of emails to build client profiles and map 23 past Africa trips. Brianna also walks us through her self-funded team fam to Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto. Whitney is off to Sicily.

An AI that agrees with everything you say isn't a thinking partner, it's autocomplete. Brianna walks through her recent switch from ChatGPT to Claude, not as a platform comparison, but as a case study in what happens when pricing and property suggestions sound polished but don't hold up against real numbers. She breaks down the five-part skill structure her team now runs on, from call prep to quality assurance, and why the standard has to live in a document instead of her head. The framework matters more than the tool.

Thousands of travel advisors research the same facts every day, and Whitney Shindelar sees that as a structural problem. The owner of Undiscovered Sunsets and creator of The Hive separates fact research from execution and explains why the judgment behind every hotel and routing choice has never had a home. Three habits change that. If your brain feels too full to show up fully, this one is for you.

You can hand someone a task, but you can’t hand them an instinct. In the second of a three-part series, Whitney breaks down the three layers of knowledge in a travel advisor’s head (facts, experiences, and reasoning) across destination, supplier, business, and client intel. The reasoning layer is why you stay the bottleneck. She closes with three habits she’s building herself: record everything, voice-note your thoughts right after, and explain your reasoning out loud after every proposal.

A better CRM won’t fix a full head. Whitney opens a three-part solo series with the day she spent in the Atlas Mountains outside Marrakech, laptop braced on her knees, building a last-minute Japan invoice instead of enjoying the view she’d requested. She explains the two ceilings in a travel business, chaos and fullness, and why organized, efficient travel advisors still end up as the bottleneck. Start noticing where your own business follows you.

Handing off tasks is easy. Handing off judgment is where most travel advisors get stuck. In this Shop Talk, Whitney and Brianna debrief their first PURE Life Experiences in Marrakech, from wrangling appointment requests to the hotel meetings that actually stuck. Then they get into the harder part: Brianna's biweekly meetings to transfer her thinking to her team member, and Whitney's $2,000-a-night Milan hotel quote that nobody stopped to question.

The restructure fails when judgment never transfers. In part two of this two-part series, Brianna introduces what she calls the baton pass: organizing a team around the phases of the client journey instead of around who's on the roster. She walks through her own four-person structure, from intake to concierge execution, and uses a Michelin-star dining mishap to show why transferring judgment, not just tasks, is what actually lets travel advisors step back.

Hiring help doesn't get you out of the middle of your business. Brianna breaks down the quality control trap, where a team member does the work, you check it, and the standard never leaves your head. She shares how she stopped double-checking final itinerary reviews and gave her client experience manager full ownership of arrival amenities. Then she asks three questions to find out whether your team owns outcomes or just completes tasks, with the fix coming in part two.

Most travel advisors have never read their own host agreement fine print. That gap can cost real money. Brianna sits down with Gunes Hopson, founder of GFH Law PLC and owner of Luxe Travel by Gunes, to break down real contract disputes she has handled, including hidden exclusivity clauses and non-competes that trap advisors mid-transition. Gunes also explains why AI cannot replace a lawyer's review of a legal document, and what actually happens when an LLC exists on paper but not in practice.

In this month's Shop Talk, Whitney and Brianna reconnect after five months apart and compare notes on what shifted. Whitney shares the delegation ceiling she hit this summer, from moving her team onto a shared inbox to splitting her support roles at inquiry-to-deposit and pre-departure. Brianna talks through taking June and July mostly off in Portugal and Spain, then coming home to a 50-person corporate offsite in Italy that fell in her lap. Together they get into what a $500,000 group program really costs in hours, why corporate planning committees move so slowly, and whether staying in your lane beats chasing a bigger number. The conversation wraps with both of them prepping for PURE in Marrakech, including conference nerves and the 72-out-of-700 appointment scramble.

In this conversation on DMCs, Whitney flips the script and chats with Hicham Mhammedi Alaoui, co-founder of Experience Morocco and The Travel Collection, to shine a light on the DMC side of working with travel advisors. They unpack how DMCs can create unique and memorable experiences without breaking the bank, how global expansion works behind the scenes, and what travel advisors should know to build successful partnerships. Hicham shares candid advice on communication, budgets, and the ever-evolving landscape of destination management, offering invaluable insights for both new and seasoned travel entrepreneurs.

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

How can travel advisors create partnerships with DMCs that feel more like collaborations and less like transactions? Joining Whitney for Part 2 of a two-part convo are seasoned travel advisor Kate Sullivan and newer advisor Anna Tretter to explore the intricacies of working with DMCs. They talk about the role DMCs play in the travel industry, especially in crafting experiences that go beyond the traditional "greatest hits." And they share tips on effective communication with DMCs, the benefits of using technology and collaborative platforms,. and pursuing transparency that builds trust with both the DMC partner and clients.

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

Sometimes you love them, sometimes they drive you crazy...this week, we're talking all about Destination Management Companies (DMCs)! Seasoned advisor Kate Sullivan and newer advisor Anna Tretter join Whitney to share their personal experiences, frustrations, and strategies when working with DMCs. Plus, they talk about the importance of transparency, effective communication, and how to build strong partnerships with DMCs to enhance client experiences. This is Part 1 of a two part conversation!

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

When a new inquiry comes in, how do you approach it? In today's episode, Jeremy Sulek of Jetset World Travel shares his less conventional approach to handling every inquiry and effectively booking clients. If you cautiously vet potential clients when inquiries come in, expecting them to prove that they are worth your time and energy, Jeremy will challenge your mindset. Learn how to maintain a positive outward posture, even with potentially unsuitable clients. Plus, learn strategies for restructuring qualification processes and approaching your travel business with a business mindset.

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

We asked listeners on our Instagram what topics you want to hear on the podcast, and the topic of "incentive travel" was one. So today, Brittney Tromanhauser of Avery Travel Group shares about her journey as a corporate incentive travel specialist. She discusses the transition from leisure travel to focusing on corporate group travel and the ins and outs of that sector.

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

How to pitch the media is a topic our guest on today's episode knows inside and out. Listen in as Jenn Lee, now President and CMO of Travel Planners International, lays out an easy-to-follow formula for reaching out to different media sources. Pitching the media, when done right, can help legitimize you, your business, and the business of travel advisors everywhere.

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

Join Brianna and guest Erica Carr for a conversation on their innovative approaches to scaling a travel business with an employee model, from implementing unique incentive programs to understanding the evolving roles within a travel agency. They delve into the significance of hiring ahead of growth, the shift in industry norms post-Covid, and the vital role of technology in adapting to change. Plus, they share their personal experiences in assembling teams that complement their strengths and drive business success, highlighting the balance between independent contractors and employees, the value of understanding employee motivations, and strategic hiring decisions that prioritize team dynamics and client satisfaction.

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

Love travel and planning it, but hate the sales part? In this episode, Brianna and guest Glenda from The Art of Selling Travel delve into the art of sales and client relations. Glenda shares her seasoned approach to pricing negotiations and reframing rejection, all while maintaining an authentic human connection. She provides invaluable insights on asking the right questions and building rapport that help build connections with clients. Through this candid discussion and personal stories, they unravel the complexities of selling travel experiences, advocating the power of conversation over assumption.

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

Mindset is a topic that we hear about in our personal lives and in our professional lives. It is a topic that lingers behind all decisions that we make, especially as an entrepreneur. If we asked ten people, or ten advisors, what mindset means to them we would get 10 different answers. On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Lina Sutton and Danielle Gaerte. Three travel advisors talking about their experiences and their challenges in running a travel business and their mindset related to being an entrepreneur.

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

In this solo episode, Brianna closes the loop on her recent AmaWaterways Soulful Experience sailing through Portugal’s Douro River and reflects on what the trip taught her as both a traveler and a travel advisor. After previously sharing how to turn fam trips and personal travel into a marketing engine, she now pulls back the curtain on what actually worked, what surprised her, and how the experience shaped the way she thinks about river cruising. Brianna is clear that one sailing does not make someone a river cruise expert, but it can reveal where deeper product knowledge needs to grow. She shares why river cruise itineraries require more nuance than simply choosing a ship or destination, especially when the river itself shapes the pace, access, views, and traveler experience. She also offers a thoughtful firsthand perspective on AmaWaterways’ Soulful Experience, including the sense of community, cultural storytelling, and emotional resonance that made this sailing feel so meaningful. For travel advisors, this conversation is a reminder that strong product fit is about more than destination alone, it is about understanding the traveler, the itinerary, the community, and the story being told.

You may be interested in being a travel advisor, but are you also interested in being an entrepreneur? Sometimes running a travel advisor business requires much more than just planning travel. You may have to ask yourself if you’d rather join a team to help with the workload, or go solo to control more of your business. On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Korrine Johnson to dive into this big question, considering all of your options, and how to figure out what will work for your business.

For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!

In this episode of Masters in Travel, Brianna sits down with Olivia Tambosso, a luxury travel advisor whose career began on the inside of one of the world’s most respected luxury hotel brands: Aman. After years in guest-facing operational roles in Morocco, Thailand, and Japan, Olivia brings a rare perspective to the travel advisor side of the industry. Together, Brianna and Olivia explore what true luxury looks like behind the scenes, from anticipating client needs to understanding the operational realities that shape a hotel stay. Olivia shares how her time at Aman taught her to communicate more clearly, advocate more thoughtfully, and view hotels as collaborative partners rather than simple suppliers. This conversation is a reminder that luxury travel is not just about beautiful rooms or impressive amenities. It is about care, nuance, relationships, and the small details that make clients feel deeply seen.

In this solo episode, Brianna walks travel advisors through the exact mindset shift and planning process that turns a trip from a one-time experience into a long-term marketing asset. As she prepares for seven weeks in Europe, including a Portugal river cruise with AmaWaterways, she shares how she thinks through audience, intention, content capture, and post-trip visibility before she ever boards the plane. Brianna breaks down why firsthand experience is one of a travel advisor’s greatest competitive advantages, but only when it is used with purpose. She also shares her approach to daily storytelling, identifying anchor moments, using honest reactions as content, and extending a trip into a 90-day content window. This episode is a practical reminder that the most valuable content often starts before the trip begins and continues long after the suitcase is unpacked.

In this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Kate for a thoughtful and practical conversation about the wide spectrum of spa, wellness, and sport-focused travel. Together, they unpack why the simple question “Does the hotel have a spa?” often falls short, especially when clients have very specific expectations around relaxation, treatments, facilities, programming, or transformation. From diagnostic wellness resorts to choose-your-own-adventure retreats, hotel spas, hydrotherapy circuits, and active travel experiences, Whitney and Kate explore how travel advisors can ask better questions and better understand what clients are really seeking. They also discuss the importance of expectation setting, from knowing whether a treatment happens in a true spa or in-room to understanding whether a client should plan for one hour or an entire afternoon. For travel advisors, this episode is a reminder that wellness is not one-size-fits-all, and that the details can make all the difference in matching the right client to the right experience.

Family-friendly hotels are often misunderstood, with many properties claiming the label without truly designing for how families actually travel. In this episode, Travel Advisor Lee Friedman of Mango Tree Travel shares firsthand insight into what makes a hotel genuinely work for families. The conversation dives into real-world considerations like room configurations, kids club quality, dining flexibility, and how hotel design impacts both parents and children. It also explores the gap between hotel marketing and on-the-ground reality, and how Travel Advisors can better evaluate properties beyond surface-level claims. Throughout, clear patterns emerge around what thoughtful hospitality looks like for families versus what simply checks a box. Travel Advisors will walk away with a sharper lens for identifying, positioning, and confidently recommending family-friendly hotels.

This episode was originally aired on The Hivemind Podcast. Explore more hotel comparison and destination deep-dive episodes on The Hivemind Podcast at ⁠https://www.thehive.travel/podcast

In this solo episode, Brianna reflects on what she would do differently if she were starting her travel business from scratch in 2026. With 10 years of experience behind her, she breaks down the foundational decisions that matter most, from choosing the right host agency to getting honest about your network, picking a niche early, investing in the travel business, and building systems before they are urgently needed. Brianna also shares why proximity still matters when building a client base, how to use slow seasons as intentional build time, and why AI should be treated as infrastructure rather than a shortcut. Whether you are brand new to the industry or years into your travel business, this episode is a practical reminder that clarity, consistency, and confident decision-making shape the path forward. Above all, Brianna brings the focus back to the work that actually matters: getting in front of the right people and building a travel business that can hold real weight.

There is a skill inside great trip design that nobody talks about enough, and it has nothing to do with knowing the best hotels or having the right supplier relationships.

It is judgment. And judgment is hard to teach when it has always lived in your gut.

In this solo episode, Brianna shares the frameworks she has spent years developing to articulate what once felt purely instinctive. She walks through how to truly read a client beyond their intake form, how to think about trip movement before you ever touch a hotel list, and why budget clarity is one of the most powerful tools you have in the proposal process.

Whether you are building a team, strengthening your own process, or just looking for language to match the expertise you already have, this one is for you.

If you’ve ever stared at a blank caption, rewritten it three times, and still didn’t hit post, this episode is for you. Brianna sits down with social media strategist and former travel advisor Kyla Daisy to unpack what’s really behind the hesitation so many travel advisors feel when it comes to showing up online. Together, they explore how overthinking, comparison, and the pressure to be perfect are often the biggest blockers to consistency. Kyla shares a refreshingly simple approach to content that prioritizes clarity, organization, and sustainability over complexity. From what “good enough” content actually looks like to how to build confidence through action, this conversation will help you stop sitting in drafts and start showing up in a way that actually connects. If you’re ready to simplify your social media and make it work for your travel business, this episode will meet you right where you are. 

If you’ve been booking trips, staying busy, and still questioning whether your travel business is truly sustainable, this conversation is for you. Brianna sits down with Courtnie Nichols to unpack the major shifts happening in the travel advisor space and why the traditional business model is no longer enough. From AI-driven content saturation to unpredictable commissions, Courtnie challenges advisors to rethink how they position their value and structure their business. They dive into the difference between being busy and being profitable, and why so many advisors are unintentionally capping their growth. This episode is a powerful call to step into the CEO role, prioritize financial clarity, and build a business designed for long-term success. If you’re ready to move beyond reactive work and into intentional growth, this conversation will shift how you think about everything.

What actually happens at a hotel before your client even walks through the door?

In this episode, Brianna sits down with Alexandra Hepworth, founder of Layah and a travel advisor with nearly two decades of experience across global luxury hospitality, for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how hotels really operate.

Alexandra pulls back the curtain on how upgrade decisions are actually made, why labeling every client a VIP might be working against you, and how the internal dynamics between hotel teams affect your clients' experiences. The conversation also covers how small but intentional shifts in the way you communicate with hotel partners can dramatically change outcomes on property.

If you're ready to build stronger supplier relationships and deliver more consistent client experiences, this episode will change how you approach every booking.

If you’ve ever come home from a trip with thousands of photos and no plan for what to do with them, this episode is for you. Whitney sits down with email marketing expert and travel advisor Kaytee Fisher to unpack one of the most common struggles in a travel business: unused content. Together, they explore why so much valuable content goes to waste and how to turn past trips into long-term marketing assets that actually drive bookings. Kaytee shares simple but powerful frameworks for storytelling, content repurposing, and aligning your messaging with what your clients actually care about. The conversation also dives into how to think about content strategically over time, not just during and immediately after a trip. If you’re ready to stop letting your best content collect dust and start using it to grow your travel business, this episode will give you the clarity and structure to do it.

Join Kaytee’s FAM Marketing Playbook workshop on May 6, 2026 - https://moxieandfourth.myflodesk.com/fam-workshop

In this month's Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney get candid about what Q1 2026 really looked like. Brianna shares her concerns about a slowdown in inquiries since mid-February, while Whitney reflects on a busier but more reactive quarter with shorter booking windows. Together they talk through what travel advisors can and can't control, how global uncertainty is affecting client behavior, and the simple outreach moves worth making when business feels slow. The conversation wraps with both sharing the AI tools and custom Claude prompts they're building to make their workflows faster, smarter, and more on-brand, from itinerary drafts to dining reservation logic.

In this solo episode, Brianna walks through exactly how she uses AI inside her travel business, from the first client inquiry all the way through final itinerary delivery. Rather than focusing on tools or theory, she breaks down the real, behind-the-scenes workflows that help her move faster, think more clearly, and execute at a higher level. She shares how AI supports consult prep, shapes her North Star brief, enhances research and design, and streamlines communication with both clients and DMCs. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes that AI is not replacing her expertise, but strengthening it. The result is a more structured, strategic, and elevated client experience from start to finish. If you have been wondering how to actually apply AI in your travel business, this episode gives you a clear and practical roadmap.

In this episode, Whitney sits down with email marketing strategist Kaytee Fisher to unpack what it actually takes to shift your travel business toward the trips you want to book more of. From increasing safari inquiries to pivoting into new destinations or trip types, this conversation breaks down the gap between intention and execution. Kaytee shares why consistent marketing matters even when your book of business feels full, and how storytelling plays a critical role in guiding your audience toward new offers. They explore practical strategies like content series, segmentation, and newsletter planning to help travel advisors market more intentionally without overwhelming their audience. If you’ve ever wondered how to move the needle in a specific direction without starting from scratch, this episode gives you a clear and actionable path forward. It’s a grounded, honest look at what it really takes to evolve your marketing as your travel business grows.

Join Kaytee's FAM Marketing Playbook workshop on May 6, 2026 https://moxieandfourth.myflodesk.com/fam-workshop

What if the fastest way to grow your travel business isn’t social media or referrals, but showing up in your local community? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Kathryn Morga, founder of Adventure Smarter, to talk about how networking became the driving force behind her rapidly growing book of business. After relocating to Nashville with two young kids and a full-time job, Kathryn rebuilt her travel business from scratch and quickly scaled it from part-time to full-time through consistent community engagement. Rather than relying solely on repeat and referral clients, she focused on building relationships with local business owners who now act as enthusiastic advocates for her travel business. Kathryn shares how travel advisors can find the right networking groups, craft a memorable 60-second pitch, and track early signs of success long before referrals start rolling in. If you’re looking for a practical way to expand your book of business beyond your existing network, this conversation offers a clear and actionable approach.

In this month's Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney get real about navigating a chaotic start to the year while balancing the mental load of running a travel business. From wave season overwhelm to learning when to walk away from inquiries that don't fit, they explore what it means to lead with honesty in client conversations. Whitney shares her journey toward being more transparent about pricing and what it actually takes to create the level of experience clients are asking for. Together they unpack the importance of knowing your numbers, working backwards from budget or priorities, and refusing to people-please their way into unprofitable bookings. It's a candid conversation about setting boundaries, trusting your gut, and building a travel business that is sustainable because you stopped saying yes to everything.

What if leading a retreat didn't mean doing it all yourself? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Karen Hattaway, founder of Life Beyond the Room, a DMC based in Italy, to explore how travel advisors can create signature retreats and small group trips without the overwhelm. Karen breaks down the difference between a retreat and a small group trip, why slower-paced, single-destination experiences attract seasoned travelers, and how partnering with a DMC can take the logistical weight off your shoulders. They dig into pricing strategies, ideal group sizes, how to fill seats through authentic marketing, and why signature retreats work best when you already know your clients and what they love. If you've been curious about hosting a retreat but hesitant because of the time and risk involved, this conversation offers a clear roadmap and a compelling case for collaboration over going it alone.

What if the reason you feel stuck isn't because you're not working hard enough, but because you're too busy executing to decide what actually matters? In this solo episode, Brianna unpacks why so many travel advisors find themselves in a cycle of nonstop busyness that somehow still feels stagnant. She breaks down five specific ways advisors get stuck: building for everyone instead of someone, being great at what they do but unable to explain why, growing a business they don't actually want, treating everything as urgent, and delegating tasks without delegating ownership. This isn't a productivity pep talk. It's an invitation to pause, get intentional, and start leading your business like the CEO you already are. If you've ever felt like you're working harder than ever but not moving forward, this episode will help you see where the real shift needs to happen.

What if the key to growing your travel business isn't about doing more, but about getting clearer on what you're actually saying? In this Ask Us Anything episode, Whitney and Brianna respond to a listener who's ready to pivot away from high-volume, promotion-driven marketing toward a quieter, more strategic approach. They tackle five questions: how to market without urgency or deals, what destination intelligence looks like in practice, how to educate without over-explaining, how to block out industry noise, and what signals separate high-consideration clients from bargain hunters. This conversation offers a reset on how to move from noise to nuance in the way you position and communicate your value as a travel advisor.

In this month's Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney get real about navigating a chaotic start to the year while balancing the mental load of running a travel business. From January wave season overwhelm to learning when to walk away from inquiries that don't fit, they explore what it means to lead with honesty in client conversations. Whitney shares her journey toward being more transparent about pricing, profitability, and what it actually takes to create the level of experience clients are asking for. Together they unpack the importance of time studies, working backwards from budget or priorities, and refusing to people-please their way into unprofitable bookings. It's a candid conversation about setting boundaries, educating clients through honesty, and building trust by ripping back the curtain on what truly makes a travel business sustainable.

What if selling more travel still isn’t translating into the paycheck you actually want? In this episode, Brianna challenges travel advisors to stop chasing revenue for the sake of it and start designing profit on purpose. She breaks down the five numbers that matter most in your travel business and explains why owners pay should always come before top line goals. Through simple math and relatable examples, Brianna shares from her ten years of owning a travel business a realistic path to paying yourself a six figure salary without working more or burning out. 

What if staying with a host agency as an experienced travel advisor isn’t about settling, but about scaling smarter? In this episode, Whitney is joined by Margaret Haas Wolf of Brownell to explore what true mutual investment can look like between a host agency and an established travel business. They discuss why support should evolve as advisors grow, not disappear, and how strategic partnership can impact margins, confidence, and quality of life. Margaret shares how engaged host agencies can help experienced travel advisors make more intentional decisions, from refining fees to simplifying operations. This conversation offers a thoughtful reframe on what success can look like beyond commission splits and why the right support at the right stage can change everything.

In this month’s Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney kick off the new year by getting real about inbox overwhelm, coming back from time off, and what it actually feels like to start fresh after the holidays. They explore the idea of using “fun” as a decision making filter in your travel business, from which inquiries you say yes to, to how you define success day to day. Whitney shares how reframing niching as “does this sound fun?” has shifted how she approaches client work. Brianna reflects on scarcity mindset, people pleasing, and the importance of protecting her time and energy. They unpack what it looks like to curate your book of business intentionally instead of reacting from habit or fear. Tune in for a reminder that building a profitable travel business does not have to mean sacrificing joy, boundaries, or yourself in the process.

What if familiarization stays didn’t require waiting for an invitation or hoping the timing worked out? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Lotte Gossage, founder of Hotel FAM Club, to challenge the way travel advisors think about FAMs and hotel partnerships, offering practical insight into positioning yourself as a professional partner rather than a passive participant. Lotte shares how her background in hospitality and sales shaped a more proactive, business-first approach to creating familiarization opportunities. They unpack why travel advisors should stop being grouped with influencers, how hotels actually evaluate ROI, and what decision-makers on properties really care about. If you’re ready to take control of your FAM strategy, this episode delivers a fresh and empowering perspective.

AI is everywhere right now, but the question on most travel advisor’s minds is how to actually use it in a way that feels practical, personal, and aligned with client expectations. In this episode, Brianna sits down with Dayo Esho, co-founder of TravelJoy, to explore how AI is quietly transforming advisor workflows without replacing the human-first service clients value. Dayo shares how his background in engineering, entrepreneurship, and growing up inside his mother’s travel agency shaped the lens through which he builds advisor-focused technology. Together, they dig into advisor adoption trends, creative ways AI is being used behind the scenes, and the mindset that leads to confident, intentional implementation. This conversation offers a grounded look at what it truly means for AI to act as your newest and most supportive team member inside your travel business.

If you’ve ever reached the end of a year and wondered how so much happened so fast, you’re in good company. In this December Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney look back on a whirlwind year and unpack the wins, challenges, and ‘aha’ moments that shaped both their lives and their travel businesses. They dig into how AI has become a game-changing partner in everything from client experience to team operations, and why building stronger workflows has opened up space for more strategic thinking. The conversation also explores shifting goals around profitability, capacity, and lifestyle as they plan for a sustainable year ahead. It’s an honest, energizing reflection that invites every travel advisor to reconsider what’s working, what’s not, and what possibilities lie ahead.

What if selling travel wasn’t just about itineraries, but about identity, connection, and the stories travelers carry home? In this episode, Brianna sits down with AmaWaterways’ Director of National Accounts, Jazzmine Douse, to explore how purpose-driven, culturally rooted experiences are reshaping luxury travel. Jazzmine shares the evolution of AmaWaterways’ soulful experience sailings and why intentional inclusion has become both a meaningful mission and a powerful growth strategy. They also discuss how luxury has shifted to personalization and immersion, and what travelers are truly seeking beneath the surface of their requests. Tune in for a refreshing, heartfelt look at how travel advisors can sell with soul and create experiences that matter.

What would we do differently if we started our travel agency all over again today? In this episode, Whitney sits down with industry veteran Julie Lanham, President of Vacations to Remember, to explore that question. Julie brings 40 years of perspective, having built her agency from the ground up long before host agencies, online bookings, or social media existed. Together, she and Whitney unpack what they’d repeat, what they’d absolutely change, and how new advisors can learn from decades of experience. From boundaries and mentorship to CRMs and hiring support, this conversation is both reflective and refreshingly real about the evolution of running a travel business.

Join systems-specialist and travel industry veteran Erin Faith Erdos to demystify how travel advisors and travel business owners can stop relying on hustle and start building support, systems, and automations that actually work. Erin shares her journey of moving from being a full-service travel planner to designing streamlined workflows that free up your time and scale your impact. Plus, she covers where advisors typically get stuck, how to bring in smart automation (without sacrificing personal touch), and how to set up your team and tech so everything fits together instead of fighting each other.

In this month’s Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney open up about the realities of travel, delegation, and growth as a travel entrepreneur. Whitney shares highlights from her recent trip to Greece and the honest challenges of creating content while managing client work on the go. Together they talk about what it really takes to balance marketing, travel, and team leadership without burning out. Their conversation unfolds into lessons from mastermind retreats, the importance of profit and wealth-building, and how both are reimagining what growth looks like in this next season of business. It’s a candid conversation about building success that’s sustainable, flexible, and aligned with the kind of life and business they actually want.