Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball – Details, episodes & analysis

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Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball

Marilyn Ball

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

Leisure

Frequency: 1 episode/6d. Total Eps: 568

Founded in 2013, Speaking of Travel is a media platform dedicated to meaningful, responsible travel storytelling. Through conversations with global explorers, conservation leaders, cultural visionaries, world-changers, musicians, historians, conservationists, industry leaders, and everyday adventurers, we explore how travel connects people, preserves culture, and protects the planet.

After a decade of global change, including a pandemic and climate-driven disruptions, Speaking of Travel continues to lead the conversation on travel as a force for good.

Listen in, dream big, and let’s explore the world together. Because remember, life is short. Don't postpone joy!

Subscribe now and let the journey change you. 🌍✈️

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Score global : 53%

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Choosing Travel That Truly Fits Your Life With Karen Urosevich

Monday, January 19, 2026 • Duration 42:58

Meet Karen Urosevich, founder of Well Placed Travel, where she helps people discover the places that bring them purpose, peace, and joy. After a 20+ year career leading global design and development projects, Karen followed her calling, and her own wanderlust, to help others explore the world in ways that transform, restore, and inspire.

With nearly 40 countries explored and certifications in yoga and Reiki, she blends culture, wellness, and thoughtful planning into journeys that protect your time, your investment, and your sense of wonder.

In this episode of Speaking of Travel, Karen gets real about shedding old identities, navigating grief and reinvention, and how travel became a mirror for self-discovery. She shares the birth of Well Placed Travel, the challenges and rewards of helping people find their place, and the deeper truths behind what we think we want from travel versus what we truly crave.

Whether you’re chasing restoration, adventure, or clarity, Karen’s insights will make you see travel, and yourself, in a whole new way.

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

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Somewhere Past the Last Exit The Road Kept Talking And David Belmont Listened

Monday, January 12, 2026 • Duration 47:44

Step into the world of David Belmont and you’ll find yourself somewhere between a jazz riff, a poetry line, and a road trip that definitely skipped the exit ramp. David is a lifelong musician, writer, mixed-media artist, and a certified original, the kind of counter-culture cool you don’t try to manufacture. He’s effortlessly hip, wildly curious, and just mischievous enough to make life more interesting.

On this episode of Speaking of Travel, David takes us on a joyride through a life lived off-script. From seeing America for the first time through a car window to accidentally landing in a secret Mardi Gras parade, from a double rainbow over a Scottish loch to jamming on a Trinidad beach, sharing songs with strangers in Jamaica, joining a Balinese funeral, or trading musical conversations on the Yangtze River, this is a life powered by curiosity, connection, and a refusal to stay in one lane.

The conversation is funny, soulful, and delightfully unpredictable, just like David himself. It’s about listening closely to the world, riffing with it, marching to its weird little rhythms, and trusting that the best moments usually happen when plans fall apart. This is travel as improvisation. In other words equal parts art, rebellion, and heart.

By the end, you’ll feel like you’ve wandered alongside him, laughing at the beautiful chaos of it all, catching glimpses of hidden magic, and feeling the itch to shake things up in your own life.

David quietly reminds us that the coolest way to move through the world is with curiosity, compassion, and a little funk, weaving music, kindness, and community into every space, and proving that real change starts by listening and showing up as your most authentic self.

Only on Speaking of Travel! Stay tuned!

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

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Journey To Wellness At The Art Of Living Retreat Center

Monday, November 10, 2025 • Duration 47:58

Our well-being is the foundation of everything. It's the quiet thread that weaves through our lives, shaping how we move through the world and how we connect with others. And how we care for ourselves. Yet, somewhere along the way, we can lose sight of that simple truth. Life gets busy and we forget the importance of slowing down long enough to listen to what our hearts are trying to tell us.

Thankfully there are places that gently invite us back to ourselves.

Nestled high in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina, the Art of Living Retreat Center is one of those special places. It's a sanctuary where nature, stillness, and intention come together, reminding us that sometimes the greatest journey we can take is the one inward.

On this episode of Speaking of Travel, I'm joined by Kelsey Daniels, Workshop Sales & Partnership Specialist, whose work helps bring together extraordinary teachers, wellness leaders, and transformative experiences that inspire people from all walks of life.

Together we explore how yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and the healing power of nature create opportunities to reset, renew, and reconnect, not just with ourselves, but with something much bigger.

Because wellness isn't about perfection. It's about presence. It's about creating space to breathe and to be curious. Then we can remember who we are beneath all the noise.

If you've been longing for a little more peace and a little more clarity, or you would simply like permission to slow down, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that transformation doesn't happen somewhere far away. It begins the moment we choose to listen.

"The journey back to ourselves may be the most important journey we ever take."

A beautiful, restorative listen, only on Speaking of Travel.

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Unpack Your Personality With Nina Zapala And Why Hospitality Matters With Andy McNeill

Thursday, April 11, 2024 • Duration 49:09

Author and travel professional Nina Zapala shares why she is dedicated to helping people create a personalized, transformative roadmap for self-discovery. Her trailblazing personality paradigm encourages self-awareness through spiritually focused typing.

Nina's typology is the keystone of her debut book, “Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide.”

Andy McNeill, CEO of American Meetings, Inc., shares how hospitality and travel can come together to build lifelong business relationships. He has helped thousands of organizations build stronger relationships through shared human experiences and explains how the history of hospitality is now the cornerstone of today’s travel experience and why it has lasted so long.

A must listen! Only on Speaking of Travel.

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

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Transformational Travel Leads To Inner Discovery And The Asheville Regional Airport Update

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • Duration 48:32

Sarah Benoit is a digital marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and educator. She is also the co-founder and acting lead instructor of the JB Media Institute. And she is a passionate traveler.

Sarah shares how traveling can be a way to deepen your intimacy, connection, and understanding of the people you love. And she explains why sometimes she travels for adventure, but most of the time she chooses to be close to people and to strengthen relationships.

And Sarah shares how she decided to plan bucket list trips for her parents. Discover how she gets out of her comfort zone and exposes herself to uncertainty, exploration, and learning. Being so passionate about traveling, Sarah describes why the result is in her own personal growth along with having greater emotional agility, empathy, and creativity.

Also on this episode of Speaking of Travel is Tina Kinsey, VP of Marketing, PR, and Air Service Development at the Asheville Regional Airport. Tina provides some tips on how to set the tone and ensure your travel experiences run as smoothly as possible. And she shares some info on what it takes moving so many people to their ultimate destinations and provides an update on all the progress being made on the new airport terminals.

A great listen! Only on Speaking of Travel!

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

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The Virtual Garden Club With Margaret Roach & Ken Druse And Mark Collins From RomanticAsheville.com

Thursday, March 28, 2024 • Duration 46:27

Margaret Roach and Ken Druse are gardeners and writers offering up online courses on all things gardening. Margaret and Ken share how The Virtual Garden Club began and how they put together these programs to provide advice, encouragement, and camaraderie, along with answers to your gardening questions!

Margaret is a longtime garden writer and created a website, podcast, and weekly newsletter called A Way to Garden, the title of her 1989 book that was reissued in 2019 in an all-new edition.

Ken is a celebrated lecturer, an award-winning writer, photographer and author of 20 garden books. The American Horticultural Society listed, The Natural Garden, among the best books of all time, and the New York Times called him “the guru of natural gardening.”

Ready to join the club? Click here!

Also, Mark Collins from RomanticAsheville.com, shares how this guide to Asheville and Western North Carolina helps the community grow stronger and fosters inspiration and why RomanticAsheville.com is the most visited travel website for those planning travel to this beautiful part of the world. Find out how they value their partners and readers to maximize exposure and ensure all the content is current and up to date. "There are a lot of moving parts carefully considered to ensure our readers have a seamless and rewarding experience," said Mark.

A must listen! Only on Speaking of Travel!

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

LEAF Global Arts Inspires, Brings People Together, And Breaks Down Cultural Barriers

Monday, March 25, 2024 • Duration 48:19

In 1995, LEAF Global Arts began as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Their mission... to connect cultures and create community through music, arts education, and experiences, and to cultivate curiosity, preserve cultures and promote global understanding.

An organization like LEAF plays a significant role in fostering a sense of community and cultural identity. Over the years, LEAF has become an essential part of this community and provides opportunities for people to come together and celebrate their shared customs, beliefs, and values.

On this episode of Speaking of Travel, meet two integral participates in the LEAF experience who are helping to pass the magic forward. In this year’s theme of World Changers: Year of The Activist, they are world changers.

Adama Dembele is from the Ivory Coast, West Africa, and is the 33rd generation of a family serving communities through music and culture of the djembe.

Schree Antoinette is a cultural preservationist and heritage practitioner with a passion for safeguarding traditional cultural knowledge, customs, and natural resources.

Together they share how music and dance truly bring people together and break down barriers of race, class, age, gender, nationality, religion and political views.

Let’s be inspired to become active participants in the story of our global community.

SAVE THE DATES FOR LEAF 2024!

LEAF Retreat: May 9-12

LEAF Global Arts Festival: October 17-20

Visit for more information!

The Perfect Interactive Map For Travelers And An Update From The Asheville Regional Airport

Friday, March 22, 2024 • Duration 46:03

I recently read a study showing how researchers have found that when we look at maps, our brains are activated in different ways, creating this unique and enjoyable experience. Enter the future. Today, there are ways to look and interact with maps we could never have dreamed of even just a few years back.

AJ Brau is CEO of Wandermap, a map solution where you can explore every nook and cranny of your chosen destination before you even set foot there. AJ shares the Wander story and explains how tourism boards are key to a sustainable tourism future and what’s next with their new interactive itineraries 🙌

Also, Tina Kinsey from the Asheville Regional Airport, describes how the airport is finding solutions to address rising passenger traffic as they build a beautiful, new terminal. Western North Carolina has needed a bigger airport for a long time and is finally realizing the expansion. The team at the airport are hard at work making it happen!

And with all this building going on, the Asheville Regional Airport continues giving back to the community. Tina shares how they contribute to local organizations and partner with economic development agencies to provide important information about air service to prospective businesses.

A must listen. Only on Speaking of Travel!

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

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Unlock Your Potential With Travel Experiences That Leave A Lasting Impact

Saturday, March 16, 2024 • Duration 49:42

I’ve had some amazing travel experiences when I was sharing those experiences with others on the trip. Traveling with other people provides opportunities to try new things and even increases courage when there are other people around encouraging you to try something new and jump into that opportunity.

Matthew Kent is the founder of Kent World Travel. With his career in professional golf across South Africa, Europe and the USA, and living and playing in over 50 countries worldwide, Matt now spends his time between South Africa and the US hosting his clients on trips around the world.

Also, Noah Kleiner, owner of Equinox Guiding Service in Maine, is dedicated to providing transformative outdoor experiences to empower participants in overcoming fears, embracing challenges, and developing new skills in a supportive and encouraging environment, while challenging them to step out of their comfort zones and create unforgettable memories.

Tune in and discover the importance of getting outside, being with others, and even stepping out of your comfort zone. A must listen!

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

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Speaking of Travel And Leave No Trace TV Series Highlights Sustainability

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 • Duration 51:07

The Speaking of Travel And Leave No Trace TV series continues with host Richard Crawford. Richard talks to us while in Australia editing the epic Season Two of the popular Leave No Trace TV show with producer and cameraman, Ben Alcott.

Ricky and Ben share updates and tell us about their day-to-day progress and how they go about editing the show. And all the places we can watch Leave No Trace TV.

And discover how to be more of a savvy traveler and stay safe when traveling. Also, Ricky and Ben provide some examples from their trips and explain why it's important for people to continue exploring and traveling and share the many reasons sustainable travel is important.

A must listen. Only on Speaking of Travel!

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

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Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

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Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Amazon12

LinkedIn12

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other99+

Amazon12

LinkedIn12