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

Meet James Hammond, globe-trotter extraordinaire, podcast host, and endlessly curious storyteller behind the wildly captivating Winging It  travel podcast. With his adventurous spirit, James has explored over 70 countries, turning each journey into a patchwork of unforgettable memories and collecting moments that are equal parts thrilling, heartwarming, and hilariously unexpected.

On his show, James brings these vibrant moments to life, connecting with extraordinary people, fellow wanderers, cultural ambassadors, and trailblazers who reveal the heart of the places they call home. 

From conquering Nepal’s breathtaking trails to savoring street food on a shoestring in Central America, James blends practical tips with laugh-out-loud tales of navigating culture shock, serendipitous encounters, and the art of traveling smart on any budget. His secret sauce? An uncanny ability to connect with people, peel back the layers of a place, and transform every journey into a treasure trove of stories.

James’ zest for life and fearless exploration will have you ready to ditch the routine, grab your passport, and wing it into the unknown. Because let’s face it, adventure always favors the bold!

And James reminds us that travel is less about miles and more about moments. His down-to-earth charm, coupled with laugh-out-loud anecdotes and nuggets of wisdom will inspire you to savor every experience, whether you’re trekking mountains, wandering city streets, or simply saying “yes” to the unknown.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, trust the journey, and join us. Tune in, get inspired, and let the adventure begin. 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.

This lively episode of Speaking of Travel welcomes Dr. Ann Stuart, a dynamic veterinarian with a remarkable history rooted in Mexico's rich cultural tapestry.

Ann’s love for archaeology and travel was kindled in her childhood, spent in the remote village of Coba, where her parents were deeply immersed in a National Geographic archaeological project. Her father, a trailblazing figure in archaeology, founded the Boundary End Archaeology Research Center, a haven for scholars, artists, and archaeologists working to preserve and explore the archaeology of the Americas.

Ann reminisces about her father’s groundbreaking contributions, which included leading significant digs and collaborating with National Geographic to uncover ancient mysteries. These experiences shaped Ann’s own path, blending her family’s passion for discovery with her work in cultural philanthropy.

Dive into Ann’s inspiring journey as she bridges ancient Mayan traditions with modern life through immersive trips and programs. She shares stories of Oaxaca, where vibrant history and art collide, recounting adventures filled with culinary delights, colorful festivals, and meaningful connections.

Through her work, Ann reveals how travel is not just exploration but a tool for understanding humanity’s shared story. This is a fun, thoughtful, and inspiring conversation brimming with wit, warmth, and Ann’s contagious zest for life and learning.

Only on Speaking of Travel. Tune in! 

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

Imagine a person so entwined with the rhythm of words that each breath brings forth a poem. That’s James Nave, a traveler of stories, master of memory, and a guide through the Imaginative Storm. 

With over 600 poems committed to heart, Nave doesn’t just recite; he conjures magic with each syllable. Whether it’s spinning tales in the streets of New York or teaching the boundless possibilities of creativity, his journey is a never-ending dance of language and life.

Nave shares his journey through the Imaginative Storm Writing Project, alongside Allegra Huston, and invites writers into a world where the unexpected blooms, helping them discover the thrill of expression.

His wisdom flows from decades of teaching, from co-founding The Artist’s Way Creativity Camp with Julia Cameron to speaking on global platforms. He’s a weaver of worlds, and each thread he pulls opens your heart to the sheer wonder of creativity.

And be sure to visit Theleaf.org for more information about the LEAF Global Arts Festival and all their programs. 

 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.

For award-winning actor and humanitarian, Gary Sinise, 9/11 was a game changer. After playing Lt. Dan, the ravaged Vietnam vet in the Oscar-winning 1993 movie Forrest Gump, Gary recognized there were still deep wounds for the veterans of the Viet Nam war. 

His focus shifted from self to service. Gary said, “It set the stage for working with the wounded after that terrible day. I couldn’t sit back. I wanted to let our service members know they were appreciated."

Bobby George, Director of Outreach for the Gary Sinise Foundation, shares how the foundation began and all they are doing today. Bobby explains what inspired his own desire to give back to those who serve and sacrifice for our country and his role as Director of Outreach. 

Also, discover why supporting veterans and first responders is so important to Gary and some of the ways his foundation strives to help these heroes. And how you can help, even one person at a time.

Get to know the people who are protecting you right here 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.

Dawn Barclay, a veteran travel reporter, the mother of two “challenging” children, and the author of “Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse," shares how she created her travel bible based on interviews from over 100 mental health professionals, special needs parents, autism allies, advocates, and certified autism travel professionals. 

Dawn's advice can help soothe the travel hiccups of any family wanting to have adventures with their loved ones on the autism spectrum or with invisible disabilities like ADHD.

Discover important tips about starting small, introducing the concept of travel, and having mini-experiences. Find out how you can create the child-centric vacation by doing your due diligence, finding out safety measures, and so much more. 

A very important show about a very important topic. If you can understand the differences that ASD brings to a family, you can make a difference by supporting a family affected by autism. This is one of the greatest gifts you can give. It is also very likely that your act of kindness may turn out to be one of the greatest gifts you receive back. 

Tune in 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.

Vic Isley, a traveler, foodie, music lover and a farmer’s daughter from North Carolina, shares her journey from growing up on a tobacco farm to becoming a leader in the travel and tourism industry. 

Over her 28-year career, she’s represented destinations including the island of Bermuda; Washington, DC; Tampa Bay, Florida and Durham, North Carolina.  

Seasoned leaders bring benefits to their team and the entire organization. Vic shares a timeline of the evolution of destination marketing and destination management and explains the role of a destination marketing organization. 

Also on Speaking of Travel, Mary Rose Ridderbusch-Shearer, guest experience manager for the North Carolina Arboretum, the most stunning and peaceful place to enjoy Western North Carolina's beautiful surrounding natural environment, shares a history of the Arboretum and a sampling of the many incredible programs and exhibits. There's no better place to meet friends and explore for hours. Find out more! 

Tune in right here 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.

Heidi Walters, Senior Director of Partner Marketing for Visit North Carolina, shares how the state is championing sustainable travel by working together to preserve the natural beauty of North Carolina.

Thousands of people flock to North Carolina every year from all over the country and the world because there are so many reasons to love this state. Heidi provides an update on the tourism recovery green initiatives and how markets are emerging to grow the industry. 

She also shares how sustainability and stewardship help to protect North Carolina's outdoor spaces and how international travel to the state remains strong and steady.

Also on Speaking of Travel, discover how writer, counselor, authenticity and intuition guide, Beth Orr, found the courage to move forward on her own journey when her grandmother inspired her to travel the world to search for her most authentic life.

Tune in! 

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

A professional stand-up comedian, a TV host, an actor and a podcast host walk into a bar. And what do you know? It’s Mike Siegel himself. Mike’s main passion is travel. He has produced video and written travel content for countless websites and hosts his own travel-themed podcast, “Travel Tales Podcast.” Mike shares his personal travel history and some of his favorite places.

And not all of his travel experiences are great. Some are low and some are bad. Find out some tips to prepare you for the adventure ahead (spoiler... laughing works!). Mike lets us in on some travel hacking and money-saving tips too and describes what the future of travel, tourism, blogging and social media could look like.

What is travel to Mike Siegel? You won't want to miss this special episode of 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.

Thea Duncan, founder of Doing Italy, shares insights into moving to Italy. Find out what it is like to live in Italy and what to consider when moving there. 

Doing Italy offers private consultations and group coaching so you can dive into just about everything you need to know about moving to Italy. 

Thea shares insights into the Italian job market and what you need to know about real estate if considering buying an Italian home. Discover what it is actually like living in Italy vs visiting and some of the the first things you should consider when relocating to Italy. 

Also on Speaking of Travel, Whitney Williams, founder of TEFLPros, a high-quality online certification, shares all you need to know about how to teach English as a foreign language. 

If you are passionate to experience another culture, or perhaps you just love to travel and enjoy helping others realize their dreams, maybe consider becoming an English teacher in a foreign country. Find out all you need to know right here on Speaking of Travel. 

Tune in!  

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, shares why travelers fall in love with Italy and why people keep going back to visit. 

Today Italy is reaping the benefits of travelers wanting to explore this beautiful country. Mark explains the state of travel in Italy today and why unique places like Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria are gaining more attention.

With an increased demand in travel to Italy, Mark is not only leading tours to these wonderful locations off the beaten path, he's also focusing on itinerary planning services to provide a more exclusive option to explore Italy on your own.

Mark loves to share experiences with the Italian culture so he creates the most perfect, relaxing experiences. Imagine being in Italy in your own villa with visits to small, family-owned wineries and interactive cooking classes. 

And to get you in the mood for Italy, Mark shares how he puts into words his own memories, now an Italian Trilogy, all providing a uniquely personal look into the beauty of Italy.

Discover how Mark can help you plan your perfect trip to this special travel destination.

Also on Speaking of Travel, Tina Kinsey, Vice-president of Marketing, PR, and Air Service Development at the Asheville Regional Airport, shares how airports are constantly looking at expanding as travel volumes continue to exceed pre-pandemic levels. Find out what future planning looks like when the future is catching up with us.

Tune in!

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