Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball

Join the Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace Series with Richard Crawford , host of the popular TV show Leave No Trace , and special guest Andre Conradie, Head of Cargo & Logistics from White Desert , for an epic Antarctic adventure.  Together, they'll reveal the secrets of an unforgettable, zero-footprint luxury experience on the seventh continent. Along the way, they’ll also explore the...

Natural disasters often disrupt lives, but they also reveal the strength of community. After a crisis, neighbors unite, volunteers step up, and collective resilience shines through. Lew Bleiweis, Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority , explains how the airport's swift crisis response depended on coordination, communication, and leadership. His team’s preparedn...

The San Diego Zoo is a sprawling 100-acre wonderland, offering more than just your average zoo visit. Rick Schwartz, Wildlife Ambassador for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, shares why the zoo is a world-class wildlife haven.  Known for its lush, naturalistic habitats, this iconic zoo is home to over 3,700 rare and endangered animals, representing about 660 species. What truly sets it apart is its...

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 c...

Get ready to embark on an eco-conscious adventure like no other! This episode of the Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace TV series takes you to the icy wonderland of Antarctica with none other than Richard Crawford , the popular host of the hit TV show Leave No Trace . But that's not all—we're also joined by Louis, the maestro of Food and Beverage at White Desert , the ultra-luxury exper...

Ready for an inspiring journey? Meet John Watson, the International Critical Care Flight Paramedic who's taking life-saving care to new heights. Whether it’s a fragile newborn or a senior in need of medical air transport, John’s there, providing top-notch care at 30,000 feet. His dedication shines through in every mission, making him a true unsung hero of the skies. And fasten your seatbelts...

Meet Gail Wein, a world traveler, music lover, and a true New Yorker. Gail's journey is a testament to following your passions and embracing change. She shares how her real adventure began when she took a leap of faith, leaving behind a career in computer programming to pursue her love for radio. And then to go on and begin her own business, Classic Music Communications. And if you’re ready f...

The LEAF Global Arts Series continues with Luis Porras, a Costa Rican journalist, musician, and founder of the Jirondai Project . This initiative preserves indigenous languages and cultures through captivating audiovisual recordings, blending ancient songs with modern sounds. Luis emphasizes that when a language disappears, we lose unique ideas and our potential as a species. The Jirondai Project...

Get ready for a special episode of Speaking of Travel with the ultimate music Renaissance man, Şahan Arzruni, whose talents span far beyond the piano keys. Şahan isn’t just a world-renowned Armenian concert pianist; he’s also an ethnomusicologist, composer, producer, writer, and philanthropist. He’s dazzled audiences worldwide, from sharing the stage with the legendary Victor Borge as his comedic...

Amanda Wrublewski , the passionate and dedicated Executive Director of Literacy Together , sheds light on a powerful truth: literacy goes beyond the basics of reading and writing.  It’s about unlocking the ability to connect with others, share stories, and build a thriving community where everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed. Through literacy, we can empower individua...

Get ready to be inspired. Dr. Aileen Hale , the visionary behind Create-Connections and the Travel with Purpose Podcast , shares ways for travelers to make meaningful connections around the globe. If you are looking to enhance your travel experiences and leave a positive impact on the communities you visit, Dr. Hale’s insights will transform the way you see the world. And Tina Kinsey, from the Ash...

Get ready to unlock a world of adventure with Kat Medina’s book, “ The Joys of Jet Lag.” Kat shares some of her most valuable lessons and uncovers the secrets to living a life full of excitement through an openhearted approach. And how fun can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary to create a life of pure joy and fulfillment, no matter where we are. Kat shares how The Joys of Jet Lag is yo...

Join Richard Crawford , the charismatic host of the hit series Leave No Trace TV , as he shares his passion for conservation, sustainable travel, and eco-tourism, in our exciting Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace TV Series . Dive into the adventure and discover how you can catch all of Season One of Leave No Trace TV , get the latest updates on Season Two, and find out where this groundbreaking...

Being a savvy traveler is crucial to ensure safety, comfort, and the best experiences during your travels. What if you could transform your post-retirement years into a journey full of adventure and fulfillment? Join us as we uncover the vibrant world of travel for older adults in this enlightening episode of Speaking of Travel . Our guest, Betsy O'Leary, an expert in aging and senior lifesty...

Speaking of Travel continues the LEAF Global Arts Series with Melissa McKinney , International Blues Star, LEAF teaching artist, and member of the popular band, Mama and the Ruckus , and Lucho Serapio of Asheville Multicultural . Melissa curated the artist lineup for the Black Mountain Blues inaugural festival taking place in downtown Black Mountain, NC, with hundreds of musicians and true Blues m...

Traveling helps you make your everyday life less boring. Travel experiences ultimately become your passions. So why not try new things and get out and explore the world? On this episode of Speaking of Travel, Josie Vosoba, founder of Lavender and Vine , a business running small-group tours to France, is an artist who loves landscapes and botanical themes, many inspired by her annual trips to Prove...

With a background in spa, wellness, marketing and business development, Liz Galloway has a rich history in international travel, tourism, and adventure spanning 20 years. Liz shares how her adventure-driven passion and determination has led to a transformation in her continued success in life and social change. And Liz shares how her love of creating a mind-body connection inspired her to begin he...

The Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace TV Series with Richard Crawford, host of the popular TV series, Leave No Trace TV , continues with insights on conservation, sustainable travel, eco-tourism, and accessibility. Special guest Darren Edwards , a disabled adventurer, author, and motivational speaker, shares lessons he’s learned from facing the unknown head-on and by redefining persistence, resi...

Rikimah Glymph is a world traveler, a wellness guru, and she puts together exceptional travel experiences. She shares how her work with people of all backgrounds helps identify challenges to think outside of their comfort zones. Rikimah has traveled alone to over 120 countries (72 of those countries with her son), and hosts wellness retreats and logistics conferences all over the world.  Rikimah c...

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."  Today I am living my dream of taking Speaking of Travel live with three amazing world- changing guests at the LEAF Global Arts Retreat . LEAF Global Arts   plays a significant role in fostering community and over the years has become an essential role of this community and provides oppo...

There is always a proud sense of community that you find in small towns and communities in our country. And in the North Carolina Mountains, you can add to that something downright magical. Great people, incredible food, and Southern Hospitality to make you all feel like you’re home. People here love to roll out the welcome mat.  Meet Summer Stipe, Founder and Lead Planner​ of Juniper and Crafted...

Vanessa K. Harper runs Travel Cuba With Us , a tour company specializing in ethical traveler tours and yoga retreats to directly support the Cuban people. Vanessa is also a founder of  a nonprofit organization, Support The Cuban People , prioritizing food and medicine aid to individuals in need, apolitical academic engagement, and micro-grant support for independent artists and entrepreneurs. Vane...

Traveling with children is always challenging, but for parents of children on the autism spectrum and/or those who have mood and attention disorders, it can be especially intimidating. Dawn M. Barclay wrote Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse as the essential resource to make the cultural, educational, and bonding benefits of va...

During a 40-year freelance career, Nan K. Chase has written about French Catalonia, urban wilderness in San Francisco, hunting for gemstones in North Carolina, and dozens of other off-beat topics and destinations. Nan shares how she became a travel writer and what it was like before computers, the Internet, and plastic diapers. And find out how her wanderlust shifted over the years and how she nav...

Deanna Jannuzzi is an Initiated Priestess in the Lineage of the Alchemical Rose, a Somatic Practitioner, and Soul Awakening Coach. Deana facilitates retreats, rituals, and ceremonies around the world.  Weaving in Transcendental Breathwork, Sound Healing, Personal Sovereignty and Empowerment, Shadow Integration, Sexual Reclamation, Consent Culture, and more, Deanna emphasizes the importance of pers...