The Travel Wins

Lifestyles in the Hamptons: Vanessa Gordon Vanessa Gordon isn’t just a name in the world of culinary and lifestyle travel—she’s a force driving the conversation on how to travel with style, sustainability, and sophistication. As the CEO and Publisher of East End Taste, she curates content that blends international culinary adventures with practical insights for those who want to elevate their trav...

Chad Michael Hardy: A Journey of Transformation My guest today is past guest Chad Hardy. Chad was gracious enough to share his time and stories about his new book, Law of Zero. His journey from entertainment to entrepreneurship and now authorship embodies resilience and innovation. Chad honed his skills in theater and theme parks before stepping into leadership as the youngest Entertainment Direct...

Building Next Level Designs: A Conversation with Paul Teutul Jr. In a riveting episode of  The Travel Wins , host Pete Kotzbach welcomes Paul Teutul Jr., the legendary designer and TV personality who rose to fame as a star of American Chopper . Known for his extraordinary creativity and ability to turn raw metal into awe-inspiring custom motorcycles, Paul shares the challenges and triumphs of blen...

Running 7’s: Dr. Clark Gamblin’s 7 Marathons, 7 Continents, 7 Days Challenge In a feat blending resilience, charity, and unrelenting grit, Dr. Clark Gamblin 🏥, a Milwaukee cancer surgeon and survivor 🎗️, is taking on the 2025 World Marathon Challenge 🌍. Over seven days, this 55-year-old will conquer seven marathons 🏃‍♂️ across seven continents, covering 183.4 miles in just 168 hours ⏱️. Startin...

Presley Tennant California Country Star, to Perform National Anthem at NFL Pro Bowl Emerging country music sensation Presley Tennant lights up this week's episode of The Travel Wins podcast with exciting news and heartfelt stories. Known for her soulful voice and vibrant California spirit, Presley shares an exclusive preview of one of the most significant milestones in her career: performing the n...

Matt Oakley Set to Shine at the Presidential Inauguration The Travel Wins Podcast proudly features country music artist Matt Oakley, who is gearing up for an unforgettable moment in his career: performing at the upcoming Presidential Inauguration. This latest episode highlights Matt’s journey to one of America’s most prestigious stages as he prepares to take part in two iconic events in Washington...

Brandon Hartt Set to Perform at the Presidential Inauguration: A Career-Defining Moment In this podcast episode, country singer Brandon Hartt opens up about his musical journey, current tour experiences, and a monumental milestone in his career: an upcoming performance at the presidential inauguration next week. Hosted by The Travel Wins Podcast, the discussion explores Hartt’s inspirations, life...

From Australian Roots to Center Stage: Mason & Julez For Mason and Julez, this isn’t just a dream – it’s a way of life. On this episode of The Travel Wins, we step into the lives of this dynamic country duo as they harmonize their love for music with the realities of life on the road. Born and raised in Australia, Mason and Julez have always had music in their veins. From childhood singalongs...

Jim “The Rookie” Morris is no longer a rookie In this captivating episode of The Travel Wins, I had the honor of sitting down with Jim "The Rookie" Morris, whose extraordinary life story transcends the baseball diamond to inspire millions worldwide. A man who defied the odds, Jim's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the pursuit of dreams, no matter how impossible they ma...

In this episode of *The Travel Wins*, we dive deep with Jason Greenwood, founder of Greenwood Consulting, a visionary in the eCommerce world who's on a mission to rewrite the rules for B2B brands. With over two decades of experience, Jason realized early on that most eCommerce agencies and consultants focus their energy on trendy, high-profile retail brands, leaving behind manufacturers, wholesale...

Jamie Mittelman voice for women athletes In this captivating episode of The Travel Wins, I sit down with Jamie Mittelman, the dynamic founder and host of Flame Bearers, fresh from her travels to Paris for the latest Olympic and Paralympic Games. As someone dedicated to bringing the unsung stories of resilient women Olympians and Paralympians to the forefront, Jamie’s time in Paris wasn’t just abou...

Timeless Inspirations: Jeri Mae James In this episode of  The Travel Wins , Pete Kotzbach chats with Jeri Mae James, a model and actress driven by her love for classic films and her "can-do" attitude. Growing up in a small California town, Jeri Mae fell in love with Old Hollywood through vintage shows like I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith Show . Inspired by the magic of the classics, she pursued...

Viridiana Álvarez: Climbing Her Way In the latest episode of The Travel Wins, we sit down with the incredible Viridiana Álvarez, a world-renowned alpinist from Mexico who’s redefining the limits of human endurance and ambition. A driven athlete and  Electrolit ambassador, Álvarez is on the verge of completing an unprecedented climbing feat: becoming the first woman to conquer both the "Seven Summi...

The Artistic Legacy: JD Shultz’s Colorful World Beyond Canvas On this captivating episode of The Travel Wins, we dive into the vibrant world of JD (Joshua Dimitri) Shultz, an artist whose creative path was no surprise given his family’s rich artistic heritage. With both parents, Carole Shultz (a renowned sculptor and painter) and Jack Shultz (a pioneering multi-media painter), making waves in Sout...

Cultivating Connections in Agriculture: A Conversation with Jessie Jarvis In this episode of The Travel Wins, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jessie Jarvis, a woman who wears many hats — wife, mother, third-generation rancher, podcast host, and the Founder and CEO of Of The West. Jessie’s roots run deep in the American West, having grown up on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho. From...

Pursuit of Perfection: A Conversation with Steve Rice and Gavin Maloof of Tequila Comisario In this captivating episode of The Travel Wins, I sit down with Steve Rice and Gavin Maloof, the visionary forces behind California’s very own Tequila Comisario. With a relentless drive to perfect the art of tequila-making, Steve and Gavin have worked tirelessly alongside master distillers to craft somethin...

Malachi Gagnon: Rising Star in Music In this exciting episode of The Travel Wins, I sit down with emerging pop-country artist Malachi Gagnon. With a deep passion for music, Malachi opens up about his journey from discovering his talent to navigating the challenges of the music industry. He shares the thrill of live performances, discussing the emotional connection he builds with his audience and h...

In this captivating episode of The Travel Wins, we dive deep into the exhilarating world of live entertainment with Erik Himel, founder of Himel Entertainment Group. From Los Angeles to Paris, London to Moscow, Erik's company provides unmatched solutions for live events, offering services that range from consulting and musical direction to staffing and creating tailored programming for luxury part...

Building Empires: The Inspiring Journey of Bobby Mesmer, CEO of RMG Erectors & Constructors, LLC In this riveting episode of The Travel Wins, we delve into the remarkable story of Bobby Mesmer, a titan of industry who has redefined the limits of entrepreneurial success. As the CEO of RMG Erectors & Constructors, LLC—the world's largest Pre-Engineered Metal Building Erector Company—Bobby's...

Q and Beyond: John de Lancie In this episode of The Travel Wins podcast, I interview the legendary John de Lancie, famed for his role as Q in the Star Trek franchise. We explore the vibrant 1980s sci-fi era, the evolution of movie props, and the enduring significance of memorabilia. De Lancie shares fascinating stories about his global fanbase, the emotional connections fans have with iconic items...

In this riveting episode of The Travel Wins, host Pete Kotzbach is joined by the dynamic Tulsi Gabbard, renowned author of "For Love of Country." Dive deep into Tulsi's captivating life story and the lifestyle she leads while traveling across the globe. As a former U.S. Congresswoman and military veteran, Tulsi shares her unique perspectives on balancing a demanding career with her passion for exp...

Illuminating the Path: A Conversation with Tisha Vaculin on The Travel Wins Podcast In the world of entertainment, a few stars shine so brightly that they leave an indelible mark on our hearts and screens. One such luminary is Tisha Vaculin, an actress celebrated for her captivating performances in both film and television. Her career has spanned over two decades, and is looking brighter than ever...

Jason Sinay, a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter and guitarist, has a storied career performing with legends like Keith Richards, Neil Young, and Mike Campbell's Dirty Knobs. Now, he's venturing into his solo career with the release of "The Mountain," a double album produced and co-written with Martin Pradler. In our latest episode of The Travel Wins, Jason shares insights on his musical journey...

Emerging country singer Presley Tennant graces this week's episode of The Travel Wins podcast, bringing her unequivocal talent and vibrant California spirit to the forefront. With an inspiring story and a dynamic career, Presley shares her musical journey and upcoming touring schedule thru California, Utah, Arizona and visiting Nashville on the regular. Hailing from Norco, CA—affectionately known...

On this episode of The Travel Wins, I talk to Eric Christenson, CEO and co-founder of Nutrient Survival. Nutrient provides "freedom food" to fuel success on the road or at home. As a former army guy and marketing exec, Eric knows the challenges of life on the go. He estimates over 120 travel days a year now running Nutrient. We discuss some of the places he's called home over the years, from milit...