Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball

Winton Churchill, author of “The New Retirement: The Rise of the Gig Economy and How You Can Profit From It,” has helped people turn what they know and enjoy into income they can earn from anywhere.  Winton makes a powerful case for people retiring in a new way that allows you to create income and gain more control. Find out how positive it is to freelance in retirement and work wherever you want....

Asheville-based singer/songwriter Jane Kramer and her husband Jason Sandford, founder of the popular blog Ashvegas, are adjusting to a new reality and creating solutions to support each other during these changing times.  They share how the art community finds creative ways to reach people virtually during a time that prevents us from experiencing music, art and culture with others in person.  Jan...

We’re all looking forward to the end of social distancing and being able to travel and hug and go back to a time when we were together. But right now it’s important to remain calm and try to keep a clear head. Uncertainty is tough. We all like knowing what’s up.   Join Dayna Reggero of The Climate Listening Project  as she helps us get a grip on what we can do to take some action, manage our emoti...

Although it might not look like it right now, I’m convinced the travel industry has a future. Tonya Fitzpatrick, the co-founder of World Footprints, a socially conscious travel media platform that includes the award-winning World Footprints podcast, brings us up-to-date on current travel challenges and industry trends. Tonya explores the future of travel globally and domestically and how she conti...

Kingston Lim was born and raised in San Francisco. He’s currently on a global odyssey figuring out how to make the biggest splash in the shortest amount of time. His plans never included a pandemic, but that has not stopped him and he keeps on traveling. Find out from an insider what it is like on planes, trains and automobiles around the world today.  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel !...

Learn more about flexible, work-anywhere ways you can pay for your life in retirement. Jeff Opdyke, editor of the Savvy Retiree, explains how most people want a sense of purpose in retirement, an opportunity to keep growing and to keep their mind and body active. This is the focus at The Savvy Retiree and Jeff is a retirement reformer with a simple message: Live richer, not wealthier. If you’d lik...

Apple Cider is making a tremendous comeback across the US and there are many reasons to love it. Katie Moore with Barn Door Ciderworks and Dave Bowman from Black Mountain Cider and Mead explain what is happening now with cider, such as the revival of traditional heritage cider and the more modern versions. Learn the history of cider in England and Spain and how Katie and Dave’s travels inspired th...

Mark Stevens is finding success writing mystery novels about western Colorado. Mark explains how he found inspiration for his Allison Coil character and the challenge of featuring a female lead character as a male writer. He also discusses the importance of writing networks, writing groups and writing communities. Mark is a storyteller, author, writer and traveler. Thanks for listening to Speaking...

Reptile expert Bruce Shwedick of the Crocodilian Conservation Center of Florida is a member of the IUCN- Species Survival Commission Crocodile Specialist Group, the world’s largest organization focused on the conservation and management of the world’s crocodilian species. Bruce shares his travel experiences in Sri Lanka when he attended the 22nd World Crocodile Conference and explains how biodiver...

Tonya Fitzpatrick is the co-founder of World Footprints, a socially conscious travel media platform that includes the award-winning World Footprints podcast. Tonya is a 3x TEDx and international speaker, lawyer and author. World Footprints is one of the most reputable sources for meaningful, socially-minded travel content. Tonya and her husband Ian bring history to life, share unique treasures fro...

Ken Druse is a celebrated lecturer and an award-winning author and photographer known as “the guru of natural gardening.” Ken has written over 20 garden books published over the past 25 years. He shares tips from his most recent book, The Scentual Garden: Exploring the World of Botanical Fragrance. Working with perfumers’ classifications, Ken Druse develops 12 master scent categories that range fr...

Now is the time to plan for your future. Suzan Haskins and Dan Prescher of internationalliving.com are specialists in retiring overseas, particularly in Latin America, although they’ve spent a good bit of time traveling the world in recent years. Suzan and Dan are the go-to experts for those of us looking to retire soon and considering doing that overseas. They explain why now—when we can’t travel...

Mike Andress, founder of Exploration Local, understands first-hand how much the experience of being outdoors in nature reduces stress and increases mental health. Mike explains how his belief in the positive health benefits of nature helped him become intentional about getting outdoors and experiencing local businesses as he created Exploration Local. Also a recap of the week in aviation and what&...

Be swept away with Roland Colton, an author, pianist, attorney and world-traveler. His groundbreaking novel, "Forever Gentleman," mates music with the written word in a style reminiscent of 19th century authors. Some of the compositions in the e-version of the book had never been written (since they are composed by characters in the story). Find out how Roland came up with the idea for a...

Dayna Reggero of the Climate Listening Project details her new documentary, "Planet Prescription." The film connects science and stories and offers hopeful solutions for humanistic health care for a healthier future.  “Planet Prescription” centers around the Southeast: rural Tennessee, city of Atlanta, Georgia, suburbs of North Carolina, listening to an epidemiologist, pulmonologist, int...

In these times of uncertainty, pulling together as a community is crucial to the health, well-being and stability of our local friends and neighbors. Some communities need help more than ever. And although it may seem daunting at first, there are ways to lend support, funds or even a helping hand. New Belgium’s Community Ambassador Mike Craft gives us info on the New Belgium Bar & Restaurant R...

Jeff Greiner, owner of the Adventure Center in Asheville, managing partner at Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours and member of the Wildwater Adventures family, provides tips on how to keep everyone active during challenging times by planning activities together, being outdoors and reconnecting with your youth. Jeff provides a historical overview of how his family's original outdoor adventure busine...

Speaking of Travel provides updates on the coronavirus crisis and ways airports are focusing on safely transporting passengers who need to travel and how to best make changes to their travel plans with guest Tina Kinsey, Director of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development for the Asheville Regional Airport.  Also onboard is Michael Poandl, Development Coordinator of the WNC Aids Project, as he...

Gabe Swinney, founder of Swinney Creative, shares how a pilgrimage is not about the destination but rather a journey of the spirit. He explains how a pilgrimage enhances a person's beliefs and faith and reminds us to live our lives in harmony. Being at a crossroads in our lives, there is no better time to think about how to create a deeper sense of spirituality, healing and forgiveness. Gabe...

A few years ago, I had what I then believed was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was a dream trip on an African safari. And I can tell you, there isn’t much to prepare you for the sheer scale and natural beauty of this amazing landscape and the different sights and sounds you’ll encounter. Now is the time to make your dream trip come true. Toby Brown, marketing director and lead safari coordina...

What makes a river cruise different from an ocean cruise is the emphasis on the places visited and the experiential experiences provided. Kathy Brock with Ama Waterways explains why river cruising is a bucket list vacation idea. Times are changing on Europe's rivers as operators are investing in new ships that incorporate more of today's contemporary features. Find out the essential reas...

Australian singer/songwriter Katie Cole is not afraid to rock the boat with the stories she tells, the emotions she shares and the subjects she covers. Katie’s emotion comes from a real place and people all over the world can relate and ultimately find themselves moved by her emotional honesty. Katie tells us about her epic 2019 world tour with the Smashing Pumpkins and how her life will never be...

James Ziskin discusses his newest novel, Turn To Stone, a 1960s-era locked-room mystery taking Ellie Stone to Italy, a seemingly idyllic setting, which in this case has sinister undertones. The story puts an inventive twist on Boccaccio’s Decameron and takes the reader on a richly-imagined and entertaining journey to Florence and the Tuscan countryside. Jim's books have been finalists for the...

If you love sparkles, smoothies and rock-n-roll, you’re going to love Taraleigh Weathers. With her desire to maintain the magic of live music every day, she helps guide you to rock your most healthy self. Taraleigh does songwriters retreats, retreats with musicians for their fans and curated getaways for live music-loving friends who want an intimate and bonding experience. Live music is what make...

Sisters Katie and Nancy Moore take us along their journey of travel, education, adventure, cheese and cider, culminating in their tours to a region with deep roots and a thriving local food culture. Katie is the executive director of the WNC Cheese Trail, and she and Nancy combined their education and travel experience to create an exciting tour to Northern Spain. The WNC Cheese Trail was started...