Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball

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...

Justin Belleme , owner and founder of JB Media Group and publisher of Romantic Asheville , shares how working with local entrepreneurs in the community and supporting organizations he believes in helps them achieve their vision. Justin is a travel industry leader and provides strategic direction and expertise in the travel and tourism industry, and is an advocate for sustainable growth and fairnes...

Did you know middle school students who explored nature and took part in outdoor activities like climbing, canoeing, skiing and hiking, displayed improvements in social skills, resilience, and creativity? Situated on the banks of the French Broad River in Asheville, NC, is a school that provides middle-schoolers with an educational experience that is academically rigorous, outdoor-centric, and ven...

Speaking of Travel continues the LEAF Global Arts Series with LEAF Co-Executive Director Erinn Hartley. Erinn shares how her unique LEAF journey began and how she arrived where she is today within the organization. LEAF Global Arts plays a significant role in fostering a sense of community and cultural identity and Erinn shares how over the years LEAF Global Arts has provided opportunities for peo...

Poet Glenis Redmond has learned to receive beauty without hesitation. Being diagnosed with cancer and amid COVID, she came up with the idea to visit South Carolina's State Parks with her grandson as a life-affirming way for them both to share this poetic journey. Her new book, “The Song of Everything: A Poet's Exploration of South Carolina State Parks,” is a pocket-sized collection of po...

Afro-Latino Travels with Kim Haas is the groundbreaking television series dedicated to uncovering the vibrant Afro-Latino culture across Latin America. Host, founder, and executive producer, Kim Haas , shares how her series allow viewers to discover a smaller group within the Black community. Kim explains how showcasing  Afro-Latino communities throughout Latin America, with their rich and diverse...

The Speaking of Travel And Leave No Trace TV series continues with host Richard Crawford , our ambassador to the bigger world. Ricky shares where to watch Season One of Leave No Trace TV and gives an update on Season Two and when the first episodes will be coming out.  Also, Ricky highlights inspiring stories from around the world where good things are happening in and around sustainable and eco-t...

Author Charlie Birney , Chief Listening Officer at his company, Podville Media in Washington, DC, wrote his new book The Tao of Podcasting: An Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, as a meditation on the purpose of podcasting. Charlie shares how the book serves as a guide to growth and transformation that can be directly applicable to podcasting. Written in lovely verse and illustrated by Charlie&ap...

Sustainable Chef William Dissen , owner of The Market Place Restaurant in Asheville, NC, shares how his passion for building sustainable food systems, his love of hospitality, and serving in the American Chef Corps for the US State Department, has taken him around the world to promote American food culture and sustainability practices. The Market Place Restaurant , Asheville’s original farm-to-tab...

There are many reasons to study abroad. At UNC Asheville , Laura Dobson, Director of the Study Abroad program , along with Study Aboard faculty member Anne Slatton, and Study Abroad students, Emma and Adrien, shares the importance, and benefits, of study abroad opportunities. Discover how UNCA diversifies participation in the Study Abroad program by making sure students realize there is a right st...

Charlie Thomas is an artist and environmentalist based on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. With a strong connection to the ocean and all its inhabitants, Charlie shares how his passion is creating a life of stewardship, leadership, and traveling. Charlie spent his summer holidays on Great Barrier Island and has worked full-time in wildlife conservation since leaving high school when he was only 16. He...

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 o...