TravelPulse Podcast

This week, I welcome Melissa Cooper, Director of Marketing, Northstar Retail Travel Group and Sterling Wertanzl, Partner and Director of Operations of Sterling Journeys, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including Black Friday deals, big cruise news, and more.  Later, we share the top moments and highlights from the 2026 Travvy Awards. Cooper provides details on the behind-...

This week, I first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including a new travel alert for France due to protests, the latest consumer price index, and much more.  Later on the show, I welcome Nathan Hickman, Oceania Cruises Chief Sales Officer, for insights into luxury at sea. Hickman shares what he's seeing when it comes to luxury travelers' booking behaviors, along with updates about...

This week, I welcome Kelly Fontenelle, CEO of St. Kitts Tourism Authority and founder of Travel Advisors Selling the Caribbean, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the TSA chair dilemma, Marriott's new test and more.  Later, Fontenelle provides insights and information on the state of Caribbean tourism in 2026, what's trending and changing, and more. She also s...

This week, I welcome Debbie Brown, founder and CEO of SmartBird World Travel, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including Royal Caribbean purchasing a stake in Sandals, air traffic control issues, and more.  Later, Brown provides insights into dealing with a crisis in travel and what steps advisors should take when something goes wrong. She shares real examples of cris...

This week, I welcome Jenn Lee, President and CMO of TravelPlanners International and Vacation Planners, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including an update to Europe's border entry exit issues, a new DOT rule that will impact travel, and more.  Later, Lee shares her thoughts on the top habits that travel advisors need to unlearn and various ways they can improve thei...

This week, I first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including Google's AI Mode for Travel, Europe's water-level updates, and more.  Later, I interview Phil Blackwell, VP, Business Development & Partnerships for Travel Insured International (TII). Blackwell shares why TII invests in travel advisors and how two Mastermind events this year are helping shape how they work with advi...

This week, I welcome Jared Benoff, owner of Vacationeeze, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including big updates from Disney, a new fee in Mexico, and more.  Later, Benoff shares his story of going from the corporate world to becoming a travel advisor. He provides tips on making the career change, the challenges of being a travel advisor, and tips for how advisors sho...

This week, I welcome McLean Robbins, owner of Lily Pond Luxury, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including big issues with European travel, a toddler canceling a whole flight, and more.  Later, Robbins shares her thoughts on why travel advisors should embrace AI. She offers her top do's and don'ts when it comes to working with AI tools as well as key advice for getting the...

This week, I welcome Jennifer Kellum, owner of Neverland & Main Travel, to first discuss the latest trending news in the world of travel, including United's pitch to Delta, new tourist taxes in Europe, and more.  Later, Kellum shares what travel advisors need to know when working with a Destination Management Company(DMC). She provides tips and insights for advisors and shares storie...

This week, I welcome Dr. Shenika Baisley-Woodley, owner of Divine Dream Destinations Travel and winner of the 2026 ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year award. Together we discuss the top trending news of the last week, including the new worldwide alert from the US State Department, billions of dollars impacting the aviation industry, and more.  Later, Dr. Shenika and I dive into the evolving role...

This week, I welcome Madeline List, Manager, Research & Special Projects at Phocuswright, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including Europe delaying ETIAS, WTTC's call for the seven contemporary wonders of the world, and more.  Later, List shares insights into the new travel trend rising up: The Indulgent Explorer. Who is this traveler? How are they spending their...

This week, I first discuss the top trending news in travel of the last week, including EU border entry/exit issues, new cruise ships on the horizon, and more.  Later, I interview Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of US Travel Association, to hear his take on the state of United States travel and tourism right now and what needs to change to for America to get back on pace. Freeman also shares...

This week, I welcome Chris Dane, President and Managing Partner at Hickory Global Partners, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the deadly resort fire in the Dominican Republic, the FAA using AI for air traffic control, and more.  Later, Dane shares his perspective on how the relationship between travel advisors and airlines has evolved, along with offering adv...

This week, I welcome Barb Strait, owner of Straight Away Travel and Pickleball in Paradise, to first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including the World Cup kicking off, record sargassum in the Caribbean, and much more.  Later, Strait provides insights on how finding your niche in travel can lead to big revenue. She shares her story of first starting in travel by...

This week, I welcome Adam Duckworth, President and Founder of Travelmation, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including a controversial proposal from the Trump Administration, Royal Caribbean being rejected by Mexico, and more.  Later, Duckworth shares his thoughts on the top trends and surprises he's seeing this summer travel season, as well as how much prices are imp...

This week, I welcome Lesley Sawhook, owner of Exclusive Travel Partners, to first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including the hantavirus stories dominating headlines, plus summer travel prices and more.  Later, Sawhook and I dive into the biggest pain points impacting travel advisors today. From tough clients to uncertainty in the world to chasing commission to...

This week, I welcome back Ryan Doncsecz, Groups Manager for VIP Vacations, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including Spirit Airlines shutting down, the people trying to revive the airline, and more.  Later, Doncsecz and I dive into the best offers, rewards and incentives out there in honor of Travel Advisor Appreciation Month this May. Doncsecz shares the differ...

This week, I welcome Kristin Hancock, owner of Bright Life Travel Co., to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including airfare price hikes and a big letter from United's CEO.  Later, Hancock and I dive into the world of multi-gen travel trends. She shares insights into the top trends today, where travelers are going, as well as tips for fellow travel advisors on growing their s...

This week, I first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the jet fuel crisis raising airfare costs, rumors of a potential United-American Airlines merger, Europe's new entry system, and more.  Later, I welcome Jessica Blotter, CEO and co-founder of  Kind Traveler , to talk about how we can be better travelers. Blotter provides three key steps for all travelers to get star...

This week, Danny Genung, owner of Harr Travel, joins to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including raising airfare, possible changes for TSA, and more.  Later, Genung shares his thoughts on the current state of travel content on YouTube and what it means for travel advisors. Tune in to hear his tips on why advisors should be on YouTube, what they should and should not be...

This week, Alvin Adriano, Director of Education for the American Society of Travel Advisors, joins to discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the ongoing issues with TSA long lines, airfare prices, and more.  Later, Adriano shares his thoughts on the importance of travel advisor education, how ASTA is making an impact, and top tips for advisors to grow their business.  The...

This week, I report on location in the Netherlands for the 2026 ASTA River Cruise Expo. I first discuss the latest news in travel, including the Middle East War's impact on travel, TSA callouts, and more. Later on the show, I interview Catherine Powell, CEO of AmaWaterways. She shares insights into the latest trends she's seeing in river cruising, along with all the new happenings for AmaWaterways...

This week, I welcome Christy Brown, owner of Little Luxuries Travel, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including another chaotic weekend of travel disruptions, Royal Caribbean's new ban, and more.  Later, Brown shares what's trending this spring break travel season. From the top destinations to the rise of last-minute requests, Brown provides insights and tips for fell...

This week, I welcome  Shannon Kittner, founder of The Wander Network, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the chaotic weekend of storms, civil unrest in Mexico, Global Entry shutdown, and more news.  Later, Kittner shares her top tips for travel advisors using social media. Should advisors be on every single platform? What types of content should they be postin...

This week, I welcome Aanchal Gandhi, co-founder of Cozy Travel, and Ruthanne Terrero, director of luxury content for Northstar Travel Group, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the El Paso, Texas airport closure fiasco, the US government's impact on travel, and more.  Later, Gandhi and Terro provide insights into the latest luxury travel trends, from how t...