World Footprints

’Tis the season—and this year, we’re traveling the world through sound. The World Footprints Holiday Music Special is our musical thank-you to listeners who have journeyed with us over the years. Holiday music has a way of crossing borders effortlessly. Long before playlists and streaming, seasonal songs carried stories, faith, resistance, joy, and memory from one generation to the next—often shap...

The biographer James Parton once called Pittsburgh “hell with the lid off.” That description fit the 19th-century steel town he visited, but it couldn’t be further from the Pittsburgh we explored. Today’s city is vibrant, creative, and surprisingly colorful — a place that has rewritten its narrative while still honoring the chapters that built it. In this episode, we travel beyond Pittsburgh’s ind...

Journey Along the Underground Railroad: Virginia to Canada World Footprints traces one of the most historic and courageous journeys in North America—the Underground Railroad route that carried enslaved people from bondage to freedom. This episode follows a trail that begins in Norfolk, Virginia and ends in Buxton, Ontario, with stops in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Lewiston, New York. We explore t...

New Orleans has been the backdrop of many dark chapters in American history, but perhaps none so shocking as the slave rebellion of 1811. We will explore the history of America's largest slave revolt with author Daniel Rasmussen who organized his research in his book, American Uprising: The Untold Story About America's Largest Slave Revolt. The New Orleans African-American Museum of Art, Culture a...

In this powerful episode of World Footprints, Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick take listeners on a deeply personal and historic journey to Pulaski, Tennessee—a town known as the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan but now undergoing a transformation. Their guest, Miss Vivian Leigh Battle Sims, an educator, artist, and community leader, has dedicated her life to uplifting the stories of marginalized voices, in...

n this episode of World Footprints, hosts Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick take you on an unforgettable journey through one of the most poignant chapters of history—the liberation at the end of World War II. Joined by special guest Michael Bell, Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, the Fitzpatricks delve deep into the newly opened Liberation Pavilion at the National WWI...

In this episode of World Footprints , hosts Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick share the Power of Children exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. They speak to Monica Ramsey, Director of exhibits and interactive media, as she guides them through the Power of Children: Making a Different exhibit and shares the stories of four extraordinary children who have significantly impacted the world - Ruby...

In this second episode of our interview with Keith Stokes, advisor to the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, we continue learning about Newport's underrepresented history during our walk through God’s Little Acre. In Episode One, Keith introduced us to prominent Africans like Pompey Brenton who lay buried in God’s Little Acre. In this second episode, Keith sheds light on the significance of this...

In this episode of the World Footprint podcast, we have the privilege of interviewing Keith Stokes, advisor to the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. Keith walks with us through the colonial African burying ground of God's Little Acre in Newport, Rhode Island and he shares many of the unrepresented stories that are etched in the grave markers.

Did you know that there is a connection between Emmett Till's murder and Rosa Parks? That is one of many stories we learn about as we walk through the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See exhibit as the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. In today’s episode, we speak to Shanna Martin, director of training and professional development at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Shanna...

Shalom Y'all! In this World Footprints episode, Kenneth Hoffman, Executive Director at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience (MSJE), gives us a guided tour and explains in depth how Jews in the American South influenced and were influenced by the cultural heritage of their local communities. Tune in to learn more about the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, why it was founded, its si...

In this episode, we speak to Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global, which is on the mission to inspire and empower black travelers so they can travel the world in confidence. And his website has become one of the trusted sources that black travelers rely on, not just for every experience, but to learn about destinations from a safety standpoint, as well as have fun.

Who doesn't love New Orleans? It's one of America's greatest cities and a World Footprints favorite because of it's rich culture, history and constant innovation. Oh yeah...the food!!! In this episode of World Footprints, Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick talk with Vue Orleans developers Paul Flower and Henry Coaxum. They will share a bird’s eye view of New Orleans from the top of Vue Orleans, an extraord...

In this World Footprints podcast, Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick explore the life and times of Winston Churchill, his impact on the world and his relationship with the small town of Fulton, Missouri (MO).

Music is a powerful universal language where white musicians and black musicians come together, protect and stand by each other to create something special for their audience. And this inter-generational reach of music is the highlight of Martin Shore and Ian Neville's new film Take Me To The River: New Orleans.

The world has changed and so has the way we travel. We can no longer grab our passport and go. There are new requirements and other considerations so more thought and planning has to be incorporated before we pack our bags. In this episode, Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick speak to award-winning travel journalist Tim Leffel about the things we should know about traveling today, especially, if we plan to...

Whether you’ve been to New Orleans or not, you’ve seen them—the brass band that parades through the streets in a somber march only to erupt in a celebration of music, color and dance. Like the pied piper the band draws crowds who dance through the streets like it’s Mardi Gras. That is the Second Line. So what is a Second Line exactly? In this episode of World Footprints, Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick...

Airline industry expert Kewwin McKenzie shares important airline tips that he's gained from his experience of traveling around the world during the pandemic and the common mistakes people make when booking airline tickets.

On this World Footprints episode, Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick speak to National Geographic Explorer and conservation photographer, Gabby Salazar, to hear about some inspiring stories of women change-makers profiled in her new book, No Boundaries. Enjoy this interview with National Geographic Explorer, Gabby Salazar, as she shares inspiring stories from the women in STEM and STEAM (including the “art...

In this episode, World Footprints hosts Tonya and Ian travel deeper with Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, as he discusses his journey into the world of travel, with particular focus on his "5th Gear" as an immigrant and lessons learned from his experiences. Bruce Poon Tip is the founder of G adventures, the world's largest small group adventure travel company that was conceived 30 years ag...

Nancy Gardella, executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, says that Martha’s Vineyard is so much more than its pretty beaches and famous residents. Among the stories Nancy reveals is the Vineyard’s troubling story of colonization and the island’s surprising legacy of sign language.

How should we think about history when there's nothing to support a narrative? The National Trust recently awarded 40 sites and organizations over $3 million in grants to preserve African American history. We'll hear about the mission and work of the African American Cultural Heritage Fund and we'll learn about this year's grant recipients. Some grantee's are a pleasant surprise.

In Karen’s new book Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust she explores the life-changing moments that only five decades of traveling can provide. With more than 90 countries under her belt Karen started her life of adventure and travel addiction when she left home at 17 for a solo trip in Europe.

There are many accidents, illnesses and medical mishaps that happen when we’re traveling and now we are adding COVID to the list. But the Travel Doctor will offer some sage advice on how to deal with it all. Dr. Yvette McQueen, a travel enthusiast who travels for pleasure and work as an emergency physician. She’s on a mission to educate about health, travel, wellness and disease prevention.

There were several stories that emerged during our interview with Kimberly Stone including her advocacy for mental health awareness, her art brokerage company and editorial work in the fashion, luxury and beauty space. There may be a mention of some of those stories but we focused on her travels and her journey as a Black and gifted plus-sized model.