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What’s the most sure-fire way to get a flight upgrade? How can you find the best, secret local restaurants by asking just one question? What's the first thing you should do when you get into a hotel room? On Travel Genius, we'll give you those answers—and


    • Oct 7, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
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    • 43 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Travel Genius

    Introducing: Breakthrough

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2021 2:57


    On Breakthrough, a new series from the Prognosis podcast, we explore how the pandemic is changing our understanding of healthcare and medicine. We start with an examination of long Covid, a mysterious new illness that has stumped doctors attempting to treat symptoms that last for months and potentially years. It has changed the way hospitals work and forced healthcare officials to prepare for the next pandemic. Covid has also opened the door to revolutionary technology: messenger RNA vaccines. It's a technology that never could have been proven so quickly outside the crucible of that first pandemic year, 2020, and it holds big implications for the future of medicine. Breakthrough launches on Oct. 19. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing: Doubt

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 2:42


    A few decades ago, nobody really questioned vaccines. They were viewed as a standard part of staying healthy and safe. Today, the number of people questioning vaccines risks prolonging a pandemic that has already killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. How we got to this moment didn't start with the rollout of vaccines or in March 2020, or even with the election of Donald Trump. Our confidence in vaccines, often isn't even about vaccines. It's about trust. And that trust has been eroding for a long time. Doubt, a new series from Bloomberg's Prognosis podcast, looks at the forces that have been breaking down that trust. We'll trace the rise of vaccine skepticism in America to show how we got here — and where we're going. Doubt launches on March 23. Subscribe to Prognosis today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing: Blood River, A New Podcast From Bloomberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020 3:43


    The killers of Berta Caceres had every reason to believe they'd get away with murder. More than 100 other environmental activists in Honduras had been killed in the previous five years, yet almost no one had been punished for the crimes. Bloomberg's Blood River follows a four-year quest to find her killers – a twisting trail that leads into the country's circles of power.Blood River premieres on July 27. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing Foundering

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2020 3:34


    Adam Neumann had a vision: to make his startup WeWork a wildly successful company that would change the world. He convinced thousands of other people -- customers, employees, investors -- that he could make that dream a reality. And for a while, he did. He was one of the most successful startup founders in the world. But then, in the span of just a few months, everything changed.Foundering is a new serialized podcast from the journalists at Bloomberg Technology. This season, we'll tell you the story of WeWork, a company that captured the startup boom of the 2010s and also may be remembered as a spectacular bust that marked the end of an era.Catch the first two episodes of Foundering, available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    An Update

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2020 3:46


    Mark and Nikki check in and explain what's next for Travel Genius - don't worry we'll see you soon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Announcing Prognosis Daily: Coronavirus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2020 0:56


    Harnessing Bloomberg's reporting from every continent, Bloomberg's daily Prognosis podcast brings the news, data and analysis you need for living in the time of Covid-19. In around ten minutes, we will explain the latest developments in health and science, the impact on individuals, industries and governments and the adaptions they are making in the face of the global pandemic. Come back every weekday afternoon for a short dose of the best information about the novel coronavirus from more than 120 bureaus around the world. First episode drops Thursday, March 26. Subscribe to Prognosis Daily: Coronavirus on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing Deep Background with Noah Feldman: Cooking Through the Crisis with Mark Bittman

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2020 33:33


    From Pushkin Industries, introducing Deep Background with Noah Feldman.Every story has a backstory, even in today's 24-hour news cycle. In Deep Background, Harvard Law School professor and Bloomberg Opinions columnist Noah Feldman will bring together a cross-section of expert guests to explore the historical, scientific, legal, and cultural context that help us understand what's really going on behind the biggest stories in the news.With restaurants and bars across the country temporarily closing down due to concerns about the novel coronavirus, many of us are finding ourselves cooking for the first time in a long time. So today, Deep Background is taking a quick break from covering the spread of COVID-19 to share this conversation with Mark Bittman, the food writer who taught so many of us how to cook. The author of best-selling cookbooks like How to Cook Everything and Vegan Before 6, Bittman offers some tips on how to cook fish and reflects on what he has learned from over two decades of writing about food.Learn more and subscribe to Deep Background on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Rockstar Who Flies 500,000 Miles Per Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 37:43


    In the season 2 finale, who better to offer travel advice than a woman who spends more time in the air than a pilot: Alison Mosshart? The rockstar, a member of two headlining bands - The Kills and Dead Weather – has suggestions on a far-flung hangover cure and the right way to pack (it's not light). Plus Mark Ellwood and Nikki Ekstein discuss the final frontier in travel: space tourism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Take Insta-Perfect Vacation Photos

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2020 30:36


    What will travel look like two decades from now? Mark and Nikki explore the findings of a new survey outlining how the landscape might change – and get out their own frequent-flying crystal ball to share a few of their own predictions. This week's Travel Genius is Moti Ankari. Moti is co-found the dapper shoe line Ankari Floruss. He also juggles his schedule as a full-time cobbler with a second role: one of the foremost menswear influencers on social media (you might be one of the 190,000-plus folks who follow him on Instagram @motiankari). We also want to hear your travel hacks! Call the Travel Genius hotline at 646-324-3490 anytime, and leave us a voicemail; we'll play the best on upcoming episodes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing Prognosis Season 4: America's Broken Health-Care Costs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020 1:30


    Americans are paying more and getting less for their health care than ever before. On the new season of Prognosis, reporter John Tozzi explores what went wrong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Where To Go In 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2020 29:48


    Was your New Year's resolution to travel more in 2020 To help with your trip-planning, this week Mark and Nikki discuss the destinations that should be on your must-visit list this year. This week's guest is Dr. Evan Antin, the celebrity vet and host of globetrotting TV show “Evan Goes Wild” (He's also an alum of People magazine's Sexiest Men Alive list). Antin is a steel-nerved explorer who considers snakes a welcomed sight wherever he goes. He'll also help pet owners nervous to bring their dog or cat along on a trip, with a few suggestions on how to prep them for an unfamiliar locale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    This Woman is Everyone's Dream Travel Companion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2020 36:11


    This week on Travel Genius, Mark and Nikki tackle one of thorniest subjects in travel right now: should we be buying carbon offsets for every flight we take? Or should we follow Greta Thunberg's lead, and scrap any plans to hop on a plane for the foreseeable future? Or is the impact of flying greatly overrated compared with many other industries – and simply called out as it's seen as a perk of the privileged? If you're coming down with a case of flygskam (flight shame, in Swedish), they have advice on how to cure it, including how to be sure that any offsets you buy are truly impactful rather than pure greenwashing. If your New Year's resolution is to travel more mindfully, we've got your covered. As for this week's guest, she's the self-proclaimed MacGirlver, Kari Byron. The former Mythbusters staple is now host of her own globetrotting show for kids, Crash Test World that's aimed at using science to explore the way we live across the globe. She joins Travel Genius this week to share smart tips from her travels, which included backpacking around the world aged 23. Like a Swiss Army knife, she's multipurpose and handy in any situation, whether it involves staying safe in your hotel room or keeping kids engaged when sightseeing. And she has something in common with Jason Atherton when it comes to keeping food tasty, wherever you are.Want to share your own Travel Genius moments? Reach out on Twitter, via email, or by phone at 646 324-3490. If you're lucky, we'll share your best tips on a future episode.Correction: This podcast misidentified the name of the carbon offset company, Cool Edge. The name of the company is Cool Effect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Always Look Fresh While On The Road

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2019 34:35


    Next time you're packing a suitcase, make sure to pack your Preparation H. That's what this week's guest, Waris Ahluwalia—who has featured in movies from "The Grand Budapest Hotel" to "The Darjeeling Limited"—swears by to look fabulous after a long flight. Combine it with ice water, and your eyes will depuff and your face will glow. Mark and Nikki also wax poetic on Australia, where there's exciting news from top to bottom, coast to coast. They break down the most exciting destinations to prioritize now, including new underwater accommodations by the Great Barrier Reef.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Hack Your Way Into Business Class

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2019 31:29


    What's better than turning left when you get on an airplane? Scoring the premium seat without actually paying a premium. This week, Mark and Nikki break down a handful of new and unsung strategies for booking cheaper business class fares. Then, Hanli Prisloo, champion free diver and onetime stunt double for Halle Berry shares several tips that focus on what lies below the (ocean's) surface.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Why Do We Go Crazy Boarding Planes?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2019 29:35


    At the airport, are you a gate louse or a #teamboardlast? Boarding the plane is a contentious, stressful part of any journey, and Mark and Nikki talk about the surprising innovations that airports and airlines are trialing to ease that tension. This week's Travel Genius is Hitha Palepu, a businesswoman who also moonlights as a travel guru. Palepu wrote the ultimate guide to squeezing everything into a carry-on, “How to Pack,” and chronicles her travel hacks on the go via her Instagram, hashtagging #HithaontheGo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Thing You Should Never Pack

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2019 33:08


    One of the top tips that came out of this week's chat with beauty guru Bobbi Brown feels especially poignant in the aftermath of Thanksgiving: never, ever pack your skinny jeans. To keep you glowing (and going) through the holidays, we turned to the beauty mogul, wellness entrepreneur, and boutique hotelier for her best tips and hacks. Should your travels this holiday season take you abroad, there's always one thing to be mindful about: visas. Nikki and Mark discuss the red tape that you can't ignore, and how it's gotten more complicated—or a little easier—to parse, depending on where you're going and when.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Disney Hacks We Can't Let Go

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2019 33:48


    Susan Veness can show you the world—shining, shimmering, splendid. From the edge of the sea to snow-glowing-white mountains, she's got a hack for every situation… as long as it's at Disney. That's because she literally wrote the book, “Walt Disney World Hacks: 350+ Park Secrets.” She's got friends in hosts Nikki and Mark, who equally feel the love for Walt Disney and his magic kingdoms. They'll show you the light on everything from the best places to watch the fireworks to the most underrated spots in Orlando.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    On Butter and Bourdain

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2019 33:25


    This week's episode of Travel Genius gets competitive in a way that has little to do with the dings of the hotel bell. We're talking about competitive travel: an entire subculture of people whose mission is, quite simply, to go everywhere—and to check the most obscure boxes off their bucket lists faster than anyone else.Then, chef Eric Ripert—the toque behind New York's three-Michelin-starred Le Bernardin—shares how to find the best cookbook store in the world. He also discusses his adventures with his late, great friend, Anthony Bourdain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Let's Make a Travel Deal

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2019 31:44


    This week we're hitting a high note, literally. Schele Williams—who came up in the Broadway world as the “Seasons of Love” soloist in RENT—pulls back the curtain on her tried-and-true travel hacks, which are as wide-ranging as her singing voice. Also, Mark and Nikki focus this week on the ultimate currency calculations—the destinations where your dollar will go farthest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Turning Travel Lemons Into Lemonade

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2019 32:32


    Season two of Travel Genius kicks off with more tips, tricks, and hacks than any episode that's come before. Co-hosts Nikki Ekstein and Mark Ellwood catch up on all the miles they logged since you last tuned in, while ABC News superstar Rebecca Jarvis riffs on the secret uses for airport yoga rooms, how to pivot when trips go wrong, and a little-known service for cheap business class tickets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    We're Back! Season Two Coming Soon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019 1:45


    After clocking another hundred-thousand miles in the sky, hosts Nikki Ekstein and Mark Ellwood have a whole new series of flight hacking, restaurant sleuthing, and hotel booking tips to inspire your own getaways—along with a who's who roster of itinerant pros ready to spill their own travel secrets. From a special episode on Disney to a master class on packing, we'll go high, low, east, west, and everywhere in between. The new season starts Nov. 6.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing Prognosis Season 3: Superbugs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2019 2:43


    On this new season of Prognosis, we look at the spread of infections that are resistant to antimicrobial medicines. You're probably more likely to have heard of these as superbugs. Their rise has been described as a silent tsunami of catastrophic proportions. We travel to countries on the frontline of the crisis, and explore how hospitals and doctors around the world are fighting back. Prognosis' new season launches Sept. 5. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing "What Goes Up," A New Show From Bloomberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2019 1:44


    On this new show from Bloomberg, hosts Mike Regan and Sarah Ponczek speak with expert guests each week about the main themes influencing global markets. They explore everything from stocks to bonds to currencies and commodities, and how each asset class affects trading in the others. Whether you're a financial professional or just a curious retirement saver, What Goes Up keeps you apprised of the latest buzz on Wall Street and what the wildest movements in markets will mean for your investments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Coming Soon: The Pay Check Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2019 1:17


    The Pay Check is back for a second season! For the next six weeks, we're going to dig into the number one reason women still make less money than men: Motherhood. Women start their careers earning just about the same as men do, but once they have their first kid, that pay gap grows to a chasm. This season, we'll show you how this “motherhood penalty” plays out for real women, in real life and how it affects the global economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How Andrew Zimmern Picks Restaurants

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2019 37:31


    On the final episode of this season of Travel Genius, Nikki and Mark talk everything Africa. Our guest this week also has suggestions for making the most of the continent, its range of cuisine and varied cultures: chef and host of the TV show “Bizarre Foods,” Andrew Zimmern. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How To Make Friends On The Road

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2019 34:26


    It's Listener Week all over again! We had such a blast tackling your voicemails that we couldn't resist turning the show over to your expertise once more. And please keep those tips coming: Call 646-324-3490, and we may even play your tip on the show!Then, the New York Times publishes an annual list of 52 places to visit around the world. Nikki and Mark chat with Jada Yuan, who spent 2018 traveling to all 52 spots. She shares the tips and tricks she learned while on the road.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    A Message from The Pay Check

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2019 0:39


    The Pay Check is collecting stories for our upcoming season, and we want to hear from you! Did having a kid change your career trajectory or the way you work? If you have anything you want to share, call and leave us a voicemail at (212) 617-0166. Stay tuned for more very soon!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Make Your Layover A "Playover"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2019 34:34


    Nikki and Mark break down the latest intel on who, when, and how much to tip when you're on the road. Then the conversation shifts to whiz-bang travel planning apps and packing hacks courtesy of Gillian Morris, who founded the innovative airfare search tool Hitlist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Bargain Like A Travel Pro

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2019 39:37


    Mark and Nikki discuss how to plan a romantic getaway. Then, concert pianist Mame Huntsman shares insights about everything from invisible in-flight facials to global bargaining tactics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    A Stuntman's Bucket List

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2019 38:29


    Nikki and Mark discuss travel tips shared by listeners. Then, adventurer and TV host Aldo Kane talks about everything from rowing across the Atlantic to the essentials he packs to survive in any circumstance. He also shares an unlikely, lesser-known spot in Scotland that's one of Europe's unexpected surfing meccas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Where To Go In 2019

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2019 38:43


    Mark and Nikki break down Bloomberg's list of the hottest destinations to consider for the upcoming months. Then, Foursquare co-founder Dennis Crowley explains his surprisingly old-school methods when he's on the road.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    A CEO's Secrets to Better Sleep

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2019 30:41


    Nikki and Mark pick apart some confusing news from the World Health Organization that seemed to declare the Caribbean region free of Zika, and discuss the destinations that you should and shouldn't worry about visiting. Then Ron Carson, chief executive of Carson Group, offers indispensable tips for getting great sleep in hotel rooms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Do Japan Right

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2019 39:13


    Japan is seeing an explosion in overseas visitors. Mark and Nikki share their first-hand tips and tricks if you're one of the many considering a trip to the country.Then, former Marine, extreme sportsman and motivational speaker Akshay Nanavati stops by to tell some his more harrowing travel stories. Nanavati explains how to keep warm in sub-zero temperatures and offers an unlikely, attention-getting method of banishing jet lag mid-flight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing "Works For Me," A New Podcast From Bloomberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2019 2:42


    On this new show from Bloomberg, hosts Francesca Levy and Rebecca Greenfield navigate the productivity industry by way of their own experiences. In each episode, one of the two becomes a human guinea pig as she tries to solve a specific work-related problem. Using the advice of so-called productivity experts, the duo tackles obstacles like ineffective to-do lists, overflowing inboxes and unruly meetings. Follow along with their attempts, insights and missteps, and maybe find a solution that will work for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Curtis Stone's Epic Travel Misadventure

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2019 34:05


    Mark and Nikki talk about forbidden travel: the places we're banned from visiting and why so many people are driven to break the rules. Then celebrity chef Curtis Stone reveals the naked truth about one of his most embarrassing travel stories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Secrets to Traveling Alone

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2018 35:47


    This week fashion entrepreneur Lisa Sun provides a laundry list of tips on how to make sure  your China trip goes off without a hitch. Also, Mark and Nikki talk about traveling alone: How to do it safely, how to eat alone without being embarrassed, and one place to avoid when you're soloSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Two Magic Words For Holiday Travel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2018 33:53


    Last year, more than 107 million people traveled between December 23 and January 1, or about one third of the country. And the stresses, strains and overload of an America on the move en masse can be a lot to cope with. We're here to help. Mark and Nikki teach you how to hack flight delays, handle the stresses of TSA checkpoints and much more. Next, bestselling author Tilly Bagshawe shares her favorite ornament shopping destinations and the one, very British item she packs for every season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    There's No Right Time To Buy A Flight

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2018 31:28


    The idea that there is a perfect time to buy a flight for the best price is one of the oldest, most-repeated urban myths in travel. On this episode of Travel Genius, hosts Mark Ellwood and Nikki Ekstein banish that rubbish once and for all, and offer some advice that actually will ensure you never overpay for a flight again.Then Kevin Cirilli, Chief Washington Correspondent for Bloomberg Television, shares how he goes from rumpled to camera-ready no matter the length of journey or quick turnaround time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Points And Miles Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2018 32:35


    We've all heard seen the viral stories: A scrappy traveler scores a round-the-world trip flying first class, all without a single dollar of cold, hard cash. On this week's episode of Travel Genius, hosts Nikki Ekstein and Mark Ellwood give you the five-point plan that'll help you master the points and miles game just like those fabled globetrotters. Then, Dateline correspondent Josh Mankiewicz shares his best tips for looking TV-ready after a long flight, and uncovering a city's best restaurants and coffee shops. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Never Check A Bag Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2018 34:56


    Keeping yourself insured on the road can be a minefield of red tape – and even then, many policies have strategic gaps in what they will and won't cover. On this episode of Travel Genius, hosts Mark Ellwood and Nikki Ekstein break down the basics of travel insurance and flag a potential law that could simplify this problem.Then Jessica Nabongo joins the conversation. She's an Instagram influencer, travel specialist and blogger who is on a mission to become the first black woman to visit every country in the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Philippe Cousteau's Rolex

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2018 34:56


    On this episode of Travel Genius, hosts Nikki Ekstein and Mark Ellwood look at a few hotspots that have become poster children for over-tourism. Then they chat with a scion of one of the most famous oceangoing families in the world: Philippe Cousteau.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Why TV Host Samantha Brown Recommends Eating Off Ironing Boards

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2018 31:01


    Our first episode of Travel Genius dives deep into a new phenomenon: teenage travel planners. We discuss how companies are thinking about the best ways to keep teens engaged and excited on the road. Then Samantha Brown, host of PBS' “Samantha Brown's Places to Love,” explains the most delicious ways to learn local vocabulary abroad, the secrets of surviving long flights with young kids, and, perhaps best of all, what it takes to stop a pilot from leaving the airport without you—even after the plane has left the gate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Travel Genius, a New Show From Bloomberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2018 1:51


    What's the most sure-fire way to get a flight upgrade? How can you find the best, secret local restaurants by asking just one question? What's the first thing you should do when you get into a hotel room? On Bloomberg's new podcast Travel Genius, we'll give you those answers—and plenty more—as hosts Nikki Ekstein and Mark Ellwood quiz the world's most experienced globetrotters for their tried-and-true travel hacks. Listen weekly, and even your work trips will go from a necessary evil to an expert art form. Travel Genius launches Nov. 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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