Travelers on Travel

In this episode, which also appears in my Words & Images podcast, award-winning author, filmmaker, and LitWings founder Erin Byrne talks about someplace I myself know well: España! From leading writers in search of Lorca’s duende to her own profound spiritual experiences at a bullfight and during Semana Santa to the film she’s producing there, Erin has lots to say about Spain—and writing and travel and much more. Erin also talks about finding guidance in France and inspiration in Ireland, as well as how travel has the power to transform. Erin Bryne is the author of Wings: Gifts of Art, Life, and Travel in France, and the editor of two Vignettes & Postcards anthologies. She was just named Travel Writing curator for The Creative Process Exhibition.  Recorded live in studio on May 27, 2018.

Northern California journalist Cathy Miller traveled to a Greek island to spend three weeks volunteering at a refugee camp. We talked about the refugee crisis, life in the camps, and Cathy’s incredible experiences on the frontline of a tragedy most of us only read about in the headlines. Cathy is a contributor to the North Coast Journal, The Eureka Times-Standard, and the Willits News, as well as a volunteer with Refugee Support Europe, a charitable non-governmental organization of 400+ volunteers and staff based in London. Recorded live in studio on June 17, 2018.

Ryan Waters is the "Before You Die Guy." Ryan’s entertaining and informative web series shows viewers how to realize their bucket-list dreams all over the world—on a budget. Swim with manatees! Shoot a rocket launcher! Skydive from a helicopter! I talked with Ryan about how he got started, how to cross things off our own bucket lists, and the transformative power of travel. We also discussed destinations in Mexico, Japan, and beyond. Recorded live in studio on April 1, 2018.

Sivani Babu and Sabine Bergmann from online travel magazine Hidden Compass. Their new issue is just out, and it’s full of work by award-winning writers and photographers who have been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Geo, and Time, as well as the Washington Post, BBC Travel, and on NPR. Recorded live in studio on Feb 18, 2018.

Cinematographer, performer, and award-winning author of Showdown at Shinagawa, Bill Zarchy. Bill’s tales from the road, technical articles, and personal essays have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul and Travelers’ Tales anthologies, as well as the San Francisco Chronicle and magazines such as American Cinematographer, Emmy, and Kyoto Journal. Bill talks to us about the art of filming and his adventures in over 30 countries, which included photobombing the red carpet in Cannes, sharing former president Bill Clinton’s pain, and a lot of bumps on the head. Recorded live in studio April 8, 2018.

Travel writer, editor, and proud Oaklander Jessie Fetterling. Jessie is a contributor to Time.com, Mother Earth News, The Press Democrat, Sonoma Magazine, and Ravishly.com, among many others. She’s also author of "100 Things to Do in Oakland Before You Die." Jessie gives us a comprehensive crash course on the many reasons why crossing the Bay Bridge is wonderfully worthwhile, for locals and tourists alike.

Recorded live on air on March 4, 2018, in this episode (which also appears in my Words & Images podcast) I talk with one of the world’s most successful photographers, Robert Holmes. Bob has worked for National Geographic, Geo, Wine Spectator, and many more over his 35-year career. We discuss his friendship with Ansel Adams, running for his life from captors in the Himalaya, and dressing inappropriately for the Queen of England.

Adventurers Michael Shapiro (A Sense of Place, National Geographic Traveler, the Washington Post) and Jackie Yau (Inspirato, Travelers’ Tales anthologies, and the Travel Guide to California) talk about their recent travel to Cuba. We not only discussed their trip, but how they used it to make a difference in a lot of Cuban kids' lives. Recorded live in studio March 11, 2018.

Explorer, photographer, and award-winning author James Michael Dorsey. James has traveled extensively in 48 countries, his main pursuit of the last 15 years being remote cultures, mostly in Asia and Africa. In addition to being featured in Lonely Planet, Travelers’ Tales, and Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, James is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times, the Christian Science Monitor, and United Airlines’ Hemispheres magazine. We discuss travel and his new book Baboons for Lunch. Recorded live in studio April 15, 2018.

Award-winning filmmaker and cinematographer Hervé Cohen talks about his latest project. Life Underground is both an online experience and an immersive installation, allowing viewers to meet subway passengers from all over the world and listen to their personal stories, dreams, and deepest thoughts. Hervé also worked on feature Ayiti Mon Amour, which was on the list for Best Foreign Language Film in the 2018 Oscars. Recorded live in studio July 1, 2018.

Explorer, photographer, and Hidden Compass founder Sivani Babu tells us about her love affair with Antarctica, where she has been three times–including very recently. With special guest, Sabine Bergmann! Recorded live Feb 18, 2018.

Legendary travel writer and editor Don George makes his triumphant return to my show! We talked travel, Don’s collection The Way of Wanderlust, which chronicles 40 years of inspired writing on the road, and much, much more. Don even sang in Japanese! Recorded live July 15, 2018.