Podcasts about aislyn

Welcome to the first stop on our five-part audio guide to Asheville, North Carolina. And where better to start than at the beginning? In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, host Aislyn Greene sets out on foot to trace Asheville history from the ground up, and to answer a simple question: How did a remote, hard-to-reach valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains become one of the most creative small cities in America? Aislyn's first guide reveals the deep Asheville history hiding in plain sight downtown. There are the ancient mountains and rivers, the Cherokee crossroads that predated the city by thousands of years, the rowdy cattle-drive era that gave the town its early reputation, and the arrival of the railroad in 1880, which brought the Vanderbilts, the Groves, and the money that built landmarks like the Grove Arcade. From there, Aislyn drives out to the Biltmore Estate, America's largest privately owned home, to meet Chase Pickering, a fifth-generation member of the Vanderbilt family. He shares what it was like to grow up on the estate, and why stewardship and sustainability still shape the property today. But no honest telling of Asheville history is complete without the Black community that helped build the city, including Biltmore itself. Aislyn rides through the historically Black neighborhoods of Eagle Street and Burton Street with DeWayne Barton of Hood Huggers, meets community elder Clifford Cotton, grandson of the pioneering entrepreneur E.W. Pearson, and hears a song from Asheville artist Virtuous. It all adds up to a rich piece of cultural travel and the story of how Asheville became Asheville: a place ringed by mountains where people have both passed through and put down deep roots. Consider this your starting point for planning Asheville travel, and your first look at one of the South's most distinctive travel destinations. It's also your reminder that the best trips start with knowing where to go and why a place is the way it is. Unpacked by Afar is a travel podcast that unpacks one destination at a time. This Asheville audio guide continues across four more episodes, so look for the rest of the series waiting in the feed. GUESTS Tebbé Davis, guide and storyteller, Asheville By Foot walking tours Chase Pickering, Vice President of Guest Experience at the Biltmore Estate, and fifth-generation Vanderbilt family member DeWayne Barton, founder, Hood Huggers Clifford Cotton, community elder and grandson of E.W. Pearson, Burton Street Community Center Virtuous, songwriter and performing artist PLACES WE VISITED//WHERE WE STAYED Grove Arcade Biltmore Estate Eagle Street Basilica of Saint Lawrence Burton Street Community Center Peace Gardens & Market Stay: AutoCamp Asheville, Airstream lodging on the river Stay: The Windsor Boutique Hotel, apartment style lodging downtown CHAPTERS (00:00) Welcome to Asheville (01:05) The oldest mountains in the world (02:40) A Cherokee crossroads and the “Las Vegas” of the 1800s (05:00) Inside the Grove Arcade (10:40) The Vanderbilts and the Biltmore Estate (12:10) Chase Pickering on five generations at Biltmore (17:50) The Black community that built Asheville (19:00) Riding with Hood Huggers through Burton Street (21:40) E.W. Pearson's legacy and the Royal Giants (24:40) The Peace Gardens Sculpture Park (27:15) How Asheville became Asheville MORE FROM AFAR Asheville Travel Guide Immerse Yourself in Asheville's Culturally Diverse Experiences 10 Travel Itineraries for Exploring Asheville Your Way (including a music itinerary led by Virtuous) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the second stop on our five-part audio guide to Asheville, North Carolina, and it reaches back a lot further than you might expect. In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, host Aislyn Greene unpacks the long, strange story of Asheville wellness, and why doctors have been sending patients to these mountains for more than a century and a half. To understand where Asheville wellness began, Aislyn talks with David Freedman, an infectious disease physician and travel medicine expert who retired to the city. He explains the era of climatotherapy, when clean mountain air and a just-right altitude were prescribed for the respiratory illnesses of the Industrial Revolution, and for the deadliest disease of the 19th century, tuberculosis. It's a history written into the architecture itself, from buildings angled toward the prevailing wind to the once-ubiquitous sleeping porch, and even into the phrase “health resort,” which Asheville helped invent. Then Aislyn brings the story to the present, where Asheville wellness has grown into one of the most diverse scenes in the country. She heads into the Asheville Salt Cave and Spa, surrounded by 30 tons of ancient Himalayan salt, and hears from owner Jodie Appel about the surprising family story that started it all. She also sits in on a sound bath with sound therapist Kristin Hillegas, and gathers the full, wonderfully weird range of what you can try here, from hydrotherapy and aura photography to a practitioner known as the Breath Nurse. It all adds up to a rich piece of cultural travel and a portrait of a place locals call the Happy City. Whatever draws you to these mountains, it's a reminder that the best travel experiences often start with simply feeling better, and that knowing where to go can be its own kind of medicine. Unpacked by Afar is a travel podcast that unpacks one destination at a time. This Asheville audio guide continues across three more episodes, so look for the rest of the series waiting in the feed. GUESTS David O. Freedman, infectious disease physician and travel medicine expert, Asheville Jodi Appel, owner, Asheville Salt Cave and Spa Kristin Hillegas, sound therapist, who runs Serenity Sound Healing of Asheville and leads sound baths at the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville Tebbé Davis, guide and storyteller, Asheville By Foot walking tours (returning from episode 1) PLACES WE VISITED Asheville Salt Cave and Spa Center for Spiritual Living Asheville Serenity Sound Healing of Asheville The Spa at Omni Grove Park Inn CHAPTERS (00:00) A century-old prescription: go to the mountains (01:40) A sound bath to begin (02:10) Meet David Freedman and the science of climatotherapy (03:40) Fresh air, altitude, and the architecture of breathing (07:50) Tuberculosis and the “Robber of Youth” (09:20) John Dickson's “cure” and the birth of the “health resort” (11:10) From sanitariums to a modern wellness scene (11:20) Inside the Asheville Salt Cave (13:00) Jodi Appell on salt, her father, and opening the spa (17:00) A sound bath, up close (19:00) Why Asheville calls itself the “Happy City” (20:45) People still come here to feel better MORE FROM AFAR Asheville Travel Guide 10 Travel Itineraries for Exploring Asheville Your Way (includes a restorative, wellness-minded itinerary) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the third stop on our five-part audio guide to Asheville, North Carolina, and it takes us just outside the city to the small mountain town of Black Mountain, North Carolina. In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, host Aislyn Greene goes looking for the creative soul of the region, and finds it everywhere: in the galleries, in the glass studios, and above all in the music scene. Aislyn starts with breakfast at Cousins Cuban Cafe, then walks a town so small you can cross it in a few minutes, passing murals of Black Mountain's famous daughter, the late Roberta Flack. She also traces the ghost of Black Mountain College, the radical, short-lived arts school just outside town that helped shape modern American art before it closed and all but disappeared. She plays with fire at the North Carolina Glass Center alongside executive director Candace Riley and glassblower Mark DeShields, learning how the quartz buried in these mountains helped turn the region into a glass capital. Over dinner at Hell or High Water, chef Eric Morris explains how Appalachian food ways, and a hurricane, gave the restaurant its name. But the heart of the episode is music. At a listening room called White Horse, Aislyn meets managing director Zach Hinkle, who traces the surprising, and nearly lost, blues and gospel roots of Asheville music, and explains why this corner of the Blue Ridge has always pulled creative people in. The episode ends inside a benefit concert, where the whole community turns out to keep a beloved venue alive. It all adds up to a rich piece of cultural travel: the story of why a tiny mountain town became one of the most quietly influential creative places in America, one of the South's most surprising travel destinations, and why the Asheville music scene still draws people to these hills. Consider it your guide to where to go and what to know. Unpacked by Afar is a travel podcast that unpacks one destination at a time. This Asheville audio guide continues, so look for the rest of the series waiting in the feed. CHAPTERS (00:00) Welcome to Black Mountain (01:30) Breakfast at Cousins Cuban and a walk through town (04:00) Playing with fire at the North Carolina Glass Center (06:30) The quartz that made a glass capital (11:00) Dinner at Hell or High Water (13:30) A restaurant named for the storm (17:00) Inside the White Horse listening room (19:00) The nearly lost blues of these mountains (22:00) A benefit concert, and why the music survives (27:00) The creative soul of Black Mountain GUESTS Candace Reilly, executive director, North Carolina Glass Center Mark DeShields, glassblower, North Carolina Glass Center Eric Morris, executive chef, Hell or High Water (Foothills Local Meats) Zach Hinkle, managing director, White Horse Black Mountain Featured musicians at the White Horse benefit: Robin Bullock, Bill Maddox, Dr. Bill Bares, Peggy Ratusz, and Chris Rosser PLACES WE VISITED Cousins Cuban Cafe North Carolina Glass Center Hell or High Water Trillium Table White Horse Black Mountain (performing at the Monte Vista Hotel during renovations) Stay: Peri Social House MORE FROM AFAR Asheville Travel Guide 10 Travel Itineraries for Exploring Asheville Your Way⁠ (including a music itinerary led by Virtuous) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the fourth stop on our five-part audio guide to Asheville, North Carolina, and it may be the tastiest one yet. In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, host Aislyn Greene digs into Asheville food, and the surprising reason this mountain city punches so far above its weight at the table. Aislyn joins a walking food tour with Sita of Eating Asheville, eating her way through a town where farm to table isn't a slogan but a fact of geography. Along the way she: Discovers that Asheville food can be a real relief for anyone with dietary restrictions at the celiac-run kitchen of Strada Italiano Hears the moving, Helene-shaped story behind Mehfil from its owner, Raj Tastes mountain-grown rice at the farm-to-table cornerstone Table with chef Catherine Smedley Forages Appalachian flavors at Luminosa And finishes with a former science teacher turned chocolatier, Melissa Quinn, at Asheville Chocolate. It's a scene built on tight relationships between kitchens and the farms a few ridges away, where the rice on your plate might have been grown just up the road, and where a devastating hurricane the year before only deepened the sense that these restaurants belong to their community. But great Asheville food is also a question of who gets to make it, and whose history gets remembered. In a segment on the region's Black foodways, Aislyn talks with two of the city's most celebrated chefs, Ashleigh Shanti of Good Hot Fish and Rakim Gaines of Capella on 9, about Affrilachian cooking, representation behind the stove, and the stories layered into every plate. Their conversation is a reminder that a food town's story has to include the people history has too often left off the menu. It all adds up to a rich piece of cultural travel and a portrait of one of the best small food towns in the country. Whatever you come hungry for, consider this your guide to where to go and what to know. Unpacked by Afar is a travel podcast that unpacks one destination at a time, with a real love of food and travel. This Asheville audio guide has one more episode to go, so look for it in the feed. CHAPTERS 00:00 A Real Food Town 03:00 Strada's Gluten-Free Surprise 05:00 Mehfil and Raj's Story 09:45 Table's Mountain Rice 12:40 Foraging at Luminosa 18:15 Cooking on The Block 23:15 Dessert With Melissa Quinn 26:00 Come Hungry GUESTS Sita, operations manager and tour guide, Eating Asheville Walking Food Tours Raj, owner, Mehfil Indian Restaurant Catherine Smedley, chef de cuisine, Table Chef Sean McMullen of Luminosa Melissa Quinn, head chocolatier and owner, Asheville Chocolate Ashleigh Shanti, chef and owner, Good Hot Fish Rakim Gaines, executive chef, Capella on 9 PLACES WE VISITED Strada Italiano Mehfil Indian Restaurant Table Luminosa (in the Flatiron Building) Asheville Chocolate Good Hot Fish Capella on 9 MORE FROM AFAR Asheville Travel Guide A Local Chef's 2-Day Travel Guide to Asheville Immerse Yourself in Asheville's Culturally Diverse Experiences Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the final stop on our five-part audio guide to Asheville, North Carolina, and we're heading for the trees. In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, host Aislyn Greene laces up for Asheville hiking, and discovers why the oldest mountains on Earth are also some of the most beloved. On a tour with Hike Bike Kayak Asheville that takes Aislyn and guide David into the Pisgah National Forest, Aislyn learns that Asheville hiking means far more than a simple walk in the woods. These are among the oldest mountains in the world, cloaked in one of the most biodiverse forests in North America, home to thousands of plant species and waterfalls around nearly every bend. David leads her to quiet swimming holes and points out plants that grow nowhere else on Earth. She stands beneath Looking Glass Falls and hears how a single valley packs in world-class rock climbing, fly fishing on the Davidson River, and a 60-foot natural water slide called Sliding Rock. Zoom out, and the scale is staggering. The Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway are among the most visited places in the entire national park system, and Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, rises just up the road. It helps explain why so many people who come here for Asheville hiking end up never wanting to leave, and why the outdoors are one of America's great travel destinations. It's a landscape you can dip into for a single afternoon or disappear into for a week. It all adds up to a rich piece of cultural travel and a fitting finale to our guide: a reminder that in Asheville, the wild is never far away. Whether you want a gentle waterfall stroll or a hard climb to a summit view, the trailheads are closer than you think, and the payoff is some of the most beautiful country in the eastern United States. Consider it your guide to where to go and what to know. Unpacked by Afar is a travel podcast that unpacks one destination at a time. That's the end of our Asheville audio guide, so catch up on the whole series in the feed. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Older Than the Atlantic 00:02:30 Meeting My Guide 00:06:30 The Blue Ridge Parkway 00:11:00 Looking Glass Falls 00:13:15 Wildflowers and Orchids 00:16:15 Behind Moore Cove GUESTS | David Teafatiller of Hike Bike Kayak Asheville, our hiking guide PLACES WE VISITED Pisgah National Forest Looking Glass Falls Sliding Rock Davidson River Blue Ridge Parkway Great Smoky Mountains National Park Mount Mitchell State Park MORE FROM AFAR Asheville Travel Guide 10 Travel Itineraries for Exploring Asheville Your Way (includes an outdoor itinerary) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LGBTQ+ Americans are more than twice as likely as the general population to hold a valid passport. That stat sits at the heart of (Out )on the Road: The Radical Joy of Queer Travel, a new book from writer Lindsey Danis that's part memoir, part guide. Most conversations about queer travel start and end with safety. Lindsey wanted to write past that, toward joy, belonging, and power. In this episode, they and Aislyn talk about the honeymoon trip that reshaped Lindsey's whole life, the research that turns fear into freedom, and why traveling as exactly who you are is its own kind of homecoming. Meet this week's guest Lindsey Danis is a writer and the author of (Out )on the Road, a travel memoir and reported guide written by and for LGBTQ+ travelers. Their work explores queer travel, belonging, and the search for joy on the road. You can find their work at lindseydanis.com. In this episode you'll learn Why Lindsey scrapped an entire early draft that was a straightforward travel memoir, and what they wrote instead. How research becomes the bridge from fear to joy, and the two tools Lindsey relies on before every trip. Why a honeymoon in Vietnam and Thailand changed not just how Lindsey travels, but where and how they live. What Lindsey hopes allies take away from the book, including readers who never expected to see themselves in it. Episode chapters 00:00 A Surprising Stat 02:00 The Book They Needed 05:00 Scrapping The Memoir 09:00 Hiding And Choice 12:00 On Passing 16:00 Two Favorite Tools 18:00 A Toast In Vietnam 20:00 The Honeymoon Shift 25:00 The Galapagos 27:00 A Note For Allies 30:00 Next Stop, Sri Lanka Resources Movement Advancement Project — a color-coded database comparing US state laws on gender identity and sexual orientation: mapresearch.org EqualDex — a country-by-country index of LGBTQ+ rights and attitudes worldwide: equaldex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene and producer Nikki Galteland hit the road in Michigan and find epic adventures, gorgeous waterways—and a new way to connect. Join them as they follow Michigan's mitten counterclockwise, exploring the state's many waterways. They paddle the Au Sable River, flying over the Lake Huron shipwrecks of Thunder Bay, ferry over to the car-free Mackinac Island, savor, the deep quiet of Drummond Island—and the sparkling-wine country of the Leelanau Peninsula. It's a Great Lakes road trip built on short drives, Up North history, and the kindness of strangers, and it turns into a case for why traveling this way might be one of the best ways to build a friendship. Meet this week's guests (aka our new Michigan friends) Adam Hume runs Oscoda Canoe Rental on the Au Sable River. Kathy Erickson helps put on the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon, the 120-mile overnight race she lovingly calls the world's toughest spectator sport. Stephanie Gandulla is a maritime archaeologist at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Captain Richard Biffle pilots the glass-bottom Lady Michigan for Alpena Shipwreck Tours. Patrick Conlon is the general manager of The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island and one of roughly 500 people who live on the island year round. Emily is the wine club manager at MAWBY on the Leelanau Peninsula. You'll also hear from Jared, the pilot who flew Aislyn and Nikki over the wrecks in a 1975 Cessna, and Sarah, the guide who showed them around Alpena for the afternoon. This summer (or next fall...or spring...) plan your own Michigan road trip, hitting the spots featured in the episode Detroit: Start in the Motor City with Afar's Detroit guide. Oscoda and the Sunrise Coast: Paddle the Au Sable River with Oscoda Canoe Rental and sleep on Lake Huron at the Sweetwater Sea Bed & Breakfast. Time your visit to the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon if you can; this year's race starts July 25. Alpena and Thunder Bay: Start at the free Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, then ride the glass-bottom Lady Michigan with Alpena Shipwreck Tours over the wrecks of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and climb the New and Old Presque Isle lighthouses. Mackinac Island: Stay at The Inn at Stonecliffe (a humanitarian hotel), bike the 8-mile car-free loop on M-185, and sample your way through the island's famous fudge shops. Drummond Island: Base at Drummond Island Resort and walk the Maxton Plains, one of the world's rare alvar grasslands. Leelanau Peninsula: Taste sparkling wine at MAWBY, the oldest winery on the peninsula. The stops that didn't make the episode but are worth a visit! The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie Traverse City, home to delicious restaurants, fantastic cider, tall-ship sails, the annual cherry festival, and so much more Saugatuck, where Nikki and Aislyn stayed at the retro Pines Motor Lodge And Dablon winery in Baroda, which is part of the Lake Michigan Shore AVA (find more wineries to explore in the region) Plan the whole route with Afar's Michigan guide and Afar's guide to road trips. Stay connected Be sure to subscribe to the show and sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of travel. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the last Feel-Good Friday before host Aislyn and producer Nikki take a summer break. And they're sending the season off with two of summer's great pleasures: a viral World Cup food obsession and a very American bourbon. First, why international soccer fans are falling hard for ranch dressing—and getting stopped at airport security over it. Then, a first-of-its-kind whiskey blended from all 50 states, arriving just in time for the Fourth of July and America's 250th birthday. This week's Feel-Good Friday stories International visitors flooding the US for the World Cup have discovered ranch dressing, and they want to take it home by the bottle. Aislyn and Nikki tackle the great World Cup ranch debate. An independent bottler spent five years and a cross-country road trip visiting more than 100 distilleries to create the first whiskey ever blended from all 50 states. PLUS a limited 1776 edition drawn from the original 13 colonies, made to mark the country's 250th. Bonus: A couple of cautionary tales about packing wine home in your luggage, and a solemn vow never to pair good bourbon with ranch. That's a wrap on Feel-Good Friday for the season. Aislyn and Nikki will be back after a summer break — until then, happy Fourth of July, and happy summer. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to Feel-Good Friday 00:02:00 The Great Ranch Debate 00:05:00 Liquid Smuggling Confessions 00:07:00 United States of Bourbon 00:10:00 Cheers to Summer Stay connected Be sure to subscribe to the show and sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of travel. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Feel-Good Friday, and Unpacked host Aislyn and producer Nikki are joined by a guest they've been waiting weeks to record with: Afar senior editor Lucy Kehoe, who also edits our UK sister title, Suitcase. Three stories, all good news, landing fittingly on Juneteenth. This week's stories: A landmark opening in Chicago lands right on Juneteenth: a nearly 20-acre campus on the South Side, a decade in the making, that's less presidential library and more civic gathering place, right down to an Oval Office anyone can sit in. Five new museums are arriving in one famously museum-rich city this year, from a vertigo-inducing glass storehouse where you can watch conservators at work to a love letter to teenage subcultures, Walkman included. A newly protected stretch of the South Pacific roughly the size of the Amazon rainforest. One that's Indigenous-led, tourism-friendly, and home to about three-quarters of the world's coral species. Plus: Nikki's very specific dream of finally meeting a dugong in the wild. Tune in every Friday through June for a fresh trio of stories from Afar's favorite travel writers and editors. We'll see you next week. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to Feel-Good Friday 00:02:00 You Are America 00:04:00 London's Museum Boom 00:08:00 Protecting the Coral Triangle 00:11:00 In Search of Dugongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Feel-Good Friday, when your Unpacked host (Aislyn) and producer (Nikki) get together to swap the stories making them feel good this week. And this week they're joined by Afar's director of photography, Michelle Heimerman. They share three stories that are making them feel optimistic this week. Stories like... Some genuinely good news for anyone who loves a beach: one of the world's most beach-blessed countries has spent the past decade quietly turning the tide on plastic pollution — and the playbook is more doable than you'd think. A high-altitude adventure that trades the summit selfie for something quieter and more lasting — proof that you can chase a punishing challenge purely for the experience, not the applause. Meet the women rewriting who gets to lead a safari — and why the guides who didn't grow up in the bush might just be the best ones behind the wheel. Resources Learn more about Bartek Ziemski Read more about Australia's plastic decrease Listen to the episode about ABC's female guiding program The Afar Nepal cover shoot ⁠video⁠ Ridwell, the recycling service Chapters Tune in every Friday through June for a fresh trio of stories from Afar's favorite travel writers and editors. Be sure to subscribe to the show and sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of travel. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Feel-Good Fridays. This week, host Aislyn Greene and producer Nikki Galteland are joined by Afar executive editor Kathrine LaGrave—and the three of them are ready to carry you into the weekend a little lighter, with stories about line dancing, travel with your dog, and the surprisingly simple science of being happy. The happy news Country line dancing is having a queer renaissance. Kathrine shares the story of Stud Country, a New York–based group offering country dancing parties and classes rooted in queer cowboy culture—open to everyone, from regulars to curious first-timers. It's getting a whole lot easier to travel with your dog. Nikki reports that searches for pet-friendly travel are up year-over-year, and a new wave of hotels isn't just tolerating four-legged guests—they're actively celebrating them, with welcome treats, room amenities, dog spas, and yes, an official Director of Pet Relations. Aislyn brings us back to Yale happiness researcher Laurie Santos, who went viral for teaching the most popular course in the university's history—and whose 2026 take on happiness comes down to one thing: more friction, more connection, less optimization. Travel, she argues, is one of the best tools we still have for getting out of our own way. Plus: a spirited debate about cowboy boot colors, a Yappy Hour proposal, and a vision for the ultimate Feel-Good Friday field trip—all dogs welcome. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Welcome to Feel-Good Friday 00:01:00 Boots, Belonging, and Stud Country 00:05:45 The Great Boot Color Debate 00:06:00 The Happiness Researcher You Need to Hear 00:10:00 Dogs Welcome: The New Pet-Friendly Hotel Era 00:14:30 Yappy Hour and Other Good Ideas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Feel-Good Fridays. This week, host Aislyn Greene and producer Nikki Galteland are bringing you a special road trip edition — recorded live from the car somewhere in the forests of Michigan, microphones balanced on laps and sunscreen close at hand. It's a two-story episode today, and both come straight from the headlines of everyday life: Sunscreen use is up worldwide — and it's not just public health messaging that's doing it. Better formulas, the global influence of Korean and Japanese skincare, and a generational shift in sun-safety habits all play a role. Nikki and Aislyn dig into the data, swap their favorite SPF picks, and make the case for hand cream on road trips. The millennial song debate: NPR music journalists went looking for the one track that defines a generation, and landed on...well, we can't reveal that. But Aislyn and Nikki compare notes (Evanescence, No Doubt, Usher, J.Lo all make appearances), and share a playlist to soundtrack your own summer drive. Tell us your pick. Tune in every Friday through June for a fresh trio of stories from Afar's favorite travel writers and editors. We'll see you next week. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to Feel-Good Fridays (On the Road Edition) 00:01:00 Sunscreen Use Is Up — Here's Why That's a Big Deal 00:04:30 SPF Picks for the Road 00:05:30 The Millennial Song Debate 00:08:00 Why “Paper Planes” Won 00:09:30 Closing Out the Era: “I Love It” 00:10:30 Our Personal Millennial Anthems Stay Connected Be sure to subscribe to the show and sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of travel. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In last week's episode, host Aislyn Greene shared the story of towing a 20-foot Airstream down the Oregon coast in an all-electric Rivian truck — the campsite mishaps, the strangers who became friends, the joy of slow travel. This week, she's back with the practical guide: how an EV road trip actually works when you're towing, and what to know before you try one yourself. Aislyn sits down with Sarah Eslinger, who heads up Rivian's Adventure Network, to talk about how the company has been quietly building fast-charging infrastructure in the places EV drivers actually want to go — not just along interstates, but on the edge of Death Valley, outside Yellowstone, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and yes, all along Oregon's Highway 101. They get into why 70 percent of Adventure Network sites are trailer-friendly, how the built-in trip planner factors in elevation, heat, and trailer weight, and why Rivian tested its charging bays with an Airstream. Then Aislyn shares the five things she wishes she'd known before hitching up — from how much range to expect when towing, to the adapter you need to charge overnight at a campsite, to the trailer mirrors that will change your life. Whether you're EV-curious, RV-curious, or just love a good road trip, this one's a window into how the infrastructure for adventure travel is changing — and how much easier it's getting to take the scenic route. Chapters 00:00:00 Bonus Episode Setup 00:01:08 Inside Rivian's Adventure Network 00:03:15 Why the Trip Planner Works 00:05:08 Towing-Friendly by Design 00:06:50 Five Things to Know Before You Tow 00:09:25 The Verdict and What's Next Be sure to subscribe to the show and sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and ⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of travel. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She's 104 years old, newly renovated, and she's ready for her close-up. On this episode of Unpacked: America 250, host Aislyn Greene talks about the newly renovated ⁠Castro Theatre⁠ in San Francisco, a $41 million transformation of one of America's most beloved LGBTQ+ landmarks. Aislyn sits down with Mary Conde, SVP at ⁠Another Planet Entertainment⁠, the independent concert promoter behind the renovation, to explore what it took to bring this icon back to life, and why this was always about more than a building. In this episode, you'll learn The history behind the Castro Theatre, from a Lebanese immigrant's grocery store to a 1,400-seat icon. How the Castro became the heartbeat of San Francisco's LGBTQ+ community. What a $41 million renovation actually looks like, from a peach-glazed ceiling to a color-changing chandelier. The story of the organs (yes, plural) that have defined the Castro's sound for decades. Why Another Planet Entertainment sees this as a gift to San Francisco, not just a business investment. Chapters 00:00:00 The Castro's Comeback 00:02:00 From Grocery Store to Icon 00:05:30 A Safe Harbor for a Community 00:09:00 Inside the Renovation 00:13:00 The Organ's New Life 00:15:30 What's Coming Next Meet this week's guest Mary Conde, Senior Vice President at Another Planet Entertainment and a lifelong San Franciscan who has shaped the city's music scene for decades. Another Planet is the independent concert promoter behind Outside Lands and the recent mayoral inauguration party, and the company that took on the Castro's renovation. Resources Read the transcript of this episode. Explore the history of the ⁠Castro Theater⁠. Buy tickets for upcoming ⁠Castro events⁠. Read about the ⁠Frameline LGBTQ+ Film Festival⁠. Be sure to subscribe to the show and sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and ⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of travel. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a shiny new year, so this month on Unpacked, we're diving into Afar's ⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to Go list⁠⁠⁠⁠. And in 2026, we want to lessen the burden on overtouristed destinations and expand visitation to other parts of the world. So our editors carefully selected 24 emerging regions and overlooked locales that will inspire your next great adventure. Places like Adelaide, Australia, a city within a park that punches above its weight with world-class wine, a booming food scene, and Australia's only UNESCO City of Music designation. In this episode, producer Nikki Galteland interviews host Aislyn Greene, who traveled to Adelaide last year. Aislyn shares why she waited 10 years to visit, what makes Adelaide different from Sydney and Melbourne, and how to engage with Aboriginal history—including a new $35 million cultural center. Plan Your Adelaide Getaway (First, explore our ⁠Australia travel guide⁠.) Stay Adelaide Marriott⁠ Eat and Drink ⁠Shobosho⁠, a Japanese izakaya with a custom yakitori grill ⁠Golden Boy⁠ for Thai food in an art-filled space Fino Vino⁠ for a daily-changing tasting menu Ondeen⁠ in the Adelaide Hills for fireside dining ⁠Salopian Inn⁠ in McLaren Vale Lino Ramble⁠ Wines—ask for the fortified arinto Explore Barossa Valley⁠ for world-famous Shiraz McLaren Vale⁠ and ⁠Adelaide Hills⁠ for boutique wineries Small Batch Wine Tours⁠ for off-the-beaten-path tastings The newly expanded ⁠Adelaide Central Market⁠ The Thebarton Theatre⁠, a 1928 theater reopened after an $8M renovation Kangaroo Island⁠ for wildlife The ⁠Eyre Peninsula⁠ for a coastal road trip The ⁠Flinders Ranges⁠ for Outback landscapes Engage With Aboriginal Culture ⁠Yipti Yartapuultiku⁠, the new $35.2M Aboriginal cultural center ⁠Bookabee Australia⁠ for the Adelaide Aboriginal Cultural Experience The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the ⁠South Australian Museum⁠ Know Before You Go New: United flies direct from San Francisco to Adelaide Best time: Australian fall (March–May) for harvest and mild weather Or plan around ⁠Adelaide Fringe⁠ (Feb–March) or ⁠WOMADelaide⁠ (March) Very walkable; rent a car only for wine country and day trips Resources Follow Aislyn on ⁠Instagram⁠ Explore ⁠Afar's Where to Go in 2026 list⁠ Follow us: ⁠@afarmedia⁠ Listen to All the Episodes in our Where to Go 2026 Series E1: T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠his Island in the Bahamas Promises Pink Sand, Historic Hideaways, and Perfect Solitude ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ E2: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why Peru's Second City Might Be Its Best-Kept Secret⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ E3: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The New 170-Mile Hiking Network Connecting Stockholm's Dreamy Archipelago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ E4: ⁠⁠⁠Route 66 Turns 100—and Albuquerque Is Ready to Celebrate ⁠⁠⁠ E5: ⁠⁠Why Morocco's Chill Capital Deserves Your Attention ⁠⁠ E6: ⁠⁠Three Hours From Nashville, the South's Next Great Food Capital Is Waiting⁠⁠ E7: ⁠⁠The French Riviera's Last Stop Before Italy—and Its Best-Kept Secret ⁠⁠ E8: ⁠⁠Skip the Serengeti Traffic Jams for This Under-the-Radar Kenyan Safari ⁠⁠ E9: ⁠The Pacific Northwest's 80-Mile Playground Just Got Even Better ⁠ E10: ⁠The White Lotus Architect Designed a Hotel in This Vietnamese City—Now the World Is Noticing⁠ E11: Malaysia's Most Overlooked Island Is a Feast for Every Sense E12: The Australian City That Punches Above Its Weight (this one!) Stay Connected Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, ⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. Unpacked by Afar is part of⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special four-part series, join Unpacked host Aislyn Greene as she travels to Charleston, South Carolina, to unpack the city's deeper currents. For the series finale: Charleston's performing arts scene is nothing short of extraordinary. Aislyn explores the city's world-class venues—from America's first dedicated theater to a stunning apricot-colored concert hall—and meets the people bringing opera, dance, jazz, and theater to life in the Lowcountry. In This Episode You'll Learn The remarkable 300-year history of the Dock Street Theater, where ghost stories and contemporary artists meet How the Spoleto Festival USA became an international arts destination that draws everyone from Yo-Yo Ma to Patti Smith Why the Gaillard Center is "the Carnegie Hall" of the South —and how it commissions new works that celebrate Lowcountry stories and landscapes Don't Miss These Moments [02:00] Inside the Dock Street Theater's drawing room [06:00] The record for most light bulbs blown during a single performance [11:00] Spoleto's general director on why 125 concerts in 17 days creates festival magic [13:00] The two ghosts said to haunt Dock Street Theater [18:00] Aislyn visits Cistern Yard at the College of Charleston—one of the most beautiful outdoor venues in the city [21:00] How the Gaillard Center transformed from a brutalist municipal auditorium into a world-class performance hall [24:00] The moment Audra McDonald turned off her microphone and brought the house to tears *Time stamps are estimated and may change due to programmatic advertising. Featured in This Episode Venues Dock Street Theater ⁠Gaillard Center⁠ Festivals & Organizations Spoleto Festival USA Piccolo Spoleto Charleston Stage (Dock Street's resident theater company) Chamber Music Charleston MOJA Arts Festival Charleston Literary Festival Performers The Gullah Collective Step Afrika! Complexions Contemporary Ballet (upcoming) Resources Plan your Charleston arts trip using our guides on afar.com Catch Up on the Series Missed any episodes? Here's the full Charleston series: Episode 1: To Understand the Soul of This Southern City, Head for the Water Episode 2: Charleston Serves Up More Than 300 Years of Flavor—and Every Bite Tells a Story Episode 3: The Artisans Keeping the Soul of Charleston's King Street Alive Episode 4: Opera, Punk Rock, and a 300-Year-Old Ghost: One City's Arts Scene Stay Connected Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special four-part series, join Unpacked host Aislyn Greene as she travels to Charleston, South Carolina, to unpack the city's deeper currents. Up first: To really get to know Charleston, you must spend time on its water ways. Aislyn heads out for a pre-dawn paddle, hunts for Ice Age fossils alongside Charleston's Indiana Jones, and explores one of the most pristine marine parks on the East Coast—making new friends along the way (the human kind and the animal kind).  And be sure to come back next week, when we dive into Charleston's legendary food scene. In this episode, you'll learn —The history and geology of Shem Creek —Why Morris Island is such a legendary place for fossils—and what it takes to find the good stuff.  —The moody, remote magic of Bulls Island—home to Boneyard Beach—and what it's like to cruise through the pristine Cape Romain, one of only three Class I Wilderness Area's in the United Sates.   —Charleston's diverse marine life, from oyster-eating birds to dolphins with a unique way to create their very own seafood buffet.  —The best marine wilderness tours to go deeper into Charleston's aquatic history and landscape.  Don't miss these moments*  *Time stamps are estimated and may change due to programmatic advertising.  Recreate these experiences Join Coastal Expeditions, where founder Chris Crolley and his team of fellow naturalists aim to “connect Earthlings with Earth.” Take a ferry to Bulls Island, an uninhabited barrier island; join a kayak tour from their Shem Creek headquarters; or tour Charleston's blackwaters. And be sure to check out the nonprofit Coastal Expeditions Foundation, which supports kids who would otherwise not have access to the marine world opportunity to spend time on and with the water, among other efforts.  Paddle with Nature Adventures, which offers kayak and paddleboard tours, as well as kayak and paddleobard rentals for those who want to explore solo. Co-owner Ben-Jamin Toy also runs On Purpose Adventures, a team-building and bonding company.  Explore with Charleston Outdoor Adventures, which offers its frequent Morris Island fossil tour as well as oyster farm visits, Outer Banks film location tours, and fishing charters. Owner Joe Lott founded the business in 2009 and offers year-round exploration. Resources  Read the transcript of the episode.  Plan your trip to Charleston using our guides and stories on afar.com Stay Connected Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hola Culture Kids!

Hop on the Culture Train with Kristen and Asher as they journey to the beautiful coastal village of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua! In this heartwarming episode, we meet Alvaro and Aislyn from Tuani Tours Nicaragua and discover what it's like to live in a small fishing village where nature, community, and tradition are deeply connected.

This isn't Washington, it's D.C.—and it belongs to the people. On this episode of Unpacked, join host Aislyn Greene as she meets the D.C. locals who are shaping the city. They share the diverse communities, places, and histories that make the district unique. From a blossoming food scene to thriving cultural legacies, discover the D.C. that most tourists miss.  In this episode, you'll learn Histories to explore beyond the National Mall.  How locals experience the vibrancy of D.C.'s food, culture and art scenes.  What makes some of D.C.'s most historic neighborhoods—such as the U Street Corridor and Dupont Circle—really shine.  Don't miss these moments [03:25] Aerosmith, the Smithsonian, and the oddball story that started it all.  [09:58] Diverse foods and divisive fruits in a cult-favorite restaurant.  [20:01] 250 artists in 2 miles: A creative community far beyond the capital city.  [35:17] Touring a temple of musical icons.  [36:11] They started this legendary festival with a napkin.  Meet this week's guests Sunny Sumter, the president and CEO of the DC Jazz Fest Jeff Miller, founder of the DC Cycling Concierge Marquett Milton, historic interpreter at the African American Civil War Museum Kevin Tien, the executive chef and owner of Moon Rabbit Monica Alford, founder and CEO of Wild Side Media  Resources —Read the transcript of this episode.  —Listen to Chuck Brown's version of “It Don't Mean a Thing.” —Explore Joe Brotherton's music. Want to plan your own DC trip? Aislyn shares a Google Map and her full itinerary here. Where to Stay Eaton DC Rosewood DC Salamander DC >>>Explore even more of Afar's favorite hotels in Washington D.C. Where to Eat and Drink Moon Rabbit The Press Club DC Oyster Oyster,  A. Kitchen + Bar St Vincent Wine (for live jazz) Lutece River Club DC Fiola Mare Dogon Yellow Georgetown Baked & Wired Buck's Fishing and Camping Activities Bike tour with DC Cycling Concierge Walking tour with U Street Time Travel Walking tour with DC Design Tours Arena Stage Culture House National Portrait Gallery  >>>Explore more places to eat and explore with Afar's D.C. travel guide. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. ** Bonus Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode. **

A -30- has been traditionally used by journalists to indicate the end of a story or article that is submitted for editing and typesetting. At The Daily Texan, staffers who are writing their last piece get to say a quick goodbye in the paper called a 30 column. Digital staffers, like Aislyn, felt more comfortable saying goodbye in the way they know best, like a podcast! Photo by Lorianne Willett. Music is Feathersoft by ⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠.

Hot tip: Don't listen to this week's episode of Unpacked hungry. Because we're traveling to a surprising Midwestern city to explore what makes it one of the most fascinating food cities in the country. Last June, host Aislyn Greene traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, and was surprised by what she found: A refreshingly progressive, highly bikeable, very outdoorsy, and (best yet), delicious city.  If you're a food-motivated traveler, you're likely always looking for the next great spot. And as she ate her way Madison, Aislyn wondered: Why aren't more people talking about Madison? So in today's episode, that's exactly what we're doing. We'll explore Wisconsin's agriculture scene, meet the city's most interesting chefs, and look at what to do when you're too full to eat any more. Meet this week's guests Shilpa Sankaran, founder of Kosa Lindsay Christians, food editor and arts writer at the Capital Times Sean Pharr, chef and owner of Mint Mark Itaru Nagano, chef at Fairchild Shaina Robbins Papach, co-owner of Harvey House and Butterbird Dan Bonnano, chef and owner of Pig in a Fur Coat Jamie Brown-Soukaseum, chef and owner of Ahan Garret Olsen, co-owner of Madison Adventure Tours Resources Read this week's show notes, including a full transcript of the episode. Check out the latest season of Top Chef: Wisconsin Read my guide to the culinary scene there.  Follow the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode.  Subscribe to AFAR's YouTube channel for a full video of the conversation. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

Happy New Year! Jacke kicks off 2024 with two of his favorite subjects: Books and Travel. First, Bethanne Patrick stops by to talk about the new season of Missing Pages, the Signal Award-winning, Webby Award-nominated, and chart-topping podcast about the world of books and book culture. Next, Aislyn Greene, host of the podcast Travel Tales by AFAR, joins Jacke for a discussion of conscientious travel, reading while traveling, and the pleasures of discovering bookstores in new places. Enjoy! Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever considered birdwatching? If the answer is a "heck, no"—or even a "not really"—than this episode is for you. Host Aislyn Greene, also a birdwatching skeptic, dives deep into the world of birding to discover how to do it well, the equipment you need, and most importantly why to give this sport (yes, it's a sport!) a shot. Meet this week's guests Dominik Mosur, animal care specialist at the Randall Museum and birding tour guide Kara Cook, rooftop biologist for Audubon Florida Aunt Cheryl, Aislyn's bird-loving aunt Resources Read this episode's show notes, including a full transcript of the episode. Find a bird tour around the world. Find a field guide for your region—here's a California example. Download the Merlin app and the eBird app Discover your local Audubon chapter.  Don't forget to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic. And a special thanks to our August sponsor, the Austrian Tourist Office. To learn more about the Bregenzerwald region, a collection of 23 villages deep in Austria's western Alps, visit afar.com/austria-nature.

Have you ever considered birdwatching? If the answer is a "heck, no"—or even a "not really"—than this episode is for you. Host Aislyn Greene, also a birdwatching skeptic, dives deep into the world of birding to discover how to do it well, the equipment you need, and most importantly why to give this sport (yes, it's a sport!) a shot. Meet this week's guests Dominik Mosur, animal care specialist at the Randall Museum and birding tour guide Kara Cook, rooftop biologist for Audubon Florida Aunt Cheryl, Aislyn's bird-loving aunt Resources Read this episode's show notes, including a full transcript of the episode. Find a bird tour around the world. Find a field guide for your region—here's a California example. Download the Merlin app and the eBird app Discover your local Audubon chapter.  Don't forget to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic. And a special thanks to our August sponsor, the Austrian Tourist Office. To learn more about the Bregenzerwald region, a collection of 23 villages deep in Austria's western Alps, visit afar.com/austria-nature.

In today's episode Kimberly did a bit of answering questions from her IG, (kind of got off topic) but let us know if you guys will like more podcast like this or should Aislyn never let Kimberly do a solo episode again. Episode is short compare to another episodes, but that's because I didn't have batteries... IG: @sistershenaniganspodcast @KIMBOALON @AISLYN_ALONSO --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aislynkimberly/message

This week, Aislyn sits down with UT Dietician Jennifer Barnoud to discuss the benefits of eating eggs. She also teaches us how to make the perfect scrambled eggs. Links to the shopping list and recipe can be found here: Reporting and editing by Aislyn Gaddis. Cover art by Emma George. Music by BlueDot Sessions.

This week, Aislyn sits down with UT Dietician Jennifer Barnoud to discuss the benefits of eating meat. She also teaches us how to make the perfect hamburger patty. Links to the shopping list and recipe can be found here: Reporting and editing by Aislyn Gaddis. Cover art by Emma George. Music by BlueDot Sessions.

This week, we sit down for a chat with Aislyn Hall & Aaron Shaw, designers of the card and board game, Ivion. Aislyn founded Luminary Games in 2016, and Ivion is her brainchild. We first met Aislyn and Aaron at GenCon 2021, and that was where we first heard of and learned about Ivion, and we immediately loved the game. It takes everything we love about card games and marries it with the concept of an MMO/RPG board based combat and is, well for lack of a better term awesome. We hope you enjoy our conversation, and be sure to learn more about Ivion and the team by following the links down below! Check out the Ivion website: https://www.playivion.com/ Late pledge Season 2 on Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivionherocrafter/ivion-season-2-winters-bite Join the Ivion Discord here: https://discord.com/invite/q2AM3JM Follow Ivion on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/playivion Follow Ivion on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/playivion/ Follow Ivion on FaceBook here: https://www.facebook.com/ivionhcg/ Sign up for your free 30 day trial of Audible by using our code: www.audibletrial.com/hobbiesnhappiness Find us on Social! Find us on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/hobbiesandhappiness Find us on Twitter: @_dgcampbell, @jimmorganhnh Find us on Instagram: @daniel.g.campbell, @jimmorganhnh, @hobbies.n.happiness Catch us when we stream on Twitch:  https://www.twitch.tv/hobbiesnhappiness Email us with your gaming memories at hobbiesandhappiness@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/pyBtxzKEaK

Join Desiree Camacho and Aislyn Jowers in their first episode of "The W" together as they talk about the first round of the playoffs, their picks for the WNBA's Awards, and much more. A jam-packed episode filled with all the WNBA content you could ask for!

In today's episode, Aislyn announces that she is expecting a baby! The girls talk in full details of how Aislyn found out she was pregnant, Kimberly's weird labor and delivery giveaway and much more. Stay tuned for a funny episode with Sister Shenanigan's! Follow us on Instagram @aislyn_alonso @kimboalon --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aislynkimberly/message

In this weeks episode of Sister Shenanigans, Kimberly and Aislyn talk about their New Year's resolutions. We go full in depth about the cowgirl position and how some guys don't feel this position and much more! Follow Kimberly on IG: @kimboalon Follow Aislyn on IG: @aislyn_alonso Follow @SisterShenaniganspodcast on IG DM us on the podcast IG if you have a topic idea for us to record! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aislynkimberly/message

On this episode Aislyn talk to us about the importance of finding empowerment within yourself, how important self-care is and how two very significant episodes in her life made her realize how importance is to find balance. Kinney Insurance Agency

In today's episode Aislyn talks about feeling like a failure for not continuing her studies after high school. She takes a deep dive into what she want's to do in life and how working for a company that isn't her own, stops her from achieving her dream goals in life. If you're looking for a sign to start living your dreams, listen up because I need this too. Social Media Instagram @sistershenaniganspodcast https://www.instagram.com/sistershenaniganspodcast/ @aislyn_alonso https://www.instagram.com/aislyn_alonso/ @Kimboalon https://www.instagram.com/kimboalon/ Youtube Aislyn https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxbd_TMpqfonjo4ag0YsDDA Kimberly https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-EwM0izHP1eoOiWjLLsrXg --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aislynkimberly/message

Today's guest we bring on Jennifer Galvan aka Aislyn's BFF. During her childhood she would get irregular periods that would come only once a year. As a teen her cycle has been regular up to this day. Because of this situation, she believed that should wouldn't be able to conceive. Well that all took a different turn for Jennifer. She became a teen mom at the age of 19 after moving in with her tinder boyfriend.  Instagram  Aislyn  https://youtube.com/channel/UCxbd_TMpqfonjo4ag0YsDDA https://instagram.com/aislyn_alonso?utm_medium=copy_link Kimberly https://instagram.com/kimboalon?utm_medium=copy_link https://youtube.com/channel/UC-EwM0izHP1eoOiWjLLsrXg Jennifer https://instagram.com/jenniferg137?utm_medium=copy_link https://youtube.com/channel/UCfyetJjrbJHkiGm60iL62hQ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aislynkimberly/message

In this episode I sit down with a client of mine named Elaine and her midwife, Vanessa. Elaine came to see me during her pregnancy with the goal to be proactive by knowing how to support her changing body during pregnancy, prepare for her birth and understand ways to recover successfully.I will never forget hearing her pride when telling me how she was able to apply everything she learned to her birth. Vanessa discusses how Elaine's body awareness and mind/body connection helped her get through her long 2nd stage of labour without requiring interventions. Our goal for this episode is to:Bring awareness to how women can play an active roll in their birth experienceElaine Sauve is newly postpartum and a first time mom to her beautiful daughter Aislyn.  She is an osteopathic practitioner and loves working with moms & babies herself. Vanessa Samur is registered midwife at Malachite Midwives in Kelowna, BC Canada.  She is passionate about reproductive health and about providing respectful, evidence-based care that supports clients and families to make informed choices about their care. She lives on a farm with her partner and two boys, Levon and Auggie.Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comFollow me on:InstagramFacebookYouTubeSupport the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=T6RXXXFKMA5PY)

In today’s episode we answer some of the most juicy Q&A’s that we found off of the internet. We open more about our sexual life from Kimberly's crazy sexual fantasies to Aislyn's first time having sex in the shower! Stay tuned for more of these sex talk. Plug in your headphones or earphones because it's about to go down! Follow our social media's Instagram @Kimboalon https://www.instagram.com/kimboalon @Aislyn_fit https://www.instagram.com/aislyn_fit @Sister Shenanigans https://www.instagram.com/sistershenaniganspodcast YouTube Kimberly Alonso https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-EwM0izHP1eoOiWjLLsrXg Aislyn Alonso https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxbd_TMpqfonjo4ag0YsDDA --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aislynkimberly/message

In today's episode we take it back to the early 20's. What lead us from running away at an early age? How dating in middle school was really like for the both of us. Stay put for today's episode as we open up some of your childhood memories that just keep you remembering. Social Media Instagram Kimberly https://www.instagram.com/kimboalon/ Aislyn https://www.instagram.com/aislyn_fit/ Sister Shenanigans https://www.instagram.com/sistershenaniganspodcast/ Youtube Kimberly https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-EwM0izHP1eoOiWjLLsrXg Aislyn https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxbd_TMpqfonjo4ag0YsDDA --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aislynkimberly/message

The course of true love never does run smooth and for Aislyn in particular her course takes her over a waterfall. In the guise of the loathly lady, Ragnelle she saves the life King Arthur from Queen Morgause, and seeks out to embarrass her ex; Sir Gawain. So join us as we look at Knights of the Round Table Gawain by Gwen Rowley. Music: Arthurian Mythia Theme by Invictus Media Arthurian Mythia Techno Remix by Scop Links: Gawain (Knights of the Round Table) - Goodreads Gwen Rowley - Goodreads Gawain (Knights of the Round Table) - Amazon (US) (UK) (CA) Geraint (Knights of the Round Table) - Goodreads Lancelot (Knights of the Round Table) - Goodreads Oisc of Kent - Wikipedia Our Links: Our novella, Ap Ector No.1: Cries in the Storm is out on Amazon Kindle. Tumblr, Twitter, Redbubble Store, Twitch, Discord (Where we hang out it doesn't belong to us), Email: arthurian.mythia@gmail.com

Paranormal encounters, dealing with postpartum depression, Aislyn's 2019, role playing and answering kinky questions. Instagram @kimboalon @aislyn_fit @sistershenaniganspodcast Youtube Kimberly Alonso Aislyn Alonso --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aislynkimberly/message

✨PowerUp 2021 with a special show dedicated to how you can become an agent of change in 2021.Superpowers: Hope, Love, Creativity, VisionLISTEN ONLINE: www.poweruphero.org Introducing: Leticia Wilson - Master Motivator, Higher Education Leader, and Life Coach Featuring:Rachél Payne - Creative Life CoachRachél Payne believes your unique expression of self is invaluable. She helps Creatives worldwide believe that for themselves, as well. She offers Creative Life Courses and she serves as a guide for an inspired community. https://rachelpaynecreative.weebly.comDr. Tammy Francis - The CatalystAffectionately called Dr. Tammy, The Catalyst, she is an Edupreneur. Dr. Tammy is an Assistant Professor who is also a Life and Business Strategist, Educator, Global Community Builder, Consultant, Educational Researcher, Literacy Advocate, Speaker, Author, and Traveler. Dr. Tammy supports you on your journey toward more and manifesting more. She helps you move in the direction of more and prepare for what’s next by providing you with the tools and strategies needed to plan and live on purpose in your life and/or business. https://drtammyfrancis.comAislynn Campbell - Gardening Lifestyle CoachAislynn Campbell has been growing food on family land, in community gardens, and in her own backyard for over three decades honing her hands-on expertise while developing edible, 100% organic gardens in South Texas. A communications professional with a background in agriculture, non-profit management, pediatric and senior health, Aislynn recognized South Texas’ need for access to affordable, locally-grown food and created the Corpus Christi Downtown Farmers’ Market in 2012. https://www.aislynncampbell.comTo find out more about our PowerUp Heroes visit the website: http://poweruphero.org Nominate our next hero here: www.poweruphero.orgPowerUp Your Life.#PowerUpHero #WorkHuman #NextGen#EliminateTechPoverty #PowerUpWork#WakeUpToPowerUp #PotentiaSursum#TimeToWork #Herowww.powerup.org

TEASER TRAILER Welcome to Sister Shenanigans, where we upload every Monday! Two sisters who are in their twenties and are two years apart of each other, Aislyn who is twenty, married and tied down. and Kimberly who is twenty-two, and has a one year old son. Even though they are still young they have experienced quite a few things in there life like being married at the age of nineteen and pregnant at twenty. We talk about EVERYTHING and ANYTHING such as relationships, life advice, sex, etc... p.s. Sister’s NOT BY CHOICE --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aislynkimberly/message

Howdy Doody Bookshelvers!It's Episode 12 time. Melissa McCue-McGrath CPDT-KA is just amazing. We hit it off like a house on fire and we have all decided to move in together (ok that last part isn't true but we could!) Do your good selves a favour and find her on the interwebs and beyond you will not regret it. Her book "Considerations For The City Dog" opened our eyes to some unique challenges facing dogs living in our urban jungles. Written partly in response to a dog nearly killing a 6'4" man and his German shepherd in her home city. She consulted with veterinarians, rescue volunteers, behavior specialists, certified dog trainers, dog daycare providers, groomers and more to identify why urban dogs are failing, and what we need to do to help these dogs succeed.As a added bonus Steve & Nat try to 'one up' themselves in a wildlife spotting competition and Steve forgets what day it is! I mean come listen it's a no brainer right?!?!Melissa McCue-McGrath CPDT-KA BioMelissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA is a certified professional dog trainer in greater Boston with over 10 years and 800 cases under her belt. She grew up in a dog-sledding family in rural Maine and now sits as the co-Training Director of New England Dog Training Club, the oldest AKC obedience club in the country. She advocates for urban canine sports and science-based training techniques to help dogs cope in the "new normal". Additionally, Melissa writes alongside one of her best friends, Dr. Sip Siperstein, for NPR's Car Talk FIDO Blog. She rather infrequently updates her MuttStuff blog and Muttstuff Facebook Page. As a result of this book, Melissa started #HandsOnFirst, a movement that encourages rescue groups and breeders to stop shipping dogs directly to potential dog owners sight-unseen. #HandsOnFirst explains what responsible rescues, shelters, fosters and reputable breeders actually look like, and educates people how to find a dog that will be best suited to their lifestyle and environment. She and her husband have a daughter named Aislyn. They currently live outside of Boston with their 2 cats, a fish and a snail. The McGraths are actively looking for their next family dog.Considerations For The City Dog on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FGN72BU/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_nqt1Eb1TK966HConsiderations For The City Dog Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/citydogbook/Melissa's Blog Muttstuffhttps://muttstuff.blogspot.com/?m=1Steve & Corrins Goodall Dog Training Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/goodalldogs/Nat's Training & Behaviour facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/Natdogs/Nats Drax page including the first 6 months videos on Drax (as mentioned)https://www.natdogs.com/draxDrax's Galactic Adventure Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/Draxthewolfhound/Steve & Corrins Penny and the Giant Peach Facebook grouphttps://www.facebook.com/TeachesOfPeachesAndPenny/Steve and Sally's Book 'Jack & Billy: Puppy Tales'https://www.facebook.com/JackandBillyPuppyTales/

This story finally come to and end......well more like the end of a chapter. Thank you guys for all of your love and support; it means so much! I really hope you all enjoyed my story. Disclaimer: this a story of how I got to where I am now. Some of my actions in this story are not conducive with who I am today but that’s why the past is the PAST. Also I hold no ill will or harbor any negative feelings toward ANYONE spoken about in this 3 part series and before anyone trips; I love my momma very much and we are in a much better place today than we were in the past. She’s one of my best friends and I don’t wanna hear anyone’s mouth. Thanks

The story continues.....just a trigger warning that this episode is going to get deeper, and more emotional. Some parts may be hard to listen to so I completely understand if you need to take a break and come back. Disclaimer: this a story of how I got to where I am now. Some of my actions in this story are not conducive with who I am today but that’s why the past is the PAST. Also I hold no ill will or harbor any negative feelings toward ANYONE spoken about in this 3 part series and before anyone trips; I love my momma very much and we are in a much better place today than we were in the past. She’s one of my best friends and I don’t wanna hear anyone’s mouth. Thanks

Y’all.........I’m not even sure what to say except buckle up because I’m about to take y’all on a 3 episode roller coaster, romantic comedy, tragedy, thriller, action, horror, musical movie ride that is my life. I’m excited but also more nervous than anything to share this with y’all. I hope you enjoy the Story of Aislyn. Disclaimer: this a story of how I got to where I am now. Some of my actions in this story are not conducive with who I am today but that’s why the past is the PAST. Also I hold no ill will or harbor any negative feelings toward ANYONE spoken about in this 3 part series and before anyone trips; I love my momma very much and we are in a much better place today than we were in the past. She’s one of my best friends and I don’t wanna hear anyone’s mouth. Thanks

As we look back over 2019 we reflect on the most memorable moments of the year both good and bad. We’re introducing new segments to the podcast and closing out season one! So sit back and dive into “The word on the street”. Reminisce on your Rose and Thorn and help us end season One with a bang! Follow: @kyli3_xo @aislynwade @4ourtwelve --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aislyn-j-wade/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aislyn-j-wade/support

Aislyn takes a job from the Lord's Alliance to chew out a stuffy noble. Then, it's time for the group to head to the Feywild! Quelenna takes the party around her home city and introduces them to her mother Mayweather. Thanks for being patient with us with us while we've been late. Hopefully in the new year we will get back on schedule! Like what we're doing? Consider visiting https://ko-fi.com/cornfieldsandkobolds and tossing us a few bucks. Thanks for your support! Music in this episode was produced by Vindsvept (https://vindsvept.bandcamp.com/)

A dangerous enemy is fought. Alliances are tested. Bats are everywhere. Can these heroes save their beautiful drow boy from a terrible fate? Later, Aislyn continues to try and tempt an enemy into becoming a potential ally. Like what we're doing? Consider visiting https://ko-fi.com/cornfieldsandkobolds and tossing us a few bucks. Thanks for your support! Music in this episode was produced by Vindsvept (https://vindsvept.bandcamp.com/)

Castle Naerytar explodes into chaos. Our adventurers fight for their lives against high odds. Aislyn makes an unlikely new ally. And, at long last, they discover the truth behind the Cult's nefarious machinations. Like what we're doing? Consider visiting https://ko-fi.com/cornfieldsandkobolds and tossing us a few bucks. Thanks for your support! Music in this episode was produced by Vindsvept (https://vindsvept.bandcamp.com/) Forest background sound produced by Sword Coast Soundscapes (https://swordcoastsoundscapes.bandcamp.com/)

It's us! Katy and Aislyn, a mom and daughter team that may find ourselves funnier than anyone else. This is our first podcast episode, so we thought we would leave it live and unedited. Enjoy!

 Today's episode includes a couple guests, Aislyn and Elora White, who will be performing the lead roles for the children's mystery story, "Snooper Sisters." Story By… Podcast is a production of Fiddling Around Productions, LLC and copyright 2018. Theme music is provided by Nalani Proctor (nalaniproctor.com), and used with permission. “Hard Boiled” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Edited by Lewayne L. White Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/   Story By… Podcast can be found at: Email: storybypodcast@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoryByPodcast/ Twitter: @StoryByPodcast Libsyn: http://storybypodcast.libsyn.com/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/story-by-podcast/id1286830550 youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKzp0YTSarAY_m7xxwAHM0V7NqbcQ0hxu I Heart Radio https://www.iheart.com/podca…/263-Story-By-Podcast-28973227/ Text Copyright 2016, Performance Copyright 2018

Aislyn K. Cangialose '13 was a winner of the 2011 Yale University School of Nursing Creative Writing Award, held at the New Haven Lawn Club on April 28, 2011. The title of her piece is "Anonymous Heroes".