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Could live selling be the next big opportunity for indie authors? Adam Beswick shares how organic marketing, live streaming, and direct sales are transforming his author career—and how other writers can do the same. In the intro, book marketing principles [Self-Publishing with ALLi]; Interview with Tobi Lutke, the CEO and co-founder of Shopify [David Senra]; The Writer's Mind Survey; Bones of the Deep – J.F. Penn; Alliance of Independent Authors Indie Author Lab. Today's show is sponsored by ProWritingAid, writing and editing software that goes way beyond just grammar and typo checking. With its detailed reports on how to improve your writing and integration with writing software, ProWritingAid will help you improve your book before you send it to an editor, agent or publisher. Check it out for free or get 15% off the premium edition at www.ProWritingAid.com/joanna This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Adam Beswick is a bestselling fantasy author and an expert in TikTok marketing for authors, as well as a former NHS mental health nurse. Adam went full-time as an indie author in 2023 and now runs AP Beswick Publications. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes How Adam scaled from garden office to warehouse, with his wife leaving her engineering career to join the business Why organic marketing (free video content) beats paid ads for testing what resonates with readers The power of live selling: earning £3,500 in one Christmas live stream through TikTok shop Mystery book bags: a gamified approach to selling that keeps customers coming back Building an email list of actual buyers through direct sales versus relying on platform algorithms Why human connection matters more than ever in the age of AI-generated content You can find Adam at APBeswickPublications.com and on TikTok as @a.p_beswick_publications. Transcript of interview with Adam Beswick Jo: Adam Beswick is a bestselling fantasy author and an expert in TikTok marketing for authors, as well as a former NHS mental health nurse. Adam went full-time as an indie author in 2023 and now runs AP Beswick Publications. Welcome back to the show, Adam. Adam: Hi there, and thank you for having me back. Jo: Oh, I'm super excited to talk to you today. Now, you were last on the show in May 2024, so just under two years, and you had gone full-time as an author the year before that. So just tell us— What's changed for you in the last couple of years? What does your author business look like now? Adam: That is terrifying to hear that it was that long ago, because it genuinely feels like it was a couple of months ago. Things have certainly been turbocharged since we last spoke. Last time we spoke I had a big focus on going into direct sales, and I think if I recall correctly, we were just about to release a book by Alexis Brooke, which was the first book in a series that we had worked with another author on, which was the first time we were doing that. Since then, we now have six authors on our books, with a range of full agreements or print-only deals. With that focus of direct selling, we have expanded our TikTok shop. In 2024, I stepped back from TikTok shop just because of constraints around my own time. We took TikTok shop seriously again in 2025 and scaled up to a six-figure revenue stream throughout 2025, effectively starting from scratch. That means we have had to go from having an office pod in the garden, to my wife now has left her career as a structural engineer to join the business because there was too much for me to manage. We went from this small office space, to now we have the biggest office space in our office block because we organise our own print runs and do all our distribution worldwide from what we call “AP HQ.” Jo: And you don't print books, but you have a warehouse. Adam: Yes, we have a warehouse. We work with different printers to order books in. We print quite large scale—well, large scale to me—volumes of books. Then we have them ordered to here, and then we will sign them all and distribute everything from here. Jo: Sarah, your wife, being a structural engineer—it seems like she would be a real help in organising a business of warehousing and all of that. Has that been great [working with your wife]? Because I worked with my husband for a while and we decided to stop doing that. Adam: Well, we're still married, so I'm taking that as a win! And funnily enough, we don't actually fall out so much at work. When we do, it's more about me being quite chaotic with how I work, but also I can at times be quite inflexible about how I want things to be done. But what Sarah's fantastic at is the organisation, the analytics. She runs all the logistical side of things. When we moved into the bigger office space, she insisted on us having different offices. She's literally shoved me on the other side of the building. So I'm out the way—I can just come in and write, come and do my bit to sign the books, and then she can just get on with organising the orders and getting those packed and sent out to readers. She manages all the tracking, the customs—all the stuff that would really bog me down. I wouldn't say she necessarily enjoys it when she's getting some cranky emails from people whose books might have gone missing or have been held up at customs, but she's really good at that side. She's really helped bring systems in place to make sure the fulfilment side is as smooth as possible. Jo: I think this is so important, and I want everyone to hear you on this. Because at heart, you are the creative, you are a writer, and sure you are building this business, but I feel like one of the biggest mistakes that creative-first authors make is not getting somebody else to help them. It doesn't have to be a spouse, right? It can also be another professional person. Sacha Black's got various people working for her. I think you just can't do it alone, right? Adam: Absolutely not. I would have drowned long before now. When Sarah joined the team, I was at a position where I'd said to her, “Look, I need to look at bringing someone in because I'm drowning.” It was only then she took a look at where her career was, and she'd done everything she wanted to do. She was a senior engineer. She'd completed all the big projects. I mean, this is a woman who's designed football stands across the UK and some of the biggest barn conversions and school conversions and things like that. She'd done everything professionally that she'd wanted to and was perhaps losing that passion that she once had. So she said she was interested, and we said, “Look, why don't you come and spend a bit of time working with me within the business, see whether it works for you, see if we can find an area that works for you—not you working for the business, the business working for you—that we maintain that work-life balance.” And then if it didn't work, we were in a position where we could set her up to start working for herself as an engineer again, but under her own terms. Then we just went from strength to strength. We made it through the first year. I think we made it through the first year without any arguments, and she's now been full-time in the business for two years. Jo: I think that's great. Really good to hear that. Because when I met you, probably in Seville I think it was, I was like, “You are going to hit some difficulty,” because I could see that if you were going to scale as fast as you were aiming to— There are problems of scale, right? There's a reason why lots of us don't want a bloomin' warehouse. Adam: Yes, absolutely. I think it's twofold. I am an author at heart—that's my passion—but I'm also a businessman and a creative from a marketing point of view. I always see writing as the passion. The business side and the creating of content—that's the work. So I never see writing as work. When I was a nurse, I was the nurse that was always put on the wards where no one else wanted to work because that's where I thrived. I thrive in the chaos. Put me with people who had really challenging behaviour or were really unwell and needed that really intense support, displayed quite often problematic behaviours, and I would thrive in those environments because I'd always like to prove that you can get the best out of anyone. I very much work in that manner now. The more chaotic, the more pressure-charged the situation is, the better I thrive in that. If I was just sat writing a book and that was it, I'd probably get less done because I'd get bored and I wouldn't feel like I was challenging myself. As you said, the flip side of that is that risk of burnout is very, very real, and I have come very, very close. But as a former mental health nurse, I am very good at spotting my own signs of when I'm not taking good care of myself. And if I don't, Sarah sure as hell does. Jo: I think that's great. Really good to hear. Okay, so you talked there about creating the content as work, and— You have driven your success, I would say, almost entirely with TikTok. Would that be right? Adam: Well, no, I'd come back and touch on that just to say it isn't just TikTok. I would say definitely organic marketing, but not just TikTok. I'm always quick to pivot if something isn't working or if there's a dip in sales. I'm always looking at how we can—not necessarily keep growing—but it's about sustaining what you've built so that we can carry on doing this. If the business stops earning money, I can't keep doing what I love doing, and me and my wife can't keep supporting our family with a stable income, which is what we have now. I would say TikTok is what started it all, but I did the same as having all my books on Amazon, which is why I switched to doing wide and direct sales: I didn't want all my eggs in one basket. I was always exploring what platforms I can use to best utilise organic marketing, to the point where my author TikTok channel is probably my third lowest avenue for directing traffic to my store at the moment. I have a separate channel for my TikTok shop, which generates great traffic, but that's a separate thing because I treat my TikTok shop as a separate audience. That only goes out to a UK audience, whereas my main TikTok channel goes out to a worldwide audience. Jo: Okay. So we are going to get into TikTok, and I do want to talk about that, but you said TikTok Shop UK and— Then you mentioned organic marketing. What do you mean by that? Adam: When I say organic marketing, I mean marketing your books in a way that is not a detriment to your bank balance. To break that down further: you can be paying for, say for example, you set up a Facebook ad and you are paying five pounds a day just for a testing phase for an ad that potentially isn't going to work. You potentially have to run 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ads at five pounds a day to find one ad that works, that will make your book profitable. There's a lot of testing, a lot of money that goes into that. With organic marketing, it's using video marketing or slideshows or carousels on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook—wherever you want to put it—to find the content that does resonate with your readers, that generates sales, and it doesn't cost you anything. I can create a video on TikTok, put it out there, and it reaches three, four hundred people. That hasn't cost me any money at all. Those three, four hundred people have seen my content. That's not TikTok's job for that to generate sales. That's my job to convert those views into sales. If it doesn't, I just need to look at the content and say, “Well, that hasn't hit my audience, or if it has, it hasn't resonated. What do I need to do with my content to make it resonate and then transition into sales?” Once you find something that works, it's just a case of rinse and repeat. Keep tweaking it, keep changing or using variants of that content that's working to generate sales. If you manage to do that consistently, you've already got content that you know works. So when you've built up consistent sales and you are perhaps earning a few thousand pounds a month—it could be five figures a month—you've then got a pool of money that you've generated. You can use that then to invest into paid ads, using the content you've already created organically and tested organically for what your audience is going to interact with. Jo: Okay. I think because I'm old school from the old days, we would've called that content marketing. But I feel like the difference of what you are doing and what TikTok—I think the type of behaviour TikTok has driven is the actual sales, the conversion into sales. So for example, this interview, right? My podcast is content marketing. It puts our words out in the world and some people find us, and some people buy stuff from us. So it's content marketing, but it's not the way you are analysing content that actually drives sales. Based on that content, there's no way of tracking any sales that come from this interview. We are just never going to know. I think that's the big difference between what you are doing with content versus what I and many other, I guess, older creators have done, which is— We put stuff out there for free, hope that some people might find us, and some of those people might buy. It's quite different. Adam: I would still argue that it is organic marketing, because you've got a podcast that people don't have to pay to listen to, that they get enjoyment from, and the byproduct of that is you generate some income passively through that. If you think of your podcast as one product and your video content is the same—these social media platforms—you don't just post your podcast on one platform. You will utilise as many platforms as you can, unless you have a brand agreement where a platform is paying you to solely use their platform because you or yourself are the driver for the audience there. I would say a podcast is a form of organic marketing. I could start a podcast about video marketing. I could start a podcast about reading. The idea being you build up an audience and then when you drop in those releases, that audience then goes and buys that product. For example, if you've got a self-help book coming out, if you drop that into your podcast, chances are you're going to get a lot more sales from your audience that are here to listen to you as the inspirational storyteller that you are from a business point of view than what you would if you announced that you had a new crime novel coming out or a horror story you've written. Your audience within here is generally an author audience who are looking to refine their craft—whether that be the writing or the selling of the books or living the dream of being a full-time author. I think it's more a terminology thing. Jo: Well, let's talk about why I wanted to talk to you. A friend of ours told me that you are doing really well with live sales. This was just before Christmas, I think. And I was like, “Live sales? What does that even mean?” Then I saw that Kim Kardashian was doing live sales on TikTok and did this “Kim's Must Have” thing, and Snoop Dogg was there, and it was this massive event where they were selling. I was like, “Oh, it's like TV sales—the TV sales channel where you show things and then people buy immediately.” And I was like, “Wait, is Adam like the Kim Kardashian of the indie author?” So tell us about this live sale thing. Adam: Well, I've not got that far to say that I have the Kim Kardashian status! What it is, is that I'm passionate about learning, but also sharing what's working for me so that other authors can succeed—without what I'm sharing being stuck behind a paywall. It is a big gripe of mine that you get all these courses and all these things you can do and everything has to be behind a paywall. If I've got the time, I'll just share. Hence why we were in Vegas doing the presentations for Indie Author Nation, which I think had you been in my talk, Jo, you would've heard me talking about the live selling. Jo: Oh, I missed it. I'll have to get the replay. Adam: I only covered a short section of it, but what I actually said within that talk is, for me, live selling is going to be the next big thing. If you are not live selling your books at the moment, and you are not paying attention to it, start paying attention to it. I started paying attention about six months ago, and I have seen constant growth to a point where I've had to post less content because doing one live stream a week was making more money than me posting content and burning myself out every single day for the TikTok shop. I did a live stream at the beginning of Christmas, for example. A bit of prep work went into it. We had a whole Christmas set, and within that one live stream we generated three and a half thousand pounds of organic book sales. Jo: Wow. Adam: Obviously that isn't something that happened overnight. That took me doing a regular Friday stream from September all the way through to December to build up to that moment. In fact, I think that was Black Friday, sorry, where we did that. But what I looked at was, “Right, I haven't got the bandwidth because of all the plates I was spinning to go live five days a week. However, I can commit to a Friday morning.” I can commit to a Friday morning because that is the day when Sarah isn't in the office, and it's my day to pack the orders. So I've already got the orders to pack, so I thought I'll go live whilst I'm packing the orders and just hang out and chat. I slowly started to find that on average I was earning between three to four hundred pounds doing that, packing orders that I already had to pack. I've just found a way to monetise it and engage with a new audience whilst doing that. The thing that's key is it is a new audience. You have people who like to consume their content through short-form content or long-form content. Then you have people who like to consume content with human interaction on a live, and it's a completely different ballgame. What TikTok is enabling us to do—on other platforms I am looking at other platforms for live selling—you can engage with an audience, but because on TikTok you can upload your products, people can buy the products direct whilst you are live on that platform. For that, you will pay a small fee to TikTok, which is absolutely worth it. That's part of the reason we've been able to scale to having a six-figure business within TikTok shop itself as one revenue stream. Jo: Okay. So a few things. You mentioned there the integration with TikTok shop. As I've said many times, I'm not on TikTok—I am on Instagram—and on Instagram you can incorporate your Meta catalogue to Shopify. Do you think the same principle applies to Instagram or YouTube as well? I think YouTube has an integration with Shopify. Do you think the same thing would work that way? Adam: I think it's possible. Yes, absolutely. As long as people can click and buy that product from whatever content they are watching—but usually what it will have to do is redirect them to your store, and you've still got all the conversion metrics that have to kick in. They have to be happy with the shipping, they have to be happy with the product description and stuff like that. With TikTok shop, it's very much a one-stop shop. People click on the product, they can still be watching the video, click to buy something, and not leave the stream. Jo: So the stream's on, and then let's say you are packing one of your books— Does that product link just pop up and then people can buy that book as you are packing it? Adam: So we've got lots and lots of products on our store now. I always have a product link that has all our products listed, and I always keep all of the bundles towards the top because they generate more income than a single book sale. What will happen is I can showcase a book, I'll tap the screen to show what product it is that I'm packing, and then I'll just talk about it. If people want it, they just click that product link and they can buy it straight away. What people get a lot of enjoyment from—which I never expected in a million years—is watching people pack their order there and then. As an author, we're not just selling a generic product. We're selling a book that we have written, that we have put our heart and soul into. People love that. It's a way of letting them into a bit of you, giving them a bit of information, talking to them, showing them how human you are. If you're on that live stream being an absolute arse and not very nice, people aren't going to buy your books. But if you're being welcoming, you're chatting, you're talking to everyone, you're interacting, you're showcasing books they probably will. What we do is if someone orders on the live stream, we throw some extra stuff in, so they don't just get the books, they'll get some art prints included, they'll get some bookmarks thrown in, and we've got merch that we'll throw in as a little thank you. Now it's all stuff that is low cost to us, because actually we're acquiring a customer in that moment. I've got people who come onto every single Friday live stream that I do now. They have bought every single product in our catalogue and they are harassing me for when the next release is out because they want more, before they even know what that is. They want it because it's being produced by us—because of our brand. With the lives, what I found is the branding has become really important. We're at a stage where we're being asked—because I'm quite well known for wearing beanie hats on live streams or video content—people are like, “When are you going to release some beanie hats?” Now and again, Sarah will drop some AP branded merch. It'll be beer coasters with the AP logo on, or a tote bag with the AP logo on. It's not stuff that we sell at this stage—we give them away. The more money people spend, the more stuff we put in. And people are like, “No, no, you need to add these to the store because we want to buy them.” The brand itself is growing, not just the book sales. It's becoming better known. We've got Pacificon in April, and there's so many people on that live stream that have bought tickets to meet us in person at this conference in April, which is amazing. There's so much going on. With TikTok shop, it only works in the country where you are based, so it only goes out to a UK audience, which is why I keep it separate from my main channel. That means we're tapping into a completely new audience, because up until last year, I'd always targeted America—that's where my biggest readership was. Jo: Wow. There's so much to this. Okay. First of all, most people are not going to have their own warehouse. Most people are not going to be packing live. So for authors who are selling on, let's just say Amazon, can live sales still work for them? Could they still go live at a regular time every week and talk about a book and see if that drives sales, even if it's at Amazon? Adam: Yes, absolutely. I would test that because ultimately you're creating a brand, you're putting yourself out there, and you're consistently showing up. You can have people that have never heard of you just stumble across your live and think, “What are they doing there?” They're a bit curious, so they might ask some questions, they might not. They might see some other interactions. There's a million and one things you can do on that live to generate conversation. I've done it where I've had 150 books to sign, so I've just lined up the books, stood in front of the camera, switched the camera on while I'm signing the books, and just chatted away to people without any product links. People will come back and be like, “Oh, I've just been to your store and bought through your series,” and stuff like that. So absolutely that can work. The key is putting in the work and setting it up. I started out by getting five copies of one book, signing them, and selling them on TikTok shop. I sold them in a day, and then that built up to effectively what we have now. That got my eyes open for direct selling. When I was working with BookVault and they were integrated with my store, orders came to me, but then they went to BookVault—they printed and distributed. Then we got to a point scaling-wise where we thought, “If we want to take this to the next level, we need to take on distribution ourselves,” because the profit lines are better, the margins are bigger. That's why we started doing it ourselves, but only once we'd had a proven track record of sales spanning 18 months to two years and had the confidence. It was actually with myself and Sacha that we set up at the same time and egged each other on. I think I was just a tiny bit ahead of her with setting up a warehouse. And then as you've seen, Sacha's gone from strength to strength. It doesn't come without its trigger warnings in the sense of it isn't an easy thing to do. I think you have to have a certain skill set for live selling. You have to have a certain mindset for the physicality that comes with it. When we've had a delivery of two and a half thousand books and we've got to bring them up to the first floor where the office is—I don't have a massive team of people. It's myself and Sarah, and every now and again we get my dad in to help us because he's retired now. We'll give him a bottle of wine as a thank you. Jo: You need to give him some more wine, I think! Adam: Yes! But you've gotta be able to roll your sleeves up and do the work. I think if you've got the work ethic and that drive to succeed, then absolutely anyone can do it. There's nothing special about my books in that sense. I've got a group called Novel Gains where I've actually started a monthly challenge yesterday, and we've got nearly two and a half thousand people in the group now. The group has never been more active because it's really energised and charged. People have seen the success stories, and people are going on lives who never thought it would work for them. Lee Mountford put a post up yesterday on the first day of this challenge just to say, “Look, a year ago I was where you were when Adam did the last challenge. I thought I can't do organic marketing, I can't get myself on camera.” Organic marketing and live selling is now equating to 50% of his income. Jo: And he doesn't have a warehouse. Adam: Well, he scaled up to it now, so he's got two lockups because he scaled up. He started off small, then he thought, “Right, I'm going to go for it.” He ordered a print run of a few of his books—I think 300 copies of three books. Bundled them up, sold them out within a few months. Then he's just scaled from there because he's seen by creating the content, by doing the lives, that it's just creating a revenue stream that he wasn't tapping into. Last January when we did the challenge, he was really engaged throughout the process. He was really analytical with the results he was getting. But he didn't stop after 30 days when that challenge finished. He went away behind the scenes for the next 11 months and has continued to grow. He is absolutely thriving now. Him and his wife—a husband and wife team—his wife is also an author, and they've now added her spicy books to their TikTok shop. They're just selling straight away because he's built up the audience. He's built up that connection. Jo: I think that's great. And I love hearing this because I built my business on what I've called content marketing—you're calling it organic marketing. So I think it's really good to know that it's still possible; it's just a different kind. Now I just wanna get some specifics. One— Where can people find your Novel Gains stuff? Adam: So Novel Gains is an online community on Facebook. As I said, there's no website, there's no fancy website, there's no paid course or anything. It is just people holding themselves accountable and listening to my ramblings every now and again when I try and share pills of wisdom to try and motivate and inspire. I also ask other successful authors to drop their story about organic marketing on there, to again get people fired up and show what can be achieved. Jo: Okay. That's on Facebook. So then let's talk about the setup. I think a lot of the time I get concerned about video because I think everything has to be on my phone. How are you setting this up technically so you can get filmed and also see comments and all of this kind of stuff? Adam: Just with my phone. Jo: It is just on your phone? Adam: Yes. I don't use any fancy camera tricks or anything. I literally just settle my phone and hit record when I'm doing it. Jo: But you set it up on a tripod or something? Adam: Yes. So I'll have a tripod. I don't do any fancy lighting or anything like that because I want the content to seem as real as possible. I'll set up the camera at an angle that shows whatever task I'm doing. For example, if I'm packing orders, I can see the screen so I can see the comments as they're coming up. It's close enough to me to interact. At Christmas, we did have a bit of a setup—it did look like a QVC channel, I'm not going to lie! I was at the back. There was a table in front of me with products on. We had mystery book bags. We had a Christmas tree. We had a big banner behind me. The camera was on the other side of the room, but I just had my laptop next to me that was logged into TikTok, so I was watching the live stream so I could see any comments coming up. Jo: Yes, that's the thing. So you can have a different screen with the comments. Because that's what I'm concerned about—it might just be the eyesight thing, but I'm like, I just can't literally do everything on the phone. Adam: TikTok has a studio—TikTok Studio—that you can download, and you can get all your data and analytics in there for your live streams. At the moment, I'll just tap the screen to add a new product or pin a new product. You can do all that from your computer on this studio where you can say, “Right, I'm showcasing this product now,” click on it and it'll come up onto the live stream. You just have to link the two together. Jo: I'm really thinking about this. Partly this is great because my other concern with TikTok and all these video channels is how much can be done by AI now. TikTok has its own AI generation stuff. A lot of it's amazing. I'm not saying it's bad quality, I'm saying it's amazing quality, but— What AI can't do is the live stuff. You just can't—I mean, I imagine you can fake it, but you can't fake it. Adam: Well, you'd be surprised. I've seen live streams where it's like an avatar on the screen and there is someone talking and then the avatar moving in live as that person's talking. Jo: Right? Adam: I've seen that where it's animals, I've seen it where it's like a 3D person. There's a really popular stream at the minute that is just a cartoon cat on the stream. Whenever you send a gift, it starts singing whoever sent it—it gets a name—and that's a system that someone has somehow set up. I have no idea how they've set it up, but they're literally not doing it. That can run 24 hours a day. There's always hundreds and hundreds of people on it sending gifts to hear this cat sing with an AI voice their name. Yes, AI will work and it will work for different things. But I think with us and with our books, people want that human connection more than ever because of AI. Use that to your advantage. Jo: Okay. So the other thing I like about this idea is you are doing these live sales and then you are looking at the amount you've sold. But are you making changes to it? Or are you only tweaking the content on your prerecorded stuff? Your live is so natural. How are you going to change it up, I guess? Adam: I am always testing what is working, what's not working. For example, I'm a big nerd at heart and I collect Pokémon cards. Now that I'm older, I can afford some of the more rare stuff, and me and my daughter have a lot of enjoyment collecting Pokémon cards together. We follow channels, we watch stuff on YouTube, and I was looking at what streamers do with Pokémon cards and how they sell like mystery products on an app or whatnot. I was like, “How can I apply this to books?” And I came up with the idea of doing mystery book bags. People pay 20 pounds, they get some goodies—some carefully curated goodies, as we say, that “Mrs. B” has put together. On stream, I never give the audience Sarah's name. It's always “Mrs. B.” So Mrs. B has built up her own brand within the stream—they go feral when she comes on camera to say hi! Then there's some goodies in there. That could be some tote socks, a tote bag, cup holders, page holders, metal pins, things like that. Then inside that, I'll pull out a thing that will say what book they're getting from our product catalogue. What I make clear is that could be anything from our product catalogue. So that could be a single book, it could be six books, it could be a three-book bundle. There's all sorts that people can get. It could be a deluxe special edition. People love that, and they tend to buy it because there's so much choice and they might be struggling with, “Right, I don't know what to get.” So they think, “You know what? I'll buy one of them mystery book bags.” I only do them when I'm live. I've done streams where the camera's on me. I've done top-down streams where you can only see my hands and these mystery book bags. Every time someone orders one, I'm just opening it live and showcasing what product they get from the stream. People love it to the point where every stream I do, they're like, “When are you doing the next mystery book bags? When are you doing the next ones?” Jo: So if we were on live now and I click to buy, you see the order with my name and you just write “Jo” on it, and then you put it in a pile? Adam: So you print labels there and then, which I'll do. Exactly. If I'm live packing them—I'm not going to lie—when I'm set up properly, I don't have time to pack them because the orders are coming in that thick and fast. All I do is have a Post-it note next to me, and I'll write down their username, then I'll stick that onto their order. I'll collect everything, showcase what they're getting, the extra goodies that they're getting with their order, and then I'll stick the Post-it on and put that to one side. To put that into context as something that works through testing different things: we started off doing 60 book bags—30 of them were spicy book bags, 30 were general fantasy which had my books and a couple of our authors that haven't got spice in their books—and the aim was to sell them within a month. We sold them within one stream. 60 book bags at 20 pounds a pop. What that also generated is people then buying other products while we're doing it. It also meant that I'd do it all on a Friday, and we'd come in on a Monday and start the week with 40, 50, 60 orders to pack regardless of what's coming from the Shopify store. The level of orders is honestly obscene, but we've continuously learned how best to manage this. We learned that actually, if you showcase the orders, stick a Post-it on, when we print the shipping labels, it takes us five minutes to just put all the shipping labels with everyone's orders. Then we can just fire through packing everything up because everything's already bundled together. It literally just needs putting in a box. Jo: Okay. So there's so much we could talk about, but hopefully people will look into this more. So I went to go watch a video—I thought, “Oh, well, I'll just go watch Adam do this. I'm sure there's a recording”—and then I couldn't find one. So tell me about that. Does [the live recording] just disappear or what? Adam: Yes, it does. It's live for a reason. You can download it afterwards if you want, and then you've got content to repurpose. In fact, you're giving me an idea. I've done a live today—I could download that clip that's an hour and 20 minutes long. Some of it, I'm just rambling, but some of it's got some content that I could absolutely use because I'm engaging with people. I've showcased books throughout it because I've been packing orders. I had an hour window before this podcast and I had a handful of orders to pack. So I just jumped on a live and I made like 250 pounds while doing a job that I would already be having to do. I could download that video, put it in OpusClip, and that will then generate short-form content for me of the meaningful interaction through that, based on the parameters that I give it. So that's absolutely something you could do. In fact, I'm probably going to do it now that you've given me the idea. Jo: Because even if it was on another channel, like you could put that one on YouTube. Adam: Yes. Wherever you want. It doesn't have a watermark on it. Jo: And what did you say? OpusClip? Adam: OpusClip, yes. If you do long-form content of any kind, you can put that in and then it'll pull out meaningful content. Loads of like 20, 30 short-form content video clips that you can use. It's a brilliant piece of software if you use it the right way. Jo: Okay. Well I want you to repurpose that because I want to watch you in action, but I'm not going to turn up for your live—although now I'm like, “Oh, I really must.” So does that also mean—you said it's UK only because the TikTok shop is linked to the UK— So people in America can't even see it? Adam: So sometimes they do pop in, but again, that's why I have a separate channel for my main author account. When I go live on that, anyone from around the world can come in. But if I've got shoppable links in, chances are the algorithm is just going to put that out to a UK audience because that's where TikTok will then make money. If I want to hit my US audience, I'll jump on Instagram because that's where I've got my biggest following. So I'll jump on Instagram and go live over there at a time that I know will be appropriate for Americans. Jo: Okay. We could talk forever, but I do have just a question about TikTok itself. All of these platforms seem to follow a way of things where at the beginning it's much easier to get reach. It is truly organic. It's really amazing. Then they start putting on various brakes—like Facebook added groups, and then you couldn't reach people in your groups. And then you had to pay to play. Then in the US of course, we've got a sale that has been signed. Who knows what will happen there. What are your thoughts on how TikTok has changed? What might go on this year, and how are you preparing? Adam: So, I think as a businessman and an author who wants to reach readers, I use the platforms for what I can get out of them without having to spend a stupid amount of money. If those platforms stop working for me, I'll stop using them and find one that does. With organic reach on TikTok, I think you'll always have a level of that. Is it harder now? Yes. Does that mean it's not achievable? Absolutely not. If your content isn't reaching people, or you're not getting the engagement that you want, or you find fulfilling, you need to look at yourself and the content you are putting out. You are in control of that. There's elements of this takeover in America—again, I've got zero control over that, so I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I'll focus on areas that are making a difference. As I said, TikTok isn't the biggest earner for my business. My author channel's been absolutely dead for a good six months or so. But that means I get stagnant with the content I'm creating. So the challenge I'm doing at the minute, I'm taking part to create fresh content every day to recharge myself. I've got Instagram and Facebook that generate high volumes of traffic every single day. And usually if they stop, TikTok starts to work. Any algorithm changes—things will change when it changes hands in America—but primarily it still wants to make money. It's a business. If anything, it might make it harder for us to reach America because it will want to focus on reaching an American audience for the people that are buying TikTok shop. But they want it because they want the TikTok shop because of the amount of money that it is generating. It's gone from a small amount of people making money to large volumes of businesses across the entire USA—like over here now—that are reaching an audience that previously you had to have deep pockets to reach, to get your business set up. Now you've got all these businesses popping up that are starting from scratch because they're reaching people. They've got a product that's marketable, that people want to enjoy. They want to be part of that growth. I think that will still happen. It might just be a few of the parameters change, like Facebook does all the time. Jo: Things will always change. That is key. We should also say by selling direct, you've built presumably a very big email list of buyers as well. Adam: Yes. I've actually got a trophy that Shopify sent me because we hit 10,000 sales—10,000 customers. I think we're nearing 16,000 sales on there now. We've got all that customer data. We don't get that on TikTok. We haven't got the customer data. Jo: Ah, that's interesting. Okay. How do you not though? Oh, because—did they ship it? Adam: So if you link it with your Shopify and you do all your shipping direct, the customer data has to come to your Shopify, otherwise you can't ship. When TikTok ship it for you—so I print the shipping labels, but they organise the couriers—all the customer data's blotted out. It's like redacted, so you don't see it. Jo: Ah, see that is in itself a cheeky move. Adam: Yes. But if it's linked to your Shopify, you get all that data and your Shopify is your store. So your Shopify will keep that data. They kept affecting how I extracted the shipping labels and stuff like that, and just kept making life really difficult. So I've just switched it back. I think Sarah has found an app that works really well for correlating the two. Jo: Yes, but this is a really big deal. We carp on about it all the time, but— If you sell direct and you do get the customer data, you are building an email list of actual buyers as opposed to freebie seekers. Which a lot of people have. Adam: Absolutely, and that's the same for you. If you send poor products out or your customer has a poor experience, they're not going to come back and order from you again. If your customer has a really good experience and opens the products and sees all this extra care that's gone in and all the books are signed, then they've not had to pay extra. There was a Kickstarter—I'm not going to name which author it was—but it was an author whose book I was quite excited to back. They had these special editions they'd done, but you had to buy a special edition for an extra 30 quid if you wanted it signed. I was like, “Absolutely not.” If these people are putting their hands in their pockets for these deluxe special editions, and if you're a big name author, it's certainly not them that have anything to do with it. They just have other companies do it all for them. Whereas with us, you are creating everything. Our way of saying thank you to everyone is by signing the book. Jo: I love that you're still so enthusiastic about it and that it seems to be going really well. So we're almost out of time, but just quickly— Tell people a bit more about the books that they can find in your stores and where people can find them. Adam: Yes. So we publish predominantly fantasy, and we have moved into the spicy fantasy world. We have a few series there. You can check out APBeswickPublications.com where you will see our full product catalogue and all of my books. On TikTok shop, we are under a.p_beswick_publications. That's the best place to see where I go live—short-form content. I'll post spicy books on there, but on lives, I showcase everything. I also have fantasy.books.uk, where that's where you'll see the videos or product links for the non-spicy fantasy books. Jo: And what time do you go live in the UK? Adam: So I go live 8:00 AM every Friday morning. Jo: Wow. Okay. I might even have to check that out. This has been so great, Adam. Thanks so much for your time. Adam: Well, thank you for having me.The post Selling Books Live On Social Media With Adam Beswick first appeared on The Creative Penn.

This episode we bring on Carolyn Brown, a former teacher and athlete, she's turned her love of recreation and connection into Outer Limits Adventure Park located in the Pittsburgh area. Built on great customer service and a family atmosphere, they have created a unique experience that you don't get with other amusement parks. I had the privilege of creating the brand identity for this park as well as another business she runs through Langfordesign. Sitting down and really connecting understanding with the opportunities and breakthroughs comes the stress and challenges associated with it. Carolyn shares that if you can persevere, and keep hold to your vision, it will come to fruition. To book your next event go to outerlimitsadventurepark.com Find them on social on IG, FB and TikTok I would love if you ranked this podcast, share a comment or share this episode out! AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY, SOUNDCLOUD, APPLE PODCASTS SUPPORT THE SHOW: BEHIND THE SCENES CONTENT + SPECIAL DEALS + BONUS EPISODES www.buymeacoffee.com/TheCreativeBrew My new art book Worlds within Worlds available in digital form at: Thelangfordstudio.storenvy.com Vol 2 now available for pre-order. Or get the physical book at: www.langfordesign.com/ebooks/ or locally at Studio Ace Artshop in Oceanside, CA. Oceanside Comic Stronghold, Oceanside, CA. Mystic Ritual Shop, Oceanside, CA. Mat Clash wrestling collectible card game available with my partner brand Mat Clash Wrestling at www.matclash.com we have wave 1 and wave 2 almost sold out. Wave 3 is on pre-order and will arrive soon. SPONSORS Resonant Sciences Looking to disrupt convention. If you're interested in engineering merged with a little creativity this company may be for you. A leader in the radome communications industry. Currently hiring at their offices Visit resonantsciences.com to see how you can join them today. Baba Coffee Baba roasts their coffee beans each week and offer only the freshest coffee. Have an espresso, latte, cappuccino, pour over or drip coffee. Try cold brew coffee, nitro cold brew or a bulletproof coffee. We serve hot tea, cold brew teas, and boba milk teas.  They also have an assortment of delicious food (try their Avocado Toast), mimosas, wine or beer. Use promocode goodvibes10 for a special offer for listeners! Open: Sun-Thurs. 6am-6pm + Fri 6am-9pm + Sat. 6am-7pm

A TikTok I saw asked told me the younger me would be proud of me. Well listen to this to see if I am proud of me and if they'd be too..

When I was thinking about archiving my mag collection on TikTok I found other collectors as I got going. One of the first creators I remember salivating over was 90s Mags and More. I look forward to each new video because it really is like looking through a time capsule. For this interview episode I got to chat with Lauren about her collection, her history with Seventeen Magazine, current titles, and go deep on teenage nostalgia. ---Get BONUS episodes on 90s TV and culture (Freaks & Geeks, My So Called Life, Buffy, 90s culture documentaries, and more...) and to support the show join the  Patreon! Guest: Lauren of 90s Mags and More  TikTok  |   LinktreeHost: Lauren @lauren_melanie Follow Fashion Grunge PodcastFind more Fashion Grunge on LinktreeJoin me on Substack:  The Lo Down: a Fashion Grunge blog/newsletter☕️ Support Fashion Grunge on Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fashiongrunge

Today, for our final episode of the year, I am joined by someone whose life story reads like an atlas: the actor, writer, and now podcast host, Richard E. Grant.Born in Swaziland, now known as Eswatini, in southern Africa, Richard grew up in a world of big landscapes, no television, and endless imagination. From there he moved to London in the early 1980s, and very quickly became unforgettable figure on stage and screen - from his iconic role in Withnail & I, all the way through to Gosford Park, Jackie, Star Wars, Saltburn, and his Oscar-nominated performance in Can You Ever Forgive Me?Throughout it all, running beneath the red carpets and film sets, there has been travel. He spent 33 summers at a beloved farmhouse in Provence with his late wife Joan, brocante shopping and watching the seasons change. He's had close encounters with sharks while scuba diving off Mozambique, checked into seedy hotel suites in Las Vegas, and floated on the still waters of Lake Como.And now, his travel stories telling them in a new way. Richard is the co-host, of the brilliant new podcast Hotels with History with travel pr Jules Perowne - a series that dives into the scandals, intrigue, glamour and ghosts of some of the world's most legendary hotels.So, sit back, pour something festive, and join me as we step inside the seven travel chapters of Richard E. Grant.Destination Recap:Eswatini (Formerly Swaziland) London, England MozambiqueProvence, France Masai Mara, Kenya and Tanzania Las Vegas, Nevada, USAPassalacqua, Lake Como, ItalyRitz Paris, France The Mark Hotel, Manhattan, New York, USAMkhaya Game Reserve, Safari, SwazilandIsraelGrand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Giza, Egypt SpaceRichard is co-host of the Hotels with History podcast, Season 1 out now I'll be back with a new season of the podcast in the Spring.With thanks to...Citalia - If you're dreaming of your own Italian adventure, visit Citalia.com to start planning today.Naturhotel Forsthofgut – if, like many of our guests, you're dreaming of an alpine escape rooted in harmony with nature, visit forsthofgut.at to start planning today.Beaverbrook Hotel - Escape the everyday and discover Beaverbrook for yourself, a truly indulgent country-house retreat just outside London. Find out more and book your stay at beaverbrook.co.uk.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me next time, come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 165 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a very special festive edition of The Travel Diaries. Today I'm joined by the legendary chef, restaurateur and writer, Rick Stein.Rick is returning to the podcast for the first time in five years, and I can't think of a better guest to bring a little culinary sparkle to our Christmas Special.This year, Rick is celebrating the release of his beautifully personal and utterly joyful new book, Rick Stein's Christmas - a treasure trove of festive recipes, stories, traditions, and reflections on what this time of year really means. In our conversation, we dive into his own Christmas rituals in both Cornwall and Australia, the dishes that embody comfort and nostalgia for him, the lessons he learned while cooking - and occasionally improvising - his way through last year's festivities, and the deeply human side of the season that he weaves into the book.We also travel far beyond the Christmas table, hearing about Rick's recent adventures filming in the Australian outback, the food gems he uncovered there, his newest favourite destinations, and the UK restaurants he's loving right now.So pour yourself something warm and cosy, settle in, and enjoy this festive journey with the wonderful Rick Stein.Destination Recap: ThailandAustraliaThe Niagara Café, Gundagai, NSW, AustraliaÎle de Ré, France, FranceRiva, Barnes, London, England Riley's Fish Shack, Tynemouth, EnglandPorto, PortugalDouro Valley, Portugal Laigueglia, Liguria, Italy, Italy Hotel Windsor, Laigueglia, Liguria, ItalyTrieste, Italy Tbilisi, GeorgiaArgentinaPeruBrazilLake Como, Italy If you'd like to explore more of Rick's stories, tips and recipes, his new book Rick Stein's Christmas is out now. II'll be back in a couple of weeks, on the 30th, with a very special guest to close out the year - actor and national treasure Richard E. Grant.Until then, have a cosy, joyful Christmas, and thank you so much for listening to The Travel Diaries.With thanks to...Citalia - If, like Rick, you're dreaming of your own Italian adventure, visit Citalia.com to start planning today.Naturhotel Forsthofgut – if, like many of our guests, you're dreaming of an alpine escape rooted in harmony with nature, visit forsthofgut.at to start planning today.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a stellar year in tech, and almost-nobody could have predicted the craziness we've lived through - ALMOST nobody…11 months ago, in episode 83, we completed our annual tradition of gazing into their crystal ball for the year ahead, and in episode 103, we review what came true… with a few friendly debates, of course.Listen as we take you through the year in social bans, cyber attacks, and the unrelenting march of generative AI.This episode of Disconnected covers:Our revisited, critiqued forecasts from earlier in the yearTikTok's changes, the migration of influencers, and how global platforms are adaptingAI's expanding influence, from generative AI in the workplace to the rise of agentic AITech regulation, cybersecurity & restrictionsThe impact of global forces on legacy industriesJag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

For over three decades, I've dedicated my life to one core mission: teaching people how to find deep, unshakable focus and control under pressure. Whether I was in the Martial Arts Studio, working to achieve seven black belt degrees, or in a classroom of Special Education improving behavioral change in children and adults, or working as a Hypnotherapist helping someone lose weight, managing stress, eliminating anxiety, helping someone to win over self sabotage, you name it. But today, we are dismantling the myth that Martial Arts is about violence. It is in fact, the most direct path to emotional calm and laser focus, when your mind becomes sharp, purposeful, and fully aligned with the goal we want to attain. We'll explore what makes this hypnotherapy method different from the rest. This episode is part 1 of a 2 part series on Martial Arts Principles and Hypnotherapy. In the following episode we'll be explaining The Black Belt Mindset Program. Please reach to us by messaging at:yoli@timphypno.com Or visit Timphypno.com Timpanogos Hypnotherapy in:FB, Instagram, YouTube, TikTokI'm a skilled and confident hypnotherapist with a proven track record of helping both children and adults achieve powerful, lasting change across a wide range of challenges. Where we mix mental health education with story telling humor and subconscious sparkle. From anxiety and stress to behavioral issues and emotional healing, I tailor my approach to each individual, ensuring they receive the personalized support they need. I don't specialize in just one niche—my expertise spans many areas, and I'm dedicated to helping people unlock their full potential and overcome obstacles, no matter their situation. You can reach out at: • Timphypno.com • Email us at: Yoli@timphypno.comTimpanogos Hypnotherapy on Facebook Timpanogos Hypnotherapy on Instagram •Thanks for listening!Hypnotherapy for children and Adults.

Sisulooja, striimer ja artist Krispoiss avaldab „Tähetunnis“, milliseid summasid ta teenib oma tööga, mida paljud noored ihaldavad. Ootamatult suure tuntuse osaks saanud Kris tunneb, et oma lähedasi peab ta rambivalguse eest kaitsma. Hiljuti tuli Krisil välja ka hittsingel, mis tema elu muutis.Külas on Krispoiss ehk Kris Lüüs ja saatejuht on Maiken Tiits.

Welcome to a very special edition of The Travel Diaries, where we're heading to a country that has enchanted so many of my guests over the years: Morocco.This Destination Special is a love letter to a place that casts a lifelong spell. In the first half, you'll hear unforgettable memories from past guests - Sir Michael Palin, Anya Hindmarch, Lyn Hughes, Sir Richard Branson, The Hairy Bikers, Amar Latif, and Jacqui Gifford - each sharing the moments that made Morocco magical for them: the colours of Marrakech, the silence of the Sahara, the scent of a tagine in the Atlas Mountains. Together, their voices weave a vivid tapestry of this extraordinary land.And it's no wonder UK visitor numbers are soaring. Morocco is that rare combination - just a short flight away, yet a complete change of pace: immersive, sensory, unforgettable.Then, in the second half, I'm joined by travel writer and Morocco expert Paula Hardy, who splits her time between the UK and Morocco. With over 15 years of experience, she takes us beyond the usual hotspots, from the Mediterranean feel of Tangier and Tetouan, to desert oases near Skoura, coastal towns like Asilah, and hidden Berber mountain villages. We dive into Morocco's traditions - crafts, cuisine and culture - and its exciting evolution, with high-speed trains, striking new architecture, and preparations for the 2030 World Cup.Whether you've visited before or it's been on your bucket list for years, this episode will open your eyes to a Morocco you may not yet know, and remind you why so many travellers return again and again.Destination Recap: Northern Morocco - Sir Michael Palin on why Morocco is his all-time favourite journeyMarrakech – Designer Anya Hindmarch and Wanderlust editor-in-chief Lyn Hughes on the city of artisans, colour and contrastsAtlas Mountains - Sir Richard Branson, The Hairy Bikers, and blind adventurer Amar Latif on Berber villages, snow-topped peaks and mountain escapesOuarzazate (the “door to the desert”) - Travel & Leisure Editor Jacqui Gifford on this cinematic frontier townPaula's Destination Recap:Tangier Villa Mabrouka, TangierAsilahTetouan Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay Dar Ambrosia, Asilah Mimi Calpe, TangierM'HamidErfoud Iriki Taroudant Dar Ahlam, OuarzazateSkouraMarrakechOualidia Riad Mina, Marrakech Berber Lodge, Marrakech Riad L'Atelier, MarrakechRosemary, Marrakech Tribalista, Marrakech The Memory RoadThanks so much for listening today. I'll be back with some fabulous Christmas specials in December. In the meantime, come and follow me on Instagram, I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. Remember there's the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. And visit TheTravelDiariesPodcast.com for everything else podcast-related. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on The Travel Diaries we're revisiting a very special conversation from the archives with national treasures Si King and the late, much-loved Dave Myers, better known to millions as The Hairy Bikers.Si and Dave were my very first duo on the podcast, and what a joy they were. For more than two decades, they entertained Britain with their infectious humour, foodie expertise and shared love of motorbikes. Their travel and food shows from Asian Adventure to Mediterranean Adventure and Route 66 inspired countless viewers to see the world through flavour and friendship.When I spoke to them, Dave was in the middle of undergoing cancer treatment. He joined me the night before a round of chemo, having travelled down to London especially, which made their generosity of time and spirit all the more moving. Listening back now, after Dave's passing earlier this year, it feels particularly poignant to hear his warmth, wit and passion for life come through so vividly. This episode is a celebration of both Bikers' deep love of travel, of each other, and of the extraordinary journeys they shared with us all.In this archive chat, we travel together from Namibia to India, Argentina to Estonia, with countless adventures in between.Destination Recap:Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland, EnglandIsle of Man, EnglandPortugalNamibiaMadurai, IndiaSouthern ItalyBuenos Aires, ArgentinaPatagonia, ArgentinaValdes Peninsula, ArgentinaGrossglockner High Alpine Road, AustriaAtlas Mountains, MoroccoMexicoThe Ghats, IndiaJapanLithuaniaRiga, LatviaTallinn, EstoniaFinnish ArchipelagoSouthern TurkeyMachu Picchu, PeruNigeriaPan-American HighwayWith thanks to...Titanic Belfast - Discover the world's most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm back with a brand new episode, and today I'm thrilled to be joined by Eugene Levy - the Emmy-winning actor, writer, and total comedy icon. For many of us, he'll forever be known as the bewildered dad from American Pie, or as the impeccably dressed Johnny Rose in Schitt's Creek, the multi-award-winning show he co-created with his son Dan that became a lockdown lifeline for so many of us.And more recently, he's found himself in a rather unexpected new role - that of travel presenter - as the host of The Reluctant Traveler, which is now in its third season on Apple TV+. I'm sure you've seen it everywhere over the last couple of weeks, because on one of the episodes, he interviews British royalty, interviewing Prince William.I spoke to Eugene last week while he was here in London, in Soho in one of those classic junket hotel setups, a bit like the Notting Hill Horse & Hound moment, if you know what I mean. So we had less time than usual, back in the day this would have been what I'd call a short haul episode - so we cover his 6 travel chapters today, but I still jumped at the chance to sit down with him and hear about the destinations that have made a lasting impression on him, particularly while filming his new show, and of course to ask him about the prospect of a Schitt's Creek reunion, which, I have to say, I think he was pretty positive about - let me know if you agree? Fingers crossed!From the Maldives to Seoul, Utah to Italy, here are the travel diaries of Eugene Levy.Destination Recap:Kudadoo, The MaldivesVenice, Italy Utah, USAThe Grand Canyon Italy Seoul, KoreaLouisiana, USAKruger National Park, South Africa Season 3 of The Reluctant Traveler is out now on Apple TV+. With thanks to...Titanic Belfast - Discover the world's most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.Citalia - If, like Eugene, you're dreaming of your own Italian adventure, visit Citalia.com to start planning today.The Family Suite - Start planning your next family getaway with The Family Suite, the new platform curating the world's most beautiful luxury hotels that truly welcome families, without compromise.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Dr Jane Goodall last week. A true legend, Jane was the world's most famous ethologist and conservationist, whose groundbreaking work in Gombe redefined our understanding of chimpanzees and our connection to the natural world.At just 26, with no formal scientific training, she moved from England to Tanzania and began observing chimpanzees in the wild. Her discovery that they used tools to feed themselves changed science forever and propelled her to international fame. That study - still running today - remains the world's longest continuous wildlife research project.From there, Jane built a global movement, dedicating her life to protecting animals, ecosystems and inspiring future generations. She was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace and made a Dame of the British Empire. But beyond the accolades, she was a tireless advocate, traveling and teaching right up until the end.It was the ultimate honour to speak with her on this podcast. In her memory, I'm re-releasing that conversation today. I hope her voice - full of humility, wisdom and hope - resonates with you as deeply as it did with me.Destination Recap:Bournemouth SerengetiGombe GermanyCape Town TanzaniaNebraskaMalaysia Tendaguru, Tanzania Lubbock ,TexasAuschwitz Haiti Death If you want to get involved or find out more about Jane's work, visit www.janegoodall.org.uk and www.rootsnshoots.org.ukThe documentary, Jane, is currently available on Netflix and is a fantastic watch.With thanks to...The Family Suite - Start planning your next family getaway with The Family Suite, the new platform curating the world's most beautiful luxury hotels that truly welcome families, without compromise.Titanic Belfast - Discover the world's most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oktoobrikuu esimeses Telegrami saates vaatame koos videot Charlie Kirki mõrva ja 1998. aasta Hollywoodi filmi “Snake Eyes” uskumatutest kokkusattumustest. Kas tegu oli ennustusega või on see ehe näide sünkromüstitsismist, mis paneb küsimärgi alla aja lineaarsuse ja vihjab, et kõik võib toimuda samaaegselt?    Võtsime põgusalt ette ka teised sarnased juhtumid ning arutlesime, kas elame simuleeritud reaalsuses. Samuti mõtisklesime, mis keegi teine Kirki võitluskaaslastest peale Candace Owensi ei küsi tema surma kohta kriitilisi küsimusi? Rääkisime ka Trumpi käikudest vaktsiini-males ja vaatasime videot, Eesti KOV-valimistest, Rail Balticust ja uutest liivakaevandustest, TikToki tehingust ja Iisraelist, kusjuures selle riigi tegevust kritiseeris äsja ka vastuoluline Andrew Tate – vaatame koos ka seda videot. Meenutasime, kuidas ligi kuu aega tagasi ütles sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller Toompea lossis, et nad olid koroona-ajal sunnitud inimesi survestama, sest “seda nõudis toonane aeg ja seda tehti kõikides tsiviliseeritud riikides” ja mõtlesime, et kas sama loogikat rakendavad praegu ka pangad ja teised makseteenuste vahendajad, kes praegu Telegram.ee peal depangandust rakendavad? Nimelt päädis LHV poolne panga- ja makseteenuste katkestamine ning seiklused uute makseteenusepakkujatega meie tellimisüsteemi 2-kuulise seisakuga. Avaldasime saates ka kõigi maksevahendajate nimed, kes ei tihka meie tellijate raha vastu võtta ning arutlesime, kuidas on see kooskõlas ettevõtlusvabaduse, sõnavabaduse, ajakirjandusvabaduse ja muu põhiseaduses sätestatuga. Nüüd aga on Telegram.ee tellimine taas töökorras ning kõigil soovijail on võimalik Telegramiga liituda või oma tellimust uuendada – tänu teie toetusele me tegutseda saamegi! PS. Just praegu on võimalik liituda sooduskampaaniaga 33 eurot! TELLI SIIT! Lõpetuseks rääkisime ka sõnavabadusest ja viirustest. Kõik lingid ja viited leiad video alt. Ning muidugi loosime kõigi saate Facebookis jagajate vahel välja kasti Lumiorava magneesiumivett.  

Today we're unpacking what the winter arc actually is, why it's taken over, and how we can make it work for us without feeling like we've failed if were not suddenly new people by next year!Here's the TikTok I was talking about to do with using your phone in the morning: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdGgwPaU/ +SIGN UP TO THE WORKING HARD NEWSLETTER: https://graceb.myflodesk.com/k0sfhlac34+FOLLOW THE PODCASTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/workinghardpod/?hl=en-gbTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@workinghardpodcast?lang=en+DILEMMA SUBMISSIONIf you'd like to submit any dilemmas to the podcast to be answered in the bonus episodes, please send them to podcast@grace-beverley.com with the subject beginning DILEMMAS or DM us @workinghardpod on instagram!+MY LINKS: https://gracebeverley.komi.io/+RETROGRADE, SHREDDY, TALA and THE PRODUCTIVITY METHOD are my own businesses, therefore any mention of them - whilst not being a sponsorship - is monetarily endorsed. As usual, sponsorships do not change my opinions nor my honesty, but I will always disclaim to make sure motives are clear

Maailmas tekib uus meediahiid. Trump loodab TikToki tehingust saada korraliku kasumi. Spotify võiteb AI spämm-muusikaga. Ukraina plaanib jõuda maailma AI tippu. Telefonikõnde salvestuste müük AI treenimiseks. Stuudios on Andrus Raudsalu, Indrek Vaheoja ja Mait Tafenau.

Welcome to this very special destination edition of The Travel Diaries, where today we're heading off on a sensory journey to one of the Middle East's best-kept secrets, the spellbinding Sultanate of Oman. A land of striking contrasts, where golden deserts meet dramatic mountains and turquoise seas, and where a deep-rooted culture of warmth, hospitality and heritage leaves a lasting impression on all who visit.And who better to take us by the hand and guide us through Oman's many wonders than my guest today, Dina Macki. Dina is a rising star of the culinary world - you may know her from the BBC's Saturday Kitchen - and she's a chef and food writer whose work is a vibrant celebration of Omani cuisine and culture. British-born with Omani heritage, Dina divides her time between the UK and Oman, giving her a rare and intimate perspective on the country, not just through its flavours, but through its landscapes, its people, and its soul. She's experienced Oman from coast to canyon, from ancient souks to sleek modern resorts, making her the perfect person to lead us through her Omani travel diaries.In this episode, Dina whisks us from the misty, monsoon-swept hills of Salalah in the far south, where coconut palms line the shore and the air is thick with frankincense, to the rugged peaks of Jebel Akhdar, the Green Mountain, with its rose gardens, deep wadis and sky-high plateaus. Along the way, she shares her favourite hotels, from cliffside hideaways to city sanctuaries; her go-to local restaurants, hidden gems and insider tips that only someone who calls Oman home could reveal.Whether you're a foodie, an adventurer, a nature lover, or simply dreaming of a winter sun getaway or an off-the-beaten-track summer escape, Oman promises something unforgettable for everyone.Destination Recap:SalalahAl Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, SalalahAlila Hinu Bay, Mirbat Hawana Salalah Mandarin Oriental Muscat Jumeirah Muscat Bay, MuscatNizwaJebel Akhdar Alila Jebel AkhdarAnantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Jebel AkhdarDusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar, in OmanHotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa by IHGDaymaniyat IslandsAl Mandoos Restaurant, Muscat Rozna Restaurant, Muscat Al-Ahli Restaurant, Old MuscatAli Thani Restaurant, Old Muscat The Chedi Hotel, Muscat Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, MuscatWadi Mibam, Al Sharqiyah Khasab, Musandam Six Senses Zighy Bay, Musandam Wahiba Desert SandsBar al HickmanTo start planning your journey, head to experienceoman.om. Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is for anyone who isn't a mum. Whether that's by choice, circumstance, or simply because life hasn't taken you there (yet, or ever), you'll enjoy this. I dive into a viral TikTok I posted that lit up the internet - because it was REAL and it touched a nerve of how Friday nights are no longer fun Friday nights with our friends.. Today, I chat through what it feels like  when your friendship group suddenly shifts into a world of sleep schedules, diaper bags, nap times, school drop-offs, and first birthday parties… and you're left wondering if you still belong? (Spoiler: you do.) This isn't a rant. It's not anti-motherhood. And it's definitely not bitter. It's an honest conversation about connection, grief, comparison, and the invisible ache of growing apart from friends who are on a different path. I share my own experience as a 36-year-old non-mum, what I've learned from others in the same position, and how to navigate this season with grace - while keeping the friendships that matter most alive. If you've ever felt the weird loneliness of not being in the Mum Club, you are not alone. This one's for you and I LOVE YOU.

On today's Season 15 finale, we are joined by the brilliant Stephen Mangan - actor, presenter, writer, and someone with a truly adventurous travel spirit. You'll know him from a vast array of TV , film and stage hits - The Split, Green Wing, Episodes, Portrait Artist of the Year - and most recently, as the host of ITV's Caribbean-set hit game show The Fortune Hotel, which is back for its second season.Stephen is a natural storyteller, and in this conversation we really get to go on a journey. From long, cassette-filled car trips back to his family's roots in wild, windswept County Mayo - where he has 53 first cousins! - to body surfing in the Atlantic with his kids, sleeping under the redwoods in California, living on £4 a day while interrailing across Europe, and living in an ultra luxury hotel in Grenada for a month - Stephen has truly embraced travel in all its forms.Destination Recap:County Mayo, Ireland Sonoma County, California, USABeltane Ranch, Sonoma, USADerwent Water, Lake District, UKFalkirk Wheel, Scotland GrenadaIndiaBhutan MoroccoJapanThe Fortune Hotel S2 continues Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th August on ITV1 and ITVX. You can also catch up on the first two episodes of the series on ITVX now.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me next time, come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 155 episodes to keep you busy.I'm now on maternity leave for a few months but keep an eye out for some special episodes dropping into your feed from time to time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest can conjure entire worlds through her writing. Whether she's evoking the salty tang of the Lofoten Islands, the rustic flavours of rural Normandy, or the buzz of a New York kitchen, her words are rich with atmosphere and emotion - it is of course, Diana Henry, one of Britain's most celebrated food writers.She's a James Beard Award winner, long-time Sunday Telegraph columnist, and author of bestselling books like Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons, How to Eat a Peach, and Around the Table, a new audio collection of essays spanning decades of food, travel and life.As you'll hear, Diana's wanderlust was born not from glamorous holidays, but from imagination. Growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, she escaped into books and encyclopaedias, dreaming of faraway places long before she ever had the chance to visit them.In this episode, we trace her journeys from Dublin to the Dordogne, Spain to Maine. We talk about foraging for mushrooms in France and eating cod's heads in Iceland, She shares why she reads restaurant menus for fun, and the deep emotional connection she feels to the places she's travelled, through taste.I spoke to Diana last month, and although we hadn't met before, I instantly warmed to her. I loved the way she speaks about travel, through a different lens, shaped by flavour and feeling. I think you'll really enjoy this one.Holly's recap: Beaverbrook Hotel, Surrey, EnglandDestination Recap:Dublin, Ireland Dordogne, France Colombey les Deux Églises, Haute-Marne, France Spain Le tonneau, Normandy, France New York, USAUnion Square Cafe, New York, USAABC Kitchen, New York, USAEstela, New York, USALos Angeles, California, USALofoten Islands, NorwayIcelandNebo Lodge, North Haven, Maine, USAMoroccoJapanAround the Table - 52 Essays on Food & Life, Mitchell Beazley is available now in audiobook and will be published in hardback on 2nd October.To win a holiday to Trisara, in Phuket, Thailand, head over to my Instagram page here.With thanks to Airbnb for their support of today's episode.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 155 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I'm so pleased to welcome back someone who you all loved the first time around on the podcast - the brilliant author and travel writer, Monisha Rajesh. Her passion for trains, and for the way rail travel slows you down and opens you up to new worlds, was just infectious. And I'm so excited to say that she's back with a gorgeous new book called Moonlight Express, which takes us deep into the magical world of sleeper trains. In this new adventure, Monisha journeys across Europe, the Americas and beyond, trading airports for railway platforms and following moonlit tracks through some of the most cinematic landscapes on Earth, which we have the pleasure of chatting about today. From the soft snow and candlelit calm of the Norwegian night trains to the fairy-tale villages of Transylvania, glimpsed at sunrise through the window of a creaky couchette on the Dacia Express. Or to the pastel-painted streets of Savannah, Georgia, in the US, reached on Amtrak's Silver Meteor. She takes us high into the Andes too, aboard the luxurious Belmond Andean Explorer from Cusco to Arequipa, where the train carves through deserts and towering peaks, so close to everyday life you feel like you could touch it. And back in Britain, she celebrates her mum's 70th aboard the Royal Scotsman, sipping whisky in the observation car as the Highlands go past.She reminds us what makes train travel so unique: the romance, the community, and the chance to simply sit by the window and watch the world roll by.Destination Recap: Oslo to trondheim, Trondheim to Buda, NorwayTransylvania, Romania FinlandPeru - Belmond Andean Explorer - Cusco to ArequipaBelmond Royal Scotsman Caledonia Sleeper Train, London to Edinburgh Cornish Riviera trainSilver Meteor - Orlando, Florida to Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah, Georgia, USAMoonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train by Monisha Rajesh is published by Bloomsbury (28 August).With thanks to Airbnb for their support of today's episode.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 155 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're a creative who rolls their eyes every time someone says, “You should be on TikTok,” I get it. I did too. But I've also seen firsthand how a free platform with a low barrier to entry can quietly change your entire business. Not overnight. But steadily. Strategically. Without becoming someone you're not. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on how I use TikTok to stay visible, book clients, and build trust—without filters, dances, or pretending to be an influencer. So, why TikTok? I never expected to like it. I don't love being on camera. I don't enjoy over-polishing or oversharing. But I do love showing up for my community. I love talking shop. And I really love when a new client says, “I found you on TikTok… I just felt like you got it.” They didn't care about my résumé. They didn't go through my website. They watched a few videos, got curious, and reached out. That's the power of visibility. Why Visibility Matters More Than Ever I set a personal goal of 30,000 followers. Not for vanity. Because I've seen how perception changes with scale. At that number, people stop wondering if you're legit. They start assuming you are. It's wild, but true: I've had actors tell me they didn't book the job because they “didn't have a big enough following.” So while I don't love the rule... I'm learning to play the game. What I Post (and How I Keep It Manageable) I post just once a day, Monday through Friday. No weekends. That's it. My content rotates through three categories: 1. Trend-Based Posts Not dancing. Not chasing virality. Just using trending audio or formats to talk about life as a voice actor. Red flags. Weird specs. Behind-the-scenes stress. Stuff people relate to. 2. Original Content This is where I share warmups, workflow tips, gear recs, or things I wish I knew when I started out. The more specific, the better. 3. Personal Stories No life-overhauls or tearful confessions. Just honest stories from inside the booth: bombing auditions, almost quitting, learning the hard way. Those posts? They connect deeply. A Weekly Posting Roadmap If you want to try it out, here's a simple structure: Monday – A trend or audio reworked for your niche Tuesday – Respond to a question or comment Wednesday – Share a personal or client story Thursday – A POV sketch or observation Friday – Tips or encouragement for beginners Repeat. Tweak. Evolve based on what's resonating. Use Your Analytics TikTok gives you free data. Look at what people are watching all the way through, saving, or sharing—and lean into that. Kill what's not working. Keep what is. Don't overthink it. This isn't about being viral. It's about being valuable. Profile Tips to Help You Get Hired You don't need a perfect feed. But your profile should make sense to someone new: Clean, recognizable photo (not necessarily a headshot) Bio that says what you do and what kind of content you make Link to your site or lead magnet Keep your vibe real. Show up as yourself. Don't hide your mic. Don't over-filter. You're not selling a brand. You're being a person. What If You're Not Using TikTok? That's totally fine. But then ask yourself: Where are your future clients going to find you? Instagram? YouTube? Discord? Email? Wherever you plan to show up, you need a strategy. And if you're not going to show up at all? Then you need a different kind of strategy. Need Help? I've Got You. If you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck about how to grow your VO presence online—let's talk. You can always reach me through mandy@actingbusinessbootcamp.com, or DM me on TikTok at @astoriaredhead. I'd love to see what you're creating. Because we're not just growing followers. We're growing careers.

Today's guest is one of Britain's best-loved and most fearless voices in wildlife and environmental broadcasting - it's the brilliant Chris Packham.Chris first made his name back in the 1980s as a presenter on The Really Wild Show, a programme that inspired a whole generation of children - myself included - to get out into nature. But before that, he was actually behind the camera, working as a wildlife cameraman after studying zoology. And it's that deep understanding of animals, ecosystems and science that still underpins everything he does.Since those early days, Chris has become a fixture on British television. You'll know him from Springwatch, Autumnwatch, and Winterwatch, from his BBC documentaries like The Walk That Made Me and Inside Our Autistic Minds, and from his powerful activism, whether he's leading anti-hunting campaigns, protesting HS2, or calling out the destruction of biodiversity in the UK and beyond.He's won multiple awards for his environmental work and was awarded a CBE for services to nature conservation. But he's also never been afraid to challenge the establishment, and I think that's one of the reasons so many people connect with him. In today's episode, we explore the places that have shaped him, from Kathmandhu to Kashmir, Mauritius to Marrakech. He talks about the awe and purpose he finds in travel, the power of experiencing landscapes that tell stories - whether it's battle sites like Little Bighorn in Montana or the brutalist war memorials of the Balkans - and the importance of discomfort, of being challenged by a place.We talk about being neurodivergent and how that shapes the way he sees the world when he travels - and also the places he'll never return to. Spoiler: it's not a great day for Dubai or Vegas.Destination Recap:White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USABig Bend National Park, Texas, USAEverglades National Park, Florida, USAZion National Park, Utah, USANew Forest National Park, Hampshire, England HondurasBorneoScotlandArles, France MauritiusSeville, SpainKathmandu, Nepal Kashmir, IndiaAntarcticaGalapagos, EcuadorMarrakech, Morocco Bar of sand nr Sanibel Island, Florida, USALittle Big Horn, Montana, USADubaiLas Vegas, USAPhilippines RainforestThe ‘Stans - Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan Finding the Spomeniks With thanks to Airbnb for their support of today's episode.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 155 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I'm joined once again by one of the UK's most trusted and best-loved travel experts - Simon Calder. You'll know him as the Independent's travel correspondent, a familiar face on TV and radio, and the go-to voice when travel chaos strikes - whether it's air traffic control meltdowns or passport expiry panics. But beyond the headlines, Simon is also a true adventurer, with an insatiable curiosity for the world and a lifelong love of the open road, rails and skies.It's been a five years since Simon last joined me on the podcast, and in that time, so much has changed - not just in the world of travel, but in the way we think about where we go, how we get there, and why we travel in the first place. So today's episode is something of a global catch-up. From discovering the ancient cities of Algeria and the wild islands of the Antarctic, to cycling the Danube and family holidays on the beaches of Poland, Simon shares his latest discoveries, surprising favourites, and some underrated gems that might just change your next holiday plans.We'll talk about the rise of slow travel and destinations that deserve the spotlight. Plus, he'll be offering his signature no-nonsense travel tips, and sharing the far-flung destinations still lingering on his bucket list. Destination Recap:BorneoAntarcticaSouth GeorgiaAlgeriaConstantine, AlgeriaThe AzoresLebanonSocotra, Yemen Cape Verde Tbilisi, GeorgiaGhanaSierra Leone Sopot, PolandGdansk, Poland Cycling the Danube River, Regensburg, Germany to Vienna, AustriaWild Atlantic Way, IrelandCo. Donegal, IrelandNepalMadagascarUkraineLe Marche, Italy Simon discusses his top tips for summer holidays after new research from Tesco Travel Money found 2 in 5 travellers are being caught short of cash abroad. You can find out more about Tesco Travel Money by visiting https://www.tescotravelmoney.com/ With thanks to Airbnb for their support of today's episode.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 155 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest today is Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Explorer, New York Times bestselling author, Emmy-winning Netflix host, and a record-breaking endurance cyclist. In fact, he holds three Guinness World Records for distance cycling, having pedalled across the globe to over 70 countries. Travel is not just a passion of his - it's the lens through which he's viewed, explored, and helped reimagine how we live our lives.It was during these epic adventures that Dan's curiosity about longevity began to take shape. And that curiosity eventually led to one of the most fascinating and impactful projects of our time: The Blue Zones. Working alongside National Geographic and a team of medical researchers and demographers, Dan set out to discover the secrets of the world's longest-lived people. What he found were five extraordinary regions, in Japan, Costa Rica, Italy, Greece and a religious community in California - now famously known as the Blue Zones - where people weren't just living longer, they were thriving into their 90s and 100s. What's so remarkable is that these individuals weren't pursuing health - they were simply living in environments that naturally supported well-being. Think: plant-based diets, daily movement, strong social ties, and a deep sense of purpose. His findings became international bestsellers and his Netflix documentary Live to 100 introduced Blue Zones to a worldwide audience. and He's back this summer with a new cookbook, Blue Zones Kitchen: One Pot Meals, to help us all cook like the world's healthiest people.His travel diaries today take us from the jungles of the Congo, and the plains of the Sahara, to the lakes of Guatemala, and the islands of Japan. There was so much to cover, and I was so fascinated by all of Dan's insights, that we actually lost track of time, and so we're going to have to do a part 2 one day to find out his worst travel experience and hear a little bit more about his Mexican hidden gem. But nevertheless, I can't wait to dive into his story with you, let's buckle up and get started. Destination Recap:Boundary Water Canoe Area between US and CanadaAlaska, USACycling from Alaska to ArgentinaCycling from Minneapolis, Minnesota to St Paul, Minnesota, around the world Cycling Tunisia to South AfricaSahara Desert, Africa Siberia, RussiaThe Congo, AfricaOkinawa, Japan Oaxaca, Mexico Lake Atitlán, GuatemalaChetumal, Mexico Angkor Wat, Cambodia Dan's new book Blue Zones Kitchen One Pot Meals is out on September 2nd in the US, and September 8th in the UK. With thanks to Airbnb for their support of today's episode.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 155 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to a brand-new season of The Travel Diaries podcast. Today's guest is the brilliant Sam Heughan. Sam is best known as the star of Outlander, the historical drama that's become nothing short of a global phenomenon. Based on Diana Gabaldon's bestselling novels, the series blends romance, adventure and time-travel against the backdrop of Scotland's most breathtaking landscapes.Now having just wrapped the filming for its final season, Outlander has not only shaped Sam's life and career - it's also driven record-breaking tourism to Scotland as fans follow in the footsteps of its characters. Even if you've never watched the show, its cultural impact is impossible to ignore. Outlander has become one of the most-watched dramas worldwide - bringing Scottish history, folklore and scenery to millions - and transforming Sam into one of the most recognisable faces on television.You'll hear today that in a way, travel has shaped every part of his story: from his childhood in rural Dumfries and Galloway to filming across Scotland and trekking as far as Mt Everest. Whether it's sipping coffee in Cape Town, diving with sharks in New Zealand, or discovering secret beaches in Sydney and Hawaii, Sam's passport is as well-stamped as they come. He's an author, entrepreneur and adventurer. He hosted a hit travel series Men in Kilts, wrote a travel memoir, Waypoints, and he's the driving force behind his award-winning spirits brands The Sassenach Whisky and Sassenach Gin. His brand-new book The Cocktail Diaries, a collection of recipes and stories inspired by his favourite drinks and places, is out this September.I caught up with Sam halfway across the world to talk about the places that matter most to him.Destination Recap:Sydney, AustraliaDumfries and Galloway, Scotland Edinburgh, Scotland Isle of Eigg, Scotland Hemel Hempstead, England San Francisco, USA tour Scotland, Outlander shooting locations The Green Welly, Glencoe, Scotland The King House Hotel, Glencoe, Scotland Mt Everest, Nepal Hawaii, USACape Town, South AfricaDeluxe Coffeeworks, Cape Town, South AfricaWilloughby & Co, Cape Town, South AfricaBabylonstoren, Western Cape, South Africa Tamarama Beach, Sydney, AustraliaNew Zealand Santa Cruz, California Bali, Indonesia Indian HimalayasSam's new book, “The Cocktail Diaries” is out in September and is available to preorder now. You can discover The Sassenach, Unique Spirits, here. With thanks to Airbnb for their support of today's episode.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 155 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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BOSSes Anne Ganguza and Tolupe Kolade, a leading voice from Nigeria's vibrant voiceover scene, connect to explore the sonic tapestry of Africa's storytelling. They unpack Tolupe's experiences building a career and community within a dynamic market, offering a window into the unique challenges and triumphs of voice acting on the continent. Listeners will discover the crucial role of genuine expression in connecting with audiences, gain understanding of the industry's growth in Africa, and appreciate the power of shared narratives across borders. Anne and Tolupe also discuss practical pathways for aspiring voice talent and the evolving nature of the global voice landscape.   00:01 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) Anne changed my life a few years ago while coaching me for my commercial demo. Since then, I've been traveling throughout Europe and the UK and I never miss a VO Boss podcast. It's just how I start my Wednesday, no matter what country I'm in. I love that I can stay connected with her and continue to learn about VO even from across the pond. Love you, Anne.  00:23 - Speaker 4 (Ad) Hey guys, it's that season again. Are you feeling that tickle in your throat? Don't let a cold or flu slow you down. Combat your symptoms early with Vocal Immunity Blast, a simple and natural remedy designed to get you back to 100% fast. With certified therapeutic grade oils like lemon to support respiratory function, oregano for immune-boosting power and a protective blend that shields against environmental threats, your vocal health is in good hands. Take charge of your health with Vocal Immunity Blast. Visit anganguza.com to shop.  01:00 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) It's time to take your business to the next level, the boss level. These are the premier business owner strategies and successes being utilized by the industry's top talent today. Rock your business like a boss a VO boss. Now let's welcome your host, Anne Ganguza.  01:22 - Anne (Host) Hey, hey guys, welcome to the VO Boss podcast. I'm your host, Anne Ganguza, and today I am honored to have a very special guest with me today, all the way from Nigeria, Tolupe Kolade, also known as T-Code, which is such a cool, I love that name. He is a Nigerian voiceover artist, podcaster and coach, and a 2024 Sova's Award nominee for Outstanding Commercial Best African Voiceover. As the creator of Nigeria's first voiceover podcast, Everything Voiceover's, the African Perspective, and the creative partner of the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists, APVA, T-Code champions the African voiceover industry, mentoring new talents and collaborating with top brands to bring impactful storytelling to life. I love that. I love that so much. T-code, it is so nice to have you on the show. Finally.  02:13 - Tolupe (Guest) Finally, Thank you so much.  02:15 Anne.  02:16 It's been years of listening to you over the seas and I can't express how excited I am right now to share the same podcast with you being a guest. Oh my God, I feel so great.  02:29 - Anne (Host) Well, I'll tell you what. You sent me, oh my gosh, years ago, a really lovely audio testimonial about my podcast. And I just recently if obviously you've been listening to the podcast, you know that I never really did any ads or anything and I finally decided, gosh, I should do some ads for my own podcast for however many years. And so I started featuring some of the audio testimonials from people, and I featured yours and then, all of a sudden, I got flagged in this amazing video that you created for me and bosses out there, if you ever want to do a testimonial that will get the attention of a potential client right, this is a very boss move. I love this .T-code Create a lovely video that does a nice shout out, that expresses gratitude, and it was a lovely video and I was so touched that you took the time to create a video and, by the way, the production value was just amazing.  03:20  kudos on the production value of that. I mean it was insane, and I was just so excited that you were excited and I wanted to talk to you. I mean, with all these accomplishments, you are quite a VO boss, and so I was only too happy to ask if you would be on the show, and my apologies because bosses out there. I don't know about this time zone slash day but I completely messed up the first time that we were supposed to get together, so I'm just so glad that we're finally here.  03:48 So glad to have you on the show.  03:50 - Tolupe (Guest) Thank you so much.  03:51 - Anne (Host) Yeah, so let's talk about your start in voiceover, because I think a lot of bosses here we know what happens in our own little bubble here, but it's difficult to really find out what's going on in other countries. And how is voiceover? How is it doing in Africa? And you're championing it. So I think it's a wonderful start to talk about how you got started.  04:14 - Tolupe (Guest) Okay, so I'm going to talk about how I got started and then we talk about the industry in Africa. I got started officially in 20. So there was the 2016 version of me getting into voiceovers and there was the 2016 version of me getting into voiceovers and there was the 2020 version of me getting into voiceovers In 2016. It was more of broadcasting. As a broadcaster, I worked on radio and that was where I got introduced to the world of recording audio.  04:40 Prior to that time, well, even while I was in university because I graduated from the university in 2015, I did a bit of radio stuff and that was actually the first time that I would do a voiceover. I wasn't a presenter at the time, but someone heard my voice and said, oh, would you like to come to the university radio station? Which I said okay, yes, I did. And I got there and they said oh, said oh, okay, what stuff have you got? So the radio station's name was something around Versity Radio at the time and I just said you're listening to Versity Radio, something around that, and they were like whoa, that was great and they allowed me do the voiceovers for the radio station, the audio branding and all of that at the time, but then I wasn't schooled about voiceover. I didn't really know what it was, so I continued my radio journey.  05:29 2016. I would go to other radio stations and do the same thing for the radio stations and the presenters on the radio. Then, 2017, I started understanding what voiceover was because I was officially working on radio at this time.  05:43 - Anne (Host) Did you have your own radio  at this time, and did you have your own shows at that time? 05:47 - Tolupe (Guest) Yeah, I had a show on radio, but I was more on tv because the establishment was a tv and radio station combined. Okay, so I was doing more of tv, but they would call me to do some of the promos for some radio and tv shows and I would do all of those at a time. But I still didn't understand what voiceover was until fast forward to 2019. I was working in another radio station. The demand for my voice had increased and some money started coming in, but very little at the time. So I started getting curious to how the industry in voiceover was at the time. So I started asking questions, I took online courses and 2020 was when I got into voiceover officially. So there were different versions of that.  06:40 But late 2019, I took a bold step to find anybody who would need my voice on the internet. So I went on youtube and I found some youtube channels by africans who were doing voiceovers on their youtube channel as to narrate stories on the youtube channel. But they weren't professional voiceover artists. But compared to what I was doing at the time, I could read better. So I would respectfully reach out to them and say Hi, I'm a radio presenter and a voiceover artist here in Nigeria and I don't know if you don't mind, I would love to record your voiceovers.  07:14 At the time I didn't have any idea of exactly how the industry worked, but I just wanted a platform somewhere to put my voice out there. So I reached out to a couple of youtubers and one of them reached back to me and was willing to offer me some stipend monthly for recording voiceovers for a channel, and that was how it started. So the moment I got to realize that I could earn a living from voiceovers and there was opportunity for me to improve and grow my skills, I took it so serious and I started looking for resources and I think it was 2020 and 2021,. I discovered your podcast and it was just a whole new height for me because I was connecting to the voiceover industry globally and that really just opened my mind to more about voiceover. So that's the story of how I got into this.  08:05 - Anne (Host) I love that. So prior to that you were full time in radio.  08:08 - Tolupe (Guest) Yes, radio and TV. I did that for about six years.  08:11 - Anne (Host) Got it. Got it Radio and TV. So where did we're going to fast forward to the podcast? Because you've been doing your podcast for a while now and now you realize that it's a labor of love. It is something that does require like a focused, like passion to creating content that goes out there on a consistent basis. Talk to me about what drew you into the podcast. Were there other podcasts, voiceover podcasts, let's say, specifically in your area, that talked about African voiceovers or voiceover in Nigeria? What prompted you?  08:43 - Tolupe (Guest) Okay, so my first foray into podcasting wasn't because I wanted to podcast at the time, and this was in 2019. So I was working on radio. I needed a medium to save my radio shows right, because people would listen. And radio is a medium yeah, radio is a medium where people just listen once and you can't rewind, you can't listen again on the go. So I had that program I was doing on radio and I wish to archive it. So I was looking for ways to do this on the internet for free, and that was how I stumbled on podcasting, because, of course, you could just upload an audio and it's there.  09:22 Right, right, right. So that was how I started I love that that's so interesting.  09:24 So that was how.  09:24 I started. I love that.  09:25 - Anne (Host) That's so interesting because I have to tell you that I wanted to get into radio but I wasn't, and so I said, well, let me create a podcast  09:32 So it's very interesting, and that was my radio. 09:36 - Tolupe (Guest) Oh yeah, it still feels like radio because I resigned from radio. In 2021 to face Voice of Us full time. Oh, okay, in 2021 to face voiceovers full time.  09:44 Oh, okay, yeah but back to the question of how the podcast came to be. So, prior to the time I was entering into the voiceover industry, there was no voiceover podcast that I had heard of. And 2020, I took a course at the voiceover workshop. That's one of the few voiceover training institutions we have in Nigeria, so I realized that there was more to this. People did this full time. There was an industry around this, so I was curious to know more. Podcasting was already getting more popular at the time, so it just made sense that there should be somebody on the internet podcasting about voiceover. So a friend shared a couple of podcasts and then I saw this article the top 10 voiceover podcasts in the world. Your podcast was a part of them, with a couple of other podcasters that I respect a lot.  10:37 - Anne (Host) Wow, I didn't even know that. That's awesome. 10:40 - Tolupe (Guest) Yeah, and then I checked it out and I just fell in love with it because the style of the presentation you were so real, so relatable. It felt like you were trying to help people, just groom them, feed them and you break down the stings. So I'd stalk to your podcast and I'd listen and listen. And I checked the African space. At the time there was only one lady from South Africa podcasting about voiceover and it was quite refreshing to find her at the time, but not in Nigeria. I didn't find anybody in Nigeria. So I wanted to start because I felt it would be so great for voiceover artists in Nigeria to share their stories.  11:22 So people can know what we're going through, because a lot of things needed to be restructured in the voiceover industry at the time, in my opinion. But there was nothing like that. So from 2020 the idea came, but I had this imposter syndrome because I was like, oh, you're just young into the industry, how do you expect to be the guy to host people and just talk about voiceovers? So I delayed the idea till 2022. And in 2022, nobody was doing it. I'm like, well, you have to do it. So I started the podcast. Prior to that time, I had the experience of podcasting. I'd worked on radio, I understood how to record a deed and put things together, upload a podcast. So I just took all of that knowledge and I started the Everything Voice of Us podcast, the African Perspective, which was for Africans, by Africans, to tell African stories.  12:16 - Anne (Host) I love that, you know. What's so interesting is that I don't know if it's a prerequisite or a requirement to be the expert if you want to start a podcast, because for me, I remember, before I started the podcast I started my VO Peeps group because I had moved across the country and I wanted to kind of get to know the people in my industry, and so I basically started to interview my heroes. I didn't necessarily present myself as the expert at anything, but I was absolutely interested in sharing resources and educating the community, and I think that that is a great way to look at any type of a podcast that you want to start out there, bosses, so that you can share and educate, and I think that is a really great angle to come upon it. And so I think for you, you do a lot of interviews in your podcast and I'm sure people are very eager to get their voices heard as well, and so it's kind of a win-win for both, for both of you?  13:15 - Tolupe (Guest) Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.  13:17 - Anne (Host) Yeah, what would you say has been your biggest I don't know your biggest takeaway from now starting and having a successful podcast. What would you say is your biggest takeaway from now starting and having a successful podcast. What would you say is your biggest takeaway?  13:29 What's your biggest gift from the podcast?  13:29 - Tolupe (Guest) That's a huge question, 13:30 - Anne (Host)  And what's the biggest challenge?  13:33 - Tolupe (Guest) Okay, so first the biggest gift from the podcast and then the biggest challenge.  13:38 I think the biggest gift from the podcast has been connecting me with the world.  13:43 Like the world is so big and there are people waiting to be heard and people wanting to hear more, so my biggest gift is that I've been able to connect with the world and share that network, or the stories that I learned across the way, with people.  14:02 Because of the podcast, a lot of people know me and because of the podcast I can also access a lot of people from different parts of Africa and even outside Africa, and it has helped me to grow such network that many prominent things happening in the voiceover and audio creative space in Africa. I am often involved in most of these things and it's just a very humbling experience for me. So the network is a powerful gift that I've gotten humbling experience for me, so the network is a powerful gift that I've gotten. I think the biggest challenge for podcasting, as you've said earlier, anne, is that it's a should I use the word thankless job, or it's a service, it's something it is. Yeah, it's a very sacrificial thing to do because literally I don't know how it works over there, but we don't get paid in Africa for podcasting.  14:52 - Anne (Host) No, we don't get paid here either, and to get sponsors is very difficult.  14:57 - Tolupe (Guest) It is. It is so. It's something that if you are not convinced, if you are not passionate and selfless, you're going to burn out real quick. So I have invested my time, my energy, my money into this. I had to create a team. I mean, for the first two seasons of the podcast, I was doing this independently and since, in theory, I took on some boss moves. To be honest, you inspired me as well on this episode you did, where you talked about podcasting and you I think it was the beginning of this year you said something about how much you spent on podcasting the previous year.  15:34 It's not cheap, was it like $15,000 or something. It was like $10,000 to $15,000,.  15:39 - Speaker 4 (Ad) Yeah, yeah, and when I heard that I'm like guy, you can do more. People at the top do a lot to get to where they are. So I decided, okay, I'm going to invest more into this. And they are. So I decided, okay, I'm going to invest more into this. And my focus was to help him build a better voice of our industry. That has always been my inspiration to doing many of the things that I do. So, yeah, that's my gift and the biggest challenge, the fact that you're just doing it on your own. But, yeah, it's still a blessing at the end of the day, Right?  16:10 - Anne (Host) Now you mentioned that you thought there needed to be restructuring or you were wanting to be active in restructuring the voiceover industry in Africa. Tell us a little bit more about that. How has it evolved and what do you want to do to restructure that?  16:24 - Tolupe (Guest) Interesting. So, interestingly enough, yesterday I had a conversation with one of the very respected voiceover artists in Nigeria top voiceover artist on my Instagram page where we talked about the evolution of voiceover in Nigeria and I see something very similar to that in Africa. Voiceover for the longest in Africa, has been heavily associated with broadcasting. I believe it's almost the same thing every other place, but the difference is that for a lot of African countries that I have observed, voiceover is still somewhat glued to broadcasting, meaning broadcasters are the ones who officially do voiceovers.  17:04 Not many people come to claim the career to be voiceover artists. It is still being viewed as a part-time side hustle, right. So when I was coming in, of course it started as a part-time stuff for me as well, but I met a few nigerian voice actors, like eric maximus, who I was just referencing, e, and a couple of people like that. These people stood out as full-time voice actors Chilu Lemba, you know, femi Bakes these are my colleagues and I was inspired and also, listening to you, I realized this was possible. So the things that I felt could be restructured is that I needed people to see this more as a business, more as an industry and, gracefully, some people as far back as 1999, 2000 in Nigeria had realized this is what we needed to do, so they created an association in Nigeria at the time called the Association of Voice Over Artists in Nigeria.  18:08 Oh, okay, yeah.  18:10 And this association has been for about 22 years. But unfortunately the growth of the association has seen a lot of challenges because technology came quicker the old era of voiceovers, where everybody had to go to physical studios with the agencies and directors and all of that had gone, but a lot of people here were stuck in that era. So the new era of having a home studio, you know, and working with international rates and how things are being done live sessions, directed ones these things were into the norm over here and I felt that we needed to do better. Our rates weren't standard, as it were, very low at the time when I came, and just the attitude of people towards voiceover is just like a side hustle. People didn't respect the craft. So these were the things that I wished could change.  19:06 Also, if you look at the American space, you had organizations that would fight for voiceover artists and you had resources for voiceover artists the coaches. There were people who had written books, there were award shows and things like that. We didn't have so much of those here. You hardly would find any book written by anybody about voiceover If you go to the internet, any book written by anybody about voiceover. If you go to the internet. There were no like very scanty.  19:35 So I felt like people needed to own this craft, people needed to build the industry, and I had to do what I had to do. There were a few companies, like training institutions that existed already at the time, so I just had had to contribute. I joined the association, joined another association called the African Association of Podcasters and Voice Actors, and together we started forming the policies and the building blocks, creating resources for voiceover artists, for podcasters in Africa, creating events like award shows. So we have the APVA Awards, we have webinars. We started creating these things and I must say it's been an interesting journey, a challenging one as well, but quite an interesting one since then.  20:17 - Anne (Host) Yeah, absolutely.  20:18 It's kind of like you're building it from the ground up, which I think is really amazing, and that is something that having knowledge of building things, being a kind of a pioneer in building things as the technology evolves and as our space voiceover industry grows.  20:33 It's a lot of thankless things, a lot of donation of your time, and so I think it's wonderful that you have really kind of gotten in on the ground floor so that you can help to develop policies and guidelines and then also you have a platform that's able to broadcast that out to the world.  20:51 And what I love is, and what I'm hoping, is that our connection here can also help you to be even more globally known, because that, of course, as I mentioned multiple times on my show, the podcast actually cost me money, but it also gives me a lot back in terms of people know who I am, lot back in terms of people know who I am, and so I think we know, and I think you must also know, that that is one of the most important things when you're trying to get your voice out there and when you're trying to become known as a business as well, so that you can survive full-time on voiceover.  21:23 Would you say that you are able to survive full-time on voiceover now, or is it still something that you are building? I know that it took me a few years to do that and you've been working already at it for a few years. Is it something that is a realistic goal for, let's say, I have been thriving as a voiceover artist full-time and I have colleagues who are also doing the same full-time, but we're not so many compared to the US, and the reason for?  22:01 - Tolupe (Guest) If you look at those of us who are doing voiceovers full-time, we are multi-skilled. We are able to record, we're able to edit and produce, we understand acoustics, we have learned about voiceover, we understand marketing as well. So it takes all of the skills to be able to stand and say, oh, I'll do voiceovers full-time, but majority aren't able to do that. Also, looking at the economic challenges and the reality surrounding what it takes to be a full-time voiceover artist, where in a country and largely in many parts of the continent, we don't have stable electricity, so you could be working and you run out of power, and that affects your work, especially if you're In your livelihood.  22:48 Exactly Right. So there's also the challenge of being able to erect or build a home studio for yourself, and also the fact that the equipment could be very expensive. Looking at our exchange rate, when we convert this equipment that costs some maybe $500 or $200 into Naira, whatever currency, it's a lot. So it's very challenging to decide to go full-time into voiceover, but for the few of us who are able to do it, it's also rewarding, especially and I must say, the fact that we get to work with clients out of Nigeria, especially clients from the us, using platforms like voice one, two, three and other pay-to-play sites. They open us up to opportunities with foreign clients and getting paid in dollars has its own advantage. So, yes, it's quite rewarding to work as a full-time voiceover artist, but it's also very challenging for a lot of us.  23:48 - Anne (Host) So what would be your best advice? That you would give aspiring voiceover talents in Nigeria Africa if they're looking to get into the industry. 23:57 - Tolupe (Guest) All right. So for people who are looking to get into the industry, the first thing that I recommend they do is to acquire knowledge. A lot of people still think, oh, you could just record voiceovers on your phone and I'm like, no, it doesn't work that way. So you need to learn, and I'm grateful that we have voiceover institutions in Nigeria and also other parts of Africa. We've got one in South Africa. That's the South Africa Voiceover Academy. In Nigeria, we have Voiceover Workshop Voiceover Academy. There are a couple of them and they've been able to come together to gather the body of knowledge needed for young voice artists to start. So I recommend. Second thing I recommend is podcasts. Listening to podcasts helps to develop the required skill in a sense, because you're listening to experts in the field. Now, I've been learning from you for many years and we had never met and it's been free, so that's the beautiful thing about podcasts.  25:01 It is a beautiful thing, isn't it? Yeah, it's absolutely free.  25:05 So I encourage people because you might not be able to afford hundreds of dollars to have Anganguza or any other top voiceover artists, so listen to podcasts. I recommend that as well. The third thing is to practice and take the big step, because I've also been coaching people in voiceover for a while. I realized that oftentimes they come, they train but they don't implement. There's this fear and imposter syndrome of calling yourself a voiceover artist. They hardly make the bold steps, they don't do demos and put themselves out there. They're waiting to be perfect, they're waiting to get it all figured out. So they compare themselves to someone like me or other colleagues of mine or people ahead of me and they're like I don't have what it takes, I don't sound like you just yet. So I always encourage them Start now, when nobody even really knows you so much. Make the mistakes Grow, because we all started somewhere. We didn't start perfect. So these are the things that I'll encourage them.  26:07 - Anne (Host) And I also think and this is kind of my big thing when I have students that say, well, I don't sound like I'm not there yet I'm like in reality and I think you must know, because you've had such a lengthy experience in being on camera and also in radio and podcasts when you connect with someone, nobody's really listening to how you.  26:27 I mean, yeah, we can sound good, but in reality that is only like a temporary, fleeting thing, that, okay, it sounds good, it sounds clear, I understand you, but when we connect, we connect on an emotional level and that really comes into the storytelling, that comes into that point of view that we're able to express. And I think that podcasting helps us to do that, like, especially if it's a conversation between you and I. But I use those skills in my voiceover to connect with that theoretical client and that's really where it becomes the most important. So how important would you say the connection in storytelling is for, let's say, the current trend and styles that are happening in your area? I mean because globally, I think we all need to be able to tell stories. But I'm just curious in terms of locally, when people hire you, are they hiring you for that big, deep, booming voice? Or are they also hiring you for that storytelling capability?  27:18 - Tolupe (Guest) That's a very good question, because in the continent, especially in Nigeria, I'm going to take Nigeria we have been very influenced by the Western cultures the things we see from movies in hollywood, the cartoons that we've seen growing up, so these has heavily influenced how we tell our stories in the media. There's still a lot of true storytelling, I must say, but when people think about voiceover, a lot of young people think about Disney, they think about all the Cartoon Network stuff and what that affects is the accent. So they're tempted to want to sound like the kids they watched growing up. They think that's what voiceover is. And it doesn't mean that's not what voiceover isn't. It just means the people you see on your screens.  28:14 They're telling stories that are relatable to them. It's their local stories. The animation you watch, even though it's fiction, but the communication, the nuances, you know all of those expressions. They're very akin to wherever they come from. Over here there's a way we tell our stories, the way we crack our jokes, the lingua. It's very local. So it's a lot of work to try to explain to upcoming talents that see, your accent is good enough yourself.  28:50 The way you sound is good enough. It's good enough you are enough.  28:54 You don't have to sound like barbie. You don't have to sound like right.  28:58 - Anne (Host) I'm so glad that you like this. It gets me emotional actually. I'm so glad that you like this. It gets me emotional actually, because I'm so glad that you said that, because it's important for not just locally you, it's important for us, it's important for the world to hear those stories. Right, it's important for us to understand you and how you tell stories, because it may be different than how I tell the story, but it's certainly very interesting to me.  29:19 You know what I mean.  29:25 And it's something that I feel I could benefit from hearing and I could enjoy it and it could be educational, it can be entertaining and I think just getting that experience and that culture and that storytelling is so important to a global audience.  29:35 Yes, absolutely, which I?  29:36 think is important to your business, which?  29:38 is so important to your business, so I think for anyone and I love how you talk about the imposter syndrome, which I think we all have.  29:44 I think that's a global thing, right? Everybody has imposter syndrome I still think, at the very heart of it, the fact that we can share and that we can communicate and we can connect with one another, that is something that is very much wanted and desired.  30:03 It may not be, as, let's say, marketable in certain places yet. Right, because even in America there's a lot of places that say they want the conversational connection, but yet a lot of times what you hear on television turns out to be something different because of whoever's directing you, whoever is hiring what they hear in their head. Right, Because they could have grown up with those kind of announcer kind of broadcast sort of sound and that's who ended up directing you and that's how the commercial sounds or that's how whatever it is that you're doing sounds. But I do believe that when it comes to people that really want that connection, that engagement with their brand, that they're going to hopefully continually go more and more into the storytelling aspect and it becomes less about your voice and more about how you can reach that person that's listening to you at the other end of the mic in reality.  30:52 So, yeah, I think it's all about the connection. So let's talk a little bit about any type of, let's say, memorable story or project that showcased your unique storytelling. Is there anything that you can talk about that is out there on a global level that can really speak to your unique storytelling?  31:14 - Tolupe (Guest) Now that you say memorable, I've done a couple of voiceovers for different brand. I think the most recent that I did was for coca-cola. So I've done a couple of voiceovers for different brands. I think the most recent that I did was for Coca-Cola, so I've done a couple of them. I think the two most memorable would be getting cast on one of the biggest animations to come out of Nigeria, which would actually be out next year, 2025. And that animation is called Iyanu. It's going to be on Cartoon Network on.  31:42 Showmatch in Africa. So I'm one of the cast and it was such an honor to be on that because it's not just a cartoon for the world to enjoy, but it captures African stories. The entire cast were Nigerian, so we spoke the true Nigerian accent. It was quite a mix of traditional and youth, friendly and young. You know all of that, so I'm happy to be on that. I play a character called Shiju, which people would come to find out much more about later. Then the other one would be.  32:16 Recently I did a voiceover for a friend. She started this podcast and I recorded the voiceover and I just something about that voiceover stood out for me. It's on a podcast anyway, so, um, it's memorable to me personally. It's not like it's for a global brand of some sort, but it's just something that when I think about that particular voiceover maybe because the way I read it it was just so real and I just felt everything in that script Very powerful story, very touching experience. It's titled the First and Last Time I Saw my Parents Dance and that story was just so powerful. So, yeah, that works for me too. It's on podcasts and platforms.  33:02 - Anne (Host) Awesome. Well, I'll be connecting those links up in the show notes for any of those bosses that are looking for more information. So tell us what's next for you Any exciting projects on the way or other goals that you're working toward. Any other associations you're going to pioneer. Any other associations you're going to?  33:21 - Tolupe (Guest)  Next up for me is my youtube channel. Already I have the podcast running on youtube, but I am planning on creating a youtube channel where I talk more about voiceover extensively, particularly for Nigerians and africans my extension, so that is going to be coming up next year. I also am working on some online courses. Although right now I teach voiceovers, I mentor people one-on-one. I also teach voiceovers with other voiceover institutions of learning in Nigeria, but I realized that there's a lot of demand out there and I can't always be physically there to teach over and over and over. It's very demanding. So I'm putting together an online course that will be available, and my website is also in the works. So by January 2025, everything will be ready. So these are the things I'm working on.  34:13 - Anne (Host) Well, that's quick, that's like next month. Yeah, I love it. So tell our bosses where they can find you, where they can learn more about you. Follow you on socials.  34:25 - Tolupe (Guest) Okay, so my Instagram handle is tcode70. That's T-C-O-D-E underscore 70. My YouTube channel is I am tcode70. So you can find me on YouTube and on TikTok I'm also tcode underscore 70 TikTok. Tcode underscore 70. On X, which is formerly Twitter, my website will be out really soon will be, I mean, launched so my website is iamtcode.com Iamtcode.com.  34:57 - Anne (Host) Love it, love it. And that's coming January, January 25. So now I'm hoping that I myself am releasing a new website that is supposed to be out in January of 2025 as well. So it's just a little refresh of my brand.  35:10 So  oh my gosh, it has been so much fun chatting with you and I am keeping my fingers crossed for Sunday, which is coming up in a few days, to find out about that Sova's nomination. But the way I feel if you're nominated award nominated is just as good as award winning in my book, and actually even that is subjective. But yeah, my fingers are crossed for you and I'll be listening. I've got a couple nominations myself that I'm going to be you know. We'll see if that works out and in the meantime, it has been such a pleasure chatting with you and I want to actually check up with you next year again so that we can reconnect and see what other amazing things you've done, because you are definitely a VO boss for sure, and it's been a pleasure chatting with you today.  35:56 - Tolupe (Guest)  you so much, and it's been a pleasure chatting with you too, and thank you for inspiring me and millions of others, because, yeah, a lot of people are still going to listen to this. Podcast is a platform that people can listen to many years to come, so thank you so much, Anne.  36:12 - Anne (Host) No problem, all right, I'm going to give a great big shout out to our sponsor, ipdtl. You too can connect and network like bosses, like Tico to myself. Find out more at IPDTLcom. Bosses, have an amazing week and we'll see you next week. Bye, bye.  36:28 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) Join us next week for another edition of VO Boss with your host, Anne Ganguza, and take your business to the next level. Sign up for our mailing list at VOobosscom and receive exclusive content, industry revolutionizing tips and strategies and new ways to rock your business like a boss. Redistribution with permission. Coast to coast connectivity via IPDTL.   

I'm so excited to welcome Amy A. O'Day, the founder of The Reconnected Self. Amy is the creator of Compassionate Self-Healing (CSH), a powerful modality designed to help people reconnect with their true selves and find lasting emotional and physical balance. Through The Reconnected Self, she offers practitioner training and deeply transformative 1:1 work. Her approach is in high demand—there's currently a two-year waitlist for 1:1 sessions and her business continues to expand with certified CSH Practitioners.Highlights include:How Amy switched off lifelong autoimmune conditions Why your beliefs about what's possible play a key role in your healingUnlocking the messaging behind your physical and emotional imbalancesWhy 80% of autoimmune conditions are in women Hidden blindspots that most people miss in their healing and how these can link with being an empathThe body's recognition of fear and why we experience anxietyHow regulating your nervous system (no matter how helpful) isn't the final switch for definitive healing and what isDifferent types of boundary challenges you might have and be completely unaware of as practitioner or clientHealing complex chronic illness by addressing disempowerment woundsHow healing opens the door to personal growth and becoming your most authentic self Host: Livy IasonosFollow Livy on InstagramWork with LivyGuest: Amy A O'DayFollow Amy on InstagramCheck out Amy's WebsiteFollow Amy on TikTokI'd be so grateful if you could take a moment to subscribe, share and leave a review so that more people can make their unique mark on the world.All my love,Livy xx

Welcome to our first Budget Travel Special! This is one that you, the listeners, have been asking for a lot - and I get it! Travel can feel expensive and overwhelming, but what if I told you that it really doesn't have to be?That's why I knew I had to bring on the ultimate budget travel expert - someone who has made it her mission to help people travel smarter, stretch their money further, and still enjoy incredible experiences, Chelsea Dickenson, aka the Cheap Holiday Expert.Chelsea has built a huge following all thanks to her easy-to-follow, no-nonsense travel hacks. You've probably seen her viral videos on how to snag the best hotel upgrades, fly for less, or even go on an amazing holiday for under £100. And if you're a fan of This Morning, you'll recognise her as their go-to expert for low-cost travel. She's also the co-host of Passports Please, the travel podcast that helps you hack your holidays. Now, I know budget travel is something so many of you are interested in, and you've sent in loads of brilliant questions on Instagram for this one. We're covering everything, from whether five-star hotels are actually worth it to the best destinations where your money goes furthest, plus Chelsea's ultimate flight-booking hacks that will save you time and money. So, whether you're planning your next getaway or just love hearing about the best travel tricks out there, this episode is packed with useful tips and plenty of fun stories too.Destination Recap:Berlin, Germany Krakow, Poland Wroclaw, PolandGdansk, Poland Budapest, HungaryKozmo, Budapest, HungaryVilnius, Lithuania Seville, SpainTurkey Nidum Casual Luxury, Innsbruck, Austria Vietnam Ha Long Bay, VietnamCat Ba Island, VietnamKoh Lanta, ThailandDubaiIcelandChill out hostel, Zagreb, Croatia South KoreaUzbekistan Today's episode was produced by Alexandra Calder.With thanks to Visit Guernsey and Airbnb for their support of today's episode.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 13 seasons to catch up on, that's over 145 episodes to keep you busy there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest today is a true force of nature. From the moment she burst onto the scene as a child prodigy with that voice, she became one of the most famous classical singers in the world, performing for presidents, popes, and royalty. It is of course, Charlotte Church. Her early career was a whirlwind - global fame, relentless travel, and a life that few could truly understand. We talk about what that was really like behind the scenes, the highs and the inevitable challenges of growing up in the spotlight, and how travel became both an escape and a source of inspiration for her.But Charlotte's journey didn't stop there. These days, she's also the founder of The Dreaming, a magical retreat space in rural Wales dedicated to healing, creativity, and connection. Throughout the year, The Dreaming hosts a range of immersive retreats - some focused on families, others on music and self-discovery, including Charlotte's own deeply personal Song of the Soul retreat. It even celebrates ancient traditions with gatherings around the folkloric calendar, from the Spring Equinox to Halloween.Charlotte's travel diaries take us from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the wild beauty of Dominica, the savannahs of Kenya, and, of course, the rolling green hills of Wales, her home. Her outlook on life is truly unique - spiritual, alternative, and deeply connected to nature and the world around her. So, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Let's get started - here's Charlotte. Holly's Destination Recap:Homewood, Bath, EnglandCalcot & Spa, Tetbury, England via PoB hotelsCharlotte's Destination Recap:Brazil Lake Geneva, Switzerland Los Angeles, CaliforniaTokyo, Japan The Dreaming, Elan Valley, Wales KenyaElan Valley, Wales St David's, Pembrokeshire, WalesLlanidloes, WalesAnglesey, Wales The Gower, WalesMerthyr Mawr, WalesDominica Pittsburgh, USAPeruJapanYellowstone National Park, USACosta RicaYou can find out more about Charlotte's retreats at The Dreaming.co.ukWith thanks to Airbnb for their support of today's episode.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 13 seasons to catch up on, that's over 145 episodes to keep you busy there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recently, as I scroll through TikTok I come across a rapper's profile that caught my attention. His name is Robert AKA "Castor Pollux". A true lyricist to the fullest degree. As someone who aspires to own the experience of performing a hip hop song on stage at somepoint, I am thoroughly intrigued. His appearance as a performer not exactly reflecting your standard Hip Hop representative, led me to believe he may have something to offer with his vocalized talent. HE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. Specifically, I'm fed videos of him behind a desk in a office cubicle. Wearing a cheesy polo apparently, lipsyincing to his own recorded songs. His chin draped in this ZZ top like beard narrowly avoiding a dip in his cup of Joe. I love the contrasting nature of his style. Reminiscent of a popular Hip Hop duo in the 90's titled "The High and Mighty", the sound of his unique voice and catchy cadence hypnotize the little chubby Hip Hop fan that resides within. Naturally, we hit it off as we journey into the past where it is revealed that our substitution for lack of a digital landscape fulfilling our need for adventure becomes the streets and it's inhabitants surrounding our broken family homes. A sacrifice of safety for a taste of the poetic yet dangerous side of reality. What better way than to transform the trauma into poetry. Spotify TikTok YouTube

I can't quite believe we're here - Season 14! And what a way to kick things off because today's guest is nothing short of musical royalty. Nile Rodgers is a man whose music has shaped generations. A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, he's the genius behind some of the biggest songs in history, think Le Freak, Good Times, and We Are Family. As the co-founder of CHIC, he pioneered the sound of disco and funk, but his influence didn't stop there. From producing Let's Dance for David Bowie to Like a Virgin for Madonna, working with legends like Diana Ross, Duran Duran, and Daft Punk, Nile's fingerprints are all over some of the most iconic records of all time. And that's before we even get to Get Lucky, the global smash hit with Daft Punk and Pharrell that introduced his magic to a whole new generation.Beyond his music, Nile's life is an incredible story of resilience, of reinvention, and creativity. His journey from the streets of New York to the biggest stages in the world is filled with extraordinary moments which he shares with us today. And since we recorded, Nile has had even more reason to celebrate, because at the Grammys, Beyoncé officially made history by winning Country Album of the Year - Nile worked with Beyoncé on the record which we discuss on the episode today, and he's long been an advocate for breaking boundaries in music, so I can only imagine how much joy that moment brought him. We spoke in December at the stunning Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, in a beautiful suite overlooking the rooftops of the city. If you're new to the podcast, this interview is not how my voice typically sounds, I was ill and could barely speak unfortunately, but that didn't get in the way of what I look back on as a magical conversation. Destination Recap:New York city, New York, USASao Paolo, Brazil Power Station Recording Studio, New York, USA Los Angeles, California, USA JapanProvidenciales, Turks and Caicos Iceland Montana, USAKazakhstanNile and CHIC will be touring across the UK and Europe this summer, bringing the good times (literally!) to a stage near you.With thanks to Airbnb for their support of today's episode. Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 13 seasons to catch up on, that's over 145 episodes to keep you busy there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you feeling stuck, uninspired, or like you're just going through the motions? I've been there. Last year, I hit all my career and personal milestones, but instead of feeling fulfilled, I felt completely disconnected. In this episode, I share how I rediscovered my motivation using the 1% Better approach—small daily shifts that create massive transformation over time. We'll talk about: The realization that changed everything for me Why achieving your goals isn't enough for true happiness How micro-rituals can help you get unstuck and feel inspired again Simple habits you can implement today to feel better instantly The Hot to Hotter Challenge and how you can join us If you're ready to reignite your inner fire, start showing up as the best version of yourself, and build a life you truly love—this episode is for you. Join the Hot to Hotter Challenge

While bleak and gray at times, winter can be the prime time for observational and behavioral learnings in our local environments. Sneckdowns (snow + neckdowns), multi-day snow-covered cars, and unmaintained/disregarded sidewalks each tell us something. We also touch briefly on takeaways from convictions of the Jeffersonian grid: foresight and planning to widen our ideological tent, republican ideals (the governmental structure, not the political party), and balancing differing vantages on housing. We spend a moment on the recent TikTok events, too. Apologies for last week's delay. Appreciate your patience! We discuss: 00:00 We are so back. 07:40 Winter urban design insights. 21:10 Exploring republicanism, the Jeffersonian grid, and the NYC Commissioners' plan. 30:07 Reflections on TikTok, and content creation's fruits and shortfalls. 34:43 Wrapping up. For context: Sneckdowns (via a TikTok I made for Better Block). Design cues taken from snow (via Bloomberg CityLab). A map of proposed NYC growth, from 1807 (via the Library of Congress). More on the Jeffersonian grid (via NYT).

Tänases saates teeme põhjaliku ülevaate OnePlusi uusimast tipptelefonist ja JBL-i soodsama hinnaga väikestest kõrvaklappidest, millel on samuti ekraaniga karp. Arutame, kuidas segadus USA-s TikToki keelamise ümber on pannud kasutajaid vaatama veelgi kahtlasema Hiina äpi poole. Räägime ka DJI uuest volditavast droonist. Saate lõpus vastame mitmele kuulajakirjale. Saate teemad: • Test: Kas OnePlus 13 õigustab kõrgeid ootusi? • Titoki ära keelamine tekitab segadust, kasutajad annavad aga oma andmed nüüd kahtlasele Hiina platvormile • DJI Flip on omapärane volditav droon • Testisime JBL-i odavamaid pisikesi kõrvaklappe, millel on samuti ekraaniga karp • Kuulajakirjades vastame Tarmo küsimusele Telia TV äpi plaanide kohta ja jagame Priidiku head kogemust Smart-ID kasutamisel. Kui sul on meile küsimusi või tahad jagada oma kogemusi tehnikamaailmas, siis kirjuta meile: digisaade@geenius.ee. Saadet teevad Hans Lõugas, Glen Pilvre ja Meelis Väljamäe. Tunnusmuusika: Glen Pilvre, Paul Oja.

I'm so excited to bring you the third and final holiday special to round off 2024. And once again thank you for tuning in throughout the year—your support has been incredible. On today's Destination Special we're joined by a truly extraordinary guest—someone who's not only a trailblazer in the music industry but also a passionate traveller with a love for extraordinary adventures. She's a singer, songwriter, actress, and cultural icon whose music has been the soundtrack to so many of our lives. Yes, Lily Allen is here on The Travel Diaries!Lily's debut album, Alright, Still, launched her to global stardom, and since then, she's won BRIT Awards, Ivor Novellos, and devoted fans worldwide. But what you might not know is that Lily is also an avid traveller, and her recent trip to British Columbia is one of her most unforgettable yet.British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province, a land of extraordinary natural beauty where dramatic coastlines meet ancient cedar forests, and snow-capped peaks plunge into pristine fjords. It's a destination that feels alive with adventure and wonder. Getting there from the UK couldn't be easier—just hop on a direct flight to Vancouver. Vancouver itself is surrounded by ocean and mountains, making it one of the most picturesque city settings in the world—and certainly one of my favourites.From Vancouver, the possibilities are endless. You can take a floatplane to a remote coastal lodge, drive along the breathtaking Sea-to-Sky Highway, or catch a ferry to Vancouver Island. Whether you're exploring the city's cultural gems or heading into the wild for close encounters with nature, BC offers something for every kind of traveller.In this episode, Lily takes us along for her unforgettable journey through BC. We'll hear about her encounters with humpback whales, bears, and orcas. and how the restorative power of its nature left her mind at peace and her heart full - Lily calls it one of the most special experiences of her life, and you'll soon understand why.Destination Recap: The Loden Hotel, Vancouver Tofino, Vancouver IslandCathedral Grove Forrest, Vancouver IslandHot Springs Cove, Vancouver IslandWolf in the Fog, Vancouver IslandAlert Bay, Cormorant IslandAlert Bay Lodge, Cormorant IslandIf you'd like to find out more about British Columbia, then don't forget to check out your favourite travel titles, magazines and online guides, and you can also find a lot more information on the tourist board website, www.hellobc.com/Thanks so much for listening today. If you'd like to hear more from the podcast don't forget to hit subscribe, or if you use Apple Podcasts to press follow so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you.And if you can't want until then remember there's the first 13 seasons to catch up on, that's over 130 episodes to keep you busy there. Don't forget that all the destinations mentioned by my guests are included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and listed on my website, thetraveldiariespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code POLUMBO at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/polumbo  ____________________________   The city of San Francisco's latest "health expert" is a fat positivity activist who is simply beyond parody. I break down the Golden State's latest insanity in this episode of the Brad vs Everyone podcast. Plus, the dumbest socialist TikTok I've ever seen and Congress wants RAISES at taxpayer expense? As always, I wrap up the show with your comments.

On today's destination special, we're going to be discovering a country which, for the longest time, was out of reach for travellers, Saudi Arabia, or Saudi as it's now known. Within the travel industry Saudi has been front and centre for the past few years, with prominent features about its developments in most of the major travel magazines; the world's leading luxury hotel brands from Six Senses to Aman have been announcing impressive future openings across the country, and new tourist destinations are being developed from the Red Sea resort on the coast to Sindalah at NEOM…even a ski resort in the 3000m mountains. These are all offerings that have really intrigued the travel world, now that the doors are wide open.To be honest, I've been conflicted about making this episode. I had preconceptions about the country, which I'm sure many of you may share, and I wasn't sure how I felt about showcasing it with its own episode. However, I firmly believe in the power of travel as a force for good – tourism brings connection, understanding, and often positive change. And I also firmly believe you'll find this episode really interesting. Because if you're anything like me, you're probably very curious about destinations that feel like uncharted territory, that we don't know that much about yet. My goal is to give you more insight about the country from the travel experts who know it best so you can make up your own mind.First, we'll hear from adventurer, writer, and TV presenter Alice Morrison. Alice is like a real-life Indiana Jones – most recently, she's been exploring Saudi for her BBC series Arabian Adventures: Secrets of the Nabataeans, where she delves into the mysteries of this ancient civilization. She's also travelled extensively across Saudi as a solo female traveler, offering a unique perspective on what it's really like to explore the country as a woman. Then we'll be joined by Isabella Craddock, former editor of Condé Nast Traveller Middle East and the founder and editor of Near+Far Magazine. Isabella has spent years exploring Saudi's landscapes, cities, and hidden gems and she'll share her favourite spots, latest travel news, and tips for making the most of a visit.Destination Recap:Alice Morrison - Riyadh Diriyah Gate, Riyadh National Museum, RiyadhAlUlaNabatean Tombs, Hegra Jeddah Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Royal Reserves Wadi Disah Banyan Tree Hotel, AlUlaIsabella Craddock - NEOMThe Line AlUla Habitas, AlUla Maraya, AlUlaAsir Trojena Ski Resort Banyan Tree, AlUlaDar Tantora The House, AlUla Aman, Diriyah Jeddah Edition, Jeddah AL-Balad, Jeddah Sindalah, NEOM You can find out more about Saudi by reading nearfarmag.com, and you can listen more to Alice's adventures in Saudi on her podcast Alice in Wanderland. The tourist board website is another great resource if you're planning a trip. Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't want until then remember there's the first 13 seasons to catch up on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to The Travel Diaries podcast! I'm your host, Holly Rubenstein, and I'm so thrilled to be back with you for the first of three Christmas specials to bring bit of festive sparkle to your holiday season. Over the coming weeks, I'll be bringing you conversations with some truly wonderful guests, and who better to start us off than the brilliant Sandi Toksvig?Sandi is a comedian, writer, broadcaster, actor, activist, and, of course, a beloved TV presenter. You'll know her from QI, where she made history as the first female host of a major British TV quiz show, from Channel 4's Extraordinary Escapes, and from The Great British Bake Off.Beyond her TV roles, Sandi has written numerous books, been a vocal advocate for equality and LGBTQ+ rights, and has a passion for adventure. Born in Copenhagen to a father who was a foreign correspondent, she spent her childhood living across the globe, from the African bush to NYC, sparking a lifelong love of travel. Her travel diaries today take us from the rivers of Africa to the Arctic Circle, the jungles of Costa Rica to her beloved Denmark —Sandi's travels are as fascinating and varied as she is.Sandi Claus Is Coming to Town is a family-friendly LGBTQ+ Christmas show hosted by national treasure, Sandi Toksvig. It's taking place at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 18 December (tickets from royalalberthall.com)Destination Recap: Copenhagen, Denmark ZimbabweZambezi River, AfricaTivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, DenmarkPacuare Lodge, Costa Rica Lofoten Islands, Norway Henningsvær, Lofoten, Norway SudanCopenhagen, Denmark: Host RestaurantRestaurant Grøften /Tivoli GardensThe Round TowerThe Kissing BenchEilean Sionnach, ScotlandWolf Lodge, Norway Nebraska, USAThe Oregon Trail, USAAarhus, Denmark Villa Provence, Aarhus, Denmark Sydney, AustraliaJapanWith thanks to the Langham Hotel for hosting the interview.*COMPETITION* Win a luxury 4-night stay for two at the newly refurbished Shangri-La Le Touessrok in sunny Mauritius. For details on how to enter, head to my Instagram @hollyrubenstein. The competition closes on December 30th. Good luck. With thanks to Bibury Farm Barns in the Cotswolds. These barns are perfection—there are five in total ranging from 3 - 5 beds, each thoughtfully designed and beautifully styled. The location is ideal, right in the heart of the Cotswolds, making it a fantastic base for exploring this stunning part of the country. We loved revisiting charming villages like Bibury, Burford, and Stow-on-the-Wold, with their honey-coloured stone buildings and rich history. But it was the little moments back at the barn that made it truly special: mornings by the fire, countryside walks straight from the door, late-night hot tub soaks, and that deep, peaceful quiet you only find in the countryside.If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't want until then remember there's the first 13 seasons to catch up on, that's over 140 episodes to keep you busy there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was beyond thrilled when I got a chance to talk to Chani Ra of The Fashion Nap. Since discovering her on TikTok I've thought of her as a 'living magazine'. In this interview episode I get to the beginnings of fashion in her life, our love of fashion magazines, some of our favorite models past and present, and chat some of our favorite creators. —Get BONUS episodes on 90s TV and culture (Freaks & Geeks, My So Called Life, Buffy, 90s culture documentaries, and more…) and to support the show join the  Patreon! GIVE US A 5 STAR RATING & SUBSCRIBE!Guest: Chani Ra @princesschanira  The Fashion Nap on TikTok & YoutubeHost: Lauren @lauren_melanieFollow Fashion Grunge PodcastFind more Fashion Grunge on LinktreeJoin me on Substack:  The Lo Down: a Fashion Grunge blog/newsletter☕️ Support Fashion Grunge on Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fashiongrunge

Today's guest is truly beloved figure in British television - someone who many of us feel we already know so well - Monty Don. For over two decades, Monty has been the heart and soul of BBC's Gardeners' World, inspiring millions to embrace the joys and therapeutic benefits of gardening. His connection to nature has taken him all over the globe, all in search of the profound ways that different cultures engage with the land. Alongside Gardeners' World, Monty has brought us stunning travel series like Around the World in 80 Gardens, Monty Don's Italian Gardens, Adriatic Gardens and most recently, Spanish Gardens. This latest series, which is accompanied by a beautiful book, delves into the country's breathtaking historic and contemporary landscapes, from Moorish-inspired patios to vibrant urban greens paces, revealing the depth and diversity of Spanish garden design.It was also fascinating to hear about Monty's journey to TV stardom, and how he had a completely different and hugely successful career in the fashion world, before, somewhat by chance, getting a new break into gardening and TV.From the gardens that stole his heart to the wild landscapes that left a lasting impression, here are Monty's travel diaries.Destination Recap:Leominster, Herefordshire, EnglandThe Black Mountains, WalesHydra, Greece Budleigh Salterton, Devon, England Mevagissey, Cornwall Provence, FranceLondon, EnglandAnnapurna, Nepal Native Tree Fern Forests, New ZealandThe Amazon Rainforest, BrazilIranChileJapanSummer Palace, Beijing, China Galicia, SpainNinfa Gardens, ItalyWollerton Hall, Shropshire, EnglandFinland through Eastern Europe to TriesteSpanish Gardens by Monty Don and Derry Moore, BBC Books, £39.99 out now.*COMPETITION* Head to my Instagram, @hollyrubenstein, for a chance to win a 3 night full board stay at one of the Maldives' most luxurious hotels, Kuda Villingili. Good Luck!With thanks to Skyscanner - The full travel trends 2025 report is available on Skyscanner app/site and of course you can always look for your 2025 trip whether it's flights, hotels or car hire on Skyscanner too.And to Airbnb - Your home could be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/host. Thanks so much for listening today. If you'd like to hear more from the podcast don't forget to hit subscribe, or if you use Apple Podcasts to press follow so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you.And if you can't want until then remember there's the first 12 seasons to catch up on, that's over 125 episodes to keep you busy there. Don't forget that all the destinations mentioned by my guests are included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and listed on my website, thetraveldiariespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I'm thrilled to have comedian, history buff, and all-around legend, Al Murray, joining us on the show. Al is one of the UK's most beloved comedians, best known for his character ‘The Pub Landlord' – a hilarious, patriotic pub owner who's become an iconic figure in British comedy. His career has spanned over three decades, with award-winning comedy specials, TV shows, and even political satire where he actually ran for office in character!Beyond his comedy, though, Al has a real passion for history and travel – two themes that run deep through our conversation today.Together, we embark on a journey through some fascinating and surprising destinations that have left a mark on him. From the serene beauty of Alderney in the Channel Islands to the rugged coasts of Connemara in Ireland, and even the mystical temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia – Al's love for adventure and curiosity about the past come through in each of his travel chapters. So let's buckle up and get started. Destination Recap:Alderney, Channel Islands, England Guernsey, Channel Islands Ervallagh, Connemara, Ireland Roundstone Bay and Island boat trips, Connemara, Ireland Osnabrück, GermanyGrottes de Gargas, France Angkor Wat, Cambodia Siem Reap, CambodiaPhnom Penh, Cambodia Normandy, France DubaiThe moonAnd I talk about Lesante Cape, Zakynthos, GreeceGuv Island is currently on tour across the UK and Ireland, tickets are available here.Arnhem: Black Tuesday is out nowThanks so much for listening today. If you'd like to hear more from the podcast don't forget to hit subscribe, or if you use Apple Podcasts to press follow so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you.And if you can't want until then remember there's the first 12 seasons to catch up on, that's over 125 episodes to keep you busy there. Don't forget that all the destinations mentioned by my guests are included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and listed on my website, thetraveldiariespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today is the second of a new kind of episode within the podcast called Epic Adventures, where guests have achieved remarkable feats in the world of travel and adventure - and their life journey serves as an inspiration for others. Explorer and adventurer, Dwayne Fields, was born in Jamaica, and lived a wild and beautiful life surrounded by nature before moving to inner city London at the age of 6. The years that followed were really challenging, with his environment often pushing him toward dangerous paths. There was a pivotal moment—a life-altering near-death incident where his path could have gone in a very different direction—which served as a wake-up call that would ultimately inspire a transformation, seeing him trade city streets for wide-open spaces. Fast forward to today, and Dwayne is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. He's an explorer who's conquered some of the most extreme environments on Earth, including becoming the first Black Briton to walk over 400 miles to the magnetic North Pole. His passion for nature and adventure has also led him to champion causes close to his heart, like encouraging young people from disadvantaged communities to step out into the wild, build resilience, and experience the transformative power of the great outdoors.In this episode, we'll hear about Dwayne's incredible journey, from life-threatening moments to breathtaking expeditions, and how he's using his platform today to inspire the next generation of adventurers. Dwayne's story is sure to leave you motivated and uplifted.Destination Recap:Tanzania train ZambiaKenyaJamaicaThree Peaks Challenge Magnetic North Pole Ben Nevis, Scotland Galapagos, Ecuador 7 Toughest Days is streaming now on Disney+.Thanks so much for listening today. If you'd like to hear more from the podcast don't forget to hit subscribe, or if you use Apple Podcasts to press follow so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you.And if you can't want until then remember there's the first 12 seasons to catch up on, that's over 125 episodes to keep you busy there. Don't forget that all the destinations mentioned by my guests are included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and listed on my website, thetraveldiariespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I'm joined by the multi-talented Dawn O'Porter. Dawn's had an extraordinary career, starting in TV production before making a name for herself presenting hard-hitting documentaries, where she travelled the world exploring fascinating topics like polygamy, size zero culture, and the geishas of Kyoto, Japan. But she's best known now as a bestselling author, with nine incredible books under her belt, including The Cows, So Lucky, and her latest novel, Honeybee, which is already a huge hit. Dawn grew up in the Channel Islands on the beautiful island of Guernsey, a place she now cherishes for its breathtaking cliffs and sweeping beaches, though as a teenager, she yearned for big city life. After living in LA for 16 years with her husband, Bridesmaids actor Chris O'Dowd, and their two boys, she recently made the big move back to London. During her time in California, she uncovered her ultimate hidden gem that we'll hear all about today, and her travel diaries today take us from Ibiza to Italy, Scotland to Japan and much more. Holly's recommendation: Porto Zante, Zakynthos, GreeceDestination Recap:Guernsey, EnglandIbiza, Spain St Martin, Guernsey, EnglandFermain Bay, Guernsey, England Herm, Guernsey, England Sark, Guernsey, England Loch Lomond, Scotland Los Angeles, California, USAMayfair, London, England Marylebone, London, England Kyoto, JapanOjai, California, USAThailandRome, Italy Sienna, ItalyParis, France The MaldivesHONEYBEE by Dawn O'Porter is published by HarperCollins and is out nowThanks so much for listening today. If you'd like to hear more from the podcast don't forget to hit subscribe, or if you use Apple Podcasts to press follow so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you.And if you can't want until then remember there's the first 12 seasons to catch up on, that's over 125 episodes to keep you busy there. Don't forget that all the destinations mentioned by my guests are included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and listed on my website, thetraveldiariespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm so excited to be joined by the journalist and TV presenter Ranvir Singh today. You'll have seen Ranvir as a regular face on Good Morning Britain on ITV, where she's known for handling everything from breaking news to tough political interviews and also presenting the Lorraine show when Lorraine herself is on her holidays, and beyond journalism, Ranvir showed a completely different side of herself on Strictly Come Dancing, a few years back. As we chat about on the episode, I used to work on Good Morning Britain as a producer alongside Ranvir, although our paths didn't really cross especially much as I was handling the showbiz side of things, but I always felt her warm and friendly energy in the office, and you'll hear today what I mean by that. I was really touched by how open and real Ranvir was in this interview, as a mother, a single parent, an advocate for diversity, and I'm sure many of you will relate to the emotions that her travel diaries hold for her, because they are some of her most treasured memories.And she is one of the most passionate guests I've had on the podcast when it comes to travel. She explains how it fuels her, and gets her through the everyday grind. I loved also hearing about the insider side of politics and political journalism - how she travelled on an RAF flight with the PM, and sat with former President Trump, it was fascinating. Ok, let's buckle up and get started, here's Ranvir. Holly's mention:Son Brull, MallorcaRanvir's Destination Recap:IndiaCalifornia, USABlackpool, EnglandLancaster, England AntiguaRagdale Hall, Leicestershire, England Dubai, UAEAbu Dhabi, UAETresind studio, Dubai, UAESEVA, Dubai, UAEMadikwe Lodge Game Reserve, South AfricaIceland Jordan Golden Temple, Amritsar, India Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India Salou, SpainJapanQuito, Ecuador Galapagos Islands, EcuadorJason Atherton's Dubai Dishes Series 2, a 10-part series, is airing on ITV1 every Saturday and is available to watch on ITVX depending on when you listen to this.Thanks so much for listening today. If you'd like to hear more from the podcast don't forget to hit subscribe, or if you use Apple Podcasts to press follow so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you.And if you can't want until then remember there's the first 12 seasons to catch up on, that's over 125 episodes to keep you busy there. Don't forget that all the destinations mentioned by my guests are included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and listed on my website, thetraveldiariespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest needs little introduction in the world of food and travel journalism, a renowned restaurant critic, a writer whose words can make your mouth water, and a familiar face on TV—many of you will recognise him from his appearances as a judge on MasterChef. It is of course Jay Rayner.Jay's is a name synonymous with gastronomic excellence. As a long-time food critic for The Observer, he's sampled and critiqued some of the best, and worst, dining experiences around the globe. Beyond his razor-sharp reviews, he's a celebrated author, his books like "The Man Who Ate the World" and "My Dining Hell” offering a deeper look into the intersections of food, culture, and travel. And he's back with a new book, “Nights Out at Home, Recipes and Stories from 25 years as a restaurant critic". And he reflects on these years, and the 1000s restaurants he's visited on today's episode. I interviewed him a few weeks ago on the South Bank in London and I loved getting a glimpse into the world of reviewing restaurants, how it works, his tips on what to order when travelling, and the culinary destinations that have stood out to him, lots of restaurant recommendations as you might expect, so don't forget they're all included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and on the podcast website too. Holly's Destination Recap:- Son Bunyola, Mallorca, SpainJay's Destination Recap:Cromer, Norfolk, EnglandKnoll House Hotel, Studland Bay, EnglandErst, Manchester, England Glorisa, Tayyabs, London, England Bentley's, London, England Fallow, London, England Otto's, London, England The Dining Room, The Ritz Hotel, England Takahashi, London, England Good Old Days, Reading, England Cubo, Birmingham, England Greece & Turkey backpacking Syros, Greece New York, USARuss & Daughters, NY, USAThe Fat Duck, Bray, England Wheelers, Whitstable, England Whitstable, England Julian, California, USASteamboat, Oregon, USASylvia Beach Hotel, Oregon, USACastle Elvira, Puglia, Italy The Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France Moscow, Russia New ZealandAustralia“Nights Out at Home, Recipes and Stories from 25 years as a restaurant critic” is out now. Thanks so much for listening today. If you'd like to hear more from the podcast don't forget to hit subscribe, or if you use Apple Podcasts to press follow so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't want until then remember there's the first 12 seasons to catch up on, that's over 125 episodes to keep you busy there. Don't forget that all the destinations mentioned by my guests are included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and listed on my website, thetraveldiariespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pre-Loved Podcast is a weekly vintage fashion interview show, with guests you'll want to go thrifting with! For more Pre-Loved Podcast, subscribe to our Patreon! On today's show, we're chatting with Sanne Hendriks, an Amsterdam-based tattoo artist, illustrator, and vintage fashion content creator who works at the beloved Rumors Vintage (an Amsterdam fave!) for the last eight years.  She's a big collector of 1960s and 70s clothing, so this episode is a little fashion history, a little collecting — and if you're ready for some vintage suede this fall, we've got tips for you! All this and more on today's show – let's dive right into it! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [2:04] The emo kid to vintage collector pipeline [5:43] On the vintage scene in Amsterdam. [8:03] Sanne got into 1960s-70s as a teenager. [10:08] She works at Rumors, which is a beloved Amsterdam vintage store. [24:54] The item on Sanne's vintage wishlist that she's always hunting for.  [31:50] Caring for vintage suede. EPISODE MENTIONS:  @sannesunset Sanne's TikTok I'm With the Band by Pamela Des Barres Rumors Vintage in Amsterdam Sendra cowboy boots Patti Boyd Caroline Tucker Fiona Tronson Gianna Skye LET'S CONNECT: 

MULTI-PASSIONATES, ASSEMBLE! if you want to do a LOT of different things, but you fear confusing other people, this is your sign: BE CONFUSING! This is a continuation of a TikTok I posted. We are RECLAIMING the state of confusion from this colonially imagined, logic-obsessed world. are you coming?!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Remy has recovered well, and I just wanna say these nurses who work so closely with patients, especially the ones who helped us through our horrible experience with this doctor. In other news, I am getting chewed up online for a TikTok I posted, which has now since blown up!Sponsor:For 25% off your order, head to ForWellness.com/FITISH and use code FITISH.Go to HelloFresh.com/FITISHFREE and use code FITISHFREE for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active.