Podcasts about travel writing

If you enjoy this episode, we're sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects.  In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. Whether you enjoy consuming your content visually or via audio, we've got you covered - and it will always be provided free of charge.  So, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work of providing accessible, free content on various platforms, please consider making a donation to the links provided below.  Thank you and enjoy the episode!Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Cash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsBibliographyThe Mechanics of Magick: Singing Bowls and the Ritual Physics of ResonanceCore Singing Bowl ResearchStanhope, Jessica, and Philip Weinstein. “The Human Health Effects of Singing Bowls: A Systematic Review.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine 51 (2020): 102412. Use for the honesty frame: promising findings around mental health and cardiovascular measures, but limited evidence and need for stronger study design.Cai, Yiqing, Guo-Yan Yang, Yibo Liu, Xiang-yun Zou, Heng Yin, Xinyan Jin, Xue-han Liu, Chenlu Wang, Nicola Robinson, and Jian-Ping Liu. “Therapeutic Effects of Singing Bowls: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.” Integrative Medicine Research 14, no. 2 (2025): 101144. Use for the newer clinical overview. Important correction: this appears as 101144, not 101176. Good for anxiety, depression, sleep quality, cognition, autistic behavior, and EEG-related outcomes while still keeping the evidence cautious.Lin, F. W., et al. “Effects of Tibetan Singing Bowl Intervention on Psychological and Physiological Health in Adults: A Systematic Review.” 2025. Useful as another recent review angle, especially for psychological health, physiological measures, HRV, and brainwave-related discussion. Keep it secondary behind Stanhope and Cai.Landry, Jayan Marie. “Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Himalayan Singing Bowl in Meditation Practice: A Quantitative Analysis.” American Journal of Health Promotion 28, no. 5 (2014): 306–309. Use for the controlled relaxation study: 51 participants, randomized crossover design, singing bowl exposure or silence before directed relaxation.Goldsby, Tamara L., Michael E. Goldsby, Mary McWalters, and Paul J. Mills. “Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-Being: An Observational Study.” Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine 22, no. 3 (2017): 401–406. Use for reductions in tension, anger, fatigue, depressed mood, anxiety, and stress after singing bowl meditation. Good, but frame as observational, not definitive.Rio-Alamos, Cristina, et al. “Acute Relaxation Response Induced by Tibetan Singing Bowl Sounds: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education 13, no. 2 (2023): 317–328. Use for Tibetan singing bowl treatment compared with progressive muscle relaxation and a waiting-list control in anxious nonclinical adults.Walter, Nina, et al. “Neurophysiological Effects of a Singing Bowl Massage.” Medicina 58, no. 5 (2022): 594. Use for EEG, ECG, and respiration during singing bowl massage; the authors interpret the results as a shift toward a more mindful or meditative state.Goldsby, Tamara L., et al. “Mood, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-Being Interrelationships.” Religions 13, no. 2 (2022). Useful follow-up for spiritual well-being, emotional interpretation, and how people understand sound-healing experiences.Sound, Anxiety, HRV, and Brainwave CautionMallik, Adiel, and Frank A. Russo. “The Effects of Music & Auditory Beat Stimulation on Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” PLOS ONE 17, no. 3 (2022): e0259312. Use this carefully for the broader point that sound-based treatments can reduce somatic and cognitive state anxiety. Do not use it as proof that singing bowls automatically entrain brainwaves.Ingendoh, Ruth Maria, Ella S. Posny, and Angela Heine. “Binaural Beats to Entrain the Brain? A Systematic Review of the Effects of Binaural Beat Stimulation on Brain Oscillatory Activity, and the Implications for Psychological Research and Intervention.” PLOS ONE 18, no. 5 (2023): e0286023. Very useful caution source. Use it when warning against overclaiming “brainwave entrainment” and frequency-healing claims.Vilímek, et al. 2022. Low-frequency sound / HRV / vibroacoustic-related research. Use cautiously if you want to discuss low-frequency vibration, body sensation, and autonomic response. I'd keep this as a secondary source unless you want a dedicated paragraph on vibroacoustics.Physics, Resonance, and CymaticsTerwagne, Denis, and John W. M. Bush. “Tibetan Singing Bowls.” Nonlinearity 24, no. 8 (2011): R51–R66. Use for the physics section: wall vibrations, water-surface waves, Faraday-wave effects, droplet motion, and the visible demonstration of resonance.Jenny, Hans. Cymatics: A Study of Wave Phenomena and Vibration. Newmarket, NH: MACROmedia, 2001. Use carefully for visual sound-pattern history. Good for imagery and occult imagination, but don't overuse it as clinical proof.Rossing, Thomas D. The Science of Sound. 3rd ed. San Francisco: Addison Wesley, 2002. Useful general acoustics source for resonance, overtones, vibration, sound waves, and instrument physics.Sound Baths, Wellness Culture, and Modern RitualSobo, Elisa J. “Sound Baths, Trauma Talk, and the Wellness Paradox in the USA.” Medical Anthropology 43, no. 5 (2024): 367–382. Excellent for the modern sound-bath/wellness-culture angle, especially trauma language, nervous-system talk, ritual performance, and how providers frame sound baths.Sobo, Elisa J. “A Beginner's Guide to Sound Baths — What They Are, How to Choose a Good One and What the Research Shows.” The Conversation (2024). Useful for accessible show-note language and ethical/practical framing.Sobo, Elisa J. “Healing Vibrations.” Anthropology News 64, no. 5 (2023): 28–32, 49. Good anthropology/public-facing source for sound healing and wellness culture.Tibetan Singing Bowls, History, and Cultural CommodificationGrimes, Samuel. “Where Did ‘Tibetan' Singing Bowls Really Come From?” Tricycle (2020). Use for the contested-history section. Strong source for questioning popular origin stories around “Tibetan” singing bowls.Joffe, Ben. “Anthropology and Tibetan Buddhism / Cultural Commodification / Tibetan Mystique.” 2015. Use for the larger argument about how Tibetan/Himalayan aura gets packaged in Western spiritual markets. Good support for the “Tibet as imagined storehouse of hidden wisdom” point.Scheidegger, Daniel A. “Tibetan Ritual Music.” Use for actual Tibetan Buddhist ritual sound: bells, cymbals, long horns, drums, chant, and liturgical soundscape. This helps separate real Tibetan ritual sound from overblown modern singing-bowl mythology.Lopez, Donald S. Prisoners of Shangri-La: Tibetan Buddhism and the West. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998. Excellent support for Western romanticization of Tibet.Bishop, Peter. The Myth of Shangri-La: Tibet, Travel Writing, and the Western Creation of Sacred Landscape. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989. Very useful for the “Tibet as fantasy geography” angle.Ritual, Sound, and Religious ExperienceEliade, Mircea. Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1964. Use carefully. Good for altered-state technologies and ritual sound/trance, but don't treat it as the final word on shamanism.Rouget, Gilbert. Music and Trance: A Theory of the Relations Between Music and Possession. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985. Excellent for sound, music, trance, possession, rhythm, and ritual performance.Becker, Judith. Deep Listeners: Music, Emotion, and Trancing. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2004. Strong source for deep listening, music, emotion, trance, and the body.Husserl, Edmund. On the Phenomenology of the Consciousness of Internal Time. Useful if you want to get philosophical about tone, decay, waiting, and how sound reveals time.Ihde, Don. Listening and Voice: Phenomenologies of Sound. Albany: SUNY Press, 2007. Good for sound as experience, listening, voice, and embodied perception.Placebo, Meaning Response, and Healing RitualMoerman, Daniel E. Meaning, Medicine and the “Placebo Effect.” Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Use for “meaning response” instead of treating placebo as “fake.”Benedetti, Fabrizio. Placebo Effects: Understanding the Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Useful for placebo mechanisms, expectation, physiology, and therapeutic context.Kaptchuk, Ted J., and Franklin G. Miller. “Placebo Effects in Medicine.” New England Journal of Medicine 373 (2015): 8–9. Good short medical source for placebo effects as real psychobiological phenomena.Csordas, Thomas J. The Sacred Self: A Cultural Phenomenology of Charismatic Healing. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994. Useful for healing, embodiment, ritual, and religious experience.Embodied Cognition, Extended Mind, and Ritual ToolsClAlso want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. A

Lisa Wells is a poet, essayist, and documentarian. She is the author, most recently, of The Fire Passage, selected by Diane Seuss as the winner of the Levis Poetry Prize (Four Way Books, 2025). Her debut poetry collection, The Fix, won the Iowa Poetry Prize. She is also the author of Believers: Making a Life at the End of the World, (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), a finalist for the 2022 PEN E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award. Her work has been published in Granta, The Believer, N+1, The New York Times, Harper's Magazine, and in The Best American Science and Nature Writing and The Best American Food and Travel Writing. She has taught for The University of Iowa, The University of Arizona, Portland State University, Yale-NUS and currently serves as co-editor of the Kuhl House Poets Series at the University of Iowa Press. Find more here: https://www.lisawellswriter.com/ As always, we'll also include the live Prompt Lines for responses to our weekly prompt. Submit your poems through Submittable by midnight Sunday for a chance to be invited: https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/269309/rattlecast-prompt-poems-online For links to all the past episodes, visit: https://www.rattle.com/page/rattlecast/ This Week's Prompt: Write an after poem to one of the Rattle Poetry Prize finalist poems. Make sure not to take the magic from the source poem. Instead, create your own transformation! Next Week's Prompt: Write a poem that's all about taste! Include a scent, but not the word “delicious.” The Rattlecast livestreams on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, then becomes an audio podcast. Find it on iTunes, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

To connect with The Shell Toucher, go to www.shelltoucher.comYour host is Bradley Chermside, author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, ⁠The Only Way Is West⁠. Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, Camino Portuguese and the Camino Inglés. Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠The Only Way Is West⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠click here :)⁠ You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast

What does it take to cycle 15,000 kilometres from Scotland to China along the ancient Silk Road? And what happens when the countries you just rode through are plunged into war the moment you get home?In 2009, Helen Watson and her husband Ed clipped in at Glasgow and pointed east. Their route took them through Syria, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and into China, riding one of the most remote, politically charged and culturally rich corridors on earth. Months after they got home, the Arab Spring broke. And the world they had just ridden through started burning.We discuss:What it really means to cycle tour through the so-called Axis of EvilHow bike touring gave them access to homes and lives no other travel couldRiding as a woman through deeply traditional societies across the Middle East and Central AsiaThe moment the Arab Spring broke and the helplessness of watching those places burnHow the hospitality they received on the road led them to sponsor the first Syrian refugee family into ScotlandHelen's book Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey Along the Silk Road is out now and available for purchase here here: https://www.helenwatsonwriting.com/  If you've ever wanted to cycle Central Asia, ride through Iran, or just hear one of the most extraordinary bike adventure stories to land on Seek Travel Ride, this is the episode for you. Check out the Manzanita Cradle from Old Man Mountain Support the showBuy me a coffee!I'm an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:

Send us Fan MailS6: E4: Jyotsna G. Singh on Shakespeare, Postcoloniality, and Global InterconnectednessFor a complete episode transcript, http://www.womenandshakespeare.comInterviewer and Producer: Varsha PanjwaniGuest: Jyotsna G. SinghTranscript: Benjamin PooreArtwork: Wenqi WanSuggested Citation:  Singh, Jyotsna G. in conversation with Panjwani, Varsha (2026). S6: E4: Jyotsna G. Singh on Shakespeare, Postcoloniality, and Global Interconnectedness.Women & Shakespeare [podcast], Series 6, Ep.4. http://womenandshakespeare.com/Insta: earlymoderndocEmail: earlymoderndoc@gmail.com

Blending filmmaking and fiction: Neil Laird is a veteran documentary filmmaker and television executive who rediscovered a new creative spark in midlife through writing fiction. In this episode Neil shares his journey from a small steel town in Pennsylvania to directing documentaries for the Discovery Channel and National Geographic, and eventually finding the courage to self-publish his own novels at the age of 50.Inspired by the fearless reinvention of David Bowie, Neil discusses the transition from the 'tedious' corporate side of television back to the joy of making things up. He delves into his Prime Time Travelers series of novels, which blends his deep knowledge of ancient history with satirical takes on the chaos of TV production, and offers inspiring advice for adults looking to reignite their own passions: stop waiting for the stars to align, don't be afraid of the first 'rubbish' draft, and surround yourself with cheerleaders rather than naysayers.Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected: Neil recounts how a period of unemployment led him to the New York Public Library, where a chance encounter with a book on ancient history completely shifted his creative trajectory and led to his first documentary on the Great Sphinx.The Midlife Creative Shift: Turning 50 served as a catalyst for Neil to explore fiction. Inspired by the fearless innovation of David Bowie, he decided to move beyond the constraints of documentary filmmaking to imagine historical worlds with a fresh coat of paint.Blending Expertise with Satire: After struggling to find an agent for a traditional historical novel, Neil found his unique voice by blending his professional background with fiction in his Prime Time Travelers series – a satirical look at a film crew messing up history.The Power of Creative Independence: Neil discusses his decision to self-publish, allowing him to maintain creative control over his characters and storylines, including diverse and LGBTQ+ representation that might have been lost in traditional publishing.Advice for Aspiring Creatives: Neil emphasises the importance of starting now, surrounding yourself with cheerleaders rather than naysayers, and not being afraid of the inevitable first draft being a load of rubbish.I would love some financial support to help me to keep making this podcast. Visit buymeacoffee.com/creativityfoundSupport the showFollow @CreativityFoundPodcast on InstagramWant to be a guest on Creativity Found? Send me a message on PodMatch, herePodcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout

Send us Fan MailA destination can look perfect on paper and still feel unreadable until you sit down, open the menu and watch what locals actually order. That's the lens we bring to this conversation with Emily Capiello, a travel, food, and beverage journalist whose work spans Travel + Leisure, Forbes, VinePair and more. We talk about how she went from a start in literature to a career built on reporting the intersection of travel, dining and drink culture, and why those three worlds tell the most honest story about a place. We get specific about what makes a strong travel story: the winemaker shaping regional identity, the restaurant that operates like a community living room and the cocktail traditions that carry history forward. Emily shares two standout pieces that matter to her on a personal level, including a Travel + Leisure story on widow travel groups and a Forbes story about an Oregon wine bar built as an accessible community hub. The thread running through both is the same question: can storytelling help people feel less alone and more connected to where they are? Then we zoom out to food and beverage trends that listeners can actually use, from intentional consumption and transparent sourcing to the wave of low-ABV and nonalcoholic innovation. Emily also offers a candid look at the PR side: why “trends” often show up late, what earns a response in a crowded inbox and how she decides which press trips are worth the time. You'll also hear her hot take on Michelin-star-heavy itineraries and why they can flatten a destination's real culture. If you care about travel journalism, food writing, wine trends, cocktail culture or smarter media pitching, this one will sharpen how you see the world. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who plans trips around meals, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.Emily's Travel + Leisure story: How Group Travel Is Changing the Way Young Widows Deal With GriefEmily's Forbes story: How One Wine Bar Is Redefining Community—And Taking Snobbery Out Of WineEmily's Substack: Gourmet Insider Emily's Instagram

Scottish Ballet's Starstruck honours Gene Kelly's creative legacy and his passion for creating "dance for the common man". His wife Patricia Ward Kelly tells us about this fusion of ballet, jazz, tap and tango danced to the music of Chopin, Ravel and Gerswhin. As the winner of the inaugural Sherborne Prize for Travel Writing is announced as Adam Weymouth for his book Lone Wolf, about a journey from Slovenia to Italy across the Alps, Adam joins us along with veteran writer Colin Thubron to discuss the art of travel writing. And as he receives an Outstanding Contribution to Photography prize and as his work goes on show at the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London, photographer Joel Meyerowitz talks to us about his career - documenting everything from London in the swinging sixties to New York in the aftermath of 9/11. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

Guest BioGenevieve White is a travel and tourism copywriter and coach, and the founder of Campion Copy, based in the Shetland Islands, where dramatic landscapes and close-knit community life shape both her work and worldview. With a background in education and writing — and a lifelong fascination with travel — Genevieve helps travel businesses express the true value of the experiences they create through thoughtful, story-led copy.Working with boutique tour operators, destination management companies, short-term rental hosts, and destination-focused travel brands around the world, Genevieve supports business owners in moving beyond generic sales language and into meaningful storytelling. Her approach centres on clarity, connection, and confidence — ensuring each brand's voice reflects the care and intention behind the experiences they offer.A teacher at heart, Genevieve is just as passionate about coaching as she is about writing. Alongside done-for-you copywriting, she offers copy coaching, brand voice development, and workshops that empower clients to communicate more effectively long after the project ends. Her work has supported travel businesses across Europe and beyond, helping them build trust, connect with the right guests, and ultimately increase bookings.Show SummaryIn this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Genevieve about her journey from teaching into travel and tourism copywriting, and how storytelling became the foundation of her business. Genevieve shares how her background in education shapes her coaching style and why helping clients gain clarity in their messaging is just as important as writing polished marketing copy.The conversation explores the role of personal stories in travel marketing, particularly in email communication, where authenticity and connection can make the difference between being overlooked and genuinely engaging potential guests. Genevieve explains why effective copy isn't about pushing for bookings, but about building trust and inviting the right travellers in.Jason and Genevieve also discuss life in the Shetland Islands, how the pandemic reshaped perspectives on work and lifestyle, and why creativity often comes from paying attention to everyday experiences. Throughout the episode, Genevieve offers thoughtful insight into writing with intention, staying human in a digital world, and building travel businesses rooted in meaningful connection. Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.

"When I was writing the book, I used a lot of my interest in art criticism and nature writing to get cross pollinate into my sports writing. And I really try not to fall into a rut and just read only adjacent to my own subject or my own field," says Giri Nathan, author of Changeover: A Young Rivalry and a New Era of Men's Tennis.Today we have Giri Nathan (@giricube on IG), he is a staff writer/cofounder of Defector and the author of Changeover: A Young Rivalry and a New Era of Men's Tennis. It's one of the best books I've read in the last couple years. It's funny and voicey and if David Foster Wallace's tennis writing made sweet, sweet love to John McPhee's Levels of the Game, you get Changeover. How Giri is able to illustrate why Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are so captivating and capable of inheriting the mantle held by Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, and Novak Djokavic (who's still going) is a triumph. This book may very well be the future of sports biography in that access to principal figures is almost impossible so you have to approach your subject more with a critical eye, like an art critic, and we talk about that …Giri Nathan's work has appeared in New York Magazine, The NYT Book Review, The Believer, and National Geographic. He made the 2025 edition of the Year's Best Sports Writing and The Best American Food & Travel Writing.In this conversation we talk about: Him taking John McPhee's CNF class at Princeton Art criticism and nature writing as influences for Changeover Losing fandom The relationship to personality and style Writing from contemporaneous excitement Writing the fun scenes The insider-outsider perspective And keeping a running list of adjectives so he doesn't repeat himselfReally fun stuff here.Order The Front RunnerWelcome to Pitch ClubShow notes: brendanomeara.com

Why You Should Never Reach for Your Phone on an AirplaneOn today's episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, we're unpacking a safety warning you've heard on every flight but may not have taken seriously: don't reach for your phone if it slips between the airplane seats — call a flight attendant instead.It sounds like a small thing, but as we explore in this episode, it's a rule written in fire. Literally.This story comes from reporting in Afar Magazine, and it reveals just how dangerous a crushed smartphone can be inside an aircraft cabin.

In this episode from our archives, we are joined by legendary travel writer Paul Theroux for a candid, backstage interview delving into his five decades spent traveling the world and writing about it. Paul discusses what brought him to traveling and to writing, and how those two things are inexorably linked, at least for him. He remarks on why he thinks that growing up in a big family helped teach him how to be a good traveler. He also explains what it means to travel "close to the ground" and offers advice on how to do so (and why you would want to).Grab a copy of Theroux's latest book, On the Plain of Snakes: A Mexican Journey here. ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are now airing an episode from our vast archives! Enjoy!***   ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is in the books! If you'd like to join us in 2026, and be part of an intimate group of listeners on a magical and unforgettable journey to Rome, discovering the city with us as your guides, find out more here. AD-FREE LISTENING: After well over 10 years on the air with little-to-no advertising, in 2026 we have finally made the difficult decision that this completely independent and self-funded show is no longer sustainable without it. HOWEVER! If you join us on Patreon, for as little as $3 per month, you will have access to all new episodes completely ad-free! ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. GET TWO BONUS EPISODES PER MONTH: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life at the $5 per month level or above, and you will have access to two all-new (and sometimes wacky) bonus episodes every single month. As well as ad-free listening, occasional live meet-ups, and access to our chat community. Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!

Send us Fan MailThe travel stories you love rarely come from “perfect” trips. They come from patience, ethics, and a lot of unseen work. We sit down with Rosie Bell, an award-winning travel writer, editor, and educator whose bylines span BBC Travel, National Geographic Traveler, Wired, Forbes Travel Guide, Lonely Planet, and more. Rosie shares how she stumbled into travel journalism after moving to Panama, then turned one paid essay into a career built across Latin America and beyond.We talk about the rule that guides her reporting: you're always writing about someone's home. That one idea changes how you interview people, describe places, and decide what not to include. Rosie also opens up about the less glamorous side of being a freelance travel writer: pitching without pay, working alone, managing admin, and staying resilient as the travel media landscape shifts with layoffs, smaller budgets, and fewer outlets buying freelance stories.Then we get practical about press trips and travel PR. Rosie explains why she built Press Trip Pros, a matchmaking platform designed to align publicists, brands, and tourism boards with journalists and creators who are actually a fit. You'll hear what makes a press trip great, why writers turn invitations down, how group trips compare to solo trips for deeper storytelling, and what a PR pitch needs to earn a real reply.If you care about travel writing, travel journalism, press trips, pitching, and the future of freelance work, this conversation delivers clear takeaways you can use right away. Subscribe, share this with a friend in media or PR, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.Rosie's portfolio siteRosieBell.netPress Trip ProsPressTripPros.comInstagram@thebeachbellRosie's booksEscape to SelfThe Art and Business of Travel Writing

Nothing beats a Jet 2 Holiday - except, of course, trekking thousands of miles across Central Asia to deliver spices, preach the gospel, or just see that's going on over there. The Mongol Empire facilitated an unprecedented transcontinental mobility, which a few people (mostly Europeans, go figure) wrote about. Some of that writing was genuinely insightful, and some was unitentionally hsyterical. Oh, and it led to the creation of one of history's most legendary archetypes: white boys who say Inshallah. Join the WMG discord: https://discord.gg/S36vz4jD98

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Relatable Voice Podcast. Today we are on the road, driving to the UK, to chat with our guest, Ellen Frazer Jameson. Ellen is a journalist, broadcaster, and author of more than twenty books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her work has taken her from writing for magazines to national newspapers, and eventually to becoming an on-air presenter with the BBC, where she interviewed more than 1,000 people in just one year — from celebrities and award-winning figures to everyday people with extraordinary stories. Her latest book, “103 Days Sailing Around the World on the Queen Mary 2,” is out now.  Find out more at:  www.ellenfrazerjameson.com

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Relatable Voice Podcast. Today we are on the road, driving to the UK, to chat with our guest, Ellen Frazer Jameson. Ellen is a journalist, broadcaster, and author of more than twenty books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her work has taken her from writing for magazines to national newspapers, and eventually to becoming an on-air presenter with the BBC, where she interviewed more than 1,000 people in just one year — from celebrities and award-winning figures to everyday people with extraordinary stories. Her latest book, “103 Days Sailing Around the World on the Queen Mary 2,” is out now.  Find out more at:  www.ellenfrazerjameson.com

Connect with Arlene right here: www.arlene-laskey.comYour host is Bradley Chermside, author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠. Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, the Camino Portuguese the Camino Inglés and the way to Finisterre.Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠⁠⁠click here :)⁠⁠⁠ You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast⁠For products and recommendations mentioned in this episode, please visit our Facebook Page: ⁠Camino de Santiago Pilgrims Podcast

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), we go behind the scenes of the global organization that connects and supports professional storytellers in the food, wine, and travel industries. Hear from IFWTWA leadership about how the association empowers writers through networking, professional development webinars, press trips, contests, and its annual conference. Discover how storytelling fosters authentic travel experiences, how social media and branding elevate visibility, and why human connection remains at the heart of impactful travel journalism. With more than 240 members worldwide, IFWTWA continues to grow as a vibrant community for writers, photographers, bloggers, and destinations seeking meaningful collaboration.

Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠⁠⁠click here: ⁠⁠mybook.to/amazonbestseller⁠⁠You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast⁠⁠

Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠⁠⁠click here: ⁠mybook.to/amazonbestseller⁠You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast⁠⁠

Your host Bradley Chermside, is author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠.Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, the Camino Portuguese the Camino Inglés and the way to Finisterre.Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠⁠⁠click here: mybook.to/amazonbestsellerYou can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast⁠Links to topics discussed in the episode:Camino DragonteUltra Light Packing VideoCamino LabaniegoCamino Gran Canaria

Your host Bradley Chermside, is author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠.Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, the Camino Portuguese the Camino Inglés and the way to Finisterre.Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠⁠⁠click here :)⁠⁠⁠ You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast⁠Links to topics discussed in the conversation with DanYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CaminohacksInstagram instagram.com/caminohacksandtipsNewsletter  caminohacks.substack.comBodenaya https://www.gronze.com/asturias/bodenaya/albergue-peregrinos-bodenayaCasa Pascual https://www.gronze.com/asturias/espin/albergue-peregrinos-casa-pascual-n8Camino Forum caminodesantiago.me

Welcome to a new series from the Travel Writing Podcast where we invite select authors from Intrepid Times to read their articles. This series will supplement our regular interviews, which will continue with gusto. Today, B.A Van Sise, internationally known writer, photographer and author, reads his story, "The Saints and All Their Bones," titled on Intrepid Times as "As the Pope Was Dying, I Browsed Human Bones in the Vatican's Gift Shops" and available to read here: https://intrepidtimes.com/2026/01/pope-dying-vatican-city-human-bones/

Suzanne Roberts is the author of the lyrical essay collection Animal Bodies: On Death, Desire, and Other Difficulties (Longlisted for the 2023 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay),​ the award-winning travel memoir in essays Bad Tourist: Misadventures in Love and Travel (2020), and the memoir Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight Days on the John Muir Trail (Winner of the 2012 National Outdoor Book Award), as well as four collections of poems. Named "The Next Great Travel Writer" by National Geographic's Traveler, Suzanne's work has been listed as notable in Best American Essays and included in The Best Women's Travel Writing. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, CNN, Creative Nonfiction, Brevity, The Rumpus, Hippocampus, The Normal School, River Teeth, and elsewhere. She holds a doctorate in literature and the environment from the University of Nevada-Reno, teaches in the low residency MFA program in creative writing at UNR-Lake Tahoe, and lives in South Lake Tahoe.                   Guest Links- Publishers site for Almost Somewhere- Almost Somewhere - University of Nebraska Press Suzanne's site - Home Suzanne on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/suzanneroberts28/ Suzanne on Facebook - Suzanne Roberts Suzanne on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-roberts-083ab962/ Purchase books - Order Signed Copies Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traildames/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/traildames/ Hiking Radio Network: https://hikingradionetwork.com/ Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/ Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com

To find out more about Pauline, please visit her website Your host Bradley Chermside, is author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠.Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, the Camino Portuguese the Camino Inglés and the way to Finisterre.Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠⁠⁠click here :)⁠⁠⁠ You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast⁠Links/info to topics discussed in the conversation with Pauline:Favourite Albergue in France : La petite lumière, Moissac Favourite albergue in Spain : Albergue Verde, Hospital de Orbigo : https://albergueverde.org/Favourite bar : La Casa de Los Dioses, near Astorga YouTube account I recommend : Sylvie, Radiocamino https://www.youtube.com/@RadioCamino

In this episode, your host, Bradley Chermside helps you answer the question that all pilgrims ask themselves - To Finisterre or Not to Finisterre!Bradley Chermside, is author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠.Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, the Camino Portuguese the Camino Inglés and the way to Finisterre.Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠⁠⁠click here :)⁠⁠⁠ You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast⁠For products and recommendations mentioned in this episode, please visit our Facebook Page: ⁠Camino de Santiago Pilgrims Podcast

Your host is Bradley Chermside, author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, ⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠. Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, the Camino Portuguese the Camino Inglés and the way to Finisterre.Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠⁠The Only Way Is West⁠⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠⁠click here :)⁠⁠ You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcastFor products and recommendations mentioned in this episode, please visit our Facebook Page: Camino de Santiago Pilgrims Podcast

Richard LindbergFounder & CEOOne Planet Journeyhttps://adventuretravelmarketing.com/guest/richard-lindberg/Guest BioRichard is a serial entrepreneur and proven change-maker, leveraging 15+ years of leadership in sustainable finance and tourism for innovative solutions in the travel industry. As the founder of One Planet Journey, the authority on deep travel, he helps brands and destinations future-proof their operations by connecting them with the high-value, conscious traveller.His mission is to make deep travel experiences the norm. He believes in an industry where authenticity, personalisation, sustainability, immersion, and exclusivity define successful hospitality and travel.Show SummaryIn this episode, Richard Lindberg, founder and CEO of One Planet Journey, discusses the philosophy of meaningful travel, emphasizing the importance of understanding the purpose behind travel experiences. He shares his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the birth of his travel platform. Richard provides insights on how to immerse oneself in local cultures, navigate negative perceptions of travel, and the role of AI in travel writing. He also reflects on the joys and challenges of traveling with a partner and encourages listeners to embrace deep travel for a more enriching experience.Key Takeaways✓ One Planet Journey redefines travel by focusing on meaning and intentionality.✓ Travelers often begin in a “dreaming” phase — looking for emotional connection and inspiration.✓ Immersive travel requires curiosity, openness, and deliberate choices.✓ Online negativity and reviews can distort public perceptions of destinations.✓ AI can be a helpful tool in research, but authentic human storytelling remains vital.✓ Navigating travel with a partner takes communication, compromise, and shared goals.✓ Off-season travel offers more authentic, less commercialized cultural experiences.✓ Deep travel encourages self-discovery and fosters lasting cultural connections.✓ The travel industry is shifting toward values-based, sustainable practices.✓ Engaging with locals creates more impactful and memorable journeys. Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.

Send us a textIn this adventurous episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are thrilled to welcome Paul Trammell, an author and nomadic sailor who has embraced a life of freedom on the open waters. Join us as Paul shares his incredible journey of leaving behind a traditional lifestyle to live full-time on his sailboat, exploring the world while crafting compelling stories. He discusses his transition from a life of partying as a musician to achieving sobriety and discovering his passion for writing. Paul reveals the inspiration behind his novels and self-help books, including his unique method for overcoming addiction and the adventures that fuel his creativity. Listeners will be captivated by his tales of sailing, spear fishing, and the challenges of living off the grid. Paul also offers invaluable advice for those dreaming of a nomadic lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of planning and education. Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with inspiration, adventure, and the pursuit of dreams! Discover more about Paul and his work at www.paultrammell.comSupport the show

Historian William Dalrymple had a rarefied childhood on the windswept coast of Scotland. As an adult he fell in love with India, and later discovered his family's own deep ties to the country.Born into the Scottish aristocracy, William followed his three older brothers and left for boarding school at just 8 years old.  While still an university William set off to follow Marco Polo's journey across the width of Asia and he wrote a best-selling book about that adventure.But after then moving to India, William started to see the many gaps and biases in his understanding of history and ever since he's been working to find the stories and people his education had left out.William also began uncovering his own family's connections to India which stretched back generations and eventually a discovery relating to his own father's experience in India as a young man.  It seemed to answer the question of why his Dad chose never to go back.The episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores history, Scotland, North Berwick, Marco Polo's journey to South Asia, India, Delhi, archaeology, witches, family history, aristocracy, partition, history writing, large families, family secrets, the golden road, Palestine, Ampleforth College, Catholic Education, Robbie Burns, travel writing, Scottish history. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. You are surrounded by adventure. You have no idea of what is in store for you, but you will, if you are wise and know the art of travel, let yourself go on the stream of the unknown and accept whatever comes in the spirit in which the gods may offer it....."  Baghdad Sketches, Freya StarkWelcome to Episode #124:Today I take you on a journey through a few travel experiences that have a left a wonderful impression on my life as a writer and lover of Italy. These are a handful of moments that captured the essence of travel and what I truly appreciate and love about the Italian culture and visiting Italy.The places that called me on the travel journeys in Italy, that are mentioned today.... The Venetian Lagoon, Venice, Padova, Torino, Sperlonga, Campania, Rome, Lake Garda, Milano….. and ParisEnjoy xIf you are interested in another kind of rabbit hole, I mention these podcasts along the way....Art & Love: Peggy Guggenheim Part 1Art & Love: Peggy Guggenheim Part 2Moments in Italy: Caffes & Coffee Bars, Turin ItalyShownotes at MichelleJohnston.lifeA Writer in Italy InstagramSubstack - At My TableMichelle's Books© 2025  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and lifeMusic Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025Today's end music - 'Chances' 'Seascapes" for mood music.....Richard's Music is available on Spotify and Apple Music - Album 4240Links to Episodes that I mention in this podcast:Art & Love: Peggy Guggenheim Part 1Art & Love: Peggy Guggenheim Part 2Moments in Italy: Caffes & Coffee Bars, Turin ItalySupport the show

I can tell you it was like sitting with a long, lost neighbor when sitting with Kelly E. Carter.  And in fact, we were neighbors of sorts back in the day. It wasn't until I was searching for images to create the icons for this podcast did I realize I was in the presence of true maverick royalty.  Besides being a New York Times best selling author, she has reported from the greatest sporting events of the world: the NBA FInals, Super Bowls, Grand Slams, Stanley Cup Finals and much more. And more intriguing, she was the woman reporter in the locker room! I was so intrigued and we could have spoken for hours because she is the Founder of the wine tourism group, Napa Valley Noir. sitting down with Kelly E. Carter in the studio for this episode of Wine Talks was like taking a stroll down memory lane while simultaneously hitching a ride on a train heading straight for the future of wine tourism. There's something about Kelly—her energy, her wit, and just her knack for storytelling—that gets you thinking about the wine industry in ways that feel both nostalgic and freshly invigorating. We kicked things off with some good old home turf banter—Kelly's Windsor Hills childhood (Ray Charles and Ike & Tina Turner for neighbors, no less) and my own roots in Inglewood. Instantly, there was this shared sense that, before wine stole our hearts, Southern California had given us some pretty unique perspectives on culture and community. And as Kelly pointed out, “you'll never know everything” about winemaking, which is honestly the very reason some of us keep swirling, sipping, and studying. I know I do. What genuinely impressed me was Kelly's trajectory. She was the first female to cover the Lakers—how many people do you meet who set out in fourth grade to be a sports journalist and actually make it happen? She wasn't just content to report on sports. She made her mark, switched lanes into entertainment, and then into luxury travel writing, which eventually led her to Florence and Positano. It's the kind of layered journey you don't hear about every day. You talk to some folks, they've been in wine their whole lives. With Kelly, it's travel, sports, culture—all converging in the glass. We got into the nitty-gritty of wine and travel writing and how AI could never replace the boots-on-the-ground experience. I had to laugh—when Kelly plugged Napa into chatbots, she got recommendations for wineries that are closed for renovations. "You have to know the latest," she said, reminding me that the best wine stories are always written with real shoe leather, not just code. Her insights into Napa Valley tourism were equally compelling. As the founder of Napa Valley Noir, Kelly's passion lies in creating experiences rich in narrative, not just pouring cabs for folks who made it big in tech and want a taste of the valley lifestyle. She's all about partnerships with wineries that have soul, stories, and a genuine connection to their craft—whether it's a historic vineyard run by women or an impromptu meeting with Thomas Keller that leaves guests starstruck. Frankly, I couldn't agree more. The stories make the bottle—and the memories. That's what keeps this business alive, even as the market shifts. Kelly also talked about the recent surge in African American visitors to Napa, thanks in part to celebrity influence (LeBron, Kobe, you name it), and her drive to ensure these visitors experience the full magic Napa has to offer, not just what's on the surface. She's honest—her intake forms ask straight-up about comfort level on bottle prices. She knows how to match guests with the right wineries, sometimes calling in a favor for an extra pour or a charcuterie board, because that's how relationships form and deepen in this business. There's a lesson in Kelly's methods: whether it's a group of corporate execs, first-timers, or veteran collectors, she makes sure the experience is tailored and memorable. Maybe it's the aftermath of her own battles—her candor about beating a rare cancer got me thinking about perspective, gratitude, and the importance of living fully, whether it's raising a glass or hiking through a vineyard. Talking with Kelly reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place. It's the human stories behind the wines, the journeys of the people who bring them to life—and the shared desire to know just a little bit more, one sip, one story at a time. Cheers to Kelly and to all of us still curious.   YouTube: https://youtu.be/AXGYAhnctSE   Napa Valley Noir  https://napavalleynoir.com Alpha Omega Winery https://www.aowinery.com Brown Estate Vineyards  https://www.brownestate.com French Laundry  https://www.thomaskeller.com/tfl Bouchon Bistro https://www.thomaskeller.com/bouchon Ad Hoc https://www.thomaskeller.com/adhoc Visit Napa Valley (tourism board) https://www.visitnapavalley.com AAAV - Association of African American Vintners https://www.aaavintners.org 1010 Wine Bar https://www.1010wineandsmallplates.com Vera Wang  https://www.verawang.com Tod's  https://www.tods.com Mohawk Industries  https://www.mohawkind.com #WineTalksPodcast #KellyECarter #PaulKalemkiarian #NapaValleyNoir #NapaValleyTourism #AfricanAmericanWineCulture #WineIndustryStories #WinemakingEducation #WineTastings #TravelWriting #ItalyToNapa #LuxuryTravel #AAAV #WellnessInNapa #WinePricing #BordeauxBlends #WineExperiences #WineBusinessChallenges #CelebrityWineCulture #PersonalMemoir #HeadAndNeckCancer

A court in southern France has increased the jail term of the only man who challenged his conviction for raping Gisèle Pelicot. Gisèle was drugged by her then-husband Dominique for over a decade and raped by dozens of men he recruited on the internet. Of the 51 men convicted of abusing Gisèle, 44-year-old Husamettin Dogan was the only one who appealed against his verdict. Anita Rani speaks to Angelique Chrisafis, Paris Correspondent for the Guardian, who was in the court at Nîmes.In June this year, Lucy Guo, a 30-year-old American tech entrepreneur, became the youngest self-made female billionaire, according to Forbes. With a reported net worth of almost $1.3 billion, she overtook Taylor Swift to land at number 26 on Forbes' annual ‘America's richest self-made women' list. Anita spoke to Lucy from her home in Los Angeles.100m sprinter Bebe Jackson, 19, won a bronze medal on her debut at the IPC World Para Athletics Championships in Delhi, India, last week. Bebe was born with congenital talipes equinovarus, widely known as club foot, and when she's not competing for Britain, she works nights caring for children with complex disabilities. She tells Anita how she does it.What's it like to be a female travel writer today? Some writers would argue it's now all about the smartphone and hashtags. But the new Ilse Schwepcke Prize, named after the pioneering German publisher who championed female travel writers, is pushing back and celebrating reflective travel writing by women. Journalist and writer Viv Groskop, shortlisted for her memoir, One Ukrainian Summer, and Dr Barbara Schwepcke, daughter of Ilse and founder of Haus publishing, join Anita to discuss the history of travel writing by women and how it's changing. Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Corinna Jones

Send us a textJoe Sills never expected to become a travel writer. Growing up in a small town in West Tennessee surrounded by cotton fields and limited horizons, he couldn't imagine that the places he saw on Discovery Channel would one day become his workplace. After a winding path that included dropped college courses, pizza delivery and graphic design, a workplace shooting became the catalyst that pushed him back toward journalism and eventually into a career documenting some of the world's most remote and vulnerable places.What began as simple wanderlust – "planting flags and checking off countries" as he candidly admits – evolved into something far more meaningful. Today, Sills focuses his camera and storytelling abilities on conservation efforts, sustainable tourism initiatives and giving voice to communities on the frontlines of human-wildlife conflict. His work in places like Nepal's tiger territory and Bolivia's high-altitude flamingo habitats goes beyond typical travel coverage to document the complex relationships between local communities, wildlife and environmental challenges.Perhaps most moving is Sills' recent expedition to Svalbard in the Arctic Circle, where he helped lead children with special needs on a transformative adventure. Many had never left their hometowns, let alone experienced the wonder of snowball fights amid pristine Arctic landscapes. For Sills, these moments represent the culmination of his professional evolution – using travel as a vehicle for transformation rather than mere escapism.As the travel industry faces mounting concerns about sustainability and environmental impact, Sills offers balanced perspective on both challenges and opportunities. He expresses serious reservations about mass tourism models like massive cruise ships while celebrating smaller, more sustainable alternatives. His upcoming projects – documenting Nepal's tourism dynamics and participating in endangered species reintroduction in South Africa – demonstrate his ongoing commitment to using journalism as a force for conservation awareness. Through it all, his philosophy remains refreshingly simple: "If I can take my camera and my words and shine a spotlight on someone who doesn't have the tools to tell their story, whether it's an animal or a person – that's what I want to do."Read Joe's Tiger story here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joesills/2024/07/28/camping-with-tigers-brings-curious-travelers-to-bardiya-in-nepal/ Connect with Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joesills/?hl=en Listen to past episodes of The Get Lost podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-lost-podcast/id1466710154 Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662 

"I adore the spirit of Rome" - Michelle Johnston, In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian AdventureWelcome to Episode #115:More and more I realise there is just something about Italy. This podcast is a culmination of an eventful solo journey in Italy and Paris, and the culmination of the days wandering around Italia has me feeling very open to the beauty of the day and those last precious moments in Rome…Enjoy xFind all Shownotes at  michellejohnston.lifeMy book:  In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure Book Link for  MichelleJohnston.life© 2025  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and lifeMusic Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025Support the show

Your host is Bradley Chermside, author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, ⁠The Only Way Is West⁠. Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, Camino Portuguese and the Camino Inglés. Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, ⁠The Only Way Is West⁠, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, ⁠click here :)⁠ You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast

Send us a textWhat happens when a successful lawyer decides to follow her passion for storytelling and takes her family on a year-long journey around the world? Heather Greenwood Davis shares this remarkable story of transformation, revealing how visiting 29 countries across six continents with her husband and young sons forever changed their perspective on what matters in life.As the first Black woman to have travel columns in both of Canada's national newspapers, Heather brings a refreshing authenticity to travel journalism. She discusses her unconventional career path from journalism school to law practice to award-winning travel writer, explaining how becoming a mother prompted her to reassess her professional direction and ultimately return to her first love – storytelling.The heart of our conversation explores how Heather approaches travel narratives differently. Rather than deciding on stories before arrival, she allows destinations to reveal themselves organically, focusing on human connections that transcend cultural differences. Whether giving her child a timeout on a mountain in Peru or discovering Portugal before it became trendy, her experiences highlight universal truths about family, connection and personal growth.We also delve into the practical aspects of travel journalism – from the challenges of group press trips to the current political climate affecting cross-border reporting. Heather provides candid insights about working with PR professionals, maintaining one's authentic voice and finding meaning through global exploration. Despite her public persona across print, television and digital platforms, she reveals she's actually an introvert who carefully balances engagement with necessary personal recharging time.Connect with Heather on Instagram @byheatherGD or through her website www.heathergreenwooddavis.com to follow her continuing adventures in global storytelling that bridge cultures and celebrate our shared humanity.Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662 

It's the return of a special video podcast series: Food Writers Talking About Food Writing. It's available on the TASTE YouTube channel, so make sure to subscribe and check out the video version of this podcast. Every couple of weeks, Matt Rodbard invites a journalist to talk about some favorite recent food writing as well as their thoughts on the industry as a whole.On today's episode, we have an amazing conversation with Jaya Saxena. Jaya is a correspondent at Eater, covering many topics including labor, queer food culture, and “why American potato chips are so boring.” She also serves as the series editor for the Best American Food and Travel Writing anthology, which has a new edition edited by Bryant Terry dropping in the fall.In this great episode, we talk about Jaya's career writing about the world of food, including her memorable piece for Eater, “The Food That Makes You Gay.” We also go over some recent stories and play the game “What would you pitch 1997 Graydon Carter?” That is, Jaya considers her dream no-budget reporting assignment.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you. Featured on the episode:Thomas Keller asked me to leave the French Laundry [SF Chronicle]We've All Been In Thomas Keller's Courtyard [Substack]The 22 Best Pizza Places in New York Right Now [New York Times]The Food That Makes You Gay [Eater]The Best American Food and Travel Writing 2025TASTE on YouTubeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump regime built much of its identity–and certainly campaigned around–its hatred of LGBTQ Americans. Unfortunately, the success of that campaign again revealed just how much anti-queer bias there is in the American populace. And while there may be no populated nation in the world that is truly free of anti-queer bias, there are places that are better, are different, or that offer new perspectives. Alden Jones' work explores queer travel. Alden is an assistant professor at Emerson College and the author of the memoirs The Blind Masseuse and The Wanting Was a Wilderness and the story collection Unaccompanied Minors. Best American Travel Writing and other venues. She edited the new anthology of queer travel writing “Edge of the World” and he is here to discuss that work and the queer travel experience.

Outward's Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci talk to Alden Jones, editor of the new anthology, Edge of the World. With essays from Alexander Chee, Daisy Hernández, Edmund White, and more, the collection makes clear that queer travel writing isn't just overdue—it's transformative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outward's Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci talk to Alden Jones, editor of the new anthology, Edge of the World. With essays from Alexander Chee, Daisy Hernández, Edmund White, and more, the collection makes clear that queer travel writing isn't just overdue—it's transformative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outward's Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci talk to Alden Jones, editor of the new anthology, Edge of the World. With essays from Alexander Chee, Daisy Hernández, Edmund White, and more, the collection makes clear that queer travel writing isn't just overdue—it's transformative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outward's Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci talk to Alden Jones, editor of the new anthology, Edge of the World. With essays from Alexander Chee, Daisy Hernández, Edmund White, and more, the collection makes clear that queer travel writing isn't just overdue—it's transformative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outward's Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci talk to Alden Jones, editor of the new anthology, Edge of the World. With essays from Alexander Chee, Daisy Hernández, Edmund White, and more, the collection makes clear that queer travel writing isn't just overdue—it's transformative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch on Youtube instead - https://youtu.be/RinLuTi04cICurious Worldview Newsletter - https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribeColin Thubron (Link's to all books)-----Colin Thubron is one of the greatest living travel writers. He started with the Mirror To Damascus in 1967 and with more than half a century and 18 travel books later published his journey along the Amur River just a few years ago. He's a contemporary of Theroux, Chatwin, early Dalrymple and inspiration for the newer generation of his genre, the likes of Rory Stewart, Levison Wood and many, many more. Colin has been a dream guest of mine for many years.This interview travelled a line across the map of his career. Colin reflects on his many experiences in Russia and China, the impact of historical events like the Cultural Revolution, the collapse of the Soviet Union - and the broader evolution of travel writing throughout the years. He gets into the effects of globalisation on cultural identities and how it's effected his experience over the decades. Colin observes the complexities of nationalism and patriotism, and as well discusses the role religion in his life, the nature of belief, and the rationality behind it all. Colin then comments on mortality and his legacy which leads to a discussion on how travel can serve as a coping mechanism for grief. Plus, together we also touch on the choices and more difficult trade offs surrounding parenthood and career, his aspirations for future literary projects, and the influence of serendipity behind it all. I can see from the analytics that not even 20% of you who are listening are following the show, I wish this to be 100! Therefore I would ask that you please consider following the show - whether on Spotify or Apple, this, alongside the reviews makes all the difference in the world… 00:00 - Colin Thubron02:29 - Reflections on Travel Writing07:15 - Evolving Perspectives on Russia10:36 - Cultural Observations in China15:02 - The Impact of Travel on Identity22:09 - The Evolution of Travel Writing32:47 - Brexit and Nationalism: A Personal Reflection39:55 - The Imprint of Home46:10 - Religion50:12 - The Impact of Travel on Grief56:03 - Influences and Inspirations in Writing01:03:28 - SerendipityConsider leaving a review on whichever platform you're listening on!

To find out more about Lindsey Bell, go to Linziwalks.comYour host is Bradley Chermside, author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, The Only Way Is West. Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, Camino Portuguese and the Camino Inglés. Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, The Only Way Is West, is a three time international bestseller in Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing in the UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, click here :) You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast

Remember to check out our special guest JF Penn's Books & Travel podcast as well as her memoir, Pilgrimage: Lessons learned from solo walking three ancient ways.-------------------------------------------------------------------Your host is Bradley Chermside, author of international bestselling Camino de Santiago memoir, The Only Way Is West. Bradley has walked the Camino Frances, Camino Portuguese, Camino Inglés and the Camino Fisterra.Bradley's Camino de Santiago book, The Only Way Is West, is a multiple time international bestseller in the Humorous Essays, Action and Adventure Biographies and Travel Writing categories in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia. To get your eyes on an ebook, your hands on a paperback, or, your ears around the audiobook version, click here :) You can also buy Brad a coffee at the link below - he LOVES coffee! :) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pilgrimspodcast

Described as ‘the first lady of Irish cycling', Dervla Murphy was renowned for her intrepid spirit, and she remained passionate about travel, writing, politics, conservation and bicycling until her death in 2022. In this episode of the Slightly Foxed podcast we have gathered a number of those who knew and worked with Dervla to discuss the life and work of this extraordinary travel writer. Gail Pirkis and Steph Allen, from Slightly Foxed, worked with Dervla during their time at John Murray Publishers. Rose Baring was her editor at Eland Books and Ethel Crowley was a friend and editor of the recent anthology, Life at Full Tilt: The Selected Writings of Dervla Murphy. Together with our host Rosie Goldsmith they discuss Dervla's early years and inspiration, consider the experience of publishing her work and examine her place in the Ireland of her time. Born in Lismore, Ireland, in 1931, Dervla lived there until the end of her life. She was an only child and her parents, who originated from Dublin, encouraged her independence and love of books. Her father – who later became the much-loved Waterford County Librarian ‒ had been involved in the Irish republican movement and had served time in Wormwood Scrubs prison for his activities. Dervla spent her childhood caring for her mother who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, and then left school at 14 to care for her full-time. When her parents died in 1962 Dervla, at the age of 30, found herself free to travel. She acquired a bicycle and set out on a journey to Istanbul, through Iran and on to India during one of the worst winters in recent memory. This would become the subject of her first, and most famous book, Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle, published in 1965. There followed numerous voyages with her trusty steed and 25 more books, including her highly acclaimed autobiography Wheels within Wheels. She won worldwide praise for her writing and many awards, including the Edward Stanford Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Travel Writing and a Royal Geographical Society Award. Dervla took huge risks, mostly travelling alone and in famously austere style, whether in far-flung Limpopo, the Andes, Gaza or closer to home, where she documented the worst of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Battling injury and political circumstance, she immersed herself in the lives of ordinary people caught in the shifting tides of power that dictated the terms on which they lived. To these people, she listened. What resulted was some of the most astute and compelling travel writing of the twentieth century. As the table choose their favourite book of Dervla's, we also have our usual round-up of current reading, including the latest mystery from Kate Atkinson, Death at the Sign of the Rook, the Booker Prize-nominated The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng, and Jon Dunn's monograph on the hummingbird, The Glitter in the Green. For episode show notes, please see the Slightly Foxed website. Opening music: Preludio from Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major by Bach Hosted by Rosie Goldsmith Produced by Philippa Goodrich

Send us a textJoin us in this episode as we talk with Sucheta Rawal, an award-winning South Asian travel writer who has journeyed through over 120 countries! Her compelling story begins in the world of investment banking, where she realized her passion for travel could lead to a fulfilling career in writing. She shares her surprising transition, emphasizing the balance of working hard to carve out a niche in the travel journalism world while still savoring the joy of exploration.In our engaging conversation, we dive deep into Sucheta's experiences with notable publications like Time Magazine and National Geographic, exploring how she captures the stories of diverse cultures and sustainable tourism. She offers pivotal advice for aspiring writers and PR professionals on the nuances of the pitching process and the importance of personalizing your approach. Beyond writing, Sucheta opens up about her nonprofit initiative, Go Eat Give, which champions sustainable practices in travel while giving back to local communities. She shares heartwarming stories that demonstrate the positive impact of mindful tourism and volunteer efforts often overlooked in conventional travel narratives. As she discusses her children's book series and recent TEDx talks, you'll discover how Sucheta is not just providing riveting tales of her travels but also paving the way for future generations to embrace cultural diversity. Connect with Sucheta on Instagram: @SuchetaRawal and her website: https://suchetarawal.com; Sign up for her substack.Learn more about Beato Goes To children books: https://beatogoesto.comCheck out her nonprofit, Go Eat Give: https://goeatgive.com Thank you for listening!  Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662  

Send us a textWhat happens when a life-altering event redirects your career path? Joanna Kalafatis, a remarkable travel writer and actress, shares her transformative journey from aspiring economist to cultural storyteller. Raised between Greece and the United States, Joanna's unique perspective reshapes how she engages with the world, offering listeners valuable insights into cultural immersion and the art of connecting with locals despite language barriers. Her stories of exploring hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations promise to inspire your wanderlust and redefine your approach to travel.Unveiling lesser-known tales, like the story of Palenque, Colombia—the first free town in the Americas—Joanna weaves history with personal anecdotes. We also delve into her acting adventures on the Netflix series "Maestro in Blue" and the talk about the thrill of performing live at the Getty Villa. From the cultural riches of the country of Georgia to the practicalities of balancing travel and creativity, this episode provides a tapestry of experiences that demonstrate the enriching power of storytelling.Connect with Joanna on Instagram: @Joanna.KalafatisLearn more about her at LosetheMap.com. Check out Eat With at https://www.eatwith.com/. Thank you for listening!  Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662