Destination On The Left Podcast Por Nicole Mahoney arte de portada

Destination On The Left

Destination On The Left

De: Nicole Mahoney
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Destination On The Left is a travel and tourism industry podcast hosted by Travel Alliance Partnership. Each episode explores successful collaborations, creative marketing ideas and best practices for both consumer and travel trade marketing programs. Interviews are a mix of Destination Marketers, Industry Leaders, Consultants and businesses in the industry. Economía Marketing Marketing y Ventas
Episodios
  • 470. From Total Eclipse to Community Impact, with Debra Ross

    470. From Total Eclipse to Community Impact, with Debra Ross
    Apr 1 2026

    On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Debra Ross, author, community engagement advocate, and entrepreneur. We talk about her recent book, The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities, and how it was inspired by planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse. Drawing from her experience planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse and spearheading community engagement initiatives. Debra also shares her practical strategies for turning extraordinary events into lasting networks.

    What You Will Learn in This Episode:
    • How Debra transitioned from a marketing technology background to becoming involved in the travel industry
    • Why major catalysts have the power to bring communities together and create networks
    • The principles Debra has identified for building strong communities
    • How defining success up front and celebrating milestones can lead to lasting impact beyond a single event
    • Why diversity in community groups is essential for effective network creation
    • Strategies Debra recommends for building social capital through deliberate introductions and curiosity
    • How ordinary people can step into leadership roles and inspire others within their communities
    Leadership, Connection, and Diversity

    Debra discusses why leadership in the context of connection is profoundly anti-authoritarian. Leaders aren't dictating directions, they're connecting people of varying backgrounds, interests, and skills, deliberately bridging gaps to foster collective action.

    The magic happens when we bridge social capital intentionally by introducing people who might otherwise never meet. Debra calls her approach "painfully cheerful," but stresses that making connections is hard work, leaders have to be persistent and positive, making it fun and inspiring for participants.

    Redefining Success and Embracing Failure

    We talk about redefining what success looks like in community efforts. It's not always attendance numbers or flawless execution, sometimes, events like the eclipse don't deliver perfect conditions—clouds marred Rochester's 2024 eclipse, yet years of preparation created a network and impact that extended far beyond a single day. Success is in the invisible connections and the tendrils of connection that outlast any temporary event.

    Disappointments, such as post-event letdown, logistical setbacks, or difficult challenges, also have value when viewed through the lens of community learning and resilience.

    Creating Lasting Impact with Everyday Leadership

    Anyone can be a community leader, you don't need official authority or a title. What leadership means is being curious, seeking out others, and intentionally knitting networks that support your community, whether for a major event or to respond quickly to emergencies. Redefine leadership as connecting, celebrating successes (big and small), and embracing failure as a growth opportunity.

    Tune your radar to notice moments of momentum, positive or negative, and by connecting diverse people around them, you help build something greater than the sum of its parts.

    Resources:
    • Website: https://www.kidsoutandabout.com/
    • The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities by Debra Ross

    We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more o​f. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!
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    39 m
  • 469. Empathy and Self-Awareness in Difficult Conversations, with Dayne Whitehurst

    469. Empathy and Self-Awareness in Difficult Conversations, with Dayne Whitehurst
    Mar 25 2026
    On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with communication and leadership specialist Dayne Whitehurst, and author of "Empathy Impact: The Wild Effects of Kindness in Action". She explains why communication is central to building collaborations, developing relationships, and driving sales. Dayne also explains how personal triggers can get in the way of our communications and provides strategies for identifying and pushing past those triggers. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dayne became an expert in communication and de-escalationHow recognizing and addressing triggers helps move conversations and collaborations forwardWhat "experiencemanship" means and why it mattersHow self-awareness forms the foundation of strong leadership and partnershipsWhy habitual phrases with negative connotations can unconsciously undermine our intentions, and what to say insteadHow to lead difficult conversations with appreciation and validation to create a safe environment and produce positive outcomesStrategies Dayne recommends for building empathy in professional relationships and inviting authentic, supportive dialogue Building Trust Through "Experiencemanship" The tourism industry is fundamentally built on relationships, whether it's with team members, clients, or partners. For Dayne the secret to success isn't just salesmanship, but what she calls "experiencemanship"—the art of prioritizing the experience and needs of the other person over your own agenda. Effective leaders and sales professionals focus on what matters to the customer or partner, rather than getting bogged down in their own organization's goals. This mindset is especially crucial when communication channels are limited to calls, emails, or virtual meetings, settings where body language and other cues can be lost. Recognizing and Navigating Triggers One of the biggest obstacles to effective communication isn't always what's said, but what's felt. Dayne points out that we all bring triggers and unconscious biases into our interactions, our past experiences, expectations, and interpretations that color the way we hear and respond to others. Consider those moments of frustration, when a colleague misses a deadline, or a collaborator isn't as engaged as we'd like. Instead of spiraling into negative assumptions, Dayne encourages people to ask themselves if you know their whole story? Because often when people don't show up as we'd expect, it's a reflection of their stress or challenges, not about us at all. Becoming aware of these internal triggers and learning to step back is a crucial step to letting go of the need to control the outcome of every interaction. The Power of Empathy and Self-Awareness Empathy isn't just for the benefit of others, it's also a practice of giving ourselves grace and stepping out of the cycle of reactivity. By pausing to consider another's perspective, asking what might be going on behind the scenes, and validating their experience, we transform difficult conversations into opportunities for real connection. Self-awareness is key here. Recognizing your own default responses, strengths, and limitations—such as the tendency to "do it all" or react defensively, enables you to respond thoughtfully rather than reflexively. This makes you not only a better communicator but a more effective team player and leader. Navigating Difficult Conversations Difficult conversations are inevitable, especially in more tricky collaborations where not everyone can give equally. Dayne advises people to always begin with genuine appreciation, thank their partner for raising their perspective, recognize their efforts, and approach the conversation with openness rather than defensiveness. Offer validation by reflecting back their feelings or experience, and only express your own point of view if it's constructive for the partnership. This approach turns conflict into an opportunity for growth rather than a battleground for proving a point. Resources: Website: www.Daynewhitehurst.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/daynewhitehurst/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Dayne-whitehurst/ We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more o​f. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!
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    38 m
  • 468. Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell

    468. Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell
    Mar 18 2026

    On this episode of Destination on the Left, Joshua Harrell, Chief Revenue Officer at WorldVia, joins me to discuss the evolution of travel advisors in the United States in a post-pandemic world. Joshua shares his insights on how content creation can help travel advisors build their businesses, and he offers some fantastic practical tips for sharing great content with your audience.

    What You Will Learn in This Episode:
    • How Joshua transitioned from a background in marketing and entrepreneurship into the travel advisor industry
    • How the travel advisor profession has evolved to provide personalized value for travelers
    • What content creation means for travel advisors and how becoming a content creator at any level can help build an audience and demonstrate expertise
    • How Joshua encourages travel advisors to overcome the fear of content creation with his mantra: "get going, get smart, then get good"
    • Why he advises advisors to align their business with personal passion and interests
    • How collaboration between travel advisors and supplier partners leads to mutual business growth
    • Marketing systems and foundational strategies Joshua recommends to help advisors streamline their marketing
    The Modern Travel Advisor

    Once upon a time, the idea of a travel agency conjured images of mall storefronts and swivel chairs. But today's travel advisor is a totally different breed, part consultant, part marketer, and 100% expert.

    Pre-2020, many Americans believed DIY online booking made travel advisors obsolete. But it was really the post-pandemic world that revealed just how valuable a travel professional can be. Whether unraveling complex travel restrictions or finding that off-the-beaten-path experience, advisors offer insider knowledge and advocacy that algorithms simply cannot replicate.

    Building Authority and Community

    Successful advisors aren't just travel experts; they're also storytellers, educators, and digital community builders, whether they do it by sending curated newsletters, going live on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, or sharing firsthand travel experiences on social channels.

    Don't be fooled into thinking only "influencers" can play the content game. Most successful travel advisors are content creators at some level. The key is helping potential clients see not just what you know, but how you think, your personality, experience, and specializations shining through. Start where you're comfortable, learn as you go, and trust that consistency breeds improvement and audience growth. The perfect lighting or equipment can wait. What matters is showing up and sharing your expertise.

    The Secret Sauce for Sustainable Growth

    The real magic happens in collaboration. Joshua backs this up with real stories, discussing the power of reaching out to suppliers, account managers, and fellow advisors. Whether joining mastermind calls, exploring new product lines, or simply sharing best practices, these partnerships unlock opportunities you might never have considered.

    He shares an example of an advisor who built a thriving business creating group trips for botanical societies, all sparked by a single phone conversation with a tour operator's representative.

    Resources:
    • Website: https://worldviatravelnetwork.com/
    • LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaharrell/
    • LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldvia/

    We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more o​f. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!
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    42 m
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