Episodios

  • Shari Leid Flips The Box To Find Belonging One Meal At A Time

    Shari Leid Flips The Box To Find Belonging One Meal At A Time
    Aug 16 2025
    This week on Speaking of Travel we welcome Shari Leid, a connection coach, friendship expert, and creator of Table For 51. A former litigator turned champion of belonging, Shari spent a year traveling to all 50 states, sharing a meal with 50 strangers. What she discovered is simple yet profound: breaking bread isn’t just about food. It is about lowering walls, opening hearts, and finding common ground, even in a divided world. From her earliest days in a cardboard box to building a table for connection, Shari’s journey is proof that belonging can be created one meal, one conversation, one courageous step at a time. Along the way, she met people whose stories stayed with her and she shares these moments of love in hardship, wisdom in the everyday, and the reminder that people see what they’re looking for. At a time when loneliness is at epidemic levels, her message is both urgent and uplifting. You do not have to travel the country to make a difference. You can start with one invitation, one table, and the intention to connect.
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    47 m
  • How Kilohana Is Reimagining Responsible Travel In Hawai‘i With Respect And Heart

    How Kilohana Is Reimagining Responsible Travel In Hawai‘i With Respect And Heart
    Aug 11 2025
    Hawai‘i is unlike anywhere else and not just for its breathtaking beauty, but for the living spirit that moves through its people, its land, and its traditions. In Hawai’i, culture isn’t a performance, but rather the pulse of daily life. On today’s episode, I’m deeply honored to welcome Ka’iʻini Aranaydo. Ka’iʻini oversees Kilohana, a groundbreaking and visionary partnership with the Hawai’i Tourism Authority and a multifaceted initiative reshaping what it means to travel responsibly in the islands and ensuring it is grounded in pono (righteousness), cultural integrity, and true connection. Kilohana’s mission is to transform Hawai’i’s hospitality space through advocacy, cultural stewardship, tour guide certification, and visitor education. It’s about creating space for Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) to lead, to thrive, and to welcome others into a deeper relationship with the islands. In a place this sacred, being present is not enough. You’re invited to show up fully and to listen, to learn, and to uplift the places and people who welcome you in. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about stewardship, story, and the spirit of Hawai’i.
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    42 m
  • Theatre at 9,000 Feet? Only in Creede, Colorado!

    Theatre at 9,000 Feet? Only in Creede, Colorado!
    Aug 3 2025
    On this episode of Speaking of Travel, we’re heading high into Colorado’s San Juan Mountains to uncover the charm and magic of Creede, a tiny town with a mighty story. Once a booming silver mining camp, Creede has transformed into a cultural haven where creativity and adventure collide. At the center of it all is the Creede Repertory Theatre, a nationally renowned professional company that’s been telling powerful stories at 9,000 feet for 60 seasons. From its humble beginnings to a vibrant repertory schedule that draws talent and audiences from across the country, the theatre is the heartbeat of this mountain community. I’m joined by Kate Berry, Director of Marketing & Communications, and Emily Van Fleet, Artistic Director, to talk about Creede Rep’s origin story, its evolution, and how the arts continue to shape the town’s identity. Whether you're spending your days fly fishing, rafting, or hiking, and your nights immersed in compelling performances, Creede offers a rare kind of magic that stays with you. Creede is calling. Go there. See a show. Breathe the mountain air. You won’t forget it.
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    44 m
  • The Life Changing Wisdom And Soul Of Italy With Judith Valente

    The Life Changing Wisdom And Soul Of Italy With Judith Valente
    Jul 27 2025
    On this episode of Speaking of Travel, we’re joined by the wise and luminous Judith Valente, an award-winning journalist, poet, and author of The Italian Soul: How to Savor the Full Joys of Life. Judith brings us into the soulful rhythms of Italy, a place that taught her to live not faster, but deeper. Drawing from her own transformation from the high-speed world of journalism to the stillness of contemplative life, Judith shares stories, insights, and practical wisdom for anyone yearning to slow down, savor life, and reconnect with what truly matters. With the heart of a seeker and the grace of a storyteller, she invites us to discover the beauty of doing less and being more with Italian style and soul. A must listen! Ciao Ciao!
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    49 m
  • The Life Changing Wisdom And Soul Of Italy With Judith Valente

    The Life Changing Wisdom And Soul Of Italy With Judith Valente
    Jul 27 2025
    On this episode of Speaking of Travel, we’re joined by the wise and luminous Judith Valente, an award-winning journalist, poet, and author of The Italian Soul: How to Savor the Full Joys of Life. Judith brings us into the soulful rhythms of Italy, a place that taught her to live not faster, but deeper. Drawing from her own transformation from the high-speed world of journalism to the stillness of contemplative life, Judith shares stories, insights, and practical wisdom for anyone yearning to slow down, savor life, and reconnect with what truly matters. With the heart of a seeker and the grace of a storyteller, she invites us to discover the beauty of doing less and being more with Italian style and soul. A must listen! Ciao Ciao!
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    49 m
  • The Journey Of Renaissance Women Through Italy’s Hidden Artistic History

    The Journey Of Renaissance Women Through Italy’s Hidden Artistic History
    Jul 13 2025
    My guest on this episode is Jane Adams, formerly Director of Partnership Relations for Advancing Women Artists. Jane shares the compelling journey of how a single mission, sparked by author and philanthropist Jane Fortune, became a movement dedicated to rediscovering and restoring works by women artists hidden in Florence’s museums and churches. This is more than a story about art. It’s about visibility, voice, and preserving women’s rightful place in history. We explore the challenges, and victories, of restoring long-overlooked masterpieces by women. If you care about art, women’s history, travel with meaning, or simply stories of passion and purpose, this episode will inspire and inform. It’s a reminder that every brushstroke holds a story and some are only now being heard. And find out about Jane’s one-of-a-kind curated art tour through Italy designed to bring travelers face-to-face with these rediscovered works. A must listen!
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    45 m
  • Slow Down And See More By Journeying Through Japan with Miyuki Seguchi

    Slow Down And See More By Journeying Through Japan with Miyuki Seguchi
    Jul 6 2025
    Today’s guest is someone whose life feels like a gentle invitation to pause, listen, and truly see. Meet Miyuki Seguchi, a bilingual travel expert, guide, and host of the Japan Experts podcast. Born among the rice paddies and mountain breezes of central Japan, Miyuki’s path has led her across continents and cultures, all while staying deeply rooted in her homeland’s rhythms and rituals. From working in top global newsrooms like The Wall Street Journal, NHK World, and GE, to interviewing travel industry giants, Miyuki’s journalism background brings a human-centered approach to every story and itinerary. Today, she channels those storytelling gifts into creating custom travel experiences across Japan, helping travelers slow down, connect deeply, and walk away with lifelong memories. Miyuki shares her journey from rural Japan to global storytelling. If you're dreaming of cherry blossoms, steaming noodles, and lantern-lit streets, or just craving a slower, more intentional approach to travel, this episode is for you.
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    46 m
  • Discover The Beauty, Warmth, and Soul of Cuba With Vanessa K. Harper

    Discover The Beauty, Warmth, and Soul of Cuba With Vanessa K. Harper
    Jun 29 2025
    In this vibrant and heart-centered episode, we sit down with Vanessa K. Harper, co-founder of Travel Cuba With Us, Support the Cuban People, and Cuba Yoga Retreats, to explore the powerful intersection of ethical tourism, yoga, and humanitarian support in Cuba today. Vanessa leads with purpose, offering deeply immersive cultural experiences that directly benefit Cuban communities. Through her travel company, she curates legal, people-to-people exchanges that respect Cuban sovereignty while fostering genuine human connection. With her nonprofit, Support the Cuban People, Vanessa helps provide food, medicine, and micro-grants to local artists and small entrepreneurs. It's a bold model to travel not as escape, but as impact. You'll also hear about her Cuba Yoga Retreats, transformative journeys blending spiritual practice, movement, and cultural immersion. These retreats offer participants not only inner peace but the chance to see, feel, and uplift a nation full of resilience, music, and joy. If you’ve ever been curious about Cuba or want to travel in a way that truly matters, this episode will inspire you to see tourism in a whole new light. A must listen!
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    44 m