Tourism Episodes

Crossing Lines: The Ultimate Guide to Breaks Interstate Park is the fifth episode in our series promoting Northeast Tennessee as a tourism destination. It is produced in collaboration with Visit Johnson City and regional partners hosting the OWAA's inaugural Field Fest event. Today, our guest is Austin Bradley, Superintendent at Breaks Interstate Park. Austin is a dedicated advocate for outdoor conservation and public education about America's state and national parks. Austin's work primarily ...

Explore Bristol, TN/VA—Outdoors and Tourism Highlights is the fourth episode in our series promoting Northeast Tennessee as a tourism destination. It is produced in collaboration with Visit Johnson City and regional partners hosting the OWAA's inaugural Field Fest event. Our guest, Matt Bolas, Executive Director of Explore Bristol, the tourism office for Bristol, TN, and Bristol, VA., unveils deeply rooted insights into the unique twin-city landscape straddling Tennessee and Virginia. Matt shar...

Elizabethton and Carter County, TN Outdoors and Tourism Highlights is the third episode in our series to promote Northeast Tennessee as a tourism destination. It is produced in collaboration with Visit Johnson City and regional partners hosting the OWAA's inaugural Field Fest event. We have the pleasure of journeying into the heart of Northeast Tennessee with Luke Freeman, the tourism director for the scenic region of Elizabethton and Carter County, TN. In this episode, we're peeling back the ...

Northeast Tennessee's Hidden Gem: An Outdoor Guide to Morristown is the second episode in our series to promote Northeast Tennessee as a tourism destination. It is produced in collaboration with Visit Johnson City and regional partners hosting the OWAA's inaugural Field Fest event. Anne Ross, the savvy director of tourism for the Morristown Chamber of Commerce, takes us on a virtual journey to the picturesque town of Morristown, Tennessee, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and v...

Melanie Radzicki McManus is an accomplished through-hiker and distinguished travel writer. She has conquered an impressive lineup of trails, with six major through-hikes under her belt—including the scenic stretches of the Arizona Trail and the historic pathways of the Potomac Heritage Trail. Her journey continues as she aims to complete all eleven National Scenic Trails, sharing insights from her experiences on the ICE Age Trail in her book "Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail" ...

This episode is the first in a series to promote Northeast Tennessee as a tourism destination. It is produced in collaboration with Visit Johnson City and regional partners hosting the Outdoor Writers of Association of America's (OWAA) inaugural Field Fest event. Our guests are Alec Castro, the director of sales and public relations for Visit Johnson City, and Allie Bynum, marketing and membership curator for the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association. Alec shares highlights of the heart-pumpi...

Welcome, listeners, to another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series, the podcast where we ignite your passion for outdoor adventure and share essential tips for your next incredible journey. Sit back and let your wanderlust be guided by travel expert and co-president of Frommer's Media, Pauline Frommer. As bookstores like Barnes & Noble experience a renaissance, Pauline discusses the importance of embracing local bookshops. She'll inspire you with her journey from acting to travel writing an...

THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SERIES WELCOMES CAPTAIN DAN BLANCHARD On today's episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series, get ready for an insightful and inspiring conversation with Captain Dan Blanchard, owner and CEO of UnCruise Adventures. Join host Howard Fox as he delves into the world of outdoor expeditions and conservation, learning about Dan's unique approach to creating intimate and transformative travel experiences. From the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska to the pristine waters of the Gulf ...

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast! In today's episode, we chatted with the incredible Amy Eckert, a freelance travel journalist, photographer, and writer. Amy is a true expert in all things Michigan, and she has written two captivating books on the state, including "Perfect Day Michigan: Day Trips, Weekend Getaways, and Other Escapes" and "100 Things to Do in Detroit Before You Die." QUESTIONS WE DISCUSSED How has Detroit transformed over the years, and...

Melea Hames is the social media manager at Visit North Alabama, also known as the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. She is also the host of the Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama Podcast. WHAT WE DISCUSSED How did the idea for the North Alabama Waterfall Trail come about, and what factors were considered when selecting the waterfalls to include on the trail? How has social media played a role in promoting the North Alabama Waterfall Trail and attracting visitors to the region? H...

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series! Kay Donaldson, the director of the Alabama Bass Trail, is our guest today. Get ready to dive into the exciting world of fishing tournaments and angling in Alabama as Kay shares some incredible insights and experiences with us. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Who influenced Kay's love of fishing in the waters of North Alabama? What are the main reasons people travel to North Alabama for fishing? 3. How has the Alabama Bass Trail expanded marketing efforts in ...

Jackie McGonigal, Coordinator at Orange Beach Wind and Water Learning Center, is our guest on the Outdoor Adventures Series Podcast today. Jackie is a passionate outdoor educator with a strong background in outdoor leadership, environmental science, and education. Growing up in the community, Jackie spent significant time on the waterways she now teaches on. With a desire to combine her academic knowledge in biology, ecology, and community-based conservation with outdoor recreation, Jackie beca...

Mark Berte is the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) executive director; the ACF is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The ACF was formed to bring together individuals from coastal Alabama's private and governmental sectors to address various issues. Inspired by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's successful work in another part of the country, ACF was modeled after its approach. TOPICS WE DISCUSSED How has the Alabama Coastal Foundation evolved over the past 30 years, and what are some of i...

Chandra Wright is the Director of Environmental & Educational Initiatives at the Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel. She works on sustainability initiatives at the Lodge and our other facilities in the park and curates and creates educational opportunities for guests of all ages. TOPICS WE DISCUSSED How does the Gulf State Park interpretive center exemplify environmentally friendly building practices? What are some of the specific features of the interpretive center that contribute to...

Eston Colvin is the Public Relations Coordinator for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. Enjoy our episode with Easton as we discuss all things fishing, angling, conservation, and the delicious eating aspect of Golf Shores and Orange Beach. TOPICS WE DISCUSSED 1. What are some of the different species of fish that can be caught in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area? Which fish are particularly exciting or challenging to catch? 2. What are the opportunities for fishing and outdoor activiti...

Carey Kish is our guest on the Outdoor Adventure Series Podcast today. Carey has been writing professionally for 20 years. He has been writing for Maine's largest newspaper since 2002. He shares his fascinating journey of combining a love for hiking and beer in his new book, Beer Hiking New England: The Tastiest Way to Discover Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. TOPICS WE DISCUSSED What inspired Carey to write about hiking and beer? How many hikes did...

Jeff Alt is our guest on the Outdoor Adventure Series today. Jeff is an award-winning author, speaker, adventurer, and family hiking and camping expert. He is a prolific author with a new book called Time Traveling Through Yellowstone National Park: The Adventures of Bubba Jones, the fifth book in the Adventures of Bubba Jones series. Jeff is an Outdoor Writers Association of America member and lives with his family on the East Coast. TOPICS WE DISCUSSED 1. How did Jeff develop the idea for t...

Anietra Hamper is our guest on the Outdoor Adventure Series today. Anietra is an award-winning travel and outdoor journalist. She specializes in extreme fishing experiences around the world. She is a former television news anchor and investigative journalist. Anietra joins us today to chat about her new venture Reel-Ality, which offers extreme sports and fishing trips in South America. Anietra shares her experience catching ancient fish like the Arapaima, Wolffish, and Piranha. She also talks a...

Shelly Rivoli, author of Hiking with Kids Southern California: 45 Great Hikes for Families, joins us on the Outdoor Adventure Series today. She shares her year-long project of visiting spots throughout Southern California with her family and creating maps for each hike. We discuss the importance of traveling with children, some must-visit parks in Southern California, and what to expect when exploring them. Tune in to get tips on outdoor gear, traveling, and what to pack for a hike with kids. F...

Robert Annis is our return guest on the Outdoor Adventure Series today. Rob is a Freelance Outdoor Journalist, Travel Writer, and Gear Reviewer. Rob joined us last year on the Outdoor Adventure Series Podcast. We’ll share the episode in our show notes. He is joining us today to discuss one of his recent pieces, The Ultimate Guide to All 8 Midwest National Parks, which he wrote for Midwest Living. LINK https://www.midwestliving.com/travel/state-and-national-parks/the-ultimate-guide-to-midwest-...

Cortney Weatherby is our guest on the Outdoor Adventure Series today. Cortney is the Coastal Outreach Manager for Alabama Audubon. She is an environmental educator and conservationist. She loves spending time outdoors in various capacities: birding, fly fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, or diving when the opportunity arises. Questions We Discussed What threats do beach-nesting birds face? How can people help these birds when they visit the beach? Why would you recommend people get into birding...

Jeff Potter is our guest on the Outdoor Adventure Series today. Jeff is a World Traveler, a former Aviation Executive, and at present, the Founder & CEO of Manifest. Manifest is pioneering a new way to vacation via a lifestyle and travel club model that delivers custom-crafted getaways to iconic domestic and international destinations. Topics We Discussed 1. The consumer value proposition that Manifest provides? 2. The short and long-term view for the travel industry? 3. What is "The Why" Ma...

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism is the sponsor of this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series. Warm temps and fresh seafood make the Alabama Gulf Coast the perfect beach destination for your family vacation, couples getaway, outdoor adventure, meetings, conferences, and conventions. Our guest today is Scott Bannon. Scott is the Director of the Marine Resources Division, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Questions What is the role of the Marine Resources Division,...

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism is the sponsor of this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series. Warm temps and fresh seafood make the Alabama Gulf Coast the perfect beach destination for your family vacation, couples getaway, outdoor adventure, meetings, conferences, and conventions. Our guest today is Anthony Ricciardone. Anthony is the Co-Owner of Admiral Shellfish Company, based out of Fort Morgan, Alabama. Admiral raises and harvests prime oysters grown in South Alabama. Topics we di...