Humans of Travel

TravelAge West - Hosted by Emma Weissmann
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  • BUSINESS
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TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.

  1. 4H AGO

    Melissa Krueger: The CEO of Classic Vacations on Career Growth, Company Culture and Classic’s Tech-Forward Next Chapter

    Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, has dedicated 30+ years to the travel industry. Serendipitously, her very first job in travel was with a French hotel group, where she regularly worked with travel advisors. Krueger quickly recognized that personal connections were far more important than product, and she brought that line of thinking to future roles in wholesale travel before moving to Classic Vacations. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Krueger reflects on the lessons that have shaped her as a leader, including building the right inner circle, being the kind of champion for others that you’d want for yourself and learning from the “scripts,” or examples, of others. Krueger also outlines Classic’s cultural pillars and discusses making career advancement moves to fit life stages. She also explains Classic’s ownership evolution, up to its recent acquisition by TBO, and previews the company’s continued digital transformation. Even with forward motion on the tech side, Krueger says that “trust, time and humanity” are and will remain foundational to Classic and the travel advisors it serves. This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Classic Vacations From TravelAge West: Classic Vacations to Be Acquired by TBO, an Indian Tech CompanyContact Krueger: officeoftheceo@classicvacations.com ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min

  2. FEB 23

    Archy Arushanyan: What Sets the Globus Family of Brands Apart From the Crowd (Sponsored)

    Archy Arushanyan, senior director of national field sales for the Globus Family of Brands, left Ukraine at 18 years old with limited English skills and just $35 in his pocket. That risk surely paid off; after beginning his career in travel as an agent for Escape Travel, he steadily rose into leadership roles, including 20 years with Liberty Travel and GoGo Vacations before joining the Globus Family of Brands. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Arushanyan shares more about his career trajectory, reflects on what sets Globus apart in the tour operator space and speaks to the evolution of touring. He also reflects on recent challenges (including during the COVID-19 pandemic), offers insight into the supplier-advisor relationship and shares why agents are central to the company’s success. This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Globus Family of Brands Globus Family Partners (Travel Agent Portal) ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min

  3. FEB 9

    Marc Kazlauskas: Meet Norwegian Cruise Line’s New President

    Marc Kazlauskas, the new president of Norwegian Cruise Line, has long shown the instincts of a natural-born leader. He worked two jobs throughout high school — including a memorable stint caring for the seals and penguins at the New York Aquarium, which left a lasting impression on his guidance counselor — and has since built a wide-ranging career across the travel industry, spanning the hotel, cruise and retail travel sectors. In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear about Kazlauskas’ introduction to travel through a French travel agency, as well as his career path, which includes roles at Jolly Hotels, Avoya Travel and Chase Travel Group, among others. Now at the helm of Norwegian Cruise Line, Kazlauskas shares his vision for strengthening the brand’s luxury and family offerings, from private island enhancements to the debut of new ships such as Norwegian Luna and Norwegian Aura. He also discusses NCL’s decision to eliminate non-commissionable fares, and underscores the company’s continued commitment to travel advisors. This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Norwegian Cruise Line From TravelAge West: Norwegian Cruise Line Permanently Removes NCFs Contact Kazlauskas: mkazlauskas@ncl.com ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  4. JAN 26

    Humans in the Hot Seat: What to Know About the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards (Feat. Mindy Poder)

    Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode is a little different from our normal format; today, I've invited on Mindy Poder, Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West, to share some information on the upcoming TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which honor top travel advisors.  Nominations for the awards open in one week, on Feb. 2, and the application period runs until mid-March, with finalists announced in early April. Advisors can self-nominate, or nominate their peers. During this episode, Poder and I will share more about the five individual categories we're judging (Upward Bound, Rockstar Advisor Under 40, Saving the Day, Best Use of Social Media, Best Targeted Marketing Idea and Best Group Booking Effort) and we'll offer some tips on making your application stand out. We'll also share some application red flags we look out for, and share more about the winners' prizes (think: travel prizes, attendance at the WAVE Awards Gala in LA, a feature in TravelAge West and more!) This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Access the application for The TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards Contact TravelAge West editors with any questions: letters@travelagewest.com  ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    17 min

  5. JAN 12

    Andrea Wright: How a Near-Death Experience Brought Her Closer to the Travel Industry

    Andrea Wright is a natural-born salesperson. As the daughter of a single mother who built her own multimillion-dollar corporate travel agency from the ground up, she spent much of her childhood attending travel conferences, conducting fake “business meetings” in front of the mirror and dreaming about a life in the boardroom. Her strong business sense and extraverted personality kickstarted a successful travel industry career, first at Club Med, then Playa Hotels & Resorts and, finally, as the vice president of luxury sales and trade partnerships for Opulence, the new luxury division of host agency Outside Agents. During this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear Wright reflect on her decades-long career in travel, including how her mother impacted her career and why she decided to spearhead Outside Agents’ new luxury division. In the second half of the episode, she'll reflect on one of the most profound experiences she's had, to date – suffering a brain aneurysm back in February 2025. Thanks to the swift response of those around her, Wright is now healthy — she did, however, walk away with about $600,000 in medical debt that insurance wouldn't cover. Wright describes how her travel industry peers quickly and generously rallied around her, and how the Family Bonds Foundation (created by John Lovell, formerly of Internova Travel Group) stepped in to cover a substantial amount of the cost. This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Outside AgentsOpulence, by Outside AgentsFamily Bonds Foundation Contact Wright:  Andrea@outsideagents.com ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min

  6. 12/22/2025

    Joshua Harrell: From QVC to Travel Marketeering, and the Importance of Failure in Business

    As chief revenue officer for WorldVia Travel Network, Joshua Harrell guides travel advisors through the twists and turns of running a business. But his own entrepreneurial journey — including stints in the cosmetics, retail and entertainment industries — wasn’t always easy. In this episode, Harrell reflects on his early career, sharing the achievements, missteps and lessons learned along the way (ex: “Don’t become a branding expert before making a sale!” and “Don’t abandon an idea the moment it gets tough!”). Listeners will hear Harrell speak candidly about the excitement and challenges of building and supporting multiple businesses, why mentorship and continuous learning have shaped his leadership style and what it takes to succeed as a travel advisor. He also breaks down the concept of “travel marketeering,” along with WorldVia’s robust suite of support tools designed to help advisors thrive. This episode is sponsored by Air France - KLM. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Travel Marketeering: A Complete Guide for Starting (or Refreshing) Your Travel Agency Travel Marketeering Live on YouTube WorldVia Travel Network Harrell on Instagram ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min

  7. 12/08/2025

    Humans in the Hot Seat: Eric Bowman on TravelPulse's 40 Under 40 List

    Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode features Eric Bowman, Editor-in-Chief of TravelPulse.com and host of The TravelPulse Podcast. During this episode, Bowman will share the origins of TravelPulse's annual 40 Under 40 list, which began in 2024. Listeners will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the application and judging process, plus advice for those who are considering applying for 2026. This episode is sponsored by Air France-KLM. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE TravelPulse 40 Under 40 The TravelPulse Podcast Contact Bowman on Instagram: @ericbowman_ ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    17 min

  8. 11/24/2025

    Humans in the Hot Seat: Travel Advisor Tom Ho on Starring in the Reality TV Show 'Extra Mile Club'

    Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This episode features Tom Ho, luxury travel advisor at Protravel International and Global Travel Collection (GTC), who was recently cast in the newest season of "1st Look Presents: Extra Mile Club” on NBC.  During this episode, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the audition, filming and production process of the reality television show, where GTC advisors compete to win the business of celebrity clients. Ho's episodes air on Dec. 13 (part one) and Dec. 20 (part two) following Saturday Night Live on NBC, and can be streamed via Peacock and YouTube. This episode is sponsored by Windstar Cruises. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 1st Look Presents: Extra Mile Club Protravel International Global Travel Collection Contact Ho on Instagram: @ThomsTravel ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    16 min
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4.8
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.

Information

  • Creator
    TravelAge West - Hosted by Emma Weissmann
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 TravelAge West
  • Show Website
    Humans of Travel

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