Travel People: Living Authentic Lives, Finding Kindred Spirits, Fulfilling Dreams

Host Cindy McCain
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  • PLACES & TRAVEL

Are you seeking a new adventure? A new life? Sometimes we have to get lost for awhile to live found and free. Some journeys lead us home to the people we truly want to be. My guests, masters of reinvention and growth, share their travel go-to places and give insider tips on where and how to take timeouts in their beautiful backyards. They’ll inspire and empower you to plan YOUR new adventure, to live YOUR best life. I’m Cindy McCain, travel writer and blogger at Southern Girl Gone Global where I share my journey as a single, empty nester mom and former expat. After living 3 years in Morocco and the Caribbean, I’m back in Nashville teaching university English, telling travel tales from 27 countries, and coaching others as they write theirs. Here you'll meet some of the colorful cohorts I’ve met from around the world whose heads and hearts push me to press on in growth, live by core values, never settle. Hear how they followed their bliss and how their lives have changed since. Music Credits Season 1: Carole Edwards, "Come and Run Away with Me," Chris Haugen, "Casablanca Caravan," Dan Lebowitz, "Mysteries" Photo Credits: Cindy McCain and Guests Disclaimer: Content of this podcast provides no medical, legal or other professional advice or endorsement of any item, destination, or service. While a reasonable attempt is made to update information, content is not guaranteed to be free of errors or omissions.

  1. 10/25/2024

    Talking Europe, Africa, Asia, and U.S. with Andres and Emily Salgado

    In Part 1 of my interview with the Salgados, we discussed Costa Rica, the country where Andres grew up. Here in Part 2, we discuss the couple's favorite travel destinations and hacks for flying around the world with toddlers.

    9 min

  2. 10/21/2024

    Talking Costa Rica with Andres and Emily Salgado Part 1

    Andres and Emily Salgado share insider tips on Costa Rica, the country where Andres grew up and they visit family often. Hear why Costa Rica was named by Travel + Leisure the 2024 #1 Destination and will continue to top travel lists. If you're into adventure travel, natural beauty, and happy, healthy living, the Rich Coast is for you!  Also see photos and videos on the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/kCiK1mQVIHk?si=RhBAR2FvGMXHvL3G See Southern Girl Gone Global for maps, deals on booking stays, and Andres' Costa Rican breakfast recipe. https://www.travelandleisure.com/destination-of-the-year-costa-rica-2024-8362021 https://internationalliving.com/countries/costa-rica/puerto-viejo-costa-rica/

    40 min

  3. 07/27/2023

    S 3 E 2 Beauty Breaks in Marrakesh: Palais Blanc Riad, Bahia Palace, Jardin Majorelle

    We continue our tour of unique luxury accommodations in the Marrakesh Medina that provide beauty breaks for the soul. I love Morocco's rich colors, but my serene stay last month at Palais Blanc Riad, a cloud-colored haven, felt like living in a dream. The owner, Mr. Luigi Bleve, is a big fan of Marrakesh. By blending Moroccan authenticity with Italian style, he has created a blank canvas for whatever you need — rest, rejuvenation, or new adventures. We take a look at two nearby attractions: Bahia Palace in the Old City and Jardin Majorelle in Gueliz, Marrakesh's New City. More photos on Southern Girl Gone Global at YOUTUBE version of the podcast at https://youtu.be/DpVpkXFip28 Palais Blanc Riad at https://www.palaisblancriad.com Bahia Palace at https://bahia-palace.com/ Jardin Majorelle at https://www.jardinmajorelle.com/en/ Jazz in Paris, Media Right ProductionsNo.9, Esther’s Waltz by Esther Abrami, YouTube Audio Library Desert Caravan, Aaron Kenny, YouTube Library Arabian Nightfall by Doug Maxwell & Media Right Productions, YouTube Audio Library  Swinging With The Sultan by Doug Maxwell, YouTube Library

    10 min

  4. 07/19/2023

    Talking Marrakesh's Moroccan/Swiss/Italian Riad Luciano with Laila Krattiger

    Season 3 begins with a return to Morocco, my go-to country for epic adventure, exquisite beauty, and exotic stays. The Marrakesh Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the perfect home base for exploring the Kingdom. Staying in a riad — a guest house once owned by wealthy families — is a signature Moroccan experience. But with over 1K riads within The Red City's walls, how does one choose? Find out why guests love Riad Luciano and meet global traveler and Moroccan-born Laila Krattiger who is living the expat life in Switzerland. Using the alchemy of Moroccan warmth, Swiss perfection, and Italian style, Laila created a haven. It wasn't easy. Just after opening the doors, the pandemic slammed them shut. With optimism, tenacity, a dream staff, and a premium location she has created a luxurious haven in the Old City. See this podcast on YouTube. here.  See blog with more info here.   Contact Laila and Riad Luciano at https://riadluciano.com/ *See Season 1 Episode 2, for more travel experiences across Morocco. Also see Southern Girl Gone Global where I've featured my favorite resorts, boutiques, and riads since 2014. Music: Jazz in Paris, Media Right Productions Pink Flamenco, Doug Maxwell Casablanca Caravan, Chris Haugen Desert City by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-... Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    41 min

  5. 01/04/2022

    Season 2: Talking Angela Correll's Writing Journey and Retreats

    Welcome to Part 2 of my conversation with Angela Correll, author of the May Hollow Trilogy. This episode is for readers, writers, creatives of all kinds. She’ll share her writing journey,  process, and a new project. She’ll also talk about opportunities she can provide for solo writing retreats and creative community.   Be sure to hear her story in Part 1 and read the blogpost on how she wanted a simpler life and found it in Stanford, KY with her husband, Jess. There they live on a sustainable farm and have revitalized the downtown area of the village dating back to the 1700s that inspired her books. She takes us on a tour through the first historic guest cottage they saved and renovated, restaurant and event spaces, and her soap factory where it all began as a way to save her goats. You’ll see Whitley Cottage, Esther’s Wellhouse, and farm-to-table Bluebird Restaurant where I spent a one-of-a-kind weekend.  Angela continues to design spaces so readers can experience small town living in the two worlds of her novels–one in Kentucky and soon Tuscany, Italy where she and Jess are remodeling rental properties.

    19 min

  6. 01/01/2022

    Special Edition Part 1: Talking 3 Magical Places in 2022 for Getting Back to What's Important with Angela Correll

    Welcome to a special edition of Travel People: Living Authentic Lives, Finding Kindred Spirits, Fulfilling Dreams. Today Best-selling author Angela Correll, takes us to 3 little villages with big hearts.  Her story inspires us to see problems as possibilities, to create something that satisfies the soul and benefits others, to embrace who and what matters most, to remember our roots and spread our wings. I talked with  Angela  in Stanford, Kentucky where she lives on a farm with her husband, Jess. The novels of her May Hollow trilogy –  Grounded, Guarded, and Granted– are based largely on life in the small town. She and Jess are the creators of the Wilderness Road Hospitality Group. You’ll hear how they went from milking goats to saving and renovating historic homes. How they built two restaurants, an Inn, and are building another. Angela will tell you about living in a close community in Ky and their latest project in a village in Italy. See more here: https://southerngirlgoneglobal.com/2022/01/03/best-retreats-2022-wilderness-road-experience-with-author-angela-correll/ If you missed last year’s holiday edition, follow the link to a another small village, this one Greek in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Every Jan 6 this close community hosts the largest  (and probably most unusual) Epiphany celebration in the Northern Hemisphere. Kentucky Soaps and Such Wilderness Road Accommodations and More Liborio Conti -- Mandolin music https://no-copyright-music.com

    30 min

  7. 07/27/2021

    S2 Summer Bonus Addition: Talking Screenings, Stars, and Connections at Cannes Film Festival with Toni Thompson

    00:01 Series Intro 00:32 Meet Toni Thompson, traveler to 70 countries including volunteering in five. She served in the Peace Corps in Ecuador, lived 4 years in Venezuela. As an occupational therapist, she teaches cultural competency.  July 5-17 she attended the 2021 (74th) Cannes Film Festival in France and shares stories from the Red Carpet, film screenings, parties, and a Master Class with Matt Damon. Find out how to get there or enjoy your local film festivals.  1:26 How she got an invitation to the industry event Gasparilla International Film Fest--Tampa Sunscreen Film Festival--St. Petersburg, Florida (where she reviewed entries as a programmer) 3:40 How Covid changed the Festival 4:25 Workshops 4:57 Parties Dave DeBorde, Nashville, hosted The Cannes Pajama Party Producers' Party Chilean Cinema https://cinemachile.cl/en/espanol-que-paso-en-cannes-2021-conoce-todo-sobre-la-presencia-chilena/ (Cindy was cast by Alberto Fuguet in the Chilean film based on Nashville, Musica Campesina, which screened at the 2011 Nashville Film Festival, Vanderbilt University, and in 2014 on Cinemax.  https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/alberto-fuguets-i-musica-campesina-i-the-best-nashville-shot-movie-youve-never-seen-airs/article_cf943712-db2f-55f2-be09-105beacb3dd7.html) http://www.hispanicnashville.com/2010/03/chilean-authordirector-alberto-fuguet.html 5:51 Red Carpet events, guidelines, surprises 7:20 Getting into the film screenings--She went to 19. 7:39 Stargazing 10:06 Toni's favorite moment (with Matt Damon) Stillwater is "loosely based" on the story of Amanda Knox, an American college student accused of murdering her roommate in Italy 14:15 The Power of Film for Cultural Connections Red Sea Film Festival Cindy was so excited to see a Moroccan film there--Cassablanca Beats--the story of a former rapper who takes a job at a cultural center  inspiring students to fulfill passions and find freedom in hip hop culture.    Highlights from France 24 News 17:46 Toni's travels 18:24 Classes on Cultural Competency/ Humility 21:00 InterNations and the Gifts of Diversity *See S2 Episode 1 for more on Oman 24:36 Cannes and the French Riviera More on Nice, Monaco, surrounding area https://www.francetraveltips.com/itinerary-12-days-menton-nice/ 26:53 Festival Packages 30:07 How to Get Started in Film Festivals--Volunteer locally. Nashville Film Fest Belcourt Theater Film Festival Travel

    32 min

  8. 07/24/2021

    S2 E4 Pt2 Talking Switzerland, Ireland, NOLA, Cali with Elaine & Scott Harris

    Elaine and Scott Harris--Journalists, Sommeliers, and TV Hosts--discuss Switzerland, Ireland, New Orleans, Central Coast of  California, and advice on a happy life. Cuisineist.com https://cuisineist.com/  *YouTube version w/ photos &videos by Scott and Elaine Harris, Canva: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5etq3B6gBIE https://www.arnaudsrestaurant.com https://www.galatoires.com http://www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com... https://antoines.com https://www.commanderspalace.com https://www.brennansneworleans.com https://cuisineist.com/2019/06/the-monterey-peninsula-provides-a-dreamy-destination-any-time-of-year https://www.staritahills.com/wine-and... https://southerngirlgoneglobal.com/travel-writing-course https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1999787/new-orleans-travel-with-kids

    48 min
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About

Are you seeking a new adventure? A new life? Sometimes we have to get lost for awhile to live found and free. Some journeys lead us home to the people we truly want to be. My guests, masters of reinvention and growth, share their travel go-to places and give insider tips on where and how to take timeouts in their beautiful backyards. They’ll inspire and empower you to plan YOUR new adventure, to live YOUR best life. I’m Cindy McCain, travel writer and blogger at Southern Girl Gone Global where I share my journey as a single, empty nester mom and former expat. After living 3 years in Morocco and the Caribbean, I’m back in Nashville teaching university English, telling travel tales from 27 countries, and coaching others as they write theirs. Here you'll meet some of the colorful cohorts I’ve met from around the world whose heads and hearts push me to press on in growth, live by core values, never settle. Hear how they followed their bliss and how their lives have changed since. Music Credits Season 1: Carole Edwards, "Come and Run Away with Me," Chris Haugen, "Casablanca Caravan," Dan Lebowitz, "Mysteries" Photo Credits: Cindy McCain and Guests Disclaimer: Content of this podcast provides no medical, legal or other professional advice or endorsement of any item, destination, or service. While a reasonable attempt is made to update information, content is not guaranteed to be free of errors or omissions.

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