Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball

Marilyn Ball
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Founded in 2013, Speaking of Travel is a media platform dedicated to meaningful, responsible travel storytelling. Through conversations with global explorers, conservation leaders, cultural visionaries, world-changers, musicians, historians, conservationists, industry leaders, and everyday adventurers, we explore how travel connects people, preserves culture, and protects the planet.  After a decade of global change, including a pandemic and climate-driven disruptions, Speaking of Travel continues to lead the conversation on travel as a force for good. Listen in, dream big, and let’s explore the world together. Because remember, life is short. Don't postpone joy! Subscribe now and let the journey change you. 🌍✈️

  1. 3d ago

    Scenic Travel Moments And The Joy Of Discovery

    There’s a new idea taking shape around the way we experience places and it’s called Scenic Travel Moments. Justin Belleme, Publisher and Partnerships Manager at RomanticAsheville.com, joins Speaking of Travel to talk about where the idea came from and why he believes there is an opportunity to create something different for travelers. Scenic Travel Moments begins in Western North Carolina with extraordinary landscapes and some wonderfully unexpected places to stay. But the idea isn’t simply about finding another place to visit. The conversation takes us into the importance of community and the growing desire to experience travel in a more meaningful way.  Justin talks about the future of Scenic Travel Moments and into his bigger vision for creating a community around the kind of travel that invites curiosity and connection. It’s an interesting conversation about where travel may be headed and why creating experiences that feel genuine and memorable matters. At the heart of Scenic Travel Moments is the simple idea that the places themselves should always remain at the center of the story. Come along as we explore a different way of experiencing the places we visit. There’s something really special about this idea and I think you’ll enjoy hearing where it’s headed. Only on Speaking of Travel!  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

    Scenic Travel Moments And The Joy Of Discovery

  2. Sep 6

    Michael Yang Discovers New Beginnings On The Open Road

    You got what you wanted. Now what? It seems like we spend so much of our lives moving toward what’s next, always looking ahead to where we’re going and what we’re supposed to accomplish along the way. We work toward the goal, reach the milestone, check the box, and then one day, sometimes, we actually get there. And what happens then? For Michael Yang, that question opened the door to a whole new chapter. He came to America from South Korea as a teenager, built a successful technology company in Silicon Valley and achieved what many would call the American Dream. But somewhere along the way, Michael began wondering what else life might have in store. In his sixties, he got on a motorcycle and started riding. The farther he went, the more he discovered. About the world, certainly, but also about himself. His memoir, Coming Alive on the Ride, is the story of that journey and of a man who decided that getting older didn't mean his most interesting days were behind him. I loved talking with Michael because there is no rush to his thinking. He has a way of looking at life that makes you want to slow down and consider your own. Michael's story reminded me that there may never be a point when we've truly arrived. There is always another road and another part of ourselves waiting to be discovered. “The most important journey is the one that keeps us curious about what comes next.” Tune in and enjoy the ride. Only on Speaking of Travel!  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

    Michael Yang Discovers New Beginnings On The Open Road

  3. Aug 27

    What The World’s Greatest Landmarks Are Hiding With Ronan O’Connell

    There are fascinating stories all around us and many are in places we least expect to find them. On this episode of Speaking of Travel, I’m joined by award-winning travel journalist and National Geographic contributor Ronan O’Connell, author of Hidden in Plain Sight. Ronan takes us beyond the postcard view to uncover the forgotten stories, mysteries, history, and human experiences hidden within some of the world’s most iconic places. Our conversation becomes a deeper exploration of curiosity and what happens when we slow down enough to really see what’s around us. Ronan is thoughtful, wise, funny, and endlessly curious, and his perspective may make you look at familiar places, and perhaps even your own life, a little differently. As Ronan reminds us: “Even in this modern age, there’s still a lot of mystery. There’s still a lot of things right in front of your face you might not be noticing that are fascinating and important.” Maybe one of the greatest gifts of travel is not simply seeing somewhere new, but learning how to truly notice. Tune in and discover what you may have been missing, hidden in plain sight. Only on Speaking of Travel! 🎧 Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

    What The World’s Greatest Landmarks Are Hiding With Ronan O’Connell

  4. Aug 19

    Finding Her Way Back To Life With Abigail Carter

    Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, we continue to remember the lives that were lost and the lives forever changed by that day. And that's why I’m revisiting a very special conversation with Abigail Carter, a gifted writer and artist whose husband was killed in the 9/11 tragedy. For years, grief became part of the landscape of Abigail’s life. But eventually, something inside her began to whisper that it was time to go. Not to forget. Not to leave the past behind. But to find a way forward. That journey led her to a château in the southwest of France, where the quiet beauty of the countryside gave her something she desperately needed: space. Space to breathe, to create, to dream, and eventually, to discover pieces of herself she thought might be lost forever. Among sunflowers, rolling fields, old stone walls, and the gentle rhythm of French country life, Abigail began to imagine a different chapter. Her story is not about leaving grief behind. It’s about learning to carry it while making room for life again. As we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this conversation feels especially meaningful.  Abigail reminds us that healing doesn’t follow a straight path, and sometimes a new beginning begins with the quietest voice inside us saying, It’s time. This is a story about loss, courage, reinvention, and the possibility of finding beauty again even when you never imagined you could. Tune in and never forget. ❤️ Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

    Finding Her Way Back To Life With Abigail Carter

  5. Aug 6

    How Sarah Aviram Turned One Bold Idea Into A Year Around the World

    Sometimes the life we imagine for ourselves begins with something very simple, like taking that first step. Sarah Aviram didn't stumble into a year of travel. She created it. She made the bold decision to leave behind the familiar and designed a plan to travel through 12 countries in 12 months while continuing to work remotely. And she trusted herself enough to make it happen. In this episode of Speaking of Travel, Sarah shares the remarkable story behind her upcoming memoir, The Scenic Route: Following My Inner Compass Across 12 Countries in 12 Months. Along the way, she immersed herself in new cultures, formed unexpected friendships, embraced moments of uncertainty, and discovered that some of life's greatest rewards come from taking chances. Sarah shares what it really takes to turn an idea into reality and how stepping away from routine can open the door to new ways of thinking. More than a story about travel, this is a conversation about possibility and giving yourself permission to dream bigger, think outside the box, and recognize that the life you want may be closer than you think.  Whether your next adventure takes you around the world or simply in a new direction, Sarah's story is a reminder that meaningful experiences begin with a single decision to say yes. "The biggest risk wasn't leaving home. It was wondering what might have happened if I never said yes." If you've ever wondered whether it's too late or simply too impractical to follow a dream, this episode offers a refreshing perspective. Sarah's journey proves that adventure isn't reserved for a lucky few. It's available to anyone willing to be curious and embrace the unexpected. And of course taking that first step. A must listen. Only on Speaking of Travel. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

    How Sarah Aviram Turned One Bold Idea Into A Year Around the World

  6. Jul 29

    Experience Italy Through The Eyes Of Those Who Call It Home 🇮🇹

    Some places capture your imagination. Italy captures your heart. If you've ever dreamed of experiencing Italy beyond the guidebooks, this is the journey you've been waiting for. Join Becky and Marcello Simone of Viaggi Italiani, together with Anne Robichaud, your expert guide to the hidden treasures of Umbria, on an unforgettable 10-day Fall 2026 Small Group Art & Cultural Tour through the heart of Italy. Carefully designed for travelers who value authentic experiences, meaningful connections, and the joy of slowing down, this experience is an invitation to experience Italy as a welcomed guest.  You'll enjoy exclusive experiences that include private guided walks, cooking alongside local chefs, wine tastings at family-owned wineries, visits with artisans, hidden villages, Renaissance masterpieces, and extraordinary meals that celebrate the flavors and traditions of Italy. You'll even be part of the historic 800th anniversary commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, a once-in-a-generation celebration filled with cultural and spiritual events.  Adding another extraordinary dimension to the journey is Jane Adams, President and CEO of Artemisia Gold, whose work restoring the forgotten masterpieces of Renaissance women artists has inspired an international movement. Throughout the tour, you'll discover the remarkable legacy of Plautilla Nelli, the first known woman painter of Florence, while helping support the preservation of these priceless works of art.  Becky, Marcello, Anne, and Jane share the stories behind this remarkable journey and why they created it. And find out what makes it so different from traditional tours and why 2026 is an extraordinary time to experience Italy. This isn't about rushing from one famous landmark to another. This amazing tour is about wandering medieval streets, sharing meals with new friends, discovering hidden artistic treasures, meeting the people who keep Italy's traditions alive, and returning home with memories that will stay with you forever. Space is intentionally limited to create an intimate, personalized experience and reservations are now open. If Italy has been calling your name... This is your invitation. Listen to the episode then reserve your place on this extraordinary Fall 2026 journey with Becky, Marcello, Anne, and Jane for the journey of a lifetime.  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

    Experience Italy Through The Eyes Of Those Who Call It Home 🇮🇹

  7. Jul 17

    It's Never Too Late To Write Your Next Chapter With Michael Cowan

    Michael Cowan has lived many lives. He's been an attorney, educator, businessman, musician, songwriter, and now, an author. His debut novel, John B. Peoples, is proof that some of life's most meaningful adventures begin long after we think we've settled into who we are. In this episode of Speaking of Travel, Michael shares what inspired him to finally write the novel that had been quietly waiting inside him, why France, and especially Paris and Marseille, became such important settings, and how travel has shaped both his storytelling and his perspective on life. Together we explore what it means to keep growing, embrace curiosity, redefine success, and discover new purpose through every season of life. Whether you're dreaming about your next journey, considering a new creative path, or wondering if it's ever too late to begin again, this conversation is a reminder that the best chapters are sometimes the ones we never saw coming. A must listen!  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

    It's Never Too Late To Write Your Next Chapter With Michael Cowan

  8. Jul 11

    Travel with Purpose: A Conversation With Jared Sternberg Of Gondwana Ecotours

    Travel has a way of changing how we see the world. And perhaps that’s where the possibility of changing it begins. On this episode of Speaking of Travel, join Jared Sternberg, founder and CEO of Gondwana Ecotours, for a thoughtful conversation about what it really means to travel with purpose. Jared shares how an unexpected journey took him from law school and backpacking adventures to building an international ecotourism company, challenging the idea that travel is simply about seeing new places. Together we explore how every trip we take leaves an impact and why the communities we visit should benefit from our presence. Jared invites us to think differently about travel, not just as something we experience, but as something that can strengthen communities and inspire positive change. This episode is an invitation to look beyond the itinerary and consider a bigger question: What kind of traveler do we want to be? "Travel isn't just about where you go. It's about recognizing that your presence has an impact and choosing to leave people and places better because you were there." Join us for a conversation that may forever change the way you see the world and your place in it. Only on Speaking of Travel.  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

    Travel with Purpose: A Conversation With Jared Sternberg Of Gondwana Ecotours
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Founded in 2013, Speaking of Travel is a media platform dedicated to meaningful, responsible travel storytelling. Through conversations with global explorers, conservation leaders, cultural visionaries, world-changers, musicians, historians, conservationists, industry leaders, and everyday adventurers, we explore how travel connects people, preserves culture, and protects the planet.  After a decade of global change, including a pandemic and climate-driven disruptions, Speaking of Travel continues to lead the conversation on travel as a force for good. Listen in, dream big, and let’s explore the world together. Because remember, life is short. Don't postpone joy! Subscribe now and let the journey change you. 🌍✈️

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