Trade Secrets Podcast

Northstar Travel Group
  • 5.0 (36)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners’ questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more — as long as it’s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at travelweekly.com/podcasts. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS: Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors’ 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine. Emma Weissmann is a Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the host of the Humans of Travel podcast, where she interviews notable individuals in the travel industry about their lives — the highs and lows that make them human. Theme song:Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hopLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

  1. Trade Secrets After Dark: Bourbon, editorial strategy and cross-border incidents (feat. Johanna Jainchill)

    MAR 23

    Trade Secrets After Dark: Bourbon, editorial strategy and cross-border incidents (feat. Johanna Jainchill)

    This week on Trade Secrets After Dark, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Travel Weekly’s own Johanna Jainchill, the publication’s newly minted editor in chief. Get to know Jainchill, her vision for Travel Weekly’s editorial strategy and why the Bolivian military once picked her up after inadvertently crossing a border on foot (no, really!). While Trade Secrets usually invites listeners to ask questions that are answered on the show by industry experts, enjoy the occasional “After Dark” episode, featuring casual chats — and drinks — with guests from around the travel industry. This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.  Further resources Send Johanna Jainchill an email Mentioned in this episode: Johanna’s story on tourism (and bourbon) in Kentucky Christina Jelski’s story on branded hotel apparel The Travel Industry Survey Robby Silk and his competitive sitting: read about it in Travel Weekly and Atlas Obscura, and hear about it on The Folo Johanna’s column on reader feedback (and the article that inspired it) Get in touch! Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    56 min
  2. Succession planning for travel agencies, part 2 (feat. attorney Tom Carpenter)

    MAR 16

    Succession planning for travel agencies, part 2 (feat. attorney Tom Carpenter)

    What’s your plan for your business when you retire, or you’re unable to run it anymore? In this episode, the second in a two-part series on succession planning, hear from industry attorney Tom Carpenter. He discusses some of the varying ways agency owners prepare their businesses for the next step, and gives practical advice on how to make the transition smoother. This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.  Further resources Find Tom Carpenter: On the web  Via email On YouTube On Facebook Mentioned in this episode: Mark Pestronk on the web and in Travel Weekly Bob Sweeney’s Innovative Travel Acquisitions Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  3. Succession planning for travel agencies, part 1 (feat. Stacey and Sami Ray)

    MAR 2

    Succession planning for travel agencies, part 1 (feat. Stacey and Sami Ray)

    What’s your plan for your business when you retire, or you’re unable to run it anymore? In this episode, hear from mother-and-daughter duo Stacey and Sami Ray of Sisterhood Travels as they discuss their personal paths on the vital, albeit often overlooked, process of succession planning within a successful travel agency.  Next episode, tune in to hear from a travel industry attorney who’s an expert in succession planning. This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.  Further resources Sisterhood Travels on the web and via email Stacey Ray’s podcast, Life. Reimagined. with Stacey Ray Stacey Ray on Humans of Travel Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  4. Don’t get burned: Navigating host agency red flags (feat. Marcie Muensterman)

    FEB 16

    Don’t get burned: Navigating host agency red flags (feat. Marcie Muensterman)

    How closely have you read your contract with your host agency? Does it have a non-compete clause? How about a detailed plan for termination? In the season seven premiere of Trade Secrets, we’re digging into the fine print that every travel advisor needs to watch out for. We’re joined by Marcie Muensterman, travel advisor, coach and host of the No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, to identify host agency red flags. Welcome back to a brand-new season! Thanks to our friends at Coastline Travel Group for helping us solicit travel advisor questions this season.  This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands.  Further resources Marcie Muensterman On Instagram On Facebook The No BS Travel Advisor Podcast Courses Freebies, including Marcie’s host agency interview questionnaire Mentioned in this episode: WorldVia Travel Network Travel Planners International Nexion Travel Group Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    56 min
  5. Encore: How can new travel advisors build a successful career? (Feat. Bill Coyle of KHM Travel)

    FEB 2

    Encore: How can new travel advisors build a successful career? (Feat. Bill Coyle of KHM Travel)

    Trade Secrets is on a winter break but will return with new episodes in just two weeks, on Monday, Feb. 16. Until then, please enjoy this old favorite. New travel advisors, look no further than this episode of Trade Secrets for advice on everything from setting up your business, to finding clients, to prioritizing fam trip destinations. Co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada are joined by KHM Travel Group’s Bill Coyle, vice president of agent engagement, to tackle listener questions on that and more. This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands.  Further resources Connect with KHM Travel Group online, on Facebook, on Instagram, on YouTube and on LinkedIn Encompass the World Travel, Bill Coyle’s family agency Mentioned in this episode and related reading: From Travel Weekly, stories on card mills and the history of host agencies Travel Weekly’s Legal Briefs column by industry attorney Mark Pestronk (many articles talk about terms and conditions) From TravelAge West, an article on terms and conditions by industry attorney Jeffrey Ment The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and its educational offerings The Travel Institute  The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its educational offerings Trade Secrets episode on fam trips Need advice?   Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min
  6. Encore: Travel advisors, what’s your elevator pitch? (feat. Jackie Friedman)

    JAN 19

    Encore: Travel advisors, what’s your elevator pitch? (feat. Jackie Friedman)

    Trade Secrets is on a winter break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites. Welcome to season five of Trade Secrets. In this episode, hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Nexion Travel Group president Jackie Friedman on the show to talk about the value of travel advisors. They discuss the modern history of the profession and the evolution from “agent” to “advisor,” then answer listener questions about standing out from the crowd, how advisors can sell their own value and what makes a good elevator pitch. This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands.  Further resources Nexion Travel Group on the web Reach out to Jackie Friedman via email Mentioned in this episode: Erica Carr’s bookitbox Travel Christine Potthoff’s travel beCAUSE Courtnie Nichols’ client gifting strategy Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min
  7. Encore: How do you grow your travel agency — and trust your new advisors?

    JAN 5

    Encore: How do you grow your travel agency — and trust your new advisors?

    Trade Secrets is on a holiday break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites. When it’s time to expand your business, what’s the best way to do it? Should you hire independent contractors, employees or assistants? Then, once they’re onboarded, how do you effectively train — and, subsequently, trust — your new people? All that and more is covered in this week’s Trade Secrets, when co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada talk business expansion with Julie Lanham, president of Vacations to Remember in Augusta, Ga. This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands.  Further resources Julie Lanham on Instagram  Mentioned in this episode: From TravelAge West: Why you should consider hiring an international virtual assistant From TravelAge West: Travel agencies are struggling to hire qualified advisors, according to a new survey Lucia Need advice?   Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
  8. Encore: Oh, the places you’ll go! Destination weddings, honeymoons & beyond, feat. Jennifer Donscesz

    12/22/2025

    Encore: Oh, the places you’ll go! Destination weddings, honeymoons & beyond, feat. Jennifer Donscesz

    Trade Secrets is on a holiday break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites. This week, Trade Secrets takes on the world. Jennifer Doncsecz of VIP Vacations returns to the podcast to discuss her specialty: destination weddings and honeymoons. She talks about everything from getting started selling destination weddings and honeymoons, to turning those travelers into clients for life. Then, she answers a number of listener questions about destinations, ranging from the benefits of visiting a spot before selling it, qualifying for fam trips and where to send clients headed to Europe for the first time. This episode was sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Further resources VIP Vacations on Facebook  Jennifer Doncsecz’s email  Jennifer’s previous Trade Secrets episodes: All things branding Destination weddings and honeymoons Mentioned in this episode: Death of a Travel Advisor by Dori Saltzman The Travel Institute’s course on destination weddings and honeymoons From Travel Weekly: Getting into groups Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 hr
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About

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners’ questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more — as long as it’s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at travelweekly.com/podcasts. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS: Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors’ 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine. Emma Weissmann is a Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the host of the Humans of Travel podcast, where she interviews notable individuals in the travel industry about their lives — the highs and lows that make them human. Theme song:Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hopLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

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