Ready to add a little spooky fun to your travels this fall? 🎃 In this episode of the Families Fly Free podcast, I’m joined by Heather Alexander, author of Haunted USA, to uncover eerie—and family-friendly—ghost stories from all 50 states. 

From haunted hotels and mysterious lighthouses to tap-dancing ghosts and legendary pirates, you’ll discover plenty of places to explore this Halloween season without the gore. 

Whether you’re planning a fall getaway, looking for unique history lessons for the kids, or just love a good ghost story, this episode will spark ideas for memorable (and slightly spooky!) adventures.

Want to fly free to haunted hotels or pumpkin-filled fall destinations? Join Families Fly Free and I’ll show you my simple formula to make it happen: FamiliesFlyFree.com/join

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 42: My Favorite Family Halloween Travel "Treat": Disneyland at Halloween
• Episode 43: Yikes! Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Your Guide From a Mom's Perspective
• Episode 76: 5 Fun Halloween Getaways for the Spookiest Season

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thanks for leaving me a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this podcast episode! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Southwest has made a flurry of changes in 2025 — from charging for bags and introducing assigned seats to rolling out brand-new fare types and tweaking credit card perks, including increasing their annual fees. And they’ve managed to make things very complicated. But here’s the good news: I’ve cut through the clutter to get to the heart of what actually matters in my trademark "keep it simple stupid" approach 😉.

In this episode, I’ll show you the few simple adjustments you need to make so you can:

• Keep flying Southwest for the same cost (or less) as before (yes, really!)
• Make only slight changes to the way we’ve always flown Southwest for free 
• Understand how to KEEP getting free bags, as well as free assigned seating and navigate the new fare rules

You’ll walk away knowing exactly what to do to keep your Southwest travel FREE, easy and smooth.

💡 Free Bonus: Get my one-page cheat sheet that explains all the changes in plain English — plus the exact tweaks you need to make to your own Southwest strategy, including how to change a Basic Fare (yes, it's possible!):

👉 SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com/Changes

Join Families Fly Free
Southwest — and travel rewards in general — can get complicated fast. But inside Families Fly Free, I show you how to skip the confusion, ignore the noise and use my simple Fly Free Formula™ to get maximum travel with the minimum number of cards.

I’ve been flying my family of 4 free 6x a year on Southwest (and beyond) since 2015, and I’ve boiled it down to a clear, repeatable plan that anyone can follow. Whether you’re traveling with kids, a spouse, friends or solo, this formula works. Let me make it simple for you.

👉 Join Families Fly Free: FamiliesFlyFree.com

Ever stood in front of a famous painting and wondered, “What am I supposed to do here?”

In this first episode of my new Wander in Wonder series, I dive into how to truly appreciate art — even if you don’t consider yourself an expert (I certainly don’t!). Inspired by a class I took at Notre Dame on Theology, Art and Beauty and my professor Dr. Sarah Maple (https://sarahelizabethmaple.academia.edu/), I share simple, thoughtful ways to engage with a work of art beyond just snapping a photo and moving on.

You’ll learn:

• A powerful question to ask beauty itself
• How to slow down and see a painting (including what to look for)
• The difference between what the artist intended and what the piece says to you
• How to turn a museum visit into a deeper, more meaningful experience — solo or with your kids
• My favorite immersive art experience and why you should try one near you

Plus, I walk you through how I’ve put these tips into practice — from the Louvre to my local museum with my 21-year-old son — and how it changed the way we both see art.

RELATED:

• VIDEO: THE LUME Indianapolis at Newfields: Van Gogh Starry Night Immersive Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dq9MF9JL7Y
• Episode 176 | How I'm Learning Italian Inspired by My Travels

👉 Grab my free checklist of what to look for the next time you visit a museum: SecretsOfATravelJournalist.com/art

✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Chad Pennycuff (My DVC Points Podcast), we’re diving deeper into Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park: Epic Universe — and there’s so much more to explore! After attending the Grand Opening event for media, I share my insight on the parks along with Chad's an Orlando local and "theme park junkie."

This episode covers:

• 🍕 The best food in the park (hello, truffle pizza, mango cornbread & that Frankenstein pretzel)
• 🧛‍♂️ The incredible Dark Universe land featuring Universal Monsters — and why Monsters Unchained might be the most underrated ride in the park
• 🐉 Chad's favorite land, Isle of Berk (How to Train Your Dragon), plus the family-friendly Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and must-see live show
• 🎢 What we thought of Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, and whether Yoshi’s Adventure is worth the wait
• 🧢 Why the Power-Up Bands matter — and how Universal turns Super Nintendo World into a real-life video game

We also share final thoughts on:

• Express Pass strategy
• Touring tips for different ages
• Why this park truly is epic — and may even deserve an entire trip on its own

🎁 Grab my free Epic Universe ride + dining guide: secretsofatraveljournalist.com/epic

Resources: 

• My DVC Points Podcast

Related Episodes:

• Episode 43: Yikes! Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Your Guide From a Mom's Perspective
• Episode 111: Universal Studios Orlando 101
• Episode 116: How Katie Blumhorst Saved $4,000+ With Travel Rewards at Universal Studios Orlando

In this episode, I’m joined by Chad Pennycuff of the My DVC Points podcast to break down everything you need to know about Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park, Epic Universe — starting with where to stay, what to skip and how to save. I share my experiences attending the Grand Opening event for media.

We also recap Chad’s incredible theme park tour across Asia, including Shanghai Disney, Universal Beijing, Tokyo Disney and more. Hear what Disney is doing next level overseas and how it compares to the new Epic Universe experience.

Then we shift to:

• Hotel options at Epic (including pros/cons of Stella Nova, Terra Luna & the ultra-pricey Helios Grand)
• A deep dive into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic — the ride, the land, the queue and the details you don’t want to miss
• Tips on wait times, Express Pass strategy, early entry and how to use points to cover your Universal trip
• What we loved (and didn’t) about Celestial Park and its headline coaster, Stardust Racers

🎁 Grab my free Epic Universe ride + dining guide: secretsofatraveljournalist.com/epic

Want the full Epic Universe breakdown (plus my photos + member Q&A)? It’s inside the Club. Join --> SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com/Club

Resources: 

• My DVC Points Podcast
• My Video Tour: Stella Nova Resort - https://youtu.be/BvQIJ3Vjs9g
• My Video Tour: Cabana Bay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIJOUCSLx1g

Related Episodes:

• Episode 43: Yikes! Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Your Guide From a Mom's Perspective
• Episode 111: Universal Studios Orlando 101
• Episode 116: How Katie Blumhorst Saved $4,000+ With Travel Rewards at Universal Studios Orlando

Join me for an insider’s journey to London as I share my favorite travel tips, hidden gems and even a few things I wish I’d done differently. In this episode, you’ll hear how I flew to London for (almost) free, where we stayed (and why it mattered), the must-see spots I recommend and how to get around the city stress-free — all from the perspective of a professional travel journalist.

From Big Ben to Oxford, Harry Potter to historic pubs, I’ll walk you through the highlights of our trip and the lessons learned along the way.

🎧 Want the full London webinar replay, a detailed itinerary and a member-led London webinar and guide? They’re all waiting for you inside the Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club --> https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

Inside my exclusive Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, I’m not only sharing my Fly Free and Stay Free Formulas, but I'm pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest and most affordable trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club 

Join the my email list at https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/email

Got questions about the Club? Email info AT secretsofatraveljournalist.com or text 844-403-2263

Resources:

• Episode 183: London Trip - Top 5 Tips - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/183-london-trip-top-5-travel-tips/id1540642046?i=1000703049415
• Living Rooms UK - https://www.living-rooms.co.uk/
• The Tour Guy Tower of London Legends & Lore Tour - https://secretsofatraveljournalist.com/tourguylondon (this is an affiliate link, but they are my favorite tour company!)

College visits, auditions, move-in weekends and campus drop-offs — they’re all part of the college journey… and they can get really expensive, really fast. But what if you didn’t have to stress about the cost?

In this episode, I share how I recently visited Notre Dame using points and stayed right on campus without spending a dime — plus how Club members like Heather, Amylee and Yolanda have used my system to fly their kids to and from college, tour campuses across the country and show up when it matters most — all without blowing their budget.

You’ll hear:

• How one mom booked 7 college audition trips using her Companion Pass
• Why flying kids home from college — even on short notice — can be stress-free
• How I used points to fly my son to UCLA for a summer program and internship
• A smart strategy to erase campus hotel costs using a Chase transfer bonus
• The emotional (and financial) payoff of having points ready when college travel calls

If college is anywhere on your family’s horizon, this is one of the smartest ways to use your miles — and I’ll show you how to make it happen.

👉 Ready to plan smarter travel for college and beyond? Join the Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club:
 https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

Chase Sapphire Preferred is my FAVORITE Travel card — and right now, it’s offering a limited-time 100,000-point bonus (worth at least $1,250 in free travel) that ends May 15 at 9am ET. Thanks for using my personal affiliate link to support the podcast if you decide to apply for the card:
https://www.familiesflyfree.com/favorite-card

But beyond the big bonus, this card quietly packs in some powerful perks that most people overlook.

In this episode, I’ll break down the lesser-known features that make this my #1 recommended travel card — including a $50 hotel credit, hidden travel protections, a way to “erase” any purchase with your points and more. Whether you already have the card or are thinking of applying before the offer ends Thursday at 9am ET, you’ll learn how to get the most value from every benefit it offers.

🎧 Tune in to find out:

• How to use the $50 hotel credit (most people forget this!)
• What Chase Pay Yourself Back REALLY is — and why it’s a game-changer
• Travel insurance protections that could save you thousands
• The overlooked bonuses you earn just for keeping the card

Thanks again for using my affiliate link to apply for this card to support the podcast & my small business: https://www.familiesflyfree.com/favorite-card

Got a question about it? Text it to me at 844-403-2263.
 

✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

Music Credit:

Inspiring Optimistic Upbeat Energetic Guitar Rhythm by Free Music | 

https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Southwest Airlines is shaking things up—starting with assigned seating in January 2026 and a new policy that could mean paying for checked bags. 😲

But don’t panic! In this episode, I’ll walk you through exactly what’s changing, what’s not changing, and most importantly—how you can still get your checked bags free and snag a great seat without paying extra.

We’ll cover:

• ✈️ How to navigate the new bag fee rules
• 🧳 The trick to keeping your checked bags FREE
• 💺 What assigned seating really means—and how to get the best spot
• 💡 My insider tips to make the most of Southwest’s evolving policies

If you love flying Southwest (like I do!) and want to keep the perks you’ve always enjoyed, this episode is a must-listen.

Want to travel more—without the stress, the endless Googling or overpaying for flights and hotels?

Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

RESOURCES:
See the complete list of Southwest's changes here: https://www.southwest.com/customer-enhancements/assigned-seating/

Ever feel like travel is more stressful than it should be? You’re not alone — and you’re not imagining it.

In this episode, I unpack the real reason travel feels overwhelming: No one ever taught us how to do it well. From not knowing if you passport will pass muster to panicking when a flight gets canceled, most of us are just guessing our way through trips — and that leads to stress, wasted money and missed experiences.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

I share how 25+ years as a travel journalist led me to create a simple system to help you plan confidently, avoid costly mistakes and actually enjoy your travels. You’ll discover the tools, tips and insider strategies that take you from confused to confident — no matter your destination. If you’re ready to stop winging it and start traveling smarter, it’s time to go behind the curtain.

Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.