Caleb is officially on paternity leave (welcome to the world, Lilah), which makes this the perfect moment to reflect.

In this special “Bro Show” episode, we unpack what 21 episodes of Give Me Some Good News have taught them about tourism, leadership, and personal growth.

From why the tourism industry is smaller — and kinder — than we think…
To why vulnerability beats vision…To why positivity is strategic, not naïve…To the art of asking better questions…And why consistency compounds.

This one is part reflection, part gratitude, and part reminder that optimism still has a place in our industry.

Thanks for being part of the journey. This has been some good news!

In this episode, we sit down with Learn Tourism CEO & Co-Founder Stephen Ekstrom to talk about:

• The rise of the “Values Visitor” and what that means for DMOs

• Why storytelling beats stats in tourism advocacy

• How frontline workers shape the first 90 seconds of a visitor experience

• Building a culture of learning inside your destination organization

• Why education is the future of destination management

From crawfish farms in Louisiana to breakfast invites in rural Mexico, Stephen shares powerful stories that remind us: tourism isn’t just about dollars and room nights. It’s about people feeling seen, welcomed, and valued.

Because when one teaches, two learn.

Mason Moore has spent 27 years leading in both corporate America and agency environments, but his greatest leadership lessons didn’t come from a boardroom.

In this episode, Mason shares how discipline in fitness, surviving cancer three times, and building trust over time shaped the way he leads today. We unpack what it means to create future leaders, why inspiration beats intimidation, how awareness leads to growth, and why perspective changes everything.

This is a conversation about resilience, performance, and the kind of leadership people actually want to follow.

If you’re building a career, leading a team, or navigating a hard season, this one’s for you.

The boys sit down with Jeremiah Cook, CDME, Assistant Director of Tourism for Visit College Station, to unpack what modern DMO leadership really looks like in 2026.

From stewarding public funds and communicating ROI to boards, to building strategic sales teams and focusing on the right KPIs at the right time, Jeremiah shares candid insight on transparency, accountability, and intentional growth in today’s crowded tourism marketplace. You’ll hear:

• Why transparency is no longer optional for destination leaders

• How to communicate ROI in a world overloaded with data

• Why not all KPIs matter equally, and how to choose the ones that do

• How Visit College Station strategically tackled weekday occupancy challenges• What it means to lead a team with both presence and performance

Plus, Jeremiah shares the story behind the “College Station Wagon,” a rolling embodiment of brand and community pride.

Leadership matters now more than ever in travel and tourism, that's why we sat down with longtime industry leader Gathan Borden for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build strong teams and future-readyhuman-centered destinations.

From stumbling into tourism to becoming a respected voice on leadership, relationships, and innovation, Gathan shares why transparency builds trust, how horizontal growth can shape careers, and what DMOs must do to stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.

They also explore personal branding, human centered leadership, the role of AI in destination marketing, and why the best leaders focus less on titles and more on people.

This episode is packed with actionable insight and perspective for the modern DMO professional.

Caleb and Tyler sit down with Emily Zertuche, newly announced Chief Innovation Officer at Visit Corpus Christi - You heard it here first!

Emily shares her journey from working in restaurants and coffee shops to spending more than a decade rising through the ranks at her destination. The conversation dives into career growth, drive, and why hospitality experience creates some of the strongest leaders in tourism.

They explore what innovation really means for DMOs, why “wait and see” is the most dangerous strategy in today’s landscape, and how AI, data cleanup, and simplified KPIs will shape successful destinations by 2030. Emily also opens up about finding her voice through writing, building a personal platform, and why the next generation of destination leaders doesn’t need permission to lead.

If you’re thinking about the future of destination marketing, innovation, or how to build a career with purpose in tourism, this one’s a must-listen.

Caleb Sullivan and co-host Tyler Ford sit down with a very special guest: Barbara Karasek, entrepreneur, investor, and owner of Paradise Advertising & Marketing. Barbara shares her remarkable journey from global sports and entertainment marketing to acquiring and growing a full-service agency deeply embedded in the tourism and hospitality world.

Together, they explore:

• How tourism quietly touches every industry and every community

• Why true agency client relationships must be built on trust, culture, and shared values, not transactions

• What it means to lead with optimism during uncertainty

• How the “friendship economy” shapes tourism more than any other industry

• Why an entrepreneurial mindset transcends job titles and industries

From Olympic delegations to destination marketing, from managing a dollar to stewarding communities, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, perspective, and positivity. It’s a reminder that tourism isn’t just about travel—it’s about people, livelihoods, and the movement that connects us all.

If you’re a destination leader, marketer, entrepreneur, or simply someone who believes in the power of human connection, this episode is packed with insight—and a whole lot of good news.

In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, we sit down with Christina Riley, founder of NC Tripping, for an honest and inspiring conversation about authenticity in the creator economy.

Christian shares her journey from blogging abroad in South Korea to building one of the most trusted North Carolina travel platforms, along with the lessons she’s learned about niching down, evolving with the industry, and staying true to her values as content creation continues to change.

The conversation dives deep into how content creators and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) can work together more effectively by moving beyond transactional campaigns toward real partnerships rooted in trust, communication, and shared goals. Christina also opens up about balancing business, creativity, parenthood, and personal growth, reminding us that success isn’t just measured in metrics - it’s measured in memories.

Plus, Christina shares her good news—a powerful reminder that investing in relationships and well-being matters just as much as professional wins.

If you care about authentic storytelling, destination marketing, creator–DMO collaboration, or simply finding the good in travel and life, this episode is for you.

As 2025 comes to a close, Caleb and Tyler sit down for a special year-end episode of Give Me Some Good News to reflect on the journey so far. Thirteen episodes in, the guys look back on how the podcast started, the community that’s grown around it, and the unexpected joy of simply hitting the mic and having honest conversations.

This episode dives deeper than usual, touching on career growth, self-exploration, vulnerability, and the blurred lines between who we are professionally and who we are personally. Caleb shares reflections on his own career path, identity beyond work, and setting intentions for the year ahead, while Tyler opens up about making a major career pivot and the power of taking time to reset and reassess.

It’s a conversation about gratitude, growth, accountability, and giving yourself permission to evolve — all wrapped up with a big thank-you to the listeners and a look ahead to what’s coming next for the podcast.

In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb Sullivan and Tyler Ford sit down with Isiah Lewis, Director of Client Relations at Downs & St. Germain Research (DSG), for a conversation about growth, mentorship, and the human side of tourism data.

Isaiah shares how he “fell backward” into the tourism industry, turning a college guest lecture into two internships, a full-time role, and eventually a leadership position at a boutique research firm. Along the way, he unpacks what it really means to be a tourism “lifer,” why patience and initiative matter early in your career, and how small firms can create big opportunities when you’re willing to step up.

The conversation dives into how DMOs should think about data heading into 2026, including value-driven travel, multi-generational trips, and why storytelling—not spreadsheets alone—is what builds trust with stakeholders, residents, and decision-makers. Isaiah also explains how to translate research differently for commissioners, community members, and partners so insights actually drive action.

Plus, some genuinely good news to close it out: engagements, new family additions, creative side hustles, and why authenticity remains the most valuable currency in tourism.

If you care about career growth, destination research, or making data meaningful, this one’s for you