Caleb and Tyler sit down with Tim Crouson, Research Director at Destination Ann Arbor, to explore how one DMO is redefining community engagement from the inside out.

Tim shares the story behind his rise from intern to a cross-departmental leader, and how his passion for authentic communication inspired the creation of Tourism Talks with Tim—a growing platform dedicated to breaking down data, elevating transparency, and giving local businesses and residents a meaningful seat at the table.

From the urgency born out of the pandemic to today’s commitment to acting like a community partner, not just a marketing organization, Tim offers practical, heartfelt insights on how DMOs can build trust, foster collaboration, and champion the people who truly make a destination special.

You’ll hear about:

• How Ann Arbor uses data and storytelling to empower local businesses

• Why authenticity is a non-negotiable in modern destination marketing

• How to make residents feel valued, represented, and invited into the brand

• The power of being a “connector” inside your community

• Why DMOs should embrace their role as stewards—not just promoters—of place

If you're passionate about community-driven tourism, stakeholder relationships, or the evolving role of DMOs, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

How do you set intentions for a new year without burning out by February? In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb Sullivan and Tyler Ford are joined by long-time DMO pro and former Destinations International Senior Director, David Breisch, for a hopeful, practical conversation about New Year’s resolutions, goal-setting, and growth in the travel and tourism world.

Together, they dig into:

• Why reflection (hello, Spotify Wrapped) is so motivating

• The pros and cons of New Year’s resolutions

• How to set SMART, career-focused goals in tourism

• Tracking your “wins” and lessons learned throughout the year

• Work–life balance, leadership vs. management, and supporting the next generation

David also opens up about his current career transition, shares advice for professionals who feel “stuck,” and, some exclusive good news, a teaser about a new podcast project he and Caleb are launching to elevate emerging leaders in the industry.

If you’re a travel, tourism, or DMO professional looking to make 2026 your most intentional year yet, this one’s for you.

In this post-Thanksgiving episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb and Tyler keep the holiday spirit going with a heartfelt conversation about gratitude, personal growth, and the power of community within the travel and tourism industry.

Caleb reflects on the friendships, support, and unexpected career path that led him into tourism and why he feels so deeply thankful for the people who shaped his journey. Tyler shares the story behind his own major career pivot, the mindset shifts that pushed him forward, and the three guiding ideas that helped him find the right “boat” to be in.

Together, they explore authenticity, courage, connection, and why saying “thank you” while people are still here to hear it matters more than ever. And of course, they extend their gratitude to you, the listeners, for joining them as they continue to build a podcast centered on optimism, community, and good news.

If you’re easing back into work after the holiday, this episode is a warm reminder to appreciate where you are, who helped you get there, and what’s possible in the year ahead.

Caleb and Tyler sit down with entrepreneur and “king of good news” Greg Star to talk about LinkedIn, authenticity, and the power of personal brand in the age of AI. Greg shares his journey from building Carvertise to launching Driven Authentic Branding Solutions after a brain cancer diagnosis, and why he believes people root for people, not company pages. They dig into using LinkedIn as a “living, breathing resume,” how destinations and DMOs can use social for advocacy, the “friendship economy,” and why being biased toward action might be the best career advice you’ll ever get.

Check out the full Tourism Supply Chain Article Here

Caleb and Tyler are flying solo for the first official “bro show” on Give Me Some Good News, and they’re diving deep into a new way to think about destination marketing.

In this episode, they unpack the Tourism Supply Chain - a five-link framework that moves beyond the traditional marketing funnel to help DMOs better plan, measure, and improve the entire visitor journey, from audience definition and media exposure to on-the-ground experiences and post-trip advocacy.

You’ll hear:

• The origin story of the Tourism Supply Chain (born from Caleb’s early DMO days and Tyler’s supply chain background)

• How to plan for problems before they happen—Disney-style

• How tools like the 5 Whys and 1% improvements can reveal root issues and drive continuous gains

• Practical examples DMOs can use right now, from tackling long restaurant wait times to activating “secret season” campaigns

If you’re ready to stop saying “it should work” and start taking extreme ownership of your destination’s results, this episode is for you.

Caleb and Tyler chat with Andrea from Tennessee Tech’s Center for Rural Innovation about how community-first branding, powered by workshops, asset inventories, and paid student creative teams, is helping rural counties find their voice and spark real economic momentum. From Jackson County Tennessee's billboards to Monterey’s community identity, they unpack how logos become pride, data (IMPLAN, Placer.ai) becomes impact, and students build careers while keeping talent local. Plus, Andrea’s “good news” moment: a healthy pup and a well-earned promotion.

In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb and Tyler chat with Heather Kouns, VP of Strategic Sales at North Little Rock Tourism, about her journey from hospitality operations to destination development. Heather shares how she’s turning North Little Rock’s local flavor, creative energy, and community pride into a powerful tourism story.

They explore:

• The evolution from hotel and restaurant management to destination sales leadership

• How programs like Restaurant Month and Food Truck Permitting Day drive community engagement

• Balancing small-town authenticity with big-city access

• The importance of flexibility, relationships, and genuine storytelling in tourism sales

🎧 Tune in for a conversation that proves great tourism starts with great people and a deep love for the community they serve.

In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb and Tyler sit down with Alyssa from Key Data to explore how analytics is reshaping the future of tourism. From Breckenridge to small DMOs across the country, Alyssa shares how destinations are using real-time data to make smarter, more sustainable decisions.

They dive into:

• The evolution of tourism analytics and storytelling with data

• How DMOs can balance marketing with destination management

• Building stronger collaboration between DMOs and industry partners

🎧 Tune in for a data-driven look at how insight, collaboration, and a little creativity can shape the future of travel.

In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb and Tyler sit down with Ben from Discover Santa Clara, a 30 Under 30 honoree who shares his journey from agency life and mall management to leading marketing for one of California’s most exciting destinations.

They dig into:

• The evolution from general marketing into tourism and destination storytelling

• Building food tourism initiatives ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl 60

• Lessons in leadership, mentorship, and managing a growing team

• Why the tourism industry’s collaborative culture sets it apart from corporate marketing

Along the way, the trio swap watch stories and talk career milestones. It’s a relaxed, insightful conversation about growth, gratitude, and the people behind the places we love to visit.

🎧 Tune in, get inspired, and remember — there’s always some good news in travel.

In this episode, Caleb & Tyler interview Jessica Spindler, the Tourism Team Lead at Carvertise. Jessica talks about her career growth and development, driving positivity in the Tourism Industry, and lessons learned from her time in media sales. Buckle up for a fun one!