Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

 Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories: 

• Best Targeted Marketing Idea

• Best Group Booking Effort

• Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40

• Saving the Day

• Best Use of Social Media

Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.

This episode features Beci Mahnken of MEI-Travel, nominated in the Best Targeted Marketing Idea category.

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Beci Mahnken on Instagram

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

 Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories: 

• Best Targeted Marketing Idea

• Best Group Booking Effort

• Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40

• Saving the Day

• Best Use of Social Media

Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.

This episode features Katie Brown of Travelmation, nominated in the Best Use of Social Media category.

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Travelmation

Katie Brown on Instagram

Katie's first Humans in the Hot Seat episode

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Smotrys, managing director and senior vice president, commercial for the Americas at HX Expeditions, has decades of experience in the cruise industry — but his first taste of travel came in the form of roadtrips up the California coast. And his first time on a cruise ship? During his senior prom, onboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. 

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Smotrys reflects on his career journey, his passion for expedition cruising and how a pandemic-era social media post led him to meet his now-wife, Emmy. He also speaks about the evolution of the 130-year-old HX Expeditions (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), how the company is redefining what it means to explore remote parts of the world and why travel advisors shouldn’t be afraid to sell expeditions — even to clients who don’t consider themselves “adventurous.”

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

HX Expeditions

Smotrys on LinkedIn

@emmyandstevestravelcravings on Instagram

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

 Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories: 

• Best Targeted Marketing Idea

• Best Group Booking Effort

• Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40

• Saving the Day

• Best Use of Social Media

Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.

This episode features Jackie Waechter of Blissful Vacations, nominated in the Saving the Day category.

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Blissful Vacations

Email Jackie: [email protected]

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

 Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories: 

• Best Targeted Marketing Idea

• Best Group Booking Effort

• Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40

• Saving the Day

• Best Use of Social Media

Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.

This episode features Autumn Trussell-Murray of Abundant Travel - Dream Vacations, nominated in the Saving the Day category.

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Autumn on Instagram: @abundant.travel

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

 Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories: 

• Best Targeted Marketing Idea

• Best Group Booking Effort

• Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40

• Saving the Day

• Best Use of Social Media

Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.

This episode features Jamie Rumpf of Love of the Magic Vacations, nominated in the Best Use of Social Media category.

This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Jamie Rumpf of Love of the Magic Vacations

Email Jamie: [email protected]

Jamie on Instagram 

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anne Marie Brown was born into one of Hawaii’s most iconic hospitality families — the Kelleys of Outrigger Hotels — and got her start in the industry with hands-on internships in nearly every department, from housekeeping and front desk to maintenance and the bell desk.

Today, her path has taken her far beyond the Hawaiian Islands and the hotel world. Brown is now the co-founder of Alpenglow Travel, a luxury travel agency specializing in FIT, small group travel, events and corporate B2B planning.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Brown reflects on her family’s legacy and the lasting impact Outrigger Hotels & Resorts has had on Hawaii’s tourism landscape. She also shares valuable lessons from her background in hospitality, the story behind launching Alpenglow Travel and how her passion for poetry — including her viral piece, "Pretty," written for her daughter — continues to shape the way she sees the world.

This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts

Alpenglow Travel

Contact:  [email protected] 

The viral poem "Pretty"

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

 Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories: 

• Best Targeted Marketing Idea

• Best Group Booking Effort

• Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40

• Saving the Day

• Best Use of Social Media

Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.

This episode features Lisa McCarl of McCarl Travel, nominated in the Best Group Booking Effort category.

This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Lisa McCarl of McCarl Travel

Email Lisa: [email protected]

Lisa on Facebook and LinkedIn

Lisa's partnership with the National Health Association

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

 Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories: 

• Best Targeted Marketing Idea

• Best Group Booking Effort

• Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40

• Saving the Day

• Best Use of Social Media

Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.

This episode features Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel, nominated in the Upward Bound, Rockstar Advisor Under 40 category.

This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel

Sam's previous Humans in the Hot Seat Episode

Call Sam:  (406) 570-9612 

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Ken Shapiro, group vice president and editorial director for Northstar Travel Group (the parent company of TravelAge West), speaks with Stephanie Brooks, vice president of product and operations for the Globus family of brands.

Brooks’ passion for travel stems from seeing the power of shared experiences and personal connections, and she shares her own journey from aspiring teacher to tourism executive, shaped by summers spent working at a remote fishing lodge in Canada and an early role at the Banff Visitor Center. She also reflects on her two decades with Globus, including roles in product development, operations and supplier contracting.

Listeners will also hear Brooks’ insights into the misconceptions around escorted touring, as she highlights its modern-day flexibility, comfort and value. She also shares memorable travel experiences in Kenya, Vietnam and Newfoundland, and talks about an exciting new Globus offering in South Africa.

This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:53 Meet Stephanie Brooks

01:35 Stephanie's Early Career and Influences

01:53 Transition to the Globus Family of Brands

08:59 Insights into Product Development and Operations

14:19 Challenges and Rewards in the Travel Industry

17:26 The Value of Escorted Touring

17:44 Stephanie's Favorite Destinations

25:57 Future Travel Plans and Final Thoughts

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Globus family of brands and www.globusjourneys.com

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.