Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

Greg Mortimer, the founder of cruise line Aurora Expeditions, is a pioneer in the adventure and exploration space — he’s  traveled to many of the world's most remote and untouched regions, and has led more than 80 expeditions to Antarctica. In 1984, Mortimer made history by being part of the first Australian team to summit Mount Everest via its northeast ridge route without the use of supplemental oxygen, and he’s also summited several other peaks, such as Antarctica's Mount Minto and K2 in Asia.

In 1991, Mortimer founded Aurora Expeditions, which has a fleet of two expedition ships — Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle — and another on the way. During the episode, Mortimer will reflect on some of his most thrilling journeys. Listeners will also hear about his advocacy for environmental conservation and sustainability in the travel industry.

This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Aurora Expeditions

About Greg

Mount Minto Documentary: The Loneliest Mountain

From TravelAge West:

Review: Antarctica Onboard Aurora Expeditions' Sylvia Earle

Review: Greg Mortimer from Aurora Expeditions

New ship announcement: Douglas Mawson

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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

Veranda Adkins, co-founder of the Association of Black Travel Professionals (ABTP) is passionate about making the travel industry more inclusive.

In addition to helping run ABTP, Adkins is also a travel advisor with Travel Legacy, and prides herself in coaching entrepreneurs and being an influential speaker. Through her personal website, clients can book a multitude of different coaching tools to improve their business needs due to her more than 22 years of experience in the industry.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear Adkins reflect on her days as a young girl traveling with her mother before joining the travel industry as a human resources representative for Travel Impressions. She’ll explain how she decided to leave her corporate job behind to become a travel advisor, and what ultimately led her to start ABTP during the pandemic.

Finally, listeners will hear Adkins’ take on the area of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the travel industry, and how industry professionals can put inclusivity at the forefront of their businesses.

This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation (TTC).

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

https://verandaadkins.com/events/

https://www.abtprofessionals.org/leadership/

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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

Jason Leppert, Cruise Editor for TravelAge West, has a long history onboard cruise ships. From embarking on Crystal Cruises’ inaugural voyage in 1990 to completing his 204th voyage just a few weeks ago, Leppert has spent more time onboard ships — and at sea — than most people do in their lifetime.
 
And Leppert has turned this passion for cruising into a career. His blog, “Popular Cruising,”  has more than 47,000 subscribers on YouTube, and he regularly represents the TravelAge West brand as he reports on the ocean, river and expedition cruise industries, in addition to penning firsthand reviews of cruises.
 
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Leppert details his childhood growing up while cruising with his family, and how his early vacations led him to fall in love with the travel style. He recounts his journeys on more than 200+ cruises, and shares how he makes sure he relays an accurate and honest opinion of the ships he experiences for his readers and viewers. Finally, listeners will hear Leppert’s take on cruising’s sustainability initiatives, as well as how he addresses “cruise skeptics.”

This episode was sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Jason Leppert, Cruise Editor at TravelAge West

Popular Cruising on YouTube

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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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.

Note to listeners: Humans of Travel is on hiatus for the winter, with new, full-length episodes resuming Spring 2025. 

In this episode of Humans of Travel — sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises — Ken Shapiro, vice president and editorial director, sits down with Jen Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises, for an honest conversation about her career journey and the evolving world of river cruising.

With her signature energy and passion, Halboth reflects on her dynamic transition from professional sports to the travel industry (yes, she really does have a championship ring), her nearly two-decade tenure at Avalon Waterways and what ultimately led her to take the helm at Riverside. She shares personal insights on leadership, facing new challenges, industry trends and the many lessons she’s learned along the way.

Halboth also delves into the rapid growth of river cruising, what sets Riverside Luxury Cruises apart from the crowd and upcoming developments in store for the company. She offers valuable advice for travel advisors looking to grow their business, along with personal anecdotes about her favorite moments on the rivers.

This episode is sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Riverside Luxury Cruises

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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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.

Note to listeners: Humans of Travel is on hiatus for the winter, with new, full-length episodes resuming Spring 2025. This is a bonus Humans in the Hot Seat Episode, recorded at SmartFlyer's CORE conference in Lake Louise, Alberta, last month. This episode is released in conjunction with a Trade Secrets episode on email marketing, with SmartFlyer's Kayla Douglas.

Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.

This week, we are sitting down with Erina Pindar, Managing Partner and COO of luxury travel agency SmartFlyer.

Pindar is a veteran of Humans of Travel – her previous episode was recorded in 2020 with former host Valerie Chen. But for her return to the show, we chat all about what it takes to build a successful brand, beyond colors and fonts. How do brands remain authentic, but not "too perfect?" What was Pindar's goals when she rebranded SmartFlyer years ago? Find out this, and more, during our episode.

This episode is coming out out in conjunction with a new episode of Trade Secrets, a joint production of TravelAge West and Travel Weekly. On that podcast, we will be interviewing SmartFlyer's Kayla Douglas, director of content, about another unique form of branding: e-marketing. Head on over to the Trade Secrets feed for a listen.

Join us next week for an episode with our podcast sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

SmartFlyer

Erina Pindar on Humans of Travel in 2020: SmartFlyer's Erina Pindar on How Her Childhood in Asia Shaped Her Worldview, Plus the 411 on Branding

Trade Secrets Podcast

Contact Pindar on Instagram:

@theSmartFlyer

@erinapindar

From TravelAge West: 5 Things We Learned at SmartFlyer's 2025 CORE Conference

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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

Alle Pierce is an Emmy award-winning host, travel influencer, river cruise ship Godmother and founder of Gals Abroad Getaways, a travel company that designs group trips for like-minded women.

Before diving into the travel industry, Pierce built a successful career in broadcast journalism as a local news reporter. During this time, she honed her storytelling and public speaking skills, which would later become the foundation for her next venture — helping companies and tourism boards craft compelling brand stories.

On this episode of Humans of Travel, Pierce reflects on her journey from television host to entrepreneur, shares insights from her favorite projects (including a recent role covering the 2024 Paris Olympics), and opens up about how she stays authentic in the fast-paced world of social media. She also delves into the inspiration behind Gals Abroad Getaways, the lessons learned from her travel advisor mother and her vision for the future of her company.

This episode was sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Alle Pierce's website and Instagram

Gals Abroad Getaways

Gals Abroad Getaways 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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring  2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And this week, we are releasing a new sponsored episode featuring our partners at Collette.

In this sponsored episode of Humans of Travel, host Ken Shapiro, Vice President and Editorial Director of TravelAge West, TravelPulse and TravelPulse Canada, interviews Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, CEO of tour operator Collette. Leibl-Cote, who is only the fourth CEO and first woman to hold the position in the company’s 107-year history, shares insights on what it’s like to lead an iconic travel company.

Listeners will get an inside look at Leibl-Cote’s inspiring career journey, from growing up in a travel-focused family to her current leadership role. She shares personal anecdotes, such as a recent family trip to Africa and what it’s like being a “sports mom,” along with a few reflections on her favorite travel destinations and moments.

The conversation also dives into Collette’s evolution as a leader in group touring, the company’s focus on the modern, culturally curious traveler and how it has become a talent incubator within the travel industry. Leibl-Cote provides valuable insights on upcoming travel trends, tips for travel advisors and what makes group travel special.

This episode is sponsored by Collette.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Collette

From TravelAge West: A Look Into Collette's 100 Years as a Successful Tour Operator (2018)

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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring  2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

Danny Genung, the owner of Harr Travel, is a former middle school teacher-turned legacy travel advisor and a YouTube influencer in the cruise and resort space operating under the @HarrTravel channel. In addition to selling anywhere from 70-100 cruises per month, Genung is perhaps best known for his onscreen appearances during the cruise ship tour videos he posts daily for his 128,000 subscribers.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Genung speaks on the history of Harr Travel, which was started by his grandfather. Listeners will hear Genung talk about what it was like working with his grandfather at a young age, and how he has developed the business since taking it over. For travel advisors who are interested in learning more about creating videos to level up their businesses, Genung offers advice on tech tools, audience engagement and more.

This episode is sponsored by Collette.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Genung’ s YouTube

From TravelAge West: How a 40-Year-Old Travel Agency Is Achieving Its Best Sales Ever During COVID-19

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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring  2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

Most members of the travel industry community know Samantha Brown as the host of PBS’ Samantha Brown's Places to Love, a long-running television show that allows viewers to tune in as Brown jets all over the world, showcasing some of the planet’s most fascinating destinations, communities and cultures.

During this episode of Humans of Travel, Brown reflects on her upbringing — her early relationship with travel, and how her interest in theater prepared her for a life in front of the screen. She’ll also share a memorable story about getting to her audition — and ultimately landing the role — for the Travel Channel’s Great Vacation Homes, and reflects on some of the most memorable moments from her career. Finally, listeners will hear about Brown’s focus on sustainability and human connection while traveling, and what she respects most about the travel advisor profession.

This episode is sponsored by the Collette.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Samantha Brown's website

Samantha Brown 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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring  2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

Three years ago, Henley Vazquez created Fora Travel, a host agency that caters to a select group of new travel agents: part-timers, side-hustlers or even those who are just looking to dip their toes into a career in travel, but don’t know where to start. As a travel advisor herself — and a former staff member at Town and Country Magazine and Indagare — Vazquez says her mission is to bring new blood into the travel industry and support people at every stage of their career.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Vazquez shares the ins and outs of Fora — what she looks for in potential new advisors, why the model is appealing to non-full-time workers and what she says to people who think the barrier to entry for this career should be higher.

This episode is sponsored by Collette.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Fora Travel

Special Code for Humans of Travel Listeners: Foratravel.com/joinus

Application Code: HumansofTravel

Follow Fora on Instagram: @helloFora

Vazquez’s Speedtalking with Fora Podcast, on YouTube: 

From TravelAge West

Why Do Travel Agents Have to Chase Their Commissions?

Part-Time Travel Agent? Fora Aims to Professionalize New Agents (and Side-Hustlers)

These Suppliers Pay Travel Agent Commissions On Time 

Part-Time Travel Agents Make Up a Third of the Travel Advisor Workforce

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. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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.