Up in the Air

Kevin Jackson is the founder of EXP Journeys, an ultra high-end boutique travel agency that coordinates and executes inimitable travel experiences worldwide.

What we covered:

How EXP started as a rock climbing Groupon experience in San Diego

How they built an amazing race style event for a NYC financial firm

How they develop narratives for all of their experience storylines

What a custom 007 experiences would look like for a client adventure

The insane logistics and planning that goes into a custom fantasy world experience

How the pricing and budgets work for these crazy events

What it’s like to lead a travel company personally and professionally

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BlZkzxzh--R/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Brett Tollman is the CEO of The Travel Corporation which owns forty different companies in the travel, hospitality, and tourism industry.

Some things we discussed:

How big companies can become carbon neutral and more sustainable

TTCs approach to sustainable travel through their TreadRight program

The positive side of aviation emissions

What it was like to wield a real Samurai Katana in Japan

What the travel industry is doing to make travel safe during the pandemic

The global economic impact of the travel industry

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Follow Brett on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Bretttollman

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Lori Balton is a location scout for Hollywood movies and has scouted locations for Inception, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Argo, and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.

Some of the things we covered:

What is the role of a location scout in a Hollywood film

Why it’s important for them to also test out hotels and restaurants

How Hollywood movies recreate scenes to add into green-screen shots

Why we don’t see a lot of Africa in Hollywood films

What it’s like to work with Christopher Nolan

How to recognize good and bad location scouting in movies

Find Lori on instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/lbalton/

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Justin Ross Lee is a travel hacker, Jew Jetter, and expatriate living in Koh Samui Thailand. He made a first class lounge at JFK his personal office, has been in episodes of million dollar beach house, millionaire matchmaker, and owns a pocket square company called pretentious pocket.

What you'll learn:

The art of jewjetting

What it’s like to move to another country

How he gets upgraded at hotels for free

How to own your travel experience

How he joined the Mile High Club

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Follow Justin on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/justinrosslee/?hl=en

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Anita Mendiratta is Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization.

What we covered:

How the tourism industry has faired throughout the pandemic.

When and why business travel will come back.

How has social media affected the global tourism landscape.

What immunity passports will look like.

The role of quality airports in tourism.

How airlines decide where to start new routes.

How British Airways Golden Ticket system works.

Why you should always say thank you in the local language .

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Follow Anita on Twitter here:

https://twitter.com/AnitaMendiratta?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

The "gram" she explained:

https://twitter.com/AnitaMendiratta/status/1086079237730185216?s=20

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Brian is a Senior Aviation Business Editor for Skift where he writes about the aviation industry, airlines, airplanes, and how it's all connected.

Some of the things we talked about:

What will happen to your miles if an airline goes out of business

Why airline loyalty programs are so valuable to airline bottom lines

How airline route networks will change as a result of the coronavirus

What goes into the design of premium cabin aircraft seats

How to find the Lufthansa first class terminal when departing Frankfurt

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Follow Brian on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/BrianSumers

The 'gram Brian explained:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKD65jTjtTO/?igshid=10mahxra46qbe

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A half dozen or so companies have spent the last decade, and some much longer than that, developing technology that will make it possible to become an astronaut without being a decorated pilot, physicist and one of the smartest people on the planet. I know there have been musings about commercial space flight being right around the corner for years, but I have good reason to believe it’s finally time to get excited. Jason Divenere worked for Scaled Composites, the company that built Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, that will fly Sir Richard Branson to space in early 2021. Of course tickets are a little pricey at the moment, but they could be somewhat affordable in the next few decades. Until you can buy your own ticket, a career in commercial space travel might be the best way to taste the wonder that is zero G and all of the crazy things that come with it.

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Find Jason on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/jdivenere/

The 'gram he explained here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bva4BWlF8ec/?igshid=1gsb3jodgmuug

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As a a 737 pilot for American Airlines, Evan Hunt is tasked with making sure the airplane is still usable after each landing. Although he’s missing the gray hairs of his older colleagues, he’s managed to have a meaningful career in aviation thus far, having flown the 737 MAX all over the North American continent. Growing up, he bonded with his Dad—also a pilot—over their love of airplanes and aviation which led him to pursuing his pilots license at a very young age. We talked about aviation's safety record, how to pursue a career as a pilot, flying the 737 MAX, turbulence, and all sorts of other things. Enjoy the episode!

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You can find Evan on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/petki5/

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Love Fajota has worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines for 20 years and when I say she’s seen it all, I mean it. From bold passengers trying to sneak multiple emotional support animals into the cabin, to other crew members getting naughty in the crew rest quarters, to inflight emergencies and run ins with air marshals, she’s had more than her fair share of bizarre experiences at 40 thousand feet. Love and I had the opportunity to discuss some interesting topics that can be contentious among frequent flyers like when to use the Flight attendant call button or how to deal with a passenger who refuses to wear a mask. I found her approach to in-flight unruliness to be hilarious and awesome and I personally learned a lot from our chat that will inform my flying behavior in the future.

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Follow love on instagram at @comeflywithlove

https://www.instagram.com/comeflywithlove/

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Will Geddes runs a private security firm based in the UK and his work protecting celebrities like Matt Damon and Reese Witherspoon has brought him to some of the world’s most dangerous places. While he doesn’t go looking for trouble, he’s become quite good at finding it: Despite several stints in Iraq and Afghanistan his closest brush with death…was on the beaches of Thailand when the 2004 tsunami flattened the town he was vacationing in. While not always cheating death, Will has an incredible collection of experiences to pull from to help everyday people become safer and smarter travelers and I enjoyed our conversation immensely…for that reason. Perhaps his best advice? Always smile at the man with a gun.

Don't forget to subscribe and if you listen on apple podcasts, would be amazing if you could rate and review the show!

You can find Will on Twitter here:

https://twitter.com/willgeddes

You can contact me on social at any of the links below:

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