WORLD FOOTPRINTS

Travel around the globe with World Footprints today as we go to Namibia, the Mediterranean and Detroit.

First stop…Namibia with Dr. Laurie Marker, Founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund.  Since 1990, Dr. Marker has pioneered new ideas in cheetah conservation and has formed cooperative alliances on behalf of the cheetah that have never before been possible. She is recognized around the world as one of the leading experts on cheetahs, both in the wild and in captivity. 

Then we’ll journey to the Mediterranean with travel author and TV host Rick Steves.  Rick is on a mission: to help make European travel accessible and meaningful for Americans.  Rick just returned from two Mediterranean Cruises and he joins us to talk about his newest guide book, Mediterranean Cruise Ports, and the art of travel.

Finally, Detroit is a city that has not been portrayed favorably in the media (except on World Footprints) so we were surprised to meet someone who left his Fortune 500 employer to move to Detroit for the purpose of showing the city in a different light.  Philip Lauri is the Founder and Director of Detroit Lives! and he join us to share why Detroit is a vibrant place to live and discover.

Do you believe in ghosts or vampires? On today’s show you’ll meet two people that do—a paranormal photographer and a writer who traveled along dracula’s trail. On a more serious note we’ll also re-introduce you to our friends and partners at the United Nations Global Initiative to fight Human Trafficking.

Jason Dowd is an award-winning photographer whose work has been exhibited throughout the world. He is also a paranormal investigator, who has debunked possible “ghost sightings” and confirmed others through his own personal experiences—some which he captured on recording.

Steven P. Unger has traveled extensively in North and South America, Western Europe, Israel, and Romania. But his life journeys are even more intriguing. He was one of a handful of white students at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and a member of the Bear Tribe, a California commune that tried sharecropping, goat herding, and living in teepees. So it’s not surprising that this adventurer also sought to discover the truth and myths behind “Vlad the Impaler” aka, DRACULA. In his new book, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DRACULA: A PERSONAL JOURNEY AND TRAVEL GUIDE, Steven reveals the history of Dracula in a surprisingly scholarly fashion.

Human trafficking is a real threat and it affects people of every demographic in every country around the world. World Footprints has joined several organizations that are fighting on the frontlines against this global crime. Our awareness and intro into the world of human trafficking started with our partnership with the United Nations Global Initiative to fight Human Trafficking.

The diverse heritages of the people of New Orleans makes this city very unique, interesting and alive with traditions that are not found in any other city in the country.  New Orleans is a place where Africans intermingled with Native Americans and european settlers ultimately creating a sustainable culture that distinguishes New Orleans today.   Dr. MaryMiitchell, History Professor at UNO, joins us to discuss the African contributions to New Orleans and the dynamics that slavery played in the development and culture of this city.  

Most people don’t equate compassion and beauty when they think of Voodoo, but  Voodoo historian, Professor Martha Ward, says that is what she discovered when she first began researching the practice.  Prof. Ward is a Professor Emeritus at UNO and author of the book, Voodoo Queen: The Spirited Lives of Marie Laveau, the only academic account of the famous New Orelans voodoo priestess and her daughter, Marie Laveau II.  Professor Ward  offers a Voodoo history lesson and her belief that Hollywood and media have incorrectly racialized and stigmatized Voodoo. 

Enjoy our FQF hour one discussion of New Orleans art and history.

We journey to the island of St. Vincent to explore ancient places and the history of a proud people few know anything about.  Our first stop is to the Botanical Gardens of St. Vincent, the oldest such garden of its type in the Western Hemisphere, and we are joined by historian Dr. Edgar Adams for a look into some of the events and experiences that have defined his life and the history of St. Vincent.

Then we travel to Fort Charlotte where we meet Augustine Sutherland, a decendant of one of St. Vincent's indigeneous ethnic groups, the Garafuna.   Fort Charlotte was built by the British (1793-1806), not to defend against a naval attack but as an inland defense against attacks from the Garafuna, Kalinago and the French.  This in evidenced by the fact that the cannons of Fort Charlotte face inland.  Augustine shares some of the tragic history his ancestors faced here and some of the challenges he faced growing up as a Garafuna on St. Vincent.

Some of our favorite celebrities are more than just pretty faces.  They are people who are displaying their sense of humanity and building legacies of positive footprints that go beyond the big and small screens.

Don Diamont is an extraordinary actor who has been seen on both the big and small screens.  Most recognized for his role as “Dollar Bill Spencer, Jr.,” on the CBS Daytime Drama, The Bold and the Beautiful, Don was also seen in the film Anger Management with Jack Nicolson and Adam Sandler and Marco Polo opposite Jack Palance.     Don’s resume is very impressive but the one title he treasures the most is when he was named  Ambassador of the Year by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in recognition of his work and efforts to find a cure for this crippling disease. 

Heather Tom is a two-time Emmy Award winning actress is recognized for her role as “Katie Logan-Spencer” on the CBS Daytime drama, The Bold and the Beautiful.  Heather began acting at the tender ago of two and she’s been seen in many roles on television, on the big screen and on the stage.  However, Heather embraces an even larger role on the world stage as an activist and humanitarian.

Eric Braeden has captivated audiences for many years.  From his role as John Jacob Astor in James Cameron’s Titanic to his most famous role as the dashing Victor Newman in the #1 daytime drama, The Young & The Restless—a role that garnered an Emmy Award, several Emmy nominations and a People’s Choice Award.  Eric has held many screen roles over the last 50 years, but he has also been honored for his real-life role as a humanitarian and for his work to bridge cultural gaps.

This World Footprints show will journey to the Grenadines and unlock the mysteries of the sea in a way few seldom see or experience.  

Our first stop takes us to Bequia (pronounced Beck-way), the largest of the Grenadines.  Fresh from a dive at Devils Table with her dive buddy Cathy Sachs of Dive Bequia, Tonya and Cathy will recount their dive and why Bequia offers an unusual diving experience.  Cathy will also share how this island has changed her life.

Then we’ll visit Bequia’s Park Bay, home to the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, where a native retired skin-diving fisherman affectionately known as “Brother King”, has spent  more than a decade of his life to helping to conserve the endangered hawksbill turtle.  Brother King and his helpers monitor the beaches and nests here to protect mother turtles from poachers.  They also care for the baby hatchlings in the sanctuary during the turtles’ vulnerable years of life.

Many of the hatchlings are released into a protective area just south of Bequia called Tobago Cays—our next stop.  Lesroy Noel is the Park Ranger for the Tobago Cays Marine Park which lies in the southern Grenadines.  The area comprises of five isles bordered by a giant horseshoe reef and teems with wildlife and wild sea turtles.  Few places on earth can match the unblemished natural beauty, tranquil waters and their ever-changing kaleidoscope of blues, greens and aquamarines.

Today's show will find World Footprints traveling to the crown jewel of Louisiana's River Road, revisiting a dark chapter in American history, and uncovering the best that New Orleans has to offer.

The Houmas House in Darrow, Louisiana is an antebellus plantation and sister property of the famous Greenbrier Resort in Virginia.  This historical jewel sits between New Orleans and Baton Rouge and contains a treasure trove of history within its walls.  We were pleased to spend a day with the planation's colorful owner, entrepreneur Kevin Kelly and learn what he is doing to preserve Houmas House as a living history and decorative arts showcase.

Then, the greatest act of slave resistance in American history took place in 1811 just outside of New Orleans and has remained largely untold, until now.  Author Daniel Rasmussen joins us to discuss his book, American Uprising: The Untold Story of America's Largest Slave Revolt, and shed new light on the great American paradox--slavery.

Finally, native New Orleanian and travel writer Laura Martone is the author of the Moon Travel Guide to New Orleans and she stops by to offer an insider's guide to the best that New Orleans has to offer.

World Footprints will open up our new "Travelers University" to share some important things that you should know about the cruise industry and travel insurance. 

Whether you are a first time cruiser or have sailed the seven seas for years, there are things about the cruise industry that you probably don’t know. For as much enjoyment as a cruise provides there is a dark side to cruising that generally goes unreported.  Author and Saturday Evening Post contributor, Elizabeth Becker, joins us to reveal the dangers that passengers often face upon boarding.

World Footprints Travelers University will continue with an expert panel that will addresse many questions surrounding the decision to purchase travel insurance.  If you’ve ever questioned the necessity of travel insurance or a medical evacuation plan, many frequently asked questions will be answered today from experts at the TravelInsuranceStore.com and MedjetAssist.  You’ll also hear from a traveler who suffered severe injuries in Africa and how his care and rehabilitiation was managed through his travel insurance policy.

World Footprints travels from inside the Beltway to the banks of the mighty Mississippi River as we bridge two cities--Washington, DC and New Orleans with two guests who know a thing or two about both places.  Enjoy our conversation with political power couple James Carville and Mary Matalin--two people who have become a force for good in the Crescent City.

Join World Footprints as we explore American History through the voices and houses of the country's Founding Fathers with award-winning author Myron Magnet.  In his book, The Founders at Home: The Building of America, 1735 - 1817, Magnet says that among all of our founders accomplishments the American Revolution has been the country's only enduring success.

We are also going to review American History from another angle--America's Whiskey Trail.   Saturday Evening Post contributor Todd Pitock will take us to the birth places of America's native spirit.

Finally, we will revisit our coverage of the Sochi Paralympic Games with a post script segment.  You will meet another favorite of the Games when we introduce two-time Silver Medalist Mark Bathum and his guide Cade Yamamoto.  Mark and Cade won their medals in the Men's Super G and Super Combined Alpine events for the visually impaired.