Having grown up in the midwest we are always proud to share many of the regions undiscovered treasures.  On today's show, World Footprints will explore two state capitols--Indianapolis, Indiana and Lansing, Michigan (Tonya's hometown).  

Indianapolis is home to the world's largest and the fourth oldest children's museum.  Kim Harm from the museum will take us on a tour and share how a children's museum can change a child's life in unimaginable ways.  She will also talk about some of their exciting international exhibits, including China's Terra Cotta Warriors.

From its opening in 1879, the Michigan State Capitol Building has served as the gateway to the Mid-Michigan region.  Bolding standing in the heart of Lansing--Michigan's capitol city--the Capitol Building draws more than 100,000 visitors annually.  This beautiful landmark is one of only 13 Capitol buildings nationwide--including the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC--that have been designated as a National Historic Landmark.  We will tour the Capitol Building and hear stories of this remarkable historic structure with the Michigan Capitol's chief story teller, Matt Van Acker.

On the occasion of International Press Freedom Day, World Footprints was invited by the United Nations Foundation to attend a powerful event sought to change the narrative and examine women's voices in fragile states and why those voices matter.

The UN Foundation co-hosted a distinguished panel which was led by Ambassador Melanne Verveer of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.  She was joined by Krista Hendry from The Fund for Peace, Amy Slaughter and Yar Ayuel with RefugePoint and award-winning filmmaker Elaisha Stokes.  The panel discussed the challenges that women face in fragile states and areas where women are taking the lead in reconcilation.  They also examined what happens to girls and women as the most vulnerable and neglected victims in conflict afflicted states, and why telling these stories is important.

World Footprints will take you on an exploration of the wonderful city of Norfolk, VA. On today's show we will travel through rich historical neighborhoods like Ghent, meet fascinating residents like the Doumars Family—creators of the ice cream cone, and visit cultural attractions like the Chrysler Museum and Attucks Theatre.

From the Waterfront to the Freemason District, the Botanical Gardens, Nauticus and beyond, Norfolk offers a treasure trove of art, culture, history and culinary delights.

On today's show World Footprints brings you an hour of literary fun as we share two favorite Book Club interviews.

Author Kevin Fitzpatrick (no relation to us) takes us through a New York that very few know about as we explore "A journey into Dororthy Parker's New York."  After today you'll see a different side of the Big Apple and you'll leave wanting to know more about Dorothy Parker.

Then, former JFK station manager Claudia Oxee "tells all" in her book "Tales from the Tarmac".  Claudia will leave you gasping, laughing out loud and silently crying as we learn about what goes on behind the scenes at airports.

Actress Kate Linder, best known for her role as Ester Valentine on The Young and the Restless (CBS Daytime), also travels for a living as a United Airlines flight attendant. Really! Kate didn’t leave her daytime job even after landing the popular role on Y&R. She takes a break from Genoa City to join World Footprints talk about her dual roles and her work as Celebrity Spokesperson for the ALS Foundation. Then we’ll talk about the role that tourism plays in fostering peace with Lou D’Amore, Founder and President of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism. Finally, Casey Wohl, the “Getaway Girl,” stops by to share a few great destination ideas for a girlfriends’ getaway and the guys who are seeking a “mancation.”

World Footprints is pleased to share an hour of two very popular Book Club shows.  We'll travel through the lives of two celebrities and live vicariously through their pens.  Actress Gloria Loring (Days of our Lives) shares her tumulous life journey and where she drew the inspiration to keep moving forward in her new book "Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous."   Gloria will also share the trials of parenting two teenage boys, including popular R&B star Robin Thicke.

British songwriter Billy Franks puts his whole life on display in his book "A Far Cry from Sunset" and he'll take us on an emotional journey as we explore his personal journey (which also includes his introduction and growing friendship with Prince Harry).

World Footprints travels through Eastern Montana and explores the history and diversity of Big Sky Country's eastern border.  Today we'll fulfill a "need for speed" when we go drag car racing at Phillips County Motor Sports Dragstrip in Malta with racing champions Shaun and Dillion Carnahan.   We'll travel along the vast landscape of the Hammond Ranch where some of the most significant dinosaur discoveries have been made.  From Malta we'll head south to Billings and go behind the scenes at the Dino Lab where prehistoric creatures are restored fossil-by-fossil.  Finally, we'll visit the elegant Moss Mansion former home to Billings founder Preston Boyd Moss.  We'll learn how Moss' vision for Billings and his world travels influenced the city's growth and his home's design.

Louisana's Creole culture and a famed New Orleans' neighborhood share the spotlight on today's show.  Our Creole cultural exploration takes us just outside New Orleans to the Old Mississippe River Road where we'll share the story of a Creole family and a plantation named Laura--voted "Best history tour in the USA" by Lonely Planet Travel and a top travel attraction in Louisiana.  Laura Plantation, named after Laura Locoul Gore, is an old sugarcane plantation over 200 years old.  We experienced life on the plantation as a member of the Locoul family through the voice of one of Laura's decendents, Norman Marmillion. 

We will also visit Faubourg Treme with filmmaker Dawn Logsdon.  Treme is considered the oldest black neighborhood in America and the birthplace of the civil rights movement in the South.  Treme is a place where African-Americans lived free during slavery and became a place of social and economic diversity.

Today on World Footprints we’ll enjoy some Wayward and hair-raising travel experiences with a true Vagabond and we’ll look at a new travel service that has gone to the dogs.

First, author and Matador Network editor Tom Gates will give us a “sample” (no pun) of a few of his personal eyebrow-raising travel stories in his new book Wayward: Fetching Tales from a Year on the Road.  Tom will share how Anthony Bourdain is responsible for his sampling of “mans best friend” and why he ended up in the pokey at Heathrow International Airport.  Those stories are just a few of what we’ll hear.

Next you’ll meet Mike Richard, founding editor of the popular website Vagabondish.com—a travel portal for the independent traveler and free spirit.  Mike absconded from corporate America to pursue his passion for travel and to help others travel wisely.

Finally, Aaron Hirschorn’s career has gone to the dogs—literally.  Aaron and his wife Karine created a new service, DogVacay.com that provides travelers with host homes that will care for their dogs while traveling.

World Footprints goes inside the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) with Bob Shuman, Chairman of NAIAS 2014.  Bob joins World Footprints to talk about the latest innovations in automobile design and what visitors can expect to see.

Then we head north on I-96 to Lansing, Michigan's state capital to meet a son of the city who left after school to pursue a musical career.  John Fluker is an award-winning pianist, composer, vocalist and arranger who has a string of credits backing such R&B notables as Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Oleta Adams, Mavis Staples, David Hasselhoff, Boys 2 Men, Queen Latifah and more.  In addition to backing Gladys Knight, John also served as her music director for several years.  He also has a number of television and threatrical scores to his credit.  Here how did this small town guy make it big in the music industry.

Finally, we will discover Lansing's rich transportation history with a tour of R.E. Olds Transporation Musuem where we'll explore the REO Motor Car Company, old-time bicycles and aviation endeavors.