WORLD FOOTPRINTS

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 showcases positive footprints around the world with today’s guests.  Dr. P. Bai Akridge talks about the importance of study aboard programs and how students can discover their potential through global learning.  Frank Martin, producer of the PBS documentary, For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots, and Bill Straw from Blix Street Records, producer of the original soundtrack, discuss their award-winning film.  Nancy Rivard, founder of Airline Ambassadors International, talks about her decision to leave the management track at American Airlines to focus on building the only nonprofit that marshalls the connections of the airline industry with humanitarin efforts.

February marks Black History Month, and in celebration, World Footprints returns to Missouri; a state that has made a unique contribution to America’s history. Ian and Tonya will speak to father Moses Berry, founder of the Ozarks African American Heritage Museum in Ash Grove. Then, Angela da Silva of Lindenwood University will join them to talk about a few Missourians who rose from slavery to national prominence. Finally, we journey to Independence, Missouri to explore some of the history and places where African American contributions have not been forgotten.

World Footprints is pleased share this GOLD Award winning show which was recognized by the North American Travel Journalist Association.  

In celebration of Black History Month and the 150 Anniversary Commemoration of the American Civil War and Gettysburg Address, you will see a very compelling side of Gettysburg as told through our guests.  In 2013 the city of Gettysburg, the nation and the world reflected upon the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1 to July 3 1863, and President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.  We showcased what visitors can expect to see and experience following the Commemorations and beyond the battlefield with Stacey Fox, Vice President of Marketing and Sales of the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Then, Scott Hancock, PhD, Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies at Gettysburg College joins us to discuss the role of the Underground Railroad in the war, the African-American struggle for freedom--from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and the seminal events that took place in Gettysburg in 1863 that forever changed America.

Finally, Debra Sandoe McCauslin of For the Cause/Gettysburg Histories takes us along the Underground Railroad in Adams County, Pennsylvania where we visit Yellow Hill and the Quaker Valley to uncover the African-American families who settled in the area and the role of Quakers in the Abolitionist Movement there.

For Valentine's Day we'd like to help you find your love language with the love language expert - Dr. Gary Chapman.  World Footprints talks to best selling author Dr. Gary Chapman about his book, “The 5 Love Languages” and he'll walk us through the different languages that every couple should know.  This book has been on the New York Times bestsellers list for the last 20 years, and has now been translated in 40 different languages.  Dr. Chapman joins World Footprints to talk about his experiences teaching new love languages around the world.

Then, we’ll introduce you to Colin Salisbury, founder of Global Volunteer Network.  He  joins us to talk about how his organization is connecting people with communities throughout the world.

Finally, you’ll meet Eric and Christi Grab, a great adventurous couple who took a break from corporate America to circumnavigate the world in a 43 foot trawler powerboat.  Eric and Christi spent two years visiting 100 places and 34 countries around the world.  Hear how they did it, and why they chose to travel via boat with limited boating experience.

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 of your questions will be answered today as world footprints presents a travel insurance panel of experts from the TravelInsuranceStore.com and Medjet Assist to answer many frequently asked questions.  You’ll answer here from a traveler who suffered severe injuries in africa and how he was cared for.

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.

Step into the words and paintings of award-winning writers and artists as we celebrate black history in literary color.

Award-winning artist Michele Wood’s work reflects a deep sense of history and place. As a painter, illustrator, designer and writer, she has gained wide recognition and has earned multiple awards including the prestigious American Book Award for her first book, Going Back Home.  Michelle is also a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award recipient from the American Library Association.  Michele’s artistry continues to explode in her other works, I See the Rhythm and I See the Rhythm of Gospel.

Fond memories of swimming with “Uncle Martin” is how a small Paula Young-Shelton recalls many days with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  As the daughter of former United Nations Ambassador and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, Paula offers a human side to the icons of the civil rights movement through her young eyes.  Paula’s accounts are colorfully shared in her children’s book “Child of the Civil Rights Movement.”

Pulitzer-Prize winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles America’s Great Migration of African-Americans in her epic novel, The Warmth of Other Suns.  Isabel shares many accounts of African-Americans who left the south between 1915 to 1970 in search of freedom and opportunity and, in doing so, changed a nation and the world.  The Migration of over 6 million black folks from the south not only transformed society, politics, economics and culture, these events also changed the course of history.

This is Part 3 of our wonderful conversation with Emmy-winning actor Eric Braeden. Eric is best known for his role as Victor Newman on the #1 Daytime drama “The Young and the Restless” and he opens up about his transition to Hollywood, his hope for peace in the Middle East, his desire for better German-Israeli relations, and his love for America. We also share an enlightening conversation with our dear friend, Dr. Kristin Lamoureux, Director of the International Institute of Tourism Studies at George Washington University. Kristin recently returned from a symposium on Voluntourism in Egypt and she shares the highlights of her experience in Egypt and the volunteer initiatives that are taking place in Egypt and around the world.

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.