WORLD FOOTPRINTS

Today’s World Footprints radio show is all about the beautiful island of Bequia (pro-nounced Beck-Way), the northern-most island in the Grenadines.  We will traverse as much of the seven square miles as we can during this broadcast.

First, we’ll start under the pristine coastal waters of Bequia as we explore some of the best diving spots in the world.  We start our underwater adventure with Cathy Sachs from Dive Bequia who takes us to a colorful spot called Devils Table.

From there we’ll travel on land to Bequia’s Park Bay, home to the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, where we’ll meet up with a retired, skin-diving fisherman known affectionately as “Brother” King.  Brother King has devoted much of his adult life to helping preserve the Hawksbill turtle and protect them from poachers.  The story of this “accidental conservationist” is inspiring and educational.

Finally, we’ll retire to one of the most scenic and romantic resorts we’ve experienced on any of our travels-the Bequia Beach Hotel.  You’ll meet owner Bengt Mortstetd and hear his inspiring story on how he came to establish this unique property on Bequia’s most beautiful beach.

The home of Randall McCoy, the patriarch of the famed McCoy family, and the site of the deadly 1888 New Year’s Day showdown between the Hatfields and McCoys has been unearthed by National Geographic “Diggers” Tim “Ringmaster” Saylor and “King” George Wyatt.   Tim “Ringy” stops by to share their historic discoveries.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the leading source of development financing for Latin American and the Caribbean.  IDB has an extensive and dynamic cultural education outreach program and Ivan Duque Marquez, Culture, Creativity and Solidarity Division Chief, joins us to talk about the unique role culture plays in Latin America’s economic development.

Sustainability has taken hold in the wine industry.  Allison Jordan, Executive Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, a non-profit that promotes environmental and social responsibility in the industry.  Cheers!

World Footprints shares the highlights from  the World Food Program’s George McGovern Leadership Award Ceremony and global hunger conference at the U.S. Department of State. 

This event honored the contributions made by Howard Buffett and Bill Gates to combat global hunger.

World Footprints is excited to take you on a journey through Colombia, South America where “The Only Risk is Wanting to Stay”.  Colombia was the featured country in the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival and also had a presence in subsequent Smithsonian Folklife Festivals.  World Footprints visited the country and met with some of the artisans and other participants who have been traveling to Washington, DC to share the country's treasures.  When some think of Colombia they reflect on Colombia's dark history with drug cartels and corruption.  However, we saw a very colorful face of this country--one that reflected it's rich cultural heritage and warmth of the communities we visited.  We traveled to historic cities, through the Gold Museum and to Monkey's Island in the Amazon. The memories we left with included the wonderful food, gracious hospitality, architectural and natural beauty.  We fell in love with Colombia and we hope that you will also be inspired to visit the country with an open mind and open heart.

Today we will share the legacies of two individuals who have put themselves on the frontlines in the fight against the crimes of drug and human trafficking.

Robert Mazur served 27 years as a Federal Special Agent for the IRS, Customs Service and Drug Enforcement Administration.  Five of those years were spent under-cover as Bob Musella, a high-rolling mob-connected big shot who infiltrated the criminal hierarchy of Colombia’s drug cartels. 

Bob’s under-cover stings proved critical in the conviction of General Manuel Noriega and a multi-billion money laundering outfit that served drug lords like Pablo Escobar.  His new book, The Infiltrator, provides vivid and nail-biting details about his life in the criminal under-world

World Footprints returns to St. Vincent and travels through the village of Layou on St. Vincent’s Leeward Coast.  On the ridge above the village you’ll find the Layou Petroglyph Park; the spot where we begin today’s broadcast with our guide Marlon Joseph.

From Layou we travel to Argyle, where, in the near future St. Vincent will welcome the thousands of visitors in its newly built international airport.   Jennifer Richardson of the Airport’s Development Corporation takes us onsite to talk about the mega project.

We end today’s show at the newly built Buccament Bay with General Manager Gianl

In an effort to raise awareness about the plight of the rainforest author Lucian Spataro Jr. sets off on a cross-country journey by horseback.  He shares his journey in his photo journal book "The Long Ride."

In our first children's book club we learned about the mis-adventures of a kid named Samuel in Lynn Glaze's book "Samuel Sails 'Round the Horn."  We eve

World Footprints  enjoys a intimate chat with "Global Renaissance Woman" Dr. Maya Angelou.  Dr. Angelou shares some wisdom, insights and stories from her incredible life's journey, including the transitional relationship with her mother Vivian Baxter.  Her mother shared messages of courage, hope, forgiveness and unlimited possibilities and those messages are what Dr. Angelou attributes to many of her life's blessings.  Dr. Angelou joins us to talk about her relationship with her mother and her new book "Mom & Me & Mom."

We also take a short trip to Detroit where we share the city's great comeback and one of the greatest reinvention stories in America.

Finally we chat with artist Michele Wood - a Coretta Scott King award-winning illustrator whose work is displayed in her latest book "I See the Rhythm of Gospel"

Today, World Footprints broadcasts Part 2 of the 3-part interview with Emmy Award winning actor Eric Braeden, who plays Victor Newman on The Young & the Restless (CBS Daytime).   Eric talks about his favorite travel destinations and his efforts to foster peace and understanding between Germans and the Jewish community.  Then, enjoy a feast with Spain’s celebrated chef Maria Jose San Roman as she shares the secret ingredient that appears in all of her dishes (and cocktails).  Finally, in celebration of World Animal Day this month we will be joined by Paul Butler, SVP of Global Programs at RARE Conservation, who will discuss RARE’s animal conservation efforts and the world-wide Pride Campaign.

September 11, 2001 is a date that touches every American from coast to coast, recalling memories of a fateful day that placed thousands at the center of a terror attack. The personal stories that emerged from Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 bring to light the men and women whose courage and resilience have shown how humanity will always overcome fear. 

World Footprints commemorates the anniversary of the terrifying attack with a series of compelling interviews from survivors, first responders, journalists, a famous actor and many others.