Speaking of Travel continues the LEAF Global Arts Series with LEAF Co-Executive Director Erinn Hartley. Erinn shares how her unique LEAF journey began and how she arrived where she is today within the organization. LEAF Global Arts plays a significant role in fostering a sense of community and cultural identity and Erinn shares how over the years, LEAF Global Arts has provided opportunities for people to come together and celebrate their shared customs, beliefs, and values. LEAF Global Arts is an integral part of community life, promoting cultural cohesion, social interaction, and a sense of ..read more

The Speaking of Travel And Leave No Trace TV series continues with host Richard Crawford, our ambassador to the bigger world. Ricky shares where to watch Season One of Leave No Trace TV and gives an update on Season Two and when the first episodes will be coming out.  Also, Ricky highlights inspiring stories from around the world where good things are happening in and around sustainable and eco-tourism.  Richard shares how travel and seeing the world inspires him, what keeps him moving, and the profound impact travel can have on a person.  And it’s no secret that self-reflect ..read more

Sustainable Chef William Dissen, owner of The Market Place Restaurant in Asheville, NC, shares how his passion for building sustainable food systems, his love of hospitality, and serving in the American Chef Corps for the US State Department, has taken him around the world to promote American food culture and sustainability practices. The Market Place Restaurant, Asheville’s original farm-to-table fixture since 1979, and widely acclaimed for its Appalachian cuisine and community-driven menus, was distinguished with a James Beard Awards “Outstanding Restaurant” nomination in 2024. It’s conside ..read more

There are many reasons to study abroad. At UNC Asheville, Laura Dobson, Director of the Study Abroad program, along with Study Aboard faculty member Anne Slatton, and Study Abroad students, Emma and Adrien, shares the importance, and benefits, of study abroad opportunities. Discover how UNCA diversifies participation in the Study Abroad program by making sure students realize there is a right study abroad opportunity for their needs and how providing scholarships, careful advising, and other types of resources and support help students have a great experience that fits their needs. And find ..read more

Charlie Thomas is an artist and environmentalist based on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. With a strong connection to the ocean and all its inhabitants, Charlie shares how his passion is creating a life of stewardship, leadership, and traveling. Charlie spent his summer holidays on Great Barrier Island and has worked full-time in wildlife conservation since leaving high school when he was only 16. He has visited, or lived on, some of the most remote (and important) islands in the world, including the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand subantarctic islands.  ​During 2020, Charlie ..read more

Author and travel professional Nina Zapala shares why she is dedicated to helping people create a personalized, transformative roadmap for self-discovery. Her trailblazing personality paradigm encourages self-awareness through spiritually focused typing. Nina's typology is the keystone of her debut book, “Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide.” Andy McNeill, CEO of American Meetings, Inc., shares how hospitality and travel can come together to build lifelong business relationships. He has helped thousands of organizations build stronger relationships through shar ..read more

Author Charlie Birney, Chief Listening Officer at his company, Podville Media in Washington, DC, wrote his new book The Tao of Podcasting: An Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, as a meditation on the purpose of podcasting. Charlie shares how the book serves as a guide to growth and transformation that can be directly applicable to podcasting. Written in lovely verse and illustrated by Charlie's own delightful sketches, The Tao of Podcasting shows how podcast production creates memorable stories by remembering the ancient art of listening, deepening the silence before the sound, combini ..read more

Sustainable Chef William Dissen, owner of The Market Place Restaurant in Asheville, NC, shares how his passion for building sustainable food systems, his love of hospitality, and serving in the American Chef Corps for the US State Department, has taken him around the world to promote American food culture and sustainability practices. The Market Place Restaurant, Asheville’s original farm-to-table fixture since 1979, and widely acclaimed for its Appalachian cuisine and community-driven menus, was distinguished with a James Beard Awards “Outstanding Restaurant” nomination in 2024. It’s conside ..read more

Charlie Thomas is an artist and environmentalist based on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. With a strong connection to the ocean and all its inhabitants, Charlie shares how his passion is creating a life of stewardship, leadership, and traveling. Charlie spent his summer holidays on Great Barrier Island and has worked full-time in wildlife conservation since leaving high school when he was only 16. He has visited, or lived on, some of the most remote (and important) islands in the world, including the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand subantarctic islands.  ​During 2020, Charlie ..read more

Author and travel professional Nina Zapala shares why she is dedicated to helping people create a personalized, transformative roadmap for self-discovery. Her trailblazing personality paradigm encourages self-awareness through spiritually focused typing. Nina's typology is the keystone of her debut book, “Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide.” Andy McNeil, CEO of American Meetings, Inc., shares how hospitality and travel can come together to build lifelong business relationships. He has helped thousands of organizations build stronger relationships through share ..read more