business Archives - The Travel Wins

Raquel McNabb – CARIS Sports

Raquel McNabb is my guest today. She founded the Caris Sports Foundation to give kids, who otherwise couldn’t afford to join a team, the chance to play. An accomplished athlete and mother of four, Raquel has personally supported athletes from low-income families over the years.

Being a busy mom of four athletic, school aged children, she started the foundation because of the importance of helping others achieve their goals. She has a lot of balls up in the air at all times with the foundation getting started last year, four children and their always changing schedules and a husband that is always on the move as well.

Caris Sports Foundation

The foundation was founded in 2019 to help kids and their families meet the costs associated with recreational and competitive sports.

They are well aware of the fees involved in team sports. Team fees, equipment, uniforms, travel expenses, and other related costs all add up. Some families can afford it; others can’t. But access to sports shouldn’t be limited to those who have the financial resources to play. Income affects sports participation. Children who play more, come from families that can afford more. Only 34% of kids ages 6 to 12 from homes with incomes of $25,000 or less played team sports compared to 69% of kids from home with incomes of $100,000 or more.

Organized sports shouldn’t price out kids who can benefit from the camaraderie, competition, challenges, personal growth, and accomplishments that sports offer. Caris Sports Foundation and its supporters provide scholarships to cover those expenses. By taking the money problem out of the equation, they help young athletes, from kindergarten through high school, get out on the playing field.

Caris Sports Foundation’s current activities are limited to Arizona; however, they will soon be expanding to other regions.

Intro song “Road Trip” by Robin Tricker

Raquel McNabb on social media:

Raquel’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

She likes to make use of her travel time by catching up on emails or use it for business planning. If there is a longer travel time involved she’ll watch a movie to relax.

Click here to see other guests choices for listening while traveling

RAQUEL McNABB – ABOUT

Her birth name is Raquel-Ann Sarah “Roxie” Nurse. She is the daughter of Canadato Arlie and Marjorie Nurse.

Raquel attended Syracuse University, where she was the point guard on the women’s basketball team. She was named MVP twice, Athlete of the Year in 1997, and made the Big Eаѕt academic all-star team thrее times. Raquel graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. She then earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Syracuse’s Maxwell School and a Master of Educational Policy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Raquel Nurse is married to her husband Dоnоvаn МсNаbb. After dating for several years the couple decided to tie the knot. The duo married in 2003.

The marriage ceremony took place in Valley College Ministries International, Oak Valley, Illinois, with her family and college teammates who joined the bridal couple at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago. They spent their honeymoon in the beautiful Dominican Republic.

They have four children: daughter Alexis, who was born in September 23, 2004, now playing club basketball and making a name for herself, twins Sariah and Donovan Jr., who were born in 2008, and Devin James, who was born in 2009. The family splits its time between homes in Moorestown, New Jersey and Chandler, Arizona.

McNabb’s nephew, Darnell Nurse, was the seventh overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

McNabb’s niece, Kia Nurse, is a college basketball player for the Connecticut Huskies and the Canada women’s national basketball team. As well, her other niece Sarah Nurse competed on Team Canada’s national women’s hockey team at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Her Husband Career Summary

On the other hand, her husband is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. Prior to his NFL career, he played football and basketball for Syracuse University.

The Eagles selected him with the second overall NFL Draft win in 1999, and McNabb played eleven seasons with the team, followed by one year each with the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings. Raquel Nurse and her husband are involved in many charities.

Sucheta Rawal – Go Eat Give

Sucheta Rawal is my guest on today’s podcast. She is an award-winning food and travel writer, author, cooking instructor and philanthropist. As the founder and executive director of Go Eat Give, Sucheta’s personal mission is to raise awareness of global cultures through meaningful travel, good eating, and community interaction. Make sure to follow and reach out to Sucheta on her various social media platforms.

Sucheta Rawal on social media:

Sucheta’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

She likes to get a little bit of everything done when on long flights. Her trips to Asia are described like this “You watch a couple of movies, you sleep a little, you listen to some music, get some work done and you still have hours to go.”

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ABOUT

She founded Go Eat Give as a blog in 2011, through which she wanted to educate readers about sustainable and volunteer traveling, authentic cuisines, and engagement with locals. Go Eat Give is now a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit serving audiences across 120 countries.

Originally from India, Sucheta started discovering the world when she moved to United States at the age of seventeen. By 23, she was teaching international cooking classes and writing restaurant reviews.

She graduated from Georgia State University with a Masters in Finance and worked in investment banking, market research and human capital consulting. Her vacations to Russia and Morocco, where she volunteered at an orphanage and women’s empowerment center, inspired her to get out of the cubicle, and uncover facts of life by encountering everyday people around the world. Since then, she transitioned from being a tourist to a meaningful traveler. Her favorite things to do while traveling are – exploring neighborhoods, meeting locals, eating at local eateries, and visiting markets.

Sucheta has traveled to 90 countries (and counting) bringing back exclusive experiences, which she shares through writing, speaking engagements and cooking classes. She has written for Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle, CheapOAir, Chowhound, CNN, Creative Loafing Atlanta, Cuisine Noir, Do It While You’re Young, Fodors, Flavors, Examiner, The Huffington Post, Patch, MixTup, Khabar, Travel+Leisure and Travel+Escape.

Sucheta has presented at The New York Times Travel Show, Travel and Adventure Shows, Taste of Atlanta, Global Humanitarian Summit, Kennesaw State University, Georgia State University, and James Madison University, among others. She also teaches cooking classes around the US.

Sucheta served on the board of Refugee Family Services, a non-profit that supports refugee women and children achieve self-sufficiency.

Sucheta authored a series of children’s illustrative books on travel – Beato Goes To. The stories, based on her real cat, Beato and her actual travels, are meant to inspire young readers to learn about different countries and cultures, as well as develop their own wanderlust. Sucheta loves to do author visits at schools, reading her books – Beato Goes To Greenland, Beato Goes To Israel, Beato Goes To Indonesia and Beato Goes To Japan – and inspiring young global citizen. Her fifth book – Beato Goes To Brazil – releases in October 2019.

Sucheta was named “one of top 30 travel bloggers in the world” at Travel Blogger Conference Asia in 2018, “Georgia State University’s 40 Under 40 alumna” in 2018, “40 Under 40 best and the brightest” by Georgia Trend magazine in 2016, one of the “five most influential bloggers on culture in the world” by the Foundation of Florence, Italy in 2012. She was a finalist for the Atlanta Press Club 2012 Award of Excellence, and nominated for Caribbean Journalism Award 2015, and Georgia’s Author of the Year 2018.

Sucheta is a member of Impact Travel Alliance, Travel Bloggers Association, International Women Associates, Georgia Council for International Visitors, The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, The International Travel Writers Alliance, and the Atlanta Press Club. She resides in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and cat, Beato.

Jenny Keller – Jenny Cookies

Jenny Keller is my guest on today’s podcast. She has a great story about how to be a female entrepreneur while raising a family, being a wife and traveling for her steadily growing business. Her story about being a cookie flight attendant for the day by handing out freshly baked cookies would make most travelers happy.

Jenny Keller on social media:

Jenny’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

She likes to make use of her travel time by catching up on emails or use it for business planning. If there is a longer travel time involved she’ll watch a movie to relax.

Click here to see other guests choices for listening while traveling

ABOUT

Jenny was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Psychology. Inspired by the PNW’s love of coffee, started her own espresso business in 2003 which would be the beginning of her entrepreneurial adventure. After her daughter Ally was born, she sold the successful business to settle in as a stay-at-home mom. Not long thereafter Jenny began hobby baking from home with the main focus being buttercream decorated sugar cookies. Creative baking quickly became a passion and her signature cookies were given a name: Jenny Cookies. The cookies were soon joined by cakes, cupcakes and a variety of desserts and a growing blog and social media following.

Jenny’s ideas are simple, timeless and creative. From desserts to everyday entertaining, Jenny lends inspiration and encouragement to others for their own events and everyday celebrations. Her style, designs and expertise have been seen in Country Living, Better Homes & Gardens, People, Us Weekly, Brides and More. When she’s not creating for JennyCookies.com, Jenny styles and creates content for brands such as Wilton, Pottery Barn Kids, Warner Bros, Fresh, Bath & Body Works, McCormick, JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores and more to connect consumers with their product. She is also known for her work with numerous celebrities such as Tori Spelling, Tiffani Thiessen, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lisa Rinna and many of ABC’s The Bachelor & Bachelorettes.

In between parties, home projects and running Jenny Cookies Bake Shop, Jenny enjoys life in Seattle, WA, near the beach. She enjoys weekend walks into town for coffee, local antiquing and spending time with her family.

plae Shoes – GOPLAE

plae Shoe founders, Ryan Ringholz and Jonathan Spier, are my guest on today’s podcast. I was particularly excited to speak with them about their Packables line of footwear that is geared towards travelers in design and function. “Packables are shoes uniquely designed and packaged to compress flat, taking up a lot less space in your bag and giving you the freedom to add more play to your day.”

They both travel overseas to Vietnam and Taiwan for samples and factories all while balancing their family duties was inspiring. They have incorporated kids, family, and business all in one business model that is growing and successful.

plae Shoes on social media:

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ABOUT

DO YOU STILL PLAY?

Play is fundamental, a hard-wired universal concept. We come into the world knowing how to eat, breathe, sleep… and play. These human essentials cut across cultures, politics, ethnicities and gender.

Play is a constant that still remains ever-changing, reinvented daily by kids and limited only by their boundless imaginations. But there is an artificial line between kids and adults when it comes to play.

Our goal is to erase that line and harness the power of play for everyone—starting with shredding the notion of age limits, of growing up, of losing that spirit of joy. On our journey, we start by asking ourselves, and the world, “Do you still PLAE?”

CRAFT OF PLAE

There’s a reason why people have an obsession with shoes. It’s always held a coveted place in the world of fashion. That’s because the process of making shoes is an age old craft. And like any craft, it takes a lot of skill. We’d like to take you behind the scenes through the making of PLAE, from Ryan’s inspirations to the final touches.

Every pair of PLAE shoes has been hand-crafted by a team of workers, with many pairs of hands adding their special touch to each pair that arrives at your door. We’re saluting the craft that goes into shoemaking and hope you enjoy learning more about us!

Fun facts:

The process takes more than 300 steps from beginning to end

It takes 18 months to make a shoe, from concept to finished product

Every logo embossed on a tab is done by hand

INTRODUCING THE PLAE-IT-FORWARD PROGRAM

With much excitement, we’re announcing the launch of the PLAE-it-forward Community program! Giving back is a company value for PLAE, and we have been actively involved with many great organizations, including Make-A-Wish, the San Francisco Firefighter Toy Program, and Baby2Baby.

While we are able to support these wonderful organizations, we get many more requests for support that goes unfulfilled. We want to partner with you to do more, so we created the PLAE-it-forward Community program. PLAE-it-forward is an opportunity for you to help a local organization/charity of your choice earn a yearly cash donation from PLAE.

Jules Hatfield – Sustainable

Jules Hatfield is my guest on today’s podcast. Jules is one half of the Jules & Christine travel team. They created a travel blog promoting sustainability in traveling while still inspiring many to travel the world and create their own adventures. They share their stories on their blog, website, YouTube page and all of the other social media links. I really enjoyed speaking with someone who created a lifestyle of traveling the world while also learning proper ways to sustain the environment. We also spoke about how he helps others who also want to travel.

Congratulations on their recent nuptials in Mexico. I spoke with Jules just before they were leaving the country to get married. Make sure to click all of the links available to get specific information on how Jules and Christine can help you see the world.

Jules Hatfield on social media:

Jules’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

Jules enjoys listening to music while traveling.

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ABOUT

Jules & Christine!

The dynamic duo behind Don’t Forget To Move! We’re full-time travel bloggers, exploring the most gorgeous locations around the world and sharing our experiences with you along the way.

But before we tell you more about that, let’s rewind a bit to learn more about how this unlikely team from opposite sides of the earth first met.

Long before the blog was even a concept, we were just two solo travelers on the road looking for adventure. Jules from Melbourne, Australia and Christine from San Francisco, USA.

In early 2012, we first met while volunteering at a non-profit in Pisco, Peru. After a brief friendship our relationship quickly turned more serious and we ended up spending 6 months in Peru volunteering together, building houses that were destroyed by a massive earthquake.

From that point on we solidified our relationship with a shared love for travel and a passion for helping the communities we encountered.

On our travels we’ve fallen in love with the historic streets of Cuba, worked with typhoon survivors in the Philippines, bathed rescued elephants in Thailand danced at one of the biggest music festivals in Europe and gorged ourselves on pasta in Italy.

And the list goes on! We’ve had epic adventures so far and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon!

Now we base ourselves out of Bali, the US and Australia for part of the year, but are constantly taking trips to wherever our work and hearts take us.

Our goal for Don’t Forget To Move is to uncover the coolest destinations around the world and share with our readers how to make a positive impact while traveling. We also love to take beautiful photographs and video to show the world just how incredible planet earth is!

Joe Garza – XXIV Karat

Joe Garza is my guest on today’s podcast. He is the managing partner of XXIV Karat Sparkling Wine and founder of West Coast Beverage Consulting firm. Joe shares his decades of experience working in sales and management of the beverage industry. It’s always nice hearing similar stories from traveling professionals who is on the road roughly 50% of his time. Joe shares some new ways to keep life on the road fresh and he shares his gratefulness for having a job that allows him to meet new people and see new cities.

We had a few audio glitches with his reception but they don’t last long and his experience with digital media that he shares in the second half of the interview are well worth the wait.

Joe has a wealth of knowledge in the beverage industry and he is nice enough to share it with others.

Joe Garza on social media:

Joe’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

Joe enjoys listening to music while traveling.

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About

Experienced managing partner with a demonstrated history of working in the wine and spirits industry. Skilled in consumer products, retail, sales, event management, and pricing strategy. Strong business development professional graduated from School of Hard Knocks.

West Coast Beverage Consulting

Founder

Red Elixir

Vice President of Business Development

XXIV Karat Sparkling Wine

Senior Vice President Sales

CytosportMuscle Milk

Director of National Accounts West – DSD & Direct

Fuze Beverage

Regional Vice President

Steve Cardenas – Red Ranger

Steve Cardenas is my guest on today’s podcast. Steve is best known for portraying the Red Power Ranger of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. I was excited for the chance to speak with Steve as he is traveling around the world to work at the various Comic Con conventions. We talk about his lifestyle as a lifelong martial artist and his mentality about staying shape and eating while on the road. He shared some cool stories of meeting and working with other celebrities at the conventions.

Steve Cardenas on social media:

Steve’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

Steve enjoys watching movies while making his multiple airplane flights each year.

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Steve’s BIO

Stephen Antonio Cardenas is an American martial artist, musician, and semi retired actor. Cardenas is best known for playing the character Rocky DeSantos, which was the second Red Power Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and eventually became the Blue Zeo Ranger in Power Rangers Zeo, two seasons later.

Cardenas was born Stephen Antonio Cardenas in Hampton, Virginia, at the Langley Air Force Base. Spending his early childhood as a military brat, Cardenas was raised in San Antonio, Texas. He is of Mexican descent. He started training in martial arts when he was about 12 years old and reached black belt in Taekwondo at age 16. Steve Cardenas has been in martial arts for 28 years. He earned 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

POWER RANGERS

At age 20, Cardenas left his native Texas and settled in Los Angeles to audition for a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers role that would change his life. His character, Rocky DeSantos, replaced Jason Lee Scott (played by Austin St. John) as the Red Ranger in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series (eventually the Gold Ranger in Zeo), and he later became the Blue Ranger for Power Rangers Zeo. He had no previous acting experience and had to learn on the job. Cardenas left the Power Rangers series and retired from acting during Power Rangers Turbo, due to contract disagreements, and possibly to focus on his martial artist career. Many years later, starting at the 2007 Power Morphicon convention, he began making convention appearances with other former cast members.

After Power Rangers, he owns a martial arts studio in Burbank, California and one in his hometown of San Antonio. In 2009, he started a kids-specific program at Hollywood Brazilian jiu-jitsu studio in West Hollywood, and in 2011 he opened the Force/Balance Brazilian jiu-jitsu & Yoga school. Cardenas had become interested in Brazilian jiu-jitsu after losing a friendly match against “a blue belt in BJJ… [he] choked me out in 10 seconds! He was only training for a year and a half at that time and I had been training for 10 yrs. It was an immediate eye opener.” The style was more difficult for him to learn than other martial arts disciplines.

He holds multiple awards from martial arts contests, including two Silver Medals at Copa Pacifica (2009 and 2011), Gold Medal winner of the 2009 American National Championship, Gold Medal in the 2010 Jujitsu Pro Gear Open, and Silver Medal in the 2010 No-Gi World Championships.

In 2017, he starred in the short movie The Order alongside : Austin St. John, Catherine Sutherland, David Yost, Johnny Yong Bosch, Paul Schrier, Karan Ashley, Walter Emanuel Jones, Erin Cahill, Blake Foster, Nakia Burrise, Hilary Shepard Turner, Dan Southworth, Alyson Sullivan, Deborah Estelle Phillips and Azim Rizk.

For the first time since Power Rangers Turbo, Cardenas returned to the Power Rangers Franchise in Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel for the 25th anniversary Episode reprising his role as Rocky DeSantos.

Filmography

Film

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie(1995) …. Rocky DeSantos / The Red Ranger
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie(1997) …. Rocky DeSantos
The Order(2017) …. Dax

Television

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers(1994-1996) …. Rocky DeSantos / The Red Ranger/ Rocko
Power Rangers Zeo(1996) …. Rocky DeSantos / Blue Zeo Ranger / Lord Henry
Power Rangers Turbo(1997) …. Rocky DeSantos

Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel (2018) – Rocky DeSantos / The Red Ranger

Barbara Majeski Lifestyle Expert entertainment mom mother

Barbara Majeski – Second Act

Barbara Majeski is my guest on today’s podcast. After spending years as a stay home mom Barbara decided to re-invent herself after going thru a divorce and stage 3 cancer. She now works as a lifestyle and entertainment coordinator working with local and national television shows. Barbara is planning a solo trip to Rome and is calling the adventure “Rome Alone”. Sounds like she might be a great candidate to do a follow-up episode with to see how she fares on her first trip to Italy. She was very gracious sharing her time with me and I would like to thank her for being so candid during our chat.

THE REAL REEL

Make sure to check out Barbara’s blog posts on her website for a look into Barbara’s authentic highlight reel — the good, the bad, and the brutally honest. Barbara peels back the curtain and shuts down the chronic distortion that is social media by sharing her recipe to the “secret sauce” of a good life.

Barbara Majeski on social media:

Barbara’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

Barbara enjoys listening to podcasts and music while she travels.

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Barbara Majeski BIO

Welcome to my Second Act…

Barbara Majeski is a mom, on-air television personality, a cancer survivor and a passionate philanthropy advocate. In 2015 she was recognized with a global humanitarian award from Operation Smile after mobilizing hundreds of people to fundraise. Six months later she was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer and would captain this treacherous voyage with her three young children in tow.

After a yearlong battle she emerged with an infused sense of purpose and zest for life. Today she is launching a global lifestyle initiative as the, “Curator of the Good Life”, a three dimensional endeavor dedicated to inspiring people to live with purpose, style and adventure.

MD Reilly 35KaDay I decide motivational entrepreneur

Michael-David Reilly – 35KaDay

Michael-David Reilly (MD) is my guest on today’s podcast. MD is a father, husband of a unicorn, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and host of the 35KaDay Podcast. As a business owner of several different businesses and traveling for each of them I was excited to speak with MD. He didn’t disappoint and shared many great gems about running a business in today’s climate, the power of a positive mindset and social media. I hope you have the time to listen to our podcast and check out his positive words on one of the many digital platforms he occupies.

Michael-David on social media:

Micahel-David’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

MD enjoys listening to music and podcasts while flying to and from business opportunities.

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Michael-David Reilly BIO

FOUNDER

Day Trader of Attention, Entrepreneur, Strategist, Public Speaker, Photographer, Husband, Father and Taco’tarian.

Referred to as “MD” by most, his 25+ years as a brand strategist working for, starting or partnering with various brands from Fortune 100 to tech start-ups in the various sectors of retail, hospitality, financial services, legal, medical, apparel, media, automotive, insurance and social networks have given him an extremely successful diverse skill set.

Coming from a lineage of entrepreneurs and innovators, it’s his practical approach to marketing and navigating brands into the ever-evolving digital landscape that has fueled his success, perspectives and strategies.

“We are in the greatest era in business for businesses. Never before did we have this level of access to people’s attention and targeting abilities. But as consumers attention spans diminish, gaining it and keeping it is the all-in objective. It’s all up from here!”

35KaDay Podcast

An empowering reminder that of the 35,000 decisions we make daily, they directly dictate the results in every area of life, love, business, wealth, success and happiness. If you want better results in any area of your life, YOU must make better decisions that will get you there! Welcome to the most practical, unfiltered podcast that will inspire you, challenge you, excite you and compel you to use your greatest power of CHOICE and be the one who controls your destiny regardless of the circumstances and people that surround you.

Chris Elliott – Elliott Advocacy

Christopher Elliott is my guest on today’s episode. Chris is an award-winning author, advocate, and journalist. He shares some of his stories from the road and is a self professed traveling nomad. As a travel contributor for Forbes, USA Today, Washington Post, National Geographic and NPR I really appreciated Chris giving me as much of his time as he did.

He’s the founder of Elliott Advocacy is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers people to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. Chris is also the co-founder of Travelers United, a nonprofit organization that advocates for travelers in Washington.

Chris on social media:

Chris’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

Chris and his children listen to XM radio quite a bit while driving across the country. Their favorite channels are:

Jazz (for night driving)
Grateful Dead
DTM
NPR (National Public Radio)
Joint (reggae)
Classical

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BIOGRAPHY

He’s the author of How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler (And Save Time, Money and Hassle) (National Geographic, 2014) a practical guide for travelers, and Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals (Wiley, 2011) which explores the broken relationship between American consumers and businesses.

He writes six weekly syndicated columns with a total reach of more than 10 million readers.

✓ A weekly column for the Washington Post called The Navigator, which focuses on being a smarter and more informed traveler, with a special emphasis on transportation policy.

✓ USA Today’s weekly On Travel and Away is Home columns. The features help travelers understand the inner workings of the travel industry, and how to make the most of their next trip. You can find past On Travel and Away is Home columns here, too.

✓ Elliott is also a regular contributor to Forbes. He writes write about customer service issues, with a specialty in technology and travel. Many of these columns are also branded as Smart Consumer stories and nationally syndicated.

Elliott also contributes to a variety of media organizations, including National Geographic, NPR, Smithsonian and Travel & Leisure.

Education

Elliott was born in Charlotte, N.C., and grew up in Vienna, Austria. He attended primary and middle school in Austria (Volksschule Südstadt and Vienna International School) and later transferred to Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany, before graduating from Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, Ala., in 1986.

He attended Biola University in La Mirada, Calif., for two years and then transferred to the University of California at Irvine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in humanities in 1990. Chris received a Master’s in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley in 1992 and was awarded a Fulbright fellowship in 1996.

Elliott completed a total of six editorial internships, including stints at the Claremont (Calif.) Courier, the Daily Bulletin in Ontario, Calif., the Birmingham (Ala.) News, The Dallas Morning News, the Los Angeles Times, and Reuters.

Early career

Elliott began working for Dow Jones & Co. in 1992 shortly after graduating from Berkeley. He covered initial public stock offerings from Dow Jones News Service and occasionally wrote Abreast of the Market and OTC Focus for the Wall Street Journal. He took a job as the business travel editor for Travel Weekly, a travel trade publication, in 1994. He returned to Europe after receiving a Fulbright scholarship in 1996. In 1997, Elliott came back to the United States and started writing a weekly travel column called The Crabby Traveler for ABCNews.com. Three years later, the column moved to CNN.com and eventually went into syndication.

Transition to advocacy

In 1996, Elliott registered the domain Elliott.org and began posting stories from readers. Many articles involved seemingly intractable problems with a company. Rather than just complaining, Elliott engaged in an early form of solutions journalism. He contacted the company on behalf of the consumer and helped negotiate a settlement. The stories formed the basis for a weekly feature called the Travel Troubleshooter. In the late 1990s, the Miami Herald picked up the Travel Troubleshooter as a standalone column.

In 2006, Tribune Media Services added the Troubleshooter to its lineup for national syndication. In 2009, Elliott started to develop a companion column, Problem Solved, which handled non-travel complaints. Both the features are now syndicated by King Features. In 2001, Elliott became National Geographic Traveler’s reader advocate. He remained in that role until National Geographic’s sale of the magazine to News Corp. in 2016.

In 2018, after 22 years of self-publishing Elliott.org, Elliott incorporated Elliott Advocacy as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, with a mission to help empower customers to solve their problems and help those who can’t.

Radio and television reporting

Elliott has hosted radio and TV shows on travel and advocacy. In the late 90s, he began reporting for National Public Radio as an independent producer. In the early 2000s, he hosted What You Get For The Money: Vacations on the Fine Living Network (now the Food Channel). He also co-hosted the weekly syndicated show Rudy Maxa’s World with Christopher Elliott from 2009 to 2011. Elliott has appeared on virtually every major TV network as a subject matter expert, including ABC, BBC, CW, CBS, CNN and NBC. Elliott is known for keeping a low profile. He doesn’t submit his work for awards and in recent years has avoided public appearances.

Personal life

In addition to being a nationally-recognized expert on customer service, Elliott is an inveterate traveler and travel writer. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, and scuba diving. His weekly column, Away is Home, chronicles his never-ending journey around the world with his three school-age children. Elliott is based in Prescott, Ariz.

Christina Papavlasopolous Shefari Travels

Christina Papavlasopoulos – Shefari Travels

Christina Papavlasopoulos is my guest this week. Christina is the co-founder of the luxury travel boutique company, Shefari. I was excited to speak with Christina about her company beginnings and where they are headed.

Christina added some great insight to being a co-founder of a company as a newlywed and an expectant mother. The proverbial, work-life balancing act will get tougher but more rewarding for her in the next several months. As a husband and father of two daughters, I was happy to hear from other women that are looking to expand their circle and help empower women. Make sure to look at the bottom of this page for their upcoming woman empowerment trip, She Succeeds, to Greece this October.

ABOUT CHRISTINA

Adventure has been instilled in me since childhood. We moved often, and though good-byes were difficult, there was always excitement for the faces and places that lie ahead. My sense of adventure continued in college, where my interest in art history and fashion sent me on a study tour to Paris and London. I admired the intricate architecture, the chic Parisian style, and delighted in calling my parents from an infamous red telephone booth to wish them a Happy New Year. A week in France and England led to a semester in Italy, and then work in Greece – each its own glorious adventure.

Besides travel I love musicals, bold colors, artichokes, and leather-bound books.

I want to learn the cello and become fluent in five languages. I adore wit and creativity, and I’ve never met a latte I didn’t like. When I’m not planning your next Shefari, I can be found painting, drawing, and jogging (fine, walking) to throwback hip-hop. Though planes take me all over the world, my favorite destination is home to Florida, sharing wine and stories with my family.

The Shefari “aha” moment came with an international phone call. My aunt announced that she was coming to Greece, explaining life was too short not to experience it to the fullest and see the places she wanted. She already had her sister, mother, and cousins on board. At her request, we planned the trip of a lifetime for seven of my favorite women, and our first Shefari was born.

Christina on social media:

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SHEFARI

We are a new generation of travel planners. A company for and by women.

Our goal is simple: to inspire and connect individuals through the art of traveling. So we’ve crafted travel packages for all of life’s occasions, whether it is a wonderful mother-daughter getaway, a life-changing retreat, or your dream honeymoon.

We offer magnificent destinations and activities, selected with you in mind. Create your own using Build A Trip, browse our collection of transformative travel, or contact us for an custom itinerary just for you.

Let us help you travel well.

She Succeeds

Entrepreneurial Retreat in Corfu, Greece
October 5-10, 2019

At Last!

The ultimate women’s entrepreneurial retreat that you’ve been seeking – where travel meets transformation and methodology meets magic.

As driven professionals, we know it’s imperative to occasionally step away from the hustle to refocus. This retreat will stir you to find clarity and creativity on multiple levels, so you can return to your projects from a place of deep presence and renewed imagination. You’ll gain insight into how to grow your business and leave empowered.

Why Corfu?

The turquoise waters of this mythical island and the women of its rich history are integral elements of this experience. Immerse yourself in Greece’s philosophies of wellness, success, and a life well-lived.

Strength, from the legendary goddess Athena, who rescued the shipwrecked hero Odysseus on Corfu’s shores.

Inspiration, as you stand in the famed courtyard of the Nine Muses.

Well-being, through the calm haven where Princess Sisi of Austria came to heal.

Luxury, in the essence of Jackie Onassis, who lived and sunbathed in the very resort you will call home for five days.

Prepare for self-care, insightful masterclasses, and sunsets by the sea in a luxurious oasis. Return refreshed and recharged.

Don’t miss this life-shifting opportunity!

Imagine…

Five incredible days of immersive lessons from a stellar lineup of internationally successful female CEOs, coaches, and visionaries…all who are excited to share in your growth.

Start each morning with beach yoga, meditation, and Greek-inspired nutrition tips to keep you at the top of your physical game. Sip chilled rosé at sunset and nautical network on a sun-kissed boat in the Ionian Sea with ladies who “get it”.

Explore a 13th century monastery then dine on traditional Hellenic cuisine in a cozy local tavern. Get real with a global group of women who’ve got your back for life.

It’s no coincidence that you’ve landed here…

If this resonates, then you belong at the She Succeeds Retreat in Corfu this October!

Do You Crave…

Sharing ideas and connecting with like-minded women on the “business vacation” of a lifetime?

Building your own mastermind group of dynamic females packed with motivation, peer-brainstorming, and accountability?

Learning proven tactics from dynamite leaders on amping up your networking, selling, digital marketing, time-managing, writing, and business strategy?

Pinpointing those areas of your business that consistently trouble you and creating a plan to move forward in both group and one-on-one mentorship?

Breaking away from the loneliness of the solo-preneur and small biz journey?

Turning your passion project or side hustle into a full-fledged, lucrative business?

The opportunity to present your company, idea, or challenge and hear constructive feedback from elevated thinkers?

Improving both your personal and professional well-being? (Hint: they are beyond interconnected!)

Megan Driscoll – Always Evolving

Megan Driscoll is this week’s guest. As the CEO and Founder of the public relations firm EvolveMKD, we discussed the need for business travel for clients. Even with all of the available technology, Megan finds it necessary as ever to meet in person with clients and create face to face time. Creating lasting bonds and reputation with clients, new and existing, is essential for the way she formed her public relations company.

Make sure to listen to the entire episode and check out EvolveMKD on their social media outlets.

Megan on social media:

Click here to see other guests choices for listening while traveling

Summary

Megan Driscoll is the CEO + Founder of EvolveMKD, a public relations and social media agency based in New York City. She has 17 years of experience in healthcare, aesthetics and dermatology, and prestige beauty. Key to her success is Megan’s ability to always find a way. Megan finds potential in every opportunity for her clients through determination, relationships, agility, and sound strategy coupled with creative spirit. Megan is widely recognized for her work, earning a spot on PRWeek’s 40 Under 40 List and being honored as one of 12 women chosen for The Ernst and Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women class of 2018. Additionally, Megan was the first ever recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award from her alma mater, the University of Chicago.

Megan has cultivated relationships with physicians, consumers, key opinion leaders and tastemakers to gain her clients national level recognition. At the end of the day, Megan wants to surround herself with smart, passionate people who value integrity–people who are serious about their work, but don’t take themselves too seriously. This philosophy is at the heart of founding EvolveMKD. At EvolveMKD, Megan provides day-to-day client counsel, strategic direction and a savvy eye for what makes news and who can make the news happen.

Prior to EvolveMKD, Megan was the President of Behrman Communications, where she managed agency operations, mentored staff, and provided strategic advisement for 30+ clients. Megan has also held senior roles at Emanate, Lippe Taylor, Fleishman Hillard and Euro RSCG Life PR. When she’s not building brands and making media headlines, she’s a pasta connoisseur who refuses to operate a moving vehicle. Megan also held childhood aspirations of becoming President of the United States or a hair stylist. She realized she’s settled on a smart compromise between the two.

Megan holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.

Cathy Cardenas – PR Master

Cathy Cardenas is my guest on today’s podcast. She created the Cathy Cardenas Public Relations (CCPR) company marketing and managing various athletes, celebrities and entertainers. We discuss how she travels at the needs of her clients while balancing friends and family at home.

It was great hearing about the various apps or travel websites she uses when she is booking her travels plans. If you need some travel deals check out www.skiplagged.com or www.rocketmiles.com to see if you can save some money. She also started re-using www.hotels.com.

She started her PR business with the principles of achieving results, executing conscious public relations, marketing, branding and event planning strategies for my clients in a unique and creative way.

Cathy on social media:

Cathy’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

She listens to music for the most part while traveling. Using her Spotify or Pandora, she mainly listens to the Reba McEntire station or Garth Brooks station.

Click here to see other guests choices for listening while traveling

ABOUT CATHY CARDENAS PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT

The Cathy Cardenas Public Relations firm offers public relations, marketing, social media management, event planning, product placement, celebrity endorsement services, personal branding and so much more. They work with celebrities, athletes, large and small businesses, non-profits, authors, speakers and more.

With expertise and proven results in a wide variety of industries, they pride themselves on creating unique events and creative marketing programs. Including PR campaigns that help clients stand out in saturated markets. Their client services are overflowing with creativity and passion that is cleverly combined with a unique business strategy and proactive nature with proven results!

Through an innovative approach and unconventional tactics, they have landed placements for clients in such media outlets as The Tonight Show, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, USA Today, Los Angeles Business Journal, TV Tokyo, Entrepreneur magazine, Nightline, Fox and friends, PBS, TODAY, Univision, Telemundo, Huffpost, Parents, Redbook, Forbes, The Price is Right and countless other local, regional and national online, broadcast and print outlets.

5 for Friday with Cathy Cardenas

My guest on today’s 5 for Friday episode is Cathy Cardenas. Cathy is the founder and owner of her public relations firm CCPR. CCPR offers public relations, marketing, social media management, event planning, product placement, celebrity endorsement services, personal branding and so much more. In this clip I asked Cathy to explain what public relations firms do for their clients and how much traveling she does making it all happen for them.

I’m always fascinated and excited talking to the people that work behind the scenes and learn from them. The ones you don’t necessarily see but they are responsible for making it all happen.

Make sure to come on Monday to listen to the full episode.

Cathy on social media:

ABOUT CATHY CARDENAS PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT

The Cathy Cardenas PR firm offers PR, Marketing, social media management, event planning, product placement, celebrity endorsement services, personal branding and so much more. We work with celebrities, athletes, large and small businesses, non-profits, authors, speakers and more.

With expertise and proven results in a wide variety of industries, we pride ourselves on creating unique events and creative marketing programs and PR campaigns that help clients stand out in saturated markets. Our client services are overflowing with creativity and passion that is cleverly combined with a unique business strategy and proactive nature with proven results!

Through an innovative approach and unconventional tactics, we have landed placements for clients in such media outlets as The Tonight Show, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, USA Today, Los Angeles Business Journal, TV Tokyo, Entrepreneur magazine, Nightline, Fox and friends, PBS, TODAY, Univision, Telemundo, Huffpost, Parents, Redbook, Forbes, The Price is Right and countless other local, regional and national online, broadcast and print outlets.

Jeanine Wright – Legal Angel

Jeanine Wright is my guest today. Jeanine is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer at Simplecast. She also personally invests in startups, has owned and operated a business of her own and enjoys serving as a Board Advisor and Board Member to startup and growth companies.

Jeanine’s worked with startup, high growth and turn-around companies for over a decade, specializing in technology, finance and entertainment & media. She co-led a team that sold a company to GoDaddy, launched an international joint venture and other partnerships with some of the world’s largest companies, solicited and closed traditional, mezzanine, and warehouse financing facilities, and assisted with equity raises from both institutional and strategic investors. While continuing to work hard, Jeanine prides herself on being able to see and overcome business and legal hurdles to propel a company’s growth and innovation.

JEANINE’S AREAS OF EXPERIENCE:

Startup and Growth Strategic Counseling
Corporate Finance and Fundraising
Strategic Ventures
Mergers and Acquisitions
Intellectual Property
SaaS/IaaS/PaaS Platforms
Marketing and Advertising Compliance
Consumer Financial
Regulatory Compliance
Human Resources
Negotiation
Enterprise Risk Management
Board Compliance/Corporate Governance
Privacy Law/PCI Compliance
E-Commerce and Distribution
Dispute Resolution/Litigation
People Operations and Management
Intellectual Property
Protection & Licensing
Real Estate

Jeanine Wright on social media:

Jeanine’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

Song – Shake Shake Senora, Harry Belafonte
Podcast – The Longest Shortest Time

Click here to see other guests choices for listening while traveling

SIMPLECAST

Since 2013, thousands of individual creators and companies have trusted Simplecast with their audio, including Politico, Shopify, TechCrunch, Harvard, Medium, Fast Company, and many other names you know and love.
Capable of handling even the most confusing aspects of podcasting with the greatest speed and accuracy, Simplecast makes professional podcasting easier than ever — whether you’re totally new to audio, or already a seasoned creator — with the helpful tools and resources you need to publish and share your stories, evolve your craft, and connect with a world of listeners.

5 for Friday with Jeanine Wright

Today’s 5 for Friday is with Jeanine Wright. Jeanine is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer at Simplecast. She also personally invests in startups, has owned and operated a business of her own and enjoys serving as a Board Advisor and Board Member to startup and growth companies.

Jeanine talks about her mindset for business travel and how that has changed over the years while becoming a wife and mother. She prefers to strip down her business trips so she can make it home to spend time with her family.

I always try and find good nuggets of information from my guests and Jeanine shared a Facebook page called New Podcast Creators geared towards helping people that want to create their own podcast. It’s a page where you can find out and ask questions on how start your own podcast.

I hope you enjoy this quick chat and come back on Monday for the full episode.

Jeanine Wright on social media:

JEANINE’S AREAS OF EXPERIENCE:

Startup and Growth Strategic
Counseling
Corporate Finance and Fundraising
Strategic Ventures
Mergers and Acquisitions
Intellectual Property
SaaS/IaaS/PaaS Platforms
Marketing and Advertising Compliance
Consumer Financial
Regulatory Compliance
Human Resources
Negotiation
Enterprise Risk Management
Board Compliance/Corporate Governance
Privacy Law/PCI Compliance
E-Commerce and Distribution
Dispute Resolution/Litigation
People Operations and Management
Intellectual Property
Protection & Licensing
Real Estate

Jeanine’s listening choice while traveling for work is:

Song – Shake Shake Senora, Harry Belafonte
Podcast – The Longest Shortest Time

Click here to see other guests choices for listening while traveling

SIMPLECAST

Business Travel – What are you listening to?

Business travel provides many great opportunities to see different places and experience new points of interests. There can be many hours to get to your destination and I wanted to know what people listen to when they travel for work? That is the question I thought about when I realized that I listen to similar songs and stations when I’m driving or flying. Many of the songs I listen to reminded me of being home or wanting to be home. I wondered what my guests use to fill their time, and ears, while traveling for their work. I started asking the guests on new podcasts and went back and asked the previous guests as well. The results started coming in and I was shocked that the vast majority of the guests had completely different interests in their music and podcasts.

The wide range of listening choices of my guests made me realize that as I work hard on making a podcast for other business travelers I need to be patient. All of the media being made available now makes it easier to get your work out in to the ethos of the internet but it also increases how many options there are for listeners. Growing up there were only a few radio choices to listen to music, sometimes being very repetitive. There are literally hundreds of terrestrial and satellite radio stations available now for business travel. Hundreds of thousands of podcast shows available thru your phone on multiple different platforms. Television was only antenna stations, roughly 8 main channels. Now there are multiple streaming platforms, cable tv with hundreds of channels, movies on demand. Grabbing attention is the key.

Here are my guests in order of appearance on my podcast and their listening choices while they travel for their business. You can click on their name below to be re-directed to their episode page on my website. My list is at the bottom, and while my list literally grew from seeing my guests’ choices, the ones below are my mainstays.

Hunter Cure –

Chris Stapleton “Traveller”

Cowboy Troy –

Social Distortion “I Was Wrong”
Dwight Yoakam “Blame the Vain”

Kevin Ford –

Nicole Tenace –

Kevin Geiger –

Music is easy. Jazz playlist I have and an alt-country playlist. Also a Style Council playlist that calms me down.
Sturgill Simpson, Ryan Bingham, Band of Horses, Coltrane, Monk, Miles Davis
Favorite song is Southside of Heaven right now. Ryan Bingham.
I throw on Relax & Rest app and meditate for first 15 minutes of the flight during takeoff.
Podcast – Wait Wait don’t tell me – puts me in a good mood

Jon Grundmeyer –

Brad Paisley
John Legend “All of Me” for his wife

Adrian Cosby –

Bon Iver is my favorite band. I try and see them live all over the country whenever I can.

Karissa Cook –

Lane 8 and Rufus du Sol are her favorite go-to’s

Smush Parker –

Chris Castellano –

Tim Ferriss Podcast
James Altucher Podcast

Kevin Krohn –

King’s X is perfect when he’s fighting driver fatigue

Steve Frick –

Dave Mathews “Grey Street”
Christopher Cross “Sailing” a memory he shares with his wife

Bobby Dover –

Andrew Howard –

Podcasts – Pardon My Take; Lights, Camera, Barstools; The Throwback Podcast
Music – As for music, I have a wide range of favorite artists. But what I do like to do while traveling is listen to music from that area. For example, when I was in Nashville for the NFL Draft I listened to a lot of country.

Scott Carson –

Motley Crue and Guns N’ Roses

Asia Hall –

Favorite audible was Shoe Dog (the founder of Nike’s memoir)
Currently listening to Unlabel (Marc Ecko’s memoir)

Darci Smith –

Podcast – How I Built This (entrepreneurial)
Podcast – Lady Gang (pop culture)
Music – SHAED

Carey Portell –

Dr. Nii Darko –

I’m all about Afrobeatz when I travel. It’s a genre of music from West Africa

Jake Zweig –

Podcasts – Ed Mylett, Gary Vaynerchuck, Grant Cardone
Music – Darius Rucker

Landon Turner –

An eclectic taste of music ranging from Future to George Strait. Various podcasts including one called Stream Key. It’s about tips for streaming on Twitch.

Danny David –

Silento @silento

Sandy Knights –

Elvis Pandora station
If I’m really tired I turn on the Disney station

Pete Koch –

Podcast – The Drive: Peter Attia MD

Valerie Thompson –

Dr. Billy Alsbrook “Blessed and Unstoppable”

Erin Lamont –

Bob Marley station on Pandora

Dina Parise –

Podcasts – Ed Mylett, Dee Snider “I Wanna Talk”
Music – Spotify; Queen, Def Leppard, Billy Joel, Elton John, etc.

Jesse Iwuji –

Rich Dad Poor Dad audio book

Kevin Gootee –

Nirvana and Bad Religion
“punch you in the face” punk playlist when the mood is right
High energy or House music when heading to Vegas

Hakeem Valles –

Gary Vee audio experience podcast

OG Mack Drama –

Top Star Hip Hop Podcast

Curtis Fisher –

Rage Against the Machine

Marcus Peterson –

RnB, Hip Hop or soft jazz.
I’m more of a mood guy so it could be various hip hop artists or Sade.

Tanya Stanfield –

Road Warrior Strong playlist

Toni Nicole –

DMX “Party Up (Up In Here)”

Jeanine Wright –

Song – Shake Shake Senora, Harry Belafonte
Podcast – The Longest Shortest Time

Big Sandy –

He listens to the various albums he bought while traveling on previous trips.

Jethro Alcuaz –

Reggae music, but it also depends on my mood

Pete Kotzbach –

Michael Buble “Home”
Journey “Faithfully”
Travis Tritt “It’s a Great Day To Be Alive”
Zac Brown Band “Colder Weather”
Phil Vassar “Just Another Day In Paradise”
Motley Crue “Home Sweet Home”
Montgomery Gentry “My Town”
Tears For Fears “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”
Neil Diamond “I Am… I Said”
Pearl Jam “Just Breathe”
U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
Aaron Lewis “Country Boy”
Jamey Johnson “In Color”
Podcasts choices are varied. I am listening to shows about SEO, websites and listening to other interview shows to improve my interviewing skills thru others.

Business travel allows for more and more choices to listen, relax, learn and interact with the advent of smart phones and the growth in the internet platforms. Technology takes asking the question “what are you listening to?” to a whole new level.

Toni Nicole – Hip Hop Development

Today’s podcast is with entertainment CEO, Toni Nicole. She is the founder & CEO of Enterprise Management and RE•IGN Movement which is a platform for Hip Hop Artist Development and Management.

We talk about her personal travel habits and some tips. Toni gives tips to her younger artists about the differences between traveling for fun and traveling for work.

Toni Nicole Quick Bio

Enterprise Management is a firm that manages Recording Artists / Actors / Writers / Comedians / Speakers. They also provide management and marketing to businesses and brands. They promote Networking Events, Conferences, Concerts, Workshops, and Fashion Shows to name a few.

She is also a Co-Founder of Act of Faith Hands of Love Organization alongside National Gospel Recording Artist Howard Sapp. This organization is nonprofit. They execute community events, concerts, and conference in the USA and around the globe!

Toni Nicole Hip Hop Development on social media:

Toni’s traveling music/song/podcast choice is:

DMX – Party Up (Up In Here)

Click here to see all of the guests listening choices when traveling.

Transcript: