I talk with Dr. Gina Paige, co-founder of African Ancestry, a DNA company that traces African lineages using genetics. She travels the world helping people of African descent demystify their roots so that they may better understand who they are by knowing where they’re from. Gina shares what sparked her love of travel, what led her to co-found African Ancestry, and how their company is different. She also talks about their curated “family reunion” heritage trips, and how one African country is now offering citizenship based on DNA results. Read More…
Ep 65 | Antoinette Harrell: Genealogy Research Travel
I talk with Dr. Antoinette Harrell, renowned community activist, genealogist and historian specializing in African American History in Louisiana. Antoinette shares what led her to genealogy, how travel became intertwined with her family history research, and how she began helping others uncover their roots. She also talks about what peonage is, what she is doing to raise awareness about this little known history, recommendations for researching enslaved ancestors, and tips for planning genealogy research trips. Read More…
Ep 64 | Kelly McCoy: Cultural Heritage & Adventure Travel
I talk with Kelly McCoy, a Seattle-based travel product developer and consultant specializing in cultural heritage and adventure tourism. She loves researching and illuminating little-known history. Kelly shares what sparked her love of travel, her experiences traveling to African countries, and what led her to work in tourism. She also talks about her upcoming travel projects highlighting Black history, a recent research trip to Charleston, and tips for planning heritage travel. Read More…
Ep 63 | Joy Barnett: Solo Black History Road Trips
I talk with Joy Barnett, copywriter and solo road tripper based in Austin, Texas. So far she has driven over 6000 miles, primarily going to U.S. destinations that are important to Black history. Joy shares what sparked her love of travel, why she started road tripping solo, and about some of the places she’s visited. She also shares how travel can offer space for healing, why she focuses on Black history, and her top road trip tips – particularly for women traveling solo. Read More…
Ep 62 | Nikki Vargas: Celebrating Travel & Women’s Stories
In this episode, I talk with Nikki Vargas, a travel editor, author, video producer and public speaker based in New York City. She is the Founding Editor and Co-Founder of Unearth Women, a unique publication that celebrates travel and women’s stories. Nikki is also an editor for Fodor’s Travel, and her bylines have appeared in VICE, Food & Wine, Roads & Kingdoms, Cosmopolitan, and more. Nikki shares what sparked her love of travel, what led her to become a travel writer and editor, why her family left Colombia, and what drew her back. She also talks about co-founding Unearth Women, what it offers to travelers, and about her related book that will be published in early 2022. Read More…
Ep 61 | Mickela Mallozzi: Dance & DNA Travel
In this episode I talk to returning guest Mickela Mallozzi, Emmy award-winning host and Executive Producer of Bare Feet, a travel series highlighting the diversity of dance which airs on PBS and Amazon Prime Video. Mickela shares what inspired her to devote an entire season of her show to DNA travel, about a few of her favorite episodes from that season, and what it was like to travel to the places her ancestors are from. She also talks about her upcoming new season, and her travel plans for 2022 – including one trip that I plan to join. Read More…
Ep 60 | Terrell Lozada: American Artist in Paris
She also talks about what it’s been like living in France during the pandemic, and offers tips for those interested in experiencing Paris long term. Read More…
Ep 59 | D’mitra Smith: Taking a Break from the United States
I talk with D’mitra Smith, a talented musician, civil rights activist and most recently former Chair of the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights. D’mitra shares about early transformative experiences abroad, the intersection of travel and human rights, and traveling while Black. She also shares what led her to decide to move to France, some lesser known truths about that country’s history, and what it’s been like so far to live abroad. Read More…