JRNY Travel Podcast

Mark Ezell is the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance, a non-profit organisation created to elevate over 140 historical sites that tell the stories of the Civil Rights Movement. These sites, such as national parks, museums and churches, focus on events that happened in the 1950s and 1960s and are spread over 14 states across America and the District of Columbia.Commissioner Mark tells host Si Willmore about his role at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development as well as the creation of the Tennesse Civil Rights Trail project and what makes it such an important story. Mark mentions some of the sites along the trail that are particularly significant and poignant, such as the Lorraine Motel and the Clinton 12 Statue at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center, and he offers some hidden gems for places to visit and eat at around The Volunteer State.He also shares what’s coming up for Tennessee in the next few months including the continuation of the launch of the Bike Tennessee initiative.

Jeff Crowe is the director of Kentucky Experiences at the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. He plays a key role in the Louisville Bourbon and Belonging initiative which celebrates Queer Kentucky and he was instrumental in launching Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week. He talks with host Si Willmore about Heaven Hills Kentucky Experiences, which forms part of Kentucky's famous bourbon trail, and Jeff explains how bourbon has evolved and become a more inclusive spirit, not only for the people who drink it but for the people who work in the industry, as seen through the Bourbon and Belonging initiative and Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week.Jeff shares insights into Kentucky, including his favourite places to eat and visit as well as the World Chicken Festival, and releases Heaven Hill Distillery's plans for the future including a new distillery.

Staci Mellman is the first female Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Brand USA in 12 years. She drives the organisation's international marketing efforts and leads the teams responsible for marketing, comms, marketing technology, research and analytics.Originally from Texas, Staci has been working in the travel and tourism industry for over 13 years, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Florida.She tells host Si Willmore talk about how she got into travel and tourism, recounts stories of her travels with her family around the USA and as a solo female traveller in Europe, and she shares how her these travels have shaped her professional career and marketing philosophy.Staci also share some favourite foods and attractions from her home state Texas, the Lone Star State, including Meow Wolf, Fredericksburg and Amarillo.

Mike Frohlich is the is the owner and brewer at Laughing Sun Brewing in Bismarck, North Dakota. He’s been a member of the local brewing scene since the mid 90s, using his former employment at the State Historical Society and State Museum to advance legislation on brewing. As such he’s helped to get new laws passed on the production and promotion of locally brewed beer.He and host Si Willmore talk about the dream job that is brewing beer, his experience for how things have changed, and his aim to make Laughing Sun not only a great brewery, but a place where the local community feels welcome. They also discuss Mike's favourite beers to brew and to drink, the brewery's range of barbecue food and tourist attractions in Bismark.

James Draven is multi-award-winning travel journalist covering adventure; wildlife and environment. He’s has words published in National Geographic Traveller,  Wanderlust, The Times, The Telegraph, Travel and Leisure and CNN. Featured in best-selling anthology The Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century, he has visited 114 countries and 32 American states and recently visited Idaho for JRNY Travel Magazine.He and host Si WIllmore talk about Idaho's gold-tier international dark sky reserve, the bubby nature of Soda Springs, the native Shosone belife about Snake River and

Katherine Doãn is a publicist for a Taiwanese design firm. Born and raised in Hanoi, she has travelled extensively from an early age and has lived in several different countries, namely Vietnam, China, Taiwan and Mongolia and right now she is based in Taipei.She tells host Si Willmore about her experiences as a 'third culture kid' in Taiwan as well as her multiple and varied childhood influences including Asian cuisine and western pop culture such as the music of ABBA. Katherine also shares how Taiwan is her ‘home away from home’ as it features aspects of life that are reminiscent of Vietnam as well as a contrasting point of view, including increased freedom to be who she wants to be, such as being a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Katherine has a fascinating insight about how our favourite destinations can inform people about who we are, as well more traditional interests such as music, movies and traditions or habits. She uses Google Maps to not only share her favourite spots and to welcome friends to Taiwan but to build and enrich friendships. In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in their industry. Season Five is sponsored by the Taiwan Tourism Administration.

Sarah Gillespie is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer. Half Filipina and half Scottish, she’s based in Glasgow but has written extensively about the Philippines and other East Asian countries and recently she has been exploring Taiwan for JRNY Travel Magazine.Sarah tells host Si Willmore about her background including her early experiences visiting Asia with her family as well as her travel career and recent trip to Taiwan for JRNY Travel Magazine. Sarah explored the country - including Hualien County and the city of Tainan - which celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2024 - through various lenses, including sustainability, culinary and indigenous tradition*. She shares stories of a thriving art and music scene as well as a Thomas the Tank Engine-themed rickshaw. In the JRNY Podcast, where I, Si Willmore talk with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry*The World Indigenous Tourism Summit (WITS) will be taking place in Kaohsiung next year. For details go to wits2024.com.tw.

Jo Davey is a travel writer and photographer from London, specialising in food, visual arts, culture and adventure travel. She also specialises in eastern Asia and is the author of the upcoming Bradt Guide to Okinawa and Japan's Southwest Islands.Jo has been exploring Taiwan for JRNY Travel Magazine and she and host Si Willmore discuss her latest experiences of the island, checking out the adventure travel options available.Jo recounts stories of 'river tracing', where you essentially haul yourself up a waterfall - and where her GoPro camera had an adventure of its own - as well as paragliding, trekking and exploring Taroko Gorge National Park, as well as the the whisky-fuelled kicking dance that is the Taiwanese Harvest Festival.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Season 5 is sponsored by the Taiwan Tourism Administration.

Transition is an indie rock band. It was formed by brothers Josh and Jesse Edbrooke when they were teenagers in Bristol in the UK, who went on to live in Taiwan in 2009. Since then they have collaborated with numerous Taiwanese artists, including Rainie Yang and Julia Peng, and they worked on Wing Lo’s Golden Melody Award-winning albums in 2016 and 2021.The band talk with host Si Willmore about touring the UK and Europe, before making their first trip to Taiwan in 2005 for the Springscream festival, and then later moving to Taipei.Cementing the Taiwan-UK connection, in 2012 Transition went on to write and record the official theme song for the Taiwan team competing at the London 2012 Olympics. and they discuss how they take inspiration from Taiwan and blend it into their music - particularly for their song on the global scale at the Olympics but also in general.Transition also relive some favourite moments as recording artists and mention their new podcast, where they interview people who have a UK-to-Taiwan connection.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in their industry. Season 5 is sponsored by the Taiwan Tourism Administration.