World Footprints

LEGACY SHOW: Talking travel with sportscaster Kenny Albert

This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before rebranding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS.
Attention sports fans, all-American sportscaster, Kenny Albert, son of famed sportscaster Marv Albert, will join Traveln On to discuss his travels around the country with the NFL and the Olympics.

LEGACY SHOW: Expedition to Bolivia

This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before rebranding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS.
Join Tonya and Ian as they take you on an exciting adventure with author and explorer Col. John Blashford Snell who will talk about his upcoming expedition to Bolivia and his work with Just A Drop Foundation. John is a legendary explorer who has traveled to all corners of the earth to leave positive footprints and share remote places with the world.

Honoring JFK, our Veterans and Gold Star Families

World Footprints is pleased to introduce filmmaker Mitty Mirrer who produced and directed a new film honoring the families of fallen troops. "Gold Star Children: Two Generations Sharing Loss and Healing" premiered on the Pentagon Channel on Veteran's Day and is making the Film Festival circuit. Mitty is a Gold Star child herself, having lost her father in Vietnam when she was only one day old. The film focuses on the sharing, loss and mentoring of the Iraq/Afghanistan generation by the Vietnam generation gold star children and how they heal together.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22nd, World Footprints takes a look back at the event that changed America with Saturday Evening Post historial Jeff Nilsson. The shot that killed JFK in 1963 left an indelible mark on America. The Saturday Evening Post was there, capturing the thoughts and tributes of the celebrated men who knew him well in its December 14, 1963 issue, which was devoted almost entirely to memorializing the fallen president.
Now, 50 years later, the Post opens its vault to pay honor to our 35th president as his contemporaries knew him. Jeff will offer some historical perspectives and offer a glimpse into the Post's commemorative issue.
One of our favorite heroes, Ret. Col. Gail Halverson returns to World Footprints to reflect on his service during World War II. Ret. Col. Halverson flew the C-47S and C-54S aircraft during the Berlin Airlift (Operation Vittles) 1948-49. Col. Halverson, aka, Uncle Wiggly Wings is best known as the Candy Bomber during the Berlin Airlift.

Walking And Singing Our Way Through Birmingham, Alabama’s Rich History

Birmingham, Alabama - the Magic City - saw events and courageous people who played a central role in the Civil Rights struggle. World Footprints goes on a walking tour through history along the Civil Rights Heritage Trail as we step onto the grounds where African Americans confronted Jim Crow era violence with non-violent civil disobedience. We will also explore Kelly Ingram Park and Birmingham's 4th Avenue Business District and discuss the time when segregation made this the city's "Little Harlem".
Brimingham is also known for it's rich musicial traditions and we'll pay homage to two iconic musical figures: Henry "Gip" Gipson whose 'juke joint' is the last standing music venue of it's kind in Alabama. Gip's Place has welcomed musicians from all over the world and every Saturday music lovers travel miles for an all-night music tailgate party on a "Sanford and Son" style lot. We will also introduce Dr. Frank Adams, Sr., a charter member of the Alabama Hall of Fame, who regaled us with stories of his life, a musical set and his time playing with greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. Sadly, Doc Adams passed away only one month after our meeting with him. We are honored to showcase his music throughout today's show.
As a side note, our trip to Birmingham was a very pleasant surprise. As ethnic travelers we often wonder how we'll be perceived and treated. What we found in Birmingham (and Huntsville--another story for another time) were incredibly were welcoming and very hospitable people. Also, the food we enjoyed was GREAT. We highly recommend a visit to Birmingham, Alabama. There's a lot waiting for visitors to discover in the city "where freedom lives".

Living Silent, Norway’s Perfume and Discovering Burma

Join World Footprints as hosts Tonya and Ian explore the world of silence, the power of perfume and a new Burma.
Imagine living for 17 years under a personal vow of silence. Our first guest, National Geographic author John Francis, did just that. After witnessing the devastating effects of the 1971 oil spill in San Francisco Bay, John embarked on a period of reflection that involved a 17 year long self-imposed silence and 22 years of walking. John’s incredible journey is chronicled in his book The Ragged Edge of Silence: Finding Peace in a Noisy World.
Then, you will hear the extraordinary story of a self-made man from Norway, Geir Ness, and how he is leaving positive footprints through his multi-million dollar Laila Perfume Company. During our interview with Geir we spoke about his dear friend, 9-time New York City Marathon Champion Grete Weitz, with whom he joined forces to raise money for cancer research. We learned that Geir substituted for Grete in the 2009 NYC Marathon and raised nearly $300,000 for the Norway Cancer Society. Sadly, Grete lost her courageous battle with cancer the day immediately following our interview with Geir. We dedicate this show in Grete’s memory and to everyone whose lives have been affected by cancer.
Finally, World Footprints welcomes back travel writer Cynthia Dial. Cynthia has recently returned from Burma (Myanmar) and she joins us to share some of her surprising experiences.

Trackside at the Baltimore Grand Prix

Ladies and Gentlemen…Start Your Engines! That was the start command heard during the inaugural IZOD Indycar Baltimore Grand Prix. World Footprints went behind the scenes into Pit Row and trackside to bring interviews with racing icons Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi and Baltimore Grand Prix winner Will Power, a Team Penske member.
World Footprints listeners will also hear from 2nd and 3rd Place winner Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan and other drivers before and after the inaugural event on the streets of Baltimore. In addition to IZOD Indycar Series making an appearance in Baltimore, this race also marked GoDaddy Girl Danica Patrick’s last race before her move to NASCAR. World Footprints captured the sights and sounds from the track and you’ll feel as though you’re standing trackside along with hosts Ian and Tonya.
Follow World Footprints on Facebook and Twitter @WorldFootprints for the latest travel information including travel-relevant legislation, travel warnings and best practices.

Inside National Geographic Traveler, Buddha Bar DC and eco-friendly jewelry

The Editor-and-chief of National Geographic Traveler, Keith Bellows, joins World Footprints Radio to talk about the magazine, travel storytelling, his upcoming travel book for children, and his never ending quest for discovering different cultures.
Then, because culinary treasures are a manifestation of culture, Shelley Galloway from the newly opened Buddha Bar DC, the newest member of the internationally renowned Buddha bar group, will offer a culinary journey that promises to delight every palate. (Note: Buddha Bar DC has recently closed. The food was fantastic as was the ambience.)
Finally, Tonya and Ian will introduce a celebrated jewelry designer, Monique Pean, whose socially-conscious and culturally-inspired designs have been featured in the major fashion magazines and have been donned by a who’s who of celebrities including first lady Michelle Obama.
This show is dedicated to our friend, Keith Bellows, a visionary journalist, author, and globetrotter who was editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler for 17 years. Keith passed away on August 29, 2015 after a long illness. He was 63.

South Africa beyond safari to student exchanges, conservation and Nelson Mandela’s legacy

As the world remembers Nelson Mandela on the anniversary of his death, Tonya and Ian travel full circle from their law careers to South Africa, a destination they hold close to their hearts. (Hint: they honeymooned there). World Footprints shares the lasting legacy of Mandela as it showcases other sides of South Africa, including an extraordinary student exchange program between the University of Missouri and the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa.
Then you’ll hear about the legacy of animal conservation that stretches across the globe as World Footprints introduces Nandi, a rescued South African manta ray who Tonya got to scuba dive (one of her great passions) with at the Georgia Aquarium. You'll hear about the intregal role that the Aquarium plays in sea life conservation.

Sochi beyond the Paralympics

The country of Russia celebrated a very successful Olympic and Paralympic Games and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Sochi. For us, the Paralympic Games were transformative. We saw many examples of courage, strength, humanity and the belief that all things are possible, especially in the face of great adversity.
We met some amazing people and some colorful characters during our time in Sochi and you'll meet some of them during the show.
You will receive a small taste of what we experienced during our time in Sochi. On our way back to the U.S. we spent a long layover in Moscow and you’ll hear about some places you see during a short visit to moscow when Russian-American singer/songwriter Marina Verenikina joins us to talk about her hometown. We had the pleasure of visiting some of the places that she mentions.

Celebrating Black History In Literary Color

Step into the words and paintings of award-winning writers and artists as we celebrate black history in literary color. Award-winning artist Michele Wood’s work reflects a deep sense of history and place. As a painter, illustrator, designer and writer, she has gained wide recognition and has earned multiple awards including the prestigious American Book Award for her first book, Going Back Home. Michelle is also a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award recipient from the American Library Association. Michele’s artistry continues to explode in her other works, I See the Rhythm and I See the Rhythm of Gospel.
Fond memories of swimming with “Uncle Martin” is how a small Paula Young-Shelton recalls many days with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As the daughter of former United Nations Ambassador and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, Paula offers a human side to the icons of the civil rights movement through her young eyes. Paula’s accounts are colorfully shared in her children’s book “Child of the Civil Rights Movement.”
Pulitzer-Prize winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles America’s Great Migration of African-Americans in her epic novel, The Warmth of Other Suns. Isabel shares many accounts of African-Americans who left the south between 1915 to 1970 in search of freedom and opportunity and, in doing so, changed a nation and the world. The Migration of over 6 million black folks from the south not only transformed society, politics, economics and culture, these events also changed the course of history.