World Footprints

Voluntourism and Galapagos Islands Conservation Practices: The Need for Caution

Join us for thought-provoking conversations that examine voluntourism and the impact that conservation practices and tourism have on the Galapagos Islands.
First, voluntourism aka volunteer travel projects are helpful to communities in need. But, intercultural educator Lena Papadopoulos says that some projects cause more harm to the communities they are meant to serve and it behooves us to recognize these hidden dangers and properly vet the organizations overseeing these projects.
Then, Galápagos researcher Dr. Elizabeth Hennessy, has written On the Backs of Tortoises: Darwin, the Galápagos, and the Fate of an Evolutionary Eden to help guide future conservation efforts by understanding how the history of the islands and current conservation efforts are entangled and challenging. Dr. Hennessy says that In a world where evolution is shaped by global history, we need a vision for conservation based on reckoning with the past, rather than trying to erase it.

Exploring Iceland by Land and Sea

Iceland is a country of sharp contrasts--Where dark winter night are offset by a sleepless summer sun—where fire and ice co-exist; and where a dramatic landscape and insular existence supports folklore and informs a vibrant culture.
We set out exploring Iceland aboard the Ocean Diamond, the small cruise ship of ProCruises Iceland. Captain Herve Parage and Expedition Leader, Dorothee Hippel guided us through Iceland’s history and the waters that were being stirred by remnants of Hurricane Dorian.
After three days of sailing from Iceland’s Southwest to its Northeast, we disembarked and loaded up in a van with eight journalists from Germany and met our guide Asi Heimisson, who drove us across Iceland in search of trolls, elves, mud puds and thermal baths.
As our show ends we will share the reflections of one of our German journalist companions, Mathias Begalke, who beautifully sums up the impression of Iceland.
Join us as we circumnavigate Iceland in search of folklore, beautiful landscape and thermal baths ...on World Footprints with Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick.
Cover photo (c) Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esq.

1,000 Places To See with Wanderlust

Join World Footprints for our conversation with New York Times bestselling author Patricia Schultz and Avalon Travel’s Grace Fujimoto about their newest books, the Deluxe edition of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and Wanderlust.
Author Patricia Schultz has transformed her New York Times bestselling book, 1,000 Places to See Before you Die, into an illustrated masterpiece featuring 1,000 mesmerizing photographs displaying the world as you’ve never seen it before. This Deluxe edition has been reconceived for the photographic format and features 100% new material.
Wanderlust: A Traveler’s Guide to the Globe is the newest Avalon Travel, Moon book to hit the shelves. But unlike the purse-sized guide book, Grace Fujimoto, Avalon’s Vice President of Acquisitions, tells us, Wanderlust is a coffee-table sized book filled with nearly 400 pages of an eclectic mix of natural wonders, festivals, ancient cities, epic trails and more.

Profiles: John Schneider and Kendol Bacchus

Depending on your age you may know actor/singer John Schneider as “Bo Duke” from The Dukes of Hazzard or more recently from Dancing with the Stars or on Tyler Perry’s show, The Haves and Have Nots. Either way, John has been involved with an artistic or charitable project that has reached you but he shared some things with us that will surprise you.
Pianist Kendol Bacchus has played private events for Bill Gates and for us during a dinner on Saint Vincent. His musical style is captivating and reflects a unique blend of cultural influences and we’re pleased to introduce this remarkable artist to you.

Insights: Ansel Adams and Mahisha Dellinger

The photographs of Ansel Adams are among America’s finest artistic treasures. Now a landmark book containing a collection of photographs that Ansel selected before his death of his beloved Yosemite National Park has just been published for the first time in book form.
We spoke to Ansel’s son, grandson and dark-room assistant about the impact of his work and legacy.
Mahisha Dellinger grew up in the Sacramento projects but this CEO and Founder of CURLS --a family of organic hair care products for natural textures—earned a show on OWN, Oprah Winfrey’s network, and a view from the penthouse. We spoke to Mahisha about her rise from the projects to the Penthouse.
Join us for a conversation with Ansel Adams’ family and gain some success principles from Mahisha Dellinger, Founder and CEO of CURLS ...on World Footprints with Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick.

Salute to Patriotism and Statesmanship

"No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks." -- James Allen
We owe our men and women in uniform a huge debt. Not only do they sacrifice their lives for the freedoms we enjoy, they also display incredible statesmanship in the line of duty.
Chez Chesak is an Army National Guardman turned travel journalist. In 2005, Chez was deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq, as part of a combat team comprised of individuals with valuable life experiences. Chez says it was their maturity and life experiences that allowed his team to accomplish their tasks while displaying empathy and humanity.
Leslie Riley graduated from the West Point Military Academy. She was a 2nd Lt. and flew CH-47D Chinook helicopters. During her tours to Kosovo and South Korea, Leslie said she saw those counties from a different vantage point as she fly over the countryside.
Join us for conversations with two of America’s finest as we thank them for their service and learn whether deployment overseas changed how they travel the world today…on World Footprints with Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick.

Svalbard And Traveling Unplugged

From open boarders to climate change, the Norwegian archipelago island of Svalbard (also known as Spitsbergen) is an open border island that speaks to some of the most pressing and challenging issues of the day.
Located between mainland Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard is the largest of the islands and one of the northernmost inhabited areas. Atossa Abrahamian, senior editor of The Nation, joins us to share her insights about this Norwegian territory and the lessons it holds for the world.
It is without question that this world is technology dependent. If you’ve ever misplaced your phone or accidentally left home without it you know the separation anxiety that has caused. So imagine traveling without your electronic tether. Could you do it? We met someone who purposefully disconnected from his phone during a two-week road trip home—on a DARE!
Johnny Welsh has listened to a lot of people as a bartender. His observations about the proliferation of smartphones in our lives led him and his girlfriend to disconnect from technology in order to reconnect with people. In his book, Paper Maps, No Apps, Johnny rediscovers the power of personal interaction that travel brings when we unplug.
Explores the Norwegian archipelago island of Svalbard and hear from someone who disconnected in order to reconnect with others while traveling.

Traveling Route 66 and Crossing Europe in an RV

As we travel through Iceland you will hear about America’s historic Route 66 with Route Magazine editor, Brennan Matthews and Kat Bird of the Wandering Bird blog will share her adventures crossing Europe in an RV.
You haven’t experienced America until you’ve travel along the historic Route 66, also known as the Main Street of America. Route 66 was one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System and Brennan Matthews, editor of Route Magazine, a bi-monthly publication that focuses on road travel, vintage Americana and Route 66 takes us along the iconic highway.
Then, would you believe that a night of gazing at the Milky Way would inspire you to leave your job and your home for a life traveling across Europe in an RV? Well, that’s exactly what happened with Kat Bird and her husband, the founders of the Wandering Bird blog.
Enjoy a tiny taste of Iceland while you hear about the quirky and iconic things along Route 66 and the joys of traversing Europe in an RV.

Pictures of Humanity, Traveling Through Depression

On this show World Footprints discusses the power of travel to generate social change and heal depression with two amazing guests.
Matilde Simas is an award-winning documentary photographer who uses her gifts to generate social change. Her work focuses on human rights, people affected by trauma, and endangered ecosystems.
In 2017 the award-winning photographer founded Capture Humanity, an artistic collaborative organization that aims to document humanitarian groups that assist women, children, marginalized communities, and conservation efforts. Patience, commitment, and integrity are the core of their effort to inspire greater creative and social consciousness.
Then, throughout the years we’ve heard many stories about how travel has saved and transformed lives. In Ying Ao Ieong’s case, an impulsive trip to Milan helped her battle dark thoughts and hopelessness.
Due to a number of factors, including her traditional upbringing in Macau, Ying developed depression whilst studying in London, England. Ying realized that that she was walking a dangerous tight rope so she sought to shake things up with an impulsive trip to Italy. Italy changed her outlook and showed Ying the value of life.
COVER PHOTO by Matilde Simas.

Exploring Indigenous Tourism and Istanbul

World Footprints discusses Indigenous Tourism opportunities in America and the cultural influences that have shaped Istanbul, Turkey.
There are 573 federally recognized American Indian tribes in the United States and 326 reservations. Some reservations are open to visitors and most are known for their Casinos. However, Indigenous Tourism consultant Anna Barrera tells us that many tribes are looking to move beyond the Gaming industry by offering cultural experiences to visitors.
The Turkish city of Istanbul reflects the cultural influences of the empires that once ruled it. The city is strategically located on the Bosporus peninsula between the Mediterranean and Black Sea and it is divided into a European and an Asian side. Author Bijan Bayne tells us that there are so many cultural layers to Istanbul that it resembles Baklava; an intrinsically crafted dessert the city is famous for.