WORLD FOOTPRINTS

Phil Keoghan is host of the multi Award-winning reality show, "The Amazing Race".  We talked to Phil about how the show mirrors his life, his passion for travel and his commitment to give back to others.   Phil also shared how a near death experience inspired his mantra to leave "No Opportunity Wasted". Robert Rose is the executive producer and host of the popular show "Raw Travel".  The show integrates voluntourism, social responsibility and philanthropy with pure raw travel.  Robert escaped the corporate jungle a few years ago and began sharing the gift of travel with others.  We'll talk about our mutual passions for travel, social responsibility, his recent trip to Africa and our interest in connecting with our global community.  The Caribbean Island of Dominica is legendary for its unspoiled beauty but the island is more than a pretty face with pristine waters.  Dominica Tourism Director, Colin Piper says that Dominica also offers a rich blend cultures including the only remaining population of pre-Columbian Carib Indians.  National Geographic's show, "The Great Human Race" explores the evolution of mankind from Africa to the United States.  Co-host and outdoor survival guide, Cat Bigney, traverses the globe uncovering mysteries and testing survival skills using only the tools that early man used.  Along the way, Cat reaffirmed that we all share a common humanity and that even a smile can overcome language barriers.

In one of her last interviews, the late Dr. Maya Angelou spent time with us to share her early life, lessons learned along her adult journey and golden nuggets of wisdom.  Artist Michelle Wood is a Coretta Scott King award-winning illustrator who joins us to explore American history through Gospel music.  Michelle brings history to life with colorful images in her book, "I See the Rhythm of Gospel". Ellis Marsalis, Jr., is the partriarch of a musical family that includes internationally acclaimed musicians Branford and Wynton Marsalis.  As an accomplished pianist, Ellis has been a major influencer in jazz.  His work as an educator has helped foster the careers of countless musicians including Harry Connick, Jr., Terence Blanchard and Nicholas Payton.  Ellis is also helping to preserve America's jazz heritage. Known as the Queen of Afro Beat, revolutionary artist Sandra Izsadore discusses her evolution as a child of the civil rights era, her path to discovering her voice, and her experience with Nigeria's Afro Beat performer, the late Fela Kuti.

New Orleans has been the backdrop of many dark chapters in American history, but perhaps none so shocking as the slave rebellion of 1811.  We will explore the history of America's largest slave revolt with author Daniel Rasmussen who organized his research in his book, American Uprising:  The Untold Story About America's Largest Slave Revolt. The New Orleans African-American Museum of Art, Culture and History, located in Faubourg Treme, is helping to keep the stories of America's oldest and continuous black community alive.  Established in 2000, former executive director John Hankins tells us that the Museum has held the mission "to preserve, interpret and promote" the African American cultural heritage of New Orleans, with a particular empasis on the Treme community. Le Musee de F.P.C. is a beautiful house museum that honors the legacy of New Orleans' Free People of Color. History will echo off the walls and along the wooden floor boards as we walk through this Greek Revival house in Upper Treme with Beverly McKinna.  The rich and varied culture of New Orleans is seen in its food, music, traditions and architecture.  History professor, Dr. Mary Mitchell, says that New Orleans has its own rhythm and energy that is influenced by Africans, Native Americans and European settlers and she gave us a taste of New Orleans as we soaked up the world flavors in the French Quarter.

We'll share stories about some of the Underground Railroad and a Destination Spotlight will shine on the Faukland Islands and Romania. The City of Norfolk, Virginia is an important 400-year-old port city and home to the largest naval base in the world.  But, surprisingly as a southern mid-Atlantic city, Norfolk also played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad as one of the last port stops on the road to freedom north.  Much of this history is now being shared through Norfolk's self-guided Waterways to Freedom Tour that our guest, Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander from Norfolk State University helped to create. Historian and author Debra Sandoe McCauslin has deep roots in Gettysburg and Adams County, Pennsylvania.  We learned about her family history and, in our car ride with her along the Underground Railroad, Debra brought to life the voices of some fugitive slaves and the Quakers who helped them. Lewiston, New York was the final stop for runaway slaves from the South who sought to cross the border into Canada to freedom.  Once slaves reached Lewiston, locals helped them cross the Niagara River by boat or by foot when the river was frozen.  After the War of 1812, Canada's reputation as a safe haven for fugitive slaves grew because of the development of settlements like the Southern Ontario farming community of Buxton, formerly the Elgin Settlement.  Buxton was one of four planned settlements for former and runaway slaves and its founder, Reverend William King, a white man, fought other white settlers to establish the area.

Birmingham, Alabama is considered ground zero in the civil rights movement.  In the 1950s, African-Americans of all ages in Birmingham drew a proverbial line in the sand against racial segregation.  Their stories, struggles and ultimate success over Jim Crow laws is on display at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in an effort to keep the stories of this dark chapter in American history alive. Across the street from the Civil Rights Institute is the 16th Street Baptist Church where a 1963 bombing that killed four young girls changed the course of history in Birmingham and America.  We will walk through this church that has, today, become a place to unify a community and people from all over the world. Downtown Birmingham is the home to the Civil Rights Heritage Trail.  Kelly Ingrham Park, also known as Freedom Park, was the staging area for many of the demonstrations that took place in Birmingham led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and others.  Today, Freedom Parkt is a sculpture garden that honors those who peacefully demonstrated.  We will revisit our conversation with jazz legend, the late Frank "Doc" Adams.  He shared his music and life with us when we met him at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame just weeks before his passing at the age of 86. Photos:  Tonya Fitzpatrick.  All rights reserved.

Singer/actress/author Gloria Loring joins World Footprints to talk about her music collaboration with son, R&B artist Robin Thicke, travel and her book, "Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous".  Gloria also dishes on her life past life as Liz Chandler on daytime's Days of our Lives. Jazz artist Rene Marie credits many women, including Eartha Kitt, for her life's direction and musical influences.  After her abusive husband of 23 years gave her an ultimatum to quit singing or leave--she chose to leave and begin her professional music career at the age of 42.  Rene reflects on her life journey and how a trip to Germany helped her recognize humanity's common bonds. According to Rockin' Dopsie, Jr., a person who doesn't feel the rhythm of Zydeco has no soul.  We revisit an interview we did with Dopsie, Jr., aka the "Mick Jagger of the Marsh", during one of our many broadcasts from New Orleans' French Quarter Festival. You'll also hear what Rio de Janeiro is doing to prepare for the Olympics and what the area has to offer to travelers at all other times. For additional resources visit this showpage on WorldFootprints.com.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial lies along  the center line of leadership that extends from the Lincoln Memorial to the Jefferson Memorial on Washington's National Mall.   At 30 feet in height, the sculpture of MLK on the "stone of hope" is 11 feet talller than the statues of Lincoln and Jefferson.  In honor of Dr. King's birthday, we will revisit our coverage of the dedication of his Memorial in 2011.  Over a decade in the making, October 16, 2011 marked the official dedication of this historic Memorial in Washington, DC and the 16th anniversary of the Million Man March.  However, the original dedication date was set for August 28, 201, the 48th anniversary of King's "I Have A Dream" speech.  But, an earthquake in the mid-Atlantic and the untimely visit of Hurricane Irene forced a delay in the official ceremony.  Nonetheless, World Footprints covered all of the dedication events from August through October and today's show shares interviews from celebrities and news makers who participated in the celebrations.  Ambassador Andrew Young, Lalah Hathaway, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rabbi Israel Dresner, and former Secretary of State Madeline Albright will offer their thoughts and memories about Dr. King.  From the official dedication we’ll share music and remarks on the National Mall from Archbishop Desmond TuTu, Stevie Wonder and America's first African-American President, Barak Obama.  From our perspective, watching President Obama walk past the Inscription Wall at the MLK Memorial to the dedication stage to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was incredibly powerful.

Kenya is called the "Heart of Africa" and is considered to be the cradle of civilization.  With history that rich and a diverse community of tribes and natural resources, Jacinta Zioka from Kenya Tourism, says that everyone should visit her country at least once in their lifetime.  For action-adventure author James Rollins, his travels, adventures and interests play a critical role in the development of his thrillers.  In his new book, The Bone Labyrinth, James used his training as a veternarian to explore the question of human development and intelligence.  He takes us to mankind's next leap and presents the question of our fate as a species. Accordingly to Saturday Evening Post contributor, Todd Pitock, we can learn a lot about American history through understanding the progresssion of whiskey.  Todd takes us along America's multi-state Whiskey Trail and gives us a history lesson between sips. American history can also be understood through the perspective of our Founders homes, accordingly to author Myron Magnet.  In his book, "The Founders at Home:  The Building of America" Myron says that the architectural styles of our Founders reflects their social consciousness and their ideals for America's future at the time. We walked along the floor of the New York Times Travel Show (#NYTTravelShow) and spoke to representatives from Sri Lanka and Belize.

Imagine paradise where your senses explode with a banquet of color, or scents and flavors exicte, or where you experience exotic tranquility.  That is Martinique.  We enjoyed some planteur punch as we sat on a lovely Martinique beach with Muriel Wiltord from La Martinique Tourism who explained more about the island, it's unique culture and history and why Martinique is unique from other Caribbean islands.  During our visit to the island we were treated to some wonderful accommodations including Hotel Bakoua--the very first tourist hotel on Martinique.  Hotel Bakoua is a former family home that was built in a colonial architectural style.  We also visited the luxurious  Cap-est Lagoon Resort and Spa on the east coast of Martinique.  The tropical oasis is tucked away on a garden on the edge of a lagoon that overlooks a coral reef in the Atlantic Ocean.  One of Martinique's more powerful attractions is the Anse Cafard Slave Memorial.  This memorial was completed in 1998 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the emanicipation of slaves in the French West Indies.  The memorial is comprised of 20 eight-foot tall looming statues bearing brooding expressions of loss and mourning.  The historic Habitation Clément tells the story of Martinique's creoles, its agricultural and industrial heritage.  Rhum Agricole was born at Habitation Clément and that it boasts the culture of an ancient Créole sugarcane plantation with rich French West Indian history.

Tis the season with the gift of holiday music.  As you enjoy the musical selections from around the world, please accept our gratitude for your support of World Footprints over the years.  We appreciate you inviting us into your home and for joining us as we embrace our common humanity.  We wish you peace, love and joy (and lots of travel)  and we look forward to sharing exciting journeys and inspiring interviews with you in the coming year.    The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things.           --Thomas S. Monson ...and to all...a good night.

With more than 200 songs to his credit and multiple film scores, Frank Stallone has distinguished himself from movie-star brother Sylvester.  His road as a musician was difficult despite his brother's fame but he found ways to stay relevant and reinvent himself.  Frank says that traveling has played an important role in his development as a person and an artist. Travel Channel's "Bizzare Foods" host Andrew Zimmern has traveled the world to experience some of the most unusual looking foods that many of the world's people depend on for their survival.  In spite of the entertainment value of eating things that appear grossly unappetizing, Andrew bridges culturals and displays a more serious side to his adventures. Travel writer Pauline Frommer, daughter of budget travel guru Arthur Frommer, is helping to build on the legacy that her father started in the 1950s.  She has developed her own line of travel guide books and continues to cohost the Frommer's Travel Show with her dad.  Pauline joins us to offer some valuable travel advise. Patricia Schultz is the author of the "1000 Places To See Before You Die" series.  She tells us how she selected the "must-see" places for her global and North American books and she also offers some sage travel advice. We will also shine a destination spotlight on the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos.

Veteran travel journalist David Yeskel has seen the evolution of Las Vegas over the decades.  From its humble beginnings as "sin city" to the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas has survived the odds of a failing economy and multiple attempts to reinvent itself to become a burgeoning metropolis with 2 million residents.  But the city has also maintained a small-town feel for its residents amidst the bright lights and glamour.  David will offer a different perspective on Las Vegas as well as offer some essential travel tips that can maximize a visit to the city. Jacksonville, Florida has its own take on sun and fun beyond the amusement parks.  From beaches and parks to a compelling history and deep traditions, Jacksonville is full of surprises. Patty Jimenez of Visit Jacksonville takes us on an exploration of Jacksonville and its many treasures. Wisconsin congers-up many images; most prominently, beer, brats and cheese but it is a quintessential American midwestern state.  We met Kristina Rosenbergs and Carla Minsky at the Travel Media Showcase recently where they shared some some surprising and interesting things that Wisconsin has to offer. The Czech Republic came into being after a non-violent democratic revolution in 1989 known as the "Velvet Revolution".  This event subsequently dissolved the former country of Czechoslovakia and forced the creation of two new states--Slovakia and the Czech Republic.  In the two decades since then. the Czech Republic has established itself as a destination that blends the old and the new in an eco-friendly country that offers something for everyone.  Czech Tourism's Jiri Duzar joins World Footprints to share the history and treasure of the country known as "the land of stories".

World Footprints returns to New Orleans for our signature broadcast from Jackson Square for French Quarter Festival! During this broadcast we'll introduce you to All-Star musicians, Trumpeter Connie Jones and Clarinet player Tim Laughlin. Connie & Tim grace the cover of this year's French Quarter Festival poster.  We’ll also hear from French Quarter Festival Executive Director, Marci Schramm, about the newest attractions that visitors will experience this year. As we all know, New Orleans is a foodie’s paradise and there is a new restaurant in town called Sylvain.  We’ll have a chance to talk with the proprietor Sean McCusker about some of his hottest recipes and unique cocktail menu.   In keeping the food theme going we’ll enjoy a conversation with Liz Williams from the Southern Food and Wine Museum.

National Geographic International (now FOX) producer, Dawn Drew, has been to India more than 100 times and she recently spent three months filming around the country.  Dawn says that each visit to India offers something new and that travelers should go beyond the iconic attractions for an authentic travel experience.  We'll also talk about the state of Goa--the popular resort that you may not have heard of. Actress Stefanie Powers, best known for her role as Jennifer Hart in the television series "Hart to Hart", leads a double life, one in front of the camera or on stage and the other as a chamption for animal preservation and protection.  She started both interests at an early age.  When she was 15 years old she took to the stage but her love and protection of animals started with a rat named Petey much earlier.   Stefanie helped create the William Holden Wildlife Foundation in memory of her long-time partner and she supports animal conservation efforts of several other organizations.  Stefanie also continues her craft on camera and the stages around the world. Friendly Planet Travel is a popular group tour operator that we first became acquainted with during a trip to South Africa for our honeymoon.  We discovered the amazing price points that Friendly Planet offered for a great value.  Apart from the competitive tour prices, the mission of Friendly Planet and its backstory reflects courage, love, luck and transformation.  We spoke to founder, Peggy Goldman, about how travel helped her heal and reinvent herself following a divorce and loss of her son.

It took one trip during college for the travel bug to bite Janna Graber.  Her first international trip inspired an award-winning writing career, television appearances and countless travel experiences that she could only dream of.  Janna has written for more than 40 publications and she's published three books.  Her latest, A Pink Suitcase, offers 22 tales of women's travel and the internal and external journeys they experienced as they explored the world. The multi award-winning CBS reality show, The Amazing Race, has been entertaining audiences since 2001.  The show was created by partners Eleise Doganieri and Bertram van Munster as part of a bet.  Viewers have traveled around the world vicariously through The Amazing Race teams as they race for the $1 million grand prize.  As part of World Footprints' "Best Of" series we are sharing our interview with Executive Producer Bertram van Munster who joined us a few seasons ago to share his travel experiences and give us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of his Emmy-winning show. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has four Trusted Traveler programs that it oversees.  Each program offers specific benefits defending on a traveler's needs.  Steve Redlinger from DHS joins us to explain the three programs under the Customs and Border Protection Agency that benefit international travelers.