Great Escape Radio: Travel Writing | Photography | Publishing | Writing

“Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.”—Michael Jordan Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry talks with Great Escape Photographer, Bonnie Caton. Bonnie returns to the show this week to build on her last show where she talked about setting goals. You can listen to that episode here first if you missed it. Jody shares his thoughts on goal-setting… “Sometimes when I’m setting goals, I push myself a little too hard and it becomes work.” But goal-setting and photography can be fun…it should...

“Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there.”—Bo Jackson Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry talks with Great Escape Photographer, Bonnie Caton. Good things have been happening for Bonnie. She moved from her home in Portland and bought a new home in Bend, Oregon. New environs bring new opportunities for photographers like Bonnie. She’s also been setting her goals for the new year—it’s something she does each year. “In the beginning, my photography was more of a hobby. I...

“That the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.”—Ray Bradbury Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry and Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen share some of the advantages of attending a live event. In recent podcasts, Jody has spoken with Tracey Minkin, Travel Editor for Coastal Living magazine. He has also shared portions of her presentations from the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas last September. You’ll find one of...

“Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.”—Bob Marley Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry brings award-winning photographer and videographer, Joe Sindorf back to the program this week. You can listen to last week’s episode with Joe here. Jody shares a recent travel experience… “I was in Orlando recently visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom enjoying the safari when a storm rolled in which forced me to have to spend the rest of the day ducking in and out of places to avoid getting...

“When we meet another person and experience the life they live as a local, it changes us.”—Joe Sindorf Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry brings us a returning guest, award-winning filmmaker and photographer, Joe Sindorf. If there’s anyone who exemplifies living an exciting life, it’s Joe. At the time of the podcast recording, Joe is in the process of packing to go to Namibia…again. Jody shares his observations about Joe… “When Joe travels, I see him posting photos on social media of...

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”— Louis L’Amour Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry brings us a returning guest, Noreen Kompanik. You can find Noreen’s last interview with Jody here. Noreen attended the Ultimate Travel Writers Workshop in San Diego four years ago and has been travel writing ever since. During that time she has published 372 articles and counting. Noreen’s articles have been published in a variety of magazines both...

“The most important sentence in any article is the first one.” –William Zinsser Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry brings us another segment from the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas. This week we’ll hear from Tracey Minkin again. Tracey is the Travel Editor for Coastal Living magazine. You can listen to last week’s episode with Tracey here. In this episode Tracey discusses the different types of ledes for articles. Understanding this will add a punch to your writing...

“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.” –Anton Cheklov Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry brings us another segment from the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas. You can listen to last week’s here. This week we’ll hear from Tracey Minkin, Travel Editor for Coastal Living magazine. Tracey starts by asking questions… “What makes travel writing really sing? What makes it leap off the page, what makes it memorable?” It’s about the details. It’s about...

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour.”— John Heywood Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry brings us the first in a series of episodes highlighting segments from the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas On this episode, you’ll hear from Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen as she delivers the opening message to the workshop attendees. We join Lori live on stage at Austin as she tells us it’s an amazing time to be a travel writer. “One...

“Taking action attracts people and attracts opportunities.” –Jody Maberry Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry talks with Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen about the great things that can happen when you put yourself out there. It’s the life of a travel writer… or in Jody’s case, a podcaster. Jody shares a recent experience... “I was invited to visit the Indianapolis Zoo for a behind the scenes look at the dolphins and walruses to see how things are done.” This visit...

“Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation.”—Graham Greene, Ways of Escape Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry brings Melissa Broughton back to the show to talk about writing a memoir. Last episode Melissa talked to Jody about her career as a travel writer with a focus on spa writing. (You can listen in to that episode here.)...

“I’m so used to being pampered in spas, I’ve forgotten how expensive spa treatments are.”—Melissa Broughton, Spa Writer Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry talks with Melissa Broughton, a travel and spa writer. Jody starts the conversation with a question Melissa is often asked, “Spa Writer? How does that work?” Often people (especially men) that ask Melissa that question assume it has something to do with hot tubs. But it’s so much more than that… “Being a spa writer means more than...

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one!” –Dolly Parton Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry and Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen introduce is to Kim Wilson. “At Great Escape Publishing, we create a safe place for beginners to start in travel writing and photography,” says Lori. “But our audience is growing and now we are also a place for professional photographers.” Kim Wilson was already a professional photographer when she attended Great Escape...

“I get more out of a trip than any vitamin has ever given me in my life.” –Lori Allen Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry and Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen discuss the recent Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas. The workshop has just concluded and Lori is still recovering. “It’s a lot of excitement, and even life-planning and I’m still coming down from it,” says Lori. People typically come to Great Escape Publishing at a pivotal time in their life. Perhaps...

“A healthy habit is a great habit in general, but it’s even better when you can use it in your work.”—Tracey Minkin Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry brings Tracey Minkin, the Senior Travel and Features Editor for Coastal Living back to the podcast broadcasting live from the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas. You can listen to the previous episode with her here. This week, Jody and Tracy are talking about some of the daily practices for travel writing. Jody asks Tracy...

“It’s very hard to get the essence of a place just by looking at it… you have to talk to people.”—Tracy Minkin Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry talks with Tracy Minkin, the Senior Travel and Features Editor of Coastal Living, live from the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas. Tracy’s a great conversationalist, which was proven when she won a conversation competition in high school—a title that came with a $1,000 prize! Her inherent conversation skills have served her...

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour.”—John Heywood Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry and Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen talk with Jed Vaughn live at the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas. Lori invited Jed back to the workshop to be on the success panel for a second time. Jed’s travel writing success is unique in that he hasn’t chosen a specific niche to focus on. He’s written about sailing, fishing, coffee, wine and beer....

“To see your name for the first time in print is a thrill.” –Cynthia Notti Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry and Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen introduce us to Cynthia Notti who is in Austin, Texas attending the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop as a member of this year’s success panel. Lori talks about the success panel… “This is one of my favorite parts of our annual workshop. We hear from editors, writers and others who have had very large successes… and who’ve been...

“It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve been writing, it’s always inspiring to see your byline in a magazine.” –Ian Aldrich Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry talks with Ian Aldrich, the Deputy Editor of Yankee Magazine, and Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen live from the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas. (You can listen to last week’s episode with him here too.) Jody asks Ian what he likes about speaking at this event. “Coming to an event like this,...

“We are all, each and every one, unique in the Universe. And that uniqueness is what makes us valuable.”—James A. Owen Great Escape Radio Host, Jody Maberry talks with Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen and Deputy Editor of Yankee Magazine, Ian Aldrich live from the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas. Jody poses the question, “Can anyone be a travel writer?” Ian answers with a resounding “Yes!” “The idea that magazines have their set writers and aren’t open to...