North America
Totem Poles of the First Nations in Vancouver Canada. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick
“Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.”
– Eudora Welty
Explore the history, diverse cultures and traditions of the North American countries of Canada, Mexico and the United States. North American culture reflects both the cultures of its indigenous people- the Native Americans as well as the culture that is influenced by European Colonization.
The United States is the third largest country in the world and one of the most culturally diverse countries of the world. Described as the ‘melting pot‘ of North America , amalgamation of different cultures has given shape to the unique U.S. culture.
Mexico is the most populous state of North America and one of the largest city in the world.
Canada is the largest country of North American region and covering more than half of the continent’s area.
World Footprints will present two powerful stories of survival from unlikely human trafficking victims and how they’re using their ordeals to support other victims and raise awareness about this elusive crime. We will also share the story of a former Peace Corp volunteer whose experience inspired the development of a new community-based adventure travel resource. Holly Smith is not what many think a human trafficking survivor would look like. She’s a blond American and was raised in a middle-class two parent home. But when Holly was only 14 years old she was taken from her home planted immediately into the sex trade. The trafficking incident was traumatic enough but Holly was also traumatized by the lack of support she received from law enforcement and social services after she escaped. Stacy Jewel Lewis was a 19 year old student and aspiring actress when she was abducted by an elderly man who [...]
Oscar Mayer Car As the world celebrates the 150th birthday of Henry Ford, World Footprints takes you to the place where automobile history was made and beyond. Today we'll explore the treasure trove of history and culture in Michigan -- a State that both Ian and Tonya call home. We'll start our tour of the Great Lakes State in Mecosta County in Mid-Michigan where you’ll meet descendants of the “Old Settlers”—a group of twelve African-American families, including Tonya's family, who migrated by underground railroad and wagon train from Canada and Southern and Eastern states to settle in Western Michigan. Then we'll travel to the Southeast suburbs of Dearborn and Grosse Point where you’ll experience the Henry Ford and Greenfield Village as we share an audio history of American ingenuity. Finally, you’ll take a step back into history and experience what it was like to live the life of an auto baron as we visit the [...]
All around the world natural disasters ruin people’s lives. It often takes months if not years for a community to recover. The need for volunteer work in these areas is thus essential.
Our book club reading today, The Long Ride, is the story of a team of people who in 1989 traveled coast to coast on horseback to raise awareness about the plight of the world’s rainforests—an issue that was not on the radar of most people at that time. It started in Los Angeles and ended 2963 miles away in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. A challenge of endurance, a statement of commitment to raising awareness about the plight of the Rainforest, The Long Ride tells of the extraordinary passion and perseverance of Lucian Spataro and his team, as he rode on horseback from coast to coast. In his second book about this historic cross-country journey, Spataro offers an honest, inspiring, comical and beautiful fusion between travel-log, advocacy and photo journal. Told with wit and eloquence, the story moves from the beaches and crowded streets of Los Angeles, across Death Valley and the [...]
World Footprints is pleased to introduce more great friends from our beloved New Orleans. First, we'll be joined by actor/filmmaker Terence Rosemore who most recently donned a badge as New Orleans Police Deputy Chief Eugene Marsden in the hit HBO series "Treme". Terence will discuss his upcoming roles and film projects post-Treme as well as his initiative in Crescent City to introduce the city's youth to the entertainment industry. If you're looking for the best places to go, eat or see the Moon Guide to New Orleans is a great resource to have. Native New Orleanian and travel writer Laura Martone joins us to give her take on what makes her hometown such an interesting and captivating place for her and visitors alike. Finally, New Orleans is a city that never needs a reason to host a festival. Just when you think that the city wouldn't have room for one [...]
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at our world’s airports, you’ll enjoy today’s book club reading “Tales from the Tarmac”.
Imagine being on the path of qualifying for the 1996 US Olympic Track and Field Team as a hurdler after becoming a 3-time All-American at the University of Arkansas to suffering a devastating injury that would lead to the loss of your leg.
Our broadcast table at Tableau Restaurant in Jackson Square. World Footprints continues to let the good times roll with the powerful second hour of our LIVE French Quarter Festival 2013 broadcast. For our 6th annual broadcast, we introduce the founders of Timecode: NOLA a popular independent film festival. Actor Terence Rosemore continues to help us co-host the show and contributes to the conversation about the film and television industry in New Orleans. Then political power couple James Carville and Mary Matalin join us. They may not agree on anything in the political sphere but they do agree on their mutual love for New Orleans. Hear why they chose to leave the political jungle of Washington, DC to raise their family in the Big Easy. French Quarter Festival was first produced in 1984 as a way to bring residents back to the Quarter; following the World’s Fair and extensive sidewalk repairs in [...]
A far cry from sunset Can 4 friends travel through 5 countries on two continents to get 10 major music artists to appear on a tribute album to 1 unknown songwriter? That is the question we'll have answered with today’s Book Club reading, A Far Cry From Sunset. The unknown songwriter is our book’s author, Billy Franks. The first chapter has Billy admitting that he is a man whose dreams didn’t come true. The latter chapters describe a verbal altercation with singer Bryan Adams and everything in between offers a cross between science fiction, suspense, and comedy relief. Did Billy Frank and his friends achieve their goal or did they realize unexpected dreams? Tune in to hear the answer to this question and others like: When did Billy Frank's lifelong friendship with Prince Harry begin? Did Billy Frank and his friends actually steal from Led Zeppelin? What was the biggest [...]
Today we’ll embark on an around the world race with skipper Donald Lawson, we’ll journey among the people of the rainforest with Maya Roads author Mary Jo McConahay.
ou may know actress/singer Gloria Loring from her character Liz Chandler on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, or as the singer in the number-one hit song "Friends and Lovers" or as the mother of singer Robin Thicke.
You may know actress/singer Gloria Loring from her character Liz Chandler on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, or as the singer in the number-one hit song "Friends and Lovers" or as the mother of singer Robin Thicke. But what you may not know is that Gloria has wrestled with real-life dramas throughout her life. Her oldest child was diagnosed with a chronic illness, she struggled through an unraveling marriage and faced countless professional challenges. But Gloria Loring also experienced the saving grace of timely coincidences. Today's Book Club reading "Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous" is a detailed account of Gloria Loring's compelling life's journey and her exploration of the mystery of divine intervention. Gloria Loring experienced many 'accidental miracles' that occurred at just the right time. One example was her discovery of a business card with the words "expect a miracle" that someone or something placed [...]
