Anna Staropoli is a freelance writer. She studied English, creative writing and geography at Dartmouth College. Since then, she’s written for national and international publications, including National Geographic, Food & Wine, and Italy’s La Repubblica.

Heide Brandes is an award-winning journalist who focuses on travel, adventure, outdoor experiences, culture and more. She has bylines in such magazines as National Geographic, BBC, The Smithsonian, Cowboys & Indians, Southern Living, AAA Journeys and more. Her work can be seen at www.heidebrandes.com. When not traveling and writing, Heide is an avid hiker, caver, professional belly dancer, medieval reenactor and kind of a quirky chick living in Oklahoma.    

Kirsten Harrington has been a freelance food and travel writer for over 12 years, chronicling adventures in the US and China. Her work has appeared in WhereTraveler, The Seattle Times, Edible Orlando, The Beijinger and numerous other publications. When she’s not writing, you can find her scoping out new adventures, hiking or enjoying a meal with her family. Follow Kirsten on her blog.

Cara Siera is a freelance writer, editor, photographer, and travel planner from Tennessee, USA with a background in psychology and sociology. Her work has appeared in Creative Nonfiction’s online journal Brevity, the Red Mud Review, Fearsome Critters: A Millennial Arts Journal, and countless websites. She is a foodie with a passion for international travel, recipe creation, understanding other cultures, and the great outdoors. Learn more about her work here.

A Kolkata-based teacher, Bandita Mukherjee is an avid traveller. In her pursuit to dig deep into the diverse landscapes, cultures and customs, she has visited 18 countries and counting. But while she is thrilled to hike unknown terrains, explore cities steeped in history and understand the culinary scene of every new place she travels into; the nuanced textures of her native India is what she finds most exciting as a compulsive traveller. When she is not teaching or on-the-go, she can be found making her next trip plans, with a mug of fresh Darjeeling tea and her pet cat curled up by her side.

Sugato Mukherjee is a photographer and writer based in Calcutta with bylines in The Globe and Mail, Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, Nat Geo Traveller, Atlas Obscura and Discovery, among others. While documenting humanitarian stories remains his priority, he equally loves to explore new destinations and write about them. Sugato's coffee table book on Ladakh has been published from Delhi, and his work on sulphur miners of East Java has been awarded by UNESCO. 

Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esqs., are the dynamic founders of World Footprints, an award-winning publisher of socially impactful travel content that explores the profound human connections made through travel. As hosts of the multi-award-winning World Footprints podcast, they have engaged with luminaries such as Maya Angelou, Ernest Green, Ken Burns, Cat Cora and Rick Steves. In addition to World Footprints, Ian and Tonya have written for prominent publications including AAA World, DETOUR, Miami Herald, The Lens, and Island Soul. Globetrotting as travel ambassadors and public speakers, the Fitzpatricks have been recognized as Black Travel Journalists of the Year by the Black Travel Summit.

Based in New York City, Terri Marshall is an award-winning writer covering cultural travel, multi-generational travel, food, drink, road trips, cars and characters. From hanging out with penguins in Antarctica to fishing for piranhas in Peru, Terri’s always up for an adventure. Publication credits include AARP, SheBuysTravel, Girl Camper, Island Soul, Chilled, A Girls Guide to Cars, Alaska Business Magazine, North Hills Monthly, Around Wellington and more. Connect with Terri and see more of her work and radio appearances at www.trippingwithterri.com.

Breana Johnson is an Arizona native and avid traveler. When she’s not exploring the Southwest's offbeat destinations, you can find her brushing up on American Sign Language, crafting award-winning novels, or blogging at BreanaJohnsonWrites.com. Snag her latest novelette for free when you sign up for Breana’s newsletter. PODCAST FEATURE Listen to Breana on St. Maarten Travels that Transformed Lives

Kathleen Walls, former reporter for Union Sentinel in Blairsville, GA, is publisher/writer for American Roads and Global Highways. She is the author of several travel books including Georgia’s Ghostly Getaways, Finding Florida’s Phantoms, Hosts With Ghosts, and Wild About Florida series.  Kathleen's articles have appeared in Family Motor Coaching Association Magazine, Food Wine Travel Magazine, Weekender Extended, Travel World International,  Tours4Mobile and others. She is a photographer with many of her original photographs appearing in her travel ezine, American Roads, as well as other publications. Her fiction includes Last Step, which was made into a feature movie of the same name by Forbes Productions, Kudzu, Under A Bloody Flag and Under A Black Flag. PODCAST FEATURE Listen to Kathleen's interview talking about the American south.

Ian Fitzpatrick, Esq., is the co-founder of World Footprints, a platform dedicated to social impact travel storytelling. He is an accomplished travel and business journalist, award-winning podcaster, and public speaker. Ian contributes to DETOUR magazine and his articles have been featured in AAA World, The Lens, and The Miami Herald. An aviation and architecture enthusiast, Ian is also an avid supporter of Baltimore sports teams.

Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esq., is a co-founder of World Footprints, a social impact travel media company that she runs with her husband, Ian. She is an award-winning journalist, global public speaker, and three-time TEDx presenter who has written for several prominent publications including the Miami Herald, AAA World, The Lens and Island Soul. Recognized as Black Travel Journalists of the Year alongside Ian, Tonya serves on several travel industry boards, including SATW, The Explorers Club (DC chapter), NATJA, and JourneyWoman. She has also been appointed to the Maryland Tourism Development Board by Governor Wes Moore.