World Footprints:  The Story

Our Mission

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World Footprints:  The Story

“Take only memories, leave only footprints.” 

-- Chief Seattle

World Footprints is a heart-centered Social Impact travel media company where travelers of conscience and culture can come for information, education and inspiration in the travel space.

From its inception in 2007, World Footprints has revealed untold narratives and has explored places that push beyond our comfort zones by opening a window to the world through powerful written and audio storytelling. It is through these stories that World Footprints helps people overcome their fears about traveling the world.

World Footprints was founded by Tonya & Ian Fitzpatrick, two media-savvy lawyers who have merged their passion for meaningful travel and their support for social justice. The multi award-winning World Footprints podcast is the cornerstone of the socially conscious company.

World Footprints continues to evolve but it is unique in its consistent illumination of our common humanity. The steadfast belief in our shared humanity is expressed in the foundational principle of Ubuntu, a Zulu word that translates “I am because we are” and also the Hindu phrase Tat tvam asi - “I see the other in myself and myself in others”. The philosophy of unity guides the impactful stories that are found throughout the World Footprints multimedia platform including the website, podcast and YouTube channel. 

Let's talk about our mission.

World Footprints offers a space for all voices to be heard and for fuller narratives to be shared even if they are uncomfortable because of the value those stories offer for growth and cross-cultural understanding.

In addition to the philosophical mission there are two prevailing messages that are amplified through World Footprints: the importance of ground-truthing--(finding your own truth about people and places in order to debunk misinformed opinions) and the transformative power of travel. 

Throughout its history, World Footprints has partnered with a number of non-profit and advocacy groups like the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking.  It has also welcomed world figures, thought leaders and celebrities, such as Maya Angelou, Jack Hanna, Bobby Kennedy, Jr., Ken Burns, chef Cat Cora and others to share unique insights on places and people.

Travel, culture, history and social impact are foundational to World Footprints.

Meet Tonya and Ian

Our Mission - Travel journalists Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick

The Founders of World Footprints and Hosts of the multi award-winning World Footprints podcast are not typical travel journalists.

Travel has always been central to their lives. Read more

Founders

Tonya Fitzpatrick

Tonya Fitzpatrick

Co-founder

Ian NSA 001

Ian Fitzpatrick

Co-founder

Team

  • Jennifer Zollo headshot

    Jennifer Zollo

    Jennifer Zollo is a travel writer and photographer based out of Chicago, IL. She is a bestselling author and the founder of the travel blog, Vagarious Wanderer, where she encourages women to explore the world around them through solo travel. You can follow her adventures across the globe on Instagram and Tiktok.
  • Ivanka headshot

    Ivanka Yurchenko

    Ivanka Yurchenko is a writer and photographer with a passion for traveling. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, she spends a lot of time exploring the vibrant local culture that is filled with all kinds of events like music festivals, yoga retreats and art gallery openings. She enjoys writing about her travels to inspire other people to go out and see what the world has to offer. She left a job at marketing and went exploring Myanmar, India and Nepal. Now Ivanka is striving to become a great photographer to share the beauty of the world with as many people as possible.
  • Ali Wunderman

    Ali Wunderman

    Ali Wunderman is a travel journalist predominantly focusing on the intersection of wildlife and tourism, though she also covers cultural matters, pets, and relationships. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, TIME Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, and Glamour, among many others. She is also the Frommer’s guidebook author for Belize, and a contributing author for Fodor’s Iceland guidebook. Ali lives in Northwest Montana with her husband and their two dogs. 
  • Casey Wohl

    Casey Wohl

    Casey Wohl, also known as The Getaway Girl®, is the author of two books:  Girls Getaway Guide to Orlando and Girls Getaway Guide to Key West.  She is the travel correspondent for the nationally-syndicated TV show, Daytime, as well as the new, all-women radio network, Heartbeat Radio for Women.
  • Laura K Wise writer

    Laura K. Wise

    Laura K. Wise is a Harlem based freelance writer. She is a storyteller who is passionate about women designing their lives. Laura writes about the things she loves; from fashion and travel to technology and entrepreneurship. You can find her across most social platforms @laurakwise and you can read more of her work at www.laurakwise.com.
  • Chelsea Wiersma e1580671787968

    Chelsea Wiersma

    Chelsea Wiersma is originally from a small town north of Seattle Washington, but currently living out of her suitcase! She lived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti for three years and considers it her second home. She works as a virtual assistant, social media manager, brand designer, and blogger. She loves traveling and just finished her first solo trip through Central America. Not only is she passionate about traveling and her job, but also about protecting our planet and leaving as little of a footprint as possible. Chelsea loves sharing her adventures and travel tips with others and is so thankful that she is in a position to do so.
  • Sam White e1591315723577

    Sam White

    Sam White is a freelance writer from New York who is passionate about social activism, environmental conservation, and sustainable, cruelty-free living. You can follow her on Instagram at @misamthropy or visit her website at White Ember Writing.
  • Kathleen Walls WF writer

    Kathleen Walls

    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.
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    Sangeeta Waldron