Voices of Inspiration
Voices of Inspiration is a travel podcast that goes beyond the guidebook. Hosted by Amelia Old, each episode centers on the people who give a destination its soul—travelers with transformative stories, locals who call these places home, tourism professionals shaping how we experience them, and others whose work or lives are deeply connected to a place.
Through candid conversations, Amelia uncovers the moments, challenges, and personal histories that reveal what a destination is truly like. These aren't surface-level travel tips—they're stories about identity, belonging, resilience, and discovery. The kind that help you understand not just what a place is, but why it matters to the people who know it best.
At its core, this podcast is about connection: how travel brings us face-to-face with perspectives we might never encounter otherwise, and how every destination becomes richer once you've heard the voices behind it.
Episodes
53 episodes
Dinosaurs in Keqiao: The Pangu Fossil Museum
In this episode, I travel to Keqiao, an ancient water town in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, where history stretches back more than 1,700 years. But beneath the canals, stone bridges, and historic buildings lies a much deeper story—one written mi...
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Preserving 2,000 Years of Tradition: Shaoxing Wine with Zhu Qingli
In this episode, I take you to Shaoxing, a historic city in China’s Zhejiang Province where an ancient tradition continues to shape daily life. Known for producing Shaoxing yellow rice wine, this region has been crafting its signature brew for ...
Inside a Thousand-Year-Old Village: Shen’ao and Eight Blessings Inn
Shen’ao Village sits just outside Hangzhou in China’s Zhejiang province, where stone paths wind between centuries-old courtyard homes and daily life unfolds much as it has for generations. Walking through the village, I noticed neighbors greeti...
The Gift of Time at Qianhuang Bay
Anthony Bourdain once said you learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together. Sitting at a dinner table at Qianhuang Bay Homestay in Zhejiang Province, that idea couldn’t have felt more true. Even though we didn’t share the same lang...
A Walk for Peace and the Art of Diancha
This week, I found myself reflecting on two moments that happened thousands of miles apart but carried the same quiet message about intention, connection, and peace. It began as I stood in the middle of a crowd in Great Falls, South Carolina, w...
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Yinxing Guli in Changxing, China | The Ginkgo Corridor
I walked into a small building outside my homestay in Changxing County without really knowing what I was about to experience. What started as a simple spa treatment turned into something much deeper—a quiet lesson in slowing down. Sitting in a ...
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Yunqishe Homestay in China | Keeping the Wumei Tradition Alive
In this episode, I travel to a small village in Changxing County where one family tradition has been preserved for more than five generations. Surrounded by tea hills and ancient ginkgo trees, I visit Yunqishe Homestay and meet Mr. Feng Xiaopin...
Inside a Homestay in Zhejiang’s Tea Country | Miaoxi
In this episode, I take you to Miaoxi in Zhejiang Province, China, a quiet region surrounded by endless tea mountains where life slows down and hospitality takes on a whole new meaning. What began as a journey from Shanghai turned into an unfor...
A Different Side of Shanghai
Most Americans picture Shanghai as a skyline—but being inside the city feels completely different than the photos. In this episode, I share my first impressions of Shanghai during my recent trip to China, from the energy outside Yu Garden to qu...
Catching Up After a Year Away: A New Season Begins
After an unexpected year-long break, Amelia returns to Voices of Inspiration with a candid look at why the past year pulled her in a different direction and how she found her way back to the mic. In this episode, she reflects on a year shaped b...
Humanité Boutique, Hurricane Helene and the Power of Community
Explore the strength and unity of Bryson City, North Carolina, as Erin Smith, owner of Humanité Boutique, shares her journey as a small business owner during challenging times. Learn how the community came together after Hurricane Helene, the l...
Bryson City, NC’s Resilient Spirit and Holiday Traditions
In this episode, I sit down with a leader who helps shape the story of one of North Carolina’s most beloved mountain towns. Bryson City, nestled in the Smoky Mountains, is known for its small-town charm, outdoor adventure, and holiday tradition...
Beech Mountain, NC Welcomes Winter Travelers After Hurricane Helene
In this episode, I speak with the Tourism and Marketing Director of Beech Mountain, North Carolina, about what the High Country has experienced in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. While some communities faced devastating losses, Beech Mountai...
Gridiron Lessons in the Pecan Orchard with John Murray at 96 Pecan Company
In this episode, I visit 96 Pecan Company and sit down with owner John Murray, whose story blends farming, faith, football, and community. What started with the purchase of a historic southern property—complete with pecan trees planted in the l...
Indigenous Underground: Chef Erica McCier's Rise in South Carolina's Culinary Scene
In this episode, I sit down with Chef Erica McCier at Indigenous Underground in Abbeville, South Carolina—a restaurant built from courage, creativity, and an incredible personal journey. Erica shares how her life changed after developing a seri...
Sharon Manor's Path from Schoolhouse to Bed & Breakfast
In this episode, I visit Sharon Manor in Abbeville, South Carolina, and sit down with owner Benita Chupp to learn the story behind this beautifully restored historic building. What was once a rural schoolhouse from the early 1920s has been tran...
Chef Darren Smith: Mastering the Restaurant Business
In this episode, I sit down with Chef Darren Smith, the chef and owner behind two successful restaurants, to talk about what it really takes to build a lasting career in the restaurant industry. Darren shares how his journey into cooking began ...
From Legal Battles to Chocolate Bars: Finding Purpose with Shawn Askinosie
In this episode, I sit down with Shawn Askinosie, founder of Askinosie Chocolate, whose journey from criminal defense lawyer to chocolate maker is as powerful as it is unexpected. After nearly two decades of handling serious felony and murder c...
Exploring Berkeley County's Historic Sites with Tourism Director Rachel Knight
History isn’t just something you read about—it’s something you can step into and experience for yourself. I had the chance to sit down with Rachel Knight, Tourism Director of Berkeley County, South Carolina, and uncover the powerful stories wov...
Swan Lake Iris Gardens: A Fairytale Escape in Sumter, South Carolina
Some places feel like a hidden escape—and Swan Lake Iris Gardens is exactly that. I had the chance to walk through this beautiful spot in Sumter, South Carolina, with Chrissy Milan and Colette Daniels, learning how a simple fishing retreat turn...
Celebrating 40 Years of Shag Dancing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
There’s something special about traditions that bring people together—and shag dancing is exactly that. I sat down with local shag experts in North Myrtle Beach to talk about the history, evolution, and heart behind South Carolina’s state dance...
The Heart of Winna's Kitchen with Chef Jess Sagun
Sometimes the most meaningful stories come from places built with heart—and Winna’s Kitchen is exactly that. I sat down with Chef Jess Sagan in Myrtle Beach to talk about the journey behind her restaurant, the inspiration rooted in family, and ...
Honoring Dr. Benjamin E. Mays: Inspiring Generations and Preserving a Legacy
Some legacies don’t just shape history—they continue to inspire generations. I had the opportunity to visit the Benjamin E. Mays Historic Preservation Site in Greenwood, South Carolina, and sit down with Christopher Thomas, Executive Director o...
Chef Daryl Shular's Recipe for Success and Nurturing the Next Generation
There’s something powerful about a story rooted in purpose, passion, and giving back—and Chef Daryl Shular’s journey is exactly that. In this conversation, I connect with Chef Shular, a certified master chef and visionary leader in the culinary...
Waterfalls over Coal Dust: Transforming The Kentucky Wildlands
As the executive director of The Kentucky Wildlands, Tammie Nazario has been a driving force behind the region's economic pivot from coal to tourism. With over 800 waterfalls as her office backdrop, Tammie embodies the resilience and spir...
