Voices of Inspiration
Voices of Inspiration is a travel-centered show hosted by Amelia Old, where each episode is shaped by the places she visits and the people connected to them. Amelia brings years of media and travel experience to the conversations, drawing out the moments, challenges, and perspectives that help listeners understand a destination beyond the surface.
The show follows her work on the road and the kinds of interactions that give you a better sense of how people live, work, and care for their corners of the world. Some episodes come from time spent traveling, while others grow out of unexpected conversations that happen along the way.
It’s a grounded, thoughtful look at travel, focusing on real people, real places, and the stories that help listeners see a destination with fresh eyes.
Episodes
51 episodes
Inside a Thousand-Year-Old Village: Shen’ao and Eight Blessings Inn
Shen’ao Village sits just outside Hangzhou, in China’s Zhejiang province. This is where Amelia met JoAnn Leung.JoAnn left city life behind and restored a 240-year-old courtyard house here, turning it into Eight Blessings Inn. It isn’t bu...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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23:06
The Gift of Time at Qianhuang Bay
This episode was recorded during Amelia’s stay at Qianhuang Bay, a family-run homestay in Xiling Village, Zhejiang Province, and features a conversation with owner Zhu Xiaokui.Zhu opened Qianhuang Bay in 2016 after returning to his home ...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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21:34
A Walk for Peace and the Art of Diancha
A roadside crowd in South Carolina. An ancient mountain path in Jingshan. A scarf passed hand to hand and a cup of whisked tea that turns strangers into friends. This episode traces those moments to show how small, intentional acts can travel f...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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20:25
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Yinxing Guli in Changxing, China | The Ginkgo Corridor
In this episode of Voices of Inspiration, Amelia Old travels to Yinxing Guli Homestay in Changxing County, Zhejiang, China, located near the famous gingko tree corridor.Amelia spends the afternoon with the homestay owner, experi...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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28:17
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Yunqishe Homestay in China | Keeping the Wumei Tradition Alive
In this episode of Voices of Inspiration, host Amelia Old visits Yunqishe Homestay in Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, to meet Mr. Fang Xiaoping, a fifth-generation practitioner of Wumei, a smoked plum tradition that has been part ...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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19:28
Inside a Homestay in Zhejiang’s Tea Country | Miaoxi
This episode of Voices of Inspiration takes place in Miaoxi, a village in the Huzhou region of Zhejiang Province, China.The episode follows time spent at a family-run homestay and a conversation with the owner, Wang Ying, about ...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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14:34
A Different Side of Shanghai
In this episode, Amelia looks back on her time in Shanghai, the first stop on a recent project in China. Outside Yu Garden, she found herself thinking about her childhood and how different her sense of the world is today. She describes her visi...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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16:04
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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13:10
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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35:26
Bryson City, NC’s Resilient Spirit and Holiday Traditions
Bryson City, NC, is a mountain town in Western North Carolina that blends resilience, community spirit, and festive traditions. In this episode, Sarah Conley, Executive Director of the Swain County TDA, shares how Bryson City navigated the afte...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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36:50
Beech Mountain, NC Welcomes Winter Travelers After Hurricane Helene
Beech Mountain, North Carolina, Tourism Marketing Director Armando Garcia shares the story of how this resilient mountain community responded to Hurricane Helene, with heartfelt support from both locals and visitors. As winter approaches, Beech...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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28:04
Gridiron Lessons in the Pecan Orchard with John Murray at 96 Pecan Company
John Murray, owner of 96 Pecan Company in Ninety-Six, South Carolina, discusses pecan farming and candy-making. Learn how his college football experience at Clemson and desire for a meaningful re...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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23:19
Indigenous Underground: Chef Erica McCier's Rise in South Carolina's Culinary Scene
Erica McCier, owner of Indigenous Underground in Abbeville, South Carolina, and 2023 South Carolina Chef Ambassador, shares her remarkable journey from middle school art teacher to celebrated ...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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31:01
Sharon Manor's Path from Schoolhouse to Bed & Breakfast
Welcome to our latest episode featuring Sharon Manor, a unique bed and breakfast in Abbeville, South Carolina. This former 1920s schoolhouse has been transformed into a cozy inn by the Chupp family....
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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16:55
Chef Darren Smith: Mastering the Restaurant Business
Join us as we dive deep into the world of culinary excellence with Chef Darren Smith, a renowned restaurateur and culinary maestro. In this episode, Darren shares his inspiring journey from his early days in the kitchen to becoming a successful...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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54:27
From Legal Battles to Chocolate Bars: Finding Purpose with Shawn Askinosie
In this episode, Shawn Askinosie, founder of Askinosie Chocolate, shares his journey from being a criminal defense lawyer to pursuing chocolate. Takeaways:Tragedy can lead to finding ...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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54:44
Exploring Berkeley County's Historic Sites with Tourism Director Rachel Knight
In this episode, host Amelia Old chats with Rachel Knight, tourism director of Berkeley County, South Carolina. Discover the pivotal role Berkeley County played in the American Revolutionary War, the cunning strategies of the Swamp Fox, Francis...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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11:40
Swan Lake Iris Gardens: A Fairytale Escape in Sumter, South Carolina
In this episode, host Amelia Old chats with Krissy Milan (Tourism Manager) and Colette Daniels (Tourism Development Coordinator) about Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, South Carolina.
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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16:12
Celebrating 40 Years of Shag Dancing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Join Amelia Old, Darrell Gaither, and Lori Setzer as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of South Carolina's state dance at the North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum. Darrell and Lori sha...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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25:49
The Heart of Winna's Kitchen with Chef Jess Sagun
Step into the heart of Winna's Kitchen with Amelia Old as she sits down with Chef Jess Sagun. In this episode, Jess shares the personal journey behind Winna's Kitchen, a place where community, comfort, and cuisine intertwine. Jess opens up abou...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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18:59
Honoring Dr. Benjamin E. Mays: Inspiring Generations and Preserving a Legacy
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays is a towering figure in the history of the civil rights movement in America. His story, a testament to the human spirit's resilience and capacity for greatness, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations. Bo...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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27:12
Chef Daryl Shular's Recipe for Success and Nurturing the Next Generation
Embark on a journey through the flavors, struggles, and triumphs of a culinary mastermind as I, Amelia Old, sit down with the pioneering Chef Daryl Shular. Chef Shular pulls back the curtain on his rise from a childhood filled with the warmth o...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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38:00
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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28:07
Daring to Live Differently: Lisa Jansen's Nomadic Journey
Meet Lisa Jansen, a fearless digital nomad who chose the open road over societal expectations. At 33, she discarded conventional norms—marriage, kids, and traditional careers—for a five-year escapade across New Zealand, chronicled on her blog, ...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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34:49
Embracing the World on Wheels with Kristin Secor
Born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, Kristen Secor, is not one to be held back. She has found joy in exploring the globe, documenting her journey on her accessible travel blog, World on Wheels. Her experiences, filled with challen...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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32:44
