Voices of Inspiration
Amelia Old
Outreach Signals
Publishing Details
About This Podcast
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.
Podcasting 2.0 Features
Social Media
Explore Statistics
Recent Episodes
S4E10 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…
S4E9 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…
S4E8 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…
S4E7 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…
S4E6 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…
S4E5 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…
S4E4 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…
S4E3 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…
S4E2 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…
S4E1 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…
S3E22 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…
S3E21 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…
S3E20 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…
S3E19 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…
S3E18 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…
S3E17 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…
S3E16 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.…
S3E15 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…
S3E14 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…
S3E13 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…
Frequently Asked Questions
Voices of Inspiration has published 53 episodes since January 2021, covering topics in Documentary, Education.
Voices of Inspiration is currently sporadic with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 26m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Voices of Inspiration, including email and social media links.
