Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer

Tom Wilmer’s Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel podcast, "Journeys of Discovery," is a regular segment on the weekly KCBX program "Issues & Ideas." Tom's interviews are recorded live on location across America and around the world and showcase the arts, culture, music, nature, history, science, wine and spirits, brewpubs, the culinary arts and more. Tom covers nouns and verbs: people, places, things, and action — everything from baseball to exploring South Pacific atolls, and interviewing the "real" Santa Claus in the Arctic. His feature, recorded live at Harland & Wolfe Shipyards in Belfast Northern Ireland, celebrating the centenary of the launch of the Titanic was the recipient of a Best Travel award from Outdoor Writers Association of California.

Episodes

A conversation with culinary choreographer, Chef Ryan Fancher at Hotel SLO

July 26, 2025 • 22 mins

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer at the Hotel SLO in downtown San Luis Obispo for an exploration of fine dining experiences.

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Paso Robles’ Bellasera Hotel hideaway with trendsetting cuisine

July 21, 2025 • 25 mins

Correspondent Tom Wilmer reports from the Bellasera Hotel and onsite Enoteca restaurant where he visits with GM Benny Cendali and master-chef Rachael Zollo.

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In search of the perfect cup of coffee at Big Island’s Greenwell Farms

July 16, 2025 • 21 mins

Exploring the art of brewing the ideal cup of coffee and much more at Greenwell Farms

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New Brunswick’s Festival Acadien--poignant homage to French Canadian culture

July 5, 2025 • 20 mins

Honoring Acadians’ four-hundred-year history in Canada and their return from deportation, New Brunswick's Festival Acadien is one of country's premier cultural celebrations.

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Memphis legend-Royal Studios rocking with award-winning recordings since 1984

June 24, 2025 • 24 mins

Correspondent Tom Wilmer reports from Memphis, Tennessee at the legendary Royal Studios where he met up with owner and producer, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell. This show is re-shared as a best-of-the-best Journeys of Discovery podcast.

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The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum—homage to more than 7,000 sunken vessels

June 16, 2025 • 19 mins

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is located at Whitefish Point in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the southeast corner of Lake Superior. Join correspondent Tom Wilmer for a visit with Bruce Lynn, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

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North Carolina Confederate reenactors drill at Chickamauga Battlefield

June 11, 2025 • 8 mins

Correspondent Tom Wilmer embedded with the Confederate North Carolina 58th Regiment at Chickamauga National Battlefield, located on the outskirts of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia to discover the daily life of the soldiers and painfully long process of reloading their rifles.

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Documentary SPEAK deftly showcases hope for the future

May 28, 2025 • 30 mins

Join Correspondent Tom Wilmer as he visits with Guy Mossman, co-director and director of photography for the documentary SPEAK showcased at the SLO FILM FESTIVAL following a rave world-premiere performance at the legendary Sundance Film Festival, February 2025.

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A visit with the National Museum of the Marine Corps' Archivist

May 26, 2025 • 27 mins

Join Correspondent Tom Wilmer for a Memorial Day special, recorded on-location at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia

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Ciggy-butts surfboard documentary stimulates ocean mindfulness and stewardship

May 18, 2025 • 15 mins

Filmmaker Ben Judkins visits with correspondent Tom Wilmer at the Fremont Theater to learn about the award-winning documentary Cigarette Surfboard, showcased at the 2025 San Luis Obispo FILM FEST.

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Palm Theater showcases SLO Film Fest flicks year-round

May 12, 2025 • 7 mins

When the SLO Film Fest ends each year the show goes on with selected flicks offered at the Palm Theater in downtown San Luis Obispo.

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In remembrance—America’s deadliest domestic terrorist attack, Oklahoma City April 19, 1995

April 18, 2025 • 9 mins

Executive Director at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum shares chilling recollections of the Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah Federal Building

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Knoxville’s urban wilderness dovetails with live music & trendsetting cuisine

April 15, 2025 • 23 mins

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer for a visit with Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville and Mark Ezell, the State of Tennessee’s Commissioner of Tourist Development.

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Lower Rio Grande Valley’s legendary birds, butterflies and dragonflies

April 10, 2025 • 17 mins

Correspondent Tom Wilmer explores the Lower Rio Grande Valley’s wildlife refuges and the Mission, TX Butterfly Center

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Exploring Virginia’s Civil War battlefield Manassas/Bull Run

April 7, 2025 • 17 mins

Join National Park Ranger Gregory Wolf at Manannas/Bull Run to discover fascinating insights about the two battles that occurred here.

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Exploring the birthplace of Texas--Washington County’s living history

March 31, 2025 • 59 mins

Discover Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic site, an operational historic cotton-gin in Burton, TX; Joe Robertson at the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory; David Thomas the Director at the Brenham Heritage Museum; Heaven on earth—Milk & Honey Ranch; The Antique Rose Emporium; Brenham’s Camptown Freedom Colony Cemetery and Ant Street Inn & Main Street House

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Exploring enchanting California Gold Country's Calaveras County

March 30, 2025 • 60 mins

Sierra Gold Country denizens share their stories--Calaveras County commissioner and historian, Martin Huberty; wine pioneer Gay Callan, and award-winning Hinterhaus spirits distiller Bonnie Boglioli

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Captivating Indiana travel destinations

March 30, 2025 • 57 mins

Join the Indiana exploration--Notre Dame University; South Bend’s Studebaker Museum; Indiana Dunes National Park; Cedar Lake Museum; Charlestown State Park, and historic French Lick Resort.

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Exploring Missouri’s dynamic rural renaissance

March 29, 2025 • 60 mins

Come along for visits with the denizens of the historic, rural Missouri towns of Hermann; St. Charles; Silver Dollar City; Augusta; Hannibal, and the circa-1856 riverboat Arabia’s artifacts on display in Kansas City, MO.

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Engaging community while simultaneously propelling tourism in Cincinnati, Ohio

March 27, 2025 • 60 mins

An exploration of the people and places that makes Cincinnati a vibrant, engaging community.

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Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}A conversation with culinary choreographer, Chef Ryan Fancher at Hotel SLO

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Paso Robles’ Bellasera Hotel hideaway with trendsetting cuisine

In search of the perfect cup of coffee at Big Island’s Greenwell Farms

New Brunswick’s Festival Acadien--poignant homage to French Canadian culture

Memphis legend-Royal Studios rocking with award-winning recordings since 1984

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum—homage to more than 7,000 sunken vessels

North Carolina Confederate reenactors drill at Chickamauga Battlefield

Documentary SPEAK deftly showcases hope for the future

A visit with the National Museum of the Marine Corps' Archivist

Ciggy-butts surfboard documentary stimulates ocean mindfulness and stewardship

Palm Theater showcases SLO Film Fest flicks year-round

In remembrance—America’s deadliest domestic terrorist attack, Oklahoma City April 19, 1995

Knoxville’s urban wilderness dovetails with live music & trendsetting cuisine

Lower Rio Grande Valley’s legendary birds, butterflies and dragonflies

Exploring Virginia’s Civil War battlefield Manassas/Bull Run

Exploring the birthplace of Texas--Washington County’s living history

Exploring enchanting California Gold Country's Calaveras County

Captivating Indiana travel destinations

Exploring Missouri’s dynamic rural renaissance

Engaging community while simultaneously propelling tourism in Cincinnati, Ohio

Popular Podcasts

A conversation with culinary choreographer, Chef Ryan Fancher at Hotel SLO

Paso Robles’ Bellasera Hotel hideaway with trendsetting cuisine