Your Travel Bestie Kat

What happens when luxury hospitality meets fantasy storytelling? 

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I sit down with Melissa Blettner, CEO of Ancient Lore Village, to talk about creating immersive guest experiences, leading with heart, entrepreneurship, and why travelers are craving meaningful connection more than ever.

We dive into:

Building a one-of-a-kind destination experience

Luxury hospitality trends

Leadershi...

This week on Your Travel Bestie Kat, I’m joined by Arlene Stearns, founder of Image Up System, to talk all things confidence, personal branding, travel style, and showing up like the powerful woman you already are.

We dive into:

Why image impacts opportunity

Style mistakes entrepreneurs make

Packing tips for business and leisure travel

Confidence transformations she’s witnessed

Fashion disasters, airport style & r...

Part 2 gets FUN. 🚢🥓🌴

Robin Haffer is back on Your Travel Bestie Kat and this episode is packed with cruise stories, travel laughs, Belize adventures, Virgin Voyages talk, and somehow… bacon becomes part of the conversation too. 😂

From favorite cruise experiences to what makes Virgin Voyages different, Robin shares his thoughts on travel, food, relaxing at sea, and the destinations that keep calling him back. If you lov...

What’s it like moving from Germany 🇩🇪 to Las Vegas 🇺🇸 as a teenager and starting over in a completely different world?

In Part 1 of this episode of *Your Travel Bestie Kat*, Robin Haffer shares his journey as a 15-year-old immigrant adjusting to American culture, navigating culture shock, and discovering when the United States finally started to feel like home. From hilarious differences between Germany and America to he...

The countdown is ON… and so is the chaos 😅✈️

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, we’re diving into the emotional rollercoaster that is the 7 days before vacation. From the delusional “I have plenty of time” phase to the last-minute packing panic at 10pm… you know exactly what I’m talking about.

We’re covering:

The week-before-vacation spiral we all pretend we don’t have

W...

Packing for a trip with teens and tweens?

Yeah… good luck with that 😂

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, we’re talking about the fine line between giving your kids independence… and making sure they actually pack what they need (like underwear… because apparently that’s optional now??).

From the “independence illusion” to the silent suitcase check 👀, I’m sharing real-li...

What do plumbing and travel have in common? More than you think 👀✈️

In this episode of *Your Travel Bestie Kat*, I’m joined by Abi Wilson of Friendly Neighborhood Plumber to talk about what it really looks like to build a successful business from the ground up—without losing your life in the process.

We’re diving into the real behind-the-scenes of entrepreneurship: the hustle, the systems, and the shift from wo...

🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODE DROP

What do the mighty Mississippi, the legendary Nile, and breathtaking Iceland have in common? 👀

…they’re all on our travel radar—and you’re invited.

I sat down with Jeff Marshall to talk all things river cruising with Viking River Cruises—and trust me, this episode is PACKED with bucket-list inspiration ✨

🚢 Picture this:

• Sailing the iconic Mississippi River—sma...

Thinking about booking a long cruise (16+ days)? Before you do… let’s have a real conversation.

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I’m breaking down the good, the GREAT, and the “hmmn… nobody warned me about this” side of long-distance sailings. From the mental reset and deep friendships to food fatigue, random boredom, and that mid-cruise “what day is it?” moment—we&...

Thinking about combining healthcare with a passport stamp? In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, we’re diving into the world of medical tourism—where travel meets transformation.

From dental work in Mexico to cosmetic procedures in Colombia and wellness retreats in Thailand, I’m breaking down what medical tourism actually is, why it’s booming, and how to do it safely.

We’ll talk:

💉 What proced...

What happens when life doesn’t go according to plan… and you decide to rewrite the story anyway?

In this powerful episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I sit down with Image Impact Strategist Debbie Jurek — a former Wall Street analyst who transformed personal pain into purpose and now helps women step boldly into their next chapter.

After three decades in finance and a 30-year marriage, Debbie found herself start...

🤔 What do radio and travel have in common?

They both tell stories that bring people together.

I loved sitting down with Brad Allen to talk about voice, storytelling, and how radio still builds community in such a powerful way.

And let’s be honest… you can never miss a podcast episode that also talks about Texas BBQ. 😄

Catch the conversation soon on Your Travel Bestie Kat. 🎙️🌎

#Podcast #Storytelling #Community #...

Many talented women entrepreneurs are incredible at what they do—but struggle to be seen, heard, and recognized.

In the newest episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I sit down with visibility and executive presence expert Dawn Stebbing to talk about:

✨ Confidence and executive presence in life, travel, and business 

✨ Why so many women feel invisible in business and solo travel 

✨ Relationship-based networking and sa...

What if the secret to enjoying vacation and staying healthy is the same principle that drives great fitness results? Balance.

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I sit down with Andrew from Fitness Together to talk about how travel and fitness actually have a lot in common.

We dive into how you can stay active while cruising, exploring new cities, or relaxing on vacation—without turning your trip into a strict workou...

On this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, Kat sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur Jackie Rainforth, founder of Rainmakers Business Solutions, for a conversation that proves travel and business growth are more connected than we think.

We dive into everything from life-altering accidents on vacation that changed perspective forever… to dreaming big in Bali alongside elephants… to creating a bold “69-things&rd...

In this heart-centered conversation, Your Travel Bestie Kat joins Teri to explore how travel becomes more than just a vacation — it becomes a pathway to growth, clarity, and connection.

From using geo tracking to meet new friends for dinner across the globe to recognizing the moments when life nudges you toward something bigger, this episode dives into what happens when you stop forcing and start listening.

We talk about:

✨...

🎙️ Travel Insurance: The One Thing You Hope You Never Need (But Will Be Glad You Have)

Is travel insurance actually worth it—or just another upsell? 👀 In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I’m sitting down with a travel insurance specialist to break down what’s really covered, what’s not, and the mistakes travelers make that can cost them BIG time.

We’re talking cruise coverage, international ...

Packing shouldn’t feel like a workout—or a crisis 😏

In this episode of Your Travel Bestie Kat, I’m sharing my best packing tips, cruise hot takes, and must-have essentials so you can stop overpacking, avoid rookie mistakes, and travel lighter every time. Whether you’re cruising, beach-bound, or flying overseas, this episode will help you pack smarter, stress less, and leave room for souvenirs.

Because vaca...