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Description

Welcome to Beyond the Handbooks — practical insight from the minds behind the manuals. This is the podcast for travel advisors who want to think deeper, sell smarter, and build stronger businesses — beyond what fits on the page. Hosted by the authors of the best-selling Travel Advisor Handbooks series - CLIA Hall of Famers Michael Akana and Christopher Grum, and Elite Cruise Counsellor Scott McAlister. Each episode, we take the concepts you know, the challenges you face, and the questions you don’t always get clear answers to — and talk through what actually works in the real world. Because our handbooks are just the beginning. Let’s go beyond.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Beyond the Handbooks podcast

Why You Shouldn't Do Everything for the Customer

2026/10/20

Send us Fan Mail Michael, Chris, and Scott are going against the grain with this episode, suggesting that you should NOT do everything for the customer. Sometimes, they need to do it themselves.

Are You an Order Taker?

2026/10/13

Send us Fan Mail Do you sell price or value? Do you just sell the vacation or add value to the booking? Michael, Chris, and Scott discuss the difference between a good travel advisor and an "order taker."

Make Your Videos Stand Out

2026/10/06

Send us Fan Mail Travel advisors love to film videos of ships and staterooms during inspections, but are you videos helping the customer or frustrating them? Michael, Chris, and Scott have some helpful tips for creating better videos and photo galleries during your ship or site inspections.

Understanding a Ship's Capacity

2026/09/29

Send us Fan Mail Michael, Chris, and Scott help demystify how a cruise ship can be sold out but not at capacity, and now ships can go over 100% capacity.

What Story Does Your Website Tell?

2026/09/22

Send us Fan Mail A business without a website is missing an opportunity to engage with customers anytime. But is your website and its contents helping or hurting your image? Michael, Chris, and Scott share some tips and some pitfalls to avoid.

The Dangers of the "Out of Office" Reply

2026/09/15

Send us Fan Mail Are you helping or hurting your business by using an "out of office" reply to your emails? Michael, Chris, and Scott have some thoughts.

Understanding a Ship's Capacity

2026/06/16

Send us Fan Mail A ship's capacity might seem simple, but it can be confusing for advisors and clients alike. Chris has an example of how not understanding this concept created chaos for a cruise group and how you as an advisor can avoid this mistake while helping your clients understand it.

Is This Missing from Your Website?

2026/06/09

Send us Fan Mail Your website may be missing a very important element. Chris has the details on what he sees missing from many travel agency websites.

Seminar at Sea Update - 80% Sold

2026/06/02

Send us Fan Mail Chris has a quick update on our 2027 Seminar at Sea, which now only has 20% of its space remaining.

A Quick Tip on Email Addresses

2026/05/26

Send us Fan Mail Not getting responses to your emails? There might be a reason and Chris has a quick tip that might save a booking.

2026 Seminar at Sea - A Look Back

2026/05/19

Send us Fan Mail What did you miss if you skipped our 2026 Seminar at Sea? Michael, Chris, Danielle, and Scott talk about our favorite parts and look ahead to 2027.

Should I Specialize?

2026/05/12

Send us Fan Mail Michael, Chris, and Scott discuss whether or not advisors should narrow their focus and specialize in a specific niche of travel.

Setting Boundaries

2026/05/05

Send us Fan Mail Work time vs. personal time. Emergency vs. non-emergency. Michael, Chris, and Scott discuss setting boundaries with clients and how to navigate being available in this on-demand world.

On Sale Today: The Travel Advisor's Cruise Line Handbook

2026/04/28

Send us Fan Mail Our newest work is now available! Michael, Chris, and Scott talk about today's release of their third book - The Travel Advisor's Cruise Line Handbook.

Why Should I Book with You - Our Answers

2026/04/21

Send us Fan Mail Every travel advisor has been asked this question: "Why should I book with you?" Michael, Chris, and Scott share how they answer this question when a new client asks.