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What makes your destination truly different? In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb sits down with Cassandra Razzi of Orange 142 to challenge the sameness in destination marketing. From quirky local attractions and "lore tripping" to creating tourism products and experiences, they explore why destinations should embrace what makes them weird, wonderful, and uniquely memorable. They also discuss how smaller destinations can think creatively, leverage partnerships, and create meaningful experiences that benefit visitors and residents alike. The big takeaway? You don't always need a bigger marketing budget. Sometimes you just need a better story worth telling.

A great trip isn’t remembered minute by minute. It’s remembered through the moments that stay with us. What if we looked at our careers—and our lives—the same way? Nolan Nichols joins Caleb to share his journey from behind the camera at U.S. Travel Association to the keynote stage, and how supportive mentors and small steps helped him build the confidence to pursue something new. They explore stepping outside your comfort zone, turning nerves into excitement, and keeping a bad moment from becoming a bad day. Nolan also shares what happened when technology failed during his STS Connections keynote—and how he turned it into part of the message. An encouraging conversation about taking ownership of your career, finding possibility in change, and creating more moments that matter.

What turns a vacation destination into a place people call their own? We sat down with Diane Charno, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Visit Myrtle Beach, to find out and explore the memories, local stories, and strategy behind “The Beach.” From her unexpected start in agency accounting to nearly a decade at Myrtle Beach, Diane shares how creativity and financial accountability work together to build a destination brand. We unpack the visitor research that shaped “The Beach,” the long-term effort to put Myrtle Beach’s culinary scene in the spotlight, and partnerships that introduce familiar places to new audiences. Plus, Diane explains her team’s goal to “be the answer”—for travelers, residents, stakeholders, and AI search tools—and why real people and authentic experiences remain essential as technology changes. A conversation about staying curious, making every marketing dollar count, and remembering why we travel in the first place.

What if your next great tourism experience is already in your community and just needs a little support? In episode 52 of Give Me Some Good News, we learn from Tim Roberts, Tourism Manager for Mansfield, Texas, to explore how a historic, 158-seat theater became a thriving home for local creativity. Tim shares how Mansfield’s Cultural Incubator program lowered barriers for artists, grew annual gross revenue from $10,000 to $135,000, and brought the theater into use more than 300 days a year—all while dramatically reducing staff demands. They discuss building a distinct identity in the sprawling Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, making tourism’s value felt by residents, and supporting the local experiences that make a visit memorable. Plus, Tim closes with some meaningful good news for Mansfield and his family.

What does it actually take to build a destination brand from the ground up? In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb sits down with Jessica Novotny, Tourism Specialist for Hanover County, Virginia, to talk about launching a new DMO, finding a destination’s authentic identity, and the realities of working on a small tourism team. Jessica shares how Hanover turned community input, agritourism, history, outdoor experiences—and a famous tomato—into a growing destination brand. They also discuss the advantages of being a tourism generalist, building strong community relationships, career advice for young professionals, and why smaller destinations can be some of the best places to learn the industry. Plus, get a preview of Hanover’s upcoming Tomato Trail. 🍅

What happens when destination marketers stop overthinking the work and get back to why tourism matters? In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb sits down with Dave Page of Visit Portland, Maine to talk about telling the authentic story of a destination, balancing iconic experiences with the unexpected, and why more data, technology, and AI don't always make our jobs easier. Dave also shares how Portland is working to grow year-round visitation, the thinking behind an upcoming new brand and website, and why the people who call a destination home should be at the center of its story. At the heart of the conversation is a simple reminder: destination marketers get to help people create some of the best memories of their lives—and sometimes we need to remember just how cool that is.

For a very special episode 50, Caleb sits down with Stuart Butler, CEO of Visit Myrtle Beach and co-host of Destination Discourse, for a conversation about what it takes to challenge the status quo and move the tourism industry forward. Stuart shares the unlikely journey from studying rocket science to leading one of the country’s premier destination organizations, the experiences that shaped his “scrappy” philosophy, and why courage and imagination are essential for the future of tourism. They explore how AI could fundamentally change the DMO model, why destinations need to think beyond annual budgets and embrace “cathedral thinking,” and the importance of taking risks, collecting experiences, and being willing to be wrong. Plus, Stuart shares his advice for the next generation of tourism leaders—and why, despite all the disruption ahead, he believes there’s plenty of good news about the future of travel.

For Episode 49, Caleb turns the microphone around for the first solo episode of Give Me Some Good News. After nearly a year of conversations with destination leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and tourism professionals, Caleb shares five lessons that have stuck with him: nobody has it all figured out, relationships compound, data matters because people matter, the best leaders stay curious, and there’s still plenty to be optimistic about in tourism. It’s a reflection on 49 episodes, a career built around destination marketing, and why the people behind this industry continue to be the best good news of all.

Fall and holiday events take a lot of work.... but how do you know if they actually worked? In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb sits down with Datafy’s CRO, Lauren Rogers, to talk about how destinations can better promote, measure, and understand the impact of their events. From reaching the right audiences before an event to measuring attendance, visitor spending, and advertising impact afterward, they break down how better data can help destinations move beyond the “eyeball estimate” and tell a stronger story about the value events bring to their communities. Whether you’re planning a festival, holiday celebration, sporting event, or community activation, this episode offers practical ideas to help you measure what matters—and make the next event even better.

What does it take for a smaller destination to punch above its weight? We find out when we sit down with Steven Schumacher, President of Cartersville Museum City, to talk about bold destination leadership, building a brand that stands out, and why a smaller budget doesn't have to mean a smaller impact. Steven shares the story behind Cartersville's Museum City identity, why successful DMO leaders need to get out from behind their desks and into their communities, and how giving your team permission to experiment, and occasionally fail, can lead to some of your biggest wins. They also explore the changing role of the DMO CEO, the importance of building a strategic process that can adapt to change, and why relationships remain one of the tourism industry's greatest resources. Plus, Steven closes with some pretty great good news from home.

In this episode of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb sits down with Andy Clinton, President & CEO of Visit York County, to talk about his journey from an entry-level visitor services role to leading the DMO in the community where he grew up. Andy shares lessons on leadership, developing the next generation of tourism professionals, balancing visitor growth with community needs, and why DMOs increasingly need to think beyond city and county lines. They also explore York County’s relationship with neighboring Charlotte, the connection between tourism and economic development, and an ambitious new basketball event featuring games at midnight, 3 a.m., 6 a.m. and beyond. It’s a conversation about career growth, community impact, and what the evolving role of a destination organization looks like in practice.

In this episode of the Give Me Some Good News Podcast, Caleb sits down with Jay Schexnaydre, the new President & CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, to talk about culture, history, and finding the right fit in your career. After spending 25 years at a historic attraction, Jay is bringing a unique perspective to the DMO world—one rooted in storytelling, cultural preservation, and a deep personal connection to Louisiana’s Cajun heritage. Jay shares the story of his Acadian roots, why ancestral travel presents a huge opportunity for destinations, and what he’s learning as he makes the jump from attraction operations to destination leadership. They also discuss community stewardship, turning locals into destination ambassadors, adapting through challenges like Katrina and COVID, and why the people and culture of a place will always be its greatest differentiator.

In Episode 44 of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb sits down with Juliet Velazquez, a fellow Destinations International 30 Under 30 honoree and tourism industry leader, for a powerful conversation about leadership, advocacy, and the future of our industry. Juliet shares her journey into tourism, from nonprofit storytelling to destination marketing, and how mentors, relationships, and a passion for advocating for others have shaped her career. Together, Caleb and Juliet discuss the evolving landscape of leadership in tourism, the importance of creating opportunities for emerging professionals, and why the future of destination marketing depends on leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo. From building stronger mentorship networks to rethinking workplace culture and leadership pathways, this episode explores how we can create a more inclusive, collaborative, and innovative industry for the next generation. A conversation about authenticity, relationships, and leaving the tourism industry better than we found it.

In Episode 43 of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb sits down with Greg Star of Driven Authentic Branding Solutions to discuss why destination leaders need to embrace their role as chief storytellers. Drawing from Greg’s 2026 Tourism CEO Visibility Benchmark, they explore why so many DMO leaders are missing an opportunity to use LinkedIn as a tool for advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and community impact. With 42% of destination executives in the study publishing no original content over a three-month period, Greg shares why visibility isn’t about self-promotion — it’s about educating stakeholders, building trust, and showing the value tourism brings to a community. Caleb and Greg dive into the difference between announcing and educating, why authentic voices outperform corporate messaging, how smaller destinations can compete through storytelling, and practical ways CEOs can start building their personal brand online. If you’ve ever wondered how to better advocate for tourism, communicate your destination’s impact, or use your voice to create influence, this episode is for you.

Recorded live at the 2026 TTRA Annual International Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, this episode of Give Me Some Good News features an inspiring conversation with Dr. Jim Petrick, Professor at Texas A&M University and one of the inaugural TTRA Fellows. Jim has spent decades researching the psychological, physiological, and social benefits of travel, and in this episode, he challenges us to think beyond tourism's traditional metrics of jobs, tax revenue, and economic impact. Instead, he makes the case that travel is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve health, strengthen relationships, foster learning, and enhance overall well-being. Together, we explore the science behind why vacations reduce stress, how shared travel experiences deepen human connections, and why destination organizations should rethink the way they communicate tourism's value to residents, stakeholders, and elected officials. Jim also shares why the future of destination marketing isn't just about proving economic return—it's about telling a more human story that connects travel to quality of life and community well-being.