Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories:
Best Targeted Marketing Idea
Best Group Booking Effort
Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
Saving the Day
Best Use of Social Media

This episode features Katy Caldwell-Cole, founder of Touring Folk, who was nominated in the Saving the Day category.

Episode sponsor: Brendan Vacations

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

TravelAge West Wave Awards

TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards

Also From TravelAge West: In 3 Years, This Travel Advisor Built a $9 Million Business With Just 6 Clients. Here’s How.

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.

The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Best Targeted Marketing Idea</li>
<li aria-level="1">Best Group Booking Effort</li>
<li aria-level="1">Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40</li>
<li aria-level="1">Saving the Day</li>
<li aria-level="1">Best Use of Social Media</li>
</ul>
This episode features Katy Caldwell-Cole, founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.touringfolk.agency">Touring Folk</a>, who was nominated in the Saving the Day category.
Episode sponsor: <a href="https://www.brendanvacations.com/en-us">Brendan Vacations</a><a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave"></a>
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave">TravelAge West Wave Awards</a>
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave-awards/trendsetters">TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards</a>
Also From TravelAge West:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/entertainment-travel-advisor">In 3 Years, This Travel Advisor Built a $9 Million Business With Just 6 Clients. Here&rsquo;s How.</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Chelsee-Lowe">Chelsee Lowe</a> is Senior Editor of&nbsp;TravelAge&nbsp;West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She&rsquo;s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge&nbsp;West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.

Humans of Travel

TravelAge West&rsquo;s podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences &mdash; the highs and the lows &mdash; that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetter Katy Caldwell-Cole (Saving the Day)

Leigh Barnes is president of the Americas for Intrepid Travel, a small-group tour operator that’s been in business since 1989. Once known as a “social Jedi,” Barnes says he came to the travel industry at the right time and with the right digital skill set. He’s been with Intrepid more than 16 years now, and he’s leading the brand’s expansion in North America.

On this episode of Humans of Travel, Barnes discusses the company’s mission to create positive change through sustainable and meaningful travel, and what that looks like in the U.S. specifically. Barnes also shares his pre-Intrepid path into digital marketing, a formative Everest Base Camp trek that reshaped his worldview and how travel trade sales continue to grow thanks to key partnerships and expanded sales support.

This episode is sponsored byBrendan Vacations. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid’s Travel Agent Hub

Intrepid’s U.S. National Park Tours

Intrepid Active-ism Trips

On TravelAge West: How — and Why — Intrepid Travel Is Working to Protect U.S. National Parks Right Now

On TravelAge West: Intrepid Announces New Partnership With REI

On TravelAge West: Intrepid’s Non-Profit Secures 501(3)(c) Status

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.

The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Leigh Barnes is president of the Americas for <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us">Intrepid Travel</a>, a small-group tour operator that&rsquo;s been in business since 1989. Once known as a &ldquo;social Jedi,&rdquo; Barnes says he came to the travel industry at the right time and with the right digital skill set. He&rsquo;s been with Intrepid more than 16 years now, and he&rsquo;s leading the brand&rsquo;s expansion in North America.
On this episode of Humans of Travel, Barnes discusses the company&rsquo;s mission to create positive change through sustainable and meaningful travel, and what that looks like in the U.S. specifically. Barnes also shares his pre-Intrepid path into digital marketing, a formative Everest Base Camp trek that reshaped his worldview and how travel trade sales continue to grow thanks to key partnerships and expanded sales support.
This episode is sponsored by<a href="https://www.tourismcares.org/"> </a><a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us">Brendan Vacations</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us">Intrepid Travel</a>
<a href="https://agent-hub.intrepidtravel.com/auth/?referer=%2F">Intrepid&rsquo;s Travel Agent Hub</a>
<a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us/united-states/national-parks">Intrepid&rsquo;s U.S. National Park Tours</a>
<a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us/active-ism">Intrepid Active-ism Trips</a>
On TravelAge West: <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Tour-Operators/intrepid-travel-national-parks">How &mdash; and Why &mdash; Intrepid Travel Is Working to Protect U.S. National Parks Right Now</a>
On TravelAge West: <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Tour-Operators/intrepid-travel-rei">Intrepid Announces New Partnership With REI</a>
On TravelAge West: <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/Intrepid-nonprofit-secures-501c3-status">Intrepid&rsquo;s Non-Profit Secures 501(3)(c) Status</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Chelsee-Lowe">Chelsee Lowe</a> is Senior Editor of&nbsp;TravelAge&nbsp;West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She&rsquo;s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge&nbsp;West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Leigh Barnes Talks Meaningful Travel and Growing Intrepid's Brand Presence in the U.S. 

Adam Duckworth, founder and president of Travelmation, has been a Disney fan for as long as he can remember. His parents honeymooned at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World Resort, and Duckworth vacationed at the Florida theme park nearly every year in his youth. As an adult (and a father), a Disney trip remains his preference — he even rented out Grizzly Hall in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland for his 40th birthday celebration. And Disneyland popcorn? He’s a big fan of that, too.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Duckworth talks about all of the above and the launch of Travelmation, a thriving host agency with more than 2,700 travel advisors in its ranks today. With an education background and lots of experience rallying volunteers at his church, Duckworth has been — and continues to be — a cheerleader for so many people. Listen in for insights on leading others, Travelmation sales trends, how the agency supports regional community building and more.

This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Travelmation

Adam's Favorite First-Class Cookies

On TravelAge West: Meet Gaynel Senka, Travelmation’s First-Ever $4 Million Agent

On TravelAge West: An Inside Look at Travelmation’s First Accessibility Cruise

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.

The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Adam Duckworth, founder and president of <a href="https://www.travelmation.net/">Travelmation</a>, has been a Disney fan for as long as he can remember. His parents honeymooned at Disney&rsquo;s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World Resort, and Duckworth vacationed at the Florida theme park nearly every year in his youth. As an adult (and a father), a Disney trip remains his preference &mdash; he even rented out Grizzly Hall in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland for his 40th birthday celebration. And Disneyland popcorn? He&rsquo;s a big fan of that, too.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Duckworth talks about all of the above and the launch of Travelmation, a thriving host agency with more than 2,700 travel advisors in its ranks today. With an education background and lots of experience rallying volunteers at his church, Duckworth has been &mdash; and continues to be &mdash; a cheerleader for so many people. Listen in for insights on leading others, Travelmation sales trends, how the agency supports regional community building and more.
This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.tourismcares.org/">Tourism Cares</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.travelmation.net/">Travelmation</a>
Adam's Favorite <a href="https://www.micheletaugustin.us/collections/cookie-squares">First-Class Cookies</a>
On TravelAge West: <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/gaynel-senka-travelmation-top-seller">Meet Gaynel Senka, Travelmation&rsquo;s First-Ever $4 Million Agent</a>
On TravelAge West: <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/travelmation-accessibility-cruise-2025">An Inside Look at Travelmation&rsquo;s First Accessibility Cruise</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Chelsee-Lowe">Chelsee Lowe</a> is Senior Editor of&nbsp;TravelAge&nbsp;West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She&rsquo;s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge&nbsp;West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

 Adam Duckworth on Building Travelmation, Motivating Advisors and the Joy of Good Popcorn

On this episode of Humans of Travel, new host Chelsee Lowe talks with fashion and lifestyle pro Carson Kressley, who is well known from the Emmy-winning television series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, as well as reality competition shows Dancing With the Stars and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Kressley discusses how curiosity and a love of exploration have shaped his life and career, including how a post-college move to New York City led to a job with Ralph Lauren and how a sense of humor has helped him carve his professional path. When he took a risk and joined the original Queer Eye cast, a long television career began. All the while, travel remained a constant passion.

Kressley also looks back on childhood road trips to horse shows and family vacations planned with the help of AAA TripTiks. Today, he hands all the travel planning responsibilities over to travel advisors, and as ALG Vacations’ (ALGV) Travel Advisor Champion — a title he’s held for three consecutive years — he recommends other explorers do the same. ALGV estimates that Kressley has helped the company reach 130 million travelers in the last year, thanks to joint projects such as the “Carson Curates” and “Carson Checks In” social media series, both of which are available on ALGV’s consumer-facing website TravelAdvisorsGetYouThere.com.

This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Follow Carson Kressley on Instagram

ALG Vacations

TravelAdvisorsGetYouThere.com

Designs by Carson Kressley Via Ballard Designs

Carson Judges on BBQ Brawl

RuPaul’s Drag Race

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.

The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

On this episode of Humans of Travel, new host Chelsee Lowe talks with fashion and lifestyle pro Carson Kressley, who is well known from the Emmy-winning television series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, as well as reality competition shows Dancing With the Stars and RuPaul&rsquo;s Drag Race. Kressley discusses how curiosity and a love of exploration have shaped his life and career, including how a post-college move to New York City led to a job with Ralph Lauren and how a sense of humor has helped him carve his professional path. When he took a risk and joined the original Queer Eye cast, a long television career began. All the while, travel remained a constant passion.
Kressley also looks back on childhood road trips to horse shows and family vacations planned with the help of AAA TripTiks. Today, he hands all the travel planning responsibilities over to travel advisors, and as <a href="https://alg.www.vaxvacationaccess.com/">ALG Vacations</a>&rsquo; (ALGV) Travel Advisor Champion &mdash; a title he&rsquo;s held for three consecutive years &mdash; he recommends other explorers do the same. ALGV estimates that Kressley has helped the company reach 130 million travelers in the last year, thanks to joint projects such as the &ldquo;Carson Curates&rdquo; and &ldquo;Carson Checks In&rdquo; social media series, both of which are available on ALGV&rsquo;s consumer-facing website&nbsp;<a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/HUZDCNkXmJcvKvrpUji5SyNxw8?domain=urldefense.com">TravelAdvisorsGetYouThere.com</a>.
This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.tourismcares.org/">Tourism Cares</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Follow Carson Kressley on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carsonkressley/">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://alg.www.vaxvacationaccess.com/">ALG Vacations</a>
<a href="https://www.traveladvisorsgetyouthere.com/">TravelAdvisorsGetYouThere.com</a>
Designs by Carson Kressley Via <a href="https://www.ballarddesigns.com/furniture/design/carson-kressley/">Ballard Designs</a>
Carson Judges on <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/bbq-brawl-flay-v-symon">BBQ Brawl</a>
<a href="https://www.mtv.com/fan-hub/rupauls-drag-race">RuPaul&rsquo;s Drag Race</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Chelsee-Lowe">Chelsee Lowe</a> is Senior Editor of&nbsp;TravelAge&nbsp;West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She&rsquo;s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge&nbsp;West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetter Katy Caldwell-Cole (Saving the Day)

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