Trade Secrets is on a winter break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites.

Welcome to season five of Trade Secrets. In this episode, hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Nexion Travel Group president Jackie Friedman on the show to talk about the value of travel advisors. They discuss the modern history of the profession and the evolution from “agent” to “advisor,” then answer listener questions about standing out from the crowd, how advisors can sell their own value and what makes a good elevator pitch.

This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands. 

Further resources

Nexion Travel Group on the web

Reach out to Jackie Friedman via email

Mentioned in this episode:
Erica Carr’s bookitbox Travel
Christine Potthoff’s travel beCAUSE
Courtnie Nichols’ client gifting strategy

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade Secrets is on a winter break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites.
Welcome to season five of Trade Secrets. In this episode, hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Nexion Travel Group president Jackie Friedman on the show to talk about the value of travel advisors. They discuss the modern history of the profession and the evolution from &ldquo;agent&rdquo; to &ldquo;advisor,&rdquo; then answer listener questions about standing out from the crowd, how advisors can sell their own value and what makes a good elevator pitch.
This episode was sponsored by the <a href="https://www.globusandcosmos.com/">Globus family of brands</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
Nexion Travel Group <a href="https://www.nexion.com">on the web</a>
Reach out to Jackie Friedman <a href="mailto:jackie.friedman@nexion.com">via email</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Erica Carr&rsquo;s <a href="https://bookitboxtravel.com/">bookitbox Travel</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Christine Potthoff&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/travelbeCAUSE/">travel beCAUSE</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Courtnie Nichols&rsquo; <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Jamie-Biesiada/Advisor-gifts-that-keep-giving">client gifting strategy</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners’ questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more — as long as it’s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at travelweekly.com/podcasts.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:

Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors’ 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.

Emma Weissmann is a Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the host of the Humans of Travel podcast, where she interviews notable individuals in the travel industry about their lives — the highs and lows that make them human.


Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners&rsquo; questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more &mdash; as long as it&rsquo;s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at <a href="http://travelweekly.com/podcasts">travelweekly.com/podcasts</a>.
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:
Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors&rsquo; 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.
Emma Weissmann is a Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the host of the Humans of Travel podcast, where she interviews notable individuals in the travel industry about their lives &mdash; the highs and lows that make them human.
<hr>
 Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: <a href="https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop">https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop</a> License: <a href="https://filmmusic.io/standard-license">https://filmmusic.io/standard-license</a>
<hr>
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Trade Secrets Podcast

Trade Secrets

Encore: Travel advisors, what’s your elevator pitch? (feat. Jackie Friedman)

How can advisors break into the world of ultra-high-net-worth travel? Embark Beyond’s Jack Ezon addresses the connection economy, how to speak to this discerning group of clients and why, as he says, “All my success is made up of failure.”

This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways. 

Further resources

Find Jack Ezon on Instagram or via email

Embark Beyond on the web

Mentioned in this episode:
From TravelAge West, The perks and pitfalls of planning ultra-luxury travel
Internova executives on the number of millionaires in the U.S.
From Travel Weekly, Learning the language of luxury

Need advice?

 

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can advisors break into the world of ultra-high-net-worth travel? Embark Beyond&rsquo;s Jack Ezon addresses the connection economy, how to speak to this discerning group of clients and why, as he says, &ldquo;All my success is made up of failure.&rdquo;
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://advisors.amawaterways.com/agent-login">AmaWaterways</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
Find Jack Ezon on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jackezon">Instagram</a> or <a href="mailto:jack@embarkbeyond.com">via email</a>
Embark Beyond <a href="https://embarkbeyond.com/">on the web</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">From TravelAge West, <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Luxury/ultra-luxury-travel-planning">The perks and pitfalls of planning ultra-luxury travel</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Internova executives on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Internova-travel-interest-bounced-back-after-Iran-war-dip">the number of millionaires in the U.S.</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">From Travel Weekly, <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Learning-the-language-of-luxury">Learning the language of luxury</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
&nbsp;
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why make $5 when you can make $500? Breaking into the world of ultra-high-net-worth travel (feat. Jack Ezon)

Trade Secrets is on a quick break this week, so please enjoy this encore episode. Here’s the article Jamie mentions in her updated intro, “How Substack became the hottest social media platform.”

In this episode, Trade Secrets is all about content — and why travel advisors should get theirs off social media and into an email newsletter. Kayla Douglas, director of content for SmartFlyer in New York, delves into the world of Substack with co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada.

This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways. 

Further resources

Kayla Douglas’ email, Instagram and Substack

SmartFlyer Core coverage
From TravelAge West: Five things we learned at SmartFlyer’s 2025 Core Conference
From Travel Weekly: Will luxury travel slow down? One expert expects a dip in hotel rates

Mentioned on this episode:
Substack
Emma’s substack
Flodesk
Mailchimp
Stephanie Lee’s most recent appearance on Trade Secrets
Host Agency Reviews’ travel agency software profiles

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade Secrets is on a quick break this week, so please enjoy this encore episode. Here&rsquo;s the article Jamie mentions in her updated intro, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/how-substack-became-hottest-social-media-platform-11702877">How Substack became the hottest social media platform</a>.&rdquo;
In this episode, Trade Secrets is all about content &mdash; and why travel advisors should get theirs off social media and into an email newsletter. Kayla Douglas, director of content for SmartFlyer in New York, delves into the world of Substack with co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://advisors.amawaterways.com/agent-login">AmaWaterways</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
Kayla Douglas&rsquo; <a href="mailto:kayla@smartflyer.com">email</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/curatedbykayla">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.curatedbykayla.com/">Substack</a>
SmartFlyer Core coverage
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">From TravelAge West: <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/smartflyer-core-2025">Five things we learned</a> at SmartFlyer&rsquo;s 2025 Core Conference</li>
<li aria-level="1">From Travel Weekly: <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Will-luxury-travel-slow-down-in-2025">Will luxury travel slow down</a>? One expert expects a dip in hotel rates</li>
</ul>
Mentioned on this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://substack.com/about">Substack</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://amioknewsletter.substack.com/subscribe">Emma&rsquo;s substack</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://flodesk.com/">Flodesk</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://mailchimp.com/">Mailchimp</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://mailchimp.com/"></a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-i-find-and-maintain-work-life-balance-as/id1555272051?i=1000675581281">Stephanie Lee&rsquo;s most recent appearance on Trade Secrets</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software">Host Agency Reviews&rsquo; travel agency software profiles</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Encore: Trading social media for Substack: Using content to build a brand (Feat. SmartFlyer’s Kayla Douglas)

River cruising is one of the fastest-growing verticals for many travel agencies. In this episode, listeners will hear from Hank Schrader, who owns Dream Destinations with his wife, Anne, about their success in the space — all thanks to blogging.

This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways. 

Further resources

Hank Schrader's website, blog and email

Mentioned in this episode:
Jamie’s projecttrackingnew travel advisors
TravelAge West’s Trendsetter Awards
Emma’s reels on river cruise lines’ dating profiles: part one and part two
Hank’s Travel Weekly article

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

River cruising is one of the fastest-growing verticals for many travel agencies. In this episode, listeners will hear from Hank Schrader, who owns Dream Destinations with his wife, Anne, about their success in the space &mdash; all thanks to blogging.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://advisors.amawaterways.com/agent-login">AmaWaterways</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
Hank Schrader's <a href="https://www.dreamdestinations.com/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.dreamdestinations.com/blog">blog</a> and <a href="mailto:hschrader@visitdd.com">email</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Jamie&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Meet-the-advisor-class-of-2024">project</a> <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Revisiting-the-advisor-class-of-2024">tracking</a> <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Revisiting-the-advisor-class-of-2024-Part-2">new travel advisors</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">TravelAge West&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave-awards/trendsetters">Trendsetter Awards</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Emma&rsquo;s reels on river cruise lines&rsquo; dating profiles: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHTvOT8PydG/?img_index=1">part one</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHWLPK8t_Bu/?img_index=1">part two</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Hank&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Articles/How-to-choose-the-right-river-cruise-line">Travel Weekly article</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Encore: Travel advisors, what’s your elevator pitch? (feat. Jackie Friedman)

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