A perfect itinerary can still fall apart the moment real life shows up and that’s where a travel advisor earns their keep. We’re joined by Vicki Lewis, owner of Coast to Coast Travel in the south Indianapolis and Morgan County area, to break down what it’s actually like to plan trips in 2026: cruises, European vacations, all-inclusive resorts, family travel, and even group trips like Iceland. We talk about why plenty of people still choose a travel agent even when every deal looks “one click away,” and how keeping a real person in your corner changes the whole experience.

We get practical about the parts of travel planning most people underestimate: how deposits and payment schedules work, what resorts really mean when they say a room request is “not guaranteed,” and why seat selection on flights often costs extra. Vicki also explains why she strongly recommends travel insurance, what it can cover when dates change or illness hits, and why the worst time to learn you need help is when you’re already stuck on hold.

You’ll also hear what makes destinations like Ireland and Scotland stand out, how travel advisories factor into responsible planning, and why working with an independent travel advisor often costs no more than booking through a big travel website because commissions are already built into many rates. If you want more control with less stress, this conversation lays out a clear path.

If you enjoy hearing from local business owners and getting usable travel tips, subscribe to the show, share this episode with a friend planning a trip, and leave a quick review so more neighbors can find us.

She’s been in the mayor’s chair, stared down tough budgets, and made decisions that cost her sleep. Now Shannon is putting that same leadership into something even more personal: making sure kids in Morgan County Indiana have a safe place to go after school and a real shot at a brighter future.

We talk about how Shannon ended up in Morgan County, what pulled her into public service, and how the I-69 era forced big change for Martinsville. Then the conversation turns honest and human: a breast cancer diagnosis while in office, stepping away to focus on healing, and the grief that reshaped her purpose after losing her son. That road leads her to the Boys and Girls Club of Morgan County, where the mission shows up every afternoon in snack time, homework help, movement in the gym, mentoring, and routines that keep kids steady.

Shannon also explains what most people don’t see behind the scenes of a nonprofit youth development organization: partnerships with Mooresville schools for transportation, support from organizations like Adult and Child, and donors who keep programs like STEM and field trips possible. We dig into the hard realities too, including enrollment pressure, staffing limits, and why the Club is implementing a monthly programming fee after decades of charging only $20 a year.

If you care about after-school programs, community partnerships, workforce development, and what it takes to invest in kids, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share it with a Morgan County friend, and leave a review to help more neighbors find the show.