Some journeys change the way we see the world. On this episode of Speaking of Travel, we're setting sail along the coast of Maine with Justin Schaefer and Jocelyn Schmidt, owners and captains of the historic Schooner J. & E. Riggin.

Together they've created an experience where the wind sets the pace and the sea shapes each day. And how the simple moments become the memories that stay with us long after the journey ends.

As proud members of the Maine Windjammer Association, Justin and Jocelyn are helping preserve a treasured maritime tradition while inviting travelers to reconnect with a slower, more meaningful way of exploring the world.

Sustainability is woven into every voyage, from traveling under sail to supporting local communities and celebrating the natural beauty of Maine's coast. And we also talk about one of the highlights guests never forget... the food. As the schooner's chef, Jocelyn crafts memorable meals inspired by locally sourced ingredients.

Whether you've always dreamed of sailing the Maine coast or simply find yourself longing for a different rhythm of life, this episode is a reminder that some of the most meaningful adventures aren't measured by how far we travel, but rather by how deeply we connect with a place and with ourselves.

"There's nothing quite like that moment when the wind fills the sails and everything else simply falls away."

Join us and discover why sometimes the best way to move forward is to let the wind lead the way.

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

What if time isn't something to chase, but something to experience?

In a world that constantly urges us to move faster, do more, and keep up, this conversation with Ryan Enslin offers a different perspective. A gentler one.

As a journalist and photographer from Johannesburg, South Africa, Ryan has learned that some places seem to exist outside the pace of modern life. One of those places is St Helena Island, a remote island in the South Atlantic that has profoundly shaped the way he thinks about time and presence. And what it means to truly pay attention.

In this inspiring episode of Speaking of Travel, Ryan shares how travel can become much more than a journey to a destination. Together we explore the remarkable story of St Helena Island while reflecting on self-discovery, resilience, curiosity, and the importance of living with intention in a fast-moving world.

Ryan's experiences remind us that meaningful travel isn't measured by the number of places we visit, but by our willingness to be present for the moments that change us.

"When the distractions fall away, you begin to realize time isn't passing you by. You're finally present for it."

If you've been searching for perspective or simply a conversation that nourishes the soul, this episode is a beautiful reminder that some places can change our relationship with time, not because the clock moves differently, but because we do. 💕

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Some places do not ask for your attention. They change you quietly.

You arrive carrying noise, deadlines, distractions and the weight of everyday life. And then somewhere between the trees, the silence, the air itself, something begins to soften. You remember there is another way to live in the world. More connected. More awake. More human.

This episode of Speaking of Travel lives inside that feeling.

What unfolds here is more than a discussion about nature or stewardship. It is a reflection on presence, on caring deeply for the land and for one another, and on the quiet power of creating spaces where people can reconnect to something larger than themselves.

Drake Fowler, Executive Director of The North Carolina Arboretum, brings a rare kind of humanity to this conversation... thoughtful, grounded, compassionate, and deeply aware of the relationship between the natural world and the human spirit. You can hear the sincerity in his story and feel the intention behind the work being done.

At the heart of this episode is a sacred connection and understanding that nature is not separate from us, but essential to who we are as human beings. Through stories, reflections, and insight, we explore the ways wild spaces can restore us and reconnect us to ourselves and to each other.

This conversation is filled with authenticity and quiet wisdom and reminds us that places created with intention and care can become sanctuaries where people feel seen and are welcomed.

Through education, conservation, and community connection, the NC Arboretum is a place where nature and humanity meet in meaningful ways. This is a beautiful and heartfelt conversation that will leave you inspired and comforted.

And perhaps seeing the world a little differently. ❤️

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.