Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 24

Grateful for Zibby Owens, A Light for the Book Industry

I am grateful to Zibby Owens, an inspiring figure within the literary community. She is a literary evangelist, author, mom, founder of Zibby Media and owner of Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica. Her impactful presence extends beyond the shelves of her store to the airwaves, as she joined me on my award-nominated podcast to discuss her memoir, Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Literature.

I was honored that Zibby interviewed me for the nineteenth season of her podcast, Moms Don’t Have Time To Read, about my memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty.

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Zibby’s Bookshop hosted a live event for my book with Chris Palmeri from Bloomberg! The warmth and literary ambiance provided the perfect setting for my work to be celebrated among readers.

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Owens is the author of Princess Charming and editor of both, Moms Don’t Have Time to Have Kids: A Timeless Anthology and Moms Don’t Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology. Her upcoming novel, Blank, now available for preorder, is a testament to her continuous contributions to the literary world.

Zibby’s Bookshop is not just a haven for books; it’s a dynamic space where literature comes to life, and authors find support and celebration.

She recently introduced Dani Shapiro and Jennifer Grey at a book event for Signal Fires.

Zibby’s ability to navigate the literary world extends beyond her own creations, as she stands as a fearless advocate for free speech and a curator of diverse voices within her bookstore. I have been to her bookstore for events for Patty Lin, author of End Credits from Zibby Books,

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for Jennifer Hamm, author of One Friday in Napa, in conversation with Kim Raver,

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for my book, Brave-ish, and

to celebrate World Book Day!

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Her courage was especially evident when she confronted challenges within the industry, including issues surrounding the National Book Awards and hate speech. Zibby Owens guides the book industry with her luminous spirit and unwavering dedication to the power of words.

THANK YOU ZIBBY OWENS!

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Lisa Niver is a 3x National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards Finalist!

I am honored to be three-time finalist for the 2023 16th annual National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards for Podcast Host, Diversity in Entertainment and Personality Profile. Finalists with me for podcast host include Jon Stewart and for Diversity in Entertainment Ari Saperstein from the New York Times. I am floored to be a finalist with journalists from KCRW, Variety, The Hollywood Report and the New York Times. From the Los Angeles Press Club: “For the 16th National A&E Journalism Awards, our judges carefully reviewed more than 1,600 entries, and you came out on top with the best A&E reporting in the nation.”J1. Radio/Podcast Anchor/Host

* Lisa Niver, PODCAST: Make Your Own Map, “Lisa Niver HOST of Make Your Own Map”

Jon Stewart, Apple TV+ Podcast, “The Problem with Jon Stewart: The Official Podcast”Elvis Mitchell, KCRW, “Robert Townsend, Carell Augustus and The Treat: an essential but underappreciated Bowie album”Madeleine Brand, KCRW, “Press Play with Madeleine Brand”Michael Schneider, Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Jenelle Riley, Emily Longeretta, Variety, “Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast”K6. Diversity in the TV/Streaming Industry

Lisa Niver, We Said Go Travel, “Unveiling the Uncharted: Jeff Jenkins on Embracing Life Beyond Comfort Zones”

Ari Saperstein, The New York Times, “‘Best Foot Forward’ Is a Story About, and by, People With Disabilities”Emily Longeretta, Variety, “Neal Bledsoe Steps Away From Great American Family: ‘My Support for the LGBTQIA+ Community Is Unconditional’”Elaine Low, Insider, “Warner Bros. Discovery nearly axed the TV writers workshop known as its own ‘farm team,’ then rushed to announce a new plan amid Hollywood backlash”Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, “‘We Don’t All Fit Neatly Inside a Box’: How Latin Execs Across Studios Are Fighting for More Representation”K10B. Personality Profile, TV Personalities

Lisa Niver, Jewish Journal, “Walking with Andrew McCarthy”

William Earl, Variety, “Screaming Matches and Food Fights: ‘Bar Rescue’ Host Jon Taffer Breaks Down the 96-Hour Marathon of Saving a Business”Tricia Romano, Alta Journal, “Dan Savage’s Adaptation”Sean Wilsey, Alta Journal, “It Came from San Francisco”Christian Zilko, IndieWire, “Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington Give Us ‘Siskel & Ebert’ at the Gates of Hell” Thank you to the Los Angeles Press Club and Diana Ljungaeus, Executive Director!

Lisa Niver has won many awards! From 2017 to 2023, in the Southern California Journalism Awards and National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards, she has won five times and been a finalist twenty-five times for a variety of broadcast, print and digital categories.

2023 2x Finalist: Southern California Journalism Awards for Travel Reporting and Podcast Interview 2022 Finalist : Southern California Journalism Awards for BOOK CRITICISM2021 Finalist: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards for Commentary Diversity/Gender and Commentary Analysis/Trend — Film2021 Winner: Southern California Journalism Awards for  TECHNOLOGY REPORTING 2021 Finalist: Southern California Journalism Awards for BOOK CRITICISM2020 Winner: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards for Book Critic. See all of Lisa’s book reviews here.2020 Finalist: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards for Book Critic2020 Winner: Southern California Journalism Awards for print magazine article: Hemispheres Magazine for United Airlines2020 Five Time Finalist: Southern California Journalism awards2019 Winner: NAEJ Award for KTLA TV segment2019 Finalist: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards in three categoriesCategory H2a. Soft News: Ms. Magazine: Polar Bears Can’t Vote So You Have ToCategory F6a. Soft News Feature – Under 5 Minutes—Film/TV: KTLA TV Oscars Countdown to Gold with Lisa NiverCategory C1b. Business, Music/Tech/Art: My Wharton Magazine article: Four Female Founders Share Their Origin Stories2019 Finalist: Southern California Journalism Awards for Broadcast Television Lifestyle Segment: Ogden Ski Getaway2018 Finalist for three categories of Southern California Journalism Awards:SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY REPORTING: Smithsonian TRAVEL REPORTING: Popsugar FitnessPERSONALITY PROFILE: Saturday Evening Post2017 2nd place winner for Southern California Journalism Award Print Column “A journey to freedom over three Passovers” and finalist for Travel Reporting.

More about Lisa Niver: https://lisaniver.com/awards/

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 16: BJ Korros and guest attend the Los Angeles Press Club’s 63rd Annual Journalism Awards Dinner at Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles on October 16, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images)

Jewish Journal Wins Two LA Press Club Awards and Several Other Honors

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Meet me at Author’s Corner in New Orleans at DEMA 2023

Meet Lisa Niver, author of BRAVE-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, at the DEMA Dive Show 2023 in New Orleans! Meet Lisa at Author’s Corner at DEMA Show 2023:
Wednesday, November 15th from 11:00 – 11:30 AM
Thursday, November 16th from 11:00 – 11:30 AM

At the DEMA Show, attendees will have the opportunity to:

Meet the Author: Lisa Niver will be present at the event to share her scuba diving experiences and sign copies of “BRAVE-ish.”Dive into Adventure: Dive enthusiasts can explore how scuba diving played a crucial role in Niver’s journey of bravery and self-discovery.Discover More Adventures: Niver will be sharing anecdotes from her book and offering insights into how adventure and courage can lead to personal growth.

The DEMA Show is not only an opportunity for divers to connect and explore the latest in scuba gear; it’s a chance to dive into a world of bravery and inspiration with Lisa Niver. 

Check out these articles from my friends at Deeper Blue and DiveNewsWire for more info about the event at DEMA Show 2023:
Lisa Niver To Appear In Author’s Corner At DEMA →
Author/Divemaster Lisa Niver Unveils New Book – “BRAVE-ish”: Meet Her at DEMA Show 2023 →

Meet Lisa at the Solomon’s Islands booth and learn more about her story for Smithsonian Magazine: “Dive With WWII Wrecks in the Solomon Islands: 75 years after the Battle of Guadalcanal, walk in the footsteps of history.” Watch her Solomon Islands videos: CLICK HERE. More about her travels in the Solomon Islands in Saturday Evening Post, The Jet Set visitTV, and We Said GO Travel.

See you in AUTHOR’S CORNER 2023!

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TITLEFEATURINGHOSTING EXHIBITORDATESTARTENDBrave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After FiftyLisa Niver, AuthorTourism Solomons, #1539Wednesday, November 15, 202311:00 AM11:30 AMBrave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After FiftyLisa Niver, AuthorTourism Solomons, #1539Thursday, November 16, 202311:00 AM11:30 AM

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Best of the West 2023 at Sofitel Los Angeles

Thank you to Michelle Heston, Executive Director of Public Relations for Accor Hotels for including me in the Best of the West 2023 at Sofitel Los Angeles. Ten years ago, she invited me to speak on a panel at the Fairmont Miramar about travel!

It was a great reunion with many of my favorite Fairmont Hotels including Fairmont Century Plaza, Fairmont Miramar, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Fairmont Olympic, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Orchid, Fairmont Kea Lani, Fairmont Sonoma, Fairmont Austin and Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel.

Fairmont, Sofitel, and Accor are esteemed members of the ALL – Accor Live Limitless group, embodying the highest standards of luxury and hospitality. Each brand boasts a unique and distinctive charm, catering to the sophisticated preferences of discerning travelers worldwide. From the timeless elegance of Fairmont to Sofitel’s blend of French art de vivre and local culture, and Accor’s unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences, these brands collectively redefine the essence of luxury travel. Staying at these exquisite properties promises a seamless fusion of refined comfort, personalized attention, and the guarantee of unforgettable moments that transcend the ordinary, providing an experience that is as exclusive as it is indulgent. Whether seeking a rejuvenating retreat or an immersive cultural journey, these luxury hotels offer a gateway to a world where every detail is meticulously crafted to surpass even the most discerning expectations.

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Enjoy some of my favorite FAIRMONT MOMENTS: Luxury in Toronto at Fairmont Royal York Luxury in Los Angeles: Fairmont Century Plaza Luxury in Seattle at the Perfect Location: Fairmont Olympic Hotel Luxury in Arizona at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and my KTLA TV Segment

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Luxury in Santa Monica: Fairmont Miramar Presidential Suite Bungalow One

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At the Fairmont Monte Carlo, my garden room had a view of the Casino de Monte Carlo and from Nikki Beach I could see the famous Fairmont hairpin turn. I talked travel and Fairmont Monte Carlo on The Jet Set TV. Luxury in Alberta, Canada at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Luxury in Alberta, Canada at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Luxury in Québec City at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Luxury in Puerto Rico at the Fairmont El San Juan HotelDancing the night away at the Sofitel Los Angeles with Gia from Aya Serpent

FAIRMONT VIDEO PLAYLIST:

THANK YOU FAIRMONT, SOFITEL and ACCOR! I am ready to make more memories. [image error]

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Jen on a Jet Plane: Journeying Beyond Borders

I loved interviewing Jen Ruiz, Jen on a Jet Plane, to learn more about her as an accomplished travel content creator, author, and lawyer. Jen has dedicated her life to exploring the far corners of the globe, uncovering hidden gems, and sharing invaluable travel tips with her audience. Her insatiable passion for adventure has taken her around the world, and she is a true authority on all things travel. Get ready to be inspired, as we embark on an unforgettable journey with Jen, unraveling her remarkable tales and learning about her portfolio of projects.

Listen or watch our interview on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or your favorite podcast platform

TRANSCRIPT from our interview below: (filmed 19 July 2023)

Lisa Niver:

Good morning. This is Lisa Niver, founder of We Said Go Travel and author of Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless after 50. I am so honored and excited to be here with Jen. Hi Jen.

Jen Ruiz:

Hi Lisa. Thank you for having me.

Lisa Niver:

I loved hearing you speak at Women’s Travel Fest, and I know everybody there in New York was so excited to learn from you. And, the accolades just never stop. You have the TED Talk, Amazon top bestselling books, and you have a brand new project! Congratulations.

Jen Ruiz:

Thank you very much. I work hard.

https://www.tiktok.com/@jenonajetplan...

Lisa Niver:

You do work very hard and I loved watching your TED talk and we’ll put it in the notes if people want to have the opportunity to learn from your brilliance. My book has 50 challenges before I turned 50. Many people talk to me about ageism and how we represent older women. You’re talking about being 29, turning 30, and the stereotypes of the box of “this is what women must do.” Talk about your TED Talk and 29 turning 30 and what inspired your life of being on the road.

Jen Ruiz:

Absolutely. So for me, it was very much a pressure because I’ve always been an overachiever. It’s just been a lifelong thing for me. Turning 30, which is a big milestone birthday, I feel like it’s the first milestone birthday where the birthday matters not in an eager way, but in an anxious way. Because at 10, you’re not realizing it. At 20, you’re wanting to get to 21 so you can drink, but 30 becomes the point where you’re like, oh man, it’s getting real. Now, I’m an adult and there are things that are expected of me. Am I where I want to be in life? It’s where you really start reckoning with yourself. And as a woman particularly, as a single woman, who was very successful in her career. I had already started getting a lot of comments about why I wasn’t married, why I didn’t have children, if I was at all worried about my clock stopping, being able to have healthy children, having geriatric pregnancies.

What was wrong with me that I was still single, what is my fatal flaw that has made all men decide to run the other way? And so it felt like even though I had achieved so much up until that point, that I had still failed in the most quintessential way of what is expected of a woman, which is to be a wife and a mother. And I hadn’t reached that by 29. I had so much pressure on myself to try to reach that in the way where in my twenties I worked so hard to mold myself to be what I thought men wanted to try to accommodate them. Now as a 35 year old woman, none of that is happening. I will not bake you your favorite meal while dressed in really amazing clothing.

All of that is something that I did in my twenties to try to prove my worth. And I realized that despite doing all of that, I didn’t get the results that were expected of me. I felt like there was something inadequate about me as a result. My option was either to take that year and continue trying to mold myself, continue swiping on dating apps, continue trying to find somebody and be the perfect person that they might one day want to marry. I could take that year and actually try to live for myself, actually send off my twenties in style. Actually take that last year of my “wild and free youth days,” right? I’m very aware of the passing of time. I was very aware that I was not going to get my twenties back and that I had spent my twenties living for others, achieving things, going straight through law school, straight to taking the bar straight into practicing law.

I hadn’t actually really taken the time to do anything for me. I had a Tinder date and we were supposed to spend New Year’s Eve together in New York. I thought this might be a really fun thing. I’ve never celebrated New Year’s in New York, which I’m actually so glad I didn’t do because I hear people wear diapers to go there because you have to stay in the same spot for over 12 hours. It actually sounded horrible and I think I dodged the bullet there as I did with all the other men that it didn’t work out with. But I thought at the time I had glamorized this guy who was not my boyfriend, he’s made that very clear, but who I’ve been dating for six months.

We had plans for New Year’s. He was in med school and he ended up ghosting me in early December. At this point, of course I had paid for the tickets. Of course I had paid for the hotel room. Of course I had done everything right because this is the poor med school guy. And I’m just so desperate to get him to go so that I can celebrate New Year’s with a partner and have a midnight’s kiss and not be watching my parents kiss at midnight or everybody else kiss at midnight or trying to not have random guy kiss me at midnight, which is how all my other New Years had gone. I want that quintessential New Year’s. And I didn’t get it. I got ghosted early December and I got stuck with these two tickets.

I ended up trading that all in and using that money that I had spent instead to take myself to Athens, Greece, where I celebrated the New Year’s by myself. I actually celebrated it on a plane. It was midnight when I was, flying on my way into Athens. And I remember thinking wow, I really love celebrating New Year’s on a plane. Because there isn’t a countdown. No one’s trying to kiss me. I don’t feel inadequate. Nobody even knows what time it is. Because everybody’s come from a different place. This is the best new year I’ve ever had and it’s just been a minute into it. My birthday’s January 3rd, so the beginning of the year coincides with a new year for me. It’s a big transition time. I spent that birthday really finding joy in my own company.

I did all the things I wanted to do. I remember I specifically found a woman from a Rick Steve supplement that I reached out to her and splurged on a private tour with her of the Acropolis Museum. She was so educated and she knew so much and all the guards knew her. Even when they were closing, we were able to stay 15 minutes extra. It really felt like I was a VIP with her. At the end of that she said, you’re going to find your person when you find them. In the meantime you have a home here with me in Greece anytime you want to visit. I remember feeling so lifted by all of those interactions that when I came back, I thought to myself, how can I keep that feeling going for the rest of the year so I don’t slip back into that fear, that insecurity, those feelings of inadequacy. I wanted to stay empowered. Stay really happy naturally just for existing, which is what traveling was bringing me. I decided to take 12 trips in 12 months as a challenge. I was working full-time as an attorney, so it was going to be a challenge to figure out how to afford it. It was going be a challenge to figure out how to get time off. And all of those challenges kept me hyper-focused on my goal instead of anxious and panicking over turning 30.

Lisa Niver:

Wow. I I think it’s so true what you’re saying, that there’s this little box that we put women in, and you’re right, it’s about feeling inadequate and feeling shamed. And we do this strange thing when people get into college instead of saying– wow, we’re so proud of you. We say, “What’s your major?” And when I got married, people asked me immediately, “When are you having a baby?” And for you turning 30, “What’s wrong with you?” In my twenties, I ended up at medical school and I had to make a choice. Did I want to spend all my 20s in this building all day long? Do I want to be in training all of my twenties? I’ve been in school forever. And I ended up going on leave and leaving graduate school. I ended up working at Club Med. That’s what started me on traveling. I thought, “Is this the life I want?” So you did this challenge 12 trips in 12 years and you are an attorney, but I loved what you said in your TED Talk that you actually had a side hustle. You were teaching English to afford these trips.

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Jen Ruiz:

Yes. 12 months, not 12 years.

Lisa Niver:

YES, 12 trips in 12 months. And you’re working on a book about it?

Jen Ruiz:

Yes, I am writing a memoir about that year in particular. It was definitely challenging. I ended up taking 20 trips to 41 cities across 11 countries and I used all my sick leave. I called out sick from a hot air balloon in Albuquerque for the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival. I called out sick to go to Epcot, for a VIP taping of the Chew. I remember thinking I hope my boss isn’t watching me on TV right now eating this delicious chocolate croissant . I really felt like the time is now, if I don’t do it now, I’m not ever going to get the chance to do this again. When I was at a private firm, I never took my sick days or any leave.

I would work Thanksgiving Day and Christmas day. I remember being at a party on Christmas day and being at a pizza party that they took us to after one o’clock. I remember thinking it would be a better gift to just let me go home instead of being here at this obligatory Christmas party with all you people that I don’t want to spend Christmas with . It was horrible. I had already sacrificed so much that I didn’t allow myself to feel guilty about using every single hour that had been allocated to me as time that I had off. I was able to afford the trips by taking on a second job teaching English online every morning before work. I would, not have the energy to do this now at 35. Not even now just a few years later.

I don’t know how I did it then, the young energy of the twenties. But, I would be teaching from 2:00 AM to 8:30 AM I’d very quickly throw on a suit and then I’d head into work at 9:00 AM. I would do that to make an extra 1500 to $2,000 a month because when I had asked for a raise as an attorney, I’d gotten a $5,000 raise and it came out to an extra hundred dollars a paycheck or something negligible. Whereas making that side hustle money allowed me to actually have a real cushion where I could pay for those trips. I needed to learn how to budget within that amount, find affordable flights through travel hacking and budget airlines. I went to the library. Those still exist and they are my favorite places.

I rented out the entire section. You can take 22 books at a time. I would take an entire pile of books home and read how to travel better. Scott Keys, who’s the owner of Scott’s Chief Flights, had a few books that were out and that was basically my bible of how can I save money on these trips and how can I get there for the money I have allocated. I made it work and at the end of that year had used up all my leave. I still had one other trip booked in February of the next year to Portugal that I had found for $300 round trip.

I still had one or two sick days left. Part of my strategy was to take off a Friday or a Monday, I’d go for a long weekend andI’d time it around a holiday. I was very grateful to have coworkers that were happy to step in if anything happened while I was gone. I purposely didn’t schedule things for days that I knew I was going to be away. And I remember that trip in February for Portugal. I actually did schedule an orthodontist appointment at the time because I wanted to feel justified. I actually did go to the doctor today on this sick day that I have used. And I remember my boss textedme when I called out sick and said, “You’re only supposed to be out sick for actual sick days.”

I said, “I’m in the doctor’s office right now.” I’m here in the doctor’s office this morning and then in the afternoon I was supposed to be leaving from Miami, which was a two hour drive from Naples where I was working. That whole interaction with my boss and being called out even on that day where I actually was not on a balloon but actually in the doctor’s office rattled me so much that I made it all the way to Miami and I didn’t realize that I had left my passport in the house. At that point I was too late to go back the two hour drive to Naples and make it back to Miami. My flight was so cheap that they were not able to reschedule me on the next flight going out that weekend.

So I lost everything that I had planned for that weekend in Portugal. I ultimately didn’t go and I was so angry. I didn’t want to let that weekend go to waste so that weekend I went home and I thought something’s coming out of this weekend one way or the other. And in those two days, I wrote my first book. By March, I had self-published it. In April, it was already a bestseller in eight categories. Later that year, I won a reader’s favorite award and then by end of April I quit my job.

Lisa Niver:

Wow. You are definitely a one woman force!

Jen Ruiz:

.

Lisa Niver:

In your Ted talk, you mention the pressure on women as mothers and wives and living up to the standard, like you’re joking about I’m not going to cook in my fancy clothes, but many people feel pressure that they can’t even take a sick day when they’re sick. I think that’s evolved somewhat with the COVID rollercoaster. Certainly the time you’re talking about 2017, a couple years before that it was different and there still is pressure. So some people are listening– thinking I could never do this. I could never work in the morning. People have a lot of excuses. Basically what you’re saying is I committed. What inspired this love of travel? Did you travel with your family when you were very young or did you study abroad? What made travel so appealing? What hooked into your psyche about getting out?

Jen Ruiz:

I realized I have always been the same person. Even as I look back, hindsight being 20/20, I’ve realized certain things. Taking the sick days for work, I used to cut school a lot in high school to do what I thought were mental health days. I had straight A’s in high school, so I would tell my mom, I’m taking a mental health day today. I’m going to the store at the mall to try on pretty princess dresses and the pretty prom dresses and then get some ice cream. I had the flexibility because I was such a good student because I was already doing well on the SATs because I was already getting straight A’s because I was already in all the AP classes and I wasn’t suffering.

So my mom gave me leeway. Now I didn’t have leeway to go out at night after the sunset and the automatic lights came on, on the street I had to be in, because I was still the first daughter and my mom was very overprotective. But I did get leeway during the day on how to spend my day. So I realized that I’ve always been that same person. I’ve always still taken those days and felt that as long as I have my things together, as long as I’m still performing, why do you care what I do with my time? If I have the same output, if I’m still getting A’s, I got a full scholarship to college. So that’s the goal of doing well in high school. I’ve just always felt like I should be in charge of my own time and how I do it.

And that’s why I thrive now as an entrepreneur because I do have that self discipline. My mom was a teacher and later worked her way up to be a principal. So sometimes she would come and take a cut day with me. She would say, I’m going join you. Let’s go for lunch at the Colombian restaurant. Those are my most fond memories. I can recall one or two things I actually did in school, but every single day that I cut school with my mom, every single day that I went and actually enjoyed myself were the formative things in my mind where I thought this is what it’s all about. It’s not just about sitting in a desk and doing the routine and being a warm body in a chair. It’s about actually living.

I never got to go to summer camp. I never got to go to anybody’s sleepovers. I could have people come sleep over my house, but I could not sleep over anybody’s house. I could not be out past a certain time at night. So she made it fun during the day. Instead of going to summer camp, we had mommy’s great summer camp. Since she had the summers off, instead of me going to a sleepaway camp, we would do a different educational activity. We would go and visit Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia. We would go to Amish country and learn about how the Amish people lived and try their delicious home churned ice cream which is so good.

Very early on, it sparked an interest in me in learning. And that’s why I love traveling. I just got back from Oklahoma and people are surprised to see me in Oklahoma. There’s something to be experienced. There’s something to be seen. There are stories to be told. There are people to meet everywhere in the world. And I get just as excited about going to Oklahoma as I do about going to Thailand. To me, they’re equivalent because I’m going to have fun everywhere I go, meeting new people, learning new things, seeing that. And that’s something that she really instilled in me from a young age. When I graduated high school with honors/cum laude, full scholarship to college my mom and I went together and did a trip to Europe.

She had never been to Europe before. My mom is Puerto Rican. She had been raised on the island. She hadn’t really traveled much. And this was our first international trip. And so she did it at the time through AAA and Trafalgar, the tour group. And she paid so much money for that and she was in the middle of a divorce, so she really didn’t have the money. I knew that it was a stretch for her to pay for that trip for two weeks in Switzerland, Italy, France, the UK. All the major hits around Europe in Rome, Venice, Paris.

I realized pretty quickly while in Italy, our first stop– there was one meal where they were feeding us peas and ham. I remember saying, “Mom, why are we in Italy eating frozen peas and ham provided by the tour group? I could throw a rock and hit 20 delicious pasta restaurants right outside of this hotel.” At the time, because I still love libraries, I used to go to the library every day after school for about three hours until my mom got off work and could come and pick me up. A library is my safe space. I had gone to the library and I had rented the Europe for Dummies book and it says that we can go here, here and here.

I’m pretty confident that I can get us to these places just with the knowledge in this book. Let’s ditch the tour. Let’s keep them for the intercity transport obviously, and the hotel nights that we’ve already paid for. But I’m done. I refuse to eat frozen peas and ham in Italy. I know I can do better. We ditched the tour and we went around like Rome at night and we took a day trip out to Stonehenge that she’d always wanted to see and that wasn’t in our itinerary. She said, “Are you sure?” And I said, “Yes, mom. You just get on the train and then you get off the train and then you’re there.”

I had taken public transportation for high school. So I was already very familiar. I got us around Europe with the Europe for Dummies book and we had a better time with the itineraries that I picked from the book then with whatever was pre-planned professionally by Trafalgar. That was my first instinct where I can do this travel thing and I can do it well. When I was graduating law school, I realized that I had done seven years of schooling without any study abroad period because I was so busy running for student government, being on the model UN team, being super over involved. I actually purposely took a class in international law to be able to then apply to work with law reform commissions around the world for summer. I got accepted to work with the Australian Law Reform Commission in Sydney.

The year before I graduated law school, I spent a summer in Sydney, Australia by myself. Everybody else doing this program was going with someone else from their school. I went on my own, I knew I would figure it out. That was my first time being literally across the world, a whole different opposite time zone from everybody I knew. I did not know anybody. I think for the three week mark–when you get really hit with homesickness, where you’re like, oh, I miss all the foods. I know I miss talking to people. But once you make it over that hump, then you actually think this is awesome. I never wanna go home. I loved Australia. I had a great time. I mean, I met a kangaroo, a koala while I was there.

I saw the Sydney Harbor bridge and the Sydney vivid lights. I met a handsome guy there who was one of the cutest guys I’ve ever dated. I had a whole time there in Australia that was amazing. I knew I liked travel and it wasn’t something I had a lot of time for when I started practicing. The year before my 12 trips in 12 months challenge, when I transitioned from the private law firm to the nonprofit law firm where I at least had federal holidays at least I didn’t have to work on Christmas at least I had, 4th of July off, I actually did a mini challenge and I took six trips that year to Machu Picchu, to Barcelona, to Rocky Mountain National Park. I loved it so much that was part of what sparked the then 12 trips in 12 months challenge. And now it’s what I do for a living.

Lisa Niver:

Yes, you do. So you have five bestselling books on Amazon where you are really helping people do some of what you did. You have the flight information and you have this whole series of incredible books and your memoir is coming next year, which will be even more inspiration. One of the things I think that people don’t realize is how much in the moment you have to be when you’re traveling. When you’re out, you have to focus on finding where to eat and the train. For me, it is very invigorating. One of the things in your TED Talk, you talked about loneliness as an epidemic and loneliness as something dangerous. People do get so worried, who will I go with? Who will I talk to? Can you speak about that. I know for myself, when I was traveling in Asia, if you are by yourself, everybody wants to know what are you doing? And if you stay in a hostel, everybody bands together, I went to the Xi’an Warriors from a hostel and we all went on the bus following the directions from the Lonely Planet. Get on bus six and get off after four stops and walk six blocks. Just like you said about Italy, it doesn’t seem that hard.

Jen Ruiz:

It can be intimidating, especially for women who have this fear of going alone, of eating alone, of safety. Having grown up in Philadelphia, gone to law school in Baltimore, which are crime heavy places, I felt like I could survive pretty much anywhere. I’d taken self-defense classes. I know avoidance is the best self-defense. If you see something crazy, walk across the street, give yourself distance to be able to react. I love eating alone. It’s my favorite thing to do. I do it all the time, even when I’m home, because it means I can eat anything I want and stuff my face completely. I don’t have to worry about being dainty. I don’t have to worry about anybody watching me.

Jen Ruiz:

I can always get the appetizer, the drink and the dessert. I don’t have to pick one. I can do all of them. And then abroad you actually have wifi in restaurants, it’s much less of an issue. But at the time, sometimes cell service was spotty, so being at a restaurant was the one place where I can actually take my time and decompress. I can look through my pictures, upload things, message my mom, make sure she knows I’m okay. I could take that time just for me. And I loved it. I have always been asked, a table for one, and then next thing you know, everybody wants to talk to me. I just came back from Easter Island where I sat down trying to mind my business have a calm dinner.

Jen Ruiz:

I really wanted to have a fancy fish, something really nice. By the time I left dinner that night, which we closed down the restaurant, my entire table was full. Everybody had come to talk to me, first it started with the waiters, then other people from other tables. And I thought, this is what happens. Because when you are in your element, I feel like I’m a light. I’m shining a light and I attract people and I attract things to me. I had an entire opera dedicated to me in Florence because I got there early, which for Italian time is like super early, right? So I was there before anyone else and I spoke to some of the people that are here at the ticket booth and the performers.

Jen Ruiz:

I just was happy and excited. I had good energy and I had paid an extra $20 to sit in the front row. Which I don’t think anybody my age did as there was nobody my age at an opera in Florence. It just wasn’t the top billing for people. But I was really excited to be in this intimate setting, which felt like a church turned performance venue where you could really hear the acoustics. I was really loving it. Halfway through the opera, the man stopped to say we wanna dedicate a song to a special lady in the front row. And I’m looking around wondering who are they dedicating this to? And it’s me. I’m a special lady. And then this man sang to me in the most beautiful Italian song with his deep voice.

Jen Ruiz:

It was so wonderful. And it’s those moments where I feel beyond elated and I just can’t believe that that’s my life. And I get to live in that moment, in that body, it makes me feel alive. It can go either way when I’m vibrating on a much lower frequency, when I’m angry, when I’m annoyed I can chase people away without them even coming near me, right? Like they sense it and the next thing you know, they do a beeline and all of a sudden everything around me is clear. But when that energy is on in the right way, it is endless. The amount of things that come to me all the time, all the free things, everybody that wants to show me stuff, everybody that wants to give me gifts. Like, it’s insane.

Jen Ruiz:

And it really just comes from being happy. I know that that’s crazy and it’s not something that we as Americans really know about or ever live in that element, but just having that attitude of gratitude, curiosity, happiness, to be there, just a general excited energy, it brings so much to me. Whereas I feel or most of us, we live in a state of constantly stressed out, constant scarcity and that repels people and it repels experiences. When I was coming back from one of the trips, I remember telling my brother exactly this and how I just feel so different when I’m traveling than I do when I’m in the office. I feel like a completely different version of myself and I don’t like who I am when I’m in the office. I don’t like who I am when I’m in the courtroom, almost like a warrior trying to like decapitate the opponents, being so vicious and so mean.

Jen Ruiz:

And I love who I am when I’m traveling and my brother said, why don’t you figure out a way to have that same energy all along? I said, ” You are right. I shall quit my job and I shall do this all along. I should just travel all the time. You are correct.” He said–that’s not what I was saying. I still feel that way even though I do it for work, which makes it a little bit more serious than when I do it for leisure. I never get somewhere and forget how lucky I am that people are there to share with me their life’s work. Waiting to meet me excited that they can show me what they do in hopes that I can share it with others.

Jen Ruiz:

It is such a privilege to do what I do and that’s why I don’t care where it is that I’m doing it. I met two indigenous artists in Oklahoma last week and they were waiting there for me the entire morning just to show me their paintings, their textiles. They said- we’ve researched you. We’re following you on Instagram. We’re so excited to meet you. And it’s an honor that people feel that way about me. And even if that meant that I was up at 4:00 AM to catch the 6:00 AM flight. Immediately, I get energized when I have those interactions. And that’s why I know I’m in the right career.

Lisa Niver:

Wow. Well you are definitely a masterclass in being open to opportunities and being grateful and forging your own path. Because you said I’m not giving into the societal pressure of this is what’s meant to be or supposed to be. You are living many people’s dream life as you know. Before we close, I’ve been asking all my guests since my book is coming out soon. I did 50 challenges before I turned 50, and obviously you did your 12 trips, but it was really 20 ‘before you turned 30. I’ve been asking people the most worthwhile challenge and I think you’ve shared so many already. Maybe there’s something about if you give a challenge to other people or what is next for you? You have this huge library of successful books. You’ve clearly traveled all around the planet. Is there a challenge that you are looking forward to or something you haven’t done yet?

Jen Ruiz:

I’m still trying to be the very best version of myself. So right now I am doing a lot of personal challenges. I’ll be running my first half marathon next February. I really want to get in the best shape of my life because I feel like I’ve been very critical on myself, on how I look. I’ve never worn a two-piece bathing suit, even when I was in my twenties. And I could have then. I look at it now and I can’t believe you thought you didn’t look good. Are you crazy? Now it’s, it’s much difficult in my thirties. I’d like to be the healthiest version of me. I’d like to really feel strong and so that’s something that I’m working towards getting to the gym regularly, training for that half marathon, being healthy outside and also being healthy inside.

Jen Ruiz:

I’ve done a lot of work — different therapy, different coaching, really wanting to figure out what are my triggers, how can I better manage them, how can I be more kind and forgiving to myself, less judgmental, things like that. And doing the deeper work that I don’t think you really even think about until you start to see, well, how can I improve myself? Because I think it’s so easy to say it’s everybody else that’s wrong. Instead of what is it about me that I still need to work on? And I still have a lot of things that I’ve identified. So it’s felt very much like an internal and external journey to try to be the best version of me that I can. And I don’t know that this is something I can put a timeline on or be like by the end of the year I’m gonna have it nailed down pat.

Jen Ruiz:

My money mindset was a big thing I had to work on when I switched from law because I thought do I deserve to get paid to do what I do? Do I deserve to be paid more than I did as an attorney? Was being an attorney a more important job than what I do now? Should I just be so grateful to just be hosted instead of asking for money for the work that I do? And so I’ve worked a lot on mindset, I’ve worked a lot on internal things and it’s constant work. I’m very interested in continuing to develop myself internally and externally so that I can be really proud of that final product. I still feel like I’m rough around the edges and I’m trying to shine and mold it and make it into the best it can be. I don’t know that that’ll happen before 40, before 50. It’s probably ongoing. I find myself still sometimes falling back into scarcity and I have to remind myself –you are abundant. You can make things happen so it’s not a set timeline that I can say I’m gonna write 30 blog posts in 30 days or anything like that. But it is my biggest challenge at the moment and something that I’m interested to committing a lot of time to.

Lisa Niver:

Well I can’t wait to keep following you on your journey. I know everyone else is excited about your upcoming book, your current books. So where do people find you? Do you have a certain platform? What’s your best website? How can people learn more?

Jen Ruiz:

Yeah, absolutely. So you can find me at jenonajet plane.com, like leaving on a jet plane. And same thing on all the socials, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook at @Jenonajet plane and on Amazon-my books are under Jen Ruiz.

Lisa Niver:

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. You really are inspiring and I can’t wait to read your books.

Jen Ruiz:

Thank you, Lisa. Likewise.

LISTEN on APPLE PODCAST: MAKE YOUR OWN MAP

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BRAVE-ish at Penn Bookstore Nov 10, 2023

Penn Bookstore window with BRAVE-ish! Photo by Kiera Reilly, Penn Homecoming Weekend 2023

Penn Grad Lisa Niver will be joined by her publisher and fellow Penn grad Debra Englander to discuss her travel memoir Brave-ish at the Penn Bookstore.

DATE: Nov 10, 2023

TIME: 5:30-7pm ET

RSVP: CLICK HERE to register for this free event.

LOCATION: Penn Bookstore 3601 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104

Thank you to the Penn Bookstore, Penn Gazette, Wharton Magazine, Penn Women’s Studies, Penn Women’s Center, and Penn English Department for helping to promote my event!

From Wharton Magazine as seen in the Penn Women’s Studies Newsletter: Center for Research in Feminist, Queer, & Transgender Studies
Program in Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies
News and Events, October 30 – November 5, 2023

Author Event: Lisa Niver presenting Brave-ish
Friday, November 10, 2023
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Location: Penn Bookstore
This location is ADA accessible

Penn Women’s Studies graduate Lisa Niver will be joined by her publisher and fellow Penn grad Debra Englander to discuss her travel memoir Brave-ish.

While Brave-ish chronicles Niver’s inspiring expeditions to distant corners of the world including Myanmar, Cuba, Morocco, Kenya and Mongolia this is more than a travelogue. Niver’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of perseverance. Brave-ish inspires readers to dream big, take risks, and embrace the unknown to create a life filled with wonder and excitement, even when courage seems elusive.

Lisa Niver is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 102 countries on six continents. This University of Pennsylvania graduate sailed across the seas for seven years with Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Renaissance Cruises and spent three years backpacking across Asia. Discover her articles in publications from AARP: The Magazine and AAA Explorer to WIRED and Wharton Magazine, as well as her site WeSaidGoTravel. On her award nominated global podcast, Make Your Own Map, Niver has interviewed Deepak Chopra, Olympic medalists, and numerous bestselling authors, and as a journalist has been invited to both the Oscars and the United Nations. For her print and digital stories as well as her television segments, she has been awarded three Southern California Journalism Awards and two National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards and been a finalist twenty-two times. Named a #3 travel influencer for 2023, Niver talks travel on broadcast television at KTLA TV Los Angeles, her YouTube channel with over 2 million views, and in her memoir, Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty.

Debra Englander is a consulting editor at Post Hill Press. She has worked at John Wiley, Money Magazine and has written for Poets&Writers, USA Today and other publications. She is a Penn graduate.

Check out our website to find more information and RSVP to this event!

On the Penn University Life Calendar of Events: From Wharton Magazine:

Part travelogue and part inspirational memoir, Brave-ish is the latest release of @LisaNiver C89. Join us at her upcoming event at the @pennbookstore.

WHERE: Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St

WHEN: Nov 10 @ 5.30pm

Learn more: https://t.co/WcFeUagFpe pic.twitter.com/ldO10h1iBt

— Wharton Magazine (@whartonmagazine) November 3, 2023

My memoir in the PENN GAZETTE Briefly Noted!

My book in the Penn Bookstore window–reposted by the Penn Gazette!

Hurrah, Hurrah, #Pennsylvania! Hurrah for the Red and Blue! Thank you to my nephew, Masaki, for capturing my #BOOK at The Penn #Bookstore! #event: Nov 10! @pennbookstore #PENN @BNBuzz @BNcollege @PennClub @Pennalumni @Penn @penn @PennLifelong @PennGazette
I am so honored to be… pic.twitter.com/4aejaExGEw

— Lisa Niver (@LisaNiver) September 27, 2023

SPEAKERS:

Lisa Niver, Penn 1989, Photo by Judith Gigliotti

Debra Englander

The post BRAVE-ish at Penn Bookstore Nov 10, 2023 appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Thank you Frequent Traveler University!

Frequent Traveler University invited me to be part of its November seminar series. I loved speaking about How Scuba Diving Changed my Life! Please see below for some of the videos and articles I shared in my talk. Thank you to Frequent Traveler University for including me.

Frequent Traveler University Virtual Seminar on November 4, 2023. Enjoy live lectures and Q&A with the speakers.

Schedule

The event begins at 8:15 AM Pacific Standard Time (PST) on November 4, 2023. 

Welcome and Introduction Jamie Larounis Upgraded Points

State of Delta Chris Carley Eye of the Flyer

SCUBA Changed My LIFE: Diving Adventures AROUND the WORLD

Lisa Niver We Said Go Travel

Google Flights John Ryan Boogie Miles

I shared some of my favorite scuba trips and tips–click here to read many of my scuba stories.ARTICLES and VIDEOS
Bonaire: “Is Scuba Diving in Bonaire Bucket-List Worthy?”Turks and Caicos: I love to dive here!FIJI: Saving the Fijian Crested IguanaSolomon Islands: Smithsonian Magazine: “Dive With WWII Wrecks in the Solomon Islands-75 years after the Battle of Guadalcanal, walk in the footsteps of history“Puerto Rico: Podcast for World Environment Day at Dorado Beach, A Ritz Carlton Reserve.Palau: The Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake, Two Tickets to Paradise, Koror, and Palau style.Destin, Florida: “My Unforgettable “Firsts” in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida“Safari in Tanzania and Kenya with Abercrombie and Kent
Hula-hooping around the world

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Exquisite Luxury at Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve: A Haven of Opulence

I have been fortunate to travel to Puerto Rico many times. It was my home port when I worked for Royal Caribbean International on the Rhapsody of the Seas and I filmed a webseries for Orbitz there as well exploring the fountain of youth in Ponce, El Yunque and Santurce. I was in town for the grand opening of Distrito T-Mobile and went to Bacardi to learn to make the ultimate pina colada!

But on this visit, I had the unbelievable opportunity to visit the exquisite luxury at Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

A dream come true at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve! From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in a world of luxury and refinement. Every aspect of my stay was a testament to the art of elevated living.

I loved my stay at Dorado Beach and spoke about it in my interview with Bloomberg Pursuits. “Travel is often about the perspective you bring and what you look for.”

I have been to Puerto Rico at every stage of my life and travel career. San Juan was a home port for me when I worked for Royal Caribbean; I loved to stroll in Old San Juan, listen to live music and visit the 500-year-old forts...Most recently, I had a villa with a private plunge pool at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and on World Environment Day, I planted trees with Dr. Richard Murphy at the Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Program.

I loved my incredible stay at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve! As I reflect on my experience, I can’t help but daydream about the other Ritz-Carlton Reserves that await my discovery: Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Thailand, the serene Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Bali, and the captivating Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Los Cabos. Each of these destinations is a masterpiece of luxury, a promise of indulgence in the most breathtaking surroundings imaginable.

Celebrating World Environment Day at Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Ocean Guardians Unite! I celebrated World Environment Day at Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

I was honored to interview Richard Murphy of Ocean Futures Society and co-creator of Ambassadors of the Environment at Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

The celebration was a perfect blend of inspiration, education, and action, bringing together passionate individuals from various backgrounds to commemorate this important day. The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the presence of Richard Murphy, a true legend in the field of marine conservation, who has dedicated an impressive 50 years to the Ocean Futures Society working with Jean-Michel Cousteau. I had the privilege of interviewing him, capturing his insights and experiences in this video podcast.

YES! I loved my suite with a private plunge pool at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve! I could walk out the floor to ceiling glass sliding doors past my private patio and pool and was steps away from lounge chairs on the water’s edge. It was just a few more steps to the restaurant and stunning pool area. This video has a tour of my suite and then lunch by the pool at Positivo.

Rejuvenating at the spa at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is pure magic! From the moment you step into this tranquil oasis, you’re transported to a world of relaxation and serenity. Indulge in luxurious treatments, surrounded by the beauty of the Caribbean. Immerse yourself in the cold plunge, which I LOVED! Then allow a skilled therapist to revive your senses and melt away stress for a journey of rejuvenation for the mind, body, and soul.

Grateful for the chance to RELAX at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Serenity at sunrise Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Ready to CELEBRATE?!?! Rum tasting in the library, sunset photos by the pool, birthday dinner party followed by drinks at our private plunge-pool and late night rose petal bath time! Thank you Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Celebrate Early and Often at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico

Celebrate Early and Often is one of my mottos! Thank you to Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico. I loved celebrating my BOOK Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. I loved my suite with a private plunge pool, direct beach access and the dreamy spa!

My hula hoop journey around the world has led me to paradise at Dorado Beach!

Hooping amidst the breathtaking beauty of this Ritz-Carlton Reserve is an experience like no other. Each spin is a celebration of joy, freedom, and the incredible journey that brought me here. I am so excited about my book Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty!

Gracias Puerto Rico

I loved my adventures in Puerto Rico! I have been many many times but this was the first time I stayed at both Fairmont El San Juan (see article) and Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve. See all my adventures in my VIDEOS and THANK YOU for all the support for my memoir!

More Puerto Rico:

Puerto Rico: Experience the Enchantment of the Caribbean Gem: Summer 2023 and Fairmont El San Juan

TODAY.com my article, “Family Fun in the Sun: Puerto Rico!”

2021 Adventures with the grand opening of Distrito T-Mobile

Welcome Distrito T-MobileWhere to STAY and Where to EATWhat to DO: Zip-line, Movies and Live EntertainmentPuerto Rico: Our Perfect Day Out at Frutos del Guacabo, the Beach and Bacardi Mixology Class!

2014 Filming for Orbitz Webseries: #RBQuests

Filming in Puerto Rico in Frankly Penn, More about PR filming by Richard Bangs

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Reese’s Book Club new Lobby Library at The Sheraton Grand Los Angeles!

Sheraton Hotels & Hello Sunshine’s Reese’s Book Club create a Lobby Library at The Sheraton Grand Los Angeles! Find your next favorite book and meet new book loving friends. Reese’s Book Club x Sheraton Lobby Library at Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Photo by Jennifer Chong

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts new program Gatherings by Sheraton helps guests and locals feel inspired by the stories and cultures of communities around the world, and ultimately get more out of their travels. Sheraton and Reese’s Book Club (RBC), a part of Candle Media’s Hello Sunshine, partnered to launch the first-ever Reese’s Book Club x Sheraton Lobby Library in Los Angeles.

“Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, with its rich legacy, has always stood as a place where communities come together, and Gatherings by Sheraton is an extension of that ethos,” said Amanda Nichols, Global Brand Leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. “Given our commitment to being ‘The World’s Gathering Place,’ we’re excited to partner with Reese’s Book Club, the Internet’s biggest book club. Through books, we dream; through travel, we live those dreams. Now, guests and book enthusiasts from every corner of the globe can come together at Sheraton and create new stories, connections and memories.”

“At Hello Sunshine, we believe that books bond us – they have the incredible power to connect people across borders, cultures and experiences. The power of storytelling to inspire and connect a community are at the foundation of Reese’s Book Club and we’re thrilled to partner with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts on this special program and continue to unite global communities and inspire conversation through the joy of reading,” said Sarah Harden, CEO, Hello Sunshine. “We’re excited to see how a shared love for books will create meaningful moments and lasting connections in Sheraton lobbies around the world.”

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A post shared by Lisa Niver (@lisaniver)

As the most global brand within Marriott Bonvoy®’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, Sheraton’s new Gatherings by Sheraton program aims to create moments of connection for hotel guests and locals through hosted experiences rooted in the themes of Enrichment, Renewal and Local Stories – from immersing yourself in Hiuwai, the Hawaiian ceremony of Mind, Body, and Spirit renewal as part of a regenerative travel experience at Sheraton Waikiki, to local sake tasting and paper crane making at Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel, to learning about sustainable fishing practices from local fishermen at Sheraton Lima Historic Center, and more.

Memoir Masterclass by Tembi Locke, From Scratch

At the heart of the program, Reese’s Book Club x Sheraton Lobby Library, will pop up at select hotels worldwide, beginning with Sheraton Grand Los Angeles, October 11 through November 12, and followed by Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel and Sheraton Grand London Park Lane in early 2024. Sheraton’s new Lobby Libraries will serve as the official backdrop for signature “Beyond the Page” moderated speaker series. The series will feature emerging and celebrated women authors from Reese’s Book Club’s curated network, as well as book tours and signings. Guests can also discover the full back catalog of Reese’s Book Club picks, as well as new genres and local book selections, either by cozying up inside the Lobby Library, checking out a book to enjoy in the comfort of their guest room, or purchasing a copy to take home.

Select Sheraton hotels worldwide will host monthly book club meet-ups celebrating Reese’s Book Club’s monthly drops, for lovers of literature and those who are merely book club curious, to gather and connect. The brand is also collaborating with BookTokers, pairing them up with different Sheraton hotels across the globe to host BookTok meetups with Reese’s Book Club for guests and locals to join in on.

Hotels will also encourage guests and locals to gather, read and discover through other Gatherings by Sheraton programming, including author spotlights, DIY workshops centered on book binding, engraving and embossing, book swap programs, literary trivia nights, and more.

Why this partnership now? Books and travel share a captivating symbiosis that transcends mere pages and destinations. Like the turning of a page, embarking on a travel journey is full of excitement and unexpected discoveries. Both offer an invitation to explore cultures, histories, and landscapes beyond immediate surroundings. Whether a self-professed book lover or a casual page turner, Sheraton and Reese’s Book Club are creating a gathered community where more of us are reading together and discovering new experiences.

My Favorite Reese’s Book Club Books

I love books! I was an early reader and often was reading more than one book at a time growing up. One of my most favorite places to go as a child and as an adult is to the library. I appreciate all the book selections in Reese’s Book Club and have written about many of them!

I wrote about Glennon Doyle’s book for Ms. Magazine: “Untamed”: Brave Means Living From the Inside Out:

Reading Glennon Doyle’s memoir, Untamed, is diving into an adventure of what we can become. We collectively grow stronger as we are more willing to ask hard questions…Reading Glennon Doyle’s memoir, Untamed, is diving into an adventure of what we can become. We collectively grow stronger as we are more willing to ask hard questions….When I chose to leave my marriage and the continent I was on, many people called me brave. I found it challenging because I did not feel courageous—and in fact looked both words up in the dictionary, often trying to understand what they were telling me. Continue reading

I wrote about Christie Tate’s memoir, Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life, where she shares her shift from believing she will never be enough to having her dreams come true for Thrive Global.

Women in America often ask themselves, “When will it be enough?” and perhaps more importantly, “When will I be enough?”…I highly recommend this book which I loved and read all in one day. I felt like I was right there with her on the bad dates, in the group therapy sessions and I wanted to go grab some plates from my kitchen and break them when she broke hers. Keep Reading…

Watch our interview about her new book BFF on my podcast:

For Ms. Magazine, I wrote “Eve Rodsky Wants Feminist Partners to Play Fair!”

In order to pick up all of these “invisible” tasks, there is a cost to women’s health, professional goals and personal relationships. “This ‘time tax,’ where women are burdened with more than our fair share of childcare and domestic work,” Rodsky explains, “compromises every aspect of our lives—our relationships, career, sense of identity and physical and mental health. Our perception of men’s time as finite versus women’s time as infinite, or weighted differently in any way, must change if we ever want to achieve true liberation....But what also resonated with me was Rodsky’s definition of “Unicorn Space”—the “rare, magical and essential” time where one partner in a relationship gets to focus inward and “reclaim the interests that make you uniquely you, stoking your passion and driving you to be the best version of yourself.” Reclaiming this space is part of Rodsky’s second rule: reclaiming our right to be interesting. Keep Reading

Fair Play Eve RodskyBrene Brown’s book, Braving the Wilderness, is on the list and I wrote about her book, Daring Greatly, as inspiration for one of my 13 travel writing competitions!

“Daring greatly is not about winning or losing. It’s about courage.” I realized after reading her books and listening to her talks that I am doing enough. When my focus is on Courage, Compassion and Connection as my goals, I remember that I am good enough.

I wrote about Reese’s pick, The Rules of Magic, for Thrive Global in Escape into Fiction this Fall:

Many of the books on my list are set in other locations and times because I missed traveling. Magic Lessons begins with Maria Owens, “in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby.” Maria learns the “Unnamed Arts” and the story takes place in England, Curaçao and Salem, Massachusetts. I loved reading about familiars, green magic, Grimoire and the history of the mysterious Maria from the first two books.

It felt strangely familiar to read about how “in the year 1675, when Maria turned eleven, there was another epidemic, of smallpox. Some towns and villages were emptied of all of their inhabitants, and the doors to houses swung open and robbers ruled the roads.” I felt like part of the magic as this tale wove its way through different locations, family members and tragedies. Remember, “Fate is what you make of it. You can make the best of it, or you can let it make the best of you.” During this time of uncertainty between COVID and the election, I liked reading about “Avra kadavra, I will create as I speak, I will force into being that which is impossible and illogical, all that is against the rules of men.”

I also wrote about Untamed and Wild for Undomesticated Magazine in an article called A Reinvention Reading List about the journey to writing my memoir when “these books felt like a flashlight in the darkness of winter, and helped me find my way and myself again.”

I wrote about both Wild by Cheryl Strayed and The Henna Artist in this Ms. Magazine article called, “8 Books That Will Transport You:“

Wild  came out in 2012 while I was on an 18-month adventure in South East Asia. During my travels, I conquered my fears and did two eight-day treks in Nepal with no sherpa. I fell madly in love with this book and Strayed’s honest account of the challenges on the Pacific Crest Trail. When she named her backpack, Monster, I remembered when I had a breakdown in the REI store because I felt so overwhelmed to think that all my belongings had to fit in the bag, and I had to lug it around with me.

I also wrote about Cheryl Strayed’s book, Brave Enough, which helped me feel braver!

FROM MS. MAGAZINE: 8 BOOKS THAT WILL TRANSPORT YOU:

While author Alka Joshi’s story starts in 1955 in Jaipur, India, I have to admit some of her descriptions reminded me of my travels there in 2013. I spent three months on the public bus traversing the sub-continent—and her descriptions of the colorful saris, delicate samosas and other tasty treats reminded all my senses (especially my sense of smell) of my adventures.

Women’s lives are intertwined from the village, to town, from one town to another and one life to another. The way that boys become men, and men act like boys, causes many dramas and traumas in this tale. The women find ways to run away from one life but are often surprised by the ways it catches up to you.

I was able to interview Alka Joshi for Thrive Global, “Writing and Rewriting during COVID with Alka Joshi.” And she interviewed me on her show, Reimagine:I wrote about Alka Joshi’s second book for the Jewish Journal and cannot wait for book three! Read all about it here: Travel back to India: The Secret Keeper of Jaipur

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I also wrote about The Secret Keeper of Jaipur for Thrive Global in an article called Sizzling Summer Reads: Feel All Your Feelings. Thank you to Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine for creating Reese’s Book Club and bringing more light to all of these incredible books!

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All Ghouls Gala 2023 for Autism Care Today

All Ghouls Gala 2023 for Autism Care Today was on Saturday, October 28, 2023. We had a spooktacular evening with frights, fun, and fabulous costumes at our haunted gathering.

Celebrities gathered at the All Ghoul’s Gala, to pay tribute to Joe Mantegna, Dr. Temple Grandin, and Areva Martin, Esq. and fundraise for Autism Care Today!

Celebrities and influencers gathered at the second annual All Ghoul’s Gala, to pay tribute to Joe Mantegna, Dr. Temple Grandin, and Areva Martin, Esq. for their tireless work lending their voices for individuals on the autism spectrum. The adult Halloween fundraising event benefited Autism Care Today! and took place at the Woodland Hills Country Club on Saturday, October 28th in Woodland Hills, California. Autism Care Today! is a national charity that provides grants for families affected by autism for everything from safety equipment to insurance co-pays.

We gathered to fundraise, raise awareness, and to honor those who elevate the autism community. We also had a lot of fun.”

— Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh PhD. BCBA-D, founder of Autism Care Today!

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Lending Your Voice Honorees: Dr. Temple Grandin, Joe Mantegna and Areva Martin, Esq.

The All Ghouls Gala honored special guests with the “Lending Your Voice” award. This award goes to a person, entity, or work of art that has elevated the conversation of what it means to be differently abled, and those who uphold the belief that “different” is never “less.”

Joe Mantegna, the first award recipient, is an award-winning actor best known for his roles on CRIMINAL MINDS, THE GODFATHER, SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER, and his Emmy-nominated portrayal of Dean Martin in HBO’s film, THE RAT PACK. He is also beloved for his performance of “Fat Tony” on THE SIMPSONS and as the dying father of a young man on the spectrum in the critically acclaimed series, AS WE SEE IT. As a father to two talented young daughters, one who is on the spectrum, Joe has been an outspoken advocate and tireless ally to those on the spectrum. Actor Fred Melamed presented the award to Mantegna and spoke of the immense respect he commands as an actor and an advocate. Mantegna accepting the award presented ACT with a $5000 check to acknowledge the charity’s work.

Celebrity Host BJ Korros presented the “Lending Your Voice Award” to Areva Martin, Esq. Martin is an award-winning civil rights attorney, media personality, autism advocate, author, and entrepreneur. She is known for her pioneering work at the intersection of autism and social justice. She is Founder and President of the Special Needs Network, and as such has raised millions of dollars for autism and related causes. Notably, Areva Martin has successfully launched California’s first-ever comprehensive medical and developmental center at the Jacqueline Avant Child and Family Center. She is the host of AREVA MARTIN IN REAL TIME on KBLA 1580, the only Black-owned and operated drivetime national news and podcast network in the United States. During her acceptance speech Martin spoke about need for organizations and charities to work together to help underserved populations.

Erin Murphy, who famously played Tabitha on the original Bewitched show, presented the award to Dr. Temple Grandin. Grandin is an international speaker and award-winning author. Her early life was the subject of the Emmy Award-winning HBO film, TEMPLE GRANDIN. As a young autistic woman, she broke down gender and neurodiversity barriers in the cattle industry to rise and become an internationally renowned expert in the design of meat processing plants. Dr. Grandin is a full professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She balances her time between teaching, writing award-winning books, and traveling the world to let others know about life and work on the spectrum. In her acceptance speech, Dr. Grandin emphasized the need to include autistic individuals in the work force and capitalize on their strengths, for the greater good of all.

Celebrities attending the event included many popular actors from classic TV. Maureen McCormick who famously played Marsha Brady, on THE BRADY BUNCH, and Larry Thomas, the Soup Nazi on SEINFELD joined stars from current shows like William Stanford David from ABBOT ELEMENTARY and Coby Bird from Netflix’ Locke & Key along with many other celebs.

Sponsors for the event included J.P. Morgan Private Bank; UBS; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC: Duffy Kruspodin, LLP, Dr. Halloween, The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), The Autism Network, Ask Dr. Doreen, Autism Live, and Wen by Chaz Dean.

Autism Care Today is a national nonprofit501(c) (3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness and provide treatment services and support to families to help their children with autism achieve their full potential. Your donation will help children find their voice using communication devices, ensure their safety by installing fencing around their homes, pay for their invaluable therapy copays and so much more. Proceeds from our fundraiser will go directly to grants for families affected by autism.

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Prevalence: The CDC estimates that 1 in 36 children in the United States has
an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis. Every child with a diagnosis is part of a
family.

FACT: Supporting an individual with autism spectrum disorder costs a family
$60,000 a year on average. The cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with
early diagnosis and intervention. According to a recent study, the lifetime costs of
autism average $1.4 million to $2.4 million.
ACT helps families to be able to afford treatment, services, and support they might not
otherwise be able to afford. Families are able to request a grant for what their individual
need is.

FACT: Being nonverbal at age 4 does not mean that a child with autism will never
speak. Research shows that, with early treatment and support, most will learn to
use words and nearly half will learn to speak fluently.
ACT provides grants for co-pays so a family can maximize their insurance benefits toward
fostering vocal and non-vocal communication.

FACT: Children with autism are 160 times more likely to drown than typical
children. Therefore, it is critical to teach them to swim and to utilize intensive
safety measures when water is nearby.
ACT gives grants to families for safety equipment including fences, pool, window, and door
alarms as well as tuition for swimming lessons.

FACT: Each person with autism spectrum disorder is a unique individual; people
with ASD differ as much from one another as do all people. Children and adults
with ASD may speak or interact with others. They may have good eye contact.
They may be verbal or non-verbal. They may be very bright, of average
intelligence or have cognitive deficits.
ACT give grants to families for what they request. One family may need an iPad, another
might request help with camp tuition, and someone else might need help paying for an
assistance animal specially trained to detect seizures. The needs are not one size fits all and
neither are the grants.

Autism is more common than juvenile diabetes, pediatric AIDS and pediatric cancer combined. Early and intense therapies have been proven to be effective yet most children go without due to financial restraints. Autism Care Today fills a necessary gap by providing assistance for these children today to ensure they have a better tomorrow.

Since 2005, Autism Care Today has distributed more than $1.85 Million in grants of up to $5,000 to more than 1,562 families with autism. As our organization has grown, so has our ability to provide assistance. In 2011, Autism Care Today began distributing grants quarterly. Autism Care Today’s Quarterly Assistance Program provides families with real help by directly paying their child’s service provider for services they would otherwise not be able to afford. Areas of support include but are not limited to: Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy, speech and occupational therapy, bio-medical testing, supplements, assistive technologies (i.e.- iPad, communication apps), safety equipment (such as safety fencing, GPS tracking devices and autism service dogs), social skills groups, special needs summer camps, and many more.

Autism Care Today grants are designed to provide access to individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. Grant payments will be made directly to pre-approved treatment providers, assessors or materials vendors.

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