While perhaps not as well-known as my guidebooks and television show, my weekly public radio show is one of my favorite endeavors. Rather than being the guide, I get to be the curious traveler — acting as a conduit between experts and my listeners.
Thinking back to the roots of the show, I remember enjoying fascinating conversations with tour-guide friends and guidebook researchers. We’d debate the fine points of European travel and tour routes, and I’d think, “I find this so interesting…I wish more people could enjoy this conversation. If we simply had recorded this, it would have been great talk radio.” I asked my friends at KUOW whether they’d run a show if I produced it — and they said yes.
So, I gathered my staff and announced that we’d begin producing a public radio program. I found a great producer, Tim Tattan, and we designed a show. Twelve years later, Travel with Rick Steves can be heard weekly on 424 public radio stations, online, and as a podcast.
Last night, we celebrated our 500th episode with a surprise party for Tim. In this little clip from a longer video we shared at the event, you can see just how much I depend on Tim and his editing and production crew, Sarah McCormic and Isaac Kaplan-Woolner, to produce a beautiful show.
Me and Tim, celebrating 500 episodes. Check out that cake. (Photo: thetravelphile.com)
Thank you again to Tim, Sarah, and Isaac. Travel with Rick Steves is great because of your hard work and expertise.