The noteworthy advantage of Blog Talk Radio (or any “Internet radio” service) is that not only can you listen live, but the shows are usually archived if you can’t be there at broadcast time, plus they’re also downloadable for later listening on your iPod or other digital audio player.

It gives radio/audio the worldwide reach that it never had before, as I discussed in this post about online radio and destination marketing for the Beaumont, Texas CVB (Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.)

Des and I talked about my background in travel, how Becky McCray and I launched Tourism Currents to teach tourism professionals about social media, and why businesses need to ensure a strong Web presence as customer search and interaction preferences shift online.

I loved having a fun chat with someone halfway around the world, and the time zones worked in my favor since it was afternoon my time, but very early morning for Des.  :)

Here is our episode:  talking social media, travel and tourism with Des Walsh.

(This is cross-posted on my Sheila’s Guide to the Good Stuff blog.)

Lesson for me: stop trying to do too much and you’ll have a better time as a traveler!

I’m going to have you click this URL link for my New York audio post, because (just like the last time I tried this) every time I try to embed the player, it plays someone else’s random audio post, and I never have time to get ahold of anyone at Utterli to say….FIX THAT!

Best wishes from NYC….

(Ignore the player below while I work with Utterli tech support)

(Update 2010 – unfortunately the Utterli service is now defunct, so the recording is gone.)

The four dynamite women known as the Traveling Mamas have always been some of our most stalwart Family Travel Logue supporters (photo courtesy the Traveling Mamas.)

They hail from California, Louisiana, Arizona and the Colorado Rockies — I’ve known Jennifer, Shannon, Beth and Kara individually as writers, but now that they’ve banded together, it’s a lot easier to keep track of their activities!

We met in person for the first time here in Kansas City, where we are wrapping up the Travel Media Showcase conference.

I grabbed three of them in a hallway and we did a quick audio interview using my cell phone and the Utterz Web site.

Mama Shannon is not here because she’s tied up with post-Hurricane Gustav business in her Louisiana hometown; can you help out some Moms down in Baton Rouge, LA?

—>Click here to listen to the Traveling Mamas two-minute audio interview on Utterz.<—