Give Me Some Good News

Episode 32: How Visit Mesa Built a Destination Media Brand with Ashley Stwertnik

This week on Give Me Some Good News, Caleb sits down with Ashley Stwertnik from Visit Mesa, host and producer of the City Limitless podcast, to unpack how destinations can become true media brands. Ashley shares the story behind launching a destination podcast, why authentic storytelling matters more than ever, and how Mesa has evolved from a spring training town into a thriving hub for outdoor adventure, culture, food, and community. The conversation dives into podcasting as a tourism tool, the importance of local voices, balancing polished content with authenticity, and why the future of destination marketing belongs to storytellers willing to take risks. From hometown pride to dreaming big in tourism, this episode is packed with inspiration for destination marketers, content creators, and anyone passionate about building community through travel.

Episode 31: Branding Bermuda – Luxury, Partnerships & the Power of Experience with Jamari Douglas

In Episode 30, we sit down with Jamari Douglas, VP of Marketing, PR & Communications at Bermuda Tourism Authority, to unpack what it really takes to build a world-class destination brand. From Bermuda’s iconic Pink Sale to high-impact brand partnerships and experiential marketing, Jamari shares how the island continues to stand out in a crowded global market—without losing its authenticity. We dive into: * How Bermuda balances luxury positioning with accessibility * Why partnerships only work when they truly fit your brand * The power of experiential marketing in driving visitation * How to actually integrate PR, paid media, and storytelling * What destination marketers should stop doing immediately This one is packed with insights for anyone in destination marketing, tourism, or brand strategy. Plus, Jamari shares some exciting personal news you won’t want to miss (very jealous of this tbh).... If you’re looking to rethink how your destination shows up in the world—this episode is for you.

Episode 30: From Bed Tax to Better Places – A New Era of Tourism with Terry Natwick

What happens when a destination stops focusing only on marketing—and starts focusing on stewardship? This week, we sit down with Terry Natwick from Discover Crystal River, Florida, the self-proclaimed Manatee Capital of the World, to unpack how a small destination is making a big impact through sustainability, community, and purpose-driven tourism. From restoring critical manatee habitats to launching an Eco Compliant Partner Program that rewards responsible tour operators, Terry shares how Crystal River is weaving sustainability into the very fabric of its brand—not as a reaction, but as a proactive strategy. We dive into: * Why owning your niche matters more than ever * The shift from “bed tax” thinking to destination stewardship * How to build real community buy-in (not just campaigns) * Turning sustainability from a buzzword into action * And why the future of tourism is about managing places—not just marketing them If you’re in destination marketing, this episode is a reminder: if you build a better place, the visitors will follow.

Episode 29: From Communications to Community Impact with Aaron Mullins

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Mullins, Executive Director of the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, to unpack what it really means to lead, connect, and tell a destination’s story. Aaron shares how his background in communications, from corporate leadership to working with U.S. senators, shaped his approach to running a DMO that represents 11 unique towns. We dive into the challenges of balancing those identities, the power of local storytelling, and why engagement at the community level is the foundation for everything. We also get into a topic we’re fired up about: destination podcasts. Aaron gives a behind-the-scenes look at launching a video-first, on-location podcast designed to bring Johnston County’s stories to life in a way traditional marketing simply can’t. A big theme throughout this conversation: DMOs aren’t just marketers anymore, they’re connectors, storytellers, and community builders. If you’re in tourism, marketing, or just love hearing how great destinations come to life, this one’s for you. And as always… just a little bit of good news to start your day.

Episode 28: Tourism Is Economic Development. Now Act Like It! with Christian Mengel

In Episode 28, Caleb sits down with Christian Mengel, Communications and Marketing Director for the St. Joseph, Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau, for a conversation that challenges how we think about tourism’s role in our communities. From a city built on westward expansion to a destination finding its next chapter, Christian shares how St. Joseph is leaning into its history while rethinking its future—and why tourism has always been at the center of it all. Together, they unpack a bigger question: Are DMOs truly being treated as economic development drivers—or are we leaving our seat at the table open? This episode dives into: * Why tourism is “cash in hand” economic development * The disconnect between DMOs and economic development teams * How destination marketers can earn (or create) their seat at the table * The importance of thinking like a problem solver, not just a marketer * Bold ideas on how DMOs can shape the visitor experience when the market won’t If you’ve ever felt like tourism plays a bigger role than it gets credit for—this one’s for you.