The Truth About The Stories We Share
In a world of filtered perfection, we need stories that matter. This is where I share the tools I use to find them.
As a doctor turned journalist, I’ve spent decades dissecting how we tell the stories of the world and how we can try to do so with integrity. I don’t always get it right. But here is my archive of craft, ethics, and the ‘Be The Change’ philosophy, together with tools if you want to sharpen your own skills.
STAY IN THE LOOP
If you only read three things this week…
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Swimming with Manatees: What It’s Like and Why It Matters
Florida is known for its crystal, turquoise blue. So why am I deliberately slipping into the mud with a snorkel? To go swimming with manatees, that’s why. To search for and understand those gentle marine giants who carry with them an eco success story all of their own. Here’s an ethical guide to swimming with manatees.
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15 Sustainable Beach Tips That Will Surprise You (and How Alabama Is Leading the Way)
Responsible travel is changing, as these sustainable beach tips will show.
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The Search for the Best Ethical Travel Destinations
Where are the best ethical travel destinations? And what is ethical tourism? The results are in.
The Ethical Dimension
Be the change
Sustainable travel isn’t just about plastic-free water bottles; it’s about the footprint our stories leave behind. These are my field reports on responsible tourism and industry ethics.
Is Dark Tourism Ethical?
From concentration camps to disaster sites, what is it we are hoping to find?
What is Home Anyway?
Home is where the heart is, right? Not quite. Here’s why it’s worth taking a look at the deeper meaning of home.
Have We Got It Wrong About Marking Historic Milestones?
Every January sees the web fill with articles on the best places to visit in any coming year. But does any of it make any sense?
The Craft of Writing
Find the pulse
How to move beyond the postcard and find the pulse of a place. From narrative structure to the practicalities of a creative career.
Create your own travel journal
Capture, reflect, and treasure every moment of your journey with beautifully designed templates, useful prompts and hidden techniques.
Get the ultimate writer’s toolbox
Discover how to boost your writing skills with a digital toolkit of practical resources that make you write better, faster and with more confidence.
Boost your writing today
Discover how to turbocharge your writing with The Writing Boost, an online workshop series that teaches practical techniques to make your words more powerful and confident.
Write better, right now
Our Signature Writing Course…
Our ultimate guide to becoming a successful travel writer.
Strip the fluff away and learn powerful techniques to make your writing sing.
Including:
- Comprehensive training through weekly video lessons
- Exclusive access to private support
- Worksheets and checklists to track your progress
- A toolkit to tackle the blank page
Professional Equipment
The tools of the trade
From the gear I use in the field to the digital systems that keep the Lab running.
Twenty years of travel journalism, distilled into a system for responsible storytelling and creative craft.
Sharpen your skills
These tools are designed to support both your on-camera confidence and your freelance writing journey, helping you communicate more clearly and professionally across different formats.
Master the art of freelance travel writing
Discover how to launch your freelance writing career by learning how to pitch editors, craft winning submissions and land paid assignments.
Look and sound natural on video
Overcome fear and awkwardness in front of the camera with practical techniques used by professional broadcasters, so you can express yourself naturally and confidently on video.
YOUR TOOLKIT
Our Signature Writing Course…
A great way to make notes, keep stories and engage all the senses when you travel.
- Flexible formats
- 101 Journal prompts
- The science behind it all
