Where Wanderers Compass Has Been Featured and Recognized

“We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.”

jimmy Neil smith

Below is a list of all the publications, podcasts, freelance work, and television media appearances in which Wanderers Compass has been featured.

In 2023, a whole new, exciting, and transformative direction began for Wanderers Compass Travel Blog. We had the honor of being named one of the Top 10 Most Incredible Travel Experts by LA Weekly, which was a total surprise! At the time, we were still growing in the travel blogging space, so receiving such recognition was both unexpected and incredibly humbling. Being featured on that list opened up numerous new opportunities, including media coverage that exceeded our expectations. In 2024, we expanded into freelance work, which we had not anticipated. We’re thrilled to share the milestones we’ve achieved and the progress we’ve made.

We are very active now in freelance writing, a new avenue for us to explore alongside our regular travel content. It’s a thrilling challenge that allows us to dive deeper into sharing our experiences, and we’re excited to continue this alongside our growing online presence. As we publish new articles, we’ll ensure that they are shared here for your enjoyment.

In 2025, we launched our own Podcast channel, Wanderers Compass. Our show airs on the second Monday of every month. Come check us out and hear about our travel adventures.

In 2026, we launched our digital magazine, Wanderers Compass: A Big Blend Podcast Magazine. New issues once a month.

Throughout it all, our mission has remained the same: to create engaging content, inspire readers to embrace the joys of travel, and share our passion for exploring the world. We’re fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel when life allows, and we look forward to sharing more stories and adventures with you in the future.

How did we get here?

How did we turn our dreams into reality? It’s all thanks to you, our amazing readers. Your support and interest in our stories, travels, photography, guides, tips, and resources have made all the difference. We’re so grateful to have you with us on this incredible journey. Your encouragement and feedback keep us motivated to deliver the best travel content we can.

And to our family and friends who have supported us from the very beginning, thank you. Your patience, your edits, and your unwavering belief in us have been invaluable. We wouldn’t have made it this far without you.

Here’s to the next chapter of our travels and the adventures ahead!

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It does take a village, and we have an awesome one! To learn more about our story, visit our About Us page.

Publications/Podcasts/Press Releases/Television Coverage where Wanderers Compass has been featured

Freelance Work

1. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough, Our First Book: Founders in Focus: Unstoppable Entrepreneurs & Their Game Plans, Chapters 6 & 7, Published January 2026

2. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough, Dubai, Reconsidered What We Found When We Finally Said Yes; Wanderers Compass A Big Blend Radio Podcast Magazine, January 13, 2026

3. Joelle Machia, Best Pizza Chain 2025, Panel Expert, Newsweek Magazine, July 2, 2025

4. Ryan Slough Best Fast-Food Chain 2025- Readers’ Choice, Panel Expert Newsweek Magazine May 22, 2025

5. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough, Whisky and History: Exploring Edinburgh Castle Podcast June 9, 2025

6. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough, Exploring the Presidio, San Francisco’s Best-Kept Secret, Parks, and Travel Magazine, May 12, 2025

7. Joelle Machia quoted in How to Bring Castlecore Elegance Into Your Home, Rent.com/Blog, May 9, 2025

8. Joelle Machia  Dalida: Mediterranean Magic in San Francisco’s Presidio FWT Magazine April 25, 2025

9. Joelle Machia, Best Pick-Your-Own Fruit Farm Panel Expert, Newsweek Magazine, May 8, 2025

10. Joelle Machia, Best Coolers Panel Expert, Newsweek Magazine, April 24, 2025

11. Joelle Machia, Best Petting Zoos Panel Expert, Newsweek Magazine, April 10, 2025

12. Joelle Machia, Best Amusement Park Live Show  Panel Expert, Newsweek Magazine, March 27, 2025

13. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough The Thrill of Castle Hunting Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine March 21, 2025

14. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough 8 Things to Love About Easter Island (Beyond the Moai) FWT Magazine March 21, 2025

15. Our First Podcast: Castle Hunting Around The World, Big Blend Radio & TV, March 14, 2025

16. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough Exploring Montepulciano: A Guide to Tuscany’s Historic Hilltop Town and Its Famous Wines on Wanderlog.com March 12, 2025

17. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough Dubrovnik Old Town Walls: A Must-See Croatian Landmark Hero Traveler March 10, 2025

18. Joelle Machia, Best Tour Operator  Panel Expert, Newsweek Magazine, February 13, 2025

19. Joelle Machia, Best Free Museum Panel Expert, Newsweek Magazine, January 30, 2025

20. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough Tokyo Adventures: 4 Unique and Fun Things to Do FWT Magazine January 25, 2025

21. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough, Iceland Glacier Lagoons: The Ultimate Guide to Jokulsarlon, Fjallsarlon & Diamond Beach Guide to Iceland Website, February 3, 2025

22. Joelle Machia, ” How Business Leaders Can Evaluate Their Effectiveness Over Time Forbes, December 3, 2024

23. Joelle Machia, How Business Travel Builds Better Leaders, Forbes, November 22, 2024

24. Ryan Slough Best Whiskey – Readers’ Choice Panel Expert Newsweek Magazine October 10, 2024

25. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough A Journey on the Cumberland Valley Family Adventure Trail FWT Magazine October 18, 2024

26. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough Kinderijk Windmills Ultimate Guide to Visiting The UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Netherlands Guest Post on herotraveler.com November 2024

27. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough Cologne Cathedral History, Architecture and Things To Do Guest Post on herotraveler.com January 2025

28. Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough Mas Olivier Winery: Authenticity Amidst Mass-Produced Traditions FWT Magazine August 30, 2024

29. Joelle Machia, contributing to 20 Steps Entrepreneurs Can Take To Level Up Their Businesses Panel Expert Forbes June 28, 2024

30. Joelle Machia Cultural Intelligence: Navigating Cross-Cultural Business Interactions Forbes July 26, 2024

31. Joelle Machia Dear Business Traveler: Step Off Your Balcony To Enjoy The Real Perks Of Business Travel Forbes September 17, 2024

32. Joelle Machia, Travel Writers Taste Yakima Valley Wines from Two of its 120 Wineries, FWT Magazine. June 25, 2024

33. Joelle Machia Best Aquarium – Readers’ Choice Panel Expert Newsweek Magazine March 14, 2024

Contributor Spots

1. Joelle Machia Roaming the Globe: The Quest to Uncover the Best Pubs, Bars, and Breweries Around the World (2024) Article Ritz

2. Joelle Machia, Staying Safe and Healthy: A Guide to Navigating Health Emergencies While Traveling (2024), Posting Tree

3. Joelle Machia, How Traveling Can Transform Your Life? (2024) The Enterprise World

4. Ryan Slough First Time Traveling Abroad? Here is Everything You Need to Know (2024), California Business Journal

Podcasts

1. Our Tenth Podcast on Wanderers Compass, Discovering Dubai: Where Tradition Meets Modern Life, January 12, 2025

2. Our Ninth Podcast on Wanderers Compass,
Chesapeake Stories & Coastal Charm: Exploring Maryland’s Eastern Shore, December 8, 2025

3. Our Eighth Podcast on Wanderers Compass,
Exploring Sustainable Tourism: A Global Perspective, November 10, 2025

4. Our Seventh Podcast on Wanderers Compass, Exploring the Susquehanna River Valley, October 13, 2025

5. Our Sixth Podcast on Wanderers Compass, Easter Island, September 8, 2025

6. Our Fifth Podcast on Wanderers Compass, Exploring Ireland Through a Child’s Eyes, August 11, 2025

7. Special Episode Collaboration, Historic Main Streets, Downtowns, Villages & Plazas, Big Blend Radio & TV, July 31, 2025

8. Our Fourth Podcast on Wanderers Compass Channel, Epic Adventures in Turkiye: Ancient Cities, Culture and Cuisine, Big Blend Radio & TV, July 14, 2025

9. Our Third Podcast on Wanderers Compass Channel, Whisky & History; Exploring Edinburgh Castle, Big Blend Radio & TV, June 9, 2025

10. Memorial Day collaboration with Big Blend Radio, Honoring Service: Acts of Kindness, Travel, and Military Appreciation, Big Blend Radio & TV, May 26, 2025

11. Our Second Podcast on Wanderers Compass Channel, Exploring The Presidio: San Francisco’s Best-Kept Secret, Big Blend Radio & TV, May 12, 2025

12. Our Inaugural Podcast on Wanderers Compass Channel, Travel Writer Success Insider with Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough, Big Blend Radio & TV, April 14, 2025

13. Our First Group Podcast Spring Garden Party Big Blend Radio & TV March 21, 2025

14. Our First Podcast: Castle Hunting Around The World, Big Blend Radio & TV, March 21, 2025

Media Pieces Written About Wanderers Compass

1. Joelle Machia and Wanderers Compass: Redefining Transformational Travel with Purpose (January 19, 2026) CEO Weekly

2. Forttuna Global Excellence Awards 2025 Global Edition: Where Visionaries Forge the Future (2024)
Boston Herald and various other publications, such as AP News

3. Introducing the Icons of Influence: The Forttuna Group Unveils The Forttuna Global 100 (2025)
Various New Organizations

4. Meet the 15 Leading Travel Experts (2024)
MSN

Check out #2

5. Top 10 Most Incredible Travel Experts for Adventure Lovers Worldwide (2023)
LA Weekly

We are listed at #9

6. Wanderers Compass Travelers Joelle and Ryan Named Top Ten Most Incredible Travel Experts by LA Weekly (2023)
Yahoo Finance

7. Meet Joelle Machia (2025) Canvas Rebel

8. From Military Service to Global Exploration: How Army Veteran Ryan Slough Found Healing and Purpose Through Wanderers Compass Travel Blog (July 2025)
Luxury Travel Magazine

9. Planning the Perfect Getaway in 2025: Top Travel Solutions You Can Trust (October 2025)
Just Luxe

10. Why Wanderers Compass Founders Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough Say Meaningful Travel Begins on the Roads Less Traveled and How to Plan Adventures That Truly Matter (2025)
Elite Luxury News

11. Globetrotters Ryan & Joelle Share Essential Traveling Tips On Wanderers Compass (2023)
INSC Digital Magazine

12. The Wanderers Compass: Travels of Bloggers Ryan & Joelle Shared Through Breathtaking Photos (2023)
The Hustlers Digest

13. Castle Hunters: Travel Bloggers Ryan & Joelle Share The Tales of Exploring Over 350 Castles on Wanderers Compass (2023) Bulletin Feed

14. The Inspiring Story of Travelers Ryan and Joelle: Creators of the Popular Blog, Wanderers Compass (2023)
RedX Magazine

15. Cash-strapped but Got Itchy Feet? Fuel Your Wanderlust with Travel Bloggers Joelle and Ryan (2023)
NetNews Ledger

15. Redefining Travel: Content Creators Joelle and Ryan Explain Why a Great Travel Itinerary Is Important (2023)
Buzz Sentinel

16. Stories of Exploration: Globetrotting Duo Ryan and Joelle on Pursuing Their Dreams Through Wanderers Compass (2023)
Miami Daily Post

17. Joelle and Ryan from Wanderers Compass Share Five Reasons Why Travelling is Necessary (2023)
The Ohio Daily

18. The Wanderers Compass: Here’s How Ryan and Joelle Inspire Others for Travel and Adventure through Breathtaking Photography (2023)
London Daily Post

19. Travel Bloggers Joelle and Ryan Highlight Five Experiences That Should Not Be Missed While Traveling (2023)
Influencer Daily

20. Raise a Glass to Global Flavors: Explore the Best Libations from Around the World with Wanderers Compass (2023)
Disrupt Magazine

21. Healthy Travels: Oncology Nurse Joelle from Wanderers Compass Shares Pro Tips to Stay Healthy during International Travels (2023)
LA Progressive

22. Press Release Wanderers Compass Travelers Joelle and Ryan Named’ Top 10 Most Incredible Travel Experts’ by LA Weekly (2023)
Markets Business Insider

23. Press Release Wanderers Compass Travelers Joelle and Ryan Named’ Top 10 Most Incredible Travel Experts’ by LA Weekly (2023)
Market Watch

24. Embark on an Adventure with Joelle and Ryan’s Wanderers Compass (2023)
Readers Digest UK

25. From Anxious to Wanderlust: Finding Freedom in Travel with Joelle and Ryan (2024) The Chicago Weekly

26. Veterans’ Restorative Journeys: Exploring with Wanderers Compass (2024). The Chicago Journal

27. Travel Light, Travel Far: Essential Packing Strategies from Wanderers Compass (2024), Women’s Journal

28. The Rise of Authentic Travel: Beyond Perfect Social Media (2024) World Reporter

29. Ryan Slough named International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association Member of the Month, December 2024

30. Wanderers Compass Travelers Joelle and Ryan Named Top Ten Most Incredible Travel Experts by LA Weekly (2023)
Business Insider

31. North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) August Featured Journalist of the Month: Ryan Slough (2025)

Interested in how you can travel for free? Check out our article here.

Television Interviews

1. Great Day Colorado Interview with Ryan

2. Wanderer’s Compass blog: Helping others realize their travel dreams
Massachusetts WWLP Mass Appeal Show

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