Ep 157 w/ Neil Laird - A LGBTQIA+ Multiple Emmy-Nominated Director Who Has Travelled To Over 70 Countries

Winging It Travel Podcast

Hello and welcome to Episode 157 with Neil Laird, a TV producer, novelist, documentary maker, and avid traveller. Neil Laird is LGBTQIA+ and a multiple Emmy-nominated director of historical films for Discovery, BBC, PBS, History Channel, National Geographic, and many other networks.

For 25 years, he has produced over 1000 hours of "non-fiction" films about the ancient world whilst travelling to over 70 countries. His films feature crumbling Egyptian tombs, lost Mayan cities, and mysterious shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea. Today, we will discuss Neil’s ‘eye-opening’ backpacking trip, what it is like to make TV documentaries worldwide, and why he has changed course to write novels.

We discuss Neil's extensive travel experiences, the realities of working in the travel and media industry, and the evolution of travel over the years. Neil shares his insights on the challenges of documenting travel stories, the importance of local voices, and his transition from television to writing novels. The conversation also touches on the impact of streaming services on the industry, navigating travel as a gay producer, and the joys and fears of travelling to places like Egypt.

Takeaways

• Travelling for work can be less enjoyable than leisure travel.

• Experiences in countries can change drastically over the years.

• Documenting travel stories requires a different approach than traditional storytelling.

• Local voices are crucial in sharing authentic travel experiences.

• Transitioning from TV to writing novels can be a fulfilling creative outlet.

• The television industry is evolving due to streaming services and changing viewer preferences.

• Travelling as a gay producer comes with its own set of challenges.

• It's important to support local economies when travelling to sensitive regions.

Neil Laird

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Winging It Travel Podcast
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Credits
Host/Producer/Creator/Writer/Composer/Editor - James Hammond
Podcast Art Design - Swamp Soup Company - Harry Utton
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1. Introduction to Neil Laird (00:00:00)

2. The Reality of Travel for Work vs. Leisure (00:02:46)

3. Chasing the Initial Thrill of Travel (00:05:33)

4. The Evolution of Travel Experiences Over Time (00:09:54)

5. The Changing Landscape of Travel and Tourism (00:16:44)

6. Documenting the Old Hippie Trail (00:19:59)

7. The Importance of Local Voices in Travel (00:24:45)

8. Transitioning from TV to Novelist (00:28:59)

9. The Creative Process Behind Writing Novels (00:32:49)

10. The Myths of Working in Television (00:36:36)

11. Navigating Travel as a Gay Producer (00:43:41)

12. Traveling to Egypt: Overcoming Fears (00:53:03)

13. The Challenges of Writing and Financial Stability (01:01:43)

14. Quickfire Travel Questions: Favorites and Recommendations (01:07:50)