Gather & Go is turning 100!
No, not 100 years old, of course. But this episode marks the 100th of your favorite travel podcast — and we’re celebrating in a creative way.
On this special episode, guest host Erik Young puts Brian in the hot seat and interviews him about the origins of Gather & Go, the process of producing an episode, his favorite guests and more. Plus, we have news about rising hotel taxes in Chicago and bunch of amazing FAM and travel opportunities in the U.S. and around the world.
Podcast: Embed
Celebrating with Behind the Scenes Details
For this special 100th episode celebration, Brian shares lots of behind-the-scenes details about the show, plus some secret confessions he has never revealed before.
When you listen, you’ll learn what childhood hobbies led Brian into podcasting, what he loves (and dreads) about making each episode, his thoughts on whether you should start a podcast for your company, and honest reflections about some of his favorite episodes. Brian also participates in his infamous end-of-interview questionnaire — and finds the answers even more difficult than he expected.
Plus, we’re pulling back the curtain on:
- Where we finds podcast guests
- How you can be on the show
- Our biggest takeaways from 100 episodes
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Find Group Collect: The Podcast at groupcollect.com/groupcollect-the-podcast.
Apply for a spot on our Kentucky student FAM at grouptravelleader.com/ky-fam.
Apply to join our Savannah FAM at grouptravelleader.com/savannah-fam.
Apply for Collette’s VIP Travel Opportunity in Japan or Spain at grouptravelleader.com/2026-collette-ride-along.
Learn more about our upcoming travel opportunities at grouptravelleader.com/fams.
Key Moments From This Episode
2:49 — Travel News: Chicago’s increasing hotel tax
4:15 — News From Us: FAM travel opportunities
9:31 — Brian’s thoughts on reaching 100 episodes of Gather & Go
11:12 — The ideas that sparked the podcast
13:03 — Is the Route 66 traveler aging out of the marketplace?
15:40 — How we make an episode of Gather & Go
21:25 — Where do we find podcast guests?
25:27 — How Brian prepares for podcast interviews
28:44 — Our favorite podcast guests so far
32:00 — Should you start your own podcast?
36:56 — How to be a guest on Gather & Go
39:10 — What Brian has learned from 100 episodes
Watch the Full Interview
See the full interview with Brian and Erik on our YouTube channel.
About the Podcast
Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly.
You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.
