If you've followed my work for more than the last 1-2 years, you'll know that I used to teach travel journalism and storytelling workshops (and, as my students have told me, I was pretty good at it).
Teaching came naturally to me, and I miss it, so I've decided to bring it back.
If you want to learn more about how to work with tourism boards and publications in 2026, stay tuned for an announcement coming very soon. 👀
xx Yulia
Inside Going Places 🏠
The latest stories
This episode with Palestinian peace activist Aziz Abu Sarah is not new, but it is freshly relevant. Aziz has just come out with a new book, The Future Is Peace, which he co-wrote with his Israeli partner and collaborator Maoz Inon.
At a time when the present day feels especially bleak, with pain and injustice occurring across the globe, from Gaza to Minneapolis, I return to Aziz's philosophy: that hope is an action. It's something we create.
Take a listen here.
Yulia Denisyuk
Coming up on the podcast
We're taking a break on the show and will be returning with new episodes in March. (Catch up on all episodes here.)
Our guests next season will include a features director at Condé Nast Traveler, an award-winning travel entrepreneur in Jordan, and more.
Is there a guest you'd like to see on the show? We're open to suggestions. Hit reply and let me know who we should invite on the podcast next.
Paid Members Corner 🚀
This week's creator opportunities
🚀 A call for pitches on outdoor spaces with above-average rates – pitch by Fri, Jan 23
🚀 A comms role to connect the Latino communities in the U.S. to the outdoors – apply by Fri, Jan 23
🚀 An incubator for documentary storytellers with funding of up to $40,000 – apply by Fri, Jan 30
🚀 A newsletter challenge with a grand prize of $10,000 – enter by Sat, Jan 31
🚀 Post a 2-min video for a chance to win $100,000 – enter by Sat, Jan 31
🚀 Business Insider lifestyle editor is looking for first-person stories on moving for love, and more – no deadline, but pitch soon
🚀 A call for pitches from a new travel magazine – no deadline, but pitch soon
🚀 A grant funding reporting and travel costs for journalists, photographers, and filmmakers – rolling deadline
Find all the latest opportunities here.
Travel With Us ✈️
Spots for our upcoming trip to Jordan this June are starting to fill up. If you're on the fence about joining us, check out this interview with our recent traveler, Vanessa A., who talks about her experience as a first-time guest to Jordan.
🐪 Join us June 5-14, 2026, on a 10-day trip to Jordan. We'll visit the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman, and many off-beaten spots in between, taste Jordan's award-winning flavors, and meet extraordinary individuals like the renowned artist who designed the country's newest currency.
Last day to book is Fri, Apr 17, 2026.
In The World 🌍
A narrative consultant
A narrative consultant is a new-ish term in the media industry that I'm starting to see used more often.
What does a narrative consultant do? They translate a place, culture, and values into editorial-quality narrative strategy and content, essentially blending storytelling with marketing.
This work often looks like creating a narrative direction for a campaign, product, or region anchored in communities, mapping storytelling frameworks (what travelers do, feel, and remember), and drafting editorial strategy and story angles tied to the brand's or destination's goals.
I've done narrative consultant work for clients ranging from small mom-and-pop operators to global tourism brands, and I'm opening a short-term consulting slot for one such project this quarter.
If you work for a travel brand, tour operator, or destination in need of senior-level storytelling support, reply to this email and let's talk.
Member discussion