Voices of Inspiration

Recent Episodes

Jan. 29, 2026

Inside a Thousand-Year-Old Village: Shen’ao and Eight Blessings Inn

Set in Shen’ao Village outside Hangzhou, this episode features a conversation with JoAnn Leung, who left her life in Shanghai to restore a 240-year-old courtyard house now known as Eight Blessings Inn.
Jan. 22, 2026

The Gift of Time at Qianhuang Bay

Recorded during a stay at Qianhuang Bay in Xiling Village, Zhejiang Province, this episode features a conversation with homestay owner Zhu Xiaokui about opening his home to travelers and how cooperation—not competition—has shaped the village over time.
Jan. 15, 2026

A Walk for Peace and the Art of Diancha

At the base of Jingshan Mountain in Zhejiang Province, Amelia meets Zhang Hongyan, a second-generation tea practitioner. Zhang is a master of Diancha, the traditional practice of whisked tea that sits at the center of the Jin...
Jan. 9, 2026

Yinxing Guli in Changxing, China | The Ginkgo Corridor

This episode features Yinxing Guli Homestay in Changxing County, Zhejiang, China, located near the well-known ginkgo tree corridor. You’ll hear about a traditional herbal tea bath, moxibustion therapy, and an interview with the homestay owner discussing the meaning of the name Yinxing Guli, her bac…
Jan. 2, 2026

Yunqishe Homestay in China | Keeping the Wumei Tradition Alive

This episode visits Yunqishe Homestay in Changxing County, Zhejiang, China, where Mr. Fang Xiaoping continues the Wumei smoked plum tradition that has been practiced locally for more than 500 years. It highlights how Wumei is made, the role of rural homestays in Zhejiang, and how food traditions ar…
Dec. 19, 2025

Inside a Homestay in Zhejiang’s Tea Country | Miaoxi

This episode of Voices of Inspiration takes place in Miaoxi, a village in the Huzhou region of Zhejiang Province, China. The episode follows time spent at a family-run homestay and a conversation with the owner, Wang Ying, about daily life, hosting travelers, and her transition from working in f…

About the Host

Amelia Old Profile Photo
Amelia Old

With nearly 25 years in television, film, and digital media, my career began as a talent agent and grew into casting and production roles both on set and in the office. Those experiences provided a broad view of the industry and built a lasting appreciation for authentic storytelling.

My work includes photography, video storytelling, and media projects designed to highlight destinations in a way that feels real and connected. By focusing on the people and culture behind each place, I aim to create content that resonates with both travelers and communities.

As a Travel Advisor with Fora, the goal is to help people create trips they will never forget. Thoughtful travel with a story behind it matters most — meaningful moments, the people you meet, and the experiences that stay with you.

I am also the host of Voices of Inspiration, a travel podcast that shares real stories from the road. Through conversations with people around the world, the show highlights culture, perspective, and the ways travel connects us.

Scheduled for release by Reedy Press in 2026, my first book 100 Things to Do in South Carolina Before You Die highlights outdoor adventures, historic sites, local restaurants, and traditions that shape the state.