In this heartfelt episode, host Amanda Bauner candidly shares her personal struggles amid political turmoil in the U.S. She discusses the impact of current events on her travel plans and explores why finding joy is especially important during challenging times. Amanda offers practical tips for cultivating joy in daily life and travel, emphasizing the value of community, resilience, and meaningful connections.

Resources from This Episode

• February 2025 Psychology Today article: "The Importance of Joy in the Darkest of Times" authored by F. Diane Barth, LCSW.

• HelpGuide.org's article: "Finding Joy During Difficult Times" authored by Stephanie Mihalas, PhD, and ABPP.

• Me and the Magic Episode 124: Microadventures for the Solo Traveler.

• Me and the Magic Episode 159: Why Your Travel Plans and Goals May Change.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, cruises, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

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Amanda Bauner is joined by MEI-Travel's Grace Korba to unveil the details of the Me and the Magic 2027 group trip, a 7-night cruise from New York City to Bermuda aboard the Norwegian Luna. This promises to be a great cruise filled with fun and friends. Learn more about this exciting trip and booking details here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

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If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

Host Amanda Bauner reunites with guests to recap their festive weekend at Dollywood during the Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration. They share stories about travel to Eastern Tennessee, their different accommodations, favorite Dollywood rides, top-notch holiday shows, shopping finds, local activities, and, of course, the famous cinnamon bread. The group also reflects on building friendships through travel in this heartwarming celebration of connection, adventure, and holiday magic.

Join us for our Seine River Cruise in September 2026!

Join Amanda Bauner and the Me and the Magic community on a 7-night Seine River cruise with AMA Waterways, round-trip from Paris, France, September 10-17, 2026! Find the itinerary, ship and stateroom details here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner welcomes Disney expert Tim Foster to share and discuss their top 10 Walt Disney World attractions. Together, they explore what keeps them returning to favorites like Tower of Terror, Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, and more, including personal stories, repeatability, and the magic behind the details. Their conversation blends nostalgia, Disney history, and insider tips, while celebrating the joy and wonder of solo and group travel.

Connect with Our Guest

Connect with Tim Foster at Celebrations Press.

Follow these links to purchase Tim Foster's books:

• "It's a small world": The Definitive Edition

• Spaceship Earth: The Definitive Edition

Join us for our Seine River Cruise in September 2026!

Join Amanda Bauner and the Me and the Magic community on a 7-night Seine River cruise with AMA Waterways, round-trip from Paris, France, September 10-17, 2026! Find the itinerary, ship and stateroom details here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode, host Amanda Bauner shares her ultimate road trip planning checklist, drawn from years of travel experience. She walks listeners through every stage of preparation for a road trip, including booking accommodations, vehicle maintenance, packing tips, and budgeting. This practical, detailed episode is perfect for anyone wanting to be "road trip ready."

Download the Road Trip Ready Checklist here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, cruises, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner explores famous filming locations around the world, from Hollywood and New York to London, Paris, and New Zealand. She shares her personal experiences visiting iconic sites and discusses how movies and TV shows like Stranger Things, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Ted Lasso have made these destinations special for fans.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, cruises, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner explores five common travel blind spots, especially for solo travelers. Amanda shares personal experiences and actionable strategies to transform these blind spots into opportunities for more ease, freedom, and joy. Amanda also shares an upcoming meet-up at Walt Disney World and upcoming group trips to Dollywood in November 2025 and a Seine river cruise in France in September 2026, and a special save the date for the first Me and the Magic group trip in 2027.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, cruises, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner welcomes Dollywood expert Katie Smith to dive into all things Dollywood and the surrounding eastern Tennessee area. They discuss the park's rich history, seasonal festivals like the Harvest Festival and Smoky Mountain Christmas, must-do attractions, local food recommendations, money-saving tips, and nearby sights. Katie shares insider advice for first-timers, details about Dollywood resorts, and her favorite holiday traditions.

Connect with Our Guest

Connect with Katie Smith at FairyGodKatie on Instagram and TikTok. Also, listen to Katie on the Popcorn Bucket Gossip podcast.

RSVP for our Dollywood Weekend Getaway!

Join us at Dollywood in eastern Tennessee for a magical holiday weekend getaway, November 7-9, 2025, during Dollywood's 40th anniversary celebration and the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival! RSVP here, or contact me to be invited to our private Facebook group as we plan the trip! Find all the trip details here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!