I created The Insatiable Traveler because I love world travel and I wanted to use my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned to help make your journeys the best they can be.

I photograph and write about amazing (often remote) destinations, exciting excursions, interesting cultures, nature and wildlife. Not to mention travel and photography tips. My hope is my photos and tales will inspire you to seek adventure (however you define it), and connect with the people and places you visit. 

(All photos are mine unless otherwise indicated)

I am a mid-western gal (from Michigan to be exact) at heart who considers herself a New York native after living over 20+ years in Manhattan.

For eons it seemed, I worked in communications. My last in-house position was V.P. of Corporate Communications at Condé Nast. At the end of 2012, four years into the economic crisis, my luck ran out, and I was laid off. (That sucked).

Over the next six years, I juggled a freelance career and a growing passion for photography–I always loved travel). By 2018 I was miserable; I no longer enjoyed the work that had fueled me most of my adult life. My profession had been my cornerstone, and seemingly all of a sudden, I hated it.

I was lost. Enter anxiety, depression, and confusion. Not fun.

I wanted to travel and photograph my adventures, but I’d have to start pretty much from scratch. Months went by, and I was paralyzed. Finally, thanks to good friends and an excellent therapist, I made the leap. Ironically, once I made the decision–and the sky didn’t fall–my anxiety vanished. Who knew?

Since then, while it’s scary to begin a new life after 40, I’m much happier, and I’ve had some incredible experiences, and there’s more to come. Is it easy? Hell no. But I’m going to keep plugging away.

2020 — Women’s Travel Fest 

Improving photography skills with storytelling

—SATW Virtual Conference judge for two sessions of “Why Don’t My Photos Sell or Win.” 

2019 — Fast Company Innovation Festival Fast Track with Shutterstock.

Travel and the future of photography. 

2018 — American Express: Panelist for the launch of The American Express Hilton Honors Card. 

Travel tips

2017 — ATTA Elevate Panel 

Free apps and technology to help small businesses  

Amateur Traveler

Award Winning Travel Blog and Podcast helping real travelers plan real trips to their own backyard or around the world.

Speaking of Travel with Marilyn Ball

 iHeart Media radio show/podcast, Speaking of Travel, broadcast each Sunday morning at 10:00 am on 570 WWNC. Listen anytime on the IHeart Radio app, Buzzsprout, TuneIn and other popular podcast platforms.