In a world that rarely pauses, this episode of Speaking of Travel is an invitation to breathe. To slow down. To remember that wonder still lives just outside our door and within our own hearts.

Meet Sue Wasserman, Travel and Tourism Director for Explore Burnsville, NC, a writer, nature photographer, devoted critter sitter, and a self-described general meanderer who knows how to pause for life’s most beautiful moments.

Sue’s life has been shaped by the rhythms and quiet wisdom of Southern Appalachia, the hush of forest trails, the courage of wildflowers blooming in unlikely places, the stillness that teaches us how to truly be present. Her story isn't about rushing toward a destination. It's about honoring the space between.

At the heart of our conversation is the gentle truth that creativity, healing, and self-discovery often begin the moment we give ourselves permission to pause.

Sue shares how embracing her creative spirit, sparked by a transformative studio tour experience, shifted something deep within her. What began as admiration became ownership. What once felt like admiration of others’ gifts became a claiming of her own.

She reminds us that nature doesn’t lecture. It simply models resilience, patience, and grace. Trails don’t hurry. Seasons don’t force. Wildflowers bloom when they’re ready.

And maybe we can too. Sue’s presence is a soft but powerful reminder that travel is certainly about going somewhere new, but it’s also about coming home to ourselves.

As she so beautifully says, “When I slow down enough to notice the light on a leaf or the way a trail curves out of sight, I remember that life invites me to pay attention and not rush."

This is a conversation about presence. About wonder. About saying yes to unexpected opportunities. About remembering what truly matters.

If you’ve been feeling hurried, scattered, or unsure of your next step, this episode is your permission slip to slow down and trust that the path is unfolding exactly as it should.

Tune in!

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