Today’s spotlight goes to @Deborah Barron , our 4th official member here in One Step Away Travelers 🎉 Deborah joined the group in November after being personally invited, and we love having early members who help shape the feel of the community from the ground up. This group is designed to be a low-pressure place to think through travel ideas, ask questions, and get clarity before committing whether that’s your next trip or just figuring out what kind of traveler you are right now. If you see Deborah in the comments, say hi 👋And Deborah, if you’re comfortable sharing: - What kind of trips are on your radar lately? - Anything you’re curious about or hoping to learn here? We’re really glad you’re here ✈️🌍

This came from a great question asked by @Christine Berencz , and I thought it was worth opening up to everyone here: What activities on board a cruise actually make you want to join a group instead of going solo?(Think examples like themed cruises, music-focused sailings, creator-led trips, or experiences like Sixthman-style cruises.) Not asking about ports or destinations for this one — just the onboard experience. Some prompts if it helps: - Is it shared events (concerts, talks, themed nights)? - Built-in social time that doesn’t feel forced? - Learning experiences, workshops, or behind-the-scenes access? - Or honestly… just knowing you won’t be the only one traveling solo? There’s no right answer. I’m genuinely curious what pulls you toward a group cruise versus booking on your own. Jump in with whatever comes to mind 👇 [SIGNAL | INSIGHT-MINE | CRUISE | GROUP-VALUE | 2026-01-XX]

Travel is better when you realize you’re not the only one nearby 👀 👇 Jump in:• Drop a map or travel-themed GIF• Comment your city / region• Tag someone nearby if you spot them 📍 Here’s the community map Quick poll: Anyone near you?

As we head into January, I want to set a goal that directly benefits you: 👉 Reach 100 members in One Step Away Travelers. Why? Because you’ve already made something clear —New Orleans is high on the interest list. So here’s the deal 👇 🚶‍♂️ “Invite One, Travel Better” Mini-Challenge If this community has helped you feel more confident, connected, or clear about travel, I’d love your help growing it intentionally. How to participate (simple + human): - Invite one person who’d genuinely enjoy this space - After you invite them, comment: “Invited ✔️” That’s it. No leaderboard. No pressure. Just momentum. 🎉 What Unlocks When We Hit 100 Members When we reach 100, I’ll unlock a private live planning session: 🟣 Live Event: Planning New Orleans — Together - What people actually want to do - Best time of year - Budget comfort zones - Food, music, culture, free time vs structure This won’t be a sales pitch — it’s a co-creation session. 👉 Based directly on that session, I’ll then build an official New Orleans group trip for later this year. ⭐ First 100 = First Dibs Anyone who is part of the first 100 members will get: - 🎟️ First access to the New Orleans trip - 🔓 Early details before it’s shared publicly - ✈️ Priority booking window (before any outside promotion) This is my way of rewarding the people who helped build this from the ground up. This community already feels special. Let’s turn that into something we actually go experience together. If you have questions, ideas, or want help inviting the right person — just comment or DM me. Let’s make 2026’s travel plans start now. 💙✈️ [MILESTONE | ROAD-TO | 100 | GROWTH → TRIP | NOLA | 2026-01-XX]

Hey travelers 👋You’re going to start seeing a new Wednesday post here — Travel Mood Wednesday. Yes, it’s fun. But it’s also quietly doing some important work behind the scenes. Here’s why it matters (plain English): Skool pays attention to:• Comments• Reactions• Member-to-member replies• Activity coming from many members (not just me) When more of you jump in — even in small, low-effort ways — it signals:👉 This is an active, valuable community. Active communities get shown. Shown communities grow. 🚀 The Goal (Saying It Out Loud)Help One Step Away Travelers climb the Discovery pages. More visibility → more aligned travelers finding us → more momentum for conversations, connections, and trips. 🎥 How Travel Mood Wednesday Works Every Wednesday:• I’ll post one simple prompt• You respond with a GIF• No overthinking• Mood > clever That’s it. 🔁 If You Want to Help (Optional but Powerful)On Wednesdays:1️⃣ Drop a GIF2️⃣ Reply to at least one other traveler3️⃣ React to the GIFs you relate to That tiny loop goes a long way. 🎥 Why GIFs Work So Well• Low effort to participate• Easy to respond to others• Encourages reactions naturally• Shows personality, not pressure This is a team sport — and this is one of the easiest ways to contribute without adding anything else to your plate. I’ll keep an eye on our Discovery ranking so we can see what’s actually moving the needle. 📊 Current Discovery Rank: 440 👇 Today’s Travel Mood Wednesday Prompt Drop a GIF that captures your current travel mood — dreaming, planning, stuck, ready, chaotic, relaxed… all of it counts. Here’s mine 👇(If there’s a sloth involved, mind your business 😄) [ENG-MAG | SERIES | TRAVEL-MOOD-WED | DISCOVERY | RPT | NEXT: 2026-01-14]