Selected Writing and Reporting
For a full look at my writing and reporting, check out my Muck Rack.
AFAR: The Secret Hack for Staying in a Country Longer
Article highlighting my experience obtaining a visa to study a language in a foreign country. (PDF)
AFAR: After Living, Traveling, and Learning Her Way to 100, Deborah Szekely Has Some Advice for You
Profile of Deborah Szekely, cofounder of luxury wellness destination Rancho La Puerta. (PDF)
AFAR: This Century-Old NYC Landmark Is Now a Luxury Hotel—Here’s What It’s Like
In-depth review of the Surrey in New York City. (PDF)
AFAR: Explore the World’s Oceans on These 7 Eco-Friendly Trips
A guide to sustainable marine tourism experiences around the world. A shortened version of this article appeared in the Spring 2023 print issue of Afar. (PDF)
Travel
QSR: ZaLat Pizza’s ‘Romantic Mission’ Kicks Into Gear
Profile of restaurant chain ZaLat Pizza. This story appeared in the November/December 2020 print issue of QSR magazine. (PDF)
FSR: Making Pasta and Pivots
Cover feature on chef Karen Akunowicz. This story appeared in the January 2021 print issue of FSR magazine. (PDF)
QSR: Why ‘Host Kitchens’ are the Next Big COVID Trend
Article on the popularity of host kitchens, where one restaurant leverages its facilities to serve as a ghost kitchen for another’s food.
FSR: Tipping the Scales
Analysis of COVID-19’s impact on the U.S. tipping business model. This story appeared in the November/December 2020 print issue of FSR magazine. (PDF)
Food + Beverage
ENTREPRENEUR: Starting a Business Empowered Jing Gao to Reclaim Her Name
Feature on entrepreneur Jing Gao and her Chinese food company Fly By Jing. (PDF)
ENTREPRENEUR: How Buddy’s Home Furnishings Acquired and Conquered Its Way to Huge Growth
Interview with Buddy’s Buddy’s Home Furnishings CEO Michael Bennett on its franchise development program. This story appeared in the January 2022 print issue of Entrepreneur. (PDF)
ENTREPRENEUR: A Record 4.5 Million People Quit Their Jobs in November
News article analyzing the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) report. (PDF)
ENTREPRENEUR: The Highest-Earning Franchise Categories, According to Research
Article on lucrative franchise categories based on a data from a Franchise Business Review report. (PDF)
Business
NC Health News: Fabian Tinsley is buried somewhere in this field. His family doesn’t know where.
Led an investigation on the death and burial of Fabian Tinsley, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution Butner. (PDF)
Chatham News + Record: What’s going in that empty Piggly Wiggly site, anyway?
Article on the future of a vacant Piggly Wiggly store. (PDF)
Other
Selected Editing
AFAR: This Lesser-Known Hiking Area in Puerto Rico Is Home to More Than 130 Bird Species
First-person piece on a writer’s hiking experience in Guanica State Forest. The piece won Gold in the Sustainable Travel category by the North American Travel Journalists Association. (PDF)
AFAR: Where to Go 2025
Feature on Jordan for Afar’s Where to Go 2025 package. This piece appeared in the Winter 2024 print issue of Afar. (PDF)
AFAR: A 331-Mile Trail in Japan Through Centuries-Old Villages Will Transport You to the Era of Shoguns and Samurais
A guide to Japan’s Nakasendo trail and post towns. (PDF)
Newsletters
AFAR: Celebrating Asian American Heritage Through Travel (PDF)
AFAR: The Most Charming Small Town in Every U.S. State (PDF)
AFAR: Exploring Puerto Rico Through the United Voices Program (PDF)
AFAR: Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (PDF)
AFAR: Say Oui to Paris! (PDF)
Selected Video
Longform
Best Places to Go As a Solo Traveler
Part of a video sponsorship series with Chase
Shortform
Audio
The Promise and Peril of Digital Nomadism
Podcast episode exploring the effects of digital nomadism from the perspective of destination experts and digital nomads. This audio piece was published as a part of Afar’s Unpacked podcast series.