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Mentorship, Leadership and Travel Protection: Lessons From Travel Insured’s Barbra Merwin

Sep 22, 2025
Humans of Travel  Podcasts  Travel Insurance  Travel Insured International  
Mentorship, Leadership and Travel Protection: Lessons From Travel Insured’s Barbra Merwin
Credit: 2025 TravelAge West

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Barbra Merwin, president of Travel Insured International, has more than 30 years of experience in insurance, beginning her career in the claims adjustment department at State Farm Insurance. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Merwin shares her personal journey — from her upbringing in Minnesota to leading a full company transformation and rebrand at TII.

Listeners will hear Merwin’s views on how travel insurance gives travelers much-needed peace of mind — and her vision for how travel protection can elevate the advisor–client relationship. She also reflects on the lessons learned early in her career, and her views on mentorship. Plus, advisors will get the inside scoop on what exactly should be included in a travel insurance policy, and learn more about TI’s travel advisor certification program.

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.

Credit: 2025 TravelAge West

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

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About Your Host

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of  TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

About the Show

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

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