Meet the Experts
Brandy Gleason
Brandy Gleason is the CEO of Gleason Media, LLC., chief writer at Gleason Family Adventure and editor of American Roadtripping, and creator of the Ohio Road Trips Facebook group. She has written four books, 100 Things to Do in Ohio’s Amish Country Before You Die, and co-wrote the Ohio section of Midwest Road Trip Adventures and Midwest State Parks, 100 Things to Do in Ohio Before You Die, and just turned in Unique Restaurants and Eateries of Ohio. She has spoken at National Conventions on education and at travel conferences, was a brand ambassador for THOR Industries in 2021, and is currently a brand ambassador for Heartland RVs as a Jayco Pathfinder. She has won numerous awards for her work in social media and writing at the Midwest Travel Network Conference.
Brandy loves to travel and explore and has a passion for the environment, sustainability, and the outdoors. She buckles up for a road trip whenever she can, and the driving force behind her writing and social media is to encourage others to find their own adventures. One of her favorite quotes is “In order to write about life first you must live it,” by Ernest Hemingway, and she fully embraces each day.
Sara Broers
Sara Broers, a lifelong Iowan, is a professional travel writer, content creator, and the CEO of Travel With Sara. As the co-owner of the Midwest Travel Network, Sara has become a leading voice for tourism in the heart of America, earning the 2019 Outstanding Individual Leader award for Iowa Tourism. She is the author of 100 Things To Do In Iowa Before You Die and Perfect Day Iowa. With a career in blogging that dates back to 2008, Sara’s work is consistently ranked as the #1 Iowa travel blog by Feedspot. When she isn’t highlighting the hidden gems of the Midwest, she can be found hiking in the Rocky Mountains or enjoying the sandy beaches in Alabama.
Megan Bannister
Megan Bannister is a freelance writer and content creator based in Des Moines, Iowa. Megan is passionate about telling the off-the-beaten-path stories often found in America’s flyover country. She is the author of Iowa Supper Clubs and Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure as well as the forthcoming book, Small Town Iowa. Her work has appeared in various print and digital publications, including Tripadvisor, Allrecipes, Time Out, Roadtrippers, and Far & Wide. In addition to her freelance writing, Megan publishes on her own website, Olio in Iowa, which is inspired by offbeat destinations, roadside attractions, and “world’s largest” things. She also writes a Substack called Wandering the World’s Largest, which offers a deep-dive into oversized attractions across the United States and beyond. Her now-viral TikTok video series, World’s Largest Wednesday, has garnered almost 9 million views and showcased more than 100 big things. When she’s not on the road, you can find Megan working in her garden, waiting in line at an estate sale, or spending time with her orange cat, Poe.
Melody Pittman
Melody Pittman is the voice behind Wherever I May Roam, an MSN-syndicated travel platform inspiring readers to explore road trips, small-town gems, multi-generational travel, cruising, and foodie finds across the U.S. and beyond. A seasoned travel writer and content creator, her work has been featured in USA TODAY 10Best, Travel Awaits, Matador Network, Business Insider, The Local Palate, Go RVing, She Buys Travel, and more.
A lifelong traveler, Melody is especially passionate about uncovering hidden gems, charming destinations, and memorable experiences that connect people to a place. She is the co-author of 100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die, a tribute to her home state and deep roots in Almost Heaven.
Melody is also the co-founder and host of Southern Travelers Explore travel conference (#STE), now in its 8th year, bringing together travel creators and destination partners from across the country.
A proud grandmother (“GB”), Melody embraces multi-generational travel and inspires others in the 50+ space to keep exploring. After years of RV life and living in Nevada, she now calls Jacksonville, Florida home and is always planning her next adventure.
