From Antarctica to Everywhere
In 2025, I reached my seventh continent.
Antarctica wasn’t just a destination—it was a milestone. Standing at the bottom of the world, crossing the Antarctic Circle aboard Quark Ultramarine, and then learning that my memoir BRAVE‑ish would live in the ship’s library felt like the ultimate full‑circle moment. My story was sailing through the icy waters I had just experienced, alongside explorers, scientists, and travelers chasing their own edges.
That moment set the tone for the year.
This annual roundup is my pause-and-reflect tradition: a look at the articles, awards, television segments, podcast episodes, speaking engagements, and adventures that shaped the year. It’s also a thank‑you—to editors, producers, audiences, readers, listeners, event organizers, and everyone who showed up with curiosity and encouragement. Your support continues to make this work possible.
Major Milestones & Firsts
• Seventh Continent: Antarctica with Quark Expeditions aboard Ultramarine
• BRAVE‑ish onboard expedition ships: Quark Ultramarine, Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze, and NCL Escape
• Podcast reach: Make Your Own Map now reaches listeners in 64 countries across all seven continents
• YouTube milestone: My channel surpassed 2.6 million views
• Book milestone: BRAVE‑ish officially turned two years old
Awards & Recognition
Journalism & Media Awards
• Telly Award Winner – Celtic Charm: Ireland Travel TV Special on The Jet Set TV (selected from over 13,000 entries)
• Southern California Journalism Awards
– 1st Place Winner: Lifestyle Feature (Podcast: Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway)
– 3rd Place: Online Journalist of the Year
– Five‑time finalist, including recognition for my podcast and Jet Set TV coverage of Icon of the Seas
• National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards (NAEJ)
FIRST PLACE for Anchor/Host!! ✨
J. RADIO/PODCASTS — J1. Anchor/Host
Lisa Niver, Make Your Own Map Podcast
“Make Your Own Map: Are YOU Ready to be BRAVE?”
https://bit.ly/43ovRBQ
Judges wrote: “The lighthearted approach to some potentially sensitive subjects makes this podcast an easy listen.”
AND…I also won SECOND PLACE!
“Tara Schuster Isn’t Afraid to Go There—And You’ll Be Glad She Did”
J7. One-on-One Interview, Arts/Culture Personalities
• Platinum DotCOMM Award
I’m honored to have now earned eleven journalism awards across the NAEJ and Southern California Journalism Awards.
Book Awards
• North American Book Awards (NABA): Gold Medal Winner – Inspirational Category (BRAVE‑ish)
• International Impact Book Awards: BRAVE‑ish – 10th award
• American Book Awards: Honored for travel and women’s issues
• BRAVE‑ish has now been recognized twelve times—an extraordinary milestone for a memoir that continues to resonate two years after publication.
Standing Strong as a Jewish Author
It isn’t always easy being a Jewish author in today’s world, especially amid rising online hate. I remain deeply committed to telling meaningful stories, amplifying diverse voices, and showing up with integrity and resilience. I’m grateful to the Jewish Journal and Brian Fishbach for including me in “Jewish Journal Wins Nine LA Press Club SoCal Journalism Awards from 18 Total Nominations”
Print, Digital & Broadcast Journalism
Print Features
• Pasadena Magazine (May/June 2025 Travel Issue) – Two Print Stories – Epic Antarctica Adventure: Paddleboarding, Helicopter Rides, and a Polar Plunge South of the Circle
– Luxury Meets Wilderness on This Canadian Arctic Safari With Polar Bears and Beluga Whales
• Pasadena Magazine – Ireland travel feature (print)
• Take 5 Magazine – Two‑page print spread on my 50 Things journey and beyond
Digital Publications
• Reader’s Digest and Booking.com
•Bored Panda: Nothing Prepares You For The Scale And Beauty Of Antarctica: My Adventure Of A Lifetime
Television & News
• The Jet Set TV – Celtic Charm: Ireland
• The Jet Set TV – Adventuring to Antarctica
• Spectrum News – Featured coverage of my Antarctica expedition
The Book: BRAVE‑ish
BRAVE‑ish turned two years old this year, and I continue to be humbled by where this story has traveled.
It’s now available in ship libraries aboard: • Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine (Antarctica)
• Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze
• Norwegian Cruise Line’s Escape
Thank you for every conversation, book club, stage, sanctuary, podcast mic, conference hallway, and message where someone said: “This book helped me take one small courageous step.” That is why BRAVE‑ish exists.
Speaking & Live Events
In 2025, I had the joy of speaking to audiences across the country, sharing stories of courage, reinvention, and finding joy through travel.
• The Adventurers’ Club – Galentine’s Day (Feb 13)
• Frequent Traveler University, Dallas: Finding Joy in Travel
– Plus an unforgettable moment hula‑hooping with Tom Stuker, the world’s most traveled man
• Brandeis University Alumni Books & Authors Spring Event
• Hadassah New Orleans – Virtual author event
• Torrance Library Summer Author Series (July 19): Living Brave‑ishly
• Nissan Summer Travel Summit – Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
– Featured in CarBuzz and Woman’s World
• AdWeek NYC 2025 – With The Female Quotient
• DEMA Dive Show – Author’s Corner
•CHUM Scuba Club of Houston – BRAVE‑ish scuba talk
Podcast: Make Your Own Map
Make Your Own Map continues to explore courage, curiosity, and creating a life shaped by intention.
Notable 2025 episodes include:
• Leading the Way: An Antarctic Expedition with Ryan McDevitt (Quark Expeditions)
• Tara Schuster Isn’t Afraid to Go There—and You’ll Be Glad She Did
Ireland: Neville’s Stories at Giant’s Causeway
The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Podcast, Google Podcasts, Audacy, Audible, Anchor, Pandora & iHeart Radio —and now reaches listeners in 64 countries on all seven continents.
Adventures in Video (Playlists)
Antarctica
• Bucket‑List Antarctica Expedition – Quark Ultramarine
Cruises & Sailing
• MSC World America – Inaugural Media Sailing
• Ruby Princess with Captain Marco
• Norwegian Escape Birthday Cruise (New Orleans)
• Windstar Cruises – French Polynesia aboard Star Breeze
Resorts & Celebrations
• Secrets Bahia Mita
• Velas Resorts Birthday Celebration
Cities & Culture
• Philadelphia Celebrations
• New York City Adventures & AdWeek
• Orlando & Kissimmee: Unexpectedly Luxe
Outdoors & Lifestyle
• Hiking in Park City, Utah
• Hollywood Bowl Summer Concerts
My YouTube channel now exceeds 2.6 million views—thank you for watching, sharing, and traveling along with me.
Teaching, Interviews & Community
• Travel Writer 101 – My Udemy course for aspiring travel writers
• Substack – Ongoing essays and reflections
Interviews & Media Features
iHeart Radio: Click here to listen in!!
At Zibby’s Bookshop, I had the joy of interviewing author Jennifer Lang—a full‑circle moment stepping into the interviewer’s chair at a live literary event.
The Jet Set TV: Adventuring to Antarctica
Media in Minutes: “Chasing Adventure: Travel Journalist Lisa Niver’s Global Odyssey” Thank you to Angela Tuell and Communications Redefined for this amazing interview!
Authority Magazine: Travel Journalist Lisa Niver: Second Chapters; How I Reinvented Myself In The Second Chapter Of My Life
Woman’s World: Best Travel Deals at Costco. Thank you Anna Traver for including me in your Woman’s World article, “How to Book Your Next Vacation Through Costco—The Best Travel Deals and Perks Explained.
Looking Back & Moving Forward
Each year builds on the last. If you’d like to explore earlier chapters:
2024: An Amazing 2024: TV, Awards, Speaking!
2023: Grateful for your support in 2023
2022: Creating Content in 2022
2021: Creating 2021 Content during COVID-19
2020: Creating 2020 Content during COVID-19
Please see “A Decade of Content from Lisa Niver: From 2020 to 2010,” for my articles, interviews and videos.
2019: Wonderful Wanderings
2018: Where were Lisa’s Wonderful Wanderings?
2017: We Said Go Travel is GLOBAL!
2016: What did Lisa LOVE the most?
2015: Highlights from Lisa’s videos and adventures
2014: A real rollercoaster!
Thank you for being part of this journey—across continents, platforms, stages, and stories. Here’s to curiosity, courage, and whatever brave step comes next.
ADVENTURES:
Bucket List trip to Antarctica on Quark UltraMarine: MY SEVENTH CONTINENT!
MEXICO:
SECRETS BAHIA MITA: We loved our cabana!
Velas Resorts celebrating Heather’s Birthday
Caribbean cruising:
Sailing on the RUBY PRINCESS with Captain Marco
Birthday cruise with Norwegian Escape out of New Orleans
I love to celebrate in PHILADELPHIA
Family adventures in NEW YORK CITY and BRAVE-ish at AdWeek!
MSC World America Cruise inaugural media sailing
Hiking in Park City, Utah this Fall
Hollywood Bowl Summer Concerts
French Polynesia Adventures on Windstar Cruises Star Breeze
Orlando & Kissimmee, Unexpectedly Luxe
My YouTube channel is now over 2.6 Million views!!
EPIC JOURNEY Crossing the Antarctic Circle with Quark Expeditions. Click here to see all of my videos !
