Charles Poe is an Emmy- and Peabody-winning filmmaker whose work has appeared on National Geographic, Smithsonian and Discovery. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Parks Channel, a new destination for video, photographs and articles to help users discover amazing places and to make the most of their trips. The Parks Channel is available as a free streaming app on Roku, Samsung, VIZIO and Amazon Fire. Its website is theparkschannel.com. Before launching the Parks Channel, Poe was a founding executive of Smithsonian Channel, where he oversaw storytelling and production for programming that ranged from history and science to pop culture and natural history – including award-winning AR/VR experiences. Earlier, Poe served as Executive Producer for the landmark series “National Geographic EXPLORER” and Series Producer of the long-running “Taboo” series on Nat Geo. Recent work has included directing and writing the award-winning documentary short, “Rosenwald: Toward A More Perfect Union” and the one-hour Discovery special “Tut’s Lost City Revealed,” which premiered on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the boy king’s tomb.
1. What got you into travel journalism?
For most of my career I’ve had the good fortune to be paid to travel the world and tell stories. But with the Parks Channel it’s not just about entertaining or informing viewers; it’s also about inspiring them to get out of the house and experience these incredible places on their own. It’s been really gratifying to connect with people from all walks of life who have a voracious hunger to travel and collect national parks. We feel we have a huge opportunity to make the entire process of park travel easier and more exciting.
2. What’s the most challenging part of being a travel journalist?
Frankly, the economics. The business model of video production is in turmoil right now as the cable business collapses and less-lucrative streaming is ascendant. While travel is more popular than ever and video consumption continues to rise on all platforms, the advertising and subscription business that fueled production has taken a major hit. We are working to create a new, more sustainable model that we hope will also create new opportunities for content creators.
3. What is the most rewarding aspect of travel journalism?
The privilege of discovery and gratification of sharing. You’re traveling with a communal mindset – the idea that you’re not just visiting a place to see it for yourself, but also to discover insights or advice for others to travel in your footsteps. Having that elevated mission deepens immersion. It forces you to be more perceptive, more critical but also more open to trying something that might have just slipped by when you’re in tourist mode.
4. What is something you wish people knew about travel journalism?
I do wish more people could distinguish between travel journalism and travel promotion. Part of the challenge with a shrinking media business is that independent journalism gets replaced by marketing. There’s a role for both of course, but the waters seem to be getting muddier in the age of influencers.
5. What have you enjoyed most about being a NATJA member?
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know other members and attending the annual conference, which always has great panel discussions. I’ve made connections that are helping us advance the business.
6. How have your cross-cultural experiences shaped your point of view of the world?
I have a much greater appreciation for how much all human beings share, as opposed to how we’re different. Years ago for Nat Geo’s “Taboo” series I sent crews all over the world to showcase rituals that might seem scary, but once you understand where they come from you realize that they’re based on fundamental human needs – to belong, to grow and mature, to find deeper meaning in life. There are far too many people who let fear stop them from exploring.
