Who’s the man behind the beard? I’m a Canadian freelance journalist, editor and nomad hunting for stories that fascinate me. My work has appeared in TIME, National Geographic Travel, The Guardian, BBC Travel, American Airlines (p.90), Travel + Leisure, ESPN, Thrillist, CBC, Vice, Air Canada, Beside, Dazed & Confused, The Toronto Star, Motherboard, The Montreal Gazette, Askmen and more. I’m also a Lonely Planet guidebook author of books about Armenia, Morocco and France.
Hablo español, parle français, y falo português. If you need me, I’ll be eating everything at a local market or taking shots of Wi-Fi at the nearest café. Otherwise, the number to dial is: joelbalsam1@gmail.com
Joel Balsam 
Hey Joel,
I am studying to be a journalist from Liberty University. I was really impressed seeing your profile and wondered what does it take to succeed in freelance journalism like you?
If it’s ok, I would love to hear your story about how you learned the trade and even worked for National Geographic!
Are there still new opportunities?
Any tips on a beginner journalist?
Do you know of any part-time work or resources that could help improve my skills?
I hope one day I could be where you are, with a lot of hard work and determination!
Thank you for your time, please let me know what you think.
Sincerely,
Leanne Huang
Hey Leanne, what a kind message! Feel free to email me or reach out on Instagram/twitter @joelbalsam and I’d be happy to any of your questions.
Hey Joel,
Sorry my life has been really crazy since last year. My husband and I moved to Maryland from Virginia and at the same time my mother came down with the Delta variant. So, there was a lot going on right after I messaged you last year. The good news is my mother pulled through and she is doing well. We are settled in Maryland, and I finally have an office set up for the first time in two years after moving out of a one-bedroom apartment. I am currently still going to school online and now we are expecting our first child!
I have more time now that I am transitioning to be a stay-at-home mother. I hope to continue learning about what it takes to be successful in a career like yours. I am excited to be a mother, but I also want to keep sharpening my skills as life progresses.
Right now, I wish I could do more, write more to help towards the Ukrainian crisis.
I have restarted my WordPress News Blog and would like any advice of how to not only report solid journalism but how to make sure that I am reaching a broad audience.
Do you have any advice about how to make a blog successful?
Do I need to use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to be successful or other social media sites?
Are there any things that bloggers should not do as a first-time blogger?
Hope you are doing well and take care!
Leanne Huang
Hey Leanne! I’d be happy to help as best I can! Can we talk via email? joelbalsam1@gmail.com