Howard is a keen student of history, geography, and current events and loves to share those passions with audiences. He's given hundreds of talks over the last eight years following decades of traditional teaching.

He and his wife have traveled extensively on all seven continents, and Howard uses that experience to bring a personal touch to speaking about an area. He is a firm believer that the value of travel is enhanced by an understanding of how history, geography, and culture have shaped the places we visit. And he always tries to find the elements that make each of our destinations unique.

Howard began his career as a destination and enrichment speaker in 2018 after teaching for many years in the University of Denver's University College masters program. Since 2015, he has been delivering presentations through an organization called Active Minds throughout the Denver metropolitan area on a broad range of topics of current interest. He received a B. A. with honors in History from Brooklyn College and a J. D. from Yale Law School. He lives in Denver with his wife of forty-four years. They are blessed that their children and their spouses live nearby, so they can be involved in raising their three young grand daughters -- when they're not traveling, that is!

Let me introduce myself: (two minute introduction)
https://vimeo.com/554840082

The following is a small sampling of talks I've given, with many others available. There is a video clip of the first one available to view in its entirety. The clip referenced in my introduction video is in the CONFLICT ON THE HIGH SEAS.

Enrichment Speaker, VIKING JUPITER, February, 2023

THE HISTORY OF THE TANGO
Sweep your partner off their feet with the story of how this working-class dance became a worldwide phenomenon. Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/815034051

SHACKLETON'S COURAGEOUS RACE AGAINST TIME
Relive Ernest Shackleton’s remarkable journey of perseverance and survival in the south Atlantic.

THE LAST GREAT RACE
Travel with Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott on their triumphant but tragic race to reach the
South Pole.

Enrichment Speaker, SILVER MUSE, November, 2018

CONFLICT ON THE HIGH SEAS — The South China Sea
The United States, Vietnam, the Philippines and others have confronted China over its claims to the South China Sea. We’ll discuss the history of China’s claims, the interests and actions of other countries that claim an interest, and look into where these conflicts may lead — war or peace?
Clip (9 1/2 minutes): https://vimeo.com/554938742

THE SILK ROAD — Past and Present
The Silk Road was a network of ancient trade routes that linked China and the Far East with the Middle East and Europe. Now China’s new silk road, known as its “Belt and Road” initiative, seeks to replace the ancient route with one that serves China’s global strategic interests. We’ll examine both the ancient and modern silk roads, particularly looking at the opportunities and challenges for China and the rest of the world.

Destination Speaker, STAR BREEZE, August-September, 2019

NORWAY — THE SECOND HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
According to the United Nations, Norway — as measured by income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity — is the second happiest country in the world. European, but not part of the European Union, a major petroleum producer, but not part of OPEC, Norway’s unique approach may have lessons for the rest of us.

I worked two cruises for Silversea in 2018 and 2019 as a destination/enrichment speaker -- Silver Spirit, London-Copenhagen, and Silver Muse, Hong Kong-Singapore -- and Windstar Star Breeze Reyjavik-Dublin in 2019 and Japan in 2023. In 2023 I was on two Viking Ocean cruises (see below) and have two more booked in 2024.

I had a successful program on the Oceania Nautica Dubai-Singapore in December, 2023.

I have been to all seven continents, many cruise destinations, and have lectured through Active Minds on numerous Special Interest topics, as well as most countries in the world. My goal is to provide an entertaining mix of history and culture to enrich the cruise experience.

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.