In Norse mythology the Aurora were the armour of the Valkyries. The Inuit saw spirits playing in the sky. The Sami hid indoors in fear. And science has its own story too, because what we are really witnessing is the energy of the sun itself, travelling 93 million miles across space, and exploding into color in our atmosphere. We may now be able to explain them scientifically, but their effect on us is unchanged.

This is a story about the science of solar winds and magnetic fields, the mythology of ancient cultures who saw gods and fire in the sky, and the art of chasing something wild, unpredictable and utterly mesmerizing.

Taking us deeper into that experience is Tom Kerss, one of the world's leading Aurora experts. Tom's passion for the Aurora is infectious, his knowledge extraordinary, and his way of describing what you see in that sky inspiring and poetic.

FIND OUT MORE

Produced in collaboration with Lonely Planet: lonelyplanet.com

Tom Kerss is one of the world's leading Aurora experts and the onboard Aurora guide for expedition cruise company Hurtigruten. They run spectacular trips along the Norwegian coast, and if this episode inspires you to go and see the lights for yourself you can travel with Tom on one of their astronomy voyages. Find out more at hurtigruten.com.

Connect with Tom and find out more about his work at tomkerss.com, or follow him on Instagram at @tomkerss.

Note: a full adventure documentary episode going on a Northern Lights expedition cruise up the Norwegian coast is coming next month. Hit follow so you don't miss it!

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this story lit something up in you, do me a favour and send it to just one person. One friend, one family member, one person you think needs a little wonder in their life right now. I'm trying to reach 1,000 new listeners this series, and every single share genuinely moves the needle. You'd be helping Tom's story reach someone who really needs to hear it. Leave a review or hit that share button in your podcast app

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is written and presented by Aaron Millar. Audio editing on this episode was by Jason Paton. Theme music by Sweet Chap. Produced by Armchair-Productions.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Ricardo Kaljouw is one of only a handful of people on Earth to have completed the Volcanic Seven Summits — climbing the highest volcano on every continent. From his first glimpse of Kilimanjaro rising above the Tanzanian savannah, to standing alone on the roof of Antarctica in minus 49 degree cold, Ricardo's story is one of extraordinary resilience, raw adventure, and the kind of fire that, once lit, simply cannot be put out.

Highlights of The Volcanic Seven Summits:

• Standing on the roof of Africa — and the sunrise that greeted Ricardo on the way down from Kilimanjaro that changed everything.
• Watching the largest lava lake in the world come alive at night on the slopes of Nyiragongo in Rwanda.
• Surviving a lightning storm at altitude on Iran's Mount Damavand.
• Getting lost in the jungle of Papua New Guinea with no food, a missing porter, and a village of locals who may have been hunting him.
• Being stranded alone on the highest volcano on earth, Ojos del Salado in Chile.
• That final, extraordinary moment on Mount Sidley in Antarctica — six years in the making, 17,000 kilometres from home.

FIND OUT MORE

Ricardo Kaljouw's book is called A Million Steps on Lava: Climbing the Highest Volcano on Each Continent. It's a gripping, inspiring read — and what makes it especially unique is that Ricardo started exactly where many of us are: dreaming of high peaks without any real experience of climbing them. It's a story that makes the extraordinary feel possible.

Follow Ricardo's ongoing expeditions on Instagram at @volcanicsevensummits and search up the book wherever books are sold.

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this story lit something up in you, do me a favour — send it to just one person. One friend, one family member, one person you think needs a little fire in their life right now. Hit the share button in your podcast app, it takes about ten seconds. Or go Old School and tell someone about it over a cheeky pint! I'm trying to reach 1,000 new listeners this series, and every single share genuinely moves the needle. You'd be helping Ricardo's story reach someone who really needs to hear it.

FOLLOW US: Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

CONNECT WITH US: If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you're reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show, and continue to bring this content to you.

Armchair Explorer is written and presented by Aaron Millar. Audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie. Theme music by Sweet Chap. Produced by Armchair Productions.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

We join pioneer explorer Chris Pelczarski for some hands-on spelunking in seriously narrow caves (that are sometimes home to mountain lions). Then we meet indigenous park ranger Sina Bear Eagle and learn about the Lakota emergence story and its deep spiritual meaning.

-Brian Thacker, presenter

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

• Chris Pelczarski and Adam Weaver from the Black Hills Cave and Nature Conservancy
• Sina Bear Eagle from Wind Cave National Park

Recorded on location, this audio adventure is designed to do more than just let you hear what it's like to be there. It's designed to let you feel what it's like for real.

Find out more at Travel South Dakota.com where you'll find lots of inspiration, ideas and everything else you need to know to plan your great South Dakota adventure.

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design.

Armchair Explorer is a part of the Voyascape Podcast Network check out their other shows from around the world at voyascape.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

But then something magical happened: I rounded a corner into a mountain meadow filled with dozens of wild horses - muscled stallions with jet black manes, gold skinned mares and tiny foals. Startled at first, they soon found themselves more curious than afraid and gradually came to graze by my side.

It took me half a day to find my way back again, but it was worth every cut and bruise. The best adventures always happen when you least expect it.

• Aaron Millar

In today’s episode, host Aaron Millar shares the story of one of his favorite long-distance hikes of all time.

The Old Salt Road is part of a network of ancient trading paths that crisscross northwest Italy. For over a thousand years mule herders, laden with precious salt from the ports of Liguria, would use this trail to trade with the rich plains of Lombardy, returning with goatskins of wine, salami and cheese.

The hike begins in the fertile wine-growing plains of Oltrepo Pavese - 50 miles north of Genoa – and then heads steadily south, crossing the Apennine Mountains, before dropping down 80 beautiful miles later to the small fishing village of Camogli on the Ligurian coast.

This is a story about a bucket list hike through one of the most beautiful places in Europe. But it’s also the story of how this old road was now nearly forgotten, and the trail that is bringing it back to life.

CONNECT WITH US

Ready to Explore? If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode of Series 4 of Armchair Explorer.

If you’re interested to find out more about how to do this hike for yourself drop Aaron a line on Instagram

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design.

Armchair Explorer is a part of the Voyascape Podcast Network check out their other shows from around the world at voyascape.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

-Justin Packshaw

When Justin Packshaw was trekking in Antarctica several years ago, he noticed something disturbing: The ice shelf had visibly melted since his previous visit, just a few decades prior. "In the grand scheme of how old our world is, and its present state, that's a really quite frightening thing," he said. And with that, he had an idea. Not all scientists have the time, resources, or, frankly, the stamina to conduct invaluable in-person research in the heart of Antarctica, which holds the record as the world's coldest, windiest, and driest continent. But Justin did.

He and his adventure partner, Jamie Facer-Childs, proposed a data-gathering mission to several universities: They would cross Antarctica's heart and gather critical scientific data about climate change. But other agencies were interested in the trip as well.

As it turns out, pushing the human body to its limits - physically, psychologically, mentally - is one of the key areas of research for space agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency. Justin and Jamie's expedition would collect critical data on behavior, coping abilities, teamwork, endurance, even eyesight, that would be invaluable for future space missions in which astronauts will live for years in a space no larger than a studio apartment.

This is a good, old-fashioned adventure romp - but it's more than that too. It's also a story about science, psychology, Mars, and climate change. It's about how we cope with the most extreme physical challenges imaginable and ultimately how that defines us as humans.

FIND JUSTIN

Learn more about Justin and his adventures at his website, JustinPackshaw.com, or follow him on Instagram @JustinPackshaw. Find more details about the Antarctica expedition at ChasingTheLight2021.com.

SOCIAL

Share the show with your friends! Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, follow @armchairexplorerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, check out Armchair Explorer's website, armchair-explorer.com

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com. Jenny Allison wrote and produced this episode, along with host and producer Aaron Millar. Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Theme music written by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

In this episode, we’ll be traveling from the craziest white water race in the world to the highest volcanoes on the planet, from ancient trade routes in Italy to the sacred storytelling landscapes of Australia and beyond.

If you like travel and adventure, come and hang out, we’re going to have some fun.

1. Climb the Seven Volcanic Summits Challenge, summiting the highest volcano on every continent.
2. Explore the fjords of Norway in search of the Northern Lights.
3. Hike across Italy’s Old Salt Road, an ancient trade route across the Apennine Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea.
4. Descend into Wind Cave, South Dakota, one of the longest cave systems on Earth, to hear the Lakota Emergence Story.
5. Take part in the River Nevis Race in Scotland — if Monty Python went white-water rafting, this would be it.

Ready to Explore? If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode of Series 4 of Armchair Explorer.

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

That’s where this new season of Armchair Explorer begins.

In the coming episodes we’ll travel from the highest volcanoes in the world to the Arctic Circle, from ancient trade routes in Italy to the sacred storytelling landscapes of Australia.

These are immersive journeys, told by the people who lived them and crafted with the cinematic sound design you’ve come to expect from the show.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead.

1. Climb the Seven Volcanic Summits Challenge, summiting the highest volcano on every continent.
2. Listen to an Aboriginal storyteller share the living stories of Uluru — a place where landscape, culture, and time are inseparable.
3. Explore the fjords of Norway in search of the Northern Lights.
4. Hike across Italy’s Old Salt Road, an ancient trade route across the Apennine Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea.
5. Descend into Wind Cave, South Dakota, one of the longest cave systems on Earth, to hear the Lakota Emergence Story.
6. Road trip through Australia’s Northern Territory, where the highways stretch for hundreds of miles and the outback stories grow taller with every one.
7. Take part in the River Nevis Race in Scotland — if Monty Python went white-water rafting, this would be it.
8. Soar on a hot air balloon ride over the Saguaro Desert and a hike through the Petrified Forest of Arizona.

And lots more … These are stories of wild places, remarkable people, and the journeys that change how we see the world. So pack your headphones and join us for a new adventure every single week.

Follow the show so you don’t miss the first episode of the new season of Armchair Explorer!`

Today we will travel from the highest sand dunes in the world to the wildest coast on the planet. We will track the last free-roaming herd of rhinos on the continent, and watch desert elephants as we float above them in a hot air balloon.

But more than anything we will discover a sense of vastness and awe that is unmatched by almost anywhere else on Earth.

Taking us there is safari guide and author Peter Allison, who has been guiding in Namibia and elsewhere in Africa for nearly 30 years. He’ll tell us the story of his ultimate Namibia safari, traveling from the Sossusvlei Dunes to the Skeleton Coast. It’s an adventure filled with rare wildlife, inspiring people and more than one of his crazy stories.

Get ready for a journey into the heart of the remote, and enchanting land of Namibia.

Highlights include:

1. Taking a hot air balloon ride watching the sun rise over the Sossusvlei dunes
2. Tracking rare desert elephants and the last remaining free-roaming rhino in the world
3. Spending time with the Himba people of the Hoanib Valley
4. Exploring the Skeleton Coast, where the Atlantic ocean crashes against the Namib desert
5. Sleeping under the stars in one of the largest Dark Sky Reserves in the world
6. 
   

FIND OUT MORE

A lot of our episodes are about huge expeditions and epic adventures.This one is about something you can actually do.

We’ve partnered with Peter’s safari company Natural Selection Safaris, and tour operator Africa Endeavours - two of the most highly regarded sustainable operators on the continent - to create our dream Botswana itinerary. And it’s a trip you can actually book and do yourself.

To find out more go to AfricaEndeavours.com/Armchair and you will get $500 off your next trip. Even if you’re just dreaming about going one day, checking out what they do is a great way to support the show.

Follow Peter on Instagram @peterallisonsafari

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Join us as we take in the sounds and stories from this enduring celebration that bridges generations and cultures. We meet Ruben Little Head who has been an MC at the Black Hills Powwow for 17 years, dancer and former Miss Oglala Lakota Nation winner Santana Young Man Afraid of his Horses and we get a private concert from singing and drumming group Showtime.

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

- Ruben Little Head

- Santana Young Man Afraid of his Horses

- Showtime singers, Hunter Blasingame, Xavier Little Head and BJ Braveheart

Recorded on-location, this audio adventure is designed to do more than just let you hear what it’s like to be there; it’s designed to let you feel what it’s like for real.

Find out more at www.travelsouthdakota.com where you'll find lots of inspiration, ideas and everything else you need to know to plan your great South Dakota adventure.

Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Brian Thacker wrote and presented the show. Jason Paton did the field recording and audio production. Aaron Millar is the executive producer. www.armchair-productions.com

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Lost with her life and desperate to escape the confines of the modern world, Jay set out on a journey to explore the world’s wildest places. She would explore ice, earth, water, fire and air. It would take seven years and all her savings. She would sing with cannibals in the highlands of West Papua, drink ayahuasca with shamans in the amazon. She explored the frozen arctic with Innuits and the fire desert with the aboriginals of the Australia.

Through her travels Jay learned the wisdom of the indigenous people that call these elements home. She discovered how they shaped their culture and beliefs, and in time how they shaped her too. She was seeking wildness. She was following her ‘feral angel’, listening to its call to take flight and reconnect with the wildness inside her.

This episode is the original interview I did with Jay a few years ago. The documentary ‘Adventure’ episode is about 100 episodes back in the feed. Check out it out on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your show.

I’m re-running the original interview now for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it’s an amazing chat, and I had to cut so much good stuff out to make the documentary. And secondly, it’s Native American Heritage Month and although Jay doesn’t spend time with Native Americans, her story is about learning how indigenous people connect with the wild in ice, earth, air and fire.

This is a story for anyone that’s ever crawled up the walls, stared out the window and dreamed of escape. This is a call to the wild.

Highlights include:

· Take ayahuasca with shamans in the Amazon

· Walk naked and alone into the frozen wilderness of the Arctic

· Trek the highlands with the freedom fighters of West Papua, one of the most remote and least-visited places on earth

· Have dinner with cannibals

· Find out how to apply the wisdom of the wild in our own life

Jay’s book of this adventure is called ‘Wild: an Elemental Journey’. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of nature writing I have ever read and couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Her latest book ‘Why Rebel?’ is awesome too. Search them up wherever you get your books – you won’t be disappointed!

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Sweat beads on my forehead: medicine men are believed to see premonitions in the burning coals that divine the nature of a patient’s affliction. His eyes dilate – “I see a spider,” he says, “I see a dead man.”

A few miles away we are surrounded by the detritus of modern America but here, in Navajo country, it’s as if I’ve slipped through the cracks into another world entirely.”

In 2013, I spent a week living on the Navajo reservation with three local families. I wanted to understand the real Native America, beyond the caricatures and cliches so often portrayed in popular culture.

One night, I was invited into the home of a Medicine Man to take part in a traditional healing ceremony. It was one of the most powerful and moving experiences of my life. This is the story I wrote about that experience, and I dedicate it to those three families who welcomed me into their lives and trusted me with the honor of sharing it with you.

FIND OUT MORE

Discover Navajo: if you want to visit the Navajo Nation is a way that benefits the local tribal people economically and through employment this is a great resource. It’s got lots of great ideas for native led tours and experiences that will really make the culture of the navajo Nation come alive. discovernavajo.com

Ira Vandever, my guide and host, is involved in various Navajo community projects and is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. Connect with him on Instagram: @navajohemp2020

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

This episode is the first in our month-long series celebrating Native American Heritage Month. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to have so many incredible experiences with indigenous peoples around the world. I’ve learnt so much from them, and wanted to do something that will hopefully inspire you to visit tribal owned tourism businesses and be inspired too.

Find out more at: NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov

#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

#NativeAmericanHeritage

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

But make no mistake - this isn't Bigfoot searching like you've seen before. There are no infrared cameras, scanners, or traps. Instead, we'll follow John as he listens and learns from Canada's First Nations peoples, framing his investigation within a greater story of indigenous myth, community, and sacred land.

When John first began hearing about a flurry of Sasquatch sightings, he was visiting the Heiltsuk Nation in British Columbia on an unrelated assignment. But he couldn't shake the stories from his mind. Intrigued, he decided to embark on a trip dedicated entirely to following these stories to their roots. And in so doing, he uncovered something that goes much deeper than footprints or rumors.

This is a story about monsters - but it's also one that tells us about ourselves. And along the way, it's about the power of myth, the need for environmental activism, and the tangled webs of our own psyches.

CONNECT WITH JOHN ZADA

Get a copy of John's book, In the Valleys of the Noble Beyond: In Search of the Sasquatch, online or from your local bookstore. Connect with John and see more of his work, including his photography, at his website johnzada.com, and follow him on Instagram @JohnZada.

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

It is a vast and untempered land filled with one of the richest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. In a single game drive you could see up to 50 different species: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, hippos, baboons and more.

But beyond the wildlife there is something else too. Africa is our home. They call her the ‘Mother’, the place we all come from. And if that’s true, then Botswana is her beating heart.

Taking us there is safari guide and author Peter Allison, who has been guiding in Botswana and elsewhere in Africa for nearly 30 years. He’ll tell us the story of his ultimate Botswana safari, traveling from Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to the Okavango Delta. It’s an adventure filled with wildlife, wisdom and more than one of his crazy stories.

Get ready for an adventure into the Africa of our dreams.

Highlights include:

1. Learning to track wild animals with the San Bushmen, one of the oldest continuously surviving cultures on Earth.
2. Walking on the surreal landscapes of the largest salt pan in the world - three times bigger than Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni.
3. Going on game drives in the Okavango Delta, a vast network of floodplains that draws one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
4. Finding out what it’s like to be stalked by a lion in the pitch black of night with only a kerosene lantern for company.
5. Discovering the story of Salvador the elephant, and one of the most magical wildlife experiences you can ever imagine.
6. Hearing about the time a leopard walked into Peter’s cabin, with him inside it. It’s OK, he survived to tell the tale.
7. 
   

FIND OUT MORE

A lot of our episodes are about huge expeditions and epic adventures.This one is about something you can actually do.

We’ve partnered with Peter’s safari company Natural Selection Safaris, and tour operator Africa Endeavours - two of the most highly regarded sustainable operators on the continent - to create our dream Botswana itinerary. And it’s a trip you can actually book and do yourself.

To find out more go to AfricaEndeavours.com/Armchair and you will get $500 off your next trip. Even if you’re just dreaming about going one day, checking out what they do is a great way to support the show.

Follow Peter on Instagram @peterallisonsafari

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

How about climbing to the top of Crater Lake National Park to see one of the most beautiful views in America?

Well, that’s what we’re doing today. Our Bucket List episodes highlight what we think are the best adventures on the planet, and these two certainly fit the bill. Recorded on-location in surround sound audio, this bucket list episode is designed to put you in the heart of two of America's most spectacular travel experiences. 

If you enjoy today's episode you can check out the full series, Hidden Trails of Oregon, for an immersive first-person journey across America’s wild, weird, and wonder-filled state. Just scroll down in the feed to check those out, or search up Hidden Trails of Oregon wherever you get your podcasts. Caving in lava tubes, sand boarding with a world champion, hiking in Redwoods and lots more.

Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts of the travel industry. Written and presented by Aaron Millar; recorded, mixed and mastered by Jason Paton; additional editing Charles Tyrie. Check out our other shows at armchair-productions.com 

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Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

PODCAST RECOMMENDATION

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast:

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here. 

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Dr. Jane Goodall was a pioneering primatologist, and conservationist best known for her groundbreaking work with wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. With no formal scientific training at the time, she began observing chimpanzees in 1960 and soon made discoveries that redefined our understanding of animals — including tool use, emotional depth, and complex social behavior. Over her lifetime, she became a global icon for wildlife conservation and animal welfare, and her work continues to inspire millions to protect the planet and live in harmony with nature.

Unfortunately, we were never able to get Jane on the show – that would have been a dream come true! So, it’s not an episode directly about her. But it does raise some themes that were inspired and borne from the work she did … and it does feature chimpanzees, as well as Mountain Gorillas, who as primates are our distant ancestors too.

Today, we’re going to follow Praveen Moman, one of the world's leading primate conservationists, into the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda in search of the critically endangered mountain gorilla, and to the Kyambura Gorge, in Uganda, in search of a lost troop of Chimpanzees.

Seeing mountain gorillas, or chimpanzees in the wild is one of the rarest and most inspiring wildlife experiences on the planet. There is an immediate bond, a sense of connection. And what we’ll discover is, when you look a mountain gorilla in the eye, you see yourself reflected back.

Highlights include:

- Trekking in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda in search of the critically endangered mountain gorilla

- Hearing what it feels like to sit quietly among the troop, as babies come curiously up to explore, and the 400lb male silverback brushes past

- Walking into the Kyambura Gorge as the lost troop of Chimpanzees comes down from the canopy and surrounds you on all side- Being inspired by Praveen's story, a refugee of Uganda who returned to his beloved homeland to help rebuild one of the most war-torn regions on the planet

FIND OUT MORE

Janegoodall.org

volcanoessafaris.com

gorillafund.org

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Park that most people don’t even know exists. Beyond the beautiful mountains and

trails, the park is a Living Laboratory of science with about 100 scientific projects

happening at any one time. Some of the most cutting-edge ecology, biology and

conservation in the world is being done right here.

Rocky Mountain National Park may feel isolated from the cities and industry of the

plains, but it’s not. It’s part of inter-connected system in which every piece is dependent

on one another. And to understand how that works, and why that’s important, we’re

going to hike up to more than 10,000-feet to one of the most remote research stations in

the country to find out about an experiment that has been going on in the park for more

than 38-years. It’s one of the longest running ecological research studies in the world

and it’s changing the way we understand the park, the plains and even our own

relationship to the wild places we love.

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

CONNECT WITH US:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this

on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show and continue to bring inspiring

travel stories your way.

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠.

Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and

sound design. Jason Paton is our lead producer, and our theme music is by the artist

⁠Sweet Chap⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Follow British Travel Writer of the Year Emma Thomson as she explores the culture and majesty of Druk Yul, Land of the Thunder Dragon, as it's known by its people. Shunning the usual group tour, Emma stays with local families miles from the tourist trail and discovers, because of that, a glimpse of the real Bhutan most travellers will never see.

But this is more than just an adventure. Cut off from the rest of the world until 1974, and surrounded by virtually impenetrable Himalayan peaks on all sides, Bhutan has remained culturally intact for centuries. It is a real-life Shangri-La, a kind of fabled mythical kingdom hidden in the mountains, where spirituality and happiness are more important than money and economic development.

Intrepid travellers whisper its name in hushed and reverent tones for a reason. Bhutan is, perhaps, the most enlightened country on Earth, and when we visit some of that wisdom and inspiration becomes a part of us too.

Highlights include:

• Staying with two local Bhutanese families in remote rural villages, far off the usual tourist trail

• Experiencing real Bhutanese daily life: tending the fields, bathing in hot stone baths and helping to prepare the meals - fresh dumplings, curries, chillies and cheese

• Exploring Punaka Dzong, the most beautiful of all of Bhutan's fortress temples

• Trekking to the Tiger's Nest Monastery, which clings to the face of a sheer cliff and is the holiest site in the country

• Visiting Bhutan's head of astrology, which is usually forbidden to tourists and discovering a surprise message there that might just shake your scepticism.

• Be inspired by the peace and serenity of the most enlightened country on Earth, and learn how to take that wisdom and stillness into your own life too

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

Instagram: @emmathomsontravels

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

- Rick Ridgeway

Rick Ridgeway is one of the greatest mountaineers of all time. In this in-depth interview he shares the adventures that have come to define his life, and the wisdom he has learned along the way.

Highlights include

1. Getting lost while sailing across the Pacific Ocean in search of Tahit.i
2. Taking the famous newscaster Tom Brokaw to the summit of Mount Rainier with legendary climbers Yvonne Chouinard and Doug Tompkins.
3. Nearly dying of hypothermia while kayaking across a frozen lake in Chilean Patagonia.
4. Discovering what it feels like to be trapped in an avalanche facing certain death.
5. The most profound adventure of his life, a journey through the Himalayas in search of a lost friend.
6. Learning the wisdom of a life spent in the wild and how nature can be our greatest teacher

CONNECT WITH RICK

Rick's latest book is called 'Life Lived Wild: Adventures at the Edge of the Map'. It is a beautiful memoir of a life lived to the full, immersed in the beauty and adventure of the natural world. Through this episode we will also hear some of Rick's other favorite tales of adventure and learn the wisdom those wild places have given him. More info at www.patagonia.com

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Special Offer: we’ve revived our NEWSLETTER! (scroll to the bottom of our homepage to sign up). And contact us for a free copy of our my ebook: The 50 Greatest Wonders of the World

Award-winning travel journalist Aaron Millar reveals the greatest wonders of the world and the insider secrets on how to see them. From where to catch the perfect sunrise over the Grand Canyon to how to swim up to the very edge of the Victoria Falls, this is a road map for discovering the greatest experiences of your life.

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar presented the show, Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Special Offer: we’ve revived our ⁠NEWSLETTER!⁠ (scroll to the bottom of our homepage to signup)

And contact us for a free copy of our fearless leader Aaron Millar’s ebook:

⁠The 50 Greatest Wonders of the World⁠

Award-winning travel journalist Aaron Millar reveals the greatest wonders of the world and the insider secrets on how to see them. From where to catch the perfect sunrise over the Grand Canyon to how to swim up to the very edge of the Victoria Falls, this is a road map for discovering the greatest experiences of your life.

This Month on Pathways:

Stargazing with the Bedouin in the Arabian DesertNight has fallen over the Arabian desert, pillows and blankets are laid out in the sand, and our guide, Badrea, begins to share the secrets of bedouin stars

‘Giggly Landings’ in a Hot Air BalloonEver wondered what it feels like to crash land a balloon in the middle of a UNESCO heritage site? Turns out it’s surprisingly funny.

In the Footsteps of J.R.R Tolkien in SwitzerlandDiscover the hike that inspired Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings … and a swiss mountain hut, that might just be the coolest place to stay in the alps.

Hamming it up in a Kyrgyzstani JailCurious how to survive in a Kyrgyzstani prison? In the middle of his 16,000-mile trek around the world, Arjun Bhogle learns how …

Busking for your Supper in SpainCelebrated adventurer Alastair Humphreys takes on his most daunting challenge yet: 500-miles across Spain with nothing but busking and bad violin playing to pay for his food.

Ready to Explore? If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm.

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

This episode is about learning to see the stars through the eyes of a people who have lived in the Arabian desert for thousands of years, and whose very existence, and survival,l was shaped by the night sky.

Recorded on location in our immersive documentary style, this episode is a chance to hear the Bedouin’s stories of the sky. For it is through those stories of love, tragedy and revenge that they passed down the secrets of ancient astronomy. When we look at the night’s sky we see fiery distant suns and orbiting planets. When they look at it, they see poetry, and the whole gamut of human experience written into each far off sparkling light.

Let’s set the scene: We have travelled for two hours into the El Harameal desert, from the oasis town of Alula, in Saudi Arabia, a place that few outsiders have seen before. Blankets and pillows are laid out in the sand, night has fallen, and a young Saudi woman named Badrea begins to speak…

FIND OUT MORE

If you enjoyed this episode, check out our full documentary series which we recorded on location: the Elements of Alula. Our first three episodes: water, earth and air were out last year. It was an incredible trip filled with ancient heritage sites, insane adventures, Arabian horses and one hot air balloon crash that turned out to be the most we’ve laughed on any trip.

Find out more about the destination at ExperienceAlula.com. Check out @experiencealula on Instagram, Facebook and X for more inspiration and ideas.

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guessing (wrongly) and kicking us off your feed.

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

How To Be Superhuman is about pushing the limits of human potential, from conquering terrifying climbs and kayaking down jaw-dropping waterfalls to swimming the world’s longest rivers, running through uncharted mountain kingdoms, and embarking on solo expeditions to the most remote corners of the globe. In each episode, host Rob Pope and the athlete dive into the physical and mental resilience behind these awe-inspiring feats, offering immersive storytelling and insights into overcoming the world’s greatest challenges.

Today, extreme paraglider Tom de Dorlodot shares his passion for flying among the world’s highest mountain peaks. Hear what it takes to paraglide at extreme altitude, the survival mindset required, and why the spirit of adventure keeps drawing him back to unforgiving terrain.

If you like this episode, you’re going to love the full series. Check it out, where you listen to podcasts!

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

redbull.com

Head to instagram.com/redbulladventure for more superhuman content

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show and continue to bring inspiring travel stories your way.

CREDITS:

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Jason Paton is our lead producer, and our theme music is by the artist ⁠Sweet Chap⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

“You can name any sport, basketball, football, whatever. [Rodeo] just isn't that way. These events started and evolved from ranching. They've molded it into a sport, and that's just outta cowboy try. I have a ranch, Pat has a ranch, and for the people that watch ‘Yellowstone’, that's a lot like his place.”

Welcome back to Pendleton, Oregon, home of the world-famous Roundup that we covered in a previous episode. While saddle broncs bucked and thousands cheered outside, we snuck into a storage room for kegs and liquor to interview two absolute legends in rodeo.

Butch Knowles of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, 1988 Olympics USA Gold Medal Team, who spent decades broadcasting with the NFR. And Pat Nogle, a bulldogging champion with a collection of medals and records that stand to this day.

The conversation was full of bawdy tales and laughter, but also deep introspection on what western culture means to actual ranchers like them, and also to the 50,000 fans that come to Pendleton every September.

LET ‘ER BUCK!

If you haven’t already, go back and listen to ‘Let ‘er Buck! Broncos, Steers, Whiskey & Beer at the Pendleton Roundup.’

And remember, you can see all of this yourself! Go to PendletonRoundup.com for details and take our advice: book early!

Plan your next Oregon adventure at TravelOregon.com

Thank you to the guests featured on the show: Pat Nogle and Butch Knowles

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

Brian Thacker led our pre-production, Charles Tyrie assisted on audio editing, and the episode was recorded by Jason Paton who also wrote and co-produced along with host Aaron Millar.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

“Aged nine, he completed the 20 mile Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge, then the National 3 Peaks in 24 hours aged 13. At 15 he cycled off-road across England … Then after leaving school, he cycled from Pakistan to China, Land’s End to John O’Groats, Turkey to Italy, Mexico to Panama and across South America. He ran a charity project in the Philippines and the London marathon dressed as a rhino.”

And that was before he left school! This episode picks up the story after he graduated university - and don’t worry it doesn’t stop.

Our ‘CONNECTION’ episodes are deep dive interviews with some of the most inspirational and influential people in the world of travel and adventure.

Whether you're looking for an epic saga about a cross-continental bike trip or the wildest story about playing the violin you've ever heard, you're going to enjoy this episode about the many types of adventure that exist, how we can have them, and why we need them.

FIND ALASTAIR

Follow him on Instagram @Al_Humphreys. Find his latest book, Local, wherever books are sold (though we recommend ordering from your local bookshop!).

Follow him on Instagram @Al_Humphrey to see what he’s up to now, and sign up to his free newsletter at AlastairHumphreys.com where you can also find information on all his books, podcasts and more.

SOCIAL

Share the show with your friends! Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, follow @armchairexplorerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, check out Armchair Explorer's website, armchair-explorer.com, and learn more about APT Podcast Studios on their website at APTpodcaststudios.com.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com. Aaron Millar presented the episode and Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and production.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

If you haven’t listened to our three-part on location documentary series, the Elements of Alula, scroll back in the feed and check it out: hot air balloon crashes, stargazing with bedouins, curious camels with a taste for microphones … It's a lot of fun.

But today, we’re sharing a special bonus episode from that series. Because AlUla was closed to outsiders for so long, the archeology that’s happening there is unearthing incredible treasures we had no idea even existed. Jonathan Wilson: Arts and Culture Administration Senior Manager at the Royal Commission for AlUla is going to share some of those secrets with us today.

And just to set the scene: we’d just got back from an afternoon riding Arabian horses through the desert. It was an incredible experience, but it was hot - so we stepped inside Jonathan's office where archeologists were working day and night to document the treasures of this lost kingdom of alula … this is the tour he gave us, and the interview we did afterwards.

FIND OUT MORE

Our on-location documentaries are designed so that you can experience everything we did in this episode. Find out more at ExperienceAlula.com. Check out @experiencealula on Instagram, Facebook and X more inspiration and ideas.

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented this episode show, Jason Paton did the audio editing and sound design.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Turns out, we only knew half the story.

“The settling of the West,” says Bobbie Conner, “was the unsettling of the West for our people.”

In this episode of The Hidden Trails of Oregon, we’re exploring the past, present and future of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes, whose ancestral homelands stretch across Eastern Oregon.

In 1993, the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail, tribal leadership attempted to build a center to tell the story of the trail from a Native American perspective. But they were denied funding.

So on August 12th, 1993, a wagon train celebrating the anniversary was interrupted at the reservation border by Natives on horseback. One rider was Antone Minthorn, chairman of his tribal council. He spoke in protest of the poverty and unemployment affecting his people. But also of his vision of a place for learning and research; for a different perspective on manifest destiny.

It worked. Funding was secured and soon the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute opened its doors.

We’re taking an immersive, sound-rich journey through this world-class museum. You’ll hear horses rumbling across the grassy plateau, storytellers in winter lodges, ringing bells and worshipers in song and prayer.

We’ll sit down with Bobbie Conner, director of the Institute, to talk about the achievements, aspirations and concerns of her community. And we’ll explore the meaning of a phrase you’ll find emblazoned on the walls of the final exhibit:

Cháwna mun na’ámta–We will never fade.

🧭 Planning a visit? Tamástslikt Cultural Institute is just outside Pendleton, Oregon, and trust us, it’s worth the detour. You’ll leave changed. Learn more at TravelOregon.com and Tamastslikt.org

🎧 Next up, we’re sticking around Eastern Oregon to uncover more hidden trails. So hit subscribe and follow us wherever you get your shows.

Special thanks to Bobbie Conner and all the staff at Tamástslikt

Hidden Trails of Oregon is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Jason Paton wrote and produced the episode with Aaron Millar, who also presented the show.

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠⁠

Newsletter: ⁠⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠⁠

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

– Chris McCaffrey

Chris McCaffrey didn’t set out to cycle around the world to break a record or prove a point. He did it to chase something deeper. Joy, connection, and the quiet, personal legend we all carry inside us. But in the process, he faced a near-death illness in Vietnam, and was misdiagnosed with dengue. He pushed on through the Australian outback running on empty and eventually crossed the Colorado Rockies in a blizzard to make it back home.

18,000 miles, 17 months alone, and two brushes with death. But somehow, it all became less about finishing the journey and more about learning how to keep moving forward with gratitude and self-kindness.

This is not just an adventure story, it’s a story about how we talk to ourselves in the moments that matter most. It’s about the power of mindset. And it’s about how joy, not toughness, is the real fuel for going the distance.

FIND OUT MORE

Follow Chris and continue the ride: ⁠@chrisinthecold⁠

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast

⁠Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠

CONNECT WITH US:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show and continue to bring inspiring travel stories your way.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ARMCHAIR and get on your way to being your best self.

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Jason Paton is our lead producer, and our theme music is by the artist ⁠Sweet Chap⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Special Offer: we’ve revived our ⁠NEWSLETTER!⁠ (scroll to the bottom of our homepage to signup)

And contact us for a free copy of our fearless leader Aaron Millar’s ebook: 

⁠The 50 Greatest Wonders of the World⁠

Award-winning travel journalist Aaron Millar reveals the greatest wonders of the world and the insider secrets on how to see them. From where to catch the perfect sunrise over the Grand Canyon to how to swim up to the very edge of the Victoria Falls, this is a road map for discovering the greatest experiences of your life. 

🌍 This Month on Pathways:

Around the World by Bike with Chris McCaffrey

Meet Chris McCaffrey, an adventurer from Boulder, Colorado, who biked across the world. Sounds epic already—but halfway through his 17-month journey, he caught a mystery illness that nearly ended it all. From pushing through a near-fatal illness to profound reflections on adventure and risk, his story hits hard and goes deep.

🦈 Surviving a Great White Shark Encounter

Our very own landlord (yep, you read that right), Patrick, drops by with a jaw-dropping tale—literally. While filming great whites off Guadalupe Island, a 21-foot shark ripped the cage apart with him still inside. It’s terrifying, intense, and weirdly philosophical. Bonus: He’s got a viral video and a calf tattoo to prove it.

👽 Discovering South America's Hidden Wonders with Dylan Thuras

Follow Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras on a quest to discover South America’s hidden wonders. From the Last Incan Bridge and the Machu Picchu of the North to the Everlasting Lightning Storm and a statue of a squid fighting a whale the size of the statue of liberty, this is an epic ride through Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru’s weirdest and wildest wonders. The stuff glittering in the shadows that you may never have heard of before, but you’ll be desperate to see after.

✈️ Travel & Misconceptions

We revisit past guests who shared their experiences traveling in places like Iran. Travel writers Pico Iyer and Drew Binsky reveal a truth that’s easy to forget: People are not their governments. From saintly ceremonies to warm hospitality, these are glimpses of humanity we don’t see in the headlines.

🌟 New Segments, Bad Puns & Surprises in the Studio

We introduce a few new segments, share laughs, bad puns (Jason, looking at you), and catch each other off guard. This is Armchair Explorer at its most unpredictable, unscripted, and fun.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at

betterhelp.com/ARMCHAIR and get on your way to being your best self.

🌏 Ready to Explore?If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm. 

📸 Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

📘 Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

But it’s more than that too. When we think of wonders of the world we think of The Grand Canyon, the Great Pyramids. These are undeniably awe-inspiring, but they’re obvious. Everyone goes there, and all too often the experience and the destination suffer as result. Atlas Obscura’s mission is to open our eyes to the wonders all around us, the bizarre, hilarious, incredible things that inspire our curiosity and make our jaws drop at the amazing world we share. Wonder is a state of mind, they say, not a place; and the more we look for it, the more it becomes a part of who we are. This is a quest to discover South America’s hidden wonders, but we may just discover something hidden in ourselves too.

“The problem of failing to recognise the magic in the world lies not with the world, but with us; and it is our job to turn ourselves into vessels of recognising that magic.”

- Dylan Thuras, co-founder Atlas Obscura

Highlights include:

· Visit the Last Incan Bridge, an 120-foot long woven grass suspension bridge, straight out of Indiana Jones, which has been re-built every year for more than five centuries.

· Stand at the base of Gocta Falls, the most incredible waterfall you’ve never heard of – twice the size of the Empire State Building.

· See Venezuela’s Everlasting Lightning Storm, the most electric place on the planet.

· Meet the Colombian village who travel by home-made zip-line across the jungle.

· Find out about the inspiration for Atlas Obscura, how it went from a childhood love of weird Midwestern roadside attractions to a global phenomenon and New York Times bestseller.

· Hear about such crazy historical inventions as the cat piano, the vomiting statue and a language created entirely out of music

· Learn how by changing our mindset we can escape the wonder deficit of the modern world and live more meaningful and extraordinary lives

Atlas Obscura tells extraordinary stories about hidden places, incredible history, scientific marvels, and gastronomical wonders. ⁠www.atlasobscura.com⁠ / @atlasobscura

Dylan’s book, ‘Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders’, is a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon and in the New York Times: ⁠https://www.atlasobscura.com/unique-gifts/atlas-obscura-book⁠

Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar presented the show and did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist ⁠Sweet Chap⁠.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

The Japanese government once issued an arrest warrant for novelist Peter Heller for his role in the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove. The crime? Paddling surfboards into a small bay, where local fishermen were actively killing pilot whales, to protest the slaughter.

But this is just one piece of Peter’s story. 

He’s an expert expedition kayaker, journalist and adventure writer. On top of all that he happens to be one of my heroes! We featured Peter in a signature episode last year called ‘ADVENTURE: Whale Warriors and Eco-Pirates: Patrolling the Southern Ocean with Best-Selling Author Peter Heller,’ where he joined an eco-pirate ship to take on whaling fleets. It’s an incredibly moving tale that he describes beautifully. But in this episode for our CONNECTION series, we’re diving deeper and getting stuck into the rest of his story. 

We’ll talk about Hemingway and living in a teepee as a kid, Soviet kayakers and well-earned vodka, bigfoot pranks, tragedy on training runs, unexplored Tibetan rivers, and infiltrating a secret cove. 

So without further ado, here’s my full conversation with Peter Heller.

CONNECT WITH PETER HELLER

Peter’s novels transport you to wild and beautiful places, whilst keeping you page-turning on the edge of your seat. Find out more about his books at peterhellerauthor.com

His latest novel, Burn, is about two men—friends since boyhood—who emerge from the woods of rural Maine to a dystopian country racked by bewildering violence.

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed. 

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast 

Special Offer: we’ve revived our NEWSLETTER! (scroll to the bottom of our homepage to sign up). And contact us for a free copy of our my ebook: The 50 Greatest Wonders of the World

Award-winning travel journalist Aaron Millar reveals the greatest wonders of the world and the insider secrets on how to see them. From where to catch the perfect sunrise over the Grand Canyon to how to swim up to the very edge of the Victoria Falls, this is a road map for discovering the greatest experiences of your life. 

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar presented the show, Jason Paton did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

“It’s part action movie, part rock show blurring into the superbowl. It feels modern, but bull riding itself goes back to the bronze age. And that’s true for rodeo contests in general: bull riding, barrel racing or wild cow milking, they’re all based on tradition, and in keeping those traditions alive. 

‘Let ‘Er Buck’ makes a lot of sense from the back of a bull. But as we find out, it’s much more than a rodeo shout: it’s a way of life.”

Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘The Hidden Trails of Oregon.’ In our second episode, we’re leaping headfirst into the rodeo to end all rodeos, the 115 year-old Pendleton Roundup!

In this episode, host Aaron Millar tests his mettle on a massive mechanical hog, before climbing into the stands for a (literally) explosive ‘Xtreme Bulls’ finale. We’ll lean over the bucking chutes and get clobbered by dirt flung from bronco hooves. But the roundup isn’t all spectacle, it’s also about family and tradition. We’ll step back in time to learn about the history of the event while sipping whiskey in the notorious ‘Let ‘er Buck’ room. Stories of champions, princesses, suicide-racers and steer-wrestlers wait around every corner. 

We’ll meet a generational indigenous horse relay racing team, hand them microphones, and listen in on their insane bare-back bid for victory. And through it all explore the western ties that bring all these groups to rodeo together each September.

LET ‘ER BUCK!

Remember you can see all of this yourself. Go to https://www.pendletonroundup.com/ for details and take our advice: book early!

Plan your next Oregon adventure at https://traveloregon.com/

Thank you to all guests featured on the show: Toni Minthorn, Scott and Dylan Abramson, Pat Nogle and Butch Knowles

A special thank you to Greg and Petra for showing us such a great time, we can’t wait to come back.

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. 

Find out more at https://www.armchair-productions.com/

Brian Thacker led our pre-production, Charles Tyrie assisted on audio editing, and the episode was recorded by Jason Paton who also wrote and co-produced along with host Aaron Millar. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Special Offer: we’ve revived our NEWSLETTER! (scroll to the bottom of our homepage to signup)

And contact us for a free copy of our fearless leader Aaron Millar’s ebook: 

The 50 Greatest Wonders of the World

Award-winning travel journalist Aaron Millar reveals the greatest wonders of the world and the insider secrets on how to see them. From where to catch the perfect sunrise over the Grand Canyon to how to swim up to the very edge of the Victoria Falls, this is a road map for discovering the greatest experiences of your life. 

🌍 Coming Up This Month:

Hidden Trails of Oregon – Season 2 Episode 2: Let ‘er Buck

This season of Hidden Trails of Oregon takes us to the mountains, rivers and plains of eastern Oregon. In this episode we’re diving headfirst into the Pendleton Roundup, a 115 year old rodeo known by its iconic slogan: “Let ‘er Buck.’ We’ll meet princesses and champions, suicide racers and steer-wrestlers. And through it all explore the western ties that bring these groups together each September.

IMMERSIVE Episode - Exploring San Salvador, El Salvador: My First Time Visiting - Walking Tours, Pupusas and The Historic Center

We’re trying something new this month and sharing a favorite episode of ours from another travel podcasting team entirely! Our mate James Hammond produces ‘Winging It!,’ which uses immersive audio like us, but in a completely different way. 

In this episode of the Winging It, James sits down with Carlos Guardado, a local guide from San Salvador, El Salvador. Carlos shares his personal journey growing up in a country once plagued by gang violence, now transforming into a booming travel destination. They discuss must-visit places in San Salvador, must-see places across El Salvador, safety tips, local food, and how tourism is reshaping the country. If you’re planning a trip to El Salvador, this episode is packed with valuable insights from a knowledgeable local!

Armchair Explorer - Peter Heller (the full interview)

Peter Heller is a beautiful writer and accomplished adventurer. His novels fuse both these passions seamlessly, transporting you to wild and beautiful places, whilst keeping you on the edge of your seat. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because we featured him in an episode about Eco-Pirating back in December.

That episode honed in on one small aspect of Peter’s career, but our conversation went so much deeper. We’ve pulled the tape from the archives and will have a new episode exploring his full journey coming soon. In our preview clip, we hear how his first pro writing gig took a wildly tragic turn.

Travel ‘A-Jason-T’ (adjacent) (the pun works way better in sound, I promise)

In another new segment, Producer Jason takes us on a tangent that’s surely related to travel…somehow. Today’s segment explores nihilism, graffiti, and Seneca the Younger. Here’s a few links if you’d like to dig further:

https://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1113411831/why-ancient-roman-graffiti-is-so-important-to-archaeologists-010516/

https://medium.com/@ancient.rome/ancient-roman-graffiti-or-what-was-drawn-on-the-walls-of-the-eternal-city-e4b5af3fa9d7

https://romanempiretimes.com/whispers-on-the-walls-graffiti-as-a-voice-of-ancient-rome

https://ancientgraffiti.org/Graffiti/themes/Pompeii

🌏 Ready to Explore?If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm. 

📸 Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

📘 Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

James has a brilliant way of mixing practical travel tips with rich, ambient storytelling. Think the vibe of a Lonely Planet guide meets the easygoing chat you’d have with a mate at the hostel. You’ll hear the real sounds of the city—markets, cafés, public squares—plus firsthand insight into what it’s actually like to travel in El Salvador today.

🔍 In this episode, you’ll experience:

• First impressions and travel tips for San Salvador
  

• Iconic landmarks like the National Palace & Metropolitan Cathedral
  

• Amazing street food and coffee culture (yes, including pupusas 🫓)
  

• Two walking tours with local guides revealing hidden stories and history
  

• A fresh perspective on safety, affordability, and modern life in the city
  

• Budget tips for where to stay, eat, and explore
  

This is a great listen whether you’re planning a trip to Central America or just love exploring the world from your headphones.

🎧 Hit play and let’s discover San Salvador together. And if you like what you hear, check out James’ show: Winging It Travel Podcast. I’ve dropped all the links below.

—

🎙 More from James Hammond and Winging It:

• Winging It Immersive playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/54F2LiBGGcQnikiqInIGEr?si=c2908c541ca64d12&nd=1&dlsi=cff2035f91ad4c6d

• Winging It El Salvador playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50qthbb5mchSajSDsNfug9?si=b97df815dcd74afc&nd=1&dlsi=1af138406f924183

• Podcast Website: wingingittravelpodcast.com
  

• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@witpepisodes
  

• Instagram | TikTok | Facebook – @WingingItTravelPodcast
  

• Contact: jameshammondtravel@gmail.com
  

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

And don't miss our sweet promo offering from Down Under Endeavors: $500 off your trip for Armchair Explorer listeners.  

Go to:

https://www.downunderendeavours.com/armchair

Pop in code ARMCHAIR25 to score a discount on your Australian adventure Down Under.

We'll start in Boston Bay with 'Lunch,' a former grain-farmer and sheep shearer that now herds visitors. He'll fill us in on the fish, non-fish, fishy food and fish-eating non-food fish of the seafood frontier. I'll also (possibly) earn a nickname as cool as 'Lunch,' (tune in and find out).

Then we're heading back up the coastline towards Adelaide and wine country with possibly the most well-traveled sommelier on the planet: he's solo hiked the Himalayas, led night dives in the Caribbean, armies of scouts in the bush and expeditions in the jungle. And on top of all that, he knows his swirls from his sips and his grenache from his grapes. He's Matthew Kurko, and he's not too proud to enjoy a porch pounder.

Finally we're sharing our first 'Dream Sleep' segment, where we explore stays that aren't just a place to spend the night, but an experience all their own. The Frames is built right against the Murray River, which forms on the edge of the Australian Alps and travels 1500 miles to the Limestone Coast. As owners Cathy and Rick Edmonds say, you'll meet the real Australia here, in conversation with locals, drifting the river on a flavor safari, or diving right into the Outback itself.

So fair dinkum, no worries mate it’s time to hit the frog and toad!

Thank you to Down Under Endeavours for partnering with us on this episode. They are the South Australia experts and helped us build this itinerary and connect with the experts featured in the episode. They're offering an exclusive deal to Armchair Explorer listeners: $500 off your adventure. Just go to:

https://www.downunderendeavours.com/armchair

Pop in code ARMCHAIR25 to score a discount on your Australian adventure Down Under.

You can find out more and literally book our exact trip, with these exact guides on their website as well.

Special thanks to our guests:

David ‘Lunch’ Doudle from Australian Coastal Safaris

https://australiancoastalsafaris.com.au/

Matthew Kurko from Small Batch Tours

https://www.smallbatchwinetours.com.au

Cathy and Rick Edmonds at The Frames

https://www.theframesluxuryaccommodation.com.au/

CREDITS

Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. 

Find out more at https://www.armchair-productions.com/

Jason Paton: writing, recording, mixing, sound design

Aaron Millar: host, writing, executive producer

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

-        Jude Kriwald

Today, we are taking a journey to one of the most remote and underexplored places on the African continent. The Gola Rainforest straddles the border of Liberia and Sierra Leone, and is home to the Kissi, Mende and Gola tribes. To walk through it would be difficult. To try and a ride a bike, would be insane. Nonetheless that is exactly what adventurer Jude Kriwald decided to do.

At 20 years old Jude knew exactly what he wanted to do. He’d just returned from a 13-month trip cycling from England to India, and he wanted more. He wanted to be an adventurer and dedicate his life to pure joy of exploring the world. But slowly, inevitably, that dream faded as life, and career, took over. Ten years passed. His mental health deteriorated. He would lie awake at night wondering how he let is all slip away. 

Until one day, he’d had enough. He flew to Senegal, got on his bike with the plan to spend three-months riding from there to Liberia. But things did not go to plan. 

“Alone and in the wild, I am beautifully weird and joyously free. It's not that my rituals and quirks fit in better, they simply exist, unobserved. The road cares not and the sun shines equally on all. In nature I find reprieve. Alone I find myself.”

FIND OUT MORE

Jude made a short documentary film about this journey, called Alone Across Gola. Find out more and connect with Jude on Instagram @judekriwald, You Tube @judekriwald,

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com

CONNECT WITH US:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show and continue to bring this content to you.

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Jason Paton is our lead producer and our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Today we’re excited to share the first of two episodes exploring South Australia, a less-trodden state rich in adventure, wildlife and natural beauty. This two-part series is produced as a road trip through a lesser-known part of Australia filled with natural wonders, wildlife and more than one hilarious Aussie character.

We’ll explore indigenous heritage in Port McDonald, and hear the tale of an ancestral giant sleeping at the bottom of a lake beneath Mt. Gambier. We’ll climb into hidden garden sinkholes, race up sand dunes, and ponder primordial hippo-sized wombats in South Australia’s world heritage site, Naracoorte Caves. Of course we’ll enjoy some of the best wine on earth in Adelaide, before meeting a baby joey and their babysitter on the wildlife haven of Kangaroo Island. 

So fair dinkum, no worries mate it’s time to hit the frog and toad!

Thank you to Down Under Endeavours for partnering with us on this episode - they are the South Australia experts and helped us build this itinerary and connect with the experts featured in the episode. 

And don't miss our sweet promo offering from Down Under Endeavors: $500 off your trip for Armchair Explorer listeners.  

Go to:

https://www.downunderendeavours.com/armchair

Pop in code ARMCHAIR25 to score a discount on your Australian adventure Down Under.

You can find out more and literally book this exact trip, with these exact guides:

https://www.downunderendeavours.com/

Special thanks to our guests:

Simon Meares from Coonawarra Experiences

https://coonawarraexperiences.com.au/

Katina Vangopoulos with Flamboyance Tours in Adelaide

https://flamboyancetours.com.au/

Craig Wickham with Exceptional Kangaroo Island

https://exceptionalkangarooisland.com/

CREDITS

Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. 

Find out more at https://www.armchair-productions.com/

Jason Paton: writing, recording, mixing, sound design

Aaron Millar: host, writing, executive producer

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Today, we’re going to the best place in the world to experience it: Tropical North Queensland. And we’re in good company with Dr Eric Fisher, a marine biologist who specializes in the Great Barrier Reef. This is a conversation is about one of the great wonders of the natural world, and what it’s like to see it first-hand. But it’s also about something special that Eric has introduced: Dreamtime Dives.

Most experiences on the reef tell its story from a western viewpoint. Eric has developed a new program where you can explore it from an indigenous perspective too. Guided by Aboriginal Sea Rangers, whose connection to the reef stretches back over 60,000 years, it’s an opportunity to see the reef from a new perspective, and in doing so perhaps learn things about the reef we never knew before. 

FIND OUT MORE

Thanks again to Down Under Endeavours for partnering with us on this episode. They are the Tropical North Queensland experts and helped to connect us with the awesome guest you heard from today. 

If the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, head over to DownUnderEndeavours.com/Armchair to find out how you can see it for yourself. They’ve got lots of great ideas, and you book with them you’ll get $500 off your next trip. It’s a great way to support the show. (and please note my American friends, ‘endeavour’ is spelt the proper British way with a U at the end  )

CONNECT WITH TODAY’S GUEST     

Experience Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel at ReefUnlimited.com

Find out more about Eric’s research and conservation work at gbrbiology.com

If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm. 

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

____________________________________________________________________________

Presented by: Aaron Millar

Audio & Sound Design: Charles Tyrie

Produced by: Armchair Productions

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

In today’s episode, you hear from Nat Geo Explorer-slash-stand-up-comic Ella Al-Shamahi about her research in places where people don’t normally do science like “conflict zones.” Ella’s archeological pursuits are not only informative, but inspiring! 

To listen to the rest of their new season, follow Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

We're going on location in the traditional lands of the Nez Perce to uncover a piece of history unknown to most outsiders. In the late 19th century, the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce tribe were driven from their homeland. 200 warriors, protecting hundreds more women and children, fought for five days against 520 US soldiers. Their leader, before surrendering, promised his people that one day they would come home. After nearly 200 years, his promise may just be starting to come true.
This is a unique story of generational resilience, cultural preservation, and the ongoing work for recognition and ancestral lands.
RESOURCES

To plan your next Oregon adventure:traveloregon.com

Visiting the Nez Perce Homeland and the Tamkaliks Celebration powwow:wallowanezperce.org

Local and cultural history at the Josephy Library:library.josephy.org

Thank you to our guests: Bobbie Conner, Rich Wandschneider, Jacey Sohappy, and Nancy Crenshaw.

CREDITS

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find out more at armchair-productions.com

Brian Thacker: pre production

Charles Tyrie: assistant audio editing

Jason Paton: writing, recording, mixing, sound design

Aaron Millar: host, writing, executive producer

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Our Discover Guides are deep dives into destinations we love. Think of them like a cross between a traditional radio show and an audio magazine: Fast paced, with multiple guests and different segments from traditional interviews to immersive stories.

Highlights include:

• Snorkeling in underwater forests of bull kelp with the Mermaid of the Pacific.

• Hearing what it’s like to see orcas and humpback whales in the wild.

• Discovering what the tallest totem pole in the world, the narrowest street in North America and a statue with two left feet have in common.

• Getting the low-down on our local’s ultimate 48-hour guide to the city —a perfect balance of adventure, culture, and salty sea air.

Find out more

Thanks to TourismVictoria.com for introducing us to our awesome guests, and helping to pull this episode together. Head over there to find out more about everything we talked about on the show, or check out @tourismvictoriabc for more adventure inspiration.

Today’s guests

Alan Bruce from the Pedaler Cycling Tours and Rentals, ThePedaler.ca 

Nik Coutinho from Prince of Whales, PrinceOfWhales.com 

Tess Van Straaten, @TessvanStraaten is the X

Amanda Swiminer from Dakini Tidal Wilds, DakiniTidalWilds.com

🌏 Ready to Explore?If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm. And hey, a follow on socials? That’s like giving us a high-five from across the globe.

📸 Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast📘 Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

🎙️ Presented by: Aaron Millar 🎚️ Audio & Sound Design: Charles Tyrie🌍 Produced by: Armchair Productions

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

In this episode, we’re going from the dreamtime waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the quiet strength of Chief Joseph’s legacy in Oregon, from biking hidden streets in Victoria B.C. to walking with kangaroos on remote roads in South Australia. These are stories of culture, nature, and the wild places where the two intertwine.

🌍 Coming Up This Month:

Dreamtime Diving – Tropical North Queensland, Australia

Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef guided by Aboriginal Sea Rangers whose connection to this place stretches back over 60,000 years. Most experiences on the reef explain it from a western scientific viewpoint, here we explore it from an indigenous perspective.

Victoria B.C. Discover Destination Guide – Canada

Victoria, on Vancouver Island British Columbia, is a place where ‘land and sea meet, and cultures converge’. We’re going to meet the Mermaid of the Pacific, discover the tallest totem pole in North America, see whales in the wild, and cap it off with our ultimate 48-hour guide to the city —a perfect balance of adventure, culture, and salty sea air.

Hidden Trails of Oregon – Season 2: Homecoming

This season of Hidden Trails of Oregon takes us to the mountains and rivers of eastern Oregon, homeland of the Nez Perce and confederated tribes of the Umatilla. In this episode we reveal the little-known story of Chief Joseph, and how a promise made more than a century ago may finally be coming true.

🚐 South Australia Road Trip – From Adelaide to the Edge of the  Outback

From baby Joeys on Kangaroo Island and swimming with dolphins on the Eyre Peninsula, to exploring ancient caves and sunken gardens of the Limestone Coast, this two-part series is produced as a road trip through a lesser-known part of Australia filled with natural wonders, wildlife and more than one hilarious Aussie character. 

Alone Across Gola – A Solo Ride Through one of Africa’s most Remote Rainforests

In Alone Across Gola, adventurer Jude Kriwald cycles solo through Liberia’s barely crossed Gola Rainforest, confronting extreme physical and mental challenges along the way. This is a story about cultures converging, extreme endurance, and the courage it takes to chase your wildest travel dreams.

🌏 Ready to Explore?If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm. 

📸 Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast📘 Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Taking us on this journey is mountaineer, writer and arctic explorer Jon Waterman. From his winter ascent of the Denali’s Cassin Ridge, the first person to do this extremely dangerous climb, to his expedition on the Noatak River, in Alaska, which sparked a lifelong love affair with Arctic, Jon’s poetic descriptions, and nail-biting storytelling, will immerse you in the beauty and danger of the far north, and what it might take to save it.

Highlights of Shadow of Denali Into the Thaw:

• Feeling what it’s like to stand on the top of America’s tallest mountain in winter, and the cost it took to get there.

• Exploring the ‘hallucinogenic’  beauty of Gates of the Arctic National Park, in Alaska - America’s most remote national park.

• Discovering what it takes to paddle the Northwest Passage solo, a 2,200-mile journey across the roof of the American continent.

• Hearing the story of Maniilaq, the innuit prophet of the 1800s, who predicted the missionaries, mining and famine that would come to his people. 

• Listening to Jon’s final journey Into the Thaw to document the changes of the last 40yrs, and how he found hope among the people who have lived there since time immemorial.

FIND OUT MORE

Jon’s latest book is called Into the Thaw: Discovering Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis, published by Patagonia Books. This collection of short stories, and essays, is beautifully written and photographed. It’s a book for your collection, or a coffee table, and a joy to dip into when you’re dreaming of your next adventure. 

Find out more about this book, as well as his other books, including In the Shadow of Denali, at: jonathanwaterman.com, or search it up on Patagonia.com.

FOLLOW US:

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Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

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CONNECT WITH US:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show, and continue to bring this content to you.

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Jason Paton is our lead producer and our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Our Discover Guides are deep dives into destinations we love. Think of them like a cross between a traditional radio show and an audio magazine: fast paced, with multiple guests and different segments from traditional interviews to immersive stories. 

Highlights include:

• Trying out River Drift Snorkelling on the Mossman River, surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. 
• Going on a Walkabout Tour through the Daintree Rainforest led by a local Aboriginal guide from the Kuku Yalanji community.
• Exploring the Great Barrier Reef from above and below with a local expert.
• Tasting something called a Chocolate Pudding Fruit in the Atherton Tablelands.

Find out more:

Thanks to Down Under Endeavours for partnering with us on this episode. They are the Tropical North Queensland experts and helped us build this itinerary and connect with all the awesome guests we’ve heard from today. 

Go to downunderendeavours.com/armchair to get $500 off your next trip! 

Connecting with our partners helps support the show. If you’re looking for some adventure inspiration, check out what they do. They have some amazing adventures to dream about for your next big trip!

Today’s guests:

Jeff Cameron-Smith from https://downundercruiseanddive.com.au/

Jason Heffernan from https://backcountrybliss.com.au/

Juan Walker from https://walkaboutadventures.com.au/

Andrea Bretts from https://www.outbacktastingtours.com.au/

🌏 Ready to Explore?

If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm. And hey, a follow on socials? That’s like giving us a high-five from across the globe.

📸 Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

📘 Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

____________________________________________________________________________

🎙️ Presented by: Aaron Millar

🎚️ Audio & Sound Design: Charles Tyrie

🌍 Produced by: Armchair Productions

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Every month on Pathways, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton crack open a few stories, play their favorite clips, and take you on a whirlwind preview of what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer. It’s part travel hangout, part behind-the-scenes, part “wait, you did what?”—and all of it is designed to help you find your next great escape.

This month, we’re going deep. Deep into the world’s oldest rainforest. Deep into the soul of South Australia. And deep into the heart of America’s wildest frontier with one of the great explorers of our time.

🌍 Coming Up This Month:

🌿 DISCOVER | Tropical North Queensland

This episode takes us to Tropical North Queensland—home to two of the most unique ecosystems on the planet: the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. We join an Aboriginal guide on a walkabout tour, drift quietly down jungle rivers and explore the reef’s vibrant underwater world. It’s a journey that blends nature, culture, and connection—with a few surprises along the way.

🦘 EXPLORE | South Australia

In this episode, we explore Kangaroo Island, where wildlife roams free and the wine flows easy. We'll explore the wild beauty of the Limestone Coast, go behind the scenes in Adelaide, and discover why South Australia might just be the country’s best-kept secret. Think rugged cliffs, artisan vineyards, and a vibe that feels like the edge of the world—but somehow right at home.

❄️ ADVENTURE | Jon Waterman – Into the Thaw

Based on his epic books Shadow of Denali and Into the Thaw, we take a deep dive into the journeys of Jon Waterman—one of the most intrepid explorers of North America. From near-death climbs on Denali to Arctic expeditions across melting ice, Jon’s stories are raw, real, and radically human. This one’s for the wild-hearted.

🌏 Ready to Explore?

If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm. And hey, a follow on socials? That’s like giving us a high-five from across the globe.

📸 Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

📘 Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

🎙️ Presented by: Aaron Millar & Jason Paton

🎚️ Audio & Sound Design: Charles Tyrie

🎶 Theme Music: Sweet Chap

🌍 Produced by: Armchair Productions

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

In this Bucket List episode, produced in our immersive documentary style, whale watching guide Nik Coutinho shares some of his favorite experiences with these ocean giants, from the awe-inspiring hunting behaviours of Orcas to what it feels like to look a Humpback in the eye. 

Nik’s taking us to the city of Victoria, Vancouver Island, B.C., on Canada’s west coast, one of  the most incredible marine environments in the world. From humpback whales to orcas, seals, and sea lions, the waters here are teeming with life. But what makes this place truly special is the chance to witness a variety of whales year round, up close, and with sightings almost guaranteed. 

Join us as we go eye-to-eye with giants in the deep waters of the Salish Sea.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Connect with Giants

Feel what it’s like to look a Humpback whale in the eye. Nik shares his deeply emotional stories of connecting with these magnificent creatures.

Hunting Behavior of Killer Whales

Watch Killer Whales hunting beside your boat. Nik takes us through the dramatic and fascinating hunting techniques of these apex predators, and shares some of his favorite sightings over the years. 

The Humpback Comeback

Learn about one of the most spectacular marine environments in the world. Humpback whales are now staying in Victoria’s waters year-round, and the return of these majestic creatures is nothing short of miraculous. 

Immersive Soundscapes

Experience the breathtaking soundscapes of the ocean, from the thunderous blow of a whale’s exhale to the deafening slap of their tail during feeding time. It’s a world full of natural symphonies, brought to life in our immersive documentary style.

Whale Watching in Victoria

Discover what makes this one of the best whale-watching spots on the planet. From seeing humpback whales breach to catching a glimpse of orcas in their natural habitat, we give you the low down on everything you need to know to plan your next bucket list wildlife experience.

HOW YOU CAN DO THIS TRIP

Visit TourismVictoria.com for all the information you need to book your next bucket list trip  from whale watching and seaweed foraging to bike rides and some of the best seafood you’ll ever eat.

Head over to PrinceOfWhales.com to book your adventure and follow them on Instagram @princeofwhaleswhalewatching for more amazing sightings.

CONNECT WITH NICK

To dive deeper into Nik’s stories and the world of whales, check out the Prince of Whales Podcast, available wherever you get your shows.

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Website: armchair-explorer.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show. Your feedback helps others discover Armchair Explorer and allows us to keep bringing you incredible stories.

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar is the writer and presenter, with audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie. Our theme music is by Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

But this story isn’t just about physical endurance. Rob’s journey is breaking down emotional walls, and embracing the call of adventure. You’ll hear how it all began with a promise to his mom, how he embraced the ups and downs of the journey, and the life lessons learned along the way.

Shoutouts:

• Check out Rob’s podcast How to Be Superhuman with Red Bull, where he dives deep into the mental and physical resilience needed to achieve the impossible. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.
• 
  
• Rob was running for Peace Direct and The World Wildlife Fund – two incredible charities that are doing important work in the world. Check out the links in the show notes to learn more.
• 
  
• Follow Rob on Instagram at @run.robleer.run for more updates and inspiration from his epic journey.

Support the Podcast:

Thank you to everyone who helped us hit 200 reviews on Spotify! Your support means the world. If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to leave a review or reach out on Instagram at @armchairexplorerpodcast.

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com

CONNECT WITH US:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than let the algorithm guess (wrongly) and miss out on our weekly content.

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

He picked three countries at random: the east African country of Togo, the South Pacific islands of Wallis & Futuna and the Central Asian mountains of Kyrgyzstan. He boarded the plane with absolutely no clue of the language, culture, where to stay or what to see. He was simply rolling the dice and letting the universe decide what kind of trip he would have. 

Like his heroes of the golden age of exploration, when much of the world was still undiscovered and no one knew what wonders awaited beyond the horizon, Brian was taking a step into the unknown.

But, unlike those legends of adventure, Brian’s just an ordinary bloke. He wouldn’t be risking his life searching for lost tribes in the Amazon or crossing deadly deserts, he was just traveling, like all of us do, in search of good times, new experiences and the pure joy of exploring this amazing planet. 

Brian’s story inspires all of us that we needn’t be extreme adventurers to be real explorers, we just need to tear up the guidebook, turn off your phone and step into the unknown.

CONNECT WITH BRIAN

Brian’s book of this story if called ‘Where’s Wallis: Travels Without a Guidebook’, you can find out more about that and all Brian’s other books at www.brianthacker.tv. Instagram: @bthacker

Brian writes and presents a bunch of our other podcasts, if you enjoyed this one check out The Travel South Dakota Stories podcast. Scroll back and look for the episodes about Palm Springs too!

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed. 

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast 

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing your adventures with us.

MARCH EPISODES

ADVENTURE: No Guidebook, No Google, No Clue: Togo, Wallis and Kyrgyzstan with Best-Selling Travel Author Brian Thacker

We follow best-selling travel author Brian Thacker on a unique, mad-cap adventure to three of the remotest countries on Earth: Togo, East Africa; Wallis & Futuna, in the South Pacific; and the Central Asian mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Inspired by the intrepid spirit of explorers of old, Brian decided to tear up the guidebook, throw away the phone and turn up to a country knowing absolutely nothing about it in advance. 

IMMERSION: Homecoming: Chief Joseph’s Promise and the Flight of the Nez Perce

We go on location to the traditional lands of the Nez Perce, in eastern Oregon, to uncover a piece of history unknown to most outsiders. In the late 19th century, the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce tribe were driven from their homeland. 200 warriors, protecting hundreds more women and children, fought for five days against 520 US soldiers. Their leader, before surrendering, promised his people that one day they would come home. After nearly 200 years, his promise may just be starting to come true.

BUCKET LIST: Whale Watching in Victoria, B.C.

We go to the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada for a bucket list adventure spotting humpback and orca whales. Victoria is one of the best places in North America for whale watching and Nik Coutino, a local guide and expert, shares his best experiences, all set to immersive music and sound design.

ADVENTURE: Becoming Forrest with Ultra Runner Rob Pope

15,600 miles, 422 days, and 2 boxes of chocolates, Rob Pope tells the story of his epic journey retracing the exact run that Forrest Gump did in the movie. It’s a really fun story, Rob is a hilarious guy, but it’s also incredibly inspiring. Before she passed away Rob’s mum told him to do one thing in his life that truly makes a difference, and boy did he do it. 

Rob is also the host of the Red Bull podcast How to be Superhuman – we shared the first episode of their 3rd series last month. If you missed it, check it out. It’s awesome.

***

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed. 

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast 

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

A Long Rider is someone who has ridden a horse more than 1,000 continuous miles on a single equestrian journey. Only a handful of people in history have had the skills, and determination, to make it. Filipe Masseti is one of them. 

This is the story of one of the greatest long rides in modern times: two years, ten countries, three amazing horses and 10,000 miles of adventure from Canada all the way to Brazil. 

Get ready for Filipe Masetti’s long ride home …

THE LONG RIDER

If you enjoy this episode, you will love Filipe’s documentary about the trip. It’s beautifully shot, and packed full of adventure, insight, and inspiration. 

The Long Rider - Check it out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Long-Rider-Sean-Cisterna/dp/B0B643V4R8

Filipe has also three books about this journey, and the two that followed. It’s called the Journey America Trilogy. The story of this book, the first in the series, is called Long Ride Home. 

FOLLOW FILIPE

You Tube: @felipemasetti

Instagram: @felipemasetti

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com

CONNECT WITH US:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than let the algorithm guess (wrongly) and miss out on our weekly content.

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Presenter Brian Thacker and producer Jason Paton thought they were just covering the annual Sisseton historical festival, in South Dakota, as spectators. 

Turns out they were getting enlisted in the army. The Union Army that is. 

Join us as we march back in time today to 1864 where cavalry, artillery and infantry reenactors come together each year to bring this piece of history to life with period accurate food and music, military demonstrations, dances and much more. Including a few ghosts in a haunted old hospital where they had to spend the night. 

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

-  Ali Tonsfeldt from Fort Sisseton

-  Captain Bruce Bekkering and Amy from the Cavalry troop

-  Captain Kevin Ganz and the rest of the 13th Sioux Falls regiment

If you feel like joining the Union Army at Fort Sisseton next year, you can. Find out more at www.travelsouthdakota.com

If you enjoyed this episode, check out the full series on the Travel South Dakota Stories podcast

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Brian Thacker wrote and presented the episode, Jason Paton did the field recording and audio production. www.armchair-productions.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

This special feed drop episode is taken from Red Bull’s podcast How To Be Superhuman. If you like this episode, you’re going to love the full series.

How To Be Superhuman is about pushing the limits of human potential, from conquering terrifying climbs and kayaking down jaw-dropping waterfalls to swimming the world’s longest rivers, running through uncharted mountain kingdoms, and embarking on solo expeditions to the most remote corners of the globe. In each episode, host Rob Pope and the athlete dive into the physical and mental resilience behind these awe-inspiring feats, offering immersive storytelling and insights into overcoming the world’s greatest challenges. 

Check it out, where you listen to podcasts! 

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

redbull.com

Follow Abdullah on Instagram

Head to instagram.com/redbulladventure for more superhuman content

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

      - Erick Cedeño, Bicycle Nomad

In 2013, Erick Cedeño, aka. Bicycle Nomad, came across an old photograph that changed his life. Taken in 1897, it showed 20 black soldiers riding bicycles across the American West. As he dug deeper, he learned that these were the Buffalo Soldiers, an all-black infantry regiment formed after the civil war. The photo was taken during a grueling 1,900-mile journey, in which they traveled by bike from Montana to Missouri in order to test the efficacy of the bicycle as a form of military transport. To this day, it is one of the most difficult bike trips ever undertaken.

As a black man, growing up in America, Erick had never seen people that looked like him riding bikes. It changed his life, and he knew he had to bring their story back to life. But he did it not by telling it, but by living it - pedaling every mile that they did, sleeping where they slept, eating where they ate, taking the hard roads where modern paved highways do not go. And in doing so he invites us to live it too.

“Curiosity drives me. It fuels my insatiable desire to know what’s beyond the next bend of the road, to discover what’s there beyond the edges of the map. If it is my muscles that propel me forward physically, it is curiosity that propels me mentally.”

FIND ERICK CEDEÑO

Follow all Erick’s adventures at iambicyclenomad.com, Instagram: @bicycle_nomad, and Facebook:@bicyclenomad

SOCIAL

If you enjoy this show, please take a minute to leave a review, it makes a huge difference and enables us to keep brining these stories to you. Remember also to subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, follow @armchairexplorerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, check out Armchair Explorer's website, and learn more about our network partner, APT Podcast Studios, on their website.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com. Jenny Allison wrote and produced this episode, along with host and producer Aaron Millar. Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Theme music written by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing your adventures with us.

February episodes:

ADVENTURE: Long Rider Filipe Masetti takes us on a two-and-a-half-year journey riding his horse from Canada, where he emigrated, to his home in Brazil. Making friends with the cartel, hiding out from gun shots, becoming a local hero, and finding the love of his life. @filipemasetti

RED BULL RHINO RUN: We’ve partnered with Red Bull’s How to be a Superhuman podcast to bring you the first episode of their new series. In it, we follow extreme endurance rider Abdullah Zeinab on the Rhino Run, a 1,700-mile bike packing race across South Africa and Namibia, one of the hardest rides in the world. Check out the full series, it’s awesome: How to be a Superhuman.

IMMERSION: Producer Jason Paton and presenter Brian Thacker get unwittingly drafted into the Union Army for A civil war re-enactment in front of thousands of people. They survive hours of marching drills, musket firing lessons and a spooky stay in the old hospital. Part of our Travel South Dakota Stories series.

JOURNEY: To celebrate Black History Month, we’re bringing back one of our all-time favorite episodes. Eric Cedeño, aka the Bicycle Nomad, rides 1,900-miles from Montana to Missouri to recreate a journey taken by the 1897 all-black infantry unit known as the ‘Buffalo Soldiers’. @bicycle_nomad

***

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed. 

Reviewing the show helps other people discover it and helps us continue to produce it. If you like episode, please consider a quick review on your favorite podcast platform. You don’t have to write anything just click those five (hopefully) stars!

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

From serene canoe journeys gliding through Algonquin Provincial Park to exhilarating white-water escapades on the Madawaska River, this journey is an invitation to immerse yourself in the pristine waterways of the Canadian wilderness, and discover the heritage of its first form of transport. 

Episode Highlights:

Paddle through Algonquin Provincial Park where stunning birch and maple forests offer a perfect sanctuary from urban life.

Discover the Sacred Tradition of the Canoe, from its deep-rooted significance to Indigenous peoples to its pivotal role in shaping Canada’s cultural identity.

Feel the Thrill of White-Water Canoeing, navigating the fierce currents and swirling rapids of the Madawaska River.

Connect to Nature as Alex’s evocative storytelling immerses you in the sounds and spirit of the Canadian wilderness.

How You Can Do This Trip

Alex’s canoeing adventure in Ontario is an experience you can have too. For more details on how to plan your own journey, drop Aaron a line on instagram or via the website. You can also check out Travel.DestinationCanada.com for more ideas.

Connect with Alex

Follow Alex on Instagram to check out his award-winning photography, including shots of this trip: @alexrobinsonphotography 

JRNY Magazine

This story was inspired by an article Alex wrote for JRNY Magazine. Find more of their content at jrnymag.com 

Connect with Us

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Website: armchair-explorer.com

Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show. It helps others discover Armchair Explorer and lets us continue to share more of these incredible stories with you!

Credits:

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar is the writer and presenter, with audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie. Our theme music is by Sweet Chap. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

In 2023, St. Brigid’s Day was decreed a National Holiday in Ireland to honor Brigid. Over the millennia, this legendary woman has evolved into a figure encompassing myth, holy legend, pagan icon, and now modern feminist symbol.

But who was Brigid, really? To answer that question, travel writer Nicola Brady set off around Ireland to see how she’s celebrated, and she found that there’s not one simple answer. Because, as with everything in Ireland, you never know quite what’s around the corner.

Listen for a story that takes you into forests and through time, from the windswept hills of Downpatrick to ancient cathedrals of Kildare. And you just might encounter some fire dancers, divine poetry, and even a miniature Batman on a bicycle...

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

• Judith Boyle from Boyle’s Pub 
• Phil O’Shea from Solas Bhríde
• Tom McCutcheon from the Kildare Heritage Center
• Musicians Lisa Lambe and Moya Brennan
• Brigid Watson from Sustainable Journeys Ireland
• And poets Laura Murphy and Grainne Tobin.

Also, much of the music you’ve heard in this episode was recorded live in St. Brigid’s Cathedral. Thank you to Hot Press for helping with the recording and thanks to all the performers from that evening as well. And a big thanks to Paula O’Brien of Brigid 1500 for helping us onsite. The show was hosted by Nicola Brady, and you can find her work at NicolaBrady.com.

And if you want to learn more about booking your own trip to experience the sights and attractions featured in this episode, go to Ireland.com or follow along on social media @Tourism Ireland.

SOCIAL

Share the show with your friends! Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, follow @armchairexplorerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, and check out Armchair Explorer's website, armchair-explorer.com.

CREDITS

This show was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Jason Paton recorded, mixed, and sound designed the show. Charles Tyrie helped with the editing. Jenny Allison and Aaron Millar produced it. Nicola Brady hosted and wrote it. Thanks so much.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

From helicopter rides over frozen wilderness to exploring untouched ice caves deep within the glacier itself, this episode will take deep  into the heart Alaska and show you one the wildest parts of the planet.

Highlights from the Episode:

• Flying to the East Face of Denali
• Aaron recounts an exhilarating helicopter journey deep into the heart of the Alaskan range to the edge of the tallest mountain in North America.
• Sheldon Chalet: the Most Spectacular Hotel in the World
• Discover the fascinating story behind Sheldon Chalet, founded by Don Sheldon, the pioneering bush pilot who envisioned this extraordinary place.
• Exploring the Ruth Glacier
• Ski across the Ruth Glacier, and then descend into an ice cave of pale blue luminous crystals.
• The Northern Lights
• Feel what it’s like to see the Northern Lights for the first time, from one the best, and most spectacular locations to see them on Earth.

Follow Us: 

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. It helps us grow the show and share these incredible stories with more adventurers like you.

Sheldon Chalet

Check out some of the amazing photos of Sheldon Chalet

Instagram: @SheldonChalet

Credits:

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

In this episode, we step back in time and explore the ancient wells, oases, and water systems that have supported Alula for millennia. We’ll see how the inhabitants of this region once relied on camels and complex water systems to survive in the desert, and witness a reenactment that celebrates the founding of the ancient city of Tayma. Along the way, we’ll discover how Alula’s connection to water continues to influence its art, culture, and life today.

Recorded on location in immersive surround sound, this episode transports you directly to the heart of Alula, where history, nature, and culture come together in perfect harmony.

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

• Abdur Razzak, our Rawi (guide) through the old town of Alula
• Local artisans from Madrasat Addeera
• Local performers and dancers in the Ancient Kingdoms Festival of Tayma
• Our local guide Laura Alho
• 
  

PLAN YOUR ALULA TRIP: 

Our On Location episodes are designed so that you can experience everything you hear. Check out the links above, or find out more at ExperienceAlula.com

FOLLOW ARMCHAIR EXPLORER: 

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Website: armchair-explorer.com

Follow us on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode. Review us, and you’ll be blessed with good travel karma.



CREDITS

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

Aaron Millar wrote and hosted the series. Jason Paton did the field recording and produced the show, along with Aaron Millar. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

In this episode, we take you to the roots of this powerful genre, bringing you a live session with Rick Rushing, one of Chattanooga's finest blues musicians. Recorded in the intimate setting of a hotel room at the Moxie Chattanooga, Rick shares his journey, his family’s musical legacy, and the timeless energy of the blues.

But it’s more than just music. It’s a celebration of history, culture, and connection—where the blues go beyond the notes, touching on healing, struggle, and the power of shared experiences.

Recorded on location with immersive sound, this episode brings you close to the music and the spirit of the place, as Rick reflects on his personal story, the history of blues in Chattanooga, and the universal soul of this American art form.

A special thanks to Rick Rushing for joining us on this episode.

PLAN YOUR TENNESSEE MUSIC JOURNEY

Discover more about the musical heritage of Chattanooga and the state of Tennessee at Tennessee Music Pathways. Plan your own trip to experience these stories and sounds in person.

FOLLOW THE TENNESSEE MUSIC PATHWAYS

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tnvacation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tnvacation                                                               YouTube: https://youtube.com/tnvacation

Newsletter: tnmusicpathways.com

CREDITS

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

Aaron Millar wrote and hosted the series, with Jason Patton engineering and producing. Check out our other shows at armchair-explorer.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

We explore the vast beauty of Iceland—from icy fjords and glacial rivers to volcanic black sand beaches—and reflect on the transformative power of nature. Get ready for a deep dive into the heart of exploration, where nature's raw forces meet the human spirit of adventure.

Highlights from the Episode:

• Surfing Under the Northern Lights
• Chris recounts a wild surfing trip to the West Fjords, where an unexpected storm nearly derailed the adventure—but the payoff was worth it when they found themselves surfing under the Northern Lights.
• The Forgotten Coast Adventure
• After years of flying over Iceland’s "Forgotten Coast," Chris sets off to explore it on the ground—battling harsh weather, dangerous river crossings, and raw wilderness.
• Risk, Reward & Connection to Nature
• A reflective moment as Chris explains the importance of immersing oneself in nature to fully advocate for its preservation and to experience it deeply.
• 
  

Watch Chris' Latest Film: The Forgotten Coast

The Forgotten Coast captures the raw beauty of Iceland’s most isolated coastline. A journey full of unexpected moments and incredible landscapes. Watch it now at ChrisBurkard.com and check out Chris’ Instagram @chrisburkard for his stunning photography and more.

Follow Us:

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com

CONNECT WITH US:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than let the algorithm guess (wrongly) and miss out on our weekly content.

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing your adventures with us.

October episodes:

ADVENTURE: Adventure filmmaker Chris Burkard takes us surfing in the Northern Lights, and bike-rafting along Iceland’s 300-mile Forgotten Coast.

PERFORMANCE: We head to Chattanooga, Tennessee - one of the original homes of The Blues -for a hotel room jam, and interview, with local Blues legend Rick Rushing.

IMMERSION: Hear the alternative story of the Oregon Trail, told On Location in Eastern Oregon by an elder of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla. We Will Never Fade is the title, and spirit, of this rarely told history of the West.

BUCKET LIST: Host Aaron Millar tells us about the most spectacular place he’s ever stayed. Sheldon Chalet is perched on a nunatak in the middle of the Ruth Glacier, looking out to the eastern face of Denali, and the Alaskan Range.

JOURNEY: Travel writer Alex Robinson takes us on a canoe journey through the lakes and rivers of Ontario, Canada, and discovers a deep connection to nature and the thrill of white-water canoeing.

IMMERSION: Discover the story of the female St Patrick, in an immersive On Location journey across Ireland. St Brigid’s story was buried for over a millennia, but now it’s discovered, it’s set to take on Patrick, and his worldwide famous day.

***

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.

Reviewing the show helps other people discover it and helps us continue to produce it. If you like episode, please consider a quick review on your favorite podcast platform. You don’t have to write anything just click those five (hopefully) stars!

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

But there’s wellness in more than just the water. The desert surrounding Greater Palm Springs is believed to hold a special energy. It’s something you can feel when you come here. The wide-open expanses lifting away stress and worry, like a warm desert wind.

So, take a deep breath, because in this episode, we’re going to relax, refresh and recharge. We take the sacred waters at the Spa at Séc-he, join a local tribe member for Bird Song at the source of the spring, take part in a sound bath, and discover how the stars and night sky affect your body and mind. 

Recorded on location in immersive surround sound, this episode is designed to give you a glimpse of what it feels like to be there for real. 

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode: 

-  Daniel Spencer from the Spa at Séc-he 

-  John Preckwinkle III from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians 

-  Liz Cortez from Heart and Sol Yoga 

-  Ron Treat, from the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory 

-  Caitlin from Sky Watchers Star Tours 

PLAN YOUR GREATER PALM SPRINGS TRIP 

Our On Location episodes are designed so that you can experience everything you hear. Check out the links above, or find out more at VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com 

FOLLOW ARMCHAIR EXPLORER

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

You Tube: @armchairexplorer

Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com

Follow us on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode. Review us and you will be blessed with good travel karma.

CREDITS

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Brian Thacker wrote and hosted the series. Jason Paton did the field recording and produced the show, along with Aaron Millar. And Charles Tyrie helped with audio editing. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

“Should you ever happen to find yourself walking with only one boot on in the middle of the night,” Aaron writes, “the one thing you don’t want to read when you open the guidebook is – ‘the path climbs gently through a field of stingy nettles and large piles of cow dung.’ Nonetheless, having undertaken the challenge of walking the entire 100-mile length of the South Downs Way, from Eastbourne to Winchester, this was precisely where I found myself on only my second day on the trail.”

The South Downs Way has been walked by traders, drovers, and pilgrims for hundreds of years. Because of that a network of old Coaching Inns has sprung up along the trail where weary travelers could rest for the night, grab some dinner and pint of ale. Centuries later many are still standing, and it’s possible to walk the entire trail stopping at them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a few drinks in between.

100-miles – shoeless or not – is a long way, but it’s worth every inch of the effort because this part of the world is overflowing with gentle landscapes, ancient history, and warm welcoming people. Not to mention a good pint or two.

DO THIS PUB CRAWL YOURSELF!

You can find out more information about the South Downs Way, and South Downs National Park at www.southdowns.gov.uk

It’s possible to work out the route of the pub crawl yourself, or drop Aaron a line for the insider tips: info@armchair-explorer.com

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

In the Neptune Islands of Australia, home to the most great white sharks on the planet, there is a cage dive that drops you all the way to the ocean floor. And it was set up by the man who survived the shark attack that inspired the movie, Jaws.

This adventure should be on the bucket list of any ocean adventure fan. But it’s not for the feint hearted. Listen in and see if you would dare to take on the most intense great white shark experience on the planet.

Highlights include:

• Hearing the story of one of the most horrific great white shark attacks of all time
• Learning about the story of Rodney Fox, how he became the inspiration for Jaws the movie, and went on to invent cage diving.
• Finding out what it feels like to descend to the bottom of the ocean floor as seven great white sharks circle you on all sides.
• Finding out about great white shark science and conservation

Note: Many cage diving trips are unethical, Rodney Fox's are the gold standard in conservation. Listen to the episode to find out why, and what to look out for when booking your trip. Book this trip directly: rodneyfox.com.au.

Follow James Stewart for more ocean adventures: @itsjamesstewart

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Recorded on location in immersive stereo surround, join presenter Brian Thacker on a journey through South Dakota’s Badlands National Park. We’ll find ancient fossils and murder pigs, become an unwelcome visitor in a prairie dog town, and go horseback riding through an endless sea of grass under the shadows of rocky buttes straight out of a western movie.

Welcome to the Land of Stone and Light, where bad means good.

FIND OUT MORE

Our on location ‘Immersion’ documentaries are designed so that you can experience everything we did in this episode. Go to travelsouthdakota.com for everything else you need to know to plan your great South Dakota adventure.

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Brian Thacker wrote and presented this episode. Jason Paton did the field recording and production. Aaron Millar was executive producer.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

In 2005, adventure journalist and best-selling novelist Peter Heller, spent six weeks on board the eco-pirate ship Farley Mowat, fighting the Japanese whaling fleet.

Led by Captain Paul Watson, the founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, their mission was to disrupt, ram or sink the harpoon boats and factory ships that hunt and kill hundreds of whales each year.

Some people called them eco-terrorists, others hailed them as heroes. Battling Class 7 and 8 gales, and 35-foot-high seas, this is their story. You’ll have to make your own mind up.

CONNECT WITH PETER HELLER

Peter Heller is a beautiful writer, as well as an accomplished adventurer. His novels fuse both these passions seamlessly, transporting you to wild and beautiful places, whilst keeps you page-turning on the edge of your seat. Find out more about his books at peterhellerauthor.com

His latest novel, Burn, is about two men—friends since boyhood—who emerge from the woods of rural Maine to a dystopian country racked by bewildering violence.

#FREEPAULWATSON

At the time of publication Captain Paul Watson was being held in jail awaiting extradition to Japan where he faces up to 15 years in prison for the work he did on this mission, and others since. Find out more at paulwatsonfoundation.org

WHALE CONSERVATION:

Find out more at seashepherd.org

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing your adventures with us.

December episodes:

ADVENTURE: Whale Warriors

We join best-selling author and activist Peter Heller on board an eco-pirate ship as they battle illegal Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean.

IMMERSION: Ancient Kingdoms

We cross the Arabian desert to the city of Tayma, take part in the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, and explore one of the largest oases in the world.

BUCKET LIST: The Everest of Cage Dives

In the Neptune Islands of Australia, home to the most Great White Sharks on the planet, there is a cage dive that drops you all the way to the ocean floor. And it was set up by the guy who survived the shark attack that inspired the movie, Jaws.

IMMERSION: Welcome to the Badlands

Join best-selling travel author Brian Thacker on a journey deep into the Badlands of South Dakota. We find ancient fossils on hiking trails, become an unwelcome visitor in a prairie town, and go horseback riding through an endless sea of grass, straight out of a western movie.

WANDERLUST: The Curiosities of Christmas Island.

We sit down with travel journalist Martin Symington to hear about his journey to one of the most remote places on Earth. No, Santa doesn’t live there. Yes, David Attenborough thinks it’s awesome.

BUCKET LIST: 100-mile Pub Crawl

Host Aaron Millar takes us on a 100-mile pub crawl along the South Downs Way, a long-distance footpath that crosses the South Downs National Park in England.

IMMERSION: Wellness in the Desert

We’re back with Brian Thacker in search of some New Year’s nature-inspired wellness: healing waters, indigenous bird song and Joshua Tree National Park at night.

***

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Here’s to those who Wisconsin … that’s what they say in this part of the world.  Because traveling here is not so much about exploring a place as discovering a mindset. 

In this two-part documentary series, recorded on location, we’ll be searching for that Wisconsin state of mind. Today we’ll be looking for it through the lens of its food. But this episode is as much about community and culture as it is eating well.

They say we are what we eat, and if that’s true then tracing the history of food also tells the story of a place, and its people.

We’ll be throwing kerosene on bubbling cauldrons, figuring out how to use a traditional Oneida corn pounder, and meeting the organic farmers who have marinara in their blood. I hope you’re hungry because dinner is about to be served.

This episode was recorded on location during a weeklong road trip through the state. We hope you enjoy our journey, and if it inspires you to take one of your own – you can. All our on-location documentaries are designed to be trips that you can repeat exactly as we did it – or just pick the stuff you love. Go to travelwisconsin.com to find out more.

Thank you to our guests:

Kirby Metoxen, council member of the Oneida Nation

Lea Zeise from the Oneida Emergency Food Pantry

Becky Webster from Ukwakhwa Farm 

Jeremy ‘torch’ Klaubauf at the Old Post Office Restaurant in Ephraim

and Tony Shultz, and the whole crew, at Stoney Acres Farm

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com. Aaron Millar, wrote and presented the episode, and produced it with Jason Paton. Brian Thacker led our pre-production. Ally Nisbet did the field recording. And Charles Tyrie did the audio production and sound design.

Today, we are stepping back in time to when Palm Springs was Hollywood’s favorite hideaway, when mid-century architecture shaped the town and suavely clad folk sipped martinis by the pool. In this episode, we’re going to visit Frank Sinatra (or his house and favorite restaurant at least), tour the Shag House with Shag himself, meet Barbie and Elvis for dinner and craft cocktails with Palm Springs very own Mr Tiki.

Recorded on location in immersive surround sound, this episode is designed to give you a glimpse of what it feels like to be there for real.

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

-  Our guide Kip Serafin from the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation

-  Artist and style king Josh Agle, better known as Shag

-  Barbie queen and Modernism Week CEO Lisa Vossler Smith

-  Dan Ruiz from the Ingleside Inn

-  Brian Mitchell, the food and beverage manager, and all the staff from Melvyn’s

PLAN YOUR GREATER PALM SPRINGS TRIP

Our On Location episodes are designed so that you can experience everything you hear. Check out the links above, or find out more at VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed. 

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Brian Thacker wrote and presented this episode; Jason Paton did the field recording and audio production; and Aaron Millar was the executive producer . Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast