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Armchair Explorer The world's greatest adventurers tell their best story from the road.

Sunday Times 'best podcasts for pure escapism', Telegraph 'Best travel podcasts 2020' www.Armchair-Explorer.com

If you haven’t caught our episode with Tim Moore yet, what are you waiting for?! His ridiculous, record-setting bicycle ...
25/04/2024

If you haven’t caught our episode with Tim Moore yet, what are you waiting for?! His ridiculous, record-setting bicycle journey along the Iron Curtain Trail will have you laughing (and possibly biting your nails) as he winds his way through everything from knee-deep snow to dive bars.

Find the episode now wherever you find your podcasts! 🎧

This week’s episode is a special one 🙏🏼 We had an incredible time speaking with Pico Iyer, one of travel writing’s most ...
08/04/2024

This week’s episode is a special one 🙏🏼 We had an incredible time speaking with Pico Iyer, one of travel writing’s most revered authors, as he reflected on whether or not it’s possible to find paradise here on Earth. From traveling with the Dalai Lama to exploring Iran’s ancient mosques, Pico’s stories will make you eager to find your own paradise…however you define it.

Find the episode now wherever you get your podcasts! 🎧

Have you listened to this week’s episode with  , the author of You Are Not Here: Travels to Countries That Don’t Exist? ...
27/03/2024

Have you listened to this week’s episode with , the author of You Are Not Here: Travels to Countries That Don’t Exist? If not, what are you waiting for?! It’s a story which feels too crazy to be true (think jet-skiing presidents) but it is 100% real.

Find our interview with the hilarious and brilliant now wherever you find podcasts! 🎧

“I will show you my Amazon…the Amazon that visitors never get to see.”When  heard those words, he knew he was in for the...
19/02/2024

“I will show you my Amazon…the Amazon that visitors never get to see.”

When heard those words, he knew he was in for the adventure of a lifetime. His guide, Saru Mundurucu, had recently founded the Amazon’s only adventure company owned and operated by an indigenous Amazonian.

He promised an adventure that was larger than life — and he delivered. From giant otters to plants the size of men, Saru’s Amazon was beyond Alex’s wildest dreams.

Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts 🎧

Two words: Weird. Wonderful.Have you heard this week’s On Location in Portland? Join us as we go on a secret bar crawl, ...
14/02/2024

Two words: Weird. Wonderful.

Have you heard this week’s On Location in Portland? Join us as we go on a secret bar crawl, stop by some eclectic food carts, tour some local vineyards, visit an art market, and do our best to “Keep Portland Weird!”

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts 🎧

🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Just in time for x-mas...we have a reindeer episode!Bundle up with a warm drink and enjoy this captivating...
22/12/2022

🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Just in time for x-mas...we have a reindeer episode!

Bundle up with a warm drink and enjoy this captivating tale from Christine Amour-Levar, an expedition leader, philanthropist, and author who broke records by organizing a group of women to accompany Siberia's indigenous reindeer herders, the Nenets, for a weeklong journey in the dead of winter.

Find more of Christine's incredible stories - including her new book, "Wild Wisdom: Life Lessons from Leading Teams to Some of the Most Inhospitable Places in the World" - at her website at christineamourlevar.com, and learn more about her two nonprofits, Women on a Mission (womenmission.com) and HER Planet Earth (herplanetearth.com)!

🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 Ever wanted to live in a remote Buddhist monastery?Well, Bruce Kirkby did - and he brought his entire fa...
07/12/2022

🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 Ever wanted to live in a remote Buddhist monastery?

Well, Bruce Kirkby did - and he brought his entire family along with him! Follow along as Bruce and his wife spend nearly 100 days journeying from Canada - via container ship, fishing boats, horseback, and even by foot - to reach a monastery in the remote valley in Ladakh, India, where they would live with their young sons for 3 months.

Follow Bruce on Instagram or visit his website at brucekirkby.com to find his photos, his book about this journey (Blue Sky Kingdom) and more!

🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Ocean lovers...this one's for you! Today we're joined by Pier Nirandara, an award-winning author, photogra...
23/11/2022

🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Ocean lovers...this one's for you!

Today we're joined by Pier Nirandara, an award-winning author, photographer, film producer, SCUBA diver, and all-around inspiring ocean advocate! Pier has spent years diving in oceans around the world, and in this episode, she's sharing stories about some of her most memorable wildlife encounters under the sea.

Find Pier's incredible photography (like the images pictured here), writing, and expeditions on her website at piernirandara.com!

🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Travel-writing legend alert!Today we're talking to Rolf Potts, the legendary travel writer who helped pion...
09/11/2022

🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Travel-writing legend alert!

Today we're talking to Rolf Potts, the legendary travel writer who helped pioneer affordable indie travel long before the era of digital nomadism!

In the episode, you'll hear Rolf's most memorable travel stories and the lessons he learned from them - including why you should never trust reviews, how inconvenience can lead to extraordinary discoveries, and why boredom while traveling is a gift.

Find Rolf's work, including his NEW book, The Vagabond's Way, at rolfpotts.com.

🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 This one’s a nail-biter! “I jump off buildings and cliffs for fun. And I don’t recommend it to anyone.”The...
26/10/2022

🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 This one’s a nail-biter!

“I jump off buildings and cliffs for fun. And I don’t recommend it to anyone.”

The one and only Jeb Corliss , the legendary BASE jumper and wingsuit pilot, is on the show this week with maybe our most heart-pounding episode yet!

In addition to some terrifying tales and thrills, Jeb has a lot of wisdom to share about how jumping has fundamentally changed his world view and shifted his approach to life. This is not one to miss!

Find Jeb's work, including his NEW book, Memoirs from the Edge: Exploring the Line Between Life and Death, at his website jebcorliss.net!

🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 What does it take to really know a place? When Jordan Salama arrived in Colombia for the first time, he ...
12/10/2022

🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 What does it take to really know a place?

When Jordan Salama arrived in Colombia for the first time, he realized that it was a country that was deeply misunderstood. For a place often associated with violence, Jordan found himself in a country teeming with rugged beauty, welcoming communities, vibrant music, and astonishing art. He wanted to dive deeper...and to do so, he decided to travel the entire length of the Magdalena River through Colombia's heartland.

Scroll to see just a few of the sights and people Jordan encountered along his journey (you'll want to see the last one, the famous biblioburro, or traveling donkey library)! Whether you already know Colombia or are curious to learn more, Jordan's story will open your eyes and touch your heart in unexpected ways.

Follow Jordan’s work at jordansalama.com, where you’ll find links to his articles in National Geographic, The New York Times, and more. He's a beautiful writer, and his book, Every Day the River Changes, is an incredible read. Grab your copy at your local bookstore or online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon!

A HUGE thank you to our new and incredible sponsor, The North Face, for supporting this episode! Find your next fleece, parka, or winter jacket at thenorthface.com!

And thank you to our other fantastic sponsor, Juggernaut Wines! Shop their delicious wines at juggernautwines.com and use code ARMCHAIR21 for one-cent shipping.

Listen NOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts!

🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 What happens when adventuring goes suddenly, horribly wrong?For Jean Muenchrath, what began as a pleasan...
30/09/2022

🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 What happens when adventuring goes suddenly, horribly wrong?

For Jean Muenchrath, what began as a pleasant cross-country ski trip up the John Muir trail quickly spiraled into disaster - and what happened changed her life forever. Journey back in time with us to hear one of the most gripping survival stories that occurred over three decades ago in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Jean’s story is a testament to the power of the mind, the importance of dreams, and the sheer force of will.

Swipe ➡️ to see Jean and her skiing partner, Ken, who spent weeks on the John Muir trail in the middle of winter immersing themselves in nature. In the episode, you'll hear firsthand about their journey skiing through snow-laden meadows and past towering granite cliffs. And you'll also hear how, as they neared the end of their journey at Mount Whitney, Jean began to fear, intuitively, that something was about to go terribly wrong. And, as we’ll find out, she should have listened to that voice.

To learn more about Jean, visit jeanmuenchrath.com or find her book, If I Live Until Morning: A True Story of Adventure, Tragedy, and Transformation, on Amazon.

THANK YOU to Juggernaut Wines for sponsoring this episode! Give them a follow juggernautwines or visit juggernautwines.com and use code ARMCHAIR21 to get shipping for one cent.

Listen NOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts!

I am SO excited to share this new podcast with you. It’s a 6-part series about the Tennessee Music Pathways traveling fr...
05/09/2022

I am SO excited to share this new podcast with you. It’s a 6-part series about the Tennessee Music Pathways traveling from the birth of Country music in Bristol, Tennessee to the birth of Rock n’Roll in Memphis. Super proud to have produced and presented this one. Tune in and you’ll hear bluegrass played fast as lightning and listen to traditional Appalachian music performed live in the Great Smoky Mountains. We’ll go shopping in Elvis’ favorite clothing store, bang drums in the studio that made Uptown Funk, learn to play the spoons and drink whisky in a distillery housed in a more than 100-year-old former prison. It’s a lot of fun, think you’ll like it.

Just a little teaser here, but this is me learning to play the spoons with a traditional Appalachian Mountain string band … let’s just say I’m not quitting the day job anytime soon

From the largest cities to the smallest communities, the Tennessee Music Pathways is a guide that connects visitors to the rich musical heritage of our state. Visitors can curate their own path based on interests using an interactive guide at www.tnvacation.com/tennessee-music-pathways.

Congratulations to Molly, the $100 gift card winner! For the next couple of months we will be giving away $100 to anyone...
02/09/2022

Congratulations to Molly, the $100 gift card winner! For the next couple of months we will be giving away $100 to anyone that refers a friend to the show. The more friends you refer the better chance you have of winning. It’s super simple just click the link in the bio and you’re away.

Thank you so much to everyone that entered and helped spread the word. And for those of you who haven’t yet, we’re resetting - it’s a new month with fresh chances to win. If you like the show, and you think your fiends might too then it’s a no brainer, right?!

Follow adventurer Arjun Bhogle on a five-year 16,000-mile trek across the entire world. This is an insane story, but it’...
01/09/2022

Follow adventurer Arjun Bhogle on a five-year 16,000-mile trek across the entire world. This is an insane story, but it’s also an incredibly funny one.

Starting your hiking career, walking across the entire world is a preposterous notion. But Arjun made it happen, not through physical endurance, though there was a lot of that. He made it happen through mental toughness, through a relentlessly optimistic and open spirit that saw him make friends everywhere he went and survive near-death experiences that would have sent most of us running home with our tail between our legs.

You’re going to gasp, be on the edge of your seat, and laugh your head off. Get ready to trek across the entire world.

Who’s the guest?
Arjun Bhogle is an ordinary guy who did an extraordinary thing – and he did it for an incredible reason. Millions of people around the world have little or no access to clean water. Arjun walked across the entire planet to raise awareness and money for WaterAid. Find out more about what they do at www.wateraid.org… and connect with Arjun at www.arjunbhogal.co.uk… or on Instagram

Refer a friend, win $100!
If you like this show, and you think your friends might too, then you can win a $100 amazon gift voucher. All you need to do is go to www.refer.fm/armchairexplorer type in your email and start sharing with your friends and family. The more referrals you get the bigger the chance of winning. You can even set up while you listen to this episode – it literally takes 2mins! Thank you for helping to spread the word! www.refer.fm/armchairexplorer

Thank you to our sponsor
Thank you to Juggernaut Wines for sponsoring this episode! We’ve got a special deal for listeners of this show. You can get four bottles delivered direct to your home for only 1 cent in shipping costs. One penny! Just head over to www.juggernautwines.com and type in the code ARMCHAIR21. Drinking their wine is a great way to support the show … how cool is that?!

31/08/2022

Refer a friend, win $100!

If you like this show, and you think your friends might too, then you can win a $100 amazon gift voucher – and an exclusive armchair explorer t-shirt that’s so exclusive even I don’t have one!

All you need to do is go to type in your email, you’ll get sent a link, and then all you need to do is share that link with your friends and family. When they click it and subscribe or follow the show, you will automatically get one referral to your name.

Every referral counts as one raffle ticket to win that $100 amazon gift card. Get 10 referrals and on top of entry into the competition you’ll also get that exclusive Armchair Explorer t-shirt worth $25. You can even set up while you listen to this episode – it literally takes 2mins.

Thank you for helping to spread the word!

&win

26/08/2022

Refer a friend, win $100!

If you like this show, and you think your friends might too, then you can win a $100 amazon gift voucher – and an exclusive armchair explorer t-shirt that’s so exclusive even I don’t have one!

All you need to do is go to type in your email, you’ll get sent a link, and then all you need to do is share that link with your friends and family. When they click it and subscribe or follow the show, you will automatically get one referral to your name.

Every referral counts as one raffle ticket to win that $100 amazon gift card. Get 10 referrals and on top of entry into the competition you’ll also get that exclusive Armchair Explorer t-shirt worth $25. You can even set up while you listen to this episode – it literally takes 2mins.

Thank you for helping to spread the word!

24/08/2022

Refer the Armchair Explorer Podcast for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card or a free T-shirt. It’s free, we never share your information, and don’t worry: we want your ears, not your wallet. This referral competition ends September 4th, 2022.

HOW TO REFER

Head to https://refer.fm/armchairexplorer and submit your email.
Once you receive the referral email, forward that link to everyone you want to share this show with.
The more referrals, the higher the chance you have of winning.

Every referral is a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card

10 referrals = Free T-Shirt

If you enjoy this show, then please consider showing your support by helping us spread the word, thank you for making this podcast possible!

&win

22/08/2022

Refer the Armchair Explorer Podcast for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card or a free T-shirt. It’s free, we never share your information, and don’t worry: we want your ears, not your wallet. This referral competition ends September 4th, 2022.

HOW TO REFER

Head to https://refer.fm/armchairexplorer and submit your email.
Once you receive the referral email, forward that link to everyone you want to share this show with.
The more referrals, the higher the chance you have of winning.

Every referral is a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card

10 referrals = Free T-Shirt

If you enjoy this show, then please consider showing your support by helping us spread the word, thank you for making this podcast possible!

15/08/2022

Are you dangling from cliffs like Alex Honnold, checking out wildlife with David Attenborough, or eating and drinking your way around the world with Anthony Bourdain? … find out which celebrity adventurer you are and get personalized recommendations for your ultimate travel book, movie, podcast, and more.

This quiz was brought to you by the Armchair Explorer podcast. If you love travel, we think you’ll this. Each episode is an audio documentary that immerses in the pure joy and adventure of exploring the world. It’s free, we never share your information and don’t worry: we want your ears, not your wallet. https://linktr.ee/armchairexplorerpodcast

12/08/2022

Refer a friend, win $100!

If you like this show, and you think your friends might too, then you can win a $100 amazon gift voucher – and an exclusive armchair explorer t-shirt that’s so exclusive even I don’t have one!

All you need to do is go to type in your email, you’ll get sent a link, and then all you need to do is share that link with your friends and family. When they click it and subscribe or follow the show, you will automatically get one referral to your name.

Every referral counts as one raffle ticket to win that $100 amazon gift card. Get 10 referrals and on top of entry into the competition you’ll also get that exclusive Armchair Explorer t-shirt worth $25. You can even set up while you listen to this episode – it literally takes 2mins.

Thank you for helping to spread the word!
&win

Follow acclaimed travel writer Nick Hunt on a journey to walk Europe’s outlands – a piece of arctic tundra in Scotland, ...
10/08/2022

Follow acclaimed travel writer Nick Hunt on a journey to walk Europe’s outlands – a piece of arctic tundra in Scotland, a primeval forest in Poland, a desert in Spain, the vast grasslands of the Hungarian steppe. These are outlandish places; wild, remote and untamed; places that shouldn’t exist, but they do.

Who’s the guest?
Nick Hunt is a beautiful, thoughtful writer and this is a book you will want to savor. It’s called ‘ Landscapes’ and you can find it anywhere you get your books. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

Refer a Friend, win $100!
If you like this show, and you think your friends might too, then you can win a $100 amazon gift voucher – and an exclusive armchair explorer t-shirt! All you need to do is type in your email, you’ll get sent a link, and then share that link with your friends and family. When they click it and subscribe or follow the show, you will automatically get one referral to your name. Every referral counts as a raffle ticket to win that $100 amazon gift card. Get 10 referrals and on top of entry into the competition you’ll also get that exclusive Armchair Explorer t-shirt. You can even set it up while you listen to this episode – it literally takes 2 mins. Thank you for helping to spread the word!

Thank you to our sponsor
Today’s episode is sponsored by Not Lost, a new podcast about finding yourself in places you’ve never been. On Not Lost, host Brendan Francis Newnam ventures to new places, exploring what it has to offer, and then, to really understand what it makes tick, tries to get invited to a stranger’s house for dinner. A friend joins him at each destination, and they drink, dance, and eat their way from Montréal to Mexico City, often learning as much about themselves as the place they’re visiting. Check it out!

Let's hang out
Follow on Instagram and Facebook or head over to www.armchair-explorer.com to sign up to our newsletter and get adventure inspiration delivered straight to your inbox twice a month.

Honoring the International Day of the World's Indigenous People today, and the wisdom they have to teach us. This is one...
09/08/2022

Honoring the International Day of the World's Indigenous People today, and the wisdom they have to teach us. This is one of my most treasured episodes of all 50 we’ve done on the show. If you haven’t listened yet, please check it out and consider making a donation to their cause Tairona Heritage Foundation.

In 1990, the Kogi people of Colombia came out of 500 years of isolation to give the world a message. They call themselves the Elder Brothers, the protectors of an ancient wisdom, which we, the Younger Brother, have forgotten. Hidden from the modern world, their culture, way of life and beliefs has remained unchanged since the time of the Incas. They emerged only for a brief moment, inviting one film maker in to help them pass on their warning. This is a story about the making of that film. It is a story about one of the most unique tribes on the planet. It is an invitation into the lost world of the Kogi.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider donating to the Tairona Trust. This charitable organisation has been set up to help protect the Kogi and spread their message to the wider world. Recent projects include connecting Kogi elders with western scientists to restore damaged areas of forest in their homeland. It’s one of the few projects which seeks to unify indigenous wisdom with modern ecology and if we can prove it successful will provide a model for other indigenous cultures around the world. Please go to http://www.taironatrust.org to find out more. Instagram: / Facebook: / Twitter:

05/08/2022

The World's Greatest Adventurers Tell Their Best Story From The Road.

"Inspiring Storytelling." - The New York Times

"Ear Candy for Listeners." - Washington Post

"Best Podcasts for Pure Escapism" - Sunday Times

Subscribe and listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Madidi National Park, in the northwest corner of Bolivia, is featured in my book "50 Greatest National Parks in the Worl...
27/06/2022

Madidi National Park, in the northwest corner of Bolivia, is featured in my book "50 Greatest National Parks in the World ", where the snow-capped peaks of the Andes meet the lush green edge of the Amazon basin.

Madidi offers an unfiltered rainforest experience. Wilderness is paramount. The tourism is sustainable and low-impact, mostly run in conjunction with the local indigenous tribes and benefitting them in the process. This is what the Amazon should be: small footprints and big adventures, the rainforest raw and unfettered from modern needs.

WHERE: La Paz department of northwest Bolivia. The nearest town, and base for the national park, is Rurrenbaque, a short flight from La Paz. www.bolivianlife.com/department-la-paz/

DON’T MISS: Seeing the jungle at night – many eco-lodges offer night treks as part of their stay, a thrilling experience that showcases a completely different side to the rainforest.

TOP TIP: Stay in an indigenous run eco-lodge in the heart of the jungle for the best experience. It won’t be luxurious, and you’ll need plenty of bug spray, but seeing the jungle through the eyes
of the people that live here will be an experience you’ll never forget and one that will benefit them at the same time too.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Make sure to see Bolivia’s other natural highlights, including Lake Titticaca, the highest navigable lake in the world and home to the magical floating islands of the Uros people, and the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on the planet located near the town of Uyuni, in southwestern Bolivia. www.bolivia.travel

BOOK: "50 Greatest National Parks in the World" by Aaron Millar

If you enjoy this show, then please consider showing your support by buying me a pint at www.patreon.com Armchair Explorer ... thank you for making this show possible!

Thank you to Wondrium for sponsoring this show - you can get a 22-day free trail at www.wondrium.com/armchair ... it's awesome!

The award-winning Chalalán eco-lodge is in a natural sanctuary beautifully preserved thanks to the traditional philosoph...
24/06/2022

The award-winning Chalalán eco-lodge is in a natural sanctuary beautifully preserved thanks to the traditional philosophy of respecting nature and prohibiting hunting and commercial deforestation. During your stay, you’ll be accompanied by people that share your love for adventure, nature, and cultural diversity.

Chalalán is located approximately 100 km west of Rurrenabaque, the boat ride to the ecolodge is also part of the experience. You will embark on a fascinating 5-hour trip through the Beni and Tuichi Rivers, a crossing topped with paradisiacal landscapes and sites full of wildlife and a predominant green vastness.

WEBSITE: www.chalalan.com

FACEBOOK: .ecoalbergue

If you enjoy this show, then please consider showing your support by buying me a pint at www.patreon.com Armchair Explorer ... thank you for making this show possible!

Thank you to Wondrium for sponsoring this show - you can get a 22-day free trail at www.wondrium.com/armchair ... it's awesome!

Check out our previous episode with Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras on a quest to discover South America’s hidden ...
23/06/2022

Check out our previous episode with 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 (yes, you read that right), 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.

But it’s more than that too. When we think of the wonders of the world we think of The Grand Canyon, and 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 recognize the magic in the world lies not with the world, but with us, and it is our job to turn ourselves into vessels of recognizing that magic.” - Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura

Atlas Obscura is a No. 1 bestseller and tells extraordinary stories about hidden places, incredible history, scientific marvels, and gastronomical wonders.

www.atlasobscura.com / Atlas Obscura

If you enjoy this show, then please consider showing your support by buying me a pint at www.patreon.com Armchair Explorer ... thank you for making this show possible!

Thank you to Wondrium for sponsoring this show - you can get a 22-day free trail at www.wondrium.com/armchair ... it's awesome!

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