The Explorers Podcast

02/06/2024

Folks, I want to let you know that in the next two days we will be picking a winner in our drawing for a copy of Daring French Explorations by Hubert Sagnières. This beautiful, coffee-table style book covers 16 different expeditions conducted by French explorers between 1714 and 1854. There are tons of wonderful illustrations and maps. We are giving away one copy of the book. Entry to win is free - so go check it out at: https://explorerspodcast.com/daringfrenchexplorations/

13/03/2024

Folks, I want to let you know that the second episode in our series on Jules Dumont d'Urville is out. So check it out. Also, we are doing a giveaway of the book Daring French Explorations by Hubert Sagnières. The book is 400 pages of amazing stuff - including all sorts of images and sketches never before published. Entry is free. Here are some images from the book (All photos are from Hubert Sagnières, Daring French Explorations, Flammarion, 2024). https://explorerspodcast.com/daringfrenchexplorations/

05/03/2024

In conjecture with our series on Jules Dumont d'Urville, we are giving a way a copy of the acclaimed new book, Daring French Explorations, Trailblazing Adventures Around the World, 1714-1854, by Hubert Sagnières - which d'Urville is a part of. This is a beautiful book and perfect for any explorer nerd. It doesn't cost anything to enter - just go to our website and sign up. I'll post some images from the book in the coming weeks. They are pretty amazing. https://explorerspodcast.com/daringfrenchexplorations/

05/03/2024

Hello friends, I'm excited to announce the start a new series. This one is on French Explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville. The man circled the globe three times between 1822-1840. He is also known for his critical role in acquiring the Venus de Milo for France.

Jules Dumont d’Urville was a French explorer, naval officer, geographer, naturalist and cartographer who explored the south and western Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. He is …

27/02/2024

We recently finished a 6-part series on British explorer, traveler and writer Freya Stark. Stark spent years exploring the remote regions of Persia and Iraq. She was one of the first Europeans to reach the famed Valley of the Assassins. It's wonderful stuff about a remarkable person. I hope you enjoy. https://explorerspodcast.com/freya-stark/

02/01/2024

It's been a while, but I have finished the series on Alexander von Humboldt - one of the great scientists of the 1800s - and a prolific explorer and traveler. It is six episodes in length. I hope you enjoy.

Alexander von Humboldt was one a German polymath, geographer, naturalist, and explorer. He would become one of the most influential men of the 19th century. Much of his work was based upon his trav…

21/11/2023

I recently did an interview with the Curious Worldview Podcast. The host, Ryan Faulkner-Hogg runs a website that is dedicated to things such as journalism and finding out about the world. His podcast is just a a part of all the stuff that he does. Ryan was great, and we talked a long time about a bunch of different stuff. We, of course, talked about explorers, but also a lot about the creative side of making the podcast, which was fun.

So, please check it out if you want to here me ramble on about a bunch of different subjects.

https://atlasgeographica.com/explorers-podcast/

09/10/2023

Wrapped up the Belgica series with an interview with Julian Sancton, who wrote the book "Madhouse at the End of the Earth." It was a great series and a great interview. https://explorerspodcast.com/belgica-expedi

17/08/2023

The Belgica Expedition has launched - kicking off the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. The expedition's leader (and organizer) was Adrien de Gerlache - a young Belgian naval officer. Expect some madness and a lot of cold. Episode one is out. https://explorerspodcast.com/belgica-expedition/

10/08/2023

Our next series - which launches August 17, will take us to Antarctica with the Belgica Expedition. This is the enterprise that kicked off the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. And we get to meet a young Roald Amundsen (first man to South Pole), and Dr. Frederick Cook (claimed to be the first man to the North Pole). It's a great story.

10/08/2023

Just finished our 7-part series on Ibn Battuta. It was a fun ride.

In the 14th century, Ibn Battuta, a Berber Maghrebi scholar and explorer traveled throughout the Islamic world over the course of several decades. He would travel throughout Northern Africa, the Mi…

14/07/2023

This was some really good stuff. Check it out.

Bartolomeu Dias was tasked by the Portuguese King to discover a way around Africa and find a passage to India. South of the Tropic of Capricorn, this explore...

03/04/2023

Really good article related to Francisco Vázquez de Coronado.

Certainly the oldest firearm ever found in the continental United States, and possibly the oldest-known firearm produced in the New World, a rampart gun recently discovered in Arizona is one of six associated with Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s famous search for the “Seven Cities of Gold.”

30/03/2023

Our next series will take us to Australia - and the man who is perhaps the greatest explorer of the interior of the continent - John McDouall Stuart. The man was a social misfit, raging binge drinker, and nailed the crazed prospector/preacher vibe. He also had incredible endurance and extraordinary survival instincts. It is a great story. First episode should be out on April 10.

PS - I recommend listening to the Burke and Wills Expedition series if you have not. It will make a great companion piece.

29/03/2023

Cool...

A 330-year-old journal written by a French naval surgeon onboard Louis XIV's royal fleet describes the first ever European sighting of Australia's coastline.

29/03/2023

Two part series on Francisco Vázquez de Coronado and the Seven Cities of Gold is complete. Check it out.

In 1540, Spanish conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado set out from northern Mexico with one of the largest expeditions ever assembled in the New World. The goal was to find and conquer the le…

11/02/2023

New series has started. This is a unique one. In 2011, Matt Rutherford set out to circumnavigate the Americas. Alone. Nonstop. In a 40 year old, 27 foot long sailboat. That means no dropping anchor. No going ashore. No having visitors. Nothing. Just him and the ocean for 300+ days as he tried to circle both North and South America. It's a great story.

In 2011, Matt Rutherford set out to become the first person to ever sail around the Americas. He had a 40-year old, 27-foot long sailboat – the St. Brendan. As this was a solo voyage, he was …

05/02/2023

It seems weird that some mountains have not been summited - even to this day. Here's one that recently fell to a South Korean team.

Last May, in an unheralded first ascent, a South Korean team summited 6,694m Phu Kang on the Nepal-Tibet border.

31/01/2023

If you missed it, we concluded 2022 with an epic 10-part series on famed British explorer Captain James Cook. Please check it out if you want hours and hours of explorers fun.

British explorer Captain James Cook in one history’s most famous explorers. He conducted three expeditions to the Pacific, opening up countless new lands to the western world – includin…

31/01/2023

I have neglected the Explorers Podcast page. My apologies. I'll be posting more stuff in the future - and update you on things that have been happening.

15/09/2022

Part one of a 2-part series is out. This is on Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. Tasman is famed for being the first European to reach Tasmania and New Zealand. Take a listen.

In the 1640s, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman would lead two important expeditions of discovery in the Far East. In the process, he would become the first European to reach Tasmania and New Zealand & #82…

09/09/2022

I got the chance to talk with explorer, traveler and adventurer Alice Morrison. Alice has been all over the world, and has all sorts of great stories. We talk about things such as what it is to be an explorer in today's world, explorers who inspired her, and randy camels. Enjoy.

In this episode, we have a conversation with modern-day explorer, traveler and adventurer Alice Morrison – who has been described as ‘Indiana Jones for Girls.’ Morrison, who didn&…

03/08/2022

Part 5 of our series on Fridtjof Nansen is out. In this episode Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen set off with three sledges and 28 dogs in an attempt to the reach the North Pole. In the attached image, the two men get ready to set off from the Fram. https://explorerspodcast.com/fridtjof-nansen/

23/06/2022

Polar exploration fans can rejoice. We have started a new series - this on Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen. Excited to cover our first Norwegian explorer.
https://explorerspodcast.com/fridtjof-nansen/

Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen is considered one of the father’s of modern polar exploration. He would be the first person to cross Greenland, and make a famed effort for the North Pole (…

14/06/2022

The Explorers Podcast goes to space with an episode on Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin - the first man to achieve space. https://explorerspodcast.com/yuri-gagarin/

08/06/2022

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1300-year-old-corn-god-statue-shows-how-maya-worshipped-maize-180980206/

The deity was linked to renewal and creation in Mesoamerican culture

08/06/2022

New episode! Brendan the Navigator. We look at Brendan’s legendary voyage to paradise & investigate what – if any of it – has a place in the real world. Could Brendan have reached North America 1,000 years before Columbus? And 500 years before the Vikings? https://explorerspodcast.com/brendan-the-navigator/

In this episode, we look at the life – a legendary voyage – of Irish monk Saint Brendan of Clonfert (aka Brendan the Navigator, Brendan the Voyager, and Brendan the Bold). We dive into …

03/06/2022

Mick Conefrey, the author of the new book, 'Everest 1922', joined the podcast for a fun interview. Check out this wide-ranging conversation from an award-winning writer and filmmaker. https://explorerspodcast.com/mick-conefrey/

In this episode, I have a wide-ranging discussion with author Mick Conefrey, who’s new book, ‘Everest 1922’, goes into depth on the first ever attempt on the world’s highest…

03/06/2022

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discover-134-ancient-settlements-north-of-hadrians-wall-180980183/

LiDAR helped researchers find sites once inhabited by those who lived outside Rome’s rule of Britain

03/06/2022

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/ancient-city-iraq-unearthed-extreme-drought-rcna31424

The Bronze Age settlement, long engulfed by the Tigris River, emerged earlier this year, and researchers were able to excavate the ancient city before the Mosul Dam refilled.