The world's greatest adventurers tell their best story from the road. Each episode is cut documentary style and set to music and cinematic effects to create an immersive storytelling experience. 'Best travel podcasts 2020'- The Guardian, 'Thrilling Stuff'-Sunday Times, 'Ear Candy for Listeners' - Washington Post
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HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Searching for Sasquatch in the Valleys of the Noble Beyond
Whether you known him as Sasquatch, Bigfoot, Yeti, Thla'Thla, Sninik, or something else, you've heard the legends - the stories of the hairy mountain man who lives, as writer John Zada says, "in primeval nature and collective memory." And today, we're plunging deep into Canada's ancient forests to find him. 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Botswana Safari: From the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to the Okavango Delta
Botswana is the Africa in our heads, the one we see in nature documentaries, and think of when we say the word. 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: Learning to track wild animals with the San Bushmen, one of the oldest continuously surviving cultures on Earth. Walking on the surreal landscapes of the largest salt pan in the world - three times bigger than Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni. Going on game drives in the Okavango Delta, a vast network of floodplains that draws one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. 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. Discovering the story of Salvador the elephant, and one of the most magical wildlife experiences you can ever imagine. Hearing about the time a leopard walked into Peter’s cabin, with him inside it. It’s OK, he survived to tell the tale. 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 @petersonsafari FOLLOW US: Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcastFacebook: @armchairexplorerpodcastNewsletter: 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BUCKET LIST: Kayaking with a Whale & Climbing Crater Lake National Park
Do you want to know what it's like to go kayaking with a whale? 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 FOLLOW US: Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
JANE GOODALL SPECIAL: Trekking with Chimpanzees and Mountain Gorillas
Today, we’re sharing a special episode honouring a true explorer who we lost last week. 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 sides - 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
IMMERSION: Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park’s Living Lab
In this episode, recorded on location, we’ll discover a side to Rocky Mountain National 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. 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. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BEST OF EXPLORER: Land of the Thunder Dragon: Exploring Bhutan
Bhutan is the last of the great Himalayan kingdoms. Still largely untouched by outside influences, shrouded in mystery and magic, this Buddhist country, hidden for centuries on the roof of the world, is like nowhere else on the planet. 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 SPONSORS: 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. This week's show is also supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the link below: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CONNECTION: Life Lived Wild with Rick Ridgeway
"A life worth living is lived at the edges, where it is wild" - 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 Getting lost while sailing across the Pacific Ocean in search of Tahit.i Taking the famous newscaster Tom Brokaw to the summit of Mount Rainier with legendary climbers Yvonne Chouinard and Doug Tompkins. Nearly dying of hypothermia while kayaking across a frozen lake in Chilean Patagonia. Discovering what it feels like to be trapped in an avalanche facing certain death. The most profound adventure of his life, a journey through the Himalayas in search of a lost friend. 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. 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: https://link.chtbl.com/r7CGsP51 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
PATHWAYS September: Desert Stars, Swiss Hikes and the Funniest Hot Air Balloon Crash of All Time
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 this month on Armchair Explorer. It’s part travel hangout, part behind-the-scenes, and a whole lot of part “wait, you did what?” 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BUCKET LIST: Stargazing with the Bedouin
Our Bucket List episodes showcase the greatest travel experiences on the planet. Today, we’re going to the deserts of Arabia to go stargazing with the Bedouin and learn their secrets of the stars. 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. SPONSORS: 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. 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: https://link.chtbl.com/r7CGsP51 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RED BULL: Paragliding the Himalayas with Tom de Dorlodot
Today we’re sharing an episode from the Red Bull podcast: How to be Superhuman. 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. SPONSORS: 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. 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: https://link.chtbl.com/r7CGsP51 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CONNECTION: Real-world ‘Yellowstone’ Ranchers and Rodeo Legends at the Pendleton Roundup
“The first time I entered here I was 18 years old…I'd always heard about the Pendleton Roundup, it's just iconic. I was driving in thinking, I've made it, you know, I've made it” “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. Find out more at 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CONNECTION: Living Adventurously with Alastair Humphreys
Alastair Humphreys is a legend in the world of adventure. If you haven’t heard of him, here’s a few of things he’s gotten up to over the years … “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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CONNECTION: The Lost Treasures of AlUla
In this series, we’re going to take you on a journey into the heart of one of the most ancient kingdoms on Earth. Located in the northwestern corner of Saudi Arabia, Alula is an oasis in the desert layered in 200,000 years of human history. But, until recently, it was closed to outsiders, and to this day only a handful of visitors have ever been. 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 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
IMMERSION: ‘We Will Never Fade:’ Protecting Native History at Tamástslikt
We thought we knew the Oregon Trail… Turns out, we only knew half the story. “The settling of the West,” says Bobby 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 Bobby 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 Bobby 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. 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. FOLLOW US: Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
ADVENTURE: Biking Around the World with a Mystery Illness
"There are people out there that have found incredible success in ultra-running and things by being tough as nails…and it just doesn't work for me. But what I can do is wake up in the morning and be like, oh, like I'm gonna stop for a coffee in 10 miles and that coffee's gonna taste so good…Relying on speaking positively to myself and…to other people, I think offers a lot more potential” – 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices