The Adventure Podcast

Jaksot

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  Dispatch: Niall McCann, Poaching 20.07.2026 22min

  Dispatches are our shorter form episodes, usually around a single question, subject or story. In this episode, Niall McCann recites an incident from a couple of years ago when he, alongside a group of rangers, tracked buffalo poachers for over an hour through incredibly complex terrain.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 228: Tim Good, Cast Off 07.07.2026 1t 5min

  Episode 228 of The Adventure Podcast features sailor, adventurer, and philanthropist, Tim Good. Tim comes from a 200-year-old family business which is deeply connected to multiple philanthropic projects. He has also quietly accumulated a life that most people only plan. In this episode, Tim talks to Matt about losing his brother Matthew and how that resulted in Tim selling his business, buying a boat, and planning to sail around the world. Delayed by Covid, Brexit tax complications and a baby, last August he and his wife set off anyway, with their three-year-old daughter on board, heading for West Africa. Tim covers crossing the Bay of Biscay in rough weather, navigating the Saloum Delta, and spending weeks motoring 170 miles up the Gambia River to find hippos, chimpanzees and river dolphins. At the time of recording, they'd crossed the Atlantic just two weeks before. Matt and Tim also talk about solo motorcycle adventures, a paragliding expedition from the Jungfrau where a teammate went missing for four days, and how adventurous parents stay themselves without drowning in guilt. Despite his adventurous life, by design, Tim has almost no internet presence. Quietly one of the most lived-in guests we've had on - this is what it looks like when someone actually does the thing they said they were going to do.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-04:10: A 200-year family business, a great-great-great-grandfather who went to sea at 11, and why Tim has almost no internet presence.04:10-12:17: Losing his brother at 32, launching the Matthew Good Foundation, and how grief became the catalyst for selling his business and buying a boat.12:17-19:00: The Seven Life System, sailing Norway with skis on board, and how Covid, Brexit and a baby reshaped the circumnavigation plan.19:00-27:00: A three-year-old on a boat, crossing Biscay in rough weather, and exploring the Saloum Delta.27:00-35:54: Two weeks up the Gambia River, hippos, chimpanzees and river dolphins, and what West Africa felt like compared to everywhere else.35:54-44:00: Why solo hits differently.44:00-54:25: The Caribbean vs Patagonia dilemma, balancing fatherhood with ambition, and why learning to be selfish made both of them better parents.54:25-1:00:00: The Matthew Good Foundation, rewilding in Scotland, and why Tim is deliberately waiting before committing to his next big philanthropic move.1:00:00-1:05:22: What scares him and a contentious answer to what brings him hope.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 227: Declan Burley, The Long Game 22.06.2026 1t

  Episode 227 of The Adventure Podcast features wildlife camera operator and television presenter, Declan Burley. Declan grew up in Luton, dyslexic and working on building sites. Nobody around him went into the arts and no one really knew what a wildlife camera operator was. In this episode, Declan talks to Matt about the long road to where he is now: three months in the Amazon at 23 that changed everything, years of being flat broke, and a cancer diagnosis in his late twenties. He explains what camera trapping actually involves, and what it was like to work across six critically endangered species for The Wild Ones, from snare-riddled jungle in Malaysia to mine-field leopards on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. They also cover the class divide in British wildlife television, what slowing down teaches you about the natural world, and whether conservation storytelling can actually change anything - or whether it's just preaching to the converted.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown0:00-06:15: Growing up in Luton, building sites, dyslexia, and why becoming a wildlife camera operator wasn't something anyone around him had ever done or suggested.06:15-14:13: Class, access and the 8% statistic.14:13-26:36: Three months in the Amazon at 23, learning to move slowly, borderline trench foot, and why that trip settled everything.26:36-34:48: Declan talks about receiving a cancer diagnosis in his late twenties, and how camera trapping became his specialist skill and calling card.34:48-42:00: What camera trapping actually is.42:00-50:18: The Wild Ones - six critically endangered species, six countries, and what Declan saw on the ground.50:18-58:00: Whether conservation storytelling can actually change anything, the three choices when faced with environmental despair, and why commissioners need the audience to keep watching.58:00-1:00:00: What scares him, what brings him hope, and why he puts animals and humans on exactly the same level.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 226: Ollie Phillips, Ten Out Of Ten 08.06.2026 57min

  Episode 226 of The Adventure Podcast features ex-England Rugby Captain, sailor, rower, and world-record holder, Ollie Phillips. After over a decade of elite sport and multiple Player of the Year awards, an unknown injury suddenly stopped Ollie's career. In this episode, Matt and Ollie cover what it's like to grieve a career and a life you dedicated yourself to, and what happens after. They talk about Ollie's last minute decision to say yes to the Clipper Round the World Race, having never sailed before, a world record expedition to the North Pole, and more recently, a charity row across the Atlantic. Ollie is funny, direct, and genuinely honest. And it turns out the gap between who you were and who you're becoming is where the most interesting stuff happens.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00- 06:22: Who Ollie is now and the twelve-year rugby career that started it all.06:22-14:48: Why sports people and soldiers gravitate towards adventure, the ten-out-of-ten feeling that real life rarely matches, and what the corporate world gets wrong.14:48-22:43: Community, shared experience, and why Ollie has never started a story with "this one time, when I was on my own."22:43-33:24: How a spinal injury ended his rugby career in four hours, and why saying yes to a last-minute call from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston changed everything.33:24-39:14: Getting on the Clipper Race with no sailing experience, going from novice to second-in-command in three months, and the useful delusion that rugby might still be waiting at the end.39:14-49:13: PwC, the North Pole, and a fifteen-month legal battle just to play one last game of rugby at Twickenham for closure.49:13-1:00:51: What that final game meant, and the moment outside a basement flat that made Ollie realise he needed to change.1:00:51-1:05:03: Therapy, validation, fatherhood, and why not expecting anything from anyone has made everything better.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 225: Melissa Cristina Márquez, Mother Of Sharks 25.05.2026 1t 12min

  Episode 225 of The Adventure Podcast features marine biologist and TV host, Melissa Cristina Márquez. Also known as the 'Mother of Sharks'. Born in Puerto Rico, Melissa's spent her career trying to make people care about one of the most misunderstood animals on the planet. In this episode, Matt and Melissa cover a lot of ground - from Jaws and Baby Shark to a three-metre crocodile bite on her first ever Shark Week shoot. They touch on the psychology of inflammatory media language, and the hundreds of thousands of years of indigenous knowledge that Western science has largely ignored. Melissa is warm, funny, deeply informed and completely disarming. She has a way of making you realise how much of what you think you know about sharks has been handed to you by Hollywood. She challenges the idea that fear and respect can't coexist, argues that diversity in science isn't just about fairness but about asking better questions, and explains why a species that's survived 450 million years may not survive us. While this conversation starts with sharks, really it's about how we relate to the natural world and whether caring - loudly, specifically, and imperfectly - might be the most important thing any of us can do.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-07:05: Growing up in Puerto Rico, falling in love with sharks, and fighting to build a career.07:05-16:48: Why diversity in science changes the questions we ask.16:48-25:28: The language of fear and the lasting damage of Jaws.25:28-38:11: The empathy gap between sharks and other endangered animals, and what early education can do to close it.38:11-50:34: No villain animals, the case for fearful respect, and the crocodile bite nobody saw coming.50:34-1:02:12: Sharks as keystones, trophic cascades, and why Melissa remains an optimist about the future.1:02:12-1:08:32: Why science communication belongs to everyone, and what visibility does for the next generation of scientists.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Far Reaches: Tony Juniper, Signs Of Life 11.05.2026 56min

  Episode five of our long-term series, The Far Reaches, features ornithologist, environmentalist, writer, and sustainability advisor, Tony Juniper CBE. Tony is the Chair of Natural England, the former president of The Wildlife Trusts, and has devoted over four decades to nature recovery and environmental protection. In this episode, Matt sits down with Tony in his greenhouse for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the natural world. They start with the scale of what’s happening: climate change, collapsing ecosystems, soil loss, freshwater depletion, and how it's all driven by the same forces shaping modern society. Tony explains why many of the biggest environmental debates are framed incorrectly - not as trade-offs between nature and food, or economy and environment, but as problems that can be solved together if approached differently. They talk about farming, land use, and how mindsets are already beginning to shift. This episode is rooted in cautious optimism as Tony shares stories of species already returning to the UK. It emphasises that restoration isn’t theoretical, it’s already happening. Throughout the episode, Matt and Tony keep coming back to the idea of connection. People and nature. Policy and reality. And how the future depends on whether more people engage with it. While this is a stark reminder of what's going wrong, it's also strongly hopeful and shows what's already being quietly put back together.The Far Reaches is a long-term series where we speak to guests about subjects related to our planet and our place on it. These episodes will dig a little deeper, perhaps enter the realm of armchair philosophy, and will tackle some more existential questions surrounding adventure and exploration.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-05:00: Why climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion are deeply tied to how society functions.05:00-15:00: How different lifestyles drive vastly different environmental footprints, and consequences.15:00-25:00: Why framing issues as “nature vs food” or “economy vs environment” is misleading, and what a better approach looks like.25:00-35:00: How farmers are responding to climate pressures, and why the conversation is shifting on the ground.35:00-45:00: Examples of restoring ecosystems and improving biodiversity through smarter land use.45:00-55:00: Beavers, white-tailed eagles, cranes, spoonbills - real stories of recovery across the UK.55:00-End: Why this isn’t hopeless - and how reconnecting people with nature is key to change.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 224: Erin Ranney, Lines and Lenses 27.04.2026 55min

  Episode 224 of The Adventure Podcast features wildlife cinematographer and third generation commercial fisherwoman, Erin Ranney. The conversation begins with Erin's upbringing in Alaska and Washington State, and how she grew up working on her family tree farm and in the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. She talks about how that shaped her understanding of conservation from the inside out and why she’s chosen to stay connected to that community. From there, Erin traces her path into filmmaking and the point at which she realised it could act as a bridge between science, storytelling, and audiences. Alongside the field stories, Matt and Erin dig into the realities of the industry; the long periods living in tents, years spent building skills through unpaid work and stock footage, and the challenges facing nature storytelling today. They talk about the need for better science communication and the lack of funding for nature content. And why inspiring curiosity might be one of the most important parts of the job.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-08:00: Life in Bristol Bay, commercial fishing, and understanding conservation from within a working community.08:00-18:00: A chance fly-fishing class leads to a complete career pivot into ecology and field research.18:00-26:00: Erin discusses her lemur research, and how borrowing a long lens led to realising film could connect people to science.26:00-36:00: Cold emails, buying her own camera, filming stock footage, and landing her first paid job filming bears in Alaska.36:00-45:00: Working in extreme environments.45:00-55:00: Six months in remote camps, bush planes, family involvement, and rediscovering a love for filmmaking.55:00-01:05:00: Glacial retreat, extreme heat, and salmon die-offs - and why these stories couldn’t be ignored.01:05:00-01:15:00: Why Erin stays connected to fishing and farming communities, and sees herself as a bridge between worlds.01:15:00-End: Kids’ programming, inspiring curiosity, mentoring young filmmakers, and what needs to change in the industry.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 223: Richard Ladkani, Impact 13.04.2026 1t 6min

  Episode 223 of The Adventure Podcast features award-winning director and cinematographer, Richard Ladkani. Richard has dedicated his life to impactful, compelling storytelling about our world and our place in it. His work includes The Ivory Game, Sea Of Shadows, YANUNI, and his latest film follows the life of his close friend, Jane Goodall. In this episode, Richard reflects on his life and his career so far. He starts by telling the tale of how Jane once challenged him to stop making films that were simply “interesting” and instead focus on work that could genuinely change the world. And how that one moment changed everything. He explains how that led him into the heart of the illegal ivory trade and cartel-driven illegal fishing in the Sea of Cortez. Matt and Richard unpack the reality of making “impact films”: chasing dangerous stories, earning trust on the ground, and taking risks that often define whether a story even exists. They also dive into what impact actually means and what can limit it, and touch on the challenges facing documentary filmmaking today: political pressure, platform control, and the constant tension between telling important stories and actually getting them seen. At its core, this episode is about choosing work that matters, taking risks to tell stories that need to be told, and figuring out how much impact one person can really have.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-05:00: Greenland & Jane Goodall: feeling lost, then being challenged to make films that actually matter.05:00-10:00: Discovering the scale of the ivory trade and realising how few people understand what’s happening.10:00-15:00: Arriving in Africa, gaining access, and witnessing the aftermath of elephant poaching first-hand.15:00-25:00: How following instinct, taking risks, and building relationships opens doors to the real story.25:00-35:00: Choosing characters and narratives that can carry impact, not just information.35:00-45:00: How the film reached China, Jane Goodall’s role, and the potential link to policy change.45:00-55:00: Cartels, illegal fishing, and why timing (like Covid) can derail even the biggest campaigns.55:00-01:05:00: Why stories need hope, character, and emotional connection to actually change behaviour.01:05:00-01:15:00: Streaming platforms, politics, censorship, and the difficulty of getting important stories seen.01:15:00-End: Purpose, Impact & What Comes Next. Why he keeps doing it even when it’s difficult, and what it means to use storytelling as a force for change. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 222: Simon Jeffries, Mindset 23.03.2026 1t 19min

  Episode 222 of The Adventure Podcast features ex special forces operative and mindset coach, Simon Jeffries. After starting out as a Royal Marines Commando and a tour in Afghanistan, he was selected to serve in the SBS. Several tours later, he decided to step away from the military and instead founded his mindset coaching company, The Natural Edge. In this episode, Simon traces a life shaped by long journeys, hard-earned lessons, and a deep curiosity about people and place. He reflects on the experiences that pulled him into adventure in the first place, and rather than focusing on polished outcomes, he shares the messy reality. Matt and Simon talk about risk, resilience, and how perspective changes over time. They also discuss the mindset behind a life of adventure, and how that way of thinking carries far beyond expeditions. That these same principles apply to work, relationships, and long-term direction. At its core, this episode is about taking the lessons learned in extreme environments and using them in the real world; building resilience, clarity, and confidence in the face of the unknown.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Far Reaches: Rhett Butler, Mongabay 09.03.2026 59min

  Episode four of our long-term series, The Far Reaches, features conservation journalist Rhett Butler. In 1999, fresh out of high school, Rhett founded Mongabay - an independent, non-profit environmental science and conservation news platform. He ran the project solo for the first few years, publishing thousands of stories and photos. However it has grown immensely since then, with a network of roughly 1,000 correspondents in 80 countries, covering conventional news to deeply reported investigative projects. Rhett also co-founded Tropical Conservation Science, an open-access academic journal that creates opportunities for scientists in developing countries to publish their research. In this episode, Rhett talks openly about his lack of traditional experience, early interest in conservation, his trajectory in finance, and making the leap (or building the bridge) to committing full time. They also touch on the current state of conservation news and its challenges, and the importance of solution-oriented storytelling. It’s a fascinating and inspiring conversation with someone whose genuine modesty feels rare, given the reach and impact of the platform he’s built.The Far Reaches is a long-term series where we speak to guests about subjects related to our planet and our place on it. These episodes will dig a little deeper, perhaps enter the realm of armchair philosophy, and will tackle some more existential questions surrounding adventure and exploration.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 221: Adam Skolnick, American Tiger 23.02.2026 1t 4min

  Episode 221 of The Adventure Podcast features international journalist and author, Adam Skolnick. Adam has written for countless news outlets, Lonely Planet guidebooks, magazines, and columns, and has travelled to over 40 countries. In this episode, Matt and Adam discuss his journey into writing. His first gigs, travelling for stories, and how to make a living doing so. Adam reflects about the early adventures he went on; cycling around the world in his twenties and how the reality looked very different from the romantic version he imagined. Often including long-stretches of boredom, loneliness and self-doubt. It's a wide-ranging conversation as they discuss everything from the pressure of shaping messy reality into something coherent on page, to ego and validation, the discomfort of being honest about motivations that don’t fit the heroic narrative, and the temptation to chase ever-bigger projects for 'better' stories. Adam also talks about the inspiration behind his new book, American Tiger, which he covered live as a journalist at the time, and how he found transitioning from fact to fiction.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-05:00: Motivations, ego, and the difference between starting an adventure and finishing one.05:00-12:00: Adam reflects on riding around the globe, and the uncomfortable truth about why he really left.12:00-25:00: A raw account of failure at sea, coping in crisis, and how unfinished journeys shape us differently.25:00-35:00: Why success can be less interesting than failure, and how chasing “epic” creates a moving goalpost.35:00-45:00: Different ways people experience fear, and why acknowledging it can be more powerful than suppressing it.45:00-55:00: How children, responsibility, and time away from crisis culture reframed Adam’s sense of purpose.55:00-01:05:00: Adam introduces a new philosophy: joy over grit, presence over performance.01:05:00-01:20:00: Why “hero moments” lose value over time, and what actually lasts from a life of adventure.01:20:00-End: Closing reflections on peace, humility, and finding meaning without needing the next big thing.To listen to new podcast, Atlantic Canada, head to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/atlantic-canada/id1872073512, or search it wherever you get your podcasts.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 220: Peter Wright, A Mid-Life Less Ordinary 09.02.2026 1t 3min

  Episode 220 of The Adventure Podcast features endurance athlete and author, Peter Wright. Peter has undertaken some of the world's most challenging endurance events - completing the Marathon des Sables, the Jungle Ultra, the Western States 100, the Cape Wrath Ultra and rowing the Atlantic. But what's fascinating about Peter is that on the face of it, he's a pretty normal bloke with a full-time career, who made a series of seemingly ordinary decisions. In this episode, Matt speaks with Peter about how a comfortable, “mildly active” life gradually evolved into a decade of endurance challenges. He shares honest stories of failure, imposter syndrome, DNFs, and the mindset shifts that helped him keep going when quitting felt easier. They discuss balancing adventure with family life and a full-time career, the reality of preparing for a two-year project, and the emotional highs and lows of life at sea. At its core, this episode explores motivation, ageing, and fear of regret. And why adventure isn’t necessarily about talent, but about turning up and committing to the long game.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-03:00: Peter describes his early relationship with sport, comfort, and routine - and the quiet feeling that something needed to change.03:00-06:30: Moving to Jersey, being inspired by an active island culture, and setting the goal of running the London Marathon.06:30-10:00: Discovering ultra running through magazines, meeting influential runners, and saying yes to scarier challenges.10:00-14:00: A disastrous London Marathon; twisted ankle, lost gels and an emergency toilet stop.14:00-18:30: Preparing for the Sahara, imposter syndrome, conservative early pacing, and finishing stronger than expected.18:30-23:00: Why DNFs aren’t the end, unfinished business, and returning to races to “wipe them from the record.”23:00-27:30: Juggling endurance challenges with life.27:30-31:30: Why ultrarunning is more inclusive than expected.31:30-34:30: Sunrises, hallucinations, emotional swings, and the mental landscapes of endurance events.34:30-36:30: A gruelling virtual challenge during Covid leads to an unexpected invitation: rowing the Atlantic.36:30-42:00: Family conversations, finances, sponsorship, learning to row, and two years of preparation.42:00-45:30: Departure day emotions, family goodbyes, and the relief of finally being at sea.45:30-52:30: Peter explains life at sea.52:30-55:30: Reaching Antigua.55:30-59:30: Writing a book, recent multi-day Iron-distance challenges, and redefining what’s possible later in life.59:30-End: Peter reflects on motivation, fear of regret, and why showing up with a good attitude matters more than anything else.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Dispatch: Waldo Etherington, Trees 26.01.2026 19min

  Dispatches are our shorter form episodes, usually around a single question, subject or story. In this episode, Waldo Etherington talks to us about all things trees. Waldo has been on the podcast before, and is also a regular diarist in our sister series, Field Diaries. He's a rope access specialist whose spent months high in rainforest canopies and on expeditions all over the world. His passion for the lungs of the earth is unparalleled and completely infectious. He explains how exactly he sees trees, from their body language to 'visual tree assessments', and drops mind-boggling facts throughout. Hopefully you'll listen to this episode and walk away with a new sense of wonder and appreciation for these magnificent living beings.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 219: Ash Routen, The State of Exploration 12.01.2026 1t 15min

  Episode 219 of The Adventure Podcast features adventure journalist and research scientist, Ash Routen. Ash has written for Explorers Web, Nat Geo, Outside, The Guardian, Sidetracked, Red Bull, and UKC, among many others. This episode is a thoughtful and refreshingly critical debate of sorts. Matt and Ash dive into the evolving world of adventure to ask difficult questions about the expeditions of today. What still counts as pioneering? What has become routine? How should adventure be reported and celebrated in an era where almost anyone can step into the outdoors? They explore the complexity of modern expedition culture, from Everest tourism to ocean rowing, from ethnicity and gender representation to the role of guiding and commercialisation. They tackle the tension between personal achievement and genuine exploration, reflect on how the public engages with stories of risk, endurance and “firsts", and most importantly, discuss why critical voices are needed in adventure journalism. They also shine a light on some lesser known adventures and adventurers. Its a deep dive into ethics, meaning, media, and what progress looks like.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown:Matt sets the scene inside the Expedition Reports Room and explains why he has wanted to interview Ash for years.Ash outlines why adventure is flourishing publicly, yet diluted at the cutting edge.They discuss why criticism isn’t about tearing people down, but about clarity around what moves adventure forward.Ash argues that adventure lacks critical analysis compared to politics and sport, and explains why objectivity is essential.A deep look at decolonising adventure: class, ethnicity, gender, and why equal reporting isn’t always the same as equal achievement.Matt and Ash explore why some achievements gain headlines while more technical, groundbreaking climbs go unnoticed.Ash describes his criteria for covering expeditions: difficulty, remoteness, logistics, and why lesser-known stories matter.Why feats like Everest climbs or Atlantic rows no longer awe the way they once did.Matt questions the value of guided “fast-track” climbing and why apprenticeship and experience still matter.Ash reflects on climbing heroes, style, and the emotional contrast between historic firsts and today’s model of adventure.A discussion on media digestion- why technical nuance gets lost and why bold headlines win.Ash and Matt unpack how accidents and viral stories distort public understanding of adventure culture.They discuss responsibility, storytelling, and how the community can protect authenticity moving forward.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 218: Adam Weymouth, Lone Wolf 29.12.2025 1t 14min

  Episode 218 of The Adventure Podcast features writer, journalist, and adventurer, Adam Weymouth. Over a decade ago, Adam undertook a year-long journey, walking from England to Istanbul. What grew out of burnout from frontline climate activism became a personal experiment in pilgrimage, slowness, and meaning. Adam talks about canoeing the length of the Yukon River while following the salmon run, and walking across the Alps in the footsteps of a lone wolf whose thousand-mile journey helped repopulate parts of Europe. Together with Matt, he explores his earlier years as an environmental activist, including arrests, a high-profile trial, and the emotional toll of sustained direct action. And how it pushed Adam to search for new ways of communicating environmental stories. This is a conversation about walking away from the noise. Slow travel, pilgrimage, storytelling, and how adventure can create empathy rather than spectacle.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Photo credit: Ulli MattssonChapter Breakdown00:00 - 01:00: Adam reflects on freedom, curiosity, and the privilege of pursuing big questions through journeys.01:00 - 03:00: Adam’s childhood love of writing, environmental awareness, and early pull towards activism.03:00 - 07:30: Protests, arrests, climate camps, and the long legal battle.07:30 -10:30: Why direct action stopped feeling sustainable, and the realisation that storytelling might reach people in a different way.10:30 - 17:00: The origins of Adam’s year-long walk from England to Istanbul.17:00 - 24:00: What pilgrimage offers that ordinary travel doesn’t.24:00 - 27:30: Why fast travel is the historical anomaly, and what is lost when movement becomes frictionless.27:30 - 30:30: Canoeing the Yukon to explore ecological collapse through human stories and lived experience.30:30 - 33:30: Adam explains his fascination with wolves and how one animal’s journey opened wider conversations about fear, politics, and coexistence.33:30 - 37:30: The remarkable thousand-mile journey of a wolf that helped re-establish packs across Europe.37:30 - 41:30: Why rewilding is deeply contested, how it’s been poorly communicated, and why nuance matters.41:30 - 45:30: How arriving on foot changes conversations, builds trust, and creates space for hospitality and honesty.45:30 - 49:30: Why Adam chooses to include himself in his writing.49:30 - End: Reflections on openness, chance encounters, and why adventure is often about how we move through the world, not how far.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 217: Ben Tibbetts, Long Projects in Quiet Places 15.12.2025 1t 2min

  Episode 217 of The Adventure Podcast features photographer, IFMGA guide, writer and artist, Ben Tibbetts. In this episode, Matt sits down with Ben to explore a life shaped by isolation, long-term creative projects, and a deep need for structure in the wild. The conversation begins with Ben’s 18 months living and working in Antarctica, which quietly rewired how he thinks about solitude, landscape, and meaning. That experience sparked an enduring obsession with small huts in remote places, and ultimately led to years-long projects photographing bivouac huts and high mountain environments across the Alps. Ben also explains why he needs projects, the discipline behind producing large-format books, the thousands of hours of unseen work, and why these projects make little financial sense but enormous personal sense.They touch on modern creativity, the 'junk food' nature of clickbait content, changing industry, and the quiet rebellion of stepping away to make work that lasts. Depth over noise. A meaningful life one long project at a time.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00 - 01:30: Ben reflects on spending 18 months in Antarctica, the psychological effects of extreme isolation, and how that experience planted the seed for his fascination with tiny huts in wild places.01:30 - 09:00: Back to his beginnings - exploring whether creativity or mountains came first, and how a fine art background shaped his photographic eye.09:00 - 26:30: A deep dive into Ben’s approach to photography, mastery of light and colour, and how understanding his artistic roots reframes his mountain work.26:30 - 34:00: Why huts are not destinations but “scaffolding for journeys.”34:00 - 40:30: Ben opens up about using long-term projects to maintain mental health, purpose, and motivation - and why structure is essential for him to function creatively.40:30 - 45:30: They discuss why Ben prioritises books over guiding or brand work, despite the financial reality.45:30 - 52:30: A candid conversation about social media addiction and clickbait culture.52:30 - 59:30: They explore the challenges facing photographers and filmmakers today.59:30 - 01:06:30: A broader reflection on reinvention, relevance, and why diversification is now essential for survival in creative careers.01:06:30 - 01:12:00: The episode closes with reflections on passion, privilege, persistence, and why doing work for the right reasons, even selfish ones, often leads somewhere meaningful.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 216: Charlie Reynolds, Pirate Stuff (Part Two) 04.12.2025 1t 17min

  Episode 216 of The Adventure Podcast is Part Two of the conversation with Charlie Reynolds. If you've not listened to the first half, go back to episode 215. We start this episode where we left off, on a canoe in the waves after a brutal storm. Matt and Charlie continue unpacking his extraordinary journey, and several near misses, through South America. They dig into what those moments taught Charlie about instinct, trust, risk, and why some of his most meaningful insights came from silence rather than adrenaline. Charlie speaks openly about the emotional crash that followed his expedition. The hollow feeling of coming home, how identity becomes intertwined with extreme experiences, and why the aftermath can sometimes be the hardest to navigate. It's an episode packed full of adventure - from crossing an abandoned railway bridge with a no-fall zone, to accidentally befriending illegal gold miners, being robbed at knifepoint while camped in the mountains, and spending hours stuck in volcanic mud between two enormous Ecuadorian volcanoes - its a ride and a half. If Part 1 was about the catalyst that launched him, Part 2 is the proof that once Charlie started chasing uncertainty, the world kept handing him more.Chapter Breakdown00:00:00-00:05:00: Charlie arrives exhausted in Bogotá, sleeps for days, and rebuilds his bike setup before launching into the second half of the journey.00:12:50-00:15:25: He describes arriving in Colombia soaked, gear ruined.00:22:07-00:24:50: Charlie tells Matt about riding across a terrifying abandoned railway viaduct - narrow, unsupported, rattling, and suspended high above a Colombian river.00:31:04-00:33:51: He recounts being approached by armed miners who ended up asking for drone shots, following him on Instagram, and turning what could have been a dangerous situation into a strangely wholesome encounter.00:34:14-00:36:35: Riding south, he meets Diego, who gives him a list of spicy routes, including one that would become one of his biggest “struggle-fests” of the whole expedition.00:36:35-00:38:35: Charlie explains the notorious volcanic mud route.00:40:15-00:42:33: He describes camping in freezing marshland beneath Chimborazo, eating frozen tuna-rice for breakfast, and spending hours trying to haul his 200kg bike up a slope.00:46:04-00:48:28: With an injured leg and almost no energy, Charlie sends a single InReach message home.00:49:52-00:52:14: He recounts being robbed by men who spent hours at his tent demanding money.00:59:38-01:01:32: A detour with a friend ends in them burying a rental car deep in a canyon01:07:16-01:08:24: As he reaches southern South America, the adventure becomes less intense, but not less meaningful.01:08:42-01:11:47: Worried about losing momentum and returning to rent-paying normality, Charlie impulsively buys an old expedition truck in Quebec and limps it across North America with almost no money.01:11:47-End; Charlie reflects on how the journey has rewired him.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 215: Charlie Reynolds, Pirate Stuff (Part One) 28.11.2025 59min

  Episode 215 of The Adventure Podcast features adventurer and overland explorer, Charlie Reynolds. In 2024, Charlie left the UK with almost no experience and rode a motorbike the length of North and Central America. He then attempted something far more daring. The Darién Gap is one of the most dangerous jungles on Earth and represents a frontier very few people attempt. Charlie decided to cross it by a hand-built boat. In this episode, Matt and Charlie explore the catalysts behind his journey, a confrontation with mortality, a hunger for discomfort, and what exactly happened on that trip. Fuelled by equal parts curiosity and chaos. This is only Part One, but it already feels like the start of a legend. There's a whole load more wild stories to follow in Part Two.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00 - 00:06: Introductions and early reflections. What drives someone to step into the unknown?00:06 - 00:09: Charlie breaks down what the Darién Gap actually is, and why nobody is 'supposed' to go there.00:09 - 00:13: The mindset shift. Chasing discomfort to feel alive.00:32 - 00:34: The Catalyst, facing mortality, and deciding to leave the UK.00:38 - 00:40: Riding south through the US, learning logistics the hard way, and finding rhythm in chaos.00:48 - 00:51: Arriving in Panama and negotiating for a dugout canoe in a language he barely speaks.00:54 - 00:56: Steep learning curves, wind, reefs, survival and pride.00:56 - 00:58: The reality of solitude, risk and responsibility - and dolphins guiding his boat.00:58 - 01:00: He realises people already know he's coming. A mystery takes shape.01:00 - 01:03: A surreal moment; Charlie is asked to speak at the funeral of a man he never met.01:03 - 01:05: Maybe this is what he came looking for all along.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 214: Craig Wood, Content 14.11.2025 1t 17min

  This episode is available for subscribers to watch in vision on The Adventure Podcast+ substack.Episode 214 of The Adventure Podcast features solo sailor and triple amputee, Craig Wood. Craig's life changed at 18 years old when, three months into his first military tour, he lost both legs and his left hand in an explosion in Afghanistan. It took eight months for him to learn to walk again. He recently made history by becoming the world’s first triple amputee to sail solo, nonstop and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean. In this episode, Craig talks to Matt about trauma, radical acceptance, and the pursuit of contentment instead of happiness. They unpack how Craig rebuilt his life through Paralympic sailing, discovered peace living aboard a boat with his young family, and learned to find meaning in waiting, patience, and purpose. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00 - Craig recalls the explosion in 2009 that left him a triple amputee, his surreal coma hallucinations, and the first moments of realising life would never be the same.07:00 - A powerful turning point: Craig’s mother challenges him to take action rather than despair. He begins the long road of rehab, learning independence and resilience.10:00 - Introduced to Paralympic sailing while in recovery, Craig rediscovers competition, identity, and hope - leading him to represent his country and dream of open water.13:00 - After Paralympic sailing is cut from the Games, Craig pivots, buying his own boat and setting his sights on the ocean.16:00 - Matt and Craig dive into what it’s really like to live aboard with his wife and two small children; balancing risk, love, and the constant hum of adventure.23:00 - Craig recounts his 7,500-mile solo voyage from Mexico to Japan; the storms, the stillness, the pizza-making, and the lessons in solitude and self-sufficiency.33:00 - They discuss how society defines disability, the importance of trying over assuming limits, and how Craig’s story challenges ideas of what’s possible.45:00 - Craig opens up about raising £68,000 for veterans’ charities, finding meaning in contribution, and sailing not just for himself but for others.53:00 - Reflections on fatherhood, partnership, and what true contentment means; the quiet power of being “okay” rather than endlessly chasing happiness.59:00 - Craig and Matt wrap up on how adventure can rebuild a life - not through escape, but through deep engagement with the world, family, and self.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Episode 213: Alienor Le Gouvello, Wild At Heart 27.10.2025 54min

  Episode 213 of The Adventure Podcast features French-born adventurer, horsewoman, and advocate for Australia’s wild brumbies, Alienor Le Gouvello. A few years ago, Alienor travelled 5,000+ kilometres on a 13-month solo trek along the Bicentennial National Trail, a journey she completed with three wild horses she had tamed herself and her loyal dog, Fox. It starts as a tale of grit and endurance - surviving tropical fever, infection, and crocodile-infested rivers. But it unfolds into a story about connection, resilience, and purpose. Alienor and Matt explore her years working in remote Indigenous communities, her bond with the land and her animals, and how taming wild horses taught her trust, patience, and empathy. They discuss the ethics of animal management, and how the wilderness can reshape our sense of identity and belonging. This is a story of wild places and wilder spirits. Of what it means to find family, freedom, and purpose in the saddle.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00 – 07:00 | Alienor recounts the brutal closing chapter of her 5,000km trek; battling Ross River fever, a severe staph infection, and crossing crocodile rivers with her leg wrapped in plastic.07:00 – 10:30 | Why she chose to tame and travel with wild brumbies, and how the journey became an act of advocacy for humane horse management.10:30 – 16:30 | Growing up in France, travelling to Australia at 20, and discovering a lifelong connection to the desert and Indigenous culture.16:30 – 21:00 | Working for over a decade in remote Aboriginal communities; learning language, culture, and the healing power of land and open space.21:00 – 24:00 | Why Alienor feels compelled to defend both Indigenous heritage and wild horses, and how these causes became her life’s purpose.24:00 – 28:30 | The process of earning the trust of wild brumbies through natural horsemanship. Rejecting the idea of “breaking”, in favour of gentle communication.28:30 – 33:00 | The year-and-a-half-long process of taming, training, and learning to live alongside her horses before setting out.33:00 – 38:00 | Gruelling early months through steep mountains, moments of doubt, and learning to work as one herd.38:00 – 44:00 | How Alienor’s bond with her horses deepened into mutual trust and companionship, and the small, powerful moments that defined that connection.44:00 – 48:30 | Finishing the expedition broken but transformed, finding herself adrift between adventure and normal life.48:30 – 52:00 | Writing her book, becoming a mother, and finding her calling in equine-assisted therapy - helping others heal through the wisdom of horses.52:00 – 56:00 | Alienor reflects on motherhood, hope for the future, and why she believes the next generation, and their connection to nature, will carry the torch forward.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.