Armchair Explorer: Travel and Adventure Inspiration

• PATHWAYS July: UFO Parking, Shark Attacks, and Biking Around the World

  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: Around the World by Bike with Chris McCaffrey Meet Chris McCaffrey, an adventurer from Boulder, Colorado, who biked across the world. Sounds epic already—but halfway through his 17-month journey, he caught a mystery illness that nearly ended it all. From pushing through a near-fatal illness to profound reflections on adventure and risk, his story hits hard and goes deep. 🦈 Surviving a Great White Shark Encounter Our very own landlord (yep, you read that right), Patrick, drops by with a jaw-dropping tale—literally. While filming great whites off Guadalupe Island, a 21-foot shark ripped the cage apart with him still inside. It’s terrifying, intense, and weirdly philosophical. Bonus: He’s got a viral video and a calf tattoo to prove it. 👽 Discovering South America's Hidden Wonders with Dylan Thuras Follow Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras on a quest to discover South America’s hidden wonders. From the Last Incan Bridge and the Machu Picchu of the North to the Everlasting Lightning Storm and a statue of a squid fighting a whale the size of the statue of liberty, this is an epic ride through Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru’s weirdest and wildest wonders. The stuff glittering in the shadows that you may never have heard of before, but you’ll be desperate to see after. ✈️ Travel & Misconceptions We revisit past guests who shared their experiences traveling in places like Iran. Travel writers Pico Iyer and Drew Binsky reveal a truth that’s easy to forget: People are not their governments. From saintly ceremonies to warm hospitality, these are glimpses of humanity we don’t see in the headlines. 🌟 New Segments, Bad Puns & Surprises in the Studio We introduce a few new segments, share laughs, bad puns (Jason, looking at you), and catch each other off guard. This is Armchair Explorer at its most unpredictable, unscripted, and fun. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ARMCHAIR and get on your way to being your best self. 🌏 Ready to Explore?If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm.  📸 Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠ 📘 Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠ ⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• BEST OF EXPLORER: Discovering South America's Hidden Wonders with Dylan Thuras

  Follow Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras on a quest to discover South America’s hidden wonders. From the Last Incan Bridge and the Machu Picchu of the North to the Everlasting Lightning Storm and a statue of a squid fighting a whale the size of the statue of liberty (yes, you read that right), this is an epic ride through Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru’s weirdest and wildest wonders. The stuff glittering in the shadows that you may never have heard of before, but you’ll be desperate to see after. But it’s more than that too. When we think of wonders of the world we think of The Grand Canyon, the Great Pyramids. These are undeniably awe-inspiring, but they’re obvious. Everyone goes there, and all too often the experience and the destination suffer as result. Atlas Obscura’s mission is to open our eyes to the wonders all around us, the bizarre, hilarious, incredible things that inspire our curiosity and make our jaws drop at the amazing world we share. Wonder is a state of mind, they say, not a place; and the more we look for it, the more it becomes a part of who we are. This is a quest to discover South America’s hidden wonders, but we may just discover something hidden in ourselves too. “The problem of failing to recognise the magic in the world lies not with the world, but with us; and it is our job to turn ourselves into vessels of recognising that magic.”  - Dylan Thuras, co-founder Atlas Obscura  Highlights include: ·    Visit the Last Incan Bridge, an 120-foot long woven grass suspension bridge, straight out of Indiana Jones, which has been re-built every year for more than five centuries. ·    Stand at the base of Gocta Falls, the most incredible waterfall you’ve never heard of – twice the size of the Empire State Building. ·    See Venezuela’s Everlasting Lightning Storm, the most electric place on the planet. ·    Meet the Colombian village who travel by home-made zip-line across the jungle. ·    Find out about the inspiration for Atlas Obscura, how it went from a childhood love of weird Midwestern roadside attractions to a global phenomenon and New York Times bestseller. ·    Hear about such crazy historical inventions as the cat piano, the vomiting statue and a language created entirely out of music ·    Learn how by changing our mindset we can escape the wonder deficit of the modern world and live more meaningful and extraordinary lives Atlas Obscura tells extraordinary stories about hidden places, incredible history, scientific marvels, and gastronomical wonders. ⁠www.atlasobscura.com⁠ / @atlasobscura  Dylan’s book, ‘Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders’, is a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon and in the New York Times: ⁠https://www.atlasobscura.com/unique-gifts/atlas-obscura-book⁠ 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 presented the show and did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist ⁠Sweet Chap⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• CONNECTION: Guarding the Voiceless with Peter Heller

  "We paddled out to the first net, and there were 12 pilot whales huddled up against it, completely traumatized because they could hear the other 40 members of their pod being massacred yards away. They were screaming. I remember a little baby pilot whale breached and stuck her head out to look at us with curiosity. I took as a request - a sacred compact to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves…to try and give voice to the other species on this planet that can't defend themselves." The Japanese government once issued an arrest warrant for novelist Peter Heller for his role in the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove. The crime? Paddling surfboards into a small bay, where local fishermen were actively killing pilot whales, to protest the slaughter. But this is just one piece of Peter’s story.  He’s an expert expedition kayaker, journalist and adventure writer. On top of all that he happens to be one of my heroes! We featured Peter in a signature episode last year called ‘ADVENTURE: Whale Warriors and Eco-Pirates: Patrolling the Southern Ocean with Best-Selling Author Peter Heller,’ where he joined an eco-pirate ship to take on whaling fleets. It’s an incredibly moving tale that he describes beautifully. But in this episode for our CONNECTION series, we’re diving deeper and getting stuck into the rest of his story.  We’ll talk about Hemingway and living in a teepee as a kid, Soviet kayakers and well-earned vodka, bigfoot pranks, tragedy on training runs, unexplored Tibetan rivers, and infiltrating a secret cove.  So without further ado, here’s my full conversation with Peter Heller. CONNECT WITH PETER HELLER Peter’s novels transport you to wild and beautiful places, whilst keeping you page-turning on the edge of your seat. Find out more about his books at peterhellerauthor.com His latest novel, Burn, is about two men—friends since boyhood—who emerge from the woods of rural Maine to a dystopian country racked by bewildering violence. CONNECT WITH US If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.  Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma! Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast  Special Offer: we’ve revived our NEWSLETTER! (scroll to the bottom of our homepage to sign up). And contact us for a free copy of our my ebook: The 50 Greatest Wonders of the World Award-winning travel journalist Aaron Millar reveals the greatest wonders of the world and the insider secrets on how to see them. From where to catch the perfect sunrise over the Grand Canyon to how to swim up to the very edge of the Victoria Falls, this is a road map for discovering the greatest experiences of your life.  Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar presented the show, Jason Paton did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Winging It in San Salvador

  We’ve got something a little different but very special for you today. This episode comes from Winging It, a travel podcast hosted by my friend James Hammond, who you’ll hear from shortly. He takes us on an immersive, on-location audio adventure through San Salvador, El Salvador – and trust me, it’s a journey worth tagging along for. James has a brilliant way of mixing practical travel tips with rich, ambient storytelling. Think the vibe of a Lonely Planet guide meets the easygoing chat you’d have with a mate at the hostel. You’ll hear the real sounds of the city—markets, cafés, public squares—plus firsthand insight into what it’s actually like to travel in El Salvador today. 🔍 In this episode, you’ll experience: First impressions and travel tips for San Salvador Iconic landmarks like the National Palace & Metropolitan Cathedral Amazing street food and coffee culture (yes, including pupusas 🫓) Two walking tours with local guides revealing hidden stories and history A fresh perspective on safety, affordability, and modern life in the city Budget tips for where to stay, eat, and explore This is a great listen whether you’re planning a trip to Central America or just love exploring the world from your headphones. 🎧 Hit play and let’s discover San Salvador together. And if you like what you hear, check out James’ show: Winging It Travel Podcast. I’ve dropped all the links below. — 🎙 More from James Hammond and Winging It: Winging It Immersive playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/54F2LiBGGcQnikiqInIGEr?si=c2908c541ca64d12&nd=1&dlsi=cff2035f91ad4c6d Winging It El Salvador playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50qthbb5mchSajSDsNfug9?si=b97df815dcd74afc&nd=1&dlsi=1af138406f924183 Podcast Website: wingingittravelpodcast.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@witpepisodes Instagram | TikTok | Facebook – @WingingItTravelPodcast Contact: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Let ‘er Buck! Broncos, Steers, Whiskey & Beer at the Pendleton Roundup

  It might’ve been my first rodeo, but it won’t be my last!  “It’s part action movie, part rock show blurring into the superbowl. It feels modern, but bull riding itself goes back to the bronze age. And that’s true for rodeo contests in general: bull riding, barrel racing or wild cow milking, they’re all based on tradition, and in keeping those traditions alive.  ‘Let ‘Er Buck’ makes a lot of sense from the back of a bull. But as we find out, it’s much more than a rodeo shout: it’s a way of life.” Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘The Hidden Trails of Oregon.’ In our second episode, we’re leaping headfirst into the rodeo to end all rodeos, the 115 year-old Pendleton Roundup! In this episode, host Aaron Millar tests his mettle on a massive mechanical hog, before climbing into the stands for a (literally) explosive ‘Xtreme Bulls’ finale. We’ll lean over the bucking chutes and get clobbered by dirt flung from bronco hooves. But the roundup isn’t all spectacle, it’s also about family and tradition. We’ll step back in time to learn about the history of the event while sipping whiskey in the notorious ‘Let ‘er Buck’ room. Stories of champions, princesses, suicide-racers and steer-wrestlers wait around every corner.  We’ll meet a generational indigenous horse relay racing team, hand them microphones, and listen in on their insane bare-back bid for victory. And through it all explore the western ties that bring all these groups to rodeo together each September. LET ‘ER BUCK! Remember you can see all of this yourself. Go to https://www.pendletonroundup.com/ for details and take our advice: book early! Plan your next Oregon adventure at https://traveloregon.com/ Thank you to all guests featured on the show: Toni Minthorn, Scott and Dylan Abramson, Pat Nogle and Butch Knowles A special thank you to Greg and Petra for showing us such a great time, we can’t wait to come back. This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.  Find out more at https://www.armchair-productions.com/ Brian Thacker led our pre-production, Charles Tyrie assisted on audio editing, and the episode was recorded by Jason Paton who also wrote and co-produced along with host Aaron Millar.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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