The Authority Company Graham Broyd’s American Odyssey: Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard
Aug 13, 2025
30:49
In this episode of The Authority Company Podcast, Joe Pardavila welcomes British-American author and international banker Graham Broyd to discuss his debut book, Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard: My Journey Across America Then and Now.
Graham takes us back to 1980, when he hitchhiked from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, armed with nothing but a surfboard, 24 shots on a Kodak camera, and a dream. They explore the transformative power of travel, the culture shocks of an outsider discovering America for the first time, and how that epic journey shaped Graham’s future as a global banking executive.
Graham also shares insights from retracing his steps in 2024, reflecting on how both he and America have changed in the four decades since that life-defining trip.
If you've ever dreamed of chasing adventure or wondered how travel can shape who you become, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Graham takes us back to 1980, when he hitchhiked from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, armed with nothing but a surfboard, 24 shots on a Kodak camera, and a dream. They explore the transformative power of travel, the culture shocks of an outsider discovering America for the first time, and how that epic journey shaped Graham’s future as a global banking executive.
Graham also shares insights from retracing his steps in 2024, reflecting on how both he and America have changed in the four decades since that life-defining trip.
If you've ever dreamed of chasing adventure or wondered how travel can shape who you become, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.