The Adventure Podcast

After a lot of thought and taking note of audience feedback, we've decided to categorise some of our features a little differently. Most of our episodes will be unchanged, but occasionally we feature guests who are definitely relevant to the worlds of adventure and exploration, but don't necessarily have rip-roaring tales of adventure and aren't adventurers in the truest sense of the word. Intro, The Far Reaches. In this new long-term series we'll 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.In the first episode of The Far Reaches, our guest is Matt James. Matt is the Chief Animal Officer at Colossal, a start-up focused on de-extinction. Their goal is to use cutting-edge science to bring back lost species, and secure the health and biodiversity of our planet's future. Matt's job is, in part, to work out what to do with these species once they're back in the world. In this episode, they discuss in detail the meaning and realities of 'conservation', and what de-extinction actually means; the practicalities, methods, reasons, issues, ethics and controversies. It's a fully transparent conversation, and Matt doesn't shy away from the hard questions one bit. No doubt you'll hit play feeling a little skeptical, but hopefully this conversation will teach you about the potential positive impacts these initiatives could have on planet earth. As Matt James puts it, it's not if we can do this, but when.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 173 of The Adventure Podcast features climbing legend, Alex Honnold. Alex needs little introduction. He's arguably one of the best rock climbers in history, and is known for his solo ascent of El Capitan, documented in the Oscar-winning film 'Free Solo'. Matt has worked with Alex on two National Geographic documentaries, and has spent endless hours chatting with him at basecamps and on the mountains. In this episode, they briefly speak about Alex's background, but gloss over the more obvious questions that have been asked numerous times in podcasts and movies before. Instead they focus on Alex's transition to fatherhood, redefining adventure, and his partnership with Tommy Caldwell. They also discuss the Honnold Foundation, how he became an environmentalist, and his thoughts on the term 'activist'. They also tackle the question...is Alex Honnold turning soft?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode eight of our specialist series, Explore: How To Plan An Expedition, continues our Camp Life mini series, where we speak to a single individual about a specific type of expedition environment. In this Jungles episode, our guest is Waldo Etherington. We talk about the challenges of undertaking rainforest expeditions, and how to up-skill. Waldo goes into detail on navigational limitations, water, wet dry systems, recommendations for camping under the canopy, wildlife considerations, and jungle-specific prevention and emergency medical planning. Waldo is a remote location climbing specialist. He has over 15 years experience in remote-location rigging for TV and film. The main focus of his career has been in tropical rainforests, where he started as a tree climber supporting research conservation projects. You can find out more about the Royal Geographical Society and access advice and support for field research and scientific expeditions by visiting www.rgs.org/in-the-field or follow them on @rgs_ibg on socials.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 172 of The Adventure Podcast features climber, route setter, and 'Britain's Manliest Man', Jason Pickles. Jason is a proper underdog and a climber’s climber. He's proudly northern, and grew up climbing in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria before the climbing scene really exploded and turned into what it is now. In this episode, Jason explores his life as a climber, and how we went from young weekend warrior to full time, talented dirt bagger. He speaks to Matt in detail about first major expedition to climb Mount Agsard on Baffin Island, and his partnership with his best mate, Leo Houlding. They speak about ego and imposter syndrome, and how he’s more than comfortable being surrounded by people who are better at their sport than him. They also look closely at the transition from full time lifer climber to stay at home dad, and the realities of this new life Jason has built for himself. It’s an open conversation with a man who knows exactly who he is, who he isn’t and what he wants from life.Photographer: Adam LongSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode seven of our specialist series, Explore: How To Plan An Expedition, focuses on Ethical Fieldwork. In this episode, Matt speaks with Dr Alasdair Harris about getting started in field research and expeditions, the moral dilemma around travelling for fieldwork, and the critical need to forge meaningful partnerships with host communities and countries. Al also speaks passionately and thoughtfully about the impacts of environmental conservation on communities who depend on nature.Alasdair is a marine conservationist working at the interface of ocean protection and social justice. His organisation Blue Ventures grew out of his first RGS-funded expeditions in 2001, and focuses on developing locally led approaches to marine conservation that benefit people and nature. Blue Ventures is now helping many hundreds of thousands of people address overfishing and safeguard ocean life in fourteen countries across southeast Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean. Alasdair holds a PhD in marine ecology and an honorary doctorate of science from the University of Edinburgh. He has spent more than two decades working with coastal communities to rebuild small-scale fisheries across the tropical Indo-Pacific.You can find out more about the Royal Geographical Society and access advice and support for field research and scientific expeditions by visiting www.rgs.org/in-the-field or follow them on @rgs_ibg on socials.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 171 of The Adventure Podcast features journalist, writer and climber, Andrew Bisharat. Much of Andrew's career has been focussed on writing about climbing, mountains and adventure. He is a leader in adventure journalism. Andrew is of Palestinian heritage, and was the subject of the film 'Resistance Climbing', which documented his first visit to Palestine in 2020 and a local climbing programme there. The focus of this episode is Palestine, and it's not a bright and breezy episode. It's raw, it's real and it's personal. This conversation purposefully does not shy away from the reality of things. We hope you can enjoy it in some way, that it teaches you something, and that it gives you a personal insight into the conflict, the people, and the place.At the time this episode is released, 'Resistance Climbing' is free to watch on Reel Rock's website: https://watch.reelrocktour.com/videos/rr17-resistanceclimbing.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 170 of The Adventure Podcast features a legend of the mountain biking world, Lee Craigie. Lee is a bike adventurer, director of The Adventure Syndicate, outdoor therapist and storyteller. In this episode, Lee talks to Matt about her champion-winning mountain biking career, competing in the Commonwealth Games, and the pro's and con's of winning. She goes into detail on her role as Scotland's Active Nation Commissioner, and the challenges she faced in this position. She also covers what happiness means to her now, community, and finding balance by changing her motivations. It's an honest and thought-provoking conversation which gives a gentle reminder on the importance of perspective and not trying too hard.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sixth episode of our specialist series, Explore: How To Plan An Expedition, continues our Camp Life mini series, where we speak to a single individual about a specific type of expedition terrain. In this Polar episode, our guest is Felicity Aston. You may recognise her from our Five P's episode. In this episode, Matt talks to Felicity about polar accessibility, navigation, managing water, avoiding injuries, and her tips and tricks for dealing with extreme temperatures. Felicity is a British polar explorer, author, speaker and student research scientist. In 2012 she became the first woman to ski alone across Antarctica. Starting out as a Meteorologist with the British Antarctic Survey, her expeditions have included the first British Women’s crossing of Greenland, a 6000km drive to the South Pole, a 36,000km drive to the Pole of Cold, and leading international teams of women on ski expeditions to both the North and South Poles. In 2015 she was awarded The Queen’s Polar Medal and was appointed an MBE for services to polar exploration.You can find out more about the Royal Geographical Society and access advice and support for field research and scientific expeditions by visiting www.rgs.org/in-the-field or follow them on @rgs_ibg.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 169 of The Adventure Podcast features journalist and author, Taran Khan. Taran's work covers intricate themes of conflict, identity, displacement and belonging. The focus of this episode is her book, 'Shadow City: A Woman Walks Kabul'; over a series of long visits, Taran documents Kabul's changes as it begins to heal from conflict, before the Taliban regained control and she observed the cycle of transformation all over again. Her book shares intimate experiences and keen observations of Kabul, in its fragile yet hopeful state. Taran talks about her family connection to Afghanistan, why she chose to travel there, and what it means to walk in Kabul.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 168 of The Adventure Podcast features long-distance cyclist, and 'back-half' of SteLa tandem, Laura Massey-Pugh. Alongside her husband Stevie, Laura holds the record for riding a tandem bicycle around the world. Niche but impressive. Together they've also completed several ultra-cycling events, like All Points North and the Mille Pennines Audax. In this episode, Matt talks to Laura about and how she transitioned from being a commuter cyclist to a long-distance tandem cyclist, how the world record ride played out, and why they ride a tandem bike. They cover her and Stevie's roles on the bike, how taking on these challenges as a couple affects their relationship, and if the ride was for enjoyment or for the record.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.