The Explorers Podcast

Portuguese merchants António Mota and Francisco Zeimoto reached Japan in 1543, introducing the arquebus musket. The podcast delves into the initial contact, communication barriers, the arrival of traders, and the adoption of firearms in late 16th century Japan.

In the final episode in the Belgica Expedition, we have a conversation with New York Times best-selling author Julian Sancton, who wrote the book "Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night". This is the definitive book about the expedition. In our talk, Sancton discusses the challenges, surprises and rewards of writing the book.Find out more about Julian Sancton and "Madhouse at the End of the Earth": https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/602593/madhouse-at-the-end-of-the-earth-by-julian-sancton/The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.comInterested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final chapter of the Belgica saga, the ship and her crew struggle to find a way out of the Antarctic ice pack. As they do so, the men struggle with the physical and mental health as they face yet another year trapped in the pack.Images/maps to help with this episode: https://explorerspodcast.com/belgica-expedition/The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.comInterested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The crew of the Belgica Expedition prepares for a winter in the Antarctic, facing extreme cold, darkness, and isolation. The podcast explores their living arrangements, experiences on the ship, and strategies for managing time and boredom. It also discusses the crew's health conditions, including mourning for a fallen member. As winter ends, the men celebrate the return of the sun and await their uncertain fate.

The Belgica begins to explore the coast of Antarctica - and plunges deeper and deeper to the south as the long night of winter approaches. The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.comInterested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part 2 of our series on the Belgica Expedition, the ship travels to Rio de Janeiro, through the dangerous Strait of Magellan, and onto Antarctica. Along the way, the expedition will be joined by Dr. Frederick Cook, and there will be a near mutiny - plus a tragic death.The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.comInterested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1897, Belgian naval officer Adrien de Gerlache organized the first major expedition to Antarctica in half a century. It will kick off the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. The expedition included two men critic to the exploration of the polar regions - Roald Amundsen and Dr. Frederick Cook.The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.comInterested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final episode in our series, Ibn Battuta returns to Morocco, and then goes on a final journey across the Saharan Desert to West Africa and the Kingdom of Mali - including the legendary city of Timbuktu.The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.comInterested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ibn Battatu continues his legendary travels by heading to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bengal, Sumatra and China. In the process he nearly dies in a storm, loses everything to pirates, and plots to take over an island kingdom. The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.comInterested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ibn Battuta comes to India and gets a job! Now he has to navigate the world of the Sultanate of Delhi - and the unpredictable (and that's being polite) sultan.The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.comInterested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices