Armchair Explorer

"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.

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. 

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. 

🌍 Coming Up This Month:

Hidden Trails of Oregon – Season 2 Episode 2: Let ‘er Buck

This season of Hidden Trails of Oregon takes us to the mountains, rivers and plains of eastern Oregon. In this episode we’re diving headfirst into the Pendleton Roundup, a 115 year old rodeo known by its iconic slogan: “Let ‘er Buck.’ We’ll meet princesses and champions, suicide racers and steer-wrestlers. And through it all explore the western ties that bring these groups together each September.

IMMERSIVE Episode - Exploring San Salvador, El Salvador: My First Time Visiting - Walking Tours, Pupusas and The Historic Center

We’re trying something new this month and sharing a favorite episode of ours from another travel podcasting team entirely! Our mate James Hammond produces ‘Winging It!,’ which uses immersive audio like us, but in a completely different way. 

In this episode of the Winging It, James sits down with Carlos Guardado, a local guide from San Salvador, El Salvador. Carlos shares his personal journey growing up in a country once plagued by gang violence, now transforming into a booming travel destination. They discuss must-visit places in San Salvador, must-see places across El Salvador, safety tips, local food, and how tourism is reshaping the country. If you’re planning a trip to El Salvador, this episode is packed with valuable insights from a knowledgeable local!

Armchair Explorer - Peter Heller (the full interview)

Peter Heller is a beautiful writer and accomplished adventurer. His novels fuse both these passions seamlessly, transporting you to wild and beautiful places, whilst keeping you on the edge of your seat. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because we featured him in an episode about Eco-Pirating back in December.

That episode honed in on one small aspect of Peter’s career, but our conversation went so much deeper. We’ve pulled the tape from the archives and will have a new episode exploring his full journey coming soon. In our preview clip, we hear how his first pro writing gig took a wildly tragic turn.

Travel ‘A-Jason-T’ (adjacent) (the pun works way better in sound, I promise)

In another new segment, Producer Jason takes us on a tangent that’s surely related to travel…somehow. Today’s segment explores nihilism, graffiti, and Seneca the Younger. Here’s a few links if you’d like to dig further:

https://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1113411831/why-ancient-roman-graffiti-is-so-important-to-archaeologists-010516/

https://medium.com/@ancient.rome/ancient-roman-graffiti-or-what-was-drawn-on-the-walls-of-the-eternal-city-e4b5af3fa9d7

https://romanempiretimes.com/whispers-on-the-walls-graffiti-as-a-voice-of-ancient-rome

https://ancientgraffiti.org/Graffiti/themes/Pompeii

🌏 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.

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:

Podcast Website: wingingittravelpodcast.com

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@witpepisodes

Instagram | TikTok | Facebook – @WingingItTravelPodcast

Contact: [email protected]

We're back for part two of our Discover series on the less travelled, but adventure-rich state of South Australia. Our Discover Guides are deep dives into new destinations, where we interview experts to get the ‘drum’ on the places they live and love. This series is produced as a road trip through a lesser-known part of Australia filled with natural wonders, wildlife and more than one hilarious Aussie character.

And don't miss our sweet promo offering from Down Under Endeavors: $500 off your trip for Armchair Explorer listeners.  

Go to:

https://www.downunderendeavours.com/armchair

Pop in code ARMCHAIR25 to score a discount on your Australian adventure Down Under.

We'll start in Boston Bay with 'Lunch,' a former grain-farmer and sheep shearer that now herds visitors. He'll fill us in on the fish, non-fish, fishy food and fish-eating non-food fish of the seafood frontier. I'll also (possibly) earn a nickname as cool as 'Lunch,' (tune in and find out).

Then we're heading back up the coastline towards Adelaide and wine country with possibly the most well-traveled sommelier on the planet: he's solo hiked the Himalayas, led night dives in the Caribbean, armies of scouts in the bush and expeditions in the jungle. And on top of all that, he knows his swirls from his sips and his grenache from his grapes. He's Matthew Kurko, and he's not too proud to enjoy a porch pounder.

Finally we're sharing our first 'Dream Sleep' segment, where we explore stays that aren't just a place to spend the night, but an experience all their own. The Frames is built right against the Murray River, which forms on the edge of the Australian Alps and travels 1500 miles to the Limestone Coast. As owners Cathy and Rick Edmonds say, you'll meet the real Australia here, in conversation with locals, drifting the river on a flavor safari, or diving right into the Outback itself.

So fair dinkum, no worries mate it’s time to hit the frog and toad!

Thank you to Down Under Endeavours for partnering with us on this episode. They are the South Australia experts and helped us build this itinerary and connect with the experts featured in the episode. They're offering an exclusive deal to Armchair Explorer listeners: $500 off your adventure. Just go to:

https://www.downunderendeavours.com/armchair

Pop in code ARMCHAIR25 to score a discount on your Australian adventure Down Under.

You can find out more and literally book our exact trip, with these exact guides on their website as well.

Special thanks to our guests:

David ‘Lunch’ Doudle from Australian Coastal Safaris

https://australiancoastalsafaris.com.au/

Matthew Kurko from Small Batch Tours

https://www.smallbatchwinetours.com.au

Cathy and Rick Edmonds at The Frames

https://www.theframesluxuryaccommodation.com.au/

CREDITS

Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. 

Find out more at https://www.armchair-productions.com/

Jason Paton: writing, recording, mixing, sound design

Aaron Millar: host, writing, executive producer

“At home, mindfulness is an app, a tool to fight the noise. In the wild, peace and calm rule by default … Out in the open, my mind is released from the noise. It sways with the trees and flows with the rivers. It blows over snow tipped mountaintops and down into wide sunlit valleys expanding to fill its surroundings. The vistas are bigger, but there is less to know.”

-        Jude Kriwald

Today, we are taking a journey to one of the most remote and underexplored places on the African continent. The Gola Rainforest straddles the border of Liberia and Sierra Leone, and is home to the Kissi, Mende and Gola tribes. To walk through it would be difficult. To try and a ride a bike, would be insane. Nonetheless that is exactly what adventurer Jude Kriwald decided to do.

At 20 years old Jude knew exactly what he wanted to do. He’d just returned from a 13-month trip cycling from England to India, and he wanted more. He wanted to be an adventurer and dedicate his life to pure joy of exploring the world. But slowly, inevitably, that dream faded as life, and career, took over. Ten years passed. His mental health deteriorated. He would lie awake at night wondering how he let is all slip away. 

Until one day, he’d had enough. He flew to Senegal, got on his bike with the plan to spend three-months riding from there to Liberia. But things did not go to plan. 

“Alone and in the wild, I am beautifully weird and joyously free. It's not that my rituals and quirks fit in better, they simply exist, unobserved. The road cares not and the sun shines equally on all. In nature I find reprieve. Alone I find myself.”

FIND OUT MORE

Jude made a short documentary film about this journey, called Alone Across Gola. Find out more and connect with Jude on Instagram @judekriwald, You Tube @judekriwald,

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com

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 helps us grow the show and continue to bring this content to you.

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Jason Paton is our lead producer and our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

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G’day and good onya! Our Discover Guides are deep dives into new destinations, where we interview experts to get the ‘drum’ on the places they live and love. 

Today we’re excited to share the first of two episodes exploring South Australia, a less-trodden state rich in adventure, wildlife and natural beauty. This two-part series is produced as a road trip through a lesser-known part of Australia filled with natural wonders, wildlife and more than one hilarious Aussie character.

We’ll explore indigenous heritage in Port McDonald, and hear the tale of an ancestral giant sleeping at the bottom of a lake beneath Mt. Gambier. We’ll climb into hidden garden sinkholes, race up sand dunes, and ponder primordial hippo-sized wombats in South Australia’s world heritage site, Naracoorte Caves. Of course we’ll enjoy some of the best wine on earth in Adelaide, before meeting a baby joey and their babysitter on the wildlife haven of Kangaroo Island. 

So fair dinkum, no worries mate it’s time to hit the frog and toad!

Thank you to Down Under Endeavours for partnering with us on this episode - they are the South Australia experts and helped us build this itinerary and connect with the experts featured in the episode. 

And don't miss our sweet promo offering from Down Under Endeavors: $500 off your trip for Armchair Explorer listeners.  

Go to:

https://www.downunderendeavours.com/armchair

Pop in code ARMCHAIR25 to score a discount on your Australian adventure Down Under.

You can find out more and literally book this exact trip, with these exact guides:

https://www.downunderendeavours.com/

Special thanks to our guests:

Simon Meares from Coonawarra Experiences

https://coonawarraexperiences.com.au/

Katina Vangopoulos with Flamboyance Tours in Adelaide

https://flamboyancetours.com.au/

Craig Wickham with Exceptional Kangaroo Island

https://exceptionalkangarooisland.com/

CREDITS

Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. 

Find out more at https://www.armchair-productions.com/

Jason Paton: writing, recording, mixing, sound design

Aaron Millar: host, writing, executive producer

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world. Covering an area of 135,000 square miles, it is bigger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined. Lay it out across Europe and it would reach from London to Moscow, making it is the largest living structure in the world and the only one visible from outer space. 

Today, we’re going to the best place in the world to experience it: Tropical North Queensland. And we’re in good company with Dr Eric Fisher, a marine biologist who specializes in the Great Barrier Reef. This is a conversation is about one of the great wonders of the natural world, and what it’s like to see it first-hand. But it’s also about something special that Eric has introduced: Dreamtime Dives.

Most experiences on the reef tell its story from a western viewpoint. Eric has developed a new program where you can explore it from an indigenous perspective too. Guided by Aboriginal Sea Rangers, whose connection to the reef stretches back over 60,000 years, it’s an opportunity to see the reef from a new perspective, and in doing so perhaps learn things about the reef we never knew before. 

FIND OUT MORE

Thanks again to Down Under Endeavours for partnering with us on this episode. They are the Tropical North Queensland experts and helped to connect us with the awesome guest you heard from today. 

If the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, head over to DownUnderEndeavours.com/Armchair to find out how you can see it for yourself. They’ve got lots of great ideas, and you book with them you’ll get $500 off your next trip. It’s a great way to support the show. (and please note my American friends, ‘endeavour’ is spelt the proper British way with a U at the end  )

CONNECT WITH TODAY’S GUEST     

Experience Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel at ReefUnlimited.com

Find out more about Eric’s research and conservation work at gbrbiology.com

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

____________________________________________________________________________

Presented by: Aaron Millar

Audio & Sound Design: Charles Tyrie

Produced by: Armchair Productions

Today, we are sharing an episode of Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, the chart-topping and Webby Award-winning podcast from our friends at Nature on PBS. Back for a brand new season, Going Wild features some of the coolest champions of nature – like a former butterfly technician who

In today’s episode, you hear from Nat Geo Explorer-slash-stand-up-comic Ella Al-Shamahi about her research in places where people don’t normally do science like “conflict zones.” Ella’s archeological pursuits are not only informative, but inspiring! 

To listen to the rest of their new season, follow Going Wild with Dr. Rae

Welcome back to the Hidden Trails of Oregon! In the first episode

We're going on location in the traditional lands of the Nez Perce to

Visiting the Nez Perce Homeland and the Tamkaliks Celebration powwow:wallowanezperce.org

Local and cultural history at the Josephy Library:library.josephy.org

Thank you to our guests: Bobbie Conner, Rich Wandschneider,

CREDITS

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find out more at armchair-productions.com

Brian Thacker: pre production

Charles Tyrie: assistant audio editing

Jason Paton: writing, recording, mixing, sound design

Aaron Millar: host, writing, executive producer