The Adventure Podcast

Episode 233 of The Adventure Podcast features expedition medic and NHS GP, Will Duffin. Will has spent 16 years as an expedition and reality TV doctor, including four seasons as lead on-screen medic for Survivor. He talks to Matt about his winding journey to becoming a medic, and how his work became expedition-focused. He also tells the story of his first on-camera emergency, and how to handle life-threatening situations with cameras in your face and a safety team in your ears. They cover six months running a neonatal unit in Myanmar with his paediatrician wife, nature as medicine and who gets access to it, balancing family with a freelance career, and why his side hustle keeps him energised in a job where colleagues are burning out.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-11:58: Will’s first on-camera emergency, then his path from a Devon farm and a secret rainforest to breakdancing in Bristol during med school.11:58-30:26: A last-minute Kilimanjaro break, the economics of expedition medicine, balancing trips with family, and the ethics and reality of charity trekking.30:26-46:27: Six months in Myanmar, losing a crew member, meditation, and why access to nature matters for health.46:27-57:25: “Hard play” on Dartmoor, wild swimming, and letting children take manageable risks.57:25-1:04:20: Why adventure is about solving the right problems, and how a side career alongside the day job has kept him energised.1:04:20-1:10:47: Staying open to opportunity, the polar trips he never made, a luxury Trans-Siberian train, and the final questions.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 223 of The Adventure Podcast features award-winning director and cinematographer, Richard Ladkani. Richard has dedicated his life to impactful, compelling storytelling about our world and our place in it. His work includes The Ivory Game, Sea Of Shadows, YANUNI, and his latest film follows the life of his close friend, Jane Goodall. In this episode, Richard reflects on his life and his career so far. He starts by telling the tale of how Jane once challenged him to stop making films that were simply “interesting” and instead focus on work that could genuinely change the world. And how that one moment changed everything. He explains how that led him into the heart of the illegal ivory trade and cartel-driven illegal fishing in the Sea of Cortez. Matt and Richard unpack the reality of making “impact films”: chasing dangerous stories, earning trust on the ground, and taking risks that often define whether a story even exists. They also dive into what impact actually means and what can limit it, and touch on the challenges facing documentary filmmaking today: political pressure, platform control, and the constant tension between telling important stories and actually getting them seen. At its core, this episode is about choosing work that matters, taking risks to tell stories that need to be told, and figuring out how much impact one person can really have.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-05:00: Greenland & Jane Goodall: feeling lost, then being challenged to make films that actually matter.05:00-10:00: Discovering the scale of the ivory trade and realising how few people understand what’s happening.10:00-15:00: Arriving in Africa, gaining access, and witnessing the aftermath of elephant poaching first-hand.15:00-25:00: How following instinct, taking risks, and building relationships opens doors to the real story.25:00-35:00: Choosing characters and narratives that can carry impact, not just information.35:00-45:00: How the film reached China, Jane Goodall’s role, and the potential link to policy change.45:00-55:00: Cartels, illegal fishing, and why timing (like Covid) can derail even the biggest campaigns.55:00-01:05:00: Why stories need hope, character, and emotional connection to actually change behaviour.01:05:00-01:15:00: Streaming platforms, politics, censorship, and the difficulty of getting important stories seen.01:15:00-End: Purpose, Impact & What Comes Next. Why he keeps doing it even when it’s difficult, and what it means to use storytelling as a force for change. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode four of our long-term series, The Far Reaches, features conservation journalist Rhett Butler. In 1999, fresh out of high school, Rhett founded Mongabay - an independent, non-profit environmental science and conservation news platform. He ran the project solo for the first few years, publishing thousands of stories and photos. However it has grown immensely since then, with a network of roughly 1,000 correspondents in 80 countries, covering conventional news to deeply reported investigative projects. Rhett also co-founded Tropical Conservation Science, an open-access academic journal that creates opportunities for scientists in developing countries to publish their research. In this episode, Rhett talks openly about his lack of traditional experience, early interest in conservation, his trajectory in finance, and making the leap (or building the bridge) to committing full time. They also touch on the current state of conservation news and its challenges, and the importance of solution-oriented storytelling. It’s a fascinating and inspiring conversation with someone whose genuine modesty feels rare, given the reach and impact of the platform he’s built.The Far Reaches is a long-term series where we 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.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 220 of The Adventure Podcast features endurance athlete and author, Peter Wright. Peter has undertaken some of the world's most challenging endurance events - completing the Marathon des Sables, the Jungle Ultra, the Western States 100, the Cape Wrath Ultra and rowing the Atlantic. But what's fascinating about Peter is that on the face of it, he's a pretty normal bloke with a full-time career, who made a series of seemingly ordinary decisions. In this episode, Matt speaks with Peter about how a comfortable, “mildly active” life gradually evolved into a decade of endurance challenges. He shares honest stories of failure, imposter syndrome, DNFs, and the mindset shifts that helped him keep going when quitting felt easier. They discuss balancing adventure with family life and a full-time career, the reality of preparing for a two-year project, and the emotional highs and lows of life at sea. At its core, this episode explores motivation, ageing, and fear of regret. And why adventure isn’t necessarily about talent, but about turning up and committing to the long game.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00-03:00: Peter describes his early relationship with sport, comfort, and routine - and the quiet feeling that something needed to change.03:00-06:30: Moving to Jersey, being inspired by an active island culture, and setting the goal of running the London Marathon.06:30-10:00: Discovering ultra running through magazines, meeting influential runners, and saying yes to scarier challenges.10:00-14:00: A disastrous London Marathon; twisted ankle, lost gels and an emergency toilet stop.14:00-18:30: Preparing for the Sahara, imposter syndrome, conservative early pacing, and finishing stronger than expected.18:30-23:00: Why DNFs aren’t the end, unfinished business, and returning to races to “wipe them from the record.”23:00-27:30: Juggling endurance challenges with life.27:30-31:30: Why ultrarunning is more inclusive than expected.31:30-34:30: Sunrises, hallucinations, emotional swings, and the mental landscapes of endurance events.34:30-36:30: A gruelling virtual challenge during Covid leads to an unexpected invitation: rowing the Atlantic.36:30-42:00: Family conversations, finances, sponsorship, learning to row, and two years of preparation.42:00-45:30: Departure day emotions, family goodbyes, and the relief of finally being at sea.45:30-52:30: Peter explains life at sea.52:30-55:30: Reaching Antigua.55:30-59:30: Writing a book, recent multi-day Iron-distance challenges, and redefining what’s possible later in life.59:30-End: Peter reflects on motivation, fear of regret, and why showing up with a good attitude matters more than anything else.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 219 of The Adventure Podcast features adventure journalist and research scientist, Ash Routen. Ash has written for Explorers Web, Nat Geo, Outside, The Guardian, Sidetracked, Red Bull, and UKC, among many others. This episode is a thoughtful and refreshingly critical debate of sorts. Matt and Ash dive into the evolving world of adventure to ask difficult questions about the expeditions of today. What still counts as pioneering? What has become routine? How should adventure be reported and celebrated in an era where almost anyone can step into the outdoors? They explore the complexity of modern expedition culture, from Everest tourism to ocean rowing, from ethnicity and gender representation to the role of guiding and commercialisation. They tackle the tension between personal achievement and genuine exploration, reflect on how the public engages with stories of risk, endurance and “firsts", and most importantly, discuss why critical voices are needed in adventure journalism. They also shine a light on some lesser known adventures and adventurers. Its a deep dive into ethics, meaning, media, and what progress looks like.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown:Matt sets the scene inside the Expedition Reports Room and explains why he has wanted to interview Ash for years.Ash outlines why adventure is flourishing publicly, yet diluted at the cutting edge.They discuss why criticism isn’t about tearing people down, but about clarity around what moves adventure forward.Ash argues that adventure lacks critical analysis compared to politics and sport, and explains why objectivity is essential.A deep look at decolonising adventure: class, ethnicity, gender, and why equal reporting isn’t always the same as equal achievement.Matt and Ash explore why some achievements gain headlines while more technical, groundbreaking climbs go unnoticed.Ash describes his criteria for covering expeditions: difficulty, remoteness, logistics, and why lesser-known stories matter.Why feats like Everest climbs or Atlantic rows no longer awe the way they once did.Matt questions the value of guided “fast-track” climbing and why apprenticeship and experience still matter.Ash reflects on climbing heroes, style, and the emotional contrast between historic firsts and today’s model of adventure.A discussion on media digestion- why technical nuance gets lost and why bold headlines win.Ash and Matt unpack how accidents and viral stories distort public understanding of adventure culture.They discuss responsibility, storytelling, and how the community can protect authenticity moving forward.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 217 of The Adventure Podcast features photographer, IFMGA guide, writer and artist, Ben Tibbetts. In this episode, Matt sits down with Ben to explore a life shaped by isolation, long-term creative projects, and a deep need for structure in the wild. The conversation begins with Ben’s 18 months living and working in Antarctica, which quietly rewired how he thinks about solitude, landscape, and meaning. That experience sparked an enduring obsession with small huts in remote places, and ultimately led to years-long projects photographing bivouac huts and high mountain environments across the Alps. Ben also explains why he needs projects, the discipline behind producing large-format books, the thousands of hours of unseen work, and why these projects make little financial sense but enormous personal sense.They touch on modern creativity, the 'junk food' nature of clickbait content, changing industry, and the quiet rebellion of stepping away to make work that lasts. Depth over noise. A meaningful life one long project at a time.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00 - 01:30: Ben reflects on spending 18 months in Antarctica, the psychological effects of extreme isolation, and how that experience planted the seed for his fascination with tiny huts in wild places.01:30 - 09:00: Back to his beginnings - exploring whether creativity or mountains came first, and how a fine art background shaped his photographic eye.09:00 - 26:30: A deep dive into Ben’s approach to photography, mastery of light and colour, and how understanding his artistic roots reframes his mountain work.26:30 - 34:00: Why huts are not destinations but “scaffolding for journeys.”34:00 - 40:30: Ben opens up about using long-term projects to maintain mental health, purpose, and motivation - and why structure is essential for him to function creatively.40:30 - 45:30: They discuss why Ben prioritises books over guiding or brand work, despite the financial reality.45:30 - 52:30: A candid conversation about social media addiction and clickbait culture.52:30 - 59:30: They explore the challenges facing photographers and filmmakers today.59:30 - 01:06:30: A broader reflection on reinvention, relevance, and why diversification is now essential for survival in creative careers.01:06:30 - 01:12:00: The episode closes with reflections on passion, privilege, persistence, and why doing work for the right reasons, even selfish ones, often leads somewhere meaningful.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 215 of The Adventure Podcast features adventurer and overland explorer, Charlie Reynolds. In 2024, Charlie left the UK with almost no experience and rode a motorbike the length of North and Central America. He then attempted something far more daring. The Darién Gap is one of the most dangerous jungles on Earth and represents a frontier very few people attempt. Charlie decided to cross it by a hand-built boat. In this episode, Matt and Charlie explore the catalysts behind his journey, a confrontation with mortality, a hunger for discomfort, and what exactly happened on that trip. Fuelled by equal parts curiosity and chaos. This is only Part One, but it already feels like the start of a legend. There's a whole load more wild stories to follow in Part Two.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00 - 00:06: Introductions and early reflections. What drives someone to step into the unknown?00:06 - 00:09: Charlie breaks down what the Darién Gap actually is, and why nobody is 'supposed' to go there.00:09 - 00:13: The mindset shift. Chasing discomfort to feel alive.00:32 - 00:34: The Catalyst, facing mortality, and deciding to leave the UK.00:38 - 00:40: Riding south through the US, learning logistics the hard way, and finding rhythm in chaos.00:48 - 00:51: Arriving in Panama and negotiating for a dugout canoe in a language he barely speaks.00:54 - 00:56: Steep learning curves, wind, reefs, survival and pride.00:56 - 00:58: The reality of solitude, risk and responsibility - and dolphins guiding his boat.00:58 - 01:00: He realises people already know he's coming. A mystery takes shape.01:00 - 01:03: A surreal moment; Charlie is asked to speak at the funeral of a man he never met.01:03 - 01:05: Maybe this is what he came looking for all along.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 213 of The Adventure Podcast features French-born adventurer, horsewoman, and advocate for Australia’s wild brumbies, Alienor Le Gouvello. A few years ago, Alienor travelled 5,000+ kilometres on a 13-month solo trek along the Bicentennial National Trail, a journey she completed with three wild horses she had tamed herself and her loyal dog, Fox. It starts as a tale of grit and endurance - surviving tropical fever, infection, and crocodile-infested rivers. But it unfolds into a story about connection, resilience, and purpose. Alienor and Matt explore her years working in remote Indigenous communities, her bond with the land and her animals, and how taming wild horses taught her trust, patience, and empathy. They discuss the ethics of animal management, and how the wilderness can reshape our sense of identity and belonging. This is a story of wild places and wilder spirits. Of what it means to find family, freedom, and purpose in the saddle.For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast.Chapter Breakdown00:00 – 07:00 | Alienor recounts the brutal closing chapter of her 5,000km trek; battling Ross River fever, a severe staph infection, and crossing crocodile rivers with her leg wrapped in plastic.07:00 – 10:30 | Why she chose to tame and travel with wild brumbies, and how the journey became an act of advocacy for humane horse management.10:30 – 16:30 | Growing up in France, travelling to Australia at 20, and discovering a lifelong connection to the desert and Indigenous culture.16:30 – 21:00 | Working for over a decade in remote Aboriginal communities; learning language, culture, and the healing power of land and open space.21:00 – 24:00 | Why Alienor feels compelled to defend both Indigenous heritage and wild horses, and how these causes became her life’s purpose.24:00 – 28:30 | The process of earning the trust of wild brumbies through natural horsemanship. Rejecting the idea of “breaking”, in favour of gentle communication.28:30 – 33:00 | The year-and-a-half-long process of taming, training, and learning to live alongside her horses before setting out.33:00 – 38:00 | Gruelling early months through steep mountains, moments of doubt, and learning to work as one herd.38:00 – 44:00 | How Alienor’s bond with her horses deepened into mutual trust and companionship, and the small, powerful moments that defined that connection.44:00 – 48:30 | Finishing the expedition broken but transformed, finding herself adrift between adventure and normal life.48:30 – 52:00 | Writing her book, becoming a mother, and finding her calling in equine-assisted therapy - helping others heal through the wisdom of horses.52:00 – 56:00 | Alienor reflects on motherhood, hope for the future, and why she believes the next generation, and their connection to nature, will carry the torch forward.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.