“There is something in us,” nature writer Jay Griffiths says, “that detests the tepid world of net curtains … the chloroform world where human nature is well schooled, tamed from childhood on, where the radiators are permanently on mild and the windows are permanently closed.”
Lost with her life an…“There is something in us,” nature writer Jay Griffiths says, “that detests the tepid world of net curtains … the chloroform world where human nature is well schooled, tamed from childhood on, where the radiators are permanently on mild and the windows are permanently closed.”
Lost with her life and desperate to escape the confines of the modern world, Jay set out on a journey to explore the world’s wildest places. She would explore ice, earth, water, fire and air. It would take seven years and all her savings. She would sing with cannibals in the highlands of West Papua, drink ayahuasca with shamans in the amazon. She explored the frozen arctic with Innuits and the fire desert with the aboriginals of the Australia.
Through her travels Jay learned the wisdom of the indigenous people that call these elements home. She discovered how they shaped their culture and beliefs, and in time how they shaped her too. She was seeking wildness. She was following her ‘feral angel’, listening to its call to take flight and reconnect with the wildness inside her.
This episode is the original interview I did with Jay a few years ago. The documentary ‘Adventure’ episode is about 100 episodes back in the feed. Check out it out on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your show.
I’m re-running the original interview now for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it’s an amazing chat, and I had to cut so much good stuff out to make the documentary. And secondly, it’s Native American Heritage Month and although Jay doesn’t spend time with Native Americans, her story is about learning how indigenous people connect with the wild in ice, earth, air and fire.
This is a story for anyone that’s ever crawled up the walls, stared out the window and dreamed of escape. This is a call to the wild.
Highlights include:
· Take ayahuasca with shamans in the Amazon
· Walk naked and alone into the frozen wilderness of the Arctic
· Trek the highlands with the freedom fighters of West Papua, one of the most remote and least-visited places on earth
· Have dinner with cannibals
· Find out how to apply the wisdom of the wild in our own life
Jay’s book of this adventure is called ‘Wild: an Elemental Journey’. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of nature writing I have ever read and couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Her latest book ‘Why Rebel?’ is awesome too. Search them up wherever you get your books – you won’t be disappointed!
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CREDITS
Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices.
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In this episode we talk about how flying with Air Niugini is part of the Papua New Guinea experience itself. Host Normand Schafer learns how the airline offers more than just transport — it delivers hospitality infused with PNG’s diverse culture. Hear how local cuisine, cabin crew attire, and onboar…In this episode we talk about how flying with Air Niugini is part of the Papua New Guinea experience itself. Host Normand Schafer learns how the airline offers more than just transport — it delivers hospitality infused with PNG’s diverse culture. Hear how local cuisine, cabin crew attire, and onboard language choices introduce travelers to the nation’s proud identity before they even touch down.more
Dr. Chelsea Anderson never imagined that becoming a veterinarian would allow her to travel the world and work and live in places like Sri Lanka, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and beyond. But early on in her career, she figured out how to combine her two passions of traveling and working with …Dr. Chelsea Anderson never imagined that becoming a veterinarian would allow her to travel the world and work and live in places like Sri Lanka, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and beyond. But early on in her career, she figured out how to combine her two passions of traveling and working with animals. Today she shares with us her stories from volunteering her veterinary services all across the globe. Tune in to this inspiring story to find out how she does it, where she’s been, and the things she’s learned abroad that she applies every day to her veterinary work at home.
- If you’d like to reach out to Chelsea for travel veterinary purposes, you can find her at [email protected]
- Find and follow Chelsea’s vet adventures at @EatSpayLove
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In this episode of The Radio Vagabond, we dive into the world of off-the-beaten-path travel with three extraordinary tour guides I met at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok.
Join me as I talk to:
David Van Driessche – a photographer and tour leader who brings travelers into the heart of …In this episode of The Radio Vagabond, we dive into the world of off-the-beaten-path travel with three extraordinary tour guides I met at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok.
Join me as I talk to:
David Van Driessche – a photographer and tour leader who brings travelers into the heart of Papua New Guinea's remote tribal communities.
Fadi Assi – a passionate advocate for tourism in Syria, offering eye-opening historical and cultural experiences.
Baba Ahmed El Bekay – a pioneer of tourism in Mauritania, home to ancient cities, epic desert adventures, and the iconic Iron Ore Train.
We discuss what makes these destinations so unique, why more travelers should consider visiting them, and how responsible tourism can have a meaningful impact.
This episode is filled with insight, inspiration, and stories you won't hear on your average travel show.
Relevant Links:
David Van Driessche: https://tribesofpapuanewguinea.com
Fadi Assi: https://goldenteamsy.com
Baba Ahmed El Bekay: http://www.toremauritania.com
You can follow The Radio Vagabond on:
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@radiovagabond
Read the full blog post here: https://theradiovagabond.com/362-etfmore
Please click to 'Follow' the show - it helps surface the show to a wider audience (which I really thank you for!). 🚨 Don't FORGET to Join the Adventure Newsletter Here 🚨😎 In this fascinating episode of Adventure Diaries, we welcome legendary explorer Benedict Allen, whose remarkable journeys span de…Please click to 'Follow' the show - it helps surface the show to a wider audience (which I really thank you for!). 🚨 Don't FORGET to Join the Adventure Newsletter Here 🚨😎 In this fascinating episode of Adventure Diaries, we welcome legendary explorer Benedict Allen, whose remarkable journeys span decades and continents. From surviving ambushes by Pablo Escobar’s men to undergoing the brutal crocodile initiation ceremony with the Niara tribe in Papua New Guinea, Benedict’s stories are nothing...more
Benedict Allen has made a name for himself, not necessarily for what he does, but for what he does not do...travel with modern technology.
For the last several decades, Benedict has explored some of the most remote corners of the planet, from crossing the Amazon basin to the deserts of Namibia. And…Benedict Allen has made a name for himself, not necessarily for what he does, but for what he does not do...travel with modern technology.
For the last several decades, Benedict has explored some of the most remote corners of the planet, from crossing the Amazon basin to the deserts of Namibia. And instead of navigating those highly complex journeys with modern technology, he's chosen instead to embed himself with local cultures, relying solely on the goodwill and guidance of native people to survive. And today, we're following along as he recounts some of his most epic -- and occasionally terrifying -- adventures.
From living in a 'crocodile nest' in Papua New Guinea for six weeks to narrowly avoiding being gunned down during a mountain crossing deep in the jungle, Benedict has some truly wild stories to share. But his story isn't solely about adventure...it's about the humanity we all share.
As of May 2024, Papua New Guinea is experiencing devastating landslides. If you feel inspired by the stories of Papua New Guinea's people in today's episode, please consider donating to organizations such as Papua New Guinea's Red Cross or IOM relief efforts.
CONNECT
Learn more about Benedict and his many adventures on his website, benedictallen.com. You can also find him on social media @benedictallenexplorer. The book from this episode is called Explorer: The Quest for Adventure and the Great Unknown, and you can find it anywhere books are sold.
SOCIAL
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @armchairexplorerpodcast. Want travel tips and advice? Questions about this episode? Message me! Sign up for the monthly newsletter at armchair-explorer.com.
CREDITS
This episode was produced by Armchair Productions. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com.
Jenny Allison did the guest booking and wrote this episode, along with host and producer Aaron Millar. Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Theme music written by the artist Sweet Chap (on IG @the_sweet_chap).
Mentioned in this episode:
Check out the Smart Travel Podcast
This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:
Smart Travel Podcast
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com.
For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.
