Best Rolf Potts Podcasts (2025)

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Mars on Earth: The world’s driest desert, and what travelers might find when they go there 49:22

5d ago49:22

49:22

“If you're someone who's always dreamed of going to Mars but you don't have the time to become an astronaut, you can just visit the Atacama Desert.” –Mark Johanson In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Mark talk about how Mark became interested in the Atacama Desert, and his experience in other world deserts (1:45); what Mark sought when he traveled…

1
Pathways – Dreamtime Dives, African Forests and Baby Kangaroos 43:37

3d ago43:37

43:37

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?” In this episode, we’re going from the dreamt…

1
From the Shadow of Denali Into the Thaw with Jon Waterman 37:38

11d ago37:38

37:38

Today we are taking a journey to the arctic circle, in the far north of the American continent. This is a story about climbing, and surviving, one of the tallest mountains on Earth. It’s about paddling through the most remote national park in America, the Gates of the Arctic; and it’s about finding wonder and hope in places where that hope is nearl…

1
DISCOVER: River Drifting, Reef Diving & Rainforest Wandering in Tropical North Queensland 43:21

28d ago43:21

43:21

In this episode, we’re heading deep into the wilds of Tropical North Queensland, Australia—where the oldest rainforest in the world meets the greatest reef on the planet. We’ll be connecting with an Aboriginal guide to learn indigenous perspectives on the land; doing something called ‘River Drifting’ through the ancient forests of Daintree; seeing …

1
🎧 PATHWAYS: Rainforest Drifts, Kangaroo Islands & Denali’s Frozen Edge 28:30

1M ago28:30

28:30

This is your monthly guide to the world’s wildest travel stories – one adventure at a time. 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 on Armchair Explorer. It’s part travel hangout, part behind-the-scenes, part “wai…

1
BUCKET LIST: Eye-to-Eye with Giants: Whale Watching in Victoria, B.C. 14:39

1M ago14:39

14:39

"I've been guiding or working around whales now for almost over just about over a decade, and I still am in awe at all of the experiences that we have. It's just a wonder of a magnitude that people don't really get to experience anywhere else in urban life" – Nik Coutinho, Prince of Whales In this Bucket List episode, produced in our immersive docu…

1
Why a chapter about “slum tourism” was edited out of The Vagabond’s Way (with Chloe Cooper Jones) 56:25

1M ago56:25

56:25

“Travel does not require leaving your city or state or country, but it does require leaving your comfort zone. And that can happen a block or two away from where you live.”–Chloe Cooper Jones In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Chloe talk about why a section about “slum tourism” was cut out of Rolf’s newest book The Vagabond’s Way (2:30); how so m…

1
ADVENTURE: Becoming Forrest Gump: The Man Who Ran Across America Five Times (IRL) 37:48

1M ago37:48

37:48

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Rob Pope, the first person in the world to complete the legendary run made famous by one of Hollywood’s most beloved characters – Forrest Gump. Yes, you heard that right. Rob took on the challenge of following Forrest’s route mile by mile, crossing the country not once, but FIVE times. That’s like running from th…

1
Long-term travel 101: Matt Kepnes on how to slow down and save money on an extended global journey 28:29

2M ago28:29

28:29

“The most difficult part about traveling the world isn’t actually the logistics of a trip—it’s finding the courage to go in the first place.” —Matt Kepnes In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Matt talk about how his travel style has changed over the years, and how fears affect people’s travels (1:00); strategies for saving money on the road (10:30)…

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BEST OF EXPLORER: Where’s Wallis? No Guidebook, No Google, No Clue with Best-selling Travel Author Brian Thacker 38:57

2M ago38:57

38:57

Follow best-selling travel author Brian Thacker on a unique, mad-cap adventure to three of the remotest countries on Earth. Inspired by the intrepid spirit of explorers of old, Brian decided to tear up the guidebook, switch off the phone and turn up to a country knowing absolutely nothing about it in advance. He picked three countries at random: th…

1
PATHWAYS: Flight of the Nez Perce, the Prince of Whales and Run Forrest Run 31:01

2M ago31:01

31:01

At the start of every month, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton preview what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer, play their favorite clips, and reveal the stories they’re most excited to share. A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing you…

1
ADVENTURE: The Long Ride Home: 10,000-miles on Horseback from Canada to Brazil 43:15

2M ago43:15

43:15

“I came face to face with grizzly bears. I had to befriend drug lords. I saw two people shot dead. I witnessed a guy trying to kill his wife with five gunshots. I crossed the tallest mountains in the world. I had to swim rivers with horses. I was lost in deserts and nothing, absolutely nothing, brought me more pain and heartache and stress than man…

1
Travel memoir lab: On blending travel narrative with a broader memoiristic life-narrative 37:07

2M ago37:07

37:07

“We do a lot of writing alone, in our own space. But writing is not a solitary practice. The business of writing requires a community.” –Angelique Stevens In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Angelique talk about what her writing life is like in the decade since she first took Rolf’s Paris class, with the ambition of becoming a travel writer, and h…

1
IMMERSION: Muskets, Marching and a Haunted Hospital 29:02

3M ago29:02

29:02

As soon as they walked into the barracks at Fort Sisseton, they were handed muskets - heavy Springfield 63s from the Civil war era - given a uniform and told to march. Presenter Brian Thacker and producer Jason Paton thought they were just covering the annual Sisseton historical festival, in South Dakota, as spectators. Turns out they were getting …

1
Red Bull: How To Be Superhuman 41:53

3M ago41:53

41:53

Abdullah Zeinab’s epic Rhino Run adventure crossing South Africa and Namibia redefines what’s possible in endurance cycling. Unsupported and unforgiving, this grueling 1,700-mile ultra-cycling race put his mental strength, grit and resilience to the ultimate test through breathtaking but brutal landscapes – where a tiny detail, like a tiny screw, m…

1
Following in the Treads of the 1897 All Black Bicycle Corp with Erick Cedeño 38:09

3M ago38:09

38:09

“Those are my heroes, those guys paved the way for me to be able to travel through this country, free, and they're almost superhuman to me.” - Erick Cedeño, Bicycle Nomad In 2013, Erick Cedeño, aka. Bicycle Nomad, came across an old photograph that changed his life. Taken in 1897, it showed 20 black soldiers riding bicycles across the American West…

1
PATHWAYS: Buffalo Soldiers, a Long Rider, and How to be a Superhuman 22:33

3M ago22:33

22:33

At the start of every month, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton preview what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer, play their favorite clips, and reveal the stories they’re most excited to share. A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing you…

1
How a journey on the Hippie Trail changed Rick Steves’ life (and influenced Rolf’s travels too) 44:26

3M ago44:26

44:26

“Anybody with curiosity and wanderlust can have their own Hippie Trail. They just need to get away from home, embrace the world, and have an adventure.” –Rick Steves In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Rick talk about Rick’s 1990s book Asia Through the Back Door, and how Rick recently rediscovered the old Asia travel journals he kept as a young ma…

1
JOURNEY: Canada’s Wild Rivers and Shimmering Lakes: Paddling Ontario by Canoe 22:45

3M ago22:45

22:45

In this episode, we dive into the soul of Ontario’s wild, tranquil landscapes alongside award-winning travel writer and photographer Alex Robinson. From serene canoe journeys gliding through Algonquin Provincial Park to exhilarating white-water escapades on the Madawaska River, this journey is an invitation to immerse yourself in the pristine water…

1
IMMERSION: Irish Myths and Mysteries: Searching for St. Brigid on Location in Ireland 54:33

3M ago54:33

54:33

St. Patrick might be the most famous of the Irish saints...but he's far from the most interesting. In 2023, St. Brigid’s Day was decreed a National Holiday in Ireland to honor Brigid. Over the millennia, this legendary woman has evolved into a figure encompassing myth, holy legend, pagan icon, and now modern feminist symbol. But who was Brigid, rea…

1
A travel writers’ Super Bowl special: Pico Iyer and Rolf discuss NFL football from the global perspective 38:55

3M ago38:55

38:55

“My life has often forced me to follow the Super Bowl in unusual circumstances. The first Super Bowl found me in boarding school in England, huddled under my bedclothes with an illegal transistor radio.” –Pico Iyer In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Pico talk about the novelty of two travel writers talking about the Super Bowl, and Pico’s NFL fan…

1
BUCKET LIST: In the Heart of Denali: Dream Sleeps on Alaska’s Ruth Glacier 17:47

4M ago17:47

17:47

In this Bucket List episode, Aaron Millar takes us to one of the most remote and breathtaking locations on Earth: Sheldon Chalet in Alaska. Perched on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the Ruth Glacier, 70-miles from civilization, with views of the east face of Denali out of your bedroom window, this is perhaps the most spectacular hotel in the worl…

1
IMMERSION: The Elements of AlUla: Arabia’s Lost City and the Power of Water 1:01:14

4M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Before the modern city of Alula rose to prominence, its natural springs and water systems were at the heart of its existence. For centuries, Alula's oasis has been a critical stop on the Incense Road, connecting cultures and trading routes across the Arabian Peninsula. Water, both from the sky and the earth, has sustained life here, and its managem…

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PERFORMANCE: Strings, Stories, and the Blues: Rick Rushing Live from Chattanooga 31:19

4M ago31:19

31:19

Before the bustling streets of Chattanooga and the sounds of modern life, the blues were born from the struggles and stories of generations past. Deep in the heart of this city in Tennessee, the blues pulse through the air, enriching the soil, and infusing every corner of this musical mecca. In this episode, we take you to the roots of this powerfu…

1
ADVENTURE: Iceland: Surfing the Northern Lights & Riding the Forgotten Coast with Chris Burkard 33:24

4M ago33:24

33:24

In this episode, we journey into the wild, rugged landscapes of Iceland through the eyes of renowned photographer and filmmaker, Chris Burkard. From an unplanned surfing adventure under the Northern Lights to his grueling exploration of Iceland's remote "Forgotten Coast," Chris takes us on a path of discovery and inspiration. We explore the vast be…

1
Pico Iyer on how solitude, stillness, and silence play an essential counterbalance to the traveling life 55:24

4M ago55:24

55:24

“In solitude, I often feel closer to the people I care for than when they’re in the same room.” –Pico Iyer In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Pico talk about how the best travels are often counterbalanced with a kind of stillness, in which one can find one’s “best self” (3:00); Pico’s decades-long experiences with monks in a California monastery,…

1
PATHWAYS: Northern Lights, Irish Saints and Alaskan Dreams 28:04

4M ago28:04

28:04

At the start of every month, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton preview what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer, play their favorite clips, and reveal the stories they’re most excited to share. A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing you…

1
IMMERSION: Wellness in the Desert: Sacred Waters, Sound Baths, and Starry Skies 41:34

4M ago41:34

41:34

Before movie star colonies, country clubs and pool parties, the first people to lay claim to Palm Springs were the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians. The spring waters were sacred to the local tribes, and today people from around the world visit the area to take in its healing waters. But there’s wellness in more than just the water. The deser…

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Life changing travel experiences: Memories of traveling to Syria, 25 years on (with Ari Shaffir) 1:23:01

4M ago1:23:01

1:23:01

“Syria is a mix of everything. There are multiple Christian cultures, multiple Muslim cultures, and multiple languages. It’s the crossroads of the world. It made for some of my best travel memories from that time of my life.” —Rolf Potts In this episode of Deviate (which was remixed from an episode of Ari Shaffir’s You Be Trippin’ podcast), Rolf an…

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BUCKET LIST: 100-mile Pub Crawl along the South Downs Way, England 15:28

4M ago15:28

15:28

In this Bucket List episode, host Aaron Millar recounts the most audacious, tipsiest, and ridiculous hike of his life: a 100-mile pub crawl across the entire length of the South Downs National Park, near his hometown of Brighton England. “Should you ever happen to find yourself walking with only one boot on in the middle of the night,” Aaron writes…

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BUCKET LIST: The Everest of Great White Shark Cages Dives 22:27

5M ago22:27

22:27

On today’s bucket list episode, we are following award-winning travel writer James Stewart as he attempts the ‘Everest of Cage Dives’. In the Neptune Islands of Australia, home to the most great white sharks on the planet, there is a cage dive that drops you all the way to the ocean floor. And it was set up by the man who survived the shark attack …

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IMMERSION: Land of Stone and Light: On Location in Badlands National Park 24:33

5M ago24:33

24:33

They call it The Land of Stone and Light because of the way sunlight plays on its rocky terrain. It is a geological tapestry of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires, home to one of the richest fossil beds on the planet. The Lakota people called it Mako Sica, which is where it got its name. But there is nothing bad about the Badlands. Record…

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Travel memoir lab: How to fast-track your travel book by working with a hybrid publisher 1:01:36

5M ago1:01:36

1:01:36

“In El Salvador, I dropped $5 out of my pocket at the border, and some guy came running up to me. At the beginning of the trip I would have been surprised by that. But by that point I would have been surprised if it didn’t happen.” —Matt Savino In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Matt talk about how the first version of his travel book was way too…

1
ADVENTURE: Whale Warriors and Eco-Pirates: Patrolling the Southern Ocean with Best-Selling Author Peter Heller 23:59

5M ago23:59

23:59

“… tied up at the pier was this all-black pirate ship with the Jolly Roger flag at the bow. It was menacing as hell, and I walked up to the superstructure, and there on the on the outer bulkhead, was all these skulls and crossbones. They were the names of all ships these guys had sunk or rammed on the high seas.” In 2005, adventure journalist and b…

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PATHWAYS: Ancient Kingdoms, Badlands and the Everest of Cage Dives 29:00

5M ago29:00

29:00

At the start of every month, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton preview what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer, play their favorite clips, and reveal the stories they’re most excited to share. A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing you…

1
HoneyTrek: A case study in making a full-time living as travel influencers and content creators 43:18

6M ago43:18

43:18

“When we got into this, we didn’t know how to make videos. That’s a skill we’ve had to learn, because the industry has changed so much, from photos to videos. We are still learning all the time.” —Anne Howard In this episode of Deviate, Rolf, Mike, Anne and Kiki talk about they got started traveling as a couple, how they made it affordable, and how…

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IMMERSION: Pizza Farms, Fish Boils and Sacred Corn: Here’s to Those Who Wisconsin 44:57

6M ago44:57

44:57

“The thing about eating a meal with people is it breaks down barriers … But then beer elevates that to the magic of the intoxication of a shared experience. That is why beer and pizza go well together - the primal solving of the human conflict problem and the primal mysticism, paired perfectly.” – Tony Schultz, Stoney Acres Farm Here’s to those who…

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IMMERSION: Glamour in the Desert: Shag houses, Mr Tiki and Sinatra’s Favorite Haunt 54:33

6M ago54:33

54:33

Palm Springs is a must-visit for cinephiles, history buffs, adventure seekers, architecture enthusiasts and foodies, but this desert city is better known as the home of glitz and glamour. Today, we are stepping back in time to when Palm Springs was Hollywood’s favorite hideaway, when mid-century architecture shaped the town and suavely clad folk si…

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INSIGHT: Butch Cassidy, Stagecoach, and the Lone Ranger: Riding into the Sunset in Utah 54:26

6M ago54:26

54:26

“People can't believe how we live out here on the land, and under the stars. Maybe it's just the freedom of it. Once you get that red dirt in your blood and your socks, you can't get rid of either one of them. It just stays with you, and you’re going to find that out if you stick around very long.” Norris Church, Kanab The Western is as finely laye…

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Live from Bali: How tourists, influencers, and nomads transform destinations (for good and for bad) 38:59

6M ago38:59

38:59

“Influencers are forever reinforcing the same images. They’re spending no time in the actual place, other than the requisite time to take the photo. From the local community’s point of view, these kinds of tourists bring very little value.” –Stuart McDonald In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Stuart talk about why Stuart chose to make his office i…

1
IMMERSION: The Elements of AlUla: Arabia’s Lost City and the Adventure of Air 1:08:20

6M ago1:08:20

1:08:20

“I'm dangling 250-feet above a canyon, and I'm about to get dropped. This is what AlUla is all about. It's got desert treasures, it's got 200,000 years of history, but it's also got adventure. And we're going to start ours by soaring through the air. Are you ready? Let's do this …” Aaron Millar, host In this series, we’re going to take you on a jou…

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ADVENTURE: Living with Wolves: Filmmakers Jim and Jamie Dutcher’s six-year adventure camping with the Sawtooth Pack 38:34

6M ago38:34

38:34

“There was one time when one of the young wolves was licking my face, and his canine went up my nose, and I was like, oh, okay, don't move. He wasn't trying to bite me; it was just excitement. But it was an awesome, eerie, and strangely wonderful experience.” - Jamie Dutcher Before the arrival of European settlers, it is estimated as many as 500,00…

1
PATHWAYS: Surfing Iceland, Bedouin Stars and Living with Wolves 37:20

6M ago37:20

37:20

At the start of every month, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton preview what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer, play their favorite clips, and reveal the stories they’re most excited to share. A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing you…

1
BUCKET LIST: Ghost Hunt in the London Tombs with Host Aaron Millar 14:17

6M ago14:17

14:17

“I was lying in a coffin in the catacombs beneath London Bridge while a clairvoyant called to the spirits around me to make themselves known. To say this was not a normal Saturday night would be to grossly understate the point.” And so begins, the second of our Halloween specials – a bucket list ghost hunt in the London Tombs. When these ancient ca…

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IMMERSION: The World’s Scariest Whisky Distillery Tour at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary 20:58

7M ago20:58

20:58

They called it the ‘End of the Line’. For over a century, Brushy Mountain prison held some of the most violent murderers, rapists and serial killers in the country. If you wore out your welcome at another prison or your crime was among the most unspeakable committed, this was where you ended up. And once you walked through the doors, almost no one …

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PERFORMANCE: The Diamond Stream with Tennessee Music Legend Ed Snodderly 33:40

7M ago33:40

33:40

“So, take down your box and bow, and play the strings. Whistle up your travellin’ tune. Listen to the sound the water makes, in the Diamond Stream.” Ed Snodderly, The Diamond Stream This episode is the first in our Performance series, where we showcase music from around the globe. Today, we’re joined by Tennessee Music Legend Ed Snodderly at his li…

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Vagabonding audio companion: Obnoxious travelers (and how to avoid being one) 45:40

7M ago45:40

45:40

“We’re having less enjoyable travel experiences, even as our photos show us having this amazing time, because we’re performing a version of travel for people who aren’t even there.” In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and David talk about the time-honored practice of Americans pretending to be Canadian on the road, and why Americans at times have had …

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IMMERSION: Wild Rides, Mutton Bustin’ and the Fastest Shearer in the West: On Location at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo 34:45

7M ago34:45

34:45

Rodeo in the United States is a reflection of the spirit of the American West, and a tradition rooted in the folklore and culture of the country. But in South Dakota, it’s not only the official sport - it’s a way of life. Join us as we go on a wild ride at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo where over 300,000 people from all over the world descen…

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CONNECTION: The Mongol Rally: Driving from London to Mongolia in a Junk Yard Car with Jenny Hunter from The Adventurists 37:17

7M ago37:17

37:17

“We’re fighting to make the world less boring. Our planet used to slap us about the face-cheeks with iron fists of adventure every day. Maps had edges to walk off. Whole continents lay undiscovered. But now, the entire surface of the Earth has been scanned by satellites and shoveled into your mobile phone, tagged with twattery about which restauran…

1
IMMERSION: The Elements of AlUla: Arabia’s Lost City and the Heritage of Earth 47:19

7M ago47:19

47:19

“… it’s incredible to get that picture of watching the caravans arrive on the horizon, and you don't know what they're going hold. You don't know what mysteries. People with strange languages, different clothes, and different smells. And they set up around the fire at night and play music you've never heard before; tell stories you've never heard b…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Rolf Potts Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen