#183 - Jamie Edwards returns to Journey with Jake with tales from the top of the world, having ventured to the Arctic with her 21-year-old daughter and 82-year-old stepfather. Their expedition through the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard reveals a landscape where polar bears roam distant shores and massive glaciers calve with thunderous crashes that signal our changing climate.
Jamie vividly describes the unique challenges and thrills of Arctic exploration aboard the purpose-built Ultramarine ship. Unlike Antarctica (which Jamie visited previously), the Arctic's main attraction—and danger—is the magnificent polar bear. These apex predators can smell prey from up to 20 miles away and swim for days without stopping, facts that add a layer of respectful caution to every shore excursion. The expedition team constantly scans shorelines through powerful scopes before allowing passengers to disembark, ensuring both human safety and wildlife protection.
What makes this journey particularly special is the three-generation dynamic. For Jamie's environmentally-conscious daughter, seeing climate change impacts firsthand provided powerful context to her studies. For her adventurous 82-year-old stepfather, it was an opportunity he'd never have experienced otherwise. And for Jamie—someone who typically dislikes cold weather but couldn't resist the Arctic's allure—the expedition became another transformative travel experience, even culminating in the traditional "polar plunge" into frigid waters.
Beyond her Arctic adventures, Jamie shares updates on her expanding writing career, including contributions to National Geographic's upcoming "Traveler's Atlas" and her travel coaching services. Her website IamLostandFound.com continues to serve as both personal travel journal and professional portfolio, connecting her with opportunities to share her passion for thoughtful, transformative travel experiences.
Whether you're planning your own polar expedition or simply enjoy armchair adventures, this conversation offers both practical insights and philosophical reflections on how travel changes us—"you go into it one way, you come out of it another."

Be sure and check out Jamie's work on her website www.iamlostandfound.com.

Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out.

Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.