Darron Speck, from Bradford and star of Race Across the World Series One, joins us today with stories of walking between capital cities (from Vienna to Bratislava), cycling from Norway to Malta, and nearly falling off a cliff in Australia.
You’ll hear:
This episode is full of fun, chaos, and wild stories from around the world!
In part two of my conversation with Jack Simms, we explore his travel recommendations and his recent trip across Washington DC, New York, and Philadelphia. From Sicilian fish to Philly cheesesteaks and Independence Hall, Jack reflects on the difference between reading about history and experiencing it in person. Along the way, we discuss comfort food, tourist stereotypes, and the places he wants to go: Rome, Pompeii and Egypt.
What would you do if a cockroach crawled across your room on holiday?
Jack Simms, who previously worked as a production journalist at Notts TV, joins me today.
He shares stories from catching cockroaches in Favignana, Italy, to recalling an unforgettable experience in the Austrian Alps. Jack also shares his recent travels across Washington, Philadelphia, and New York. Also, we talk about everyday life looks like in a busy, close-knit family.
This conversation was such a good one that I had to split it into two parts - you’re listening to Part 1, and Part 2 will be out next week.
In this episode, Heulwen Leung, a trainee solicitor working in London and a UCLA alumna, joins us to share her travel stories - from her birthday trip in Porto to experiencing a chaotic amateur robbery in Amsterdam.
She recalls a hilarious Thailand experience, recommends Hokkaido, especially Hell Valley and sashimi, and talks about receiving letters from Santa Claus as a kid—and why she dreams of visiting Finland one day.
In this episode, I speak with Al Booth - a broadcaster whose 25-year career spans BBC, commercial radio, and television. He’s also the founder and host of Oracy And Beyond.
Al began in radio production back in 1998, later becoming a presenter at Trent FM (now Capital) and working with Galaxy, before moving into television with Notts TV. Originally from Beverley in East Yorkshire, his story reflects one of the industry’s realities: if you want to work in radio, you have to be prepared to move!
We discuss travel — both as a professional necessity and a personal fascination. From the Mona Lisa at the Louvre to the Welsh valleys’ breathtaking views, Al talks about why some experiences can’t be replicated. He also shares his unexpected first-class flight, offers advice on driving abroad in a country that drives on the opposite side, and names the places that have left the biggest impression: the Maldives, Poland, and Paphos(Cyprus).
As for what’s next? Mauritius, the Lake District, and New York are on his list.
A great conversation about places, careers, and ideas — with someone who’s spent a lifetime on air!
In this episode, I chat with Chris Hsu, co-founder of Kung Fu Mama in Covent Garden, London.
Chris shares unforgettable travel stories, from getting lost in Hawaii as a 12-year-old to unexpected adventures in Lake Como, Italy. He talks about why he recommends Copenhagen, the influence of Japanese culture on many Nordic countries, and his travel habit of asking bartenders for the best local bars and restaurants. Iceland is next on his list — he wants to see the Northern Lights.
We also dive into the world of Kung Fu Mama UK: the biggest challenges of opening a restaurant, why Covent Garden was the perfect location, and the process of developing his recipes.
Renn Lin, one of the founding directors of New Tide Media Network - a London-based non-profit network for East and Southeast Asian journalists - joins today’s episode. Originally from New Taipei City, Taiwan, Renn shares what inspired her to launch the network.
We also talk about:
These travel stories from filmmaker, writer, and off-grid expert Nick Rosen play out like movie scenes—or the kind of comedy moments you’d expect from TV.
In this episode, recorded in Berlin (the very same day Nick caused outrage in a sauna), we dive into:
In this episode, I’m joined by Eric Ku, a personal trainer at PureGym Birmingham Arcadian Centre and a University of Exeter economics graduate.
Eric shares why he moved to Birmingham, and a story of his friend getting so drunk in Shinjuku that he ended up calling his mum from the nightclub to say, “Mama, I love you.”
We dive into his experience joining a coming-of-age ceremony in Taiwan during a church mission, sharing thoughts on street food like stinky tofu and pork blood, and hear why he recommends everyone visit Japan.
Last but not least, he tells us why Antarctica is on his travel wish list!
In this episode, I’m joined by Alice Chen, who lives in London and works for Phoebe Philo.
She tells us about the difference between fashion houses and fast fashion, and shares her tips for keeping luxury goods safe in Europe!
We also talk about her travels in Florence, Thailand, and Rome. You’ll hear about:
She also shares why Tasmania - wombats included - is on her travel list.
In this episode, I’m joined by Margaret Adedoyin, fresh from completing her tech PR internship in London.
You’ll hear about:
In this episode, Digital Writer Akhila Thomas from Yours Magazine (Bauer Media) talks about missing a connection flight, ending up on an unexpected trip in Dubai, and being stopped on suspicion of smuggling jewellery.
She also shares her desert adventures in Morocco, the beauty of the Pink City, Jaipur, and her dream destination.
Today’s guest, Rui Xin Yang, a friend from my volunteering days in Sri Lanka. He shares funny memories from Pigeon Island, his migration journey to Australia, and several trips back to Taiwan.
We also talk marathons and his hiking trip in Tasmania. During his trip to Taiwan, he even met a hairdresser who was going to the same Hebe's concert!
He recommends visiting Adelaide and tells us why Japan’s Hokkaido is next on his travel list.
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Pratyush Batra, who previously worked as a video journalist at Notts TV, Deputy Station Manager at Trent TV, radio presenter at Switch Radio, and Fly Live.
You’ll hear:
In this episode, I’m joined by Sharon Boadu, radio presenter at Switch Radio, to talk about funny travel moments, K-culture and scholarship.
You’ll hear:
In this episode, I’m joined by Scarlett Kwok. Scarlett, now working as a Marketing Lead, shares some of her funniest and most unforgettable travel memories.
From nearly missing a flight in Copenhagen after falling asleep at the gate, to watching her paper map disintegrate in the rain at the Palace of Versailles, we laugh at the chaos.
Scarlett also recalls a light-bulb moment on a solo trip in the US and explains why she prefers traveling in nature. She recommends visiting New Zealand’s South Island and hopes to travel to Banff National Park in the future.
In this episode, Han Yu and I dive into student life and friendship, including the funny travel experience where his friend accidentally left the backup phone alarm on - waking them up in the middle of the night and having them to solve math questions and puzzles.
He also shares his bizarre travel memory of stumbling into a strip club in Soho, London, but never seeing it again.
Han Yu tells us the special moment of witnessing his best friend’s proposal. He also explains why he recommends visiting Iceland.
In this episode, Owen Jones takes us into the historical and cultural experiences of the places he’s been to. From his travel memories in Zanzibar, to crossing the border from Singapore to Malaysia.
Owen also shares experiences in Turkey, Romania, and Tunisia, and recommends everything from reading in the woods of Ireland to sunny beaches in Guam, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. We also hear why London is where he considers an ideal place to live long-term.
Owen explains how New York has transformed before and after Covid, and how a high school trip in Vietnam made him witness the change during the process of helping others. Finally, Owen shared the places where he really wants to go — Iran, Syria, and Myanmar — while reminding us to check embassies, restrictions and safety before travelling.
In this episode, I sit down with one of my best friends - Rini Ghosh. We first met while studying our master’s in journalism, but her story started long before that as a movie actress and writer in India.
She takes us through a funny escape at a drunk tattoo parlour, our unforgettable two-hour walk across London on Christmas Day, and the ups and downs of our journalism degree.
We also explore her lobster adventure in Singapore with her mum, where the bill was so shocking she almost had to wash dishes to pay it off.
Rini recommends Singapore and Thailand, and shares her dream list of future destinations: Ayodhya in India, Greece, Paris, and New York.
In this episode, Janet shares the barbecue accident in Mallorca, the island in Spain, and tests the limits of romance during a summer trip to Rome in the heat.
There’s also her first snow experience which ended with snow hitting her in the face, as well as the tragic story behind St. Basil's Cathedral. It’s a mix of experiences and laughs you’ll probably relate to!