Explore: A Canadian Geographic podcast

Canadian Geographic
  • 4.8 (125)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Monthly

Host David McGuffin talks to Canada’s greatest explorers about their adventures and what inspires their spirit of discovery.

  1. Jun 16

    Sing Louder, Paddle Harder: Exploring Canada's Arctic rivers with Ted Johnson

    In this episode of Explore, host David McGuffin sits down with lawyer, conservationist, former senior aide to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and one of Canada's most accomplished Arctic paddlers, Ted Johnson. For more than two decades, Johnson and a remarkable group of friends, including diplomats, journalists, cabinet ministers, and occasionally Pierre Trudeau himself, set out each summer to canoe some of the most remote rivers in northern Canada.  From the Hood and Coppermine rivers to little-known rivers on Banks Island and Ellesmere Island, Johnson shares stories of first descents, close calls, vast caribou migrations, and landscapes few Canadians will ever see. Along the way, he reflects on a changing Arctic, the evolution of wilderness travel, and what it was like to paddle and camp alongside one of Canada's most transformational Prime Ministers.  This captivating episode explores a remarkable era of northern exploration and the enduring pull of Canada's wild rivers. Ted Johnson is a lawyer, conservationist, pilot, and former senior advisor to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. An Officer of the Order of Canada and Fellow of both the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the Royal Geographical Society, he has spent decades exploring Canada's North by canoe, helping document and promote some of the country's most remote wilderness rivers. To learn more about the paddling adventures of Johnson and his friends, Sing Louder, Paddle Harder, edited by his colleague Robert Fowler, contains hundreds of images and stories from across the Arctic.  Credits Explore: A Canadian Geographic Podcast is hosted by David McGuffin. Produced by David McGuffin and ExploreProductions.ca in partnership with Canadian Geographic. Editor-in-chief: Alexandra Pope Digital and travel editor: Madigan Cotterill Digital marketing manager: Caroline Workman  For more stories of adventure, science, history, and exploration, visit CanadianGeographic.ca Follow Explore wherever you get your podcasts and leave a rating or review if you enjoy the show.

    1h 15m

  2. Jun 2

    Retracing a historic fur trade route across Quebec with Bruno Forest

    "There's a humility in this kind of travel. You don't pretend to adapt the world to you. You adapt to the world." — Bruno Forest In the summer of 2025, Bruno Forest and his team of five others pushed their canoes into the waters of the Saguenay Fjord, setting out on an extraordinary 1,200-kilometre journey, paddling from Tadoussac on the St. Lawrence River to Waskaganish on James Bay. But this wasn't simply a wilderness expedition. Travelling in hand-built cedar canvas canoes by Forest and veteran artisans, he and his crew retraced a route that stretches deep into North American history — following waterways used by Indigenous traders for centuries before becoming part of the European fur trade networks. The journey demanded weeks of hauling canoes upstream through powerful rivers, reopening forgotten portages swallowed by the forest, and crossing some of Quebec's most remote landscapes. Along the way, the expedition connected with Innu and Cree communities whose histories remain deeply intertwined with these waterways. In this episode, Forest shares stories of building the expedition's canoes alongside some of Quebec's last traditional canoe builders, encountering woodland caribou and wolves in the north, and discovering what happens when travel slows to the pace of a paddle. More than an adventure story, this is a conversation about memory, place, and why the canoe remains one of Canada's most powerful symbols. In This Episode A 1,200-kilometre canoe journey from Tadoussac to James BayBuilding traditional cedar canvas canoes for the expeditionFollowing ancient Indigenous trade routes and fur trade corridorsReopening long-forgotten portages in Quebec's interiorEncounters with Cree and Innu communities along the routeWildlife, wilderness, and life on the waterThe philosophy of canoe travel and adapting to the land About Bruno Forest Bruno Forest is a Quebec-based canoe and kayak guide, filmmaker, author, and expedition leader. In 2025, he led the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Expedition of the Year, retracing a historic route across Quebec from the St. Lawrence River to James Bay in traditional cedar canvas canoes. Based in Tadoussac, he is also documenting the expedition in an upcoming feature-length film. For updates on the documentary, follow Bruno on Facebook @alamerdunord.2025

    48 min

  3. May 19

    At the edge of the world with Louise K. Blight

    “There’s something really profound in being in such a vast landscape with nobody else around… You feel like such a diminutive thing in the landscape, really insignificant. Putting you in your place in the world.” - Louise K. Blight In this episode of Explore, host David McGuffin sits down with Louise K. Blight for a live conversation recorded at the Ottawa International Writers Festival about her new book, Where the Earth Meets the Sky. Drawing on her time studying Adélie penguins in Antarctica in the early 2000s, Blight reflects on life at the edge of the world, where she lived among hundreds of thousands of penguins and endured brutal storms and isolation in this remote corner of the planet. Working alongside legendary penguin researcher David Ainley at Cape Royds on Ross Island, Blight spent months immersed in one of the harshest and most surreal environments on Earth. The conversation explores the rhythms of penguin colonies, the eccentric culture of Antarctic research stations, the psychological realities of isolation, and the growing impacts of climate change on polar ecosystems. Blight also shares stories of hurricane-force winds, skua attacks (predatory seabirds), the unforgettable smell of penguin colonies, and the profound sense of perspective that comes from living in a vast frozen landscape with almost no other humans around. In this episode: What it’s like living and working in Antarctica for months at a timeStudying Adélie penguins at the world’s southernmost colonyThe remarkable resilience and behaviour of penguins in extreme environmentsLife at McMurdo Station and the unique culture of Antarctic research communitiesIsolation, endurance, and the psychological challenges of remote fieldworkHow climate change is threatening emperor penguins and Antarctic ecosystemsThe strange beauty of Antarctica’s landscapes, wildlife, and silenceWhy Antarctica continues to inspire scientists, explorers, and conservationists Louise K. Blight is a conservation scientist, seabird researcher, and professor in the Environmental Studies Department at the University of Victoria. Her work focuses on seabirds, marine ecosystems, and conservation biology. She also serves as co-chair of the Bird Specialist Subcommittee on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Her new book, Where the Earth Meets the Sky, chronicles her experiences studying Adélie penguins in Antarctica and explores the intersection of science, solitude, and environmental change.

    50 min

  4. May 5

    Into the Carpathians: Skiing Ukraine’s highest peaks with Laval St. Germain

    “Even in the most peaceful village, you’re surrounded by fresh graves… and you know the war is still there.” What does it mean to explore a country at war? In this episode of Explore, host David McGuffin speaks with Laval St. Germain, a Canadian explorer who has just returned from a journey deep into the Carpathian Mountains of western Ukraine. Travelling overland into the country, St. Germain set out to ski the Chornohora Ridge and climb Ukraine’s six highest peaks — what he found was a place of striking contrasts.  In the high mountains, wildlife is rebounding due to a wartime hunting ban, with wolves, bears and lynx returning in surprising numbers. But elsewhere, the war continues to devastate landscapes, with some calling it an “ecocide” as forests burn, infrastructure collapses, and ecosystems are destroyed. The Carpathians themselves are among Europe’s last wild regions — home to ancient cultures like the Hutsul people and layered with history, from World War I trenches to long-forgotten border markers that once divided empires. But even in these remote and peaceful settings, the war is never far away. In village cemeteries, fresh graves of young soldiers serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict. From skiing windswept ridgelines to navigating military checkpoints, and from quiet conversations with locals to witnessing the surreal normalcy of life in Kyiv, St. Germain offers a rare, ground-level perspective on Ukraine today — one that goes beyond headlines to reveal resilience, complexity and humanity. In this episode:Skiing across Ukraine’s highest peaks in the Carpathian MountainsA landscape shaped by shifting borders, empires and conflictWildlife is rebounding in some regions while war devastates othersLife in remote Ukrainian villages and the impact of war on communitiesTravelling through Ukraine during wartime — from trains to checkpointsKyiv today: a vibrant city adapting to ongoing conflictHow modern warfare, including drones, is changing life on the ground Laval St. Germain is a Canadian explorer, commercial pilot in the Arctic and Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. He is the only Canadian to have summited Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. His expeditions have taken him to some of the world’s most remote and politically complex regions, including Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. He has also rowed solo across the North Atlantic from mainland Canada to mainland Europe and skied to the South Pole. More with Laval St. Germain: Explore podcast episode 95: Laval St. Germain's journey to Afghanistan's highest mountainExplore podcast episode 78: Laval St. Germain: Mountains, oceans and the ArcticJan 19, 2019 — Meet the Canadian explorer who just completed the Seven Summits

    43 min

  5. Apr 21

    Beneath the ice: The hidden life of Canada’s frozen lakes with Andrew Budziak and Andy Bramburger

    What’s happening beneath the ice of Canada’s lakes? Home to roughly two million lakes and covering nearly nine per cent of the country’s surface, Canada boasts a great reputation, holding more than half of the world’s freshwater lakes. But until recently, what goes on beneath Canada’s frozen surfaces has been largely unexplored.  In this episode of Explore, podcast host David McGuffin dives into this hidden world with scientist Andy Bramburger and filmmaker Andrew Budziak. From cutting massive holes in lake ice to sending divers into a surreal, cathedral-like underwater world, this is exploration at its most extreme.  But the real story lies in what they’re exploring: diatoms — microscopic algae living on the underside of ice that help power aquatic food webs, produce oxygen and may play a critical role in carbon cycling during winter. As ice cover shrinks with climate change, this little-known ecosystem could be disappearing before we fully understand it. Through a mix of science, storytelling and citizen-led exploration, Bramburger and Budziak are racing to uncover what’s beneath the ice—and why it matters to all of us. A research scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Bramburger is one of the world's leading experts on inland aquatic ecosystems. He is based at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington, Ontario. Budziak is an award-winning wildlife photographer and documentary filmmaker. He continues to lead dive teams under the ice to collect samples while documenting the expedition.  Together, they are part of an initiative led by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the Trebek Initiative that advances our understanding of freshwater systems in winter. Budziak has also been recognized as a member of the prestigious Explorers Club 50 for his leadership on the project. His documentary Under the Ice captures the story behind the science. It is touring film festivals this year and will air on PBS. In this episode: Why more than half the world’s lakes are in Canada, and why we know so little about them in winterWhat it’s like to dive beneath frozen lakes in extreme conditionsThe surprising role of diatoms in producing oxygen and supporting aquatic lifeHow shrinking ice cover could disrupt entire freshwater ecosystemsThe power of citizen science and storytelling in modern exploration Favourite explorer movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Learn more: Project and documentary: freezethefuture.comMore conversations with explorer and diver Jill Heinerth If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, leave a rating and share the link with a fellow explorer.

    47 min

  6. Apr 7

    Searching for life beyond Earth with Sara Seager

    What if life isn’t just “out there”, but closer than we think? For the first time in more than 50 years, humans have left Earth's orbit, marking a significant point in history. And as NASA’s Artemis II mission makes its historic journey around the moon, we explore the thought-provoking question driving this return to space: are we alone?   From pioneering techniques to study distant worlds to leading bold robot missions to Venus, Toronto-born Sara Seager is helping redefine how (and where) we look for life in the universe. Alongside podcast host David McGuffin, this episode featuring Seager is all about space: exoplanets, phosphine gas, future space missions and, of course, life beyond Earth.   As a global leader in exoplanet science, Seager shares the story behind the controversial detection of phosphine gas in Venus’s clouds, a potential biosignature (a substance or phenomenon that provides evidence of past or present life) that sparked global debate, and why our neighbouring planet may hold surprising clues to alien life. A Canadian astronomer and professor at MIT, Seager is widely recognized for her work on exoplanets and planetary atmospheres. She is a recipient of a MacArthur Genius Grant, is a Companion of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Her research has helped transform exoplanets into one of the most dynamic fields in astronomy. More recently, she has led innovative efforts to explore Venus’s clouds for possible signs of microbial life. Her award-winning memoir, published in 2020, is called The Smallest Lights in the Universe. In this episode:  What exoplanets reveal about the potential for life beyond our solar systemWhy Venus, once overlooked, may be a key target in the search for lifeThe mystery of phosphine gas and the scientific controversy that followedHow future missions could directly sample Venus’s atmosphereHow exploration, from Canadian wilderness to deep space, shapes discovery Books on exploration recommended by Seager: Sleeping Island: The Story of One Man's Travels in the Great Barren Lands of the Canadian NorthCoppermine Journey: An Account of Great Adventure Selected from the Journals of Samuel Hearne

    50 min

  7. Mar 24

    200 km across the Atacama: Ray Zahab on survival, heat, and the edge of human limits

    "The thing about desert expeditions that really takes you by surprise is how quickly things can go off the rails. It goes from good to bad almost instantly. In those moments, I remind myself: I chose to do this." We’re excited to be joined again by Ray Zahab, an ultra-endurance athlete, public speaker, author, and RCGS Explorer-in-Residence, among other things.  In this thrilling episode of Explore, Zahab takes us through his latest expedition across the driest desert on the planet: Chile’s Atacama. Running a marathon a day over 200 kilometres in extreme heat, Zahab traversed over brutal terrain with constant risk. Carrying minimal gear and relying on cached water, he and his teammate, Stephano Gregoretti, pushed through deep sand, steep climbs, and temperatures that regularly topped 45°C. Along the way, their journey took an unexpected turn when they took part in a real-life rescue in the Andes. This episode also touches on one of Zahab’s favourite endurance films, Running on the Sun, a cult-classic documentary from 2000 about the Badwater ultramarathon that captures the mindset behind pushing human limits. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, decision-making under pressure, and the mindset required to endure when things go wrong.  And a special thanks to long-time listener and friend of the podcast, Aran O'Carroll, who sent in a very thoughtful question for this episode. Zahab has a great answer towards the end. If you enjoyed this, check out Episode 104 with Zahab and RCGS Fellow Kevin Vallely on their self-supported winter ski expedition across Ellesmere Island, Canada's most northerly Arctic island.  About Ray: Ray Zahab (@rayzahab) is a Canadian explorer and ultra-endurance athlete known for completing some of the world’s toughest expeditions, including running across the Sahara desert and a record-setting expedition by ski to the South Pole. As an RCGS Explorer-in-Residence, he is dedicated to education and inspiring the next generation through global expeditions.

    51 min

  8. Mar 10

    Newfoundland, Cod Collapse and saving the North Atlantic right whale with Jenn Thornhill Verma

    Raised on Newfoundland’s west coast, Jenn Thornhill Verma grew up immersed in the life and lore of fishing communities and the rhythms of the North Atlantic. She is the author of the bestselling book Cod Collapse: The Rise and Fall of Newfoundland’s Saltwater Cowboys, a contributor to Canadian Geographic, and a fellow with the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where she recently reported a series for the Globe and Mail on the endangered North Atlantic right whale. In this episode of Explore, Thornhill Verma and podcast host David McGuffin discuss the legacy of the cod fishery collapse in the early 1990's, the politics of fisheries management, and the urgent effort to protect one of the world’s most endangered whales: the North Atlantic right whale. With fewer than 400 individuals remaining, these whales face a variety of threats, including ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and, of course, the climate crisis. Want to learn more? Visit Thornhill Verma’s favourite place in Canada: Nain, Labrador Watch the documentary, Angry Inuk (National Film Board of Canada)Discover more about whales in Explore episode 99 with Canadian sperm whale researcher Shane Gero – a fascinating conversation about the attempts to decode the sperm whale's click language using AI. *North Atlantic Right Whale sounds in this episode are courtesy of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

    53 min
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Host David McGuffin talks to Canada’s greatest explorers about their adventures and what inspires their spirit of discovery.

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