Travel Tales From Beyond The Brochure

The Barefoot Backpacker
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Going "Beyond The Brochure", The Barefoot Backpacker looks at one concept or destination every episode, taking trips along the road less travelled and talking about issues related to travel, including politics and history, as well as specific topics like Bucket Lists & Hometown Trips.

  1. The Ballad of Lucie Schwob

    FEB 5

    The Ballad of Lucie Schwob

    Hello :) Well, this isn't going to be the most cheerful episode I've ever produced, but we are where we are. Oh, not me, I mean the topic. This episode talks about the German Occupation of the Channel Islands in World War II, a couple of museums that go into detail about it, and how a combination of unexpected effects led accidentally to creating a story which became a really obvious episode to record. Topics discussed in this episode are: Parts One and Two: Housekeeping and the History of the Occupation * How it feels to be on ADHD medication * Where and what are the Channel Islands? * The easiest invasion imaginable * Life under occupation * The lack of a large resistance movement * How the Allies ignored them until the last moment * You might find the truths swept under the rug Part Three: Museums * The German fortification tunnels and the Jersey War Museum * Interactions between Germans and locals * Resistance and collaboration * The transition to liberation as depicted by ceiling lights * The Jersey Museum and its building's dubious past * Liberation Day and the lack of discussion about the occupation * The Occupation Tapestry * Should I stay or should I go? Part Four: The Ballad of Lucie Schwob * I don't know what you are but you're obviously Queer * Is this what lesbian looks like? * No * French artistic types are always interesting people * Resistance because and despite who you are * We are stronger together A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions, aside from my friend Kira at the start of the pod doing what Kira does best. They have a WhatsApp voicenote for almost every situation. Until next time, bye for now. :)

    51 min
  2. What's The Worst That Can Happen?

    JAN 24

    What's The Worst That Can Happen?

    Hello :) Yeh, it's been a while. There's reasons for that. So here's a brief overview of what I've been up to. I talk about places I've been, things I've done, medication I haven't taken, and people I haven't snogged. Topics discussed in this episode are: Part One: Housekeeping * WTM and Traverse Creator Awards * Premier Inns are how much?!? * Trips to Freiburg, Nottingham, and Jersey * An introduction to Elvanse, my given ADHD medication Part Two: King of Comedy * Making People Laugh: Primary School Edition * My Comedy Inspirations * What I've done after two lessons in stand-up comedy * Queer Humour and being a stereotype * But People Like Me Anyway A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions, aside from my friend Kira at the start of the pod telling me how Kirkby-in-Ashfield has changed over recent years. Until next time, bye for now. :)

    37 min
  3. Travel Blogging – Politics, Aesthetics, and Social Culture

    11/20/2025

    Travel Blogging – Politics, Aesthetics, and Social Culture

    Hello :) Here's another episode where I run with three ideas and make a small to-microphone editorial. This one's all about Travel Blogging - the ethics, aesthetics, and social culture of it. It was inspired partly by a trip to WTM London, and partly by a post on Instagram. Topics discussed in this episode are: Part One: The Politics of Travel Blogging * The layout of WTM * The stalls that went big ... * ... the stalls that went small, or not at all * Can we be ethical and still speak to certain tourist boards ... * ... and does anyone really care if we are or not? Part Two: The Aesthetics of Travel Blogging * Selfies rule * People like people, and people like to see people * Am I authentically The Barefoot Backpacker? * How authentic is anyone when they create their aesthetic? * The Instagram Husband * Every Picture Tells A Story * Why I take so many photos Part Three: The Social Culture of Travel Blogging * The Pre-Social Media Times * Twitter Travel Chats * Online Forums * Engagement Pods * Who is a Travel Blogger's Audience and what if it's Other Travel Bloggers? * Accidental Audiences and Communities - do they matter? A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. The two Instagram accounts I refer to are Paulina_on_the_Road and GeorgiaRoseHardy. Until next time, bye for now. :)

    41 min
  4. Caribbean on a Budget Part Two

    10/30/2025

    Caribbean on a Budget Part Two

    Hello :) Back in June 2025 I travelled to the Caribbean for the first time, along with my regular travel companion Laura. Now, one might ask, why is a non-swimming easily-bored less-than-aesthetic enby with Celtic skin (and all the sun resistance *that* doesn't entail) spending two weeks in the Caribbean? Wasn't four days in Maldives enough to satisfy the tropical beach itch? Well, apparently not. Apart from getting to 100 Countries in 50 Years, we were interested to see if it were even possible to travel independently, slowly, and locally, through the region they way most holidaymakers don't. Because we're trend-setters, and on a budget. Just like we attempted in Maldives, but with more islands and more countries involved. As it turns out, I had a lot to talk about so this trip is spread over two consecutive podcast episodes. Otherwise you'd be listening to me talk for two hours. If that's what you want me to do, hire me, damnit! Topics discussed in this episode are: * Laura is leaving me! * Upcoming London trips * Dominica is green and full of hills * Roseau is not very big * Walking and visiting another sulphur spring * Barbados Airport Is Lacking One Key Feature And It Surprised Me * A quite touristy end to the trip * Impressions of all the islands * Can you visit the Caribbean on a budget? A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Until next time, bye for now. :)

    43 min
  5. Caribbean on a Budget Part One

    10/18/2025

    Caribbean on a Budget Part One

    Hello :) Back in June 2025 I travelled to the Caribbean for the first time, along with my regular travel companion Laura. Now, one might ask, why is a non-swimming easily-bored less-than-aesthetic enby with Celtic skin (and all the sun resistance *that* doesn't entail) spending two weeks in the Caribbean? Wasn't four days in Maldives enough to satisfy the tropical beach itch? Well, apparently not. Apart from getting to 100 Countries in 50 Years, we were interested to see if it were even possible to travel independently, slowly, and locally, through the region they way most holidaymakers don't. Because we're trend-setters, and on a budget. Just like we attempted in Maldives, but with more islands and more countries involved. As it turns out, I had a lot to talk about so this trip is spread over two consecutive podcast episodes. Otherwise you'd be listening to me talk for two hours. If that's what you want me to do, hire me, damnit! Topics discussed in this episode are: * It's getting dark * Why did we choose the Caribbean * Issues with inter-island travel * An underwhelming arrival in Saint Lucia * Fort Vieux and Laborie * Three days in Soufriere - beaches and sulphur springs * Castries isn't a pretty city * Two very dour days in Martinique  A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Until next time, bye for now. :)

    47 min
  6. 100 Countries In 50 Years

    10/02/2025

    100 Countries In 50 Years

    Hello :) So, in August I hit both my 100th country and my 50th birthday - I arrived in Norway with three days to spare. Given these two momentous milestones, I figured it made sense to do a podcast that covered, well, at least my country count. We don't need to talk about my ever-advancing age. I had originally planned to do a pod looking at each of my countries by first visit, and a brief synopsis of how I felt on that first visit. But then I realised that would take quite a long time, would feel a tad repetitive, and would get quite boring really. So instead I got my friend V to ask me questions about my visiting 100 countries. A couple of those questions are standard and cheesy, a couple are really quite random (but that's what you get when you crowdsource from teenagers), and a couple are quite deep and thoughtful. Very few of them are what you expect. Topics discussed in this episode are: * A brief recap of my recent ultramarathon * Christmas trees * I've been to 100 countries, but what *is* a country? And what isn't? * The obligatory rant about borders * Colonialism and poverty tourism * Not everywhere is great but be careful how you phrase it * Good manners and showing respect * Food culture and putting things in your mouth that maybe you shouldn't (not a euphemism) * Best, worst, and most off-brand countries * What next? * The joy of toilets around the world * Where to survive a zombie apocalypse * The most 'human' place in the world A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria Pearson, but you can call her V. Until next time, bye for now. :)

    1h 25m
  7. Five Days In South India

    09/18/2025

    Five Days In South India

    Hello :) Laura has been bugging me to talk about our trip to India earlier this year for a while, and because Past Me was always intending to pod it, they did travel diary voice recordings on a near-daily basis to provide a basic framework, or in fact to just use as the pod. Anyway, the trip was across a little of Southern India, starting in Kochi and taking in the Kerala Backwaters, an overnight train, and the two temple-centric cities of Madurai and Thanjavur. This had us visiting the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Due to the nature of the recordings, quality cannot be guaranteed to be consist'nt. Topics discussed in this episode are: * I have ADHD. Who'd've thunked it?! * Admin and immigration to India is more interesting than you'd imagine * Food and drink in Kochi * Three Hours on the Kerala Backwaters probably isn't enough * The Obligatory McDonalds * Overnighting on an Indian train is comfortably and pleasantly underwhelming * A day in Madurai, being frustrated by temples * A peaceful daytime train to Thanjavur * The joys of suburban hotels: Becoming the GPS we always wanted to be - Part One * Finally, a good temple experience * We Still Don't Speak Tamil: Becoming the GPS we always wanted to be - Part Two * The delightful experience of a non-touristy backstreet restaurant A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Three-Quarters of this podcast is made up of daily summary conversations recorded at the time between me and my friend Laura, so I guess that counts as her contributing! Until next time, bye for now. :)

    1h 34m
  8. Do You Remember The First Time?

    09/05/2025

    Do You Remember The First Time?

    Hello :) This episode is the first example of something new I'm going to develop - storytelling vignettes. Three or four little pieces, connected only by the vaguest of theme, telling little stories about my travel past that are too short for a full episode. Over time I hope they'll develop and become much more 'storylike' rather than what feel like 5-10 minute podcast extracts. The three vignettes this time are: * My first international backpacking adventure (1994) * My first backpacker hostel experience (2012 or maybe not) * My first flight (1986) A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topics, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. I wish to thank my penpal Jelena for the introduction and for her contribution in vignette one. In addition. during the episode, I promote the Deck Of Many Aces actual-play D&D podcast. Until next time, bye for now. :)

    45 min
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About

Going "Beyond The Brochure", The Barefoot Backpacker looks at one concept or destination every episode, taking trips along the road less travelled and talking about issues related to travel, including politics and history, as well as specific topics like Bucket Lists & Hometown Trips.

Information

  • Creator
    The Barefoot Backpacker
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    126
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Barefoot Backpacker, 2018-2024. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Travel Tales From Beyond The Brochure

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