The Meandering Pod

Cam, Dom, Bec and Lotta

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We are four travelling beans from Perth who have taken on the challenge (and adventure) of journeying from our isolated home to Europe by trail, rail and sail. Join us as we meander across Asia, exploring different continents, cultures and conversations – no flights, no rush.

4d ago

CHINA - Can Electric Vehicles Save The World?

An episode first thought up in the busy, yet silent streets of Kunming, the first City in China we visited. Bec and Cam explore how good EVs really are for the climate, supply chain issues and how much of a role electric cars should play in the future versus active and public transportation.
Aug 6

KAZAKHSTAN & UZBEKISTAN: The Lost Sea

The Aral Sea was once the 4th largest lake in the world, which has been greatly diminished by the taking of water from its rivers for irrigation beyond the point of sustainability. This week join Dom & Lotta to hear this incredible story set in the western expanses of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The drying of the Aral Sea came with its own sea of consequences and loss that comes with increasing salinity, receding shorelines, and toxic dust storms. It’s not just about loss however, it’s a story of Mongols, secret soviet bases for developing biological weapons, insane irrigation projects in the desert, and the incredible resilience of nature. Lotta’s book recommendation: The Dead Wander in the Desert by Rollan Seisenbayev Academic paper for ‘Lessons from the Aral Sea’ The Future Aral: Hope and Despair by Philip Micklin
Jul 29

BONUS - An Asian Travel Odyssey From a Different Era

This week, join us for another bonus episode where Bec interviews her parents, Sally Ashbrook and Aidan Perse, about their Asian odyssey from 30 years ago. Sally and Aidan are prolific travellers and even joined the group briefly while we were in Uzbekistan! Learn about how much travel has changed since the 90’s, the biggest brick moments they had on their trip, and how Aidan was influenced to pursue travel medicine in his career. Enjoy the chatty vibe as we engage in a multi-decade throwback!
Jul 23

UZBEKISTAN - Horsies and Heatstroke

After a long break the gang is back for a group episode! This time we talk about the Fergana Valley (the home of watermelon), a horse packing adventure in the Tien Shen Mountains and the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand.
Jul 20

KOREA: Countries Divided, Korea and Germany

Join me, Lotta, and Dr Anna Ramrath, on this meandering Pod deep dive where we explore the similarities and differences between two divided nations: Korea and Germany. Out of the early Cold War origins over the way society, economy and politics changed over the course of the division to the reunification (real or theoretical), we explore what makes a nation. Enjoy!
Jul 15

How (Not) to Bikepack in Kyrgyzstan

Come listen our Cycling Saga, where we spent the best part of a month riding our bicycles across Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Following on from Becs’ episode with John Paul, we explain the multitude of obstacles, hurdles, and other miscellaneous challenges we faced as bike-packing beginners - AND the moments and feelings that made it all worth it, and will bring us back for more! Group episode will be coming out next week!!
Jun 17

BONUS EP – An Interview with Bikepacker Extraordinaire John Paul

Welcome to another episode of The Meandering Pod! This week you’re in for another bonus ep - woohoo! It features bikepacker-extraordinaire and Aussie legend John Paul Lopez Taberdo, AKA JP. He an expert in his frield and someone we’ve become fast friends with. Check out the previous group episode if you haven’t already to hear the lore of how we met in Bishkek as we prepared for our first bikepacking adventure in Kyrgyzstan. In this episode we discuss JP’s love of bike-packing, the story of how he found himself living in Krgyzstan when we were passing through, his reflections on the society he is now embedding himself in, and much more. Stick around till the end to hear about a crazy bikepacking adventure that JP embarked on in Kyrgyzstan called the Silk Road Mountain Race – it knocked our socks off and is sure to give all the turbos out a bit of a thrill, and everyone else a good dose of vicarious horror and amazement! Here are the links to John Paul and his family’s websites and social media: - globalbikepacker.com, @bikepacking.john - apricotadventures.kg, apricotlodge.com, @apricotadventures.kg - applehostel.kg, @applehostelbiskhek People can email JP directly at johnpaul@globalbikepacker.com
Jun 12

CHINA, KAZAKHSTAN, & KYRGYZSTAN - Peddling, Panting & Panicking

Hey guys! Click play if you want to hear an hour update of the last 6 weeks - recorded unedited on Cams phone. We’re currently bikepacking together in Kyrgyzstan, and many things have gone awry! However, it is beautiful and we’re leaving problems behind in the dust. Apologise for the chaos. Book recc is The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan! Amazing book of world history telling an alternative to the typically western centric world history we’re told. In fact, much of historical power and wealth was held in the east - in Persia and Central Asia - where we are now. Hope you enjoy, and sending some love to you all.

We are four travelling beans from Perth who have taken on the challenge (and adventure) of journeying from our isolated home to Europe by trail, rail and sail. Join us as we meander across Asia, exploring different continents, cultures and conversations – no flights, no rush.

Creator

Cam, Dom, Bec and Lotta
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

43
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Cam, Dom, Bec and Lotta
Show Website

The Meandering Pod