Routes

LNER
Routes

Clara Amfo invites you to grab the window seat and travel the world from your favourite podcast app! Welcome to ROUTES FROM LNER — the podcast that makes travel feel closer than ever. We’re setting off for adventure with some well-known faces and exploring what travel means to them. From wild adventures to chill getaways, join Clara for laid-back, meaningful and humourous conversations. ROUTES from LNER is about to take you on a journey through the places, people, and stories that make the world feel a little more alive. We’ll save you a seat!

Episodes

  1. 📚 Candice Brathwaite: Writing, Wanderlust, and Life Lessons Through Travel

    13 HR. AGO

    📚 Candice Brathwaite: Writing, Wanderlust, and Life Lessons Through Travel

    On this episode of Routes, Clara’s travel companion is her good friend, Candice Brathwaite. Candice is a two-time Sunday Times best-selling author, podcaster, and champion of motherhood, diversity and inclusivity. You’ll be treated to an intimate conversation between two friends who laugh, share stories, and get deep. Candice credits travel as a major influence on her writing, claiming she wouldn’t be the author she is today without it. A self-confessed romantic, she adores solo adventures, people-watching, and the respite and space travel gives her to create. In fact, her fourth book was written whilst in the air. She opens up about her deep connection to New York and the influence her late and beloved Dad had on her to get out and experience the world.  From early trips across London as a young girl to a transformative four-month stint in India, that proved game-changing in shaping how she viewed her purpose in life. Born and raised in London, Candice now lives in the countryside with her family. She reflects on the contrast between her own urban upbringing and her children’s rural life, sharing how this difference in physical locations has shaped their daily experiences and perspectives. Warning: As Clara says at the start of the episode, “Adventure can be found wherever YOU are.” Be prepared—you might just want to pack a bag (or three), grab a journal, and book a solo ticket to anywhere. - Discover The Best Places to Visit in The UK by Train with LNER Chapter Markers: 1:20 – Introduction. Clara welcomes Candice, a bestselling author and podcaster, and shares background on her journey. 2:40 – Childhood Travel Memories: Tower Bridge and North London Visits. Candice recalls her early train journeys across London to see her father and her fascination with Tower Bridge. 5:00 – First School Trip to the Countryside. Candice shares her year-four school trip experience to “The Croft” and how it opened her eyes to rural life outside of London. 6:40 – Raising Kids Outside London. Candice talks about her children growing up in a quieter setting and their reactions to the hustle and bustle of the city. 9:20 – Staycations in Wales and Bath. Candice discusses her family’s favourite UK destinations and why she loves solo trips within the country. 14:40 – Solo Travels and Self-Discovery.Candice shares her experience travelling solo in India and her reflections on personal growth. 16:40 – Memorable Trips as an Au Pair in Italy. The impact of losing her father during her time as an au pair in Naples and how it changed her perspective. 18:20 – Writing Inspiration and Grief. Candice reveals how travel fuels her writing and her fascination with grief and resilience. 24:20 – Goals of Freedom and Life in Jamaica. Candice discusses her goal to buy property in Jamaica, inspired by the desire for long-term rest and freedom. 27:00 – Style Inspirations from Family. Candice talks about her grandfather’s influence on her love for fashion and elegance. 36:20 – Joy in Dressing Up and Self-Expression. Candice expresses her love for fashion and the pride she takes in presenting herself with style. 43:20 – Travel Style and Packing Habits. Clara and Candice compare their packing approaches, with Candice sharing her penchant for multiple suitcases. 45:40 – Love for New York City. Candice reminisces about summers in New York with her family and her desire to live there for a decade. 49:20 – UK Destinations to Explore Next. Candice lists

    50 min
  2. 🎙️Tom Grennan: Adventures aged 9, not making it as a footballer and loving to explore new places.

    NOV 7

    🎙️Tom Grennan: Adventures aged 9, not making it as a footballer and loving to explore new places.

    Welcome to the first-ever episode of Routes with Clara Amfo. Clara's travel buddy for this first journey is none other than Tom Grennan, the chart-topping Lionheart singer known worldwide for his infectious music. In this episode, Tom takes listeners on a journey through life before and after his rise to fame. Expect the same raw, honesty and openness in conversation as you hear in his songs, as Clara and Tom chat about his experiences growing up in Bedfordshire, a life-changing realisation in Stevenage, and the things he likes to get up to whilst exploring the world on tour. A down-to-earth, family man at heart, Tom shares stories of a memorable mum-son trip to London involving an Eminem CD (and a warning not to repeat the lyrics), childhood adventures in Ireland, school trips to France and life as a married man. Warning: This episode will bring laughter, inspiration, and some new insight into Tom’s superstar life. - Discover The Best Places to Visit in The UK by Train with LNER Chapter Markers: 1:40 – Tom’s Background: From Bedford to the Big Stage. Tom talks about his journey from Bedford to London, reflecting on his early music days and ambitions. 05:20 – The Great Trainer Adventure (Age 9). Tom recounts his bold solo trip to Milton Keynes to buy trainers, a story of early independence and a mother’s surprise. 6:20 – Irish Roots and Family Traditions. Tom shares his Irish heritage, his family’s storytelling traditions, and their impact on his creativity. 9:20 – Summer Camp Memories in the South of France. A nostalgic look back at Tom’s school trip, including his canoe adventure in the Ardèche. 11:00 – First Taste of Success: Family Trip to Barbados. Tom describes the joy of treating his family to a holiday in Barbados as a celebration of his career milestones. 15:00 – Live Performances and Career Growth. Tom reflects on the evolution of his live performances, treating his career as an athlete would. 19:00 – Staying Grounded Amidst Success. Clara and Tom discuss the importance of gradual growth and the journey of artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Charlie XCX. 24:40 – Global Recognition: Random Encounters with Fans. Tom talks about fan recognition on a mountain in the Lake District and a skiing trip in France. 29:20 – Choosing Music Over Football: A Stevenage Turning Point. Tom recounts his decision to leave football behind in Stevenage, choosing music as his true passion. 33:00 – Married Life and Partnership in Travel. Clara and Tom discuss how Tom’s marriage has influenced his life and his wife’s role in travel planning. 35:00 – Tom’s UK Travel Favourites. Tom shares his top UK staycation spots, including the Lake District, northern England, and Cornwall. Routes from LNER is a Distorted Production

    37 min

About

Clara Amfo invites you to grab the window seat and travel the world from your favourite podcast app! Welcome to ROUTES FROM LNER — the podcast that makes travel feel closer than ever. We’re setting off for adventure with some well-known faces and exploring what travel means to them. From wild adventures to chill getaways, join Clara for laid-back, meaningful and humourous conversations. ROUTES from LNER is about to take you on a journey through the places, people, and stories that make the world feel a little more alive. We’ll save you a seat!

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