Thrillist Explorers

4.2 (178)
PLACES & TRAVEL
UPDATED WEEKLY

Travel the world from the comfort of your headphones. New episodes every week. We want to hear your best travel stories! Call into our hotline 1833-Pod-Baby (yes we're serious)

04/21/2022

SEASON FINALE: Finding Cheap Tix to Europe, Underrated Summer Trips, and Why Your Next Flight Might Be on… a Bus

On this episode (our SEASON FINALE), host Wil Fulton sits down with Thrillist editors Meredith Heil and Tiana Attride to talk about underrated summer destinations, “responsible” tourism, and why Jared Leto might be the worst celebrity to take a road trip with. In the back half, Wil chats with Scott Keyes (Scott’s Cheap Flights founder and author of Take More Vacations) about the future of flight prices, why tickets to Europe are surprisingly inexpensive this summer, and why some airlines are swapping out planes for buses (yes, seriously). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

45 min
04/14/2022

Our All-Time Favorite Food (and Booze) Stories

In this episode, we’re celebrating our recent Webby Nomination (vote here!) with a look back at some of our favorite segments about restaurants and bars. Featuring a dive into Waffle House Records, a trip through LA’s Thai Town with Thrillist writer Kat Thompson (and her Mom), a profile on Jimmy’s Corner (New York’s best dive), an interview with the iconic Virginia Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl in D.C., and a look into finding the best cheesesteak in Philly (if that’s even possible). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

45 min
04/07/2022

A Private Eye’s Guide to Los Angeles

In this episode, host Wil Fulton meets and profiles two of Los Angeles’ preeminent Private Investigators. We dig into the gritty details of what a PI in the City of Angels does, and how they’re able to see the city (and its many, many, many secrets) through a lens that most overlook. Along the way, we’ll collect some of their recommendations on how to experience the classic “noir” L.A., inspired by legendary flashpoints like Chinatown and the Big Sleep, so you can experience their version of Los Angeles yourself. Featuring Barbara Wolford of Kinsey Investigations, and Bruce Robertson of TriStar Investigation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

34 min
03/31/2022

Why Staten Island Is So Much More Than Its (Admittedly Great) Ferry

In this episode, host Wil Fulton ventures to New York City’s “forgotten borough,” Staten Island, to meet a few notable locals and see why Staten Island has so much more to offer than just a (free) ferry ride. Featuring: Daniel Mondello (aka Meals By Cug), Julia Wijesinghe (Lakruwana Restaurant, Sri Lankan Art and Cultural Museum), NYC DOT Staten Island Borough Commissioner Roseann Caruana, Royal Crown Bakery, Denino's Pizza, Fort Wadsworth Recreation Center, Liedy’s Shore Inn Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

34 min
03/10/2022

How the Legendary Helen Thayer Fought Polar Bears in the North Pole, Escaped a Firing Squad in the Sahara, and Walked Across Death Valley at Age 80.

Helen Thayer was the first woman to travel solo to the magnetic North Pole. She walked across both the Sahara and Gobi deserts, kayaked down the Amazon, and trekked 200+ miles through Death Valley in her 80s. Along the way, she fought off polar bears, lived alongside wolves, escaped a rebel firing squad, survived an attack by killer bees, and managed to outlast a nasty case of food poisoning in Death Valley. And chances are, you've never even heard of her. In this episode, host Wil Fulton is joined by the legendary explorer, who shares her stories and delivers inspiration that can apply to all aspects of life (she also tells us how to fight off a polar bear, too). Special guests include Tania Aebi and Emma Svensson. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

40 min
03/03/2022

A Field Guide to Not Being a Jerk in Bozeman (and Livingston) Montana

In this episode, host Wil Fulton heads to Montana, to experience sub-zero temperatures, icy roads, and two of America's most increasingly popular tourist destinations: Bozeman and Livingston. We hear about the long and storied history of Livingston's historic Murray Hotel and Wil takes a plunge at the nearby Chico Hot Springs. In Bozeman, we chat with Dr. Shane Doyle about the Native history of the area, some of the nearby outdoor adventures, and some current and upcoming exhibits at the Museum of the Rockies. Afterwards, he talks with the team behind Bozeman's Lark Hotel about some attractions in the area, and the owner and general manager of Plonk, a nearby wine bar and (frankly, amazing) restaurant. Finally, with some help of a local meme page, "Good Ol' Bozeman" (yes seriously), we connect with a local who helps us cover a topic we hit throughout the episode: with increasing tourism and new transplants driving up prices and disturbing the local way of life, how can we, as visitors, manage to avoid being jerks while visiting Montana? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43 min
02/24/2022

The Untold Story of "What Happens Here, Stays Here," the Greatest Travel Slogan of All Time

In this episode, host Wil Fulton sits down with advertising (and Vegas!) legend Billy Vassiliades of R&R Partners, who led the team that created the iconic "What Happens Here, Stays Here" campaign in the early 00s. We hear the untold story of the ideation (featuring two Minnesotan stay-at-home moms with a big secret) of the campaign, and its immediate cultural impact on the city, and the travel industry. We also hear from artist and podcaster Brent Holmes (check out Spectacle: Las Vegas, right now!) for a local's perspective on Vegas, including recommendations and a slice of history from Chinatown and Downtown Las Vegas (like the excellent Atomic Liquors, the city's oldest freestanding bar). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43 min
02/17/2022

These Restaurants Will Take You Places: Hmong Dishes in Minnesota, Brooklyn Kolaches, and Pancakes in Paris

In this episode, host Wil Fulton profiles a handful of restaurants dedicated to serving regional favorites and "traditional" recipes in "new" surroundings. We speak with Chef Yia Vang (Union Hmong Kitchen) on cooking Hmong dishes in Minnesota, writer and restauraneuer Craig Carlson on opening an American diner (Breakfast in America) in the heart of Paris, along with two Brooklyn restaurants, Dog Day Afternoon and Brooklyn Kolache, who have brought beloved regional American staples to a new market. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

36 min

See All (89)

Wil Fulton

Host

4.2

out of 5

178 Ratings

Traveling vicariously

11/25/2021

dcrn15

I always enjoy traveling vicariously!
An unexpected surprise

12/11/2021

Nick Haines

There are lots of bad podcasts out there. Podcasts that basically ramble on with nothing to say. Hosts that are insufferable and hard on the ears. And then there’s the Thrillist podcast. I always learn something new. The production values are really high and the host is endearing and perfect for this medium. I look forward to each episode. I know I’m in for a treat. It’s like unwinding at the end of the day with a soothing glass of wine or a good beer, but without the calories. Terrific job.
Awesome!

01/21/2021

carabeth523

Loved the show. Very funny!
Nicely Done

01/19/2021

Lena Eli

Great podcast! Funny, informative, well-paced, good topics.

Travel the world from the comfort of your headphones. New episodes every week. We want to hear your best travel stories! Call into our hotline 1833-Pod-Baby (yes we're serious)