Listen Now

Hello! In my last couple of episodes, I spoke at length about my adventures with Inter-Railing, firstly about the trip I did back in 2000, and then a quick overview of where I went in the 2019 trip. In this episode though, I talk a bit more in general about travelling Europe, mainly by train, as a concept, including accommodation, food & drink, budgeting (kind of), and travelling as an older backpacker. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Recent forays onto YouTube * Travelling by train across Europe, including overnight * Why I went for a full Inter-Rail adventure in 2019 * Staying in hostels and AirBnBs * European beer * Restaurants we have visited and liked * Things that went wrong for me on my trips * Things that went wrong for Lix on our trip * Backpacking as an older person * How I don't budget for my travels * Apparently I'm okay to travel with The Humans of the Trail podcast episode I appeared on is here. A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, 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. Contributions in this podcast come from: * Matthew Woodward (On The Rails) * Amanda Kendle (Not A Ballerina) * Lix Hewett - who has no website yet Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello! So, if you recall, my last proper episode was all about my Inter-Rail trip in 2000, and how times and events had changed. I want to spend this episode talking a bit about my follow-up Inter-Rail trip in 2019, which was very different in scope, duration, and overall vibe. It's actually going to cover two podcasts as it appears travelling around Europe for two months means there's a lot to say, plus it gives more time for some contributions to come in. This episode looks at some of the places I went to, with themes such as border crossings, old places, small countries, and seaside adventures. Topics discussed in this episode are: * How I'm still injured from Parkrun * ADHD Update * Websites I have contributed to recently * Other people's 1980s Inter-Rail adventures * My odd 2019 routing * Crossing borders past and present * European Microstates I have visited and been indifferent to * A couple of sporting events * Wearing shoes at the end of the universe * Channeling my inner Asterix * Lots of Romans and post-Romans * Very wet seaside adventures. And dragons * Sun, sea, sand, and (not) snogging Contributions in this episode came from: * Alison in Andalucia * Matthew Woodward - On The Rails Links to the other websites I mentioned at the start of the pod: * Caledonia Kelly Interview * Happy Little Traveler A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, 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. :)

Hello :) This is the recording of the twelfth edition of my not-at-all regular Twitter Space sessions; the reason for their irregularity is finding a convenient time to record it. Our topic this time is 'sports and fitness', or at least that was the original concept. It seems to have ended up being a third 'running parkruns barefoot', a third 'I'm no good at sports', and a third 'this is everything I've watched abroad'. We don't seem to have talked about fitness much. Usual disclaimer, be aware this conversation took place over the phone and is then recorded directly from playback on Twitter, through my sound editing software, Audacity. I'm not sure why, but this edition seems to be a little worse quality than normal. This may be the last of our Twitter Spaces recordings actually - we're working on finding an alternative due to Twitter itself being a tad unstable but we haven't come to a conclusion yet. Certainly it's the last one we've done so for the moment my podcasts will go back to being purely fortnightly as opposed to having these extracts in alternate weeks. Topics discussed include: * Editing out hesitations in speech * Does it hurt to run barefoot? * Early experiences in running as a teenager * Introduction to the concept of Parkrun * Parkrun makes me accountable * Running Parkruns barefoot * Why I've never done a Parkrun (or running in general) on my travels * Fitness at high temperatures and altitudes * I'm not very good at sports other than running * Sports I failed to do at school * Watching people running is very boring * Growing up with sports in the background * Events and games I've been to in the UK * Low-key European football matches * Incidences in top-flight Italian football * Other sports I've seen abroad (here's my podcast about Belarus) * Buzkashi * The future of our Twitter Spaces I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria, but you can call her V. A PDF transcript of this episode will be available later. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. You can also sign up to my newsletter and find out about future podcasts and recent blog posts. 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. :)

Hello! As a traveller, trains are by far my favourite form of transport. I find them comfortable, I like that I can just get up and walk around if I want to, I get a decent amount of legroom, and I can spend my time looking out the window at the passing scenery, which is invariably far more interesting than what the view out of a plane window. It's also the only form of transport I can sleep on in my seat, never mind the trains I've taken in the ex-Soviet states with flat bunk beds. It's probably no suprise to learn then that one of my first travel adventures was very much centred on train travel. Back in 2000, me and my then fiancée Laure (originally a penpal of mine from France) did a trip using an inter-rail ticket around Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. This episode takes an overview of this trip, but also contrasting how travel blogging, the way I travel personally, and travel itself, has changed over the decades since. Topics discussed in this episode are: * How I'm still injured from Parkrun * Background to our InterRail trip in the year 2000 * The ongoing issue of booking reservations for Spanish trains * Why is it so difficult to travel to Santiago de Compostela on Easter Sunday? Ah ... * Watching foreign television * Do Your Research Part 2: Revolution * ... I can tell you about the food but not about anything else! * It's not a scam, it just feels like it (twice) * Travels 'Beyond The Brochure' even in 2000 * Western stereotyping * The malefits and malefits of film cameras * Online mapping is a very useful tool * Gosh! A museum! * It's amazing how much we didn't do; a very fast form of slow travel * Dial-up internet and a lack of useful websites A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, 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. :)

Hello :) This is the recording of the eleventh edition of my semi-regular Twitter Space sessions. Following on from the previous Space, about Manners & Customs, it made sense to go over a bit of old ground and do a recording specifically on 'barefoot life. Because it's one of those subjects that it's kind of hard to get away from, given, you know, my online brand name, and my apparent hippy vibes. I'm aware that while the recording took place in early Autumn, I'm issuing it as a podcast in mid-Winter which for many of you ... is not barefoot-friendly weather. Still, you can imagine. Like the holiday-based TV programmes I watched as a kid; winter broadcasts for summer planning. I should have added some airy summer music in the background. Usual disclaimer, be aware this conversation took place over the phone and is then recorded directly from playback on Twitter, through my sound editing software, Audacity. I'm fully aware the amount of hestiations, uhms, errs, and ahhs, we do, and the best way of editing them out seems to be not to do them in the first place. Am working on that. But it definitely shows how different I am in a live environment than a pre-recorded, scripted one. Not sure how that works with any potential career in radio I may want. Topics discussed include: * Why I don't like shoes * Places I'm not barefoot - gravel, wild environments, etc * How I judge if a place needs footwear or not * The differences between walking and running, barefoot and shoes * Going barefoot in different weather & climates * Why I don't like mud, have to check Parkrun courses, but do like pavement * The infrequency of blisters and the gradual hardening of my feet * How it's easier to clean feet than shoes * Why I've never noticed ringworm * Twitter's most famous toenails * Foot 'bling' and nail varnish * Crocheted 'barefoot sandals' add +5 to Stealth Checks * People don't notice other people on the street * Hairy toes are icky * How I handle the inevitable online foot fetishists * The difference in cultural attitude between barefoot men and barefoot women * Hiking barefoot, and coping with hills * The problems with barefooting in the Autumn * How to run barefoot * Advice for people who want to try it more often I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria, but you can call her V. A PDF transcript of this episode will be available later. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. You can also sign up to my newsletter and find out about future podcasts and recent blog posts. 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. :)

Hello! Okay, let's start with a controversial statement: Everything you know about Detroit is wrong. Nothing like setting your stall out from the off, I guess. Well, not everything, but probably your first impression is. Certainly a couple of people I spoke to in Toronto were … somewhat confused when I mentioned I was off there, as if to say 'why would you want to go there', 'it's not safe', and, 'well, rather you than me'. But that's exactly why I visit some places, to prove to the world that they're worth visiting. And Detroit is one of the biggest cities in the USA so there must be something to pull you in, right? In this pod I talk about the visits I've made there, the places I've seen in the city, a bit about its history, and consider what makes Detroit not just one of the most underrated cities in the world but also one of the most important. This is why you need to visit, and see for yourself. Topics discussed in this episode are: * How I injured myself at Parkrun * Future directions of my online persona * Initial impressions of Detroit * The world's tallest (disused) railway station * Riding the People Mover around the downtown buildings * The Henry Ford Museum & assassinated presidents * The lndustrial legacies * ... but it could all have been so different (Whither Canada) * The riot of July 1967 * Slavery and African-American influences * Tamla/Motown * Dearborn and Arab-American influences * Detroit Zoo and Royal Oak * It's even a UNESCO city A contribution for this pod came from my friend Dayna, who I'd link to if ... she had anywhere online I *could* link to. :D A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, 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. :)

Hello :) This is the recording of the tenth edition of my semi-regular Twitter Space sessions. This was recorded back in August, as you can probably tell from the conversation at the start about the weather. We had a chat, a longer chat than usual, about Manners and Customs at home and across the world, a topic V originally suggested because of my preference for being barefoot much of the time. In general though, you can probably tell that while I like to think I do the right thing most of the time, even I baulk at some of the minutiae of customs and might be seen as a 'bad tourist'. Who knew?! Usual disclaimer, be aware this conversation took place over the phone and is then recorded directly from playback on Twitter, through my sound editing software, Audacity. One of the down sides of Twitter Spaces is that you can't record them on a computer - you can only use the app on the phone. This means I can't use my headphones etc, and you get to hear every time I click the mouse. We're looking into alternative ways of doing these recordings. Topics discussed include: * The customs of being barefoot at home and in public places * Researching local manners and customs before you go * Local customs - seeing what the locals do * The advantages of being obviously a foreigner * Being slightly more conservative than you feel, when in a new place * Dress Codes and gendered clothing * "If you wouldn't do it at home, don't do it abroad" * Being a representative of your country and culture when you're abroad carries responsbilities * If you don't like a culture, don't go * Tipping and Haggling * The culture of hospitality and receiving strangers * Visiting places as a tourist during religious holidays * Cutlery customs, including chopsticks, especially with dyspraxia, and eating with your hands * Toilet customs and when you *should* use your left hand * What happens if you get things wrong? Apologising in a foreign language * Rude gestures and finger counting * Boundaries and taking part in closed cultural or religious practices * Queer presentation and travelling as enby, including locally * Off-limit topics, including religion, politics, and football I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria, but you can call her V. A PDF transcript of this episode will be available later. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. You can also sign up to my newsletter and find out about future podcasts and recent blog posts. 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. :)

Hello! As some of you know, I spent four days in early January 2023 on Jury Service. Now, I don't know how many of you listening have ever been called, and in any case some of the concepts seem to work differently depending on legal jurisdiction, so I thought it might be interesting to talk about some of that on this podcast. Plus it beats me nattering about Reddit or something. I don't know. Although I don't talk too specifically about the case, I'd like to be open about potential content warnings about crime and victims, but I talk more about that in the podcast itself. The bit to avoid is between about 27:50 and 33:55. Otherwise, grab some biscuits and pretend you're listening to Law & Order: Special Brew Unit. Topics discussed in this episode are: * New Year, new Google Analytics * Housekeeping - future trips, future pods, future YouTubes * Why I'm not cut out for yoga * How you get selected for Jury Service * No you can't do Jury Service barefoot * Everything's a surprise until you get there * The purpose of a jury * What is evidence and what is not evidence * The layout of the courtroom and who's who in it * The expected course of a trial * How a jury reaches its verdict * Very brief points about my trial * How I felt afterwards, including acute loneliness A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, 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. :)

Hello :) This is the recording of the ninth edition of my semi-regular Twitter Space sessions. This was recorded back in July but I've only just got round to issuing it as a podcast episode. We had a long chat about hometown travel: how you can and why you should. And while it helps to have a sizeable hometown, something interesting can be found in even the smallest village. Usual disclaimer, be aware this conversation took place over the phone and is then recorded directly from playback on Twitter, through my sound editing software, Audacity. Which I realised the other day is the digital equivalent of taping a song off the radio; very definitely quite old-school. At least I'm not using a physical tape recorder for this. Topics discussed include: * Why would you travel in your home town? * What do you on holiday? Why not just do that close to home? * Some people go on holiday to the place where you live * Looking at things as if it were the first time * I've always walked down roads just to see where they go * How I use railway stations as waypoints * Things to look out for when you step out your door * Libraries and Tourist Information Offices help for inspiration * Interesting things are often relative and subjective * Sometimes even locals don't know what's in a town * How to plan a trip around your hometown * The practical advantages of being able to use your home as base * Living in a place gives you time to thoroughly explore it * How hometown travel can be a cheap trip * Reasons why Milton Keynes (a large town) is interesting * Reasons why Kirkby-in-Ashfield (a small town) is interesting * How to eat like a local, when most locals eat at home. Or the takeaway * Always look out for local specialities * The Rhubarb Triangle, for all your forced rhubarb needs * What to pack for a trip around your hometown * How not to get lost while wandering your hometown * Concrete cows and traffic cones * Being interviewed by travel.radio I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria, but you can call her V. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. You can also sign up to my newsletter and find out about future podcasts and recent blog posts. 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. :)

Hello! Some while ago, I did a pod on beer around the world. Having just come back from a PressTrip to Plsen in Czechia, where I was paid to drink beer, I figured it was the right time to do another on the subject, but this time looking at beer in general. About different beer styles. About where my interest came from. And about quirky experiences and unusual beers I've had in my life around and about. So, why don't you settle down, open a beer (I will accept non-alcoholic ones though curiously I've never found a non-alcoholic beer I've liked. The last one was some German beer that tasted and smelt of feet that had gone off. And I'm not into that kind of thing), kick back, and listen to tales of ales. Topics discussed in this episode are: * The troubles of not having a bank card * Being social * How I discovered a liking for beer * A brief history of beer * Common types of beer around the world (and Germany) * Ways of storing and serving beer * How you can find out what beers you like * Sampling beers * The power of marketing * Favourite and weird beers (cardboard? malt? ashtray?) * Micropubs * Travelling for beer, and beer while travelling A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, 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. :)

Hello! This episode, the first after my unexpected and unplanned hiatus, will be all about beer. Specifically, I talk about my Press Trip to Plsen in Czechia, where I spent 3½ days drinking beer for free, including touring a few breweries both large and small. This Press Trip was taken through the Traverse Organisation and in conjuction with Visit Czech Republic,,the Plsen Region, and Visit Plsen. Topics discussed in this episode are: * What I've been doing since my last podcast * Overview of the city of Plsen * The underground caves and beer museum - Plsen is literally built on beer * Different ways of serving beer in Czechia * A tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery * Visits to microbreweries in Plsen: Proud, Raven, Purkmistr * Trip to Zlata Krava brewery in Nepomuk * How it felt to visit a beer spa A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, 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. Introduction was provided by the tour guide who took us around the Pilsner Urquell Brewery. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello! This podcast was supposed to have been on beer. But I was waiting for a couple of contributions that never came. That will be coming soon. Instead, I thought I'd do something related to that very fact, and talk about podcasting. Since it's been over four years since I started this pod, since I've done nearly 70 episodes, and since I've recently passed 20,000 downloads. I'm going to talk about 'things I wish I'd known before I started'. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Having been in Glasgow for a year * Socialising with enbies and doing stuff in September * Why I don't vlog (part 7832 of a series of 8490323) * The sound quality of my early podcasts * Abandoned and ended podcasts * Meeting audience expectations * Planning Podcasts leads to Perfect Performance * Contributions, effects, and the need for a 'Sound Library' * The sheer length of time it takes to make an episode * It's okay to change * Who listens to podcasts anyway? A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, 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. Introduction was provided by Kitty, one of the people on a WhatsApp group who sends TikTok videos. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) This is the recording of the eighth edition of my semi-regular Twitter Space sessions. Today's episode was all about hiking, but specifically the Hike Across Great Britain I did with my hiking buddy Becky, in the summer of 2019. We're chattering about why I chose to do a hike of such length, how we planned it, the high and low points of the journey, and ponder on how people willingly do ultramarathons. Usual disclaimer, be aware this conversation took place over the phone and is then recorded directly from playback on Twitter. I notice there's a few biffs and bangs in the first few minutes but they settle down. Also a shout out to Somebody, and You Know Who You Are (because there are very few people who do call me, and one of them I was already on Twitter Spaces with), who tried calling me at the very end of the recording. When this happens it causes my audio quality to drop considerably for reasons known only to Android. Topics discussed include: * Catchphrases * Whatever happened to the Word Cloud Creation site 'Wordle' * Overview of what my hike was * How it took 57 days and why that was fewer than we'd planned * Places where we camped en route * Why I didn't do the hike alone, and how our styles fitted together * The Singing Sands beach in Scotland * Things That Went Wrong when I prepared for the Hike * Taking footpaths not roads, and sometimes getting stuck * Comparisons with hiking in Vanuatu * British Summer Weather, and all that entails * What we were carrying in our backpacks * We've been hiking 9 miles, time for lunch and recharging * Food, and why I lost weight on the hike despite the calories * Why I only hiked barefoot for a quarter of the journey * Things That Went Wrong (including injuries, broken windows, and getting lost) * Saddleworth Moor is very bleak and remote * Mental Health and how we motivated ourselves to keep going * The best days of the hike (North Pennines and the end of the Pennine Way) * Why I wouldn't have done anything much differently * How it felt to complete the Hike, and what we did afterwards * Why we did the Hike and what other challenges would I do * Why pubs are useful places * Ultramarathons * Raising money for charity * The next Spaces will be Hometown Travel I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria, but you can call her V. A PDF transcript of this episode will be available soon. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. You can also sign up to my newsletter and find out about future podcasts and recent blog posts. 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. :)

Hello! My therapist would object to the way I was going to start this pod, so instead I'll say 'thank you for bearing with me and accepting the slightly less-than-regular issuing of this pod'. Anyhoo. I have an excuse this time, and it's very much the subject of this pod. I've been away from home, on a road trip around Ireland for a week and a half. My friend Anne-Laure wanted to visit Ireland and in summer 2020 we'd sketched out plans to do a 10-day trip there, but things kept getting in the way. Mainly Covid. But we finally managed to get there in mid-July 2022, and because of being away, it seemed the most obvious thing to pod about. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Non-Binary day, week, and socialising * Background to our road trip, and what made it unusual as far as my trips are concerned * Irish sport, and resulting travel concerns * Dublin Student Accommodation * Our various B&B stays across the country * St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin * Other religious sites visited, often called St Mary's * The joy of Knock * Various country houses and ruined abbeys * The Rock of Cashel * Ruins of Ancient Ireland * The Burren * The Isle of Inis Mor and the Cliffs of Moher * Dingle * Father Ted * The Asexual Capital Of The World * A distinct lack of road signs * Beer and sausage rolls A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, 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. My friend AnneLaure provided the introduction, whilst my friend V gave the interspersions, which are all song lyrics spoken in completely not the correct rhythm. This is on purpose. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) This is the recording of the seventh Twitter Spaces that I did with my friend V. This edition is on hiking; including: the sort of places I like to hike, what I take with me, problems I've encountered on my hikes, and a brief discussion on how apt my internet brand name is. We also discuss why cows are evil, and taking toilet breaks across internal national borders. Usual disclaimer, be aware this conversation took place over the phone and is recorded via my computer's internal audio card, so the quality won't be as great as my normal podcast episodes. I'm also aware that every time I typed on my keyboard, you could hear it in the recording. On-line real-time research, gotta love it! Topics discussed include: * What I mean by hiking * Hills in the UK I've climbed and loved * Good and bad scenery I've walked through * What I carry on day hikes * Stuff I take on multi-day hikes, including not many clothes * The joys of camping food and drinking water * Maps - paper versus electronic maps, and route planning * Getting lost, disappearing trails, and getting obstructed en route * Travelling solo v travelling with others * Overview of the Yorkshire Three Peaks * Accommodation on multi-day hikes & finding places to camp * Cows are evil * Why and how I hike barefoot * The benefits and malefits of hiking barefoot * Dealing with bad weather. Usually rain. * Walking round the suburbs & the city streets * Wild toileting * My longest hikes * Is there a difference between a hike and a walk * How would I start hiking if I'd never done it before I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria, but you can call her V. A PDF transcript of this episode will be available shortly. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. You can also sign up to my newsletter and find out about future podcasts and recent blog posts. 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. :)

Hello! This episode is a little delayed but that's because I needed to do a lot of research. There's quite a lot of statistics and information in it, but I hope it doesn't bore you too much. Last month was Pride Month in most of the world, and I thought I'd take the opportunity to look at how LGBTQIA+ culture and people are affected in various countries. I chose to look specifically at four, either because I had a connection with them through social media, or because I felt they had important stories to tell. I also wanted to show how life was for LGBTQIA+ people in places that may not often get billing on the news in many international places. The four countries I looked at were: * Ghana * India * El Salvador * Australia While I've taken steps to ensure all my research and reporting is accurate, being from none of them means I may sometimes get some nuances slightly wrong, but I've always aimed to get the overriding sentiment. Apologies for the quality of the national anthems. Gotta love MIDI files ... A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I also 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. My interview with Travel Radio is in the "On Demand" section at https://www.travel.radio - just look for "Global Gossip with Asma Younus" on 27 June. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) This is the recording of the sixth Twitter Spaces that I did with my friend V. This particular recording also saw a fair contribution from a Miranda, a mutual Tweep who lives in Netherlands. This edition is on Solo Travel; I usually travel on my own and here I explain why, and whether there are any problems associated with that - especially with relevence to my Mental Health or Personal Safety. We also discuss the benefits and malefits of group travel, whether my experiences of solo travel would be different if I presented differently, and why I'm very unlikely to ever be taken in by a cult.. Usual disclaimer, be aware this conversation took place over the phone and is recorded via my computer's internal audio card, so the quality won't be as great as my normal podcast episodes. In fact, when I was editing it I realised it sounded pretty variable and dodgy. Blame Twitter for not allowing me to do Spaces through my computer. Topics discussed include: * Why I travel alone (planning, last minute travel, unusual places) * "I go to these places so you don't have to" - vicarious travelling * Travelling with me is a veritable pot of chaos * How travelling with someone is hard from both people's point of view * Being scared to travel solo, and social anxiety * Places I wouldn't travel alone - mainly for admin reasons * Feeling like a minor celebrity in a different country * Dealing with language issues while travelling solo abroad * How I tend to ignore scams * Ways in which I don't get bored when I travel long distances * What's it's been like travelling with companions * Not keeping in touch with people you meet while travelling * Six Degrees of Separation, and how it both helps and hinders travel vibe * My feelings about full group travel; party buses, middle-class coach tours, & cruising * Worries about being sick or having accidents * The hidden expenses of solo travel * Female solo travel safety, & how safety is often relative and personally-specific * How someone should start if they want to travel solo but never have I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria, but you can call her V. A PDF transcript of this episode will be available shortly. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. You can also sign up to my newsletter and find out about future podcasts and recent blog posts. 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. :)

Hello! This episode is all about my recent trip to France. I've not long returned from around 10 days going around Annecy, Lyon, and Paris with my friend Laura, and I thought it made sense to do a pod about it. Partly this is because it was my first trip abroad since both Covid and full Brexit had kicked in. And partly because it was an easy episode to do that didn't require any real effort or sourcing contributions, because obviously I didn't record a pod in advance. Topics discussed include: * Hair Dye - I have purple hair again * The background to why I went, and how it's weird two of my good friends have the same birthday * Getting proof of Covid vaccinations, and how we didn't need them in the end * Baguettes for breakfast * Kebabs for dinner * Local food from Lyon and Senegal * I don't like sharing beds * The joys of cheap hotels on the edge of nowhere * Flying in the age of delays, cancellations, and being a third-country national * Bus stations are ugly and unhelpful * The Paris Metro has unhelpfully-named stations * Finding flowers but not water-lilies in Giverny * Getting sunburn in Annecy * French old towns are quite pretty * Loud music in Roman ruins * Cities with rivers running through them * Disused railway lines and gold-covered buildings * A million dead people, but in a good way There are no contributions in this pod, but my friend Laura gets a lot of mentions. A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I also 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. :)

Hello :) This is the recording of the fifth Twitter Spaces that I did with my friend V, back in March. We're definitely getting a bit better with it, though we're still talking over each other a bit which makes it hard to transcribe. This edition is on Personal Safety While Travelling, and I must say a couple of times within the first 15 minutes we do talk about matters of a sexual and kink nature, where I may reveal a bit too much information about random hookups. But then given the cover image associated with this episode anyway, you might already have gathered that. No barefoot backpackers were harmed in the making of this episode. We do talk about other aspects of personal safety while travelling too, including visiting warzones, making sure my mother knows I'm safe, battling the elements, and how different aspects of gender and sexual presentation change how safe I feel. Usual disclaimer, be aware this conversation took place over the phone and is recorded via my computer's internal audio card, so the quality won't be as great as my normal podcast episodes. Although it's clearly better than the previous Spaces recording. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy it! Topics discussed include: * My safety is affected by my privileges * Visiting warzones and troublespots * Travel Insurance and Government Travel Advice * Taking safety tips from local people * Crime statistics and local crime levels * The safety of 'hooking-up' at home and abroad * Planning many ways to scare my mother * Keeping contact with friends and family when travelling * Getting used to foreign currencies * Staying safe in bad weather * Ways my Twitter friends expect me to die * How to preserve phone battery life * Why sunglasses are important, even in winter * Gender and Sexuality Presentation when travelling * The difference between where you live and where you pass through * Anonymity and making yourself less of a target * Giving vague details, and why Strava is a bad idea I was interviewed by the lovely Victoria, but you can call her V. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I also have a newsletter now which you can sign up to to hear more from me and find out what my future podcasts will be about. In addition, I 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. :)

Hello! This episode is all about myths & legends from around the world. Or at least, mostly around the UK, Ireland, and Michigan. Myths and legends might be hyper-local, specific to one town, or they might be known worldwide with the very name invoking an instant impression. They could even be the driving force behind an entire cultural identity and assumed history. Whatever they were, they're fascinating insights into a place and the people who live in it. Topics discussed include: * My recent trips to London and hiking the Yorkshire Three Peaks * The tale of the Nain Rouge, Detroit, USA * Other legends of Michigan (Dog Man, Melonheads, Pressie) * My uncle's music collection is stuck in 1973 * The tales of Tam Lin and Matty Groves * Lebor Gabala Erenn * The myths and legends of the Ulster Cycle, with apologies for my bad pronunciations * Take Good Care Of Your Cows * What the ancient Ulster capital of Emain Macha looks like now * Selkies. And Kelpies. * La Llorona, and why children should stay away from water * The tale of the Wizard of the Edge * What do you mean Sherwood Forest is a real place? * Robin Hood, Sheffield's biggest export * Some myths are just a tax-avoidance scam Contributions to this episode come from: * Nat, from Natpacker Travel * My friend Dayna, who doesn't have a web presence * Author Joanna Hastings, who can be found on Twitter * My co-conspiratior Victoria Pearson A PDF transcript of this episode is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I'll also soon 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. :)