The Meandering Pod

In the last episode we discussed how we could feel the increase in far right sentiment across Europe. In this episode, join me, Lotta, as I explore the intricacies of refugees and immigrants in Europe and their ability to find a home - from detention facilities to social housing. I explore questions relating to how housing can contribute to community and reduce stigma, how the current housing cris...

Andddddddd we’re back with another group episode to update you all on our adventures, mishaps and memorable moments now that we have officially made it to Europe! In the last six weeks, we’ve trained, tramped and tussled our way through many European nations and can’t wait to share our experiences with you. Dom reached (for) enlightenment , Lotta became a tree, Cam got culture shock, Bec got bedbu...

This week, Bec and Cam deep dive on a little known crime in the Asia Pacific during WW2 – The Comfort Women. These were the 50,000-200,000 young women and girls who were forced into sexual slavery in service of the Japanese Empire. They suffered humiliating and dehumanising experienced in euphemistically-named ‘Comfort Stations’ that stayed with them for the rest of their lives. Activism against J...

The gang are joined by Dianna and Emma this week! From sleeping in caves to exploring one of the worlds great cities this episode covers some great stories and provides glimpses into thousands of years of history in Asia Minor.

Women in the Central Asia and Caucasus regions have experienced some of the biggest social and political changes to their social status, with policy often at odds with traditional patriarchal practices. In this deep dive, I, Lotta, explore the history of feminism and women’s rights in Central Asia and the Caucasus, through Soviet policies to current independent nationhood. I interview Nargiz Rasul...

Ahhh shit, we took a plane! Such a clickbait title, but hey, let us explain. Come along for a yap about our travels since Samarkand in Uzbekistan, to Aktau in Kazakhstan on the Caspian Sea, taking the ferry with wings to Baku, and hitchhiking to Georgia. 

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.

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...

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 pur...

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.

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!

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...

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 bikepac...

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...

Welcome back for another episode of The Meandering Pod!!! This week, we’re hopping back for a final episode about Japan – specifically the worst disaster it ever faced. Although many people may would remember hearing about the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, it’s been 15 years now and not many would still be across the details.  Today, we’ll be doing a deep dive on the multifaceted fallout experi...

Did you know 5 families control more than half of the Korean economy and ALL of its politicians? Meet the Chaebol - the driving force behind Koreas economic miracle but also the root of many of the countries present day issues from corruption and inequality to a hyper competitive social structure and declining birth rate. In this episode, for the first time in Meandering history, Cam and Dom jump...

Welcome to another group episode of The Meandering Pod! Not much time has passed but a lot has happened – strap in while we update you on the shenanigans our group got into while travelling from Japan to China via Korea. This episode also features superfan SHAZ, who joined Lotta + Dom, then Bec + Cam on our meandering (mis)adventures. Stick around to hear about our East Asian foods, and for anothe...

How much do you know about protists? How much do you know about their behaviour and intelligence? I’m gonna guess very little, as that’s where I was not that long ago. The world of these obscure creatures is incredibly complex and fascinating, as they interact with their environment and make decisions and weigh up risks.  In this episode, I interview researcher Alid Al-Asmar about slime moulds (th...

Join Dom, Lotta and special guest Sharran as they talk all about snow and how it’s changing. How is changing snow affecting the skiing world? The Winter Olympics? Plants, animals, and humans who reply on snow and snowmelt? And what can we do about all this scary change?  Join along for this important discussion and learn how winters are changing, and how we can protect them.  And definitely check...

Wowee, it’s been a hot second! And it’s HALF WAY THROUGH OUR TRIP! Another group episode for all your travel ramblings and, of course, the reveal of who topped the brick rankings for the past three months. The four of us are finally reunited (however briefly) for meandering shenanigans - involving saunas, cherry blossom festivals and hitting the spring snow slopes in the Japanese Alps. Also, we ha...

On this weeks deep dive Bec and Cam take you through the wonderful history of the Matsu Islands, from a refuge for pirates and outcasts on the periphery of the Chinese empire to becoming a heavily fortified ‘Berlin Wall’ of the East to now being a tourism hotspot where Bec and Cam found themselves stranded due to bad weather and ferry cancellations.

How much do you know about Myanmar? Have you heard of the iconic Aung San Sui Kyi? Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, martyr of democracy who has spent 20 years of her life in house arrest, who fell from grace on an international stage and it is now unknown if the 80 year old mother of Myanmar is still alive? Lock in to this gripping episode to find out more. Lotta and Cam discuss Suu Kyi‘s life, th...

In this week’s episode Bec explores the Vietnam War from 1955-75 through a modern-day feminist lens. We discuss the following three key topics: The entitled and arrogant mindset of the US,which laid the groundwork for its involvement in the war The hyper-aggressive nature of the war by the US, which was driven by successive presidents’ desire to project manhood when in a state of uncertainty The U...

This week join Dom and Lotta for a chat about a cool thing many birds do - migration! Inspired by a bird watching mission to Poyang Lake in China, for Lotta’s birdday, Dom and Lotta have become amateur bird nerds, and can’t wait to chat all the amazing wonders of these rather globalised birds. Why do they migrate? How do they navigate? Why do they fly in V-formation? How long can they fly without...

Cam and Bec discuss the history of coffee, the ethics of the industry and we hear from Mike, a small coffee roaster in Thailand.