Series One

Anthony Sattin

20.01.2023

The British writer and broadcaster Anthony Sattin discusses his latest book, Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our World — a Sunday Times book of 2022 — and draws a curious link between travellers and ADHD.

Colin Thubron

03.02.2023

In his 80th year, one of the most important travel writers of our time journeys along the Amur River — 1,100 miles, much of it on the China-Russia border. Sophy and Colin talk about their obsession with remote Siberia, and how to avoid (or avert) the gaze of the FSB.

Taran Khan

17.02.2023

The idea of a foreign woman walking alone in Afghanistan might seem a world away from current events — but it’s what makes Khan’s book, Shadow City, urgent reading. Sophy and Taran meet up in Delhi’s Aerocity to talk about breaking stereotypes.

Cal Flyn

03.03.2023

Islands of Abandonment is a critically acclaimed exploration of the ecology and psychology of abandoned places, from Chernobyl to California’s Salton Sea. Sophy and Cal discuss the taboo of desolate places — as well as finding reason to hope.

The ex-paratrooper, author and TV personality talks candidly about how he covers so much ground, both physically and creatively, as he launches his eleventh book — about the fall of Kabul. He unpicks adventure for adventure’s sake, and the allure of the remote.

Episode Six

Gail Simmons

31.03.2023

The British author talks about her latest book, Between the Chalk and the Sea — a stunningly evoked pilgrimage that feels both ancient and new, with the conversation running from Chaucer’s Wife of Bath to finding relevance in travel close to home.

Episode Seven

Tharik Hussain

14.04.2023

Tharik discusses his award-winning book, Minarets in the Mountains — documenting a road-trip through six European countries — the decolonisation of travel writing, and the rich Islamic traditions still kept alive in a region much ignored.

Episode Eight

Don McCullin

28.04.2023

The 87-year-old British photojournalist talks about the travels, writers and images that have given him respite from the brutality of war. He paints a vivid picture of India, Turkey, Greece, North Africa, Syria and the healing power of the Somerset Levels

Episode Nine

Leon McCarron

12.05.2023

Leon McCarron discusses his epic source-to-sea river journey through Turkey, Syria and Iraq. He unravels what deep history, beauty and ecological collapse really look like on the River Tigris where militias still haunt its banks.

Episode Ten

in this imaginative journey through Ancient Greece, Laura Beatty discusses her book, Looking for Theophrastus, delving into the interconnectedness of space and time, the concept of wonder, and why we should care about someone who lived 2,400 years ago.

Episode Twelve

Jon Lee Anderson

23.06.2023

The veteran staff writer for The New Yorker talks about his life of adventure, literary inspirations, and singing to reindeers. The conversation pivots on Jon Lee’s moral conviction about turning a light onto places considered too obscure, or broken, to care about.

Podcast

Supported by

Gone To Timbuktu is hosted by author and journalist, Sophy Roberts

About the Show

Series One

Episode One

Anthony Sattin

Episode Two

Colin Thubron

Episode Three