PATHWAYS July: UFO Parking, Shark Attacks, and Biking Around the World

Every month on Pathways, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton crack open a few stories, play their favorite clips, and take you on a whirlwind preview of what’s coming up this month on Armchair Explorer. It’s part travel hangout, part behind-the-scenes, and a whole lot of part “wait, you did what?” Special Offer: we’ve revived our ⁠NEWSLETTER!⁠ (scroll to the bottom of our homepage to signup) And contact us for a free copy of our fearless leader Aaron Millar’s ebook:  ⁠The 50 Greatest Wonders of the World⁠ Award-winning travel journalist Aaron Millar reveals the greatest wonders of the world and the insider secrets on how to see them. From where to catch the perfect sunrise over the Grand Canyon to how to swim up to the very edge of the Victoria Falls, this is a road map for discovering the greatest experiences of your life.  🌍 This Month on Pathways: Around the World by Bike with Chris McCaffrey Meet Chris McCaffrey, an adventurer from Boulder, Colorado, who biked across the world. Sounds epic already—but halfway through his 17-month journey, he caught a mystery illness that nearly ended it all. From pushing through a near-fatal illness to profound reflections on adventure and risk, his story hits hard and goes deep. 🦈 Surviving a Great White Shark Encounter Our very own landlord (yep, you read that right), Patrick, drops by with a jaw-dropping tale—literally. While filming great whites off Guadalupe Island, a 21-foot shark ripped the cage apart with him still inside. It’s terrifying, intense, and weirdly philosophical. Bonus: He’s got a viral video and a calf tattoo to prove it. 👽 Discovering South America's Hidden Wonders with Dylan Thuras Follow Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras on a quest to discover South America’s hidden wonders. From the Last Incan Bridge and the Machu Picchu of the North to the Everlasting Lightning Storm and a statue of a squid fighting a whale the size of the statue of liberty, this is an epic ride through Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru’s weirdest and wildest wonders. The stuff glittering in the shadows that you may never have heard of before, but you’ll be desperate to see after. ✈️ Travel & Misconceptions We revisit past guests who shared their experiences traveling in places like Iran. Travel writers Pico Iyer and Drew Binsky reveal a truth that’s easy to forget: People are not their governments. From saintly ceremonies to warm hospitality, these are glimpses of humanity we don’t see in the headlines. 🌟 New Segments, Bad Puns & Surprises in the Studio We introduce a few new segments, share laughs, bad puns (Jason, looking at you), and catch each other off guard. This is Armchair Explorer at its most unpredictable, unscripted, and fun. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ARMCHAIR and get on your way to being your best self. 🌏 Ready to Explore?If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm.  📸 Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠ 📘 Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠ ⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design.