MisInfoNation

While Dré is away, we've been rebroadcasting some of our favorite MisInfoNation episodes. This one isn't just one of our favorites though, it's an episode that's really important to Neil and Dré and all of us at MIN HQ. It's the episode where we knew this show could actually do what we hoped it would - challenge stereotypes and help us look deeper than headlines. And right now, the headlines are everywhere.Especially from this part of the world. We know It won’t solve any crisis —but maybe, just maybe, it’ll offer a little more understanding of the real decent people who have to carry their nationality much more heavily than most. And if nothing else, there are a lot of laughs. And right now, we could all use a few more of those.---This week on MisInfoNation we talk to Sohail Jannessari about what could be the most misunderstood country on the planet. Iran. A political scientist with a cutting sense of humour, Sohail takes on some of the most divisive questions about Iran and Iranians.Today we turn the view of Iran that’s been shaped by Western media upside-down. From the food, to the etiquette, the oppression of women, how to guarantee you’ll get into a fight, who pays the bill and the weight of being from a nation with an incredibly negative media slant - which sometimes turns Sohail into the Incredible Hulk. Plus, should you travel to Iran if you’re American?We can’t think of a more important place to understand a little better.CONNECT WITH SOHAILOn the Web - https://www.sohailj.com----CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: cercatravel.com/misinfonation---At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While Dré takes some time to share his cinematic wares with the world, Neil takes us back to where MisInfoNation all began. A conversation with a Scotsman named English helps Neil and Andrés understand just how much they don't understand about Scotland. Enjoy!---On our inaugural episode of MisInfoNation, we’re heading to Scotland to find out what the world gets wrong, about one of the most drop-dead, absolutely gorgeous countries on the planet… and what it gets right.We’ll digest the truth about Haggis (so you can decide if you ever would), the story behind Irn-Bru, if there’s anything the Scots won’t deep fry, how they feel about Donald Trump’s heritage, and what’s really going on under a kilt. Also, we’ll discover the absolute best view in all of Scotland.  We laugh a lot during this episode, fittingly, because the Scots take great pride in their sense of humor. Which explains their choice of national animal. Be sure to listen to that. ---CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS!John English - https://twitter.com/OtoxoProductionOtoxo - https://www.otoxoproductions.com/----CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: cercatravel.com/misinfonationFIND OUT MORE ABOUT…Haggis - https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/traditional-haggis-recipeLoch Ness - https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/loch-ness/IrnBru - https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/drink/16-facts-about-irn-bru/Where to buy a kilt and all the stuff that goes with it - https://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/Rumbledethumps - https://www.thespruceeats.com/rumbledethumps-recipe-435824---At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey there, Neil here. At Misinformation, we love great stories, new cultures, and taking you to the heart of a place. Today, we’re sharing a show that does all that—with a little more vino. It’s called Wine Tripping, hosted by Amanda McCrossin, a certified sommelier and one of the most influential voices in the wine world—and honestly, our new favorite travel companion.Amanda takes you behind the scenes into the cellars, fields, and kitchens that make wine regions unforgettable. In this episode, you’ll join her on an exclusive trip to Tuscany in a special preview of an episode that hasn’t even aired yet. Because MIN listeners are the best - and you deserve to be treated to a glass or two, even if we can only do it through a podcast.It’s rich, fun, —and yes, you’ll probably want a glass of red by the end. So without further ado, here’s Wine Tripping with Amanda McCrossin. Cheers!---Confession time: despite Italian wines having a reputation as some of the most legendary wines to ever fill a stemmed glass, Amanda had always been lukewarm on them.  They just didn’t stir her imagination that way other regions did.That is until she was invited to visit Tuscany by one of the OG producers of Brunello di Montalcino - Biondi-Santi. And once she stepped foot on their vineyard, breathed the Tuscan air and tasted the food while sipping from her glass, Amanda finally fell for Italian wines (and also,  you know, Italy).So on this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda whisks you away to the rolling hills of Tuscany, where every bottle tells a story of place, tradition, and a little bit of Italian magic.Ever wondered why Italian wine labels never mention the grape? Or what BDT, IGT, DOC, and DOCG mean? After this trip, you’ll be able to decode them like a pro. Amanda cracks open the secrets of Italian wine regions, from the sun-drenched vineyards of Chianti to the storied cellars of Montalcino, explains why Sangiovese is the soul of Tuscany, and gives you some must-know tips on how to survive those winding Tuscan roads,So pour yourself a glass, press play, and get ready to fall in love with Italy—one region, one grape, and one unforgettable story at a time.For more, check out Amanda on…Instagram - @sommvivantTikTok - @somm_vivantand on the web - sommvivant.me----Wine Tripping is Written, Hosted, and Produced by Amanda McCrossin, and Produced by Neil Innes.Editing and Sound Design by Neil Innes with additional help from Ryan HammondMixing and Mastering by Julian KwasneskiExecutive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky----At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, we head north—way north—to Canada. Land of maple syrup, jaw-dropping wilderness, and people so polite they say sorry when you bump into them. But what’s really going on beneath the surface? Joining us are two brilliant Canadian storytellers with global roots: Hirad “Raz” Motamed and Adam Leverett. Born in Iran and the UK respectively, raised in snowy suburbia, and shaped by immigrant identity, they take us deep into the heart of the Great White North. How “nice” is Canada really? Why does Canadian humor hit different? And is patriotism just “being not-American”?CONNECT WITH HIRAD!On the Web - http://www.hirad.xyz/CONNECT WITH ADAM!On the Web - www.vinyett.com----CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: cercatravel.com/misinfonation---At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on MisInfoNation we’re jetting off to Croatia—a truly special place, filled with crystal-clear waters, ancient stone towns, lush vineyards, and, of course, intense Balkan pride. Joining us for this unforgettable adventure is an equally special guest: the immensely talented, award-winning Croatian filmmaker Lucija Stovic.Together, we'll dive into the hilarious complexities of being Balkan, from passionate football rivalries, killer sea foam and insults, to the rich, slow-food traditions that make Croatia a paradise for foodies. So grab a glass of local wine and get ready for a playful journey through Croatian culture, tradition, and humor—you might just leave with a newfound obsession for all things Balkan.Want to know about more about the moving pictures Lucija and her collaborators are making? Check out...Noon Films on the Web & on Instagram.----CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: cercatravel.com/misinfonation---At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on MisInfoNation, it's all great craic, endless rolling fields of potatoes, perfectly poured pints of Guinness, lucky four-leaf clovers, and magical pots of gold just waiting patiently at the end of every shimmering rainbow—or at least that's what the postcards and leprechauns might have you believe. But is that the real Ireland, or just the sparkly stereotype? To separate fact from folklore and reality from rosy-hued fantasy, we've invited the snappily dressed, lightning-fast-witted, effortlessly hilarious, and genuinely brilliant designer extraordinaire Rachel Fingleton to set us straight (and keep us laughing) as she guides our delightfully clueless selves through her captivating homeland.CONNECT WITH RACHEL!On the Web - https://www.rachelfingleton.com/----CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: cercatravel.com/misinfonation---At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, MisInfoNation embarks on a vibrant adventure to the beautiful archipelago of the Philippines alongside our excellent, silky-voiced friend—the gloriously named, effortlessly stylish, and always impeccably dressed—Randie Alegre Dumpit. Together, we dive deep into the Philippines’ national obsession: basketball. Discover why hoops and hardwood courts can be found on nearly every street corner and how this sport, beloved nationwide, became an integral part of the Filipino identity. So settle in, grab a snack, and let the silky voice of the wonderful Randie transport you straight into the heart and soul of the PhilippinesCONNECT WITH RANDI!Well... actually Randi has no socials to speak of. But hey, if you want to send him fan mail after becoming absolutely smitten with his wonderfulness this episode, feel free to drop it in a review of the show.----CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: cercatravel.com/misinfonation----At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MisInfoNation is coming back with all new episodes featuring some of 2025's hottest destinations. The Philippines, Croatia, Denmark, Ireland, and more. Plus Canada.,.. which at least as of the release of this trailer has not been annexed by the United States. But hey, if that changes, at least maybe we'll have helped our American friends get to know the culture of their newest state? We're joking of course. We hope.In any case, get ready for more of Neil and Dré asking the dumbest questions about entire nations... so you don't have to.MisInfoNation, Season 3 - the smartest kind of stupidity.--At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re doing something a little bit different on MisInfoNation… very different in fact. To bring in the new year Neil and Andrés are looking back at some of their favorite moments from the show.. and at all the friends, old and new, they've talked and laughed with while they both gear up for a new season of the show which will focus on some of 2025’s most desirable destinations.CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: frequencymachine.com/passport | cercatravel.com----At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey.Because at Cerca, connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower.Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on MisInfoNation Neil and Andrés visit the Fatherland. The well oiled machine that is the world’s third most powerful country in terms of GDP after the USA and China. Germany. This wonderful land of fat sausages, perfect cars and unlistenable industrial electronic techno music is a family affair today with the young, all-together, sharp as a tack, Tom Noack and his measured, cool, calm and collected uncle Felix. Welcome to a pristine, perfectly engineered, word perfect, over insured episode of MisInfoNation.CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: frequencymachine.com/passport | cercatravel.com----At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey.Because at Cerca, connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower.Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn how to lisp, grab a classical guitar, pop a flower in your hair, put on your espadrilles, and let's go for a late night dinner and brisk ramble through the humid and historied streets and cities of our home… España.Me and Andres call Spain home and have done, collectively for more than 38 years… we could have picked a multitude of friends to take on the mammoth task of MisInfoNation but we didn’t… we chose a new friend. An unexpected friend. The tall, handsome, thoughtful, intelligent, Javier Bardem look alike himself, Karim Diouri Haya. So here we go… is it all flamenco, sangria, paella and siestas?For this episode’s full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS. Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned. Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to other episodes in this guide.CONNECT WITH KARIM!On Instagram: @karimjustflow_musicCONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: frequencymachine.com/passport | cercatravel.com----At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey.Because at Cerca, connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower.Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Don your tweed, grab a parker, make sure you’ve got your bits and bobs, pop your wellies on, and let's go for a stroll through the blustery countryside of this beautiful nation of shopkeepers: Fair olde England.Today on MisInfoNation, we’re tackling a country with two very special guests: The dry and hilarious, Scottish blooded, English-hearted Andy Young and Cerca’s own, equally dry and hilarious, Northern-souled, Ryan Hammond.A dead queen, the class system, surreal comedy, bad teeth, terrible food, worse weather… that’s England right?For this episode’s full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS. Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned. Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to other episodes in this guide.CONNECT WITH RYAN!On Instagram: @suttreeproductionsCONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: frequencymachine.com/passport | cercatravel.com----At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey.Because at Cerca, connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower.Download the Cerca App for free now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today as always on MisInfoNation: We try to clear up some of the outright lies, mistakes, myths and misnomers of an entire country... this time... And with the 2024 Summer Olympics just getting underway, here was one country in particular we wanted to study under the MisInfoNation microscope. That's right, we're headed to France! So grab a baguette, find your fanciest horizontal stripes, hop on your oversized basketed bicycle, light a cigarette and let's go for a ride through one of the most desired, loved and influential countries in the world with our friends Nina and Clement...For this episode’s full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS. Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned. Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to other episodes in this guide.---CONNECT WITH NINA & CLEMENT!NINAOn Instagram: @ninathomas_films & @forn_la_panaceeOn the Web: ninathomasfilms.comCLEMENTOn Instagram: @clementbarista & @moltamacafeCONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: frequencymachine.com/passport | cercatravel.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hola Passport faithful! Neil, Dré, and the Passport team are busy cooking up some new episodes of MisInfoNation - and maybe even a few other surprises, too. But in the meantime, we wanted to share a new show that we really love. Because we think you'll love it too.Don't Drink the Milk mixes history with a good dose of travel, pop culture, and controversy. The show explores the curious backstories of familiar things, and how they've changed as they moved through time and around the world – by force, by chance, or by choice. This episode takes us to Krakow tracing the origins of one of Team Passport's favorite foods. The bagel!Here's what they say:The bagel is in its rainbow era, but this beloved bread's journey goes way back. We're rounding off season one with a dense, doughy episode that's both scrumptious and surprising. We trace the humble bagel's roots to medieval Poland and follow its North American makeover (are you team New York or Montreal?). A snack for queens, laborers and trendsetters – here's the real story of the bagel.We hope you enjoy this episode, and if you do, why not give 'em a follow. You can binge all of Season 1 now and catch up just in time for the Season 2 in June.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode Neil and Andrés are off to beautiful Portugal for some fado, sweet port, codfish and maybe even a little Ronaldo - to find out if the world has it right about this Iberian treasure trove.Showing us around the facts and the follies today is the one and only Catarina Araújo; A globe hopping, Lisbon-born marketing specialist and the writer of the excellent travelog aportugueseaffair.com which you can also find now in podcast form in the Cerca app and anywhere you get your podcasts.Vamos a isto!For this episode’s full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS. Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned. Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to other episodes in this guide.----CONNECT WITH CATARINA!On the web: aportugueseaffair.comOn Instagram: @aportugueseaffairOn Facebook: /aportugueseaffairCONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: frequencymachine.com/passport | cercatravel.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on MisInfoNation we ready our minds, stomachs and souls to tackle The United States of… Mexico. These 31 federal entities and Mexico City, which is its own thing entirely, is a rich, historied country filled with incredible food, ancient culture, and an iconic identity. Also long fiestas and longer siestas… or is it? We head there with our friend Elena Garcia Beltran. She’s a mother, she’s a lover, she's sometimes a fighter but most importantly… She's the most hilarious corporate lawyer you will ever meet. Viva Mexico!For this episode’s full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS. Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned. Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to other episodes in this guide.----CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: frequencymachine.com/passport | cercatravel.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drop the Ikea Allen key, put on your warmest, most fashionable outdoorsy threads, and fill up on some delicious meatballs because today on MisInfoNation we’re going to the nordic utopia of Sweden with soon to be TV superstar, set designer, and bonafide Swede, Johan Svenson.For this episode’s full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS. Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned. Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to other episodes in this guide.----CONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: frequencymachine.com/passport | cercatravel.comCONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS!Johan on Instagram: @svenson_johanJohan on the web: https://johansvenson.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bordered by Israel and Syria on the East Coast of the Mediterranean sea, Lebanon is something of an unknown quantity in the eyes of the world. Its position in the Middle East has never given it much stability in recent history. The lives of the people who live there, even the young adults, are tarnished with conflict but also an undeniable resilience and perspective.The Lebanese are impassioned, intelligent and intense personalities and we are lucky enough to call the brilliant Hasan Chaaban a friend. We sat down with him here in Barcelona to get deep into the culture, the conflict, the history, the food and the customs of one of the strangest and most complex countries in the world.For this episode’s full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS. Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned. Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to other episodes in this guide.----CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS!Hasan Chaaban on the web: kolaps.comCONNECT WITH US!On instagram: @passportpodcast | @cerca_travel On the web: frequencymachine.com/passport | cercatravel.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MisInfoNation returns with a trip to Belgium - a place that's often overlooked and mostly defined in popular imagination by bureaucracy, beer, fries, chocolate, Tintin and a statue of a boy peeing.But Neil and Dré aren't content to just let these easy oversimplifications define a whole country and its people. That's why they've invited their friend and 3D Designer Dennis Vanneste to help set the record straight.---Follow Dennis on Instagram: @vannestje.For this episode’s full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS. Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned. Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to other episodes in this guide.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are things we think we know about places. But history, prejudice, stereotypes and the nature of 24 hour news and social media has made common knowledge about far away places even more twisted than ever.So we’re taking the initiative once more, putting ourselves in the line of fire and asking the dumbest of questions so you never have to ever again. MisInfoNation is coming back!Come and join Neil Innes and Andrés Bartos as they try their hardest to clear up some of the outright lies and stereotypes from Japan, New Zealand, France, Belgium, South Africa, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Canada, Mexico and more this year… by doing what they do best. Having a chat with someone who actually knows what they’re talking about.MisInfoNation returns with hilarious guests and all new episodes starting Tuesday January 17th.----For this episode’s full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS.  Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned.  Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to everything Cerca has to offer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While we gear up for all new episodes of Passport and MisInfoNation we wanted to share something with you guys in our feed. Greetings from Somewhere is a beautifully produced podcast about the world. A show after our own heart, obviously. A charismatic host named Zack Mack, some excellent sound design, and we were instantly in. So we wanted to share with you one of our favorite episodes so far. Zack has gone to Burning man, Mount Rushmore, Disneyland, he’s taken trains, planes, automobiles and wheelchairs, he’s lived the van life… and asked a man who walked 4,000 miles across the USA the big questions… But to get into this brilliant new show we wanted to share with you Episode 1… It’s the story of Marfa, Texas. Enjoy!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Neil and Andrés make a very special announcement. Or is it just a thinly veiled apology for not having season two ready just yet...Introducing CERCA by Frequency Machine. The world's best audio travel guide.Want a sneak peak? Want to help shape what we make? Drop us a line at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For every Celestial Emu there’s a planet-killing space rock on an inevitable path towards earth. In our season 1 finale, Passport producers Jennifer Carr and Andrés Bartos head back Down Under to talk about asteroids, the scars they leave, and the stories they’ve created.For all of the wonder and the fascination the night sky holds, it’s also filled with warnings, omens and pure chaos. Australia’s First Nations Peoples have been interpreting those signs for longer than any other culture on earth - and their myths and stories are an ecstatic truth used to pass that knowledge down through generations. But can these fables live side by side with science? This week, Jenn and Dre talk with the world's original astronomers about the scars of the people, and on the land, to find out.Plus, a conversation with very special guests Clive Oppenheimer and Werner Herzog - master travellers and directors of the new documentary Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For this season one finale of Passport, we head to Australia to explore the star-studded skies of the country’s Western Outback. Scarce on people and heavy on sheep and cattle stations, the vast expanses of land and desert here offer pure darkness and one of the top global destinations to stargaze. Astro revellers travel from all over the world, but what many miss out on is the rich tapestry of indigenous creation stories, myths, and customs that the stars can all point to.The Australian Aboriginals have been reading the skies above this land longer than any culture on earth. They possess a deep understanding of cosmology and how to accurately read the stars for navigation, water sourcing, animal migration and breeding patterns, natural law, customs, and spirituality. For thousands of years, this profound astronomical intelligence has been buried. Fortunately, this is changing.Passport producer Jennifer Carr took a trip Down Under for Part 1 of this double episode season finale of Passport, and discovered there’s a whole lot more to the Cosmos than meets our Western eyes.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

South Africa, the rainbow nation. A place of dazzling sun, incredible wildlife, rugged coasts, and tabletop mountains, with a people as diverse and creative as the landscape. The country’s art scene too is in rude health, one of the most forward thinking on the continent. But South Africa as a place of space, of technology, of the future? It’s not where your mind immediately goes.Today, the country’s creatives are not remaining stuck in tradition. Take one look at South Africa’s best young artists, especially those in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, and you’ll notice a theme. They’re all following a code, an aesthetic, known as Afrofuturism. It’s an artistic concept which places people of the African diaspora in the future.But why are South African musicians, writers, and artists looking forward not back? To space not the earth? How did apartheid cause utopian visions of the future? What links ancient African mythology with Black Panther? This week on Passport, we’re headed to Johannesburg to meet the South African afrofuturists to find out.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clowns: freaky, funny or downright mystifying? This week, we tread the boards of the French capital and dive into the city’s age-old love affair with this very distinct form of theatrics.Paris has been an epicentre for performance artistry since the 1800s, but today the face of clowning and the circus look and feel very different. These days, clowning is cutthroat – demanding, grueling, and for some in the industry, a dying art that few can master. Besides a look at some of Paris’ most competitive clown schools, we also delve into the dark side of clowns and how pop culture has given us more than we bargained for beneath all that grease paint and innocent smiles: coulrophobia – the fear of clowns.Join Passport producer, Jennifer Carr, for a fantastical journey full of conversations with clowns and artistic directors and a front row seat for an impromptu performance by Russian clown Igor, in our Barcelona studio.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Traditions are weird, almost by definition. But where do they come from? In this week’s special Xmas episode of Passport, Neil and Andrés talk to Sergi Del Bas and historian Dani Cortijo about one of the most misunderstood regions of Spain. Catalonia. Or as the locals call it Catalunya. This is Spain, but it is very much not Spain.And here in Catalunya, there exists what is perhaps one of the strangest Christmas traditions in the entire world. There is no Santa here. Here Xmas involves a log. About two feet long. With a face. Named Caga Tio. The Sh!t Log.This week, Neil and Dre take you home for the holidays to put on your scatological detective hats and try to figure out how the personality of a culture created one of the most incredible symbols of the festive season in the world; A log, with a face, that you beat with sticks to encourage him to poop gifts.For more, including pictures of Neil’s very own Caga Tio and others from all over Barcelona, plus links to the places we visited and a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passport. Just click on Episode 34.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The mission of MisInfoNation is to help us understand whether our ideas about a place are real or just Imagined. But what about a place that was built on imagination? A place that would be the most visited country on earth… if it was a country? This week, we’re finding out with a trip to Disney.Disney’s films are burned into the memory of nearly every single person alive. It’s world is immense, unavoidable, unmatched and undeniable. But the parks… well the parks are the real country of Disney. Deep Disney. A place where you walk, ride, eat, and meet the locals.This is no cartoon, this is a place where you will certainly need a map, a plan, a schedule and a guide. And this week, we’ve got a good one. A parks mega fan. A snappy dresser. A foodie and a theme park journalist and the host of her own Disney podcast, Very Amusing: the whip smart, bubbly fountain of Diz wisdom, Carlye Wisel.On this episode of MisInfoNation, Carlye’s going to help us sort out what the world gets right about Walt Disney World (and Disneyland. And Epcot. And Tokyo Disney.) and what it gets wronger than Goofy leaning against a wall with his head off. What’s it like to live as a Citizen (AKA a cast member) of Disney? Is there such a thing as good food in a theme park? And does Disney really make its own… smells? And of course the most important question of all - we’re going to the happiest place on earth… to find out if it really is.Plus, if you think food at a theme parks is all bland hotdogs and overpriced sodas, Caryle’s got some Saved Pins to prove you wrong.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Passport, we go across India by train to find a melting pot of culture sitting within the carriages. From history, literature, Bollywood and real love, you never know what’s round the corner when you hand the conductor your ticket and take your seat.Why have trains inspired poems, films and writing throughout India? What makes them the perfect protagonist and why they are a great place to start a story? Especially love stories. This week, tales from inside the trains and a microcosm of Indian life - one that only exists on the railway.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Passport team is off for Thanksgiving this week, but we’ve got a taste of what’s to come.This season we’ve taken you to over 30 countries. We’ve met the world’s most famous extra in Belfast, investigated a stolen Van Gogh in Amsterdam, met mafia fighting chefs in Palermo, spent the night in the hotel that inspired The Shining, and set the record straight on Italy, Iran, Iceland and Russia. But we’re not done yet!Coming up on the show: we search for love on the rails in India, visit Disneyland to see if it really is the happiest place on Earth, go back to the Afrofuturism in South Africa, and try to figure out just why the French love clowns so much. We gaze up at the stars in Australia with the world’s very first astronomers, and do our best to figure out what the deal is with Barcelona’s very… shall we say unique… Christmas tradition - Caga Tió.So enjoy the holiday if you’re celebrating… and we’ll see you in the next place! For more, visit https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guisepe Verdi said, you can keep the universe, just give me Italy and if you’ve ever been, you know instantly what he means. Italy seems to have it all. The madness and romance of Rome. The pristine, perfectly colour coded class and style of Milan. The rugged and rich and endlessly tasty islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Cliché wise, Italy is a glaringly obvious choice for one of our MisInfoNation episodes. The whole world thinks it knows exactly what Italy is like. But those clichés can’t all be true. Can they? Is Italy really a country full of tall, dark, mafia-connected, passionate people who love pasta and make some of the best food on earth?To find out, we’ve called in Milan-born photographer, Dario Flores D’arcais to help us sort through the facts and fiction (stylish fiction, but fiction nonetheless) of that big old beautiful boot jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea - Italia.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Portugal’s Douro Valley is one of the toughest places on the planet to grow wine. Steep, terraced hills, treacherous river rapids, and blistering hot summers are a sharp contrast to the rolling hills of Spain’s Rioja or the Cypress-lined country roads of Tuscany. And yet, the Douro is actually the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. And even though a vine plague in the 1800s nearly wiped out every vineyard in the region, the Douro survived.That’s because the people here are famed for their resilience and ability to repeatedly outsmart nature, no matter what it throws at them. And that goes double for the women. In fact, it was one of the valley’s daughters that saved wine in the region. Who are these remarkable women? What makes the Douro Valley, and its world-class wine scene, so special?And will the threat of climate change - and now Covid - finally be their undoing?Passport’s Jennifer Carr invites you to open a bottle and discover a place for wine lovers, warriors, and the women who are changing the face of winemaking - one glass at a time.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2020 US presidential election is probably the most important in a century. Everything is at stake: from the health of the world’s most powerful nation to the very nature of truth in the modern world. It’s been a frantic race, with many despairing at the divisiveness of modern US politics. But elections don’t always have to be doom and gloom. This week on Passport we take a look at two elections from around the world which tell us a lot about each country and prove the true power of democracy.First, to the UK, for a bizarre story about election night, satire and two intergalactic space lords vying to become Prime Minister. In 2019, a character from an obscure 1980s Star Wars spoof known as Lord Buckethead - picture a budget Darth Vader - was resurrected to stand for election. But he had cylindrical headed competition: Count Binface. In a tale which highlights bizarre copyright law and some absurd quirks of UK politics, these two joke candidates faced off against Boris Johnson, proving British comedy goes all the way to the top, and that satire is the best way to bring politicians down to size.And next, to Uruguay, a tiny country on the Atlantic coast of South America. Well, to a tiny farm in the grasslands outside the capital Montevideo, really. It’s not the most obvious place to look for someone who genuinely changed the world, but on this farm you’ll find Pepe Mujica - an old farmer who ran the country from 2009 - 2015. His story, which saw him transform from anarchist guerilla to peace-loving man-of-the-people president, shows what can happen when pragmatism meets progressive politics.So, if you’re nervously watching the polls or want some respite from it altogether, come on a journey around the world to see what really happens when the smallest of people speak truth to power.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

45 years later, the effect of The Shining on pop culture is undeniable. From writers, to musicians to filmmakers, comedy, and every facet of the artistic world. It’s been praised, parodied, sequeled and more. So in this, the concluding episode of our two-part Halloween stay at the Overlook Hotel, we look at just how far it has gone.The frontmen of Muder By Death and Devotchka tell us about their surprising musical connection to the novel and the hotel. Historian of hauntings, Rebbeca Pittman, returns to tell us about working there, Room 237 director Rodney Ascher tells us a story you wouldn’t believe, and horror legend Mick Garris tells us about the version of The Shining unfairly forgotten by the world…For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passport See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2006, Passport host Neil Innes found himself outside the house of Stephen King in Bangor Maine. He didn’t get to meet King that day… but it didn’t change how he felt about his work. A lifelong fan of King and Kubrick, The Shining has always held a special place in his heart. And so this Halloween, Passport traces the legacy of a single nightmare - one that still echoes 45 years later - all the way back to the place it all began: The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.Stephen and Tabitha King only spent one night in The Stanley - The only guests in an old hotel the night before it closed for the winter. That night, King awoke from a nightmare, smoked a cigarette, and outlined The Shining - one of the biggest horror novels of all time. But that’s not all that happened. King’s The Shining changed the genre, Kubrick’s film adaptation changed horror cinema. But The Stanley has a remarkable story of its own.In part 1 of Passport's 2-part Halloween special, Neil checks into The Stanley to investigate that story with the people who know it best - historian and writer Rebecca Pittman and filmmaker and paranormal expert Karl Pfeiffer. It’s a ghost story that stretches from 1909 to King’s only night in the infamous Room 217. And for those of you wondering about Room 237, Neil and Andrés also journey into the hedge maze of the definitive adaptation - Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Passport, we go to Oaxaca, the heart of Mexico, to find out what the Day of the Dead really is. It’s history, it’s present and it’s future.We’ll sit at the dinner table with spirits. We’ll dive into folklore, fables and rituals to see how this celebration has lasted so many life times, through so much hardship, and repression. We’ll hear the stories of the people closest to the festival and discover the power of storytelling, and reinvention of stories in Mexico, that have kept the festival alive. But how can death be so celebrated in a country with such a high mortality rate? And why do people look to this hub of culture, history and creativity for inspiration in dark times, for better or worse?Plus, we’ll meet a witch who has drawn from the history, used the spirits, a forgotten tradition and the folk music of Mexico to turn it into a powerful forward thinking statement about sex, death and gender.La Bruja De Texcoco.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vienna is a city of Old World baroque charm, cafés, and waltzes. It consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the world. It’s the city of Mozart, Freud, Klimt, and Strauss. Except this story is less Blue Danube, more Orange Sunshine.This week, Andrés and guest producer Aisha Prigann plunge into a 1970s acid flashback and return with a tale of mind-expansion, revolutionary politics, and the dangers of meeting your idols. It’s the story of a group of accidental filmmakers getting caught up in a psychedelic act of diplomacy starring the Chancellor of Austria and Timothy Leary, the high priest of LSD on the run from the law. What kind of mad chemistry could have made this happen? And how did the manic sparkle of the 1970s transform Vienna into the city it is today?For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the southernmost tip of Texas, where the US and Mexican borders meet the sea, sits the tiny town of Boca Chica. Surrounded by nothing but wild open scrub land, eight miles of virgin beach and a rich array of wildlife, the twenty-something residents of Boca Chica live in peace and disconnection. Away from the noise of the modern World.It was that peace and disconnection that Maria Pointer, AKA Boca Chica Maria, and husband Ray sought when they made their plans to settle down and retire in Boca Chica. But dreams of a quiet retirement are to be thrown out the window when new neighbors SpaceX move into town, right outside their bedroom window.In today’s episode of Passport, we take a very special look at one of the most important journeys we may ever take via a quiet town in the South of Texas. A town which has become the launch pad to new possibilities and discovery for the human race.The launch pad to Mars.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Super Skyscrapers, Lamborghini police cars, streets where it rains 24/7 in the middle of desert… Welcome to Dubai, the UAE’s most populous city and one of the richest and most absurdly ostentatious places in the world. Those stories of diamond encrusted Hummers? They’re all true. It’s the epitome of luxury.And nowhere is this more true than in the city’s islands. Well, artificial islands to be exact. Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, loves them, and in the mid 2000s he built his most ambitious to date. We’ve been around the world on Passport but now we’ve found the world in one place. ‘The World’ islands, a 300 island archipelago off the city’s coast.It’s one of the most ridiculous pieces of architectural engineering you’ll ever see, but the story behind them is equally absurd, and incredibly dark. This week we’re headed to Dubai for a story about obscene luxury and how it all gets paid for. The answer? Corruption. On a big, big scale.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Peru has everything. Dense jungles, imposing mountains, and a long coastline. A rich history that combines breathtaking Incan archeological sites with the original seats of colonial power on the southern continent. But people also treasure Peru for something else: UFOs.To those in the know, Peru is the Mecca for unidentified flying objects. Peru’s capital, Lima, even has its very own X Files-style UFO investigations office -- an official department in the Peruvian air force.Recently the Pentagon released footage of US air force pilots tracking mega-fast unidentified objects that left no vapor trails -- this has been stirring up a lot of mainstream interest.In Peru, they don’t need much convincing. UFOs are already part of the national psyche The reason? Just the sheer number of sightings and weird goings-on. So are UFOs really visiting Earth? And if so, why have they singled out Peru?For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Passport, we go to the fog of London, and walk the fine line between the glamorous lifestyle of James Bond and the realities of spies sitting on the complicated grey streets of England’s capital. We see this fictional world through the eyes of writers and films, from Bond to Villanelle, a stylish femme fetal character from the new series, “Killing Eve.” We dive into what could possibly have inspired these characters, and the city they all have in common.Our touch of reality is Annie Machon, a legendary ex-MI5 whistleblower who fled the London streets leaving any possible spy devices at home, to escape one of the most surveilled cities in the world, and disappear into the picturesque countryside of France.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amsterdam is a city of canals and coffeeshops: of charm and sin. Nowhere is this better encapsulated than in its art scene. The Dutch capital is a hub of both contemporary and classic art - from incredible graffiti to world leading institutions like the Van Gogh museum.Van Gogh still holds a lot of sway in the city - he’s the Netherlands’ most famous artistic son, after all. But his work is also under threat from art thieves. In the twentieth century, Amsterdam has been home to two of the world’s most notorious art thefts, and they were both Van Goghs.This week, we’re going to meet the man behind one of those heists: Octave Durham, he’s an art thief. But when a Van Gogh is stolen, there’s someone in Amsterdam whose job it is to get them back. We’re going to meet him too: Arthur Brand, he’s an art detective.It’s a story straight out of holywood, taking us to the heart of stunning art and audacious crime in the Dutch capital.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bay Area around San Francisco is home to beautiful beaches, gorgeous wineries and the people who are creating the future. Because if you head south from San Fran, you’ll find Silicon Valley, the center of global technology.The place today is filled with artificial intelligence, billionaire tech-bros and people trying to become immortal. Silicon Valley might be the wealthiest town in America, but behind the Teslas and the venture capital is an origin story defined by people who bucked all the rules. The history of this town was written by adventurers, with an ethos of “nothing is impossible, everything is permitted”.This week on Passport we’re going inside the Matrix, into the real Silicon Valley, mapping its history through the hackers and freaks who made it boom. We’ll meet secret societies, burning men and giant fighting robots from San Fran’s past, as well as the AI overlords, transhumanists and mind uploaders who dominate the place today. Strap in, it’s going to get weird.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on MisInfoNation we talk to Ekaterina Markelova about a mystery wrapped inside a riddle inside an enigma - Mother Russia! A smart, funny, double PhD with a rather disarming smile, Ekaterina, takes on some of the craziest questions about her home country!Western views of Russian culture are dominated by drinking, the cold and election hacking right now… But that can’t really be all there is, can it? So this week on Passport we wanted to see just how much of the deep deep Russian stereotypes remain true. Turns out the largest country on earth really does have a lot more to offer than you think it does.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Passport team is off this week, making more shows. But we’ve got a special bonus episode: a fantastic show called The Alarmist.Have you ever wondered who’s to blame for history's greatest tragedies? The Plague. The sinking of The Titanic. The break-up of the Beatles. If you answered yes, then Writer/Comedian Rebecca Delgado-Smith is here for you. Each week she and a special guest (or guests), scrutinize history’s greatest disasters to figure out what went wrong, and most importantly, who’s to blame. And not too long ago she invited Neil and Andrés to help determine who is to blame for the death of Che Guevara. Everyone at Passport HQ loves this show. We think you will too!----This week on The Alarmist, Rebecca Delgado Smith decides who is to blame for the death of Che Guevara. She is joined by Neil Innes and Andrés Bartos (hosts of the new travel podcast Passport), Professor Michael Bustamante, Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Amanda Lund. On the board this week: Castro, American Fat Cats and Merch.Tell us who you think is to blame at http://thealarmistpodcast.comEmail us at [email protected] us on Instagram @thealarmistpodcastFollow us on Twitter @alarmistTheSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

| USING ART TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE | In part two of our journey to Jerusalem, we cross the Green Line and talk to some remarkable people. An artist whose family roots in the city go back over 1000 years, but who still doesn’t qualify for a passport. An Amenian Jerusalemite, one of the city’s smallest minorities, whose work has crossed boundaries. And two Israeli entrepreneurs who found a novel way to create a safe space, free of soldiers. Plus, we hear the true story behind the Casino de Paris and what it was like to live in a neighborhood plagued by suicide bombers.Also, we’ll have some blissfully good meals - but that almost seems beside the point. This episode is about what it truly means to be from Jerusalem.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

| How to have fun in Jerusalem |Sha’anan Streett might be Israel’s biggest hip-hop star and he also might own the most important bar in Jerusalem. In a tiny courtyard in the Mahane Yehuda market sits the Casino Du Paris, a little oasis in the bustle of one of the world's craziest markets. What you might not realise, sitting there with a cold one, is that this bar started a movement. In an era filled with conflict, this little bar helped the nightlife of the market explode into a bustling and remarkable place, helping turn around an entire neighborhood.The first three days of our Neil and Andrés’ trip to Jerusalem were an upside down carnival ride; Little sleep, lots of delicious food, trippy live music, colorful art shows, a taste-test of the best kebabs in the world, so many laughs and friendly faces. We quickly realised, like everything in Jerusalem, the story of Sha’anan’s bar was much, much bigger than we thought. The ritual and practice of having fun in a historically dangerous place is complicated, but Sha’anan has a plan - and importantly, a map. Which we followed to discover a whole new side of the city - through the people who are pushing Jerusalem in new and wonderful directions.For more, including links to the things we talked about, the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://www.frequencymachine.com/passport.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on MisInfoNation we talk to Sohail Jannessari about what could be the most misunderstood country on the planet. Iran. A political scientist with a cutting sense of humour, Sohail takes on some of the most divisive questions about Iran and Iranians.Today we turn the view of Iran that’s been shaped by Western media upside-down. From the food, to the etiquette, the oppression of women, how to guarantee you’ll get into a fight, who pays the bill and the weight of being from a nation with an incredibly negative media slant - which sometimes turns Sohail into the Incredible Hulk. Plus, should you travel to Iran if you’re American?We can’t think of a more important place to understand a little better.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Taiwan, nicknamed Formosa - or beautiful island. For hundreds of years influences from all over the world have created a fascinatingly rich culture and an equally rich cuisine. The food of Taiwan, and its capital Taipei, is some of the most delicious on planet earth.Recently, a food craze that took root in Taipei has spread across the globe: the plant based diet. Vegan food has a long history in the region, but a particularly interesting story in Taiwan. And as we began to explore this unique food scene we found a rabbit hole that none of us expected.Today on Passport, we’re heading to Taipei to find out how a restaurant entrepreneur and vegan evangelist may actually be leading a worldwide cult, with a following in the many thousands, a small fortune, and a truly bizarre origin story. Also, she calls herself the Supreme Master.We’re going to walk the line between religion and cult and find out if the Supreme Master is responsible for the vegan craze that began in Taiwan and swept the world. And if you think this is just a Taipei story, think again - with over 200 locations and counting, you may already have one of Supreme Master’s restaurants in your city!For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: https://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

| A Freeform Engagement In the City of Lights and Love | "I’m going to Paris with my boyfriend and I want to ask him to marry me, how should I do it?" Asked by a listener named Monica to find the perfect plan for a proposal in Paris, Neil and Andrés face off in a race to produce an answer.Jazz and wine, architecture and getting lost, chocolate, cabaret and croissants. Neil and Andres scour the city, with the help of some locals, to plan the perfect itinerary and the perfect moment to pop the question. Along the way they uncover stories about Charlie Parker, Aida Bricktop Smith, and Serge Gainsbourg. They dig into what Paris actually means to the people who live there.In the end, they produce two remarkable trip itineraries, and a ton of amazing, local-recommended places to visit. But only one host can win. Find out who - and let us know if you agree!A Tale of Two Cities may have nearly killed Neil and Andrés but it was all worth it!For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit: http://www.frequencymachine.com/passportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.