Travelling Through... London, the World and Life

068 Travel, Backdrops and Readers - LUKE RICHARDSON talks about His Writing Inspirations

LUKE RICHARDSON is a thriller writer, DJ, and podcaster. He studied journalism at Nottingham University but DJ-ing became his central profession for a while before he changed direction into English teaching within a secondary school and the longer holidays allowed Luke to indulge his passion for travel from which came the inspiration to write.
Luke writes thriller novels and has just launched a much awaited new series entitled The Ark Files – an archaeological thriller trilogy. His books are all based in exciting places around the world to inspire the reader while enjoying some armchair escapism.
Luke has a podcast The Travel Now Podcast and continues to DJ to a lesser extent than before but with just as much enthusiasm.
"The reader completes the process of writing.
You don’t often see the other side.
I am in control of writing the best I can.
It’s an intimate thing sharing 6-7hours with someone through one’s writing. Readers are investing their time in reading something you’ve created, and that’s a real privilege, and an honour, and it’s something I don’t take lightly at all. It’s important that the stories are complete and as good as they can be."
 
Learn more about Luke Richardson by going to his author page on AMAZON (type in Luke Richardson)
OR go to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mystery-Luke-Richardson-Crime-Thrillers/s?rh=n%3A270408%2Cp_lbr_books_authors_browse-bin%3ALuke+Richardson
OR BUY his latest books by clicking here:
Luke's website is: https://www.lukerichardsonauthor.com/
Luke’s Instagram address: https://www.instagram.com/lukerichaa/
Luke’s podcast The Travel Now Podcast is on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0U8MgHTK3M8HamD9AVvOyc
Learn more about your podcast host EMMA here: https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/
And as always, a big thanks to MARISKA Martina at https://www.mariskamartina.com/ for creating our wonderful podcast jingle!
 
 

067 Scottish Hebridean Whisky with NEIL MATHIESON of Torabhaig Distillery

While on the Isle of Skye recently with my partner Stephen Marriott enjoying a bit of van-life freedom, we happened upon the inaugural Hebridean Whisky Trail Festival. Never known to say no to a dram now and again, I was fortunate enough to take part in a whisky tasting from the distilleries involved, and to have a chat with NEIL MATHIESON – CEO of the Isle of Skye’s youngest distillery, Torabhaig.
I also cajoled Steve to take ten minutes out of his time to reflect on our trip to the Isle of Raasay and its equally young distillery plus his overall impressions and thoughts on our trip to Scotland.
Get those headphones on and raise a dram to the Hebridean Whisky Trail. Perhaps you’ll join it next year! In the meantime checkout the links attached...
Learn more about the Hebridean distilleries here: https://hebrideanwhisky.com/
Learn more about Neil Mathieson here: https://mossburndistillers.com/
Learn more about Stephen Marriott here: https://www.stephenrmarriott.com/
Learn more about your podcast host EMMA here: https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/
And as always, a big thanks to MARISKA Martina at https://www.mariskamartina.com/ for creating our wonderful podcast jingle!

066 From Hitchhiking To Transport Chaos - SIMON CALDER talks about the Joys Of Travel

SIMON CALDER is a travel broadcaster, journalist and podcaster in the UK. He writes and podcasts regularly for The Independent.
I do quite a lot of coverage of travel turmoil.
Simon reports from travel strewn locations which has made him a recognisable figure on UK television and as he and I podcast walked and talked our way through central London on the last Saturday in July during a national rail strike, it became very clear that people love to say hello to him, and enjoy his down to earth style and willingness to chat.
I think we might be in for a transportational recession which is very dispiriting.
During this episode, we talked with people, heard their stories, in amongst me hearing his own thoughts on hitch hiking, UK cities, beach cities, his first day trip to “exotic” Dieppe, why Italy means so much to him, the importance of tourism, why going to Maastricht might now be on his agenda for December, the closest he’s got to riding in a Bentley and what he believes are the three key things we can all do to help our flying carbon footprint when we travel a lot.
I fly a lot, so every time I fly, I must hitchhike at least once.
Some would say that’s a lame excuse for an offset.
If you have to fly,
Obviously only travel in economy class,
Only carry cabin baggage,
And fly direct
Except when travelling a long way when you would increase the damage.
 
To find out more about SIMON go to: https://www.simoncalder.co.uk/
On Twitter: @SimonCalder 
On Instagram: @simon_calder
On TikTok: @caldertravel
On You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CalderTravel
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simon.Calder.58
In Print/Online: The Independent; The Evening Standard  
On the Radio: National & Regional BBC Radio; LBC; Talk; Times; World Service  
On Screen: BBC Breakfast; Good Morning Britain; Sky News; ITV News; Channel 5; BBC News; CNN
You Should Have Been There (a podcast show with Simon and Mick Webb): https://anchor.fm/youshouldhavebeenthere
A huge thank you to Paul for sharing his story and travel wisdom with us when our paths spontaneously crossed during our podcast walk and talk.
To find out about your podcast host EMMA go to https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/
And as always, a big thanks to MARISKA Martina at https://www.mariskamartina.com/ for creating our wonderful podcast jingle!

065 Self Publishing, Travelling and Social Anxiety - A Walk and Talk with STEVEN MOORE, Author

STEVEN MOORE is a writer of action thriller books. He is proudly self-published and has written 25 books. Since this podcast episode was recorded, Steve has just launched another book in his compelling Hiram Kane action thriller series entitled The Oak Island Enigma to find out more and buy your copy, click on the links below.
During our walk and talk around Waterloo and the South Bank area of London, Steve talks about self-publishing and why this is his preferred method of reaching his audience of readers. We talk about the Self Publishing Formula format and forthcoming LIVE show and how Steve’s natural skills have led him in to creating an editing business and how this helps to support his life as a writer.
Steve is well travelled spending large swathes of time in Asia and South America. He currently lives between America and Norfolk while his American wife of seven years struggles to secure a visa to live with her husband in the UK.
Steve also talks a little about his commitment to Mental Health Awareness Week and why after many years suffering from severe social anxiety, he sought help to identify his condition and learn to consciously cope with his symptoms in a more positive and productive way as well as reaching out to others who are suffering.
To connect with STEVEN MOORE go to: https://www.stevenmooreauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HiramKane
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenmooreauthor/
Email Steve: stevenmooreauthor@gmail.com
To find out about the Self Publishing Formula go to: https://selfpublishingformula.com/
To find out about your podcast host EMMA go to https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/
A big thanks to MARISKA Martina at https://www.mariskamartina.com/ for creating our wonderful podcast jingle!
Our podcast chat began and ended at https://www.thekingsarmslondon.co.uk/

064 Beef, Bible and Bullets (Part 2) - RICHARD LAPPER talks about London, Brazil and Populism

In this, Part 2 of my chat with Richard Lapper, we walk from Wapping to Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and back to Wapping via King Edward VII Park, the Regents Canal, Mile End Park and Limehouse Basin talking about history, politics, London, and Brazil.
Tune in to be inspired by London’s east side, understanding more about Brazil, and how farming, religion and security can play such an important part in the making and breaking of a country. And why the Amazon has become so threatened by a policy that changed the region forever:
People without land for a land without people.
Richard talks about the influence of British journalist Norman Lewis raising awareness of the indigenous communities in the Amazon and how their way of life was being threatened brought about the rise of Survival International; and through reporting for insurance companies the change of weather patterns brought about the world’s first environmentalist movements.
Richard talks about why Brazil goes off the rails, the impact of the discovery of oil in Brazil in 2006, the car wash scandal and the rise of the two biggest gangs in Brazil, the First Command of the Capital in Sao Paulo and The Red Command in Rio de Janeiro.
“Organised crime is becoming more and more powerful in Brazil, as the State becomes weaker, and policing becomes less effective.”
Like episode 63, this episode is dedicated to (Dominic) Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira who were murdered in the Amazon in June 2022 while using their skills as journalist and advocate for indigenous people respectively, to defend the Amazon against further destruction and to protect the indigenous people who live there.
This podcast chat has been recorded in two episodes. This is Part 2. Part 1 can be heard in the previous podcast episode - 63.
To find out more about Richard Lapper go to:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onlatinamerica
Email: richard.lapper@gmail.com
https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/richard-lapper
Instagram: @richard_lapper
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVfaQIUcXmU
To BUY Beef, Bible and Bullets: Brazil in the Age of Bolsonaro https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beef-bible-bullets-Brazil-Bolsonaro/dp/152614901X
OR https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526149015/
To find out about your podcast host EMMA go to https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/
And, a big thanks as always, to MARISKA Martina at https://www.mariskamartina.com/ for creating our wonderful podcast jingle!

063 Beef, Bible and Bullets (Part 1) - RICHARD LAPPER talks about Brazil and Journalism

RICHARD LAPPER is an independent journalist and consultant. Originally from Sheffield, Richard is the author of Beef, Bible and Bullets: Brazil in the Age of Bolsonaro. Originally published in 2021, the paperback is now available and comes at a time when the spotlight is on Brazil with respect to the alarming depletion and destruction of the Amazon and why it is happening at such an uncontrolled pace.
Richard spent many years living and working in Central and South America, particularly Brazil. He now lives in Wapping and I caught up with him to walk and talk about writing during the lockdown, Brazil, the Amazon, and the horrific murders of his good friend and journalist Dominic (Dom) Phillips, and advocate for the indigenous people Bruno Pereira. Both men were raising awareness of the need to protect the Amazon forest and its indigenous people from lawlessness and a relentless onslaught of destruction, to ensure the survival of these important interlocking eco systems for the future.
Podcast episodes 63 and 64 are dedicted to DOM PHILLIPS and BRUNO PEREIRA for their commitment, bravery and beliefs in adversity.
This is Part 1 of 2 podcast episodes with Richard Lapper.
To find learn more about RICHARD LAPPER go to:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onlatinamerica
https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/richard-lapper
Instagram: @richard_lapper
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVfaQIUcXmU
To BUY Beef, Bible and Bullets: Brazil in the Age of Bolsonaro https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beef-bible-bullets-Brazil-Bolsonaro/dp/152614901X
OR https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526149015/
To find out about your podcast host EMMA go to https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/
A big thanks to MARISKA Martina at https://www.mariskamartina.com/ for creating our wonderful podcast jingle!
And finally, a huge thank you to Fatima for preparing a delicious impromptu Brazilian influenced light lunch for us.

062 A London Stroll With Author SARAH PENNER - talking about The Lost Apothecary and more...

SARAH PENNER is the author of The Lost Apothecary, which, on its release in the USA in 2021, immediately flew to the heady heights of the New York Times Top Ten Best Seller List. Published by Park Row Books/HarperCollins in the US and by Legend Press in the UK, the book is now in paperback and her readers are eagerly awaiting Sarah’s second book due to be released in April 2023 entitled The London Séance Society.
As Sarah and I walk and talk through the streets of London, Sarah reveals why London is the setting behind her book, her love of London, and particularly her curiosity in history, the past and the many untold stories that she feels are just waiting to be re-imagined into historical fiction.
Sarah’s fascination with women’s roles in the past and present, potions and poisons, intrigue and empowerment are influential themes that drove Sarah to give up her 13 years in the American finance world and become a full-time writer.
“I love to work…
When I’m tired I rest.
I take my mental health really seriously.”
 
“Maintaining a sense of belief in your own creative work...(is so important)...we’re the most critical (of it)... Is this good enough? Will it ruin my name? Will my editor like it?"
"Believe in your own work.”
 
To find out more about Sarah Penner go to https://www.sarahpenner.com/
Instagram: @sarah_penner_author
Twitter: @sl_penner
Facebook: @Sarah Penner Author
 
To find out more about Legend Press go to https://www.legendpress.co.uk/
 
To find out about your podcast host EMMA go to https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/
 
A big thanks to MARISKA Martina at https://www.mariskamartina.com/ for creating our wonderful podcast jingle!
 

061 The Opposite of Addiction Is Connectivity - JOHNNY FAVOURITE talks about Music, Touring, Alcohol and Tuk-Tuks

Stuart Duncan Bastow was born in Newfoundland, Canada. Along with his jazz collective, The Johnny Favourite Swing Orchestra, he initially rose to fame in Halifax. Throughout the 1990s they played to audiences across Canada, America and Europe, front-lining bands such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and many more.
Johnny, as he became known, recorded two albums with his Swing Orchestra and two solo albums. These can all be found online and are in order of recordings
The Life Desire; Holiday Romance; Tonight; and Troubadour.
Alcohol and drinking played a significant part in Johnny’s life as he toured year in year out performing 320 shows a year. He reflects that when you “add in alcohol, things are going to be a blur.”
Johnny spent time in Portugal in the early 2000s from where he joined numerous cruise liner tours as a singer, and then one day he found San Miguel de Allende, stayed, and set up his own bar from where live music would flow every evening into the early hours of the morning. Seven years on, Johnny’s body and mind called time on this lifestyle. He quit drinking and closed the bar, and on reflection he believes that,
“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connectivity.
And I feel more connected with everything.”
Johnny is Canadian but at root an Irish, Scottish, Norwegian. He doesn’t feel the heat and wearing a kilt seems second nature to him. “Basically I’m a very white guy. I live in Mexico, but I dress like its Canadian September.”
Johnny was inspired from an early age by the music of Frank Sinatra, Donald O’Connor and Duke Ellington. David Bowie came later as did many more. Johnny considered himself a bit of a purist for a long time but now he sings what he likes from jazz to rock and roll and everything else in between. Having lived in San Miguel de Allende for over a decade, he is seeing many changes happening, one of which is the rising numbers of vehicles into the town. He is in the early stages of a pilot project to persuade the Mayor to introduce tuk-tuks into the streets and reduce the number of polluting SUVs and taxis which are grid-locking the narrow cobbled lanes. He admits that San Miguel is a bubble and if you don’t plan to stay, he advises you should visit with an exit strategy in place or you will get charmed into staying.
“San Miguel is the only place as an adult, where you can make friends as you made friends as a kid; my friends here are like family.”
To find out more about Johnny Favourite go to: Facebook: Johnny Favourite and/or Johnny Favourite Musician/Band Page
Tuk-tuk pilot project for San Miguel de Allende: http://catarinatuktuks.com/
Thanks to Café Lula, Jesus 27, San Miguel de Allende for hosting us for the podcast recording. Find them on Facebook for food, drinks and music including Johnny Favourite's next gig.
To find out about your podcast host EMMA go to https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/