Explore: A Canadian Geographic podcast
Society & Culture
About
Host David McGuffin talks to Canada’s greatest explorers about their adventures and what inspires their spirit of discovery.
Episodes
- Into the Carpathians: Skiing Ukraine’s highest peaks with Laval St. Germain
Explorer Laval St. Germain shares insights from Ukraine, detailing the war's impact on wildlife and people, offering a glimpse of present-day Kyiv, and describing the nation's evolving geography.
- Beneath the ice: The hidden life of Canada’s frozen lakes with Andrew Budziak and Andy Bramburger
Andrew Budziak and Andy Bramburger explore the ecosystems beneath Canada's frozen lakes, discussing climate impacts and citizen science. The episode covers the experience of diving under the ice.
- Searching for life beyond Earth with Sara Seager
Sara Seager, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist from Toronto, shares her insights on the search for extraterrestrial life, deep space, and robotic missions to Venus.
- 200 km across the Atacama: Ray Zahab on survival, heat, and the edge of human limits
Ray Zahab undertook an expedition covering 200 km across the Atacama desert, running distances equivalent to a marathon daily in extreme heat. The experience highlighted resilience and the limits of human endurance.
- Newfoundland, Cod Collapse and saving the North Atlantic right whale with Jenn Thornhill Verma
Jenn Thornhill Verma discusses ocean conservation, fisheries, and marine life on Explore, touching on Newfoundland's cod collapse and the future of the North Atlantic right whale.
- The life and death of an iceberg with Jill Heinerth
Jill Heinerth, an underwater explorer, shares her experiences diving beneath icebergs and her work with James Cameron, discussing the science of exploration in anticipation of her documentary "The Berg."
- Michael Palin on Monty Python, polar plunges and travelling with curiosity
In this episode of Explore: A Canadian Geographic podcast, Michael Palin shares reflections on travel, humility, humour, and the importance of listening, referencing his work with Monty Python and polar adventures.
- Artemis II: David Saint-Jacques on Canada’s growing role in international space missions
Humans are returning to the moon for the first time in over 50 years, with Canada playing a significant role in the Artemis II mission.
- Storytelling at the edge of the world with award-winning filmmaker Trevor Wallace
Award-winning filmmaker Trevor Wallace shares how he uses film to foster connections to places, history, and cultures. The episode includes insights into underwater archaeology.
- Christmas at Devil’s Portage – Charles Camsell
The podcast episode discusses a 19th-century Christmas spent along the Klondike trail. Host David McGuffin reads from Charles Camsell’s Arctic explorations.
- The Hudson’s Bay Company charter: "Interesting and problematic"
The episode examines the Hudson’s Bay Company Royal Charter, its return to public attention, and its historical impact on Canada's colonial past and Indigenous displacement.
- Run Like a Girl with Catherine McKenna
Catherine McKenna, Canada's former Environment Minister, discusses the personal challenges, political battles, and moments of resilience that defined her path to leading global climate action.
- Across Quebec's Ungava Peninsula with Dave Greene
Dave Greene shares insights on inspiring the next generation through education, endurance, and the power of exploration, focusing on experiences in Quebec's Ungava Peninsula.
- Frozen fjords and first ascents: Shira Biner’s Baffin Island odyssey
Shira Biner details her experience leading an expedition in Canada's North, supported by the 2025 Nat Gillis Adventure Photography Expedition Grant. The journey involved exploring frozen fjords and achieving first ascents on Baffin Island.
- Gales of November: John U. Bacon on the untold story of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald
Bestselling author John U. Bacon examines the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald 50 years after the event. The tragedy had a significant impact on Great Lakes history.
- Vanished Beyond the Map: Adam Shoalts on the mystery of lost explorer Hubert Darrell
Adam Shoalts discusses the story of legendary Arctic explorer Hubert Darrell, who vanished in 1910. Shoalts conducted extensive reporting for his new book on the subject.
- The future of exploration with Richard Wiese
Richard Wiese shares insights on the future of exploration, focusing on inclusivity and conservation. His discussion draws from his extensive experience, including summiting Kilimanjaro multiple times and his role with The Explorers Club.
- Water Borne: Dan Rubinstein’s 2,000-kilometre paddleboard adventure
Journalist Dan Rubinstein shares his three-month, 2,000-kilometer paddleboard journey from Ottawa to New York City and back. He discusses his book "Waterborne," the concept of blue space, and how water connects people, places, and history.
- Is a River Alive? with Robert Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, an award-winning author, explores the concept of rivers being alive, the importance of granting them legal rights, and the deep connection between humans and water.
- Learning from water with Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson joins the Explore podcast to discuss her book, "The Theory of Water," drawing on Indigenous knowledge, storytelling, and land-based learning to explore relationships with water and the natural world amidst clima…
- I Interviewed The Beaverton's Luke Gordon Field. He Replied in Headlines (Kidding! This is a fun conversation)
Luke Gordon Field, Editor in Chief of the satirical news site The Beaverton, discusses the publication's 15th anniversary in a conversation on the Explore: A Canadian Geographic podcast.
- The Open Road: George Stroumboulopoulos on Music, Motorcycles, Movies and Canada
George Stroumboulopoulos discusses music, motorcycles, movies, and Canada in 'The Open Road' episode of the Explore: A Canadian Geographic podcast.
- Return to Ellesmere Island with Ray Zahab and Kevin Vallely
Ray Zahab and Kevin Vallely recount their winter expedition across Ellesmere Island in the Canadian High Arctic.
- Singing Back the Buffalo with Tasha Hubbard
Filmmaker Tasha Hubbard discusses her documentary "Singing Back the Buffalo," focusing on buffalo restoration efforts, Indigenous knowledge, and its connection to cultural renewal.
- Dam proud: How the beaver has shaped Canada's environment
This episode discusses the beaver
- Elbows Up! Hockey, politics and patriotism with Roy MacGregor
Roy MacGregor discusses the intersection of hockey, politics, and patriotism, referencing Canada's 2025 4 Nations Face-Off victory over the U.S. in the context of the Trump administration's tariff policies.
- Episode 100: Diving into the Darkness with Jill Heinerth
This episode features a conversation with explorer Jill Heinerth about her award-winning documentary, Antarctic diving, life-threatening situations, and the impact of climate change on diving.
- Exploring the depths of sperm whale communication
Shane Gero, a Canadian whale biologist, discusses an initiative aimed at communicating with sperm whales, with the goal of learning more about these mysterious creatures. The discussion is featured on the podcast Explore: A Canadian Geogra…
- The core of the mountain with Alison Criscitiello
Alison Criscitiello undertook a record-breaking expedition to Canada's tallest peak, searching for indicators of climate change.
- Journey of resilience: Jillian Brown on water, wilderness, and healing
Award-winning photographer and explorer Jillian Brown shares insights on how connecting with nature can aid in healing from PTSD, trauma, and abuse.
- Encore Presentation: Sugarcane — the Oscar-nominated documentary of St Joseph's Mission Residential School with Julian Brave NoiseCat
Julian Brave NoiseCat’s film Sugarcane investigates abuse and missing children at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, leading to a reckoning on the Sugarcane Reserve.
- Laval St. Germain’s journey to Afghanistan’s highest mountain
Laval St. Germain shares his experiences on Mt. Noshaq and discusses the current situation in Afghanistan. The discussion is featured on the podcast Explore: A Canadian Geographic podcast.
- Running solo across Death Valley with Ray Zahab
Ray Zahab, an acclaimed extreme adventurer, shares the story of his challenging solo run across Death Valley, California, a location known for its extreme heat.
- Manitoba's historic Dawson Trail with Pierrette Sherwood and Mimi Lamontagne
The Dawson Trail in Manitoba is highlighted, with a new interpretive trail featuring art exhibits and wayfinding markers. These markers showcase traditional place names and the historical legacy of the Dawson Trail.
- Our Green Heart - The Soul and Science of Forests with Diana Beresford-Kroeger
Botanist Diana Beresford-Kroeger shares insights from her new book on the science of forests and the potential for trees to help reverse the climate crisis.
- Storm chasing with Jaclyn Whittal
Meteorologist Jaclyn Whittal shares her experiences in storm chasing and reporting on extreme weather across North America over the past decade.
- Sugarcane: the documentary of St Joseph's Mission Residential School with Julian Brave NoiseCat
Julian Brave NoiseCat’s documentary Sugarcane examines abuse and missing children at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. The film’s personal investigation prompted a reckoning on the Sugarcane Reserve.
- Canoeing across the Arctic with Dave Greene
Dave Greene shares insights on undertaking remote Arctic expeditions by canoe, detailing the essential aspects of planning, execution, and preparedness for such journeys.
- Autumn paddling and northern lakes with musician Sam Polley
Musician Sam Polley, known for his band Sam Polley and The Old Tomorrows and his work with The Jim Cuddy Band, shares his passion for autumn canoe tripping in northern Ontario. He talks about his experiences in locations like Algonquin Par…
- Paddling the Peel Watershed with Bobbi Rose Koe
Bobbi Rose Koe shares her experiences guiding canoe trips and paddling through the Peel Watershed. An Indigenous northerner, she speaks about her passion for learning and teaching, and her connection to the lands her family has known for g…
- A solo canoe journey across Canada with Mike Ranta
Mike Ranta, a canoeing legend, shares details of his solo canoe journey across Canada, highlighting his adventures, connections with First Nations communities, and a record-breaking achievement.
- How the Quest was found
Shipwreck hunter David Mearns and expedition researcher Antoine Normandin share insights into the search for the Quest shipwreck and the behind-the-scenes work of the RCGS Shackleton-Quest Expedition.
- Finding Sir Ernest Shackleton's last ship with John Geiger
John Geiger, expedition leader and CEO of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, recounts the historic discovery of the ship Quest.
- How the Farmerettes helped win the Second World War with Alison Lawrence
Actor, playwright, and author Alison Lawrence discusses her upcoming play about the Farmerettes, young women who maintained Ontario's farms during the Second World War.
- Gone Viking with Bill Arnott
Bestselling author Bill Arnott joins the Explore podcast to discuss his writing, which focuses on tracing the historical voyages of Vikings across the globe.
- The new Canadian Canoe Museum with Carolyn Hyslop and Jeremy Ward
Executive Director Carolyn Hyslop and Curator Jeremy Ward discuss canoes, kayaks, and the new location for The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario.
- Searching for Franklin with Ken McGoogan
Ken McGoogan, an Arctic historian, discusses his recent book concerning the expedition to find the Northwest Passage.
- Polar exploration and more with geoscientist Susan R. Eaton
Geoscientist Susan R. Eaton discusses her experiences as a modern-day explorer, sharing insights from journeys through the Arctic and other regions. The conversation covers aspects of polar exploration.
- RCGS Fellow and naturalist Brian Keating on our natural world
In this episode of Explore: A Canadian Geographic podcast, RCGS Fellow and naturalist Brian Keating discusses our natural world, sharing insights from his experiences as a wilderness adventurer.
- Laval St. Germain: Mountains, oceans and the Arctic
Laval St. Germain, an RCGS Fellow and adventurer, shares details of his extensive travels, which have taken him from the Atlantic Ocean to Mount Everest.