Mirage Travel Writing Podcast

About Mirage Travel Writing Podcast

Welcome to Mirage Travel Writing Podcast, I’m your host William Barlow. After two decades of indigent wanderings, I’m coming to you with stories, curiosities, and questions. In this first season, there will be narratives of sleeping on the streets in European capitals. There will be tales of crocodile men in remote Central African Republic and armed groups in eastern DR Congo all told through the experience of an aid worker. We will try to understand what it means to be a foreigner in clanic Palestinian society, and why not chronicle the ins and outs of a Parisian sexclub during a gangbang. Stories, all told with the tact of an anthropologist. Somewhat. The storytelling is pulled from ten years of published and unpublished writing about the West, the Middle East, and Africa and raises questions relating to cross-cultural understanding or better yet, misunderstanding. I welcome your feedback and interpretations of stories, namely on the many oddities that come from travel across cultures. The podcast will also feature writing from listeners. Writing that can be published anonymously. Writing of confusion or awe at the puzzle of cultures. Stories that serve no other purpose but to be told.

Publisher

William Barlow

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Oct 2023

Latest episode

11 Apr 2025

Latest episodes

22 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Apr 2025

   Chosen (Nepal)

   Today we have guest writer Lawrence Wrinkler, who takes us on a breathtaking journey through the Annapurna Circuit — a trek where gods and mortals meet. From lush jungles to frozen passes, 'Chosen' follows a ragtag band of travelers weaving through Himalayan villages, mysterious festivals, and brushes with danger and destiny. With a cast of Sherpas, sadhus, and Israelis chasing their own dreams, this is a tale of raw adventure, deep friendship, and encounters that seem carved out of myth. Ami...

2. 

   8 Feb 2025

   Stranded! (South Korea, Persian Gulf)

   In this episode, two guest writers share their stories of being stranded abroad. In the first story, Jessica Holmes relates her trials in South Korea during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and in the second, Marcia Lewis, shares her story of sailing in the Persian Gulf during a time of geopolitical tension between the US and Iran. Leave us a message or question 🫠 If you enjoy what you're listening to but would rather hold these stories in your hand, say while riding on public transport to mom'...

3. 

   18 Dec 2024

   Never Sure, Always Convinced (France, Jordan, Mexico, USA)

   Author and travel writer, David Farley, shares inspiring stories from his journeys in France, Jordan, Mexico, and the USA, revealing the transformative power of travel to shape one's identity and perspective.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

40

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact Mirage Travel Writing Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.