One Off Travel Stories is a podcast dedicated to sharing unique and captivating travel experiences. Each episode features a different guest who recounts an extraordinary event that happened while they were traveling. From off-the-beaten-path destinations to unexpected encounters, we explore the spontaneity of travel through personal narratives.
From Beetroot Soup to Minus 40 weather: Ben's Russian Adventure
In this episode, Andrew sits down with intrepid traveler and language enthusiast Ben Jovic to hear about his 2012 study abroad year. Ben skipped the typical sunny Spanish beaches his classmates preferred for a Soviet-style apartment in Yaroslavl. Surviving -40 degree winters and an endless supply of his host's homemade beetroot soup, Ben talks about culture shock and daily life in Russia at the time. He also shares some unforgettable stories that he picked up along the way. It's a funny, fascinating look at jumping headfirst into an entirely different way of life.
Guest:
British-born and currently living in the United States.
An avid language learner. He has studied Russian, Spanish, French, and German.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction and the origins of Ben's travel bug.
00:04:36 Ben's linguistic background and learning multiple languages.
00:09:14 The decision to study abroad in Russia.
00:14:58 Arriving in Yaroslavl and eating the babushka's beetroot soup.
00:24:36 Moving to Saint Petersburg and adjusting to Russian life.
00:28:44 A late-night adventure getting a ride home from strangers.
00:32:09 Encounters with metro security and the resilient local snow shovelers.
00:36:39 Reflecting on the adventure and touring Moscow.
00:40:55 Recent trips to Asia and future plans to visit China.
Resources and Links:
Yaroslavl, Russia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaroslavl), a city known for its Orthodox churches.
Saint Petersburg, Russia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Petersburg), where Ben spent his second semester.
Interrail Pass (https://www.interrail.eu/), which Ben used to travel Central Europe.
Novodevichy Cemetery (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novodevichy_Cemetery), located in Moscow.
Lenin's Mausoleum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenin%27s_Mausoleum), located in Red Square.
Call to action:
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3 May 2026
Exploring Kangaroo Island's First Nations Heritage with Mark Eden
In this episode of One Off Travel Stories, Andrew sits down with editorial travel photographer and writer Mark Eden. Mark shares his transition from corporate life to globetrotting photography, which inspired his book Global Village, a collection of "little stories" celebrating the everyday lives of people worldwide. The conversation then shifts to a journey back in his home country of Australia, where Mark accompanied a First Nations elder, also named Mark, to Kangaroo Island. Through this trip, Mark Eden uncovers the island's spiritual significance, hears powerful firsthand accounts of the Stolen Generations, and learns how Indigenous culture is being reclaimed and shared today.
Guest:
Editorial travel photographer and writer based in Melbourne, Australia, who focuses on highlighting lesser-explored regions and the "little stories" of everyday people.
Author of the photography book Global Village, which features visual stories exploring shared humanity across roughly ten countries.
Currently working on a new long-term book project documenting traditional Japanese crafts.
Chapters:
Introduction and Mark's journey from corporate life to photography
The inspiration behind "little stories" and the Global Village book
The decision to explore Australian roots and First Nations history
Meeting a first nations elder
The spiritual significance and creation stories of Kangaroo Island
The beauty of Kangaroo Island
Mark's Future projects
Resources and Links:
Mark Eden's Official Website (https://www.markeden.com.au/)
Global Village (https://www.markeden.com.au/product-page/globalvillage) (Mark Eden's book)
Kangaroo Island, South Australia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_Island)
1 Apr 2026
Michelle's Journey to Socotra: An Island like No Other
In this episode, host Andrew sits down with adventure travel writer Michelle to discuss her expedition to the Yemeni island of Socotra. Sparked by a photograph of a blooming bottle tree, Michelle joined a guided group to explore the island's rare flora, including the endangered Dragon's Blood tree. The conversation covers the realities of off-grid desert camping, the memorable connections the group made, and the benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone.
Guest:
Michelle is an adventure travel writer, content creator, and the founder of the travel blog No Place Like Roam (https://noplacelikeroam.com/), having explored over 90 countries.
Born in Nepal and raised in Papua New Guinea and Australia, she developed a deep, lifelong connection to global exploration from a very young age.
Her writing and travels focus heavily on under-the-radar destinations, sustainability, and the unique logistics of adventuring alongside her 13-year-old son.
Chapters:
Growing up across the globe and early travel roots 00:00:01
Balancing a corporate career with international adventures 00:07:35
Raising a global citizen and traveling with kids 00:09:56
Discovering Socotra through a photograph 00:15:04
The logistics of flying to a remote Yemeni island 00:20:15
Embracing the challenges of off-grid desert camping 00:24:27
Breathtaking landscapes and the endangered Dragon's Blood trees 00:33:14
Stargazing under one of the world's darkest skies 00:40:44
Experiencing local hospitality and bonding during Ramadan 00:44:58
Upcoming diving adventures off the coast of Borneo 00:48:25
Resources and Links:
No Place Like Roam (https://noplacelikeroam.com/) - Michelle's official travel blog.
Destination Chaser (https://www.instagram.com/destinationchaser/) - Andi's Instagram and travel group that organized the Socotra expedition.
One-Off Travel Stories (https://www.oneofftravelstories.com/) - The podcast's official home on the web.
Who has been a guest on One Off Travel Stories
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Niamh McAnally
Rachael Rogers
Alice
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
180
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
54
Social presence
0
YouTube
66
Engagement
32
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