The Explorers Podcast

Matt Breen

A podcast about the greatest explorers in history.

  • 1 hour 1 minute
    The Polynesians

    Around 1,000 AD, the Polynesians spread across the South Pacific like the tentacles of an octopus. Without metal or modern navigational tools, they sailed across thousands of miles of open ocean to find and colonize hundreds of islands, including Tahiti, New Zealand, Hawaii, Samoa, Easter Island and many others. They are some of the most extraordinary explorers in the history of the world - and this is their story.


    Sponsors:


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2 December 2025, 8:10 am
  • 28 minutes 6 seconds
    Nero's Nile Expedition

    In 61 AD, Roman Emperor Nero ordered an expedition up the Nile River - to explore the unknown lands to the south - and attempt to find the source of the mysterious river. This is the story of that expedition.


    Sponsors:


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    11 November 2025, 8:10 am
  • 25 minutes 2 seconds
    The Vivaldi Brothers and the first attempt to sail from Europe to India via the Cape Route

    In 1291, two Genoese brothers, Vandino and Ugolino Vivaldi, led the first known attempt to sail from Europe to India by going around the southern tip of Africa. The attempt - which failed - would generate rumors and speculation for hundreds of years.


    Sponsors:


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers


    Visit https://rexmd.com/explorers and get up to 95% off ED treatment


    Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code EXPLORERS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/explorers


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 October 2025, 7:10 am
  • 50 minutes 30 seconds
    HMS Investigator and the Northwest Passage – Part 5 – A conversation with Hubert Sagnières

    As a follow up to the Investigator series, we interviewed Hubert Sagnières - the author of "For Glory, Not Gold." We talk about a wide range of topics, including the Investigator, exploration in general, his inspirations, and plans for the future. It is a nice way to wrap up our series.


    Sponsors:


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers


    Visit https://rexmd.com/explorers and get up to 95% off ED treatment


    Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code EXPLORERS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/explorers


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 October 2025, 6:04 pm
  • 33 minutes 36 seconds
    HMS Investigator and the Northwest Passage – Part 4 – The Passage Conquered

    Captain Robert McClure and the men of the Investigator work to complete their crossing of the Northwest Passage - albeit via three ships and two sledge journeys. Plus we look at the aftermath of the expedition - and its legacy.


    Sponsors:


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers


    Visit https://rexmd.com/explorers and get up to 95% off ED treatment


    Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code EXPLORERS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/explorers


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    8 October 2025, 7:10 am
  • 37 minutes 51 seconds
    HMS Investigator and the Northwest Passage – Part 3 – Across the Passage

    The HMS Investigator fights to survive two winters at Mercy Bay as the physical and mental health of the crew slowly starts to deteriorate. A desperate journey over the ice is planned - but the crew are saved by the arrival of men from the east - from the HMS Resolute.


    Enter to win a copy of "For Glory, Not Gold: Expeditions Through Arctic Lands 1818-1876" by Hubert Sagnières. Go to https://explorerspodcast.com/hms-investigator to sign up.


    Sponsors:

    Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code EXPLORERS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/explorers


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers.


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 September 2025, 7:10 am
  • 34 minutes 46 seconds
    HMS Investigator and the Northwest Passage – Part 2 – The Parry Channel and Mercy Bay

    In part 2 of our series, the HMS Investigator explores the areas around Banks Island and Victoria Island, before sailing into the Parry Channel - the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage. They will end the year at Mercy Bay - a place the ship will never leave.


    Enter to win a copy of "For Glory, Not Gold: Expeditions Through Arctic Lands 1818-1876" by Hubert Sagnières. Go to https://explorerspodcast.com/hms-investigator to sign up.


    Sponsors:

    Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code EXPLORERS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/explorers


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers.


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 September 2025, 7:10 am
  • 35 minutes 3 seconds
    HMS Investigator and the Northwest Passage – Part 1 – Into the Arctic

    In part 1 of our series, we look at the history of the search for the Northwest Passage, and the Lost Franklin Expedition. We then follow Captain Robert McClure as he leads the Investigator into the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in 1850.


    Enter to win a copy of "For Glory, Not Gold: Expeditions Through Arctic Lands 1818-1876" by Hubert Sagnières. Go to https://explorerspodcast.com/hms-investigator to sign up.


    Sponsors:

    Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code EXPLORERS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/explorers


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers.


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    11 September 2025, 7:10 am
  • 29 minutes 56 seconds
    Jim Bridger - Part 6 - Powder River Expedition, Red Cloud's War, and final years

    In the final episode in our series on Bridger, we take the mountain man on his final western adventures - the Powder River Expedition, and Red Cloud's War. We then wrap up by talking about the final years of Bridger's life, and his legacy.


    Sponsors:

    Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code EXPLORERS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/explorers


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers.


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    4 September 2025, 7:10 am
  • 32 minutes 7 seconds
    Jim Bridger - Part 5 - The Utah War, Raynolds Expedition, Bridger Trail and the Telegraph

    This episode covers some of the most dramatic changes of the west in Jim Bridger's life. This includes the Utah War, the coming of the telegraph, and several expeditions of exploration, including the establishment of the Bridger Trail to the goldfields of Montana.


    Sponsors:

    Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code EXPLORERS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/explorers


    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers.


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 August 2025, 7:10 am
  • 33 minutes 5 seconds
    Jim Bridger - Part 4 - Brigham Young, the Mormons, and various expeditions

    In this episode, we detail the growing conflict between Brigham Young and the United States government - and the effect it had on Bridger. We will also talk about Bridger's time as a guide for several expeditions - including his work with an American survey team heading into the mountains around the Yellowstone River.


    Sponsors:

    Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code EXPLORERS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/explorers



    Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers.


    The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 August 2025, 7:10 am
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