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Intrepid author and explorer, Michael Finkel lived as an expat in the South of France and skied down the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. His tales from Iran, China, the Congo and around the world offer challenging perspectives on how travel can shape our worldview.

From the harsh realities of crab fishing in the Bering Sea to the complexities of war as a combat journalist in Afghanistan, he tells of resilience and unexpected kindness amidst adversity. The convo shifts to appreciation for Italy's vibrant cuisine and culture, drawing comparisons with life in France, and Mike shares tips on coping with jet lag from his recent adventures in Japan.

We discuss conflicted regions, from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the ethical dilemmas surrounding animal poaching in Central Africa. Michael's trek across the Sahara, and his encounters with natural wonders like the Northern Lights and Congo's active volcanoes remind us of the raw beauty and complexity of our planet.

We wrap up with Michael’s transformative experience at a 10-day meditation retreat in India, showing the power of introspection and resilience. This exciting, enriching episode is filled with adventures that expand your horizons.
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Michael Finkel is a journalist and memoirist, who has written the books True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa, The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit, and The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession.
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Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles.
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Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has dropped over 100 travel episodes! New podcast episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
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Travel vlogs of our featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now drop on YouTube in the middle of every month! Please subscribe, like, and comment.
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