Mark Agnew
Charlie Walker spent a month in jail in Russia
The Adventure Podcast's mini-series follows one man's journey in Putin's Russia
A new fascinating podcast mini-series details the journey of one adventurer though rural Russia during the outbreak of the Ukrainian war, and his eventual captivity in jail.
In February 2022, Charlie Walker travelled to Yakutsk in Siberia. He planned to ski along frozen rivers for three months, documenting the changing lives of the locals who had depending on reindeer for generations.
Book an adventure keynote speaker here
Three days after he started his adventure, Russia invaded Ukraine. Tourists and journalists left Russia in droves. Walker stayed behind.
He is now telling his story in a four-part mini-series on The Adventure Podcast, using a combination of in person interview with the host Matt Pycroft, and field recordings from the adventure.
Find The Adventure Podcast here
Walker was uniquely placed to get an insight into attitudes towards Putin and the war. He did not seek to document the war, and often tried his best to avoid talking about it. But nearly everyone he met wanted to know his opinion, or wanted to share theirs.
For his troubles, Walker was arrested and spent a month in jail. He faced the prospect of a kangaroo court and 15 years in prison.
I would recommend The Adventure Podcast for anyone who loves the outdoors, stories of adventure, climbing, running, hiking, biking or dreaming of distant lands. I'd recommend this special edition mini-series for anyone, whether you love adventure or not.
Pycroft's calm demeanor gives his guests time and space to answer questions, meandering from topic to topic. His interview technique draws out introspective answers and insightful conversations, rather than a traditional Q&A with stock answers about why we climb mountains.
Walker is equally introspective. The combination of Walker and Pycroft makes for a gripping tale of adventure.
The media is focused, understandably, on the front line of the war. Walker is uniquely placed to bring us an amazing new perspective about Russia and its people during a history defining event.