It's been a rollercoaster week here at Tripology Podcast. We're thrilled to announce we won Best Travel & Adventure Podcast at the 2025 Independent Podcast Awards! Spotify then hit us with a false copyright claim and blocked our episodes! We share the stories behind the chaos and discuss what it's like being independent creators. Hostel Common Room returns with a listener who's about to embark on a 2-year backpacking trip and wants to know the best way to meet like-minded travellers. Tune in for our top travel tips on how to make friends whilst travelling This week's Tales of a Trip is not to be missed, as we hear from a well-travelled entrepreneur whose experiences and reflections will spark your wanderlust.

We're rocking this week! Not only did we win 'Best Travel & Adventure Podcast' at the 2025 Independent Podcast Awards, we also received a knockout Tales of a Trip entry from Harry Jaggard! Whilst visiting Northern Nigeria, Harry was roped into a bare-knuckle boxing match. Tune in to hear the full story, and make sure you watch the video... Rather him than us!
Alun's shaking in Siargao, after withstanding 31 earthquakes in the past week. We hear the latest news from the island, as well as some interesting earthquake facts.
Vagabot's off to Chiang Mai, in the latest edition of Hostel Wars. Will Alun's hostel be crowned as the most authentic or will Adam continue his winning streak?

We discover the surprising origins of India's most famous dish: Butter Chicken. Adam relives his India food adventures, sharing his experience of eating at Gulati Restaurant in Delhi, touted as the best butter chicken in India. We ask: Was butter chicken actually invented in Pakistan? And why are two Delhi restaurants fighting over the original recipe? Acclimatise quickly, as Tales of a Trip reaches new heights! We hear from a digital nomad who summits mountains for fun, whilst carrying a bag of his own... Neither altitude sickness nor food poisoning will stop this hiker from reaching the top! Alun reflects on his time in Siargao, debating whether to stay longer or move on. 4 Months of surfing and jiujitsu has been great but the thresher sharks in Malapascua aren't going to swim with themselves!

Artificial Intelligence makes the news for sending travellers to locations that don't exist! We hear about a couple in Peru who were left stranded, after letting AI plan their trip! We find out what a coffee pot, water pump and a safe box all have in common, as Tripological Reasoning returns with hypothetical scenarios that may or may not be Alun's real life dilemmas. Tales of a Trip crosses a border with no passport stamp! We hear from a fellow travel podcaster who attempted to get into Laos without having technically been to Thailand. Nothing a game of snooker and a small bribe can't fix!

Have your passports ready! This week's travel quiz tests Alun's knowledge of all things passports. Which countries have the strongest passports and which countries have the weakest passports? And when was the first ever passport issued? We go through some of the 2025 passport rankings and share some weird passport facts you didn't know! If there's one thing Alun's hates about travel, it's ubiquitous, unimaginative travel quotes. Alun reels off his least favourite travel quotes but has snuck in one he's written himself. Will Adam be able to guess which quote Alun wrote?

In this week's very personal episode, Alun opens the travel diary that started 4 years of non-stop travel. Alun kept a travel journal for 4 years, documenting every day. We relive the moment he set off on the adventure that started it all. Hold onto your coffees tightly! Adam shares his chance encounter with an inspiring gentleman who's had a huge impact on the travel industry. Let's just say he 'carries a lot of weight', without exceeding the baggage allowance! Tales of a Trip returns with an embarrassing story that will have you giggling and cringing in equal measure. Honest, vulnerable, and lighthearted, this backpacker is a cup half full kind of gal!