Paul TherouxEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

In this episode from our archives, we are joined by legendary travel writer Paul Theroux for a candid, backstage interview delving into his five decades spent traveling the world and writing about it. Paul discusses what brought him to traveling and to writing, and how those two things are inexorably linked, at least for him. He remarks on why he thinks that growing up in a big family helped teach him how to be a good traveler. He also explains what it means to travel "close to the ground" and offers advice on how to do so (and why you would want to).Grab a copy of Theroux's latest book, On the Plain of Snakes: A Mexican Journey here . *** The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are now airing an episode from our vast archives ! Enjoy!*** ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is in the books! If you'd like to join us in 2026, and be part of an intimate group of listeners on a magical and unforgettable journey to Rome, discovering the city with us as your guides, find out more here . AD-FREE LISTENING: After well over 10 years on the air with little-to-no advertising, in 2026 we have finally made the difficult decision that this completely independent and self-funded show is no longer sustainable without it. HOWEVER! If you join us on Patreon , for as little as $3 per month, you will have access to all new episodes completely ad-free! ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. GET TWO BONUS EPISODES PER MONTH: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life at the $5 per month level or above, and you will have access to two all-new (and sometimes wacky) bonus episodes every single month. As well as ad-free listening, occasional live meet-ups, and access to our chat community. Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click <a href= "linktr.ee/thebittersweetlifepodcast" target

A Rollicking Spin Around the Globe with Paul Theroux: Immersive Travel, Hardships, Advice for Writers, and the Generosity of Strangers. Paul Theroux is a distinguished American novelist and travel writer renowned for his vivid portrayals of diverse cultures and locales. After earning a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1963, he joined the Peace Corps, teaching in Malawi and later in Uganda. Theroux's literary career gained significant acclaim with the publication of "The Great Railway Bazaar" in 1975, a travelogue chronicling his journey by train from Great Britain to Japan and back. This seminal work is often credited with revitalizing the travel writing genre, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the cultures and people encountered during his travels. His novel "The Mosquito Coast," published in 1981, further showcased his narrative prowess, earning the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and later being adapted into both a film and a television series. Over the decades, Theroux has authored numerous travelogues and novels, including "Riding the Iron Rooster," "The Happy Isles of Oceania," and "Dark Star Safari," each reflecting his keen observations and rich storytelling. His contributions to literature have been recognized with honors such as the Royal Geographical Society's Patron's Medal in 2015. Notable Links: Paul Theroux Website Paul Theroux Instagram The Vanishing Point Burma Sahib Dark Star Safari ***** This episode is brought to you by Kase Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters. Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, with zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment. And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10 Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence. Follow Richard Bernabe: Substack: <a href='https:/

Paul Theroux returns! This episode is the second half of my interview with travel writer Paul Theroux - if you haven't listened to Episode 214 yet, go and do that first! In this final section, we talk about another widely-varied array of travel topics, including the magic of train travel, one of my very favourite ways to get around. We also chat about some cultural differences and discuss some of the things that are peculiar to Australians. We move on to discussing road trips in Australia and the United States, and finish up talking about our children - I know that Paul's sons Louis and Marcel have made truly impressive creative careers for themselves, so I ask him for some parenting tips! I still feel so privileged to have had this great chat, and I hope you enjoy listening to it just a fraction as much as I enjoyed recording it. Links: Deep South - https://amzn.to/3pUcmef Riding the Iron Rooster - https://amzn.to/2J0Svt6 Dark Star Safari - https://amzn.to/3pRQlN8 Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtfultravellers Show notes: https://notaballerina.com/215 Support the show: https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'd need a time machine to be able to tell for sure, but I think that Paul Theroux's "The Great Railway Bazaar" was probably the very first travel narrative book I ever read. It shaped a lot about what I thought about travel - that you should talk to local people, that you should travel slowly, alone where possible, and not in a group of tourists, for sure - and it gave me quite an obsession with trains and the Trans-Siberian railway in particular. So when I was offered the chance to interview Paul Theroux - of course, I said yes! Episode 214 is the first half of this interview - Paul was a very generous interviewee, and our chat is too long to publish in a regular episode, so you'll find the rest in Episode 215. In this half, our chat is wide-ranging and includes leaning languages, ways to get to know the locals, and the pleasure of teaching and studying in a foreign country - a very sneaky way to properly get to know a place! Links: The Great Railway Bazaar - https://amzn.to/35Ca6QB The Tao of Travel - https://amzn.to/3f5NZVN On the Plain of Snakes - https://amzn.to/3e7Jg58 The Kingdom by the Sea - https://amzn.to/35z5o6j Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtfultravellers Show notes: https://notaballerina.com/214 Support the show: https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Theroux is back! This time, live onstage. If you loved Monday's double-header episode featuring an in-depth interview with legendary travel writer Paul Theroux, tune in to this week's mini-episode to hear a snippet of his live stage interview with Katy at Town Hall Seattle . Paul reveals the one thing you should never do when you are about to take off on adventure. He also shares some of the things that most surprised and fascinated him about his travels in Mexico. Grab a copy of his new book On the Plain of Snakes: A Mexican Journey . And don't forget to listen to the full interview in Episode {PAUL THEROUX} Part One and Part Two. ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. DONATE: Prefer a one-time donation? Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website .) The show needs your support to continue. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here . You can also connect to us through Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram . Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!