Best Luke Whittall Podcasts (2025)

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Vanished Beyond the Map: Adam Shoalts on the mystery of lost explorer Hubert Darrell 58:16

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19h ago58:16

58:16

" Hubert Darrell is the greatest explorer of all time that no one has ever heard of. The Norwegian great Amundsen, the first to the South Pole and first person to sail through the Northwest Passage successfully, actually met Darrell in the Arctic. He was in awe, and he wrote that with men like Darrell, 'I could go to the moon.'" In this episode of …

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The future of exploration with Richard Wiese 39:02

19d ago39:02

39:02

“I think in any exploration there’s a nobility of purpose — it’s more than just pounding my chest and saying, ‘Hey, I’m on top of Mount Kilimanjaro.’ It’s about filling a knowledge gap or serving the greater good.” — Richard Wiese, President, The Explorer's Club Join us for a fascinating conversation with Richard Wiese, world-renowned explorer, Emm…

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Interview with Lukas Therre of Josephinenhütte 31:50

27d ago31:50

31:50

Ever wondered how a glass alters your appreciation of a wine? Lukas Therre works at Josephinenhütte, a series of very distinctive glassware designed by Kurt Zalto. This is a fascinating interview, which covers how wine glasses are made (an intensive process), the sensory effect of a wine glass, what glass we should use for sparkling wine, and even …

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Water Borne: Dan Rubinstein’s 2,000-kilometre paddleboard adventure 40:51

29d ago40:51

40:51

“On a paddleboard, you‘re vulnerable to tides and winds. You don‘t fight them—you learn to fit into natural rhythms.” Journalist and author Dan Rubinstein joins the Explore Podcast for the second instalment in our annual canoe/paddling series to share the story of his epic three-month, 2,000-kilometre paddleboarding journey, which took him from Ott…

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Is a River Alive? with Robert Macfarlane 57:30

1M ago57:30

57:30

“Days on the water have produced in me the intensifying feeling of somehow growing together with the river: not thinking with it, but being thought by it.” - Robert Macfarlane, Is a River Alive? This episode of Explore was recorded live in May 2025 at the Ottawa International Writers Festival. Robert Macfarlane’s latest book asks the question: Is a…

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Summer Flashback Clos du Soleil Vertical 35:04

2M ago35:04

35:04

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . Clos du Soleil invited me to their annual vertical tasting in the fall of 2012 and I gladly attended this exclusive outdoor event. Listening back to it now, things seemed a little more innocent. Few people knew that any wines from BC could actually age a…

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Summer Flashback Ted Kane of Riverstone 38:50

2M ago38:50

38:50

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . The fourth Summer Flashback has a story that goes back beyond the original April 2011 release of this episode. Ted Kane and I talk about his wines and the beautiful site on which he chose to plant his vineyard. Welcome to the Sipsters Podcast! Thank you …

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Summer Flashback Jennifer Molgat 14:35

3M ago14:35

14:35

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This interview is an interesting timepiece for me because of the situation. Recorded in the fall of 2011, it was at a time in my life where I was constantly meeting people who had history to share. Jennifer 's family had history on this property and inte…

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Interview with Agostino Bertolin: Austria 51:07

3M ago51:07

51:07

An interview with Agostino Bertolin of notastingnotes.com all about Austria, talking about some of the lesser known regions, Weinviertel, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, and Steiermark, as well as varieties such as Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, and Welschriesling. Agostino provides great insight into the many styles of wine made in such a relatively small co…

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Summer Flashback Mike and Mike 29:44

3M ago29:44

29:44

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This is the second Sipster's Summer Flashback with episodes from my Wine Country BC podcast that began in 2009. This conversation is from an episode released in June 2010 and features Mike Nierychlo and Mike Rathjen. At the time, they were passionate abo…

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Summer Flashback Painted Rock Estate Winery in 2010 40:13

3M ago40:13

40:13

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This is the first Sipster's Summer Flashback series with episodes from my Wine Country BC podcast that began in 2009. Tonight’s conversation is from an episode released in April of 2010 and features John Skinner, owner of Painted Rock winery right before…

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Whiskey Tasting with Paul Henbury, Part 2 58:13

3M ago58:13

58:13

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This is part 2 of the whiskey tasting with Paul Henbury. Welcome to the Sipsters Podcast! Thank you for listening to the Sipster's Podcast. Find us online at sipsters.ca. Support the show Purchase copies of “The Sipsters Pocket Guides” here! Support Sips…

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Learning from water with Leanne Betasamosake Simpson 47:51

3M ago47:51

47:51

This special live episode of Explore features a thought-provoking conversation about the deep importance of our relationship with water between host David McGuffin and acclaimed Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, writer, and musician Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, recorded at the Ottawa Writers Festival in May. Leanne discusses her latest book, The Th…

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Whiskey Tasting with Paul Henbury, Part 1 49:11

3M ago49:11

49:11

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . It's a Sipster gathering around a small basement table with one of my oldest friends Paul Henbury. Paul has been in the hospitality industry and worked at wineries in the Okanagan Valley so he knows his way around a wine tasting. When he mentioned his fa…

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Drinking Outside the Box 30:48

4M ago30:48

30:48

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . Finally, it's my turn to stump the gang with a slightly obscure wine to most people (but not if you've read a Sipster's book or listened to a podcast recently...). This one has twists and turns, mayhem and excitement, thrills and spills... Ok, no spills.…

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I Interviewed The Beaverton's Luke Gordon Field. He Replied in Headlines (Kidding! This is a fun conversation) 43:31

4M ago43:31

43:31

Canada does funny really, really well. So today we're poking that Canadian funny bone in conversation with Luke Gordon Field as he discusses his journey and experiences as Editor in Chief of The Beaverton, a popular Canadian satirical news site. Over 15 years, Field and his team transformed a side project with humble beginnings into an internationa…

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Karen's Great Fake Out 28:11

4M ago28:11

28:11

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . Blind tasting can be a lot of fun but it can get competitive. The best players are the ones that know what information to give at all times, even in the small talk leading up to a tasting. Sipsters are less competitive but still like the challenge of a b…

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Jess White Stumps Some of Us 27:24

4M ago27:24

27:24

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . Ok, mostly me. but this was a fun one for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that this situation will be part of wine tasting in BC for years going forward. Is that a good thing? We'll see. Welcome to the Sipsters Podcast! Thank you for listenin…

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The Open Road: George Stroumboulopoulos on Music, Motorcycles, Movies and Canada 1:24:26

4M ago1:24:26

1:24:26

“It's the reason why this Canadian Geographic thing means a lot to me. It’s about people and how they live and how we interact and celebrate how beautiful and natural this life can be.” We’ve got a new honorary RCGS Fellow on Explore today! George Stroumboulopoulos is one of Canada’s great interviewers and broadcasters. In the span of his 30-plus y…

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Dr. Don Livermore on Wiser's Stanley Cup Whiskey 28:41

4M ago28:41

28:41

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This week’s podcast features a chat with Dr. Don Livermore. Though you are unlikely to know who he is, it is entirely likely that you have had products that he has overseen in his nearly 30 years at the Hiram-Walker distillery and the brand in question t…

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Blair's Blind Tasting Surprise 27:44

5M ago27:44

27:44

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . Blind tastings are a fun way to hone your skills. In this episode, I have assembled a team of amazing tasters to help solve the mystery wine. Will anyone get it right? Is that the point? Find out as we taste through a wine that Blair shared with us. Welc…

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Return to Ellesmere Island with Ray Zahab and Kevin Vallely 43:45

5M ago43:45

43:45

"It was brutal again. There was a very good chance we wouldn't succeed. And if it's a foregone conclusion that you're going to be successful, is it really an adventure?" - Kevin Vallely RCGS Explorer-in-Residence Ray Zahab and his exploring partner and RCGS Fellow Kevin Vallely have just completed an extraordinary expedition – skiing 500 kilometres…

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Singing Back the Buffalo with Tasha Hubbard 45:48

5M ago45:48

45:48

"Buffalo are renewal. We know that — it’s baked into who we are." This week on Explore, David McGuffin sits down with award-winning filmmaker, scholar, and advocate Tasha Hubbard to discuss her latest documentary, Singing Back the Buffalo. This powerful film delves into the deep, sacred relationship between buffalo and Indigenous Peoples, highlight…

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Living the Local Life 36:23

6M ago36:23

36:23

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . What does it really mean to buy local? Has that changed for us Canadians with all of the political things happening in the US? Is it a stretch to call a Mexican wine local? Jess and I delve into this topic over two 'local' wines that aren't from BC. Welc…

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Dam proud: How the beaver has shaped Canada's environment 48:27

6M ago48:27

48:27

In this episode, Explore host David McGuffin is joined by Glynnis Hood, one of the world's leading beaver experts, to mark the 50th anniversary of the beaver as Canada’s national animal. This conversation focuses on this iconic Canadian animals significance in our country’s history. Hood shares her insights into the beaver's resilience, ability to …

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Gearing up for 2025 - Jess Studies BC Wine History 56:52

6M ago56:52

56:52

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . In her never-ending quest to provide amazing experiences for her tour guests, Farm to Glass Wine Tour owner Jessie Hopwood re-reads Valleys of Wine, the only comprehensive history of BC's wine industry. In this special podcasts, she interviews the author…

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Elbows Up! Hockey, politics and patriotism with Roy MacGregor 27:53

6M ago27:53

27:53

In this special episode of the Explore Podcast, we delve into the current and unique intersection of hockey, politics, and patriotism in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war against Canada. Featuring an insightful discussion with Roy McGregor, award-winning Canadian journalist and author, this episode explores the politically charge…

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Episode 100: Diving into the Darkness with Jill Heinerth 44:21

7M ago44:21

44:21

In this milestone 100th episode of the Explore Podcast, host David McGuffin welcomes back world-renowned cave diver and RCGS Explorer-in-Residence Jill Heinerth. This episode dives into Heinerth’s experiences, including her new, award-winning documentary Diving into the Darkness, her extraordinary career in underwater exploration and the risks and …

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Down with punt, up with dimple 26:02

7M ago26:02

26:02

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . Ever wondered about wine competitions? Where do wines get their gold and silver awards? What do they mean?? Jess and I tackle this controversial topic. But wait, there's more! The wine word of the day - or is it week - is Punt. Do you prefer a bottle wit…

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Exploring the depths of sperm whale communication 47:36

7M ago47:36

47:36

In this episode of Explore, we dive deep with Canadian whale biologist Shane Gero, who shares his journey from a landlocked childhood in Ottawa to becoming a leading researcher in whale communication and conservation. Gero discusses how his early fascination with whales began, his fieldwork in Dominica and the intricate social structures of sperm w…

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Videos and Verticals 26:56

7M ago26:56

26:56

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . We're back! Jess joins me from her flex space (aka the Podcast Closet) for this quick chat about the possibility of adding video to the Sipster's Podcast. What do you think? Is it worth it? Are we really that awesome looking? Send us an email or a commen…

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The core of the mountain with Alison Criscitiello 46:17

8M ago46:17

46:17

Few people have been to the summit of Mt. Logan, and even fewer people have been to the summit and stayed for more than 24 hours. But for the sake of science, RCGS Fellow and world-leading ice core scientist Alison Criscitiello and her team took 10 days to summit Canada’s highest peak, where they camped for 16 days. In her new documentary, For Wint…

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Journey of resilience: Jillian Brown on water, wilderness, and healing 55:28

8M ago55:28

55:28

Welcome back Explore listeners! We are thrilled to have award-winning photographer and explorer Jillian Brown as our first guest of 2025. Based in Squamish, B.C., Brown has an epic list of adventures. She was the first Canadian to paddle across the continental US, from Oregon to Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. Brown was also part of the first cre…

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Encore Presentation: Sugarcane — the Oscar-nominated documentary of St Joseph's Mission Residential School with Julian Brave NoiseCat 42:31

8M ago42:31

42:31

Oscar nominated! Congratulations to Canadian Geographic Contributing Editor Julian Brave NoiseCat for his and Emily Kassie's Best Documentary Academy Award nomination for their film Sugarcane. Please enjoy this encore presentation of NoiseCat's interview with Explore, which was originally posted in September, 2024. We're thrilled to welcome Julian …

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Forking Hangry with Chef Jill 45:03

8M ago45:03

45:03

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This episode is a chat with Jillian Hillier, better known online as @faretheewellbychefjill. Chef Jill has a lot to say about eating healthy and all of those dietary restrictions that everybody seems to have these days. I met her last November at the Cru…

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Visiting Jennifer Carleton in Ontario 50:37

9M ago50:37

50:37

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This week’s podcast is a revisit with Jennifer Carleton. We recorded her previous podcast last spring over a video call when we were both in the Okanagan Valley. She invited me to visit her amazing wine room at her home in Peterborough, Ontario at some p…

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Glengarry County's Stonehouse Vineyard 1:06:05

9M ago1:06:05

1:06:05

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . I get to speak with Joanne Pratt and Craig MacMillan, the owners of Stonehouse Vineyard in Lochiel, Ontario. Unless you’ve read either of my two Sipsters Pocket Guides to 50 Must-Try Ontario Wines, there is little chance that you could have even heard of…

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Christmas at Devil's Portage - Charles Camsell 8:34

10M ago8:34

8:34

"So, does Christmas eliminate distance?" Happy holidays from Explore! For this Yuletide episode, we’re dipping into our Canadian Geographic files for the reading of a story written by RCGS founding President and Arctic explorer Charles Camsell who recalls a memorable Christmas he had on the trail to the Klondike in 1897. In the early 1900s, travell…

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Laval St. Germain’s journey to Afghanistan’s highest mountain 51:13

10M ago51:13

51:13

Laval St. Germain’s journey to Afghanistan’s highest mountain Today’s conversation with extreme athlete and adventurer Laval St. Germain is fascinating as we journey through Afghanistan to its highest peak, Mt. Noshaq, which stands at 7,492 metres. On the way, St. Germain reveals the current state of a country that was a central focus for Canadians…

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grape Varieties 24:18

10M ago24:18

24:18

There are eighteen grape varieties permitted for Châtauneuf-du-Pape, some of them very famous, others much more obscure. This episode details the characteristics of each of the varieties and what they bring to a blend—and why blending is so important in the warm climate of the southern Rhône—as well as looking at some of the other regions the varie…

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Savon Du Bois 41:41

10M ago41:41

41:41

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This week’s guest is Anne Du Bois who own Savon Du Bois in Picton, Prince Edward County, Ontario. I’ve always wanted to do an episode like this because it is not directly about wine but rather, about aromas almost exclusively. Anne Du Bois is an aromathe…

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Running solo across Death Valley with Ray Zahab 34:18

10M ago34:18

34:18

I’m thrilled to have Ray Zahab back on Explore. Many of you know Ray as an extreme adventurer, Royal Canadian Geographical Society Explorer-in-Residence and friend of this podcast. Ray joins me to talk about his gruelling solo run across one of the hottest places on earth, Death Valley, California during a record breaking heatwave this summer. The …

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Manitoba's historic Dawson Trail with Pierrette Sherwood and Mimi Lamontagne 44:26

11M ago44:26

44:26

More than military conquest: Manitoba's historic Dawson Trail with Pierrette Sherwood and Mimi Lamontagne We do love history here on the Explore podcast, and one of the reasons is that the more you poke around, the more you dig, and the wider you cast your research net, the richer the story that gets revealed. Our guests today are the perfect examp…

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Interview with Terah Bajjalieh 34:43

11M ago34:43

34:43

Terah Bajjalieh is an up-and-coming winemaker in California, making wine from Grenache, Syrah, Vermentino, and Falanghina. The wines are modern expressions of California, but also representations of California's Mediterranean climate and its history from the early days of the nineteenth century. In this episode, we talk about all things California …

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American Grapes in BC Bottles 42:09

11M ago42:09

42:09

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This is going to be controversial. After a bad couple of winters, some BC wineries have imported grapes outside of BC to make wine. Some BC wineries have refused to do that. Will they be labelled the same? Are they going to cost less? In this podcast, Je…

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Our Green Heart - The Soul and Science of Forests with Diana Beresford-Kroeger 36:20

11M ago36:20

36:20

There are few greater champions of our trees and forests than Diana Beresford-Kroeger. From her base in her forest reserve in Eastern Ontario, the Irish-born Beresford-Kroeger has led a decades-long campaign to save our planet’s forests and trees, while working in the fields of medical biochemistry, botany and medicine. She is a Fellow of the Royal…