The Young Pioneer Podcast

Nauru Immigration Officer and filmmaker Cramer Cain joins YPT’s Pacific Tours Regional Manager and resident filmmaker Justin Martell for a conversation about Naoero, formerly known as Nauru, and the making of Far End of the Sea, the island’s first feature film shot entirely there.They discuss what it takes to make a period drama without an established film industry, how local people helped bring the production to life, and what the film could mean for Pacific filmmaking. Justin, who has written extensively about DPRK cinema, reflects on the thrill of exploring stories made by Pacific filmmakers. The conversation also covers tourism, Naoero’s history and identity, climate change, and the challenges of connecting remote islands by air.Want to experience Naoero for yourself? Find out more about YPT’s Least Visited Countries Combo Tour.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

In this episode of the Young Pioneer Podcast, Justin Martell sits down with travel creator Drew Binsky to discuss the realities of building one of the world's largest travel brands. From creating content in every country to navigating viral success, sponsorships, and the challenges of filming in some of the planet's most difficult destinations, Drew shares behind-the-scenes stories and practical advice for aspiring creators. They also dive into the future of travel media, authenticity in content creation, and what keeps Drew exploring after visiting every country in the world.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

On this episode of the Young Pioneer Podcast, we've got a special two-part edition. First, YPT Africa Regional Manager Morgan Bourven sits down with Robert Kofi of Ghana's Deadly Prey Gallery to discuss the country's famous hand-painted movie posters, how they came about, and why they've become sought-after works of art around the world. Then, YPT Pacific Regional Manager Justin Martell speaks with YPT's local partners on Pitcairn Island, the UK's most remote overseas territory, about life on an island settled by the descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers.From Ghana's unique movie poster tradition to one of the most remote communities on Earth, it's an episode that takes us to two places far off the usual tourist trail.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

Former Red Cross and United Nations official, humanitarian lawyer, author and businessma Andrew MacLeod joins host Justin Martell on the Young Pioneer Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on visiting every country on Earth, working in war zones from Rwanda to the Balkans, coordinating the UN response to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and exposing abuses within the international aid sector. MacLeod reflects on North Korea, Darfur, Tuvalu, Nauru, and the global lessons learned after decades spent at the frontlines of conflict, disaster relief, and international politics.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

Aviation YouTuber Josh Cahill returns to the Young Pioneer Podcast to break down the growing chaos in global air travel. As conflicts in the Middle East reshape flight routes and close major airspace corridors, airlines are scrambling to reroute aircraft and passengers are facing delays, cancellations, and unexpected journeys. Josh explains what’s really happening behind the scenes in the aviation industry and shares insider travel tips for surviving airline disruptions.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

In Season 4, Episode 1 of the Young Pioneer Tours Podcast, Justin Martell and Rowan Beard sit down in the Manila studio with global mobility expert Marko Peck, managing partner of Peck & Nascimben Global. With travel to 140+ countries and extensive experience advising governments and clients on citizenship by investment, Marko explains why second passports matter, how citizenship diversification works, and what it means for the future of travel and personal freedom. Listeners can also use code YPTCBI2026 for 50% off a private consultation.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

In this episode of the Young Pioneer Podcast, Justin Martell and Rowan Beard unpack their once in a lifetime experience attending the Pyongyang International Film Festival, offering rare insight into what it is actually like to travel to North Korea today. From cinema and cultural exchange to logistics, access, and how travel to the DPRK has evolved, this is a ground level update you won’t hear anywhere else.We also talk through upcoming and last-minute Young Pioneer Tours departures, including January trips to Western Sahara and Benin and Togo. Don’t forget to vote in our poll at youngpioneertours.com/where-should-YPT-go/ to help shape where Young Pioneer Tours heads next and influence future tours. We actually listen to your votes and plan new adventures based on the results every year. Vote in the poll and let us know where you want YPT to head next.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

In this episode, we speak with Joshua Milton Blahyi, better known to the world as General Butt Naked, one of the most feared rebel commanders of Liberia’s brutal civil war, which ravaged the country from 1989 to 1997. Once infamous for his violent tactics and ruthless reputation, Blahyi has since turned his life toward faith, preaching, and a mission of reconciliation. We discuss his rise during the conflict, the horrors of the war years, and his journey as he seeks redemption and voices support for justice, even if he himself stands among the accused.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

Recorded during our recent trip to Bougainville -  a corner of the pacific some say will soon become the world’s 194th country. From WWII relics and island villages to the Tama Festival and even a visit to the Twin Kingdom of Me’ekamui and Papaala, YPT’s latest visit went deeper than ever before.In this episode, YPT co-founder Gareth Johnson talks with our local partner John about life in this autonomous region, its independence movement, and what makes it distinct from mainland Papua New Guinea. Our Bougainville tour is available as an add-on to our Papua New Guinea Mount Hagen Festival tour, as a standalone adventure, or can be arranged as a private tour.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

Join Caitlin Graham, YPT's Middle East and Central Asia Manager, as she explores the complex history of Lebanon from the heart of Beirut. In this episode, Caitlin interviews our local guide, Mira, who shares invaluable insights into Lebanon's rich tapestry of cultures and religions, shaped by centuries of diverse influences.As Lebanon re-emerges as a travel destination after a challenging hiatus, they discuss the country's tumultuous past, including the civil war, recent financial crises, and the impacts of the Beirut Port explosion. With 18 recognized religious groups coexisting within its borders, Lebanon's history is a mosaic of opinions and experiences, making it a fascinating subject of exploration.Tune in to discover what lies ahead for this resilient nation and how Young Pioneer Tours is excited to bring travelers back to experience Lebanon's unique charm and enduring spirit.Get In Touch! For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.