Travel Talks - Speaking - Story Telling

“ After nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world”

- Phillip Pullman

Story telling is a fundamental part of the human existence. Stories can be informative, emotive, inspiring, or sometimes all of the above! I love telling my stories because it allows me to bring my adventures to life, adding colour and flavour to the experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met, and the places I’ve been. Perhaps you are looking for an entertaining speaker for your event, or you’re a group looking for a speaker to talk about the themes of travel, adventure, or family history? Perhaps you’re looking for an educational talk about global issues, a country I’ve travelled to, or something relating to a specific part of the curriculum?

Whatever you’re looking for I’d love to hear from you!

You can contact me via email or any of my social media channels on the links below, or complete my contact form which can be found here.

what do i talk about?

Whether you’re a corporate organisation, a social group, a school, or university, I’m happy to work with you to create a talk which is exactly what you’re looking for.

Below are a selection of my most popular talks - each one focuses on a particular adventure, and can be delivered as a story in its own right, or can be tailored to fit your specific timings or theme.

Can’t see what you’re looking for? Not a problem! I am always creating new talks, and am happy to discuss putting together a bespoke talk for you and your organisation, just get in touch and let me know what you’re thinking about.

Following in family footsteps

They say a picture paints a thousand words, well not this one.  Having stared at the same unremarkable photo on his grandparent’s wall for years, Andy was surprised to discover not only was this picture taken in Sudan, but also the slightly dusty and angry looking man holding a bicycle was in fact his Great Grandfather – a revelation which could only lead to one thing.

Following in Family Footsteps is the story of how an old sepia photograph inspired a three-month adventure following 80-year-old family footprints through the mountains and deserts of East Africa.  As well as negotiating sandstorms, pool sharks, rogue bus drivers, active volcanoes, and some of the hottest temperatures the planet has to offer, this is also the story of an often-misunderstood corner of Africa through the eyes of two people, three generations apart."

scouting for tuvalu

Answering a cryptic advert for 'Scout Development Ambassador - South Pacific' Andy somehow found himself on the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu completely unprepared for life in the fourth smallest country in the world.

The following year saw Andy getting to grips with life in the middle of nowhere, contending with mischievous native spirits, karaoke-singing sharks, drunk hairdressers, topless church services, and the perpetual enigma of a tropical island without any fruit or vegetables.

Scouting for Tuvalu is the story of everyday life in an exceptional part of world.

coconuts to the credit crunch

After graduating with a degree in volcano poking, Andy stumbled out of university and immediately found himself plunged head-first into the midst of the global financial crisis.

  With no money, no job opportunities, and a substantial student loan weighing heavy on his bank balance, a chance encounter in a cleaning cupboard led Andy to decide that the best way to solve his predicament was to take up an invitation to visit South Africa - but with no money for a flight, getting there was going to be impossible, or was it?

Coconuts to the Credit Crunch is the story of an epic adventure through the heart of the African continent, travelling overland through 10 countries, covering over 16,000km entirely by public transport, on some of the worst roads in the world, creating the sort of encounters and misadventures only a ramshackle bus can provide.

Testimonials

I love telling my stories, but don’t just take my word for it! Below are a selection of testimonials from happy audiences…

“Andy inspires faith in humanity in his talks and people come away inspired, entertained and hopeful…”

“Andy’s talks are accompanied by excellent photographs – lots of them. His attention to detail is superb and he shares personal as well as geographical and historical information about the amazing world we live in. He also shows a deep sensitivity to different cultures and empathy with the people he meets on his travels…”

“Each of Andy’s presentations has been extremely well received with many people saying that his was the best talk they have heard. Andy’s conversational style holds people’s attention and in turn encourages empathy from the audience…”

“I have no hesitation in recommending him to your organisation as a speaker.”