EPISODE 2 - BENEDICT ALLEN
Guest: BENEDICT ALLEN
In episode 2 TV's first explorer and all round bad Mo Fo Benedict Allen shares some amazing stories, including his initiation ceremony to an uncontacted tribe in Papua New Guinea. But this wasn't just any initiation ceremony. It was pure brutality! Beatings and abuse for 6 whole weeks. Blood, sweat, and tears. And lots of them! Take a listen and get your plane ticket to the jungle booked!
Show Notes
Intro and Benedict’s background
Becoming an explorer
Benedict’s first visit to the Amazon - he ate his dog and contracted two types of malaria…nothing too crazy
30 years ago Benedict travels to join the Nyaura people of Papua New Guinea
The brutal 6 week secret initiation ceremony to make a man as strong as a crocodile...cuttings, beatings, and lots of tears
30 Years later Benedict returns to Papua New Guinea with news correspondent Frank Gardner to fulfil Frank’s dream of finding Birds of Paradise
Why were you, a foreigner, allowed to participate in a sacred and secret initiation ceremony?
Did you feel conflicted contacting a largely untouched tribe?
What did you learn from such a brutal ceremony?
How do you retain the lessons you learn on your expeditions and keep them alive in your everyday life?
The difficulty of taking a man in a wheelchair into the jungle
What happened after the initiation ceremony?
How does the life of a modern day tribesman compare to ours? Is the noble savage ideal just a myth?
Is ‘just follow your dreams’ just bullshit?
What is exploration about?
Benedicts heroes
Captain James Cook
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/cook_captain_james.shtml
Are heroes born or made?
About the Author
George Beesley
Adventurer & Founder of Call To Adventure
George just bloody loves a bit of adventure! Imagine someone who not only hikes up mountains for breakfast but also bikes across continents. Got a case of wanderlust? This guy's been to over 50 countries and comes back with stories that'll make your grandma want to go bungee jumping.