Rephonic
Artwork for Gone To Timbuktu

Gone To Timbuktu

Sophy Roberts
Travel Writing
Great North Road
The Place Of Tides
Bruce Parry
Romani Culture
Atlantis
Kabul
Bruce Chatwin
Colonialism
Lake District
Vega Archipelago
North Pole
Indigenous Rights
Climate Change
North Yorkshire
Rivers
Mining
Kapka Kassabova
Scuba Diving
The Drowned Places

'Gone To Timbuktu', hosted by the bestselling author and journalist Sophy Roberts, explores the art of travel with writers, poets, photographers and filmmakers. Conversations range from physical journeys to inner landscapes, creative influences and new ideas.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes35Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePlaces & TravelArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Gone To Timbuktu

Latest Episodes

The acclaimed British artist George Butler draws in situ with pen, ink and watercolour, his travels taking him to Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine and more. His reportage illustration is the 'art of travel' at its most urgent — with this conversatio... more

An extraordinary desert traveller and social anthropologist bursts all the cliches as she takes us on a journey into the heart of the Sahara to reveal its complex human history. Instead of an imagined city of gold, Judith Scheele reveals something of... more

The German documentary photographer drills into the challenges and opportunities of making work that matters, for the New York Times, New Yorker, ZEIT and more. A fascinating insight into a photographer at the top of the game, working in Siberia, the... more

The British author talks about his latest book, Lone Wolf — following in the footsteps of a wolf named Slavc, who crosses the Alps from Slovenia to the Italian Dolomites in search of a mate.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Travel Diaries
The Travel DiariesHolly Rubenstein
Ruthie's Table 4
Ruthie's Table 4iHeartPodcasts
Bookclub
BookclubBBC Radio 4

Recent Guests

George Butler
British artist specializing in reportage illustration
georgebutler.org (website)
Episode: Series 3 Ep 11: George Butler
Judith Scheele
Author of Shifting Sands, A Human History of the Sahara; Professor of Social Anthropology
Shifting Sands / University affiliation discussed in interview
Episode: Series 3 Ep 10: Judith Scheele
Emile Ducke
German documentary photographer known for his work in Russia and Ukraine
Episode: Series 3 Ep 9: Emile Ducke
Adam Weymouth
British author and environmental journalist
Episode: Series 3 Ep 8: Adam Weymouth
Lance Richardson
Author of 'True Nature, The Lives of Peter Matthiessen'
Episode: Series 3 Ep 7: Lance Richardson
Steve Boyes
Scientist, explorer, and author focused on Africa's rivers and wildlife
National Geographic
Episode: Series 3 Ep 6: Steve Boyes
Emmanuel Iduma
Nigerian author and contemporary writer exploring the art of travel through literature and photography
William Collins (publisher of I Am Still With You)
Episode: Series 3 Ep 5: Emmanuel Iduma
Joanna Pocock
Author of Greyhound, which discusses travel, ecocide, and capitalism.
Fitzgerald Editions
Episode: Series 3 Ep 4: Joanna Pocock
Leo Damrosch
Author of Storyteller, The Life of Robert Louis Stevenson
Yale University Press
Episode: Series 3 Ep 3: Leo Damrosch

Host

Sophy Roberts
Host of the show and an author and journalist with expertise in travel writing, storytelling, and cultural discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 196 ratings
  • Exceptional Podcast

    What a fantastic podcast. It gives me a wonderful insight into places and countries around the world that I would love to visit but as an older man I may not get the chance to in the remainder of my lifetime. But it’s not just the places it’s the insight into the minds and lives of the authors who Sophy interviews. This a gem which I will constantly come back to and I look forward to the writers she engages with in the future.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Solidmahogony
    Ireland12 days ago
  • Best Podcast Out There

    Absolutely fantastic podcast! Sophy has a unique and journalistic approach to interviewing guests and the conversations are always interesting and lively. The guests themselves are very engaging and well chosen. Overall 10/10, certainly one of the best podcasts out there!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I want to use the app please
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Fabulous

    Inspirational and intelligent podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Oceandreamsistaken
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Fascinating conversations

    I only came across Gone To Timbuktu in the last month, but have been working my way through the two seasons with equal parts interest and pleasure. As a travel photographer (and sometimes writer) myself, these are wonderful conversations to listen to, with the added bonus of some really great book tips.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MWSWE1983
    Swedena year ago
  • Expert interviews provide remarkable insights.

    Fantastic insights into travel storytelling.

    The interviews are uniquely effective because Sophy is one of the best travel authors and journalists out there. She’s able to go deep into both subject and technique, thanks to her expertise.

    This allows you to enjoy the work of the subjects in a brand new way.

    Brilliant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ash Bhardwaj
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feedback suggests a wish for more varied pacing and perhaps a more fluid presentation style from the host.
Many reviews highlight the quality and diversity of guests, noting their unique insights into the art of travel.
The podcast fosters a sense of adventure and curiosity, with a number of comments expressing a desire to travel after listening.
Listeners appreciate the deep-dive, intellectual exploration of travel and culture, often praising the host's engaging interview style.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Series 3 Ep 11: George Butler
Q: So perhaps you could just start by explaining what your work is and how it's seen.
George explains that he has drawn since childhood and trained in illustration; his work blends narrative drawing with reportage to capture people and moments in conflict, aiming to slow down storytelling and foster empathy rather than surface-level coverage.
Series 3 Ep 10: Judith Scheele
Q: What role do archives and manuscripts play in telling Saharan history, and how reliable are they for reconstructing the past?
Manuscripts and archives are rich but partial; they reveal elite perspectives and often exclude enslaved voices, so researchers must combine documentary sources with oral histories and field insights to craft a more balanced inside-out history of the Sahara.
Series 3 Ep 10: Judith Scheele
Q: Can you explain how navigation works in the Sahara beyond fixed maps—how do people move, read signs, and time pastures across seasons?
Navigation is three-dimensional, combining physical space with environmental signals, pasture patterns, and social knowledge; routes shift with rainfall, camel needs, and the presence of mobile groups, so mobility is a practiced art tied to family networks and local diplomacy.
Series 3 Ep 9: Emile Ducke
Q: How do you manage to bring a narrative into your photography work?
Emile discusses the importance of storytelling, often presenting a holistic view that connects various aspects of history with the present circumstances of a place.
Series 3 Ep 9: Emile Ducke
Q: How do you prefer to work in storytelling during a conflict, especially in places far from the front lines?
Emile explains he prefers to focus on the lives of civilians, wanting to form relationships and understand their stories without the pressures of conflict zones.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Gone To Timbuktu

What is Gone To Timbuktu about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Examining the intricacies of travel through the lens of literature, artistry, and personal narratives, episodes feature in-depth conversations with a diverse array of writers, photographers, and filmmakers. Topics often intersect physical journeys with emotional and creative landscapes, touching upon the influences of culture, capitalism, and ecology on travel experiences. Noteworthy for its intellectual depth and evocative storytelling, the podcast fosters a rich exploration of what it means to journey in today's world while encouraging listeners to reflect on their own cultural narratives and connections.

Where can I find podcast stats for Gone To Timbuktu?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Gone To Timbuktu. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Gone To Timbuktu and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Gone To Timbuktu get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Gone To Timbuktu, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Gone To Timbuktu?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Gone To Timbuktu, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Gone To Timbuktu have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Gone To Timbuktu has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Gone To Timbuktu?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Gone To Timbuktu:

1. ill-advised by Bill Nighy
2. The Travel Diaries
3. Ruthie's Table 4
4. Bookclub
5. Desert Island Discs

How many episodes of Gone To Timbuktu are there?

Gone To Timbuktu launched 3 years ago and published 35 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Gone To Timbuktu?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Gone To Timbuktu?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Gone To Timbuktu from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Gone To Timbuktu?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Gone To Timbuktu. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Gone To Timbuktu?

Recent guests on Gone To Timbuktu include:

1. George Butler
2. Judith Scheele
3. Emile Ducke
4. Adam Weymouth
5. Lance Richardson
6. Steve Boyes
7. Emmanuel Iduma
8. Joanna Pocock

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days