Jeff Blumenfeld is a writer, journalist, and PR professional who specializes in travel and adventure marketing. Jeff is a Fellow of The Explorers Club, the recipient of the Leif Erikson Exploration History Award, and the author of Get Sponsored: A Funding Guide for Explorers and Travel With Purpose: A Field Guide to Voluntourism.
In this episode, you’ll hear from Jeff Blumenfeld on;
- (00:07:54) Polar expeditions. Jeff speaks about his involvement with the explorer Will Steger, who led the first confirmed dog sled expedition to the North Pole. He explains the significance of the expedition and recalls his experience of watching the Northern Lights at Steger’s training base at Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.
- (00:17:35) Pirate ships. We discuss underwater explorer Barry Clifford's confirmed discovery of the Whydah, the first authenticated pirate ship found in North America, and his later possible discovery of Christopher Columbus's flagship, the Santa Maria, off the coast of Haiti.
- (00:29:09) Bread, salt, and vodka. Jeff shares his story of accompanying Paul Schurke on part of his historic Soviet-American expedition from Siberia to Alaska and describes what it was like to be on the receiving end of some traditional Russian hospitality.
- (00:37:07) Voluntourism: As someone who likes to make a difference when he’s traveling, Jeff recommends the Scandinavian practice of ‘plogging’ (picking up trash while enjoying the great outdoors). He also suggests helping out at the local Humane Society or participating in the Pack for a Purpose program.
- (00:54:38) Volunteering in the US. Jeff reminds listeners that they don’t need a passport to volunteer, and he shares details of several organizations in America that are in urgent need of volunteers.