The Explorers Podcast

This is the story of the world's most valuable sunken treasure galleon - the San José - lost off the coast of Colombia in 1708. "Neptune's Gold: The Billion-Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire" recounts the events surrounding the sinking of the vessel - and then 300+ years of searching to find the $1 billion in gold and silver that was lost in the wreck. This includes a cast of characters as colorful as they are mysterious - including Cuban-American shipwreck fanatic Roger Dooley. In this episode we interview author Julian Sancton (who also wrote the amazing "Madhouse at the End of the Earth") who talks about the book, the people involved, the legacy of Spanish gold and silver, and the future of the treasure.

Learn more about Neptune's Fortune: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723956/neptunes-fortune-by-julian-sancton/

Sponsors:

Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers

Factor. Go to factormeals.com/explorers50off and use code explorers50off for 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ponce de León's goes from conquistador to explorer in the second part of our series. This time, he conducts two expeditions of exploration in search of the island of Beniny - which turns out to be Florida. We also talk about Ponce de León's connection to the Fountain of Youth.

Sponsors:

Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers

Factor. Go to factormeals.com/explorers50off and use code explorers50off for 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part one of our story, we look at Ponce de León's life as a conquistador - including his part in the subjugation of Hispaniola, then his exploration, conquest, and settlement of Puerto Rico, and finally his preparations to find the mysterious island of Beniny - aka - Florida.

Sponsors:

Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers

Factor. Go to factormeals.com/explorers50off and use code explorers50off for 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1648, a Russian expedition with seven boats and 90 men set out on the Arctic Ocean – above Siberia – to find rich lands to the east. The expedition would – in time – be led by Semyon Dezhnev – a Cossack. The Russians would be nearly killed due to storms, starvation, disease and hostile natives. But Dezhnev would survive – and go on to the first European to pass through the Bering Strait. He then spent 14 years exploring the northeast of Siberia – opening up the region for the Russian Empire.

Sponsors:

Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers

Factor. Go to factormeals.com/explorers50off and use code explorers50off for 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In January of 2026, Monet Izabeth completed a 57-day expedition in Antarctica, becoming the first American woman to ski solo, and unsupported, to the South Pole. In this episode, we interview her, and find out about her journey to not only reach the South Pole - but all the challenges leading up to expedition.

Links:

Website: https://www.monetizabeth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monet.izabeth

Support Monet Izabeth: https://gofund.me/e529e5e3a

Image: by Sara Jenner courtesy of Monet Izabeth

Sponsors:

Quince. Get free shipping with your order by using code EXPLORERS at quince.com/explorers

Factor. Go to factormeals.com/explorers50off and use code explorers50off for 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices