FEATURING WRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER, EXPLORER, KIM FRANK

This week, my guest is Kim Frank, an American writer, editor, photographer, filmmaker and explorer who set off for The Himalaya in 2018, determined to find a story worthy of National Geographic, despite knowing very little about the region. She discovered a growing conflict between people and endangered Asian elephants. Ancient elephant migration routes now cross farms, villages and railway lines, with devastating consequences for both humans and elephants. Kim kept returning, documenting the lives of those caught up in the conflict and the efforts being made to help both species live alongside one another. Those journeys became her book, Elephants in the Hourglass, and the documentary Where the Forest Roars.

We talk about the personal circumstances that first sent her travelling, the extraordinary encounters along the way, storytelling, photography and finding the courage to do things that frighten us. And Kim, despite everything she's achieved, admits she's frightened of almost everything.

Also on the show, a curious case of mistaken location involving a library and a laundry room; Pascal Bernardon discovers photography and the wider world it opens up; Matt Goff talks about neurodiversity as a creative superpower; and Dreich McCrabbit downsizes his camera kit as winter approaches in Clashnessie. Plus, Ewen Bell shares a moment about travel, and Kim Frank returns with her own moment of wonder.

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MORE ABOUT names, words, THE MUSIC and places FROM TODAY’S SHOW

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Join us in Venice for the Venice ‘26 retreat, photographing a city built on water, light, and ritual as winter settles across the lagoon. Together we’ll wander through early-morning markets, quiet canal edges, hidden monasteries, and the weathered backstreets of Castello and Cannaregio, with time to slow down, take photographs, and build creative confidence in a city that reveals itself gently when the crowds disappear. Places limited.

William Carlos Williams (1883–1963) was an American poet and doctor who spent much of his working life treating patients in Rutherford, New Jersey. He wrote poetry alongside his medical career and became known for his clear, direct language and close observations of everyday life. His best-known poems include The Red Wheelbarrow and This Is Just to Say.

Paul Nicklen is a Canadian photographer, marine biologist and conservationist best known for his work in the Arctic and Antarctic. A long-time contributor to National Geographic, he has spent decades photographing polar bears, seals, whales and other wildlife in some of the world's most remote environments.

Listen to Steven Seidenberg, mentioned within the show today.

MUSIC LINKS: IMOK wrote today's playout song Folly Tree. Music on the show is sourced primarily from Artlist and also features in Michael Brennan’s Spotify playlist GoFoto. For Apple Music users, follow this playlist.

Kelvin Brown’s flickr Photowalk inspired group - join by invite by clicking on to THIS LINK.