Clara Amfo, renowned broadcaster and host, is set to take listeners on a captivating journey with her brand-new podcast, Routes. In this unique travel and entertainment series, Clara delves deep into the world of travel, life experiences, and the unexpected moments that shape people’s lives.
Launching on November 7, Routes is a collaboration between Clara Amfo and LNER (London North Eastern Railway). The podcast features a diverse range of well-known guests who share their travel stories, career journeys, and personal insights in a relaxed and engaging format. From childhood adventures to memorable trips, and even awkward travel moments, Clara and her guests offer an exciting and sometimes humorous take on travel.
Whether you’re someone who loves to explore new destinations or someone who enjoys hearing behind-the-scenes tales, Routes promises to be a podcast that resonates with a wide range of listeners.
The Concept Behind ‘Routes’ Podcast
At its core, Routes is not just another travel podcast. While many shows focus on destinations and itineraries, Clara Amfo’s podcast goes beyond simply sharing travel tips. The podcast invites its guests—familiar faces from the entertainment industry and beyond—to discuss the deeper meanings of travel. Clara and her guests explore what travel means to them, how it has shaped their lives, and the unexpected, sometimes humorous, moments that occur along the way.
Clara believes that travel is about embracing new experiences, discovering unfamiliar places, and stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Whether it’s a trip across the LNER East Coast Mainline or an international journey, Routes highlights the transformative power of travel. Through candid conversations with her guests, Clara dives into everything from childhood travel memories to career influences, with plenty of laughter along the way.
What Makes ‘Routes’ Different?
Unlike traditional travel podcasts that may focus on destination-based content, Routes offers a fresh approach by blending personal stories with entertainment. The podcast’s charm lies in its authenticity—listeners are not just hearing about places, but rather about the life-changing moments, significant encounters, and funny anecdotes that come from travel.
Each episode features Clara’s conversation with a guest, where they discuss topics such as:
- Memorable travel moments: Personal experiences that have stayed with them over the years.
- Career influences: How travel has shaped their career paths and personal growth.
- Awkward travel encounters: Humorous and relatable moments that every traveler can relate to.
- Life-changing realizations: Insights that came from a particular trip or journey.
- Cultural perspectives: How travel broadens their view of the world and influences their worldview.
Clara Amfo’s Guest Lineup: A Diverse Mix of Personalities
One of the key draws of Routes is the eclectic range of guests who share their travel stories. From musicians to authors, to actors and influencers, Clara’s lineup brings unique perspectives on what travel means to them.
- Tom Grennan: In the first episode of Routes, award-winning British singer-songwriter Tom Grennan shares his most unforgettable travel moments. He recalls a life-changing trip he took at the age of nine, and how a visit to London with his mother sparked his passion for music. Tom also gives a behind-the-scenes look into his life on tour, sharing how travel has shaped both his personal and professional journey.
- Candice Brathwaite: Candice is a well-known TV presenter, writer, and influencer. Known for her outspoken approach to topics like race, motherhood, and mental health, Candice shares how travel has influenced her perspectives on culture, identity, and self-growth.
- Babatunde Aleshe: Babatunde, a comedian and actor, brings humor and charm to his travel stories. His light-hearted take on travel mishaps and cultural exchanges adds a fun dynamic to the podcast.
- Arielle Free: As a popular DJ and presenter, Arielle shares stories of her globe-trotting adventures and offers insight into how travel influences her music career and personal life.
A Sneak Peek Into Episode One: Tom Grennan’s Travel Tales
The inaugural episode of Routes kicks off with Tom Grennan, who shares some of his most memorable travel experiences. One particularly vivid memory takes listeners back to when Tom was just nine years old, embarking on a trip that would stay with him forever.
He also recounts a pivotal moment in Stevenage, which led to a life-changing realization, and an eye-opening trip to London with his mother that ignited his passion for music. For fans of Tom, this episode offers an intimate look at the singer’s early years and his development into the artist he is today. In addition to discussing his personal travel moments, Tom also offers listeners a rare glimpse behind the curtain of life on tour, including the highs and lows of being on the road.
Clara Amfo’s Thoughts on the ‘Routes’ Podcast
Clara Amfo is thrilled about the launch of Routes, sharing her excitement about working with LNER to bring this project to life. She describes the podcast as a way to celebrate the joy and sometimes awkwardness that comes with travel.
She says, “Travel has always been my way of embracing new experiences and I love exploring during work and in my downtime. We have a great lineup of guests who all bring their unique and universal takes on what it is to step outside of their usual surroundings, that will hopefully inspire our listeners to do the same!”
Clara’s love for travel shines through in every episode, as she invites listeners to join her in celebrating the journey, not just the destination.
LNER’s Role in ‘Routes’ Podcast
LNER, known for its high-quality rail services along the East Coast Mainline, plays a significant role in the Routes podcast. The collaboration between LNER and Clara Amfo creates a unique blend of entertainment and travel inspiration.
Stuart Thomas, Communications Director at LNER, shares his enthusiasm about the podcast’s launch, saying, “I’m so excited about the launch of Routes with Clara Amfo, with a stellar guest list and a brilliant host. There’s nothing better than relaxing on one of our trains and listening to a podcast—and I know this one is going straight to the top of my list.”
For those traveling on LNER trains, Routes will be available onboard through a seat-back QR code, offering passengers the chance to enjoy the podcast while enjoying their journey.
Where to Listen to ‘Routes’ Podcast
Routes with Clara Amfo is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. In addition, listeners traveling on LNER trains can access the podcast directly onboard through the convenient seat-back QR code.
The first episode, featuring Tom Grennan, is available to stream on November 7, and new episodes will be released regularly, showcasing different guests and their personal travel experiences.
Conclusion: A Must-Listen Travel Podcast
With its engaging format, relatable stories, and diverse guest lineup, Routes is set to become a top travel and entertainment podcast. Clara Amfo’s charm as a host, combined with her guests’ captivating travel stories, makes this show an essential listen for anyone who loves exploring new places, hearing personal stories, and laughing along the way.
Whether you’re commuting, traveling, or just looking for a new podcast to dive into, Routes offers a unique and heartfelt look at the transformative power of travel. Tune in on November 7 and start your journey with Clara and her star-studded guests!
