What’s Your Map Podcast Season 5 Release Date, Guests & Hay Festival Live Show
The acclaimed storytelling podcast ‘What’s Your Map?’ is making a highly anticipated return with its fifth season, promising a fresh wave of global voices, deeply personal narratives, and an immersive live recording at one of the world’s most celebrated literary gatherings — the Hay Festival.
Blending history, geography, culture, and human experience, the new season is set to premiere on 25 March 2026, expanding its unique format with international guests, interactive storytelling, and enhanced digital features designed for modern podcast audiences.
Produced by Oculi Mundi, the official digital platform of the The Sunderland Collection, What’s Your Map? has carved a distinctive niche in the podcast landscape.
Unlike conventional history or travel podcasts, the series revolves around a simple yet powerful concept:
Each guest selects a map that has shaped their thinking
Conversations unfold around the emotional, cultural, and intellectual impact of that map
Personal stories intertwine with scientific discovery, exploration, and identity
At the heart of the show is host Jerry Brotton, a respected historian and author known for making complex historical narratives accessible and engaging.
Season 5: Bigger, Broader, and More Global
The upcoming fifth season signals a major step forward for the podcast, with a diverse and international lineup of guests spanning multiple disciplines.
Featured Voices This Season
Listeners can expect conversations with:
Cecilie Skog — renowned polar explorer and mountaineer
Ross Perlin — expert on endangered languages
Marcello Canuto — specialist in ancient civilizations
Richard A. Pegg — curator and cartographic historian
Rohini Rai — academic voice in cultural studies
Bill Rankin — mapping and data visualization expert
Jonathan Wright — historian and writer
Debbie Ding — interdisciplinary creative voice
What Makes This Season Unique
🌍 Global perspectives on mapping and identity
🧠 Deep dives into how maps shape human understanding
📖 Rich storytelling blending science, memory, and culture
🎧 Enhanced listening experience across major podcast platforms
Live at Hay Festival: A Major Highlight
One of the most exciting announcements for Season 5 is a live-recorded episode set to take place at the iconic Hay Festival.
Event Details
📅 Date: 27 May 2026
🕣 Time: 8:30 PM
📍 Venue: Discovery Stage
The live show will feature an engaging panel discussion with:
Tim Marshall
David Olusoga
Emma Jane Unsworth
Together with host Jerry Brotton, the panel will explore how maps influence politics, storytelling, history, and personal identity — all recorded in front of a live audience.
A Multi-Sensory Podcast Experience
Beyond audio storytelling, What’s Your Map? continues to stand out by offering a visual and educational companion experience.
What Listeners Can Access Online
Through the Oculi Mundi platform, audiences can:
🗺️ View high-resolution images of featured maps
📚 Explore historical context and background insights
👤 Learn more about each guest’s work and contributions
This integration transforms the podcast into a hybrid learning experience, appealing to both casual listeners and academic enthusiasts.
Why ‘What’s Your Map?’ Stands Out in 2026
In an increasingly crowded podcast space, What’s Your Map? continues to differentiate itself by focusing on intellectual storytelling grounded in human experience.
Key Strengths of the Podcast
✔️ Unique concept centered on maps as storytelling tools
Speaking about the upcoming season, Helen Sunderland Cohen shared insights into the evolving direction of the podcast.
“In Season 5 of What’s Your Map? we continue to delve into both personal and cartographic stories as we meet an extraordinary group of people who use maps as a lens for new discoveries or memories.”
She emphasized that this season aims to be:
More engaging
More thought-provoking
More globally relevant
“We look forward to welcoming listeners to our most engaging and thought-provoking series yet.”
The Rising Popularity of Intellectual Podcasts
The return of What’s Your Map? reflects a broader trend in digital media, where audiences are increasingly drawn to:
🎙️ Educational storytelling podcasts
🌐 Content that connects personal narratives with global themes
📊 Deep-dive discussions rather than short-form content
Podcasts blending history, culture, and science have seen significant growth, and this series is positioned at the intersection of all three.
What to Expect from Season 5 Episodes
Each episode in the new season is expected to follow the signature format while introducing new thematic layers:
Episode Structure
Introduction to the guest
Presentation of the chosen map
Exploration of:
Personal significance
Historical context
Broader implications
Themes Likely to Be Explored
🌍 Exploration and discovery
🧬 Cultural identity and language
🏛️ Historical transformation
🌐 Globalization and geopolitics
🧭 Human memory and perception
Release Details: When and Where to Listen
The fifth season of What’s Your Map? will officially launch on:
📅 25 March 2026
Available On
Major podcast platforms including:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Listeners worldwide will be able to tune in and explore stories that go far beyond traditional maps.
Final Thoughts: A Podcast That Redefines Mapping
As What’s Your Map? returns for its fifth season, it continues to redefine what mapping means in the modern world.
Rather than focusing solely on geography, the podcast explores:
Emotional landscapes
Intellectual journeys
Cultural intersections
With a compelling mix of live events, global voices, and multimedia storytelling, Season 5 is poised to reach an even wider audience — from curious listeners to academic enthusiasts.
