The World's Most Dangerous Places Podcast
The World's Most Dangerous Places podcast explores what really drives people to step into the world’s most volatile places — and what they learn there. Hosted by survival instructor and journalist Reza Allahbakshi, the show goes beyond adrenaline and adventure to uncover the psychology, philosophy, and lived experience of those who confront danger head-on.
In its premiere season, Reza sits down with Robert Young Pelton, the legendary author of The World’s Most Dangerous Places, whose life has taken him from Canada’s logging camps to corporate boardrooms to war zones around the globe. Through candid conversations, Pelton challenges the media’s fear narratives, shares practical lessons from conflict zones, and reveals why surviving is about much more than staying alive — it’s about living well.
Each episode blends stories, history, and hard-earned wisdom, offering a fresh perspective on risk, resilience, and the extraordinary human spirit.
Episodes
20 episodes
2026 War Zones Ranked for Danger
2026: A Rise in Conflict and ChaosRobert Young Pelton outlines today’s global danger zones using data and firsthand experience.1. Ukraine Russia’s war has become drone-driven attrition. Civilian areas are routine...
Top Ten Danger Zones - 2026 Travel Edition
The Problem With “World’s Most Dangerous Places” ListsEvery year, listicles warn travelers away from places like Mexico, Brazil, or Thailand. What they rarely explain is how “danger” is measured, or who it applies to. The uncomfor...
Clionadh Raleigh and ACLED, All The Trouble In The World
In this wide-ranging and unfiltered conversation, Robert Young Pelton sits down with Professor Clionadh Raleigh, founder of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), to unpack how global violence is actually measured—and why...
Wisdom Under Fire
Making Smart Decisions in Dangerous PlacesWhat does wisdom really mean when lives are on the line?In Wisdom Under Fire, conflict journalist and survival expert Robert Young Pelton explores decision-making in enviro...
Surviving the Info-Apocalypse: Smart Decision Making in Dangerous Places
In Robert Young Pelton’s latest project—a reimagining of The World’s Most Dangerous Places—he begins with the building blocks of survival: turning raw information into useful knowledge and calm decisions under pressure.When Pelt...
Surviving The Most Dangerous School in North America
The St. John’s Cathedral Boys’ School was founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the late 1950s as an experiment in turning boys into men through relentless hardship, wilderness training, and strict religious discipline. For four decades, the St. Jo...
The Art of Writing Dangerously: Robert Young Pelton on Conflict, Truth & Authorship
In this interview, Reza sits down with journalist, author, and filmmaker Robert Young Pelton for an unfiltered conversation about writing, conflict, survival, and truth. Pelton shares what it means to write from war zones, how publishing has ch...
From NYC Prosecutor to Global Crime Fighter: Artie McConnell on Law, Order & Dangerous Places
In this episode of The World’s Most Dangerous Places, host Robert Young Pelton sits down with Artie McConnell — a man who’s lived on both sides of danger. After a decade as a Manhattan prosecutor, McConnell moved into global investigations, cha...
Psychographics to Active Measures: The Hidden War for Your Mind
From Propaganda to PsychographicsPelton traces the arc from Sigmund Freud’s nephew Edward Bernays—who pioneered “engineering consent”—to Cambridge Analytica, where psychological profiling became the core of modern political warfar...
Propaganda: What You Can't See Can Kill You.
Pelton traces propaganda’s modern roots to Sigmund Freud’s nephew, Edward Bernays, who turned psychoanalysis into a tool for mass persuasion. His early rise in advertising—and decision to leave it behind—fueled his quest to understand real conf...
Running 'n Gunning in the World's Most Dangerous Places series. Behind the Crazy of Inside Colombia
Once again, with political assassination back in the news, Colombia is overwhelmed with violence. Pelton knows the country well and thought it timely to revisit one of his films made 25 years ago. Not much has changed.Creating a document...
The Science of Coups: Where Is America’s Tipping Point?
A powerful and timely conversation between Robert Young Pelton, one of America’s leading conflict experts, and interviewer Reza Allahbakshi.They dive into the anatomy of coups, insurgencies, and the fragile state of democracy in America ...
Rory Nugent: Lessons From A life of Pushing the Limits
Robert Young Pelton and Rory Nugent are kindred spirits. Nugent first made his name by crossing the Atlantic solo four and a half times—the “half” voyage inspiring the new book he’s now writing.A boatbuilder, sailor, writer, and journali...
The Survival Seven: Bonus Episode
In this episode, Reza pulls a timeless list from page 83 of The World’s Most Dangerous Places and Robert Young Pelton breaks down his 7 survival rules with real stories—from New Orleans pickpocket crews to Sahara breakdowns, embassy backrooms, ...
Lessons Learned: Combat Journalism vs Adventure Writing
In this week’s video, Pelton straddles the line between veteran journalist and adventurer.He shares his unconventional journey into the media spotlight and critiques modern journalism, arguing the traditional definition has become “blurr...
Human Intelligence: Navigating People, Power, and Problems in The World’s Most Dangerous Places
In this episode, Reza Allahbakhshi and Robert Young Pelton unpack the “lessons learned” behind The World’s Most Dangerous Places.The real challenge isn’t landscapes or weapons—it’s people. From customs officials to taxi drivers,...
Jason Florio: From Gambia to War Zones – A Photographer’s Journey into Risk and Resilience. Part One
Jason Florio grew up in London with a fascination for skateboarding and being a rebel. Early exposure to photojournalism and adventurous literature shaped his worldview, leading him to see photography not just as art, but as a tool for truth-te...
Beyond Black Ops: Ric Prado’s Life and Untold Stories of Espionage
Robert Young Pelton sits down with Enrique “Ric” Prado, a decorated CIA officer whose covert work shaped decades of U.S. paramilitary operations. Known for his leadership in the Contra War, counterterrorism missions, and the development of mode...
Travel and Danger: The Thin Line Between Adventure and Disaster
Robert Young Pelton explores danger and how to manage it. Not the trenches of Ukraine but for normal fans who need a basic primer on measuring risk. When discussing danger, it's crucial to distinguish between fear and actual risk....
Inside the Mind of Robert Young Pelton: Origins and Goals
Inside the Mind of Danger: Robert Young Pelton The Man Behind the BookWhen Reza Allahbakshi, a survival instructor and journalist, first picked up a battered used copy of The World’s Most Dangerous Places, he didn’t...
