Before the jungle canopies and Himalayan peaks, there were the manicured gardens and regency streets of the Cotswolds.

Every journey has a "Before" story, and for Russell, that story is written in the stone of Cheltenham. In this episode, we’re putting the travel maps aside to navigate the memory of home. We dive into what it’s actually like to grow up in a town known for its festivals and finery, exploring the specific culture of a place that is as beautiful as it is predictable.

This isn't just a tour of a hometown; it’s a look at the spiritual architecture of a life. We explore how the safety and structure of Cheltenham shaped the man who would eventually find himself managing a remote island retreat. We talk about the subtle, persistent pull of the "elsewhere"—the moment the soul realizes that whi ...