No one else has a “traveler” story quite like Rauli Virtanen.
While reluctant to claim the title of “the first person to visit every country”, Rauli says that no one has challenged the assertion since NomadMania began proclaiming him as the first person to ever visit every country in the world.
The organization says that many who had previous claims incorrectly counted visits to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that sits between North Korea and South Korea as having visited North Korea.
What is undisputed is that Rauli is one of the few to have visited almost all of the countries for work – as a foreign correspondent, specifically.
In Rauli’s comprehensive interview, you’ll hear about…
-
His fascinating career that has led him to high-profile interviews with Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, Pelé, and Kofi Annan, amongst others
-
How he has been on the ground, reporting, at almost every major world conflict over the last 50 years, including the Angolan Civil War, Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge, Lebanon, Romanian Revolution, Tiananmen Square in China, and Afghanistan with the Taliban, amongst others
-
Why Mongolia, Ecuador, and Oman were some of the mores surprising countries he visited
-
How and why he took his kids on different types of “vacations” as they were growing up
-
How Finland is teaching their youth to decipher real and fake news
-
What he carries with him, emotionally, from covering conflicts for over 50 years…
Listen on all your favorite apps – including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more – or in video format below on YouTube or Podbean. (Although, Rauli’s pictures from covering the world as a journalist are so incredible, video format is recommended!)👇
Popular Podcasts
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com