Sam Walker's Desert Diaries

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What's it like to actually follow your dreams? Desert Diaries is the brutally honest account of one family's move from the rainy suburbs of Manchester to the scorched wilderness of Arizona. Excitement, frustration, fear, joy, loneliness and scorpions. Quite a lot of scorpions. All life is here. F…

Sam Walker


    • Jun 7, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 8m AVG DURATION
    • 151 EPISODES
    • 2 SEASONS


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    Latest episodes from Sam Walker's Desert Diaries

    Howdy Stranger

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2022 23:18


    Howdy Stranger Well...its been a minute and few things have happened. Time for a catch up! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    The end or the beginning?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2022 13:22


    The end or the beginning?  A week of wild weather, lost lizards and life-changing deliveries. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Straight shooters and soggy waffles

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2022 8:34


    Straight Shooters and Soggy Waffles There's some surprises in store as new politcial ads hit the Valley's screens, plus classroom confusion over points of the compass... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Diaries from a different desert

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2022 14:31


    Diaries from a different desert From the valley to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas via horse shows and rodeos; a fortnight of mighty road trips across the south west. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    FINALLY!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2022 8:01


    FINALLY! At last, after more than two years apart, my dad makes it to the desert! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    A state full of stickers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2022 10:17


    A state full of stickers From homes to cars to gas stations, there's an explosion (and an explaination) of the many stickers (and flags) across the state.  For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Which side are you on?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2022 9:10


    Which Side are you on? A national holiday reveals the widening political divide in the US, and ongoing conspiracy theories around the last election are alive and well in Arizona. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    The Unwelcome Visitor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2022 7:55


    The Unwelcome Visitor In a not entirely unexpected turn of events, Covid comes a-calling to our family home.  For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    New Year, New Desert!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2022 11:43


    New Year, New Desert! Our first visitor in two years gives us a whole new perspective on our new home. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    The $9 Potato

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2021 7:54


    The $9 potato We embrace local Christmas tradtions and are introduced to a new reindeer and a very pricey spud. If you fancy meeting Pedro, here is the link to Donde Esta Santa Claus! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Old friends in an old city

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2021 9:58


    Old friends in an old city More adventures in the Big Apple, including a joyful discovery which brings a bit of British Christmas to the desert. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Reunions and Rememberances

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2021 8:32


    Reunions and Rememberances A week in New York City brings joyous reunions and some pre-Christmas magic. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    What the heck is a panto?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2021 8:00


    What the heck is a panto? America celebrates "radical generosity" and the locals get confused with talk of pantos.  For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Random acts of kindness and the trouble with leftovers.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2021 11:48


    Random acts of kindness and the trouble with leftovers. Thanksgiving rolls around again, bringing a surfeit of food and surprising acts of kindness.  Click here to read the article about Thanksgiving  referenced in the episode. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Back to school

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2021 8:19


    Back to school One week, two visits to two very different schools, one far more surreal than the other,  plus unbelievable questions from the locals... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert  

    Dinner with Coyotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2021 8:49


    Dinner with Coyotes As the clocks don't change, but do for everyone else, confusion abounds over when to do anything. Plus a luxury dinner with coyotes at some sexy cliffs... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert  

    Illegal pumpkins and confused cowboys

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2021 10:27


    Illegal pumpkins and confused cowboys Halloween passes in a glorious haze of facepaint and chocolate and a local has trouble talking to his British relatives. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert For the great "How to speak Mackem" video  - click here

    Children of the corn and funny shaped cake.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2021 10:06


    Children of the corn and funny shaped cake. It's ramping up to Halloween in the Valley, which of course means pig races, getting lost in fields and appreciative zombies. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Marauding cowboys and the wrong kind of pie.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2021 9:31


    Marauding cowboys and the wrong kind of pie. A big week in history, both personally and for the city. Plus we discover the connection between  cowboys and tarantulas. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    The Arizona Big 8

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2021 10:14


    The Arizona Big 8 We go on holiday up the road and spend a few days in the desert in the company of the Arizona Big 8...   For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Adventures in a different desert

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2021 12:49


    Adventures in a different desert A weekend in the hot mess of lights, music, drinks and people that is Las Vegas leads to a surprising outcome in the casino. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert    

    Terror underneath the towels and too many dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 9:49


    Terror underneath the towels and too many dogs The week brings unwanted animals of many species...Plus, the two things America is great at, that you don't get anywhere else. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert My new podcast, American Vigilante is out NOW!! Please hit follow wherever you listen to your podcasts https://podfollow.com/1583938816

    Saloon nights in inappropriate footwear

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2021 8:03


    Saloon nights in inappropriate footwear Cooler breezes, saloon nights and exciting news about flights! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert My new podcast, American Vigilante is out NOW!! Please hit follow wherever you listen to your podcasts https://podfollow.com/1583938816  

    Not Messin' with Texas and swooning over Weetabix

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2021 9:28


    Not Messin' with Texas A visit to the most independent of all the states reveals surprising signs of British influence! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert My new podcast, American Vigilante is out NOW!! Please hit follow wherever you listen to your podcasts https://podfollow.com/1583938816  

    Giving first aid to a chicken

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2021 8:44


    Giving first aid to a chicken A late-night meeting with one of the locals causes some concern. Plus lessons in protecting pets from the desert wildlife. My new podcast, American Vigilante is out on September 13! Please hit follow wherever you listen to your podcasts https://podfollow.com/1583938816 For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Castles, corn and curiosities

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2021 14:03


    Castles, corn and curiosities We take a trip to the centre of Arizona and make quite the discovery... Plus, an EXCLUSIVE teaser for my brand new podcast American Vigilante, launching September 13. Warning: contains very strong language and descriptions of violence. Please hit follow wherever you listen to your podcasts https://podfollow.com/1583938816 For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Trimmin' trees and talkin' funny

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 9:31


    Trimmin' trees and talkin' funny Two visitors to the house provide vital services we never needed before and whilst talking to a man called Dr Randy, something strange happens in my mouth... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    All kinds of Wild

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2021 10:14


    All Kinds of Wild Even after two years in the Valley, it's another weeks of firsts, some exciting, some discomforting. Plus the wild side of desert weather blows into town. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Terror in trunks!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2021 10:04


    Terror in trunks! Cooler temperatures mean daytime walks for the first time in months, but summer still holds a few dangers up its sleeve (or in its crotch). For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Books, bills and extreme DIY

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2021 10:18


    Books, bills and extreme DIY As August rolls around, so does the return to school and all the new rituals that entails.  Random cheques arrive and a nasty surprise whilst changing a light bulb. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    No bears, more rain

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 7:37


    No bears, more rain Another week of monsoon weather in the valley puts everyone in a good mood. But a shortage of something you may never even use, puts summer fun in jeopardy for many families. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Staring at the Suns

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2021 8:20


    Staring at the Suns With the sun out of town for the week, all focus has been on the Suns. Confused?  All will be explained. But the sometimes dreary skies have also reflected Sam's mood as another milestone passes. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Wild weather and love-lorn beetles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2021 8:33


    Wild weather and love-lorn beetles We return home from California to face monsoons and haboobs, as well as some gigantic beetles, with just one thing on their minds... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Road trippin' with the lizard and illegal dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 9:32


    Road trippin' with the lizard and illegal dogs. We take an impromptu road trip to the coast and discover disappearing beaches and an often overlooked American way of life. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    A baseball cap full of ice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2021 9:01


    A baseball cap full of ice. As the heat ramps up, the tiniest exertions become huge challenges and a couple of comments make me ponder the reputations of "Brits Abroad" For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    New York: Old friends, new friends and all the food.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 10:19


    New York: Old friends, new friends and all the food. We enjoy family time in our favourite city, just as it springs back into life. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Escaping the heat

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2021 8:39


    Escaping the heat We leave the 'historic megadrought" in Arizona behind and head to New York City. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Spray bottles, spiders and Spam

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2021 10:45


    Spray bottles, spiders and spam We head south to Catalina State Park in search of a swim. There's an unusual visitor to the neighbourhood and a discovery about a certain state's cusine. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Up In The Air AGAIN!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2021 10:26


    Up In the Air AGAIN! A late Christmas present balloon ride gives a whole new perspective of the Sonoran Desert - incuding something we haven't seen for more than two years! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Up In the Air

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 11:59


    Up In the Air An escape to Los Angeles for the weekend heralds an exciting return to air travel and glorious renuions with old friends, leading to a reflection on just how much life can change. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Not the week we expected

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2021 8:37


    Not the week we expected More bumps in the road of ex-pat life in Arizona.   But some great times too. What a week! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    This Is My Family - bonus episode!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2021 45:22


    I recently appeared on the wonderful podcast This Is My Family hosted by my friend Tyler Greene and I thought you might like to hear it.   It's a podcast about building a life with the people we love. All families are different, but all families make us who we are.   I spoke to Tyler about the huge sacrifices my family made for me as I was growing up, my struggle to have a family of my own and the roadtrip I took with my mum after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.   Thanks so much for listening - and if you want to listen to more episodes of This is My family - here are more details.   Instagram: @timfshow Twitter: @timfshow  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TIMFShow Website: https://www.timfshow.com/   --   For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    'Tis the season.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2021 8:26


    'Tis the season This week marked the start of two major seasons in Phoenix, one more welcome than the other... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Highs, lows and horror!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2021 12:30


    Highs, lows and horror! A week of joyful trips, pensive moments and much screaming. Just another week in the desert then... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Extreme Gardening

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 10:05


    Extreme Gardening Even the most mundane of daily tasks results in some heart-stopping moments. A rain shower brings some confusing emotions... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Out Among The Cacti

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 8:00


    Out Among The Cacti The first RV adventure takes us south to Picacho Peak, where we discover a history of gold rush migrants and Civil War battles, along with wildflowers and wide-open skies. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Mr Brightside AKA The Beast

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 8:38


    Mr Brightside AKA The Beast There's a new member of the family, who promises to take us away from all of this.... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    A week of firsts

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2021 13:18


    A week of firsts Recorded at the top of a very windy Shadow Mountain, it's been seven days of discovery in the desert, ranging from new culinary experiences to unusual animal accessories. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert  

    Drive-thru hope

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2021 10:24


    Drive-thru hope The midnight vaccine proves to be quite the experience, and it's hotting up in the valley and that includes some people's tempers... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Clicking refresh for 36 hours

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021 8:08


    Clicking refresh for 36 hours As the vaccine programme rolls out in Arizona, it's a mission to get hold of a jab.  Political responses to horrible tragedies shine a light on a very American problem. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

    Fearless Warriors and Furious Lizards

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2021 7:42


    Fearless Warriors and Furious Lizards As some of the family head south to learn about the history of Cochise, Sam is left (almost) home alone, locked in a battle of wits with a lizard. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert

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