Ash Bhardwaj
Journalist • Author • Presenter • Speaker
Ethos
I study what makes people think, act, and follow, and help leaders use those insights to drive real change.
Exploration &
adventure
I've spent two decades travelling the world as an explorer, journalist and British Army Reserve officer, walking the Nile, tracing the India-Pakistan border for Discovery Channel and tracking Russian subversion along Europe's eastern border. I have reported from over 50 countries for outlets including the BBC, The Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Times.
What motivates me
But the deeper question driving my travel was never really about the places. It was about the people. Why do we believe what we believe? What makes us act, change, resist, or follow?
Today, I work with leaders and organisations to do what the best journalists, military commanders, and change-makers have always done: find the story that moves people to act, and deliver it with impact.
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How I do what I do
Everything I do is rooted in one question: what actually makes people think, act, and change?
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I help leaders and organisations understand how stories shape belief, behaviour, and culture, and how to use communication to drive real change.
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I report, analyse, and present across the BBC, Discovery Channel, Sky News, Channel 5 and many more, taking audiences from conflict zones to remote expeditions but always focused on the human experience.
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As a series presenter and producer, my podcast highlights include immersive travel stories in The First Mile, leadership with the British Army in The Human Advantage and Edgelands for The Telegraph on Russian misinformation.
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My book Why We Travel was The Independent's Travel Book of the Year 2024. I've spent two decades writing about culture, conflict, and human behaviour for titles including The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Spectator, and Condé Nast Traveller.
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Whether I'm on stage at Hay Festival or speaking to a leadership team, I use stories from adventures across the world to examine what drives human belief, behaviour, and change.
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As a writer, presenter and videographer I produce first-person journalistic content for tour operators, destinations, and travel brands across video, social, and editorial.
Everything I do is rooted in one question: what actually makes people think, act, and change?
Why We Travel
Travel is the world’s most popular pastime. We spend more on our holidays than on any other activity, and tourism is experiencing rapid growth. But some travel is damaging our planet and communities, and we’ve all had disappointing travel experiences. So, how do we it better?
Ash has travelled as a pilgrim, backpacker, raver, soldier, ski instructor, journalist, grieving son, and husband. He realised that his most fulfilling travel had nothing to do with where he went or what he did. Good travel happens when we understand why we leave home in the first place.
“Best Travel Book of 2024"
The Independent
What People Are Saying
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“Absolutely outstanding. By bridging academic principles with vivid, real-world examples, Ash kept the entire audience highly engaged. Everyone left with valuable insights to reflect on and practical ways to elevate their leadership and approach to communication.”
— Goldman Sachs
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“An excellent storyteller. Ash shared everything we need to know about leadership and influence in a world of polycrisis and change."
— Northstar Travel Media
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“Ash brought leadership to life with practical advice from his very colourful and varied career, with the panache of a natural communicator.”
— Arthur D. Little
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"Ash’s unique and engaging style soon had the audience eating out of the palm of his hands. The guys took a lot of positives away from it. They're still asking when he's coming back!"
— PGI Consulting
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“Ash is one of the best speakers we have had. He created a bespoke talk for our conference, telling entertaining stories whilst drawing out lessons that reinforced the event theme. His talk was perfect, and everyone wanted to ask questions."
— International SOS