My story.

Ash Bhardwaj is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, author, and leadership communications expert who helps organisations understand how stories shape trust, beliefs, and behaviour.

Combining two decades of frontline journalism with expertise in strategic communications and leadership development, Ash works with businesses, institutions, and leadership teams to communicate more effectively in this age of disruption and uncertainty.

He has reported from more than 50 countries for outlets including the BBC, The Telegraph, The Times, Sky News, Discovery, and Condé Nast Traveller. His work explores culture, conflict, identity, and global change, such as Russian influence and disinformation in Europe, and conservation, climate change, and indigenous storytelling traditions in Africa and New Zealand. 

Ash’s journeys include: a 1000km walk through Uganda and Sudan whilst filming Levison Wood’s Walking the Nile for Channel 4; travelling 2500km along the India-Pakistan border to present a four-part TV series for Discovery Channel; retracing secret British missions in Albania; kayaking through New Zealand; and travelling 8500km of Russia’s European border (including Donbas and occupied Crimea) for his Telegraph podcast series Edgelands. He produces and presents The First Mile and The Human Advantage podcasts, and hosts The Moth storytelling events in London

Alongside his media career, Ash has worked in strategic communications and counter-extremism in highly polarised environments. As an officer in the British Army Reserve and former outreach communicator for the Centre for Army Leadership, he helped develop leadership education and communication training for the British Army, specialising in storytelling, media engagement, and human-centred leadership. 

Ash lectures on journalism and storytelling at City University London and is a sought-after keynote speaker for organisations navigating change, leadership challenges, and cultural transformation. His talks combine compelling storytelling with practical insight into communication, empathy, resilience, and influence.

Before travel writing, Ash was a ski instructor, science teacher and wannabe cowboy. He is a major in the British Army Reserve (RIFLES), a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and has judged both the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing, and the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award.

Ash’s debut book, "Why We Travel: 12 Reasons to Travel and What They Can Teach You About Life", is a smart-thinking blend of memoir, travelogue, research, interviews, and advice. It explores psychology, motivation, identity, and fulfilment through the lens of travel and human connection, and was the Independent’s Best Travel Book of 2024.Ash Bhardwaj is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, author, and leadership communications expert who helps organisations understand how stories shape trust, beliefs, and behaviour.

Combining two decades of frontline journalism with expertise in strategic communications and leadership development, Ash works with businesses, institutions, and leadership teams to communicate more effectively in this age of disruption and uncertainty.

He has reported from more than 50 countries for outlets including the BBC, The Telegraph, The Times, Sky News, Discovery, and Condé Nast Traveller. His work explores culture, conflict, identity, and global change, such as Russian influence and disinformation in Europe, and conservation, climate change, and indigenous storytelling traditions in Africa and New Zealand. 

Ash’s journeys include: a 1000km walk through Uganda and Sudan whilst filming Levison Wood’s Walking the Nile for Channel 4; travelling 2500km along the India-Pakistan border to present a four-part TV series for Discovery Channel; retracing secret British missions in Albania; kayaking through New Zealand; and travelling 8500km of Russia’s European border (including Donbas and occupied Crimea) for his Telegraph podcast series Edgelands. He produces and presents The First Mile and The Human Advantage podcasts, and hosts The Moth storytelling events in London

Alongside his media career, Ash has worked in strategic communications and counter-extremism in highly polarised environments. As an officer in the British Army Reserve and former outreach communicator for the Centre for Army Leadership, he helped develop leadership education and communication training for the British Army, specialising in storytelling, media engagement, and human-centred leadership. 

Ash lectures on journalism and storytelling at City University London and is a sought-after keynote speaker for organisations navigating change, leadership challenges, and cultural transformation. His talks combine compelling storytelling with practical insight into communication, empathy, resilience, and influence.

Before travel writing, Ash was a ski instructor, science teacher and wannabe cowboy. He is a major in the British Army Reserve (RIFLES), a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and has judged both the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing, and the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award.

Ash’s debut book, "Why We Travel: 12 Reasons to Travel and What They Can Teach You About Life", is a smart-thinking blend of memoir, travelogue, research, interviews, and advice. It explores psychology, motivation, identity, and fulfilment through the lens of travel and human connection, and was the Independent’s Best Travel Book of 2024.