Dr. Ken Wadland is a lifelong traveler, storyteller, and explorer of world cultures. He has stayed in all 50 U.S. states and all 10 Canadian provinces. Dr. Ken has visited 50 countries across six continents. From major world capitals to remote villages with no electricity or plumbing, he seeks out the places where daily life unfolds in ways most visitors never see.
As an independent adventure traveler, Ken prefers to travel without advance reservations. This style allows him to experience communities directly, interact with local residents, and discover the unexpected moments that become unforgettable stories.
Ken has taken six around-the-world trips and explored remote regions of Africa, South America, and Australia. His modes of travel have included camel, donkey, elephant, ferry, hovercraft, motorcycle taxi, tuk-tuk, funicular, water taxi, dune buggy, steam train, and more than ten other modes of transportation. Each journey adds new perspectives, new stories, and sometimes new dents in the luggage.
Professionally, Dr. Ken has lectured throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), a recognition earned through years of advanced public speaking and leadership. He brings the same clarity, enthusiasm, and humor from his speaking career into his Armchair Travels presentations, creating engaging and accessible programs for audiences of all ages.
Inspired by decades of global wandering, Ken created Armchair Travels with Dr. Ken — a presentation series that blends photography, storytelling, show-and-tell artifacts, and lively audience conversation. Each session offers an immersive look into another part of the world, without the long flights or jet lag.
A Philosophy of Travel
Ken believes that travel is not just about geography — it’s about perspective. Whether standing in a bustling marketplace, watching the tides roar through a narrow channel, or sitting quietly in a remote village, he looks for moments that reveal how people live, how cultures express themselves, and how the world fits together.
His presentations aim to bring these insights home, helping audiences experience familiar emotions in unfamiliar places: curiosity, joy, surprise, and the warm recognition that people everywhere laugh at many of the same things.
Where the Stories Come From
Ken’s adventures include:
– Staying in a hammock deep in the jungle
– Crossing deserts by camel
– Rafting through tidal waves in Canada
– Eating meals whose ingredients remain politely unidentified
– Navigating world cities from Tokyo to Marrakesh
– Walking ancient sites, bustling markets, and quiet mountain trails
Each story is selected not just for its entertainment value, but for what it reveals about the human side of travel.
Today
Ken continues to explore the world and develop new presentations each year. When he’s not traveling, he resides in New Hampshire, where he writes and prepares new stories for the next audience.
To learn more, explore upcoming destinations, or book a presentation, visit the Contacts page.