Author, speaker, and TV host, Andrew Evans shares stories from around the world on paper, pixel, and screen. A peripatetic travel writer, Andrew has completed some 50 assignments for National Geographic, reporting live from all seven continents and over one hundred countries. Some of his favorite adventures include live-tweeting his ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro, blogging his thru-hike on The Jordan Trail (from Syria to Saudi Arabia), traveling to remotest Polynesia with an 18th-century guidebook, and traveling a 12,000-miles overland journey from Washington, DC, to Antarctica using public transportation.

Andrew—a five-time Lowell Thomas Award winner from the Society of American Travel Writers—is a contributor to National Geographic, BBC Travel, NBC, The Chicago Tribune and The Boston Globe. He is the author of five books, including two bestselling guidebooks (Ukraine and Iceland). His award-winning memoir The Black Penguin tells the personal story of a devout Mormon boy whose religion had pre-ordained his life’s path: baptism, mission, Brigham Young University, temple marriage, and children. Andrew lived the life expected of him while balancing a growing awareness that his own nature as a gay man conflicted with his religion and heritage. He escaped bullying and frustration in the faraway places shown on the glossy pages of National Geographic—especially his dream destination Antarctica.  After years of faithful church service and two years spent as a missionary overseas, he came out as gay and was excommunicated by his church (and for a time, his family). His personal memoir, The Black Penguin—equal parts coming of age, expedition journal, and his dream journey to the bottom of the Earth, while on assignment for National Geographic—tells his story.

Andrew also appears as on-air talent for the National Geographic Channel, hosting “World’s Smartest Cities” (a series focusing on the intersection of tech and geography) and “Hidden Gems”—a travel series that celebrates the lesser-known histories and cultures around the world.

A renowned influencer in the world of travel media, Andrew calls for traveling sustainably, open to experiencing the unfamiliar world with respect and mindfulness. Multilingual, Andrew holds degrees from Brigham Young University and Oxford University. When not on planes, trains, or the trail, he lives in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.