National Geographic photographer David Guttenfelder is no stranger to dangerous situations. After graduating from college, he left his life in rural Iowa to cover the 1994 Rwandan genocide, an experience that kicked off a decades-long career of reporting on war, conflict, and major news events all around the world. But when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down travel to most countries, he took an assignment close to his roots—paddling the treacherously unpredictable waters between the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. He describes what it was like visiting historic lighthouses and sea caves, and shares some surprising lessons he took away from that experience.
For more information on this episode, visit natgeo.com/overheard.
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For more on the Apostle Islands and their history, read writer Stephanie Pearson’s piece and see the stunning images David Guttenfelder captured while kayaking out there. 
Guttenfelder is also one of the few Westerners who has spent an extensive amount of time in North Korea. The photos he took there show a side of the country people rarely get to see. 
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He’s also been covering the war in Ukraine. You can check out some of his photographs from the front lines in this story for The New Yorker. 
You can follow David Guttenfelder on Instagram @dguttenfelder.
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