I´ve been very lucky to be able to travel all over the world lecturing about the Kolyma Expedition. I´ve been to New York, London, Kuala Lumpur, Dubrovnik, Berlin and many more. The last one was in Poland this past weekend

It was a very short version, to fit into Marcin´s press conference. But I did get time to show the film from the Siberian Expedition. And the response, which is so important for me, especially since the audience in many way have been affected by Stalins gulags, was so full of passion, feelings and awe in many ways. And most of all, they like my way to take away my own self and the macho part, and showing the lifes of people who live in the area. After every of these lectures outside of Scandinavia, I feel so happy that I´ve been able to build a bridge between cultures. the mission will continue.

Some reviews:

You are an excellent speaker Mikael and that is a blessing to the field of exploration and explorers all over the world. Most astronauts complained that when asked about their experiences in space they had no answers to give. Astronaut John Young said that they should spend poets in space so that they can properly describe the experience. You dear friend are the poet in the adventure exploration arena. Keep it up!

Khadeejah Gibran Raja

Dear Mikael,

We had dinner a week ago with Michael Palin and said we had met you and he sees you as one of the great explorers in the world. Nothing new there. But he spoke warmly of what you had done to inspire young people and that is your strength. You speak to a different audience. Most exploers come from the upper classes and have been able to indulge their curiosity for the world because of their personal wealth. Not true for you and that is what makes you so extraordinary. If you have any plans to come to London you must let us know. we would love to see you again. Love Helena

Baronessa Helena Kennedy

Dear Friend Mikael,

As I watched this video clip and listened to you speak of your journey through life, I was filled with overwhelming emotion. You my friend are a “Once in a life time” human being. Yes, I know we are all unique and we all alike. “YOU” have the heart of a “True” explorer. You begin your journey’s humble and end them humble. The only, wonderful thing lacking in your presentations, and experience is “EGO” and THAT is what I love as I watch and listen to you speak. You are a pure heart. One who seeks to learn and share. Embarking on journey’s / expeditions such as the ones that you have requires so much, and on the same hand so little. Certainly, you of all people are well aware of standard criteria as well asthe “not” standard. Your love for people, understanding other cultures and expedition is matched by none. You are genuine and the knowledge you posess is priceless. If the opportunity never comesfor me to visit Siberia I can rest assured that I have true and accurate knowledge of the people there. Through your magnificently captured images I could almost feel their strength.In their simple yet adequate way of life I have learned (all by viewing this clip you have shared) what I thought to be true “is” indeed true. We are more adaptable than we know or believe, and can do anything we set our minds to. You prove this. You have shared something with me (and others) that will remain close in my heart forever. I will share with otherswhat I have learned from you. Reciently you told me I gave you food for thought. You my friend have done the same for me. I am playing with some ideas about your work and how powerful it is. There is no greater teacher than experience and when shared without the presence of ego, it is not only dynamic, it is epic, it is contageous! It’s something you cannot put a price tag on. You are theexample of all examples. A lot of people seem to enjoy telling me “I Can’t ” do things .. Then I do them anyway and they can’t believe I did it. Often, if we wait for the perfect weather, the safest mode of transportation, or excessive amounts of funding before we begin our journeys in life we may never leave. Opportunity changes, and so do we. Why wait? Why waste time?Cease the moment! You are almost like a Super Hero to me. I could go on and on about how amazing I know you are. Please know this Mikael. for people, understanding other cultures and expedition is matched by none. You are genuine and the knowledge you posess is priceless. If the opportunity never comesfor me to visit Siberia I can rest assured that I have true and accurate knowledge of the people there. Through your magnificently captured images I could almost feel their strength.In their simple yet adequate way of life I have learned (all by viewing this clip you have shared) what I thought to be true “is” indeed true. We are more adaptable than we know or believe, and can do anything we set our minds to. You prove this. You have shared something with me (and others) that will remain close in my heart forever. I will share with otherswhat I have learned from you. Reciently you told me I gave you food for thought. You my friend have done the same for me. I am playing with some ideas about your work and how powerful it is. There is no greaterteacher than experience and when shared without the presence of ego, it is not only dynamic, it is epic, it is contageous! It’s something you cannot put a price tag on. You are the example of all examples. A lot of people seem to enjoy telling me “I Can’t ” do things .. Then I do them anyway and they can’t believe I did it. Often, if we wait for the perfect weather, the safest mode of transportation, or excessive amounts of funding before we begin our journeys in life we may never leave. Opportunity changes, and so do we. Why wait? Why waste time?Cease the moment! You are almost like a Super Hero to me. I could go on and on about how amazing I know you are. Please know this Mikael. You are dynamic. I value you. I appreciate every experience you share with us. And I look forward to the day we meet. I am sure you have alot to do so I will leave you with these words for now; The World Needs More “YOU” in it. More than ever before our world needs more goodness, more kindness, more caring more action.. More You!This is our time, yours and mine. You have important discoveries to make, Now is the time to make them.you have important talents to develop. Now is the time to develop this. You have important gifts to give to the word. Now is the time to give them. Thank you for being you!

Kathy L. Carillo

“Mikael is an impressive man, not just in his character which is unique, abundantly cheerful and deeply intelligent, but he has achieved so much in the world around us, through exploration he has opened our minds to new places, new feelings and most importantly new ways of thinking/seeing – his keynote – Normal-na – is without doubt one of the best presentations on the human spirit I have ever had the honour of listening to.”

Tim Lavery, Explore Foundation

“It was the best time in my life, Mikael, you have helped me to focus on the important things of my Expedition to the Kolyma. You are an amazing person. ”

Marcin Gienieczko, famous Polish explorer

“Mikael Strandberg spoke at TEDxMälaren that was held in Stockholm. TEDxMälaren is an independently organised event which is a sub-programme of TED in the vision to share ideas worth spreading. Mikael kicked off the event with an inspiring talk on humanity and communication especially in foreign countries through his expedition in Siberia. He delivered messages of how one should never judge people, how one should learn to adjust in foreign environments and the humanity of people through his experiences. He left the audience pondering over these lessons and reflecting on themselves. Mikael proved to be a remarkable explorer, braving through what seemed impossible and an inspiring lecturer, teaching people great values and lessons that one should learn in life in a humourous and relaxed manner. He is definitely one of the best lecturer I have come across and I hope he will continue to inspire people around the world!”

July 5, 2010

Hui Qi Foong, Intern, Biorecro AB

“You have an amazing ability to

present all the dramas and traumas

of your expeditions in a lighthearted

– but not flippant – way

which enhances the toughness of the

situations in which you found (got)

yourself. You have a great sense of

timing, humour and ‘cool’ which is unusual

in a language not one’s own. You

took about 20 years and 50,000

kilometres to have learned ‘almost

nothing’ but your demeanour and

presentation show that you ‘know’

more than anyone I have met. Your

lecture at our company is one of the best

ever. We look forward to

having you back soon, Michael.”

Marc Freedman, Chanderley Enterprises

“You are the funniest, most inspirational speaker I´ve ever heard.”

Alicia V. Stephens, American Museum of Natural History, New York

“Dear Mikael, for me the best part of the weekend was meeting you. I believe that you embody the point of exploration, which does not often happen these days. I also like the idea of having you back here and Moscow as well so I will follow up.”

Lorie Karnath, chairman and boardmember Explorers Club, Berlin

“Mikael is an honest to God adventurer – he’s the real deal and more. His exploits are the stuff of the best adventure books you’ve ever read and he delivers it with a wit, authenticity and message that is powerful to say the least. Mikael kicks ass. I still remember the first time I ever heard him speak.”

Ridlon Kiphart , CAO – Chief Adventure Officer , Live Adventurously

“Dear Mikael, I have seen every Monday lecture for the last twenty years and I have once been the president of the Royal Geographic Society

myself. This is the best lecture I´ve seen in twenty years.

I have seen all the great once, but they couldn´t tell a story like you. Now, you´re one of the great ones!

It was remarkable!

The Earl Jellicoe

“Your lecture is one of the most inspirational I have heard in my 29 years at the Royal Geographical Society. ”

Shane Winser, chairman Expedition Advisory Board

“Last year we had Michael Jordan in Singapore, this year with had Mikael Strandberg in Kuala Lumpur. Two truly amazing lectures, sportsmen and human beings.”

David King, vice president UT Star.com

“It was a remarkable lecture! Mikael´s a great storyteller and it is very important everything he has to tell us about

that part of the world. We don´t know anything a people´s every day life in such an extremely cold temperatures. He

captivates his audience immediately, has great humour and a lot of charm.”

Dr Rita Gardner, director of the RGS

“Great news your lecture turned out to be such a success… just so sorry I was there to lead the applause! I had a lot of

friends there who all said it was the best lecture they’ve heard! Beating Buzz Aldrin! ”

Oliver Steeds, ABC correspondent Peking

“Mikael, I was lucky enough to find a seat in the packed Ondaatje Theatre last night at the RGS to hear your fantastic lecture.

Good to see you looking well after such a trip, and the fact that you haven´t changed a bit, after such a life changing experience.

Many of the explorers who return after a trip are not as quite as they were before leaving, they always seem a little to confident.

have you ever thought about stand up comedy? I have never laughed as much as on Monday! your Essex accent is spectacular!”

Justin Hobson,picture Library manager at the RGS

“Mikael, it was the funniest, most informative and exciting lecture I´ve heard in years. Yoú do really know how to

captivate your listners. And thank you for your great work for all native tribes. It was interesting to hear your story about

the white male explorer wanting tobe a hero, when actually people live in these temperatures daily! You have a charisma

very few people have and I think it is because your down-to-earth, lack of badges from millions of sponsors and one

immediately feels that you are a genuine bushman and human being. Congratulations and hope to see you again at the RGS!”

John Murray, publisher at Cambridge Books

“Mikael, during the last ten years I haven´t come across the interest you´ve stirred. A ten minute applaude,

I can´t remember when that last happened! I think it was Borge Ousland a few years back. But this doesn´t happen very

much. Congratulations!”

Steve Brooks , Boultbee&Brothers

“I have heared lectures all over the world for the last twenty years. Only two people have stirred my emotions the way

you did. Both austronauts.”

Alexandra Foley, FoleyPR

“Incidently, I got multiple complimentary comments following your talk. One email simply said ‘best ever’.”

Jonathan Wilson, Exxon Oil, London

“We hold talks in the Library of our private members club, they often tend to be based on the intellectual aspects of travel as well as the adventurous side. Michael gave detailed and energetic descriptions in both categories and the audience were both spellbound, amused and educated. Michael prompted many interesting questions from an informed audience. I can guarantee Michael will provide an inspiring and entertaining talk. David Broadhead, The Travellers Club, Pall Mall, London SW1”

David Broadhead, secretary The Travellers Club, London

However, following various comments made by guests
following the Library lecture last Monday evening, only a few said that they
had ever witnessed a lecture to compare with Mikael Strandberg’s journey
along the Kolyma River in North-East Siberia.

Mikael’s library lecture, given to a joint meeting of the British Chapter of
The Explorers Club and The Travellers Club was full to capacity and there
was an expectation that something unique was about to be witnessed.  The
audience of seasoned travellers seated in what had been the Queen Mother’s
favourite room in London were to be far from disappointed.

Nobody could have imagined the extreme hardship, cold and danger that
Strandberg and his companion had experienced on his last major expedition.
The beauty of the river, the friendliness of the people seemed oddly
misplaced with the horrors and evil that took place in that part of Siberia
during the Soviet era.  Many of the locals still longed for past days where
security and a social system provided for most of their basic needs and
Mikael’s lecture made it clear that many still yearned for the return of the
security and certainty that the State had provided prior to the transition
to a semi-capitalist society.

Mikael’s lecture is crafted like a nordic epic and in some ways that is
exactly what it is.  A mixture of a quest for the meaning of life, trials,
tribulations, fearce animals, spells and  signs.  It is about the search for
oneness with nature, survival, harmony and the fellowship of man.

Strandberg is an explorer of extremes.  His humour is infectious and crosses
any language barrier.  But most important, he is an astute observer of
cultures, many of which are likely to be lost in the next generation or
two.  His expeditions are not only adventurous, they are also a record of
things past that may never be eye-witnessed again.  Communication is
Mikael’s craft and long may that continue.

Barry Moss FRGS
Chairman, British Chapter of The Explorers Club and Member of The Travellers
Club

Matt Harris, Explorers Club, London writes:

The element of his lecture that stuck out the most was that his expedition was not about himself – it was about the people he met along the way, their reaction to him, his interaction with them and the relationships he built up with them. As many of the land based the firsts have been eaten up by now (Everest, Poles etc.) isn’t modern exploration about forging relationships, bridging cultural divides and educating those unlikely, unwilling or unable to undertake difficult journeys (whether you want to call hem expeditions or not) ?

If you’re lucky enough to see Mikael give a talk then go and see him and meet him, he’s a great guy and very amenable and has a really great outlook on life and I’d hate to see him stop exploring and coming back and telling us his great stories.

There´s more recommendations at http://www.linkedin.com/in/explorermikaelstrandberg !