Special Report – Turmoil In The Travel Community – The William Baekeland Controversy
William Baekeland, a former guest, on Counting Countries is allegedly Jesse Simon Gordon. The travel community is alleging malfeasance on William’s part. William has been accused of being a con man who has been preying on members of the travel community. Purporting to be a young British aristocrat who is a heir to a plastics fortune; he ingratiated himself over several years within the travel community. William presented himself as an elite and accomplished traveler, who then began to organize exotic and unique expeditions with fellow travelers.
On this episode, I spoke with four travelers who have all interacted with William over the past several years. The four guests are Harry Mitsidis, Mike Kendall, David Langan, and Dominique Laurent. Each shared unique stories with different perspectives. Harry and Mike joined from the UK. David called in from Ireland and Dominique from France. I was recording in both Boston and Las Vegas.
A number of allegations have been made against William Baekeland by other members of the travel community. These allegations have not been proven in a court of law.
Please listen in on this special episode.
Photos provided with permission by Harry Mitsidis and Dominique Laurent.
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Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about the guests:
About Harry Mitsidis
His appearance on Counting Countries
About Mike Kendall
About David Langan
His appearance on Counting Countries
About Dominique Laurent
Dominique’s article on William
About William Baekeland
His appearance on Counting Countries
Nomad Mania newsletter in regard to William
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About Counting Countries
Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who’ve spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space.
Theme music for this podcast is Demeter’s Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi.
About GlobalGaz
Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.
Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com
How Many Countries Are There?
Well … that depends on who you ask!
- The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 325 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
- Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way.
Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way.
Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
Photos From Chernobyl
Sign up to receive your free copy of Photos From Chernobyl. Over 100 photos from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
[…] NOTICE: Please be advised that many in the travel community have alleged that William is really Jesse Gordon. He has been accused of defrauding members of the travel community by setting up trips, accepting deposits, and then canceling the trip without providing refunds. To hear a podcast with these alleged activities from other travelers, please listen here. […]
Great episode!
Kevin, thanks for the feedback!
I was on the boat with Harry, Dominique and William from New Zealand to Ushaia in 2015. Like Dominique, I have paid a deposit of 75% for 2 sectors of the proposed 2018 – 2019 Antarctica Circumnavigation expedition. I tried to contact him through email since late Oct. 2017 without success. After listening to the podcast I realise I have been treated. Is there anyway we can find him?
Hi Sarah…I would contact Harry Mitsidis of Nomad Mania. He is coordinating with people who were involved with William. Good luck.
I met William at a hotel in Ireland in early -’17 and in October I paid for a trip with him to Africa (West Africa+Congo+South Sudan+Comoros). His business partner did get in touch in November to explain William had some financial problems with the business but it wasn’t until I saw this link that I realize the extent of it! I am extremely anxious now because I have paid a LOT of money for this trip!!! I don’t even know if others are on the trip or not, if anyone out there know anything more which will be of help to me then please get in touch!!! What should I do? –
sueandjackbytheriver@hotmail.com
I am sorry to hear about your situation. I hope you get your money back or the trip comes to fruition.
[…] single cabin "made us believe his story," he said during an interview on the podcast Counting Countries. "When you appear on a ship of this type and have a single cabin, no […]
[…] single cabin “made us believe his story,” he said during an interview on the podcast Counting Countries. “When you appear on a ship of this type and have a single cabin, no […]
[…] single cabin “made us believe his story,” he said during an interview on the podcast Counting Countries. “When you appear on a ship of this type and have a single cabin, no […]
Ric – I’m a producer with a very well-respected British tv production company. I’m really interested in the Jesse Gordon/William Baekeland story.
Would you please drop me a line so I could give you a call?
Email will be in contacts below
Just sent you an email.
[…] Then a scandal emerged. It was via Ric Gazarian and his excellent Counting Countries Podcast series where I learnt about the Turmoil in the Travel Community. […]
[…] Counting Countries -sivuston mainos Williamin kanssa tehdystä podcastista. Tuolloin Nomadmania tunnettiin vielä nimellä The Best Travelled People. Vuotta myöhemmin samassa sarjassa ilmestyi podcast, jossa kerrottiin Williamin olevan huijari. […]
[…] allegedly had fleeced over $800,000 from the travel community. And I hosted another podcast The William Baekeland Controversy, where several guests shared their […]