“The urbex stories that you captured in your podcast are just phenomenal. When you listen to the podcast, the stories are so inspirational, so amazing and you can learn so much from them and be inspired, not even to do urbex but to do your own creativity.” – John Law (member of the Cacophony Society and Suicide Club and co-funder of Burning Man)
Ep 2: Bank Vaults, Burned Buildings & Bullet-Dodging: IkeBoy79 on The Thrill of Urbex, Superman Gloves Gone Wrong, Vigilante Run-Ins, and the Fine Line Between Adventure and Danger
From Youngstown, Ohio, Isaac has been exploring abandoned places since November 2018. His interest in urban exploring sparked after watching YouTubers like Adam the Woo, Exploring with Josh, The Proper People, and This is Dan Bell. Their videos inspired him to think, *that looks awesome—I want to do that!* He soon began following urbex accounts on Instagram, with Sketchyjawns becoming one of his first favorites, before creating his own page.
He started by exploring alone, venturing into old factories and graffiti spots. As his passion grew, he expanded his territory to Akron and Cleveland. A defining moment came at Akron’s Rubber Bowl stadium—sitting there alone, watching the sunset, taking it all in. That’s when he knew he’d found his calling.
Early on, he embraced the unwritten rules of urbex—never share locations, don’t ask for spots, and always do your own research. Though finding places takes time, he considers that part of the adventure. He takes pride in his ability to track down and research abandoned locations.
For [@ikeboy79], urban exploring means experiencing history in a unique way. He’s driven by the thrill of discovering places frozen in time and uncovering their stories. Abandoned theaters hold a special place in his heart. Knowing these places won’t last forever, he sees documentation as his mission. Through his photos, he helps preserve their history.
Now, as he continues seeking out hidden pieces of the past, we welcome Ike to the POD!
Ep 2: We’re Back: The Rebirth of Urbex, Back from the Dead, Clout Chasers, the Future of Exploring, TikTok Kids, Gatekeeping, the Ethics of Urbex, What’s Changed & What’s Next for the Pod!
After a year-long break, the host reunites with Nick @karmacula, Justin @ihatejustincurtis, Dave @freaktography, and Tommy @moldy_lungs. They discuss the evolution of urban exploration, the impact of technology and social media, and the ethics of sharing locations. The conversation covers personal experiences, the thrill of sneaking into abandoned places, and the challenges of responsible exploration. They also dive into the importance of honesty in the community, the legal risks involved, and the learning curve for new explorers. Reflecting on their growth and the niche nature of urbex podcasting, they also address why Chasing Bandos ended and what’s next.
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