It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Steve Holden, whose love of cars led him on an extraordinary journey of more than 5,000 kilometres to the Arctic Circle and back in a humble Fiat Panda.

Steve talks me through the motivations behind this ambitious adventure, including his decision to buy a far-from-perfect Panda and trust it to cope with some of the harshest driving conditions imaginable. We explore the modifications and careful preparation required to survive extreme cold, from mechanical reliability to planning every detail of the route.

I dig into Steve’s experiences of driving in sub-zero temperatures, the techniques needed to stay safe on ice and snow, and the contrasts he observed in driving cultures along the way. Beyond the challenge itself, Steve also reflects on the trip's deeper purpose: to raise awareness and funds for Myeloma UK.

This episode is a story of endurance, preparation, and determination, proving that big adventures do not always require big cars.

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