SNAFU with Ed Helms: "Nick Kroll and Shackleton's Failed Expedition"

iHeartPodcasts | Original Airdate: October 15, 2025
Guest: Nick Kroll

Episode Overview

Ed Helms returns with Season 4 of SNAFU, America’s hilarious podcast exploring history’s most memorable blunders. This episode features comedian, writer, and actor Nick Kroll as the two dive into the infamous tale of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s failed Antarctic expedition. Lighthearted banter and absurd hypotheticals punctuate this deep dive into what went wrong—and what went right—on history’s most heroic screwup.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Banter and Snafu-Warming (00:37–06:24)

• Cannibalism Icebreaker: The episode opens with Ed and Nick jokingly debating whether they would eat a man or a dog first in a survival situation.

  • Nick: “Dog.”
  • Ed: “If you're gonna put me in that, like, Sophie's Choice situation…” (00:37)

• Personal Snafu—Nick's Family Vacation:
  Nick shares the story of a disastrous deep-sea fishing trip his dad organized for his mom’s birthday in Puerto Rico. The entire family, save for his dad, gets violently seasick.

  • Nick: “My dad turned fully like a chartreuse and all of us just absolutely ralphed all over this boat...Happy birthday, Mom.” (04:11)

Setting the Stage: Who Was Ernest Shackleton? (06:24–09:48)

• Shackleton's Background:

  • Born 1874 in Ireland, grew up in London.
  • Left school at 16 for the sea—“no Adderall then,” jokes Ed.
  • Early expeditions earned him knighthood.

• Era of Antarctic Exploration:

  • Early 20th century saw a “heroic age” with 17 major expeditions from 10 countries.
    • Ed: “Antarctica was so infested with explorers, this period became known as the heroic age...” (09:14)

• Comic Digression: Nick playfully claims to have seen Antarctica from Argentina:

  • Nick: “It was not hard at all. So whatever is about to happen to Shackleton, like, no big deal. Get a grip, bro.” (09:48)

The Endurance Expedition: Expectations vs. Reality (10:01–13:28)

• The Grand Plan:
  After the South Pole was reached by Amundsen, Shackleton set out to cross Antarctica by land—to become the first ever.
• Supplies and Crew:
  • 28 men (including a stowaway), 69 sled dogs, and a tomcat called Mrs. Chippy.
  • Nick jokes about bringing a hypoallergenic pillow and a “penguin Duolingo.” (12:04)

Disaster Strikes (13:28–15:53)

• Trapped in Ice:

  • After only a couple days, the Endurance is frozen in, “like an almond in the middle of a chocolate bar.”
  • Four months of total darkness follow.
    • Ed: “On May 1st, the sun fully vanished for four whole months.” (14:41)
    • Nick: “I am in a total blackout right now.” (15:01)

• Are They Good in a Crisis? Ed reflects on Nick’s calm under pressure:

  • Nick: “My blood pressure drops. I get very calm. I don't know if I'm effective or helpful, but I do not like panic.” (15:53)
  • Memorable Moment: Ed recalls Nick getting super stoned before a comedy show but remaining chill—"just wrote it beautifully." (16:10)

The Breakdown: Survival Mode (19:55–25:44)

• Abandoning Ship:

  • The Endurance is crushed by ice.
  • Makeshift camp built on the ice—complete with “dog glues” (dog igloos).
    • Nick: “I just want to talk about that. Have this be a space where we can talk about that kind of stuff.” (20:17)

• Rations & Losses:

  • Crew survives on seal and penguin meat.
  • Dogs that couldn’t survive—and Mrs. Chippy—are put down.
  • Endurance sinks: “She’s going, boys.” (21:56)
    • Ed (on losing the ship): “If my one mode of transportation out of certain death is just sinking before my eyes, I'm probably a little upset.” (22:21)

• March to Survival:

  • Hauling boats by sled: seven miles in seven days.
  • Ice eventually carries them closer to Elephant Island.

Boat Journey to Elephant Island (24:28–25:44)

• Brutal Boat Trip:

  • Crew forced into tiny lifeboats, battling massive waves.
  • Many suffer dysentery and seasickness, making conditions hellish.
    • Ed: “At this point...add to that dysentery, and now you know that it ain't just seawater sloshing around in those boats.” (25:01)

• Landfall at Last:

  • Finally, after 16 months gone, they reach desolate Elephant Island—only to realize rescue is still a distant hope.

The Final Ordeal: The Voyage for Rescue (27:58–31:17)

• The James Caird:

  • Shackleton and 4 crew set out for South Georgia Island—800 miles away—in a tiny lifeboat.
    • Nick: “Oh my God.” (28:49)
  • After 16 days at sea, they land—on the wrong side of the island.

• Summiting for Help:

  • Starving, frozen, they hike over a mountain to the whaling station.
    • Ed: “These guys are unstoppable.” (29:15)

• Rescue & Legacy:

  • It takes months, but Shackleton returns to Elephant Island and saves everyone—every crew member survives.
    • Ed: “They arrived in Chile 638 days after their initial voyage started...Every single member of the crew survived.” (31:15)

Epic Fail or Epic Win? (32:17–34:44)

• Nick’s Reflection:
  • “To basically go two years with a crew of 27, 28 men, to have every one of them survive is a triumph of organization and leadership and adaptability.” (33:23)
• Ed’s Reflection:
  • “This whole thing was optional, but that said, we do need people who push that envelope and like push humanity forward...” (34:02)

Modern Discovery & Fun Facts (34:44–38:29)

• Endurance Found:
  • In 2022, the ship was discovered nearly intact after 107 years, thanks to exceptionally preserved conditions underwater.
    • Ed: “Some called it the most pristine shipwreck they'd ever seen...could even read HMS Endurance on the back.” (36:44)
• 100-Year-Old Scotch:
  • Whiskey bottles were found and were still liquid after a century in the ice.
    • Nick: “I’d pay upwards of, you know, like 60 bucks.” (36:44)
    • Ed: “I would pay a shitload for that Scotch.” (36:58)
• Shackleton’s Last Words:
  • After numerous expeditions, Shackleton died at 47.
    • Reported last words: “You always want me to give up something. What do you want me to give up now?” (38:49)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Shackleton’s Name:

  • Ed: “He sounds like a 70s action movie star...or the President’s fixer. Get me Shackleton.” (06:24)
  • Nick: “And the first name being Ernest also speaks to like a sense of character inside of that.” (06:58)

• On Survival Choices:

  • Ed: “If you had to eat a man or a dog first, where would you go?” (37:39)
  • Nick: “Dog. I mean...yeah, me too.” (37:46)
  • Nick: “Yeah, I’m a fine young cannibal. I’m a fine middle aged cannibal.” (38:04)

• On Inspirational Value:

  • Ed: “If he could do that, it makes me hopeful for human potential...we’re just sort of losing this mettle that people like Shackleton and all of his men had.” (40:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:37–01:10: Cannibalism icebreaker & welcome Nick Kroll
• 03:12–04:11: Nick’s childhood “snafu” story—deep sea fishing disaster
• 06:24–09:48: Introducing Ernest Shackleton & history of Antarctic exploration
• 13:28–15:53: The Endurance stuck in ice & total darkness
• 19:55–23:24: The ship crush, “dog glues,” and life on ice
• 24:28–25:44: Dangerous journey by boat to Elephant Island
• 27:58–31:17: Shackleton’s lifeboat journey to South Georgia and rescue
• 32:17–34:44: Epic fail or heroic triumph? Wrapping up the lesson
• 34:44–36:44: The 2022 rediscovery of the Endurance shipwreck
• 36:44–38:29: The whiskey stash & Shackleton’s final days
• 39:04–41:18: Takeaways, lessons, and Nick Kroll’s current projects

Takeaways & Conclusions

• On Shackleton:
  Against all odds, Ernest Shackleton’s catastrophic failure to cross Antarctica became a story of leadership, grit, and survival. Despite massive adversity, not one man was lost.

• On Humanity:
  Nick and Ed agree the saga is ultimately inspiring—showing what people are capable of handling, even as modern life dulls some instincts.

• Practical Takeaways:

  • “Don’t go to Antarctica. Let it be.” (39:04)
  • “If you do...go with Ernest Shackleton.” (39:19)

Final Notes

The episode concludes with light-hearted plugs for Nick’s upcoming projects, underscoring the conversational, friendly tone that runs throughout.

For listeners new to the podcast:
This episode serves as an accessible, laugh-filled crash course in both historical disaster and accidental heroism—delivered (and deconstructed) by two old friends who clearly love a good story and a better joke.