PODCAST · health
Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool
by Cool Conversations
Conversations had the right way. Welcome to 'Cool Conversations' hosted by Kenton Cool. Kenton is one of the world’s leading high-altitude climbers, and a highly engaging and inspiring motivational speaker. He was the first person in history to complete the ‘Everest Triple Crown’, reaching the summit of Mount Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse in one continuous push from base camp and has stood on the roof of the world, Mount Everest, 19 times. In short, he's got lots of stories to tell, and it's on Cool Conversations where he shares them. With regular guests from the world of sport and adventure featuring on the show, Kenton and his guests share their epic adventures, life lessons, experience and expertise to inspire you.
Episodes
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Everest short: Karl Egloff
Speed climber and mountaineer Karl Egloff returns to Everest this year, and Kenton catches up with him for a quick chat. Listeners may remember Karl joined the pod last year ahead of his FKT attempt, which was ultimately thwarted by poor weather. After a year of very disciplined training, Karl is...
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Everest Short: Jakob Muehlbacher
This week, Kenton sits down with expedition doctor Jakob Muehlbacher and asks for his insights into working on Everest. Jakob is back on Everest for the fourth time. He first took the role of expedition doctor in 2023, then combined the role with a summit in 2024, and has continued as doctor in...
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Everest Short: Benny Lieber
This week's insight into Everest comes from Benny Lieber, who is a lead guide for Furtenbach Adventures and finds himself at Everest Base Camp with Kenton. Benny is no stranger to the podcast (check out episode 126), but this week he shares his view on all things Everest - the icefall, the route…
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Everest Short: Ben Ayers
Whilst Kenton is in Nepal, he always bumps into a host of interesting people. This year, he is recording a series of 'Everest Shorts', in which he asks people about their take on Everest, rather than about themselves. Kenton's first guest is Ben Ayers, who has been living in Nepal since 1998. He…
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TFTT: Carstensz Pyramid
We have another Tales from the Trails for you this week! This time, Kenton travels to West Papua to climb Carstensz Pyramid with 'the twins' who are ticking off their 'seventh summit' on this expedition. Travel to and from Indonesia is severely impacted by the war in Iran and this adds a variety…
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TFTT Argentina Part 2
Tales from the Trails continues this week and Kenton and his client, Tim, are on the slopes of Aconcagua in Argentina pushing for a summit. Will they be blessed with a good weather window? Will Tim's knee and Kenton's quad hold up against the conditions? Will they choose to take their time or…
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TFTT from Argentina, Part 1
Tales From The Trails (TFTT) is back and this time Kenton is in Argentina. He takes us along on his journey from Mendoza to Aconcagua base camp and beyond, describing the conditions, the terrain, the camps and the people. Kenton has recorded this on his acclimatisation rotation before attempting...
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Matt Cooper: Giving Back
Today's guest, Matt Cooper, owns a well-known adventure education business based in North Wales called The Mountaineering Company, but you may be surprised to learn that he and Kenton don't spend much time talking about that at all! Instead, Matt tells Kenton about the work he has been doing for...
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Lucy Gossage: Entering the Adventure Era
This week's guest is the unstoppable Lucy Gossage who is a master in the art of squeezing every minute out of life. She works full time as a senior oncologist in the NHS, she is heavily involved in her Move Against Cancer charity, and she runs ultra-marathons in her spare time. Lucy tells Kenton...
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Lee Donald: Finding Euphoria
Our first guest in 2026 is Lee Donald, an award winning PT who summited Everest in 2024 and has found a love for the big mountains. Becoming a PT in 2011 helped Lee to overcome an eating disorder, alcohol addiction and depression, and she describes the feeling of standing on Everest as 'from rock...
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Jonny Huntington: Pushing Boundaries
In this week's episode, Kenton speaks to para-athlete Jonny Huntington about his life-altering stroke, his rehab and the remarkable endurance challenges that he has embarked on. Aged 28, Jonny experienced a brain bleed and stroke which left him paralysed down one side. After two and a half years…
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Tim Emmett: Switching off the noise
This week, we welcome professional climber, Tim Emmett, onto the podcast. Kenton and Tim have been friends for over 30 years and their shared passion for climbing is infectious. Tim loves all styles of climbing from alpine to sport, from ice to deep water solos. But he talks to Kenton today about...
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Jenny Tough: Finding Growth Outside our Comfort Zones
This week's Cool Conversations guest is Jenny Tough, a writer and professional adventure athlete based in Scotland. Jenny has completed numerous cycling and running multi-day adventures all over the world, almost always solo and self-supported. Jenny talks to Kenton about her constant desire to...
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David Goettler: Mountain of Faith
This week on the pod, Kenton is joined by high-altitude mountaineer David Goettler. This is his second time on the podcast, having previously chatted to Kenton back in 2022 after he successfully summited Everest without oxygen. On this occasion, Kenton was keen to speak to David because he has...
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Gwendolyn Bounds: Building Fitness for Life
On this week's episode of Cool Conversations, Kenton speaks to award winning journalist and champion Obstacle Course Racer, Gwendolyn Bounds. Wendy, as she is known, took up Obstacle Course Racing at 45 years old and has built her fitness to such an extent that she now competes for podium places…
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Aldo Kane: Adventuring with Purpose
This week's Cool Conversations guest is adventurer and safety expert, Aldo Kane. Aldo tells Kenton that he was a Royal Marines Commando for 10 years before finding his way into TV and film where he looks after safety and logistics in extreme, remote, hostile environments. Prompted by Aldo's work,...
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Tales from the Trails: Laila Peak Part Two
In this week's episode, Kenton continues his climb up Laila Peak in Pakistan, providing real-time updates as he and the team move up the mountain from Basecamp, and then all the way back to Islamabad. He describes ice towers, snow slopes, glaciers and rock formations. He explains the challenging...
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Tales from the Trails: Laila Peak Part One
The popular Tales from the Trails is back and this week Kenton is taking us on a journey through Pakistan. Starting in Islamabad, Kenton and his team fly to Skardu (not without drama!), then take 4x4s to Hushe, high in the Hushe Valley, before they continue on foot to Laila Peak's Basecamp. As...
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Conversation with Hannah Cox: Project Salt Run
Kenton's guest on this episode of Cool Conversations is Hannah Cox who is about to launch herself into a 4,200km run, having only started running last year. Why? You will learn that Hannah is obsessed with a hedge that formed an inland customs line across India about 150 years ago. It was used to...
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Sevan Garo: Starting the Conversation
We have another outdoor special for you this week, recorded near Chamonix in Servos. Kenton chats to Sev Garo, an artist and sculptor who is inspired by glaciers. Sev explains how he aims to capture the energy of glaciers through his art and how he hopes his work helps to start conversations…
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TFTT: The Eiger
Tales from the Trails (TFTT) is back and this time Kenton is on the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. Kenton talks us through his ascent of the 3,967m Eiger, with his client Marco. They ascend via the Mittellegi ridge and descend via the South Ridge on an absolutely beautiful summer's day with views for...
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Anna McNuff: Adventurous Commitment
Welcome to a previously untested podcast format (for us!) - a walk and talk. Kenton recorded this episode with adventurer, writer and super-mum, Anna McNuff, whilst walking on Leckhampton Hill in Gloucestershire, and it really is a cool conversation! Anna and her husband, Jamie McDonald (another...
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Richard Pyne: Custodian of Páramo
This week's Cool Conversation is between Kenton and Richard Pyne, CEO of British clothing brand Páramo. Right from the offset, we understand that Páramo is unique: Richard describes himself as the Custodian of the brand, rather than the CEO; he tells us that the company is employee-owned; he…
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Professor Duncan Quincey: Losing Their Cool
Recorded at 6,400m on Everest, is this the highest altitude podcast recording ever? We don’t know but we do know that you’re going to love it! Kenton speaks to University of Leeds based Professor of Glaciology, Duncan Quincey, about his current research project on the Khumbu glacier. Whilst…
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Dr Sarah Ruggins: Focus, Discipline, Gratitude
This week Kenton welcomes Dr Sarah Ruggins back to the pod to unpick the details of her incredible bike ride from John O'Groats to Lands End and back again. Sarah blended her love of the discipline of unsupported ultra-endurance cycling with supported time-trialling to take on her most recent...
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Mark and Erich: Unearthing History
Whilst at Everest Basecamp this year, Kenton recorded this episode with Mark Fisher and Erich Roepke who made arguably the most exciting Everest discovery of recent years when they found Andrew Cormyn (“Sandy”) Irvine’s boot on the North Side of the mountain late last year. It was almost exactly...
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Jay Whiting: Achieving the Remarkable
This week, Kenton sits down to talk to Jay Whiting at Everest Base Camp. Jay is not a professional climber or a professional athlete - he is a full-time solicitor in London - yet when this episode was recorded, he was preparing to take on an enormous Himalayan challenge. Jay talks to Kenton about...
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Karl Egloff: The Speedy Mountaineer
In this special episode, Kenton interviews Karl Egloff at Everest Base Camp as they both prepare for their Everest expeditions. Karl is an extreme mountaineer, mountain guide, runner and speed climber with a host of impressive Fastest Known Times (FKTs) to his name. Later this month, he is aiming...
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Hem Rana: From Park Run to Ultra
If you like running, this week's episode is for you! Kenton sits down to talk to Hem Rana, a remarkable man who 'got the running bug' after going along to a park run six years ago and has since completed multiple ultras. Hem talks to Kenton about his childhood in Nepal and his application to join...
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Mark Evans MBE: Seeking Solitude
Mark Evans has been leading expeditions for over 40 years and he speaks to Kenton from Oman, where he has lived for 25 years. He has very recently completed a 30 day expedition through the Empty Quarter, travelling by foot and by camel, following in the footsteps of Bertram Thomas who first made...
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Belinda Kirk: Intentionally Wandering
Belinda Kirk is a researcher, campaigner, and author who is a huge advocate for adventure. When you tune into this episode, you will quickly realise that Belinda is a force of nature who is deeply passionate about what she does. Belinda founded Explorers Connect, encouraging people to engage in...
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Jude Kriwald: Picking Up Dreams
Aged 19, Jude Kriwald cycled from England to India, a journey that he describes in vivid detail in this week's episode of Cool Conversations. From embracing Iranian hospitality to sneaking through Tibet, his first major adventure left him with many stories to tell, and a taste for more. Jude...
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Andrew 'Basil' Heaney: Pushing the Envelope, Quietly
For most people, running a 100 mile race is an enormous undertaking, that requires months of diligent training. This week's guest, Basil Heaney, takes a different approach. He enjoys racing more than training, which means that he runs multiple ultra-distance races every year. Most recently, he…
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Lorraine McCall: The Draw of Big Journeys
In 2005, Lorraine McCall left her house to 'go for a walk' on her 40th birthday and didn't stop until she had walked up, and between, all 284 Munros in Scotland (2 Munros have since been downgraded, so there are now officially only 282!) This was a journey of 1,500 miles on foot. Ten years later,...
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Ella Foote - Finding Endorphins in Water
This week Kenton dives into (excuse the pun!) a fascinating conversation with wild swimmer, author and journalist, Ella Foote. Ella has been swimming outside since her childhood, when her parents used to take her to the seaside and they spent hours in the sea. These days she is editor of Outdoor...
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Elise Wortley - Learning from Women Pushing Boundaries
This week's podcast guest is Lise Wortley who has been on some fascinating journeys, conceived out of her curiosity about adventurous women from history. Lise has chosen to follow in the footsteps of women who 'pushed the boundaries' in the world of adventure in the early 20th century and who...
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TFTT: Everest Base Camp Trek
It's the first episode of 2025 and we have a spectacular Tales from the Trails (TFTT) for you! Kenton recorded this whilst he was trekking to Everest Base Camp in November and it is the perfect way to brighten up a cold January day. Kenton shares colourful descriptions of the people, valleys,...
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Lakpa Rita Sherpa: Uplifting Others
Whilst trekking in the Khumbu region recently, Kenton bumped into 'super guide' Lakpa Rita Sherpa, and took the opportunity to interview him for the podcast. Lakpa Rita was born in Thame, a small village high in the Himalayas, and followed in his father's footsteps becoming a mountain guide and...
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Melissa Arnot: Strengthening Resolve
Melissa Arnot is a mountain guide, Everest summiteer, adventurer and co-founder of The Juniper Fund. More recently, she has taken up ultra-running and in this episode of Cool Conversations, Kenton talks to her about her experiences in the 450km Tor des Glaciers race a few months ago. Melissa…
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Dorjee Gyelzen Sherpa: Climbing to Success
This episode of Cool Conversations is a very special one because Kenton sits down with his close friend and Number One Sherpa, Dorjee Gyelzen. Dorjee grew up in Pangboche, Nepal which sits at 4,000m altitude. Life in the high Himalayas is challenging, but through hard work and commitment Dorjee…
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Lewis Moody: Investing in People
This week, we welcome rugby legend, Lewis Moody, to Cool Conversations! Lewis was a member of the 2003 World Cup winning England rugby squad and he amassed 71 caps for England during his career. Lewis talks to Kenton fresh from a 2003 team reunion, which, we learn, do not happen very regularly at...
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Sequoia Schmidt: Surviving Tough Times
This week, Kenton talks to Sequoia Schmidt who is a remarkable business woman, climber, base-jumper, author and philanthropist. Sequoia started her business at 17 years old after an 'unstable' childhood that she discusses with Kenton. After nearly 20 years, she has now taken herself back to…
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Sid Pattison - Enjoying Life For What It Is
Sid is a high-altitude mountain guide, a heli-ski guide and more recently a self-taught builder! Sid lives in The Cascades in Washington State and he is currently building a house in the middle of nowhere and thoroughly enjoying the process. Sid and Kenton met at Everest Basecamp in 2018 when…
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Dr Sarah Ruggins: Embracing Resilience
This week, Kenton speaks to Dr Sarah Ruggins who, it is fair to say, leaves him lost for words a few times! Sarah embraced academia when she was younger and she holds four degrees in four different subjects. Her interest in philosophy and economics led her to a career in finance where she now…
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Benny Lieber: Bringing the Energy
Benny Lieber is an accomplished climber and is also described by Kenton as 'the next generation of high-altitude mountain guides'. Benny and Kenton met at Everest Base Camp earlier this year and hit it off immediately with Kenton feeding off Benny's unquenchable energy. Benny is a product…
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Brent Bishop - Framed by Family
A fellow mountain guide and mountaineer, Brent Bishop first summited Everest in 1994 and now describes himself as an 'aging climber'. He talks with Kenton about many of his mountain expeditions and how his family history helped to frame his experiences. Brent is a successful businessman and has...
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Ed Jackson: The Mountain Within Me
This week, Kenton talks to Ed Jackson, a former professional rugby player who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2017 and is now living a very active and adventurous life as an incomplete quadriplegic. Ed's remarkable story is documented in his new film, The Mountain Within Me, which is released…
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Bonus - The Ainslies
Today we treat you to an extra six minutes of Kenton speaking to Ben and Georgie Ainslie. After they had finished their 'official' podcast recording, they continued chatting and the conversation was just too good not to be shared!
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Ben Fogle: Wilderness and Whales
In this week's episode of Cool Conversations, Kenton speaks to broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle whilst they are both sailing through Alaska. Ben has lived an extraordinary life, completing ambitious challenges and travelling extensively - he has visited over 160 countries around the world. He...
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Ben and Georgie Ainslie: Making it Happen
Sir Ben Ainslie is a name many people will recognise. As Britain's most successful sailor, Ben won medals in five consecutive Olympic games from 1996, including Gold at the four games held between 2000 and 2012. Ben and his wife, Georgie, join Kenton today to talk about life after the Olympics.…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Conversations had the right way. Welcome to 'Cool Conversations' hosted by Kenton Cool.
Kenton is one of the world’s leading high-altitude climbers, and a highly engaging and inspiring motivational speaker. He was the first person in history to complete the ‘Everest Triple Crown’, reaching the summit of Mount Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse in one continuous push from base camp and has stood on the roof of the world, Mount Everest, 19 times. In short, he's got lots of stories to tell, and it's on Cool Conversations where he shares them.
With regular guests from the world of sport and adventure featuring on the show, Kenton and his guests share their epic adventures, life lessons, experience and expertise to inspire you.
HOSTED BY
Cool Conversations
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool have?
Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool currently has 168 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool about?
Conversations had the right way. Welcome to 'Cool Conversations' hosted by Kenton Cool. Kenton is one of the world’s leading high-altitude climbers, and a highly engaging and inspiring motivational speaker. He was the first person in history to complete the ‘Everest Triple Crown’, reaching the...
How often does Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool release new episodes?
Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool publishes regularly with 168 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool?
You can listen to Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool?
Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool is created and hosted by Cool Conversations.
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