Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool

Tim Emmett: Switching off the noise

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Jenny Tough: Finding Growth Outside our Comfort Zones

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week's Cool Conversations guest is Jenny Tough, a writer and professional adventure athlete based in Scotland. Jenny has completed numerous cycli...

David Goettler: Mountain of Faith

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Gwendolyn Bounds: Building Fitness for Life

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode of Cool Conversations, Kenton speaks to award winning journalist and champion Obstacle Course Racer, Gwendolyn Bounds. Wendy, ...

Aldo Kane: Adventuring with Purpose

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Tales from the Trails: Laila Peak Part Two

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Tales from the Trails: Laila Peak Part One

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 tea...

Conversation with Hannah Cox: Project Salt Run

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Sevan Garo: Starting the Conversation

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

TFTT: The Eiger

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

Anna McNuff: Adventurous Commitment

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to a previously untested podcast format (for us!) - a walk and talk. Kenton recorded this episode with adventurer, writer and super-mum, Anna ...

Richard Pyne: Custodian of Páramo

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week's Cool Conversation is between Kenton and Richard Pyne, CEO of British clothing brand Páramo. Right from the offset, we understand that Pá...

Professor Duncan Quincey: Losing Their Cool

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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! Ke...

Dr Sarah Ruggins: Focus, Discipline, Gratitude

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Mark and Erich: Unearthing History

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Whilst at Everest Basecamp this year, Kenton recorded this episode with Mark Fisher and Erich Roepke who made arguably the most exciting Everest disco...

Jay Whiting: Achieving the Remarkable

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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-ti...

Karl Egloff: The Speedy Mountaineer

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, Kenton interviews Karl Egloff at Everest Base Camp as they both prepare for their Everest expeditions. Karl is an extreme mo...

Hem Rana: From Park Run to Ultra

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 alon...

Mark Evans MBE: Seeking Solitude

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 com...

Belinda Kirk: Intentionally Wandering

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Jude Kriwald: Picking Up Dreams

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 emb...

Andrew 'Basil' Heaney: Pushing the Envelope, Quietly

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Lorraine McCall: The Draw of Big Journeys

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

Ella Foote - Finding Endorphins in Water

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Kenton dives into (excuse the pun!) a fascinating conversation with wild swimmer, author and journalist, Ella Foote. Ella has been swimming...

Elise Wortley - Learning from Women Pushing Boundaries

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week's podcast guest is Lise Wortley who has been on some fascinating journeys, conceived out of her curiosity about adventurous women from histo...

TFTT: Everest Base Camp Trek

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Lakpa Rita Sherpa: Uplifting Others

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whilst trekking in the Khumbu region recently, Kenton bumped into 'super guide' Lakpa Rita Sherpa, and took the opportunity to interview him for the p...

Melissa Arnot: Strengthening Resolve

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Dorjee Gyelzen Sherpa: Climbing to Success

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Lewis Moody: Investing in People

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 am...

Sequoia Schmidt: Surviving Tough Times

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Kenton talks to Sequoia Schmidt who is a remarkable business woman, climber, base-jumper, author and philanthropist. Sequoia started her b...

Sid Pattison - Enjoying Life For What It Is

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Dr Sarah Ruggins: Embracing Resilience

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 young...

Benny Lieber: Bringing the Energy

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Benny Lieber is an accomplished climber and is also described by Kenton as 'the next generation of high-altitude mountain guides'. Benny and Kenton m...

Brent Bishop - Framed by Family

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A fellow mountain guide and mountaineer, Brent Bishop first summited Everest in 1994 and now describes himself as an 'aging climber'. He talks with Ke...

Ed Jackson: The Mountain Within Me

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Bonus - The Ainslies

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

Ben Fogle: Wilderness and Whales

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Cool Conversations, Kenton speaks to broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle whilst they are both sailing through Alaska. Ben ...

Ben and Georgie Ainslie: Making it Happen

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

The Turner Twins: Willing to Experiment

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Kenton sits down with Ross and Hugo Turner, also known as The Turner Twins. The identical twins are adventurers who embark on a variety of...

Lukas Furtenbach: Recapping the Everest 2024 Season

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lukas is a mountaineer, geographer, adventurer, leader of countless expeditions and founder of Furtenbach Adventures. He has established Furtenbach Ad...

Martin Hartley: Discovering New Species

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Kenton sits down with Arctic photographer, Martin Hartley, to hear about his latest project. Martin has recently returned from a research ...

Tim Howell - Jumping from Great Heights

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Howell is an alpinist, a mountaineer, a climber and one of the world's leading wingsuit base-jumpers. Kenton sat down to talk to Tim at Everest Ba...

Anna Hemmings: Striving for Excellence

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Hemmings is a phenomenal athlete who has been crowned World Champion six-times and competed at two Olympic games. Her chosen sport is marathon ka...

James Peach: The Value of Time

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Kenton sits down with James Peach - a brand strategist by trade, who likes to add side-helpings of adventure to keep things interesting! J...

Justin Wateridge: The Curious Traveller

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Kenton talks to Justin Wateridge who is MD of boutique travel agency, Steppes Travel, and extremely passionate about travel. Justin has vis...

Anna Wells: Find Your Passion

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Kenton chats to Anna Wells who, just two weeks ago, became the first female to ever complete a Winter Munro Round. Anna climbed all 282 Mun...

Allie Bailey: There is No Wall

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Kenton speaks to ultra-runner and endurance coach, Allie Bailey. Allie's story is not straight-forward. From the age of 14, she battled w...

Jono Sumner: Invest in Yourself

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Kenton chats to Jono Sumner who runs a very successful business with his brother and his best friend. The threesome co-founded LifeJacket S...

Kari Kobler: Pursuing a Rich Life

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kari is a Swiss born mountain guide who was the founder of 'Kobler and Partner', a highly successful guiding company. Having led 38 expeditions to 8,...

TALES FROM THE TRAILS: CLIMBING ACONCAGUA

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A much overdue return to expedition live, this time on the slopes of the highest peak in the Americas. Standing at 6,961m, Aconcagua provides a fabulo...

Hugo Tagholm – People, Planet and Community

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, I speak to Hugo Tagholm, current CEO of Oceana and former CEO of Surfers Against Sewage. Hugo has fused his work with his passion and has d...

Carla Molinaro: Finding Joy

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, I speak to ultra-runner and current 50K World Champion, Carla Molinaro. Her energy, enthusiasm and joy for life come through in bucket load...

Dan James: No Plan Needed

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we grab an opportunity. After climbing Pen-Y-Fan in Wales with photographer and community champion Dan James, we utilised the time on the d...

Neil McNab: Life is for Living

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Neil is one of the best all-round athletes I’ve ever met, innately talented across a spectrum of sports, although it was Snow Boarding where he made...

Alastair Humphreys: Keeping things local

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alastair Humphreys is an adventurer and author. In the past, he has embarked on huge adventures, such as cycling around the world and rowing the Atlan...

Iwan Lewis on the power and connection of storytelling

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Artistic director and CEO of The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, Iwan has established himself as a leading light of regional theatre. Growing up in West...

Cool Conversations - Episode 100!

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Steve McClure The mild-mannered janitor of British Climbing is really a full-blown Jedi. Steve has been at the very top of world climbing since his f...

Rob Forbes: Let's Not Be Too Serious

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you balance the work/life conundrum? Now add the extra dimension of being an acclaimed ultra-runner and the training that is required to be com...

TALES FROM THE TRAILS – The Alpine Rock climb

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kenton teams up with his long-time friend Neil Brodie and together they embark on a multi-pitch rock climb which pushes them both (especially Kenton) ...

Alex Partridge: The Journey to Find Identity

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Two world titles and Olympic medals don’t necessarily set you up for what comes next.  Following the London 2012 Olympics Alex stepped away from t...

How to climb the Matterhorn

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There can be no doubt that the Matterhorn is the most iconic mountain in the world. It dominates the view from the Swiss village of Zermatt becoming ...

The Mullan Method: Inside the Mind of a Top Personal Trainer

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I venture into the world of sports and personal training with Matt Mullan, the erstwhile professional rugby player turned personal tra...

Learning from Immersion.

18 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt DeSantis has spent the last 10 years invested in the people and culture of Bhutan. Turning his back on a corporate job after an impromptu visi...

The Power of Purpose

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A very special edition of Cool Conversations. Richard Walker climbed Everest only a few days ago with me. In this podcast, we talk through the asce...

Follow your heart.

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tommy Gustafsson is a longtime mountain lover, climber and hiker with a background in leading international sports and travel companies.   Since 20...

Meet the brilliant Billi Bierling

23 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Billi Bierling is a renowned mountaineer. However, it wasn't always like that; in fact when she was growing up she almost felt slightly oppress...

Giants Walk Among Us

09 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yorick Vion is a 3rd generation French mountain guide, ski racer, free-ride skier and all round ‘big deal.’ We catch up in his home town of Cou...

The Power of Celebrating Others

26 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Long-term podcast friend Guy comes back for a second episode. We catch up on his work with "Serve On" and the purpose and learnings this has given hi...

Finally, the first Coolaboration of 2023

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Only four months(!) after they said they would try and record a Coolaboration episode every month, Kenton and Dave's paths finally cross for a catch-u...

Hugo Mitchell-Heggs on HMS Oardacious

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In January 2020, four Royal Navy Submariners became the first-ever Royal Navy team and the fastest military team in history to row any ocean. The team...

TFTT - The Antarctica trip Pt.2

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the second part of the Tails from the Trails series, "The Antarctica trip", Kenton makes his way to the summit of Mount Vinson, the highest mountai...

TFTT - The Antarctica trip

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The southernmost continent on the planet, Antarctica, is the home of the Vinson Massif. And it's that Massif, and in particular, Vinson, the highest ...

Richard Walker on The Search For Sustainable Equilibrium.

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Richard is best known for his fight against palm oil and single-use plastic, but there is way more than environmental activism to his CV. As Chairm...

Celine Jaccoad On The Power Of Disconnecting From Social Media

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You won't have heard of Celine Jaccoad. But there is a good reason for that. Instead of posting her adventures online, Celine chooses to live a life o...

Guy Cotter - From dirt bag climber to international business owner.

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Guy Cotter has been at the cutting edge of high-altitude guiding since the 90s. A guide on one of the very first commercial expeditions to Everest, th...

Tales from the Trails - Bhutan: ‘The Journey Within’ Part 2.

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What makes the tiny Himalayan royal kingdom of Bhutan such a special place? @KentonCool searches for the answer to that question in this episode of Ta...

Tales from the Trails - Bhutan: ‘The Journey Within’

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

@KentonCool travels back to Bhutan with @IFit in search of a better understanding of what makes this tiny Himalayan royal kingdom such a special place...

Coolaboration - The Commercialisation of 8000m Peaks

23 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bhutan, Cheddar (he’s a dog), foraging for mushrooms, West Wales, what Kenton and Dave are reading, their podcast recommendations and a healthy dose...

Hazel Findlay on Harnessing a Growth Mindset

09 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hazel is one of the best all round rock climbers in the world. She got to this level, despite her small physical stature, by letting go of the common...

Sean Conway On The Positive Power Of Failure

25 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As with all big ideas, sometimes things don't work out the way you had planned. In this episode, Sean explains why failure can be a powerful tool in y...

Ian Mangiardi On Developing A Mindset To 'Go Again'

11 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Mangiardi is one of the few people to complete the Triple Crown of American Trails.  Spanning 10 years, and over 8000 miles long, this odyssey t...

James Elson, the ‘Challenger’

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

James is an Ultra-Runner, GB Athlete, founder of Centurion Running and La Sportiva UK Team Manager. In this episode of Cool Conversations, James expl...

David Long on Getting The Best Out Of Yourself

07 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David is a top-level athlete and the founder and owner of CrossFit Cirencester, in Gloucestershire. In this episode of Cool Conversations, David expl...

Coolaboration - the summer edition

24 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a while, but the boys are back. In this episode of Coolaboration, KC & DC talk about Everest; K2; leadership in business, and politics; ...

In Conversation with Nick Bullock

10 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A published author, alpinist and rock climber, Nick Bullock is known for his bold and audacious ascents. In this episode of Cool Conversations, Nick s...

Rob Broadbent On Creating Winning Team Cultures

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Broadbent is the founder of Lynwood & Co - a chain of coffee shops in the heart of the Cotswolds. From hotel management in the Swiss Alps to f...

Cool Conversations with David Goettler

12 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Professional mountaineer, mountain guide, public speaker and all-round great guy - David Goettler sat down with KC at Everest Basecamp last month. Thi...

TFTT - The Everest Summit Push

29 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You've read the news stories, seen the Instagram posts, and watched the news coverage; now it's time to hear how it went down from the man himself. Th...

TFTT - The Acclimatisation Rotation

08 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the second episode of the latest #Everest16 Tails from the Trails series, join Kenton for the “acclimatisation rotation”: base camp to camp 3, ...

TFTT - #Everest16

24 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tails from the Trails is back. In this first episode, in a brand new series, join Kenton as he treks towards Everest Basecamp - his home for the next ...

TFTT - the Italian edition

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #TFTT, Kenton heads to the Italian alps with @RebeccaLouiseFitness and her partner @Luke_Wren. Rebecca is climbing Everest with Ken...

Becks Ferry On Becoming The Person You’re Meant To Be

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

First and foremost, Becks is a mother to five (mostly - her words not ours!) wonderful children. An endurance athlete and lover of adventure, her love...

Coolaboration Catch-up

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first Coolaboration of 2022, and we had lots to catch up on. In this episode, we talk about Kenton's recent trip to South Africa, his time ...

Kenton Cool On Coping In A Crisis

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The tables are turned in this episode of Cool Conversation. "Distinctive Leaders" is a podcast hosted by Andrew Wallace, Managing Partner at Leathwai...

Tom Williams - Athlete, Coach, Leader & Life Enthusiast

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds you'll find Far Peak - a climbing and adventure centre that's doing great things. In this episode, Kenton talks ...

Coolaboration - The Christmas Edition (sort of)

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we edge closer towards Christmas, attention turns to what Kenton has planned for the new year. In this episode of Coolaboration, we also talk abou...

Dave Talbot on Finding Your Adventurous Self

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

"Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul." Dave Talbot's mission is to bring people back to their adventurous selves and ...

Coolaboration - Let My 'Listeners' Go Surfing

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The title of this episode is inspired by the book 'Let my people go surfing', written by the founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard. In this episode, K...

Tom Whittle is on a Mission

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Whittle is a long-distance runner, cyclist and founder of Mission tea, a blend of teas designed to beat the crash from coffee and sugar-based ener...