The Happiness Quotient - podcast cover

The Happiness Quotient

Thom Dharma Pollardeyesopenproductions.com

Thom Dharma Pollard hosts inspirational, intimate and unfiltered Stories That Inspire with guests and drawing from his own adventures around the world. The Happiness Quotient: connected, engaged, passionate people who inspire us. 

Episodes

Bring My Husband Home - Deliverance From 27,000 Feet on Mount Everest

"Do you think great expense and risk should be undertaken to remove bodies from Mount Everest?" The Indian government mounted an expensive and risky expedition to retrieve the remains of mountaineers who had perished on Mount Everest the year before. NY Times journalist John Branch tells us about his fascinating story that delves into the significant cultural and social significance of the Hindu families who grieved the loss of their loved ones. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qFQw1...

Nov 09, 202325 min

Death and Outrage on K2 - The Death of Muhammed Hassan

Interview with mountaineer Willi Steindl, who witnessed over 70 people stepping over Muhammed Hassan as he lay dying in the Death Zone on K2. The death of Mohammad Hassan on K2 has sent shockwaves through the mountaineering community. At 2:15Am on July 27 the Pakistani porter fell near the bottleneck at 8200 meters, found hanging upside down more than 5 meters below the path. Hassan was a porter with no climbing experience, having risked his life to earn the higher wages paid to high altitude po...

Oct 06, 202317 min

Deeper Than Everest (By a MILE) - Legendary Explorer and Oceanographer Don Walsh, the Historic Dive of the Trieste and Future of Exploration

My guest today was the FIRST to reach the DEEPEST point of the ocean, known as Challenger Deep. In 1960 US Navy lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer and explorer Jacques Piccard piloted the bathyscaphe Trieste 35,797 ft BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE SEA, when it became the first crewed vessel to reach the bottom the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in Earth's seabed. My conversation with Don Walsh could not have predicted that such a disaster as the Titan submersible would have taken pl...

Jul 04, 202334 min

Everest's INDUSTRIAL Age: Death Toll Rises & Costly Rescues Require Action #everest #mountains

Angela Benavides is a High-Altitude Mountaineering and Climbing journalist for Explorers Web - https://explorersweb.com/ PLEASE SUPPORT the families of Sherpa and mountain workers who have died while working in the mountains, check out this video: https://youtu.be/Htd_l89ejJY The two Polish climbers mentioned in the video who flew in from Kathmandu to rescue Carlos Soria on Dhaulagiri are Bartek Ziemski and Oswald Pereira. As of May 18 there are over 200 summits of Mount Everest with hundreds of...

May 19, 202318 minEp. 116

SURVIVOR: Everest! The Survivors of Himalayan Mountain Workers & Sherpa Who Die, and What's Being Done to Help

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SHERPA OR MOUNTAIN WORKER DIES ON A MOUNTAIN CLIMBING EXPEDITION? TODAY I HAVE DAVID MORTON HERE TO talk about The Juniper Fund, its beginnings, and the important work they’re doing in Nepal to help the families of Sherpa who have lost their lives guiding and working in the mountains. For Sherpa throughout the Khumbu Region of Nepal, the dangers of guiding climbers to the world’s highest peaks like Mount Everest, with the ever-present possibility of accidents, avalanches and ...

May 11, 202315 minEp. 114

Everest News! Death & Drama on Annapurna in the Mount Everest Himalaya with Everest Chronicler for Outside Online Alan Arnette #everest #mountains #annapurna

HERE'S MY FULL CONVERSATION with Alan Arnette on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WIk67aEg0sI There’s Been Loss of Life and Intense Drama on Annapurna and in the Mount Everest and 8000 meter peaks region of the Nepal Himalaya. A veteran climber is dead, another miraculously rescued, and multiple others are lucky to be alive after a tragic few days in the Himalayas. As the deadliest of the 8000 meter peaks Annapurna has of late become an object of desire for a wider and larger group of the new era ...

Apr 21, 202324 minEp. 113

The Illegal Burial of Ed Abbey & The Fight for the Yellowstone Grizzly - Doug Peacock #grizzly #Patagonia

Doug Peacock's award winning book is: WAS IT WORTH IT? A WILDERNESS WARRIOR'S LONG TRAIL HOME Doug Peacock is an American naturalist, author, and filmmaker who is best known for his work in conservation and activism on behalf of grizzly bears in the American West. Here is my VIDEO version of the interview with Doug: https://youtu.be/eYltXSGI0LM MORE about Doug Peacock here: https://dougpeacock.net/ You need a copy of this book! Find it here: https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk...

Mar 24, 202333 minEp. 112

My Buddy Lost 8 Fingers and I Got to the Summit - Stephen Venables' Insane Bivouac at 8,600 Meters on Mount Everest

Stephen Venables became the first British mountaineer to climb Mount Everest without the use of supplementary oxygen in 1988, establishing a new route on the Kangshung Face with Ed Webster, Robert Anderson and Paul Teare. THIS EPISODE IS ON YOUTUBE IN VIDEO FORM AT: https://youtu.be/9bocQEfDriI Everest and Beyond - TEDxOxford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiz3en5JLcY Please visit our sponsor Musa Masala - Expert Advice On Safe, Healthy & Culturally Aware Mountain Travel at: https://musama...

Dec 21, 202222 minEp. 112

The Studio Mama and Her Musical Cookbook - Rebecca Wood

Rebecca Wood was the chef, trusted keeper, and diviner at Zac Brown’s renowned Southern Ground Nashville studio for nearly a decade. While she was intimately familiar with the ghosts and secrets of the converted church that housed the studio, her passion was cooking for the musicians recording there, curating choice down-home meals and menus from family recipes. The heart of The Studio Mama Cookbook is a collection of these menus, each created for an artist who worked at the studio. It’s a combo...

Oct 28, 202226 minEp. 110

Too Many People - Manaslu and Why It's So Dangerous

Just what is Manaslu and why are so many people flocking to it? Thom dives in with thoughts on the death of professional skier Hilaree Nelson on her attempted ski descent, as well as the commercialization of the mountain and just how the game has been changed since drone footage captured 'the real' summit in 2021. LINK TO YOUTUBE VERSION: https://youtu.be/EIPCyKi5zEo Send us a text Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: ht...

Oct 17, 202214 minEp. 109

Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star? Get Yer Camera! Jay Blakesberg and His Rock & Roll Photography Career

Jay Blakesberg, one of THE US’s most accomplished live music and pop culture photographer’s has released another self published book called RETRO BLAKESBERG: Volume One: The Film Archives (SEE THE LINK IN THE SHOW NOTES)....the book features highlights spanning the years from the 70’s into the early 2000’s when film was king, before the digital age, when a photographer WAS A PHOTOGRAPHER - from the first photograph he ever sold for $15 thru tours with Phish, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones Tons of ...

Aug 26, 202249 minEp. 108

Climb Your Everest - The Most Uplifting and Affirming Message For Every Day of Your Life

Send us a text Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help support us: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EverestMystery...

Aug 05, 20228 minEp. 107

Is Everest Dying? Fighter Jets Over the Summit? - A Conversation with Everest Chronicler, Podcaster and Mountaineer Alan Arnette

Thom Pollard sat down with Everest Chronicler Alan Arnette to talk about all things Everest. In this first of a several part episode with Alan, we talk about all the current state of affairs on Everest, and what the future looks like for Everest. Is climate change changing the game on 8,000 meter peaks? Visit Thom's YouTube channel for this conversation with Alan Arnette as well as a bunch of other Everest-related material: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA Alan Arnet...

Jul 21, 202238 minEp. 106

Our World's Languages Are Dying! Wade Davis, National Geographic Explorer in Residence

Taken from Wade Davis' 20 March 2004 talk at the 100th Annual Banquet of The Explorers Club at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York CIty. Wade Davis' website: https://daviswade.com/ Send us a text Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who w...

Jul 12, 202218 minEp. 105

Are You Authentic? A Life Hack Episode

You might be here looking for something about Mount Everest. You might hate this episode. But, you might like it. For the YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/dIfmhdKNcTQ Join this channel to get access to perks and to become part of the community: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Send us a text Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Mem...

Jun 17, 202215 minEp. 104

Filming Lhakpa Sherpa's Historic 10th Ascent of Everest by a Woman - Matt Irving, Director of Photography

Matt Irving is a professional director of photography. In May 2022 he filmed the historic tenth ascent of Everest by a woman, Lhakpa Sherpa. His views and insight of seeing Everest from an observant eye is refreshing. Matt Irving's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irving_matt... Send us a text If you've been enjoying the podcast and find value in the content, we'd be incredibly grateful for your support. Your monthly contribution helps ensuring that we can continue delivering great cont...

May 26, 202232 minEp. 103

It's Our Burden To Bear - Ukrainian Journalist Igor Nalyvaiko on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

News from Ukraine - Watch. Know. Decide. Breaking news from Ukraine. News observation. Important information. Twitter: @u24_news TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@u24_news Web: https://u24.ua/ For more about Thom Dharma Pollard, about personal coaching or his inspirational presentations, virtual or in person, look for him at eyesopenproductions.com To join his mailing list for A Course In Happiness, email him at thom.dharma.pollard@gmail.com Send us a text If you've been enjoying the podcast and f...

May 19, 202237 minEp. 102

Sanctity of Space - A Conversation with Filmmakers/Professional Climbers Renan Ozturk and Freddie Wilkinson

Sanctity Of Space - A film about the alchemy of landscape and people amidst the mountains of Alaska A conversation with co-directors Renan Ozturk and Freddie Wilkinson about the decade long journey of creating the film, from concept to completion US Theaters starting May 6th - Showtimes and Updates: https://greenwichentertainment.com/film/the-sanctity-of-space/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sanctityofspace/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sanctityofspace For podcast episode of this c...

May 11, 202236 minEp. 101

What Is China Hiding? - Jochen Hemmleb, Everest Historian on Everest Sightings of Mallory & Irvine and Maurice Wilson

Jochen Hemmleb follows up on recent video with Mark Synnott about reports that the body of Sandy Irvine had been discovered, possibly removed (video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glMT08zmAP0 ). Jochen has written extensively on this topic and is as knowledgeable as any person in the world about the Mystery of Mallory & Irvine. He has personally interviewed many key players from the Chinese expeditions that report having seen the bodies. Jochen Hemmleb's website: https://www.joch...

May 05, 202228 minEp. 100

Modern-Day Darwin, Bruce Means Discovers Five New Species in Guyana, The Last Tepui

The ultimate Earth Day observation: f ollowing is a conversation with a modern day Charles Darwin, biologist, herpetologist, Adjunct Professor of Biological Science at Florida State University Dr. Bruce Means. We discuss a March 2021 expedition in which Means and writer/climber Mark Synnott traveled to a virtual Shangri-la in the deep, mysterious and ever dangerous jungles of Guyana to study an unclimbed tapui, where new species were discovered. American climber Alex Honnold is featured in the N...

Apr 22, 202241 minEp. 99

Mystery Solved? The Body Of Sandy Irvine and the Kodak Camera Have Been Discovered, Mark Synnott Interview

Following is a conversation with professional climber, author and historian Mark Synnott, whose book THE THIRD POLE: MYSTERY OBSESSION AND DEATH ON MOUNT EVEREST has just been released in paperback edition. The greatest mystery in all of mountaineering and possibly the most debated and discussed in current times just got thicker. The Mount Everest mystery deepens: Was there an international cover-up of a dead climber's ascent? https://www.salon.com/2022/04/08/the-third-pole-mount-everest-ma...

Apr 19, 202231 minEp. 98

All That Glitters Is Not Gold & Reflections of a Car Deal

Lessons come in all sorts of packages. And, a beautiful, poignant poem from a recently found journal of my late brother's. For the YouTube version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AABp82bfR7g For more about Thom Dharma Pollard, about personal coaching or his inspirational presentations, virtual or in person, look for him at eyesopenproductions.com To join his mailing list for A Course In Happiness, email him at thom.dharma.pollard@gmail.com Send us a text Support the show He...

Apr 05, 202222 minEp. 97

Ukraine: Fighting the War From Behind the Front Lines - A Voice From Ukraine

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE AND COMMENT AND SHARE Recorded on 26 March 2022 Iryna Kabluchko is a journalist from Ukraine. Full Episode on YouTube The Happiness Quotient at: https://youtu.be/2-dVs0wGVg4 To help the effort please visit Come Back Alive and donate: https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backandalive Twitter: https://twitter.com/BackAndAlive Send us a text If you've been enjoying the podcast and find value in the content, we'd be incredibly grateful for your ...

Mar 28, 202236 minEp. 96

Ukraine: Battling Disinformation In the Fight for Existence - A Voice From Ukraine 25 March 2022

PLEASE SHARE SO THAT OTHERS MAY HEAR Subscribe, leave a review and a rating. Igor Nalyvaiko is a journalist from Ukraine, and currently in hiding he is helping to battle disinformation with contacts around the globe. To help the effort please visit Come Back Alive and donate: https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backandalive Twitter: https://twitter.com/BackAndAlive Send us a text If you've been enjoying the podcast and find value in the content, we'd be incredibl...

Mar 25, 202240 minEp. 95

Quit Taking Things So Personally - Reflections on the Greatest Mystery in All of Adventure

A muse on the 91st anniversary of my father's birth, 18 March. And reflections on how the Mystery of Mallory and Irvine's fate has taken a personal tone. Thanks to Oliver and Chris Wood, Jano Ricks and The Wood Brothers management, as well as their publicist Kevin Calabro for granting us the rights to use HAPPINESS JONES for our theme music. We are deeply honored. Find The Wood Brothers at: https://www.thewoodbros.com/ The Wood Brothers on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTvW...

Mar 21, 202222 minEp. 94

Laura Dekker, at Age 16 Became Youngest Ever to Solo Circumnavigate the Globe

Can you imagine achieving at the age of 16 what other dream their entire lives of doing and even then never take the first step toward embarking on the journey of their dreams? Our remarkable guest today knew from a very early age that she wanted to sail around the world, alone...in her own boat. It appeared as if everyone in her sphere were conspiring against her, to dash her dreams….well, I should say that her parents were very supportive, and encouraged her to put her thoughts into action. In...

Sep 16, 202132 minEp. 93

Dr. Peter Hackett - Think You Have What It Takes To Climb Everest? A Conversation with the Doctor of the Death Zone

Do you think you have what it takes to climb Mount Everest? Did you ever think about what it might be like, and if you did it, would you kill a bunch of brain cells and come home…..different? Or, maybe not at all….? Fact is, today’s guest feels that a person of moderate physical capacity could take on The Big E given the right conditions, with the use of bottled oxygen.... He also says to climb Everest it really helps to have been born with what he calls The Stupid Gene...the quality of being ab...

Aug 25, 202139 minEp. 92

Shrink Wrap for Crap: Diana Yousef CEO and Founder of change:WATER Labs

It never ceases to amaze me in the way people are brought into your life - today’s guest I discovered when I began researching the garbage and human waste problem on Mount Everest and the KHUMBU region of Nepal - In Episode #90 and in a recent streaming event about the garbage and human waste problem on Everest I discussed how Everest has been referred to as the HIGHEST GARBAGE DUMP ON THE PLANET. Among the many guests on the program I spoke with entrepreneur and businesswoman Diana Yousef of CH...

Aug 02, 202142 minEp. 91

Mount Everest is a Mess! An Investigation Into The Garbage and Human Waste Problem on Everest (PS, It's Getting Fixed)

I recently hosted a live streaming event for the Musa Masala organization, who in their multiple capacities of forwarding safe and ethical mountain travel are raising money for the Wongchu Memorial Hospital….a good cause indeed. Our event talked about the garbage and human waste problem on Everest and the KHUMBU region - if you look for episode #87 of this podcast you’ll remember my interview with Peter Hillary about the current situation on Everest….he gives us a good picture of the Khumbu regi...

Jul 23, 202147 minEp. 90

Chris Carter LIVE From the Continental Divide Trail and the Adventures of Jim and Tim (His Feet!)

Today we welcome back our inspiring and intrepid Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hiker and filmmaker, CHRIS CARTER, who I caught up with on a LIVE Instagram session on July 9, 2021….where he was camping in Jackson, Montana….(population of about 111)…. The first time I spoke with Chris was in Episode 67 to talk about his beautiful and moving documentary about his Pacific Crest Trail through hike called TO MEASURE A MILE… At that time Chris was in the nascent stages of planning a double thru hike of the ...

Jul 09, 202148 minEp. 89