The Passion Stories Podcast

What does adventure actually mean in the age of social media? This week on the Adventure Series, Emma is joined by adventure journalist Ash Routen.Ash has trekked across Finland, Norway, Sweden and Greenland, and spent twenty days walking across Siberia’s Lake Baikal, the world’s largest frozen lake. His work has been published in outlets including National Geographic, The Guardian, the Financial Times and Outside. Most recently Ash founded At the Edge of the Map, a new adventure publication offering independent reporting on expeditions around the world.When he’s not writing, he works as a Research Fellow in Public Health at the University of Leicester.Expect to hear: What drew Ash to adventureThe impact of social media on the adventure industry What now counts as “extreme”Why expeditions need independent reporting and analysisWhere science and adventure meetAsh's view on the history of the industryIt's a brilliant episode filled with wisdom and thoughtful analysis at a time when adventure is hitting the headlines. Subscribe to At the Edge of the Map here and follow Ash Routen on instagram. Make sure you like, share and follow the podcast to know when the next brilliant guest drops in a fortnight.Thanks to Tunetanks for the tunes.

Next up in the Adventure series, Emma is joined by cycling adventurer, filmmaker and influencer Laura Kirkpatrick.In this episode, Laura shares how cycling helped her build confidence, find creative freedom, and imagine a life beyond her corporate job. Laura talks about how a cycle-to-work scheme sparked her journey, why one challenging 100K ride changed what she thought she could do, and how she turned her love of cycling and filmmaking into a creative career.In this conversation, we explore:How Laura went from management consulting to cycling filmmaker and content creatorWhat makes a bikepacking trip, and its story, compellingHow she chooses destinations and funds her adventuresWhen filming enhances an experience, and when it can get in the wayThe realities and risks of solo female travelWhy Laura is learning to separate her identity from what she achievesFrom taking on challenges to let go of an old routine to finding a more authentic creative path, Laura’s story is a reminder that one small change can open up a much bigger world. Looking for a sign to take the plunge into your passion? This could be your sign. Follow Laura on Instagram and YouTube -✨🎙️ Subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.  Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram   / TikTok / YouTube Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

Next up in the Adventure series, Emma is joined by underwater filmmaker and photographer Ell Guihard. In this episode Ell shares her journey from being afraid to dip her toe in the ocean to a passion for ocean conservation and capturing the stories within it. She talks about what inspired her to create her most recent film The Call of the Deep, which explores the profound connection between divers and the underwater world. She also shares the challenges of creating underwater, the nature of tech diving vs recreational and how storytelling can help give the ocean a voice. Expect to hear: How Ell overcame her fear of the oceanHer journey to becoming an underwater photographer and filmmaker Her best advice for people thinking about scuba diving The role of storytelling in ocean conservation Challenges for women divers Ell is inspiring, funny and frank and she is going to make you want to go scuba diving. I’m off to get my mask. Follow Ell on Instagram Watch The Call of the Deep --✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate persondrops in a fortnight. Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram   / TikTok / YouTube Sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of PassionThanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

For the next guest in our adventure series, Emma is joined by Adele Benson who has just swum 16 miles across the Bristol Channel, spending 14 hours and 20 minutes in the water, from day into night.Adele is ultra-distance open water swimmer, content creator, and podcast host who has also swum the English Channel, the length of Lake Annecy, Ullswater, Windermere and the Thames Marathon. She loves an adventure in the water. In this episode, Adele shares all about ultra swimming, what goes through her head 12 hours into a swim, how she trains for these huge challenges, dealing with fear and setbacks, and the swim she’ll never do again.She also talks about body image, comparison, social media, mental wellbeing and why she always says ‘do it scared’.Plus, we get the story behind Don’t Forget Your Pants Pod, the podcast she co-hosts with Becca Harvey.Expect to hear: Adele’s ultra swimming journey Her training and plans pre Bristol Channel Which swim she’ll never do again Body image pressures in swimming Her best advice for new swimmers Funny, honest and completely unfiltered, Adele is a brilliant guest full of inspiration for a water based adventure. Whatever challenge or adventure is on your bucket list, prepare to do it, and ‘do it scared’.Follow Adele's adventures  on Instagram -✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram   / TikTok / YouTube and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of Passion. Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

To kick off the Adventure series, Emma is joined by Kenton Cool, world-renowned mountaineer, expedition leader, author and speaker.   Kenton has just summitted Everest for the twentieth time, becoming the first person to do so and surpassing his own record. He has also climbed many other mountains, guided notable figures up the world’s highest mountain including Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Ben Fogle, and was the first person to climb Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse in one continuous push in 2013. In this episode Kenton shares his mountaineering journey, his love for the mountain people, the awe of his very first Everest summit, and why he keeps going back today. He talks about the role and extraordinary skill of the Sherpas, the brutal conditions of the death zone, and what he worries most about on Everest. He also touches on how he manages (or doesn’t manage) the emotional toll of witnessing tragedy and the very real risks posed by the mountains. Expect to hear: What it’s like summiting Everest for the 20th time The conditions in the death zone How much it costs for him to be your guide (start saving!)His thoughts on the Broad Peak tragedyThe best advice he has ever receivedThis is an absolutely fascinating conversation with one ofthe world’s most experienced mountaineers and whose passion for the mountains is infectious. Prepare to be inspired and start looking for your nearest mountain.Follow Kenton Cool on Instagram  and check out his website-✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram   / TikTok / YouTube Sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of PassionThanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

This week on the podcast, Emma is joined by endurance swimmer Bryony Rowe who is preparing for one of the toughest challenges in sport, swimming solo across the English Channel.This summer Bryony will swim from Dover to France, an iconic crossing which often described as the Mount Everest of open water swimming. With just a 60% success rate, swimming across the Channel is no small feat and more people have summited Everest than have swum the Channel. Bryony’s swim slot opens on 29 July and coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the first woman to ever swim the English Channel, Gertrude Ederle, on 6 August 1926. Bryony shares all about her swim, from her motivation, training and nutrition to her biggest fears, covering herself in lanolin (gross) and what makes the English Channel such an iconic challenge. She also talks about what it means to her to share the slot with Gertrude Ederle’s anniversary and how she hopes to inspire more women and girls to try open water swimming. Expect to hear: Bryony’s path to attempt the solo Channel swim What it takes to get a slot and organise a Channel swimHer training and mindset preparation The physical, mental and marine life challenges she’s expectingHow Bryony hopes to honour Gertrude Ederle and get more women swimming Bryony’s passion for open water swimming is infectious. After listening to Bryony be prepared to dig out your goggles. Bryony epitomises everything we love about passionate humans, she’s determined, humble and inspiring. We wish her all the best for her Channel swim this summer. Follow Bryony and keep up to date with her swim on Instagram. Bryony is also fundraising for her swim and hoping to raise £4,000 for the charity Athlete Interactions. Check out her fundraiser. -✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram   / TikTok / YouTube and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of Passion. Follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. ⁠Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes

This week on the podcast, Emma is joined by Ojie Edoburun, one of Britain’s fastest men. Ojie is a professional sprinter who competes in the 100m and 200m events. He has had an impressive career on the track with a host of accolades to his name including the British 100 metres champion after winning the 2019 British Athletics Championships and winning a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 4x100 metre relay team. Ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Ojie reflects on his journey to becoming a professional sprinter, the highs and lows and his proudest moments so far. He shares brilliant insight into what it’s like being in the call room once the compere is gone before being called out to the track, where the race is won or lost and what goes through his minds in those 10 seconds. Ojie is also the Ambassador Manager at Puresport and talks about the challenges of being a full-time athlete, maintaining elite performance and choosing the stability of a job. Expect to hear: Ojie’s journey to professional sprinterHow he has built a resilient mindset through success and setbacks The moment he won a Commonwealth Gold Why he's thinking carefully about what could be his final year on the trackA ton of wisdom about personal growthOjie’s 100 metres PB is 10.04 seconds, what’s yours? Ojie brings honesty, positivity and perspective in equal measure. You won't want to miss this one.Follow Ojie on Instagram. -✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram   / TikTok / YouTube Sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of PassionFollow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠  Check out her ⁠website⁠ Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes

This week on the podcast, Emma is joined by Jen Done, a qualified Ironman U Certified coach, Ironman athlete, speech and language therapist and host of The Toughest Finish Line Podcast.Jen experienced postnatal depression following the birth of her daughter and found refuge in running which soon turned into bigger challenges, including Ironman events. This year on the 15th and 16th of August, Jen is racing Ironman Kalmar and Ironman Copenhagen on consecutive days which means two full Ironmans within 48 hours in two different countries.In this episode, we delve into Jen's experience of postnatal depression, the wider landscape of postnatal depression and how she hopes sharing her experiences will help others. Jen also shares her Ironman journey and reveals how she is preparing for her mega challenge this summer.Expect to hear: Jen’s experience with postnatal depression How she got into triathlon endurance events The details of her back-to-back Ironman Challenge this August How she manages to fit in all her pursuits and being a mumWhy she started The Toughest Finish Line Podcast Jen Done is incredibly inspiring, resilient and passionate. Prepare to want to sign up to something which challenges after listening to Jen’s story. Follow Jen on Instagram Listen to The Toughest Finish Line Podcast for stories of inspiring individuals who have overcome their challenges. -✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram   / TikTok / YouTube Sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of PassionFollow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠  These are the wonderful shoes I mention in the intro - Freet. Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

This week, Emma chats to Gašper, a landscape architect, art teacher and the creator behind Linescapes. Gašper’s teaching centres around the principle of helping people feel good about drawing and he dives into why this is important. He takes us back to where his love of drawing comes from, how he gets inspiration to strike and how drawing and sketching can foster connection. Gašper also talks about how he manages his own creative blocks and managing perceived imperfection in art, as well as why creating space for creativity in everyday life is important. Expect to hear: Gašper’s journey into drawing and the origins of Linescapes Sketching and drawing as an emotional expression and why this mattersHow to beat creative blocks and self-doubt The best tool to help you make time for creativity Sketching as way to reconnect   Make sure you have a pen and paper with you for this episode as we do a drawing exercise. Gasper is gloriously passionate and offers a fascinating insight into the mind of a creative genius. Prepare to be super inspired and start drawing and sketching in your every day life.Follow Linescapes on Instagram and check out the drawing courses here. -✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight.  Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram   / TikTok / YouTube and sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of Passion Plus follow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠  and check out her ⁠website⁠  Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.

This week we’re joined by Esmée Gummer, endurance athlete, fitness coach, and the force behind one of the most ambitious running challenges in the UK right now.After being told she’d never walk again following a life-changing accident, Esmée has rebuilt her life through movement. Now, she’s taking things to an entirely new level with the Nation’s 5k - a 99-day challenge which includes hosting a 5k in every city in the UK (plus one in Dublin) and also running in between all the locations. Starting in Inverness, the UK’s northernmost city, she’ll run south, across, and around the nation before finishing in London, clocking up 5,000km.But this challenge isn’t about distance, it’s about impact and getting 1 million people moving, whether running, jogging, walking or wheeling. Expect to hear:The story behind the Nation’s 5K and how it all came togetherWhat 5,000km really looks and feels like, both physically and mentallyHer journey from paralysis to taking on ultra-endurance challengesThe power of community through The Say Yes ClubWhy accessibility in running matters more than everWhat it means to be a woman taking on extreme endurance in the spotlightEsmée is full of gratitude and passion, and this episode is going to inspire you no end. Follow Esmée on Instagram @esmee_ldn and YouTube for more details about the Nation’s 5k. The Nation's 5k challenge runs from 27 June to 3 October 2026 and to join any of the free 5K events, sign up via realbuzz You can also support Esmée's fundraising efforts via her GoFundMe page and vote for additional charity partners via the realbuzz The Nation's 5k website page too.-✨🎙️ Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to know when the next episode with a wonderfully passionate person drops in a fortnight. Follow the Passion Stories podcast on Instagram   / TikTok / YouTube Sign up to the monthly newsletter ⁠The Power of PassionFollow your host Emma Cole on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠  Check out her ⁠website⁠ Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes