Tok Pisin on Kokoda: Language as Respect

Language is one of the simplest — and most powerful — ways to show respect on the Kokoda Track. In this first episode of the Cultural Series on The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores Tok Pisin, one of Papua New Guinea’s main languages, and explains why learning just a few basic phrases can completely change how trekkers are received along the Track. This episode goes beyond memorising words. It explains why Tok Pisin is not “broken English,” why effort matters more than perfect pronunciation, and how language signals humility, awareness, and respect in village environments. Drawing on years of experience on the Track and cultural insight gained through family connection, this episode sets the foundation for how trekkers should think about communication, behaviour, and respect on Kokoda. This is an essential listen for anyone preparing to walk the Track — and a reminder that Kokoda is not just a physical journey, but a human one.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What Tok Pisin is and why it matters on Kokoda
• Essential greetings and phrases every trekker should know
• Why greetings and goodbyes are culturally important
• How language changes interactions in villages
• The difference between effort and performance when using Tok Pisin
• Why respect on Kokoda often begins with simple words

This episode forms the foundation of an ongoing cultural series woven throughout the podcast. In the next cultural episode, we’ll explore village etiquette on Kokoda — including behaviour, boundaries, photography, and how trekkers are remembered long after they leave.

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In this episode of the Kokoda Track Podcast, host Glenn Azar chats with Kevin, a dad who trekked the Kokoda Track with his adult kids and their partners. Kevin shares his unique perspective on the experience, highlighting the importance of family bonding and the challenges of tackling the grueling 96-kilometer trek. He opens up about his own personal growth, the impact of the journey on his kids, and the lessons learned along the way. From the physical and mental demands of the track to the emotional highs and lows, Kevin's story is a must-listen for anyone considering the Kokoda Track adventure.

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Porters, Ethics, and Responsibility on Kokoda

Porters are the backbone of every Kokoda trek — yet their role is often misunderstood or overlooked. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores the ethical responsibilities that come with trekking Kokoda and explains why porter welfare, respect, and partnership matter far more than convenience. Drawing on decades of on-Track experience, Glenn unpacks the power dynamics at play, the difference between ethical and exploitative systems, and the role trekkers themselves play in shaping the culture of Kokoda trekking. This episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to walk Kokoda with integrity.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The real role porters play on the Kokoda Track
• Why ethical responsibility matters in trekking
• What good porter systems actually look like
• How trekkers contribute to respectful culture
• Why leadership is revealed under load

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda history, Papua New Guinea culture, and the realities of trekking the Track with respect and purpose.

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Fitness for Kokoda: What Actually Matters

Fitness is one of the biggest concerns people have before trekking Kokoda — and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar breaks down what kind of fitness Kokoda actually demands, drawing on more than 90 crossings of the Track and years of preparing people for the journey. Rather than focusing on speed or aesthetics, this episode explains why leg endurance, load tolerance, pacing, and consistency matter far more than peak fitness, and why mental fitness plays such a critical role in success on Kokoda. If you’re training for Kokoda — or wondering whether you’re capable — this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical insight into how to prepare properly.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why Kokoda rewards durability over speed
• The difference between fitness and preparedness
• Why leg conditioning matters more than cardio alone
• How load and pacing affect fatigue
• What successful Kokoda trekkers have in common

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Kokoda history, Papua New Guinea culture, and the realities of trekking the Track with respect and preparation.

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In this episode of the Kokoda Track Podcast, host Glenn Azar chats with Cameron, a young man who trekked the Kokoda Track with his mum. They dive into Cameron's experiences, sharing stories of his mum's determination and his own growth. From the physical challenges of the trek to the emotional connections made along the way, this conversation explores what it means to push through adversity and find strength in community. With a mix of humor and heart, Cameron opens up about his journey and the lessons he's learned from his mum's example.


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Village Life Along the Track: What Trekkers Often Misread

The Kokoda Track is not an empty wilderness — it is a living corridor of villages, families, and communities. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores village life along the Kokoda Track and unpacks the common misunderstandings trekkers bring with them when passing through these communities. Drawing on decades of experience and more than 90 crossings, Glenn explains why simplicity does not equal ease, why hospitality is rooted in relationship rather than abundance, and how small actions from trekking groups can have a lasting impact — positive or negative. This episode is an essential listen for anyone who wants to walk Kokoda with respect, humility, and awareness.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What daily life in Kokoda Track villages actually looks like
• Why trekkers often misinterpret village culture
• How Wantok shapes community life
• The importance of respect, permission, and behaviour in villages
• Why responsible trekking operators matter

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Kokoda history, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Track.

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Why Kokoda Changes Some People (and Not Others)

Two people can walk the same Kokoda Track — and come away with very different experiences. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores why Kokoda has a profound, lasting impact on some people, while leaving others largely unchanged. Drawing on decades of experience and more than 90 crossings, this episode examines the role of mindset, ego, curiosity, attention, and reflection — and explains why hardship alone does not guarantee growth. This is a deeply reflective episode for anyone considering Kokoda, or anyone interested in why some challenges change us, while others simply pass us by.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why hardship doesn’t automatically create transformation
• The role of mindset and openness on Kokoda
• How ego and expectation shape experience
• Why attention matters more than toughness
• What Kokoda reveals when distractions are stripped away

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda history, trekking preparation, culture, and the deeper lessons found along the Track.

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In this episode of the Kokoda Track Podcast, host Glenn Azar chats with Peta, a solo traveler who recently completed the challenging Kokoda Track.

Peta shares her inspiring story of perseverance and determination, having trained for 12 months to prepare for the grueling 8-day trek. From overcoming physical challenges to mental toughness, Peta opens up about her experiences and the lessons she learned along the way. She also discusses the importance of group dynamics, cultural immersion, and the bond between the locals and trekkers.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering tackling the Kokoda Track or looking for inspiration to push through their own challenges.



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What Your Trekking Company Should Be Doing (But Many Don’t)

Choosing a Kokoda trekking company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make — and one of the least understood. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explains what professional, responsible Kokoda operators should actually be doing behind the scenes, and why those standards often only become visible when things go wrong. Drawing on more than 90 crossings of the Kokoda Track, this episode covers preparation, leadership, medical readiness, group management, cultural responsibility, and ethics — offering listeners a framework to make informed decisions before committing to a trek. This is essential listening for anyone considering Kokoda and wanting to walk it safely, respectfully, and properly.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why not all Kokoda trekking companies operate at the same standard
• What proper preparation should look like before you arrive
• The role of leadership when fatigue and pressure set in
• Why medical readiness and group ratios matter
• How ethics and culture separate good operators from the rest

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda history, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Track.

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Wantok in Action: How Community Sustains Life on Kokoda

Wantok is more than a word — it’s how life works along the Kokoda Track.

In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores what Wantok looks like in action and how community, responsibility, and shared effort have sustained life in the Owen Stanley Range for generations.

Drawing on on-Track experience and cultural insight, this episode explains how Wantok shows up in village life, porter relationships, and even in moments of hardship — and why understanding this system is essential for anyone walking Kokoda today. This episode offers a deeper appreciation of how community, not individual strength, has always been the foundation of survival on Kokoda.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What Wantok looks like in everyday village life
• How community responsibility works on Kokoda
• The role Wantok played during the Kokoda Campaign
• What trekkers are witnessing — even when they don’t realise it
• Why respecting Wantok matters for Kokoda’s future

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Kokoda history, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Track.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

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