Wild Chats with Ben Southall

Join Ben Southall and emergency physician, expedition doctor and mountain medicine expert Dr Hannah Lock for a fascinating conversation about altitude sickness, frostbite and how to stay safer in the mountains.

Hannah explains what actually happens to your body as you climb higher, why even extremely fit people can suffer from altitude sickness and why preparation and a slow ascent are so important. She breaks down the warning signs of acute mountain sickness, HAPE and HACE, and discusses acclimatisation, hydration, Diamox and the usefulness (and limitations) of pulse oximeters at altitude.

The conversation also heads into the cold, with Hannah explaining the difference between Raynaud's, frostnip and frostbite, what freezing temperatures actually do to your tissue and why early treatment matters.

From building a practical expedition first aid kit to knowing when it's time to descend or turn around, this episode is packed with useful advice for hikers, trekkers and anyone planning to venture into high-altitude or cold environments.

Connect with Hannah
https://drhannahlock.co.uk/

🎙️ Hosted by
Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/
Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and world-renowned adventure photographer and director Krystle Wright for a fascinating conversation about creativity, resilience and what it takes to capture extraordinary moments in some of the world’s most extreme environments.
Krystle shares her journey from digital and film photography to climbing, underwater shoots and storm chasing. She explains why she loves the problem-solving involved in trad climbing, what it is really like to film tornadoes, and how adventure sports have shaped her perspective both behind and beyond the camera.
Connect with Krystle:
Website: https://www.krystlewright.com
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/krystlejwright/
🎙️ Hosted by
Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/
Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and bestselling author, journalist and endurance expert Alex Hutchinson for a fascinating conversation about curiosity, exploration and why stepping into the unknown might be one of the most important things we can do for our brains.

Alex, author of The Explorer's Gene and Endure, explains why humans are naturally driven to explore, how modern technology is quietly removing uncertainty from our lives, and why getting a little lost could actually make us happier, more resilient and more creative.

Connect with Alex:
Website: https://www.alexhutchinson.net

🎙️ Hosted by
Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/
Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and mountain guide, climber, backcountry skier and K7 Adventures co-owner Lewis Foster for a conversation about growing up in Australia's alpine country, finding purpose in the outdoors, and why wild places continue to shape who we are.

Raised in Thredbo by ski-loving parents, Lewis spent his childhood exploring the Snowy Mountains long before he realised how special they were. From skiing and snowboarding to climbing, mountaineering, highlining and backcountry travel, he shares the adventures, mistakes and lessons that led him from mountain kid to outdoor guide and adventure business owner.

Connect with K7 Adventures:
https://www.k7adventures.com
https://www.instagram.com/k7adventures

Learn more about the Wild Winter Immersion:
https://explore.k7adventures.com/wild-winter-immersion

🎙️ Hosted by
Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/
Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and filmmaker, long-distance hiker and storyteller Bart Schrijver for a conversation about life on the trail, the freedom of walking, and how adventure can shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

From hiking the 3,000-kilometre Te Araroa Trail across New Zealand to solo journeys through the remote landscapes of Norway, Bart shares how long-distance walking became a path to self-discovery, creativity and a completely different way of living. They explore the mental challenges of spending months on the trail, the surprising lessons that come from solitude, and why some of the most important adventures happen inside your own head.

Bart also takes us behind the scenes of his award-winning films, including Human Nature and his latest release, The North, a cinematic journey through the Scottish Highlands. He shares what it's really like to create films in remote wilderness, carrying everything on foot, working with tiny crews, embracing unpredictable weather, and capturing authentic stories in some of the world's wildest places.

Connect with Bart:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartschrijver1
Tuesday Studio: https://tuesdayfilm.com/
Watch Human Nature: https://tuesdayfilm.com/human-nature/
Watch The North: https://tuesdayfilm.com/the-north/

🎙️ Hosted by
Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com
Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au