In this episode of the Overheard Podcast, recorded live at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, host Dan Ruedl sits down with legendary New Zealand mountaineer Lydia Bradey. The first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen. Lydia reflects on her early life, the hardships of breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport, and the personal growth that came with her historic ascent in 1988.

They dive into Lydia’s long career as a high-altitude guide, her work across the world’s most extreme environments, and her contribution to Joanna Croston’s new book, Mountaineering Women: Climbing Through History — a powerful collection of stories shining light on women whose achievements were too often overlooked.

Lydia opens up about humility, resilience, and what it means to tell women’s stories in mountaineering — stories that may be “less boastful,” but no less extraordinary.

Listen as Lydia Bradey shares the wisdom earned from decades at altitude, and what she’s learned about courage, silence, and the climb within.

In this episode of the Overheard Podcast, we sit down with legendary Canadian climber Sonnie Trotter — one of the most influential voices in modern rock climbing. From his early days learning to climb in a grain silo in southern Ontario to conquering some of the hardest routes on the planet, including Cobra Crack, The Path, and Rhapsody, Sonnie has spent thirty years pushing the limits of what’s possible on rock.

Now, with his new book Uplifted, Sonnie turns his focus inward — reflecting on the lessons, relationships, and moments that have shaped his life in the vertical world. He speaks candidly about balancing ambition with family, risk with purpose, and how the act of writing gave him a new perspective on his lifelong passion for climbing.

Recorded live during the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, this conversation explores the art of storytelling, the evolution of adventure, and the mindset required to stay inspired after decades at the top of your sport.

If you love climbing, outdoor storytelling, or simply hearing from someone who’s dedicated his life to living with purpose, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!!

n this episode of Overheard, host Dan Ruedl sits down with award-winning author and environmental writer Craig Childs, winner of the Environmental Literature Award at the 2025 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival for his latest work, The Wild Dark: Finding the Night Sky in the Age of Light.

From the deserts of the American Southwest to the artist cabins of the Banff Centre, Childs shares the story behind his newest book — a journey by bicycle from the blinding glow of Las Vegas to one of the darkest night skies in North America. Together, they explore what darkness means in an age of light pollution, the value of solitude, and how reconnecting with the stars can help us see ourselves and our planet more clearly.

Craig discusses his creative process during his Banff Centre residency, his lifelong connection to wild landscapes, and how The Wild Dark fits into the broader arc of his celebrated career as one of North America’s foremost voices in environmental literature.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about wilderness, wonder, and what it means to truly look up.

Award-winning author and journalist Cassidy Randall joins Overheard Podcast fresh from winning the Banff Award for Mountain Literature at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival. Her new book, Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali, has been celebrated by Vanity Fair, TIME, Outside, and The Washington Post—and now stands as one of the most talked-about works in modern mountain literature.

In this conversation, Cassidy reflects on the forgotten history of the women who dared to climb Denali, the creative process behind bringing their story to life, and what it means to have that work recognized on the world stage in Banff. She opens up about her personal journey as a writer, her connection to wild places, and the ongoing challenges women face in adventure and storytelling.

Recorded live during the 50th Anniversary of the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, this episode dives deep into courage, creativity, and what it truly means to break trail—on the mountain and on the page.

Keywords: Cassidy Randall, Thirty Below, Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, Banff Award for Mountain Literature, Denali, women in climbing, mountain literature, adventure writing, Overheard Podcast, Banff Centre, female adventurers, outdoor storytelling.

In this episode of Overheard Podcast, host Dan sits down with world-renowned anthropologist, author, and National Geographic Explorer Wade Davis for a powerful conversation recorded live at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival.

Wade reflects on a lifetime spent exploring some of the most remote and culturally rich corners of the planet—from the Amazon to the Arctic—and the lessons he’s learned about humanity, nature, and our rapidly changing world. Together, they discuss the Fire and Ice theme of this year’s festival, the shifting realities of climate change, and what it truly means to preserve both biological and cultural diversity.

A Member of the Order of Canada, former Explorer-in-Residence at National Geographic, and the author of more than twenty books including One River, The Wayfinders, and Magdalena, Wade brings unmatched insight into the intersection of science, storytelling, and the human spirit.

Listen as Wade Davis shares stories from decades of exploration, his connection to Banff and the Banff Centre, and his reflections on the future of our planet and the people who call it home.

In this episode of the Overheard Podcast recorded live in Banff, we sit down with legendary environmental photographer, filmmaker, and climate activist James Balog — the visionary behind Chasing Ice, The Human Element, and the Extreme Ice Survey.

From documenting glaciers collapsing in real time to exploring the fragile balance between people and the planet, James has dedicated his life to revealing how art and science can unite to tell the story of our changing world.

Recorded at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival’s 50th anniversary, this conversation dives deep into Balog’s personal journey, the creation of his groundbreaking work, and his latest film Chasing Time — an intimate reflection on both planetary and human mortality.

We talk about what makes Banff such a powerful gathering place for storytellers, the importance of visual truth in an era of misinformation, and how creativity can inspire action in the face of climate change.

Watch more festival coverage from the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival — full interviews, daily highlights, and behind-the-scenes stories all week long.

Recorded live in Banff, Alberta

Presented by Overheard Media Inc.

See you next Tuesday — and all festival long.

In this episode of the Overheard Podcast recorded live in Banff, we dive deep with two of the world’s most accomplished polar explorers, Børge Ousland and Vincent Colliard. Together, they share their extraordinary journeys across the planet’s most extreme environments — from Børge’s historic solo crossings of the Arctic and Antarctic to Vincent’s record-breaking 2024 expedition to the South Pole.

The conversation explores their joint mission, The IceLegacy Project — an ongoing effort to cross the world’s 20 largest ice caps and raise awareness about the rapid changes happening in our frozen frontiers. They reflect on what they’ve witnessed firsthand, the human side of endurance, and the importance of storytelling in environmental activism.

Recorded during the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival’s 50th anniversary, this episode captures the heart of exploration, the urgency of climate awareness, and the power of partnership in some of the harshest places on Earth.

In this episode of the Overheard Podcast recorded live in Banff, we sit down with world-renowned landscape and adventure photographer Paul Zizka. Based in Banff, Paul has built an international reputation for his stunning images of the Canadian Rockies, polar regions, and some of the most remote corners of the planet.

We talk about his journey as an artist, his connection to the Bow Valley, and the creative spark that drives his work. From chasing auroras to photographing the summits of the Rockies, Paul shares insights into his process, his role at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, and what’s next for one of Canada’s most celebrated photographers.

Tune in as we explore the intersection of art, wilderness, and community through the eyes of someone who’s spent a lifetime capturing the wild beauty of our world.