Isurava: Courage, Fear, and the Moment That Changed Everything

Isurava is more than a campsite on the Kokoda Track — it is a place where the spirit of the campaign was forged. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar takes listeners deep into the story of Isurava, where outnumbered and exhausted Australian soldiers were ordered to hold back the Japanese advance through the Owen Stanley Range in 1942.Blending military history with on-Track insight and personal reflection, this episode explores why Isurava still stops trekkers in their tracks, how courage and fear coexisted on this battlefield, and what this place continues to teach us about leadership, responsibility, and sacrifice. Whether you’re preparing to walk the Track or simply want to understand why Kokoda carries such emotional weight, this episode offers a powerful insight into one of its most important locations.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why the Battle of Isurava was a turning point in the Kokoda Campaign
What courage looked like for young Australian soldiers under fire
How the terrain and conditions shaped the battle
Why Isurava still has a profound impact on modern trekkers
The leadership lessons this place continues to teach

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Papua New Guinea culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Kokoda Track.



This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

Isurava: Courage, Fear, and the Moment That Changed Everything Isurava is more than a campsite on the Kokoda Track &mdash; it is a place where the spirit of the campaign was forged. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar takes listeners deep into the story of Isurava, where outnumbered and exhausted Australian soldiers were ordered to hold back the Japanese advance through the Owen Stanley Range in 1942.Blending military history with on-Track insight and personal reflection, this episode explores why Isurava still stops trekkers in their tracks, how courage and fear coexisted on this battlefield, and what this place continues to teach us about leadership, responsibility, and sacrifice. Whether you&rsquo;re preparing to walk the Track or simply want to understand why Kokoda carries such emotional weight, this episode offers a powerful insight into one of its most important locations.
<hr>
In This Episode, You&rsquo;ll Learn:
<ul data-end="9021" data-start="8706">
<li>Why the Battle of Isurava was a turning point in the Kokoda Campaign</li>
<li>What courage looked like for young Australian soldiers under fire</li>
<li>How the terrain and conditions shaped the battle</li>
<li>Why Isurava still has a profound impact on modern trekkers</li>
<li>The leadership lessons this place continues to teach</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Follow&nbsp;The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Papua New Guinea culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Kokoda Track. 
This podcast is proudly brought to you by <a href="https://www.adventureprofessionals.com.au/">ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS</a>

An insight into the lessons learnt from people that have trekked the Kokoda Track in PNG. We will interview trek leaders, local PNG villagers and trekkers who have undertaken the arduous 96km jungle trek.

Kokoda Track

Isurava Courage, Fear and the moment that changed everything.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/c7e61621-9bd4-42eb-b780-b3bc000d533e/transcript

There comes a point where you stop trying to explain yourself in fragments —
and you decide to say it once, clearly.

This episode is that moment.

Whether you’re listening via The Kokoda Track Podcast or The Building Better Humans Project Podcast, this episode lays the foundation for everything that follows.

Not a hype reel.
Not motivation for motivation’s sake.
But a clear line in the sand.

In this episode, Glenn Azar shares the personal standards, beliefs, and lived experiences that underpin his work in adventure, leadership, youth development, and mentoring. From the lessons learned under load on the Kokoda Track to the realities of ownership, pressure, identity, and respect — this is a grounding episode designed to help listeners slow down, reflect, and recalibrate.

You’ll hear why:


Ownership beats excuses every time


Pressure reveals character, not comfort


Leadership always starts with self


Adventure is a tool for growth, not a bucket-list item


Strong humans build strong families, communities, and futures

This episode is an invitation — not to follow blindly, but to take responsibility for your own growth and walk forward with intention.

If this resonates, you’re in the right place.
And if it challenges you — even better.

That’s where the real work begins.

Key Themes


Personal standards over motivation


Accountability and ownership


Leadership through lived experience


Respect for land, culture, and people


Building strong individuals and communities

Listen If You Are


Feeling stuck or disconnected from your direction


Craving clarity instead of noise


Interested in leadership, personal growth, or adventure with purpose


Ready to slow down and solve the problem in front of you

Final Thought

This isn’t a brand message.
It’s a way of life.

Welcome to the journey.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

There comes a point where you stop trying to explain yourself in fragments &mdash; and you decide to say it once, clearly.
This episode is that moment.
Whether you&rsquo;re listening via The Kokoda Track Podcast or The Building Better Humans Project Podcast, this episode lays the foundation for everything that follows.
Not a hype reel. Not motivation for motivation&rsquo;s sake. But a clear line in the sand.
In this episode, Glenn Azar shares the personal standards, beliefs, and lived experiences that underpin his work in adventure, leadership, youth development, and mentoring. From the lessons learned under load on the Kokoda Track to the realities of ownership, pressure, identity, and respect &mdash; this is a grounding episode designed to help listeners slow down, reflect, and recalibrate.
You&rsquo;ll hear why:
<ul data-start="1056" data-end="1302">
<li data-start="1056" data-end="1094">
Ownership beats excuses every time
</li>
<li data-start="1095" data-end="1138">
Pressure reveals character, not comfort
</li>
<li data-start="1139" data-end="1177">
Leadership always starts with self
</li>
<li data-start="1178" data-end="1236">
Adventure is a tool for growth, not a bucket-list item
</li>
<li data-start="1237" data-end="1302">
Strong humans build strong families, communities, and futures
</li>
</ul>
This episode is an invitation &mdash; not to follow blindly, but to take responsibility for your own growth and walk forward with intention.
If this resonates, you&rsquo;re in the right place. And if it challenges you &mdash; even better.
That&rsquo;s where the real work begins.
<hr data-start="1565" data-end="1568">
Key Themes
<ul data-start="1588" data-end="1789">
<li data-start="1588" data-end="1626">
Personal standards over motivation
</li>
<li data-start="1627" data-end="1659">
Accountability and ownership
</li>
<li data-start="1660" data-end="1699">
Leadership through lived experience
</li>
<li data-start="1700" data-end="1741">
Respect for land, culture, and people
</li>
<li data-start="1742" data-end="1789">
Building strong individuals and communities
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="1791" data-end="1794">
Listen If You Are
<ul data-start="1821" data-end="2045">
<li data-start="1821" data-end="1874">
Feeling stuck or disconnected from your direction
</li>
<li data-start="1875" data-end="1911">
Craving clarity instead of noise
</li>
<li data-start="1912" data-end="1984">
Interested in leadership, personal growth, or adventure with purpose
</li>
<li data-start="1985" data-end="2045">
Ready to slow down and solve the problem in front of you
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2047" data-end="2050">
Final Thought
This isn&rsquo;t a brand message. It&rsquo;s a way of life.
Welcome to the journey. This podcast is proudly brought to you by <a href="https://www.adventureprofessionals.com.au/">ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS</a>

What I stand for - Glenn Azar

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/ae5097bd-d7fb-4caa-b5e2-b3c501839c77/transcript

Wantok: What It Really Means and Why It Matters on Kokoda

Wantok is more than a word — it’s a way of life. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores the cultural heart of Papua New Guinea and explains why understanding Wantok is essential for anyone walking the Kokoda Track. Drawing on decades of experience and more than 90 crossings, Glenn shares stories from village life along the Track, reflects on how Wantok shaped the Kokoda Campaign during World War II, and explains why respect, humility, and community matter just as much as fitness on this journey. This episode challenges common assumptions about independence and success, and offers a powerful reminder that Kokoda is not just a trek — it is someone else’s home.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
What Wantok really means in Papua New Guinea culture
How village life along the Kokoda Track actually works
The role Wantok played during the Kokoda Campaign
Why respect and ethical trekking matter
What modern trekkers can learn from PNG community values

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



This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

Wantok: What It Really Means and Why It Matters on Kokoda Wantok is more than a word &mdash; it&rsquo;s a way of life. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores the cultural heart of Papua New Guinea and explains why understanding Wantok is essential for anyone walking the Kokoda Track. Drawing on decades of experience and more than 90 crossings, Glenn shares stories from village life along the Track, reflects on how Wantok shaped the Kokoda Campaign during World War II, and explains why respect, humility, and community matter just as much as fitness on this journey. This episode challenges common assumptions about independence and success, and offers a powerful reminder that Kokoda is not just a trek &mdash; it is someone else&rsquo;s home.
<hr>
In This Episode, You&rsquo;ll Learn:
<ul data-end="7684" data-start="7410">
<li>What Wantok really means in Papua New Guinea culture</li>
<li>How village life along the Kokoda Track actually works</li>
<li>The role Wantok played during the Kokoda Campaign</li>
<li>Why respect and ethical trekking matter</li>
<li>What modern trekkers can learn from PNG community values</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Follow&nbsp;The Kokoda Track Podcast&nbsp;for future episodes covering Kokoda history, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Track. 
This podcast is proudly brought to you by <a href="https://www.adventureprofessionals.com.au/">ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS</a>

Wantok: What it means and why it matters on Kokoda.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/96fd9929-b28e-47b2-8a16-b3bc0098ca7f/transcript

What People Don’t Realise About Kokoda Until It’s Too Late

Most people think they know what makes the Kokoda Track hard. They expect steep climbs, jungle heat, and physical exhaustion.

But those who have actually walked Kokoda know the real challenge runs far deeper. In this opening episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar — founder and lead guide of Adventure Professionals with over 90 crossings of the Track — shares the realities of Kokoda that don’t show up in brochures or social media posts. Drawing on decades of experience leading people through the Owen Stanley Range, Glenn explores why Kokoda isn’t hard in the way people expect, how mental fatigue and cumulative stress quietly undo even the fittest trekkers, and why purpose and humility matter far more than ego on this Track. This episode is part storytelling, part education, and part personal reflection — offering listeners an honest insight into what Kokoda truly asks of those who choose to walk it. Whether you’re considering trekking Kokoda, already booked, or simply seeking to understand why this place changes people, this episode sets the foundation for everything that follows.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why Kokoda’s difficulty is more about relentlessness than fitness
The mental traps that catch people off guard on the Track
How ego, expectation, and fatigue shape the Kokoda experience
What over 90 crossings have revealed about who thrives on Kokoda — and why

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda’s military history, Papua New Guinea’s culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons this Track has to offer.

 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

What People Don&rsquo;t Realise About Kokoda Until It&rsquo;s Too Late Most people think they know what makes the Kokoda Track hard. They expect steep climbs, jungle heat, and physical exhaustion. But those who have actually walked Kokoda know the real challenge runs far deeper. In this opening episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar &mdash; founder and lead guide of Adventure Professionals with over 90 crossings of the Track &mdash; shares the realities of Kokoda that don&rsquo;t show up in brochures or social media posts. Drawing on decades of experience leading people through the Owen Stanley Range, Glenn explores why Kokoda isn&rsquo;t hard in the way people expect, how mental fatigue and cumulative stress quietly undo even the fittest trekkers, and why purpose and humility matter far more than ego on this Track. This episode is part storytelling, part education, and part personal reflection &mdash; offering listeners an honest insight into what Kokoda truly asks of those who choose to walk it. Whether you&rsquo;re considering trekking Kokoda, already booked, or simply seeking to understand why this place changes people, this episode sets the foundation for everything that follows.
<hr>
In This Episode, You&rsquo;ll Learn:
<ul data-end="1788" data-start="1512">
<li>Why Kokoda&rsquo;s difficulty is more about relentlessness than fitness</li>
<li>The mental traps that catch people off guard on the Track</li>
<li>How ego, expectation, and fatigue shape the Kokoda experience</li>
<li>What over 90 crossings have revealed about who thrives on Kokoda &mdash; and why</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Follow&nbsp;The Kokoda Track Podcast&nbsp;for future episodes covering Kokoda&rsquo;s military history, Papua New Guinea&rsquo;s culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons this Track has to offer.
&nbsp;
This podcast is proudly brought to you by <a href="https://www.adventureprofessionals.com.au/">ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS</a>

What people don't realise about Kokoda until it's too late.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/709de890-faa4-4267-a3a1-b3bc000d4d3b/transcript

Isurava Courage, Fear and the moment that changed everything.

In 1 playlist(s)

Kokoda Track

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips