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

Wantok in Action: How Community Sustains Life on Kokoda Wantok is more than a word &mdash; it&rsquo;s how life works along the Kokoda Track. In this episode of&nbsp;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 &mdash; 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.
<hr>
In This Episode, You&rsquo;ll Learn:
<ul data-end="6485" data-start="6210">
<li>What Wantok looks like in everyday village life</li>
<li>How community responsibility works on Kokoda</li>
<li>The role Wantok played during the Kokoda Campaign</li>
<li>What trekkers are witnessing &mdash; even when they don&rsquo;t realise it</li>
<li>Why respecting Wantok matters for Kokoda&rsquo;s future</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Follow&nbsp;The Kokoda Track Podcast&nbsp;for upcoming 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>

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

Wantok in Action - How community sustains life on Kokoda

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/dcc549dd-776f-4c37-8763-b3c4000e91c9/transcript

Life in the Jungle: What the Soldiers Faced Daily

The Kokoda Campaign wasn’t just fought against an enemy force — it was fought against the jungle itself. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores what daily life was really like for Australian soldiers living and fighting in the Papua New Guinea jungle during World War II. Moving beyond famous battles and heroic moments, this episode examines the constant moisture, disease, hunger, sleep deprivation, and psychological strain that defined everyday existence on Kokoda — and why understanding this reality changes how we walk the Track today. This episode offers vital context for anyone seeking to understand the true cost of the campaign and the resilience required to endure it.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why the jungle was one of the greatest enemies on Kokoda
How disease and illness affected the campaign
The impact of hunger, fatigue, and lack of sleep
Why morale and leadership mattered so much
How understanding daily hardship deepens respect for the Track

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



This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

Life in the Jungle: What the Soldiers Faced Daily The Kokoda Campaign wasn&rsquo;t just fought against an enemy force &mdash; it was fought against the jungle itself. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores what daily life was really like for Australian soldiers living and fighting in the Papua New Guinea jungle during World War II. Moving beyond famous battles and heroic moments, this episode examines the constant moisture, disease, hunger, sleep deprivation, and psychological strain that defined everyday existence on Kokoda &mdash; and why understanding this reality changes how we walk the Track today. This episode offers vital context for anyone seeking to understand the true cost of the campaign and the resilience required to endure it.
<hr>
In This Episode, You&rsquo;ll Learn:
<ul data-end="6553" data-start="6276">
<li>Why the jungle was one of the greatest enemies on Kokoda</li>
<li>How disease and illness affected the campaign</li>
<li>The impact of hunger, fatigue, and lack of sleep</li>
<li>Why morale and leadership mattered so much</li>
<li>How understanding daily hardship deepens respect for the Track</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Follow&nbsp;The Kokoda Track Podcast&nbsp;for future episodes covering Kokoda history, Papua New Guinea culture, and the realities of trekking the Track with meaning and respect. 
This podcast is proudly brought to you by <a href="https://www.adventureprofessionals.com.au/">ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS</a>

Life in the jungle - What the soldiers faced daily

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/fab090b9-d548-45cd-9a31-b3c4000e4a92/transcript

Feet, Fatigue & Friction: The Real Enemy on Kokoda

Most Kokoda treks don’t unravel because of fitness or motivation — they unravel because of feet.

In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar breaks down why foot issues are the most common trek-ending problem on Kokoda, and why fatigue and friction quietly amplify small problems into major ones. Drawing on more than 90 crossings of the Track, this episode explains how moisture, steep descents, load, and fatigue impact foot health, why boot and sock choice matters more than brand names, and why early action is critical. This is essential listening for anyone preparing for Kokoda who wants to reduce unnecessary suffering and protect their ability to keep moving day after day.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why feet are the most vulnerable part of the Kokoda trek
How fatigue changes movement and increases injury risk
The real causes of blisters and skin breakdown
Why boot fit and sock choice matter more than toughness
How early foot care decisions affect the entire trek

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Kokoda’s military history, Papua New Guinea culture, and practical trekking insights most people don’t talk about.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

Feet, Fatigue &amp; Friction: The Real Enemy on Kokoda Most Kokoda treks don&rsquo;t unravel because of fitness or motivation &mdash; they unravel because of feet. In this episode of&nbsp;The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar breaks down why foot issues are the most common trek-ending problem on Kokoda, and why fatigue and friction quietly amplify small problems into major ones.&nbsp;Drawing on more than 90 crossings of the Track, this episode explains how moisture, steep descents, load, and fatigue impact foot health, why boot and sock choice matters more than brand names, and why early action is critical. This is essential listening for anyone preparing for Kokoda who wants to reduce unnecessary suffering and protect their ability to keep moving day after day.
<hr>
In This Episode, You&rsquo;ll Learn:
<ul data-end="7184" data-start="6897">
<li>Why feet are the most vulnerable part of the Kokoda trek</li>
<li>How fatigue changes movement and increases injury risk</li>
<li>The real causes of blisters and skin breakdown</li>
<li>Why boot fit and sock choice matter more than toughness</li>
<li>How early foot care decisions affect the entire trek</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Follow&nbsp;The Kokoda Track Podcast&nbsp;for upcoming episodes covering Kokoda&rsquo;s military history, Papua New Guinea culture, and practical trekking insights most people don&rsquo;t talk about. This podcast is proudly brought to you by <a href="https://www.adventureprofessionals.com.au/">ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS</a>

Feet, Fatigue and Friction - The enemy of modern Kokoda

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/e7ea22f1-590d-4ee6-ab1a-b3c4000e42e9/transcript

The Terrain That Decided the War

On the Kokoda Track, the terrain wasn’t just the setting — it was an enemy in its own right. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores how the Owen Stanley Range and the dense Papua New Guinea jungle shaped every aspect of the Kokoda Campaign. Drawing on military history and modern on-Track experience, Glenn explains why movement itself became the battle, how the terrain crippled supply lines and decision-making, and why endurance mattered more than technology in this environment. This episode offers powerful context for anyone walking Kokoda today, helping listeners understand just how much the land itself demanded of those who fought there — and why that same terrain still commands respect from modern trekkers.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why the Owen Stanley Range shaped the entire Kokoda Campaign
How jungle terrain neutralised traditional military advantages
Why movement and resupply were decisive challenges
What modern trekkers can learn by walking the same ground
How terrain still influences outcomes on Kokoda today

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



This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

The Terrain That Decided the War On the Kokoda Track, the terrain wasn&rsquo;t just the setting &mdash; it was an enemy in its own right. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores how the Owen Stanley Range and the dense Papua New Guinea jungle shaped every aspect of the Kokoda Campaign. Drawing on military history and modern on-Track experience, Glenn explains why movement itself became the battle, how the terrain crippled supply lines and decision-making, and why endurance mattered more than technology in this environment. This episode offers powerful context for anyone walking Kokoda today, helping listeners understand just how much the land itself demanded of those who fought there &mdash; and why that same terrain still commands respect from modern trekkers.
<hr>
In This Episode, You&rsquo;ll Learn:
<ul data-end="6974" data-start="6668">
<li>Why the Owen Stanley Range shaped the entire Kokoda Campaign</li>
<li>How jungle terrain neutralised traditional military advantages</li>
<li>Why movement and resupply were decisive challenges</li>
<li>What modern trekkers can learn by walking the same ground</li>
<li>How terrain still influences outcomes on Kokoda today</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Follow&nbsp;The Kokoda Track Podcast&nbsp;for future episodes covering Kokoda&rsquo;s military history, Papua New Guinea culture, and the realities of trekking the Track with respect and preparation. 
This podcast is proudly brought to you by <a href="https://www.adventureprofessionals.com.au/">ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS</a>

The terrain that decided the war.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/0328deee-cac1-4a7a-b6c3-b3bc0098d602/transcript

Wantok in Action - How community sustains life on Kokoda

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