The Happiness Quotient

Thom Dharma Pollard
  • 4.9 (46)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Semimonthly

Thom Dharma Pollard hosts inspirational, intimate and unfiltered Stories That Inspire with guests and drawing from his own adventures around the world. The Happiness Quotient: connected, engaged, passionate people who inspire us. 

  1. 6d ago

    The Cost of the Summit: Kristin Harila's Records and Reality from Everest to Everest

    In 2023, the Norwegian climber rewrote the record books by summiting all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks in just 92 days, alongside her close friend and climbing partner, Tenjen Lama Sherpa. It was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of high-altitude mountaineering. Beyond the headlines and the polarizing reception of Kristin Harila’s 14 Peaks project we explore the human cost and the industry mechanics behind modern high-altitude record-chasing. This is an unfiltered conversation about what it takes to operate at the edge of human endurance, the reality of the commercialized "circus" on Everest, and the weight of being the focal point of a rapidly changing mountaineering landscape.#everestmystery  This is Kristin Harila, unplugged and wide open. **THANK YOU TO OUR HIGH ALTITUDE SPONSORS**: CAMP FOUR: John V. Barbedwire  Lindsey Cameron Henriette Pi Mike Nicholson Tom McLeod Geoff (mountain climber) Ursula Dirnberger Noelle Dud13y RESOURCES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH How Kristin Harila Climbed 14 Peaks in 92 Days | Tenjen Lama Sherpa Disappearance https://youtu.be/IeV4xL4INec K2's Deadly Moment | Kristin Harila's Firsthand Account of the Muhammed Hassan Tragedy https://youtu.be/gyIuZBBBAFk Savage Mountain documentary: https://www.nfi.no/en/films-and-series/savage-mountain Send us Fan Mail If you've been enjoying the podcast and find value in the content, we'd be incredibly grateful for your support. Your monthly contribution helps ensuring that we can continue delivering great content for you to enjoy.Click on the link below:https://www.buzzsprout.com/268133/supportThank you!Thom Dharma Pollard Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help support us: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EverestMystery

  2. Jul 1

    Green Boots Finally Identified on Mount Everest. Why Bringing Him Home May Be Impossible and a Bad Idea.

    For nearly 30 years, the climber long referred to as "Green Boots" has remained one of Mount Everest's most haunting and recognizable landmarks. Now, after DNA testing, the Government of India says the climber has finally been identified, and an extraordinary recovery mission is being considered. But should it happen? I welcome rigorous debate on the ethics, decisions, and systemic issues of Mount Everest. Please share your thoughts in the comments section.  SMALL CLARIFICATION: During the segment I refer to the 1996 Indo-Tibetan Border Police expedition as pursuing a "first Indian ascent." I intended to say the first Indian ascent of Everest from the North (Tibetan) side. **THANK YOU TO OUR HIGH ALTITUDE SPONSORS**: CAMP FOUR: John V. Barbedwire  Henriette Pi Mike Nicholson Tom McLeod Geoff (mountain climber) Ursula Dimberger Noelle Dud13y Send us Fan Mail Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help support us: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EverestMystery

  3. Jun 20

    Everest’s Dirty Secret: The Brutal Reality of Hillary Dawa Sherpa’s Abandonment and The Everest Industry No One Wants You to Know About

    The investigation into the abandonment of Hillary Dawa Sherpa reveals systemic corruption within Everest’s commercial climbing industry. Evidence of oxygen fraud, staffing failures, and criminal negligence is examined in light of current investigations. **THANK YOU TO OUR HIGH ALTITUDE SPONSORS**: CAMP FOUR: John V. Barbedwire  Henriette Pi Mike Nicholson Tom McLeod Geoff (mountain climber) Ursula Dimberger Noelle Dud13y Send us Fan Mail Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help support us: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EverestMystery

  4. Jun 14

    Everest's Deadly Betrayal: The Truth Behind Hillary Dawa Sherpa's Disappearance on Mount Everest and What it Reveals about the Industry of Everest

    In this re-cap of the miraculous survival of Hillary Dawa Sherpa on Everest after he was left and presumed deceased, Everest climber Chris Thrall, who last saw Hillary Dawa at the Yellow Band at night, shares the circumstances that took place that night.  This is an investigation into the silence, and the moral crisis of Hillary Dawa's story. We ask the question the industry refuses to face: what is the true price of a summit? **THANK YOU TO OUR HIGH ALTITUDE SPONSORS**: CAMP FOUR: John V. Barbedwire  Henriette Pi Mike Nicholson Tom McLeod Geoff (mountain climber) Ursula Dimberger Noelle Dud13y Send us Fan Mail If you've been enjoying the podcast and find value in the content, we'd be incredibly grateful for your support. Your monthly contribution helps ensuring that we can continue delivering great content for you to enjoy.Click on the link below:https://www.buzzsprout.com/268133/supportThank you!Thom Dharma Pollard Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help support us: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EverestMystery

  5. Jun 8

    A Sherpa Went Missing on Everest. Nobody Lifted a Finger. He Crawled Into Base Camp.

    NEWS CLIP: "A Nepali Sherpa has been found alive after nearly a week without food or water." The world proclaimed a miracle on Everest after Hillary Dawa Sherpa crawled into Base Camp after disappearing seven days earlier. Some of us immediately began asking questions about the reality of the Everest industry. How is it that a Sherpa went missing for five days and meanwhile the ropes and ladders were pulled, no rescues or searches were called, nothing? Even his family was in their second day of funeral rites. **THANK YOU TO OUR HIGH ALTITUDE SPONSORS HERE AND ON PATREON**: CAMP FOUR: New member: John V. Barbedwire  Henriette Pi Mike Nicholson Tom McLeod Geoff (mountain climber) Ursula Dimberger Noelle Dud13y Send us Fan Mail Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help support us: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EverestMystery

  6. May 29

    Everest 2026 Slams Shut in Race to the Top. Hillary and Tenzing's Lasting Legacy | What Comes Next?

    On May 29, 1953, the first everest summit was achieved by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, marking a pivotal moment in world history. This video draws fascinating parallels between this incredible climbing feat and other historic human firsts.  We explore these history facts to showcase humanity's relentless pursuit of the impossible on mount everest and beyond, including a look at speed climbers Tyler Andrews record breaking oxygen assisted climb and Karl Egloff's attempt to set the no-oxygen ascent and return to Base Camp, plus a look at the SPCC and the future of Everest.  **THANK YOU TO OUR HIGH ALTITUDE SPONSORS HERE AND ON PATREON**: EVEREST SUMMIT:  Matthew Kleinlein CAMP FOUR: Barbedwire  Henriette Pi Mike Nicholson Tom McLeod Geoff (mountain climber) Ursula Dimberger Noelle Dud13y Send us Fan Mail Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help support us: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EverestMystery

  7. May 27

    600+ Summits. 2 Fatalities. Reality Strikes On The Way Down STAY TUNED FOR MAJOR UPDATES | Everest 2026

    On May 20, 2026, Mount Everest saw 278 summits in a single day — the busiest 24 hours in the mountain's history. From Kami Rita’s 32nd summit to Kenton Cool’s 20th, the records were falling fast. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. We follow Polish ski mountaineer Bartek Ziemski as he executes what many call a "perfect act": a no-oxygen, unsupported ascent and ski descent from the summit to Base Camp in under five and a half hours.But while Bartek found a "perfect" window, others found the reality of a crowded mountain.  We cover the fatalities of Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are on their descent, and the heroic work of Sherpas like Ashok Lama, who were pulling climbers from crevasses while the world took selfies at the top. This is the true cost of the 2026 season. **THANK YOU TO OUR HIGH ALTITUDE SPONSORS HERE AND ON PATREON**: EVEREST SUMMIT:  Matthew Kleinlein CAMP FOUR: Barbedwire  Henriette Pi Mike Nicholson Tom McLeod Geoff (mountain climber) Ursula Dimberger Noelle Dud13y Send us Fan Mail Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help support us: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EverestMystery

  8. May 18

    SUMMITS SOON: Everest's Perfect Storm: Extreme Conditions as Summit Push Begins

    Everest 2026 is a pressure cooker. The route to the summit opened May 13th. And the weather window slammed shut the same day. Wind chills of negative 68 degrees Celsius. A jet stream parked directly on the summit. And 492 permitted climbers — plus their support staff — all staring at the same narrow window around May 19th. **THANK YOU TO OUR HIGH ALTITUDE SPONSORS HERE AND ON PATREON**: EVEREST SUMMIT:  Matthew Kleinlein CAMP FOUR: Barbedwire  Henriette Pi Mike Nicholson Tom McLeod Geoff (mountain climber) Ursula Dimberger Noelle Dud13y Send us Fan Mail Support the show Here are a few ways you can help support us: Patreon for access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/everestmystery EVEREST MYSTERY Membership for access to perks and exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEk3e_XGyNnqwK2ZlxH7fEA/join Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help support us: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EverestMystery

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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Thom Dharma Pollard hosts inspirational, intimate and unfiltered Stories That Inspire with guests and drawing from his own adventures around the world. The Happiness Quotient: connected, engaged, passionate people who inspire us. 

Information

  • Creator
    Thom Dharma Pollard
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    169
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Happiness Quotient
  • Show Website
    The Happiness Quotient

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