Fireside
Claim This Podcastby Kantipur Sounds
Podcast Overview
<p>Fireside is Kantipur Television's flagship talk show, airing every Monday at 9 PM. For over two decades, it has served as a trusted platform for in-depth discussions on Nepal’s most pressing socio-political issues. Hosted by renowned journalist Rupesh Shrestha, Chief of the News Department at Kantipur TV, Fireside features influential guests from political leaders to public figures who are held accountable through thoughtful and hard-hitting conversations.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
5/13/2026
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Recent Episodes
July 11, 2026
Lhakpa Sherpa – 10 Summits, the “Monkey System,” and the Hard Truth About Life in America
<p>In this powerful episode of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, we sit down with the legendary Lhakpa Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to successfully summit Mount Everest ten times. While the world knows her as the record-breaking "Mountain Queen" featured in a major Netflix documentary, Lhakpa reveals the gritty reality behind the glory: the immense struggle of raising her daughters as a single mother while working low-wage jobs like dishwashing and housekeeping in America.</p><p>Lhakpa takes us back to her roots in the remote village of Balakharka, Sankhuwasabha, where she learned to climb trees and cliffs using what she calls the "Monkey System"—climbing by hand without ropes or modern gear. She offers a blunt critique of the current state of Everest, comparing modern commercial mountaineering to "herding sheep" and warning of a looming crisis as experienced Sherpa guides migrate abroad or leave the profession. From summiting while two months pregnant to "breaking the law" of traditional society to open doors for female climbers, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, motherhood, and the true cost of a record-breaking life.</p><p>Key Topics:</p><ul><li>The "Monkey System": How a girl who never attended school used her natural environment as a classroom, learning the technical skills of climbing long before reaching Everest.</li><li>From Everest to Whole Foods: The jarring contrast between being a world-renowned climber and surviving as a "low-wage worker" in the United States to secure her children's future.</li><li>The Value of Education: Why she tells the next generation to become doctors or pilots first, and only climb for adventure once they are financially stable.</li><li>Breaking Social Norms: How Lhakpa defied the mockery of those who said a woman shouldn't be among men on the mountains, ultimately paving the way for a new generation of Nepali women.</li></ul>
July 3, 2026
Sudheer Sharma – The “Pandora’s Box” of Power and the Future of the Opposition
<p>In this episode of <strong>Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha</strong>, recorded on <strong>June 29, 2026</strong>, we are joined by renowned author and journalist <strong>Sudheer Sharma</strong>. Using the World Cup as a metaphor, Sharma analyzes the current power dynamic between Prime Minister <strong>Balen Shah</strong> and RSP Chair <strong>Rabi Lamichhane</strong>. He explores whether the RSP is simply "passing the ball" for Balen to score goals, or if the Prime Minister’s focus on "operational management" while ignoring the tactical base of <strong>Parliament</strong> is opening a dangerous political <strong>"Pandora’s Box"</strong>.</p><p> </p><p>The conversation provides a candid "post-mortem" of the RSP's first national convention in Chitwan by praising its political institutionalization while critiquing its managerial failures and the seeds of internal groupism. Sharma dives into the ideological shift from "Constitutional Socialism" to "Social Democracy," the inevitability of a split within the <strong>Nepali Congress</strong>. This episode offers a deep look into the unstable undercurrents threatening Nepal’s fragile political stability.</p><p><strong>Key Topics:</strong></p><p>● <strong>Striker vs. Midfielder:</strong> Analyzing the self-centered power dynamics of Balen Shah and Rabi Lamichhane and the risks of the PM ignoring the very House that provides his mandate.</p><p>● <strong>The RSP Post-Mortem:</strong> A review of the Chitwan convention, identifying where the "new force" failed to set smart management standards and how it is now claiming the liberal centrist space.</p><p>● <strong>Pandora’s Box & Constitutional Risk:</strong> Why "over-correcting" the constitution through a directly elected executive could trigger uncontrollable instability and lead the country toward authoritarianism.</p><p>● <strong>The Opposition Crisis:</strong> Why Sharma believes a split in the Nepali Congress is now "inevitable" and why the traditional Communist movement is facing a historical downfall in voter base.</p>
June 26, 2026
The “Interesting” Paradox of Governance and Ideological Vacuum
<p></p><p>RSS Feed Description: In this episode of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, recorded on June 22, 2026, we sit down with political scientist Dr. Sucheta Pyakurel to conduct a searing three-month "post-mortem" of Nepal’s current government. Pyakurel, who holds a PhD in Public Affairs from the US, offers a sharp academic and practical critique of current government leadership. The conversation dives into the deep-seated ideological confusion within the current administration, where the promise of "Constitutional Socialism" clashes with a budget that champions "Competitive Capitalism".</p><p>Key Topics:</p><ul><li>The “Interesting” Governance: Why the government’s action-oriented style (like squatter land clearance) often borders on the undemocratic due to a lack of planning and a "suspense movie" approach.</li><li>The Soul of the Opposition: Analyzing the "muted" state of the Nepali Congress and why leaders like Gagan Thapa are struggling with an internal ideological crisis and the loss of BP Koirala’s foundational vision.</li></ul>
8 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Fireside?
<p>Fireside is Kantipur Television's flagship talk show, airing every Monday at 9 PM. For over two decades, it has served as a trusted platform for in-depth discussions on Nepal’s most pressing socio-political issues. Hosted by renowned journalist Rupesh Shrestha, Chief of the News Department at Kantipur TV, Fireside features influential guests from political leaders to public figures who are held accountable through thoughtful and hard-hitting conversations.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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