The Kyle Thiermann Show

In 2017, Wilem Banks (@Wilembanks) made headlines when he suffered a horrific fall at Mavericks and won WSL’s Wipeout of the Year (the most embarrassing award in surfing). The award seemed to put a chip on Wilem’s shoulder, and since then, he’s set out to prove that he can do more than paddle into gigantic waves—he can make them, too. This year, the humble warrior took his first trip to Jaws on Maui and bagged what some say was the biggest wave ever completed at the spot. In this episode, Wilem recounts the story in detail. Beyond the ocean, he is a hunter, carpenter, and co-owner of Banks&Banks Saunas, a custom-built sauna service he runs with his brother.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It’s glorious. My first book, ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, is available to order today. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe

Ned Lampert, founder of Zero Ambition and Slicks For All, shares his journey from DJing parties to creating impactful brand strategies. He discusses how pitching casually leads to big ideas and why party-making parallels brand development, using humor and community-building. Ned reflects on the lessons learned from failures, emphasizes authenticity in agency life, and reveals his adventurous spirit through outdoor pursuits. Discover how he’s redefining intimacy in marketing and the importance of creating memorable experiences.

In a heartfelt conversation, Kimberly Gamble, a caregiver and mother, shares her unique insights on end-of-life planning following a life-changing accident. She introduces the idea of a 'Gravity Kit,' detailing practical steps for organizing personal affairs. The discussion includes the emotional significance of saving voicemails and meaningful keepsakes, as well as the importance of forgiveness when facing death. Kimberly also reflects on her experiences with dementia care and finding gratitude amid challenges, making for a powerful and emotional dialogue.

This podcast is with Adam Skolnick, an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, travel and human rights for The New York Times, Outside, Playboy and Lonely Planet. He is the author of One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits, the ghost writer and narrator of David Goggins’ smash hit memoir and audiobook Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, and he is a co-host on the Rich Roll Podcast. His latest book, American Tiger, is available to order now. (I’ve read it and it fucking rocks.) In this episode, we talk about the state of publishing today, the Southern California wilderness, and creativity as lantern offerings. Follow Adam’s Substack here.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It’s glorious. My first book, ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, is available to order today. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe

Tuesday, November 25: Book tour event at Patagonia Santa Cruz @7pm. It’s free. BYOP (Bring Your Own Parent). RSVP here. Okay, onto the podcast…Chris Burkard (@ChrisBurkard) is an acclaimed American photographer, filmmaker, and storyteller known for his breathtaking landscape photography. Born in San Luis Obispo, California, Burkard rose to prominence through his striking surf photography in remote and often icy locations like Iceland, Norway, and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. His work captures the raw beauty of nature, often blending elements of human exploration and environmental grandeur. Burkard’s style is marked by expansive compositions, ethereal light, and a reverence for the wild. Beyond photography, he is also a sought-after speaker, author of several books, and director of award-winning documentaries, including Under an Arctic Sky. A passionate advocate for environmental preservation and outdoor adventure, Burkard uses his platform to inspire others to seek meaningful connections with the natural world. His work has been featured by National Geographic, The New Yorker, Apple, and Patagonia, among others. Whether hanging from a cliff face or paddling through freezing surf, Burkard’s lens invites viewers to embrace discomfort, awe, and the power of the untamed.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It’s glorious. My first book, ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, is available to order today. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe

Sean Jansen is a freelance writer and seasonal wilderness guide in Yellowstone National Park. He’s intense, slightly awkward, and deeply committed to dancing with the more raw frequencies of human experience. I love this guy. During his off-season from guiding, he partakes in a litany of expeditions from thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to his recent trip, standup paddling more than 1,000 miles down the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Through recovery from alcoholism, he has moved into a van and spends his time flying fishing trout streams, training for ultra-marathons, and searching the coast for unsurfed waves. With a passion for wilderness and wild places, he often takes his pen and paper on trips and finds ways that the outdoor recreation activities he loves can give back to conservation and environmental areas in need. Follow him on Instagram and read his new book, Paddling with Porpoise.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It’s glorious. My first book, ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, is available to order today. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe

Mike Schlebach, a South African big-wave surfer and coastal activist, shares thrilling tales from his surfing roots in Kommetjie to the unpredictable waves at Dungeons. He discusses the serious environmental threats posed by diamond mining along the West Coast and his efforts with Protect the West Coast to defend local communities and ecosystems. Mike reflects on the camaraderie within the big-wave surfing community and explores innovative solutions like algae farming, showcasing the intersection of sport and environmental activism.

Join Jess Grose, an opinion writer for The New York Times and author, as she dives into the complexities of parenting in the digital age. Explore how youth sports are turning into a pay-to-play system and the importance of public access for all. Jess emphasizes the necessity of unstructured play for kids and warns about the potential downsides of AI chatbots on resilience. With her insights on fostering independence, the value of a good editor, and the decline of organized religion, this conversation is both thought-provoking and enlightening.

Chris Buroughs, the director of Garden 31, shares his inspiring journey from 14 years in prison to empowering formerly incarcerated individuals through community gardening. He discusses his recent weight loss and endurance training, even recounting his experience running a marathon behind bars. Chris highlights the importance of personal stories, the role of community in fostering change, and how gardening can engage youth in juvenile detention. He also dives into the therapeutic aspects of faith and shares his passion for growing medicinal plants.

Bianca Valenti, an award-winning big wave surfer and advocate for equal pay in surfing, shares her inspiring journey from childhood surfer to a Mavericks champion. She discusses the intense mindset required for big-wave surfing, including a near-death experience that fueled her commitment to training. Bianca reveals the power of spirit animals in enhancing focus during challenging surf conditions and talks about channeling emotions constructively to prevent burnout. She also details her surf longevity coaching program, aiming for sustainable success in the sport.