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The 20 Minute Call - A Skydiving Podcast
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The 20 Minute Call Podcast is a podcast about the dreamers, boundary pushers, rebels and champions of the skydiving industry. Each episode is a narrative journey highlighted by the highs, lows, and luck that the skydiving industry delivers told by the most influential people within the sport.
If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a skydiver, opening a DZ or becoming the next world champion, check out The 20 Minute Call hosted by James La Barrie
80 Episodes
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Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode In this episode, we welcome Jay Stokes—a legendary figure in the skydiving world whose accomplishments have left a lasting mark on both military and civilian skydiving. Jay holds the Guinness World Record for the most parachute jumps in a 24-hour period, completing an incredible 640 jumps on September 8–9, 2006. This extraordinary feat took place at Greensburg Municipal Airport in Indiana and required precision, endurance, and a massive team effort, with ...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode In this episode, I’m joined by Greg “Miff” Smith—a true pioneer in Australian skydiving. With nearly five decades in the sport and more than 12,000 jumps to his name, Miff has been a driving force behind the growth and evolution of skydiving in South Australia and beyond. Since making his first jump in 1977, Greg has become one of the country’s most respected Chief Instructors. In 1986, alongside Gavin Northsworthy and Kevin Taylor, he helped introduce ta...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode In this episode, we sit down with Chazi Rutz—an accomplished skydiver, coach, and competitor whose career is as dynamic as it is inspiring. Based in Eloy, Arizona, Chazi has completed over 10,700 jumps and earned silver and bronze medals at the USPA Nationals in freestyle and freeflying. She has contributed to 13 Vertical World Records and numerous state and world records in both head-down and head-up formations. Beyond competition, Chazi is a respected l...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode In this episode, we welcome Chris Wagner—an accomplished skydiver, competitor, and leader in the sport. A former member of the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights, Chris has helped shape the evolution of Formation Skydiving, earning multiple gold medals at the World Skydiving Championships and setting a world record in 8-way Formation Skydiving with 23 points. Beyond skydiving, Chris served 25 years with the Army Special Forces and continues to g...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Mike Gruwell is a skydiving entrepreneur, master rigger, and industry leader whose journey in the sport began with a single jump in 1995. What started as a passion quickly turned into a career, leading him to become an FAA Master Rigger, AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, and 4-way competitor. In 1999, he founded ChutingStar, which began as a small rigging loft and grew into one of the most recognized skydiving gear suppliers in the world. Over the years,...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Ashley Marquardt is a pilot, skydiver, and adventurer whose journey in aviation has been nothing short of remarkable. In just five years since earning her commercial pilot’s license, she went from flying a Cessna 172 at Skydive Cross Keys to piloting a Twin Otter at Skydive Dubai. Along the way, she served as the main pilot at Cross Keys and flew critical cargo across the Pacific from Saipan to Guam. Her passion for aviation runs deep—growing up on a mili...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Stephen "Hatz" Hatzistefandis is a true adventurer and a standout personality in the world of skydiving. With over 3,500 jumps—including more than 2,000 tandems—Hatz has built a reputation for orchestrating skydives in some of the most breathtaking locations on the planet. From the Great Pyramids of Egypt to the Great Blue Hole in Belize, his expertise in planning and logistics has taken skydiving to new heights. Beyond his accomplishments in the sky, Hat...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Anthony “The Kid” Zerbonia is one of the most respected wingsuit pilots in the sport, with over 3,300 skydives—more than 2,300 of them dedicated to wingsuit flying. A two-time national champion in acrobatic wingsuit flying, Anthony has represented the U.S. on the world stage, earning podium finishes at national and international competitions, including the Acrobatic World Cup and USPA Nationals. Beyond competition, Anthony is a coach, tandem and AFF instr...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode With over two decades in skydiving and parachute rigging, Pablito Perazzoli has built a reputation for precision and expertise. Originally from Argentina, his journey began with an unexpected introduction to sewing during a high school exchange in New Zealand—an invaluable skill that shaped his career. Pablito has completed more than 6,400 jumps and holds multiple instructor ratings, including Tandem Examiner and AFF Instructor. As a Master Parachute Rigg...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode With over 10,000 jumps and more than three decades in the sport, Ossie Khan has made a lasting impact on skydiving and BASE jumping. As the owner of Melbourne Skydive Centre, he has trained countless skydivers and contributed as a safety management speaker and tourism consultant, shaping adventure tourism in Australia and beyond. His expertise extends internationally as a Tourism and AeroSports Consultant, working through the Indonesia-Australia Comprehen...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Born in Tempe, Arizona, Craig Girard made his first jump on March 14, 1981, at Sky Hi-Pioneer DZ, Phoenix, AZ, and has since accumulated over 32,000 jumps. His illustrious career spans more than four decades, and he has won numerous awards and championships, including US National Champion 8-way for an impressive 18 times, and US National Champion 4-way six times. Craig's success in World Cups is equally outstanding, securing five 8-way champ...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Matt Blank is a true adventurer who has packed a lifetime of extraordinary experiences into his years. A well-known figure in multiple adventure sports communities, Matt has traveled the globe, embracing the highs and lows that come with a life of pushing boundaries. From leaping off iconic objects like great sequoia trees to sliding down a greased ramp of a Skyvan and landing on a slip and slide, Matt has truly redefined the limits of what's possible in ...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Amy Chmelecki has spent nearly three decades pushing the boundaries of human flight, amassing over 20,000 skydives and 2,000 hours of wind tunnel time. A true trailblazer, Amy holds an astonishing 25 skydiving world records, 3 world titles, and 9 national titles across disciplines like freefly, freestyle, vertical formation skydiving, and dynamic 4-way. Amy began her skydiving journey in 1995 at The Ranch in New York and has since become one of the sport’...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode My guest today is one of the most recognized skydivers and BASE jumpers on planet earth. Say the word “JayMo” in any skydiving community and they know you’re referring to Jason Moledzki. Since making his first static line jump from a Cessna 182 at Skydive Toronto in 1994, Jason has amassed an unparalleled resumé that includes seven world titles, eleven world records, and over sixty gold medals in canopy piloting. Jason is a foundational member of th...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Don Kirlin is a visionary leader whose remarkable contributions have left a profound impact on both the aviation and skydiving worlds. As the founder of Air USA, Don provided tactical aircraft services to U.S. defense agencies and contractors earning recognition as the owner of one of the "world’s most advanced private air forces." An ATP-rated pilot and flight instructor, he is certified in numerous aircraft, including the Boeing 737, Cessna Citation, an...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Bruce Travis, born and raised in Montana, has spent decades as an engineer and skydiver, achieving incredible milestones in each. A graduate of Montana State University with a degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering, Bruce served in the U.S. Air Force as a Combat Controller during the Vietnam War, providing close air support while assigned to the 82nd Airborne. Bruce’s professional career is equally remarkable. He played a role in designing the eng...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Bruno Brokken, originally from Belgium, has dedicated more than four decades to the sport, amassing over 27,000 jumps and a reputation as one of the most skilled aerial photographers and videographers in the world. His work has captured the essence of skydiving, from world records to exotic boogies, and even high-profile commercial projects for brands like Coca-Cola, Armani, and Xbox. Bruno began his skydiving journey in 1980, at the age of 17, and quickl...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Olav Zipser, born in Simmern, Germany, began his skydiving career in 1986 and quickly revolutionized the sport by introducing non-traditional forms of body flight - in other words departing the known world of flying on your belly to flying on multiple axes, namely on your head. His innovative approach led to the development of FreeFly, a discipline that has transformed skydiving techniques and competitions worldwide. Since his first jump nearly 40 years a...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode My guest today is one of the world’s most celebrated skydiving camera flyers, with a career that spans over 30 years and more than 28,000 jumps. Gustavo Cabana, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, turned a simple VHS camera and a passion for skydiving into a lifelong profession, capturing some of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history. Gustavo is the only camera flyer to document four of the largest world records in skydiving, including the 4...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode In part two of this two-part episode with Norman Kent, we resume our conversation, speaking more about Norman's professional career. If you've not yet listened to Part I, please listen to last week's episode first. Norman Kent is considered by many to be one of the greatest skydiving aerial photographers and cinematographers in the history of the sport. Norman Kent made his first jump at 19 years old. Now, at 68, he is still on the top of th...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode My guest today is considered by many to be one of the greatest skydiving aerial photographers and cinematographers in the history of the sport. Norman Kent made his first jump at 19 years old. Now, at 68, he is still on the top of the mountain capturing the sport's most extraordinary images. At the time of this recording, the October 2024 cover of Parachutist Magazine is one of Norman’s images. With over 30,000 skydives made with a camera, Norman ha...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Jen Davidson, a distinguished former member of the elite U.S. Army Golden Knights, has showcased her skydiving expertise in some of the most high-profile jumps worldwide, including an awe-inspiring jump at the Statue of Liberty and multiple high-profile stadium jumps as part of the demonstration team. Throughout her remarkable career, Jen has claimed multiple national and world championship titles, solidifying her legacy in the sport. Since retiring from ...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Brian "BK" Krause is a legendary figure in the skydiving community, with an impressive career that spans both military and civilian achievements. With over 23,000 jumps to his name, BK is known for leading the resurgence of the U.S. Army's Golden Knights 8-Way formation skydiving team. Under his leadership as captain and player-coach, the Golden Knights claimed a silver medal at the 2010 World Championships, followed by gold at the 2011 World Cup and 2012...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Jeana Billings has made an incredible impact on the skydiving world since her first jump in 2013. In just a few short years, she has become a dominant force in Formation Skydiving competitions. In 2018, Jeana and her team, Paraclete XP8, won the U.S. National Championships in the 8-Way event. By 2019, she added to her accomplishments by becoming the World Indoor Skydiving Champion and later that year, earned the title of U.S. National Champion, representi...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Kirk Verner is a true legend in skydiving, with a remarkable career spanning decades. As a founding member of Arizona Airspeed, Kirk has amassed an incredible 72 gold medals at world and national levels in both 4-Way and 8-Way formation skydiving. His achievements place him among the most successful competitors in the history of the sport. Kirk has also made significant contributions beyond competition. He captained both the 300- and 400-way world record ...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Zainab Alibhai has defied expectations and broken significant barriers, earning a place of recognition within the international skydiving community. Originally from Kenya, Zainab made her first skydive in 2014—a life-changing experience that set her on a remarkable path. From that moment, she embarked on an unconventional journey, traveling across the globe to log enough jumps and earn multiple ratings. Today, Zainab is not only a Tandem Instructor, A...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Sherry Butcher is a highly accomplished and influential figure in the skydiving community. She co-owns Aerohio Skydiving Center in Ashland, Ohio, and has been actively involved in the sport for over 30 years. Sherry made her first jump in May 1993 and has since made over 10,000 jumps. Her passion for skydiving led her to become a skilled instructor, eventually achieving certifications as an AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Senior Rigger, and Skydive Uni...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Maxine Tate, a UK native and passionate skydiver, began her skydiving journey in university and reignited her love for the sport with a tandem jump in New Zealand. Under the mentorship of Mark Kirkby, she transitioned from a London corporate job to skydiving professionally, representing Australia in the 2008 World Meet and later instructing in the US. Formerly the COO of Flight-1, Maxine now contributes to the sport as part of the Highlight Pro Skydiving ...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Today, we delve into the life of Efrain Vega de Verona, a skydiver and modern-day humanitarian whose compassion extends beyond thrilling sports. Discover how his deeds, from aiding a grandmother during the New Zealand lockdown to providing relief in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria, exemplify a life lived with purpose. Efrain's journey from a secure job at the Department of Defense to pursuing his passion for travel and philanthropy is a testament to livi...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Meet Melanie Curtis: world record skydiver, leader of the Highlight Pro Skydiving team, life coach, author, podcast host, and speaker. Melanie boasts 12,000 jumps and recognition from top media publications. She excels in coaching peak performance and personal freedom, inspiring many towards self-growth. Her story is a testament to passion, dedication, and the pursuit of human potential. Show Notes An Anxious Young GirlA Life Cha...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Buckle up for a fascinating interview with the King of All Boogies, Rich Grimm! You'll be fascinated to learn all that goes on behind the scenes of running the world's most famous boogies (there's a little bit of stress) as well as being a firefighter, DZO and restaurant owner! Rich knows how to tell a good story... buckle up for a great episode! SHOW NOTES Gaining access to the Blue HoleWhat It Takes To Run an Exotic BoogieMaldives - Planes, Money &...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld, also known as "Dan BC" has over 30,000 skydives. He's a three-time world champion, record-setter, and the guiding force behind Skydive Perris's global repute. Beyond his impressive accolades, Dan's enduring legacy is seen in the skydivers he's mentored and his inspiring book, "Above All Else." His journey exemplifies passion, resilience, and the boundless potential of the human spirit. SHOW NOTES Learning about Dan's in...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode In the community of skydiving, Marc Tripari emerges as a luminary. Childhood escapades, like makeshift Superman jumps, paved the way for a 38-year passion, recording over 10,000 jumps. An audacious jump in his mid-20s was more than just youthful bravado; it set his life's trajectory. His unforgettable leap in 1997? A tandem jump diverting to the Kennedy Space Center, a legal whirlwind, and a story now woven into his storied career. Marc is a skydiver's, s...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode In a world dominated by convention, Miles Daisher stands out. Raised in an adventurous Air Force family, he never settled for a regular 9 to 5. Instead, Miles pursued his passion for skydiving and BASE jumping, amassing over 10,000 skydives, 7,000 BASE jumps, and breaking records, including 63 BASE jumps in 24 hours in 2017. He's an innovator in the sport and a member of the prestigious Red Bull Air Force. While he's a thrill-seeker, Miles is also a dedic...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode On today's episode of the 20 Minute Call, we have a special guest who first caught my attention while watching Conan O'Brien's podcast on YouTube during the pandemic. With her unique hairstyle and quick wit, this woman had me laughing as she playfully debated with Conan about his hypothetical tandem skydiving skills. Since then, I've had the pleasure of getting to know this fascinating individual who has been involved in the world of skydiving for over a...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Since his first jump in 1984, Mike Vetter has crafted a distinguished career as a skydiving competitor, coach, and multi-dropzone owner. Renowned as the founder of GoJump in Gransee, Germany, and the owner of GoJump America, he runs three respected dropzones in Oceanside, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. His accolades include 12-time Swiss champion, team captain of the Swiss National teams (1991-2004), a 5th place finish at the 2001 World Meet in Spain, and coachin...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode In today's episode of "The 20 Minute Call," we're thrilled to feature someone who is nothing short of a legend in the skydiving community: Melissa Nelson. To many, she is simply known as 'Melissa'—a testament to her unmistakable presence and influence in the world of aerial sports. With a reputation as an upbeat force, a vocal leader, and an unapologetic badass in the skies, Melissa's track record is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Here's a snapshot of wh...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Born in Tempe, Arizona, Craig Girard made his first jump on March 14, 1981, at Sky Hi-Pioneer DZ, Phoenix, AZ, and has since accumulated over 32,000 jumps. His illustrious career spans more than four decades, and he has won numerous awards and championships, including US National Champion 8-way for an impressive 18 times, and US National Champion 4-way six times. Craig's success in World Cups is equally outstanding, securing five 8-way championships and t...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode If you don’t know my guest today, you’ve likely taken a canopy course that was originally designed by him. In the early 2000s, Scott Miller was the face of formal canopy instruction. Using his signature Gatorz, and Keynote on his Mac, he taught thousands of civilian and military skydivers at more than 40 dropzones around the world how to be better, safety pilots. During his 16-year career in the sport, Scott amassed more than 8,500 jumps and serve...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Today's guest is a global ambassador for the sport and soon-to-be member of the International Skydiving Hall of Fame. Within months of his introduction to skydiving, Shannon Pilcher began competing in 4-way FS. Between 2003 and 2010 as a 4-way FS and CP competitor, Shannon earned 14 first-place titles and three seconds, broke three world records, and represented the USA at four World Meets and six World Cups. He was integral in defining and promotin...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Keri Bell is a trailblazer in our sport. As a third-generation skydiver, for her, skydiving isn’t a mere choice. It’s a legacy. A legacy that traces back to her grandfather, Lenny Aikins, a World War II pilot who discovered his love for skydiving after his return from Europe. This passion was ingrained in her family's DNA, ultimately shaping Kapowsin Air Sports, a DZ that grew out of the family's initial skydiving club and a place she calls home. To...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Our first guest is like no other person in the sport due to his incredible enthusiasm, love for the sport and its people. Kamuran “Sonic” Bayrasli is the man behind the famous Ranch Pro Shop. “Buy Baby Buy.” Since making his first jump at a small DZ in New Jersey in 1992, Sonic has accrued more than 7,000 jumps, become a Master Rigger with more than 3000 reserves packed and more than 150 saves. Sonic is also a former AFF Instructor and, at one p...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode In this episode, we dive into the world of Rook Nelson, a respected figure in the skydiving community and the owner of the legendary Skydive Chicago. With an astounding 26,000+ jumps to his name, Rook is a decorated competitor, boasting 13 World Championship Titles, 17 World Records, and 36 National Titles. His passion for skydiving transcends personal achievement as he opens the skies to others through Skydive Chicago, hosting the renowned Summerfest, am...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Join us for an exhilarating episode as the master storyteller, Rich Grimm, returns for a second time to recount his latest adventures in the Seychelles and South Africa boogies. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions as Rich shares the thrilling highs and challenging lows of organizing skydiving events in some of the world's most remote and breathtaking locations.
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Matt Fry is a well-respected free flyer with a curiosity for various disciplines that include artistic freefly, big way VFS and even Speed Skydiving! If you’re not familiar with Matt Fry, you’ve seen his work as he served as one of the organizers for this year’s Max Pyro jump which must be considered one of the most spectacular skydives ever made! Matt is also a key organizer working with Rook Nelson and others on the dive engineering for next year'...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode The indomitable Cheryl Stearns returns to the 20-Minute Call for a second interview to delve deeper into her remarkable career. We explore her aviation journey with over 23,000 flight hours, her quest to break Colonel Joe Kittinger's high jump record with StratoQuest, and her resilience in overcoming loss. Cheryl reflects on the highs and lows of being a pilot, significant injuries from her 22,000+ jumps, and the meticulous planning behind her feats. She ...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Craig O'Brien has accomplished so much that often his title as a 5-time US National Champion and 3-time World Champion is overlooked! This oversight only happens because of the glowing items on his resumé which includes filming the epic skydiving scenes in Iron Man, Iron Man 3, Kingsman, Godzilla, Point Break, the Hangover III, The Bucket List, Charlie’s Angels, and perhaps the most iconic skydiving scene ever filmed - the famous HALO jump out of a ...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Doug Smith has been in the sport of skydiving for 30 years and is renowned for creating one of the world's most beautiful dropzones - Chicagoland Skydiving Center. In 2011, CSC transitioned from Hinckley, Illinois, to a state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot facility in nearby Rochelle. This impressive center features a restaurant and bar, gear store, sand volleyball courts, and two Cessna Grand Caravans. Notably, it is the first skydiving facility powered b...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode Sara Curtis is our guest today, and her resumé reads like a thrilling adventure novel. She’s a stuntwoman, business owner, politician, and world record skydiver. With three World Titles, 11 National Titles in Vertical Formation Skydiving (VFS), 20 World Records, and over 17,000 skydives to her name, Sara Curtis is nothing short of phenomenal. Sara burst onto the scene in the early 2000s with Arizona Arsenal, a revolutionary vertical skydiving team that re...
Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode My guest today has truly lived a life that transcends even the wildest dreams of a successful career in skydiving. With over 500 BASE jumps and 17,000 skydives, Jon Devore is a highly respected camera flyer, BASE jumper, wingsuiter, world champion free flyer, and stunt performer. His work has been featured in major films such as 2015’s Point Break, Iron Man 3, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, and Ad Astra. Jon also serve...
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