Claim OwnershipWild Ideas Worth Living
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High-impact interviews for those who love adventure and the outdoors. Host and journalist Shelby Stanger interviews world-class explorers, athletes, authors, scientists, health experts and entrepreneurs about how they’ve taken their own wild ideas and made them a reality, so you can too. Some of the wildest ideas can lead to the most rewarding adventures.
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Jeska Clark is a human performance specialist who studies how people adapt to extreme environments such as high-altitude peaks, sub-zero temperatures, and the intense pressure of deep ocean dives. Her research combines scientific inquiry with personal experience, as she applies insights from her academic work to her own wilderness expeditions. A skilled outdoorswoman, Jeska has completed several ambitious treks and is now preparing to lead the first all Black team to the North Pole.Connect with Jeska: WebsiteInstagramFull-Circle website If you enjoyed this episode, listen to: Veteran Turned Everest Climber with Dom MullinsBikepacking Through History with Erik CedeñoClimbing Mountains & Making History with Philip HendersonRegister for Camp Monsters LIVE in Denver, ColoradoThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade
Marlene and Dan Lin have been living on the road full-time for the past 17 years. Alongside their three children and two cats, they’ve driven across the U.S. multiple times, explored over 30 countries in Europe, and road-tripped from California to Patagonia via the Pan-American Highway. What began as a short-term adventure turned into a lifestyle they never anticipated—nearly two decades of life in a camper van. Connect with Marlene & Dan: InstagramYouTubeSubstackThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade
Libby DeLana began walking every day at age 50, while juggling her role as co-founder of an ad agency and parenting two teenage boys. What started as a one-month experiment became a 13-year streak of daily walks. Alongside walking, Libby embraced cold plunging as a way to reset her mind and body. These rituals helped her reinvent herself as an author, podcast host, model, and inspiration for others seeking clarity and transformation through movement.Connect with Libby: WebsiteInstagramOrder Libby's new book, Cold JoyThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Ocean Bottle
Albert Lin is a renowned explorer, scientist, and storyteller. He is best known for his role as the host of multiple National Geographic programs. Together with his team, he uses advanced technologies such as satellites, drones, ground penetrating radar, and cutting edge LiDAR to uncover ancient civilizations around the world.Connect with Albert: WebsiteInstagram Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Terns — used code “WILD” at checkout to receive 25% off your first order.
Ann Rose is a farmer living off the grid in rural North Carolina, where she’s spent most of her life deeply connected to the Appalachian Mountains and forests. After a series of droughts made farming more difficult, she found herself stuck and ready for change. At 58, she set out to kayak from North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico. The journey brought unfamiliar waters, unpredictable weather, and more than a few alligators.Connect with Ann: InstagramTikTokYouTubeThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Terns — used code “WILD” at checkout to receive 25% off your first order.
Amy & Dave Freeman are modern-day explorers who have spent over two decades on human-powered wilderness expeditions. In 2010, they completed a 12,000-mile journey across North America by canoe, kayak, and dog sled. Five years later, they lived off the grid for an entire year without re-entering society. No stores, no electricity, no roads, just the two of them, a nylon tent, and the frozen lakes and forests of Northern Minnesota. Connect with Amy & Dave:Website InstagramCheck out Amy & Dave's book, North American Odyssey: 12,000 Miles Across the Continent by Kayak, Canoe, and DogsledThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Terns — used code “WILD” at checkout to receive 25% off your first order.
Robin Pacquing is a seasoned surfer based near Toronto, Canada, who has spent nearly two decades mastering the waves of the Great Lakes. Braving frigid temperatures and unpredictable swells, she’s become an expert in navigating one of the most unconventional surf scenes in the world. Robin is also the founder of Lake Surfistas, a grassroots organization that connects and supports women of all abilities who surf, SUP, and SUP surf on the Great Lakes.Connect with Robin: Website InstagramLake Surfistas Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Terns — used code “WILD” at checkout to receive 25% off your first order.
1Earlier this summer, host Shelby Stanger recorded a live episode of Wild Ideas Worth Living with Alex Honnold at the Outside Festival in Denver, Colorado. Alex is one of the most well-known climbers in the world, best known for his free solo climb of El Capitan— the 3,000-foot vertical wall of granite in Yosemite National Park.In this conversation, Shelby talks to Alex about the projects he’s chasing now, how parenthood has shifted his relationship with adventure, and what his approach to free soloing looks like today.Connect with Alex: WebsiteInstagramHonnold FoundationIf you enjoyed this episode listen to Making Art as a Couple With Jimmy Chin and Chai VasarhelyiThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade
Welcome to the Wild Ideas Worth Living Summer Camp Series! In these bonus episodes, we’re exploring camping beyond the traditional tent—from bikepacking and packrafting to camping with kids and dispersed car camping.Felicia Fullwood is an adventure photographer and van lifer who left her corporate career to embrace the freedom of dispersed camping (also known as wild camping) and life on the road. Since her first wild camping trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, she’s built a thriving platform as a content creator, blogger, and outdoor enthusiast. On YouTube and Instagram, Felicia shares practical advice and inspiration for fellow travelers navigating van life and off-grid camping.Connect with Felicia: WebsiteInstagramYouTubeGear & Apparel Mentioned: Mountain Bike Paddle Board Ooni pizza OvenBucket Toilet Garmin InReach MiniThe Public Lands apponX Offroad is the appThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
Adam Pawlikiewicz Mesa is an endurance mountain athlete and bikepacker who has explored remote regions across Latin America and the U.S. After graduating college, he turned down a financial consulting career to pursue a transformative journey on two wheels. Now a full-time athlete and visual storyteller, Adam documents his adventures through Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, capturing the landscapes, cultures, and people he encounters. His work blends endurance travel with powerful storytelling that inspires connection and exploration.Connect with Adam: Website InstagramPhoto credit: Leonardo BrasilThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade
Welcome to the Wild Ideas Worth Living Summer Camp Series! In these bonus episodes, we’re exploring camping beyond the traditional tent—from bikepacking and packrafting to camping with kids and dispersed car camping.Kevin Frias is a cyclist and bikepacker who's taken on multi-day adventures through deserts, mountains, and everything in between. Whether he's navigating gnarly weather or unexpected setbacks, Kevin brings a steady optimism to the ride. His motto? A good map and a good attitude can take you a long way. In this episode, Kevin breaks down the essentials of bikepacking—from planning your first trip to the gear he trusts most on the trail.Connect with Kevin: Instagram YouTubeGear & Apparel Mentioned: Gravel BikesMountain BikesBackpacking TentsHammock tentDaypacksPanniersJetboilDry BagsZpacks Tent & Sleeping QuiltNEMO Tensor Sleeping PadKatadyn BeFree Water FilterSleeping Bag LinerBike Patch KitBike toolsCheck out this Bikepacking Checklist!Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
Mina Guli is a water advocate and ultrarunner who has dedicated her life to solving one of the world’s most urgent issues—the global water crisis. She runs marathons all over the world to raise awareness, logging thousands of miles across deserts and along rivers to change the way people, companies, and governments think about water.Connect with Mina:WebsiteInstagramThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Ocean Bottle
Welcome to the Wild Ideas Worth Living Summer Camp Series! In these bonus episodes, we’re exploring camping beyond the traditional tent—from bikepacking and packrafting to camping with kids and dispersed car camping.Hailey Terry is a mom of three young kids who shares her family's outdoor adventures online. In this episode, Hailey teaches us that with a little preparation and a go-with-the-flow mindset, camping with younger kids can be both manageable and magical.Gear & Apparel Mentioned: TentsKid’s sleeping bagsBaby carriers Trail Magik Kid Carrier Yoto PlayerMountain House backpacking mealsSporkConnect with Hailey: WebsiteInstagramThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
Lise Wortley retraces the footsteps of historical women explorers whose achievements have long been overlooked. To fully immerse herself in their experiences, she replicates the clothing and equipment used over a century ago, avoiding modern gear to see the world as they did. Through these journeys, she shines a light on their remarkable stories and brings their legacies back into focus.Connect with Lise: Website Instagram Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Ocean Bottle
Welcome to the Wild Ideas Worth Living Summer Camp Series! In these bonus episodes, we’re exploring camping beyond the traditional tent—from bikepacking and packrafting to camping with kids and dispersed car camping.Today, we're diving into the world of water-based camping with MAK and Owen, the founders of Bound For Nowhere— a popular adventure blog, social media community, and storytelling brand. Gear & Apparel Mentioned: The Packraft HandbookPackraftDeconstructed paddleHelmetRopeDry bagsPFD: Men & Women's KnifeRepair kit: Tenacious Tape, Tenacious Tape mini patches, and Aquaseal AdhesiveCompact Rescue Throw BagBedrock sandalsLong sleeve with a hood Rain shellBroad hatSunscreenConnect with MAK & Owen: WebsiteInstagram Listen to Camp NowhereWatch How To Pack For Packrafting Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
Sean Jansen, a lifelong surfer and adventurer, standup paddled over 1,000 miles along the coast of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula with his camping gear, food, and camera strapped to his board. His goal was to document the journey and raise awareness about the vaquita, an endangered porpoise native to the region.Connect with Sean: Website InstagramPurchase Sean's book, Paddling with PorpoiseThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Ocean Bottle
Jessa Williams is the founder of Intrsxtn Surf, a Los Angeles-based surf collective dedicated to empowering Black women and women of color through surfing. After discovering the ocean as a space for healing and self-discovery, she launched Intrsxtn just one year after learning to surf. Since then, she has introduced hundreds of women to the waves, creating a supportive community that challenges traditional surf culture and celebrates inclusivity, resilience, and joy in the water.Connect with Jessa: Instagram Intrsxtn Surf website & InstagramThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Ocean Bottle
Melissa Arnot Reid is a legendary American mountaineer, adventure guide, and author who has summited Mount Everest six times—more than any other American woman. She was the first American woman to climb and descend Everest without supplemental oxygen, pushing the limits of human endurance. Through extreme challenges and high-risk climbs, Melissa has found strength, resilience, and purpose in the mountains. Connect with Melissa: WebsiteInstagramSubstackGrab a copy of Melissa's book, EnoughThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Ocean Bottle
David Kilgore has been a lifelong runner who found his stride in the world of ultra marathons in his 20s. Rather than pursue running as his sole profession, he charted a unique course— joining the early team at On Running while continuing to compete at an elite level. From setting records to winning the Great World Race twice, David's journey has made him a standout in the global running community. Connect with David: Instagram Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Teva
Ayesha McGowan went from teaching music and delivering packages on a bike to shattering barriers in professional cycling, becoming the first African American female road cyclist in 2021. Though health challenges led to early retirement, Ayesha is now focused on empowering women of color in cycling and expanding access to the sport.Connect with Ayesha: Instagram A Quick Brown Fox website Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Teva
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didn't see a link in the notes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYnl54nOpiE
I've listened since the beginning and this is the best guest yet.
so eloquent. great episode. fired up about running slow!
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I'm a man and my "baby" is 18 years old. I found that episode very interesting, as even though a lots of friends shared with me a few challenges that pregnancy brings.... And didn't though about the training ones...
have to agree. this podcast was the bomb. thank you both for the knowledge & inspiration to think outside of the paradigm
Just bought a used copy of Ecology of Commerce at Amazon!