Wild Ideas Worth Living

Latest Episodes:

A Record Breaking Row From California to Hawaii with Kelsey Pfendler Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Kelsey Pfendler made history on July 3, 2026, when she became the first American woman to row solo from California to Hawaii, completing the crossing in just 43 days and setting a new speed record. An open ocean rower and longtime Grand Canyon river guide, Kelsey spent two years preparing and funding the expedition herself. Her journey culminated in a record that shattered the previous men's mark by nearly nine days and established one of the fastest solo ocean rows ever completed across the Pacific.

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If you enjoyed this conversation, listen to episodes with Taryn Smith, Tez Steinberg and the LAT 35 team.

Listen to REI’s Camp Monsters podcast!

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First Woman to Ski the Full Iditarod with Sunny Stroeer Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Sunny Stroeer spent years working as a business consultant before burnout pushed her to rethink what success looked like. She left the corporate world in search of adventure and went on to become one of the most accomplished endurance athletes in the outdoors, setting more than 20 Fastest Known Times across the globe. In 2024, she became the first woman to ski the full Iditarod Trail, a feat that cemented her reputation for taking on ambitious challenges in some of the world's harshest environments.

Connect with Sunny:

Listen to REI's Camp Monsters podcast!

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This Is What Happens When You Ask a Stranger to Ride Your Tandem Bike with Tyler Mitic Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Tyler Mitic is an endurance cyclist and mental health advocate who spent 27 days riding a tandem bike the length of California. Along the way, he convinced more than 40 strangers to hop on the back of his bike, creating opportunities for connection, conversation, and shared adventure. What began as a cycling challenge became an exploration of rejection, friendship, and the power of showing up for people. The project ultimately raised more than $20,000 for Bring Change to Mind, a nonprofit focused on mental health awareness and support.

Connect with Tyler:

Instagram

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Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
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Climbing and Skiing the Seven Summits with Kit DesLauriers Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Kit DesLauriers is a ski mountaineer, two time Freeride World Champion, and the first person to climb and ski down the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent. She completed the historic project in 2006, cementing her place as one of the most accomplished ski mountaineers in the world. A National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and member of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, Kit has spent her career pushing the limits of human powered adventure.

Connect with Kit:

Website
Instagram
Purchase Kit's book, Higher Love: Climbing and Skiing the Seven Summits

Thank you to our sponsors:

Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
Smartwool
Salomon

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Expanding Access to the Outdoors with Alison Mariella Désir Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Alison Mariella Désir is a runner, activist, author of Running While Black, and host of the award winning PBS series Out & Back. In 2013, she started a community run club in Harlem with a simple goal: help more Black and Brown people experience the joy and connection of running. That grassroots effort helped launch a career dedicated to building community, expanding access to the outdoors, and empowering others to pursue their own adventures.

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The First Person to Complete the Double Seven with Rob Lea Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Rob Lea is an endurance athlete, mountaineer, and open water swimmer who became the first person to complete the Double Seven in June 2026. The project combines climbing the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent, with the Oceans Seven, a collection of iconic open water crossings that includes the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar. By uniting two of the world's most demanding endurance challenges, Rob set a new benchmark for adventure, mountaineering, and marathon swimming.

Connect with Rob:

Instagram

Check out REI’s 2026 Editors’ Choice Awards

Thank you to our sponsor:

Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
The North Face

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Why Bike Commuting Makes Us Happier with Jenn Dice Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Jenn Dice is the CEO of PeopleForBikes, a national nonprofit dedicated to making biking safer, easier, and more accessible across the United States. As a lifelong cyclist, she has spent decades exploring the outdoors on two wheels and advocating for better places to ride. Her work is driven by the belief that bicycles can improve health, strengthen communities, and create more connected places to live.

Connect with Jenn:

PeopleForBikes website & Instagram
Instagram

Check out REI’s 2026 Editors’ Choice Awards

Thank you to our sponsor:

Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
The North Face

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Walking Barefoot Across the US with Anton Nootenboom Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Anton Nootenboom is an endurance athlete, mental health advocate, and world record holder known as the Barefoot Dutchman. He has walked thousands of miles barefoot through some of the world's most challenging landscapes, including the Himalayas, the Australian coast, and across the United States. A former Dutch soldier, Anton uses his expeditions to raise awareness for men's mental health and inspire more open conversations around mental well-being.

Connect with Anton:

Check out REI’s 2026 Editors’ Choice Awards

Thank you to our sponsor:

Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
The North Face

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Setting Records and Winning the Cocodona 250 with Rachel Entrekin Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Rachel Entrekin is an ultrarunner and three time champion of the Cocodona 250, one of the most demanding ultramarathons in the United States. Known as the "Queen of Cocodona," she became the first woman to win the race outright in 2026, covering more than 250 miles across Arizona in 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 58 seconds while setting a new course record.

Connect with Rachel:

Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to Winning the Triple Crown of Ultra Running with Courtney Dauwalter

Check out REI’s 2026 Editors’ Choice Awards

Thank you to our sponsor:

Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®

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The Secret to Healthy Feet and Pain Free Adventure with Courtney Conley Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Courtney Conley is a movement specialist, foot health expert, and author of the national bestselling book Walk. Through her work as founder of Gait Happens, she helps people build stronger feet and ankles to improve mobility, prevent injury, and stay active for life. Whether you love hiking, running, biking, or climbing, Courtney believes better movement starts from the ground up.

Connect with Courtney:

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to Movement Diet with Katy Bowman

Check out REI's 2026 Editors' Choice Awards

Thank you to our sponsor:

Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.