Podcast · 68 episodes
Wild Ideas Worth Living
by REI Co-op · English
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.
Latest episodes
First Woman to Ski the Full Iditarod with Sunny StroeerSunny Stroeer (Strohr) discusses pivoting from a high-powered consulting career to adventure journalism and extreme endurance sports, culminating in becoming the first woman to ski the full Iditarod…29 Sep 2026 · 30 min
This Is What Happens When You Ask a Stranger to Ride Your Tandem Bike with Tyler MiticTyler Middick rides a tandem bike from the Oregon-California border to the California-Mexico border over 27 days, inviting strangers to join him on the backseat without knowing who they are…22 Sep 2026 · 28 min
Climbing and Skiing the Seven Summits with Kit DesLauriersKit DesLauriers’ journey from learning to ski as a teen to becoming the first person to climb and ski down the Seven Summits, plus lessons from backcountry ski mountaineering, her wolf, and pursuing…15 Sep 2026 · 36 min
All episodes
First Woman to Ski the Full Iditarod with Sunny StroeerSunny Stroeer (Strohr) discusses pivoting from a high-powered consulting career to adventure journalism and extreme endurance sports, culminating in becoming the first woman to ski the full Iditarod…29 Sep 2026 · 30 min · 15 chapters
This Is What Happens When You Ask a Stranger to Ride Your Tandem Bike with Tyler MiticTyler Middick rides a tandem bike from the Oregon-California border to the California-Mexico border over 27 days, inviting strangers to join him on the backseat without knowing who they are…22 Sep 2026 · 28 min · 11 chapters
Climbing and Skiing the Seven Summits with Kit DesLauriersKit DesLauriers’ journey from learning to ski as a teen to becoming the first person to climb and ski down the Seven Summits, plus lessons from backcountry ski mountaineering, her wolf, and pursuing…15 Sep 2026 · 36 min · 19 chapters
Expanding Access to the Outdoors with Alison Mariella DésirAlison Mariella Désir recounts how she expanded access to the outdoors through running—starting Harlem Run in 2013, building inclusive community rules, and later translating that mission into writing…8 Sep 2026 · 28 min · 15 chapters
The First Person to Complete the Double Seven with Rob LeaRob Lea becomes the first person to complete the “Double Seven” (climb the Seven Summits and swim the Ocean Seven).1 Sep 2026 · 29 min · 11 chapters
Why Bike Commuting Makes Us Happier with Jenn DiceBike commuting and recreation make people happier and more connected; the episode covers why cycling matters, what makes cities bike-friendly, and how policy and infrastructure can expand safe access.25 Aug 2026 · 26 min · 18 chapters
Walking Barefoot Across the US with Anton NootenboomAnton “Barefoot Dutchman” Nootenboom recounts walking barefoot across extreme terrain to raise awareness for men’s mental health, and how barefoot mindfulness helped him process depression and…18 Aug 2026 · 31 min · 14 chapters
Setting Records and Winning the Cocodona 250 with Rachel EntrekinRachel Entrekin’s ultra-running journey and her record-setting wins at the Cocodona 250, plus how she rebuilt a healthy relationship with food and exercise after an eating disorder.11 Aug 2026 · 29 min · 13 chapters
The Secret to Healthy Feet and Pain Free Adventure with Courtney ConleyHow to build healthy, pain-free feet to support running, hiking, and long-term mobility—through toe/ankle mobility, foot strength, and footwear choices.4 Aug 2026 · 32 min · 11 chapters
A 3-Year Bike Journey Around the World with Samer AbouhamadSamer Abouhamad’s 3-year bike journey around the world (Boston to Argentina; North Cape Norway to South Africa; Australia/Indonesia/China/Middle East) ending in Beirut, Lebanon, after 46,000 miles…28 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 17 chapters
Setting Ultramarathon Records at 75 Years Old with Michael KoppyMichael Koppe, a 75-year-old retired engineering professor in northern Minnesota, recounts setting a record at the Arrowhead 135 ultramarathon and explains how he trains and stays durable for extreme…21 Jul 2026 · 31 min · 13 chapters
Slacklining Around the World with Breannah YehBreannah “Yeh” Yeh’s journey from first slacklining at age 13 to full-time adventure sports content, focusing on the mental/physical differences between tricklining and highlining, and how her…14 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 9 chapters
How to Pace an Ultramarathon Runner with Lisa JhungWhat ultramarathon pacing is and how Lisa Jhung paces runners—covering rules (pacer allowed after certain miles), responsibilities (fueling, safety, encouragement, timekeeping), and the psychological…7 Jul 2026 · 24 min · 8 chapters
First Woman to Walk the Length of the Americas with Lucy BarnardLucy Barnard’s ongoing solo attempt to become the first woman to walk the length of the Americas, starting at Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) and aiming to reach Alaska; as of May 2026 she’s in Prince…30 Jun 2026 · 29 min · 13 chapters
Kayaking 310 Miles Down the Klamath River with Tasia LinwoodIndigenous youth kayak the first descent of the Klamath River after four dams were removed, paddling about 310 miles from southern Oregon to northern California’s coast; the episode frames the trip…23 Jun 2026 · 24 min · 12 chapters
Biking Across Every Continent with Liam GarnerLiam Garner’s ongoing bike journey from Portugal to Singapore, framed as part of his larger goal to bike every continent. Episode also revisits his first Alaska-to-Argentina trip and what he learned.16 Jun 2026 · 29 min · 17 chapters
How to Talk to Trees with Lindsay BranhamLindsay Branham (environmental psychologist and author of Heartwood) argues that people can “talk to trees” by listening inward through interoception, an embodied “eighth sense.” She frames trees as…9 Jun 2026 · 25 min · 12 chapters
Finding Purpose in Endurance Running with Yassine DibounYassine Diboun’s recovery from addiction and how endurance running/triathlons became his purpose, structure, and career path.2 Jun 2026 · 29 min · 11 chapters
Training Tips for Your Next Adventure with Joe HolderTraining and staying healthy for adventures (marathons, through-hikes, everyday fitness), emphasizing recovery, context-specific exercise, and “exercise snacks” (short movement doses).26 May 2026 · 22 min · 10 chapters
Rowing Solo Across the Atlantic Ocean with Taryn SmithTaryn Smith’s solo Atlantic Ocean row (46 days, Jan 29, 2026 arrival) and what it took—training, boat setup, daily routine, storms, injuries, and returning home.19 May 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters
Swimming 140 Mies Across Lake Powell with Shane SchiefferShane Schieffer’s 11-day, self-supported swim across Lake Powell (about 140 miles, ultimately 146 miles), including preparation, training, navigation, gear, and the physical/mental effects of extreme…12 May 2026 · 30 min · 18 chapters
Thru-hiking The Appalachian Trail with 15 Kids with Nikki BettisNikki Bettis and her 15 kids’ 2023 Appalachian Trail thru-hike as a family “new chapter” after financial collapse and domestic violence, plus how the hike helped them heal and rebuild independence.5 May 2026 · 28 min · 18 chapters
How The Bucket List Family Travels the World with Garrett GeeHow Garrett Gee and his family (The Bucket List Family) turned a planned 4–6 month international trip into a decade-long travel business, while building a “adventure, culture, and service” framework…28 Apr 2026 · 30 min · 15 chapters
Paddling 1,200 Miles from Ottawa to New York with Dan RubinsteinDan Rubenstein, an Ottawa journalist and long-time stand-up paddleboarder, describes his 2023 1,200-mile SUP loop from Ottawa to Montreal, down to New York City/Buffalo, then north via the Erie…21 Apr 2026 · 25 min · 14 chapters