Wild Ideas Worth Living

REI Co-op

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.

  • 31 minutes 40 seconds
    Trekking Solo to the North and South Poles with Preet Chandi

    Preet Chandi began her polar career in 2021 when she skied solo to the South Pole while hauling a 192 pound sled across Antarctica. At just 37 years old, Preet has already become one of the most accomplished polar explorers of our generation, completing three expeditions to Antarctica and setting a new Guinness World Record each time. She is currently training for a groundbreaking trip to the North Pole, which she hopes to set off for this spring.

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    20 January 2026, 11:00 am
  • 28 minutes 30 seconds
    Ultra Running and Setting FKTs with Anton Krupicka

    Anton Krupicka is one of the most iconic ultrarunners and long-distance trail athletes in the U.S. Known for his minimalist approach—shirtless miles, long hair, and a bushy beard—he became a defining figure in the sport. Over nearly three decades, Anton has won the Leadville 100 twice and earned podium finishes at ultramarathons around the world. Beyond racing, he’s set 28 fastest known time (FKT) records on notable routes, solidifying his reputation in endurance running.

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    13 January 2026, 11:00 am
  • 30 minutes 51 seconds
    Discovering Nature’s Hidden Conversations with Amy Martin

    Award-winning journalist Amy Martin has spent years tuning into nature’s hidden soundtrack. As the host and creator of Threshold, she explores the intricate ways life communicates beyond human perception. In its latest season, Hark, Amy uncovers how species from birds to dolphins—and even turtles—use sound to share information we’re only beginning to understand. Thanks to breakthroughs in acoustic research, these conversations are finally coming into focus.

    Scientists mentioned: Mike Parsons, Rex Cocroft, and Gabriel Jorgewich Cohen

    Photo credit: Nick Mott and Jed Allen

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    6 January 2026, 11:00 am
  • 29 minutes
    A Spiritual Approach to the Seven Summits with Wasfia Nazreen

    Wasfia Nazreen is a Bangladeshi mountaineer and human rights advocate known for blending adventure with activism. She is the first Bangladeshi to climb the Seven Summits and the only Bengali to summit K2, one of the world’s most dangerous peaks. Her expeditions serve as spiritual practice and a platform for women’s rights in Bangladesh, earning her National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year in 2014.

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    23 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 28 minutes 39 seconds
    Record-Breaking Expedition to the North Pole with Eric Larsen

    Eric Larsen is a pioneering polar explorer who completed the first-ever summer expedition to the North Pole, navigating thin, unstable sea ice and miles of open water. In 2010, he became the first person to reach both poles and summit Mount Everest within a single year. With decades of experience crossing the Arctic Ocean and Antarctic ice sheet, Eric has become a trusted resource and guide for aspiring polar adventurers.

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    16 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 24 minutes 27 seconds
    Winning the World Snowshoe Championships with Jennifer Britz

    Jennifer Britz is a trail runner based in Bar Harbor, Maine. She spends half the year on Acadia National Park’s rugged trails and the other half perfecting her craft on lightweight running snowshoes built for speed. Over the past decade, Britz has dedicated herself to mastering this niche sport, pushing her limits across varied terrain. In 2022, she earned gold at the World Snowshoe Championships in Argentina.

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    9 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 29 minutes 31 seconds
    Chatting Gear & Gifting with Emily Pennington

    Emily Pennington is an REI gear tester and outdoor expert who knows what makes equipment worth the investment. In this holiday gift guide episode, she shares her top picks for the best outdoor gear gifts—whether it’s backpacking essentials, ski gear for hitting the slopes, or running gear for everyday adventures. Emily breaks down what matters most when choosing quality gear that lasts, so you can give gifts that the adventurers in your life will love. 

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    2 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 30 minutes 50 seconds
    Skydiving & Becoming a Paralympic Snowboard Champion with Tyler Turner

    Tyler Turner has always been a bit of a daredevil. He grew up skiing, snowboarding, and eventually became a skydiving instructor. After a 2015 accident resulted in the amputation of both legs, he rebuilt his life around the sports he loves. Today, he’s a three-time Para Snowboard Cross World Champion, a Paralympic gold medalist, and the first bilateral amputee to fly in a wingsuit.

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    25 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 26 minutes 14 seconds
    Setting a Scuba Diving Record on All 7 Continents with Barrington Scott

    Barrington Scott is a record-holding scuba diver who has spent the last decade exploring the underwater world through snorkeling, scuba, and freediving. He’s lived in coastal towns around the globe, diving as often as possible and immersing himself in coral reefs, sea caves, and marine life. In 2024, Barrington set a Guinness World Record for scuba diving on all seven continents.

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    18 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 30 minutes 19 seconds
    Skateboarding Across America with Chad Caruso

    Chad Caruso kicked off his wild idea in Venice Beach, California, with a skateboard and a goal: to cross the country on four wheels. Over 57 days, he pushed through deserts, mountain ranges, and extreme weather, ultimately landing in Virginia Beach, Virginia and setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest coast-to-coast skateboarding journey.

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    11 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 29 minutes 29 seconds
    Discovering the Explorer's Gene with Alex Hutchinson

    Alex Hutchinson is a science journalist who explores how technology is reshaping the way we experience the outdoors. While apps can guide us to trailheads and campsites, they can also strip away the thrill of the unexpected.

    In his recent book, The Explorer’s Gene, Alex blends stories of adventure with insights from psychology and neuroscience to show how breaking routine and embracing the unknown can lead to a more meaningful, fun, and productive life.

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    4 November 2025, 11:00 am
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