Wilder Mind Podcast Cody Kaemmerlen

Miranda Oakley is many things deserving of high praise. An AMGA Rock Guide, Wilderness First Responder, traditional free climbing expert and elite big wall climber.

Her first ascents all over the world and incredible technical feats in Yosemite are absolutely awe-inspire.

Recently she has added the role of mother to this list, and today we get to hear from her and Producer Marley Jeranko talk about this brave and courageous new journey.

As a young professional athlete, photographer and route setter, Caleb carries a world view that many around him may never experience in the same way he does.

His thoughtful examination of the world, his place within it, and how he might positively impact it for others going forward is worthy of high admiration.

This conversation looks at the state of racism in America in hopes that we all might find a way towards a better future for all.

With a long family history of mental health challenges informing his world view, Ted began to notice a lot of people around him in quiet struggles of their own.

As a filmmaker, and someone who lives within the dimension of clinical depression, Ted grabbed his camera and created a documentary of self-discovery.

This conversation looks at mental health in a raw and real way, letting it be scary, letting it be hard and letting ourselves find time to heal.

Because in our darkest time, we can feel so alone. Hopefully Ted's words help us all feel a bit more understood.

After qualifying for the 2020 Olympics, the global pandemic threatened to risk Kyra's dream. But instead, she persevered, building a home climbing wall and continuing to train for an additional year. No outdoor climbing, no “just for fun” days with friends–just repetitive, intense days getting stronger and fortifying all-around skill.

Yet, after all that, Kyra came home without a medal.

This conversation looks at failure and sacrifice–it asks: What happens when everything we’ve been striving for doesn’t work out the way we expect it to? Because nothing is guaranteed, and sometimes, we can’t control the outcome, no matter how hard we try.

A notification crossed my phone screen. It was from a dear friend, a cis white woman (whose name will go unmentioned to protect the identity of her and her family). The message was about her younger sister, a cis Black girl, not even a teenager and questions she was asking about #Blacklivesmatter.

I quickly picked up the phone and called her. Over an hour of conversation surrounding the uprising and the impact on her younger sister. Many tears, some moments of levity, and a new sense of closeness to this incredible human.

We talked about this episode, about her sharing the story. We decided that to protect all involved, that it be shared under anonymity. The entire script has been reviewed and approved by her, with one condition- she asked to "flood my feed" with joyful photos of her sister and family.

The ten photos and one video that followed via text message filled my heart with pure joy and fullness beyond measure. There's no way to properly describe the energy, the smile and fire. I can't thank her enough for sharing these wonderful moments with me.

So this is to You, my friend. With love, compassion and hope.

Courtney and I recorded this episode as part of the process for a film that we were shooting for one of her sponsors, Sufferfest Beer Company. Over the course of the following days not only did her and our production crew have an absolute blast, we witnessed her never ending support of the community. Everyone that passed by on the trail or the sidewalk received a warm greeting from her. From talking with fellow athletes about their endurance goals to running alongside a passerby to help motivate him to keep pushing forward, it's clear how much she loves the community that loves her back.

Courtney is a bit of a mystery to many; presumably powered by an imposing and unspoken darkness that compels her to use the power of her mind and feet to race and win the world's toughest ultra marathons. In the greatest flip of the script she fights no demons or deep darkness. Rather, she excitedly seeks the deepest recesses of the pain cave, pitting herself against the elements of the wild spaces, the long enduring miles and the mental sufferfest to find the brightness on the other side. And she does so with class unlike any other, kindness of a school teacher (which she once was) of and the rhythm of an eclectic mix from her old iPod shuffle!

When she crosses the finish line, often the first one to do so, she enjoys the crispness of a fresh beer, a big ol' plate of nachos and the company of her loving husband Kevin, family and friends.

On a personal note, I'm floored to have spent time with one of personal heroes; listening, learning and sharing her story both here on the podcast and through a short film we produced. Sometimes this life seems so unreal and it's an absolute honor to be here, alongside all of you.

To you wildest self, be true.