Best Josh Blum Podcasts (2025)

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Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club | 205 58:40

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4d ago58:40

58:40

For episode 205 we have Charlie Riou and Cullen McMorrow – the President and Vice President of the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club. While Austin may not be on everyone’s radar as a ride destination Austin certainly has a very deep history around mountain biking, mountain bike advocacy and trails. Both Cullen and Charlie provide some excellen…

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Nick Ryan | Copper Harbor Trails Club Trails Coordinator | 204 1:25:09

22d ago1:25:09

1:25:09

Nick Ryan | Copper Harbor Trails Club Trails Coordinator | 204 Topics Include: Giving Tuesday for Copper Harbor Trails Club Looking back at the 2025 achievements by the Copper Harbor Trails Club Looking forward at the 2026 goals Wrapping up the Keweenaw Point Trail in 2026 Winter Trails around Copper Harbor that the far east end of the Keweenaw Pen…

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IMBA Trail Towns and Ride Centers™ with Joe V. and Marty Ciavano | 203 58:22

27d ago58:22

58:22

IMBA Trail Towns and Ride Centers™ with Joe V. and Marty Caivano | 203 For episode 203 we have Joe V. and Marty Caivano back on to discuss the recently launched IMBA Trail Towns Designation and the recently relaunched IMBA Ride Center™ Designation. We covered everything from the importance of these designations for your community, how to get these …

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Miles Ramsey of the Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp | 52Eighty Creative | 202 44:20

2M ago44:20

44:20

For episode 202 we have Miles Ramsey the creative director for 52Eighty Creative. Miles has been working with the PTBA, American Trails, along with others in the Trail Space to improve the marketing game on the outdoor infrastructure we all love to build and use. Miles also the person behind the Outdoor Marketing Boot Camp which was created as a wa…

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Best Day Ever | Building a More Inclusive Trail Community with Berne Broudy and Greg Durso | 201 1:03:00

2M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

For episode 201 we have Berne Broudy and Greg Durso. Berne is an outdoor journalist, storyteller, and happens to be the president of Richmond Mountain Trails a Non-Profit Trail Organization. Greg is an adaptive athlete and senior program director for the Kelly Brush Foundation. Together Berne and Greg helped to create the new film titled “Best Day …

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Pete Taylor Steals the Mic and takes over the conversation with Josh Blum | 200 2:00:00

3M ago2:00:00

2:00:00

For Episode 200 we flip the script, and Pete Taylor takes over as the host, putting your regular host myself, Josh into the hot seat. We dive into the backstory how the Trail EAffect Podcast came to be, a mistake or two that I’ve made along the way along with a whole bunch of other topics that Pete had. Topics Include: The Driftless Dirt / Trail EA…

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Pete Taylor | Vernon Trails, Viroqua, WI | Bluedog Cycles | Camp Bluedog | 199 1:52:00

3M ago1:52:00

1:52:00

For Episode 199 we have Pete Taylor of Vernon Trails, Bluedog Cycles and Camp Bluedog – the largest longest running kids’ mountain bike camp in the Galaxy. There are so many words that could be said about Pete but I’ll leave all of that up to him! Topics Include: Moving to Viroqua, WI to open a bike shop, a place with zero access for mountain bike …

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Mike Repyak | Elevating Wausau’s Trails and Beyond | Episode |198 1:11:10

4M ago1:11:10

1:11:10

For Episode 198, we’re catching up with Mike Repyak, who’s back on the show for the fourth time, this time with a brand-new role as Director of Development and Outdoor Recreation for the Kocourek Trailhead Foundation in Wausau, Wisconsin. We dive into Wausau’s ambitious trail plans, Mike’s continued work with IMBA, and highlights from the Internati…

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Adam Yeoman – Executive Director for the Copper Harbor Trails Club | 2025 Trails Club Updates | 197 42:58

4M ago42:58

42:58

For Episode 197 we have Adam Yeoman, the Executive Director for the Copper Harbor Trails Club. During this conversation we talk all things Copper Harbor 2025, which includes some past events, future events, new trails, and there is also some intel on what participants of the 2025 Copper Harbor Trails Fest might have in store in terms of both XC and…

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J.T. Horn | The Trust for Public Land | Bridging the gap between Land Conservation Organizations and Trails | 196 1:06:55

5M ago1:06:55

1:06:55

For Episode 196 we have J.T. Horn, J.T, is the Trail Director for the Trust for Public Land. J.T. was also one of two guests on episode 192 where we discussed the Economic Impact that Mountain Biking can have on communities. For this episode we are discussing various ways to bridge the gap between Land Conservation organizations and the Trail Commu…

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Chris Stindt | How Events Can Help Build Community | 195 1:22:16

6M ago1:22:16

1:22:16

For Episode 195 we have Chris Stindt as our guest. Chris is heavily involved hosting bicycle related events, all sorts of bicycle related events. During this conversation we uncover the value that events bring to communities, and in many ways these events help to build stronger communities. Topics Include: The Chris Stindt backstory Chris’s role at…

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Martha Becton Takeover Show | International Trail Summit 2025 |194 1:31:15

6M ago1:31:15

1:31:15

For Episode 194 Martha Becton takes over again, this time at the 2025 International Trail Summit, which was held this past April in Madison, WI. Similar to when Martha took over last year at the PTBA Conference, Martha is back, and this time she’s got 6 other guests who dive back into the topic of Women in Trail Building. Topics Include: Intro by M…

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Beyond the Ashes an Adaptive Trail Story | Uriah Nazario & Brock Wagner | 193 51:29

6M ago51:29

51:29

For Episode 193 we have Uriah Nazario and Brock Wagner who are two of the many personalities behind Beyond the Ashes – An Adaptive Trail Story. Uriah and Brock break down the backstory behind this film, who they brought into the film, along with how Universal Trail Design can be incorporated into trail systems without most people knowing, yet provi…

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Trust for Public Land Economic Impact of Mountain Biking with Jennifer Clinton and J.T. Horn | 192 59:10

7M ago59:10

59:10

For Episode 192 we have Jennifer Clinton and J.T. Horn both of the Trust for Public Land. Earlier this year the Trust for Public Land Partnered with IMBA to author a report on the Economic Impact of Mountain Biking. They also presented this report at the International Trail Summit that was held this past April in Madison, WI. We dug into the report…

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Lars Romig | Trail Builder & Advocate for Mountain Biking | Sedona, AZ | 191 1:17:39

8M ago1:17:39

1:17:39

For Episode 191 we have Lars Romig of Sedona, AZ. Lars has been a long-time member of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition, along with being a Trail Builder and Mountain Bike Trail Access Advocate. Most Recently Lars led the charge on building the Hardline Trail. This conversation is one that I’ve wanted to have with a Sedona Local for a handful of …

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Pro Dive: Josiah Mackin, PADI Course Director at Utila Dive Center, Honduras 1:00:49

8M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Spring has sprung with this inspiring interview to start off your Wednesday. Walter and Colton sit down with Josiah Mackin "Juicy", manager and course director at Utila Dive Center in Utila, Honduras. Juicy has been a diver since 2001 and never really looked back after getting his PADI Open Water certification. In the past 24 years, he has traveled…

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Chris Riley of Central Maine Chapter New England Mountain Bike Association | 190 1:18:00

8M ago1:18:00

1:18:00

For Episode 190 we have Chris Riley from Central Maine. Chris is the president of the Central Maine Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, and a board member of the New England Mountain Bike Association. Chris and his organization have come up with some innovative ideas on how to handle both new trail construction as well as handling…

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Pro Dive: Annick Den Harder, Master Instructor based in Switzerland 38:02

9M ago38:02

38:02

Happy Saturday Free Descent Community! Join us this week as we chat with a very unique dive pro, Annick Den Harder. Annick started her dive career in the warm waters of the Caribbean but has graduated from "cocktail diving" to the cold waters of Europe and even Antarctica! In this episode, Annick tells Walter all about her journey to becoming a mas…

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Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers AKA BUMP with Chase Draper | 189 1:16:52

9M ago1:16:52

1:16:52

For Episode 189 we have Chase Draper the President of Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers otherwise known as BUMP. BUMP is another powerhouse volunteer driven trail organization that falls under the SORBA mothership in the South East region of the United States. Chase provides some exceltent stories about what can be accomplished when you are willin…

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Pro Dive: Bruce Weitzenhoffer, PADI Scuba Diving Course Director in Monterey, CA 34:30

10M ago34:30

34:30

Walter and Colton sat down with Bruce Weitzenhoffer, PADI Course Director in Monterey, CA, for an interesting discussion centered around 3 things: 1. How do we retain seasoned pros in the dive industry? 2. How does experience in the dive industry assist in obtaining jobs in other industries? 3. How does work in other industries translate to diving?…

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Dive 49: Last Breath Movie Exclusive Interview with Alex Parkinson (director) and David Brooks (producer) 32:25

10M ago32:25

32:25

Walter had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Alex Parkinson and David Brooks after seeing Last Breath before it comes out in theatres February 28th, 2025. Parkinson was not only the director and co-writer for this new film, but also the director for the preceding documentary. Brooks produced the film, as well as co-wrote alongside Parkins…

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Dive 48: Tides of Tranquility: Yoga + Scuba Diving Retreat in Utila, Honduras 26:10

10M ago26:10

26:10

Myles caught up with FDP regular guest, Taylor from @the.wanderingblonde and new guest, Liz from @islandvibes.yoga and talked everything travel, yoga, and ocean activities. Taylor gives us an update on her travels and more background into her ocean story, and Liz tells all about her yoga and travel journey. Together, they have created "Tides of Tra…

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Jarrod’s Place Bike Park | Trail Armor | With Jarrod & Josh | 188 1:22:33

10M ago1:22:33

1:22:33

For Episode 188 we have Jarrod Harris and Josh Cohan back on from Jarrod’s Place Bike Park. We cover a handful of topics including what Josh & Jarrod have learned since opening Jarrod’s Place Bike Park and we went deep on All things Trail Armor – The first line of defense for protecting your Flow Trails, Jump Lines and Berms. There’s a lot of great…

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Pro Dive: Jordan Wilson, Master Scuba Diver Trainer based in the Caribbean 38:14

11M ago38:14

38:14

In 2025 the Free Descent team is excited to launch a new series: Pro Dive. In these episodes, one of our team members will sit down with a full-time professional diver and just talk shop. You'll hear all the inside scoop on what it's like to be a dive pro, with our guests ranging from brand new instructors to seasoned course directors. On our first…

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IMBA Education and Programing in 2025 with John Cox – Education Manager and Marty Caivino – Local Community Engagement Manager | 187 52:14

11M ago52:14

52:14

For Episode 187 we have Marty Caivano the Local Community Engagement Manager for IMBA and John Cox the Education Manager for IMBA. We discussed many topics including The IMBA Foundations (Formerly known as IMBA Trail Labs), along with a lot of the other community engagement and educational programs that IMBA is continuing to host in 2025… There is …

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Jason Aric Jones | 30+ Years of Mountain Bike Trail Access and Advocacy in Michigan | 186 1:30:50

11M ago1:30:50

1:30:50

For Episode 186 we have Jason Aric Jones. Jason recently announced that he was stepping away from 30+ years of working extremely hard for mountain bike trail access and advocacy, and I know that it would be important to have Jason on the show to recount some of the experiences he has had along the way. Jason definitely took a creative approach to g…

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Dive 46: New Year, New Team! Meet Walter, Colton, and Myles, PADI Scuba Instructors 31:20

12M ago31:20

31:20

Happy New Year Free Descent community! We are back and ready to go on our best dives yet in 2025. If you caught up with us at the DEMA show, you may have met our new co-hosts, Walter Sweeney and Colton Gilmore. This year, we are excited to announce that they will be staples on our Free Descent team. In this episode, you'll get insight into who they…

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Story Time with Steve Kasacek | Outdoor Sport Institute of Maine | Trail Planning and Design | 185 1:48:26

12M ago1:48:26

1:48:26

For Episode 185 we have Steve Kasacek back for his second appearance on Trail EAffect. Steve is the assistant Director of the Outdoor Sport Institute located in Maine. We covered a ton of various trail projects that Steve has been a part of in Maine, along with the value of building relationships. Topics Include: Updates with the Outdoor Sport Inst…

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Dive 45: Cave Diving & Expedition Buteng with Rannvá Jørmundsson, cofounder of Nixie Expeditions 45:07

1y ago45:07

45:07

Happy Holidays divers! Enjoy this incredible tale of adventure while you prepare for the holidays. Whether you're traveling to family or your favorite dive site, this episode is sure to inspire your 2025 bucket list! Rannvá Jørmundsson, cofounder of Nixie Expeditions and head of sales at Fourth Element, joins us again to give us an exclusive recap …

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Uriah Steber with Benchmark Trails | Oahe Wheelmen | 2025 South Dakota Bicycle Summit | 184 58:40

1y ago58:40

58:40

For Episode 184 we have Uriah Steber, the Owner of Benchmark Trails, Founding Member of the Oahe Wheelmen, and a driving force behind the rise of trails and mountain Biking across the State of South Datoka. Topics Include: The creation of the Oahe Wheelmen and MT Biking in Pierre, SD The rise of trails and mountain biking in rural communities The s…

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Dive 44: Ocean Restoration in Southern California with Nancy Caruso, founder of Get Inspired Inc. 33:10

1y ago33:10

33:10

What would Southern California scuba diving be like without our kelp forests? Nancy Caruso saw it for herself, and made sure that future generations wouldn't have to know. Founder of Get Inspired Inc, Nancy spearheaded the restoration of kelp across the coast of Southern California through her tenacity and putting in the work to obtain restoration …

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Dive 43: Learn Scuba Chicago, Nonprofit Dive Shop, w/ Sam Guess 31:42

1y ago31:42

31:42

Have you ever heard of a nonprofit scuba diving shop? Myles and Walter hadn't until connecting with Learn Scuba Chicago. Sam Guess, instructor and board member at Learn Scuba Chicago, comes on this episode to tell our community all about what it's like being a volunteer divemaster and scuba instructor in the Midwest. She also dives deep into her ow…

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2024 SORBA Year in review and 2025 Updates with Philip Darden | 183 59:00

1y ago59:00

59:00

2024 SORBA Year in review and 2025 Updates with Philip Darden | 183 For Episode 183 we have Philip Darden back on. Philip is the executive director of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association otherwise known as SORBA. During this conversation we recap some of the more notable events that Philip was able to attend in 2024, how the region was impact…

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Pisgah Area SORBA Hurricane Helene Update with Daniel Sapp | 182 53:15

1y ago53:15

53:15

For Episode 182 we have Daniel Sapp back on, this time Daniel is here to provide some insight around the impacts that Hurricane Helene had on Western North Carolina and the Communities around the Pisgah National Forest. Western North Carolina relies heavily on tourism, please consider supporting these communities and organizations in any way that y…

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Dive 42: Wandering the World through Scuba Diving and Yoga w/ Taylor @the.wanderingblonde 34:01

1y ago34:01

34:01

Have you ever tried pigeon pose in yoga? Next goal: try it underwater! In this episode, we hear from Taylor, @the.wanderingblonde, on how she brings her two passions together through Scuba+Yoga retreats. She tells all about her mental health journey and the role the scuba diving and yoga played for her in her teens and 20s. The health benefits of b…

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Brice Shirbach | Mountain Bike Community Storyteller | Underexposed Series | 181 1:21:10

1y ago1:21:10

1:21:10

For episode 181 We have Brice Shirbach for his third appearance on Trail EAffect. Brice knows trail communities like no other. Brice has been at this for well over a decade now and it shows! We covered how his Underexposed series came to be and, some of the communities that Brice has covered recently through the Underexposed Series. Brice has a ver…

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Dive 41: Scuba Diving in Turkey w/ Kelsey McDonald @souldivers_ 35:39

1y ago35:39

35:39

Have you ever wondered about scuba diving in the Aegean Sea? Most people turn their nose up to the European dive scene, but we've brought Kelsey McDonald from @souldivers_ to prove them all wrong! Kelsey tells our community all about her time diving in Gallipoli, Turkey (Türkiye) with @goturkiye and @go_canakkale. Listen in to hear all about her ad…

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Charles Evans – Trail Maintenance Coordinator for the Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative | IMBA Silver Level Ride Center | Pocahontas County, WV | 180 59:47

1y ago59:47

59:47

For episode 180 we have Charles Evans. Charles is the Trail Maintenance Coordinator for the Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreational Collaborative. The Snowshoe Highlands Region has nearly 400 miles of trail, is a IMBA Silver Level Ride Center, and is the region that has hosted Several World Cup Mountain Bike Races and Championships. We covered the eve…

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Dive 40: Coffee, Bananas, and Open Water Scuba Diving Courses 39:00

1y ago39:00

39:00

Walt is back! Grab a coffee, tea, and a banana (if you're not on a boat) and join Myles and Walt for a deep dive into diving habits, superstitions, and teaching PADI Open Water courses around the world. Walt tells all about the differences and similarities between his time in Hawaii, Florida, Thailand, and Honduras, while Myles compares this to her…

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Dive 39 - Finding Time to Dive: Teaching, Travel, and 9-5 Jobs 28:15

1+ y ago28:15

28:15

Myles and Jake do a dive into a topic that's been top of mind for the podcast for a while, how to keep diving while balancing a 9-5 job, travel, and teaching! Listen in to the conversation, and share your thoughts on Instagram at @FreeDescentPodcast ~Reminder~ Free Descent is intended as entertainment only, and should not replace formal dive instru…

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Luke Krolikowski – Bike Park Manager of the Farside Bike Park at Chestnut Mountain Resort | 179 53:30

1+ y ago53:30

53:30

For episode 179 we have Luke Krolikowski – the Bike Park Manager of the Farside Bike Park at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galina, IL. The Farside Bike Park is a relatively newer lift access bike park located in a topographically rich part of the upper Midwest known as the Driftless Area. Luke dives into all things Farside during our conversation. If…

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Dive 38- Rannvá Jørmundsson from Fourth Element and Nixie Expeditions 30:05

1+ y ago30:05

30:05

Myles is back from Europe and not only brought home memories, but new friends! In this interview we catch up with Rannvá Jørmundsson, head of sales at Fourth Element and co-founder of Nixie Expeditions. Rannvá is an experienced tech diver and avid adventurer, and she's only seeking to move forward from here. Listen in as we discuss how she got to w…

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Dive 37 - Blue Therapy Project with Tom Sloan 23:49

1+ y ago23:49

23:49

Welcome back from summer break Free Descent Community! We're kicking things off "therapeutically" with Tom Sloan, the mastermind behind the newly launched Blue Therapy Project. We chat all things dive marketing, chasing an ocean dream, introducing the next generation to the water, and how diving changes lives. This brand aims to get people "in, und…

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International Trail Rating System (ITRS) for Mountain Biking with Mischa Crumbach and Edoardo Melchiori | 178 2:12:40

1+ y ago2:12:40

2:12:40

For Episode 178 We’ve got Mischa and Edoardo the two masterminds behind the International Trail Rating System. Mischa is based in Switzerland, and Edoardo is based in Italy. Both have a strong understanding about the nuance that goes into dissecting and rating a trail. While there is a lot that can go into how or why a trail is rated a certain way,…

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Emily Brown | Spearfish Trails Coalition | Spearfish, SD Mountain Biking | SRAM | 177 1:14:20

1+ y ago1:14:20

1:14:20

For Episode 177 we have Emily Brown. Emily is a Co-Founder of the newly created Spearfish Trails Coalition based in Spearfish, SD. If you haven’t been to the Black Hills in South Dakota, this place is truly remarkable. Spearfish has a history of trails and mountain biking that runs parallel with the history of mountain biking itself. Emily discusse…

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Dive 36: Deeper Blue w/ Stephan Whelan 31:37

1+ y ago31:37

31:37

Myles and Jake go "deeper" than ever before in this tell-all interview with Stephan Whelan, founder and CEO of Deeper Blue, the world's largest community for freediving and scuba diving media. Stephan gives us all the details of how he got into diving, how he started Deeper Blue, when he knew it was getting big, and what projects they're currently …

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Mike Gehard – The President of SORBA Chattanooga, TN All things Trails and Mountain Biking in Chattanooga – 176 1:17:30

1+ y ago1:17:30

1:17:30

For Episode 176 we have Mike Gehard, Mike is the current president of SORBA Chattanooga. If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ve heard several guests talk about Walden’s Ridge in Chattanooga, now you’ll get the full story on mountain biking in Chattanooga along with the fact that SORBA Chattanooga is currently looking to hire their first…

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Dive 35: PADI Women's Dive Day with April Weickert and Olivia (Fully Submerged Scuba) 26:01

1+ y ago26:01

26:01

We are gearing up for another incredible PADI Women's Dive Day here at Free Descent! In the spirit of uplifting female voices, we have kicked Jake out for the week and invited two very special female divers: April (@aprilweickert) and Olivia (@fullysubmergedscuba). Join us as we get real about how to celebrate women in the dive community, as well a…

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Glen Jacobs of WorldTrail – Trail Design | Knowledge Sharing | Trail Building Innovation from Around the World | Mountain Biking is just beginning – 175 2:36:45

1+ y ago2:36:45

2:36:45

For Episode 175 we have Glen Jacobs back for Round 2 on Trail EAffect. Glen first appeared on episode 125, if you haven’t listened to the first conversation with Glen, I highly recommend it as, episode 125 will provide some context for this conversation. Glen is easily one of the most prolific visionaries in Trail Building. Glen Co-founded WorldTra…

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Dive 34: Stream2Sea Founder Autumn Blum Drops A New Product On Our Show! 26:14

1+ y ago26:14

26:14

Jake and Myles welcome back good friend and multi-time guest, Autumn Blum. We absolutely love S2S products, and in this show, we dive deeper into the company's mission and values. Don't miss the surprise product drop (!!!) and details on Women's Dive Day deals. ~Reminder~ Free Descent is intended as entertainment, and not to replace formal dive ins…