The Kyle Thiermann Show

Jesse Gould, former Army Ranger and founder of Heroic Hearts Project, connects veterans with psychedelic therapies. He discusses how psychedelics act as catalysts for change, retreat formats and integration work, barriers rural veterans face, regulatory and training challenges, and the movement’s momentum since 2019.

Tony John Andrews hails from Rhode Island, which despite being the smallest U.S. state in terms of landmass, has the second greatest ratio of coastline to landmass of all 50 states. He’ll take it. He is a former state champion swimmer who really wanted to surf, so he did the best he could to teach himself in the region’s piddling windslop. Now in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset, trying to wrangle Ocean Beach, he has developed a renewed appreciation for his swimming background. Tony holds his BA in Philosophy and Film Studies from Amherst College, and an MFA in English from the Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program. His work is particularly interested in subjects driven by obsessive passions, like surfing, that often teeter on the edge of self-destruction. He has been contributing to The Surfer’s Journal since 2022, and recently wrote the definitive profile on pro surfer Dane Reynolds. His work has been nominated for Best American Essay and Best American Science and Nature Writing. He is represented by Creative Artists Agency, and is working on a hybrid book of surf memoir and reportage.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It’s glorious. My first book, ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, is available to order today. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe

In case you missed the last episode, my big news is that I relocated to Brooklyn for the next few months. My fingers are numb as I write this, but I do love it. Also, I’m capping off my book tour on February 19th at Patagonia SoHo. If you’re in town, I would love to meet you in person. You can RSVP here. Okay, what else? Right, the latest podcast. You see, I’m an informational grazer, nibbling on bits of media here and there but rarely sitting with a concept long enough to fully digest it. I’m trying to change that in 2026. One habit I’ve adopted is simply journaling about a book I’m reading for a few minutes. What did I learn? Journal one page. Done. I find this is helping the cement dry. Another is listening back to podcasts I’ve already recorded, including this one with Derek Sivers. Ahem, onto the bio: An author of philosophy and entrepreneurship, Sivers is known for his surprising quotable insights, pithy succinct writing style, and commitment to minimalism. (He currently lives in a 4x8 meter house in New Zealand and is building it out slowly, room by room, just to see what he needs.) Formerly a musician, programmer, TED speaker, and circus clown, he sold his first company for $22 million and gave all the money to charity. Sivers' books (Useful, Not True, How to Live, Hell Yeah or No, Your Music and People, Anything You Want) and newest projects are at his website: sive.rs. He loves hearing from strangers and will reply to every email, so if you enjoyed this podcast, shoot him an email and let him know.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It’s glorious. My first book, ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, is available to order today.Kyle Thiermann is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I also take payments in surf wax. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe

Kyle Thiermann, writer, creative director and Patagonia-sponsored surfer, reflects on how curiosity and questioning shaped his career. He talks about turning interviews into a book, reconciling family stories, and a Patagonia Soho book event. Conversations cover deep questions that reveal feelings, performance rituals for high-pressure situations, and how preparation builds apparent courage.

David Littlejohn, founder of Humanaut and magician-turned-creative, builds memorable brands from Chattanooga. He talks sleight-of-hand inspiring surprise in ads. He explains systematizing creativity, choosing better-for-you brands, and launching Mouthfire, a spicy nonalcoholic project that funds artists. Short, playful, and full of creative experiment vibes.

Soraya Simi, documentary filmmaker and director of Row of Life, is working on a feature film about endometriosis. She discusses filmmaking life, touring and distribution woes, creative routines and habits, and the cultural silence and medical challenges around endometriosis. Short, candid conversations about storytelling, mental health, and how to support her new film.

In 2017, Wilem Banks (@Wilembanks) made headlines when he suffered a horrific fall at Mavericks and won WSL’s Wipeout of the Year (the most embarrassing award in surfing). The award seemed to put a chip on Wilem’s shoulder, and since then, he’s set out to prove that he can do more than paddle into gigantic waves—he can make them, too. This year, the humble warrior took his first trip to Jaws on Maui and bagged what some say was the biggest wave ever completed at the spot. In this episode, Wilem recounts the story in detail. Beyond the ocean, he is a hunter, carpenter, and co-owner of Banks&Banks Saunas, a custom-built sauna service he runs with his brother.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It’s glorious. My first book, ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, is available to order today. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe

Ned Lampert, founder of Zero Ambition and Slicks For All, shares his journey from DJing parties to creating impactful brand strategies. He discusses how pitching casually leads to big ideas and why party-making parallels brand development, using humor and community-building. Ned reflects on the lessons learned from failures, emphasizes authenticity in agency life, and reveals his adventurous spirit through outdoor pursuits. Discover how he’s redefining intimacy in marketing and the importance of creating memorable experiences.

In a heartfelt conversation, Kimberly Gamble, a caregiver and mother, shares her unique insights on end-of-life planning following a life-changing accident. She introduces the idea of a 'Gravity Kit,' detailing practical steps for organizing personal affairs. The discussion includes the emotional significance of saving voicemails and meaningful keepsakes, as well as the importance of forgiveness when facing death. Kimberly also reflects on her experiences with dementia care and finding gratitude amid challenges, making for a powerful and emotional dialogue.

This podcast is with Adam Skolnick, an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, travel and human rights for The New York Times, Outside, Playboy and Lonely Planet. He is the author of One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits, the ghost writer and narrator of David Goggins’ smash hit memoir and audiobook Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, and he is a co-host on the Rich Roll Podcast. His latest book, American Tiger, is available to order now. (I’ve read it and it fucking rocks.) In this episode, we talk about the state of publishing today, the Southern California wilderness, and creativity as lantern offerings. Follow Adam’s Substack here.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It’s glorious. My first book, ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, is available to order today. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe