What happens when a paddling pioneer shares decades of quiet wisdom on business, life, and the river? You lean in and listen.

This week I sit down with Joe Pulliam—whitewater legend, founder of Dagger Kayaks, and one of the most thoughtful minds in the paddlesports world. From building his first boats in the 1960s for friends, to helping shape some of the most respected brands in the industry, Joe’s story is rooted in passion, purpose, and humility.

We explore:

🌊 The heart and grit behind building a brand that changed the sport 🛶 What’s happening in the paddling industry today 🧠 Lessons from 50+ years on the river and in business 💬 Unexpected turns and timeless wisdom

If you're drawn to paddling metaphors for business and life, and want an inside look at the whitewater world from someone who helped build it—this one’s a gem worth your full attention.

Available wherever you get your podcasts!

What happens when the student becomes the teacher — and your kid starts paddling harder than you ever did?

In this heartfelt and often hilarious conversation, I sit down with Ken and Cashion Porter-Shirley, a father-son duo whose relationship has evolved from early river days full of coaching and “peer pressure” to deep mutual respect and role reversal.

Together, we dive into:

🧠 Building confidence through discomfort — for both kids and parents

👨‍👦 The moment Cashion started ‘worrying’ about Ken

💔 Processing the loss of a paddling friend and showing up with empathy

🎒 How kayaking shaped Cashion’s identity and relationship with fear

🛶 Why trust, communication, and community matter most on and off the water

😬The things I discovered I got wrong about both of them when we paddled together

This episode is full of laughter, perspective, vulnerability, and the raw truth of parenting and paddling in the discomfort zone. 

Available wherever you get your podcasts!

💥 This episode is a real-time reflection four weeks into navigating the ups and downs of my journey to healing my back.  

I’ve resisted recording an update because I feel vulnerable, but this podcast is about the Discomfort Zone, and I’m in it! 

I’m sharing hard lessons I’m learning about slowing down, letting go, and rewriting old patterns around self-worth, over-scheduling, and the belief that I have to do it all.

Here are some takeaways that I share:

🌊 The humbling truth of injury for lifelong athletes

🧠 Why body awareness alone isn’t always enough

🔥 How redefining self-worth is helping me heal

💡 Creative shifts that are empowering me — and my team

🌱 How staying adaptable mentally, physically and professionally is clutch

If you’ve ever pushed yourself too hard, tied your value to your output, or resisted rest, this one’s for you. It’s an episode packed with honesty, insight, and wisdom you can carry into your own discomfort zone.

🎧 Listen now and rethink how you move through the world — on and off the river.

This one goes deep, y’all. 💛

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Wang—a paddling coach and entrepreneur —who shares his powerful journey of navigating discomfort both on and off the water. From growing his self-awareness and communication skills to confronting deep family wounds, Mike opens up about the courageous conversations he’s had with his father, who physically abused him and his mother.

We talk about: 🌀 How anger and discomfort can actually fuel growth 🗣️ The importance of curiosity when navigating conflict 💡 Building emotional intelligence and self-awareness 💛 Processing trauma in supportive, safe spaces 🌱 The healing power of forgiveness and vulnerability

This is an honest, vulnerable, and deeply inspiring conversation about what it really means to step into the discomfort zone and come out stronger on the other side.

If you are experiencing conflict in your life, and are looking for answers and strategies to move forward, you don’t want to miss this one.

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

I’ve always prided myself on taking good care of my body. Yoga, chiropractic, massage — the whole mind-body paddle package. But recently, I found myself in unfamiliar territory: excruciating sciatic pain that left me unable to get in my boat… right before Women’s Paddle Fest.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing what it’s like to hit that wall — physically, emotionally, and even a little existentially.

I talk about: 💥 The pain that took me down and the empathy it cracked wide open 🚣‍♀️ The tough choice to step back as a leader during Paddle Fest 🌟 What it felt like to watch others step up and carry the vibe — beautifully 🌀 The identity shift I wasn’t ready for 🌈 And how I’m working on focusing less on pain and more on healing and gratitude

If you’ve ever had to pause when you really didn’t want to, or felt like your identity was being shaken, this one’s for you.

Thanks for listening, for supporting, and for being a part of this community. If you’ve dealt with L3/L4 stuff or sciatic pain and have tips, I’d love to hear from you.

🎧 Give it a listen — I hope it resonates. With gratitude, Anna 💙

What happens when you stop chasing perfection and start getting real—with yourself, your fears, and the people around you?

In this raw and inspiring conversation, 🛶I sit down with 🎤 Trey Rouss, owner of The Power of Water,  to paddle straight into the heart of discomfort—and the unexpected power it holds. Using kayaking as both metaphor and mirror, they explore what it really takes to grow as a person.

💬 Along the way, they dive into:

💥 Why discomfort is where transformation begins—and how to lean into it, not avoid it (especially when you’re upside down underwater).

🌱 How grounding and presence can help you move through fear with more ease.

🫶 Why vulnerability is a superpower, not a weakness—and how it unlocks growth.

🌊 How kayaking mirrors life, revealing patterns of control, fear, and joy.

🗣️ The courage it takes to communicate honestly—without making others wrong.

🐾 Why small steps matter more than big leaps, especially when building confidence.

They also unpack the resistance we all feel toward change (yes, even the high achievers!), and how letting go of who we think we should be makes space for who we actually are. 👉 Join us for a fun, honest, and empowering conversation that will leave you thinking differently about growth—on the water and in life. 💛

What if your breath could be the key to healing, resilience, and reclaiming your power?

In this inspiring and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Adam Spillman — a cancer survivor, breathwork and meditation teacher — whose journey will shift the way you think about discomfort, recovery, and self-discovery.

✨ Here’s what we dive into:

🧠 How breathwork helped Adam heal emotionally and physically after a life-threatening diagnosis and surgery

🌊 Redefining identity and reconnecting with paddling after cancer

🌀 What it means to “refine the human” — and how that leads to more authenticity, presence, and power

💬 Why sharing your work and voice matters more than you know — even if you never see the impact directly

🔥 Tools and mindset shifts for building resilience and self-awareness through life’s toughest challenges

Whether you're navigating a hard season, craving more meaning, or just love a powerful comeback story — this conversation will breathe fresh perspective into your day.

🎧 Take a deep breath and press play — your next breakthrough might just start here.

Need a boost of adventure, energy, and motivation? You're going to love this conversation with accomplished whitewater paddler and adventurer Anna Wagner!

She’s tackled some of the toughest multi-day expeditions in North America — from the Stikine to the Middle Kings, plus multiple 💦 70+ ft waterfalls in the PNW. But her real superpower? Turning fear into fuel and self-doubt into confidence.

🔥 In this episode, we dive into:

🧠 Neuroplasticity & body awareness — what Anna learned from studying Occupational Therapy

🧗‍♀️ How she mentally and physically prepares for high-stakes expeditions

💬 Real talk on navigating fear, fatigue, and negative brain spirals

🌄 How outdoor adventure builds life skills and resilience

💡 Why mindset training is just as important as physical training

Whether you're a paddler, adventurer, or just looking for a fresh perspective on courage and confidence, Anna’s story will light you up. Her energy is contagious, and her insights are gold. ✨

🎧 Listen now and train your brain to show up with courage — on and off the river!

What does it really take to peel out of the eddy with confidence—on the river and in life? In this solo episode, Anna shares insights from a Class IV day on the Cheoah River and a powerful conversation about mindset, trust, and making bold moves.

Learn how familiar thought patterns keep us stuck, and how generating the feelings you want—before the big rapid—can shift everything.

Whether you're on the water or navigating a challenge in life, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to find your flow.

You’ll learn:

• Why familiar patterns feel safe—even when they hold you back
• A simple yet powerful morning practice to shift your energy
• How “spotting your landing” applies both on and off the river

If you’re ready to move through fear, let go of perfectionism, and feel more joy in your paddling and your life—this one’s for you.

💔In 2016, Nina Loretto, one of my oldest friends, experienced a life-altering tragedy when she lost her first husband to suicide. In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, she opens up about the deep discomfort of navigating that loss—and the strength it took to begin healing.

🕊️With remarkable honesty, compassion, and even humor, Nina shares how she found her way back to joy. She talks about the importance of breaking the silence around suicide, tending to your own well-being, and seeking support when you’re carrying grief. Her insights offer comfort and encouragement to anyone who has experienced loss or wants to better understand how to support others. 

✈️ We also explore Nina’s career as a commercial airline captain for West Jet —how she handles the demands of the job, why representation matters for women in aviation, and the unseen challenges aspiring pilots often face. 

This episode is moving, courageous, and uplifting. You will laugh, cry, and walk away inspired by Nina’s resilience and wisdom. ✨

If you're looking for a story that honors the complexity of loss and the power of hope, this one’s for you. 💛