The Kyle Thiermann Show

Santa Cruz Waves Magazine Vol. 4.2

As a photographer + environmentalist, Meg Haywood Sullivan (@Meg_haywoodsullivan) splits her time between shooting campaigns and pushing for environmental stories through editorial features and social platforms. A third-generation Nikon shooter, she picked up her first camera at age 8 and spent much of her childhood road-tripping around the country in her family’s ’87 Westfalia with her father, a photographer, and mother, an internationally-renowned artist. Meg went on to study photography at Pratt Institute in New York and then headed to Montana to pursue environmental studies at Montana State University. Fast forward to present day, Meg’s career has taken her from contributing to a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial with the New York Times to shooting a story with National Geographic Adventure following John Muir’s footsteps to the fastest retreating glacier in Yosemite. 

In addition to shooting for environmentally-minded companies like KEEN, Patagonia, prAna, and Clif Bar, Meg is constantly in the works with projects that use adventure as a way to engage people and teach them about the importance of our natural landscapes. Her passion lies in exploring mankind’s relationship with the great outdoors while stepping outside of the box to be a part of the greater good. 

Duncan Trussell (@DuncanTrussell) is a stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and host of the podcast The Duncan Trussell Family Hour.

Born on the eastern shores of Hawai‘i, Cliff has dedicated most of his life towards discovering innovative means of environmental stewardship while also remaining deeply rooted in tradition. Scheduled to obtain a chemistry PhD from the University of California San Diego in 2018, his academic career is uniquely complemented with his athletic commitment to the sea. While contributing several peer-reviewed publications to the fields of molecular biosciences and chemistry, he has also produced a handful award-winning films that discuss under-represented topics in indigenous activism, ocean conservation, global food security and virtual reality. Fortunate to be featured in several international magazines and newspapers, he has also worked alongside top organizations such as Polynesian Voyaging Society, The New York Times, National Geographic, BBC, NOVA, The Waitt Foundation, Surfer Magazine, Red Camera, Freesurf Magazine, Surfline, The Inertia, Korduroy TV, Pacific Network TV, Oiwi TV, Na Kama Kai, Intertribal Youth, Save the Waves foundation and more to share with global audiences the power of education.

Adam Skolnick (@AdamSkolnick) has written for the New York Times, Playboy, Outside, ESPN.com, BBC.com, Salon.com, Men’s Health, Wired, and Travel + Leisure, among others. He has visited 45 countries and authored or coauthored over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. Skolnick is the author the books One Breath and Indolirium.

Charles Post (@CharlesPost) is an ecologist, hunter, and filmmaker. Adam Foss (@Fossman88) is a professional bow hunter. 

Dr. James Fadiman is considered America's wisest and most respected authority on psychedelics and their use. In 1974 he co-founded the Institute for Transpersonal Pyschology, and has since continued to explore potential medical and creative uses of psychedelic drugs. In his most recent book, The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic and Sacred Journeys (2011), he provides insight into safe and correct uses of psychedelic drugs. The book was inspired by his unique knowledge of psychedelic experiences and his desire to explain beneficial uses of those substances. He received his B.A. from Harvard University in Social Relations in 1960, and his M.A. and Ph.D from Stanford University in Psychology in 1962 and 1965, respectively.

Albee Layer ( @live.fast.die.old ) is a professional surfer from Maui, Hawaii. 

Johnny Irwin ( @CitySurfProject ) is the Executive Director of City Surf Project. Their mission is to teach underserved youth from low-income communities in San Francisco valuable life skills through the sport of surfing. By learning to ride waves, students will build self-confidence and discover tools necessary to overcome boundaries, both in and out of the water.

Not only do they seek to offer a physical education program in schools that do not provide a PE class, they aim to connect students with nature, teaching them to use the ocean as a stress reliever and a meditative outlet.

Students will complete a physically rigorous training program, developing an ethic of hard work and perseverance. Ultimately, their goal is to help youth bring the skills they learn riding waves back to their everyday life in order to relieve stress, deal with trauma, and maintain a positive mental state.

Amy Baldwin (@AmyPurePleasure) is a Sex Educator and Co-Owner of Pure Pleasure adult store in Santa Cruz, CA. She is also the Co-Host of the new podcast, Shameless Sex.