We Do This For Fun

Kym Zest helps us kick off 2022 by reframing the idea of New Year’s Resolutions and even reframing the idea of FUN itself. Kym is a coach who helps ‍guide ‍people ‍from ‍one ‍transformative ‍moment ‍to ‍the ‍next, and she practices what she preaches by rock ‍climbing, ‍sea ‍kayaking, winter ‍camping, and conquering the ‍Ironman ‍triathlon. This year, she is conquering her biggest goal yet: motherhood.

Follow her on Instagram at @KymZest

Jodi and Andy chat with Ian and Lynn about the 515 Productions documentary film Freshwater. Ian got the idea when he first spotted surfers riding the cold waves of Lake Superior. Three years later, it’s evolved into a feature-length documentary that delves into surfing, science, climate change and finding inspiration in the waves of one of the biggest lakes in the world.

The Twins return for the first episode of 2022. Andy, Jodi, Lynn and Ian reflect back on the beginning of this podcast, talk about joy thieves and the importance of allies in the outdoors. Quick note: the f-bomb is dropped once in this episode.

Camping cocktails?! Yes, please! Emily Vikre is the co-founder of Duluth’s Vikre Distillery. Not only is she a successful business owner with a Ph.D., she’s a craft cocktail cookbook author (with another on the way!) who draws inspiration from her time outdoors, no matter the season. Learn how her Norwegian heritage has shaped her view of adventure and continues to fuel her ambition and determination to chase her dreams.

Follow her fantastic Instagram page at @Vikredistillery.

Lisa Ringer and Katherine Price have turned outdoor living into their life’s work. Together, they run Two Pony Gardens, outside of Minneapolis, which Lisa has built into an sanctuary for people of all ages and backgrounds who need to inject nature into their lives. Learn about what they’ve identified as an epidemic of nature-deprived kids, why it matters and what they’re doing about it. And hear the story behind the infamous annual pilgrimage to Ely, Minnesota, during which Lisa uses her work horses to pull ice out of a frozen lake, as featured in the film Ice Ball.

Tasha Van Zandt is the creator of After Antarctica, a groundbreaking film that follows polar explorer Will Steger's life journey as an eyewitness to the greatest changes to the polar regions of our planet. Tasha talks about her own journey to becoming a female filmmaker, documenting some of the harshest climates on Earth and growing as a person and professional with every step. She inspires us to collectively look both inward and outward, as stewards of this beautiful planet we call home.

Verónica Jaralambides knows all of the hot… and cold… spots for outdoor recreation in Minnesota… and she’s sharing them with us! As a marketing consultant for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, she is passionate about encouraging people from all backgrounds to get out into the wilderness. She says a big barrier for many people is lack of knowledge. Find out about the work she’s doing to change that, her most favorite places and the transformational moment that put her on the path to a lifetime love of the outdoors.

Jan Guenther lives and breathes outdoor gear. For more than three decades, the owner and founder of Gear West, a ski and cycling shop in Long Lake, has been testing out the latest and greatest in design and function. As an athlete herself, she understands what works and what doesn’t, and has used that insight to build her business into the largest ski retailer in the United States. Jan drops some major motivation in this interview, as well as practical tips for getting started and even some holiday gift ideas. Listen and get your gear on!

Jodi takes camping cuisine to a new level, while Lynn battles IBS in the BWCA. Two families. Two entirely different meal plans. Andy and Ian (aka, the Twins) join the convo about perfecting the art of camping cooking.

Princess Haley, Co-Founder of Appetite for Change, shares her story of how nature - specifically, her garden - played a critical role in her healing process, after her family fell victim to gun violence in 2010. Learn about her organization and how it’s helping build community. Also, find out why she loves getting caught in the rain, painting the sky and why she keeps an “outdoor joy kit” in her car at all times. Be prepared to be inspired to get outside and embrace your inner-kid.