The Lunatic Fringe Podcast

I've said it before, I'll say it again, and I'll stand behind it every time. Manifest has got to be the most difficult job in skydiving.  In a rare behind the window interview, I have the chance to sit down and climb into the minds of two manifest Ladies who know all the little secrets and have all the stories.  With voices altered to protect the innocent (and guilty),  Sparky and Susan give us all a rare glimpse into the minds that keep the skydiving world in the air. If you want to find out how to keep your manifest Bi**h (they said it, not me!) happy, then this is one you don't want to miss!

All things ratings! Interested in what goes in to becoming a tandem or AFF instructor? Thinking about making the jump into skydiving as a job and want to know if it's something that would appeal?  Well then this is the one you're gonna want to listen to. Once again my semi frequent co host Junior, one of the busiest tandem and AFF evaluators sits down to tell me what goes in to a good course, a good student and a successful trip into the working world of skydiving.

With over 30 years in the sport he has most certainly seen a few things; but after a paragliding accident that gave him time to really think, he decided it was more important to show a few things to those willing to learn than just chase medals. From X-Game's competitor to Swooper to instructor to canopy designer, Brian Germain has spent his career in skydiving not only experiencing pretty much every avenue skydiving has to offer, but trying to see the sport from two potentially very different angles; both the cerebral and the passionate. The result has been his own unique style not only with how he jumps, but how he instructs and lives his life. Listen in for a few potential reasons why we do what we do!

Teen climbing instructor and a bit of a lost soul, to a 200,000 a year oil and gas man, Ryan Graney made it pretty big pretty young, and exceeded expectations in more ways than one. A hard charging BASE jumper and professional party guy, you'd be surprised at just how much thought has gone into his crazy antics over the years. Articulating his desire not only to live a life less ordinary but one with real meaning, I think you'll be more than a little surprised and what hides behind the apparent show stopper personality. Join us on the next Lunatic Fringe.

On this episode of Lunatic Fringe Into the Void, our old friend David "Junior" Ludvik takes the reins, grabs the mic and interviews me for a switch. So this time around its a touch of Fuckin' history with flying, stripping, jumping, and a little about the epic Mount Everest and my bucket list opportunity to go and meet her up close and personal.

Gorazd Lah, AKA Nitka (and fellow Fuckinasshole) took a very European, and more specifically an Eastern European path in skydiving. Starting out on round parachutes then moving quickly into the world of Style and Accuracy, Gorazd managed to put his tough as nails upbringing and exterior to work for him as he became a champion in his chosen disciplines. Yet...  There's a lot more behind this born again hipster than you might think! Nitka is beyond a doubt a poster child for not judging a book by its cover, and it's one of the reasons why you'll enjoy the hell out of this edition of Lunatic Fringe Into the Void!

Taking to the skies as a way to deal with personal tragedy, Mr. Nicholas Batsch knew almost right from the start that fast nylon was in his future. After having seen some of the worlds best canopy pilots firsthand, he began pushing towards a career that would eventually see multiple world championships and close to a dozen world records, yet along the way he's had to come to grips with the dangers his drive and determination placed in his path, and speaks to me while still recovering from a landing that almost claimed his life. 

At 13, she's the youngest tunnel coach out there; and although she's not much on bragging about her skills and doesn't really share what she does with her classmates at school, she's got her eyes on being a world champion one day and has a pretty good handle on just how good she really is. Soccer Mom and Dad to be sure, but on a whole new level are Sydney's parents Michelle and Andrew. As a retired skydiver himself, Andrew loves seeing his daughter embrace that which gave him so much over the years, and both he and Michelle have a pretty good handle on how to balance the still "wild" skydiver side of tunnel flying with the teenager they've let loose in our world! This one's a great listen! 

This podcast goes out from the Kennett family in loving memory of Greg Cummings who helped start it all.

Right out the gate she was breaking the rules in skydiving!  Drawn into the sport with family, jumping instantly took over her drive and motivation, and it's led her to multiple records, world travels and skills both in the sky and in the tunnel that most will aspire to but rarely achieve. Naomi Kotzee is a highly sought after instructor, coach and organizer, and because she's one of my closest friends in the sport, she's now no longer a podcast virgin. Take the time to listen in as she shares part of her story into the Lunatic Fringe!

William Booth. Bill Booth. Bill "Lord of the Three Rings" Motherfuckin' BOOTH! Astounding is all I have to say.  When you stop to think about literally all of the game changing inventions this man has brought to our sport, any one of which would put him deep in the Hall of Fame, and then put them all together... WOW! You have a man who has almost single handedly shaped modern skydiving into what we know and love today.  I can't lie, at least a few times in this interview I'm literally gushing with gratitude, because let's face it, without the BOC throw out pilot chute, the three ring system, tandems...  How many of us would have a vastly different life right now?  A wealth of knowledge and a great and entertaining story teller, it is my great pleasure to present to you Mr. Bill Booth on Lunatic Fringe.