Beth Rodden: A Light Through The Cracks
Beth Rodden first started climbing in 1995, and it wasn’t long before she radically changed the sport. Within three years, she’d become the first woman to climb 5.14; within five, she’d established a still unrepeated free route on Yosemite’s El Capitan. Today, Beth is making waves in a different way: by leading the climbing community in difficult, vulnerable conversations. Fitz chats with Beth about her new book, A Light Through the Cracks, and what it means to live a big life.
Pre-Order States of Adventure– 30 stories adapted from The Diaries into a book!
Want more episodes? Join Dirtbag Diaries+ today
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Wind Your Way Home by Jesse Sienbenberg • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell
Tracks provided by Track Club or with permission from the artists.
Live From 5Point Vol. 10
Thirteen years ago Fitz got talked into doing our first live Dirtbag Diaries at 5Point Film Festival. So we were thrilled to to return again for the 2024 festival and talk with Dr. John Francis, Taylor Rees and Renan Ozturk.
In 1971, John gave up motorized transportation after seeing the effects of an oil spill on wildlife. Months later he took a vow of silence that lasted 17 years. A forerunner in the intersectional environmentalist movement, we talked about the influence of the Beatles, loneliness, and finding home.
In the last 15 years, the creative lights of Taylor and Renan have shown as bright as any through art, through photography and film. They hold an incredible duality of bearing witness to the human spirit and on the flip side, they aren’t afraid to look at the difficult parts of human nature and its impact on animals, humans and our planet.
A Symphony of Tiny Lights Trailer
John’s book: Human Kindness: True stories of compassion and generosity that changed the world
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • It Comes Back by Bradley Carter
Tracks provided with permission from the artists.
The Shorts — Everybody Loves Lyle
“With no roads to this wave, we had hiked in a dozen or so miles along the beach from the nearest town as a huge swell raged next to us,” writes Tyler Homen. A weekend of surfing with buddies turns epic when everyone’s favorite pup, Lyle, goes missing.
In partnership with
Want more episodes? Join Dirtbag Diaries+ today
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Spring Bling by Surf • Silent Jumper by Surf • Force of Nature by Our Many Stars • Timbre, Timbre by Surf • Tracks provided by Track Club or with permission from the artists.
Homecoming
Growing up undocumented in Michigan, Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada didn’t think skiing was for her, and it wasn’t until she moved to Wyoming that she found how much joy it brought her. Last year, she set her sights on skiing Mexico’s tallest peak, Pico de Orizaba, with a meaningful twist: her parents, who have never quite understood why skiing was so important to their daughter, would join her at basecamp. On this trip, Vanessa reflects on belonging, creating access, and finding joy.
Creciendo en Michigan, Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada no creía que el esquí era cosa de ella, y no fue hasta que se mudo a Wyoming que descubrió la alegría que le podía traer. El año pasado, decidió esquiar el pico más alto de México, el Pico de Orizaba, con una meta significativa: incluir a sus papás, que nunca habían entendido completamente las actividades que hacía su hija, en el paseo. Durante este viaje, Vanessa reflexiona sobre qué significa pertenecer, crear acceso, y descubrir alegría.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Brooks by Kai Engel • Daisy by Tigers in the Sky • Paceface by The Brow • Baby Baby Baby by Hermon Sparks • Green and Gold by JV and the Supermolten • Gone to the Gorge by David Swensen • Mexico by Tigers in the Sky
Tracks provided by Track Club, Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
The Only Way Out Is Through
Natalie Brechtel joined the U.S. Antarctic Program at the South Pole for a supposed dream gig, but instead it was the start of a year marked by harassment, a toxic work environment and loss. Despite losing the ability to trust both her colleagues and herself, she kept going back, redefining what it means to feel safe. A decade later, she faced one final exit challenge: to lead her team on a 26-day traverse to the South Pole.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Another State by Tigers in the Sky • Crossings by Sun Shapes • Easy’s First Tiger by Bossfight • Where the Morning Glories Grow by Dear Nora • Gone to the Gorge by David Swensen • Tracks provided by Track Club, Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
