PODCAST

Following Waters

Brett Mayer

Life on and off the water.

society & culture personal journals

All Episodes

39:15

Lauren Byrd's the Wurd: Recovery, Freestyle, and a...

Following Waters ·

2026/03/17

Lauren Byrd joins Following Waters for a conversation about discovery, resilience, and building community through paddling.Lauren’s roots run deep in the Southeast — growing up spending time in and around the waters of the Smokies. But like many river stories, her path wasn’t linear. After time in the Soldier Recovery Unit, paddling entered her life in a new way — not just as recreation, but as something grounding and restorative.In this episode, Lauren reflects on finding her way back to the waters

49:15

Erik Amason: Drawn to the Edge and Discipline of Risk

Following Waters ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of Following Waters, Brett sits down with Erik Amason to explore a life shaped by water, discipline, and an unrelenting pull toward risk.Erik grew up paddling on the Potomac River, where his early relationship with whitewater set the tone for what would become a lifelong pursuit of challenge. He devoted years to slalom kayaking, chasing the Olympic dream and committing fully to the process—even when it ultimately meant not making the team. That experience, defined as much by effort

54:10

Marc Hunt: Stumble Into the Spark of Your Life

Following Waters ·

2026/03/03

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Marc Hunt, a true keystone figure in the southeastern paddling community, to explore a life shaped by rivers, relationships, and a deep commitment to community well-being—on and off the water.Marc’s story is not one of chasing a predetermined path, but of staying open—listening closely when passion appeared, and having the courage to follow it. From his early years on the water to co-founding Sunburst Adventures, Marc reflects on

48:11

Greg Felt: Water, Law, and the Other Side of Both...

Following Waters ·

2026/02/24

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Greg Felt for a wide-ranging conversation about rivers, water law, and what it really takes to create durable outcomes for water systems in the American West.Greg lives in Salida, Colorado, where he has been guiding and outfitting fly-fishing trips on the Arkansas River since 1985. His early connection to water came through recreation, fisheries, and the places he loved to spend time. Over the decades, that connection deepened into

50:19

Jack Ditty: Take a Safety Break

Following Waters ·

2026/02/17

Jack (Jay) Ditty is an emergency room physician, lifelong paddler, and the creator of the Safety Break. In this episode, we sit down to explore the intersection of paddling culture, risk, medicine, and responsibility — not from a place of fear, but from experience and care.We talk about Jay’s path into paddling, how years in emergency medicine have shaped his understanding of risk, and why he believes the paddling community needs better, more honest conversations about safety. Jay shares the origin

41:34

Joe Cook: Freedom to Float

Following Waters ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of Following Waters, we sit down with Joe Cook of Georgia River Network to unpack one of the most important — and least understood — water access debates in the Southeast: Freedom to Float in Georgia.Georgia is home to some of the most beautiful and biologically rich rivers in the country, yet paddlers, anglers, and river users often find themselves caught in conflict over where they are legally allowed to float, wade, or stop. At the heart of the issue is a murky mix of 19th-century

44:18

Bryan Kirk: Gas Up the Truck, Grab Some PB&Js, Go...

Following Waters ·

2026/02/03

Bryan Kirk — PB&Js and Big AirBryan Kirk’s story doesn’t start with podiums or product lines — it starts on the Delaware River, learning moves bit by bit near his grandmother’s farm, building a relationship with water that was patient, playful, and deeply rooted in family. Those early days were followed by long stretches on the Potomac River with his dad, where time together mattered as much as time in the boat.Support came in quiet but powerful ways: a first RPM from his mom, a Grand Canyon

56:18

Bill Endicott: Fascination for the Process

Following Waters ·

2026/01/27

In this episode of Following Waters, we sit down with Bill Endicott, one of the most influential figures in the history of American paddlesports.Bill’s impact on the sport is hard to overstate. As longtime head coach of the U.S. Canoe/Kayak Slalom Team, he guided American athletes to Olympic medals and international success, helping elevate U.S. slalom onto the world stage. But this conversation goes far beyond results and podiums.We explore Bill’s formula for success—a philosophy rooted not in

44:20

Hattie Johnson: the Legal Right to Float in Colorado

Following Waters ·

2026/01/20

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer speaks with Hattie Johnson of American Whitewater about her roots as a paddler and conservationist—and then dives deep into one of the most pressing river access issues in the country right now: the legal right to float in Colorado.Hattie shares how her personal relationship with rivers led her into conservation work, before walking listeners through the history of river access law in Colorado, how we arrived at the current moment, and why

51:31

Isaac Hull: Growing Up with the River

Following Waters ·

2026/01/13

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with whitewater kayaker Isaac Hull, whose relationship with paddling began unusually early. Sponsored by the age of ten, Isaac effectively grew up alongside the river, learning not only how to paddle but how to navigate identity, expectations, and opportunity within the sport from a young age.The conversation traces how that early immersion shaped Isaac’s development as a paddler and as a person—from formative trips and long days on the

49:44

The Risa Shimoda Story: Athlete, Icon, and the Great...

Following Waters ·

2025/12/23

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer speaks with Risa Shimoda about her path through whitewater paddling and into river conservation leadership. Risa shares how she learned to kayak as a young adult in the Ohio and gradually developed her skills, becoming part of the early wave of women pushing into more difficult whitewater.She reflects on landmark experiences including pioneering women’s descents in places like the Niagara Gorge, and how deeper engagement in the sport led her

49:20

The Brad Burden Story: the Long Road Back to the River

Following Waters ·

2025/12/18

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Brett sits down with Brad Burden, whose whitewater story spans early passion, professional intensity, a two-decade hiatus, and an unexpected return that has brought new meaning, joy, and connection to the second half of life.Brad opens up about his formative days paddling at the NOC, his early rise as a professional kayaker, and the four-year push that culminated in a near-miss incident on the Slave River—a moment that signaled a deeper emotional and mental

59:04

Jed Hinkley: the Olympics, Youth Development, and the...

Following Waters ·

2025/12/11

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Following Waters, Brett sits down with Jed Hinkley — Olympian, multi-discipline athlete, and national sport administrator — for a conversation that bridges personal journey with the future of competitive paddle sports in the United States.Jed reflects on his athletic beginnings as a six-year-old alpine racer, his transition to Nordic combined by age twelve, and his rise to represent the United States in the 2002 Winter Olympics. He shares memories from World Junior

45:42

The Sam Drevo Story: eNRG Kayaking, Rios Lodge & the...

Following Waters ·

2025/12/04

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with longtime paddler, competitor, educator, and conservation entrepreneur Sam Drevo. From his early beginnings in Maryland at Valley Mill Camp to winning the Gorge Games, founding eNRG Kayaking, teaching thousands of new paddlers, and helping steward Rios Lodge on Costa Rica’s Pacuare River, Sam’s life has been defined by rivers in every way imaginable.We explore the arc of his whitewater journey—competition, teaching,

57:41

Buffy Burge: Reflections on a Life Lived on the River

Following Waters ·

2025/11/07

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Buffy Burge — a pioneering whitewater kayaker, five-time Gore Canyon Champion, and the 2003 Green Race winner — whose story is equal parts adventure and reflection.From her early days discovering rivers at summer camp, to the bold expeditions that defined her twenties — including the Middle Kings, the Waitaha Gorge, and remote runs in Bhutan — Buffy helped open doors for women in the whitewater world.Then, life shifted. Motherhood,

01:00:30

The Lisa Raleigh Story: Finding Our Link with the River

Following Waters ·

2025/10/31

Episode SummaryToday’s guest is Lisa Raleigh, Executive Director of RiverLink, a nonprofit based in Asheville that champions the health, accessibility, and resilience of the French Broad River and its watershed.A trained geologist and hydrologist with a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Oklahoma, Lisa’s path has wound through nonprofit advancement, outdoor industry communications, and community leadership. Since arriving at RiverLink in 2021, she has guided the organization through

01:04:08

The John Stamper Story: Currents of Care and...

Following Waters ·

2025/10/01

Episode 7 — Giving Back to the River with Jon StamperWhat does it mean to give back to the waterways that have given us so much?In this episode, Jon Stamper—River Cleanup Coordinator at MountainTrue and lifelong paddler—joins Brett to explore the intersection of rivers, community, and stewardship. Together they reflect on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene and what stewardship and resilience looks like in the region. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy the health of our rivers is directly

56:04

The Sofi Reinoso Story: Carving a Path from Veracruz...

Following Waters ·

2025/09/18

Episode 6 – The Sofi Reinoso Story: Carving a Path from Veracruz, Mexico to the Olympic StageShow NotesIn this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Sofi Reinoso, a two-time Olympian, Pan American Games medalist, and the first Mexican canoe slalom paddler to win a medal at an ICF event.Sofi shares her journey from growing up around the rivers of Veracruz, Mexico, to competing on the world’s biggest stage in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Along the way, she talks about what first

01:00:48

The Steveo McKone Story: Finding Flow and Community...

Following Waters ·

2025/09/11

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Steve “Steve-O” McKone, director of the Calleva River School in Poolesville, Maryland. Steve-O shares his journey from his first paddle on the George Washington Canal at 19, to becoming a lifelong paddler, teacher, and community builder.Together, Brett and Steve explore:The moment kayaking first captured Steve-O’s imagination and soul.How Calleva River School cultivates grit, resilience, and confidence in paddlers of all

01:01:05

The Anna Levesque Story: Redefining Success and...

Following Waters ·

2025/08/19

Episode 4: The Anna Levesque StoryJoin us for a powerful conversation with paddling and mindset pioneer Anna Levesque, who works to bring a more holistic path to paddling culture through coaching, yoga, breath work, and cultivating awareness. About Anna LevesqueAnna is a Canadian paddler, former World Freestyle Kayak medalist, and author of Yoga for Paddling. She founded Mind Body Paddle, blending kayaking, yoga, Ayurveda, and mental agility coaching to empower paddlers—especially women—and has been

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