Big Adventures with Brian Dierker

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Grand Canyon boatman Brian Dierker sits down to chat with fellow guides, scientists, politicians and oddballs about adventure, conservation, and all things outside.

Brian Dierker, Gavin Boughner, Margaret Knight


    • Nov 19, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 57m AVG DURATION
    • 78 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Big Adventures with Brian Dierker podcast is an absolute gem for anyone who loves captivating stories and adventures. Hosted by the charismatic Brian Dierker, this podcast features fascinating conversations with a variety of guests who have had incredible experiences and chosen the road less traveled. From river guides to early river runners, each episode is filled with gripping tales that transport listeners to the heart of grand adventures.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Brian's amazing energy and his ability to create a dynamic conversation with his guests. His enthusiasm shines through in every episode, making it impossible not to get caught up in the excitement and wonder of each story. Whether he's sharing his own experiences or engaging with his guests, Brian's passion for adventure is contagious and creates a lively atmosphere that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish.

    Another standout aspect of The Big Adventures with Brian Dierker podcast is the incredible array of guests that are featured. Each episode brings on individuals who have truly lived life to the fullest and have extraordinary tales to tell. From their encounters with nature to their interactions with diverse cultures, these guests provide unique perspectives on what it means to strive for adventure and explore uncharted territories. Their stories are inspiring and remind us all of the endless possibilities that await outside our comfort zones.

    While it's difficult to find any negative aspects of this podcast, some may argue that the episodes could be longer. With such engaging content and intriguing conversations, it can feel disappointing when an episode comes to an end too quickly. However, this can also be seen as a positive point as it leaves listeners yearning for more and eagerly awaiting the next installment.

    In conclusion, The Big Adventures with Brian Dierker podcast is a must-listen for anyone who craves thrilling stories and wants to experience life through the eyes of adventurous souls. With Brian's amazing energy, captivating storytelling abilities, and outstanding lineup of guests, each episode is a journey into the heart of exhilarating experiences. Whether you're a fan of outdoor adventures or simply love a good tale, this podcast is sure to leave you inspired and eager for your own big adventure.



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    Latest episodes from Big Adventures with Brian Dierker

    Frank Donald

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 69:48


    Brian and Frank Donald go way, way back. They sit down this week to chat about life in Kayenta, they're time growing up in Flagstaff, and more. Enjoy Frank Donald!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big Adventures Entertainment LLC. 

    Breck O'Neill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 76:17


    Brian calls Breck O'Neill the "Forrest Gump" of the river community. They chat about Breck's adventure through the river running world, with some skiing and Hollywood sprinkled in. Enjoy Breck O'Neill!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big Adventures Entertainment LLC. 

    Richard Bangs Returns

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 79:34


    Richard Bangs is back! He joins Brian to share stories of first descents of rivers around the world and promote his new book, The Art of Living Dangerously. Enjoy Richard Bangs!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big Adventures Entertainment LLC. 

    Kelsey Pfendler

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 69:04


    Kelsey Pfendler is about to row a boat from California to Hawaii. She sits down with Brian to talk about the race, her team, and the incredible amount of prep work for such an adventure. Enjoy Kelsey Pfendler!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big Adventures Entertainment LLC. 

    Laurie Dyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 45:06


    Laurie Dyer can't get enough of the Grand Canyon. She sits down with Brian to chat about how she came to work for the National Park Service, the state of the park, and her ultramarathon hobby. Enjoy Laurie Dyer!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big Adventures Entertainment LLC. 

    Dave Ganci (with George Bain)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 85:54


    Dave Ganci sits down with Brian Dierker and George Bain to chat about his life and desert survival. They explore how he got started in outdoor adventuring, including his time on a tuna boat and climbing in the Grand Canyon. Enjoy Dave Ganci!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big Adventures Entertainment LLC. 

    Mark Jensen

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 46:07


    Mark Jensen is a long time river runner and businessman out of Salt Lake City. He sits down with Brian to chat about their early guiding days, brine shrimping on the Great Salt Lake, and much more. Enjoy Mark Jensen!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big Adventures Entertainment LLC. 

    Cecily Maniaci

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 27:53


    Cecily is an entrepeneur and restaurateur in Flagstaff, Arizona. She sits down with Brian to chat about Arizona and the nature of small businesses. Enjoy Cecily!

    Emily Omana Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2023 75:16


    Emily Omana Smith is a biologist working in the Grand Canyon. She joins Brian in the studio for a fishy conversation about Humpback Chub, trout and carp, and much, much more. Enjoy Emily Omana Smith!

    Nina Swiller and Mike Yeatts

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 80:40


    Nina Swidler and Mike Yeatts are long-time archeologists working with the tribes around the American Southwest. They sit down with Brian to chat about Grand Canyon research efforts, their work with the Hopi and Navajo tribes, and more! Enjoy Nina and Mike!

    Don Perry

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 75:52


    Don Perry is a former water maintenance supervisor and well driller, and Brian's brother-in-law! He and Brian have a wide ranging conversation about Don's family connection to Billy the Kid, well drilling, Australia, and more. Enjoy Don Perry!

    Steve Hatch

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2023 60:25


    Steve Hatch is the third generation owner/operator of Hatch River Expeditions. He sits down with Brian to talk about growing up on the rivers of the Southwest, his competitive dirt-bike racing, and the state of commercial river running. Enjoy Steve Hatch!

    John Dufficy: Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 72:32


    This is part two of Brian's chat with John Dufficy. Be sure to catch up on part one! In this episode, John continues is stories from his summiting of the seven highest summits of the world. Enjoy John Dufficy!

    John Dufficy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 102:13


    PART ONE. John Dufficy is an all-around adventurer. He and Brian sit down to chat about how John got started on his adventurous path, and his summiting of Denali, Aconcagua, and Everest in 1993, on his way to completing the seven summits. This is part one of Brian's conversation with John Dufficy. Stay tuned for more!

    Ed Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 46:53


    Ed Smith is a river runner and skier, celebrating his recent retirement from Northern Arizona University. He and Brian sit down to chat about the early days guiding in the Grand Canyon and the American west, skiing, and much more. Enjoy Ed Smith!

    Dave and Mimi Demaree

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 63:42


    Dave and Mimi Demaree founded Demaree Inflatable Boats (DIB) in 1982. They sit down with Brian to chat about boat building, old types of rafts and whitewater craft, and some of the adventures they've shared. Enjoy Dave and Mimi Demaree!

    Ken Phillips

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 67:22


    Ken Phillips is a search and rescue expert who spent 27 years at the Grand Canyon working for the National Park Service. He chats with Brian about his start at the canyon, teaching rescue techniques around the world, and much more! Enjoy Ken Phillips!

    Phyllis Hogan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 67:25


    Phyllis Hogan is an herbalist and the proprieter of Winter Sun Trading Company in Flagstaff AZ. She sits down with Brian to chat about her journey to the Southwest, ethnobotany, and starting a small business. Enjoy Phyllis Hogan!

    Richard Bangs

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 44:13


    Richard Bangs is an adventurer and co-founder of the international guiding company Sobek. Enjoy Richard Bangs!

    Ross Garrison

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2022 59:47


    Ross Garrison is a surfer, river runner, and avid backpacker. He sits down with Brian to chat about his world travels, long distance hikes, and much more! Enjoy Ross Garrison!

    Jon & Ruthie Stoner

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 65:27


    The Grand Canyon brought Jon and Ruthie Stoner together, and it is still a major part of their lives. They sit down and chat with Brian about Ruthie's art, their trips in the Canyon, and their many years working for river companies. Enjoy the Stoners!

    Lynn Hamilton

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2022 47:34


    Lynn Hamilton is the executive director of Grand Canyon River Guides. She sits down with Brian to chat about her educational path, adventures, and GCRG. Enjoy Lynn Hamilton!

    Bruce Aiken

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2022 58:30


    Tim Cooper

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2022 61:20


    Tim Cooper is a boatman and adventurer out of Dolores Colorado. He and Brian sit down to chat about his first descent of the Little Colorado River, his early days in the Grand Canyon, and much more. Enjoy Tim Cooper!

    George Bain

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2022 62:27


    George Bain is a Flagstaff-based boatman and adventurer. He and Brian chat about George's many ascents of Grand Canyon summits, his early days on the river, and much more! Enjoy George Bain!

    Erica Fareio

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 45:38


    Erica Fareio is an artist, adventurer, and river runner. She and Brian sit down to chat about the beauty of Arizona and her activism through art. Enjoy Erica Fareio!

    David Edwards

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2022 95:05


    David Edwards is a freelance photographer, adventurer and river runner. He and Brian chat about his photo trips to Mongolia, and numerous other adventures in the Grand Canyon and around the globe. Enjoy David Edwards!

    Gary Bolton

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2022 59:34


    Gary Bolton is a long time river runner, guide, and botanist. He and Brian chat about his international adventures, getting his PhD, and much more! Enjoy Gary Bolton!

    Mark Lamberson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 62:43


    Mark Lamberson is a skiier, ski judge, and outdoor retail businessman. He and Brian chat about skiing, changes in the industry, travel, and much more. Enjoy Mark Lamberson!

    Bob and Jim

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2022 64:01


    Robert McDonald and his nephew Jim Wilson join Brian in the studio. They chat about growing up in Arizona, hunting, skiing, and much more! Enjoy Bob and Jim!

    Chris Louderback

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 54:57


    Chris Louderback is a risk manager/ski patroller at the Arizona Snowbowl. He and Brian sit in a gondola lift and chat about skiing, Alaska adventures, the environment, and much more. Enjoy Chris Louderback!

    Jim David

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 50:29


    Jim David is a river runner, chemist, mathematician, and educator. He and Brian chat about early days on the Colorado River, the importance of science education, and the future of the planet. Enjoy Jim David!

    Christa Sadler

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 52:07


    Christa Sadler is an educator, author, and river guide. She and Brian sit down to chat about science in the Grand Canyon, her books, and adventuring around the globe. Enjoy Christa Sadler!

    Dan Hall

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 61:20


    Dan Hall is a river runner, adventurer, and slayer of ravenna grass. He sits down with Brian to chat about his epic cycling trips, radio improv, and Grand Canyon science. Enjoy Dan Hall!

    Matt Fahey

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 60:29


    Matt Fahey is a river guide, videographer, and producer. He sits down with Brian to talk about how the river helped launch his career as a cameraman and TV producer. Enjoy Matt Fahey!

    Jimi Hendrick

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 50:29


    Jimi Hendrick is a river runner and adventurer with too many stories for one sitting. He and Brian sit down to chat about the Grand Canyon, river running in Alaska, and his roundabout journey to becoming a river guide. Enjoy Jimi Hendricks!

    Jose Martinez

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 51:40


    Jose Martinez is a fashion photographer and hatmaker. He and Brian sit down to chat about breaking into photography, moving around the country, and life in Northern Arizona. Enjoy Jose Martinez!

    Wayne Ranney

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 62:54


    Wayne Ranney is a guide, geologist, and author. He and Brian sit down to chat about geology and science in the Grand Canyon. Enjoy Wayne Ranney!

    Ed Keable

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 61:41


    Ed Keable is the superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park. He and Brian sit down to chat about his 30+ years of federal service, their river trip together, and all things Grand Canyon. Enjoy Ed Keable!

    Octavius Seowtewa

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 61:00


    Octavius Seowtewa is the supervisor of the Zuni Cultural Resource Advisory team. He and Briand sit down and chat about his life, the river, and the A:Shiwi in Zuni, New Mexico.

    Carolyn Alvord

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2021 61:36


    Carolyn Alvord is a river guide and former jockey. She sits down with Brian to talk about the wild world of horse racing and river guiding. Enjoy Carolyn Alvord!

    Brian Dierker

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2021 56:44


    Brian Dierker joins his own podcast to try and answer the question "Who is Brian Dierker?" He and producer Gavin Boughner sit down and try their best to find answers. Enjoy Brian Dierker!

    Ellen Tibbetts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021 55:00


    Ellen Tibbetts is a river runner and artist out of Flagstaff. She and Brian sit down to discuss river running, ceramics, and much more. Enjoy Ellen Tibbetts!

    Peter Reznick

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 49:16


    Peter Reznick is a river runner, guide, realtor and water company owner. He and Brian sit down to chat about the early days of commercial river running in the Grand Canyon. Enjoy Pete Reznick!

    Dave Stilley

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 49:15


    Dave Stilley is a lawyer, river runner, businessman, and much more! He sits down with Brian to chat about growing up in Flagstaff, getting into the Marijuana industry, and river running. Enjoy Dave Stilley!

    John Durham

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 48:55


    Dr. John Durham is an orthopedic surgeon from Flagstaff, AZ. He and Brian chat about how he got started in medicine, his work in Haiti and Tuba City, and more! Enjoy Dr. John Durham!

    Steve Carothers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2021 84:10


    Dr. Steve Carothers is a biologist, ecological researcher, and much, much more. He sits down with Brian to chat about Grand Canyon ecology and how he got to where he is today. Enjoy Steve Carothers!

    Gwendolyn Waring

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 48:48


    Gwendolyn Waring is a scientist, artist, and author. She sits down with Brian to talk about her work in the American Southwest. Enjoy Gwendolyn Waring!

    Kevin Fedarko

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 90:25


    Kevin Fedarko is an author, journalist, and adventurer. He joins Brian to talk about adventuring, writing, and environmental ethics. Enjoy Kevin Fedarko!

    Dave Wegner

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2021 79:02


    Dave Wegner is an ecologist with quite a story to tell. He sits down with Brian to talk about his years with the Bureau of Reclamation, heading Glen Canyon Environmental Studies, and water science in the southwest. Enjoy Dave Wegner!

    JR Murray

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 48:22


    JR Murray is the long-time manager of the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort. He and Brian chat about how he got started, the ski scene in Arizona, and where the industry goes from here. Enjoy JR Murray!

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