The Lunatic Fringe Podcast

Lunatic Fringe with Zej and Alix

Pulling no punches has been Alix Raymond’s style, as anyone who knows her can tell you, and her time on the Lunatic Fringe with our returning host Mr. Zej Mski is absolutely no exception. Finishing our her term soon as the Southeast Regional Director for the USPA, she's got more than a few words to say on the sport of skydiving, the USPA as an organization with all its pitfalls and upswings, it's new leadership and more.  As a full-time "real worlder" as well as flying camera and instructing, the Director's seat not only helped to keep her more than a little busy, but gave her some insights into the Lunatic asylum that has left her with a whole lot to say!

 

Podcast music by Zach Kimsey

Lunatic Fringe with Blane Moler

Vegas born and raised, Blane Moler was bound to go big in one way or another. With his brothers A.J. and Brian paving the way, he began his 30 plus year career in the sport of skydiving as a packer, bus driver and occasional target for big brother A.J's dirty biker style temper, not being allowed to really start to earn his chops as a working jumper until he'd been well past his D license; which back then, in that town was a whole lot. With the temptations of the Vegas lifestyle standing in the way of moving too far forward in the sport, Blane hit the road and headed to the other side of the country, racking up thousands of video jumps and earning his Tandem and AFF ratings. Now a full-time instructor and professional skydiving gypsy, he and his wife are busy enjoying all the Lunatic lifestyle has to offer, with no plans on slowing down and allowing the young bucks to pass.

Music by - Zach Kimsey

Lunatic Fringe with Dani Roman and Sebastian Alvarez

Both hard charging full fledged Red Bull Athletes, Dani Roman and Sebastian Alvarez have more than a few things in common. They both knew that skydiving was for them at a very young age, and they were both willing to take proper life-changing risks to follow their passion. From tossing it all and traveling across the planet to try and get a job in a country where he didn't speak the language, to walking away from a sure thing lifelong career as a military pilot, these two went all in on a gamble that has paid off in a big way; a big way in the form of being able to not only chase their dreams, but constantly reach for new ones. Join us on this, our 150th episode as we find out what type of lunatic mindset it takes not only to decide to do something as incredible as fly a wingsuit into an active volcano, but plan it out so well that you get Red Bull to back it. This one you're not gonna want to miss.

Zej Mski and Scott Callantine

Dabble may be the word that Scott Callantine uses to describe his varied interests in the sport, but the truth of the matter is he's hit it from pretty much all angles. Huge into wingsuits, he was pulled that way as a pilot, but he's competed in 4way and 8way, flown CRW, hucked tandems, worked as an instructor... Now he sits down to welcome back our returning host Mr, Zej Mski to let people in on the new and exciting direction his journey is about to take, still deep on his own Lunatic path.

 

podcast music by Zach Kimsey

Lunatic Fringe with Brandon Johnson and Debi Brown

First jump fears aside, both Brandon Johnson and Debi Brown took to skydiving pretty much from go, although from very different angles.  Brandon's military background would leave you to believe that it stemmed from that profession, but as it turned out, the military lifestyle was what was getting in the way, right up until it wasn't anymore. Debi Brown on the other hand was well and deeply entrenched on a course set toward the medical profession by her family, but it was a choice that hadn't been hers, and it wasn't one she was willing to commit to. To those outside the sport, walking away from either of the paths Debi and Brandon were on to jump from planes instead might seem like something only a Lunatic would do...       Both working now as professional skydivers and enjoying the direction they've chosen for themselves, they've aimed toward goals that may not be the "norm" their families were hoping for, but are ones that for them personally are vastly more rewarding. Check out this weeks edition and find out what pulled these two deep into the Lunatic Fringe.

Lunatic Fringe with the NZ Aero design team

Back in the can to talk all things nylon are Julien Peelman, Chris Stewart and first timer Chris Snell who are quite literally the ABC's of canopy development, design and production for New Zealand Aerosports. From concept to the production of Proto types to test jumping, we sit down to chat about exactly what it takes to put together the industries leading wings that help keep the lunatic fringe in the sky.

Lunatic Fringe with Danny Koon

DK Live! The one and only Mr. Danny Koon has got to be one of the most upbeat, positive-vibe skydivers on the planet, and this after having spent more than half his life in the sport, 25 years to be exact. Starting out in what could only be considered one of the most challenging places to learn, the high desert of Las Vegas, Danny got his start almost completely by accident. From scrubbing toilets and packing, to video, freeflying and swooping, he's traveled all around the country working and playing hard in the sport that's been his passion for the last quarter century. As a lifelong member of the Lunatic Fringe, Mr. Danny Koon has more than a few stories, and a whole lot of experience to share.

Music by - Zach Kimsey

Lunatic Fringe with Taihuka Smith

Back in the can for round two, this time with a lot less alcohol, Tai Smith shares how it's felt going  from a low time Otter pilot to a few thousand hours, low time jumps to hitting it with a wingsuit, and how hardcore COVID rules have put an real exclamation point on incredible experiences like our spectacular trip across the Mediterranean.  Join us on this edition of Lunatic Fringe for a few proper laughs and a couple of songs with a proper Kiwi jump pilot.

The Lunatic Fringe with Nick James Batsch

From the top of his game with multiple US National and World championship titles under his belt, to wondering if walking would ever again be an option, the journey Nick Batsch has been on over the last three years is a tough one to imagine. Years of training and top level athletic reflexes turned a landing that could have just as easily taken his life into the challenge of a lifetime, pushing Nick to work not only toward the physical demands a rebab of his type takes, but the often un thought of mental hurtles he had to overcome, not simply to live a normal life and perhaps even skydive again, but to once again stand on the top of the podium at the US Nationals. Join in on this edition with the current US National CP Champion Nick Batsch and hear in surprising detail all about his continuing journey with the Lunatic Fringe.

Lunatic Fringe with Dario Baslie

Only in the sport for 4 years, Dario Basile's time in both skydiving and BASE has made quite an impact in his life, and those that he meets. From A license to D, this base jumping, bull running, world traveling Tandem Instructor from Sussex NJ is absolutely going to let you, the guy sitting next to you and pretty much everyone else in earshot know that he is a skydiving, chili pepper eating high energy member of the Lunatic Fringe. Join in with Brian Casserly on this amped up chat.