Gavin talks with Alejandro Palmaz, a longtime Aspen paragliding pilot, tandem instructor, and school operator, about the mentors and characters who shaped his flying life back to the early 90’s. Robbie Whittal, Dick Jackson, Chuck Smith, Will Gadd, Todd Bibler, Cherie Silvera, Dave Bridges…Alex recalls Aspen’s early paragliding scene, the sport’s technical evolution, the challenges of flying around busy airspace, and why experienced mentors matter for keeping new pilots safe.

Benny Abruzzo grew up inside one of the most remarkable aviation families in history. His father, Ben Sr., built the Sandia Peak Tramway, turned Albuquerque into a ballooning capital, and then — with co-pilot Max Anderson — set out to do something that had never been done: cross the Atlantic Ocean in a helium balloon. They failed on the first try, nearly dying in 50-foot seas off the coast of Iceland with no survival suits, frostbitten and beaten. A week later, Ben Sr. said: “let’s try it again.”

On August 10th, 2010 twenty-five-year-old Joe Stone went out to take a few laps on his speed wing, something he did nearly every day. But that day didn’t go as planned. Joe woke up over a month later and nothing was, or would ever be- the same. This is Joe’s incredible story of resilience, hope, inspiration and ultimately- gratitude. When your life goes upside down the little things become everything. This one isn’t easy, but it will leave you with a profound awareness of what’s possible, what’s important, and what we all miss in the hidden joys of just being alive.