In this episode of the Adrenaline Zone, Dr. Joe Dituri, a former commander in the US Navy, shares his experience as a deep-sea diver, special operations officer, and engineering duty officer. His passion for diving started at a young age when his father gave him a double hose regulator that allowed him to breathe underwater. He eventually found his way to the Navy, where he gained extensive experience in diving, engineering, and research. The episode covers a range of topics, including underwater suits, physics and mechanics of the underwater environment, and his current work in treating traumatic brain injury. The conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in deep-sea diving and undersea research.

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandy and Sandra delve into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with guest Gilman Louie. As a former video game designer turned venture capitalist, Gilman brings valuable insights into the current state of AI, including the emergence of Generative AI and algorithm Chat GPT, which can generate text that seems indistinguishable from what a human could produce. Together, our trio touches on the potential risks and benefits associated with AI's continued development, from its ability to revolutionize industries to the possibility of machines falling out of control or being used against us.

Captain Cynthia Robson finds herself in The Adrenaline Zone today to discuss with Sandy and Sandra the exciting world of operating merchant ships at sea and details from her career in the field. Along the way, she also touches upon such topics as the risks associated with piracy, the challenges of rough weather, and the unique difficulties that come with being a woman in a male-dominated industry. The complexity of operating different types of ships, the benefits of crew diversity, and the unique opportunity of booking a cabin on a merchant marine ship are examined as well during this fascinating episode.

This week, Sandra and Sandy host Lt.Col. Ed Yeilding, a former SR-71 pilot who famously flew the plane on over 90 worldwide reconnaissance missions. Their discussion begins with a look at the development of the SR-71 and how it was a response to the need for better photographic reconnaissance during the Cold War. From there, Yeilding goes on to share his experience of growing up in Florence, Alabama, how he became an Air Force pilot, and the unique construction and design of the plane that allowed it to fly at such high speeds.

David Duncan, CEO of Silver Oak Cellars, joins Sandra and Sandy on the podcast today to discuss the art, science, and risks of winemaking. Their conversation covers topics such as the difficulties associated with winemaking, the risks involved, and the sustainable practices and technological advancements that are shaping the industry. David shares his family's entrepreneurial background, recounts how he was drawn to the farming aspect of winemaking, and describes the process of making wine, from planting vines to releasing a new vintage.

In this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandra and Sandy sit down with former Acting/Deputy Director of the CIA and host of the Intelligence Matters podcast, Michael Morell - a man with a wealth of experience on the analytical side of the CIA, advising presidents and other senior leaders during crises and critical national security decisions. Together, our hosts seek to uncover the risks involved in the intelligence business as Michael shares his story of how he entered the field and his experiences working in this high-stakes environment. His experiences as a valued advisor, a review of the CIA's capabilities, and the role of the intelligence community in protecting national security are all discussed here today. Morell also highlights the importance of ethical decision-making in the intelligence business, as well as the risks and challenges facing the community today.

Sandra and Sandy are back, and today they welcome professional adventurer, Jeb Corliss, to the podcast for a truly fascinating conversation. Jeb has dedicated his life to BASE jumping, and wingsuit proximity flying, and our hosts begin by reviewing some of his impressive accomplishments in these areas. They also chat with Jeb about his childhood, how he became interested in skydiving and base jumping, and the mindset required for these activities. Jeb reveals that he lost his dreams during his teenage years, which led him to become depressed and suicidal, and details how he discovered his passion for base jumping which has been pursuing ever since.

In today’s episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandra and Sandy Winnefeld welcome serial entrepreneur Tom Noonan to the podcast. Tom shares his experiences starting businesses from scratch and offers insights and lessons learned for those interested in taking risks to achieve success. He discusses the importance of having a good idea, the value of surrounding oneself with a strong team, and the need to adapt and pivot in the face of challenges. Tom also touches on the importance of giving back and helping others learn from his experiences.

Professional bull rider Shane Proctor joins Sandy and Sandra on the podcast today to discuss both the dangers and thrill of his exciting sport. Often referred to as the "most dangerous 8 seconds in sports," bull riding requires riders to stay on the bull for at least 8 seconds while holding onto a rope and with one hand free. In this episode, Proctor, who hails from Grand Coulee, Washington, shares his journey into the sport, and discusses the injuries he has sustained and the challenges he faces as a bull rider.

In today’s episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandra and Sandy welcome veteran ski patroller, avalanche expert, and Assistant Director of Ski Patrol on Aspen Mountain, Samantha Haberman, to the podcast. Together, they delve into the intricate and high-stakes world of ski patrol and avalanche control, the physical and mental challenges of working in harsh, high-altitude environments and the importance of risk management in her line of work. Their conversation also touches on Haberman's personal journey to becoming a ski patroller, including her background in Aspen and her decision to take a solo bike trip across the country after college.

In the first segment of today's episode of the Adrenaline Zone, Sandra Magnus and Sandy Winnefeld are joined by none other than Santa Claus himself. The holiday icon took some time out of his busy schedule at the North Pole to speak with our hosts about his role in delivering toys to children around the world on Christmas Eve.

Neurosurgery is one of the most demanding medical fields, with practically no margin for error when operating. One small miscalculation can have profound effects on the patient. As a neurosurgeon and former chair of the Washington University Department of Neurosurgery, today’s guest, Dr. Ralph Dacey, knows all about this pressure and responsibility. He begins the episode by outlining the demanding and competitive route into neurosurgery, including the surprisingly low attrition rate and how emergency care is incorporated into training. Sandy then asks Dr. Dacey how he deals with risk, and he points out that neurosurgeons don’t risk their own lives but those of their patients, meaning that the burden must be shared by establishing a relationship built on medical ethics.

Chatting with Sandra and Sandy today is Sean Flanagan, former captain of the USS Pasadena, a nuclear powered submarine that sails in the Arctic Circle. When operating military machinery under ice caps and keels, some reaching 200 feet deep, the term ‘Cold War’ takes on a new meaning. Since 2009, the U.S. has maintained a national presence in the Arctic to protect our interests throughout the region, and Flanagan’s experience doing so is just what the trio talk about today. After graduating from high school at the age 18, Flanagan joined the Navy for what would turn out to be a very long and successful career.

The Himalayas are a massive mountain range in Central Asia that inspire awe and respect in anyone who visits. Humans have been living in their shadows for centuries, and the region is rich in culture and history. As well as being Chairman of Hyatt Hotels and The Pritzker Organization, Sandy and Sandra’s guest today, Tom Pritzker, is also a recognized archaeological expert on a particular section of the western Himalayas and Tibetan art and culture. He’s here today to discuss the remarkable work he’s done and continues to do in the remote areas of the Himalayas to discover and expose the traditions and heritage of this region.

On this episode of the Adrenaline Zone, Sandy and Sandra are joined by storm chaser Hank Schyma, aka Pecos Hank. Unlike most who go indoors when thunder roars, Schyma does the exact opposite. When a severe storm warning crosses his path, he packs up his car with film gear and heads off to rendezvous with the storm. Today he talks about all things Mother Nature, from hunting for hotspots and the unexpected dangers of storm chasing to TLE’s and Hollywood’s hokey interpretation of the job.

On today’s episode, Sandra and Sandy are joined by professional baseball catcher Yan Gomes of the Chicago Cubs. Yan is one of the best in the game, having spent ten years of his thirteen-year career in the major leagues, including as a world champion with the Washington Nationals in 2019. He kicks off the episode by sharing his journey from growing up in Brazil with a family of athletes to finding his feet in the US through baseball and finally heading to the University of Tennessee before becoming a pro and playing all around the country. Sandra then asks about life behind the plate and the risk inherent in catching, and Yan shares that he loves that risk because it makes him feel involved in the game no matter what. He thinks physical collisions are all part of the job and isn’t a huge fan of rule changes that try to eliminate them.

Today on The Adrenaline Zone, Sandy and Sandra welcome Rebecca Brock Dixon, founder of the*gameHERs, a media platform and social network for women who game. In this episode, Rebecca lets us into the world of esports, what it takes to start a business, and why what she’s doing with gamers is changing the sport. First up, Rebecca shares how she got into gaming herself, having started in the corporate professional world before moving into entrepreneurship and getting drawn into esports by the huge success of the gaming industry and the fact that half of gamers are women. Next, Rebecca explains exactly what esports is—professional, competitive video gaming—how it’s structured and monetized, and what the experience of going to a tournament is like. She also talks about the amazing fan culture and the enthusiasm fans have for their teams and favorite players.

On today’s episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandy and Sandra welcome Captain Amy Bauernschmidt, the first woman to ever serve as the Executive Officer and then as the Commanding Officer of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Amy starts the conversation by taking us all the way back to her beginnings and telling us about her journey of becoming a naval aviator. During the time she spent at the Naval Academy, Amy got a chance to go through different types of training and see many aspects of the Navy. Since being a naval aviator allows you to explore a lot of possible pathways after squadron command, one of them being entering the pipeline to become a carrier CO, Amy decided to pursue this path and become the first woman to command an aircraft carrier.

On today’s episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandy and Sandra interview two-time World Champion skier and lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Chris Davenport. Widely recognized as one of the top skiers in the world, he is the first person to ski all fifty-four of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks in less than one year. Chris starts the conversation by talking about his earlier skiing experiences. As he recounts, he was exposed to all the joys of being outdoors very early on so the passion for outdoor activities was instilled in him at a young age. Then, Chris discusses the potential risks and challenges that sports like skiing involve. According to him, the trick is to get smart at handling risk.

On today’s episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandy and Sandra welcome Dr. Jess Cramp, a marine biologist and shark researcher. Jess is also the founder of Shark Pacific, which is a non-profit organization for studying and protecting sharks. Jess kicks off the episode by telling us about her exciting journey from quitting a high-paying job to beginning an adventure of her lifetime –sharks’ preservation. She also opens up about her childhood and how it helped her learn she should always listen to her gut and pursue her passions. Then, Jess goes on to talk about her first shark encounter while sailing across the Pacific Ocean, which eventually led her to shift her career focus towards shark sanctuaries, conservation policies and fisheries management.