Be inspired and learn from insiders of the climbing industry. We interview routesetters, coaches, managers of gyms and brands, and legendary figures from our sport.
Climbing Business Journal Podcasts
Claim This Podcastby Climbing Business Journal
4.7(12 reviews)
76 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors
32
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality37
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement68
Podcast Overview
Be inspired and learn from insiders of the climbing industry. We interview routesetters, coaches, managers of gyms and brands, and legendary figures from our sport.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/4/2023
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32
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality37
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement68
6
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1
Good Performance
12
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
1h 12m
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good
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3.0/5
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needs improvement
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Every 16 days
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Recent Episodes
July 17, 2026
What Are We Actually Teaching People? – CBJ Podcast with Kenny Benson
Routesetters spend years developing an instinct for what works and what doesn’t. Today’s guest of The Impact Driver Podcast has developed a framework to explain why it works. On this episode of The Impact Driver Podcast, host Holly Chen talks with Salt Lake City-based routesetter and Momentum Climbing Director of Setting Kenny Benson about what it actually means to set with intention. Kenny explains routesetting through five distinct lenses and how they can transform the way a setter approaches their craft. Kenny has been setting for nearly fourteen years, starting in Houston before working his way through North Carolina and the Bay Area before ultimately landing at Momentum, where he has spent the last nine years. He holds a USAC Level 4 certification and has become one of the more prominent voices in paraclimbing setting, having set at multiple Para Nationals and Para World Cups. Outside the gym, he is a devoted music listener, a former skateboarder, and an occasional painter. General Topics Covered Kenny's five-lens framework for intentional setting: aesthetics, physical, cognitive, emotional and cultural Aesthetics as the first impression What a climb communicates before anyone pulls on a hold, and why form and function don't have to compete The physical lens: grade consistency, and equitability in sizing Creating experiences that work differently for different bodies without shutting anyone out The cognitive lens: how routesetters build a movement encyclopedia for climbers Why moderate climbers deserve as much creative investment as anyone else The emotional lens: designing for confidence, frustration and progression The difference between making someone feel challenged versus making someone feel lost The cultural lens: how setting programs shape not just what people climb What the industry risks by optimizing for digestibility over development What gets lost as gyms scale? How to bring a higher-stakes mindset to a commercial setting day without burning out Show Notes Find Kenny Benson on Instagram Momentum Climbing Gyms The Nugget Climbing Episode 40: Tonde Katiyo (Part 1) The Capital “R” Routesetter – The Impact Driver Podcast with Rylan Marshall-Meistrich Fundamentals of Paraclimbing and Parasetting – The Impact Driver Podcast with Mia DePaolis & Nat Vorel Bouldering Project Grading System B-Pump Climbing Gym Closing Notes If you’d like to nominate someone as a next guest, have a topic you want to see us tackle or have questions, we’d love for you to reach out. You can find our pitch form here. The Impact Driver Podcast is a production of the Climbing Business Journal. Today’s episode is sponsored by Rúngne, Cascade Specialty, Trango, the Climbing Wall Association and Rock Gym Pro. It was edited and produced by Holly Yu Tung Chen, Megan Cheek, Scott Rennak and Joe Robinson, and our theme music is by Devin Dabney.
June 19, 2026
What We Mean When We Say “Diverse Setting Teams” – CBJ Podcast with Altana Elings-Haynie
In the climbing industry, we talk a lot about diversifying setting teams. Less often do we talk about what it actually takes to lead one with humility and empathy. On this episode of the Impact Driver Podcast, host Holy Chen chats with Altana Elings-Haynie (she/they)—Assistant Routesetting Director at Movement Philadelphia—about team dynamics, leadership, and what it really means to build a setting program that supports the people in it. Altana has been climbing most of her life, starting outside in the Gunks before finding her way into gyms as a teenager. She has been setting commercially for six years across Chicago and Philadelphia. Altana currently holds a USAC Level 2 certification, has set for over 10 championship events, and has international setting experience in Norway. She is looking forward to chiefing the upcoming Midwest Mayhem competition. General Topics Covered What changes when you move from setter to manager How to manage working styles on a diverse team and why differences in personality, background and approach can make for better setting Dominant personalities in the room: when a strong presence lifts the team and when it starts to derail the process Introverts in an extroverted profession: practical tips on helping quieter and newer setters shine How to handle disagreements and conflicts on a diverse team and how to find resolution without making it personal Grading, ego, and the old boys club dynamic How to keep forerunning conversations objective and why ability-based dismissal should have no place in setting The case for structured mentorship and layered leadership in setting programs How leaders can keep the spark of curiosity alive Show Notes Find Altana on Instagram Movement Philadelphia Midwest Mayhem: A bouldering competition series based in the Midwest aimed at celebrating women, trans and nonbinary climbers and routesetters. Nor’Easter Bouldering Series Bolt & Revolt Setting Coalition Closing Notes If you’d like to nominate someone as a next guest, have a topic you want to see us tackle or have questions, we’d love for you to reach out. You can find our pitch form here. The Impact Driver Podcast is a production of the Climbing Business Journal. Today’s episode is sponsored by Rúngne, Cascade Specialty, Trango, the Climbing Wall Association and Walltopia. It was edited and produced by Holly Yu Tung Chen, Megan Cheek, Scott Rennak and Joe Robinson, and our theme music is by Devin Dabney. All photos below are by Avery Shandelman (@aves.eyes).
June 5, 2026
From Outsider to Industry Leader – CBJ Podcast with Alice Kao
Alice Kao is the CEO, co-founder and driving force behind Sender One, a Southern California climbing gym chain, which she has led over 13 years from a single location in Santa Ana to six gyms—with more on the way. Her path to the climbing industry was anything but conventional: A first-generation immigrant who interned at Lehman Brothers, worked in international toy sales, and discovered climbing while navigating heartbreak in London, Alice launched Sender One from savings, SBA loans, and checks from family and friends—eventually bringing on a marquee investor in pro climber Chris Sharma. She has since become a respected voice in the broader climbing business community, championing women's leadership through her involvement at CWA, and serving on the USA Climbing board of directors before a principled exit. In this conversation with Scott Rennak, Alice opens up about what it really took to build Sender One—the years of not paying herself, the leap from side hustle to full-time commitment, and the management mistakes she had to unlearn. She also discusses an innovative funding model—a partnership with an impact investment firm to purchase her LAX flagship location—as well as her complicated but ultimately collegial departure from the USA Climbing board. With the 2028 Olympics arriving in LA and her gym sitting eight minutes from the competition venue, she's having more fun running the business than ever before. General Topics Covered Turning Passion into a Sustainable Business Taking Calculated Risks as an Entrepreneur Scaling a Climbing Gym Brand Leadership, Growth, and Founder Evolution Creative Approaches to Financing Expansion Navigating Industry Politics and Governance The Future of Climbing and the Olympic Opportunity Show Notes Alice Kao on Linkedin Sender One website Interview discussing Alice’s childhood and being a “parachute kid” Details about the Impact Fund that purchased LAX location property Alice’s resignation letter from USA Climbing board of directors Thank you Climbing Wall Association, Rúngne, Walltopia, Cascade Specialty, and Rock Gym Pro for your support!And thank you Devin Dabney for your music!
76 total episodes available
Recent guests on Climbing Business Journal Podcasts
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Mark Grossman
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Will Jorgensen
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Obe Carrion
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Joey Jannsen
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Ruth Jang
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Climbing Business Journal Podcasts?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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