Dierdre Wolownick is the oldest woman to have climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. She’s also a teacher, a musician, a marathon runner — and the mother of renowned rock climber Alex Honnold.
On this episode, we talk with Dierdre about what it was like raising a kid like Alex.
We discuss her efforts to keep Alex safe as a child, without stifling his love for climbing. We talk about the difference between risk and consequence. And we explore Dierdre’s own journey to becoming a climber, and how learning about her son’s passion changed their relationship.
The Tonic of Silence
My Dad's Depression
Rekindling the Spark
Silence
Building Self-Confidence
Closing the Gender Gap
The Flood
Learning to Swim
Excavating Grief
Ice Swimming
Queer in Appalachia
Rekindling Hope
Moonlight
Living Without Hope
Secrets of the Earth
This Is How You Win the Time War
Notes in the Trees
Fallen Sky
Fear is the Thing with Fins
High on Failure
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