Cascade Specialty

Interviews

At CBJ, we hope to inform, connect and empower the people who work in the climbing industry. We’ve interviewed a variety of industry professionals, from long-time routesetters to coaches of national-level competitors, to provide you with valuable information. Below you will find links to our podcasts on coaching, routesetting, programming, management, legal issues and more. Search and filter all CBJ interviews here.

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The Setter Who Coaches and The Coach Who Sets – CBJ Podcast with Cate Beebe

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Coaching as “an All-Around Catalyst for Growth”: Behind the Desk with Hann Smiley

John Burgman

Building A Youth Comp League From Scratch – CBJ Podcast with Theresa Morris

Scott Rennak

What Are We Actually Teaching People? – CBJ Podcast with Kenny Benson

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Coaching Teams to Celebrate “Even the Smallest Wins”: Behind the Desk with Colin Meyer

John Burgman

What We Mean When We Say “Diverse Setting Teams” – CBJ Podcast with Altana Elings-Haynie

Holly Yu Tung Chen

From Outsider to Industry Leader – CBJ Podcast with Alice Kao

Scott Rennak

The Capital “R” Routesetter – CBJ Podcast with Rylan Marshall-Meistrich

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Collaboration, Grit, and Crag Care – CBJ Podcast with Jason Haas

Scott Rennak

Where You Feel Comfortable, You Try Harder – CBJ Podcast with Zoey Grinstead

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Fostering Positive Connections: Behind the Desk with Janet Hirsch, Director of Programs at Movement

John Burgman

Athletes, Training Centers & Road to LA28 – CBJ Podcast with Marc Norman

Scott Rennak

Creative Ego: The Good and The Bad – CBJ Podcast with Zuoyi Phang

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Building Gyms and a Career in Climbing – CBJ Podcast with Brett Jessen

Scott Rennak

Inside USA Climbing’s Routesetting Program – CBJ Podcast with Jeremy Ho

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Leading the World’s Largest Climbing Gym Chain – CBJ Podcast with Anne-Worley Moelter

Scott Rennak

Doors, Not Walls: Rethinking Routesetting Pathways – CBJ Podcast with Sierra McMurry

Holly Yu Tung Chen

The Top CBJ Podcast Episode of 2025 for Routesetters

Holly Yu Tung Chen

The Top CBJ Podcast Episode of 2025 for Gym Operators

John Burgman

Lessons From the Sharp End of Modern Setting – CBJ Podcast with Mike Bockino

Holly Yu Tung Chen

The Value of Collaboration in Gym Creation – CBJ Podcast with Parker Simms

John Burgman

The Art of Building Pump – CBJ Podcast with Daniel Cornella

Holly Yu Tung Chen

A Pioneer of the Climbing Gym Industry – CBJ Podcast with Mike Pont

John Burgman

So You Want to Host a Comp? – CBJ Podcast with Nickolas Gagliardi

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Building Gyms from the Ground Up – CBJ Podcast with Eric Hires

John Burgman

Fundamentals of Paraclimbing and Parasetting – CBJ Podcast with Mia DePaolis & Nat Vorel

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Is This HIIT Climbing Gym Starting a Trend? – CBJ Podcast with Michael Hauss

John Burgman

Setting the Tone: What Makes a Space Feel Good? – CBJ Podcast with Jesse Safford

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Hiring Is Sacred – CBJ Podcast with Jonathan Brandt

John Burgman

Gym Expansion and Sustainability in Denmark – Behind the Desk with Boulders Co-Owner Martin Petersen

Naomi Stevens

Broadening Our Programs: Behind the Desk with Tom Meehan at Philadelphia Rock Gym

John Burgman

How the Scientific Method Informs Routesetting – CBJ Podcast with Carly Snidow

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Group Climbing Gym Insurance Breakdown – CBJ Podcast with Mark Grossman and Will Jorgensen

Scott Rennak

Balancing Art and Functionality in Hold Shaping – CBJ Podcast with Joey Jannsen

John Burgman

Getting the Most Out of a College Market – CBJ Podcast with Brian Doscher

John Burgman

Gym Operation in Tropical Asia: Behind the Desk with Jeremy Peet

Naomi Stevens

Why the Midwest Is a Great Place for a Climbing Gym – CBJ Podcast with Jonathan Landis

John Burgman

An Episode of Affirmations: Battling Imposter Syndrome – CBJ Podcast with Ethan Paris

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Supporting the New Climber’s Journey – CBJ Podcast with Megan Cheek

John Burgman

Meet the Main Wall Builder Behind Mexico’s Booming Gym Industry

John Burgman

Preserving Our Climbing Gym Culture – CBJ Podcast with Garnet Moore

Scott Rennak

A Setter’s Perspective on Sustainable Holds – CBJ Podcast with Roy Quanstrom

John Burgman

The Setter in the Flatlands – CBJ Podcast with Armen Avanessian

Holly Yu Tung Chen

The Top CBJ Podcast Episode of 2024 for Gym Operators

John Burgman

The Top CBJ Podcast Episode of 2024 for Routesetters

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Trends, Mentorship, Communication, and Gym Management – CBJ Podcast with Josh Haynes

John Burgman

Vans on the Wall – CBJ Podcast with Ally Cruz

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Making the Great Leap in Business – CBJ Podcast with Francis Larose

John Burgman

What Is a “Chaos Bomb”? – CBJ Podcast with Annabelle Spingler

Holly Yu Tung Chen

How To Be an Entrepreneur – CBJ Podcast with Andrew Potter

John Burgman

Necessity Breeds Invention – CBJ Podcast with Andy Nelson

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Let’s Talk About 24-Hour Access – CBJ Podcast with Lindsay Runne

John Burgman

Living the Brand: Q&A With Anne-Worley Moelter, Movement’s New CEO

John Burgman

Understanding Constants Over Time – CBJ Podcast with Claire Gordon

Holly Yu Tung Chen

101 Climbing Games and Activities – CBJ Podcast with Hailey Caissie

John Burgman

You Can Strip My Boulder – CBJ Podcast with Blake Green

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Utah Competition Seeks Climbers Over 50 Years Old; Q&A with Gym Owner Jeff Compas

John Burgman

Growing Membership Through Programming – CBJ Podcast with Evan Pearce

John Burgman

Addressing the Entire Climbing Cycle – CBJ Podcast with Chris Klinke

John Burgman

Bless Its Brushless Heart – CBJ Podcast with Buck Yedor

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Thinking Outside Yourself: Behind the Wrench with Kevin McLean

Amalia Wompa

Days of the “Big Boss Brain” – CBJ Podcast with Kasia Pietras

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Mexico’s Gym Industry Is Booming – CBJ Podcast with Javier Díaz

John Burgman

Keep Them Sketched Out – CBJ Podcast with Claire Kawainui Miller

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Old-School Foundation, New-School Shapes – CBJ Podcast with Mathieu Ackermann

John Burgman

The “Indiana Jones of Climbing” – CBJ Podcast With John McGowan

John Burgman

Routesetting Consultations, Education Bottlenecks, and Data – CBJ Podcast With Foxman McCarthy-James and Justin Wright

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Routesetting Through Pregnancy: Behind the Wrench With Carolina Fullerton

Holly Yu Tung Chen

All About the Indoor Climbing Expo – CBJ Podcast With Travis Williams

John Burgman

Gym Development in Canada and “Making Friends Through Climbing” – CBJ Podcast With Jean-Marc de la Plante

John Burgman

Routesetting in the Age of Social Media – CBJ Podcast With Stefanie Myr

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Making the Most of a Climbing Gym Retail Space – CBJ Podcast With Brad Werntz

John Burgman

Gym Social Media Is More About “One-to-One” Than “One-to-Many” – CBJ Podcast With Sam Van Boxtel

Scott Rennak

Don’t Give Up on “Mom-and-Pop” Gyms – CBJ Podcast With Jackson Scott

John Burgman

Eating Disorders, RED-S, and a Look Behind the Resignations – CBJ Podcast With Dr. Volker Schöffl

John Burgman

Adding What Should Always Have Been There – CBJ Podcast with Siege Climbing

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Wade Desai – Getting Slacklining Going at Your Gym – CBJ Podcast

John Burgman

Jackie Pettitt – Mentoring Coaches, Developing Strong Youth Programs – CBJ Podcast

Zoe Leibovitch

Hold the Doors Open: Behind the Wrench With Sydney McNair

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Are Markets Approaching Saturation? Behind the Desk with Lucas Kovalcik at The Gravity Vault

Climbing Business Journal

Revitalizing Routesetting for the Next Generation – CBJ Podcast with Louie Anderson

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Dave Hudson – Coaching Youth Through the Ages – CBJ Podcast

John Burgman

Sierra McMurry – Routesetting on Common and Uncommon Ground – CBJ Podcast

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Stay True to Your Core: Behind the Desk With Pete Sancianco at Rock Spot

Naomi Stevens

“More Keys to Route Setting;” A Behind-the-Scenes Interview With Jacky Godoffe

John Burgman

Garrett Gregor – Coaching and Routesetting for Future Olympians – CBJ Podcast

John Burgman

Building Sustainable Routesetting Teams—and How Setting Exercises Can Help

Devin Dabney

You’re Stronger if You’re Honest: Behind the Wrench With Abby Wilson

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Inclusion Takes Intention: Behind the Desk With Gabby Zonneveld at MetroRock

John Burgman

Fine-Tuning Gym Programming: Behind the Desk With Justin Wyse at The Front

John Burgman

Macaroni & Cheese to Steak Dinner: Behind the Wrench With Kegan Minock

Holly Yu Tung Chen

From Doctor to Director of Climbing: Behind the Desk with Wade Desai at ASCEND

John Burgman

Simpler Ideas Win the Day: Behind the Desk With Trevor Galvin at Blocworks

John Burgman

Climbers and Riders Both Show Up: Behind the Desk With Riveter Founder Elizabeth Jackson

John Burgman

All Ships Will Rise: Behind the Wrench With Nathan Hadley

Holly Yu Tung Chen

Our Staff Matter Most: Behind the Desk with Jacquelyn Horton

John Burgman

The RIC Scale, and How to Use It in Your Routesetting Work

Devin Dabney

Always Be Open to New Ideas: Behind the Desk with Charlie Schreiber

John Burgman

Private Coaching is Getting More Popular: Behind the Desk with Paraclimbing National Team Coach Emmett Cookson

John Burgman

Storytelling Through Movement: Behind the Wrench with Holly Chen

John Burgman

Value Propositions and Pricing Sweet Spots: Behind the Desk with UpTown

John Burgman

Every Town Can Hold a Climbing Gym: Behind the Desk with Adrian Prelipceanu

John Burgman

The Value of Routesetting Mentorship: Behind the Wrench with BKB’s Matt Ratajczak

John Burgman

Proving Try-Hard Gyms Work: Behind the Desk with Uplift’s Andrew Hou

John Burgman

Taking 24-Hour Access Coast to Coast: Behind the Desk with David Sacher

John Burgman

Meet John Burgman, U.S. Comp Climbing’s Top Journalist

Joe Robinson

Letting Go of an Idea: Behind the Wrench with Aaron Davis

John Burgman

Old Ropes, New Art: Behind the Desk with Elliot Lacroix

John Burgman

What Makes a Good Gym Video?

John Burgman

We All Have a Story: Behind the Desk with Lynnette Miller

Jackie Hueftle and Joe Robinson

Providing Climbing for Everybody: Behind the Desk with Emily Buckley and Lulu Rodriguez

John Burgman

Getting a Gym Ready for National Team Trials During a Pandemic

John Burgman

The Midwest Psych Is High: Behind the Wrench with Christopher Deal

John Burgman

Making Life Better: Behind the Desk with Andrew Coffey

Joe Robinson

Pride, Relief, Exhaustion: Behind the Wrench with Simon Parton

John Burgman

Growth Spurs Innovation: Behind the Desk with John Oungst

John Burgman

Climbing Gyms Encourage Voting as Presidential Election Nears

John Burgman

Bringing a Dream to Life in Israel: Behind the Desk with Yuval Hamburg

John Burgman

Our Gym Is Still Standing: Behind the Desk with Matt Lambert

John Burgman

Community as a Long-Term Investment: Behind the Desk with Britton Frankel

John Burgman

Work Hard and Enjoy the Process: Behind the Desk with Ben Waggoner

John Burgman

Breaking Boundaries: Behind the Wrench with Camielle Weetly

Jackie Hueftle

Learning, Adapting, Growing in Australia: Behind the Desk with Jack Masel

John Burgman

Lessons Learned from the COVID Crisis (Vol 2): We Are Better Together

John Burgman

Lessons Learned from the COVID Crisis (Vol 1): Have a Growth Mindset

John Burgman

A Climbing Wall Artist: Behind the Desk with Phil Lewis

John Burgman

Problem Solving Together: Behind the Desk with Lauren Watson

John Burgman

Routesetting in a New Era: Behind the Wrench with Eddie Morillas

John Burgman

Gyms in South America Are Adapting Too: Behind the Desk with Fernando Cicconi

John Burgman

Making Route Design a Team Effort: Behind the Wrench with Cody Grodzki

John Burgman

Should Gyms Give COVID-19 Orientations?

John Burgman

The Meaning of Community: Behind the Desk with Memphis Rox

Joe Robinson

What It’s Like to Open a New Gym During a Pandemic

John Burgman

It’s a New World: Behind the Desk with Michael Feinberg

John Burgman

A Custodian of the Community: Behind the Closures with Jordan Mackay

John Burgman

Chalk Business is Changing Too: Behind the Closures with Kevin Brown

John Burgman

Now Is the Time to Come Together: Behind the Closures with Andy Nelson

John Burgman

Community Will Help Sustain Us: Behind the Closures with Andrea Charest

John Burgman

Gearing Up for Survival Mode: Behind the Closures with Hannah Mosier

John Burgman

Gym Events that Benefit the Community: Behind the Desk with Lydia Huelskamp

John Burgman

Optimism Solves Problems: Behind the Closures with Don Campbell

John Burgman

Family—and Climbing Family—Come First: Behind the Closures with Jesse Waldorf

John Burgman

Setting Your Own Way: Behind the Wrench with Tony Agnelli

Jackie Hueftle

Helping People Do What They Were Born to Do: Behind the Desk at CityROCK

John Burgman

Routesetting Should Be Fun—It’s Not Brain Surgery: Behind the Wrench with Alison Krayer

John Burgman

Keeping Things Community-Centric: Behind the Desk with Mailee Hung

John Burgman

Letting the Routesetting Gods Take Over: Behind the Wrench with Claire Miller

John Burgman

Community Happens Fast: Behind the Desk with Andrew Andress

John Burgman

Where Computers and Climbing Meet: Behind The Desk With Jon Lachelt

John Burgman

Finding Time To Volunteer: Behind The Desk With Emily Moore

John Burgman

Standing Out In a City of Many Gyms: Behind the Desk with Michael Paukner

Climbing Business Journal

From Volunteer Routesetter To Gym Manager: Behind the Desk With Matthew Butler-Bugher

John Burgman

Comp Combines Spicy Chicken with Epic Sends: Behind the Desk With Jonathan Brandt

John Burgman

Behind the Desk with Danny Burkhead

John Burgman

Behind the Desk with Kristina Ericson

John Burgman

USA Climbing Hires New CEO

Climbing Business Journal

A Tribute to Keith Dickey

Climbing Business Journal

A Profile: Chris Danielson

Climbing Business Journal

SJ: A Setter’s Story

Climbing Business Journal