Kyle Thiermann — Deadlines, Mentors, Curiosity, and the Craft of Connection (#95)

Kyle Thiermann — Deadlines, Mentors, Curiosity, and the Craft of Connection (#95)

November 18, 2025 · 1h 17m

About this episode

Kyle Thiermann discusses the intersection of creativity, surfing, and mentorship with Justin Gary.

About Kyle Kyle Thiermann is a professional big-wave surfer, journalist, and creative director whose career bridges storytelling, advertising, and adventure. He’s written for Men’s Health , Surfer , and Outside Magazine , and helped shape campaigns for brands like Patagonia, Yeti, and Mudwater, with his ads and viral spots reaching over 100 million people. Kyle is also the author of One Last Question Before You Go : Why You Should Interview Your Parents Now , a deeply personal exploration of family, curiosity, and conversation. In this episode, Justin and Kyle dive into the fear that drives creativity, the lessons of surfing six-story waves, and how to use curiosity and courage to build a more meaningful creative life. Think Like A Game Designer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Ah-ha! Justin’s Takeaways Deadlines create gravity: Surrounding yourself with people you respect and setting clear deadlines are two of the most powerful tools for getting things done—it is the engine of creative work, which turn ambition into action and ensure you finish what you start. Proximity is an accelerant…

People in this episode

Host: Justin Gary

Guest: Kyle Thiermann

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Men’s Health, Surfer, Outside Magazine, Patagonia, Yeti, Mudwater

Books & works: One Last Question Before You Go

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