Tell Us What You Thought Of This Episode

Mark "Trunk" Kirschenbaum is a skydiving photographer, electrical engineer, and founder of Hypoxic — the go-to source for camera equipment in human flight. After designing the Hypeye D Pro, a video controller and indication system that sold over 13,000 units, Trunk left his corporate engineering career behind to pursue Hypoxic full-time. Today, his products are used by professionals worldwide.

In this can't-miss episode, Trunk shares the origin of his nickname, his work as a camera coordinator alongside Joe Jennings on commercial shoots and the film Space Cowboys, the thrill of world-record big-way skydives, and hard-earned lessons about camera safety. He also opens up about managing anxiety, his decision to stop drinking, and the joy of life with his wife Julie — a fellow skydiver he met at Couch Freaks.

Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.

📲 STAY CONNECTED
Website: The 20 Minute Call
Instagram: @20MinuteCall
Facebook: /20MinuteCall

💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
Love the podcast? Join our Patreon community for early access, bonus content, and exclusive perks.
→ patreon.com/The20minutecallPodcast

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW
Your 5-star review helps us reach more skydivers like you.
Apple Podcasts: [direct-link]
Spotify: [direct-link]

🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE
Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts | Spo...

Tell Us What You Thought Of This Episode

Jens Gronemeyer is the President & CEO of Alti-2 Technologies. A computer engineer, entrepreneur, active skydiver, experienced jump pilot, and former drop zone operator, Jens made his first skydive in Höxter, Germany in 1997 and has since logged more than 8,900 jumps. Before acquiring Alti Two in 2021, he built and sold successful technology companies in Europe. He competes in 4-way, 8-way, and 16-way formation skydiving and brings a rare perspective shaped by both deep technical expertise and real-world experience in the air.

Topics Covered

• Founding a computer company in high school — now in its 40th year
• Serving in the German Air Force at a NATO radar station on the Iron Curtain
• Building and selling a time & attendance software company
• Operating two drop zones in Germany, including purchasing a struggling municipal airport
• Co-founding a compostable plastics company now generating ~€35M in revenue
• Acquiring Alti Two in 2021: streamlining repairs, achieving ISO 9001 certification, and tripling the R&D budget
• Philosophy on debt-free living, calculated risk, and leading by example

Key Quotes

Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.

📲 STAY CONNECTED
Website: The 20 Minute Call
Instagram: @20MinuteCall
Facebook: /20MinuteCall

💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
Love the podcast? Join our Patreon community for early access, bonus content, and exclusive perks.
→ patreon.com/The20minutecallPodcast

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW
Your 5-star review helps us reach more skydivers like you.
Apple Podcasts: [direct-link]
Spotify: [direct-link]

🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE
Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts | Spo...

Tell Us What You Thought Of This Episode

Wendy Kiwi Smith is one of skydiving's most decorated figures - an aerial cinematographer, athlete, coach, and safety leader with over 23,000 jumps, 10 world records, three Guinness World Records, and an Emmy Award. In 2025, she was inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame.

Topics covered:

• Growing up on a farm in rural New Zealand and what shaped her fearlessness
• How she stumbled into skydiving and never looked back
• Building a career as an aerial cinematographer across Europe
• The Everest Skydive and jumping at altitude
• Big way world records, from 150-way to 400-way
• Thoughts on safety, gear, and longevity in the sport
• Her Hall of Fame induction and what it meant to her

Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.

📲 STAY CONNECTED
Website: The 20 Minute Call
Instagram: @20MinuteCall
Facebook: /20MinuteCall

💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
Love the podcast? Join our Patreon community for early access, bonus content, and exclusive perks.
→ patreon.com/The20minutecallPodcast

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW
Your 5-star review helps us reach more skydivers like you.
Apple Podcasts: [direct-link]
Spotify: [direct-link]

🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE
Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts | Spo...