Episodes

Matt Samet is the editor of the American Climbing Journal, and the oldest person to climb V10 on the TB2 (probably?). In this episode, Matt and Josh discuss the history of climbing, how its ethics developed into their current form, the state of climbing media, and lessons from a very long career in climbing. *Patreon Bonus Content (join h ttps://www.patreon.com/testpiece for extended cut ):* - The most common climbing accidents, and how to prevent them - The best piece in the American Climbing J...

This is a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans: Allison Vest, Carlo Traversi, Austin Hoyt, and Joshua Horsley. Look at the Chapters for today's topics. *Patreon Bonus Content (join https://www.patreon.com/testpiece for extended cut):* - What makes Sorato Anraku so strong? - Is Dohyun Lee the world’s best board climber? - Will we see more climbers livestream their sends? Join Patreon: HERE Follow us on Instagra...

You probably know Lincoln Knowles from instagram. Last year he started posting a series called, “Free soloing a harder route everyday until I fall.” Thankfully, he did not deliver on that, but the series did propel him to viral stardom and built him a career as a free soloist. Since then he’s made the first free solo ascent of Squawstruck, the longest sport climb in America, he’s soloed as hard as 5.12b/c, and he’s taken some of the world’s best climbers with him. Today, he joins Josh to talk ab...

Boards have become a unique discipline and culture within climbing, so we created a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in board climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans and board lovers: Michael Rosato from Tension Climbing, Ben Burkhalter, and Joshua Horsley the host of Testpiece. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): What happened to The Red Board? Why are spray walls disappearing? The rules of board climbing SHOW NOTES: “How Soon I...

This episode originally aired as a Patreon exclusive on December 6, 2025. After a battle with conditions, injuries, and a heartbreaking dab, Noah Wheeler just sent Burden Of Dreams V17/9A. This week we revisit his first trip to Finland with Hamish McArthur, and Tension Climbing's Michael Rosato, where they checked out Burden, and the infamous Sisu Project. Join Patreon: HERE Follow us on Instagram: HERE Visit our podcast page: HERE

Ben Burkhalter sent nearly all his projects this season, and this week he tells us how he did it — and how you can too. In this episode we discuss the problem with high end grades, the importance of sending as many boulders as you can, and the strongest climber ever. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Dissecting board grades The hardest board climbs ever SHOW NOTES: Chronic by Ben Burkhalter and Tension Climbing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WENaQBs4YWM Join Patreon: HERE ...

This is a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans: Carlo Traversi, Will Anglin, Austin Hoyt, and Joshua Horsley. Look at the Chapters for today's topics. Patreon Content (join Patreon for extended cut with answers): Developing landings and trails What happened to Dreamtime Join Patreon: HERE Follow us on Instagram: HERE Visit our podcast page: HERE

Adam Ondra is the world’s best climber. In 2017 he made the first ascent of the world’s first 9c / 5.15d, in 2025 he climbed Soudain Seul V17, and in the past few months he’s flashed 4 V15s. This week he joins us to discuss his recent bouldering spree, his future plans, and what it takes to push climbing’s limits. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Why Adam likes boldness and adventure in climbing Adam’s tips for falling the right way Will Adam compete in the 2028 Olympics? T...

Boards have become a unique discipline and culture within climbing, so we created a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in board climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans and board lovers: Michael Rosato from Tension Climbing, Max Zolotukhin from Sickos Social Club, and Joshua Horsley the host of Testpiece. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Discontinuing the TB1 How to convince a gym owner to buy a board SHOW NOTES: Sickos Social Cl...

16 year old Beckett Hsin just climbed bouldering’s hardest grade. In this week’s episode, he and Josh discuss the path that took him here, the boulders that inspire him, and the power of psych. Beckett also tells us about his ambition to branch out from bouldering and explore everything that climbing has to offer. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Beckett’s experience with Lyme Disease Tips for shorter climbers Beckett’s strength metrics Join Patreon: HERE Follow us on Insta...

This is a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans: Carlo Traversi, Will Anglin, Austin Hoyt, and Joshua Horsley. Look at the Chapters for today's topics. Patreon Content (join Patreon for extended cut with answers): Is it ever okay to red-tag a boulder? The politics and ethics of bolting a route Join Patreon: HERE Follow us on Instagram: HERE Visit our podcast page: HERE

After 2 insane years, Sean Bailey is back on the pod. In this episode we break down Sean's hardest ascent to date, Duality of Man (5.15d) and the philosophy behind Next Gen, the new gym helmed by Sean and Nonaka Miho. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Is V17 or 5.15d harder? Is Duality Of Man chipped? Will Sean ever compete again? Why has no one repeated any of the proposed 15d’s? Join Patreon: HERE Follow us on Instagram: HERE Visit our podcast page: HERE

Boards have become a unique discipline and culture within climbing, so we created a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in board climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans and board lovers: Sam Prior and Joshua Horsley. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): The best and worst MoonBoard sets and holds How is Ben Moon still so strong at nearly 60 years old? What makes a benchmark a benchmark? Sam’s favorite Careless Talk episode The thing ...

One year later, Dr. Tyler Nelson is back! Tyler is the owner and founder of Camp4 Human Performance and an expert on all things training. In this episode we discuss everything shoulders, including best exercises, rehab, what to avoid, and more. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Are your hangs limited by finger strength or shoulder strength? Do pressing exercises really “even out” climbers? When to consider surgery Join Patreon: HERE Follow us on Instagram: HERE Visit our pod...

This is a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans: Carlo Traversi, Will Anglin, Austin Hoyt, and Joshua Horsley. Look at the Chapters for today's topics. Patreon Content (join Patreon for extended cut with answers): Deep dive on climbing shoes and their individual benefits The history and future of rubber technology for shoes Join Patreon: HERE Follow us on Instagram: HERE Visit our podcast page: HERE

Daniel Yagmin Jr. is the founder of Decoy Climbing holds and a legend in the Northeast climbing scene. He joins us this week to talk about the process of hold shaping, how his background in fine arts informs his work, his love of board climbing, and where he thinks the industry is headed. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Dan’s unconventional hold shaping tool kit The look of the Decoy Board The pros and cons of every training board Dan’s favorite holds — outdoors and indoor...

Boards have become a unique discipline and culture within climbing, so we created a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in board climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans and board lovers: Noah Wheeler, Benn Wheeler, and Joshua Horsley. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Noah’s biggest lesson from his injury What are the defining characteristics of the British board style? How to address elitism in the climbing community and between ...

Connor Herson is back after an insane 3 years. Last week he proposed the world’s first 5.15 trad climb, “Drifter’s Escape,” a beautiful single pitch in Squamish that revolves around one of the best moves you could ask for on gear. He also talks about balancing climbing professionally with completing his masters degree, lessons he’s learned from climbing with boulderers, and his philosophy of improving by climbing as much volume as he can without sacrificing difficulty. Patreon Bonus Content (joi...

This is a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans: Carlo Traversi, Will Anglin, Austin Hoyt, and Joshua Horsley. Look at the Chapters for today's topics. Patreon Questions (join Patreon for extended cut with answers): What’s the best way to approach solo night climbing? More crazy skincare techniques from Will Is Font or Yosemite more technical? SHOW NOTES: Duality of Man (5.15d): https://www.instagram.com/p/DT-z...

Adam Shahar is back on the pod after the best year any climber could ask for. He’s been crushing hard boulders in Bishop, and Yosemite, and just climbed his first V17, Return of the Sleepwalker . He also talks about his recent banger V13 FA in the Valley, and his single-move Northeast megaproject. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Adam’s favorite crags in the Northeast Other projects Adam’s eyeing What motivates you as a climber? Why are there so many strong crimpers in the ...

Boards have become a unique discipline and culture within climbing, so we created a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in board climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans and board lovers: Michael Rosato and Quinn Spadafora from Tension Climbing, and Joshua Horsley the host of Testpiece. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Gamification of boards pro’s and con’s? Best ways to do Leaderboards? What separates Quinn from the actual Board ...

Melina Costanza is back on Testpiece for the 3rd time! That’s because Melina is absolutely outstanding in every way: competitions, outdoors, training, and especially mindset. Melina is able to articulate all of her thoughts on these things in a way that most can’t which is why we love having her on the podcast as often as possible. She also recently competed in her first ever World Championship where she podiumed!! Even more astounding is that she did this as her first comp back after having to ...

This is a recurring podcast focused on the latest things happening in climbing and what it means for our sport from industry veterans: Carlo Traversi, Will Anglin, Austin Hoyt, and Joshua Horsley. Look at the Chapters for today's topics. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): This Bonus content is SO GOOD. If you don’t have Patreon just sign up, get the 7-day Free Trial, and cancel immediately. You can’t miss this! I guarantee you will laugh out loud. -josh 2025 Top 3 Moments 202...

Tim, my dude, [aka Tim Kang] is back on the pod for another fun episode! Tim has rededicated himself to the mastery of climbing after a brief stint in a normal 9-5. And boy did he come back with a bang with the amazing FA of Borrowed Time, a stunning V14 highball in Tahoe. Patreon Bonus Content (join Patreon for extended cut): Mentally dealing with big injuries. How do you do it, and how did it shift your perspective on climbing?Biggest Moments for Climbing in 2025? Predictions for 2026?Would...