Episode 7

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Published on:

1st Oct 2025

The John Stamper Story: Currents of Care and Resilience After the Flood

Episode 7 — Giving Back to the River with Jon Stamper

What does it mean to give back to the waterways that have given us so much?

In this episode, Jon Stamper—River Cleanup Coordinator at MountainTrue and lifelong paddler—joins Brett to explore the intersection of rivers, community, and stewardship. Together they reflect on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene and what stewardship and resilience looks like in the region.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why the health of our rivers is directly tied to the health of our communities

Practical ways paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts can get involved in watershed stewardship

How Hurricane Helene changed the landscape for environmental advocacy in Western North Carolina

The importance of local action and why giving back starts close to home

Why Listen

If you’ve ever wondered how to deepen your relationship with the waterways you love, this conversation will inspire you to see stewardship not as an obligation, but as an extension of joy and gratitude, and a central part to our experience as paddlers.

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Mountain True - Mountain Strong Recovery Fund

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About the Podcast

Following Waters

Life on and off the water.

About your host

Brett Mayer

Brett Mayer is a lifelong educator, athlete, and environmental advocate whose career bridges the classroom and the river. With over two decades of teaching experience in public, day, and boarding schools, Brett has built a reputation for integrating adventure and experiential learning into academic settings. A former Division I soccer player and accomplished whitewater kayaker, Brett has competed in elite races like the Green Race and participated in a few exploratory first descents. His passion for paddling led him to complete a master’s thesis on the relationship between whitewater kayaking and environmental stewardship, a reflection of his deep belief in learning through experience. Brett has held teaching and coaching roles at the Landon School, Hotchkiss, Episcopal High School, and currently at Carolina Day School in Asheville, NC, where he most recently developed the "Impact Asheville" project to connect students with real-world problem solving.

Off the river and outside the classroom, Brett serves as the Policy Director for the American Canoe Association, where he works nationally to protect and expand access to the nation’s waterways. He was also an early collaborator with Outdoor Alliance, helping to unite the outdoor recreation community around public lands advocacy. Through this work, Brett brings vital civic, environmental, and recreational insights back into his teaching. Above all, he is a father to three children—Aoife, Stokes, and River—and is deeply committed to raising them with a strong sense of independence, resilience, and connection to the natural world. Whether guiding students through academic inquiry, paddling whitewater, or advocating for public lands, Brett’s work is united by a single goal: to inspire people to live with purpose, courage, and connection to the places they love.