In this deeply moving episode of What Shapes Us, Selema Masekela sits down with professional skier, visual artist, and filmmaker Chris Benchetler (@chrisbenchetler) to explore a life shaped by mountains, creativity, and unwavering love. From his legendary skiing career and collaborative art projects with The Grateful Dead to co-parenting and creating through his wife Kimmy Fasani’s cancer battle, Chris shares an emotional and inspiring journey about purpose, resilience, and radical support.

The two discuss fatherhood, the healing power of nature, and the story behind the acclaimed documentary Butterfly in a Blizzard an intimate portrait of Kimmy's cancer diagnosis and their evolving love story. Chris opens up about choosing family over ego, finding catharsis through creativity, and how his latest film project Mountains of the Moon honors the spirit of late NBA legend Bill Walton.

Whether you’re an artist, athlete, partner, or parent, this conversation is a powerful reminder of what it means to show up, let go, and keep carving your line through life’s hardest terrain.

Social Media Tags:

Chris Benchetler: @chrisbenchetler
Selema Masekela: @selema
What Shapes Us Podcast: @whatshapesuspodcast

28: Chris Benchetler on Purpose, Partnership, and Creating Through the Chaos