Latest news with #Cali
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Influencer cops backlash after tossing son off cliff for ‘fun'
A former tech founder turned 'adventure journalist' extraordinaire, recently posted a video that left viewers equally horrified and impressed. The viral Instagram video on Garrett Gee's family's Instagram account, @thebucketlistfamily, which has amassed almost 4 million views, sees Gee with his son on a large rock ledge, jutting out over Lake Powell, a reservoir between Arizona and Utah. Cali, 7, Gee's son, initially appeared apprehensive about jumping into the water, but before long, his father threw him from the rock. 'To be extra safe, because he wanted to jump but was not feeling confident, I threw him,' the influencer clarified in the lengthy caption. He continued, 'Eventually, a baby eagle needs to leave the nest … or be tossed out of the nest.' He also added the way he and his wife 'parent, discipline, and teach how to cliff jump is quite different, depending on the child, as all three kids are unique'. 'We took our youngest Cali to a cliff height that we knew he would be safe. Really, the biggest danger would be if he hesitated, didn't jump far out, and fell down the cliffside.' The older two kids followed in Cali's footsteps and enthusiastically jumped off the taller section of the boulder soon after. Gee's parenting philosophy, according to him, emphasises safety, bravery and exploration. He travels around the world with his family to give his kids these experiences. While some viewers commend Gee and his wife for this approach, others have said this video goes too far, and criticise the couple for 'exploiting their kids on social media,' as one user put it. 'Trauma therapy up ahead for these kids,' wrote one concerned commenter. 'Absolutely unacceptable, man. Not cool at all. As you said, every child needs different treatment, and you can't possibly predict how he feels about this subconsciously about this act. I sincerely hope it will not grow esoterically as a projection of paternal betrayal,' chastised another. Some viewers believed the outrage in the comments was overblown and said as long as the kids are safe and happy, there's no harm done. 'You guys know this already, but for others reading, please make sure you centre safety with cliff jumping and teach your kids how before they just go out and do it,' advised one user. 'This can be such a fun activity!! But safety, safety, safety first!!' 'I visit Lake Powell very often. People need to understand that what they jumped off is a small cliff. Probably not even 10 feet high. Lake Powell does not encourage 'cliff jumping' over a certain height,' a local said. Despite the online backlash, Gee's son seemed to be fine with the stunt — unsurprisingly, a short, but action-packed lifetime of surfing, hot air balloon expeditions and hiking will do that to a kid. Kids in influencer families sometimes struggle to balance their parents' work on social media with their own interests, hobbies and educations — one child was even pulled out of school at age 12 to kickstart her content creation career. As their kids have gotten older, Gee and his wife decided to buy a house in Hawaii, and are open about how their kids attend public school, and the family does their serious travelling during breaks.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Travel influencer faces backlash after tossing son, 7, off a cliff for ‘fun': ‘Absolutely unacceptable'
This travel pro parent was under the influence of a bad idea. Garrett Gee, a former tech founder turned 'adventure journalist' extraordinaire, recently posted a video that left viewers equally horrified and impressed. The viral Instagram video on his family's Instagram account, @thebucketlistfamily, which has amassed almost 4 million views, sees Gee with his son on a large rock ledge, jutting out over Lake Powell, a reservoir between Arizona and Utah. Cali, Gee's 7-year-old son, initially appeared apprehensive about jumping into the water, but before long, his father threw him off the rock. 'To be extra safe, because he wanted to jump but was not feeling confident, I threw him,' the influencer clarified in the lengthy caption. He continued, 'Eventually, a baby eagle needs to leave the nest … or be tossed out of the nest.' He also added that the way he and his wife 'parent, discipline, and teach how to cliff jump is quite different, depending on the child, as all three kids are unique. 'We took our youngest Cali to a cliff height that we knew he would be safe. Really, the biggest danger would be if he hesitated, didn't jump far out, and fell down the cliffside.' 3 'Kid is clearly upset and afraid…' speculated one reply. Instagram / @thebucketlistfamily The older two kids followed in Cali's footsteps and enthusiastically jumped off the taller section of the boulder soon after. Gee's parenting philosophy, according to him, emphasizes safety, bravery and exploration, and travels around the world with his family to give his kids these experiences. While some viewers commend Gee and his wife for this approach, others have said this video goes too far, and criticize the couple for 'exploiting their kids on social media,' as one user put it. 'Trauma therapy up ahead for these kids,' wrote one concerned commenter. 'Absolutely unacceptable, man. Not cool at all. As you said, every child needs different treatment, and you can't possibly predict how he feels about this subconsciously about this act. I sincerely hope it will not grow esoterically as a projection of paternal betrayal,' chastised another. 3 He was sure to clarify that his son did want to jump, but he was nervous. Instagram / @thebucketlistfamily Some viewers believed the outrage in the comments was overblown and said as long as the kids are safe and happy, there's no harm done. 'You guys know this already, but for others reading, please make sure you center safety with cliff jumping and teach your kids how before they just go out and do it,' advised one user. 'This can be such a fun activity!! But safety, safety, safety first!!' 'I visit Lake Powell very often. People need to understand that what they jumped off is a small cliff. Probably not even 10 feet high. Lake Powell does not encourage 'cliff jumping' over a certain height,' a local said. Despite the online backlash, Gee's 7-year-old son seemed to be fine with the stunt — unsurprisingly, a short, but action-packed lifetime of surfing, hot air balloon expeditions and hiking will do that to a kid. 3 Gee jumped in shortly after to join his son in the lake and make sure everything was okay. Instagram / @thebucketlistfamily Kids in influencer families sometimes struggle to balance their parents' work on social media with their own interests, hobbies and educations — one child was even pulled out of school at age 12 to kickstart her content creation career. As their kids have gotten older, Gee and his wife decided to buy a house in Hawaii, and are open about how their kids attend public school, and the family does their serious travelling during breaks.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Dad Influencer 'Threw' His 7-Year-Old Son Off a Cliff
"This is NOT parental advice. This is NOT something I advise you try," wrote content creator Garrett Gee, who runs The Bucket List Family alongside his wife Jessica. A travel and family influencer has gone viral for unconventional method to help his son face his fears. Garrett Gee -- who runs the brand, The Bucket List Family, alongside his wife Jessica -- shared a video on Instagram, in which he threw his 7-year-old son Calihan, aka "Cali," off a cliff in Lake Powell to teach him how to cliff jump. In the viral video, which has amassed 3.6 million views since it was posted on Sunday, Gee and his son can be seen talking while on a small cliff, before it cuts to Gee grabbing his son from under his arms and tossing him into the water below. Cali screamed on the way down, and landed with a splash. He appeared to be happy while treading water, before his dad joined him and swam over as others can be heard cheering for Cali nearby. The clip then showed Cali jumping off the cliff without his father's help, with the 7-year-old leaping off the rock with his sister. "Most people won't love how we teach our kids how to cliff jump," Gee wrote over the clip, before opening up about why he did it in the first place in the caption. "This is NOT parental advice. This is NOT something I advise you try," he began. "Also, this is NOT something we've done with all of our kids. Each kid is quite different so the way we parent, discipline, and teach HOW TO CLIFF JUMP is quite different :)" "For sure 1st priority is safety. 2nd is learning that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. 3rd is HAVE FUN :)," Gee said, before further discussing the importance of safety. "Well speaking of the top priority, took our youngest Cali to a cliff height that we knew he would be safe. Really the biggest danger would be if he hesitated, didn't jump far out, and fell down the cliff side." "So to be extra safe, because he wanted to jump but was not feeling confident.. I threw him," he added. "Eventually a baby eagle needs to leave the be tossed out of the nest ;) and learn HE CAN FLY! But warning : teaching your kids to be brave starts to backfire when they become older and begin jumping from heights that you don't even dare!! /// BE SAFE OUT THERE! YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! HAVE FUN! - @thebucketlistfamily." Fans and followers took to the comments section to react to the video. While some praised Gee for his method, others criticized him. One commenter asked Gee for more information. "Honest question, no judgement. Did he know he was going to be thrown?" the user asked, to which Gee replied, "YES. He had the choice to climb down, jump himself, or have me throw him. He chose to be thrown." "But regardless it was still scary for him," he added. "Scary for me too because I need to make sure he doesn't cling onto me and hit the cliffs and also make sure he hits the water feet first. Kinda tricky but I feel like it's part of the dad job description ;)." Meanwhile, another commenter said cliff jumping is "very very dangerous! Ask an ER doctor or nurse," before asking, "How do you reconcile that as a parent? "WTH is wrong with you 🤦♀️," another said. "He didn't look happy. He looked traumatized." However, there were many people who applauded Gee. "What I love so much about Cali is that he's the first to wanna try it! He might be scared but he's always first in line! Go buddy go!" a person wrote. "He chose to be thrown and they have built that trust all his life ♥️," another shared. Meanwhile, The Valley star Kristen Doute -- who recently welcomed a baby girl -- commented, writing, "👏👏❤️❤️ i want my daughter to try everything and be braver, bolder than I am. love this." Calihan is the youngest of Gee's three children he shares with his wife Jessica. According to The Bucket List Family's website, they describe themselves as "5 Family Travel Journalists." The Gee family launched their Instagram and YouTube channel in 2015 after they sold their Utah home and began traveling the world as a family. Per their website, the Gees lived "full-time on the road" for three years, visiting 65 countries together, before they moved into a bungalow in Hawaii. However, Garrett, Jessica, and their kids, Calihan, Dorothy, and Manilla, have continued to travel and go on family adventures together. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Bucket List Family' Dad Tosses Son Off Cliff in Viral Video — and Explains Why
Garrett Gee, the patriarch from 'The Bucket List Family,' recently shared a video that he predicted would stir controversy. The influencer and his wife, Jessica Gee, have amassed millions of followers across social media platforms over the years by posting videos of their family traveling the world. They first started uploading clips from their family adventures in August 2015 and have continued to do so ever since. Recently, the couple has been sharing content on their individual and family Instagram pages from a trip to Lake Powell. But on July 12, Garrett Gee posted a clip on Instagram that he predicted 'most people won't love' given that it highlighted his daring parenting style. In the clip, the dad of three taught his youngest child, son Cali, how to cliff jump … by throwing him off a lakeside cliff. At the start of the video, text over the screen reads, 'Most people won't love how we teach our kids how to cliff jump.' The video shows Garrett Gee sitting on the edge of a cliff beside his son, who starts to jump before retreating and grabbing his dad's hand. Garrett Gee then lifts Cali into the air and tosses him into the water as the boy lets out a scream. The clip ends with Garrett Gee's two older children also jumping off a clip together. Garrett Gee explained his unique method for teaching his son how to cliff jump in the caption. 'This is NOT parental advice. This is NOT something I advise you try. Also, this is NOT something we've done with all of our kids,' he began. 'Each kid is quite different so the way we parent, discipline, and teach HOW TO CLIFF JUMP is quite different :)' He continued, 'For sure 1st priority is safety. 2nd is learning that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. 3rd is HAVE FUN :)' Garrett Gee said to ensure Cali was safe, he took him to a height that he knew wouldn't harm him. 'Really the biggest danger would be if he hesitated, didn't jump far out, and fell down the cliff side. So to be extra safe, because he wanted to jump but was not feeling confident.. I threw him,' he said. Garrett Gee compared the moment to a baby eagle learning to fly away from its nest. He also offered a lighthearted warning: 'But warning : teaching your kids to be brave starts to backfire when they become older and begin jumping from heights that you don't even dare!! /// BE SAFE OUT THERE! YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! HAVE FUN!' Garrett Gee wrote. In the comments, some fans supported him. 'I love that you even show the things where there could be some backlash or judgement.' Garrett Gee replied, 'Eh, that's basically everything on the internet these days ;).' Others had some questions. One asked, 'Honest question, no judgement. Did he know he was going to be thrown?' Garrett Gee responded, 'YES. He had the choice to climb down, jump himself, or have me throw him. He chose to be thrown.' However, he acknowledged that it was still a scary experience for him and Cali. 'Scary for me too because I need to make sure he doesn't cling onto me and hit the cliffs and also make sure he hits the water feet first. Kinda tricky but I feel like it's part of the dad job description ;),' he added. The Gees frequently offer parenting and traveling advice for fellow parents in their posts. Last year, Jessica and Garrett Gee spoke to about raising their three children together and visiting over 90 countries. Jessica Gee gushed about being able to share many special moments with her family in so many different places. 'Those are some of the best moments as a family, when you all get to participate together and you all find joy in the same thing. That's what you hope for, I think, as a parent, finding joy together,' she said. The couple lived on the road, traveling from place to place, for years before finding a permanent home base in Hawaii in 2018 where they return in between their adventures. This article was originally published on
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Wrongful Termination Affecting California Executives: What To Know
JC Serrano, Founder & CEO of a California Bar-Certified and American Bar Association–Approved Lawyer Referral Service. Wrongful termination is a complex area of California employment law, and when it involves executives or C-suite professionals, the stakes are considerably higher. These high-level employees often operate under unique contractual arrangements, have access to sensitive company information and may be terminated for reasons that blur the line between lawful discretion and unlawful motive. Executives are not immune to employment protections, and in some cases, they may have more leverage to hold employers accountable due to their defined roles, compensation structures and written agreements. Yet, asserting wrongful termination claims at the executive level often requires a more nuanced legal strategy, which means working with a qualified legal professional is important. Based on my experience in legal marketing and founding a lawyer-referral service in California, here are some of the things I encourage executives to keep in mind. Understanding What Constitutes Wrongful Termination For Executives In California, most employment is considered "at-will," per Thomson Reuters. This means employers can terminate employees at any time and for any reason—as long as that reason is not illegal. As Thomson Reuters explained, illegal reasons might include: • Discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion • Retaliation for whistleblowing, refusing to participate in unlawful activity or reporting harassment • Breach of contract or violation of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing Executives who are fired after raising ethical concerns, rejecting fraudulent accounting practices or resisting sexual advances from superiors, for example, may have a strong basis for a wrongful termination claim. The Role Of Executive Contracts Executives are more likely to have detailed employment contracts that outline the terms of their compensation, severance and grounds for termination. These agreements might include 'for cause' provisions, meaning the executive can be terminated for specific, defined reasons such as gross misconduct or violation of company policy. If an executive is terminated without meeting those conditions, especially without due process, they may have a breach-of-contract claim. Additionally, contracts may contain non-compete, non-disclosure or non-solicitation clauses, which can impact the executive's future employment options. While non-compete clauses are generally unenforceable in California, wrongful enforcement attempts may further support a claim of employer overreach. Potential Triggers Of Wrongful Termination For Executives Wrongful termination claims involving executives could stem from a variety of causes, such as: • Corporate restructuring or mergers that lead to politically motivated ousters • Retaliation for exposing unethical or illegal practices • Disagreements with board members or investors • Age or gender discrimination, particularly against women and older executives • Performance allegations used as a pretext to cover unlawful motives Executives might also be forced out under the guise of 'resignation,' potentially with pressure to sign non-disparagement or waiver agreements that can undermine their ability to challenge the termination later. Strategic Considerations Wrongful termination claims for executives are not just about financial recovery—they're also about reputation management and career continuity. Potential remedies may include compensatory damages for lost wages, benefits, stock options, etc.; emotional distress damages; punitive damages in cases of egregious misconduct; reinstatement or negotiated exit packages and/or public retraction of defamatory statements. Because executive employment disputes often involve complex contracts and high-level communications, it's essential to gather all relevant documentation, such as emails, board minutes, performance evaluations and copies of employment agreements. Executives should also work with an employment attorney before signing any severance or settlement agreement, especially if they contain waiver clauses, confidentiality agreements or release of claims. Choosing The Right Legal Support Given the complexity and high stakes involved in executive-level employment disputes, it is crucial to seek legal advice from an experienced employment attorney. I've written previously about finding California labor lawyers. Legal counsel should have specific expertise in California employment law, contract negotiation and litigation strategy for senior-level professionals. The attorney-client relationship in these cases requires not only legal knowledge but also discretion, professionalism and an understanding of reputational risk. Final Thoughts Executives facing wrongful termination in California often encounter a mix of legal, personal and professional challenges. Whether it's retaliation, discrimination or breach of contract, these cases require a detailed understanding of both employment law and executive-level agreements. If you believe your termination was unlawful, don't rush into signing paperwork or negotiating alone. Consider working with qualified legal counsel, and take time to understand your rights. The information provided here is not legal advice and does not purport to be a substitute for advice of counsel on any specific matter. For legal advice, you should consult with an attorney concerning your specific situation. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
