Jonathan Ellsworth, Author at BLISTER

Today, Napa Valley is home to some of the most respected wineries and coveted wines being produced, but not too long ago, it was a sleepy farm community. So how did that transformation happen? On our latest CRAFTED podcast, Jonathan talks with Marilyn Harris of Paradigm Winery about how Napa … became Napa. Marilyn and her husband, Ren, own Paradigm Winery in Oakville, CA, and they’ve had a front-row seat — and played a first-hand role — in the evolution of Napa Valley.

Paradigm Winery’s Marilyn Harris on Napa Valley & the Making of a Modern Wine Mecca (Ep.30)

June 28, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today, Napa Valley is home to some of the most respected wineries and coveted wines being produced, but not too long ago, it was a sleepy farm community. So in this conversation, Jonathan talks with Marilyn Harris, owner of Paradigm Winery, about how Napa … became Napa.

On our latest episode of Reviewing the News on the Blister Podcast, Cody and Jonathan Cody and Jonathan discuss beaming solar energy from space; cupcake crimes; cultural appreciation vs. appropriation; the FKT (fastest known time) culture; an important Public Lands Rule proposal; mountain town advice; and what they’ve been reading & watching (including why Cody’s been watching lots of reruns of The Office).

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (June 2023) (Ep.266)

July 24, 2023June 26, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Cody and Jonathan discuss beaming solar energy from space; cupcake crimes; cultural appreciation vs. appropriation; the FKT (fastest known time) culture; an important Public Lands Rule proposal; mountain town advice; and what they’ve been reading & watching.

Last week, Jonathan headed to The Crown in Oakland, California, which is the Coffee Lab and Tasting Room of Royal Coffee. He was there to sample experimental coffee drinks, meet with Royal Coffee CEO, Max Nicholas-Fulmer — who’s favorite ski is the Moment Blister Pro — and to discuss the world of specialty “green” (not-yet-roasted) coffee.

Green Beans, Pendulum Swings, & First Crack w/ Royal Coffee CEO, Max Nicholas-Fulmer (Ep.29)

June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Last week, Jonathan headed to The Crown in Oakland, California, which is the Coffee Lab and Tasting Room of Royal Coffee. He was there to sample experimental coffee drinks, meet with Royal Coffee CEO, Max Nicholas-Fulmer — who’s favorite ski is the Moment Blister Pro — and to discuss the world of specialty “green” (not-yet-roasted) coffee.

On our latest “Deep Dives with Angel” conversation on the Blister Podcast, Angel Collinson has some big news to share: she’s back on land, and she’s considering a return to skiing. Then Angel and Jonathan dive deep into the topic of forgiveness; reflect on Mary McIntyre’s excellent Open Mic piece; and also discuss hot sauce, twerking, and John Collinson’s important question for his sister.

Deep Dives w/ Angel (Hot Mess Edition), June 2023 (Ep.265)

June 20, 2023June 19, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Angel Collinson has some big news to share: she’s back on land, and she’s considering a return to skiing. Then Angel and Jonathan dive deep into the topic of forgiveness; reflect on Mary McIntyre’s excellent Open Mic piece; and also discuss hot sauce, twerking, and John Collinson’s important question for his sister.

On our latest CRAFTED podcast, we’re discussing the rules of rum with Karen Hoskin, founder of Montanya Distillers, which produces some of the best rum in the country — right in Crested Butte, Colorado.

Rum Rules: Montanya Distillers’ Karen Hoskin (Ep.28)

June 14, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today we’re discussing the rules of rum with Karen Hoskin, founder of Montanya Distillers, which produces some of the best rum in the country.

The State of Startups in the Outdoor Industry (Ep.264)

June 12, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Ever dreamed of starting your own business in the outdoor industry? We discuss the state of startups in the outdoor industry with Moosejaw CEO, Eoin Comerford. And as the CEO of an outdoor retail company — as well as his work with the Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator, where Eoin works closely with new companies and founders — Eoin is extremely well positioned to talk about the startup landscape today, and he provides numerous thoughts, tips, and bits of advice about funding, what success looks like; and more.

Tyrolia’s new Protector bindings with “Full Heel Release” is something that every skier ought to know about. Tyrolia calls it “the safest binding we have ever made,” and exactly how it works and how it’s supposed to reduce knee injuries is the topic of our latest GEAR:30 conversation with Jonathan Ellsworth and Andrew Couperthwait, VP of Winter Sports for HEAD / Tyrolia.

New Binding Tech: Tyrolia Protector Bindings with Full Heel Release (Ep.249)

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Tyrolia’s Protector bindings with “Full Heel Release” is something that every skier ought to know about. Tyrolia calls it “the safest binding we have ever made,” and exactly how it works and how it’s supposed to reduce knee injuries is the topic of this conversation.

On our latest Blister Podcast, Brendan Leonard (@semi_rad) talks with Jonathan about fatherhood; creative work and the nuts-and-bolts of creating; whether or not to ‘stay in your lane’; and his new book, MAKE IT, which is an easily digestible guide to making just about anything, actually.

Brendan Leonard (@semi_rad) on Fatherhood; Creative Work; & the Nuts-&-Bolts of Making Just about Anything (Ep.263)

June 6, 2023June 5, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Brendan Leonard (@semi_rad) is back to talk about fatherhood; creative work and the nuts-and-bolts of creating; and his new book, MAKE IT, which is an easily digestible guide to making just about anything, actually.

Not all beer is created equal, and that certainly goes for NA beer, too. So what’s the secret? Bravus Brewing Company has been making some of the very best NA beer out there, so Jonathan headed to Bravus’ headquarters in Anaheim, CA, to meet up with Bravus founder, Philip Brandes. On our latest CRAFTED podcast, they discuss what led Philip to start a non-alcoholic craft brewery back in 2015; what Philip regards as some of the better - and worse - ways of making craft NA beer; and more.

Bravus Brewing Company: Elevating NA Beer (Ep.27)

May 31, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Not all beer is created equal, and that certainly goes for NA beer, too. So what’s the secret? We talk with Bravus Brewing Company founder, Philip Brandes, to learn more.

Order now: 2023-2024 Blister Winter Buyer's Guide

Order & Read Now: Our 23/24 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide

February 24, 2024May 30, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Order your print and/or digital copy of the biggest, most honest, accurate, and genuinely useful buyer's guide in the ski industry. Includes 300+ skis, 70+ boots, & much more. Order now to get the instant access to the Digital Edition and/or Print.

Open Mic Thumbnail - 28 - Leilani Bruntz

Leilani Bruntz: Crepitus — An Accident Report

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

When things go wrong in the mountains, we need to share these stories and see what we all can learn. In our latest Open Mic, professional guide, Leilani Bruntz, shares her recent experience of a difficult day in the mountains.

On our latest episode of Reviewing the News on the Blister Podcast, Cody and Jonathan discuss the case for climate optimism; this past season’s record number of skier visits; Super El Nino; the Most Canadian News; mountain town advice (including a new pick-up line for use in mtn towns?); and of course, they’re talking about Succession.

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (May 2023) (Ep.262)

May 29, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Cody and Jonathan discuss the case for climate optimism; this season’s record number of skier visits; Super El Nino; the Most Canadian News; mountain town advice (including a new pick-up line for mtn towns?); and of course, Succession.

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 3 (Ep.247)

May 26, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Which ski company is most similar to which bike company? What’s the latest incendiary thing that will come out of Dylan Wood’s mouth? This final installment of our 4th edition is another fun one.

At our Blister Summit 2023, Alexander Cernichiari (Ortovox) and Paul Forward (heli-ski guide, physician, & Blister reviewer) provided a state of the union on technology’s role in the backcountry and the related safety gear. They also answer questions regarding avalanche airbags, interference between avalanche beacons and other electronics, apps that aim to identify avalanche terrain, the capabilities — and limits — of smartphones, and more.

New Tech / Safety Gear in the Backcountry | Blister Summit 2023 Video

May 24, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Alexander Cernichiari (Ortovox) and Paul Forward (heli-ski guide, physician, & Blister reviewer) provide a state of the union on technology’s role in the backcountry and the related safety gear, and answer questions regarding avalanche airbags, interference between avalanche beacons and other electronics, apps that aim to identify avalanche terrain, the capabilities — and limits — of smartphones, and more.

Before Alex LeBlanc started Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina, he was a mechanical engineer by trade, a home brewer, a home distiller, and a home coffee roaster. So what led him to leave the world of engineering to start Calibration Coffee Lab, and roast beans for a living? And how did he go about doing it? Our latest CRAFTED podcast explores the process of turning your passion into a business.

Adventures in HomeBrewing, Distilling, & Coffee Roasting + the Launch of Calibration Coffee Lab (Ep.26)

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Before Alex LeBlanc started Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina, he was a mechanical engineer, a home brewer, home distiller, and a home coffee roaster. So what led him to leave the world of engineering to start a coffee company, and how did he go about doing it?

Mary McIntyre: How to Have X without X

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

In our latest Open Mic piece, Mary McIntyre writes about love, loss, and how to get to the bottom of what we really want.

Icelantic Skis Founder, Ben Anderson, on the Lucky Breaks, Tough Beats, & Key Moments in Building Icelantic (Ep.261)

May 22, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to Ben Anderson about the lucky breaks and tough beats he experienced along the way; where the name and their logo came from; working with Never Summer; prototyping & developing skis; how Icelantic got into the music business; and more.

At our Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Hoji (Dynafit), Lars Chickering-Ayers (CAST Touring), and Giray Dadali (Daymaker Touring) for an extremely interesting and important discussion on the past, present, and future of ski bindings. We get their thoughts on “acceptable use” for certain bindings; the “Age of Confusion” surrounding different binding designs; being “handcuffed by standards” and thinking about the binding / boot / ski interface as a whole; what we should (or should hope to) expect from bindings in the future, and much, much more. You can watch the video on our YouTube channel, or listen to the conversation on our GEAR:30 podcast.

Ski Binding Design with Hoji, Lars Chickering-Ayers, & Giray Dadali (Ep.246)

May 19, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Hoji (Dynafit), Lars Chickering-Ayers (CAST Touring), and Giray Dadali (Daymaker Touring) discuss the past, present, and future of ski bindings; “acceptable use”; the “Age of Confusion” surrounding different binding designs; being “handcuffed by standards”; and more.

At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together reporter Jason Blevins (Colorado Sun & resident of Eagle County, CO), Dara McDonald (Crested Butte Town Manager), Jonathan Houck (Gunnison County Commissioner), Pete Wagner (Wagner Custom Skis & resident of Telluride, CO), and Paul Forward (Blister reviewer & resident of Girdwood, AK) for a wide-ranging conversation on the current challenges facing mountains and a number of potential solutions.

Mountain Town Economics | Blister Summit 2023 Video

May 22, 2023May 19, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We brought together reporter Jason Blevins (Colorado Sun & resident of Eagle County, CO), Dara McDonald (Crested Butte Town Manager), Jonathan Houck (Gunnison County Commissioner), Pete Wagner (Wagner Custom Skis & resident of Telluride, CO), and Paul Forward (Blister reviewer & resident of Girdwood, AK) for a wide-ranging conversation on the current challenges facing mountain towns and a number of potential solutions.

On our latest CRAFTED podcast, ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus is back to get deep into the weeds about the various gear options out there to make great coffee. We discuss the very inexpensive options; $1000 coffee grinders; Scott’s mind-blowing “Coffee Checklist for Jonathan”; and more. It’s an amazing, slightly terrifying, definitely fun conversation about Drinking Gold and the gear used to make it.

Drinking Gold: Coffee Gear, Pt. 3, with ON3P Skis’ founder, Scott Andrus (Ep.25)

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Scott Andrus is back on CRAFTED to go deep into the weeds about the various gear options out there to make gold you can drink. We discuss the very inexpensive options; $1000 coffee grinders; Scott’s mind-blowing “Coffee Checklist for Jonathan”; and more.

+ More