Bill McKibben: Skier, Environmentalist, Activist, Author (Ep.243)
When trying to gain clarity on issues of climate change (where we are, where we’ve been, and where we should go from here) it is a good idea to talk to Bill McKibben.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (December 2022) (Ep.242)
We discuss Cody’s not-so-excellent recent adventures; nuclear fusion; nationalizing ski areas?; iPhones, Apple watches, & 911 calls; Relationship Advice; The White Lotus; and more.
Blister Reviewers’ 2022 Highlights & 2023 Resolutions (Ep.241)
A number of our Blister reviewers reflect on some of their favorite moments of 2022, and share with us their resolutions for 2023.
A First Ascent in Nepal: Garrett Madison & Ted Hesser (Ep.240)
Last month, Garrett Madison, Ted Hesser, and their team summited an unnamed, unclimbed peak in Nepal above the village of Khembalung. So I talked with them about the details and style of the climb; naming the peak; and more.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (November 2022) (Ep.239)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the FWT x FIS merger; the most Canadian news; our least favorite QBs; our big disagreement about the ending of The Bear (with spoilers); and more.
Our new Blister + Spot Membership, with Spot founder Matt Randall (Ep.238)
Our Blister + Spot Membership is going to help a lot of people. So we talk with Spot founder, Matt Randall, about how it works; why it’s important for anyone who doesn’t have insurance; why it’s important for anyone who has insurance but high deductibles; and more.
Modern Weather Forecasting with OpenSnow Founder & Meteorologist, Joel Gratz (Ep.237)
We talk to OpenSnow founder, Joel Gratz, about the science of weather forecasting; the many weather models being used today; his love of skiing and snow; what led him to start a weather forecasting company; and more.
Benji Alexander on Life after the Olympics & the Future of Snowsports (Ep.236)
Since becoming Jamaica’s first Olympic alpine ski racer, nothing has slowed down for Benji Alexander. So we caught up with Benji to talk about post-Olympics life; opening doors for other athletes; ensuring the future of snowsports; and more.
Connor Ryan & Drew Petersen on Skiing, Running, & the Salomon QST Film Tour (Ep.235)
Connor Ryan and Drew Petersen were in CB for the Salomon Quality Ski Time Film Tour, so we sat down with them to talk about the tour, their friendship, Hilaree Nelson, the act of celebrating others, skiing, running, and a whole lot more.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (October 2022) (Ep.234)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the latest 50 Project episode (The Sphinx); the US Alpine Team’s new name & sponsor; Cotopaxi closing its San Francisco store after repeated break-ins; NFL Talk; Mountain Town Advice; what we’re reading & watching; and more.
Markus Eder on Training, Pressure, Mental Prep, & the Golden Age of Skiing (Ep.233)
We talk to one of the best big-mountain skiers of all time, Markus Eder, about training; skateboarding as prep for ski season; the golden age of skiing; competing; filming the Ultimate Run; lessons from Hoji and Sam Anthamatten; the Volkl ‘Built Together’ program; & more.
J Skis founder, Jason Levinthal (Ep.232)
Jonathan met up with Jay Lev last week at the new J Skis Intergalactic HQ in Burlington, VT. They discuss J’s new space; predictions for the upcoming season; industry trends, and one big thing that the entire ski industry needs to work on.
Blister Speaker Series: Jeremy Jones (Ep.231)
Jeremy Jones came to Western Colorado University for another installment of our Blister Speaker Series to discuss filming, snowboarding, founding POW, the ‘outdoor state,’ POW’s ongoing and evolving efforts to address climate change, and more.
Mountain Sense & Backcountry Education w/ Mark Smiley (Ep.230)
If you spend time in the mountains, then it’s crucial to always be learning — there are new skills to acquire, and old skills to brush up on. Today, we’re talking about mountain safety, backcountry education, and pedagogy with IFMGA guide, Mark Smiley, the creator of Mountain Sense.
Reviewing the News & Mountain Sex w/ Cody Townsend (September 2022) (Ep.229)
We discuss the life & legacy of Hilaree Nelson; Yvon Chouinard giving away Patagonia; Kipchoge & GOATs; burro racing; mountain sex; what we’re reading & watching; the return of The Fifty Project; and more.
Mountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt 4: The Good Food Collective (Ep.228)
For the final installment of Moutain Towns & Local Food Systems, Rachel Landis of the Good Food Collective in Durango, CO, discusses what it means to build connectivity, bring people together, and be a facilitator of local food for a regional food hub.
Mainstreaming Outdoor Media; Seth Morrison; Media Literacy; & More with Mountain Gazette’s, Mike Rogge (Ep.227)
Mountain Gazette owner & editor, Mike Rogge, is back to discuss the outdoor industry & mainstream media; detail the fallout from the previous issue of the Mountain Gazette; and highlight several of the pieces in the next issue, including a career retrospective on Seth Morrison.
Mountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt. 3: Chris Rubens on Skiing & Farming in Revelstoke (Ep.226)
Why did one of the best freeride skiers of the past 20 years become a farmer? We talk to Chris Rubens about starting First Light Farm with his partner, Jesse, in Revelstoke, BC; the parallels between skiing & farming; and why Chris finds farming to be so meaningful.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (August 2022) (Ep.225)
Cody and Jonathan discuss what’s going on at the National Ski Patrol; the proposed Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola; “pigloos”; mountain-town advice; what we’re reading & watching; and more.
Chris Davenport on Skiing Portillo & Joining Peak Skis (Ep.226)
We catch up with Chris about his recent ski trip to Portillo, Chile, and discuss his decision to join Bode Miller at Peak Skis.
Mountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt. 2: Regenerative Farming, Cow Cuddling, & More (Ep.223)
We talk with Lynsey Gammon of Gracie’s Farm in Park City about topsoil health and climate change; turning barren soil into a thriving farm; farm-to-restaurant connectivity; bee dinners; cow cuddling; women and farming; and more.
Protect Our Winters’ Mario Molina on the New Climate Bill (Ep.222)
The United States Congress just passed a historic climate bill, so we spoke with the executive director of POW, Mario Molina, to discuss the backstory and details of the bill, and what needs to happen now.
Mountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt. 1: Setting the Stage (Ep.221)
Jonathan and Kara respond to a listener’s question about what local food is and how you can support it; how to grow food in cold places; chicken tractors and therapy chickens; and how a robust local food system keeps our mountain towns healthier.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (July 2022) (Ep.220)
We cover Gunstock Mountain Resort’s fight to operate; access issues & potential solutions; WC DH MTBers forming a union; mountain-town advice; what we’re reading & watching (answer: TOP GUN!) and more.
How to Produce More Olympic Skiers & Snowboarders, Grow Participation, & Support Rural Mtn Town Communities (Ep.219)
How do we grow participation in snowsports, support rural mountain communities, and produce more Olympic skiers and snowboarders? We sat down with Will Brandenburg of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation to discuss all of the above.
On the James Webb Space Telescope (Ep.218)
We’re still trying to process what we’re seeing, and what this all means. So today, we’re offering another brief attempt to wrap our heads around the images — and the significance — of the James Webb Space Telescope, and I provide a few recommendations for further reading & listening.
Blister Summit ’23: New Info, Dates, & Details (Ep.217)
On our Blister Podcast, Jonathan and Blister Summit Director, Kristin Sinnott, discuss the new format for our next Blister Summit; how to get the best pricing; what we learned from past Blister Summits; and who ought to come. (Answer: YOU.)
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (June 2022) (Ep.216)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the Mountain Gazette story about outdoor influencers & accountability; Matthew Fairbrother’s bikepacking — and enduro racing — across Europe; the ‘most Canadian’ news story; what we’re reading & watching; recent Supreme Court rulings; mountain-town advice; & more.
Snowboarding Pioneer, Kimmy Fasani (Ep.215)
Kimmy Fasani is a pioneer of women’s snowboarding, mother, partner of Chris Benchetler, and (among other things) someone who has been dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis. So we checked in with Kimmy to talk about how she’s doing, what she’s been learning, and what we can learn from her.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (May 2022) (Ep.214)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the ethics of trail magic; wildfire management; how Cody broke his toe; a new segment for Reviewing the News; and a whole lot more.