CRAFTED Podcast

CRAFTED explores how things get made, and does so with the people who insist on making things well.

Recent Episodes:

Last year on our CRAFTED podcast, we talked with Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, about the art, ethics, and craftsmanship of traditional bows (episode #8). And today, we’re publishing the companion conversation to that episode, where our subject is, naturally, arrows.
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Dearborn Denim founder, Rob McMillan is a thoughtful guy with some grand ambitions. He’s working on building a big apparel company that ethically manufactures premium products at an affordable price, right in Chicago. Impossible you say? This past Monday, Jonathan Ellsworth (who bought his first pairs of Dearborn Denim jeans 3 years ago) met up with Rob at Dearborn Denim’s factory in Chicago to tour the factory with him, then record this conversation where he lays out the blueprint. Some companies are easy to root for and support. Dearborn Denim is definitely one of them.
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How do you define “consistency” — the ability to produce the exact same thing time & time again, or is it producing a product that is never exactly the same, but is always of high quality? That question is at the heart of this CRAFTED podcast conversation about official offerings vs independent bottlings, but Matt and Jonathan also find time to talk about Scotch and spit buckets; Matt’s current top-3 ‘hottest’ Scotch brands; the short lifespans of humans vs the long lifespans of craft categories; upcoming ski trips to Japan (Blister members, listen up); and more.
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On our latest CRAFTED podcast, Matt Manser (Atomic Ski Boots), is back to dive even deeper with Jonathan into the world of Scotch and independent bottlings. They compare a Bunnahabhain independent bottling against their staple 12-year offering; discuss a single cask that cost $19,000,000; debate whether you should be adding water to your Scotch; learn about the fanciest bottle Matt currently owns; and more.
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Assessing Greatness: The Art & Craft of Tennis, Great Sports Writing, & Top 5 Lists (Ep.31)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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On our latest CRAFTED podcast, we’re talking all things guitars and guitar making with a fantastic guide to this world, Jason Verlinde, the publisher of Fretboard Journal. Jason and Jonathan discuss how and where guitars are being made; boutique vs. mass market brands; who is pushing innovation; guitar quivers; the greatest guitarists ever; and (much to Jonathan’s delight) Blind Willie McTell.
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On our latest CRAFTED podcast, Jonathan talks with artist, designer, skier, & skater, Geoff McFetridge, about his current show in LA, Return to Stoner Forest; culture & commerce; his approach to collaborations; the new film about Geoff that’s premiering at South By Southwest, ‘Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life,’ and more.
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What’s the best way to make coffee? Strong opinions abound, and Jonathan is currently trying to figure out the right answer for himself. So in part 2 of our CRAFTED podcast series, Sam Higby, co-owner of First Ascent Coffee Roasters, joins Jonathan to talk pour overs, grinders, brewing at altitude, programmability, and more. Listen up, then let us know what your pick is for the best coffee-making setup out there.
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What’s the best way to make coffee? Strong opinions abound, and our editor-in-chief is currently trying to figure it all out. So we are launching this CRAFTED mini series on coffee gear to try to gain some clarity on the topic. See what you think, and let us know what you recommend!
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