Podcasts | BLISTER Outdoor Media & Gear Reviews

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.

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 2 (Ep.170)

May 18, 2023 by David Golay

Which ski brand is that sport’s equivalent of Santa Cruz Bikes? Are gravel bikes more analogous to skimo skis or frontside carvers? Which bike company compares most directly to ON3P skis? We’re tackling the most important questions in the outdoor industry in our latest Bikes vs. Skis episode.

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.

Sarah Ostaszewski on Winning Round 3 at the Cocodona 250 (Ep.172)

May 16, 2023May 16, 2023 by Matt Mitchell

Sarah Ostaszewski has run the Cocodona 250 all three years of its existence and each time she’s gotten faster and faster. Her latest attempt on the grueling 250-mile course took her just over three days, good enough for the win and a fourth-place overall finish. We sat down with Sarah to talk about the allure of multi-day events; why she keeps coming back to the Cocodona 250; and more.

Angel Collinson just experienced “the best two weeks of my life,” so we discuss that; the process of self discovery; Sam Elias’ & Hillary Allen’s recent Open Mic pieces, and why writing is often wrestling; and then in our ‘Ask Angel’ segment, we go over a number of the questions that you had for Angel.

Deep Dives with Angel (May 2023) (Ep.260)

May 15, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Angel Collinson just experienced “the best two weeks of my life,” so we discuss that; the process of self discovery; our series and why writing is often wrestling; and then Angel answers a number of questions that you had for her.

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 1 (Ep.245)

May 12, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Which bike brand and which ski company is currently holding the ‘Cool Kids Belt’? Which brand do other companies secretly wish they could trade places with? We debate these questions and more in our latest edition of Bikes vs. Skis.

Richie Schley on Inventing Freeride MTB, Bike Evolution, Fixing Rampage, & More (Ep.169)

May 11, 2023 by David Golay

Richie Schley had a big hand in the formation of freeride mountain biking as we know it, and he’s still got his finger on the pulse of the sport. So we sat down with Richie to hear his (often hilarious) stories from the early days, chat about where he wants to see freeride go and grow from here, and a whole lot more — including getting the rundown on his recent bachelor party.

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.

Guitars & Guitar Making with Fretboard Journal’s Jason Verlinde (Ep.24)

May 11, 2023May 10, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today we’re discussing all things guitars and guitar making with the publisher of the Fretboard Journal, Jason Verlinde, including where guitars are being made; boutique vs. mass market brands; who is pushing innovation; guitar quivers; the greatest guitarists ever; & more.

Sarah Keyes on Living & Training in the Adirondacks, US Long Distance Team Dreams, & Pastry (Mis)adventures (Ep.171)

May 9, 2023 by Matt Mitchell

In her first season running for The North Face, Sarah Keyes just secured a spot on the US Long Distance team ahead of next month’s World Mountain Running Championships. So, Matt Mitchell sat down with her to chat about how the opportunity came about; calling the Adirondacks home; East Coast vs. West Coast trail running scenes; pastries; and much more.

Brand Building, Trend Chasing, & Our Advice to Ski, Bike, & Running Shoe Companies (Ep.259)

May 8, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Blister founder, Jonathan Ellsworth, talks with Blister bike editor, David Golay, and running editor, Matt Mitchell, about all of these topics and how companies can reduce customer confusion and strengthen their brand identity.

Safeback SBX: A New Avalanche Survival System (Ep.244)

May 5, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

If you spend any time — inbounds or in the backcountry — skiing or riding in avalanche terrain or near tree wells, then you need to listen to this episode.

Payson McElveen on “Crossing Tasmania” & Finding Joy Beyond Racing (Ep.168)

August 21, 2023May 4, 2023 by David Golay

Payson McElveen is best known for his exploits as a racer, but his upcoming short film “Crossing Tasmania” documents a very different side of his on-bike persona, an absolutely bonkers physical effort, and the ways that old habits die hard. We sat down with Payson to get the whole story, which he tells in beautiful detail.

Jason Hardrath on Preparing for the Pico de Orizaba Infinity Loop (Ep.170)

May 4, 2023May 2, 2023 by Matt Mitchell

The King of FKT’s, Jason Hardrath, returns to our Off The Couch Podcast to discuss the buildup to his attempted “infinity loop” on Mexico’s Pico de Orizaba, the tallest volcano in North America.

While Cody is off trying to get on top of a peak somewhere, we brought in Dr. Len Necefer to discuss the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial, The Most Sonoran News, Luis Benitez & the creation of a new federal office of outdoor recreation, mountain town advice, & more.

Reviewing the News w/ Len Necefer (April 2023) (Ep.258)

May 1, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

While Cody is off trying to get on top of a peak somewhere, we brought in Dr. Len Necefer to discuss the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial, The Most Sonoran News, Luis Benitez & the creation of a new federal office of outdoor recreation, mountain town advice, & more.

On our latest GEAR:30 podcast, Folsom Custom Skis co-founder and principal design engineer, Mike McCabe talks with Jonathan about skis built for the deepest of days, the ones we all dream about — and the kind that Mike and Jonathan were fortunate enough to ski recently in Alaska. And if you’ve ever heard someone say, “All skis are great in pow,” well, they’re here to blow up that notion. So what design elements work best in deep snow? What about low-angle terrain vs. steeper terrain? How wide is too wide? Is a softer flex pattern better? They discuss all of this and more.

Powder Ski Design w/ Folsom’s Mike McCabe (Ep.243)

May 1, 2023April 28, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today Mike McCabe and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about the design elements of skis built for the deepest of days, and their recent trip to Alaska.

Sea Otter 2023 Recap (Ep.167)

May 4, 2023April 27, 2023 by David Golay

Blister editors David Golay and Simon Stewart were on site at the Sea Otter Classic and sat down to chat about a bunch of the most exciting new gear and broader industry trends that they saw at the show.

Speedland Founders Dave Dombrow and Kevin Fallon On Their Latest Hyper-Performance Trail Shoe, the GS:TAM (Ep.169)

May 4, 2023April 25, 2023 by Matt Mitchell

We sat down with Speedland co-founders Dave Dombrow and Kevin Fallon to talk about their latest shoe commission, the GS:TAM; growing a boutique hyper-performance trail running brand; future projects; and much more.

Story Time with Hoji, Rory Bushfield, McKenna Peterson, & Forrest Shearer (Ep.257)

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

In this hilarious conversation, Jonathan asks Hoji, Rory, McKenna, and Forrest about their favorite lines, closest calls, and craziest stories from their years of professional skiing & snowboarding.

Coalition Snow: 10 Years of Skis & Snowboards, 23/24 Lineup, & More w/ Founder & CEO, Jen Gurecki (Ep.242)

April 21, 2023 by Kara Williard

Kara Williard talks with Jen Gurecki, founder and CEO of Coalition Snow, about operating a women-owned ski and snowboard company for the past 10 years; how the vision has evolved; their brick-and-mortar storefront; inclusive trips around the world; initiatives to grow the sport and the community; their 23/24 lineup; and more.