CRAFTED Podcast | BLISTER Outdoor Media & Gear Reviews

On our CRAFTED podcast, Jonathan talks with Kara Williard and Eli Brown about one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. We discuss hardneck garlic vs softneck garlic; how to grow garlic; its medicinal properties; black garlic; garlic honey; and yes … vampires.

Amateur Hour: Kara Williard on Garlic, Growing Garlic, & Vampires (Ep.58)

January 29, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan talks with Kara Williard and Eli Brown about one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. We discuss hardneck garlic vs softneck garlic; how to grow garlic; its medicinal properties; black garlic; garlic honey; and … vampires.

Today on our CRAFTED podcast, Jonathan Ellsworth and Eli Brown delve into the changing landscape of alcohol consumption among younger generations; the trends — and hurdles — of non-alcoholic (NA) and low ABV cocktails; the implications of the US Surgeon General's recommendations on alcohol consumption; and predictions for future trends in the craft beverage industry

The Current State of Alcohol, with Eli Brown (Ep.57)

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan and Eli discuss alcohol consumption among younger generations; the trends — and hurdles — of non-alcoholic and low ABV cocktails; the implications of the US Surgeon General's recommendations on alcohol consumption; and predictions for future trends in the beverage industry.

On the CRAFTED podcast, we share what is essentially an ongoing conversation that Jonathan has been having for about 30 years now with one of his best friends, Matthew Halteman, about food, food systems, sustainability, fine dining, and the ethics and aesthetics of what we eat.

The Art & Ethics of Eating Well, with Matthew Halteman (Ep.56)

January 8, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today you are going to hear what is essentially an ongoing conversation that Jonathan has been having for about 30 years now with one of his best friends, Matthew Halteman, about food, food systems, sustainability, fine dining, and the ethics and aesthetics of what we eat.

Happy New Year! On our CRAFTED podcast, we are sharing the craft categories that most captivated some of our Blister reviewers in 2024, and revealing some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2025

Our Reviewers’ 2024 Craft Obsessions & 2025 Curiosities (Ep.55)

January 1, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today, we are sharing the craft categories that most captivated some of our Blister reviewers in 2024, and revealing some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2025.

On our CRAFTED podcast, our guest is Scott Rao, who is simply one of the most influential people in the world of coffee, coffee roasting, and coffee brewing. Scott is also the owner of Prodigal Coffee (located in Boulder, Colorado), and in this conversation we dive deep into specific coffee topics, as well as discuss the pursuit of quality in general

Scott Rao on Quality, Q Ratings, & Coffee (Ep.54)

December 11, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Scott Rao is one of the most influential people in the world of coffee. He’s also the owner of Prodigal Coffee, and in this conversation we dive deep into specific coffee topics, as well as the pursuit of quality in general.

Studio Shed w/ Mike Koenig (Ep.53)

November 20, 2024 by Simon Stewart

Sheds and Accessory Dwelling Units (aka, ADUs) are a great way to provide extra room for outdoor gear, remote work offices, or even additional living spaces. And in today’s conversation, we sit down with Studio Shed’s co-founder Mike Koenig to discuss their unique approach to designing prefabricated backyard structures that are well-built, eco-friendly, and stylish.

Yu Sasaki on Big-Mountain Skiing, Deep-Powder Skiing, & Running a Successful Food Truck (Ep.52)

November 6, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk with professional skier, Yu Sasaki, about deep powder skiing; what it takes to start — and maintain — a successful food truck; his beautiful short film, Home From Home; moving from Hokkaido, Japan, to Revelstoke; and more.

Diner Coffee, Sour Beers, Well-Done Steaks, Putting Greens, & Brand Building with Alex LeBlanc of Calibration Coffee Lab (Ep.51)

October 30, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Last year, we talked with Alex LeBlanc about starting Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina. Today, Alex is back to talk about how it’s going, what he’s been learning, how his thinking about coffee has evolved, and how he’s trying to build a brand that people will love.

Wayfarer Vans w/ Andy Mullins (Ep.50)

October 16, 2024 by Simon Stewart

Camper vans are everywhere, and in today’s CRAFTED conversation, Simon is joined by Wayfarer Van’s Andy Mullins to answer commonly asked questions about camping in — and building — vans.

Chef Mark Connell on Craft & Trust; Tasting Menus; & Olive Oil Candy, Part 2 (Ep.49)

September 4, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Mark Connell is the executive chef at PARC Aspen, and he’s back to talk about fine dining and the importance of tasting menus; what he learned at Alinea; the difference between striving for consistency vs. striving to be consistently good; and more.

Chef Mark Connell on Skiing & High-End Cuisine, Part 1 (Ep.48)

August 28, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to Mark Connell, the executive chef at PARC Aspen, about his life in skiing and high-end dining; how Jonathan & Mark first met; celebrity chefs, frozen pizza, white wine, & more.

How to Design (and Own) a Well-Crafted, Affordable Home, with Zack Giffin (Ep.47)

July 17, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

These days, owning a beautiful home is often prohibitively expensive, while “affordable” housing too often fails to include quality craftsmanship. But there is a solution, and Zack Giffin reminds us of this and discusses the craft of designing smaller structures that address our true needs.

The Vinyl Revival, Records, & Turntables w/ Michael Fremer (Ep.46)

September 9, 2024July 10, 2024 by Simon Stewart

Vinyl expert Michael Fremer joins Simon in a conversation about why listening to music on records is better — and everything you need to know to get into it. Consider it an education in vinyl.

Sage Cattabriga-Alosa on Pizza Making & Big-Mountain Skiing (Ep.45)

September 9, 2024July 4, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

One of the greatest big-mountain skiers of all time is also passionate about making great pizza. So what’s the story here, and what do you need to know to start making great pizza yourself?

La Marzocco Product Designer, Stefano Della Pietra (Ep.44)

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

La Marzocco is the most iconic espresso-machine maker in the world, and last month, Jonathan spoke with their lead product designer, Stefano Della Pietra, about the history and core principles of the company; the task of taking La Marzocco into the future while staying true to the brand’s storied past; and more.

Coffee Gear, Pt. 4: “Hero Espresso” & Jonathan’s Current Setup (Ep.43)

September 9, 2024June 19, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today’s the day. Simon Stewart and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the coffee gear Jonathan ended up going with on his quest to create daily doses of ‘hero espresso’.

Jonathan Ellsworth was recently at JING Tea HQ in London for another CRAFTED conversation with JING founder, Ed Eisler. After a proper tea tasting, they discuss all things tea (and skis); agriculture as art; and the qualities of a great tea.

JING Tea founder, Ed Eisler, on Tea, Trust, & the Art of Loving Anything (Ep.42)

September 6, 2024June 12, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan Ellsworth and Ed Eisler discuss all things tea (and skis); agriculture as art; and the qualities of a great tea.

On our CRAFTED podcast, we’re discussing a product that people get very passionate about — and even more opinionated about: cast-iron cookware. Jonathan is joined by Blister senior bike editor, Simon Stewart, who is on a quest to see if the fancier, more expensive options out there are ‘better’ than their cheaper counterparts.

Cast-Iron Cookware w/ Blister reviewer, Simon Stewart (Ep.41)

January 31, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan is joined by Blister senior bike editor, Simon Stewart, who is on a quest to see if the fancier, more expensive cast-iron products coming out today are ‘better’ than their cheaper counterparts.

On our CRAFTED podcast, WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz — aka, the ‘Sauna Shaman’ — talks about how Hoji kicked off his obsession with saunas; their numerous benefits; and he lays out what it takes (and costs) to build your own sauna.

WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, on the Benefits, Culture, & Craft of Saunas (Ep.40)

January 17, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, aka, the ‘Sauna Shaman’ talks about how Hoji kicked off his obsession with saunas; their numerous benefits; and he lays out what it takes (and costs) to build your own sauna.

Our Reviewers’ 2023 Craft Obsessions & 2024 Curiosities (Ep.39)

December 28, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today we are sharing the craft categories that most captivated our reviewers in 2023, and the categories they’re most curious about heading into 2024. This is a fun one, and it fills out the picture of the people behind our reviews, videos, articles, podcasts, & Blister Summit events.

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