Recent Podcasts
Biggest Ski Buying Mistakes + Ski Tuning, Ski Wax, & Ski Boots (Ep.273)
What are some of the biggest mistakes skiers make when buying gear? And what do regular, recreational skiers & snowboarders need to know about ski tuning and waxing? Jonathan discusses these questions and more with Logan and Riley Boone of Boone Mountain Sports. They also talk about how they all met (it was in Austria), and Jonathan reveals the upcoming ‘Blister 90-Flex Challenge’.
Katy Winton on Burnout, Recovery, & Returning to Racing (Ep.197)
Katy Winton has had a challenging last couple of years, from a protracted concussion recovery to having to put together her own privateer program at the last minute to even race in 2021. And then two races into the 2022 EWS season, she was so severely burned out that she pulled out of the rest of the season to recover. Now, she’s ready to tell the whole story, so we brought her back on Bikes & Big Ideas to share it.
Amateur Hour: Paul Forward on Arrows (Ep.37)
Last year we talked with Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, about the art, ethics, and craftsmanship of traditional bows (episode #8). And today, we’re talking about arrows.
‘The Blackcountry Journal’ with Mallory Duncan & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.2)
The Blackcountry Journal is a new, truly different, 10-minute-long film by Mallory Duncan that packs a lot into its short running length, bringing together the worlds of jazz and skiing, and incorporating ideas, words, and scenes that you won’t soon forget.
Paul Forward on His 1st Ski Day of the Season; Ski Movies; Hunting; & Cooperation Across the Outdoors Community (Ep.287)
Jonathan and Blister reviewer (and guide, doctor, & bow hunter), Paul Forward, discuss Paul’s 1st day of the ski season; his favorite ski movies; why we need to broaden the tent of who — and what — counts as, “the outdoor community,” and some ideas that the broader outdoor industry should adopt.
The Pro’s Gear: Ted Ligety (Ep.272)
We talk with Ted Ligety (2x Olympic Gold Medalist & 5x World Cup champion) about his approach to gear; the specific gear he’s using today; how to best deal with flat light and low-vis conditions; his take on the current state of skiing and ski racing; and more.
‘G.N.A.R.’ with Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.1)
Cody and Jonathan dissect the 2011 film, G.N.A.R., and discuss the significance of the film; what’s aged the best; what’s aged the worst; who won the movie; and more.
Cornelius Kapfinger on Founding Intend, Inverted Forks, and Doing Things Differently (Ep.196)
It can be hard to stand out as a smaller component manufacturer, but Intend BC isn’t shy of doing things differently, and their forks, shocks, brakes, and other components don’t look like much else out there. Founder Cornelius Kapfinger is here to tell us all about it.
Bag Balm President, Libby Parent, on the Origins & Surprising Evolution of a 125-Year-Old American Company (Ep.36)
Based in Vermont, where they still make their products, Bag Balm is an American company with a 125-year history and one very remarkable story. Bag Balm’s president, Libby Parent, joins us to tell us about it all, from cow udders to celebrity endorsements.
Deep Dives with Angel, November 2023 (Ep.286)
Angel Collinson and Jonathan discuss a subject that we don’t talk much about in the outdoor community, and yet, it’s an experience that every single one of us will deal with at some point in our lives: grief
Parlor Custom Skis: Building Skis in Boston, Custom vs. Semi-Custom Skis, & the Age-Old Question of Ski Width for East-Coast Skiing (Ep.271)
Jonathan was at the Parlor Custom Skis factory in East Boston to check out the factory and talk with Parlor owner & manager, Mark Wallace, about building custom skis in Boston; assessing skiers (and skiers assessing themselves); custom vs. semi-custom skis; and more.
Neko Mulally on Selling the Frameworks DH Bike, Signing Asa Vermette, and More (Ep.195)
Neko Mulally’s Frameworks DH bike is now available for pre-order, and we sat down with Neko to chat about its development, the production version of the bike, his experimentation with different frame materials, and much more.