Podcast

Shop Talk: Hickory & Tweed (Ep.219)

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We talk with Skip and Mac Beitzel, the owners — and father / son duo — from Hickory & Tweed, located in Armonk, New York. We go over the history of the shop; Skip’s background in ski ballet and hot dogging; seasonal lease programs; personal ski quivers; & more.
For BLISTER's CRAFTED podcast, This week Jonathan Ellsworth was back at The Alchemist in Stowe, VT, to sit down with its founders, Jen and John Kimmich, to dive into their philosophy on sustainability — in all of its forms — and to hear how they created a company that is leading the way on a number of these fronts. It’s an impressive story driven by shared principles, and we hope this conversation serves as an inspiration to other companies across many sectors. (And of course, along the way, we also talk a good bit about making great beer and keeping the bar high.)

The Alchemist, Pt. 3: Sustainability, Beer, & the Bigger Picture (Ep.10)

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This week Jonathan was back at The Alchemist to sit down with its founders, Jen & John Kimmich, to dive into their philosophy on sustainability — in all of its forms — and to hear how they created a company that is leading the way on a number of these fronts. It’s an impressive story driven by shared principles, and we hope this conversation serves as an inspiration to other companies across many sectors.

Ted Hesser on “Chains of Habit” & Destigmatizing the Conversation Around Mental Health (Ep.142)

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We spoke to adventure photographer and videographer, Ted Hesser, about his latest project, Chains of Habit, a short film focused on his lifelong battle with depression and the ways trail running has helped fend off its symptoms. We also talk about ways to destigmatize conversations around mental health; steps to take if you’re struggling; and much more.

Our 22/23 BLISTER Winter Buyer’s Guide Recap (Ep.218)

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A bunch of our reviewers discuss why our 22/23 Winter Buyer’s Guide is still unique and still the best resource for your winter gear; what’s new & different this year; some of our personal favorite gear of the season; some industry trends and speculation; and why pumpkin-flavored pastries make Drew Kelly sweat.

Blue Collar Fine Art: Rob Dickinson of Precise Painting (Ep.9)

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In addition to being one of our favorite people and favorite skiers, Rob Dickinson is the owner of Precise Painting, an interior and exterior paint and finishing company that does extremely fine work, and employs 25+ people in the Gunnison Valley of Colorado. We talk to Rob about the craft of painting and finishing homes; what anyone thinking about building, purchasing, or maintaining a home in mountain towns ought to know about exteriors; how to think about aesthetics vs. price v.s durability; and more.

David Kilgore talks Pro Trail Teams, On Running, & Leaning Into the Grind (Ep.141)

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We sat down with David Kilgore, On Running’s Sports Innovation Manager, budding race director, and professional ultrarunner, to learn about how each of his different roles offer him a unique perspective on a trail running industry that continues to rapidly professionalize. Along the way, we also chat about On’s trail running team; athlete sponsorships; and much more.

Claire Bernard Miller, PT, on Building Strong Feet, Pelvic Floor Health, & Running Injury Free (Ep.140)

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This time of year, many of us will feel the stress from all those hard summer miles take the form of unexpected aches and pains, which sometimes demand more involved treatment than just some extra time foam rolling. So, we sat down with Claire Bernard Miller, PT, to learn about how strong feet and a healthy pelvic floor can help prevent common running injuries.

Victor Diaz on Renegade Running, Representation, & Creating Space for New Communities (Ep.139)

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Specialty-running stores often act as community hubs, places where runners of all skill levels can gather to learn, connect, and train. However, the demographics these small businesses cater to frequently fail people of color. So, we spoke to Victor Diaz, owner of Renegade Running, a run-specialty store rooted in Oakland, CA, to learn about how he’s creating a space that’s engaged with and reflective of the diverse culture it helps serve.

Jennifer Strong McConachie on “Go Far,” Dostoevsky, and the Four Corners of Endurance (Ep.138)

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Beyond a genre of sport, endurance is also a fundamental part of living, so we sat down with author and athlete, Jennifer Strong McConachie, to talk about her new book, "Go Far: How Endurance Sports Help You Win At Life," a collection of stories that encapsulate the life philosophy she’s formed from running long, climbing high, and swimming deep.
With Heady Topper, John Kimmich created one of the most sought-after beers in the world, and effectively created the profile of the modern IPA. In part 1 of this tour-de-force of a conversation on our CRAFTED podcast, we talk to John about his path to opening The Alchemist with his wife, Jen, in 2003; the business - and current landscape - of craft beer; what distinguishes great beer from mediocre beer; and more. Buckle up for this one, folks.

The Alchemist co-founder & brewer, John Kimmich, Part 1 (Ep.6)

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With Heady Topper, John Kimmich created one of the most sought-after beers in the world, and effectively created the profile of the modern IPA. Here in Part 1, we talk to John about his path to opening The Alchemist with his wife, Jen, in 2003; the business — and current landscape — of craft beer; what distinguishes great beer from mediocre beer; and more.
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