The Powell Movement

Eric Pollard has had a bigger impact than almost anyone in skiing over the last 25 years.  From being one of the pioneering switch and rail riders of the late 90’s, to his mind-blowing ski designs, to his 20 years of video parts, to his award-winning media company Nimbus Independent, to the ski company he started (and was recently bought out of) Season, Eric Pollard has always been a visionary. And like many visionaries, a lot of his ideas were made fun of and misunderstood before they became cool mainstream. I’ve been trying to get Eric on the show for 10 years and this is truly a podcast with a living legend. Another legend, Andy Mahre, asked the Inappropriate Questions.

Lisa Hudson was a professional beach volleyball player and champion for women’s volleyball before she started blazing a trail for women in action sports. Starting with the gravy days of Airwalk in the early 90’s, Lisa has always been a proven people connector who's fought for her fellow women because she could. From starting the first women’s outerwear brand (Prom) and co-founding Boarding for Breast Cancer, to ensuring Hall of Fame athletes like Shannon Dunn and Tina Basich had a path in snowboarding, to making sure women and brands were included in her video game projects, Lisa’s career has not only been successful, she’s been a force for women in sports and her story is important and heavy at times. Luke Edgar asks the Inappropriate Questions

Glen Plake is the most legendary, the most known skier of our time—maybe of all time—and I’ve interviewed him more than anyone. But this podcast series couldn’t end without a final Plake episode, and this one was timed perfectly, the day after Freeride was named an Olympic sport. You can bet Glen has a strong opinion about that, and we also talk about FIS, SIA, skiing, life, Kimberley, and so much more.  It’s another fun episode with a living legend and I get some new stories out of Glen.

Elan Skis is a longtime sponsor, and they have been telling me for years that I would be visiting their factory in Slovenia to see their incredible ski process, factory, and culture. While I was flattered that they would even suggest bringing me out, I never expected it to happen.  But it didn’t just happen, it happened in All-Time fashion. Not only did I get to travel to Europe and become great friends with a bunch of ski industry badasses, but we also got to see the Elan factory and meet the players.  And the icing on the proverbial cake was that we sailed from Slovenia to Croatian an Elan Yacht, stopping along the way to swim, take in the sights, and eat incredible food. It truly was a non-ski, ski trip of a lifetime and Slovenia has it all: incredible food, people, the Alps, Wine Country, the Adriatic...  

Inappropriate Questions is how I end every show. The idea is that I find a friend of my guest and record 3 questions with them. The questions can be anything that gets the guest to tell a funny, crazy, embarrassing or really, any good story. The goal is to get some gold without pissing off my  guest when I surprise them with the questions. This week, I have a long list of legends on this highlight show.  Think Angel and Johnny Collinson, Stan Rey, Uncle E, Matt Reardon, Jaren Grob, Jeff Pensiero, Kevin Quinn, and many more. This is a fan favorite segment of the show, and the final “Best Of” show.

Eroll Kerr’s professional ski career is actually two ski careers.  A race part, where he was so close to making the World Cup and the US Alpine Ski Team and the other was his ski cross career, which was kick-started when he became a fully funded member of the US Ski Cross Team in his first race. Eroll has competed all over the world, raced for Jamaica in the 2010 Olympics, and was a regular at the X-Games. But, while his life seemed perfect, it hasn't always been, and we talk about the highs of winning, the lows of mental health issues, and everything in between.  Connery Lundin and I ask the Inappropriate Questions

Ryan Schmies is one of the most talented illustrators in action sports and his game changing ski art  singlehandedly helped change the look and feel of skiing in the early 2000’s. While he’s best known for dark graphics like the Hellbent and Public Enemy franchises that he created during his 15 years at K2 Skis, in recent years Schmies' artistic talents have been showcased by brands like J Skis, Smith Optics, REI, Ikon Pass, and more. On the podcast we talk about coming up in Wisconsin, art, High North Ski Camp, athletes, and life in the ski industry.  Members of the Cascade Posse attempt to ask the Inappropriate Questions.  

Josh Berman was an Ivy Leaguer on his way to becoming a professional skier when a catastrophic knee injury derailed his chances of becoming pro. But Josh’s passion for skiing was as strong as ever and pre-surgery, Josh strapped up his leg, headed up the mountain and went out and shot for his first Level 1 Production. What was supposed to be a 3-year adventure in filmmaking turned into an award-winning 25+ year career in snow. It’s one of those episodes that I had to record for historical purposes, before I end the Movement.  Freedle Cody asks the Inappropriate Questions.

The Outside Days Festival is the crown jewel of what a festival should be in 2026. It is part industry summit, part independent film festival, part interactive brand activation hub, part park experience, and part incredible music festival all rolled up under the Outside umbrella.  This event was so well done. I used the access I was granted to take in as much as I could--to give you a peek behind the curtain.  I also got sound bites from 14 of the industry’s greatest athletes and behind-the-scenes players, which makes for a fun episode.

Bob Landers is a lifelong snowboarder, an underground entrepreneur, a cannabis expert, and a dear friend of mine for almost 40 years.  He’s also a professional guide-but I don’t disclose any information about what or where on the podcast. What I do is take you on BTS tour of what it was like to be a big-time Colorado cannabis grower, seller, and ski bum in the pre legal era of marijuana.  On the podcast we talk about privilege, snowboarding, a passion for weed, Dead Tour, meeting the right connections, the business, and the wild west of legal weed. Bob sure can tell a story, and this podcast is instantly one of my favorites.

Jeff Pensiero is a talented snowboarder and musician, but he was born to be an entrepreneur...and he knew that from an early age. Jeff grew up learning to move on after losing, which every pre Lebron Cleveland sports fan knows all about. Not being afraid to lose along with many traits taught Jeff not only to roll with the punches and preservere, but to take advantage of the opportunities and take risks that make him happy. And from Kemper to K2, to being “The Guy with a Truck” to founding and building Baldface Lodge in his 20’s, Jeff’s life is all about moving forward and not looking back.  On the podcast we talk about building snowboarding in Tahoe for K2, chasing a girl to Canada, founding a lodge, Travis Rice, Craig Kelly, and more. Jeff does a lot of interviews, this one is a little different.  Old School K2 Pro and rad dude, Tim Manning asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Ben Fresco has done every job in the ski industry's hardgoods side on his way to his current role as Global Head of Product at Elan Skis. From moving his life from the East Coast to Tahoe and back to the East Coast and now, on a plane traveling the world, Ben’s been chasing the perfect turn. And starting out at the legendary Village Ski House, he did over a decade of, not so much ski bumming, but learning. Starting in rentals and working his way to the sales floor, to store managing, and really, running the show. Then it was back East to a buyer’s role before finding his forever home in Elan. It’s a fun episode with one of my podcast’s biggest supporters.  Colorado sales rep Clem Smith asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Heimana Reynolds is an Olympic Skateboarder, a lifelong surfer, proud Hawaiian, and a HEST athlete.  Since I spent this weekend at HESTIVAL, a three-day celebration of friends, music, and  the outdoors, this episode includes a few minutes from HESTIVAL. I first chat with old friend and HEST founder Aaron Ambuske. After that, while I usually don't have many skateboarders on the show, Heimana is my second World Champion park skater-who also slays the streets and surf.  It's an event and an athlete episode with a HEST connection.  

Chris Garcin is living a ski bum or anyone’s dream life and it all began when his good friend broke a pair of sunglasses.  This week’s podcast is Chris’s story of going from a passionate skier his whole life, to Boulder, to coaching, to almost giving up on the ski lifestyle and settling for the “real world.” Then, his rockstar of a good friend came over to his house with an idea, Pit Viper, that became a joke, a brand, a business, and today, a real business. The Pit Viper story is a fun one and former VP of Brand, Spencer Harkins, asks the Inappropriate Questions.

The 420 Episode is a collection of true stories from myself, friends, and athletes that I think you'll find entertaining.  I’ve never done a proper 4/20 episode before, and I wanted to make sure I got one in before I end this podcast.  So, this week you get a different episode. It’s the 420 episode, the weed episode, the cannabis episode, the marijuana episode. If you have kids, maybe have them skip this podcast. But if you like to laugh, tune in.  Some names have been changed to protect identity and image.   

Benni and Luca Harrington were both born to be pro skiers. Their parents were featured in Warren Miller movies in the 90’s, and these kids were born with skiing genes and the passion to be the best.  And right now, the Harrington brothers are killing it.  Benny’s the built-like-a-tank older brother that’s 2-time Olympic halfpipe skier and Luca is coming off back-to-back seasons of X Games Slopestyle Gold and recently took home his first piece of Olympic hardware with a Bronze.  It’s the "2 brothers, one podcast" episode and Uncle E asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Josh Malczyk is the Global Brand Director for K2 and Line Skis, he’s a good friend, and a guy I saw go from the bottom of the barrel of ski marketing with a niche brand, to the top of the food chain directing one of the industry’s most iconic brands....From the core skier wearing Tall T’s to the collared shirt wearing brand guy. It’s fun to see friends grow up/move up and last time I talked with Josh on the podcast, he was secretly on his way out of Line Skis for the first time. On part 2, we talk about leaving his job, Season Equipment, coming back to Elevate Outdoor Collective, how K2 became a boot company, and how to bring K2 Skis back.

The Pain McShlonkey Classic, aka the PMS, is the most important ski event in the world. While some may argue that the Olympics and the X Games are the crown jewels of snow, anyone who's been to Palisades for the PMS knows that, winning Saucers is more important than winning medals. Shane McConkey is the most important and arguably the best skier of our time, and that’s why celebrating his legacy is so important. On top of his ski legacy, the dude was one of the funniest humans I’ve ever met, and he had the unique ability to make anyone and everyone feel like they were part of his inner circle. He’s missed by so many and this podcast takes you behind the scenes on McConkey weekend!

Kevin Quinn, the founder of Points North Heli and a true Alaska pioneer, has done more rad stuff than almost anyone I’ve had on the podcast. He went from pro hockey player, to ski instructor, to pro skier, to entrepreneur, to famous pilot, to coach, and that’s just some of what Kevin has done. He also did time in Tahoe with folks like Kreitler, McConkey and so many more; when life was all about shredding, jumping off things and shenanigans. But Kevin didn’t ski bum forever though, he started a heli ski business- with no idea how to manage the books, then he figured it out without going bankrupt, and eventually, lived the American Heli Ski dream life. Not too bad for a kid that dropped out of high school and made a name for himself in team sports by using his fists.   

Cassie Abel had a different road than most to the ski industry. While her peers spent as much time as possible on snow, Cassie was winning 4 State Championships in HS before her Hall of Fame collegiate career. After a stint of a 9-5 lifestyle, Cassie got sucked into the ski industry, first with resort marketing, and then on the brand side with Smith.  But when her dream job left town, Cassie stayed back in Sun Valley, started a PR agency,  eventually jumped into entrepreneurship with her Ski and Mountain Bike start up, Wild Rye. This is fun episode with a passionate, tenacious, awesome person.  Maro LeBlance asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Jason Arens was the Head Ski Judge at the Milan Cortina Olympics and when he’s not traveling the most important ski events, to judge the best athletes in the world, he’s an Owner of Surface Skis, Joystick Poles, and Causwell Outerwear.  Jason always has a lot going on...I met him calling tricks at a contest years ago, I was blown away by his ski nerdery, and these days, Jason may be the most knowledgeable person on the planet when it comes to competition skiing. On the podcast, we talk his sponsored ski career, Olympics, judging, Good Enough, brands and more. Khai Krepela and the Good Enough crew collaborate on the Inappropriate Questions.

Tanner Rainville isn't really a talker, he’s a pro skier who lets his skiing do the talking. And while his skiing started with contests, he graduated to the big screen and for 23 years  he's put out a video segments with the major players in the ski film business. Tanner Rainville is all about passion and skiing, he doesn't self-promote, and getting him to want to do this podcast wasn't easy.  But, for a dude who's been crushing it at the top level for so long, I had to tell his story. Chris Logan asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Hana Beaman has been a top level pro snowboarder for almost 30 years. She’s done the contests, collected the hardware, then went into the backcountry to film. After years behind the lens, she went back to a different type of competing, won some more hardware (Natural Selection Tour) and cemented her legacy as one of snowboarding’s living legends.  On the podcast, we catch up after 10 years and talk about her career evolution, the new Full Moon project and more. It’s another good one with one of the coolest people and fun personalities in snow. 

Jaren Grob, aka “The Monster” won two X Games Gold Medals, was featured on the cover of the Aggressive Inline video game, and had the world in the palm of his hands. Then his sport was iced out of X Games, went underground and Jaren's pro career went from contest winnings to skating shows. But, that’s not what makes this one interesting. Jaren grew up poor, went on tour at 14, joined the circus, and made it in skating. 30 years later, he’s still being paid to skate, but it’s a different monster. Legendary Utah skater, Cameron Card asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Winter Sports Market, aka WSM, is the only show that resembles what SIA once was.  It has all the brands, all the new products, all the in-house staff, all the reps, and all the dealers.   As far as industry building and culture building events, outside of movie premiers, this is all skiing has.  I went down to SLC to cover the event and detail my trade show experience and along the way I chat with folks like Mike Hattrup, Ted Ligety, Cassie Able, Griffin Post, Jonny Moseley, Alex O’Brien and some other incredible industry legends and insiders.

Kaya Turski grew up in Montreal and was the little rollerblader who was blowing everyone’s collective minds. While Kaya went ASA Pro at 14, she was known for being a gnarly street skater. One of the best women to ever do it. But the bottom dropped out of skating, Kaya decided to give skiing a try and within a year, she was standing on her first X-Games podium in a sport that wasn’t her original calling. From there, Kaya went on to dominate competition skiing.  Think 8 X Games Golds, 5 AFP Titles and so many more victories to boot. But her story is not all sunshine, the years of abuse have taken a toll on her body and mind. Kaya and I talk about all the glory but we also talk about the daily pain that is her reality. It’s an interesting talk with a legend and Ashley Battersby asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Cody Cirillo started his ski career competing on the AFP pro circuit, but huge podiums weren’t in Cody’s future, graduating from USC magna cum laude all while transitioning his pro ski career from contests to adventure, was the path for Cody. And for the next decade, he's managed to pump out annual ski content, personal project style, while holding down a desk job as a creative director, these days for his longtime sponsor, Faction skis. On the podcast, we talk about Cody’s Mongolia film project “150 Hours From Home” (it drops free online today) and Bobby Brown asks the Inappropriate Questions. 

Nick Goepper has 2 Olympic Silver and 1 Olympic Bronze in his closet and this year, in a totally new discipline, Nick is aiming to take his first gold medal home at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games. What’s crazy is that 3 years ago, when Nick came out of retirement and told the world he was gunning for halfpipe gold, a lot of us thought it was a publicity stunt. But Nick knew exactly what he was doing and now, he’s one of the front runners for gold.  Nick’s whole life has been an underdog story and time and again and time and again and time and again and now a 4th time and again, Nick is off to compete on the biggest stage in the world.  It’s part 3 with a guy who used to be my least favorite comp skier, who then became my favorite skier. Steve Stepp asks the Inappropriate Questions. 

Sage Cattabriga-Alosa is a legend in the world of snow. This former dish dog at the Alta Peruvian, doubled Chad’s Gap and kick-started his 20+ year pro ski career.  We’ve done that podcast. This week, Sage and I catch up after 8 years and talk personal projects, career reflection, and how he’s skiing better than ever in the big mountains. Sage is full of his signature stoke and Angel Collinson asks the inappropriate questions.