Highlander Podcast

Bruce Johnson joins the podcast for another History of Gear Series to talk about the Jack Stephenson's Warmlite. We talk about the influence of the eccentric founder, aerospace engineer, and naturist, and the impact of his innovations bringing new materials to products like the Jack Pack and the Elliptical Arch (tunnel) tent. Learn more about the company and their products on their website. https:...

Nicole McLaughlin shares her insights as a product designer in the age of COVID, her meteoric rise as designer due to her upcycled products, and the future of sustainability and design. Check out Nicole’s website for more of her work as well as her Instagram.   https://www.nicolemclaughlin.net/   https://www.instagram.com/nicolemclaughlin/ For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, su...

Bruce Johnson joins the podcast for another History of Gear Series to talk about the magical and mystical brand, Rivendell Mountain Works. We talk about the importance of telling the histories of the large and small brands and their influence on the industry. Check out Rivendell Mountain Works on their website: https://www.rivendellmountainworks.com/ Listen to our previous episode with the current...

Recipients of the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant join us to talk about the outdoor infrastructure projects they will be completing using this funding. Patrick Kelley from Stokes Nature Center and Russ Akina from Logan City Park and Rec talk about the importance of outdoor infrastructure and the significance of receiving this type of grant funding. Learn more about Stokes Nature Center on their webs...

Trent Bush, a Senior Creative from companies like Burton, Mountain Hardwear, Black Diamond, and Spyder, joins our latest History of Gear Series to talk about Frostline Kits and his experience growing up in Boulder while his dad worked for the company. Connect with Trent Bush on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentbush/ Check out Frostline Kits catalogs in the Outdoor Recreation Archive. htt...

Steve Puertas, a Senior Industrial Designer with Blackstone Products, based in Cache Valley, Utah, joins the pod to talk about why he loves industrial design, why he loves working in the outdoor cooking space, and how they are rethinking the category. Learn more about Blackstone Products on their website and connect with Steve Puertas on Instagram and Linkedin. https://blackstoneproducts.com/ http...

On this episode we talk with Shawn Hansen (Treasurer) and Ty Anderson (Events) of Cache Archers. We talk with them about the history of the club, dating back to the 1950s, the growth of archery in the state, and the Hardware Ranch Classic. Learn more at  https://www.cachearchers.com/ . For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get podcasts including on Spotify...

On this episode of the History of Gear Series, we talk with Bruce Johnson about the history and influence of Dale Johnson, and his company, Frostline Kits. We talk about the influence of kit companies on a generation of gear makers, repair, and reuse. For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get podcasts including on Spotify , iTunes , Podbean , or each Sunday...

Brad Johnson, former CFO of REI and Lands' End as well as the former Director of the National Forest Foundation, shares his background working in senior leadership positions with both organizations, his time as an Aggie undergrad, and his current role teaching at Utah State University. Connect with Brad on LinkedIn or by email at Brad.johnson@mailbag.com. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-johnso...

Dr. Rachel Gross, professor of history and gear historian, shares her insights on the history of the outdoor industry from the buckskin era to modern day. Dr. Gross brings a unique perspective looking at the outdoor industry within the larger context of historic events. Read more of Dr. Gross’s work on her website : https://rachel-gross.com/ You can also find Dr. Gross on Twitter . https://twitter...

Jeanine Pesce, Founder / Creative and Editorial Director of RANGE shares how she built this incredible creative agency, her work in trend forecasting, and her insights into the future of work due to COVID. Keep up with Jeanine on Instagram and LinkedIn . https://www.instagram.com/depescemode/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanine-pesce-53b2836/ Follow RANGE on their website, https://thisisrange.com/...

Bruce "Old Gear" Johnson, an outdoor industry and gear historian shares his insights into the founding of Holubar and the influence of two of the industry's two great pioneers, Roy and Alice Holubar. Learn more about Holubar at: http://www.oregonphotos.com/Holubar1.html Learn more about at: https://opdd.usu.edu/ For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get pod...

Dave Gibson is an industrial designer and owner of Dave Gibson Creative, a product design studio focused on outdoor product design as well as a faculty member teaching at Wenzhou-Kean University. We talk with Gibson about his life and work currently, working and teaching in China, and freelancing tips in the age of COVID. Keep up with Dave on Instagram , LinkedIn and at his website ! https://www.l...

Don Wittenberger, founder of the Yak Works and owner of Rivendell Mountain Works and Eric Hardee (RMW) talk about these historic brands, their influence of soft pack design, and their impact on the industry. Learn more about the Yak Works and Rivendell Mountain Works on Bruce Johnson’s History of Gear website. Correction: Wittenberger misspoke on the podcast and said the original name of the Yak W...

Alex Adema, CEO of DPS Skis in Salt Lake City joins the podcast to talk about the state of the industry amid COVID-19, manufacturing in Utah, and how the company has pivoted to manufacturing PPE equipment for frontline healthcare workers. Connect with Alex on Linkedin . https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaadema/ Learn more about DPS Skis on their website . https://www.dpsskis.com/ For more conversations...

Alan Wenker, backpacking enthusiast and collector, joins the podcast to talk about the evolution of packs over time, his love for the outdoors, and why backpacks. Follow Alan on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/otisthecamper/?hl=en Watch our conversation as well on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dCqyf2lJadI For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get podcas...

John Acevedo, Principle Design Ambassador at Under Armour joins the conversation to talk about his role in setting creative culture at UA, the state of the company and industry during COVID, and how to stay creative in these times. Connect with John Acevedo . https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-acevedo-10b90053/ For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get podcas...

Gerry and Ann Cunningham, pioneers of the outdoor industry, had a lasting impact on the history of gear and the outdoors through the founding of Gerry Mountain Sports. Bruce Johnson shares his insight and research into this influential couple and how they ushered in the modern outdoor industry with high quality, performance gear. Read more about  Bruce  and the  History of Gear Project . The reviv...

  Lena Laakso, a HR Business Partner for Specialized joins the podcast to talk about how COVID-19 has impacted the business, her perspective from human resources and how employees and brands are adapting during this time. Connect with Lena on Linkedin ! https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/lenalaakso For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get podcasts includin...

Clint Pumphrey, the Archives Manuscript Curator at Utah State University Special Collections joins the podcast to talk about the university’s Outdoor Recreation Archive, the importance of historic preservation, and archival work, and the future of outdoor industry historic preservation. Access the Outdoor Recreation Archive ! https://libguides.usu.edu/c.php?g=1004210&p=7274682 View items on Instag...

Christian Schrader, former product designer and manager with Stance joins the pod to share his journey into the outdoor industry, his experience being let go due to COVID-19’s impact on his employer, and how to move forward during tough times. Connect with Christian on LinkedIn . https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-schrader-46199579 For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscri...

Bruce “Old Gear” Johnson, a long time outdoor photographer-turned gear and product historian. Bruce talks with us virtually about the History of Gear Project that he started to preserve the history of the outdoor industry and the importance of preservation. Read more about Bruce and the History of Gear Project . For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get pod...

Paul Thallner , CEO at High Peaks Group joins the Creative Teams class at Utah State University’s Outdoor Product Design & Development for a conversation with faculty member, Andrea Olsen about resiliency, teamwork, and communication in difficult times. Resources referred to in the presentation can be found in the links below. Resilience Competencies - UPENN Center for Resiliency:  https://ppc.sas...

Andrew Eastman , Senior Recruiter at KEEN Footwear joins the podcast to talk about KEEN’s values, his journey to the outdoor industry and why KEEN is a different kind of outdoor brand. Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn and learn more about KEEN on their website! Watch his full presentation at Utah State University to the Outdoor Product Design & Development program . For more conversations with outd...

Tyler Knowles , the Assistant Athletic Director of Digital Marketing and Creative Content for USU Athletics joins the podcast to talk about the power of social media content, the importance of the outdoors in USU Athletics branding and how the outdoors helps recruiting. Keep up with Tyler on Twitter and USU Athletics on their website , Instagram , Twitter , and Facebook . For more conversations wi...