Dispatch Radio

When #fots Josh Stevens - who recently moved to Boulder from Asheville, NC - suggested we check out the "Boulder of the East," we were intrigued. He helped put together an all-star cast to learn all about this funky little city surrounded by mountain trails. This episode - the second of our two-part series - features three runners who are shaping the local mountain running scene: Aaron Saft, finalist for the 2016 Runner's World cover search and owner of Foot Rx; Adam Hill, founder of the "Pitchell" (a 100k underground event / fatass / fun run that takes runners from the peak of Mount Pisgah to the summit of Mount Mitchell); and Anne Wheatly, an up-and-comer in search of the "perfect run." Topics discussed: Pitchell, #runcations, Canadian Death Race, Georgia Death Race, rock climbing cuture, Rim to Rim to Rim, U.S. Trail Running Conference 

Some call it the "Boulder of the East," where a mountain adventure sits just steps away from liberal city life. In today's show - the first of our two-part series - we talk with Aaron Saft and Mark Driscoll to get beta on the trail running scene of Asheville, NC. And we take you running through creeks in the Pisgah National Forest at the inaugural Rooster's Revenge 30k, put on by Saft and his local running store, Foot RX. Driscoll gives us a full report on the 13th running of the Blue Ridge Relay a day after his local running group Asheville Running Collective (akin to Boulder's Rocky Mountain Runners)  set a new course record in the race.  Topics discussed: Asheville Running Collective, Blue Ridge Relay, Rooster's Revenge 30k, Trail Sisters, creek crossings, bears, magic mushrooms  

We sit down with three globe-trotting, running, skiing SUPing badass adventure journalists in the Airstream at The Studio Boulder. Hosts: Kelly McConnell, Russ Rizzo, Cory Feign A big thanks to our sponsors at Upslope Brewing Company for keeping us refreshed! And to our hosts at The Studio Boulder.

One is a legendary rock climber who has graced the cover of magazines and travels the globe learning and teaching about mindfulness. The other is an up-and-comer on the trail running scene. They both have roots in Boulder, where we introduced them and engaged in an hourlong fun-trip of a conversation, in The Studio Boulder Airstream packed with #fots (one of them won icing!). 

Dispatch Radio co-founder Russ Rizzo takes us inside the Dirty 30, an iconic ultra-marathon held each year outside of Golden, Colo. Russ hobbles along on a broken toe to take us inside the action of a particularly exciting race in 2016. We follow along as Chris Vargo attempts to break the course record and fellow Dispatcher Nick Brogna attempts to become a "sisu," the name given to anyone who attempts the difficult race as their first ultra. Along the way we meet course director Megan Finnesy and a cast of characters who help put on the race.   http://dirty30.org/    

They travel the world in search of riveting outdoor adventure stories. And sometimes they get paid! In this installment of the Dispatch Radio Hour, we go behind the scenes with three Colorado-based journalists to talk about their craft. 

If you're a fan of ultrarunning and use the Internet, you're probably aware of the latest social media dust up over performance enhancing drugs, in this case cannabis. Dave and Avery got together with us in person to continue the conversation. From Dispatch's perspective, the responses and judgements being thrown at both Avery and Dave over social media in the past couple days have created separation in our ultra running community. Our hope is that in sitting down to talk together we can help reconnect in our differences and see that both of these guys ultimately come from a loving place for the sport who share many of the same passions.  Jeremy Hendricks also stopped by to sketch up some artistic interpretations of the conversation. And of course a shoutout to Upslope Brewing!   We happened to recently do a #KitchenSesh show with Avery just before this, so check out more of Avery's backstory here: http://www.dispatchradio.com/kitchensesh-avery-collins-devon-olson/

***Please note before listening that cannabis is thoroughly discussed in this episode.  If that doesn't strike your fancy, please skip this one***   We’re joined in the kitchen by ultra runners Avery Collins and Devon Olson. Kelly P hangs out to drop some knowledge, and why not add Ryan Lassen and Eric Edgerton in for some fun too! Mad props to Avery for winning the Georgia Death Race last week! This is a gnarly “68-ish” mile race put on by Run Bum, and by winning Avery scored a chance to toe the line at the big one, Western States 100. You can probably guess what we spend a lot of time talking about… And like any #KitchenSesh this is more about hanging out, chatting, and having fun than it is a scripted show. Shout out to Avery’s sponsor’s: While Mary's Medicinals and The Farm Co. were talked about the most, in addition to cannibas sponsors Avery also has… an underwear sponsor!? Saxxunderwear. And of course actual running biz sponsors too inov-8 All Terrain RunningHoney Stinger and Farm To Feet. Also props t

We partnered with Mountain Project to cover the second annual Women's Climbing Festival, an event where 300 women gather in Bishop, California, to take clinics, participate in open panel discussions, and climb together. From an interview with Shelma Jun, the event's founder, to clips from the media clinic, led by Julie Ellison, former editor-in-chief of Climbing magazine and current contributing editor at Mountain Project, and Natalie Siddique, co-founder and COO of Moja Outdoors, here's an inside look at the in-demand festival that sold out in a single minute.   Women and brands highlighted: Shelma Jun, founder of Flash Foxy and the Women's Climbing Festival: https://flashfoxy.com/wcf Never Not Collective, new all-female media crew that Shelma talks about: http://nevernotcollective.com/ Moja Gear, one of the clinics led by co-founder: http://mojagear.com/ Climbing mag, one of the clinics led by EIC who just left: http://www.climbing.com/ Lindsey Hamm, guide for Kling Mountain Guides, interviewed: http://

Time for another #KitchenSesh, where we hang out and chat with special guests in a chill setting. Competitive trail runners Bob Africa, Josh Stevens, and Peter Maksimow join us for this one. In part 1, BobAfrica talks about what it means to #SufferBetter, and Josh (who just got 4th at Rocky Raccoon 50-miler) tells us about overcoming his opiate addiction that stemmed from multiple injuries sustained in multiple IED explosions in the line of duty, which for Josh comprised 24 years of serving our country in the Army Special Forces. Fortunately Josh made it through that, and now is helping to fight the opiate epidemic by working with the Herron Project and SufferBetter. it's not all serious though, this is a #KitcenSesh after all (so we're not editing out all the beer can openings). Part 2 with peter in the hot seat will air next week! #DrinkEveryTimeYouHear: #BobAfrica Josh's crowdrise page (donate!): https://www.crowdrise.com/endurance-adventures-for-recovery The Herren Project: http://www.theherrenproject.or

On a summer day in 2014, Chris Brinlee Jr. walked away from his comfortable, well-paying job as an advertising art director to “experience something more,” as he puts it. Over seven months, Chris’s adventures have led him around the globe—he’s paddled remote fjords in Greenland, ridden motorcycles through Vietnam, sailed with a crew to Antarctica, and climbed 6,000m peaks in Nepal.   He also recently started up a content generation company called Content Machine. We talk with Chris from co-host Kelly's home in Boulder and hear about Chris' adventures and how he makes it all happen.    

Listen as we talk conservation and public lands.  A few highlights from the show we recorded last night...   Rebecca Schwagger tells us a bit about our venue, the Studio Boulder, and at 4m45s we get rolling.    Lloyd Athearn and the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative bought part of a kickass mountain (Mt. Shavano) for $50k, so we can all hike it! Hey, mountain bikers! #dontbeadick Brady Robinson rocked a ponytail for 6 years too long; is on the fence whether Access Fund will attend Outdoor Retailer shows (it's complicated) Doug Schnitzspahn really wants you to VOTE! Aimee Ross answers the burning question about IMBA ... who the hell says "bicycling"? Offers great advice for those who want to get active protecting public lands. We come up short looking for evidence that hunters and self-powered athletes are working together. But there's hope! The Studio Boulder is one killer venue! Equipped with an Airstream and brewery next door. What more could you want in an office-share?! Drink when you hear: bicyling #swa

When you write for Outside Magazine for 14 years, chances are you have some stories. From Lance Armstrong to Mount Everest to kayaking first descents and everything in between, Grayson Schaffer has covered it. We connect with him to discuss his latest piece, on psychedelics, and his other creative endeavors these days. Topics discussed, with host Russ Rizzo: His 14+ career writing for Outside Magazine psychedelic drugs His new creative firm, Talweg psychedelic drugs Lance Armstrong psychedelic drugs Big water boating psychedelic drugs An old fling psychedelic drugs Bareback riding (horses) psychedelic drugs Hunting elk with a bow and arrow psychedelic drugs   Links: Grayson’s website: http://www.graysonschaffer.com/ Grayson’s creative agency, Talweg Creative: http://www.talwegcreative.com/ Grayson’s latest in Outside Magazine: https://www.outsideonline.com/2143036/are-psychedelics-new-prozac 

Recording live at the Gociety Adventure Fest 2016 in Denver, we talk with professional rock climber and yogi Olivia Hsu and Dr. Jon Kedrowski, an accomplished mountaineer, author and climatologist, about their pursuits in the mountains. Professional explorer Dr. Jon talks to us about his successful project to be the first person to sleep on the summit of all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks and the challenges he faced during his 2016 attempt to break the speed record for skiing all of Colorado’s 14ers. Professional climber and yogi Olivia Hsu discusses her own Himalayan exploration as well as exploring the balance between rock climbing and yoga and how to keep your ego in check. Both discuss how they overcame initial parental disappointment for their chosen paths to explore the outdoors as a full-time job. Spoiler: everything turned out just fine for these two legends of the Colorado outdoors.

This is a lively one! Recording live at the Gociety Adventure Fest 2016 in Denver,  we talk with two adventurers with very different approaches to outdoor exploration. Strap in for a lively debate toward the end of this episode as JJ and Eric discuss ancient pyramids that may or may not be hidden in South America. JJ Yosh is an adventure TV host who has travelled the world chronicling his adventures with Discovery Channel among others. He takes us behind the scenes to let us know what life is like for an adventure TV host and about his movie 10 years in the making. Eric is a Polar adventurer, expedition guide, dog musher and educator who spent the past 15 years traveling in some of the most remote and wild places left on earth. He’s one of the few people to have skied both the North and South Poles. In 2010 he became the first person in history to reach the world's three 'poles' in one year: the North and South Poles and Mount Everest.   Eric discusses how long, boring, cold expeditions became his thing, to t

They are two of the most recognizable U.S. ultra runners out there, with countless media articles written both about them and by them, and even a couple of films documenting their outdoor exploration. They are also best friends living in Boulder, Colorado. We sit down with Anton Krupicka and Joe Grant to find out what it’s like to thrust oneself in the social media spotlight in the name of pursuing outdoor adventure full-time.  Listen in as we talk about: 2017 race plans (and rumors?) What they are really like, outside of the media spotlight Joe staring at a cat Anton’s open-door policy for the media (*excludes closet doors) Skimo racing Tennis Here's some background info/reading/watching: Anton will be at the Lakewood, Colo., Runner’s Roost Thursday, Feb. 2. Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/398541773821112/ Anton’s new blog on La Sportiva’s site: http://www.sportiva.com/blog/anton-krupicka-supercanaleta/ Outside TV video of Anton’s home: https://www.outsideonline.com/2150111/inside-anton-krupic

To kick off our day of recording at the first ever Gociety Adventure Fest 2016 in Denver we talk with key event organizers and partners about how the event came about and learn a little about the overall goals of the event and each organization’s unique approach to encouraging people to get outdoors. Guests include a number of movers and shakers; Gociety co-founder and CEO Anna Thielke,  Big City Mountaineers Program Director Elizabeth Williams and Mike Lewis, director of brand activation and digital strategy for ZEAL Optics (who graciously kept us cool and comfortable in the “ZEAL Explorer” Airstream during the festival). A big thanks to all of them for their involvement and hospitality in what was an amazingly action packed day for Dispatch Radio.

Let's get stoked for snow!  Listen in as we chat with some badass snow enthusiasts about what to look forward to this year.  We talk gear tips, training tips, uphill skiing, skimo racing, backcountry adventures, and of course weather predictions. Joel Gratz - meteorologist who tells us where to find the pow over at opensnow.com Jon Kedrowski "Dr. Ski" - author, ski mountaineer, and geographer.  Check out his book about camping on top of all of Colorado's 14ers. Joe Howdyshell - all-around badass who helps people achieve their fitness goals at Summit Endurance Academy Henrik Førland Lampert - editor of FREESKIER Magazine Kimberly Beekman - editor of Skiing Magazine Thanks to Neptune Mountaineering for having us!

Listen in as we talk with founder and CEO of Skirt Sports, Nicole DeBoom, at her monthly women's get together at her flagship store in Boulder.   Hosts Laurie Nakauchi and Kelly McConnell talk with runners Silke Koester, Ilene Bloom, Jenn Coker and Melissa Hoskins about how their running communities keep them motivated and inspired, while sharing some of their personal experiences and perspectives.  Tune in for some bonus pro tips, like why "poison remover" is required gear at an ultramarathon in Japan, and how to beet world records. #SkirtSports  #REALwomenmove Rocky Mountain Runners Colorado Columbines  Front Range Cross Country (FRXC) Ultra Dirt Divas

For this week's live show we talk with a group of impressive go-getters from the Front Range: We recorded LIVE with a nice crowd from the patio of Mountain Toad Brewing in Golden with four inspiring mountain adventurers who all share a love of suffering in nature. Joe Grant talks to us about his recent self-supported peak-bagging of all 57 14ers. He talks about his 100-mile "rest day" bike ride, his lowest point on the trails (on a paved road of all things) and how he keeps his motivation in some very difficult elements. Erik Sanders discusses his Labor Day weekend Nolan's 14 attempt and breaks some news regarding an exciting adventure race he's got coming up. Christopher Harrington talks about the group of trail-blazers he founded, FRXC - Front Range Cross Country, and lays out an ambitious plan that is now officially Joe Grant-approved. Our "every-woman" Ilene Bloom tells us how she got mixed into the crazy world of ultra-running and what she's got her eyes set on next.