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Dispatch Radio

Conceived in Boulder in 2016, Dispatch Radio is an outdoor adventure podcast produced by and for those who get active in nature. Each month we gather inspiring athletes, weekend warriors, nature lovers, writers and others for fun and wide-ranging discussions about adventure.
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Now displaying: 2017
Oct 10, 2017

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 

Oct 10, 2017

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

 

May 15, 2017

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.

May 12, 2017

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!). 

May 8, 2017


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/
 
 
Apr 15, 2017

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. 

Apr 8, 2017



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/

Apr 4, 2017

***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 to Devon for a top 10 finish at Behind The Rocks! How’d it go against those Salomon Runners 😉

Oh yeah, and shoutout to Upslope Brewing Company!

(Please also note that Dispatch radio is just facilitating a conversation on this topic.)

Mar 31, 2017


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:

 

Feb 25, 2017

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.org
Bob's #SufferBetter: http://www.sufferbetter.com
And a shout out to team Inov-8! 

Feb 24, 2017

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.

 

 

Feb 15, 2017

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
#swagresponsibly#dismountandchat#dontbeadick
Grayson Schaffer
low energySpecial thanks to our crew and special guests:
Cory Kelly Russ Melissa Wade Abby Robyn

And to our awesome hosts at The Studio (Boulder)! You guys rock!

Feb 10, 2017

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 

Jan 30, 2017

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.

Jan 30, 2017

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 the point where he skied the North Pole, South Pole and Mount Everest in a calendar year. And the impact of being a dad on his adventure lifestyle.

And they both join in on a lively debate about ancient pyramids that may or may not be buried under the South Pole.

Links

Eric’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LW6C1GG/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Eric’s website: http://www.ericlarsenexplore.com/

Cool article Eric wrote about being a dad of young ones on a dangerous Himilayan adventure: Dad Life

Eric discusses his book, “On Thin Ice”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZyL7DuSAPI

JJ’s website: http://www.jjyosh.com/

JJ’s film, “Ancient Tomorrow”: http://www.ancienttomorrow.com/

JJ’s videos: http://www.jjyosh.com/host-reel/

Jan 27, 2017

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-krupickas-gear-shed?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=facebookpost

Joe Grant on our October show: http://www.dispatchradio.com/dispatch-6-self-propelled-adventure/

Video of Anton’s successful FKT record of Long Peak Triathlon: https://vimeo.com/185852037


Photo credit: Jarrod Wheaton

Photo credit: Joe Grant (meta!)

Jan 24, 2017

 

In this episode, we check in with Joel Gratz, founder of OpenSnow.com to talk ski season snow totals (late but wow!) and to hear about his three-week powder-hounding road trip across the rockies from Colorado to Canada. We get an insider’s tour of ski resorts off the beaten path (including Utah’s Powder Mountain) and do the math to figure out if heli-skiing is worth it. Give Joel a shout at joel@opensnow.com and find out if he really does answer every email. Insider hint: he’s a sucker for weather jokes.

Links:

Joel’s weather site Open Snow (also available as app)

Helicopter guide: Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH)

Colorado climber/author/dirtbagger Brendan Leonard’s website, Semi-Rad.com

Powder Mountain, Lost Trail, Whitefish, Revel Stoke Mountain Resort, Ski Banff, Ski Louise

About Joel:

Joel Gratz is a snow-obsessed meteorologist based on Boulder, Colorado, who founded a company to help skiers, like him, to find the best powder. OpenSnow DOT com has local forecasters that cover the Rockies, California and lots of other places across the U.S.  

Jan 23, 2017

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.

Jan 21, 2017

 

Show notes

Professional rock climber (boulderer to be exact) and Boulder resident Paul Robinson joins us to discuss the world premiere of his new film, Uncharted Lines, which debuts at the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, Jan.  25. Host Scott Jones offers up a few events happening in Colorado over the next week, including a special Denver edition of Mappy Hour and a talk by local backcountry explorer and author Fritz Sperry.

Links

Watch a trailer of Uncharted Lines

Read more about Paul on his website or climbing resume or this interview with him about his Boulder, Colorado, roots. Here's a cool article Outside Magazine did on one of Paul’s first-ascents.

Events previewed

Wednesday, January 25

Boulder: Premiere of climbing movie "Uncharted Lines" at the Boulder Theater. Every climbing reward comes at the cost of a potential risk, but when you are a climbing pioneer, driven by the unknown and unexpected, you are willing to risk whatever it takes for the chance to find the perfect first ascent. This untouched line is the ultimate prize for professional climbers Paul Robinson, Jimmy Webb, Daniel Woods and Chris Sharma – four of the best climbers in the world who have each dedicated their lives to the sport of rock climbing. Told through five separate stories, Paul Robinson is the common thread that links each story together as he travels from Russia, to the southeastern United States, to Spain, to Zimbabwe, and finally back home to the Rocky Mountains, interacting with these three athletes along the way.

Denver: Mappy Hour at Denver Beer Co. - Matt Doyle (@FATMAP) will be hosting a roundtable about digital tools to use in the snow. From phone apps to watches to beacons and more! What inspires you to plan outdoor adventures? Which types of technology do you use while skiing? Which apps are the most popular? What kind of technology do you hope to see in the future?

Friday, Jan. 27

Nederland: Fritz Sperry Making Turns in Colorado’s Front Range The Movie. Join Fritz as he presents a movie about finishing his most recent guidebook "MakingTurns in Colorado's Front Range Volume 2: North of I-70". He also touches on avalanche awareness and safety issues along with some of his mistakes. There will be a raffle to benefit CAIC, followed by music from Nederland local and movie contributor Familydog Stringband. Tickets are $10 at the door and benefit CAIC and include a raffle ticket and beer from Upslope.

Fritz is touring Colorado with lots of upcoming events. Check out his website for details: MakingTurns.com


Jan 15, 2017



Todd Straka, creator of BoulderRunning.com, joins us to discuss the latest edition of the Boulder Running Journal, a collection of more than 200 pages of photos and essays depicting annual highlights from the Boulder running scene.
Todd is an accomplished and dedicated runner himself and has competed in road events for the past 25 years including with the Runners Roost Racing Team. He manages to squeeze in workouts between his job as a website designer and raising two children, working towards the goal of bettering his time in the Mile, his personal epic challenge.

Join Todd and several featured athletes for a book signing and XC preview panel on Jan 31 at Fleet Fleet Boulder at 6pm.

Boulder Running Journal: boulderrunning.com/journal/

Todd's website provides frequent coverage of local running news and events: boulderrunning.com

 

Jan 7, 2017

Listen in to a chilling interview with Scott Carney, author of What Doesn't Kill Us.  Scott's book traces our evolutionary journey back to a time when survival depended on how well we adapted to the environment around us. Our ancestors crossed the Alps in animal skins and colonized the New World in loin cloths. They evaded predators and built civilizations with just their raw brainpower and inner grit. But things have changed and now comfort is king. Today we live in the thrall of constant climate control and exercise only when our office schedules permit. The technologies that we use to make us comfortable are so all encompassing that they sever the biological link to a changing environment. Now we hate the cold and the heat. We suffer from autoimmune diseases. And many of us are chronically overweight. Most of us don't even realize that natural variation--sweating and shivering--is actually good for us. 

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