Doug Hintze, OPDD alum, footwear designer, and founder of Landed Footwear, speaks to students about his time in the program as well as professional and entrepreneurial journey. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program…

Jess Arnold, a designer and developer at SPG talks to OPDD students about her role as a developer, the career path, and how the role interacts and differs from others on the product team. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Developm…

Joanna Black, Senior Archivist at the Sierra Club, shares about their work and the archive at the 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Joanna Black Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-m-b-a4880730/ Sierra Club Archives: https://www.sierraclub.org/library Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The High…

Patrick McColgan, corporate archivist and historian for Abercrombie & Fitch, shares about his work and the corporate collection at the 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Patrick McColgan Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mccolgan-2389083a/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccpaddy/?hl=en Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Pod…

A panel of category/product managers joins the OPDD program for a discussion about their roles, qualities of good product managers, and their pathways into the industry. Julie Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebrophyrogers/ Rosie Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosiemansfield/ Justin McGregor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcgre…

Nancy Zastudil, an independent curator, editor, and writer, and one of our 2024 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows, presents her research and findings from her time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive at our 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Nancy Zastudil Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-zastudil-68933891/ Website: https://www.thenecessarian.c…

Martin Hogue, Associate Professor at Cornell, author of Making Camp, and one of our 2024 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows presents his research and findings from his time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive at our 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Martin Hogue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-hogue-05986363/ Making Camp: https://martinhogue.net/Makin…

Erin Narloch, Senior Director at History Factory, speaks as our Outdoor History Summit 2025 Keynote speaker on the importance of archives, how archives and heritage can be used by brands, and the Heritage Gap report. Heritage Gap Report: https://www.historyfactory.com/insights/report/the-heritage-gap-report/ Erin Narloch on Linkedin: https://www.li…

Clint Pumphrey provides a State of the Archives report at our 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Learn about how the archive grew in 2024 and other projects that we’ve been working on. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development progr…

Bill Simon, former executive of The North Face, Converse, Cole Haas, Marmot, and more talks about his start in the outdoor industry making technical garments in Taiwan in the late 70s, the shift to a global outdoor supply chain over the course of his career. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The H…

Matthieu Nicol, author of Fashion Army, talks about his work as a visual researcher, the influence of military clothing on fashion, and the value of archive and collecting.Learn more about the book: https://www.amazon.com/Fashion-Army-Matthieu-Nicol/dp/1915743575 Matthieu Nicol: https://www.instagram.com/matthieu_nicol/ Vintage Food Photography: ht…

Henry Iddon and Max Leonard, authors of Mountain Style: British Outdoor Clothing 1953-2000, join the History of Gear to talk about their book, the influence of UK-based outdoor brands, and what makes British outdoor clothing special. Learn more about the book: https://www.isolapress.com/shop/mountain-style Listen to these conversations on the Highl…

Bob Howe, the tent designer behind iconic tents from Early Winters, Sierra Designs, and The North Face, talks about his career in the outdoor industry. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University…

As a special episode for Halloween, we are sharing a previous episode of the History of Gear. Jack Gilbert and others founded Mountain Hardwear on Halloween in 1993. Enjoy this conversation with Jack! Jack Gilbert, former Vice President at The North Face and President of Sierra Designs and founder of Mountain Hardwear, joins the podcast to talk the…

The guys chat with Tabita Berglund before her debut performance as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's newly appointed Principal Guest Conductor. Catch Tabita conducting Sibelius' Lemminkäinen Suite, Britten's Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, and the US Premiere of Anna Clyne's Time and Tides October 18-20, 2024.…

Todd Arenson, founder of Tsunami, talks about the Utah outdoor products industry and the rise of fleece! https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-arenson-052609a/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State Univers…

Keith Byrne, Senior Manager - Global Brand Education at The North Face talks to students about corporate culture as well as aligning personal and brand values. https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%98%87keith-byrne-7a85227/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the …

Nancy Grimes, founder of Banana Equipment, talks about starting the company, being a woman in leadership in the outdoor industry, and introducing some of the first Gore-Tex products to the market. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design &…

Charles Ross, a Lecturer at the Royal College of Art in London, talks to OPDD students about sustainability, performance apparel, and reducing consumption. https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-ross-1464714/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product…

Randy Merrell, founder of Merrell and the Merrell Foot Lab, talks about his ties to Utah State University, custom boot making, and the founding of Merrell. https://merrellfootlab.com/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development …

Ron Smith, founder of American Outdoor Products, talks about the history of backpacking food, buying Dri-Lite and turning it into what is now Backpacker’s Pantry, and 75 years of outdoor food. https://backpackerspantry.com/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by t…

From boy bands to mariachi to DJing, the guys chat with new DSO Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez on how he draws inspiration from his unique background to inspire his Pops arranging and conducting. Catch Enrico conducting Disco Fever this season as well as his first season as Principal Pops Conductor in the 24-25 DSO PNC Pops series.…

Robert Jungmann, founder of Manastash and Jungmaven, talks natural fibers, founding brands, and the early days of hemp clothing in Seattle, Washington. Robert Jungmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jungmaven/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Produ…

Alumni from the OPDD program, Natalie Cullum, Connor Young, and Jacob Johnson, return to the program to share their experiences and answer questions from current students who are preparing to enter the workforce. Natalie Cullum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-cullum-b07509126/ Connor Young: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-faux-young/ Jacob …

Damon Morris, VP Outdoor at Elevate Outdoor Collective, talks about his journey into the sports / outdoor industry, the dynamics of working on a product team, and shaking up the ski industry. Damon Morris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonmorris/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Po…

Paige Koch, designer at Primo Golf Apparel and freelance designer, talks about her journey as a freelancer and shares tips and tricks for those looking designers looking to do the same. Paige Koch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigekoch/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is s…

Steve Brings, founder of WAVE Products, talks about the outdoor industry in Utah in the 70s / 80s, and the origins of his company, which started by making local ski patrol bags for hauling explosives when triggering avalanches. Wave Products: https://waveproducts.com/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/pod…

Dr. Rachel Gross, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Colorado Denver and one of our 2022 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows, returns to the podcast to talk about her new book, Shopping All the Way to the Woods: How the Outdoor Industry Sold Nature to America. https://rachel-gross.com/my-book/ Listen to these conversations on the Hi…

Greg Thomsen, founder of Wilderness Experience and the force behind the creation of Nike ACG and Adidas Outdoor (US), shares his experience as an executive in the outdoor industry and talks to students about the qualities of great product teams. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregthomsen/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https:…

Diane Bristol, VP of Culture & Community at Revelyst, talks to students about how to connect their personal values to those of a brand, and how to identify positive or negative company culture during the job search. https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-bristol-95a15910/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podc…

Andrea Kelly, founder and CEO of Make Plus Equal, talks with students about her experience as a product manager and merchandiser, working for companies like Columbia Sportswear and Nike. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-c-kelly/ https://makeplusequal.com/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Hi…

Mark Paigen, founder and inventor of Chaco, talks about the whitewater boom of the 90s and its influence on sport sandals, the creation of Gecko, which would become Chaco, and his newest venture, Tread Labs. https://treadlabs.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpaigen/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podc…

Chelsea Morley, Product Designer and Developer at Little Unicorn, and OPDD alum, talks to students about the role of a developer and other lessons from working on a product team. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development progr…

The guys chat with 2024 Classical Roots Soloist Steven Banks about the evolution of the saxophone in classical music and Billy Child's co-commission Diaspora Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra.By Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Jim Berryhill joins the History of Gear Series to talk about the creation of the first ever catalog from The North Face in 1966. While only working in the outdoor industry for a few short months, Jim reflects on his time with the company and a lifetime of outdoor adventures. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.…

We are back from our hiatus with the grim story of Duncan MacPherson. Warning: there are parts of this episode that describe injuries that may be upsetting to some people.

Jack Gilbert, former Vice President at The North Face and President of Sierra Designs and founder of Mountain Hardwear, joins the podcast to talk the history of gear. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah S…

John Mead, President of Adventure 16, joins the History of Gear and talks about the early days of the retailer, their contributions to backpack and tent innovation, and the legacy of the brand to this day. https://adventure16.com/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. h…

Ryan Taylor, Product Line Manager at Cotopaxi, speaks to students about how to be a great team member, the role of a PLM, and good / bad company culture. Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantaylor95/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoo…

Will Dunn, Historian & Impact Communications Program Manager at REI and Sarah Stephens, Apparel Design Lead at the Co-Op, speak at the 2023 Outdoor History Summit about the process of building the REI archives, getting buy-in within the organization, and the impact that history and heritage is having on the brand moving forward. Connect with Will a…

Avery Trufelman, the creator of Articles Of Interest, and one of the 2023 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows, talks at the 2023 Outdoor History Summit about her research in the archive and some upcoming projects she’s excited about. Subscribe to Articles of Interest wherever you listen to podcasts and subscribe to Avery’s newsletter! https://articl…

The guys chat with Bass Trombone Adam Rainey about his path from aspiring doctor with a bad high range to the player we know today.By Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Katie Hargrave, Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Meredith Laura Lynn, Assistant Professor at Florida State University, talk at the 2023 Outdoor History Summit about their experience in the archive this summer as 2023 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows and the tent research and art they are creating. Connect with…

Welcome to part 2 of the Mothman story where we wrap up the sightings and get into some theories!

Yoji Kaneda, Director of Lifestyle Footwear/Apparel & New Concepts at Danner, talks at the 2023 Outdoor History Summit about building the Danner archive and shares tips and tricks for how to build out a collection at a brand. Connect with Yoji! https://www.instagram.com/yoji_kaneda/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Liste…

Martin Hogue, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Landscape Architecture at Cornell University and the author of Making Camp: A Brief History of the Tent, spoke at our recent Outdoor History Summit 2023 about the history and impact of tents and shelters. Learn more about Martin and check out Making Camp! h…

Clint Pumphrey, Manuscript Curator and one of the minds behind the Outdoor Recreation Archive at Utah State University, gives a report on the state of the archive for 2023 at this year’s Outdoor History Summit. Follow the archive on Instagram and check on the collection on our website! https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/ https://libguides.…

We may not be consistent but boy do we have a doozy of a story for you today. Join us for the first part of the Legend of the Mothman!

On this episode of Between 2 Stands, the guys chat with pianist Alexandra Dariescu about how to listen to new compositions and how some of our favorite classical pieces weren't always so celebrated. Hear Alexandra perform the world premiere of "Shades of Unbroken Dreams" on the next Live from Orchestra Hall Webcast on November 11, 2023 and on DSO R…

Martin Keen, the founder of KEEN, talks about the origins of the company, the development of the Newport Sandal which would revolutionize water shoes, and footwear as tools for your feet. Martin Keen Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkeen/ Email: [email protected] Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to the…