Highlander Podcast

By Outdoor Product Design & Development

What's Highlander Podcast about?

A podcast about the past, present, and future of the outdoor industry.

Highlander is made possible by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University and Aggie Radio in beautiful Logan, Utah.

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Highlander Podcast episodes:

04.24.2024
Alumni Panel | Natalie Cullum (Orvis) - Connor Young (Cotopaxi) - Jacob Johnson (Outdoor Research)
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 Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-johnson-927545206/ Listen to...
04.24.2024
Carmela Montenegro | DEI Consultant
Carmela Montenegro, a DEI consultant with experience working with brands like REI, spoke with students about company culture, values, and how to determine whether a brand aligns with your goals as a potential employee. Carmela Montenegro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmela-montenegro/ Listen to these conversations on...
04.12.2024
Damon Morris | VP Outdoor @ Elevate Outdoor Collective | Highlander Podcast
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...
04.03.2024
Paige Koch | Designer + OPDD Alum | Highlander Podcast
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...
03.25.2024
Steve Brings | Founder of WAVE Products | History of Gear
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...
03.18.2024
Dr. Rachel Gross | Assistant Professor and Author of "Shopping All the Way to the Woods" | History of Gear
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...
03.11.2024
Greg Thomsen | Founder @ Wilderness Experience and Outdoor Executive at Nike / Adidas | Outdoor Product Design & Development
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...
03.04.2024
Diane Bristol | VP Culture & Community @ Revelyst | Outdoor Product Design & Development
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...
02.26.2024
Andrea Kelly | Founder and CEO of Make Plus Equal | USU Outdoor Product Design & Development
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 Highlander Podcast is sponsored...
02.19.2024
Mark Paigen | Founder and Creator of Chaco | History of Gear
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...
02.12.2024
Chelsea Morley | Product Designer & Developer @ Little Unicorn
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...
01.29.2024
Jim Berryhill | Designed the First Catalog at The North Face | History of Gear
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...
01.08.2024
Jack Gilbert | Founder of Mountain Hardwear and former VP at The North Face and President at Sierra Designs | History of Gear
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...
12.18.2023
John Mead | President @ Adventure 16 | History of Gear
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...
12.11.2023
Ryan Taylor | Product Line Manager @ Cotopaxi | Highlander Podcast
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...
12.08.2023
Will Dunn | Historian @ REI / Sarah Stephens | Apparel Design Lead @ REI | Outdoor History Summit 2023
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...
12.06.2023
Avery Trufelman | Host of Articles of Interest and a 2023 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow | Outdoor History Summit 2023
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...
12.04.2023
Katie Hargrave & Meredith Laura Lynn | Professors and 2023 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows | Outdoor History Summit 2023
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...
12.01.2023
Yoji Kaneda | Director of Lifestyle Footwear/Apparel & New Concepts @ Danner | Outdoor History Summit 2023
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...
11.29.2023
Martin Hogue | Author of Making Camp & Associate Professor @ Cornell | Outdoor History Summit 2023
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...
11.27.2023
Clint Pumphrey | Manuscript Curator @ Outdoor Recreation Archive and USU Special Collections | Outdoor History Summit 2023
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...
10.30.2023
Martin Keen | Founder of KEEN | History of Gear
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 these conversations...
09.18.2023
Britt Olsen | General Manager - Americas Region @ On Running
Britt Olsen, General Manager for the Americas region at On Running, talks to students about how she builds high-performing teams and what she looks for in great candidates. Britt Olsen Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-olsen-67b6319/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander...
09.04.2023
Michael Levy | Owner + Editor of Summit Journal | History of Gear
Michael Levy, the owner and editor of the legendary climbing publication, Summit Journal, talks about the rebirth of the publication and the impact of the Journal on climbing going back to 1955. Subscribe to Summit Journal: https://www.summitjournal.com/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to...
07.10.2023
Kevin Myette | Director of Global Brand Services | Highlander Podcast
Kevin Myette, Director of Global Brand Services at BlueSign, talks to students about the intricacies of the supply network, the responsibility of brands for creating a more sustainable system, and the opportunity for students to take on these challenges. Kevin Myette https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmyette/ BlueSign https://www.bluesign.com/en Watch...
07.03.2023
Dr. Rachel Gross Follow Up | Assistant Professor & Outdoor Rec Archive Fellow | History of Gear
Dr. Rachel Gross, an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado-Denver== and one of our Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows, talks about her most recent research which focuses on the relationship between big box stores, outdoor brands, and outdoor consumers over...
06.26.2023
Stine Danielle Follow Up | Artist and Outdoor Rec Archive Fellow | History of Gear
Stine Danielle, an artist and one of our Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows, gives an update on her project and shares more about how archival imagery influences her latest work. Stine Danielle https://stinedanielle.com/ https://www.instagram.com/stine__danielle/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander...
06.20.2023
Jenna Celmer | Co-Founder + Chief Community Officer + President of Basecamp
Jenna Celmer, the Co-Founder, Chief Community Officer, and President of Basecamp talks to students about red and green flags when applying for jobs in the outdoor industry and shares powerful tips for finding a fulfilling career. Jenna Celmer https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennafrombasecamp/ Basecamp https://www.wearetheoutdoorindustry.com/ Basecamp Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/outdoorindustryjobs/ Watch these conversations...
06.12.2023
David Mydans | Tent Designer @ REI | History of Gear
On this episode of the History of Gear, we talk with David Mydans, a legendary tent designer who got his start as an artist making product at Chouinard Equipment to becoming REI's first in-house product designer. David Mydans https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirtbagg/ Watch these conversations on...
04.17.2023
Nicole Bassett & Maura Dilley | Cascade Circular | Highlander Podcast
Nicole Bassett and Maura Dilley, the sustainability leaders behind Cascade Circular, talk with students about circular design, systems thinking, and challenge students to take on the critical design challenges we face. https://www.cascadecircular.com/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the...
03.28.2023
Elizabeth Goodspeed | The Casual Archivist | History of Gear
Elizabeth Goodspeed, a designer and the Casual Archivist joins the History of Gear to talk about how she incorporates archives into her process, archives as ingredients, and how designers can find better inspiration. Check out the Casual Archivist newsletter, follow Elizabeth...
03.13.2023
Charles Ross | Performance Sportswear Specialist + Lecturer @ The Royal College of Arts
Charles Ross, a Performance Apparel Specialist and Lecturer at the Royal College of Art, talks to students about the challenges designers face in creating a more sustainable world and their opportunity to create real impact beyond the apparel industry. Connect with...
03.06.2023
Bruce Johnson | UCO | History of Gear
Bruce Johnson tells the story of UCO, a company known for developing the candle lantern, ice cream makers, and a variety of other outdoor products and their influence on iconic companies like Jansport and K2. Get the book Fire and Icecream:...
02.27.2023
Salomon x NASA Collaboration with Utah State University
Dr. Julie Lamarra a faculty member in OPDD and Scott Betty, VP of Footwear and Gear at Salomon North America talk about their recent collaboration, challenging students to explore opportunities to integrate NASA materials and technologies into the Salomon line. Watch...
02.21.2023
Peter Yee | Former VP of Industrial Design @ Oakley
Peter Yee, former VP of Industrial Design at Oakley, talks about his contributions to creating iconic products at the brand, including the Oakley “O” and his journey into the world of product design. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-yee-9613ab4/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peteryeedesign/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations...
02.06.2023
Yoji Kaneda | PLM @ Danner Boots | Highlander Podcast
Yoji Kaneda, Product Line Manager at Danner Boots, speaks to students about his day-to-day role as a PLM, key skills and traits required for success, and the behind-the-scenes dynamic between design, development, and product management. Yoji Kaneda https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoji-kaneda-584679184/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen...
01.30.2023
Dick Tracy | Plastic Buckle Inventor | History of Gear
Dick Tracy, inventor and innovator, talks about his contributions to the outdoor industry including the invention of the plastic buckle in a world dominated by metal fasteners. Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast...
01.17.2023
Spencer Wyatt | Director of Concepts and Surface Design | Allbirds
Spencer Wyatt, Director of Concepts and Surface Design at Allbirds, speaks to OPDD students about his interest in color and materials and the influence of Ninja Turtles on his design career. Spencer Wyatt Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-wyatt-84b8237/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations...
12.27.2022
Rhonda Summer & Katherine Connolly | Under Armour | Outdoor History Summit 2022
Rhonda Summer, Design Director for Men’s and Women’s Outerwear & Outdoor at Under Armour and Katherine Connolly, a Graphic Designer at Under Armour, talk about the influence of archives on the design process and the power archival collections can have...
12.19.2022
Katie Hargrave & Meredith Laura Lynn | Educators & Artists | Outdoor History Summit 2022
Katie Hargrave and Meredith Laura Lynn, educators and artists, shared how archives and a recent visit to USU Special Collections influenced some recent projects and art installations that explore the intersection of the outdoors and artistic expression. Katie Hargrave Associate Professor at the...
12.12.2022
Clare Pavelka | Brand Archivist @ Red Wing & Vasque | Outdoor History Summit 2022
Clare Pavelka, Brand Archivist for Red Wing and Vasque, speaks at the 2022 Outdoor History Summit about her role and the creation and growth of the archive. Clare Pavelka https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-pavelka-50b0578/ Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellowship https://libguides.usu.edu/c.php?g=1082619&p=8616180 Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these...
12.05.2022
Catherine Acosta | Brand Archivist @ Vans | Outdoor History Summit 2022
Catherine Acosta, Brand Archivist for Vans, speaks at the 2022 Outdoor History Summit about why history matters and the creation and growth of the Vans archive. Catherine Acosta https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-acosta-2778b2109/ https://www.instagram.com/bourgeoisspirituality/ Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellowship https://libguides.usu.edu/c.php?g=1082619&p=8616180 Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations...
11.27.2022
Darren Ritten | Brand Archivist @ Arc’teryx | Outdoor History Summit
Darren Ritten, Brand Archivist for Arc’teryx, speaks at the 2022 Outdoor History Summit about the origins of the corporate archive as well as the opportunities and challenges of building an archive from the ground up. Darren Ritten https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-r-642aa92a/ https://instagram.com/mgssince1989?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellowship https://libguides.usu.edu/c.php?g=1082619&p=8616180 Outdoor Recreation...
11.17.2022
Stine Danielle | Artist & Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow | Outdoor History Summit
Stine Danielle, an artist who specializes in centering the voices of people of color in outdoor spaces speaks at the Outdoor History Summit about their time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive and her research as a 2022 Outdoor Recreation Archive...
10.20.2022
Dr. Rachel Gross | Outdoor History Summit 2022 | History of Gear
Dr. Rachel Gross, Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado-Denver speaks at the Outdoor History Summit about their time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive and research on the history of big box and specialty retail in the outdoor industry. Dr....
10.17.2022
Conrad Anker | Climbing Legend | History of Gear Series
Climbing legend Conrad Anker speaks at the Outdoor Recreation Archive Kamp Kit Exhibit opening at Utah State University. Anker talks about the history of the outdoor industry, the evolution of gear, and the challenges of a changing climate for product...
10.03.2022
Robert Thomas | Senior Director / USA @ Arc’teryx
Robert Thomas, Senior Director - USA for Arc’teryx, talks with students about the qualities of a great product line manager and PLMs as the hub of the product creation process. Robert Thomas | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberthomas/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations...
09.27.2022
Laura Miera & Randy Verniers Former VPs @ Marmot | History of Gear
On this episode of the History of Gear, two Marmot alums, Laura Miera, the VP of Technical Product Development and Randy Verniers, VP of International Sales talk about the early days of the company, the transition from domestic to international...
08.15.2022
Sarah Al-Hussein, Product Developer @ Sanuk | Highlander Podcast
Sarah Al-Hussein, a product developer at Sanuk talks with first year product students at USU about their role as part of the product triad and the specific tasks of a developer in bringing footwear to market. Sarah Al-Hussein https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-al-hussein-20485789/ Watch these conversations on...
08.09.2022
Dan Madden, Founder of Madden Equipment & Mike Valvano, Former President | History of Gear
Dan Madden, founder of Madden Equipment, and Mike Valvano, former President at Madden join the History of Gear to talk about how Madden stood out from other early pack companies and the rise, acquisition, sunsetting, and revival of the brand...

What's Highlander Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Highlander Podcast episodes:

Alumni Panel | Natalie Cullum (Orvis) - Connor Young (Cotopaxi) - Jacob Johnson (Outdoor Research)

Carmela Montenegro | DEI Consultant

Damon Morris | VP Outdoor @ Elevate Outdoor Collective | Highlander Podcast

Paige Koch | Designer + OPDD Alum | Highlander Podcast

Steve Brings | Founder of WAVE Products | History of Gear

Dr. Rachel Gross | Assistant Professor and Author of "Shopping All the Way to the Woods" | History of Gear

Greg Thomsen | Founder @ Wilderness Experience and Outdoor Executive at Nike / Adidas | Outdoor Product Design & Development

Diane Bristol | VP Culture & Community @ Revelyst | Outdoor Product Design & Development

Andrea Kelly | Founder and CEO of Make Plus Equal | USU Outdoor Product Design & Development

Mark Paigen | Founder and Creator of Chaco | History of Gear

Chelsea Morley | Product Designer & Developer @ Little Unicorn

Jim Berryhill | Designed the First Catalog at The North Face | History of Gear

Jack Gilbert | Founder of Mountain Hardwear and former VP at The North Face and President at Sierra Designs | History of Gear

John Mead | President @ Adventure 16 | History of Gear

Ryan Taylor | Product Line Manager @ Cotopaxi | Highlander Podcast

Will Dunn | Historian @ REI / Sarah Stephens | Apparel Design Lead @ REI | Outdoor History Summit 2023

Avery Trufelman | Host of Articles of Interest and a 2023 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow | Outdoor History Summit 2023

Katie Hargrave & Meredith Laura Lynn | Professors and 2023 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows | Outdoor History Summit 2023

Yoji Kaneda | Director of Lifestyle Footwear/Apparel & New Concepts @ Danner | Outdoor History Summit 2023

Martin Hogue | Author of Making Camp & Associate Professor @ Cornell | Outdoor History Summit 2023

Clint Pumphrey | Manuscript Curator @ Outdoor Recreation Archive and USU Special Collections | Outdoor History Summit 2023

Martin Keen | Founder of KEEN | History of Gear

Britt Olsen | General Manager - Americas Region @ On Running

Michael Levy | Owner + Editor of Summit Journal | History of Gear

Kevin Myette | Director of Global Brand Services | Highlander Podcast

Dr. Rachel Gross Follow Up | Assistant Professor & Outdoor Rec Archive Fellow | History of Gear

Stine Danielle Follow Up | Artist and Outdoor Rec Archive Fellow | History of Gear

Jenna Celmer | Co-Founder + Chief Community Officer + President of Basecamp

David Mydans | Tent Designer @ REI | History of Gear

Nicole Bassett & Maura Dilley | Cascade Circular | Highlander Podcast

Elizabeth Goodspeed | The Casual Archivist | History of Gear

Charles Ross | Performance Sportswear Specialist + Lecturer @ The Royal College of Arts

Bruce Johnson | UCO | History of Gear

Salomon x NASA Collaboration with Utah State University

Peter Yee | Former VP of Industrial Design @ Oakley

Yoji Kaneda | PLM @ Danner Boots | Highlander Podcast

Dick Tracy | Plastic Buckle Inventor | History of Gear

Spencer Wyatt | Director of Concepts and Surface Design | Allbirds

Rhonda Summer & Katherine Connolly | Under Armour | Outdoor History Summit 2022

Katie Hargrave & Meredith Laura Lynn | Educators & Artists | Outdoor History Summit 2022

Clare Pavelka | Brand Archivist @ Red Wing & Vasque | Outdoor History Summit 2022

Catherine Acosta | Brand Archivist @ Vans | Outdoor History Summit 2022

Darren Ritten | Brand Archivist @ Arc’teryx | Outdoor History Summit

Stine Danielle | Artist & Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow | Outdoor History Summit

Dr. Rachel Gross | Outdoor History Summit 2022 | History of Gear

Conrad Anker | Climbing Legend | History of Gear Series

Robert Thomas | Senior Director / USA @ Arc’teryx

Laura Miera & Randy Verniers Former VPs @ Marmot | History of Gear

Sarah Al-Hussein, Product Developer @ Sanuk | Highlander Podcast

Dan Madden, Founder of Madden Equipment & Mike Valvano, Former President | History of Gear