Shows
The Octagon#33: Octagon Labs: Mindfulness Workshop with Micheline Lemay and Christine EverittThis week we veered off from our traditional format diving into the stories, characters, and stories that make Stowe, Vermont so legendary. We are calling this new series Octagon Labs. Many community members have connected with us wanting to start their own podcast and this Labs extension of the traditional format brings an episode from community members diving into a specific topic or passion. The goal of Octagon Labs is to provide our listeners with additional educational and thought provoking content to implement into their lives. For the first episode of Octagon Labs we exp...2025-07-2451 minThe Octagon#32: Season 1 Recap and July 4th Parade Bonus FootageJoin us for a trip down memory lane as we recap what was an unforgettable season 1 at the Octagon Podcast. We revisit the epic tales, personalities and history that makes Stowe such a special and unique community. In this episode we will also throw out some teasers for what to expect in season 2!Stay tuned in after the season 1 recap for live footage of the sights and sounds of the famous Stowe 4th of July Parade!2025-07-121h 06The Octagon#31: Gregg Goodson: Animal Care and Community as a Stowe VeterinarianThis week we were excited to welcome Gregg Goodson into the Octagon studio. Gregg is a highly respected veterinarian based in Stowe, Vermont, serving as the owner and lead veterinarian at Stowe Veterinary Clinic. A graduate of Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, Gregg is known for his compassionate and attentive care, treating pets as if they were his own. 2025-06-3052 minThe Octagon#30: George Petit: World Class Musician and Founder of Stowe Jazz FestivalTo ring in the 30th episode at The Octagon we had George Petit join us in the studio. George is a jazz guitarist, a composer, an educator… and the force behind the Stowe Jazz Festival — happening this July which brings world class Jazz musicians to our community. George Petit has been a working musician, composer, arranger, engineer and producer for the better part of 37 years, playing his very first gig at the age of 13 in a West-end, London Pub...but even before that, he performed as a young musician at Carnegie Hall and on Broadway. Music is his pass...2025-06-1955 minThe Octagon#29: Bryan Huber: A Lifetime of Medical Care as a World Renowned Orthopedic SurgeonThis week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Bryan Huber. Bryan is a world renowned orthopedic surgeon with a long career serving in the Navy, as Team Physician for the USSA and U.S. Snowboard Team, Burton Snowboards, Stowe Mountain Ski Patrol and has performed countless surgeries on local Stowe residents and athletes. An avid athlete himself, Bryan played soccer, rugby and water polo in college and has been an avid snowboarder for years. Bryan was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2018 and that journey brings a unique perspective on life as a father, husband, a...2025-06-081h 18The Octagon#28: Teagan Reeves: Life as a Vermont MeteorologistThis week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Stowe native and local meteorologist Teagan Reeves. Teagan has always had a passion for weather. She graduated from Northern Vermont University – Lyndon with a degree in Atmospheric Science. After she graduated in spring of 2023, Teagan packed her bags and moved to Michigan to work as a weekend meteorologist - after being there for a little over a year - she came back to VT and in September of last year, she became the Meteorologist on the Burlington TV Station Ch 22/44. In her free time you can find Teagan hi...2025-05-2835 minThe Octagon#27: Charlotte Brynn: Adventures of a World Class Open Water SwimmerThis week we had the pleasure of sitting down with world-class open water swimmer Charlotte Brynn. Charlotte has completed over 50 marathon swims including some of the toughest swims on Earth — Charlotte is also one of the top women open water coaches and mentors in the world. Charlotte has been the Executive Director of the Swimming Hole here in Stowe for over 20 years and has motivated and helped countless people to set big goals for a specific event or simply begin their swimming and exercise journey. Charlotte grew up in the beautiful country of New Zealand and has...2025-05-1756 minThe Octagon#26: 2025 Winter Recap with Ted and MikeThis week Ted and Mike give a recap on what was an epic 2025 winter here in Stowe. We explore the mountain scene, legendary Hyde Cup tales, a banner Nordic ski season and all the happenings and events in this unique mountain town. We also give listeners a behind the scenes snapshot of what goes into creating Octagon Podcast episodes.Tune in and relive all of your favorite winter moments with us in this special edition winter 2025 recap!2025-05-0738 minThe Octagon#25: Tom Rogers: Stowe Land Trust Executive Director and Wildlife BiologistThis week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Tom Rogers, Executive Director of Stowe Land Trust . A certified wildlife biologist with a master’s degree in Biology and Ecology, Tom came to SLT in 2024 from The Nature Conservancy, where he was Associate Director of Philanthropy for the past five years. Tom lives in Stowe with his wife and two daughters. He is an avid mountain biker and backcountry skier, and he’s often out on the trails in the early morning before work. Tom also worked as a part-time ski instructor at Stowe Mountain Reso...2025-04-2849 minThe Octagon#24: Joanna Graves: Building Community Through FitnessJoanna Graves has been a fixture in the Stowe fitness community for 30 years - often recognized as the top fitness workout instructor in the area and is also the owner of RIDE indoor cycling studio. You can most often find Joanna teaching a Spin class, a bootcamp, at the rink - both playing and watching hockey, and in the summer on the tennis courts and golf course. Joanna has motivated countless people to incorporate workouts into their daily routine and has built a loyal and supportive community around fitness here in Stowe.2025-04-1845 minThe Octagon#23: Kristina von Trapp Frame: A Life at the Iconic von Trapp Family Lodge and ResortThis week we are joined in the Octagon studio by Kristina von Trapp Frame. The von Trapp name is synonymous with Stowe and its outdoor culture. Kristina von Trapp Frame is carrying forward her family legacy that began when her grandparents settled in Stowe and built what would become one of the most iconic mountain lodges in the country.From pioneering cross-country skiing in North America to expanding into mountain biking, beer brewing, and other unique mountain experiences, Kristina has helped shape the von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort into an outdoor enthusiast’s...2025-04-1140 minThe Octagon#22: Mike Leach: Exploring the Legendary History of Ski Racing at StoweThis week we are happy to bring Mike Leach to the studio who is the historian for the Mount Mansfield Ski Club (MMSC), one of the oldest ski racing organizations in the United States. In his role, Leach has contributed significantly to documenting and preserving the rich history of skiing in the Stowe, Vermont area. Mike has provided insights into the origins of a variety of local ski events in Stowe. His research also indicates that the first Sugar Slalom was held on April 30, 1939, as a special event to mark the season's end, drawing nearly 100 entrants. Leach's extensive kn...2025-04-0447 minThe Octagon#21: Buster Brown's 24 Day Adventure: A Story of Hope and CommunityThis is a very special edition of The Octagon, bringing you the wild story of Buster Brown, the now famous beagle. On a cold February day, Buster went missing into the woods of Stowe while on a routine walk in Kirschner Woods with his owner Erin Daly. As the days went by, the search for Buster broadened. People across Stowe were searching sheds, crawl spaces, garages - and much of the searching was being led by remote viewing specialist Cris Pryce - who described possible locations of Buster with incredible details. Finally after 24 long, cold and snowy days...2025-03-2751 minThe Octagon#20: Kim Brown: The Origins of Woods Skiing at StoweKim Brown is a well-known figure in Stowe, Vermont's skiing community, recognized for his extensive contributions as a columnist, historian, and avid skier. Since making his first turns at Stowe in 1952, Brown has become a fixture on the slopes, sharing his experiences and insights through his long-running column, "Ski Bum Corner," in the Stowe Reporter and Kim knows the off trail map woods trails around Mt Mansfield as well as anyoneIn addition to his journalism, Brown is an architectural designer and one of Stowe's preeminent Ski historians. His deep knowledge of the area's...2025-03-2052 minThe Octagon#19: Dustin Martin: A Life in Ski Racing and Tracking Whitetail DeerThis week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Dustin Martin. Dustin was born and raised in Stowe and operates ARFA Property Management with his father Mike and has been a coach at Mount Mansfield Academy for 11 years. Dustin is an accomplished ski racer and raced at the college level at St. Lawrence University and has an impressive tally of victories at the Stowe Ski Bum races. When not working Dustin can be found tracking the elusive whitetail deer deep in the Mansfield back country and is the co-founder of Northwoods Whitetails. On top of all that...2025-03-1241 minThe Octagon#18: Mike Priestley: Stowe Hockey History and the Iconic Hyde Cup TournamentHockey in Stowe isn’t just a game—it’s a tradition, a community, and a way of life for many. Few people know that better than Mike Priestley. A longtime player, Mike has witnessed the evolution of the sport here, from the old Jackson Arena to the new rink. He has participated in many Hyde Cup tournaments and was a member of the premier VT team- The Stowe Slugs. But Mike is also a renaissance man, authoring 3 novels and has had a long career writing educational textbooks, magazine articles, book reviews and crossword puzzles for the New York Ti...2025-03-0342 minThe Octagon#17: Matt Testa and the Art of Back Country Ski FilmingThis week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Matt Testa aka “Mansfield Matty”. When not pumping out daily snow reports Matt can be found charging hidden lines deep in the Mansfield back country. Matt has become proficient in filming his ski adventures and providing viewers with enjoyable shots of fresh powder lines and the beauty of the Green Mountain Wilderness. Matt is considered a new age ski bum here in Stowe and logs over 130 days on the hill every season. Matt's passion for all things Stowe is infectious. This episode will get you more excit...2025-02-2648 minThe Octagon#16: Cap Chenoweth and the Legendary Stowe DerbyIn this episode of The Octagon Podcast, we dive deep into the history and strategy of the legendary Stowe Derby with longtime competitor and local icon Cap Chenoweth. From its origins in 1945 to its status as one of the most unique and challenging ski races in North America, Cap shares firsthand stories, expert insights, and tips for tackling the 12.5-mile descent from the top of Mount Mansfield to Stowe Village. Whether you're a seasoned racer or a first-time participant, this conversation offers a fascinating look at what makes the Stowe Derby a true Vermont classic...2025-02-1943 minThe Octagon#15: Jeff Clarke: Seven Years of Edelweiss and Former US Cross Country Ski Team Director of DevelopmentTo ring in our 15th episode at The Octagon Podcast we sat down with Co-Owner of Edelweiss Mountain Deli Jeff Clarke. Jeff provides us with an in depth look at what it takes to run a small business in Stowe and the challenges and rewards that have accompanied this venture. We explore how he has revamped this iconic Stowe institution into a premiere provider of high quality scratch prepared farm to table dishes and co-host Mike Carey’s favorite Sweet Sensation Bar.We also dive into Jeff’s career as the former Director of Deve...2025-02-1553 minThe Octagon#14: Andre Blais: Ten Years Creating the Stowe Snow Report and Weather GuruHave you ever wondered what really goes into the daily Stowe Snow Report that we enjoy everyday from the comfort of our homes on our iPhone? Well wait no more as this week we have the Godfather of the Stowe Snow Report Andre Blais!Join us for an exhilarating and informative chat with Andre as he runs us through the ins and outs of what it takes to create this product we have all come to appreciate so much. From 5 foot storm cycles, after hours mountain operation tales and Charlie Lord's first snow report at Stowe you...2025-01-2944 minThe Octagon#13: Jan Reynolds: World Record Setting Climber, Skier, Olympic Athlete and HumanitarianJoin us on a thrilling and fascinating interview with longtime Stowe resident Jan Reynolds. Jan is a world record setting climber and skier, Olympic athlete, award winning author and photographer known for her ability to capture extraordinary imagery and stories while climbing and skiing in extremely high-risk environments and expeditions. She has spent over 30 years traveling to some of the most isolated parts of the globe, capturing the lives and landscapes of people often untouched by modern society. Reynolds is particularly known for her work in the Arctic, Himalayas, and other high-altitude regions, where she has often focused...2025-01-1444 minThe Octagon2024 Year in Review, Octagon Behind the ScenesWith 2024 coming to a close we created a year in review and Octagon “Behind the Scenes” episode. We explore the highlights from the past three months in Stowe, including epic weather, a killer start to ski season, and some jaw-dropping local athletes. Our own Stowe stories—how we got here, what keeps us hooked, and what makes this community so special. Why we decided to start this podcast and what we’ve learned about sharing Stowe’s history, characters, and buzz.Think of this as a chairlift c...2024-12-3041 minThe Octagon#11: Brian Lindner: The Hidden Stories Behind Stowe's Iconic Ski TrailsDive into the rich history of Stowe, Vermont, as we uncover the fascinating stories behind the names of its iconic ski trails. From legendary race horses and fearless mountaineers to colorful local characters, each trail tells a story of adventure and a deep connection to the mountains.But that's not all—this podcast also explores the history of ski culture in Stowe, from its humble beginnings to becoming a world-class destination. Hear tales of the first apres-ski bar and Harlow Hill.Whether you're searching for powder in Tres Amigos or cr...2024-12-2239 minThe Octagon#10: Noah Dines: The 2024 Pursuit of Climbing Over 3 Million Vertical Feet on SkisJoin us for an exhilarating interview with the king of uphill skiing Noah Dines. We explore the highs and lows of chasing over 3 million vertical feet in a calendar year across the globe. If you have ever spent any time skinning at Stowe - you have definitely seen Noah - probably passing you on the uphill (or down). Noah broke the world record by spending his year skinning sunrise dawn patrol missions on Nosedive to grueling multi-day journeys out West, in the Alps and in Chile. Noah redefines what it means to test your limits and is closing...2024-12-1751 minThe Octagon#9: Mila Lonetto: Insights on Planning and Shaping Stowe's FutureIn this episode, we sit down with Mila Lonetto, a dedicated member of Stowe’s Planning Commission, to uncover how town government operates and the key issues shaping our community’s future. From zoning changes to housing challenges, development pressures to preserving Stowe's unique character, Mila shares insights into the behind-the-scenes work of the Planning Commission. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about balancing growth, sustainability, and what makes Stowe a place we all love to call home.Perfect for anyone passionate about the future of Stowe, community planning, or just curious about how things get done in o...2024-11-2536 min