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What does it really take to build brand experiences that people feel, not just see? In this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, we sit down with Kelly Vaught, Principal at BeCore, to unpack the craft, strategy, and human side of experiential marketing. From culture-first brand activations to the behind-the-scenes realities of producing large-scale experiences, Kelly shares what it takes to turn ideas into moments that actually move people. We talk about: What experiential marketing really means today How BeCore approaches culture, community, and authenticity Building trust with brands while pushing creative boundaries The balance between strategy, creativity, and execution Lessons learned from producing experiences in the real world Why experiences—not ads—are shaping the future of brand connection Whether you’re a creative, marketer, producer, or brand builder, this conversation dives deep into how meaningful experiences are made and why they matter more than ever.

Welcome back to Part Two of The Untold Stories of Nike Skateboarding, powered by NEMO Design. In Part One, we introduced the people behind the project and teased the early foundation work that set everything in motion. Now, we dive straight into the product. This episode goes behind the scenes of what made Nike SB so special, from the details, decisions, and experiments that shaped the product to the creative and cultural considerations that helped it earn credibility in skateboarding. It’s a deeper look at how product, purpose, and people came together to build something that would ultimately change the game.

For decades, skateboarding wanted nothing to do with Nike. Too big. Too corporate. Too far removed from a culture built on instinct, rebellion, and earned credibility. And skaters could smell the disconnect from a mile away. Nike had already tried twice and failed. Money, power, and global reach weren’t enough. What they lacked was trust. In this episode of Co-Pro, we unpack the moment Nike stopped trying to force its way into skateboarding and instead chose to listen. A third attempt. New leadership. A stacked internal crew. A carefully built team of skaters. Real product. Real intent. And finally, a version of Nike Skateboarding that resonated with the culture. This is Part One of Nike Skateboarding: The Untold Story. How one of the world’s biggest brands learned that in skateboarding, credibility isn’t bought. It’s earned.

On this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, we open the proverbial can of worms with Aaron Draplin — designer, maker, Field Notes co-founder, and all-around creative force of nature. The Michigan-born legend has gotten his hands dirty on the heaviest of brands: Nike. Burton. Red Wing. Patagonia. Fender. NASA. Even campaign work for Obama and Bernie. And that’s before you get to the posters, merch, and the gospel of good design he’s been preaching across 500+ stages from Adobe MAX to TEDx. Draplin brings his trademark mix of honesty, humor, and blue-collar hustle to the table — talking shop on the business of merch, the grind of freelancing, and why community and collaboration still matter. He gets real about sweating the details, rooting for the underdog, and keeping your compass steady in a world that moves too damn fast. Oh, and we also throw him an AI logo challenge just to see what happens when analog meets algorithm. If you’ve ever filled a Field Notes notebook, drooled over a clean logo, or just love hearing a big personality speak their truth — this one’s for you.

From stretchy ski pants to the golden age of baggy snowboard gear, Pat Bridges has seen it all. Growing up as one of the only snowboarders in his Vermont town, Pat went on to become one of the sport’s most influential voices — documenting snowboarding’s evolution from the pages of E.I. and Snowboarder to the rise of Slush Magazine. In this episode, we talk about the new age of documenting snowboarding, the craft of storytelling on and off the mountain, and how Slush found its footing during COVID, carving out a space for authentic, rider-led media. Pat shares how the magazine’s collective approach mirrors snowboarding itself, from the way they gather content to the diverse skill sets their tight-knit team of seven brings to each issue. He also breaks down what keeps a brand strong over time, by not only staying true to its roots, but by speaking to and collaborating with the community that defines it. It’s a conversation about presence, passion, and preserving the soul of snowboarding one story at a time.

On this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, we enter the ring with Damion Triplett — a Creative Director who’s helped shape the DNA of modern sports culture. From cutting his teeth at the legendary Wieden+Kennedy agency to steering creative at Nike SB and Jordan Brand, Damion has been behind some of the most defining stories, products, and moments in the game. We trace his path from a skateboard-obsessed kid to a global creative leader, unpack what it really takes to build brands that endure, and distill the lessons he’s gleaned from decades inside Tier 1 teams. Damion opens up about collaboration, culture, and craft — and why staying true to the muse has always been his north star.

On this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, we sit down with Justin Lewis, co-founder of Instrument. From his early years in the Marine Corps to co-founding one of the world’s most respected digital agencies, Intrsument, Justin’s path has been shaped by discipline, service, and a drive to build with purpose.  We dive into his leadership philosophy, his approach to fostering values-driven organizations, and the lessons he’s carried from military life into the creative industry. Justin shares how empowering individuals and decentralizing leadership can unlock collective greatness inside any team.

This episode on the Co-Pro Pod, we chop it up with none other than Russell Winfield — style icon, culture shaper, and certified legend in the game. Russ takes us back to Stratton grom days, where he went from lift rat to local hero, blasting onto the scene with Ride Snowboards and changing the whole look of what a pro could be. We’re talking mag covers, VHS-era hammer hunting, aprés antics, and the kind of global travel stories you can’t print in TransWorld. Fast forward — dude’s still bringing the progression. Linking with Arc’teryx, Loro Piana (yes, Italian cashmere vibes), and even dropping a collab board with Virgil Abloh that had hypebeasts foaming. From blasting airs to shaping culture in boardrooms, Russ’s fingerprints are all over snowboarding. Pull up, hit play, and get ready for some heavy history mixed with Russ’s trademark wit. This one’s a time capsule and a masterclass all in one.

We’ve created 25 episodes of the Co-Pro Podcast. Along the way, we’ve gained a range of insights from our guests. Plus there’s the countless micro-lessons gleaned from doing production: set design, dongle procurement, audio level techniques, background research, and the human skills of connecting, interviewing, and storytelling. In honor of building the plane while teaching yourself how to fly it, we reflect on the lineup of industry pros who’ve joined us to share their tales. Kicking things off with Todd Richards, swapping Jackass memories with Thor Drake, and diving deep into the sports agent world with Circe Wallace, just to name a few. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or are just tuning in, this is a behind-the-scenes taste of what it takes to cook up our podcast, and the wild, inspiring conversations that keep us coming back for more collective progression.

In this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, we link up with Circe Wallace—legendary pro snowboarder turned deal-closing dynamo. From slashing runs in video parts to running the industry as the sports agent, Circe carved her own line from the backcountry to the boardroom. We dig into her rise from the early days chasing the dream, to repping the next generation of podium-toppers, and how the skills she learned as an athlete inform her approach as an agent, advocate, and occasional therapist to some of the biggest names in action sports. She pulls back the curtain on cutting career-defining deals, navigating the wins, the hustle, and the heart behind her journey.

Strap in and hold your breath—this episode takes the drop with Bobby Meeks, a true original who’s never played it safe, whether he’s hucking off high dives or carving his path through snowboarding’s golden era. From launching himself into aquatic stunt shows as a kid to linking up with the legendary Robot Food crew, Bobby’s always followed the most creative line—even if it meant pissing people off or going off-piste. We dive deep into his behind-the-scenes role shaping Nike Snowboarding from the inside out, and what it’s like to ride the fine line between core culture and the corporate world. Today, as VP of Marketing at We Are Camp, Bobby’s still living the dream—and, he’s building launchpads for the next generation of riders, thinkers, and doers. Packed with stories, style, and the kind of perspective you only get from someone who’s taken the plunge (more than once), this one’s a proper send.

Tighten your chin strap and get ready to rip through a full loop with Thor Drake—builder, dreamer, and visionary behind countless all gas / no brakes events via his community-charged hub, the One Moto Cafe. Thor’s tale is equal parts grit, garage grease, and make-it-yourself magic: From his slippery roots as an Arizona hockey grom, to finding his footing in the creative counterculture, building badass passion projects, and eventually launching one of the world’s most iconic motorcycle happenings, The One Moto Show.  Thor spills the beans about how a fateful cameo in Jackass Number Two helped shape his creative path, what it takes to build something from nothing, and why the biggest wins often follow the hardest wipeouts. Whether you're into bikes, grinding rails, brewing bold ideas, or just trying to make something that matters—Thor’s story will light your fuse. 

In this episode, we look through the lens of Lindsey Byrnes. Bringing together musical and visual alchemy, Lindsey’s journey is embedded in the culture of skateboarding. Her drive and talents lead to a job with Thrasher magazine, and she shares how she pivoted from writing—which triggered anxiety—to the visual narrative.  Using a camera to tell stories, Lindsey found a new focus on festival stages, the Grammys, touring with artists. Stripping away filters and hype, she made photography a tool for honest, edgy storytelling. We also talk about her long-term creative partnership with artists like Paramore, Tegan and Sara, and others, and her involvement with her own Paradise Boys band to expand her creative approach. Whatever medium she pursues, Lindsey shows how vulnerability and trust are at the heart of her work.

In this episode, we connect with a rare import: New Zealand-born pro snowboarder and surfer Dani Kiwi Meier. From the bottom of the world to the top of the industry, Dani adjusted his sideways stance and activated his network to launch Mana Media. Ever dreamed of creating a global content studio tapped by big brands like Nike, Netflix, Toyota, and more? Dani’s done it, and we dig into his decades of insights and forward thinking. Dani has always believed storytelling should sit at the center of everything. Seeing life through that lens led to The Crystal Awards, snowboarding’s first culture-driven competition…an approach which has become a blueprint for the sport. From mountains to the director’s chair, Dani keeps his edges sharp by relying on instinct over convention, and explains why saying less and truly listening might be the most powerful creative tool of all.

What’s the secret sauce of the success of a small-but-mighty creative shop? We explore this topic with Hank Brentlinger, the force behind Hank Makes Studio. Hank shares the origin story of evolving from bringing design to bear within the local music scene, and then transferring that passion to California. He sharpened his visual storytelling chops at the legendary California College of the Arts, propelling Hank into the agency world. After stints at Harlo Interactive and Studio Mega, Hank hit the freelance button and never looked back.  From rolling solo to firing up full service versatility, we learn how Hank brought entrepreneurial skills into the fold and expanded across industries. From golf to pickleball apparel, to brewery branding and identity systems for neighborhood-level organizations, Hank has his hands full and raised up in thankmoji format.