Advertise on podcast: The Octagon

This week we had the pleasure of chatting with Drew Clymer about all things back country rescue. Drew currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Stowe Mountain Rescue and The Search and Rescue Coordinator for the Vermont Department of Public Safety. Service runs in Drew’s blood and when he is not deep in the back country for pleasure or rescue he serves as the Chair of the Development Review Board for the Town of Stowe.

This week we rounded out the 2025 season at the Octagon Podcast with the long awaited Hardeaux Roundtable. The Hardeaux's have what could be described as a controversial reputation around town and on the mountain for their hard charging attitude on the uphill scene, desire to push the limits and most importantly creating a tight knit ski community. If you see headlamps scattered on Nosedive in the early morning darkness or the iconic sticker on the lower left of an oversized truck or SUV there is a high probability it is a Hardeaux. We will explore the history, passion and bond that brings the Hardeaux's back to the skin track together time and time again regardless of weather and conditions.  This episode we also brought into the studio a special co-host Porter Thorndike. Not only is he the brother of Octagon co-founder Ted Thorndike but is also known as the Commissioner of the Hardeaux's!

This week we chatted with Mike Hayes who is one of the key figures in Stowe’s extreme skiing and ski-filming community. He’s someone who doesn’t just chase lines—he documents them and helps tell the story of what it really takes to ski big terrain on the East Coast. From epic powder days, dawn patrol missions to bluebird days when everything comes together, Mike has been behind the lens capturing some of the most compelling images and moments on Mt. Mansfield.

This week we welcomed our first educator into the Octagon Studio, Maura Wieler. Maura is the Principal of Stowe Elementary School, whose leadership has played a significant role in shaping the school’s academic direction and its culture of student-centered learning. Under Maura’s guidance, Stowe Elementary has continued to strengthen its instructional practices, support professional growth among educators, and prioritize the well-being and development of every student.  When not serving as principal you can find Maura on the mountain bike trails or chasing fresh powder lines with her family up at Stowe.

This week we were honored to welcome craft beer legends Jen and John Kimmich, co-owners of The Alchemist Brewery into the Octagon studio. The Alchemist makes Heady Topper, one of the top rated beers in the world and has been instrumental in the evolution of craft beer over the last 20 years. Jen and John not only make some of the best beer in the world but also are incredibly generous in the broader Stowe community and go to great lengths to support their employees, the environment, social causes and charities. The Alchemist Brewery has become a hub in the Stowe Community where Stowe residents and guests come to leave the worlds trouble behind and enjoy some of the world's best beer. We also took this opportunity to welcome our first ever guest host- Pete Graves into the studio! Pete is a Focal Banger enthusiast and has been an integral part of the Stowe community coaching youth sports and launching Ride with his wife Joanna. We couldn't think of a better person to co-host this special episode prior to him moving to North Carolina to begin the next chapter in his illustrious golf career.

This week we welcomed Jackie Henderson and Carter Getty into the Octagon Studio. Jackie and Carter are both Seniors at Stowe High School and provide a unique perspective on what it's like to grow up in Stowe. We explore their time in this unique community, working their way through the school system, athletic endeavors and even dating! We are excited to present this fresh perspective on all things Stowe.

This week we welcomed Scott Braaten into the Octagon studio as we are building stoke for the upcoming winter. Scott is one of the leading weather forecasters for Mt Mansfield and runs the popular Braatencast social media weather prediction page. Scott started his weather forecasting while a student at the University of Vermont and the popularity of his in depth reports spread like wildfire. Skiers and outdoor enthusiasts have come to rely on his knowledge and weather passion as they plan their next adventure. 

This week we had the honor of sitting down with Peter Hawks for our third Octagon Labs episode. Peter takes us on a journey of the legacy of his son Ryan who lived with passion, purpose, and integrity. Whether Ryan was carving fresh ski lines or spreading kindness to a stranger he left an impact on everyone he met. His zest for life and free spirit continues to inspire thousands. Peter started the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation to share Ryan’s 13 Core Values — and to help others live with the same sense of intention and adventure.

This week we sat down with 7th generation Stowe resident Joey Davis who is considered one of the premier whitetail deer trackers in the region. Deer hunting in Stowe and throughout the State of Vermont is on the decline but Joey is keeping the tradition alive by creating Northwoods Whitetails with past Octagon guest Dustin Martin. When not on the elusive hunt for a big woods whitetail buck Joey operates Pinnacle Painting which he started right out of high school. He has grown the business into a 20 employee plus operation and brings a unique perspective of being a small business owner in Stowe

This week we explore the Vermont start up and entrepreneurial landscape with Dave Bradbury. Dave is the President of VCET — the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies — where he’s spent years helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into businesses right here in VT. What’s cool about David is that he’s not trying to make Vermont into the next Silicon Valley — he’s working to help Vermont become the best version of itself: a place where creativity, grit, and community fuel innovation. You can often find Dave on the slopes, in the backcountry or out on the mountain bike trails and he understands the unique quality of life an innovator can have right here in VT. 

This week we sat down with Mike Giorgio, General Manager at Stowe Mountain Resort. Mike started his career at Mt Snow as Executive Chef and Head of Food and Beverage. He then was promoted to run resorts in the Midwest for Vail before joining Stowe as GM in November 2024. Mike has now been at the helm for almost a year and we are thrilled to have Mike on the podcast - to learn more about his background, what it's like to be the GM and get his perspective on all things Stowe Mountain!

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming into The Octagon studio Charles Safford. Charles is the Town Manager of Stowe, Vermont, a role in which he serves as the CEO of the town -  responsible for day-to-day municipal operations, advising and implementing Select board policy, and shepherding the town’s budget to the voters’ consideration. Charles has served in this role for 18 years and has guided Stowe through many transitions and changes to make the town what it is today.

This week we had the pleasure of sitting down with local soccer icon Brian Buczek. Brian is the founder of the Vermont United Soccer Academy and current Associate Head Coach of the Stowe High School Girls Varsity Soccer team. As part of his rich coaching career he led the Stowe High School Boys Varsity Soccer team to multiple state titles and had stints coaching at Johnson State College and Middlebury College. Brian has played an integral role in the growth and development of soccer in Stowe and surrounding communities. 

This week we veered off from our traditional format diving into the stories and characters 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 second episode of Octagon Labs we explore all things trivia with Laura Weber and Nancy Duran. 

This week we veered off from our traditional format diving into the stories and characters 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 explore Mindfulness with past Octagon guest, Micheline Lemay and Christine Everitt.