In this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast powered by Nemo Design, our very own Jen Sherowski sits down with pro snowboarder and trailblazer Shannon Dunn-Downing. Together, they revisit the historic 1998 Nagano Olympics, where Shannon competed in the first-ever Olympic halfpipe event. 

They also dive into the creation of the first-ever women’s pro snowboard model and how Shannon continues to push boundaries in snowboarding and inspire the next generation. From making history to empowering others, Shannon’s story is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the progression of sports and snowboarding.

Welcome to the Co-Pro Podcast powered by Nemo Design, where we dive deep into the stories of the most interesting people in action sports and beyond. We’re excited to introduce today’s guest, Kemp Curley. 

Kemp and Nemo co-founder Trevor Graves first crossed tracks back in 2007 working on the iconic shred flic “First Descent.” Since then, Kemp’s journey has taken the twists and turns of an adventurous life. From Evel Knievel's legendary stunts to Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom Huck Jam, Kemp has been at the forefront of producing some of the most exciting events in action sports. As the founder of Transition Productions, he continues to evolve, creating envelope-pushing experiences with X Games, Dew Tour, and the recent Rockstar Energy Open held right in Nemo’s backyard.

Today, we’ll explore Kemp's creative evolution, the challenges and triumphs of producing world-class events, and what it takes to keep pushing the boundaries in an explosive industry. Let’s do this. 

In today’s episode, we’re hyped to welcome Mike Crowell, a Portland-based marketing vet whose career spans iconic brands like Nike, Oakley, and Microsoft, as well as running his own successful agencies. This journey testifies to the power of innovation and adaptability in the ever-evolving world of brand marketing.

Join us as we explore Mike’s remarkable career trajectory, from starting at a small agency to working with Fortune 500 brands, and eventually creating his own agency. We’ll dive deep into the lessons he's learned along the way—not just about professional success, but also personal growth, resilience, and the importance of staying true to your values in a competitive industry.

Get ready for some wisdom, practical advice, and inspiring anecdotes as we walk through his hero's journey in the world of marketing and brand strategy. Whether you’re an aspiring marketer, a seasoned professional, or just curious about the inner workings of global brands, this episode delivers actionable insights and thought-provoking ideas you won't want to miss.

Join this week's hosts Trevor Graves and Jen Sherowski for our latest episode of the Co-Pro Podcast as they sit down with Tom Monterosso, a seasoned veteran in the snowboarding industry. 

In this episode, Tom shares his journey from growing up on the East Coast to making the pivotal move out West to work with Snowboarder Magazine. The conversation dives into the pros and cons of being a generalist versus a specialist in the creative world, the exciting developments of the Natural Selection Tour, a premier snowboarding event, and Tom's experiences and contributions to Ride Snowboarding. Whether you're a snowboarder or a creative professional, this episode is full of stories, tips, and industry wisdom that you won't want to miss. 

In this episode of CO-PRO, Nemo Design Principal, Trevor Graves chats with snowboarding icon Todd Richards. These two pioneers of the snowboarding world take us on a ride through the history of the sport sharing stories from the early days.

Tune in as Trevor and Todd reminisce about the golden era of Morrow Snowboards, the unforgettable moments that shaped their careers, and the evolution of snowboarding culture. Trevor and Todd offer unique perspectives on how the lessons learned on the mountain can be applied to everyday life.

Be sure to check out Todd on his podcast Monday MASS alongside his esteemed co-host Chris Cote. 
https://mondaymass.com/

In this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, Trevor welcomes longtime friend Vince Lavecchia, founder of the Portland-based creative agency, Instrument. The two examine the impact of their early days amidst the first-gen East Coast snowboard scene, where a creative POV and DIY nature first took root in both of them.

Vince shares his journey from helping shape Burton Snowboards to building one of the most influential agencies in the creative industry. They discuss all the lessons learned from having to change within the changes of the marketing industry, and how running Instrument stoked Vince’s entrepreneurial spirit. From snowboard history to branding and building a business to the creative process, this episode is packed with fun and insightful stories.

In the next episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, powered by Nemo Design, we sit down with Matt Teske, founder of Chargeway—the visionary app making it more accessible and intuitive for you to charge your electric car. We dig into the origin story of Chargeway when Matt saw the need for simplifying the EV charging experience, and what it took to bridge the gap between everyday people and electric infrastructure. We also discuss the future of electric vehicles, the importance of user-friendly technology, and other ways Matt is driving change in the EV landscape.

A common pursuit for those born from boardsports is what’s next? After establishing a career as a world-class ripper for Forum Snowboards, Wille Yli-Luoma began searching for a new challenge. One that would match the endless inspiration, creativity, and boosts of energy he got from the sideways life. Wille found his next frontier in the world of coffee.

In this installment of the Co-Pro Podcast, Wille shares his insights about making the leap from the Robot Food Crew to crafting award-winning brews. Blending the ability to trust his instincts, take risks, and collaborate, Willie and his wife Rebekah created an iconic coffee brand, Heart Coffee Roasters. Based in Portland but with a reputation that spans the world, the story of Heart is a testament to the power of the pivot, and how vital it is to cultivate good community, learn transferable skills, and pour unwavering passion into everything.

In this episode, we look through the lens of Shaun Tinney, Head of Learning and Development at Goodr Sunglasses. Shaun has the rare ability to turn shade into bright optimism, and he shares his insights about forging your own path and using rejection as fuel. He also frames up what it’s like to live and work out of an Airstream travel trailer (including some hidden features), the journey of building a company with friends, and the process of writing a marketing book.

The conversation is also a playbook for those interested in how Goodr has set itself apart in a crowded industry, starting with a real problem and closing the gap instead of just adding more noise. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or just looking for inspiration to shake things up, this episode is packed with knowledge, humor, and a fresh take on what it means to build something unique.

In this episode of Co-Pro, we sit down with Kara Fullmer, Senior Director of Marketing, Creative at Chewy, a brand known by every pet-parent. Kara’s brand-building trajectory spans categories defined by passion, including action sports, gaming, and of course pets. Proof that great ideas and talent transcends industries when fueled by adaptability and authenticity.

In this episode, we explore what it takes to evolve in creative roles, the importance of staying true to yourself in branding, and why being a lifelong student is key to success. Whether you’re crafting campaigns or carving out a career path, Kara’s insights will inspire you to embrace change and keep learning.

Join us as we chat with Michael Brown, Director and Co-Founder of Sweetgrass Productions, the team behind award-winning films that blend cinematic artistry with raw adventure. Michael shares stories of turning his passion for skiing into a career, building Sweetgrass with friends, and staying true to his ski bum roots. 

From machete-wielding in the jungle for a Vin Diesel project to capturing untamed Alaskan peaks, this episode is all about chasing dreams, taking risks, and making art that lasts.

Ryan Coulter, founder of The James Brand, joins us for a conversation about how he’s stayed sharp on his journey. Growing up in Bloomington, Indiana, when it wasn’t cool to be a skater, Ryan shares how the tenacity and creativity he honed on a board shaped his career. We explore the unique collective progression of the skateboarding community and his bold early steps, like applying to be an astronaut at age 9—a dream that remarkably came full circle when he later collaborated with NASA.

Ryan also takes us through his time as a Spy Hunter videogame champion, and how that James Bond-esque ethos permeates his creative pursuits. From his visionary work alongside Jake Burton Carpenter to bringing refined revolution to the tools we carry every day—don’t miss this conversation with a true pioneer in design and innovation.

Ray and Joyce Tsang are the husband-and-wife duo behind Only Today, a 10X Emmy-winning production company in Portland, Oregon.

Risk-takers by nature, Ray and Joyce both left successful careers in engineering to pursue their dreams of video production. Acclaimed work with the NFL, iconic collabs with John Malkovich, and capturing President Obama at the Army-Navy game guerilla-style are all in a day’s work. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to reinvent your career and follow your creative dreams, plus insights on aligning work with purpose-led storytelling and more.

Learn how to method-grab life by the horns with Kevin English—CEO of WE ARE CAMP, the masterminds behind High Cascade Snowboard Camp, Windell’s Ski Camp, Seek Skate Camp,  Wy'East Mountain Academy, and more. 

Under Kevin’s leadership, this innovative collective of action-sports experience brands empowers young athletes and amplifies personal growth through the transformative power of outdoor adventure. He gives us a behind-the-scenes on WE ARE CAMP’s magic blend of skill development, fun, and camaraderie—and how it’s helping shape the future of action-sports education. 

This episode is full of hard-won insights into the power of mentorship, the importance of a holistic approach to education, and how the principles of action sports build the skills for personal resilience, teamwork, and leadership in life.

Ryan Wines is the founder of the famous Portland-based music production and licensing studio Marmoset. In this episode of the Co-Pro podcast, Trevor and Ryan dive into Marmoset's unique mark on the world of sync licensing and music curation. Ryan talks about the art and grit of building a business from the ground up, sharing insights on how to cultivate a creative and authentic work culture. They examine the evolving landscape of music licensing, Ryan’s personal sources of inspiration, and how he’s navigated the industry while staying true to his vision. Tune in for a candid look at business, creativity, and the heart that drives it all.

In this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, powered by Nemo Design, Trevor Graves sits down with veteran-strategist Jaclyn Suzuki. Founder of MADO, a boutique consumer-insights and strategy studio, Jaclyn shares how her work empowers brands to see beyond the obvious and tap into the power of consumer behavior. 

We dig into her approach—a unique flex of qualitative research, quantitative data, and creative activation tools—and talk about how she unearths the deep and useful insights behind more impactful brand efforts. Join us as Jaclyn shares her secrets and favorite insights, and talks about what it takes to spark lasting connection in a modern market.

What do snowboarding, Jägermeisters, and Greek heritage have in common? Elias Cairo. 

On this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, we break bread with the co-founder of Olympia Provisions to learn what led him to swap sideways sliding across the slippery slopes for a culinary career (hint: it was after an apprenticeship in Switzerland).

Elias’ journey from curious apprentice to building a brand took unwavering support of his family, who saw his ADHD as a strength, not a limitation. Together with his sister, Elias created a business that’s revolutionizing sustainable farming and artisanal meats.

Tune in to hear how Elias turned his unconventional path into a recipe for success.

One of Chris Owen’s greatest moves was spinning a frontside 360 into a full-blown career in the action sports industry. Coming up during the era when solid style and a bit of hustle were essential ingredients to standing out and sending it forward, Owen’s path is unconventional and inspirational.

Making the jump from sponsored Morrow team member to becoming the last employee as the brand folded, Chris shares stories of maxed-out airs and credit cards while managing the Morrow snowboard team at the ’98 Olympics alongside Todd Richards. From navigating marketing roles across brands like K2 and Nike, Chris ultimately landed at Zumiez as Senior Marketing Manager, just as the retail world turned upside down during COVID.

For anyone looking to follow their heart and find their compass, this episode of Co-Pro is a ride through chaos, creativity, and the upsides of sticking with your crew.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.