CO-PRO – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.