Published by Nemo Design
A podcast powered by Nemo Design Collective Progression is the Nemo motto, and the way we work, live and learn. Join the journey with a rotating cast of curious creatives conversing about what connects.
Listen on Apple PodcastsIn this episode of Co-Pro, we sit down with legendary motorcycle photographer Michael Lichter. We talk about brand and what it means to him through the lens. How he’s built a visual identity around bikes, builders, and the open road while staying true to his own voice. From his early days shooting for Easyriders and Sturgis to working with brands like Harley-Davidson, Indian, and Nikon, Michael shares how he’s turned passion into a career and why authenticity matters more than any label.
Laurel Burton is a force. As CEO of Instrument, she’s built a career by wearing a hundred hats, pushing through late nights, and leading with the kind of creative fire that doesn’t ask permission. In this conversation, Laurel opens up about the path that got her here, from single mom to the C-suite, and what it really means to lead as a woman in an industry that’s still evolving. We talk about resilience, ambition, collective progress, and why she’s always been drawn to building what’s next. She’s sharp, thoughtful, and full of momentum. Laurel doesn’t just talk about progress, she embodies it.
“Danger” has always had a place in pop culture. From Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone” to Rodney Dangerfield and Danger Mouse, the word has a long history of showing up wherever things get bold, wild, or unforgettable. So when Ehren became “Danger Ehren,” it didn’t just sound cool. It felt inevitable. In this episode, Ehren shares how his early days in snowboarding shaped his mindset, how he ended up joining the Jackass crew, and the real story behind the creation of “Danger Ehren.” We dive into calculated risk, identity, and how he turned chaos into a lasting personal brand. We also talk about the upcoming Jackass movie, The Best and Last , what fans can expect, and how the legacy of Jackass continues to evolve. If you’re into Jackass, action sports, skate and snowboard culture, or building a brand through personality and risk-taking, this episode is a must-watch.
We sit down with Mel Strong to talk through her path through Nike’s world, from SB and ACG to Nike Running, and the culture that shaped each chapter. She shares a behind-the-scenes look at building brands that move people, with a perspective grounded in sport, style, and strategy. Now she is bringing that experience to Next Ventures, where she is helping back health and fitness companies with purpose alongside Lance Armstrong. It is a conversation about momentum, meaning, and what happens when smart ideas meet real conviction.
Modern snowboarding needs a conversation that cuts through the noise. That’s why we sat down with Tricia Byrnes and Jen Sherowski, hosts of the Going-Off podcast, to talk pro snowboarding past, Olympics moments that stuck, and how today’s riders are rewriting the next chapter. We’re getting real about the golden era of competition, the cultural shifts that shaped the sport, and the fresh energy the new generation is bringing to the mountain. This isn’t just a look back, it’s a launch ramp into what snowboarding becomes next. From high-impact stories to the soul of the culture, this episode brings emotion, perspective, and serious mountain moments together
From downtown Manhattan to the global stage, Bruno Musso has been quietly engineering the DNA of modern action sports culture for over 30 years. In this episode, we sit down with the mind behind some of the most iconic moments in skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding. From founding Shut Skateboards (NYC’s first skate brand) and helping build Zoo York, to producing legendary tours with Tony Hawk and reshaping how brands like Red Bull show up in skate culture. If you’ve watched the US Open of Surfing, the Hurley Pro, or any modern surf contest and thought “this feels different,” there’s a good chance Musso had something to do with it. We get into the evolution of youth culture, the business of action sports, and what it really takes to turn underground scenes into global movements. Along the way: Manny Mania, Seek & Destroy, First Descent, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that helped define an entire generation of skate, surf, and snow. Call him a tastemaker if you want, but “culture sculptor” feels a lot closer.
This week on the Co-Pro Podcast, we ride with Casey Potter, founder of CP Design and a creative shaped by moto, culture, and purpose-driven brand work. From designing helmets at Bell to collaborating with Roland Sands Designs, Casey’s approach is rooted in craftsmanship, speed, and storytelling that actually hits. Through CP Design, he helps brands cut through the noise with sharp strategy, cultural relevance, and design that stands for something, not chasing trends but setting them. We get into helmets, heritage, and building brands from the inside out, grounded in real culture, not surface-level hype.
This week on The Co-Pro Podcast , powered by Nemo Design, we’re hanging out with Leo Battersby, the creative mind who helped transmute toys into pop culture gold. As a former Mattel exec and co-founder of Mattel Creations, Leo helped transform a wild idea about “grown-up toys” into a $110 million global phenomenon. Now he’s carving his own lane as Founder of Midnight Rally Club and VP of Brand Creative at Fluid Logic, bringing the same mix of imagination, mischief, and brand wizardry to the worlds of cars, culture, and performance. In this episode, we talk about creative chaos, building communities around passion, and why sometimes the best ideas start with play. Buckle up, this one’s got high-octane creativity written all over it.
In this episode of The Co-Pro Podcast, powered by Nemo Design, we sit down with Creative Director and multidisciplinary artist Jesse Conte. For over 20 years, Jesse has shaped brands in the outdoor, sports, and active-lifestyle sectors. He is now transitioning his creative expertise toward fine art and sculpture. This conversation explores creative evolution, examining how his background in hands-on design intersects with his experiences in nature. Join us for an inspiring discussion on continuous transformation, the importance of craft, and the lifelong pursuit of creativity, from sculpting brands to sculpting clay.
In this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, we sit down with Brad Steward, snowboard pioneer, entrepreneur, filmmaker, and founder of Bonfire Snowboarding. Brad shares stories from the early days of snowboarding, when the sport was still carving out its place in the world. From exploring mountains across Russia, Japan, Sweden, Argentina, and the Pyrenees, Brad was part of the generation of riders who helped push snowboarding onto the global stage. We also dive into Brad’s entrepreneurial journey, building Bonfire into one of the most influential snowboard apparel brands in the industry, helping shape the Olympic pathway for snowboarders, working in film and advertising, and later launching ventures like Caravan Outpost. This conversation covers the evolution of snowboarding culture, building brands from the ground up, taking creative risks, and what it means to follow ideas across industries. If you're into snowboarding history, action sports culture, entrepreneurship, and creative careers, this episode is packed with stories from someone who’s been there since the beginning.
On this episode of the Co-Pro Podcast, we sit down with Cannes Lion–winning director Rob McConnaughy, better known as Whitey. Whitey started directing snowboard and skateboard films at just 21, producing more than 16 best-selling action sports movies that helped define an era. He later helped shoot the pilot for Jackass and went on to write and shoot the first two Jackass films, shaping the hidden-camera chaos that became a cultural phenomenon. Since then, Whitey has directed campaigns for global brands like Nike, Honda, Burger King, Mountain Dew, and Coca-Cola, while also creating comedy work for The Late Late Show with James Corden and Funny or Die. In this conversation, we talk about the early days of action sports filmmaking, the making of Jackass , directing commercials, and the creative process behind capturing real moments with real people.
Sebo Walker came by the studio, and we ended up talking about way more than skating. We get into how skating feeds his art, how art feeds his skating, and what it actually looks like to balance being a working creative with being a pro skater. Sebo also opens up about fatherhood, how becoming a dad shifts your perspective, your priorities, and the way you think about legacy. We talk about growing up in skate culture, staying independent, building something that lasts, and what it means to create with the next generation in mind. This one’s about skating, sure, but it’s also about time, responsibility, and figuring out how to keep pushing without losing what matters. If you’re into skateboarding, art, or building a creative life on your own terms, you’ll dig this one.
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. Ho w 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.