High Mountain Living

Kari Chalstrom
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  • Society & Culture

High Mountain Living is your front-row seat to the heart and soul of Lake Tahoe and Truckee. This podcast dives deep into the incredible stories of the people who make this mountain paradise more than just a destination—it’s a way of life. Join us as we sit down with local residents, passionate business owners, and influential changemakers who are shaping the culture, spirit, and future of our vibrant community. From uncovering hidden gems and untold histories to celebrating the unique mountain lifestyle, every episode is a journey into what makes this area so extraordinary. Whether you’re a long-time local, a curious visitor, or someone who dreams of mountain living, High Mountain Living offers inspiring conversations, authentic connections, and a fresh perspective on life at elevation. Tune in and discover the stories that make our community thrive.

  1. Mar 18

    Crafting Community: Inside the Truckee Roundhouse with Karyn Stanley

    Summary In this engaging interview, Karen Stanley, the executive director of the Truckee Roundhouse, shares her journey from the mountains of California to leading a vibrant community makerspace. Discover how her diverse background in conservation, fundraising, and outdoor recreation has shaped her vision for fostering creativity, community engagement, and educational opportunities through the Truckee Maker Space. keywords: Truckee Maker Space, community makerspace, youth education, trades, creativity, Tahoe, community development, maker movement, nonprofit leadership key topics Truckee Maker Space expansion and future plansCommunity engagement and education programsBridging gaps in local youth and adult trades education Sound Bites "I grew up coming up to Tahoe""I wanted to work on the mountain""The 10 year anniversary gift is LEDs" Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 00:51Journey to Truckee Tahoe 05:46Career Path and Makerspace Involvement 09:31Education and Community Engagement 14:36Future Aspirations for the Community 21:46Personal Interests and Outdoor Activities 26:42Closing Thoughts and Community Connection

    31 min

  2. Feb 26

    Chasing Nirvana in Truckee: Priya Hutner’s Story of Spirit & Creativity

    In this engaging conversation, Priya Hutner shares her journey from a spiritual community to becoming a local author and private chef in Truckee. She discusses her upcoming memoir, 'Chasing Nirvana', the importance of community support, and her role in founding the Tahoe Literary Festival. Priya emphasizes the significance of storytelling and the literary arts, while also expressing her aspirations for the Truckee community's future. Keywords: Priya Hutner, Tahoe Literary Festival, memoir, spiritual community, Truckee, writing, cooking, community support, literary arts, personal journey Takeaways: Priya Hutner is a local author and private chef. She moved to Truckee after a breakup and fell in love with the area. Priya has a background in a spiritual community and as a food editor. Her memoir, 'Chasing Nirvana', explores her spiritual journey. The Tahoe Literary Festival celebrates literary arts and community. Priya aims to support emerging authors through the festival. The Truckee Literary Crawl brings together local authors and readers. Community support has been vital for Priya's writing journey. Priya encourages others to share their stories and write books. She envisions a more sustainable and supportive community in Truckee. Sound Bites: "I feel very lucky to live here." "I want to write a book." "Everything's a story." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Priya Hutner 00:59 Journey to Tahoe: A New Beginning 03:37 Life in the Ashram: Spirituality and Community 07:51 The Birth of a Memoir: Chasing Nirvana 11:56 Building Community: The Tahoe Literary Festival 17:09 Future Aspirations: Growth and Sustainability 29:38 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

    37 min

  3. Feb 6

    Inside PT Revolution: Building Stronger Mountain Athletes with Jason Collin

    The conversation with Jason Collin, the Director of Awesomeness at PT Revolution, covers his journey to thriving in Tahoe, the mission of PT Revolution, his passion for physical therapy and leadership, community engagement, and his vision for the future of the community. Jason's commitment to physical therapy, leadership, and community involvement shines through in his insights and experiences. Takeaways Director of AwesomenessPhysical Therapy and Performance TrainingLeadership and Community Involvement Chapters 00:00 Favorite Forms of Play and Community Vision

    30 min

  4. Jan 22

    Special Treat! Who are Kari & Mace of the High Mountain Living Podcast?

    Summary In this episode of the High Mountain Living podcast, hosts Kari Chalstrom and Mace Cook introduce themselves and share their personal journeys to Truckee, California. They discuss their motivations for moving to the area, emphasizing the importance of outdoor living and community engagement. Mace reflects on his upbringing in Truckee, his passion for outdoor activities, and his journey into real estate, while Kari shares her transition from city life to embracing the mountain lifestyle with her family. The conversation highlights their shared values of community support and lifelong learning, setting the stage for future episodes where they will interview guests from the area.The hosts delve into their experiences in the local community, touching on their hobbies, volunteer work, and the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life. They emphasize the significance of location in real estate, advocating for a lifestyle that aligns with one's passions and community involvement. The episode serves as a warm introduction to the hosts and their vision for the podcast, inviting listeners to connect with them and explore the vibrant life in Truckee and Tahoe.Keywords Truckee, Tahoe, real estate, outdoor living, community engagement, podcast, lifestyle, interviews, personal journeys, High Mountain Living Takeaways "We ask people that question: who you are and why are you here?""Experience is equivalent to education, but both have their value.""It takes a lot of grit to live here year-round.""We want to learn about people and how they give back to the community.""You move up here for the lifestyle, not just the snow." Sound Bites "Who you are and why are you here?""Experience is equivalent to education.""You move up here for the lifestyle, not just the snow."Chapters 00:00 Introduction to High Mountain Living 01:48 Mace's Journey to Truckee 15:51 Carrie's Transition to Truckee 33:08 Community Involvement and Closing Thoughts

    35 min

  5. Jan 8

    Shaping Place: Doug Appleton on Guest House Lake Tahoe and Community Stewardship

    We're sitting down with Doug Appleton, a corporate lawyer who shares his journey to Tahoe and discusses the development of The Guest House here in Truckee. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement and responsible growth in the region. Takeaways Community InvolvementTransition to Mountain Living Chapters 00:00 Community Involvement and Transition to Mountain Living

    35 min

  6. 2025-12-25

    Mountain Life Success: When Someone Spots Your Potential with Joey Alfonso

    In this episode of the High Mountain Living podcast, hosts Kari Chalstrom and Mace Cook welcome guest Joey Afonso, owner of Farmers Insurance in Truckee. Discover Joey's inspiring journey from Southern California to the mountains, his unexpected transition from the food and beverage industry to insurance, and the vital role of community and family in his life. This episode is a testament to perseverance, seizing opportunities, and the unique challenges and rewards of the mountain lifestyle. Keywords High Mountain Living, Joey Afonso, Farmers Insurance, Truckee, mountain lifestyle, insurance industry, community, family, food and beverage Takeaways Joey Afonso's journey from Southern California to Truckee was driven by his love for the mountains.Joey's transition from the food and beverage industry to insurance was unexpected but rewarding.Community and family play a significant role in Joey's life and career.Joey's story highlights the importance of perseverance and seizing opportunities.The mountain lifestyle offers unique challenges and rewards.Joey's experience in the food and beverage industry taught him valuable skills for his insurance career.The support of mentors and family has been crucial to Joey's success.Joey's wife plays a key role in their insurance business, particularly in life insurance.The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point in Joey's career, leading him to pursue insurance.Joey's story is a testament to the power of community and the opportunities it can provide. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Joey Afonso00:03:00 Journey to the Mountains00:09:00 Transition to Insurance00:15:00 Building a Family Business00:21:00 Community and Lifestyle

    34 min

  7. 2025-12-18

    From Ski Town Dreams to Community Leadership with Annie Rosenfeld

    In this episode of the High Mountain Living podcast, hosts Kari Chalstrom and Mace Cook sit down with Annie Rosenfeld, the General Manager of the Tahoe Donner Association. Annie shares her journey from moving to Truckee in 1991 to becoming a key figure in the community. Annie highlights the challenges and rewards of living in a small town, the importance of community interconnectedness through bike paths, and her vision for the future of Tahoe and Truckee. She also touches on her role in fostering community engagement and sustainability, emphasizing the significance of strategic decisions in recreation and land management. Keywords Annie Rosenfeld, Tahoe Donner, community, recreation management, sustainable development, Truckee, mountain living, interconnectedness, Tahoe vision, local insights Takeaways Annie Rosenfeld moved to Truckee in 1991 and became a long-time local.She emphasizes the importance of community interconnectedness through bike paths.Annie discusses the challenges of living in a mountain town, including housing and employment.She shares her vision for sustainable development in Tahoe Donner.Annie highlights the role of recreation management in community building.The conversation explores the balance between growth and maintaining a small-town feel.Annie talks about the importance of listening to the community and being transparent.She reflects on the changes in Truckee over the past 30 years.Annie shares her experiences as the first female general manager in 35 years.The episode concludes with a discussion on the future of Tahoe Donner and its community. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Annie Rosenfeld00:00:00 Annie's Journey to Truckee00:00:00 Community Interconnectedness00:00:00 Challenges of Mountain Living00:00:01 Vision for Tahoe Donner00:00:01 Recreation Management and Community Building00:00:01 Balancing Growth and Small-Town Feel00:00:02 Annie's Role as General Manager00:00:02 Reflections on Truckee's Evolution00:00:03 Future of Tahoe Donner

    40 min

  8. 2025-12-11

    Community at Altitude: Kristin York’s Tahoe Truckee Story

    In this episode, we sit down with Kristin York, Vice President of Sierra Business Council and dedicated non-profit leader, to explore her journey from the Bay Area to Truckee, California. Kristin shares how her passion for sustainability, small business, and public service has shaped her work in the Sierra Nevada region. Together, we dive into the challenges of housing, the importance of community engagement, and the role local businesses play in keeping Truckee vibrant and resilient. This conversation is a heartfelt look at what it means to build belonging in a mountain town, and why accessible housing and strong community ties are essential for the future of Truckee. takeaways Community is essential for personal fulfillment and growth.Reinventing oneself in a new environment can be challenging yet rewarding.Public service provides valuable insights into community needs and governance.Accessible housing is a critical issue for maintaining community integrity.Sustainability practices are vital for the future of local businesses.Engagement in local initiatives fosters a sense of belonging.Balancing work and personal life is crucial for well-being.The natural beauty of Truckee enhances the quality of life.Youth programs are important for developing local talent and workforce.Community involvement is key to creating a thriving environment. Sound Bites "The importance of community is paramount.""We are truly blessed to live here." Chapters 00:00Introduction to Kristen York and Her Journey 04:38Reinventing Life in Truckee 15:51Addressing Housing Challenges 20:49The Role of Sierra Business Council 28:13Maintaining Work-Life Balance 34:16Future Changes in Truckee

    38 min
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About

High Mountain Living is your front-row seat to the heart and soul of Lake Tahoe and Truckee. This podcast dives deep into the incredible stories of the people who make this mountain paradise more than just a destination—it’s a way of life. Join us as we sit down with local residents, passionate business owners, and influential changemakers who are shaping the culture, spirit, and future of our vibrant community. From uncovering hidden gems and untold histories to celebrating the unique mountain lifestyle, every episode is a journey into what makes this area so extraordinary. Whether you’re a long-time local, a curious visitor, or someone who dreams of mountain living, High Mountain Living offers inspiring conversations, authentic connections, and a fresh perspective on life at elevation. Tune in and discover the stories that make our community thrive.

Information

  • Creator
    Kari Chalstrom
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Kari Chalstrom