Rad Season Action Sports Podcast

Oli Russell-Cowan

Hosted by Oli Russell-Cowan, the Rad Season Action Sports Podcast is about the people who push boundaries on a daily basis in the world of action sports. Listen to athletes and industry professionals about their unique experiences and the lessons they learnt along the way. Get inspired for an adventure where “it’s always the season somewhere.”

  1. Group Y Live: Chris Friend Co-Founder of Liveheats on Powering Action Sports

    06/26/2025

    Group Y Live: Chris Friend Co-Founder of Liveheats on Powering Action Sports

    Chris Friend is the Co-Founder & CEO of Liveheats a tech platform that enables action sports communities to experience better competitions. Chris Friend shares his journey from competitive surfing to creating a technology platform that revolutionizes grassroots action sports events. He discusses the challenges faced in developing technology for sports, the impact of COVID-19 on the business, and the future aspirations for LiveHeats, including innovations in data analytics and streaming solutions. Chris emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the action sports community and the need for tailored solutions in competition management. Topics Covered:  From competitive surfing to technologyLiveHeats born out of a need for better competition managementThe platform aims to modernize grassroots action sports eventsCOVID-19 forced LiveHeats to innovate with virtual competitionsInvestment allowed LiveHeats to expand its offeringsFocus remains on action sports communities and their needsData analytics will enhance athlete performance trackingPlatform is adaptable to various action sports formatsThe importance of community engagementYou can follow what Chris Friend is up to on LinkedIn Connect with Liveheats: Website: Liveheats  Instagram: live_heats Like what you hear?  Please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference. The Group Y Live Podcast come out across all podcast players with a new episode every two weeks on Thursday.  Past guests on The Rad Season Show include Kevin Lyman, Adam Wilson, Nick Tran, Stacy Peralta, Monica Medellin, Wim Hof, Mike Cessario, Iain Cairns, Circe Wallace, Selema Masekela Gerry Lopez and more. Contact Oli Russell-Cowan On Instagram olirussellcowanOn LinkedIn at olirussellcowanThanks for listening & keep it rad!

    47 min
  2. Group Y Live: Mike Ciprari Founder of SJC Custom Drums & Loyal to the Craft on Drums, Hustle & Community

    06/12/2025

    Group Y Live: Mike Ciprari Founder of SJC Custom Drums & Loyal to the Craft on Drums, Hustle & Community

    Mike Ciprari is the Co-Founder of SJC Custom Drums and Founder of Loyal to the Craft: Helping Creatives Fuse Passion with Purpose.  Mike Ciprari shares his journey from from a passionate young drummer to a successful entrepreneur. He discusses the evolution of his business, the challenges of balancing touring and entrepreneurship, and his commitment to giving back to the music community. Mike reflects on the importance of relationships in the music industry and how they have shaped his career and the growth of SJC Drums. We go into why he started Loyal to the Craft and what he has coming up.  Topics Covered:  Drumming at a young age.SJC Custom Drums started as a hobby and evolved into a businessBuilding relationships in the music industry was crucial for SJC's growth.From a small operation to a larger business involved hiring employees.Being a drum tech for major bands shaped his understanding of the industry.Shifting priorities towards family and business led Mike to focus on SJC.The importance of community engagement.Loyal to the Craft aims to empower youth through music and drumming.Brand collaborations enhance the reach and impact of Loyal to the Craft.You can follow what Mike Ciprari is up to on LinkedIn Connect with Mike: Website: loyaltothecraft.com Email: info@loyaltothecraft.com Social Media: loyaltothecraft Like what you hear?  Please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference. The Group Y Live Podcast come out across all podcast players with a new episode every two weeks on Thursday.  Past guests on The Rad Season Show include Kevin Lyman, Adam Wilson, Nick Tran, Stacy Peralta, Monica Medellin, Wim Hof, Mike Cessario, Circe Wallace, Selema Masekela Gerry Lopez and more. Contact Oli Russell-Cowan On Instagram olirussellcowanOn LinkedIn at olirussellcowanThanks for listening & keep it rad!

    39 min
  3. Group Y Live: Adam Wilson Founder of D/CAL on Subcultures, Creativity and Building an Agency

    05/29/2025

    Group Y Live: Adam Wilson Founder of D/CAL on Subcultures, Creativity and Building an Agency

    Adam Wilson is the CO-Founder, Head of Strategy and Creative at D/CAL Adam Wilson shares his journey from the advertising world to founding his own agency, D/CAL. He emphasizes the importance of understanding subcultures over demographics in modern marketing, the evolution of digital marketing, and how his diverse team drives innovation. Adam discusses the challenges and rewards of building an agency that focuses on real-time audience insights and the creator economy, while also providing valuable advice for aspiring agency founders. Topics Covered:  Understanding subcultures is crucial for effective marketingThe digital landscape transformationDiversity in agency teams fosters innovation and creativityReal-time audience insights vs traditional demographicsThe agency's success relies on understanding client needs and challenges.Working with Co-Founder Tony HawkAuthenticity in marketing leads to more resonant brand narrativesYou can follow what Adam Wilson is up to on LinkedIn Connect with Adam: Website: dcalagency.com Email: info@dcalagency.com Social Media: @dcalagency Like what you hear?  Please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference. The Group Y Live Podcast come out across all podcast players with a new episode every two weeks on Thursday.  Past guests on The Rad Season Show include Courtney Carter, Stacy Peralta, Monica Medellin, Wim Hof, Mike Cessario, Circe Wallace, Selema Masekela Gerry Lopez and more. Contact Oli Russell-Cowan On Instagram olirussellcowanOn LinkedIn at olirussellcowanThanks for listening & keep it rad!

    51 min
  4. Group Y Live: Amy Stanton Founder of Stanton & Company on Female Empowerment, PR & Workplace Culture

    05/16/2025

    Group Y Live: Amy Stanton Founder of Stanton & Company on Female Empowerment, PR & Workplace Culture

    Amy Stanton is the Founder & CEO of Stanton & Company Amy Stanton shares her remarkable journey from engineering to marketing, detailing her experiences in advertising, the Olympic bid for New York, and her passion for building a business focused on women's sports. She discusses the challenges of running a business, the cultural shifts in the workplace, and the importance of authenticity and representation in sports. Amy emphasizes the need for positive female role models and the evolution of workplace culture, highlighting her commitment to creating a supportive environment for her team and clients. Topics Covered:  Amy's journey from engineering to marketingThe  New York Olympic bid experienceWorking  with Martha StewartEmpowering female athletes and building a business in women's sportsThe importance of brand building and representation in sportsChallenges of running a business and fostering open communicationYou can follow what Amy Stanton is up to on LinkedIn Connect with Amy: Website: stanton-company.com Email: info@stanton-company.com Social Media: @StantonCompany Like what you hear?  Please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference. The Group Y Live Podcast come out across all podcast players with a new episode every two weeks on Thursday.  Past guests on The Rad Season Show include Courtney Carter, Stacy Peralta, Monica Medellin, Wim Hof, Mike Cessario, Circe Wallace, Selema Masekela Gerry Lopez and more. Contact Oli Russell-Cowan On Instagram olirussellcowanOn LinkedIn at olirussellcowanThanks for listening & keep it rad!

    44 min
  5. Group Y Live: Courtney Carter Seattle Sounders FC & Reign FC Chief Revenue Officer on The Evolution of Soccer Marketing in America

    05/01/2025

    Group Y Live: Courtney Carter Seattle Sounders FC & Reign FC Chief Revenue Officer on The Evolution of Soccer Marketing in America

    Courtney Carter is the Seattle Sounders FC & Reign FC Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) In this episode, Courtney shares her journey from being a high-level soccer player to a key player in sports marketing and talent representation. She discusses her experiences at Major League Soccer, ESPN, and CAA, emphasizing the importance of diversifying across traditional and new media platforms. Courtney also highlights the evolution of soccer in America, the rise of social media and the creator economy, and her innovative projects at Seattle Sounders and Rain. Key topics covered in this episode: Courtney's transition from playing soccer to sports marketing.Starting at Major League Soccer before moving to ESPN.Evolution of commercialisation of soccer in the U.S.Social media transforming the way talent is represented.Being an early adopter of the creator economy.Launching Carter Media Group, to represent innovative talent.Reclaiming identity is crucial in the entertainment industry.Seattle Sounders and Rain focusing on community-driven storytelling.The importance of authentic partnerships in sports marketing.You can follow what Courtney Carter is up to on LinkedIn Like what you hear?  Please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference. The Group Y Live Podcast come out across all podcast players with a new episode every two weeks on Thursday.  Past guests on The Rad Season Show include Truls Brataas, Stacy Peralta, Wim Hof, Mike Cessario, Nick Tran, Gerry Lopez and more. Contact Oli Russell-Cowan On Instagram olirussellcowanOn LinkedIn at olirussellcowanThanks for listening & keep it rad!

    52 min
  6. Group Y Live: Brian Garofalow CEO at Skullcandy on Reviving a Legend

    04/16/2025

    Group Y Live: Brian Garofalow CEO at Skullcandy on Reviving a Legend

    Brian Garofalow Chief Executive Officer at Skullcandy On this episode of Group Y Live, join host Oli Russell-Cowan as he sits down with Brian Garofalow, the CEO of Skullcandy and a legend in the action sports industry. In this episode, Brian shares his incredible journey from the early days of the action sports scene to leading a prominent audio brand. He discusses the challenges of reviving Skullcandy, the importance of understanding their core audience, and the need for adaptation in a rapidly changing market. Discover how Skullcandy is engaging with communities through sponsorships, events, and collaborations, and learn about their innovative internal processes and strategic focus. Brian also reveals an exciting new product launch and partnership with Bose that aims to bring premium audio to the masses at an accessible price point. Key topics covered in this episode: Brian's background in the action sports industryThe evolution of Skullcandy and its brand strategyEngaging with core audiences: active consumers, content creators, gamersThe significance of community engagement and eventsInsights into product innovation and market adaptationSneak peek at the Method 360 ANC headphones & the partnership with BoseYou can follow what Brian Garofalow is up to on LinkedIn Like what you hear?  Please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference. The Group Y Live Podcast come out across all podcast players with a new episode every two weeks on Thursday.  Past guests on The Rad Season Show include Truls Brataas, Stacy Peralta, Wim Hof, Mike Cessario, Nick Tran, Gerry Lopez and more. Contact Oli Russell-Cowan On Instagram olirussellcowanOn LinkedIn at olirussellcowanThanks for listening & keep it rad!

    40 min
5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Hosted by Oli Russell-Cowan, the Rad Season Action Sports Podcast is about the people who push boundaries on a daily basis in the world of action sports. Listen to athletes and industry professionals about their unique experiences and the lessons they learnt along the way. Get inspired for an adventure where “it’s always the season somewhere.”