The Octagon

This week we were excited to bring into the studio Karen Wagner to talk all things ski patrol. Karen is the Ski Patrol Director at Stowe Mountain Resort, overseeing one of the most experienced and highly trained patrol teams in the East. Karen and her team provide first response medical care and manage mountain safety during some of the busiest ski days in New England. Karen has built a career in mountain operations and emergency response, earning deep respect within the patrol community and ...

This week we welcomed craft distillers Tim Danahy and Howie Faircloth into The Octagon Studio. Tim and Howie both moved to Stowe almost 30 years ago and became the head brewers at The Shed. After 5 years at The Shed they decided they wanted to start their own business and founded Green Mountain Distillers - one of the very first distilleries in Vermont. They have dedicated the last 25 years to producing hand crafted, award winning organic spirits right from their distillery in Morrisvil...

This week we had the pleasure of bringing into the studio Sports Recovery guru Steph Lawee. Steph is the Founder of Vibe Sports Recovery here in Stowe. Steph combined her experience as an elite halfpipe skier and passion for healing and recovery to create Vibe. Prior to Vibe, Steph competed for 7 years in slopestyle and halfpipe at USSA, USASA, NorAm, Rev Tour and Grand Prix events. When not helping athletes recover and achieve their highest level of performance she is a coach at ...

This week we rounded out the 2025 season at the Octagon Podcast with the long awaited Hardeaux Roundtable. The Hardeaux's have what could be described as a controversial reputation around town and on the mountain for their hard charging attitude on the uphill scene, desire to push the limits and most importantly creating a tight knit ski community. If you see headlamps scattered on Nosedive in the early morning darkness or the iconic sticker on the lower left of an oversized truck or SUV ther...

This week we welcomed our first educator into the Octagon Studio, Maura Wieler. Maura is the Principal of Stowe Elementary School, whose leadership has played a significant role in shaping the school’s academic direction and its culture of student-centered learning. Under Maura’s guidance, Stowe Elementary has continued to strengthen its instructional practices, support professional growth among educators, and prioritize the well-being and development of every student. When not serving ...

This week we welcomed Jackie Henderson and Carter Getty into the Octagon Studio. Jackie and Carter are both Seniors at Stowe High School and provide a unique perspective on what it's like to grow up in Stowe. We explore their time in this unique community, working their way through the school system, athletic endeavors and even dating! We are excited to present this fresh perspective on all things Stowe.

This week we had the honor of sitting down with Peter Hawks for our third Octagon Labs episode. Peter takes us on a journey of the legacy of his son Ryan who lived with passion, purpose, and integrity. Whether Ryan was carving fresh ski lines or spreading kindness to a stranger he left an impact on everyone he met. His zest for life and free spirit continues to inspire thousands. Peter started the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation to share Ryan’s 13 Core Values — and to help others live with the sa...

This week we explore the Vermont start up and entrepreneurial landscape with Dave Bradbury. Dave is the President of VCET — the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies — where he’s spent years helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into businesses right here in VT. What’s cool about David is that he’s not trying to make Vermont into the next Silicon Valley — he’s working to help Vermont become the best version of itself: a place where creativity, grit, and community fuel innovation. You can ...

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming into The Octagon studio Charles Safford. Charles is the Town Manager of Stowe, Vermont, a role in which he serves as the CEO of the town - responsible for day-to-day municipal operations, advising and implementing Select board policy, and shepherding the town’s budget to the voters’ consideration. Charles has served in this role for 18 years and has guided Stowe through many transitions and changes to make the town what it is today.

This week we veered off from our traditional format diving into the stories and characters that make Stowe, Vermont so legendary. We are calling this new series Octagon Labs. Many community members have connected with us wanting to start their own podcast and this Labs extension of the traditional format brings an episode from community members diving into a specific topic or passion. The goal of Octagon Labs is to provide our listeners with additional educational and though...

Join us for a trip down memory lane as we recap what was an unforgettable season 1 at the Octagon Podcast. We revisit the epic tales, personalities and history that makes Stowe such a special and unique community. In this episode we will also throw out some teasers for what to expect in season 2! Stay tuned in after the season 1 recap for live footage of the sights and sounds of the famous Stowe 4th of July Parade!

To ring in the 30th episode at The Octagon we had George Petit join us in the studio. George is a jazz guitarist, a composer, an educator… and the force behind the Stowe Jazz Festival — happening this July which brings world class Jazz musicians to our community. George Petit has been a working musician, composer, arranger, engineer and producer for the better part of 37 years, playing his very first gig at the age of 13 in a West-end, London Pub...but even before that, he performed as a youn...