Who’s This For? is a conversation series about creating with intention. Each episode features artists, entrepreneurs, and media makers who reflect on the people they’re truly trying to reach and how powerful work often begins with a single person in mind.
We go beyond promotion and into the why behind your work:
Who are you speaking to?
What keeps you creating?
How do you connect with your audience in a real way?
Whether you make music, launch brands, design experiences, or tell stories, this podcast is for you.
Matthew Zabransky on Skiing and Snowboarding in the Midwest
Look, I'm just gonna let you in on something...
This show is basically an excuse for me to have a fancy chat with people I want to talk to anyway, and you’re along for the ride.
To kick off Season 3, I finally got to sit down with Matthew Zabransky from Midwest Skiers and Snowboarders. Apart from maybe a couple of comic book channels, his videos are probably what I watch more than anything else on YouTube. If you ski anywhere around here, you already know his stuff—it’s literally the intel you need before you pack up your gear and head out.
Matthew hopped on to chop it up about what it actually takes to document the Midwest scene. We talk about how following his wife’s med school path landed him in places like Ohio, only to realize the Midwest has well over a hundred ski areas that almost nobody was covering. He gets into how cold-emailing resorts in November went terribly until one single reply from Snow Trails sparked an entire business, eventually taking him from local rope tows to working with big names like Red Bull and TGR.
From there, we get deep into the weeds on what "the Midwest" actually means to us. We break down everything from the gnarly terrain up in the UP to the St. Croix and Mississippi River valleys, not to mention that 250-foot fast-lift vibe at Trollhaugen where you can literally squeeze in laps on your way to the hardware store. Matthew explains the strategy behind his POV walkthroughs—how they serve everyone from technical gearheads to kids just trying to build enough confidence to ski a run—and why he still claims he's a terrible writer despite scripting research-heavy deep dives on chairlifts and snowmaking.
We also get into the real heart of Midwest ski culture: why treating these local hills like a training gym makes you a better technical skier than the folks sitting in Denver traffic, and why our hills are completely free of pretense, whether you're rocking high-end shell jackets, hunting gear, or snowmobile bibs. Plus, we dig into the nuts and bolts of filming in freezing temps, why you should probably leave your backpack in the car, and what it really means to keep everyone safe on the hill.
Grab a beverage, settle in, and come along for the ride. Check out the full chat with Matthew!
16 Jun 2026
Ryan James Quinn on Rice Lake, Dirty Chai Radio, and building something slowly
It’s probably not a secret by now that I do this show as an excuse to chat with people I find fascinating. So, thanks for indulging me.Chatting with Ryan James Quinn was a chance to share our love for radio, music, community, and just being genuine in this crazy world. We also talk about Dirty Chai Radio, his streaming station, which I think you should check out when you want some good music in your life.We get into our relationship with the audience and even wade into the tricky waters of gatekeeping and tastemaking. At the end of the day, I think we're both trying to use our microphones to bring a little more love into the world.I really hope you enjoy this conversation about craft, community, and place.
19 May 2026
Michael Perry on writing, singing, mentoring, and John Prine’s cigarette guy
“Michael Perry is the kind of author who makes you scrap your lead sentence five times when you write about him. His prose is so full of poignant adjectives it’s like a silage-stuffed silo at the end of autumn – warm, pungent, and ready to nourish.”
Me - 2014
Catching up with Michael Perry is a true joy. He’s someone I’ve been honored to know for a little over 15 years and I respect the good gracious out of him.
In our discussion we chat about noticing things and interacting with society, finding our own joy and journeys, and beautiful mentors we have met along the way.
We also talk about rural and urban life in a way people don’t very often in my opinion and that’s the community you find in them. That community oftentimes doesn’t look like you or may not even believe things you do, but they are dear and have lessons they teach along the way.
I’m beyond thrilled for you to hear this chat, so give yourself an hour and enjoy.
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