The Back Catalog

I’ve been doing audio interviews surrounding the bicycle space for the past few years. In that time, I’ve built up a back catalog of over 65 recordings. I wanted to get them all together so that folks could hear them if they haven’t.

The blog format that I use inspires me to create new posts but leaves something to be desired for indexing content. Thus, the index post.

Just recently, I’ve been suggesting that students consider doing a few formal interviews if they have not. This would be something that will be shared so that there would  be external accountability. I believe that one can learn some great practices by going through this exercise.

As an interviewer, a few things are going on:

  • Active listening. For most people, we aren’t really listening to people that we are in conversations with. We are thinking about what we will say when it is our turn to speak. This closes us to their words and ideas. We learn less. Active listening is about really paying attention to what the person is saying and reflecting on what those words mean. This take up a lot of processing and thought.
  • Quality responses extremely quickly. Because we are actively listening, we don’t have a lot of time or preparation to respond to the interviewee that will keep the rhythm of the conversation going and be relevant. …but we have to! A skill has to be developed that generates good responses and prompts without getting in the way of listening. This is very hard.
  • Knowing who you are talking to… or not. I’ve found two types of interviews that attract me; Those where I’m very intimately informed about most of the details of someone’s work or those where I know very little. In one case, I can burrow into very deep and theoretical concepts and fine points of the interviewee’s craft. An example of this is my recent interview with Brad Bingham. In the other, I’m learning new thematic concepts in real time with the audience. My Brian Chapman interview is a great example of this. Both are fun.
  • Ask more questions. When in an interview, we should be asking more questions or setting the guest up to elaborate. We want to learn about them and what they know. Just having them talk isn’t that.
  • It’s not about me. I’m digging out what THEY need to say, not what I want to say. I have plenty of opportunities to give my perspective. I have my blog for that. This is my opportunity to share space with someone else’s world. If I have something detailed to add, I can accompany the interview with a preface or epilog of my choosing when I post the blog.
  • Mapping. An interview needs an arc. It’s a story. As an interviewer, you need to be able to direct the flow in ways that will uncover what you know is important. You also need to hear something in what people are saying that may take things in a different direction or sidebar than had originally been planned. Rigidity is your enemy but so is aimlessness.
  • Knowing when to end it. Some interviews are short. Some are long. Recognize when to wrap it up. Don’t just fill dead air.
  • Filler words. When we speak, it’s easy to use filler works like, ‘uhm’, ‘that’s interesting’, ‘nice’, whatever is just tossed in to fill up space. That needs to be minimized. It sounds terrible and it communicates nothing. Don’t waste the listeners time.
  • The hard interviews. I’ve had one terrible interviewee. Two that deeply challenged me for very different reasons. Of the others, most were really fun but a few were just them selling something. All were hard work for me on some level. It’s not easy.
  • Be greatful. You are given a gift when someone sits down with you and gives their uninterrupted attention. Thank them.

I’m sharing all of the recordings that I have on my site here. I show the address of the file so that it can be copied, downloaded, and shared easier.

I’ve learned some great things in these interviews:

Calvin Norstad, 2024

http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2023-03-11-Calvin-Norstad.mp3

Adam Prosise, 2023

http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-12-01-Adam-Prosise-Interview-Part-1.mp3

http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-12-01-Adam-Prosise-Interview-Part-2.mp3

Marc Salvisberg, 2023

http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-02-13-Marc-Salvisberg-Interview.mp3

Will Hilgenberg – Albatross Bikes, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Will-Hilgenberg-Albatross-Bikes-2023.mp3

Will Bender – Bender Bicycle Company, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Will-Bender-Bender-Bicycle-Company-2023.mp3

Tyler Reiswig – Btchn’ Bikes, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tyler-Reiswig-Btchn-Bikes-2023.mp3

Will Boisvert – Tool Bike Co, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tool-Bike-Co-2023.mp3

Tom and Sion – Machina Bikes, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tom-and-Sion-Machina-Bikes-2023.mp3

Peter Verdone interviewed by Kevin Foss – Rosario Bike Co, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Peter-Verdone-by-Kevin-Foss-Rosario-Bike-Co-2023.mp3

Paul Price – Paul Components, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Paul-Price-Paul-Components-2023.mp3

Mike Smith – No22, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mike-Smith-No22-2023.mp3

Ira Ryan, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ira-Ryan-2023.mp3

Charlie Murry – Heavy Bikes, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Charlie-Murry-Heavy-Bikes-2023.mp3

Bryce Gracey – No22, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bryce-Gracey-No22-2023.mp3

Adam Sklar, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Adam-Sklar-2023.mp3

Aaron Stinner, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Aaron-Stinner-2023.mp3

Josh Ogle, OCD, 2023
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-Josh-Ogle.mp3
Marc Salvisberg, Factory Pro, 2023
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-02-13-Marc-Salvisberg-Interview.mp3
Katrina Leyden, 2022
http://www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PBE2022_Katrina_Leyden.mp3
Zach Geller, Acoustic Cycles, 2022
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PBE2022_ZachGeller_Acoustic_Cycles.mp3
Stephen Bilenky, 2022
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PBE2022_Stephen_Bilenky.mp3
Eva Kloiber, Liberation Fab, 2022
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PBE2022_Eva_Kloiber_Liberation.mp3
Tyler Evans, Firefly, 2022
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/221026_TylerFirefly4.mp3
Jamie, Firefly, 2022
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/221026_Firefly-Jamie.mp3
Brad Bingham, 2022
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-07-18-PVD-with-Brad-Bingham.mp3
Gary Helfrich, 2021
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PBE21-Gary-Helfrich-edit.mp3
Brent Curry, 2021
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PBE21-Brent-Curry-edit.mp3
Ian Colquhoun, 2021
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PBE21-Ian-Colquhoun-edit.mp3
Rody Walter, 2021
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PBE21-Rody-Walter-edit.mp3
Zach Small, 2021
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PBE21-Zach-Small-edit.mp3
Joe Roggenbuck, 2021
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PBE21-Joe-Roggenbuck-edit.mp3
Brian Chapman, 2021
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PBE21-Brian-Chapman-edit.mp3
Steven Plante, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Steven-Plante.mp3
Bruce Gordon, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Bruce-Gordon.mp3
Nick Crumpton, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Nick-Crumpton.mp3
Max Pratt, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Max-Pratt.mp3
Atelier Kinopio, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Atelier-Kinopio.mp3
Michael Corby, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Michael-Corby.mp3
Michael Corby 2, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Michael-Corby-2.mp3
Sean Burnsie Burns, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sean-Burnsie-Burns.mp3
James Bleakley, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/James-Bleakley-2019.mp3
Brad Hodges, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Brad-Hodges.mp3
Pierre Chastain, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Pierre-Chastain.mp3
Paul Price, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Paul-Price.mp3
CalPoly Bike Builders, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CalPoly-Bike-Builders.mp3
Rick Hunter, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Rick-Hunter.mp3
Carl Strong, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Carl-Strong-2019.mp3
Steve Rex, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Steve-Rex.mp3
Joe Roggenbuck, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Joe-Roggenbuck.mp3
Rob English, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Rob-English-2019.mp3
Dmitry Nechaev, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Dmitry-Nechaev-2019.mp3
University of Iowa, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/University-of-Iowa.mp3
Drift Bicycles, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Drift-Bicycles.mp3
Alan Weatherill, 2019
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Alan-Weatherill.mp3
Ron Andrews, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Ron-Andrews.mp3
Tony Pereira, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Tony-Pereira.mp3
Steve McGuire, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Steve-McGuire.mp3
Paul Brodie, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Paul-Brodie.mp3
Eric Baar, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Eric-Baar.mp3
Jared Nelson, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Jared-Nelson.mp3
Tim Odonell 1, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Tim-Odonell-1-1.mp3
Tim Odonnel 2, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Tim-Odonnel-2.mp3
Matt Appleman, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Matt-Appleman.mp3
Adam Sklar, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Adam-Sklar.mp3
Brent Curry, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Brent-Curry.mp3
Kevin Ostrom, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Kevin-Ostrom.mp3
Brad Hodges, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Brad-Hodges.mp3
Stever Potts 1, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Stever-Potts-1.mp3
Steve Potts 2, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Steve-Potts-2.mp3
Craig Calfee, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Craig-Calfee.mp3
Aaron Stinner, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Aaron-Stinner.mp3
Whit Johnson, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Whit-Johnson.mp3
Alex Clauss, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Alex-Clauss.mp3
Blowing-it-with-Carl, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Blowing-it-with-Carl.mp3
Carl Strong 1, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Carl-Strong-1.mp3
Carl Strong 2, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Carl-Strong-2.mp3
Mark Norstad, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Mark-Norstad.mp3
Kent Eriksen, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Kent-Eriksen.mp3
Daryl Funk, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Daryl-Funk.mp3
Hunter Creel, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Hunter-Creel.mp3
Brad Bingham, 2017
www.peterverdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Brad-Bingham.mp3

I’m also going to include two of the lectures that I did at the Philly Bike Expo in 2020 and 2021. If you haven’t watched them, you should. A lot of work went into them.