Dan Egan sits down with author and travel writer Dawn Barclay to explore how she transforms New England’s most gripping true crime stories into planned road trips. Dawn’s new series, Vacations Can Be Murder, maps cases across New Hampshire and the region with exacting research, stories, and a surprising amount of care for the living. Dawn explains the difference in crime patterns from Maine to Massachusetts, and what gives New Hampshire’s cases their distinct voice. From the Smuttynose...

Ever wonder what it takes to build a thriving local business that becomes woven into the fabric of a community? Dave Levin's journey from basement coffee roaster to creating a New Hampshire landmark at Exit 28 offers a story in entrepreneurial grit, community building, and staying true to your vision. When David first started roasting coffee in his basement in 2004, he had no idea his small wholesale operation would transform into Mad River Coffee Roasters—now a beloved gathering space with ...

Join Dan Egan on the 603podcast as he interviews author and historian Kim Varney Chandler, who takes us through the history of New Hampshire's covered bridges, and her new book covering all the details of the state's beloved architecture. Chandler reveals the practical reason these bridges were covered and explains why communities have invested so heavily in preserving these structures, with some restoration projects exceeding $1.6 million. Did you know the state once had over 400 cov...

Join Dan Egan on the 603podcast as he interviews Founder of SIX03 Endurance, Tom Hooper. Hopper takes us through the remarkable evolution of a New Hampshire statewide running group with hundreds of members, nine major events, and pub runs in cities throughout the Granite State. "Nobody likes doing things alone," Hopper explains, revealing how the social connections formed through SIX03 extend far beyond the trail. These tight-knit "pods" of runners transform from workout partners into lifelo...

Hannah Kearney's gold medal-winning run at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics wasn't just a display of athletic brilliance—it was the culmination of a journey marked by failure, resilience, and transformation. As the New Hampshire local tells host Dan Egan, her path to Olympic glory started in the most humble circumstances: skiing Jay Peak's challenging glades while living in a house with no electricity or running water. The mogul skiing legend reveals how her early exposure to freestyle came throu...

Join us on this episode of the 603podcast for an exclusive journey into the exhilarating world of mogul and freestyle skiing, featuring insights from the dynamic duo, Nick and Suzi Preston, who together founded the Freestyle America training program and coached at Waterville Valley for decades. Leading up to the FIS World Cup at Waterville Valley, a premier event on the East Coast, this episode prepares listeners with an overview of the lead competitors to watch, like athletes Olivia Giaccio...

Imagine suddenly losing your sight at the age of 22 and how you'd adapt to a world turned upside down. That's the incredible story of Randy Pierce, a blind mountaineer and marathon runner, who joins Dan Egan on the 603podcast to share his transformative journey from isolation to conquering mountains. With the loyal companionship of his guide dog, Quinn, Randy's experiences redefine what's possible, illustrating the trust and teamwork needed for such remarkable feats. Throughout our conversa...

Neil Lavesque: New Hampshire Presidential Primary Region: South Central / Merrimack region Neil Lavesque is the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics Neil Lavesque is a lifelong New Hampshire resident with a deep seated passion and career for its local politics. As the executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, Lavesque’s work lies in political engagement and access. In this episode of the 603 podcast, Lavesque touts New Hamp...

On this episode of the 603podcast, Dan Egan interviews Lindsey LaPointe, a New Hampshire-based adventure writer, blogger, and outdoor enthusiast who has made it her mission to inspire others to explore the state's stunning natural beauty. Originally from the West Coast, Lindsey moved to New Hampshire in 2008, when she took a job with the Appalachian Mountain Club. What started as a temporary move turned into a lifelong passion for the Granite State’s wilderness. Coming from California, LaPoin...

On this episode of the 603podcast, Dan Egan speaks with Director Meghan Doherty from the Museum of the White Mountains, where the Old Man of the Mountain’s legacy is preserved through exhibits and lectures exploring the Old Man’s geological and cultural significance. Meghan has been instrumental in preserving the legacy of the Old Man of the Mountain. Her passion for New Hampshire’s history and her dedication to education and community engagement have made the museum a central hub for those w...

In this episode of the 603podcast, Dan Egan had the pleasure of speaking with Henry Jones, the Moose Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department about moose in New Hampshire. Henry Jones digs into moose population dynamics, the role of moose in the ecosystem, and human and moose interactions and safety. At its peak population in 2000, the state had over 7,000 moose. Since then, the population has been in decline, primarily due to winter tick parasitism in the northern regi...

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of New Hampshire, North Conway is a town that thrives on its rich history, vibrant community, and love for adventure. A key element that ties this community together is 93.5 WMWV, a radio station synonymous with local culture. Recently, the 603 Podcast took a deep dive into the story behind this beloved station, offering a fascinating glimpse into its history, unique appeal, and integral role in the community. In this episode of the 603Podcast, host Dan Eg...

In a recent episode of the 603Podcast, Lindsey Rustad, Scientist and Forest Service Team Lead at Hubbard Brook, sat down with Dan Egan to discuss a crucial topic: effectively sharing scientific research on environmental conservation. Lindsey's insights covered everything from the role of art and poetry in connecting people to environmental issues to the profound impact of acid rain and Hubbard Brook’s long-term ecosystem monitoring. Hubbard Brook has been a cornerstone of environmental resear...

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The Balsams: Les Otten on the History and Revival of an Iconic New Hampshire Resort Name: Les Otten Region: Dixville Notch, Great Northwoods Region Les Otten is the former CEO of The American Skiing Company with a lifelong career and passion for the New England ski industry. In 1971, Otten’s professional trajectory began as a lift mechanic where he worked his way through the ranks and began a fruitful career in ski area ownership and philanthropy. He has an eye for opportunity and a commitmen...

The Big Nansen Ski Jump Region: Berlin, The Great North Woods The Nansen Ski Club was founded in 1872 and is one of the oldest ski clubs in the United States. The club is named after Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian explorer, scientist, and humanitarian. Between 1936-1938, the Big Nansen was the world’s tallest ski jump and was the site of the first ever ski jumping Olympic trials in 1938 and the FIS World Championships in 1939 which attracted more than 25,000 spectators who traveled to the Great...

Dave Cropper is a born and bred New Hampshire beach bum. As owner of Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co., in North Hampton, NH—which he has owned since he was 19, Cropper is a local expert on NH surf history and culture. In this episode of the 603podcast, Cropper shares with Dan Egan how the sport of surfing has exploded with the availability and affordability of wetsuits, boards, and the accessibility of surf forecasting and live wave cams. Folks come from far and wide to experience NH’s mild winters...

Highland Bike Park was once known as Highland Ski Area which operated between 1968-1995 before closing due to mountain debts and dysfunction. In 2003, when the opportunity to buy the defunct ski resort coincided with the sale of his family’s fiber optic business, owner and founder Mark Hayes purchased the mountain. In an effort to preserve the place’s history and community, he created Highland Bike Park–same mountain, same name, new purpose. At the risk of sounding too bold, Hayes set o...

Ty Gagne, CEO of New Hampshire Public Risk Management Exchange (Primex), and author of the books Where You’ll Find Me: Risk, Decisions, and the Last Climb of Kate Matrosova and The Last Traverse: Tragedy and Resilience in the Winter Whites, visited Dan Egan to record 603podcast’s first episode on what it means to adventure in New Hampshire, specifically in the infamously challenging White Mountains. Gagne got his first taste of the Whites in grade school on class trips to mountains like Choco...