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First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast
Welcome to the First Chair Podcast—the official podcast of PSIA-AASI. Hosted by the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI), First Chair features conversations with leading educators, instructors, coaches, and industry experts from across the snowsports community. Whether you're preparing for certification, refining your teaching skills, improving your movement analysis, or simply looking to become a better instructor, each episode offers practical insights and real conversations you can take to the hill.
Latest Episodes
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- 1 weeks ago16 min
Beyond Mechanics | Movement analysis, a tool for connection + Confidence with josh smith
Movement analysis is about more than identifying what needs to change — it can also be a powerful tool for building trust, confidence, and connection with your guests. In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas sits down with PSIA-AASI National Team member Josh Smith to explore how instructors can use movement analysis to highlight strengths, create buy-in, and make feedback more meaningful. Josh shares examples from terrain park coaching and beginner lessons, along with practical strategies like reading tracks in the snow, observing body language, and getting guests more involved in their own learning. George and Josh also discuss the importance of how feedback is delivered and how looking beyond mechanics can help instructors create more effective, student-centered lessons.
- 3 weeks ago30 min
Matching Students With Instructors: The RASPYS Framework with Paul Geoghegan
How much can you learn about a young skier before the lesson even begins? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas sits down with longtime instructor and trainer Paul Geoghegan to explore the ideas behind his 32 Degrees article, “Matching Students w/ Instructors Through the Rapid Assessment Protocol for Young Skiers.” Paul introduces RAPYS, a framework designed to help supervisors and instructors make more thoughtful student-instructor matches by considering five key areas: emotional, equipment, cultural, physical, and experience. The framework grew out of observing experienced supervisors who could seemingly look at a young skier and instinctively determine which instructor might be the best fit. George and Paul explore what those observations look like in practice—from noticing an apprehensive child holding onto a parent's leg to recognizing how experience in hockey, ice skating, dance, or gymnastics might translate to learning on snow. Paul also explains why online booking, while convenient, can't always capture the human factors that can determine whether a lesson succeeds. Most importantly, Paul argues that RAPYS isn't necessarily about following a rigid scoring system. It's a framework for thinking more intentionally about the person standing in front of you—and creating an environment where they feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
- Aug 18, 202625 min
Stacked in Your Favor with Peter Novom
What does it really mean to be balanced on skis — especially when you’re constantly in motion? In this episode of **First Chair**, host George Thomas sits down with PSIA-AASI National Team member Peter Novom to dig deeper into the ideas behind Peter’s *32 Degrees* article, **“Stacked in Your Favor.”** Peter explores why great skiing isn’t about trying to recreate a perfect position or snapshot. Instead, it’s about learning to balance in motion, anticipate what’s coming next, and use the feedback from your skis and body to continually adapt. George and Peter break down practical exercises like statue stops and leapers, including how these drills can expose asymmetries, challenge your ability to move with your equipment, and provide immediate feedback about your skiing. Peter also explains why struggling with an exercise isn’t necessarily a bad thing — sometimes failure is exactly what creates the awareness needed for that next “aha” moment. They also explore the “trap of retrospective skiing,” why focusing too much on what just happened can hold you back, and how anticipating your next movement can help you stay ahead of your skis. Most importantly, Peter encourages instructors to take these ideas beyond the podcast and the page: try the exercises, experiment with the parameters, and make the learning your own. Listen to the conversation. Then read Peter’s article in 32 Degrees. Take the concepts on snow and see what you discover. Learn more at thesnowpros.org.
- Aug 4, 202621 min
The Space Between Skills & Connection | Teaching Beyond Technique with Melodie Buell
What if the most important thing your students remember isn't what you taught—but how you made them feel? In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas sits down with PSIA-AASI National Team member Melodie Buell to explore the ideas behind her article, "The Space Between Skills and Connection." Together, they discuss why great instruction is about more than technical skills, and how emotional awareness, trust, and authentic connection can transform the learning experience. Melodie shares practical strategies for reading your students, avoiding false positivity, using professional vulnerability effectively, giving students voice and choice, and adapting your teaching to meet learners where they are. Whether you're teaching first-time skiers, preparing for certification, or coaching experienced riders, this conversation offers valuable insights into becoming a more impactful instructor. Topics include: Why students remember how you made them feel Moving beyond constant positivity Building trust through attunement Professional vulnerability in teaching Voice and choice in lesson planning Recognizing changing student needs Learning vs. earning credentials Creating experiences students never forget If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe for more episodes of First Chair, featuring conversations with the people shaping the future of snowsports instruction.
- Jul 21, 202621 min
Applying the 5E Instructional Model to Ski Instruction with Joe Taylor
What if the secret to better ski lessons came from science class? In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas sits down with Joe Taylor to talk about a surprisingly powerful teaching framework: the 5E instructional model. Joe breaks down how Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate can help ski instructors create lessons that feel less like a lecture and more like an “aha!” moment on snow. Joe shares how his background in physics, science education, and ski instruction led him to a simple idea: students learn better when they discover the feeling first, then put the pieces together. That means more student voice, more curiosity, and more learning that actually sticks. From wedge christies to steeper terrain, this conversation shows how the 5E model can make lessons more engaging, more memorable, and way more effective. You’ll hear how the 5E model lines up with the PSIA teaching cycle, why “explore before explain” works so well, and how research backs up this student-led approach. If you’re a ski or snowboard instructor looking for fresh ideas that are practical, research-based, and easy to remember, this episode is packed with takeaways. In this episode: Why students should explore before they’re explained to How the 5E model fits ski instruction Ways to boost motivation and ownership How to turn one skill into a transferable movement pattern Why this method works especially well for adult learners Simple, smart, and seriously useful for snowsports instructors who want better lessons without overcomplicating the process.
- Jul 7, 202620 min
The Snowsports MFA: Mark Aiken on the Art of the Lesson
How do you turn a standard ski lesson into a compelling story? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas sits down with snow pro and professional writer Mark Aiken to discuss his latest 32 Degrees article, "Snowsports MFA." Mark shares his unique four-step framework—Movement Analysis, Fundamentals, Activities, and the Repeat—designed to help instructors stay student-centered and outcome-based. Mark explains why showing up to an assessment with a "canned progression" is a recipe for failure and why authentic teaching means treating every lesson as an exploration. We dive into the "Repeat" step as a tool for re-evaluation, the importance of an "effective bag of tricks" over a large one, and how the current PSIA-AASI National Fundamentals changed his 30-year career. Whether you're a writer, a slider, or an exam candidate, this conversation offers a practical guide to the artistry of snowsports education. In this episode, we discuss: The "Snowsports MFA" concept: Comparing a ski trail to a short story. Why "canned progressions" are presentations, not teaching. The "Repeat" Step: Why watching the drill is more important than doing it. Building an "Effective Bag of Tricks" using only the basic tools. Tipping the J: A case study in modifying drills to fit student speed and confidence. The Art of Style: How technical fundamentals enhance a skier's personal palette. Read Mark Aiken's full article in the latest issue of 32 Degrees magazine.
- Jun 23, 202620 min
Beyond Games: Authentic Enthusiasm in Kids' Lessons with Keith Rodney
How do you keep a group of teenagers engaged or turn a repetitive boot drill into the highlight of a student's day? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas talks with Keith Rodney—Chair of the National Children's Task Force and US Telemark Team member—about his 32 Degrees article, "The Fun Starts with You." Keith challenges the traditional idea of "forcing" fun for students, suggesting instead that instructors should focus on making the environment enjoyable for themselves first. Keith explains how this shift in perspective leads to authentic enthusiasm that students can sense immediately. We dive into the CAP (Cognitive, Affective, Physical) model as a developmental lens, the "Empathy Pivot" for managing fear vs. exhilaration, and why "Professional Competency" is at the heart of purposeful play. Whether you are a new instructor or a seasoned pro, this conversation provides a roadmap for using your own passion to build trust and deeper connections on the snow. In this episode, we discuss: - Why forcing a fun environment often falls flat with students. - Using the CAP model to adjust your approach based on individual development. - The "Empathy Pivot": Distinguishing between exhilarating excitement and paralyzing fear. - Why teenagers and kids can see right through a "fake" teaching persona. - Managing the emotional environment to build lasting trust with your group. Read the full article in the Winter 2026 issue of 32 Degrees magazine.
- Jun 9, 202626 min
The Global Instructor: Navigating Japan, New Zealand, and Beyond with Augusto Risso
What does it take to teach skiing for 10 years without a summer break? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas talks with Augusto "Rooster" Burone Risso about his decade-long journey chasing winters across the globe. From his first days as a J-1 instructor at Granby Ranch to the high-stakes terrain of Niseko, Portillo, and even Lesotho, Africa, Rooster has lived the dream of the "endless winter." Rooster breaks down the practical side of being a global pro, including navigating "Working Holiday" visas, finding employee housing in Japan, and the unique challenges of working for private ski schools in Argentina. He also discusses how the intensity of skiing eight-plus months a year accelerated his technical skills, helping him transition from a casual skier to a PSIA Level III certified instructor and Big Mountain competitor. In this episode, we discuss: - The J-1 Jumpstart: How a college break in Colorado turned into a lifelong career. - New Zealand & Australia: Navigating the Working Holiday visa and the "scary" commute to Cardrona. - The Private School Dynamic: Teaching in Niseko, Japan and Bariloche, Argentina. - Physical Sustainability: How Rooster managed the demands of year-round skiing for 10 years. - The Big Mountain Shift: How intensive training helped him conquer Big Mountain competitions and -the PSIA Level III exam. 📖 Read Rooster’s full article, "Around the World in 10 Years," in the latest issue of 32 Degrees magazine. Follow PSIA-AASI: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesnowpros/ Website: https://thesnowpros.org/
About First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast
Welcome to the First Chair Podcast—the official podcast of PSIA-AASI. Hosted by the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI), First Chair features conversations with leading educators, instructors, coaches, and industry experts from across the snowsports community. Whether you're preparing for certification, refining your teaching skills, improving your movement analysis, or simply looking to become a better instructor, each episode offers practical insights and real conversations you can take to the hill.
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