"Hey everyone, and welcome to another episode of Beyond the Mountains Podcast!

Today, I’m joined by a true music omnivore and proud Deadhead—Jay Sweet.

Instagram profile : @IMAJS @FLOKISTUDIOS

Website : https:flokistudios.com/

Jay lives and breathes music. From sneaking into his first festival as a student to now serving as the Executive Director of the legendary Newport Folk Festival, his life has been shaped by sound, rhythm, and a deep love for the stories music can tell.

Growing up, Jay absorbed jazz from his father’s record collection—many of them marked with the phrase 'Live at Newport.' He later fell in love with the raw soul of Motown, the storytelling of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, the endless jams of the Grateful Dead, and the pulse of the blues.

But Jay's impact goes far beyond stages and crowds. He was part of the visionary team behind Flóki Studios—an extraordinary recording studio carved into the remote, rugged beauty of northern Iceland. Located on the Troll Peninsula, surrounded by towering mountains and the open sea, Flóki is more than a studio—it's a creative sanctuary.

In today’s episode, we explore how solitude, silence, and the natural world can unlock creativity in surprising ways. What is it about the atmosphere of the mountains that stirs something in artists? Can the rawness of nature lead to new musical frontiers?

We also dive into Jay’s passions beyond music—from skiing to surfing—and his guiding mantra: Be present. Be kind. Be open. Be together.

So whether you're a music lover, a creative spirit, or someone just looking to be inspired by the harmony between art and nature—this episode will speak to you.

Turn the volume up. Jay Sweet is in the house—and this conversation is going to eleven."

As a bonus episode, JAY agreed to take the Beyond the Mountains questionnaire to reveal HIS true mountain character.

You can find the bonus episode after this inspiring conversation.

Hello friends, I am your host, Ashley Pettit welcome to the Beyond the Mountains podcast. Where I talk to people who live, work and play in the mountains.

Let's start the intro music and get on with the show. Allons-y

How can you help the show and grow the community?

Connect / leave a comment and follow

• Please Rate & Review me on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Follow us on social media
• Instagram : @beyondthemountains.podcast
• Facebook : Beyond the mountains podcast
• Join the conversation: Comment on Instagram or send us a message I'd love to hear from you.
• Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway from the show

Steph Davis takes the questionnaire designed to reveal her true mountain character and share her beliefs and aspirations.

"Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of Beyond the Mountains Podcast!

Today, I’m joined by a fearless guest—the high-flying Steph Davis.

Instagram profile : @highsteph

Website : https://stephdavis.co/

Have you ever wished you could fly? I know I have. The closest I’ve come is a tandem paragliding flight. Steph knows exactly what real human flight feels like.

Steph Davis isn't just one of the world’s best rock climbers—she’s a force of nature.

From free soloing some of the most iconic rock faces to soaring through the skies in a wingsuit; she has redefined what’s possible in vertical and aerial adventure.

What makes Steph’s journey so fascinating is that she wasn’t an athletic child. Unlike many kids who dream of professional sports careers, her focus was on music—specifically, playing the piano.

She aspired to conquer the most challenging piano pieces, like Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 3, rather than the toughest rock faces, like the Dawn Wall on El Capitan. In Yosemite national park

She went on to earn a master’s degree in Literature, but a chance meeting with another student changed everything. A simple question—‘Are you interested in trying rock climbing?’—set her on a path that would redefine her life.

Steph chose to follow her own path, not the one set by society or expected by loved ones.

The mountains called, and she answered. . . . But she didn’t stop at just climbing—she wanted to confront fear head-on. And for her, that meant learning to fall, something that goes against every instinct of a climber.

Her hunger to understand fear led her to become a qualified parachute jumper—not to skydive, but as a stepping stone to BASE jumping and eventually flying with a wingsuit.

This conversation goes deep—we talk about the power of a positive mindset, the importance of incremental growth, and why you can’t tackle something major without first conquering something small.

So, whether you’re a music lover, a thrill-seeker, or someone looking to master your fears to achieve your goals, this episode has something for you.

So, buckle up, because this is going to be an stimulating flight.

As a bonus episode, Steph agreed to take the Beyond the Mountains questionnaire to reveal her true mountain character.

You can find the bonus episode after this inspiring conversation.

Hello friends, I am your host Ashley Pettit welcome to the Beyond the Mountains podcast. Where I talk to people who live, work and play in the mountains.

Let's start the intro music and get on with the show. Allons-y

How can you help the show and grow the community?

Connect / leave a comment and follow

• Please Rate & Review me on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Follow us on social media
• Instagram : @beyondthemountains.podcast
• Facebook : Beyond the mountains podcast
• Join the conversation: Comment on Instagram or send us a message I'd love to hear from you.
• Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway from the show