A Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan Evison

Friday, May 16th, 1980, author and nature enthusiast, Stacy Carlson, attended a school camping trip just 35 miles from Mount St. Helens. She was just 5 years old and had no idea that she was camping at the base of an active volcano. Sunday morning, they woke up and got ready to head out for a hike when suddenly the world turned upside down. Stacy and I talk about her harrowing experience as their school camping trip turned into an action film as they pushed through walls of volcanic ash and lightning to get back home to Seattle. Next Monday will be the 46th anniversary of that fateful day. Hard to imagine something like that happening again, but between sliding Cascadia plates and the Yellowstone Supervolcano, it might be a smart idea to get your go bag ready.  linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Andrea Suarez, founder of "We Heart Seattle", claims that Seattle doesn't have a homeless problem, it has a serious fentanyl problem. Why is this an important distinction? For Andrea, it comes down to where we, and our elected officials, decide to focus our resources. Will more affordable housing slow the rampant theft, sex trafficking, and overdoses that plague Seattle? Does low-barrier housing really give addicts a chance to get clean, or do these tiny homes just become taxpayer-funded crime centers? Andrea has some tough-love opinions that come from years in the trenches cleaning up Seattle's public spaces and helping addicts on their road to recovery. She has a lot of passion for this city and some insights that are hard to hear.We Heart Seattle - https://weheartseattle.org/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Recently, several people recommended to me a limited series podcast called Adults in the Room, which deals with a series of sexual abuse allegations at Garfield High School in Seattle in late 90s. The story, told largely by show's creator, Isolde Rafferty, the managing editor at KUOW and a former reporter at the New York Times, follows a young Isolde as she and a friend, students at Garfield High, decide to report a beloved teacher for sexual abuse. At the time, their accusations faced huge opposition from fellow students, parents, and even local media. 27 years later, Isolde revisited the case and was shocked by how many people knew about the teacher's behavior but refused to act. It's a frustrating story that we've heard many times before, including at my own High School Alma Mater, Bainbridge High School. This week we ask some tough questions about why administrators, parents, and other educators--the adults in the room--systematically protect the predator, rather than the victim. The answers are unsettling.Adults in the Room:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/focus-adults-in-the-room/id1733735613linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

In the summer of 2024, we recorded our first Fresh Face interview with Steve Turner, the trailblazing guitarist of Mudhoney. We initially planned on being an audio-only podcast, but we quickly realized that America prefers to watch people talk, so we started the YouTube channel. We wanted to re-release some of the early episodes that didn't get the video treatment on the channel, so we're starting with Steve. In this episode, we talk about collecting records, the early days of the Seattle punk scene, Steve's long journey in music, from basements to arenas, and his excellent memoir Mud Ride. You can also watch the interview on our YouTube channel.https://youtu.be/7la6_5MwPyclinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Francis Weller is a retired psychotherapist and renowned author of "The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief". Francis believes that grief and gratitude are inseparable, and that our capacity to feel loss is proportional to our capacity to love. Believing that communal grieving is essential for genuine healing, Francis hosts weekend retreats in Northern California where participants share stories of loss, write, sing and engage in symbolic ritual to tend to their grief. We discuss this process and his expansion of our understanding of what grief is, be it the loss of a loved one, a loss of vitality, or a loss of hope. Through what he calls the sacred work of grief, Francis offers tools to help us reconnect and heal, and ultimately navigate our way out of what he refers to as the long dark. If you're a fan of Joesph Campbell or Carl Jung you'll love what Francis is laying down here.  https://www.francisweller.net/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

If I were tasked with creating a soundtrack for the Evison family, Eric D. Johnson would definetly be featured. My kids would know the lyrics already from repeated listens. From Bonnie Light Horseman to The Shins to Fruit Bats, Eric has amassed a discography of indie folk-pop amazingness that few could rival. Eric has also created scores for films such as Wild, Our Idiot Brother, and Spivak. A Chicago native, we get into some of the celebrated and unknown artists coming out of the Midwest. Fruit Bats' new album, The Landfill, comes out this June and I couldn't be more excited.https://www.fruitbatsmusic.com/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

We're all a little vain and self-involved at times, does that make us narcissists? Today’s guest, therapist and writer Vanessa Reiser, posits that although we may all be guilty of manipulation and self-aggrandizing, most of us are not, clinically speaking, narcissists. In today's episode Vanessa breaks down the telltale signs of a proper malignant narcissist. We discuss the crossover of sociopaths and psychopaths with their common need to dominate others. We talk about how a narcissist will bide their time before revealing their toxic traits (four months, to be exact). And you'll be surprised to hear that Vanessa doesn't think Donald Trump is a narcissist. This is a really fun conversation about some dark shit — enjoy!Narcissistic Abuse:  https://www.amazon.com/Narcissistic-Abuse-Therapists-Identifying-Manipulative/dp/0306833174linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

This month, Hachette Publishing cancelled distribution of their book Shy Girl after it was reported by The New York Times that large portions of the text had been created by AI. When the author originally self-published the novel, it garnered rave reviews with 4,900 ratings on Goodreads and an average of 3.52 stars. Eventually, readers started to notice the tell-tale signs of AI slop: repetitive phrasing, confusing metaphors, and maybe more than a few - em dashes. This poses some difficult questions for publishing. Are authors necessary? Is a 4,900 Goodreads rating good enough for readers? I dive into these troubled waters with my friend Bruce Barcott. Bruce is a journalist, editor, and founder of The AI Humanist.The AI Humanist:  https://ai-humanist.beehiiv.com/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Excited to talk to my old friend, Roger "Buzz" Osborne, King Buzzo, or as I like to call him, Buzz Melvin. Buzz is the founder and front man of the seminal punk band The Melvins. As the punk sound of the late '70s evolved into '80s hardcore, the tempo accelerated aggressively. The Melvins, inspired by Black Sabbath, decided instead to slow things down. This unique combination of hardcore and metal became the precursor for what became known as grunge. We talk about those early days and how The Melvins set the table for so many successful bands that followed. We talk about Buzz's love of golf — he's never shot over 100! Buzz is another notorious contrarian (we're on a roll) and a prankster, so expect some spicy takes.Metropolis Documentary / Seed & Spark https://seedandspark.com/fund/metropolis#storylinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Thrilled to talk to one of my punk rock heroes today, Exene Cervenka. In 1977 Exene, along with John Doe, Billy Zoom, and D.J. Bonebrake, formed the seminal LA punk band X. We talk about those early days and how her music evolved over the years with collaborators like Dave Alvin, Mojo Nixon, and Ray Manzarek. We also talk about how art and punk overlapped in the '70s and how that time taught her to follow her passions in art, songwriting, and writing. An incredible portrait of a life dedicated to creativity. Exene is still a contrarian, but she is also so charming and funny.Metropolis Seed & Spark:  https://seedandspark.com/fund/metropolis?fbclid=IwY2xjawQew1pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETE2SFZoa3hqamFVRUJBOUw1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHihOvtV0-ITXULawbnqhFSv5PGHdCGW1haB7M_zCIcOaZrH1bBxJ-mBWDEVN_aem_H0PejDjqxU4CoUSuu-J2tw#storylinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today I talk with a musician I have mad respect for--Built to Spill frontman Doug Martsch. I’ve seen Built to Spill a bunch of times, along with another one of his bands, Treepeople. Doug and I rap about the origins of BTS and Treepeople, along with the two Bretts—Netson and Nelson. We discuss the musical influences that helped shape his signature sound, while I profess a love of Boise’s annual Treefort festival, which I liken to SXSW thirty-five years ago. We talk about the scene of artists that came from Idaho, including Caustic Resin, The French Tips, Dirt Fisherman, and Braided Waves. Doug is such a humble, soft-spoken, down-to-earth dude, it’s hard to believe he’s a rock star.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Noah Giansiracusa is a professional mathematician who has figured out how to use his super powers to hack into the algorithms that rule our lives. From social media to credit scores to online shopping, Noah encourages his devotees to understand how math is used to manipulate you at every point of decision-making in modern life. Remember saying in school, "When am I ever going to use this?" Well, it turns out that math is using you!! Wake up, sheep — it's time to take control of the algorithms. Read all about it in Noah's book, "Robin Hood Math".https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744578/robin-hood-math-by-noah-giansiracusa/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Marco Collins is a seminal figure in both the San Diego and Seattle alt-rock music scenes of the '80s and '90s. As a radio DJ, Marco was instrumental in introducing new artists to eager listeners at 91X (San Diego) and later at KNDD, The End (Seattle). Many bands, like NIN, The Pixies, and the Cocteau Twins, only got airplay because Marco fought with his stations to play them. He leaked demos and hid singles from test groups so he could get music heard. A tireless advocate for his audience and a consummate rebel, Marco's star has burned bright across our culture, so much so that he has a display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

If you like hearing stories from Gen X postal workers, you have come to the right podcast. Today I talk with my second mail carrier, Stephen Grant. At the beginning of the pandemic Stephen lost his job as a strategist for a Manhattan ad agency. He decided to return to his family home in West Virginia where he took a job as a mail carrier. Stephen wrote a book about his experiences called "Mailman - My Wild Ride Delivering Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding a Home."  We talk about rediscovering purpose and connecting with his family and neighbors. I learned a lot about the region including how to correctly pronounce Appalachia.  Mailman: https://www.stevegrantworks.com/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

When I get called a boomer, it’s usually because I’m trying to explain to someone much younger why collecting vinyl records and making mixtapes is so satisfying. A Spotify playlist may be more efficient and time-saving, but what do you lose in the digital process? Organic discovery that’s not based on an algorithm. Record store curation (High Fidelity, anyone?). Listening to a whole album while reading the liner notes, etc. According to today’s guest, author David Sax, it turns out these younger generations are starting to discover the joys of an analog experience on their own. Now, five years out from the start of the pandemic, we’re seeing signs of digital exhaustion and a craving for something more tactile. It’s an encouraging conversation for this Gen Xer. Check out David Sax's book, "The Future is Analog", and please, read it on paper.The Future is Analoghttps://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/FUkcZsH8Mlh_1LNJ2Ucg9Alinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Tim Mays has been promoting shows and owning clubs in San Diego for 47 years. His most famous club, The Casbah, is celebrating 37 years in business this year. Tim talks with me about the early, often violent, days of the San Diego punk scene. We also talk about the early '90s when San Diego was thought to be "the next Seattle," with bands like Drive Like Jehu, Rocket from the Crypt, and Lucy's Fur Coat being courted by major record labels. We get into Stone Temple Pilots, Iron Butterfly, Jason Mraz, and, of course, Ratt. Tim has been there for all of it and shares stories from his legendary career.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Craig Lancaster is a prolific author, playwright, and journalist who wrote the award-winning "600 Hours of Edward," as well as its sequels "Edward Adrift" and "The Summer Sun." Tired of the publishing game, Craig has decided to hang it all up and become a nomad. He sold his belongings, rented his house out, bought an RV, and has now charted a path across America. My goal with this episode was to talk him out of it, but in the end, we spent the hour daydreaming of living a simpler life on the road, free to read, navigate campground WiFi, clean out toilets, and keep black mold remediated—all the while keeping our hearts open to finding an unexpected home in some remote part of the country.https://www.craig-lancaster.com/https://craiglancaster.substack.com/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

OK, I'm a homer for the Hawks, I'm a 12. One of my favorite Seahawks analysts is the co-host of the Man2Man podcast, Mike Dugar. Mike recently published a book on the Seahawks called "The Franchise - Seattle Seahawks: A Curated History of the Legion of Boom Era." Today we talk about how our Seahawks have evolved over the last 15 years, as well as some highlights along the way, including the interception that deflated a dynasty. And of course, we get into some predictions for the upcoming playoffs.  Man2Man - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seahawks-man-2-man-a-show-about-the-seattle-seahawks/id1242347126The Franchise - https://www.amazon.com/Franchise-Seattle-Seahawks-Curated-History/dp/1637277806linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Excited to be returning for our second calendar year of the podcast! After a couple of weeks of quiet contemplation, I've decided that we need to ramp up our optimism mission. Today, I talk with bus driver, author, and filmmaker Nathan Vass about his 18 years of driving the No. 7 Metro bus through some of the toughest neighborhoods in Seattle. Nathan is unique in that he approaches his job with compassion and humility. When you come into contact with two thousand people a day, you can either average the good or the bad that humanity shows you. Nathan chooses the former, and that has really broadened him as a human. A great message to start the new year.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Victor M. Sweeney splits his time between raising four children, running a small town funeral home, writing books and being the most famous mortician on the internet. Victor hosts a podcast called Death And as well as highly entertaining YouTube channel where he answers, with immense patience, questions on all things death. He took time today to answer some of my questions, from the poignant . . do you have nightmares? To the mundane . . what do morticians talk about at conferences?  To the absurd . . do men die with erections?  If I didn't ask your question you can always read his new book "Now Departing" or ask him yourself on his YouTube channel. Podcast: https://deathandpodcast.comYouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@UCplJzJendfah_GkRTBL1snQ Now Departing:  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Now-Departing/Victor-M-Sweeney/9781668062111linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

A couple of years ago I came across an article in the New York Times titled "Inside the Adolescence Mental Health Care Crisis" written by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Matt Richtel. The piece was an amazing exploration of the mental health landscape for teenagers and parents in modern times. When Matt came out with his new book, "How We Grow Up: Understanding Adolescence" I knew I had to get him on the show to talk about raising teenagers.  This episode is a great example of what we wanted for this podcast, an intelligent,  emotional conversation that makes the world a better place. I hope you enjoy it.https://www.mattrichtel.com/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Kevin Hazzard's 2016 book, "A Thousand Naked Strangers", was described to me as "Kitchen Confidential" for paramedics. An insider's account of one of the hardest, most traumatic jobs in America, an EMT. We dive into the world of first responders to hear some harrowing stories of heroism, resilience, and outright horror. Kevin talks in depth about how paramedics cope mentally with what they see. He speaks of the necessity of dehumanizing patients and compartmentalizing trauma with gallows humor. This is summed up perfectly in the statement, "you have to think of humans as a plumbing problem that needs to be fixed".  I don't think Anthony Bourdain ever said that!https://www.kevinhazzard.comlinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Larry Reid is curator by trade and Seattle icon by reputation.  He co-founding Rosco Louie gallery in Seattle’s Pioneer Square in 1978. He has since served as director of Graven Image gallery and the Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA), and as a curator for Experience Music Project (EMP). He currently works as the curator of Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. Today we talk about Larry's origin story and his connection to some of the biggest names in art and music. We also talk about the value of building artist communities out of physical spaces. linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today marks our 52nd episode! I couldn’t be happier to round out year one with our guest, Lee McIntyre. Lee is a philosopher by training, a research fellow at Boston University, and a lifetime member of Clare Hall, Cambridge. In this episode, we discuss how to reason with people who believe in theories that make zero sense—from flat earth and the hollow moon to faked moon landings, 5G towers, vaccine skepticism, and even “Jewish space lasers.” Lee explores the power and influence of groupthink and shows how to approach these conversations with patience and empathy. An inspiring point of view that truly encapsulates the spirit of A Fresh Face in Hell on our one-year birthday.https://leemcintyrebooks.comlinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Ever wonder why there are so many cults in American history? From religious cults to success cults to wellness cults—we’re lousy with them. Author Jane Borden argues that this is no surprise when you consider that the Pilgrims and Puritans were both doomsday cults. With metaphorical red yarn, she lays out a compelling argument that throughout our history, we keep returning to our culty origins. From cowboys and superheroes to the American Dream, multi-level marketing schemes, and finally to MAGA and QAnon, we are who we have always been, unwitting members of Cultus Americanus.    linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Every few months I like to run some fun ideas I see on YouTube by a couple of renowned scientists who then puzzle over me like a talking chimpanzee. This week I talk with author and astrophysicist Mario Livio and Nobel Prize-winning biologist Jack Szostak about their book Is Earth Exceptional: The Quest for Cosmic Life. We discuss the possibility of life in the universe and what that might look like. We also discuss the possibility that 3i Atlas is a nickel-plated spaceship, if intelligent life on Mars was possible, and whether we're equipped to perceive life within our limited understanding of dimensional reality—and do dolphins communicate through a shared consciousness? Spoiler alert: the answers will not surprise you.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today I sit down with author Thomas Kohnstamm to talk about his wild ride from grocery store deli worker to grad student, Lonely Planet travel writer, and now celebrated novelist. In the early 2000s, Thomas made global headlines after an Australian tabloid twisted an interview claiming that he'd written about places he'd never visited. While what he’d said about the truth of travel writing was more nuanced, it effectively ended his travel-writing career. But he turned that setback into a second act — spending the next decade reinventing himself as a fiction writer. With acclaimed novels like Lake City and his latest, Supersonic, Thomas has built a new literary identity rooted in humor, grit, and determination. It’s a fascinating conversation with an all-around great guy.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Raising a teenage boy today is not easy. Young men face intense pressure to navigate conflicting models of masculinity. They're told that a real man should strive, win and dominate but one misstep could lead to being cancelled online without recourse. For many teenager boys, isolation feels safer than engagement with the world. Today I talk with author Ruth Whippman about what it means to raise boys in these complicated times. Her book Boymom offers an exploration of this landscape from the perspective of a feminist mother of three boys. https://www.ruthwhippman.com/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Get ready for a good laugh. Today I talk with my friend, beta reader, piano man - Bryan Roper. Bryan spent years sailing the seas as a piano bar entertainer on all manor of cruise ships. From bargain savers to billionaire yachts, from blues cruises to nude cruises he's seen it all. For 18 consecutive months Bryan tickled the ivories and sang the American songbook for thousands of drunken fantasy seekers. It was a carnival life that is hard to believe, and he tells it all.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

When I was living in Los Angeles in 1993-94, I was homesick for the Pacific Northwest. I missed my friends, I missed the rain, and the small-town charms of the Olympic Peninsula. One thing got me through: reruns of Northern Exposure, which reminded me of home. The show was filmed in the town of Roslyn, just over the mountains from Seattle. The whole vibe of the show just hit me in my comfort zone, and man, I was grateful for it. Today I talk with Dr. Fleischman himself, the legendary Rob Morrow, about his recollections of the show as well as his podcast, with co-star Janine Turner, called Northern Disclosure. Northern Disclosure:  https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernDisclosurePodcastlinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Jess Walter is one of my favorite modern authors. I love his voice, his sense of humor and the way his characters stick with me long after I finish one of his books. Today we discuss his new novel, "So Far Gone." The story follows our reclusive hero, Rhys Kinnick, as he engages a Christian Nationalist militia to recover his kidnapped grandchildren from his conspiracy addled son-in-law, Shithead Shane. The Philadelphia Inquirer calls the novel "a rollicking, razor-sharp, and ultimately moving road trip through a fractured nation, from a writer who has been called 'a genius of the modern American moment.'"linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today I talk with legendary rock guitarist, Stone Gossard. Stone's distinct guitar sound has become synonymous with what we understand as the other Seattle sound of the '90s. On one hand, there were the more chaotic, big fuzzy guitar sounds from Steve Turner, Kurt Cobain, and Kim Thayil, and then on the other, there was Stone's rock/glam-influenced power chords that defined Mother Love Bone, Temple of the Dog, Brad, and Pearl Jam. We talk with Stone about his legacy and his influences. We also take time to give flowers to the many musicians that he's collaborated with throughout his career. Some deep thoughts and surprising moments of candor from my old friend—enjoy!linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

I'm a big fan of boxing. As a novelist I can't think of a sport that lends itself more to dramatic storytelling. Today I'm thrilled to talk "The Sweet Science" with one of my all time heroes, sportscaster Jim Lampley. Jim was the voice of HBO World Championship Boxing for over 30 years. We discuss the upcoming Canelo v. Crawford fight as well as some of the highlights from his storied career. Jim has some incredible stories, grab some popcorn and enjoy. It Happened!  linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

I was at a book signing a week or two ago when a tall, handsome fellow named Bill approached me to say that he was a fan of the podcast. It turns out Bill was a recently retired police sergeant from the Lynnwood PD. Remembering how much everyone loved the Nurse Lexi episode, I asked him if he'd be interested in telling us what it's like to be a cop. I asked him if I could call the episode "Smells Like Bacon", and he agreed! That's when I knew I had a winner of a guest. Defund the Police, Blue Lives Matter, Thin Blue Line—we cover it all and more.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today I talk with indie publisher, Christoph Paul of Clash Books. We discuss the publishing process—from acquisition, to editorial, to marketing and publicity, to distribution, to the retail bookshelf, revealing step-by-step how the sausage is made, and highlighting some of the differences between corporate and indie publishing, and even self-publishing. We also discuss some of the challenges the modern publishing paradigm is facing, including the reading crisis.https://www.clashbooks.comhttps://linktr.ee/christophpaullinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Nirvana, like Spinal Tap, went through a lot of drummers. Dave Grohl was the 7th, Dan Peters (Mudhoney) was the 6th and the 5th, my favorite, was Chad Channing. Although Chad missed the "Nevermind" rocket ride, he was with the band when it recorded the seminal grunge classic "Bleach." I talk to Chad about our early punk days on the Kitsap Peninsula, how the boys from Aberdeen found him, how the band began to blow up, and the friction that caused. And of course, we talk about how it all came to an end. We also talk about life after Nirvana and what's next for my old friend.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today I'm excited to talk with one of the leading voices in battling online misinformation and graft - Kim Hunt. Kim is a whip smart Zoomer who is ambitious and full of integrity (the kind that only a journalism degree will give you). Kim's weapon of choice is the "response video" in which she creates TikTok and Reels that counters popular political influencers, like Charlie Kirk or Emily Wilson. It's caustic work but it thrills me that there are young people pushing back on the onslaught of online propaganda. Kim does not suffer fools and will regulate your hot takes if she feels you're punching down.@slaythegop insta:  https://www.instagram.com/slaythegop?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Video Interview:  https://youtu.be/xmOvLX4mTpolinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

On any weekend in the early '90s, almost every music venue in Seattle was a mess of flannel, long hair, and distorted reverb. But if that wasn't your mood, you could always find one or two boot-scooting bar bands like Kitchen Radio, Lazy Susan, and Ramadillo blowing the roof off some dirty little bar. Out of that small alt-country sub-scene arose one of my favorite singer / songwriters (and high school chum) Pete Droge. In the late '90s and early 2000s, Pete had an impressive solo career with three albums and a fourth with the supergroup, The Thornes. Pete also toured with Tom Petty, performed on David Letterman and Jon Stewart, and was in Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous". At the height of his fame, Pete withdrew from the limelight to focus on producing, film scoring, and his mental health. Now, ten years later, Pete is back with a new album called "Fade Away Blue".https://petedroge.bandcamp.com/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

I love fatherhood - I love what it has shaped me into as a person. It has given me reserves of love and patience I didn't know were possible. Being a father fills me with anxiety, but at the same time, my endless gratitude calms me. This makes me wonder why fatherhood is so rewarding for some and so difficult for others. In his book "Fatherhood: A History of Love and Power," Augustine Sedgewick talks about the archetypes of fatherhood throughout human history. From Aristotle to Sigmund Freud, he examines how our understanding of fatherhood has evolved over time to today.Fatherhood:  https://www.amazon.com/Fatherhood-History-Power-Augustine-Sedgewick/dp/1668046296linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today I talk with Doctor and NY Times Journalist, Elisabeth Rosenthal about her seminal book An American Sickness. Why does an arthritis injection cost $19K in one hospital and $90k in another? Why does the same insurance company pay both prices without push back? Our healthcare system is a funhouse of twisted logic that only makes sense when seen through the prism of unregulated profiteering. Dr. Rosenthal and I talk about how we got here and what we can do systematically and personally to make changes for the future.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

I'm back in the saddle today with another old friend - world-renowned chainsaw sculptor Steve Backus. Steve has been creating bears, whales, eagles, gnomes, and mermaids from massive pieces of wood for over 40 years. He organizes and judges sculpting competitions internationally and has appeared on the show "Saw Dogs".I talk with Steve about his two memoirs, "You've Got to Be Shitting Me" and "Carve or Starve." We discuss his origin story as the son of a PNW tramp logger, as well as the fall of the logging industry and the rise of chainsaw art. Steve talks about the tight-knit community of sculptors and the rising popularity of the art around the world. He may have hard bark on him, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a nicer guy.Backus Books:  https://www.amazon.com/Books-Steve-Backus/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ASteve%2BBackuslinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today's episode is hosted by New York Times bestselling author, and Fresh Face alum, Jamie Ford. Don't worry, Jonathan will be back next week! In Episode 7, Jonathan invited Jamie on to discuss his book "The Many Daughters of Afong Moy," which focused on inherited trauma passed down through seven generations of Chinese women. In today's conversation, Jamie talks with author and activist Jen Soriano about her book "Nervous." "Nervous" explores generational trauma through the historical lens of Jen's Filipino family. The conversation is an interesting blend of the science we've discussed in previous episodes—The Social Gnome & The Anatomy of Anxiety—especially regarding how our health and mental health are directly related to our history. For example, high blood pressure and heart disease can be linked to racism, and in this case, colonialism. Something special for our hardcore listeners!Nervous:  https://www.jensoriano.net/books   The Many Daughters of Afong Moy: https://jamieford.com/books/the-many-daughters-of-afong-moy/linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Jonathan has gone fishing. Stepping in as his substitute this week is his good friend Danny O'Neil, who you may remember from the Grudges episode. Danny sits down with national champion and Olympic diver Cassidy Krug to discuss her book "Resurface: A Guide to Navigating Life's Biggest Transitions". Cassidy opens up about her time competing at the highest levels of diving. She discusses her struggles chasing perfection after her competitive career concluded. In her book she interviews other Olympic athletes and discovers it’s hard—maybe impossible—to replace the sport they left behind. Cassidy reflects on her personal journey to find new purpose, from working in advertising, to becoming a trapezist, and finally a published author.Cassidy Krug:  https://www.cassidykrug.com/resurfacelinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Jonathan speaks with his old friend and great American fiction writer, Willy Vlautin. Willy is the author of seven novels, including his most recent, The Horse, which helped earn him the 2025 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. Three of his books have been adapted into films, including Night Always Comes, The Motel Life and Lean on Pete. In addition to his writing, Willy is a musician and songwriter—first with Richmond Fontaine and now with The Delines. Whatever the medium, Willy is always channeling a sad ballad with a tear on his cheek and a smile on his face.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today I talk with famed music journalist Peter Blackstock about his time discovering and reviewing bands in Austin, Nashville, North Carolina, and Seattle. Together with his partner Grant Alden, Peter launched the roots music magazine, No Depression. What started as an AOL discussion group on "Alternative Country," No Depression (named after an Uncle Tupelo song) helped define a new genre of music that includes such bands as Wilco, Son Volt, Old 97's, Jayhawks, Whiskeytown, Alejandro Escovedo, and the Bottle Rockets. We talk about how Seattle's own alt-country scene developed in the shadow of grunge with local heroes like Pete Droge of Ramadillo and Kitchen Radio. Lastly, we get into a few new music suggestions from one of the most connected men in music.linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Turns out the idea of nature vs. nurture is an overly simplistic way of describing how our genes correlate with our environments. For 150 years, scientists, sociologists, theologians, politicians, and philosophers have argued over this binary idea of determinism. My guest today, Professor Dalton Conley, writes that the answer is more like nature & nurture. In his book "The Social Genome," Dalton illustrates how our genes are activated, or subdued, by our social environments. He also talks about the emerging science behind the Polygenic Index (PGI). This is a predictive data model that can show your likelihood to succeed in life, college, love, etc., based on your genome. It's a whole new way of understanding genes.https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/782431/the-social-genome-by-dalton-conley/9781324092636linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today I talk with an old friend from the halcyon days of grunge, photographer Charles Peterson. Charles is known for capturing some of the most iconic B&W shots of that era, many of which were used by Sub Pop for album cover art including, Soundgarden's Screaming Life EP and Ultramega OK as well as Mudhoney's Superfuzz Bigmuff. Charles was also instrumental in capturing the meteoric rise of Nirvana from 1989 - 1992. His Nirvana collection is currently on display at the Tacoma Art Museum under the title,  "Charles Peterson's Nirvana".  You can also get the book at Minor Matters Books:  https://minormattersbooks.com/products/pre-sales-charles-peterson-s-nirvana?variant=43331862986917linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

Today I open the X-Files with author Marc Hartzman. We dive into all things extraterrestrial, from outer space to the outer limits. We discuss shaved monkeys, frozen brains, and interdimensional beings. We explore the idea of visitations to ancient Egypt, as well as the possibility of an alien Atlantis. We discuss remote viewing (ESP) and my dream about Keanu Reeves being my boss at a bookstore. Somehow it all connects to produce one of the most fun interviews I've done yet. Marc has written 10 books on the bizarre and unknown, from ghosts to sword swallowers. Check him other at:  https://www.marchartzmanbooks.comlinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

I speak with filmmaker Chris Wilcha about the themes of his new film, "Flipside." In the film, Chris tells his career story beginning as a young, idealistic filmmaker who sets out to become a documentarian but finds himself later in life as a commercial director with hard drives full of unfinished films. Ironically, many of the films are about artists and characters with unrealized dreams of their own. In an act of self-realization, Chris stitches all of these films together to make (and finish) his opus - "Flipside." Check it out on Amazon Prime, Criterion, Apple, and on most Delta domestic flights.Flipside Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d410kvow8Vglinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison 

To follow up last week's conversation on the robot hordes I talk with authors and podcasters, Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna about AI hype. The two argue in their new book The AI Con, that there is nothing intelligent about machine learning and that the technology is nothing more than "souped-up autocomplete." They discuss the ways in which we, as humans, have been duped into thinking that AI is going to either save us or devour us when, in reality, the results show there is no actual intelligence occurring. With a success rate barely better than 20%, Emily and Alex warn us against relying on machine learning for important tasks and jobs, like replacing air traffic controllers? Just like the tech boom of the '90s, they predict an AI bubble is forming. A very fun and, in the opinion of this luddite, hopeful message.The AI Con - https://www.amazon.com/AI-Fight-Techs-Create-Future/dp/0063418568Mystery AI Hype Theater - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mystery-ai-hype-theater-3000/id1690426042linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison