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 Analog
https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/FUkcZsH8Mlh_1LNJ2Ucg9A

linktr.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/id1242347126

The Franchise - https://www.amazon.com/Franchise-Seattle-Seahawks-Curated-History/dp/1637277806

linktr.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.com
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@UCplJzJendfah_GkRTBL1snQ 
Now Departing:  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Now-Departing/Victor-M-Sweeney/9781668062111

linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison