Something (rather than nothing)
Why is there something rather than nothing? This podcast is a philosophical and psychological exploration into the act of creation (poets, musicians, writers, painters, thinkers, all of us) by: Ken Volante
S1 E293 · Thu, April 17, 2025
Meghan Lamb
Meghan Lamb is the author of Mirror Translation (Blamage Books, 2025), COWARD (Spuyten Duyvil, 2022), Failure to Thrive (Apocalypse Party, 2021) All of Your Most Private Places (Spork Press, 2020) and Silk Flowers (Birds of Lace, 2017). Her work has also appeared in Quarterly West, DIAGRAM, Redivider, and Passages North, among other publications. She currently teaches creative writing through the University of Chicago, Story Studio, Hugo House, and GrubStreet. She is the fiction editor for Bridge Books and the nonfiction editor for Lover's Eye and Nat. Brut. Music here
S1 E292 · Thu, April 10, 2025
Raechel Wolfe
Raechel Wolfe is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Portland, OR, whose work spans film, writing, modeling, and Creative Direction. She made waves by creating FINK, the world’s first Instagram-exclusive short film, and was a founding member of the core team behind Buckman Journal. Raechel continues to push creative boundaries, now adding curator to her dynamic portfolio. Featuring co-host and model/artist Jenny Peterson. For Your Eyes Only
S1 E291 · Sun, March 02, 2025
elle nash (deliver me)
elle nash is an electrifying writer based in glasgow, scotland this is about her book 'deliver me' - At a meatpacking facility in the Missouri Ozarks, Dee-Dee and her co-workers kill and butcher 40,000 chickens in a single shift. The work is repetitive and brutal, with each stab and cut a punishment to her hands and joints, but Dee-Dee’s more concerned with what is happening inside her body. After a series of devastating miscarriages, Dee-Dee has found herself pregnant, and she is determined to carry this child to term. Dee-Dee fled the Pentecostal church years ago, but judgment follows her in the form of regular calls from her mother, whose raspy voice urges Dee-Dee to quit living in sin and marry her boyfriend Daddy, an underemployed ex-con with an insect fetish. With a child on the way, at long last Dee-Dee can bask in her mother’s and boyfriend’s newfound parturient attention. She will matter. She will be loved. She will be complete. When her charismatic friend Sloane reappears after a twenty-year absence, feeding her insecurities and awakening suppressed desires, Dee-Dee fears she will go back to living in the shadows. Neither the ultimate indignity of yet another miscarriage nor Sloane’s own pregnancy deters her: she must prepare for the baby’s arrival. Something Rather Than Nothing Podcast
S1 E290 · Wed, February 12, 2025
Vanessa Stockard
Vanessa Stockard recently visited the podcast for the 3rd time! Vanessa Stockard was born in 1975 in Sydney and spent her formative years in a small country town in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. At 12 she returned to Sydney as a boarder at Abbotsleigh. After graduating from the College of Fine Arts (COFA) Sydney in 1998 with a BFA, Stockard launched head first into the avant-garde art scene in the bohemian village of Glebe. Stockard is one of the most dangerous artists on the Australian, and by extension, international scene. Her ethereal works of art are a window into the soul of a talented and complex artist, one whose legacy is bound to resonate well past her generation. The existential nature of her painting viscerally questions our concepts of social relationships and reality. Twenty years of introspection and experimentation, ranging over a number of media, have forged Vanessa’s style and vulcanised her craft, enabling her to reveal complex misdemeanours, while simultaneously demanding the viewer’s self-reflection. She deals with isolation and sadness with intimate care and attention. Vanessa is unhindered by failure, always continuing the discovery of things previously unseen, revealing work that is fresh, unlaboured and penetrating. The deceptive everyday nature of her subject matter belies hidden depths of relationship, feeling and emotion. One could describe her process as absence of thought, a freedom of construct, not unlike the stream of consciousness associated with authors such as Hemmingway and Thomas Wolfe. If light and shade were students, she would be their master. This skill, combined with a naturally deft hand and a determined use of perspective, imbue her subjects with gravitas. The artist refers to set design elements that often alter and morph as her piece progresses. She has said she feels grounded from her ability to draw from the benign surrounds of familiar life, infusing these images with a meaning that yields a meditative satisfaction. Stockard’s oeuvre features many pieces developed without any direct visual reference but rather from memory, often incorporating domestic pets such as cats and dogs. Juxtaposing the anthropomorphic nature these animals are given by our society, she infuses the personification of virtue and vice into the everyday canine and feline status quo of our pets. Cats with their fluffy comical exteriors glint with an instinctive urge to kill and cruelly torment their prey, dogs with their providence of happiness, loyalty and friendship are flung back onto Churchill’s menacing metaphor for depression. The Kafkaesque mindset behind such works is reminiscent of the existentialist authors like Sartre and Camus. Absurdism appears with cake imagery and its relation to a childlike nostalgia for happiness which may never be real, but rather imaginary, unattainable and unachievable. It’s been said “pain is inexhaustible, it’s only peopl
S1 E289 · Sat, January 18, 2025
Aaron Keuter
Aaron Keuter is an editor, motion designer, animator, and visual effects artist in Portland, Oregon. SRTN is a worldwide podcast that features the greatest creators you can find.
S1 E288 · Wed, January 08, 2025
Rachael Tyrell
Rachael Tyrell aims to create art that reimagines classic pinup aesthetics through a contemporary lens. Working primarily with Sharpies and various inks, she crafts pieces that radiate raw energy. Her sculptural work transforms everyday objects into surreal expressions, challenging expectations. Drawing from her background as a model, Rachael's art explores the fluid boundary between being seen and seeing. She wields ink with intention as each permanent line shapes her distinctive visual language. Her autobiographical zines blend intimate narrative with striking imagery and have traveled with her to zine fests in Los Angeles, Detroit, and Portland. They hint at stories untold and adventures yet to come. Beyond her art, Rachael steps behind the decks as a DJ and hopes to be a quiet catalyst for others' creativity. Her artistic universe embraces contradiction and invites viewers into a world where art becomes a shared secret. Rachael's website SRTN Podcast Website
S1 E287 · Wed, December 25, 2024
Lady Ro
Lady Ro is a Baltimore based indie folk rock musician. Formally know as Baby Carrots, Lady Ro began playing shows in Baltimore in 2019, where she quickly garnering a solid following. Her performances are a dynamic blend of heartfelt song writing, humor, a stirring powerful voice, and a wicked sense of style. We had a lovely chat about the great city of Baltimore, DIY aesthetic, thanos & eros, creativity, melancholy, style, the city, photography, vinyl and Rock & Roll.
S1 E286 · Fri, December 13, 2024
Tina aka poler.t.ina
Stop in and enjoy this lovely chat with dancer Tina! We chatted a bit of horror, a bit of art, a bit of dancing, standup comedy and constantly challenging yourself. There was even a special guest visit by Ripley The Cat. Thanks for visiting from Germany, Tina.! Tina's Instagram
S1 E285 · Fri, December 06, 2024
Squirm! with Kels & Tess & Kenny & Jenny
Enjoy a lovely and vulnerable chat with Kels & Tess. Host Kenny and Co-host Jenny explore health, excitement, sex, p*rn and the powerful things that move us. Kels is a producer, businesswoman, and sex and relationship enthusiast. She never underestimates the power of a good story or a good spreadsheet. In tandem with a career in project management and marketing, she has been writing, directing, producing and performing for film and theater since 2013. Kels believes the core of a good business, production, or sexual experience is the same: being attuned to other people and aware of their sweet spots. She’s committed to restoring education to its natural state — enticing. Tess uses her experience as a researcher to establish a data-driven foundation for Squirm. She holds a master's degree from the University of Amsterdam where she researched the intersection of sex education and pornography. Tess has organized events featuring sex educators, filmmakers, and academics with the goals of celebrating erotic culture and destigmatizing talking about sex. She is a feminist erotic film enthusiast and is always looking ahead to the next indie film festival. Get Squirmy P*rn Nerds Podcast
S1 E284 · Tue, November 19, 2024
Albany, Oregon Teacher Strike Special! (with Liz Craig, Dana Lovejoy and Voices of GAEA)
Something (rather than nothing) Podcast presents a special STRIKE episode from Albany, Oregon. SRTN gives you an up to the moment report on the brave educators of The Greater Albany Education Association (GAEA) who have been on strike for five (5) days as of this episode’s release. GAEA is fighting for student safety, lower class size and a wage that recruits and retains high quality educators. The Mariana Link Click here to support GAEA: Website Instagram Facebook
S1 E283 · Tue, October 22, 2024
Besa Tetova
Besa is a film photographer and model who resides in Chicago. Her work is largely editorial, drawing inspiration from old Hollywood film noir and the creative direction of Sofia Coppola. Besa SRTN
S1 E282 · Mon, October 14, 2024
Elisabeth Eaves
Elisabeth Eaves is the author of the debut novel The Outlier as well as two critically acclaimed non-fiction books, Wanderlust: A love affair with five continents and Bare: the naked truth about stripping . Her work has been anthologized in four books of essays, and she's won three Lowell Thomas awards from the Society of American Travel Writers. Her journalism has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Foreign Policy, Marie Claire, Slate, and many other publications, and she was a staff writer and editor at Forbes and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Before turning full time to writing, Elisabeth worked as a waitress, a bartender, a deck hand, a landscaper, an office temp, and a peep show girl. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Born and raised in Vancouver, Elisabeth lived in Cairo, London, and Paris, spent 10 years in New York City, and now resides in Seattle. SRTN Website
S1 E281 · Wed, October 02, 2024
Keenan Marshall Keller and Alex Delaney
Shelia Knox awakes from a two week coma to find her life torn apart. Her children have been savagely murdered. Her husband is missing. Her hand completely mangled and her throat slit to within inches of her jugular…Leaving her with nothing left to live for. So, when the men responsible for taking her and her family, come after her to try and finish the job, they unwittingly let loose an Angel of Death, hell-bent on hunting down those responsible and making them all pay. From the creative team of Keenan Marshall Keller (writer/co-creator of The HUMANS from IMAGE Comics) and Alex Delaney (creator of The Derelict and The Other Side of Town ) comes VENGEANCE Is For The LIVING ; A 4 issue mini-series overflowing with gritty exploitation action about the power of anger/loss and the clearness of vision that VENGEANCE can provide. SRTN Website
S1 E280 · Wed, September 25, 2024
Samn Johnson
Samn Johnson (he/they, b. 1991) is a composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and historical linguist. Their work often harnesses research on acoustics and historical phonology to set texts in ancient languages like Latin, Old English, Hittite, and Gothic. Samn has written for a range of performers including Chromic Duo, Righteous GIRLS, JACK Quartet, and harpsichordist Nathan Mondry. His latest work is the song cycle Consolation, setting Latin poetry from Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy for vocalist Tis Kaoru Zamler-Carhart. It is out on innova Recordings, June 28, 2024. The two preceding recordings, both self-released, are Ageless Sea (2022), for chamber choir, chamber orchestra, electronics, and rock band, and First Book for Piano (2022), performing his own piano works. Samn is also half of the synth pop duo Acraea, together with Leora Mandel. Samn holds degrees in composition from the University of Michigan and NYU, studied composition at the Interlochen Arts Academy, and has taken courses in Indo-European historical linguistics at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. He lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan. SRTN website
S1 E279 · Sat, September 07, 2024
Frederick Livingston
Frederick Livingston lives in the liminal space between experiential education, sustainable agriculture, and peacebuilding. His work has appeared in numerous literary and scientific journals, public parks, and bathroom stalls. SRTN podcast
S1 E278 · Thu, August 29, 2024
Shannon Kringen
Multi Media Artist Shannon Kringen grew up in San Diego California and Whidbey Island Washington. She is a self taught photographer with a background in Graphic Design. She has worked as a figure model in Seattle since 1992. She completed her BA degree in Arts and Literature from Antioch University in 2013. She sees her creative expression as a tool to connect with community and a way of increasing self awareness and tap into a deeper wisdom within. We talked about Hundertwasser Music! SRTN Website
S1 E277 · Thu, August 22, 2024
Aranea Push
Aranea Push is a digital illustrator and comic artist living in the PNW. Aranea blends rich illustration with sharp attitude, creating a style she lovingly refers to as ‘Effin’ Adorable’. In 2023, she published her first graphic novel “Coffee & Wine” which you can read in its entirety here !\ SRTN Website Browser's Bookstore Popular Culture and Philosophy Series
S1 E276 · Mon, August 12, 2024
Olivia Dolphin
It was a pleasure to talk to Olivia Dolphin about her deep literary and musical talents back in Episode 116 Providence, Rhode Island’s Olivia Dolphin brings a deep and gritty honesty to her lyrics that captures an audience. Whether it’s a song about embracing your imperfections, being ghosted, or challenging yourself, Dolphin’s vulnerability pulls you in. Enjoy the single "Quiet Girls" and this talk about life, magick, art, literature and the things we live for . . . Olivia site SRTN Site
S1 E275 · Wed, July 31, 2024
Sara McGrath
Sara McGrath is an illustrator and author of "Garage Girls" and lives in Los Angeles. About "Garage Girls" - - - Sara & Chloe are best friends, roommates, & co-hosts of garage girls, a weekly talk show that airs at an inconvenient time on Los Angeles' public access channel, a station no one watches. And yet, they become wildly famous and popular. Can you even Believe? Sara's website SRTN Website
S1 E274 · Wed, July 24, 2024
Ilya Popenko
Ilya Popenko is a multi-disciplinary artist who was born in the Soviet Union and immigrated to the US at the age of 16. He is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer as well as a songwriter and a performer. In 2011, he formed a band called Mad Meg who play in an eclectic style they themselves haphazardly identify as “Punk-Chanson-Noir”. Based out of New York, Mad Meg has toured extensively in Russia and the former Soviet Bloc, including tours that covered close to 30 cities throughout the vast, frozen expanse of Eastern Europe, and in the course of which they shared the stage with such luminaries as Nogu Svelo!, Rasputina, and Emir Kusturica and recorded a live album in a female prison in Lithuania. While Mad Meg is on hiatus, Ilya works on his solo songs, one of which he’s proud to present today. SRTN Website
S1 E273 · Thu, July 18, 2024
Spencer Fleury
Spencer Fleury is the author of I Blame Myself But Also You and other stories (Malarkey Books, 2024) and How I’m Spending My Afterlife (Woodhall Press, 2021). He lives in San Francisco. Spencer Fleury Website SRTN Website
S1 E272 · Fri, July 12, 2024
Lauren O'Brien and "Lolo's Boyfriend Show"
Lauren graces the show again to talk more about her exciting solo play "Lolo's Boyfriend Show." It was such a thrill to talk to Lauren about art, the development of Lolo, taking risks on the stage and the hopes and dreams we all need : - ) We also talk about so many costume changes, fashion and design! Bunch of John Leguizamo love at the end. Here's a little pshow review here from Broadway World This is Lauren on the SRTN Fringe Episode This is SRTN
S1 E271 · Mon, July 01, 2024
Ross McMeekin
Ross McMeekin the author of The Hummingbirds (Skyhorse, 2018.) His short fiction has appeared in literary journals and magazines such as Virginia Quarterly Review , Shenandoah , Redivider , and X-R-A-Y . He has won fellowships from Hugo House and Jack Straw Cultural Center in Seattle. For the last ten years, he has served as editor of the literary journal, Spartan . McMeekin's Below the Falls is a collection filled with passion, tenderness, love, and peril. Two climbers in the North Cascades risk their friendship and lives ascending a frozen waterfall. The girlfriend of a famous comedian in Greenwich Village must decide whether she wants to raise a child in the spotlight of fame. A mysterious Bird of Paradise makes daily overtures to an elderly widow in the frigid Midwest. A Texas fracking mogul struggles to find the love his money prevents. The deeply rendered American landscapes of these stories emerge as a vital background for characters faced with conflicts that cannot be easily resolved, illuminating interior worlds filled with contradiction. You can find him at www.rossmcmeekin.com SRTN Website
S1 E270 · Sun, June 23, 2024
Matthew Kyle Levine
Matthew Kyle Levine is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in New York City. His short films have won awards and played at numerous film festivals throughout North America, including the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival and the Canada Shorts Film Festival, most notably for his short film “Miss Freelance”. Watch 'Caleb and Sarah" and other short films on Mathew Kyle Levine's Vimeo: MKL Vimeo SRTN Website
S1 E269 · Thu, June 13, 2024
Paul Luikart
Paul Luikart is the author of the short story collections Animal Heart (Hyperborea Publishing, 2016), Brief Instructions (Ghostbird Press, 2017), Metropolia (Ghostbird Press, 2021), The Museum of Heartache (Pski’s Porch Publishing, 2021), the 11th installment of Belle Point Press' Prose Series, and The Realm of the Dog (J. New Books, 2024.) He serves as an adjunct professor of fiction writing at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He and his family live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Paul's Website
S1 E268 · Tue, June 04, 2024
Shannon Robinson
The Ill-Fitting Skin is layered with surreal storytelling but remains an extraordinarily realistic read, in the sense that even the most solid realities of life—and death—tend to blur and shimmer at their raw edges. The talkative bird that nests in a woman’s womb is as real as the “previous tenant.” The love of a mother for her uncontrollable son is as real as the wildness that is in her too. The women of The Ill-Fitting Skin are real women—who work and grieve and create and destroy, who love and do not love, whether at the roll of the dice or because “the pages are paths, and you will have to choose among them.” Shannon Robinson’ s debut short story collection, The Ill-Fitting Skin , is winner of the Press 53 Award for Short Fiction (forthcoming with Press 53 in May 2024). Her writing has appeared in The Gettysburg Review, The Iowa Review, Joyland, Water-Stone Review, Nimrod, failbetter, and elsewhere. She holds an MFA in fiction from Washington University in St. Louis, and in 2011 she was the Writer-in-Residence at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Other honors include Nimrod ’s Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction, grants from the Elizabeth George Foundation and the Canada Council for the Arts, a Hedgebrook Fellowship, a Sewanee Scholarship, and an Independent Artist Award from the Maryland Arts Council. She teaches creative writing at Johns Hopkins University and lives in Baltimore with her husband and son. www.shannonrobinson.org
S1 E267 · Thu, May 30, 2024
Morgan Parker
Morgan Parker is a poet, essayist, and novelist. She is the author of the young adult novel Who Put This Song On? ; and the poetry collections Other People’s Comfort Keeps Me Up At Night , There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé , and Magical Negro , which won the 2019 National Book Critics Circle Award. She is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship, winner of a Pushcart Prize, and has been hailed by The New York Times as “a dynamic craftsperson” of “considerable consequence to American poetry.” Parker’s debut book of nonfiction, You Get What You Pay For is available at your favorite bookstore.
S1 E266 · Tue, May 21, 2024
Ruby Roth
Ruby Roth ’s work is defined by the female form and depicts the inner lives of women through emotionally visceral representations of the bodies they inhabit. For the past several years, amidst a radical transition from a decade of familial life as a best-selling children’s book author-illustrator to self-determined independence as a single female artist, Roth has explored the deep end of the feminine spectrum and its archetypes. Roth’s work often features solitary women navigating inner and outer wildernesses. In vast emptiness, surrounded by hints of nature, her wild women and “girl gods” find their way through physical and spiritual dimensions of darkness and light, bondage and freedom, apocalypse and utopia, life and death, transmuting nourishing or toxic forces into usable means. Roth has been a keen observer of the body since childhood, having been diagnosed with scoliosis, which required 13 years of aggressive and painful treatment. Rooted in academic anatomy and pop surrealism, her artwork——often created in live-model sessions——exaggerates and distorts female forms to reflect them as vessels of powerful, feminine processing. Roth is based in Los Angeles, CA. SRTN Website
S1 E265 · Tue, May 14, 2024
Mark Ostler
Mark Ostler joins the show to kick around comic books - specifically his work Ivar the Boxer and Waltzing Carpet Juliette We also talked about Warning: Danger! Mark Ostler is a comic book writer and publisher. In 2023, he wrapped up a 4 issue mini-series titled, “Waltzing Carpet Juliette” about the dangers of consumerism. In 2024, he began a new self-published comic book series titled, “Ivar The Boxer”. Mark Ostler can’t draw comics. Thankfully, he’s got talented friends who are skilled artists. Thus far, 37 different illustrators have contributed artwork to these collaborative comic books. What began as a creative daydream has blossomed into an incredible comic book community. Together, we’re creating “Waltzing Carpet Juliette” and “Ivar The Boxer”. Mark is also the lead singer of “WARNING: DANGER!” – a Seattle based punk band. They have released 7 different albums, embarked on 3 West Coast tours, produced 4 different videos, featured on 2 compilation albums and 1 movie soundtrack. Check out WARNING: DANGER!’s music on all major streaming platforms. Sometime soon, a major publishing house might pick up Mark’s comics or music. Check out Episode 265!!! SRTN
S1 E264 · Mon, May 06, 2024
Jim LaBelle
This episode is very different than others. Jim LaBelle, this episode's featured guest, passed away recently. I wish, hope and pray that our conversation gives tribute to Jim's contributions and advocacy. Thank you and farewell Jim. Host Ken Volante "There are certain individuals that go under the radar their entire lives despite being one of the most resilient people in the room, and that is without question Jim LaBelle. A father, world traveler, lawyer, disability advocate and professor, Jim’s story isn’t well known to many, but we hope to change that. A quadriplegic since 1969 and passing on April 21st, 2024, he was paralyzed for nearly 55 years and showed a life can be well lived in spite of paralysis." Spinalpedia Blog "For over fifty years, I have been pushing my chair. I graduated from law school and passed the bar exam in three states. My travels took me to twenty-three countries. My story is not an inspirational anecdote; it's about finding love, losing love, grief, joy, and single parenthood. Don't call me 'bound' or 'confined' to my wheelchair. My chair gives me freedom. A wheelchair user today has more rights than one did fifty years ago. Yet there are still many obstacles in finding housing, transportation, employment, and medical care. I am not trying to be a role model, just a possibility. There are obstacles, and people may not always treat you properly, but there is progress." Jim LaBelle
S1 E263 · Wed, May 01, 2024
Kathleen Stuart
Blend a background in fast-paced PR, political campaigns, and a lot of roll-up-your-sleeves energy, and you've Stuart Collective f ounder and CEO K athleen Stuart. Kathleen founded Stuart Collective in 2017. With a crystal-clear mission to support changemakers in securing progressive wins, Kathleen works every day to win campaigns, pass high-profile legislation, and influence public opinion. Kathleen brings over a decade of on-the-ground political work in campaigns and leading PR strategies. As a result, she advises leading progressive organizations that impact all the spaces — from healthcare to housing to infrastructure and more — that Stuart Collective shares with its clients. Stuart Collective
S1 E262 · Wed, April 24, 2024
Ivana Yellowback
Ivana Yellowback is a member of Manto Sipi Cree Nation – God’s River (maternal family) and a relative to Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (paternal family). She is both Asiniskow Ithinew ekwa Muskego Ininew (High Rock and Muskeg Cree). Ivana an Associate Producer, Writer, Cree host, and English co-host of Eagle Vision’s and APTN’s 7TH GEN Home (7thgen.ca) \ Cree Webisodes | 7TH GEN (2022/2023/2024). She has also acted as principal characters in “DJ Burnt Bannock” (2021) The Team — DJ Burnt Bannock , along with “Little Bird” (2023) 'Little Bird,' From Fremantle, Rezolution: Jennifer Podemski Talks - Variety . Ivana holds a 4-year Bachelor of Arts HONOURS degree at the University of Winnipeg (4-Year Honours BA: Sociology, Minor: Conflict Resolution Studies), and a Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Manitoba. She is also starting her Masters of Social Work degree this upcoming Fall at the University of Manitoba. Ivana holds 10+ years of experience in social services work, spanning from program development and implementation, facilitation, and workshop trainings (various), youth mentorship and leadership, and social advocacy and counselling. Ivana is an Executive Training Facilitator (with Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc.), an executive board member for sakihiwe festival, and is an oskâpêwiskwew (helper) member of the Indigenous Helpers Society. She is also a trained Traditional Family Parenting facilitator, a Grief and Loss Facilitator, and Indigenous Life Skills Coach. Ivana’s most important roles and work is being an aunty, pipe carrier, lodge carrier, drum carrier and singer. SRTN Website
S1 E261 · Thu, April 18, 2024
Mel and Teghan Hammond
Teghan Hammond and Mel Hammond are sisters who grew up punching each other whenever they saw a P.T. Cruiser, dying their hair blue together, and fabricating a fake band in which their middle brother was (allegedly) the lead singer. Writing Lucy, Uncensored was their first time co-writing. Unless you count the summer they spent scribbling down recipes for the strangest sandwiches you’ve ever heard of, like the Tax Exemption Wrap (Teghan) and the Nail Gun Sandwich (Mel). Today, Teghan lives in northern Indiana, where she drinks excessive amounts of coffee and volunteers for LGBTQIA+ causes. When she’s not tearing down gender norms, Teghan is probably watching cartoons or gaming. Mel lives in Madison, Wisconsin, where she writes books in a rainbow-painted room. Besides writing, she loves walking in the woods and eating dairy-free ice cream. Between the two of them, Teghan and Mel have four adorable cats. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/750113/lucy-uncensored-by-mel-hammond-and-teghan-hammond/ Folks can also preorder from their local indie bookstores. ISBN is 9780593814055. Publisher is Knopf Books for Young Readers Website: www.melhammondbooks.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hamtasticduo Mel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamsandwichmel/ SRTN Website
S1 E260 · Mon, April 08, 2024
NYC Fringe Festival with Jude Treder-Wolff, Lauren O'Brien and Suzanne Bachner
Special Spring 2024 NYC Fringe Festival episode with three dynamic creators! Lauren O'Brien presents Lolo’s Boyfriend Show - a new comedic solo show, the writer is also the performer; Suzanne Bachner presents Conversations with My Divorce Attorney - the playwright also directs the two hander play which she started writing many years ago when she was getting a divorce. Her current husband stars as her divorce attorney; Jude Treder-Wolff presents FASTER - real life therapist and playwright wrote a new show about how technology is speeding up our lives. She also performs the play. SRTN Website NYC Fringe
S1 E259 · Tue, April 02, 2024
Page Stephenson
From Page Stephenson : "Sometimes my life feels as though I am both the director and the directed. As I attempt to navigate the vast ocean of choices, I often find myself adrift. It's in these moments that inspiration often bubbles to the surface. My creative adventures have enabled me to collaborate with giants like Google, Red Bull, Patagonia, and Netflix. These projects have sent me around the globe, expanding my perspective beyond my wildest dreams. I have been fortunate enough to play with robotic arms, fast computers, remote aircraft, and even real movie cameras. For me, it isn't about the gear, brands, or crazy stories; it's the journey of the self. I spend my time lost in video games, cinema, and researching new tools of expression because I love doing so; it is a way of life and it has sculpted me. Hopefully, I can sculpt a small bit in return." SRTN podcast
S1 E258 · Mon, March 25, 2024
M.J. Bassett
M.J. Bassett is an English director, writer, and producer of film and television. She began her career directing the cult horror films Deathwatch and Wilderness, the dark fantasy Solomon Kane , and the video game adaptation Silent Hill: Revelation. Since 2012, she has worked as a director and writer on high-profile television series like Strike Back, Ash vs Evil Dead, Power and Altered Carbon. Check out ROGUE with Megan Fox and the upcoming RED SONJA movie! SRTN Website
S1 E257 · Wed, March 20, 2024
Ben Tanzer
Ben Tanzer 's work includes the short story collection UPSTATE, the science fiction novel Orphans and the essay collections Lost in Space and Be Cool. Tanzer is a storySouth and Pushcart nominee, a finalist for the Annual National Indie Excellence and Eric Hoffer Book Awards, a winner of the Devil's Kitchen Literary Festival Nonfiction Prose Award and a Midwest Book Award, and has received an Honorable Mention at the Chicago Writers Association Book Awards for Traditional Non-Fiction and a Bronze Medal from the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Tanzer has also also written for Hemispheres, Punk Planet, Men’s Health, and The Arrow, AARP’s GenX newsletter.. The Missing releasing March 21, 2024, nearly contemporaneous contemporaneously with this special episode release! SRTN Website
S1 E256 · Wed, March 13, 2024
Philip Barasch
Philip Barasch has maintained a lifelong interest in sequential art. He is the creator of HandHewn, a magazine designed to explore the Graphic Short Story art form. His years in Portland, Oregon included involvement with The Stumptown Comic Book Convention, Sequential Art Gallery and Talisman Gallery. Philip and his wife, Charis, relocated to Astoria, Oregon in 2018. Charis departed this world in 2022, radically altering Philip's art form. He is now creatively consumed by this forced, revolutionary reinvention. SRTN Podcast
S1 E255 · Fri, March 08, 2024
Nicholas Tamagna
Guest host Kinneret Ely interviews opera star Nicholas Tamagna Nicholas Tamagna’s meteoric rise in recent years has made him one of the world’s most fascinating alto voices. Highlights of the last few seasons were undoubtedly his interpretation of Ermano in the award-winning CD recording of Gismondo, re di Polonia (Leonardo Vinci) on the Parnassus label and its extensive concert tour, his MET debut in March 2020 in Sir David’s McVicar’s re-visited production of Händel’s Agrippina as Narciso, at the side of Joyce DiDonato, Harry Bicket, Kate Lindsey and Brenda Rae as well as the worldwide cinema broadcast of the performance and his spectacular interpretation of the Händel roles Ruggiero in Alcina and Silvio in Il Pastor Fido at the Händel Festival in Halle, Tolomeo in Giulio Cesare in Egitto at the Göttingen Händel Festival, and most recently his debut at Bayreuth Baroque 2022 as Timagene in the highly-acclaimed production of Vinci’s Alessandro nell’Indie from Max Emanuel Cenčić, at the side of Bruno de Sà, Franco Fagioli, and Jake Arditti. In future seasons, he will be heard at such prestigious houses as San Francisco Opera, Israeli National Opera in Tel Aviv, Theater an der Wien in Vienna, Austria, Pinchgut Opera in Sydney, Australia, and Bayreuth Baroque. SRTN Podcast
S1 E254 · Tue, March 05, 2024
Chimen Georgette Kouri
Chimen Kouri is a writer based in Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey. Her work has been featured in Goat’s Milk Magazine, Blood Moon Poetry, Up the Staircase Quarterly, and more. She fell in love with storytelling one Christmas morning during a power outage when she and her parents laid in bed while her father told stories about his life in Lebanon. She is currently writing two full-length poetry and prose collections, What Haunts Me the Most and The Old Dutchburn House, and her first novel, Miss America Is Burning. When she isn’t writing, you can find her cuddling her dogs and cats and rewatching The Last Kingdom on Netflix. For more of her work, check her out on Instagram SRTN
S1 E253 · Fri, March 01, 2024
TJ McGowan
TJ McGowan aka The Everyday Bite is a Bronx based writer, poet, and spoken word artist who has performed all over the Tri-State. His written work has been published in Flash Fiction Mag, Collective Unrest, 35MM, Mojave Heart, Vamp Cat, United: Red, BX Writers, to name a few. His body-autonomy poem, I Am Not Her Bones, and its incendiary performance was recipient of the 2019 Poem of the Year at the Word Masters Poetry Gala. The written version can be found in Wide Eyes Publishing's anthology, War Crimes Against the Uterus. He has one full-length poetry collection, We Are Not One Thing, currently available for purchase. In addition to that, he is one half of the the trip-rock poetry and meditative metal duo, Subtle Bodies, most recently writing/directing the short poetic film for their debut EP, Apocalyptic Hearts. When not slinging poetry or music, he spends his days as an Associate Producer for a Film & TV company based in NYC, contributing to script and creative copy on most of the productions that pass through the doors. He is also way more interesting than this bio, so come out to one of his shows and chop it up with him. Contrary to the stage name, he does not bite...unless provoked. SRTN Podcast
S1 E252 · Mon, February 26, 2024
Olivia Britz-Wheat
Mortal Emblem owner Olivia Britz-Wheat is a multimedia artist who has been tattooing for over 15 years in Portland. She hails originally from Colorado, attended college in Missoula, Montana until learning how to tattoo under Phil Roberson and Jed Dillon. Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation and regale in thoughts about art, Depeche Mode, Portland, The Lloyd Center mystique and VHS love. SRTN Website
S1 E251 · Thu, February 22, 2024
Cheeky Fun with Baroque B*tches Podcast
ART FUN with the hosts of the Baroque B**ches Podcast ! How much fun can you have on a podcast? I dunno but this was hella fun. Join this wildly ranging art, life, and raunch conversation to discover what you did not want to know but, really, c'mon, you actually really did want to know. Art Scholarship for the People!!! BB Website up in here SRTN Website
S1 E250 · Wed, February 14, 2024
Elizabeth Coplan
Death is the high cost of living. The weight of that knowledge can feel crippling but is it there we find the deepest and most important knowledge of how to live? After tragedy struck in 2013, Elizabeth Coplan turned to writing to express her personal grief. She wrote many published essays, and later, after experiencing three losses in less than a year, she turned to writing plays focused on this global experience known as death. In 2016, Elizabeth developed the groundbreaking play, Grief Dialogues , and built the nonprofit Grief Dialogues , a theatrical movement creating new conversations about dying, death, and grief. Elizabeth is the script consultant, director, and producer for Juntos Nos Ayudamos/Better Together , a film about a Hispanic family surviving suicide. She is also the creator and the co-host of the podcast, Out of Grief Comes Art , and the Executive Producer of 8 AM , an award-winning short film on traumatic loss. ’Til Death , Elizabeth’s full-length play about one mother’s choice that unveils a family’s long-buried secrets, opens Off-Broadway in November 2023 under the direction of Chad Austin, Producing Director of the Abingdon Theatre. The play stars Two-Time Tony Award Winner Judy Kaye, Tony Award Nominee Robert Cuccioli, with Whitney Morse, Dominick LaRuffa Jr., Michael Lee Brown, TV and film star Amy Hargreaves. In addition to an updated production of Grief Dialogues scheduled to open in New York City 2024, Elizabeth is currently working on The Book Club , a new play highlighting the lives of five senior women. She is collaborating with Ina Chadwick on The a Chronicles , a theatrical series of stories that spark conversations about women’s reproductive rights, and on a TV sitcom pilot Act Three , a coming-of-age story about a late-in-life emerging playwright. All before she turns 70 in June 2024. Elizabeth Coplan SRTN Website
S1 E249 · Wed, February 07, 2024
Allyson McCabe
ALLYSON MCCABE is a journalist whose work is heard on NPR’s newsmagazines, public radio stations and programs, and podcasts. Also appearing in publications such as the New York Times, New York Magazine/Vulture, BBC Culture, Wired, and Bandcamp, McCabe is also the author of WHY SINEAD O’CONNOR MATTERS , UT Press, 2023. SRTN Podcast
S1 E248 · Mon, January 29, 2024
Katherine Yeske Taylor
Katherine Yeske Taylor began her career as a rock critic in Atlanta in the 1990s, interviewing Georgia musical royalty such as the Indigo Girls, R.E.M., and the Black Crowes while still a teenager. Since then, she has conducted several hundred interviews and contributes regularly to Billboard , Flood , Spin , and American Songwriter , among others. She is a longtime New York City resident and is extremely active in the downtown rock scene. SRTN Website
S1 E247 · Mon, January 22, 2024
Kola Shippentower
Shippentower signs with the Oregon Ravens Kola Shippentower is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She has co-founded and is the Director of The Wisáwca Project - Enough Iz Enough, a non-profit organization working together for change, for better communication and involvement. Kola has developed a Safety Plan to be utilized by anyone in identifying safety methods, contacts, and procedures to keep one safe whether in an abusive relationship or a plan to track a missing person. She is a professional fighter and brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Welcome back to the show Kola!!! Waymakers Ravens Video Oregon Ravens SRTN Website
S1 E246 · Mon, January 15, 2024
Katy Tessman
Minnesota musician, Katy Tessman is an optimistic and approachable singer-songwriter with a voice full of the wisdom she’s gained through cancer survival, heartbreak, and motherhood. Her powerful vocals and rhythmic approach to guitar (or mandolin) express a straight-from-the-heart songwriting style that moves passionately over diverse emotional and musical terrain. SRTN Podcast
S1 E245 · Wed, January 10, 2024
Meghan Lamb
Meghan Lamb is the author of COWARD (Spuyten Duyvil, 2022), Failure to Thrive (Apocalypse Party, 2021), All of Your Most Private Places (Spork Press, 2020), and Silk Flowers (Birds of Lace, 2017). She served as the Philip Roth Writer-in-Residence at Bucknell University, and teaches creative writing through the University of Chicago, Story Studio, and GrubStreet. Her work has appeared in Quarterly West, DIAGRAM, Redivider, and Passages North, among other publications. She runs the shadow text reading series Significant Others, a project dedicated to elevating new books and the “behind-the scenes” texts that inspired them. She is the fiction editor for Bridge (a Chicago-based arts publication) and the nonfiction editor for Nat. Brut , a Whiting Award-winning journal of art and literature dedicated to advancing inclusivity in all creative fields. She is also the frontwoman of Kill Scenes , an 80s cinema-inspired band described as "a beguiling combination of The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Tangerine Dream fronted by an unholy conflation of Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Bush, and Diamanda Galás." Something Rather Than Nothing
S1 E244 · Wed, January 03, 2024
Kate Brody
Kate Brody lives in Los Angeles, California. Her work has previously appeared in Lit Hub, The Rumpus, Noema, and The Literary Review, among other publications. She holds an MFA from NYU. Rabbit Hole is her debut novel. Released January 2, 2024. SRTN Podcast
S1 E243 · Mon, December 25, 2023
GLÜME
GLÜME is an art phenomenon. Whether she was plucked from the astral planes or the near-dream world she occupies a unique space in the heart. Her album MAIN CHARACTER is a subtle and attractive dark-pop trance. HEAVEN makes you bounce as you slightly weep and pray your rosary. Dream of your car floating in the clouds as you listen to THE QUEEN OF L.A. Philosophy, artist-blue-balls, Marilyn Monroe, goddesses, dream-worlds, OnlyFans and the redirection of music revenue as a radical body-act are included in this Christmas present to you! Playgirl Records Spotify SRTN Website
S1 E242 · Wed, December 20, 2023
Stephen Pellnat
Stephen Pellnat "I have been making comics for as long as I can remember understanding the written language. I received my formal education at the School of Visual Arts in New York City from 2005 to 2009, graduating with a Bachelor’s of the Fine Arts. I have self published comics for years, including Kitty of the Dead, Ma, Heaven and now, Upstate. I have been featured in a number of promotional campaigns in the northeast, including the tours of Klezwoods and Cocek Brass Band. I provided album artwork for Klezwoods’ Album Toy Monkey and Cocek Brass Band’s album Here Comes Shlomo. Upstate is my latest work, and the work I’m proudest of to date. I was born in Albany, New York in 1987. I grew up in the town of Stuyvesant New York, a location which may have partially inspired the fictional town of Heinrichville. I currently live in Portland, Oregon, which is not, at the time of this writing, aflame. I have a wife and a cat. I dislike parties and desperately want to be liked. I am not good about updating my website bio." SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E241 · Wed, December 13, 2023
Zora von Pavonine
Surrounded by animals, held most dear was the peacock family that allowed her to follow them around, telling stories, inventing all kinds of life. Zora von Pavonine spent her teenage chapter foreshadowing her eventual participation in burlesque with another solo activity crafted beautifully from the mind and body, performing as a decorated cross country and track athlete, breaking records and holding others to this day. Her deep appreciation for this output, mental tenacity, just the self and the body, stuck with her long after she left the track and immersed herself fully in hip hop dance. She found grounding and heaven in hip hop and had been teaching the format for years when she found burlesque and she knew: she knew she had mined the gem, a dynamite composition of effort, passion, expression and self. A published poet, holder of a handful of intellectual property patents and a few degrees in the creative arts, Zora needles on towards creating smart, impassioned acts wrapped in costumes that speak to her tremendous love of fashion and design, reflective of her hip hop roots and the unmistakable dedication of a distance runner… It has been said that her sparkle can be seen from outer space; it has been rumored that one night in Zora’s audience will have you discovering confetti in all your places for a month on… with pasties so small, even the most veteran of show-goers blush, they come to see the tease and leave with an eyeful of feathers… she is the Girl With The Peacock Tattoo. Zora was initially featured on SRTN Episode 10 Zora's Aura SRTN Website
S1 E240 · Thu, December 07, 2023
Salo Panto
Salo Panto is: Joe Garwig, Max Doyle, Ed Beach, and David Kudelka Since 2015, Salo Panto has been exploring and bending every corner of the rock genre. Rooted in psychedelia with a stage presence that will blow your hair back, commonly being described as “a sight to behold”. Their technical skill and original hooks play homage to the legends of rock while transforming the genre into something new entirely. These chameleons can be found anywhere from the alternative radio waves to a doom show lineup, specially curating their sound for every performance, creating an atmosphere that is infectious and inclusive, all for the love of music. The band has frequented many premier venues in Portland such as Rontoms, Doug Fir and Dante’s. In 2023 they’ve added notable notches to their belt by performing four dates at the Rose Festival, Lose Yr Mind Fest and releasing their debut full-length album, “Parallel Narratives” on Literal Gold Records. Salo Panto Bandcamp SRTN Wesbite
S1 E239 · Sat, December 02, 2023
Salisha Old Bull
Salisha Old Bull (Salish/Crow) is an Indigenous artist based in Montana. She creates a diverse array of art genres but has an affinity to beadwork. "I am motivated by the Salish history and Indigenous place-based knowledge. I have learned that place gives a sense of self and allows a person to grow intellectually and continue to explore their possibilities in life. I feel that cultural preservation is a strong influence in my life, and I enjoy combining imagery that reflects cultural values. I use beadwork as an expression of the nature that reflects my tribal heritage. My craftsmanship cannot be possible without the upbringing and teaching of my grandmother, Rachel Arlee Bowers. I adore beadworking but, also enjoy integrating other genres such as photography, painting, and hint of digital art. Artistry has been something of a culmination of my academic studies over the years combined with my love for my Bitterroot Salish cultural values and practices. In my time in higher education one of the best moments was learning about place-based education and its interesting relevance to Indigenous ways of knowing. The basic idea of place-based education and its connection to traditional ecological knowledge is uncanny. Many Indigenous people once depended solely on their environment in reciprocal manner and this was how people were educated. Each person acquired a strength and skill set and most people had an educated connection to the land. This land is what gives a person a strong sense of self-identity. Being grounded allows a person to go forward in life and continue to grow intellectually and explore beyond their basic needs. By evoking this motivation to solidify personal, tribal self-identity, I feel that artistry can empower individuals and empower and motivate them to seek more land knowledge—traditional ecological knowledge. My overall vision is to create contemporary art, combining traditional, flat-stitch, two-needle, beadwork, with current photography and photo editing techniques. I want to capture the past, the present, and the significance of places that hold deep-seeded history for the Bitterroot Salish. I think by capturing past images and present images with traditional beadwork I can evoke this emotional response and help people to think of their roots and how they can continue to learn the historical context of our land and its ties to our existence. I hope to motivate people to recapture knowledge that is almost gone and revive it by passing it onto younger generations." Salisha Old Bull website SRTN Website
S1 E238 · Mon, November 27, 2023
Suziey Block is a Scream Queen
Welcome back Suziey! Recorded in a Russian cemetery in Portland, Oregon. Suziey Block kills it in the found footage insta-classic Horror in the High Desert Her performance in ‘Entrance’ i s a haunting tour-de-force Suziey was last featured on SRTN Episode 194! And you heard it here - Suziey Block is the official SRTN podcast SCREAM QUEEN (statue in development) . . . And we had some good ol' fashioned horror talk and we mutually developed a LABOR screed. SRTN Website
S1 E237 · Fri, November 24, 2023
Pete Dryden
Pete Dryden is a portrait photographer based in Oregon. When he’s not deconstructing the world of photography he’s plotting ways to enter into it. Enter the world of Something
S1 E236 · Thu, November 16, 2023
Lori Fetrick (Chillin' with ICE)
Let's go Hollywood! Something (rather than nothing) Podcast is pleased to present Lori Fetrick who is also known as ICE from American Gladiators! She stars in the Netflix Documentary ' Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators .' Lori does a great podcast called " Chillin' with Ice" so you can go on a Gladiator nostalgia stroll but also learn so much from Lori in ways of living, eating, being yourself, entertaining, loving art and dealing with your shit. Fan-boy-host- Ken was in his glory. Sparkles of ICE. You rock Lori! Could write forever. But just listen to ICE ICE Baby
S1 E235 · Wed, November 08, 2023
Pieta Brown
The daughter of two preacher’s kids, Pieta Brown’ s early upbringing in Iowa was in a rural outpost with no furnace, running water, or TV. There, she was exposed to traditional and rural folk music through her father, Greg Brown, the now beloved Midwestern folk singer. Later, while living with her mother in Birmingham, Alabama during her formative years, Pieta drew on and expanded these influences and began writing poems and composing instrumental songs on piano. By the time she left home at 18 she had lived in at least 19 different houses and apartments between Iowa and Alabama. In her early 20's, after experiencing what she describes as "the songs calling,” Pieta started experimenting with the banjo and eventually picked up a 1930's Maybell arch-top guitar during a visit to her father's place and never looked back. Emerging from a disjointed and distinctly 'bohemian' upbringing, Pieta began performing live and making independent recordings soon after teaching herself how to play guitar. "I grew up around a lot of musicians and artists living on the fringe, and have always felt most at home among them," Pieta says. Continually revealing new layers as both a songwriter and performer, Pieta is being recognized as one of modern Americana's true gems. In recent years Pieta has released multiple highly critically acclaimed albums, with much attention being paid not only to her distinct sound and style, but also the power of her singing and songwriting, including fan favorite Paradise Outlaw (2014 Red House, which Bon Iver master mind, Justin Vernon, called his “favorite recording made at our studio.”) Pieta has toured North America with Mark Knopfler, and toured various regions of the U.S., Australia and Canada with John Prine, Amos Lee, Brandi Carlisle, JJ Cale, Ani Difranco, Mavis Staples, and Calexico among others. She has co-written songs with and made recent guest appearances on albums by Calexico, Amos Lee, and Iris Dement, whose latest masterpiece Workin’ On A World (2023) Pieta co-produced. Pieta’s songs and music have been heard in various TV Shows and indie films including Everything Will Be Fine (Wim Wenders). With the release of her most recent album Freeway (September 2019, Righteous Babe) co-produced by Bon Iver drummer, S. Carey, followed by multiple experimental collaborations since with various artists including JT Bates, S.Carey, and Howe Gelb & The Colorist Orchestra, as well as a new instrumental based side-project she calls Sylvee & The Sea, Pieta’s music and artistry continue to rise. ~ "...a style and a sensuality that’s all her own...."- Pop Matters ~ "Among the top tier of songwriters today..." - FAME (Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange) ~ "...a gifted singer-songwriter whose lyrics are pieces of polished poetry" - Huffington Post Pieta's Website <a h
S1 E234 · Tue, October 31, 2023
Cristina of espooky
Cristina Lumague is a freelance podcast producer, editor and the host of Espooky Tales, Historias Unknown and Novelas Con Cafecito. Enjoy this SRTN Halloween Special! Cristina and Ken talk about spooky tales, horror movies, telenovelas, podcasting, art y mas . . . espooky Patreon SRTN Podcast
S1 E233 · Thu, October 26, 2023
Charles Mulford
Charles Mulford is a sculptor based in New Jersey. He holds an MFA from the School of Visual Arts and a BFA from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts. His sculptures have been exhibited in the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, NJ, the Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA, the Bruton Museum, Somerset, UK, and The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ. Mulford apprenticed at the Seward Johnston Atelier, specializing in metal chasing and fabrication. His work is part of the special collection of the Vanderbilt University Library and Temple University Library. Charles Mulford’s sculptures explore the complex emotions surrounding anxiety through the lens of humor. Cartoon figures, 3D-modeled objects, and scans of human heads act as vehicles for theatrical narratives. Mired in tragic circumstances, the characters express their feelings about illness and death. Exaggerate scenes capture a sense of unease, reflecting the stress and vulnerability of anxiety. The result is a visual representation of a tortuous and sometimes humorous world. Mulford website SRTN Website
S1 E232 · Sat, October 21, 2023
Nick of Skeleton Boy
Host Ken Volante was watching some 'Dark Souls' gameplay and heard some rocking music down at the Albany, Oregon skatepark. He got to meet Nick of Skeleton Boy and here we bring you some of the sounds from the Willamette Valley. Thanks Nick for the great chat! 💀Welcome to The Bone Zone💀 💀Punk-ish band from Albany, Oregon💀 💀Keepin' it spooky 24/7/365💀 Skeleton Boy SRTN Website
S1 E231 · Mon, October 16, 2023
Carol Butler
Carol Butler is a ballpoint illustrator based in Boise Idaho, where she works seasonally as an organic farmer. An avid cyclist, and Norm Macdonald fan. She spends her time being a day dreaming degenerate while getting lost in the throws of a good science fiction novel. Featuring special guest host Sarah Romano-Diehl Carol in Insta! SRTN Website
S1 E230 · Mon, October 09, 2023
Angel Marcloid is Fire-Toolz
Producer / composer / multi-instrumentalist Angel Marcloid records music under the moniker Fire-Toolz . Though Marcloid’s output emerges in a litany of distinct aliases and projects — from the jazz fusion / new age of Nonlocal Forecast to the vaporous nostalgia of MindSpring Memories — the Fire-Toolz catalog remains the central focus of the prolific artist’s musical universe and a home for Marcloid’s most ambitious and combinatory work. 'I am upset because I see something that is not there.', the fifth Fire-Toolz album to join the Hausu Mountain catalog since 2017, follows 2021’s sprawling double-album Eternal Home (HAUSMO111) and 2022’s self-released EP I will not use the body’s eyes today. I am upset […] offers listeners a prismatic cross-section of juxtaposed genres and compositional contortions to explore, maintaining Fire-Toolz’s signature density and complexity while tightening the scope of Marcloid’s experimentation into the project’s most focused song cycle to date. Perhaps more than any previous Fire-Toolz album, I am upset […] presents some form of pop music, carried in Marcloid’s passages of clean vocals, in the bright synth and keyboard tones that animate its tracks, in the yearning saxophone lines that pour into view and whisk the narrative onto a new path. The format of a one-person “band” carries a different weight in a landscape of solo artists crafting abstract modernist productions that don’t allude in the slightest to various twentieth-century rock-related traditions. Fire-Toolz exists on both sides of this divide. Fire-Toolz SRTN Podcast
S1 E229 · Fri, October 06, 2023
Jadon Allen of Guilt!
Jadon Allen is the founder of Guilt! or guiltpdx, a streetwear and street art company based out of Portland, Oregon with the main goal of pushing creative boundaries. Guilt! produces a plethora of goods including unique clothing, colorful artworks, photography, and videography sold both online and in local Portland stores. More work can be found @guiltpdx on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Jadon Allen SRTN Website
S1 E228 · Tue, October 03, 2023
elle nash
Elle Nash is the author of the short story collection Nudes (404 Ink and SF/LD Books) novels Gag Reflex (Clash Books) and Animals Eat Each Other (404 Ink and Dzanc Books), which was featured in the 2018 June Reading Room of O - The Oprah Magazine and hailed by Publishers Weekly as a ‘complex, impressive exploration of obsession and desire.' Her new novel, Deliver Me (Unnamed Press) was released October 2023. Her work appears in Guernica, BOMB, The Nervous Breakdown, Literary Hub, The Fanzine, Volume 1 Brooklyn, New York Tyrant and elsewhere. She is a founding editor of Witch Craft Magazine and has edited fiction at both Hobart Pulp and Expat Literary Journal . elle's website podcast website
S1 E227 · Mon, September 25, 2023
Anna May
Alternative tragic Americana, invocations for peace & judgment reshaping with bleeding heart stream of consciousness poems. Originally from Connecticut, before becoming a western transplant, Anna May is a singular artist whose songs bear a placelessness that lends to their timeless nature. The deep exploration of heartbreak and trauma has been an ongoing quest throughout Anna's work. Her lyrics have been heavily textured by a lonesome whimsicality that finds itself most at home in the vastness of the American West. Anna's music honors the nomadic spirit with memory, meditation & fresh interpretations of folk music and jazz influence. She honors a hope to enhance connection, humility, healing, and joy among people in the process of parting with typical genre rules. Anna's lyrical sensibility is steeped in wisdom, and layered with evocative musicality and metaphysical embroidery while eschewing the mainstream & parting with platitudes. Anna explores both estrangement and connection while taking cues from artists like Billie Holiday, Shawn Colvin, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. As a yogi, pianist, teacher & poet, she masterfully blends all of her influences into her songwriting. Anna has performed at wildflower music & arts festival, treefort music festival, Boston arts festival, water lantern festival, trout lake hall, abbey arts in Seattle, Globe Hall in Denver, Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, Broadway Comedy Club in Manhattan, the Mint in Los Angeles, and many more. Anna May Website SRTN Website
S1 E226 · Mon, September 18, 2023
Sarah Romano-Diehl
Sarah Romano Diehl is a comic artist based in Seattle, WA. Her work is published in Seattle Magazine, The Stranger, and Scarff Comics Newspaper. Sarah has been publishing her minicomics and collabing with other comix artists and writers for around ten years. She loves being outside and near water. Sarah's website SRTN Website
S1 E225 · Tue, September 12, 2023
Caytha Jentis and Paul Adams
Over to the NYC to get exclusive coverage of the plays Sex Work, Sex Play by Caytha Jentis and Doris Day: My Secret Love by Paul Adams! Caytha Jentis is a former literary agent. She has written, produced and directed a number of award-winning features including Bad Parents starring Janeane Garofalo, Cheri Oteri, Christopher Titus and Kristen Johnston (Cinedigm), And Then Came Love starring Vanessa Williams and Eartha Kitt (Warner Bros), and The One starring Jon Prescott (TLA Releasing). She has an MFA from UCLA in screenwriting and a BS in TV/film from Syracuse University. She is a member of the Producers Guild and NYWIFT. Paul Adams founded Emerging Artists Theatre in 1993 and has been the Artistic Director for the life of the company. During this time, he has helped showcase hundreds of new works (plays, solo-shows, musicals & dance pieces) for off and off-off Broadway. Some of his favorite credits include directing the off-Broadway production of Sisters’ Dance by Sarah Hollister at Baruch Performing Arts Center and producing the solo-show The Sensational Josephine Baker by Cheryl Howard which had two off-Broadway runs at Theatre Row and received a rave review in the NY Times. Paul performed his critically acclaimed solo-show The Cleaning Guy at FringeNYC in 2016 and is currently workshopping his full length play, Doris Day: My Secret Love . He has also served on the NY Innovative Theatre Awards committee since its inception. Emerging Artists Theatre Caytha Jentis SRTN Podcast Website
S1 E224 · Wed, September 06, 2023
Nataša Babič
Nataša Babič is a New York actress, originally from Ljubljana, Slovenia. Natasa studied musical theater at the Performing Arts Studios Vienna. She continued her studies in New York at The Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. Upon completion, she joined the HB Acting Studios and studied with Austin Pendleton in his advanced scene study class. Nataša performed Off and Off Off Broadway for many years. Her first Off Broadway role was Sandra/Sissy a split personality character in Anne L. Thompson Scretching’s "The Sanctuary" at the American Theater Of Actors. One of her favorite roles was the impressionist painter Mary Cassatt in The Independents. The play opened Off Broadway at the Jerry Orbach Theater in 2019 and extended it's run twice. Nataša’s latest performance Off Broadway was Tammany Hall at the SoHo Playhouse. This immersive theater production was directed by Alexander Wright and Darren Lee Cole. Nataša has also developed her film and TV career. Amongst others she played a lead role in a horror movie Dark Tarot, a supporting role in an indie feature Life is Too Short and a thriller Gunpoint. Nataša joined the Hallmark Movie Channel family in their new production The Dancing Detective, A Deadly Tango. She is playing a lead supporting role of Mary Aston. The movie premiered on Hallmark in June 2023. Nataša is looking forward to what the future might bring and is a determined optimist on this ever changing path of life. Website SRTN Website
S1 E223 · Fri, September 01, 2023
Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz)
A special interview with Sadie Dupuis. Dupuis chats about art, labor, music, meaning, poetry and Speedy Ortiz's 'Rabbit Rabbit" record release out this very same day! Features the tracks "Scabs" and "Ranch v Ranch." “Rabbit rabbit” is a superstitious incantation repeated on the first of each month to bring good fortune—a belief practiced by Sadie Dupuis, the guitarist, singer and songwriter of the Philadelphia rock quartet Speedy Ortiz. As a child with OCD, she followed arbitrary rituals, a coping mechanism commonly triggered by early trauma, and “rabbit rabbit” was one that stuck. When Dupuis began to parse difficult memories for the first time in her songwriting, it felt like kismet to name her band’s resultant fourth record after an expression of luck and repetition: Rabbit Rabbit . Instead of re-treading old routines, the record finds Speedy Ortiz interrogating conventions, grappling with cycles of violence and destructive power dynamics with singular wit and riffs. Rabbit Rabbit finds Speedy Ortiz at its most potent: melodically fierce, sonically mountainous, scorching the earth and beginning anew. Sadie Speedy Ortiz SRTN
S1 E222 · Fri, August 25, 2023
Rick Staggenborg
Very happy to share a ranging conversation with activist Rick Staggenborg . Recorded at a union hall in Albany, Oregon, host Ken Volante and Rick talk about public banking, health care for all, philosophy, God, veterans, service and hope for the betterment of humans. Rick is a retired psychiatrist who specialized in PTSD and worked in community psychiatry before finishing his career at the VA, retiring in 2010. Rick advocates for universal health care as a member of Physicians for a National Health Program and by serving in multiple roles with Health Care for All Oregon and is chair of the Faith Caucus. Rick is also an Army veteran and is active in the antiwar movement as the President of the Linus Pauling Chapter of Veterans For Peace. Listen in on this special and exploratory episode! SRTN Website
S1 E221 · Tue, August 22, 2023
Charles Payne
Charles Payne is a Madison transplant, a certified teacher, and self-taught social artist, originally from Michigan. Payne is a Shop One Educator/Artist Residency Finalist and a 2022 TMT New Play Development Playwright. Their play ‘Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf’ was an American Players Theatre New Voices: Creating the Classics of Tomorrow semi-finalist and a Wisconsin Wrights 2022 New Play Development project finalist. Payne is an Isthmus contributor, a Madison Magazine contributor and the Arts + Literature Lab’s inaugural ALL Originals Prize winner. Charles Payne - One Water Madison SRTN Podcast Website
S1 E220 · Thu, August 17, 2023
Ainsley Costello
In a world dominated by overnight internet sensations and one-hit-wonders, emerging artist Ainsley Costello has her eyes set on creating a legacy that stands the test of time. A power house voice in the vain of Haley Williams or Pink, Ainsley's lyrics can also be delicately delivered. Costello's heartfelt and personal approach to lyricism translates into an easily digestible and heartwarming listening experience. At only 15, the Seattle native (now based in Nashville) released a strikingly diverse debut album titled ‘You Know I Am’ – on the surface, a collection of country pop songs, but dig deeper and you’ll unravel a multitude of diverse musical influences and lyrics that speak to all of the insecurities of today’s teenage girls. In February 2020, Ainsley and her family relocated to Nashville, just as the world and the music industry shut down due to the Pandemic. But that didn't stop Ainsley, throughout quarantine she used her time to write new material and connect with dozens of Nashville "row writers" to hone and perfect her craft. Creating a body of work that speaks volumes for her young age Ainsley already has a catalogue of nearly 200 unreleased, and 24 published works. In 2021 Ainsley released a song each month, the equivalent of her second studio album and in 2022 she has released 5 more songs. Ironically, after moving to Nashville (the country music capital of the world), Ainsley began to pivot away from the country music that had originally inspired her. Realizing that Nashville was more than just country music her creativity cracked open. Her newest songs clearly have a more pop-rock leaning vibe. While many reviewers still hear elements of country tones in her voice, paired with the edgier music, some have started to describe her music as "country-punk" or "pretty pop." Inspired by Paramore, Kings of Leon and Caitlyn Smith (all hailing from Nashville) you clearly hear a unique sound emerging in her 2022 works. With a strong sense for live instrumentation others have described her music as a strain of LA/POP from the 90's and early 2000's. Another reviewer described it as acoustic college rock with a modern twist. With a dedicated and growing following it is clear that Ainsley is set on creating a career that stands the test of time. Ainsley began performing in school talent shows and musical theater productions at the age of 7. She has since gone on to study piano, guitar, vocal performance, and songwriting. She attended Tacoma School of the Arts as a freshman in high-school and shortly thereafter began traveling and touring the West Coast full-time. At just 15 Ainsley moved to online high-school (so she could tour) and simultaneously began taking classes at the prestigious Berklee College of Music Online. She graduated from high school at 16 and was formally accepted to the Berklee College of Music's Business Degree program shortly after. At just 19 years old, in May 2023 Ainsley graduat
S1 E219 · Tue, August 15, 2023
Keddies Resort
Born in the sterile hills of Happy Valley Keddies Resort is breathing life into the bloated carcass of the rock world. With an ever changing sound they continue to find a unique position in the current musical landscape. Maintaining a foundation of punchy riffs, temple throbbing breakdowns and melodic intricacy, they have set themselves on a continuous crash course for musical explosion. Keddies Resort fans lodge here Insta SRTN Podcast Website
S1 E218 · Tue, August 08, 2023
Joe Maldonado
Joe Maldonado is a poet and mental health professional, author of the poetry collections Subterranean Summer and Skeleton American . His work has also appeared in numerous anthologies, including Remembering Jack Kerouac (National Beat Poetry Foundation, 2022). He served on the council of the Transformative Language Arts Network from 2017-2020 and hosts monthly open mics in New York.. You can follow him on social media, @joemaldonado81 SRTN Website
S1 E217 · Fri, August 04, 2023
Dakota Noot
SRTN is happy to have THE Dakota Noot back on the show! Dakota Noot is a Los Angeles-based artist and curator. He uses drawings, paintings, and installations to create animal-human hybrids that explore rural yet fantastical, queer identities. Originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, he continues to show in both North Dakota and Los Angeles, including solo and two-person shows at Highways Performance Space, MuzeuMM, and PØST. Noot has exhibited in group shows at Charlie James Gallery, Shoshana Wayne Gallery, Torrance Art Museum, and LAST Projects. His series of cutout drawing-installations have been shown at LA Freewaves, Cerritos College Art Gallery, and Otis College. His work has been featured in Hi-Fructose. Noot graduated with a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of North Dakota (2015) and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University (2017). First SRTN appearance on Episode 92 Dakota SRTN
S1 E216 · Tue, August 01, 2023
Lilian Sue
Talking storytelling, music, publishing, PR, art and philosophy with Lilian Sue As a PR coach and publicist, Lilian Sue is in the storytelling and relationship building business. She empowers creative entrepreneurs to push past limiting beliefs and gain the confidence to learn how to build strong PR and marketing mindsets and learn how to build and launch successful PR campaigns. Why? Because she believes that inside every entrepreneur is the potential to become a global industry leader and it is her goal to make sure that entrepreneurs feel empowered, and have the confidence to advocate for their goals when working with a publicist or PR agency as well as the tools and knowledge to launch their own strategies. Lilian Sue SRTN Website
S1 E215 · Thu, July 27, 2023
Cissi Efraimsson
Wag your tail to this one! Listen thru for the addicting pleasure of the song "WAG IT!" Cissi Efraimsson is a Swedish LA-based artist and director working in the fields of stop motion animation, sculpture, painting and music. Efraimsson graduated the MFA program in Experimental Animation at the California Institute of the Arts in May 2022. She received a BFA in Fine Arts from the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm in 2018. Efraimsson works at the borderline between reality and the surreal/supernatural. She often uses elements from folklore and places them in the real world, within a contemporary context inspired by pop culture. Efraimsson works on the border between the ordered and near-perfect and the skew and absurd. The atmosphere she creates is often a balance between the ugly and beautiful, and Efraimsson mines events and dialog from her own life – with a certain degree of twisting and turning. Recurring themes include fantasy, escapism, magic, and the subconscious, while humor and a playful energy course throughout everything Efraimsson creates. Her musical output is vast, and Efraimsson currently sings and drums in punk-pop trio Vulkano, having previously drummed in Those Dancing Days. VULKANO Cissi SRTN Podcast Wag it, gonna wag it, gonna wag it, 4u . . .
S1 E214 · Mon, July 24, 2023
Nick Malster
Nick Malster is the co-founder of Fountain , a podcast app that helps creators get discovered, build a community and get paid for their work. Recorded between Albany, Oregon and London, England. We talk Podcasting 2.0, the movement, bitcoin, sats, value for value (v4v), direct support for podcasts and musical artists, art, creativity, the Fountain app and the podcasting industry at present. Fountain App SRTN
S1 E213 · Wed, July 19, 2023
Blair Borax (Warbling Creek Studios Episode)
Special Episode! Recording artist Blair Borax returns with a touching live SRTN set in Eugene, Oregon. This episode is guest hosted by the lovely Jenny Jo Peterson and features four Borax tracks: Tender Lately Wink or Worse Call me Lazy Like the Weather After releasing her debut album “Keep Walking” in June 2022, she is working on her sophomore record, “Tender Lately” and plans to release it in Fall 2023. This episode, as always, is crafted by Editor and Producer, Peter Bauer. Blair Borax SRTN Podcast
S1 E212 · Sat, July 15, 2023
Meruzh Mazmanyan
Meruzhan Mazmanyan is an Armenian-American artist from the Portland, Oregon Metro area. In a variety of mediums, Meruzhan uses his artwork as a way to send a message; from political propaganda posters, to sci-fi comics, to still life paintings. He feels that the purpose of art is to make a statement, and he makes that clear with pieces commenting on the American dream, consumerism, genocide, and more. Meruzh on Insta SRTN Website
S1 E211 · Wed, July 12, 2023
Fantasy in Terms of Liberation
Helming the 'Fantasy in Terms of Liberation' project is multi-disciplinary artist Julienne Baptiste , aka PCP, and director and artist Christopher Diana-Peebles . Hailing from Ocean City, MD. Baptiste has called Portland, Oregon home since 2015. Her background includes a focus on dance, theater and music, which all come into play throughout the film. Baptiste most recently gained notice as front woman of rock trio Dirty Princess. Baptiste and Diana-Peebles initially worked together on imagery for the band before developing this Fantasy in Terms of Liberation project as collaborators. As a founding member of the Futro Collective, Christopher began making music videos and other visual content after moving to Portland over 15 years ago. Diana-Peebles’ credits include the independent films Malignant , Unicorn and The Tree , with a passion for working on imagery on behalf of local non-profits like experimental technology collective CETI, p:ear and media center Open Signal in an effort to further their important social reach. JEWLZ SRTN Christopher Diana Peebles
S1 E210 · Thu, July 06, 2023
Maya MacGregor
Maya MacGregor is an author, singer, and artist based in Glasgow, Scotland. A fluent Gaelic speaker, Maya is active in many community activities in Gaelic music as well as writing contemporary YA and adult fiction (as Emmie Mears and M Evan MacGriogair). Maya has a degree in history and is passionate about writing the stories for teens they wish had existed when they were younger and fills them with the type of people who have always populated their world. Their pronouns are they/them. THE MANY HALF-LIVED LIVES OF SAM SYLVESTER is Maya’s first YA novel and is a finalist for the Andre Norton Nebula award. THE EVOLVING TRUTH OF EVER-STRONGER WILL, Maya’s next YA, comes out in 2023. Maya MacGregor Something Rather Than Nothing
S1 E209 · Mon, July 03, 2023
Sara Hardin
New Orleans-based visual artist and art educator, Sara Hardin creates paintings that explore the connection between place and memory. She synthesizes collage, painting, and digital media to investigate this relationship. Pulling from both personal and collective recollections, she brings awareness of the space and the unique intricacies of the human experience; the ticks, the quirks, and the machinations of everyday life. Her work plays with the unique characteristics and culture of New Orleans, her hometown. Sara enjoys investigating new places and learning about the people that occupy that space. Her inspiration comes from her surroundings, and she captures the beauty in her everyday world as a crucial element of her art. She then takes that beauty and builds a collaged space, filled to the brim with memory and ritual. Sara’s work is a cacophony of recollection, color, expressive brush strokes, and the enigmatic nature of our lived experiences. Sara graduated from the University of Louisiana in 2016 with her degree in Arts Education. From here, she began teaching visual arts at the secondary level. From 2019 to 2020, Sara took part in several group exhibitions and was a member of the Basin Arts Artist Collective in Lafayette, Louisiana. In 2021 she was awarded a fully-funded artist residency in VanCleave, Mississippi. Sara graduated with her Master’s in Fine Arts, with a concentration in painting, at the University of New Orleans in 2023, where she was conferred numerous Graduate Assistantship Awards. She is currently being represented by M Contemporary in New Orleans and working as an Art Educator in the greater New Orleans area. Sara Hardin SRTN
S1 E208 · Mon, June 26, 2023
Swamp Thing Rather Than Nothing
BEHOLD!! The Swamp Thing Rather Than Nothing Episode!! WITH!!!! Special Panel: Curious wisdom-speaker and plant-woman Em Grebner-Gaddis appears. Painter and eccentric gatherer Swamp Ken (Kenneth Nicholson) speaks to history, body-horror and early 90s bizarro. Craig Randall thinks of living-thru-doom, hope and plants from the fertile crescent of the Pacific Northwest. The guiding question and idea behind this fervid inquiry: Why is Swamp Thing Important? Host Ken Volante corrals most tendrils of this wonderful panel to: explore the brilliance and radical edge of Alan Moore ; the connection of Heather Locklear's foot and Midsommar ; The Swamp Thing DC movie Universe speculated upon; the Wes Craven film (1982) dismantled and apprehended; the omnipresent threat to women in the films; Kudzu vine Swamp Thing biology theory; the (in)humanity of Alec Holland; the alien-transcendence of orchids; mental health, loneliness and alienation; and, so you know, SWAMP THING in a JEEP - this actually occurs in The Return of The Swamp Thing Enjoy!!! SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E207 · Mon, June 19, 2023
Dysgenia
Dysgenia is Riley Holland, Brian Wilson, and Dustin Vandehey. "How much can you you say without words?" That's the question these Portland-based musical veterans seek to explore with their boundary-dissolving instrumental psych/prog/metal outfit Dysgenia. Dysgenia have distilled their own unique brand of controlled musical chaos, equal parts head, heart, and gut. Dysgenia Bandcamp SRTN Website
S1 E206 · Thu, June 15, 2023
Bex Carlos (Tu Tía Bruja)
A warm welcome to the talented and creative artist Bex Carlos ! Gonna tell you a bit about her podcast Tu Tía Bruja . . . "In the Dumpster Fire year that was 2020, Tu Tía Bruja was born. Tu Tía Bruja is a podcast that focuses on conversations about witchcraft, ghosts, the occult, true crime, anti-racism, and the abnormal. Recorded mostly in English with episodes also available in Spanish. Since launching in June 2020, the show has charted within the Top 200 Spirituality Podcasts in Canada, Finland, Germany, the U.K., Costa Rica, Chile, Denmark, Spain, Mexico, Australia, Belgium, South Africa, Colombia, and the U.S. It has been a huge pleasure growing my community all over the world." Bex Website Horror Beauty Product Line Glamgoria : https://www.instagram.com/glamgoria/ Mariah Day Tik Tok Ethical True Crime Activist : https://www.instagram.com/tutiabruja/ https://www.tiktok.com/@tutiabruja Fortaleza Tequila SRTN Website
S1 E205 · Mon, June 12, 2023
Jayne Karma Lamo
Jayne Karma Lamo is a neurodivergent multi-instrumentalist, performer, recording artist and producer from Salmo, BC. Jayne creates dreamy, post-grunge alt-rock, drawing from multiple self produced albums worth of original material. Her signature sound has been influenced by the likes of PJ Harvey, Radiohead, the Dandy Warhols, among many others. Jayne plays with a full band, or is available for solo shows doing live looping or acoustic material. Audiences can expect to be captivated by her otherworldly vocals, moody melodies, and her thought provoking, emotionally charged lyrical content! As a space holder, Jayne also creates deeply relaxing and nourishing soundscapes and very unique immersive sonic journeys for small or large groups. Jayne SRTN Podcast
S1 E204 · Mon, June 05, 2023
Florence Williams
Florence Williams is a journalist, author, and podcaster. She is a contributing editor at Outside Magazine and a freelance writer for the New York Times , New York Times Magazine , National Geographic, The New York Review of Books and numerous other publications. Florence’s latest book, Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey , won the 2023 PEN/E.O. Wilson Award for Literary Science Writing and is called “show-stopping” and “courageous” by Publisher’s Weekly. Her first book, BREASTS: A Natural and Unnatural History ( W.W. Norton 2012) received the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in science and technology and the 2013 Audie in general nonfiction. It was also named a notable book of 2012 by the New York Times . Her 2017 book, The Nature Fix , was an Audible bestseller and was named a top summer read by J.P Morgan. She was the writer and host of two Gracie-Award-winning Audible Original series, Breasts Unbound and The Three-Day Effect , as well as numerous episodes for Outside Magazine ’s podcast. The Wall Street Journa l calls her writing “droll and crisp,” which makes her feel like a pastry. Her public speaking includes keynotes at Google, the Smithsonian, the Seattle Zoo, the Aspen Ideas Festival and many other corporate, academic and nonprofit venues. A fellow at the Center for Humans and Nature and a visiting scholar at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Florence’s work focuses on the environment, health and science. In 2007-2008, Florence was a Scripps Fellow at the Center of Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado. She has received many awards, including a PEN America award, two National Magazine Award nominations, six magazine awards from the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the John Hersey Prize at Yale. Her work has been anthologized in numerous books, including Outside 25 , the New Montana Story , How the West Was Warmed and Best American Science and Nature Writing 2008 . Florence serves on the board of two of her favorite non-profits, the Trust for Public Land and the Ted Scripps Fellowship in Environmental Journalism. Florence Williams SRTN Website
S1 E203 · Thu, June 01, 2023
R.W.W. Greene
R.W.W. Greene is a New Hampshire USA writer with an MA in Fine Arts, which he exorcises in dive bars and coffee shops. He is a frequent panelist at the Boskone Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention in Boston, and his work has been in Stupefying Stories, Daily Science Fiction, New Myths, and Jersey Devil Press, among others. Greene is a past board member of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project. He keeps bees, collects typewriters, and lives with writer/artist spouse Brenda and two cats. He has published three books: The Light Years, Twenty-Five to Life, and Mercury Rising, all with Angry Robot Books. RWW Website SRTN Podcast Website
S1 E202 · Sat, May 27, 2023
Sick Town Roller Derby
ROLLER DERBY EPISODE! SRTN 202 drops you onto Oregon State University parquet with the skaters of Sick Town Roller Derby (Albany and Corvallis, Oregon) Immerse yourself in the sounds and story of fighting for survival, being yourself, getting out your angst, sounding your barbaric yalp and having fun! Sick Town Derby Dames is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Corvallis, Oregon. We are a skater-owned and operated flat-track roller derby league based in Linn and Benton counties. We respectfully skate on the ancestral land of the Kalapuya represented today by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and are committed to supporting the surrounding community through active participation in local events, volunteering for benevolent causes, and hosting charities at our sporting events. Sick Town Website SRTN Podcast Website
S1 E201 · Wed, May 24, 2023
Karyn Ann
Described as a “combination of Patty Griffin grit and Amy Winehouse grace” by American Songwriter, Portland-based Soul/Americana singer-songwriter Karyn Ann has been charming audiences across the US with her powerful vocals and emotive lyricism. Her debut album Into the Depths (2015) and subsequent follow-up Be Loud (2018) garnered critical acclaim and radio play, leading this once geologist now turned-road musician to gain a steady following along the West Coast and beyond. She’s shared stages with Haley Johnson, Liam St. John, and Fox and Bones, as well as Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls (at the 2017 Women’s Redrock Music Festival), and has performed at the legendary Bitter End in NYC . Her work is featured in the award-winning full-length film Undeserved (2016), and most recently in the indie-short Second Story (2022), which went on to win the “Gold Award for Best Acting Duo” by the Independent Shorts Awards, and ‘Best Romantic Short” by the IndieX Film Fest. In 2020 she was selected for the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist showcase, and placed runner-up in the Red Lodge Songwriters Contest and TOP 100 in the Great American Songwriting Contest singer-songwriter category. Her 2021 self-produced EP - “I Am Not Yours” was featured on Hare’s Paw Literary Journal , and received positive reviews. Karyn's newest work is an EP titled “Consequence of Fear." Karyn's website SRTN website
S1 E200 · Wed, May 17, 2023
Talkin' Baseball with Ellen Adair ⚾
Ellen Adair is a regular analyst on MLB Network's "Off Base," and has also appeared on "MLB Now," "Hot Stove" and "MLB Central." Ellen is a multi-talented artist, actor, writer and baseball brain. Ellen was the guest on SRTN 128 Ellen is the co-host of the podcast "Take Me In to the Ballgame," on the Underdog Sports Network. Thanks Ellen for chatting baseball on EPISODE 200 of Something (rather than nothing)! Props to the Red Sox and the Phillies. SRTN Podcast Website
S1 E199 · Thu, May 11, 2023
Blair Bathory
Blair Bathory has been creating works of horror for many years. She began her career as maestro of the macabre when she was just 19-years-old. Beginning with a 3-minute short film entitled ‘First Date: A Modern Love Story’, Blair wrote, directed, and produced the short film. Instantly gaining a large following after premiering the film online, she decided to follow her success with another film. Immediately following, Blair wrote another short horror film, but this time at longer length and more ambitious. Planning to create a full foam-latex creature suit she set out to raise the money for production through crowdfunding. After successfully garnering three-times what she asked for; Kitty, Kitty was shot and completed in 2014. It was invited to many film festivals around the world and eventually released online in 2016. In the process of creating her own horror stories, Blair quickly realized the lack of platforms that short form filmmakers had to showcase their work. Furthermore, she felt the need for a centralized location for the massive amounts of short horror films in existence. With her love for anthology shows like ‘The Twilight Zone’, ‘Tales from the Crypt’, and ‘Goosebumps’ she saw an opportunity to combine the two mediums. From her years of working within the genre and meeting so many talented filmmakers, Blair had an arsenal of films to choose from. In May of 2015, Blair Bathory rose from the grave and lit the candles inside FEAR HAUS. Once a week The Lady of the Haus introduces her Victims to one new short horror film. Showcasing independent directors from all over the world, an audience quickly grew. Since its conception, Blair has been invited to host a night of horror films at The Rome International Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Frightfest and many others around the world. Also, in 2017 Blair took the position of Festival Director at The Spooky Empire Film Festival - running that for the next three years. Spooky Empire, one of the nations largest genre conventions, was a massive success and gave Blair yet another opportunity to see the best of the best in independent horror cinema first. FEAR HAUS helmed by Blair has done brand activations now at DreamHack, the world’s largest streaming convention, and a tour with across the East Coast sponsored by several liquor companies. Currently, she is the new host for the widely successful podcast Something Scary, which boasts over 3 million fans. Blair’s personal social media platforms are highly popular and she reaches over 250,000 fans. YouTube TikTok Instagram SRTN Podcast
S1 E198 · Mon, May 08, 2023
Craig Randall
Craig Randall is a poet, author, and teacher who lives in beautiful Corvallis, OR with his wife, children, two cats and dog. A passionate advocate for mental-health, his body of work is a byproduct of his own battles with anxiety and depression and has served as a vehicle for empathy, healing, and connection. His works include two novels, The Doom that Came to Astoria , and The Dreams in the Pearl House (the first two books in The Northwest Trilogy) and two collections of poetry, To Chase the Sun , and Among the Wildflowers . A third novel and two more collections of poetry are coming soon. Craig Randall Website SRTN Website
S1 E197 · Thu, May 04, 2023
Alex Fine and Chloe Niclas
Alex Fine is an illustrator living and working in the Baltimore area. He spends his time creating art for various magazines, book publishers, and advertising firms…and most importantly, dressing his cat Roger in fancy neck ties. Alex Fine SIte Chloe Niclas was a guest on SRTN 189. Episode 189 SRTN Website
S1 E196 · Mon, May 01, 2023
Leanna Renee Hieber
Leanna Renee Hieber is an actress, playwright, ghost tour guide and the award-winning, bestselling author of over fourteen Gothic, Gaslamp Fantasy, Supernatural Suspense and Non-Fiction books for adults and teens with publishers such as Tor, Sourcebooks and Kensington Books. A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts , co-authored with Andrea Janes, is a 2022 Bram Stoker Award finalist for "Superior Achievement in Non-Fiction". The book explores the intersection of women's history and ghost stories. Her Strangely Beautiful saga, beginning with The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker , hit Barnes & Noble and Borders Bestseller lists and garnered numerous regional genre awards. Tor Books notes Strangely Beautiful as a "foundational text of Gaslamp Fantasy" and new, revised editions are now available via Tor. Darker Still hit American Bookseller's Association's "Indie Next List", was a Scholastic Book Club "Highly Recommended" title and a Daphne du Maurier award finalist. The Spectral City was a # 1 bestseller across several genres and digital platforms. A 4-time Prism Award winner for excellence in the genre of Fantasy Romance, Leanna's short stories have been featured in notable anthologies and her books have been selected for national book club editions as well as translated into many languages. She lectures on Gothic fiction and ghostly themes for prominent institutions such as New York University, Miami University and at conventions, libraries and conferences around the country. A proud member of Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA, Mystery Writers of America, SFWA, Historical Novel Society, International Thriller Writers and The Dramatists Guild, she lives in New York where she is a licensed NYC tour guide working with Boroughs of the Dead and has been featured on television in Mysteries at the Museum and Beyond the Unknown , discussing Victorian Spiritualism. She tours a one-woman show as 19th century designer Clara Driscoll and is represented by Sara Megibow and Chelsea Hensley of the KT Literary Agency . She tweets often @leannarenee SRTN Website
S1 E195 · Thu, April 27, 2023
Em Grebner-Gaddis
Em Grebner-Gaddis is a self-professed plant nerd with a love of history and story-telling. She started Rooted to share her passion for plants, and as many cursed history facts as she can. Rooted is a weekly podcast diving into the tall tales & true stories of plants. If you like folklore, history, plant facts, and terrible puns, you're going to dig this show.. ROOTED SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E194 · Mon, April 24, 2023
Suziey Block
Suzanne (Suziey) Block was born in Fenton, Michigan. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she studied film/video production and theater. Suziey made her film debut in a small scene in Michael Bay's The Island before moving to Los Angeles, California. This Scream Queen steals the show in Horror in the High Desert, Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva, Entrance, Wonder Valley and more . . . Suziey Insta SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E193 · Thu, April 20, 2023
Ryan Brosmer
Ryan Brosmer is a cartoonist and illustrator who lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his wife, two dogs, and four cats. He aims to create stories that meet at the intersection of classic Saturday morning cartoons and newspaper comics. Ryan has been creating comics all his life except for a brief period between ages 10 and 32. He probably has something new out now or coming soon found here: https://www.instagram.com/awfulquiet/ SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E192 · Mon, April 17, 2023
Alise Versella
Alise Versella is a twice Pushcart nominated contributing writer for Rebelle Society and the author of the full length poetry collection When Wolves Become Birds (Golden Dragonfly Press 2021). Her chapbook Maenads of the 21st Century is due out with dancing girl press and her collection A Psalm for the Weary is out this April 2023 with Alien Buddha Press. She has been widely published in various magazine and journals as well as long listed for Palette Poetry's 2021 Sappho Prize and a nomination for Best of the Net. You can find her at www.aliseversella.com SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E191 · Thu, April 13, 2023
Victoria Astuto and Matthew Kyle Levine
Victoria Astuto is an actress, musician, and educator based in New York. She is most known for her roles in Some Time Soon and Trusted Hands . In addition to acting, she also plays Clarinet with the Brooklyn Wind Symphony and is a Band Director in the Hudson Valley. Matthew Kyle Levine is a filmmaker based in New York City. His short films have won awards and played at numerous film festivals throughout North America, including the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival and the Canada Shorts Film Festival. Watch 'Some Time Soon' and Levine's other films here: MKL VIMEO SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E190 · Mon, April 10, 2023
Lauren Bright Pacheco
Lauren Bright Pacheco is 3-time Emmy Award-winning Producer, Podcast Host, Media Writer and Storyteller. You should know her spellbinding work on: Happy Face Presents Murder in Oregon The Murders at White House Farm Murder in Illinois And as the producer of: Speed of Sound with Steve Greenberg Wholly Human with LeAnn Rimes. SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E189 · Thu, April 06, 2023
Chloe Niclas
Chloe Niclas is an illustrator from Baltimore, MD. She is fascinated by the unexplainable and bizarre aspects of the world, often executing the otherworldly and impossible to feel within reach of existence. Her work has been recognized by American Illustration and the Art Director’s Club, and has appeared in The New York Times, Harper's Magazine, Politico Europe, and others. https://www.chloeniclas.com/ Follow on Instagram @chloe.niclas SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E188 · Mon, April 03, 2023
Susan Tomorrow
Susan Tomorrow is a film programmer from Austin Texas, specializing in cult, horror, and Golden Age Hollywood cinema. “As Co-Owner/Programmer of the Clinton Street Theater I am thrilled to be helping to bring back that William Castle MAGIC.” Clinton Street Theater SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E187 · Thu, March 30, 2023
Lauren Redniss
Lauren Redniss is an artist, author, and the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant." Her books include Radioactive , a finalist for the National Book Award, Thunder & Lightning , winner of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, and Oak Flat : A Fight for Sacred Land in the American West, called "astonishing" and "virtuosic" by the New York Times. She has been a Guggenheim fellow, a fellow at the New York Public Library’s Cullman Center for Scholars & Writers, the New America Foundation, and Artist-in-Residence at the American Museum of Natural History. She teaches at the Parsons School of Design in New York City https://www.laurenredniss.com SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E186 · Mon, March 27, 2023
Michael Conley (Warbling Creek Studios Episode)
Michael Conley writes murder ballads, jukebox romances, and love songs in between. Conley was in from Nashville and the SRTN hosted a magical set + interview from Warbling Creek Studios in Eugene, OR. This is something special. Follow Michael on Instagram @isleepinmyjeans Nothing Risked EP out now on all streaming platforms. SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E185 · Thu, March 23, 2023
Melissa Oliveri
Melissa Oliveri has been an artist her entire life. As an only child, she would spend hours entertaining herself by writing and illustrating stories, playing music, drawing, writing plays, making puppets and other crafts. This has translated into adulthood in the form of one person wearing many creative hats. As a musician, Melissa goes by the stage name Cannelle . She composes original songs in a variety of styles, often compared to Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, or Kate Bush. She also writes original music for her Podcast, The Skylark Bell . She likes to take a creative approach to songwriting, often including her audience in the task. An example of this are her "Post-It Project" songs, for which she requests people assign her a set number of words that she will build the song around. The topics she covers are also varied and can range from a dedication to a lost loved one, to a song about a salt shaker or a silly song about her disdain for the long winters she has known her whole life. After years of sitting on a series of unpublished books, a friend suggested Melissa turn one of her stories into a podcast. Being unfamiliar with podcasting, Melissa was hesitant, but the thought of composing original music for the podcast, including sound effects, and finally getting the story out to the world eventually won her over, and The Skylark Bell podcast was born. The podcast has not only proven to be a great success, it has inspired Melissa to imagine expanding The Skylark show beyond all dreams! https://melissaoliveri.com/about Follow on Instagram @cannelle.music Link Tree with all the things: https://linktr.ee/theskylarkbell We highly recommend you listen to the Skylark Bell Podcast SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E184 · Mon, March 20, 2023
Sascha Stronach
Sascha Stronach (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka Ki Puketeraki) is an author based in Pōneke, Aotearoa. His debut novel The Dawnhounds is a mind-bending fungal murder mystery described as 'Discworld Elysium'. If you encounter Sascha Stronach in the woods, shout and wave your arms to seem to bigger – this will intimidate the author. Publisher: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Sascha-Stronach/184950774 Twitter: https://twitter.com/understatesmen?lang=en Website: https://www.theunderstatesmen.com/ SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E183 · Wed, March 15, 2023
Justin C.M. Brown
Justin C.M. Brown is a visual artist, musician, writer, cook, and student in the Sociology Department at UCLA. He was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina and currently calls Los Angeles home. Most recently, he donated 3 pieces of his art to his alma mater, Santa Monica College, where they are on display in the library. He is also currently in Part XII of his year-long artistic effort "Inspired By True Events". His work can be found at JCMBmade.com , EmperorSteve.com , and ZodiacWaning.com , as well as on Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok at “@jcmbmade”. SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E182 · Sat, March 11, 2023
Zainab Imran
Zainab Imran is a poet, tutor, zine-maker and English Literature student of British Pakistani heritage based in Manchester, England. She writes on a multitude of racial and queer issues, with a particular focus on ethnic diaspora and the hidden stories of women in the colonial struggle. They currently run the poetry collective, 'Poets for Partition'. In 2022, she was awarded the Royal Society of Literature and Sky Arts Award for Poetry as an emerging writer of colour, through which she is now being mentored by Jay Bernard and is also currently working towards her first poetry pamphlet. This episode is a typical Iliad, poetry, Manchester, Industrial Revolution, Marx, History, What is Art?, Kirchner type of episode. Zainab Imran website: https://zainabthepoet.co.uk/ Follow on Instagram @dark.academia.zainab and on Twitter @darkacademiazen SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E181 · Tue, March 07, 2023
Corinne Halbert
Corinne Halbert is a psychedelic horror artist with an extensive book collection. Her work is heavily influenced by an avid obsession with 1970s cult films and vintage comics. She's the creator of Acid Nun. Unedited production note from host Ken Volante “Whoa. What a ride. Zines, horror movies, found footage, dealing with tough things, Steven Seagal, old magazines, Electric Wizard, ACID NUN and more." Acid Nun is available here , or inquire at your local bookstore. Check out her website: https://corinnehalbert.com/ Follow on instagram @corinnehalbert SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E180 · Sat, March 04, 2023
Daniel Kern
Daniel Kern means so much to me and my learning. We met at Marquette University and he is responsible for my deeper interest in quantum physics, cosmology, Jesus Christ, and deeply humane ways of looking at philosophical questions. Dan and I chat and catch up on Episode 180 of Something (rather than nothing ) Podcast. We talk about his excellent book ‘A Reasonable Christian Faith.’ I told Dan about the surreal aspect of hearing his ‘voice’ in his book and feeling like he was chatting with me as l read it. Isn’t that grand? This podcast is in the top 5% of podcasts in the world. It is free and open. It is populist. It celebrates all creativity. It is liberationist and is arts-organizing in practice. SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E179 · Tue, February 28, 2023
T Edward Bak
T Edward Bak is a cartoonist and illustrator exploring the crossroads of culture and the natural environment. We talked about art, service industry work, Alaska, graphic novels, Buddhism, Shunryu Suzuki, energy, ecology Saint Nagarjuna, Thomas Merton, Jack Kerouac and more . . . Follow on Instagram @t.edward.bak Check out T Edward Bak's Website T Edward Bak Tumblr Support on Patreon Purchase his comics through Floating World Comics Paypal quick links: (please contact for International) SEA OF TIME #1 https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/6VMA7CGLMQDLQ NOT A PLACE TO VISIT https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/AB95GGGS7EZC2 BAK BOOK BATCH https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/BMLJK9TCGUJTS SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E178 · Thu, February 23, 2023
Nick Friesen
Illustrator Nicholas Friesen lives in Winnipeg, Canada with his wife and dog. He likes drawing sad robots, people wearing headphones, and robots wearing headphones. He creeated Olivia Sea. Who lives in music and comics. Follow all the links at https://linktr.ee/nicholastronaut Olivia Sea "I Choo Choo Choose You" video Nicholas Friesen on Instagram @Nicholastronaut Check out Nicolas and Oliva Sea at Toronto Comic Arts Festival April 29-30 SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E177 · Mon, February 20, 2023
Susan Carr
Thick layers of oil paint encrust the canvases of Cape Cod-based painter Susan Carr , which reach out into the third dimension like small sculptural objects. Looking back toward artists like Phillip Guston, Willem De Kooning, and Robert Ryman, Carr works by applying paint to the canvas with a brush or trowel, working quickly (wet on wet) and determining the composition as she goes along. Though the works are abstract, shapes, symbols, or symbolic colors often emerge to elicit a reaction from the viewer, or more simply to guide the eye across the canvas. The works are meditations on musicality and the rhythms of language, Carr has said: “I write poetry so you could say, my paintings are poems without words. Poems dripping in color." "My eyes get hungry. I always want to feel the paint with my eyes." ~Susan Carr Susan Carr on Instagram @susancarr88 SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E176 · Wed, February 15, 2023
B.L. Blanchard
B.L. BLANCHARD Her novel The Peacekeeper: "Against the backdrop of a never-colonized North America, a broken Ojibwe detective embarks on an emotional and twisting journey toward solving two murders, rediscovering family, and finding himself. North America was never colonized. The United States and Canada don’t exist. The Great Lakes are surrounded by an independent Ojibwe nation. And in the village of Baawitigong, a Peacekeeper confronts his devastating past. Twenty years ago to the day, Chibenashi’s mother was murdered and his father confessed. Ever since, caring for his still-traumatized younger sister has been Chibenashi’s privilege and penance. Now, on the same night of the Manoomin harvest, another woman is slain. His mother’s best friend. This leads to a seemingly impossible connection that takes Chibenashi far from the only world he’s ever known. The major city of Shikaakwa is home to the victim’s cruelly estranged family—and to two people Chibenashi never wanted to see again: his imprisoned father and the lover who broke his heart. As the questions mount, the answers will change his and his sister’s lives forever. Because Chibenashi is about to discover that everything about their lives has been a lie." About the author: 'I am originally from Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but I have lived in California for so long that I can no longer handle cold weather. I am an author, a mother, and an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, a federally-recognized tribe. I graduated from UC Davis’s inaugural undergraduate Creative Writing Honors Program in 2006 and was a Writing Fellow at Boston University School of Law. I can stare at maps all day and am obsessed with figure skating. I am constantly planning my next trip abroad. I will watch any documentary about space and space exploration you put in front of me. I’m always looking for new podcasts and shows about true crime.' https://blblanchard.com/ BL Blanchard on Twitter: @blblanchard On Instagram: @blblanchard_wrties SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E175 · Tue, February 07, 2023
Hayley Lynn
Organically gripping and raw, Hayley Lynn’ s sultry timbres extend through the various depths of her vocal range as she is soft-spoken but packs a punch when her lyrical motifs drop. Lynn's first body of work “Bring on the Flames,” co-created with producer Kyle Devine, was performed to several sold out shows across the Northwest as well as placement in the Netflix Original shows “The Pier” and “Money Heist.” Since then, Lynn’s music has been placed on ABC, the 700 Club, and Big Ten Network, expanding Lynn’s reach to international audiences. In addition to being a hometown favorite, Lynn is back on the road with breakthrough performances at festivals and venues such as Northwest Folklife, Oregon Country Fair, Winningstad Theater, Bloodworks Live Studio, Mississippi Studios, The Old Church Concert Hall, and touring through the U.S and Canada. Recently, Lynn released her first solo debut album ‘Horizon’. Many of the songs came as a means to heal. The pandemic was especially hard on artists and Lynn’s method of survival was to dive deep into the layers of her life, the feelings that arose and the distractions she used to cope. The result is a velvet voice wrapped in an ocean of sound that is cathartic to lose ourselves in. https://www.hayleylynnmusic.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ustZQSFU19uRveWdTUeAd https://music.apple.com/us/artist/hayley-lynn/1374681637 https://www.tiktok.com/@hayleylynnmusic?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/hayley_lynn_music/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqIuebsBOUfG6Kk-yeAtwIA https://www.facebook.com/HayleyLynnMusic/ SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E174 · Wed, February 01, 2023
Breanna Cee Martins
"We're all living in a haunted house, and we're all being haunted by it." Breanna Cee Martins paints the mirage of an America that never existed, for people like her and entire swaths of the population of this country. The artist’s watercolor paintings fall away from the viewer like a half-remembered dream; images of ghostly and phantom children, coming together to explode in kaleidoscopic colors. Working from found black and white photos, the images metamorphose into Technicolor nightmares, the old made new. Children dressed up as monsters, and monsters dressed up as children; these monochromatic visions glow with infernal light, watching the viewer, watch them. Posed family photos capture the conflicts raging beneath the surface; the pause or unease creating narrative tension, a rift between what is expected and what’s seen, and better left unsaid. They are images captured from the afterglow of a fading star, an apparition of our world growing dimmer amidst the passage of time. These paintings confront you with pleading eyes, asking the viewer to delve deeper into the question, does this familial imagery have personal meaning to you? Or, is it evocative of an emotional scene you might have remembered, yet never experienced? https://www.breannamartins.com/ SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E173 · Fri, January 27, 2023
faetooth
faetooth is a four-piece doom metal band based in Los Angeles, California. They officially formed in 2019, with Ashla Chavez Razzano (she/her) on guitar & vox, Jenna Garcia (she/they) on bass & vox, Ari May (they/them) on guitar & vox, and Rah Kanan (they/them) on drums. The quartet had already been friends for several years before the band's inception, instilling the confidence necessary to navigate personal vulnerability and vast musical experimentation. faetooth possesses the ability to bewitch listeners through trance-inducing riffs, alluring melodies, and rich lyricism that ranges from mysterious to diaristic. faetooth’s music is about the nature of the self, the natural world, and all of its enchanting mysteries. faetooth 's Remnants of the Vessel was named 2022 Heavy Metal Album of the Year by Spin Magazine Special co-host Aidan 'Ace' Volante. Aidan (they/them) is an artist-musician who lives in Oregon and is currently a vocalist-in-training. Host: Ken Volante (he/him). Ken loves doom metal. Band members in episode: Ash, Ari, Jenna faetooth is available on Bandcamp , and all streaming services. Follow @faetooth on your favorite social media, including Instagram and their YouTube channel For a full list of links check out https://linktr.ee/faetooth SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E172 · Tue, January 24, 2023
Brooke McCarthy
How to be an Ethical Slut is the award-winning solo by Brooke McCarthy . Experience the ride of your life as an unethical slut penetrates lies, STDs, triads, orgies, and love in her musical journey to becoming an Ethical Slut. Lead performer and solo daredevil - Brooke McCarthy is an actor, singer, dancer, content creator (YouTube: Bartender Brookie), playwright, and teaching artist. She holds her MFA in Acting from the University of Georgia. She's originally from NJ and currently resides in Charlotte, NC. Part solo show, part cabaret, the play covers the life of an unethical slut named Blake Valentini as she struggles between dating the socially acceptable way - monogamy - or daring to open her mind to unusual relationship pleasures and tribulations. This bold, sexy, and vulnerable story touches upon topics that are often unseen onstage such as sexual health and nonconventional relationship styles. Everyone, including Blake, may learn a thing or two about honesty and sexuality throughout this wild ride. The limited run in NYC 2023, plays February 18 - 27 at UNDER St. Marks in the East Village. How to be an Ethical Slut is directed by Robyn Accetta and has played to packed houses and won numerous awards in 2022 including the “Spirit of the Fringe” (St. Lou Fringe Festival), “Philly Fringie” Audience Choice Award (Philly Fringe), and the "Best of Fest" (Hartford Fringe Festival). Brooke McCarthy discussed what inspired her to write the show, “I wanted to share my personal journey with polyamory and all of the hard lessons it taught me about honesty, relationships, and owning our unique identities. Not only is non-monogamy not the norm in our society, but it was also something I did not talk about openly in my personal life nor is it something that appears often in a positive light on stage. I was inspired to use parts of my own life to craft a story that inspires honesty in our relationships while empowering us to embrace the unconventional ways that people may love each other. After all, love is love.” She went on to share, “Whether my audience identifies as polyamorous, monogamous, or polycurious, I hope they absorb a new perspective on life and love. Upcoming Performances of How to Be an Ethical Slut Frontera Festival in Austin, TX Jan 29, 30, Feb 4 Frigid Fest NYC Feb 18-27 Visit Brooke's homepage at http://www.howtobeanethicalslut.com/ Follow Brooke on Instagram @howtobeanethicalslut and Tik Tok @howtobeanethicalslut SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E171 · Tue, January 17, 2023
Rebecca Mills
Rebecca Mills is an artist and arts professional who has independently curated exhibits, facilitated events, wrote a successful one act play, and is a creative writer as well. She freelances as a teaching artist and arts educator, having taught youth and young adults through workshops, special programs, and as an adjunct professor. Her primary medium is oil painting with mixed media such as glitter, sequins, found objects, and very feminine materials. Rebecca's work is directly influenced by transcendentalism; involving science, philosophy, history, and discussions based on cultures, religions, and the ancient past. She is an activist for cow protection, veganism, and environmental preservation / restoration. https://www.ultraplasticgalaxy.com/ SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E170 · Tue, January 10, 2023
Black Belt Eagle Scout (Katherine Paul)
This land runs through Katherine Paul’s blood. And it called to her. In dreams she saw the river, her ancestors, and her home. When the land calls, you listen. And KP found herself far from her ancestral lands during a time of collective trauma, when the world was wounded and in need of healing. In 2020 she made the journey from Portland back to the Skagit River, back to the cedar trees that stand tall and shrouded in fog, back to the tide flats and the mountains, back to Swinomish. It is a powerful thing to return to our ancestral lands and often times the journey is not easy. Like the salmon through the currents, like the tide as it crawls to shore this is a story of return. It is the call and response. It is the outstretched arms of the people who came before, welcoming her home. The Land, The Water, The Sky is a celebration of lineage and strength. Even in its deepest moments of loneliness and grief, of frustration over a world wrought with colonial violence and pain, the songs remind us that if we slow down, if we listen to the waves and the wind through the trees, we will remember to breathe. There is a throughline of story in every song, a remembrance of knowledge and teachings, a gratitude of wisdom passed down and carried. There is a reimagining of Sedna who was offered to the sea, and a beautiful rumination on sacrifice and humanity, and what it means to hold the stories that work to teach us something. . . Special thanks to co-host Bonita Randklev. https://www.blackbelteaglescout.com/ SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E169 · Fri, January 06, 2023
Ken Volante and Peter Bauer
Show creators Ken Volante (Creator and Host) and Peter Bauer (Editor and Producer) have a fun conversation that will let you know what THINGS you will see in 2023! We hope you enjoy this conversation and that some of the bigger ideas inspire you in your ART and LIFE. ONE LOVE! Check out Peter's work Flaming Bison- Freeform Cosmic Groove: https://flamingbison.bandcamp.com/ https://youtu.be/NJGdcKfgyp8 High Cascade Lakes- Guided Meditations: https://highcascadelakes.bandcamp.com/album/anicca Something (rather than nothing) thanks you. SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E168 · Tue, January 03, 2023
Jakub Ferencik
SRTN's visiting Philosopher, Jakub Ferencik is back! We first heard from Jakub Ferencik in Episode 60. Then Jakub wrote another book (!) entitled Beyond Reason: Why We Fail at Understanding Each Other. Jakub and host Ken Volante discusssed that work in SRTN Episode 130. For this episode, Ferencik helps engage complicated topics such as censorhsip, hate speech, and free speech with attention to the complicated engine of modern social media. Enjoy this conversation and help formulate the conceptual backdrop for these important conversations. SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E167 · Tue, December 20, 2022
Shara Nova
Shara Nova has released five albums under the moniker My Brightest Diamond and has composed works for The Crossing, Conspirare, Cantus Domus, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Roomful of Teeth, many community choirs, as well as yMusic, Brooklyn Rider, violist Nadia Sirota, Aarhus Symfoni, North Carolina Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, American Composers Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra, among others. In 2019, she composed for over 600 community musicians and the Cincinnati Symphony in celebration of their 125th season, a piece entitled "Look Around," with director Mark DeChiazza. Her baroque chamber p’opera “You Us We All” premiered in the US in October 2015 at BAM Next Wave Festival. With co-composer and performer Helga Davis, Nova created a four-screen film entitled “Ocean Body,” along with director Mark DeChiazza, which premiered at The Momentary in August 2021, shortly followed by the premiere of “Infinite Movement,” her baroque masque for 100 musicians, set to text by artist Matthew Ritchie, which premiered at The University of North Texas in November 2021. Ms. Nova is the featured singer on “The Blue Hour” with the string orchestra A Far Cry and co-composers Rachel Grimes, Angélica Negrón, Sarah Kirkland Snider and Caroline Shaw on Nonesuch Records (Sept ‘22). A collection of songs by Nico Muhly with Detroit’s acclaimed wind ensemble Akropolis Quintet also features Ms. Nova’s voice entitled Hymns for Private Use (Oct ‘22). A number of music composers, including Sarah Kirkland Snider , Bryce and Aaron Dessner , Steve Mackey and David Lang have created works specifically for her voice. She has collaborated with Matthew Barney, The Decemberists , The Blind Boys of Alabama , Sufjan Stevens , David Byrne , Laurie Anderson , and many others. Shara has a couple different branches to her life: Singer and Composer Branch: https://shara-nova.com/ Pop Music Branch: https://www.mybrightestdiamond.com/ Instagram: @mybrightestdiamond Twitter: @MyBrightestDmnd Writing on Substack: https://substack.com/profile/91251132-shara-nova SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E166 · Fri, December 09, 2022
Blair Borax
After releasing her first EP ‘everything is light work’ in May 2021, Blair Borax released her debut full-length album “Keep Walking” in June 2022 . “Keep Walking” will take you on an emotional journey of moving forward ~with your head held high~ beyond trauma and heartache. It is the perfect companion to help you keep walking too. New single 'Delight Me' out on December 9, 2022. Check out her website for calendar update and merch blairborax.com Follow Blair on Instagram and TikTok @blairartthou Her music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and wherever you listen to music. https://www.blairborax.com/ SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E165 · Fri, December 02, 2022
Taubnernaut
Taubnernaut was formed several months before the first pandemic lockdown with the intention of creating a power trio with the improvisational intensity of Jimi Hendrix and the darkness and heaviness of Black Sabbath. In the end, what you have is heavy psych with a variety of influences and always a hunger for improvisation. Taubnernaut is Guitar-Vinny Taubner, Bass-Nathan Crumpler, Drums-Mike Land. https://taubnernaut.bandcamp.com/music SRTN WEBSITE
S1 E164 · Thu, November 24, 2022
Shea Glasheen and Matthew Kyle Levine
Shea Glasheen is an innovative, musical craftsman from Long Island. His artistic work includes sound design and film production as well as musical work with CRONIES and The Real Codington Factory Matthew Kyle Levine is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in New York City. His short films have won awards and played at numerous film festivals throughout North America, including the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival and the Canada Shorts Film Festival, most notably for his short film “Miss Freelance”. Daddy's Wallet was recently screened at the Bowery Film Festival in NYC. Watch Trusted Hands (clip played at the top of the episode) and other short films on Mathew Kyle Levine's Vimeo: MKL Vimeo SRTN Website
S1 E163 · Tue, November 08, 2022
Elyse Kelly and her Neon Zoo
Elyse Kelly is an award-winning director based in Washington DC. Her strength and passion is storytelling through an animated lens, and leading teams of world-class artists to create content that entertains, challenges and changes the hearts and minds of audiences. Elyse runs a full-service animation studio, Neon Zoo , that specializes in content for documentaries, brands, and NGOs.In 2020, Elyse was animation director on the feature documentary, In the Dark of the Valley . The film won a number of awards in festivals and was released in 2021 by MSNBC Films. In 2022 it received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Social Issue Documentary.In 2017, Elyse co-directed Fired Up , an animated short that depicts the origins of President Obama’s “fired up, ready to go” chant. Released on the final day of the Obama presidency, the film was featured by The Atlantic and has been viewed more than 8 million times.Elyse Kelly over 15 years of experience in animation and film, working for clients such as Netflix, the ACLU, The Atlantic, Sesame Workshop, Sony Music, the United Nations Foundation, and Disney Research. Her films have won awards and been exhibited in festivals worldwide, including Sundance, Tribeca, Annecy, Zagreb, and OIAF. Check out Elyse's work in: Smart Justice Emmy nominated In the Dark of the Valley Speech Wars Miss Americana Visit the Neon Zoo Animation Studio homepage and follow Elyse on @e.l.y.s.e.k.e.l.l.y Neon Zoo SRTN Website
S1 E162 · Mon, October 31, 2022
Kenneth Nicholson
Born in Latrobe Pennsylvania, Kenneth Nicholson received his AFA from Westmoreland County Community College in 2010, BFA from Seton Hill University in 2014, and MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2016. He currently teaches as an adjunct instructor at University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Seton Hill University, and Westmoreland County Community College. His work has been exhibited in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Ohio, Washington DC, New Jersey, and New York. Follow Kenneth's works in progress on Instagram @grosssferatu Check out the finished pieces at https://kennethnicholsonart.com SRTN Website
S1 E161 · Mon, October 24, 2022
Sammy Westervelt
Sammy Westervelt of the Death Valley Girls and Egg Drop Soup is back on the show following her Portland streetcast (Episode 155)! "I feel as though I'm a conscious being, and I'm almost certain that I'm observing things around me, and those things are somethings thinging." Check out the SRTN streetcast with Death Valley Girls in Episode 155 Watch I Got Us Journals Check out the puppet action in the OR Durves Video Follow on Instagram: Egg Drop Soup , Death Valley Girls , Sour Party Movie Listen on Spotify, Apple Music Merch available on Bandcamp and Suicide Squeeze Something Rather Than Nothing Website
S1 E160 · Thu, October 13, 2022
Robyn Tsinnajinnie
Enjoy this wonderful conversation with the amazing painter and artist Robyn Tsinnajinnie . Robyn is a Native artist based in the New Mexico. Robyn and I spoke about the Southwest, representations of Indigeneity, native shows & art & fashion, philosophy, color and Art School, and so much more! Her paintings are to be adored and loved. Find her at sanftmutig_one on Instagram SRTN Website
S1 E159 · Wed, October 05, 2022
Jonathan Case
I’m Jonathan Case - a cartoonist from the great Pacific Northwest. I love to make art, to write stories, and to go on adventures with loved ones - especially if there’s a hammock involved. Daddy’s sleepy. Stuff I’ve done: My 2015 graphic novel, The New Deal (author/artist, Dark Horse) , was a nominee for the Reuben, Harvey, and Oregon Book awards for best graphic album. In 2012 I snagged an Eisner award for Green River Killer, A True Detective Story (Dark Horse) . My other books include Dear Creature (author/artist, Dark Horse), Batman ’66 (artist, DC) , Superman: American Alien (artist, DC) , and Over the Garden Wall: Distillatoria and Over the Garden Wall: Circus Friends (author, BOOM!). I’m currently working on a new graphic novel, Little Monarchs (author/artist, Holiday House), which is a sort of a joyful post-apocalyptic adventure book for kids. In addition to comics I paint murals, create book covers, and illustrate for print. You can find some of that up on walls around Portland, Oregon (our current home base). My chief adventuring partners are my wife, Sarah, and our two daughters, Dorothy and Miriam. Our son Otis, who we lost in 2016, tags along in spirit. https://jonathancase.net/ SRTN Website
S1 E158 · Thu, September 29, 2022
Jeri Shepherd
While Jeri Shepherd is new to the world of fiction, the author behind the Fault Lines Series has been in the writing industry for decades in playwriting, children's books, sportswriting, biography, leadership, ministry, and more. She wrote under the name Reji Laberje as a solo author and as a co-author alongside celebrities, athletes, and leaders of industry. As Reji Laberje, Jeri has 12 #1 bestsellers in her 60+ books and plays, as well as another 17 #1 bestsellers amongst those books for which she was a contributing editor; ultimately, her pen was on 29 #1 bestsellers and she has been nominated for prestigious awards in playwriting and fiction. Jeri has combined print book sales of half a million copies across all of her works, in addition to sales in both audio and e-books. She's led more than 85 book projects in multiple roles including: author, co-writer, editor, designer, publisher, consultant, coach, and marketer; in that last role, she's led 80 different authors to #1 bestselling titles on lists with Amazon, Barnes & Noble, USA Today, and others. In addition, she consulted with and wrote for independent and traditional authors and publishers who then created entire new lines and book businesses as a result. Hundreds of stories have been told, published, and sold through her professional gifts and services. https://www.jerishepherdbooks.com/ SRTN Website
S1 E157 · Wed, September 21, 2022
Marc J Palm
Marc J Palm is an artist you definitely need to know. He is an Eisner Award nominated cartoonist with Mad Magazine. He makes amazing ART. He is the self-publisher of The Fang , Punch to Kill , Dune mini comics and Intruder comix newspaper. Listen here for a great conversation with Marc as we cover comix, music, life, bananafishbones (jk), the universe and everything. Get his ART here https://www.etsy.com/shop/swellzombie SRTN Website
S1 E156 · Wed, September 14, 2022
Susie deVille is Buoyant
Susie deVille is on a mission to show entrepreneurs the power of trusting themselves. Work lighter while making higher profits. Eliminate self-doubt. To stop trying to overachieve one’s way into a sense of self, but rather lean into the surprising power of innate creativity. Her new book, Buoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free , shows you how. In this transformational book, Susie shares the tools and exercises you need to tap into creativity, cultivate inspiration, and become your best, truest self. Buoyant helps you shed the belief that being an entrepreneur means prioritizing productivity at all costs. Instead, Susie invites you to embrace an easier path to success and freedom. She provides all the knowledge you need to end burnout and live an artful life of joy. Buoyant is The Artist’s Way for entrepreneurs. The way to creativity is to be wild, bold. Unapologetically yourself. Your voice and vision matter. You can positively impact the world, one idea, one person at a time. https://innovationandcreativityinstitute.com/book/ SRTN Website
S1 E155 · Tue, September 06, 2022
Death Valley Girls (Portland Streetcast)
A delirious time with Bonnie Bloomgarden and Sammy Westervelt of the Death Valley Girls Stay on after the fun chat for the exclusive live cut of Abre Camino Your day will be made more smiley by this experience. Check out their Podcast - available on all major platforms! Support their Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Deathvalleygirls?utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan Check out their bandcamp here: https://deathvalleygirls.bandcamp.com/ Big ups to these heroes! SRTN Website
S1 E154 · Thu, September 01, 2022
Holly is Wildness By Design
I was visiting the ocean. The ocean always transforms me. I went to the market and faire. There I saw such fantastickal ART. I saw animal-people and people-animals-both. They were all the creations of someone named Holly who is Wildness by Design . So, Something (rather than nothing) is happy to present Holly! https://www.wildnessbydesign.com/about-holly/ SRTN Website
S1 E153 · Thu, July 28, 2022
Pamela Valfer
Pamela Valfer still has my mind reeling on questions of space, time, art, philosophy and history. Check this episode out. Bonus: a lovely Kitty Craft song at the end. Valfer's statement: "In my creative work I am interested in the politics of Space. I use a multidisciplinary approach (performance, installation, video and drawing) to reveal constructions of post-truth and our unconscious participation in mediated spaces. I actively draw upon historical moments to allow the viewer to unlock historical ideas, conflate them with similar political propositions being propagated today, and question their own role within these systems." https://pamelavalfer.com/home.html SRTN Website
S1 E152 · Thu, July 14, 2022
Saroya Tinker
Saroya Tinker is currently a professional women's ice hockey player for the PHF's Toronto Six. She previously graduated from Yale University with her Bachelors of Arts in The History of Science, Medicine and Public Health. In addition to her studies she played on the Yale Varsity Women's Ice Hockey team. Since graduating, Saroya has found a passion for educating others and using her social media platforms to encourage and provide resources for others. By doing so, Saroya has decided to provide a mentorship program for young women of color. She feels confident in her abilities to educate and provide a positive role model-like figure for our worlds up and coming BIPOC women. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/saroya-tinker-black-girl-hockey-club-nwhl SRTN Website
S1 E151 · Thu, July 07, 2022
Kym Priess
Originally from Austin Texas, Los Angeles-based interdisciplinary artist Kym Priess is a pure pioneerwoman, fierce frontwoman, adventurous musician, writer and actor. As of late, she has specialized in creating conceptual whimsical performance art mixed with immersive, interactive rock n’ roll experiences under the name STUNTDRIVER . The debut concept album “Saga” was released last September on Rock Hand Records and has been described as “Very Peaches / Karen O feel to the vocals, edgy and full of fire,” by blog Analogue Trash. This project initially debuted as a full immersive production in LA to a sold-out pair of wild, multi-media shows. Spectacle concerts have started up again as a full band whose members include Kym, John Avila (Oingo Boingo), Anton Söder and Sean Burgess (Boneacre, Nightjacket.) In fact, Kym just returned from a solo tour to Seattle and back and audiences are loving the interactive elements (like crawling through a human tunnel) especially after lacking live entertainment for so long. Kym’s work pushes boundaries, forms and comfort levels yet maintains a fun-loving, absurd and curious tone and has been seen in music venues, galleries, theaters, non-traditional locations and federal prisons in New York, LA, Amsterdam, San Francisco, Honolulu and Austin since the 1990s. Kym’s hybrid creations are highly influenced by the Wizard of Oz, the art of drag and disguise, clown, Cindy Sherman, Grace Jones, Karen Finley, David Bowie, alter-egos, elaborate costuming and makeup, 80s/90s music videos, fairy tales, old superhero stories, and human interaction. Recipient of multiple artist residencies including Laura Escude’s Transmute Retreat and The Field, this discipline bender’s career took root in the NYC/NYU experimental theater world prompting many theatrical, comedic and musical works including her first rock opera that was awarded “Best of the Fringe” (SF Fringe Festival 2005). Kym has fronted and formed multiple bands, written 300 songs (many of which can be heard on Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules), shared stages with Exene Cervenka and Fishbone and her voice can be heard on William Shatner’s Spirit in the Sky. In addition to playing live shows again, Kym recently shot a comedy for Amazon, and is returning to the pen writing new songs and a darkly comedic pilot along with creating a multi-sensory side project named after her late great bronco-riding father, Ryland. Kym loves tubing down a river more than anything else. https://www.stuntdrivermusic.com/stuntdrivermusic Bonus link: BLAZAR opened up for Stuntdriver in Eugene, OR recently - here is a link to the face-melting sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHaJ8lluw5s STDR: https://youtu.be/_bq0LpFKQH4 SRTN Website
S1 E150 · Thu, June 16, 2022
April March
For the 150th Episode of the show we have the fabulous April March! In a former life April March must have been a rockier fairy than Tinker Bell and like a cat, she has already had several lives. An animator trained by Disney, she has animated for Pee-wee Herman, Ren & Stimpy, Madonna, worked on Archie Comics, assisted Spiderman creator Steve Ditko and even assisted the legendary Harry Smith who occasionally brought Allen Ginsberg in tow to mentor her. She entered the NYC music scene with her garage girl-group The Pussywillows, which Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes, promptly hired to record and perform with her. A year into her music career, she landed on stage with Ronnie Spector at a completely sold out Madison Square Garden. Over a large plate of chicken back stage, Bo Diddley said to her, “Welcome to Rock and Roll.” Next she joined The Shitbirds and The Haves, finally settling into the driver’s seat as April March. A Francophile from a tender age, she re-introduced an international audience to the French pop heritage of Gainsbourg, Françoise Hardy, Dani, Gillian Hills and many others. She cut her teeth in self production on a slew of popular to very obscure covers and adaptations of songs the French themselves had forgotten. Quentin Tarantino plucked “Chick Habit,” her adaptation of Gainsbourg’s “Laisse Tomber Les Filles,” to feature in his film “Death Proof.” She recorded “Chick Habit” with the help of Andy Paley who introduced her to Brian Wilson. This began a nice stretch of recording on and off with Brian for the next couple of years subsequently giving her a priceless education in both arrangement and production. So when Alexander Payne couldn’t reach Brigitte Bardot on the phone he hired April instead to write and produce her own Bardotesque song for his film “Election.” Next she met the modern day French Phil Spector — Bertrand Burgalat (just as talented, but a lot less dangerous). She made two albums with Burgalat, the first of which “Chrominance Decoder,” was chosen as one of the top ten albums of the year by The New Yorker and in the top 100 of all time by the seminal French magazine Rock et Folk. Burgalat introduced her to the great Aquaserge which led to an album and two films directed by Marie Losier landing her performances at The Centre Pompidou, MOMA and PS1. April March has recorded with Ronnie Spector, Brian Wilson, Jonathan Richman, R.L. Burnside, Andy Paley, Bertand Burgalat, Tony Allen, Yo La Tengo, LL Cool J, Alain Chamfort, Darlene Love, The Dust Brothers, Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab), Maya Rudolph, Sean OHagan, and Aquaserge. After such a list of credits, certain artists would have rested on their laurels to the strains of “The Afternoon of a Faun,” but this Franco-American ringleader is a horse of a different color, preferring to go forward rather than look over her shoulder, which brings us to the latest. She has just been cast alongside Gerard Depardieu and Vanessa Paradi
S1 E149 · Tue, June 07, 2022
Renée Barasch
Episode 149 is a conversation with Renée Barasch about tattooes, art, environment, Oregon and what is important in life. "Tattooer, adventure prone, simple moments, glorious mess” Renée was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She began tattooing in 2016. Her studio in Astoria, Simply Human Art, opened summer of 2019. Renée also tattoos with Hidden Rose tattoo in Northwest Portland. For look at Renée’s work and to inquire about booking, visit her website www.simplyhumanart.com SRTN Website
S1 E148 · Wed, June 01, 2022
Tallmadge Doyle
Tallmadge Doyle is a painter, printmaker, teacher, and public artist who’s work reflects on issues of the environment related to climate change. Born in New York City now based in Eugene, Oregon. She received her BFA from the Cleveland Art Institute and an MFA from University of Oregon. She has participated in over 150 national and international exhibitions and her work is included in over 30 public collection in the U.S. and abroad. She has participated in artist residencies at the Ucross and Brush Creek Foundations, Playa Art Science Residency, Sitka Center for Art and Ecology and the Kingsbrae International Artist Residency in New Brunswick Canada. Being present in the land to take in the colors, smells, sounds, and light qualities is a vital part of her process. She layers this collected sensory information with both real and imaginary cartographic elements. This invented imagery is a mapping of sorts, an approach that allows for combining a current reality with references to geological periods in the distant past and into the projected future of rapid climate change. Recent Exhibitions include the Berlin Print Biennial, North American Print Biennial in Boston, Atlanta Print Biennial and a solo exhibition at the Augen Gallery in Portland. Tallmadge SRTN Podcast
S1 E147 · Wed, May 25, 2022
Joe Uehlein
Joe Uehlein is the founding President of Voices for a Sustainable Future and the Labor Network for Sustainability. Joe is the former Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO’s Industrial Union Department and former director of the AFL-CIO’s Center for Strategic Campaigns. Joe spent 35 years doing bargaining, organizing, public policy, and strategic campaign work in the labor movement. Joe also served on the United Nations first commission on global warming from its founding in 1988 until 2003. In the early 1970’s he worked in an aluminum mill in Mechanicsburg, PA as a member of the United Steelworkers of America, and then on heavy and highway construction projects as a member of the Laborer’s International Union of North America. Joe is most often seen fronting The U-Liners, his band of 19 years: www.uliners.com. Joe’s been playing (guitar & vocals) in bands for nearly 54 years, since the age of 13, and has played all across the U.S., as well as in Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Great Britain, and Venezuela. Joe’s music over the years has spanned genres from rock’n roll to bluegrass, folk to jazz, country to Motown, and more. From his early days growing up along the banks of the great Lake Erie, and working in an aluminum mill in Central Pennsylvania and on heavy and highway construction, and playing with Billy Wray & the Expressions, Joe developed a keen interest in Rock & Roll, Soul, and the Folk and Country sounds of working class music. Joe has performed with Pete Seeger, Lester Chambers of The Chambers Brothers, Dave Alvin, Steve Earle, Tom Morello, Boots Riley, Jill Sobule, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Emma’s Revolution, John Kadlecik, Billy Bragg, John McCutcheon, Si Kahn, and with the punk band, the Dropkick Murphys. Joe has also performed at all of Washington, DC’s finest venues, including Gypsy Sally’s, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, The Birchmere, Strathmore Music Hall, IOTA Club, Jammin’ Java, the Hamilton, Howard Theater, the Black Cat, and more. Joe has also played NYC’s Knitting Factory, Starlight Ballroom, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Bally’s in Las Vegas, among other fine venues. Joe's site SRTN
S1 E146 · Wed, May 18, 2022
Matthew Kyle Levine
Matthew Kyle Levine is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in New York City. His short films have won awards and played at numerous film festivals throughout North America, including the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival and the Canada Shorts Film Festival, most notably for his short film “Miss Freelance.” https://vimeo.com/matthewkylelevine SRTN Website
S1 E145 · Wed, May 11, 2022
Liz Kiger
Liz Kiger is our guest for a deep discussion of Art, Philosophy, film, photography, teaching, trauma and resiliency, LGBTQIA+Opera, and their new filmed opera - a gorgeous, modern presentation (shot in Red - Komodo - 6K) of ORFEO. ORFEO is a dazzling, energetic, sensitive story that will amaze you visually and sonically. Its release is simultaneous to this podcast episode. Find ORFEO here ORFEO Liz Kiger is a Turkish-American non-binary soprano vocalist, violinist, and opera director specializing in Baroque performance practice. They are the founder and director of the Brooklyn Telemann Chamber Society. They hold their MM in Classical Vocal Performance and a post graduate degree in Vocal Pedagogy from NYU. They have most recently performed as the title role in Monteverdi’s Poppea, Papagena (Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte), Ottavia (Monteverdi: L’incoronazione di Poppea) at Scorca Hall (National Opera Center), & Susanna (Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro) at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Liz is a proud advocate for singers with incurable vocal pathologies like themself. Mentions: @sydneysheaphotography @alexandrapawlus @alexandrapaw_ @matthewkylelevine SRTN Website
S1 E144 · Thu, May 05, 2022
David Bellino
David Bellino began his career as a music video director-producer for various recording artists, management companies and record labels. During this time, Virgin Records selected Bellino to direct the Rolling Stones “Voodoo Lounge” interactive media title. He continued with Virgin as a production consultant on the band’s multimedia-enhanced ”Stripped” album. Bellino then became the creative force and producer behind a number of digital media products for Universal, MCA, EMI/Capitol and Hasbro. In 2013, he founded Left of Creative to expand creative and production services for corporate and government clients. This growth has resulted in improved communications within the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and U.S Department of Justice through dynamic storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and digital media. Left of Creative remains a pioneer in virtual reality concepts, applications and production logistics. Bellino was one of the first filmmakers to showcase an immersive VR experience inside the cockpit of the F/A-18 aircraft and on the deck-plate of The Navy’s premier aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. He’s an award-winning director-producer, having received Billboard accolades for his interactive media work. With a proven track record across industry sectors, his work has made an impact for Universal Pictures, Lionsgate, Sony, BMG, MCA, Shell, VISA, U.S. Navy, U.S. DOJ, NASA/JPL, Hasbro, Virgin and more. Bellino’s documentary film “ The Guest List ”, the story of America’s deadliest rock concert, was recently acquired for broadcast with a television premiere slated for early 2021 and a theatrical / VOD version in post-production in preparation for subsequent release. As a filmmaker and multimedia producer, Bellino continues his work for high profile clients and develops original documentary and unscripted programming. https://www.independentri.com/news/article_4ad968b8-8f6f-11ec-a8b9-c39e27468280.html SRTN Website
S1 E143 · Sat, April 23, 2022
PCP aka Julienne Baptiste
PCP aka Julienne Baptist e formerly known as the guitarist and vocalist in Dirty Princess band made the decision to step away from punk rock music and step into film making. After coming together in collaboration with videographer Chris-Diana Peebles 2020. PCP created a 3 part ‘Sonic Visual’ that intertwines atmosphere, style, sound and movement to tell a story of metamorphosis and unseen forces outside of oneself. PCP describes what internal and external sacrifices she took in order to set out on her most ambitious project yet. PCP SRTN Website
S1 E142 · Thu, April 14, 2022
Madison Marie McIntosh
“Sparkling” mezzo-soprano Madison Marie McIntosh has been praised for her “wondrously flexible voice,” “prodigious vocal skills,” and “richly textured and strong lower register” ( Vocedi Meche ). OperaWire has praised her “vocal power,” “enchanting voice,” “velvety mezzosoprano,” and “abundant vocal and dramatic technique, with no shortage of soaring high notes and flexible roulades.” She won The American Prize in Vocal Performance in 2020 and then performed a benefit concert for The American Prize that featured world premieres of works by eight composers. Madison has performed Ernesta ( Un avvertimento ai gelosi ) at Caramoor, Delia ( Il viaggio a Reims ) with the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, and Alto Soloist ( Messiah ) with New Amsterdam Opera. In 2022, she performed in concerts with Gulfshore Opera and will sing the title role in La Cenerentola with Fargo Moorhead Opera, the title role in Giulio Cesare with Connecticut Lyric Opera, and Francesca Da Ponte in the premiere of Da Ponte , by composer Roger Neill and librettist Neil Cohen. In 2021, she sang Beppe in Teatro Grattacielo’s production of L’amico Fritz at the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice, the Domme in Three Way with Fargo Moorhead Opera, Melissa in La liberazione di Ruggiero with Connecticut Lyric Opera, Ruggiero in Alter Ego Chamber Opera’s production of Alcina REVAMPED at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and Lola Lowell in the virtual premiere of Theodore Christman’s opera The Impresario and the Dueling Divas with Mo. Eve Queler. Madison has also performed Rosina ( Il barbiere di Siviglia ), the title role in Carmen , Isabella ( L’Italiana in Algeri ), Angelina ( La Cenerentola ), Cesare ( Giulio Cesare in Egitto ), Hansel ( Hansel and Gretel ), Dido ( Dido and Aeneas ), Sara ( Roberto Devereux ), Giovanna Seymour ( Anna Bolena ), Zerlina ( Don Giovanni ), and lead roles in the world premieres of six operas. She has premiered song cycles and other works by composers such as Peter Breiner, Paula Kimper, Roger Neill, Amy Scurria, Jeff Shankley, Myron Silberstein, Webster Young, and Paul Ayres. In 2019, she joined Eve Queler as a soloist in her 25th annual Bel Canto Opera Concert. She has been featured as a soloist in venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, the DiMenna Center, and the Teatro Rossini. She covered the title role in Tancredi and sang the Eco in the inaugural season of Will Crutchfield’s Teatro Nuovo. In 2019, she performed the role of Prinz Orlofsky ( Die Fledermaus ) at the Wiener Kammeroper as a result of winning First Prize in the Vienna Summer Music Festival Competition. She worked with t
S1 E141 · Tue, April 05, 2022
Gerald van Scyoc
You can now listen to SRTN's interview with painter Gerald van Scyoc ! From GvS: "I work in a Photorealist/Surrealist style. I like to do work that provokes a strong response from the viewer. Most of my paintings consist of collaged public domain photos. I rarely use live-models. I like to combine well-known symbols and tropes in my paintings mixed together in new and not-well-known combinations. This, along with the realistic painting style, provides the audience with a feeling of familiarity while, at the same time, offsetting that feeling with unconventional and, sometimes, unsettling imagery." https://geraldvanscyoc.weebly.com/
S1 E140 · Tue, March 29, 2022
Haley Robinson
It was an immense pleasure to meet and speak with Plains Cree/Filipinx activist, model and video creator Haley Robinson . Haley is from Treaty 7 territory and we spoke about art, creativity, identity and the immediacy of video content to explore questions of identity. You can also connect with Haley's work and causes here: https://linktr.ee/og.robinson10
S1 E139 · Fri, March 25, 2022
Greg Petre and Graham Smith
If you got your sweet hands on a copy of 'Santos Sisters' I know that you want to know where such a wonderful piece of art (a comic for 'Generation X') came from. I got the answer. Artists Greg Petre and Graham Smith join the show to chat about comics, art, philosophy, Taylor Swift, proclivities and predilections. They describe that "One day while combing the beach, the Santos Sisters discovered a pair of beautiful medallions. What happened next changed their lives, forever. Follow Ambar and Alana, the Santos Sisters, as they balance spicy superheroics with the drama of their everyday lives in this GIANT SIZED extravaganza offset printed on decadent newsprint.." Please support independent funny books!!! https://www.santossisters.com/
S1 E138 · Thu, March 17, 2022
Susie deVille
Susie deVille is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs build wildly successful businesses by rediscovering their creativity and leveraging the power of their true nature. An author, coach, and entrepreneur who built and sold a highly profitable real estate firm, she has been researching innovation and creativity since 2005. She is the founder and CEO of the Innovation & Creativity Institute and trained as a coach with Dr. Martha Beck. Her first book, Buoyant: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free , will be published in September of 2022. Innovation & Creativity website: https://innovationandcreativityinstitute.com/
S1 E137 · Wed, March 09, 2022
Kimberly Laberge and Cory Fitzsimmons
In this episode, Ken Volante speaks with Kimberly Laberge and Cory Fitzsimmons from Wisconsin. This episode is a nice way to connect with two talented directors and actors as they create their version of Things I know to Be True for production in April 2022. Kimberly Laberge is a teacher, stage manager, director, and critic based out of the Milwaukee area. Kimberly has worked with area companies including First Stage, the Milwaukee Rep, Kohl’s Wild Theater, and more. Some favorite projects include directing Oedipus Rex, starring in Our Town, and providing entertainment as a live princess for Friend Like Me Parties and Entertainment. A proud member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA), when not involved in productions, Kimberly runs the independent theatre review blog The Drama Den www.stageonapage.com Cory Fitzsimmons is an actor, teacher, and first time director from the Milwaukee area. A graduate of UW-Milwaukee, Cory is an Irene Ryan Award nominee and a two-time SURF Award recipient. Favorite roles include James in Book of Days, The Old Artist in Jarman, and most recently the title role in Oedipus Rex. Things I Know to Be True by Andrew Bovell follows the Price family - Bob, Fran, and their four adult children. Each adult child is brought home at different points by a major event in their lives, from love, to identity, to even crime. Meanwhile, Fran and Bob's relationship is reflected in the light of their children's crises, leading them to examine their own standing with one another. The story is told through rooted, realistic family drama interspersed with soliloquies with music and movement. The result is a piece of truly elevated drama, making clever usage of all of the tools theatre has to offer. Bovell's text asks the question, can one love too much? https://www.facebook.com/thingsiknowmke
S1 E136 · Wed, March 02, 2022
Jeff Ostler
Jeff Ostler is Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Oregon. He is the author of The Lakotas and the Black Hills: The Struggle for Sacred Ground and Surviving Genocide: Native Nations and the United States from the American Revolution to Bleeding Kansas . This conversation delves into the Lakota Sioux, resilience, genocide, the art of teaching, responsibilities in teaching history and the power of place and story. https://history.uoregon.edu/profile/jostler/
S1 E135 · Wed, February 23, 2022
Jonathan Blalock (guest host Kinneret Ely)
As a tenor specializing in 21st century repertoire, Jonathan Blalock created over a dozen roles in world premieres with companies including the Dallas Opera, Washington National Opera, the Center for Contemporary Opera, Fort Worth Opera, the PROTOTYPE Festival, and UrbanArias. In 2019, he was featured in the new opera recordings of Paul’s Case (by Gregory Spears) and the Grammy Award winning Fantastic Mr. Fox (by Tobias Picker). In concert, Jonathan recently performed with Winston Salem Symphony, Memphis Symphony, Opera Hong Kong, Arizona MusicFest, Wichita Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Syracuse Symphoria, Washington Chorus, and the Guggenheim Museum. A native of Burlington, Blalock earned Master of Music degrees in both vocal performance and choral conducting from UNC Greensboro. Soprano Kinneret Ely is a freelance opera singer based in New York City and Tel Aviv. She was a young artist with Teatro Grattacielo’s Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy in 2021. As part of it, she sang Ilia in IDOMENEO ALLA BREVE at the Rhodes International Festival in September 2021. She covered the roles of Anna in Catalani’s LORELEY and the Fata Azzurra in Respighi’s LA BELLA DORMENTE NEL BOSCO in Teatro Grattacielo’s 25th Anniversary Concert in September 2019. She sang Violetta in LA TRAVIATA in July 2018 at the Jerusalem International Opera Masterclass (JIOM). She rejoined Teatro Grattacielo for their film production of Giordano’s FEDORA as Un Piccolo Savoiardo, and covering the role of Dimitri. Her performed roles also include Gilda in RIGOLETTO, Madame Cortese in IL VIAGGIO A REIMS, and Rosina in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA. She was a semifinalist in the Premiere Opera Foundation + NYIOP International Vocal Competition and Camerata Bardi International Vocal Competition in 2021, and also in the Premiere Opera Foundation + NYIOP International Vocal Competition and the Rochester International Vocal Competition in 2020. Her YouTube channel has more than 38,000 views. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Honors from Hunter College, from which she graduated cum laude, designing her own degree there in languages, history, and literature through their Thomas Hunter Honors Program. She studied Italian at the Società Dante Alighieri in Siena, French at the Alliance Française in Paris, German at the Goethe Institut in Berlin, and Russian at the Derzhavin Institute in St. Petersburg. Kinneret's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/KinneretEly Jonathan's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jblay100
S1 E134 · Wed, February 09, 2022
Calina Lawrence (guest host Paige Pettibon)
Of the Suquamish Nation , Calina Lawrence was born and raised within her ancestral culture at a time during the reawakening of the teachings of the canoe and the Coast Salish way of life in the Pacific Northwest. Her vocal journey began at a young age when she was first introduced to the songs of the canoe, the land, and the Lushootseed language. While lending her voice to the preservation of Suquamish traditions, she also grew to love many contemporary genres such as bluegrass, soul, hip hop and Spoken Word Poetry which would eventually lead her on her journey to respectfully expressing a fusion of it all. Many of the people who raised her emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the social and environmental injustices that have impacted the quality of lives on tribal reservations and within urban Native communities.. She embraced the awareness of inter-generational trauma combined equally with the examples of her people’s generosity and resiliency, so liberation work now shapes the lens in which the young artist sees the world. At age 23, Lawrence graduated with Honors from the University of San Francisco (’16) attaining her BA in Performing Arts & Social Justice; a Music concentration. Since graduation, this Independent Indigenous vocalist, aspiring emcee and producer self-released her debut album EPICENTER August, 2018. Her most significant Single to-date released in August of 2019 entitled “ʔəshəliʔ ti txʷəlšucid” one translation being “Lushootseed Is Alive” It is her first self-produced/hip-hop inspired/Salish fusion and in her words “has been my largest accomplishment to-date, to have access to the language of my ancestors and have the ability to incorporate what I can into my every day life, including my career.” The song is written and performed entirely in the Lushootseed Language. It features several members of her Suquamish community while the Music Video was brought to life by Kanion Productions, a crew completely comprised of Indigenous creatives. Lawrence continues traveling across nations as a full-time musician while based out of Coast Salish territory; her home, Suquamish. https://www.calinalawrence.com/ Paige Pettibon is an artist based in Tacoma, Washington. Her medium focus is acrylic painting, but has extended to fiber art, beadwork, digital design, and other media. Paige is Black, White, and Salish (from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes). Paige is influenced by her multicultural background. She identifies as a community artist. She continues to grow within the Indigenous community by learning the Lushootseed language, tribal songs, arts, dances, and traditions. https://www.paigepettibon.com/
S1 E133 · Thu, February 03, 2022
Sally Mars (guest host Melissa Oliveri)
In this special episode, Melissa Oliveri guest hosts an All-Minnesota episode of Something (rather than nothing) with guest Sally Mars! Sally Mars is a writer and photographer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her work appears in numerous journals including Kalliope, Talking River, Elysian Fields, Illiterate, Scheme, Shots, Reflex, The Rake, Churn, Whistling Shade and in the hardbound collection Series of Dreams. Two of her stories have been adapted into live action films; a third into an award-winning animation. Her stunning photography and writing can be found at https://www.sallymars.com/
S1 E132 · Wed, January 26, 2022
Daryl Parson (guest host Rachel Lally)
This episode features guest host Rachel Lally (SRTN Episode 41 and Guest Host on SRTN 67) and Artist Daryl Parson. Embracing an eclectic existence across Europe and beyond, Daryl Parson has taken to countless creative endeavours over the years. Most notably tackling bass duties for epic doom metal veterans Solstice (UK). A band whose bludgeoning riffs and astute lyrics have inspired both musical passion and unyielding attitude. Off the international stage; Daryl is a wanderer, an artist, and especially, a writer. Through the juxtaposition of image and word he invokes insightful introspection across multiple media - with short stories already published and longer writings in the works. He is an occasional actor, previously appearing in film and television projects on both sides of the Atlantic; as well as dabbling in the more practical disciplines of sculpting and special effects work. He is a self-professed practitioner of Chaos Magick and has found inspiration through exploring the esoteric and expressing 'True Will' through creativity, philosophy and technology. Tending to lockdown malaise, interests in psychology and Artificial Intelligence research have coalesced with the occult to create 'Servitor' - a paradigm combining Magick with Machine Learning to effective ends. Forever seeking to connect and collaborate with other creatives and chaotes, the search continues for those who can keep up. https://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Daryl_Parson/583781
S1 E131 · Fri, January 14, 2022
Spoken Word with Geoff Finan and Greg Clifford
I hope you enjoy this short episode featuring spoken word pieces by Greg Clifford (Episode 81 guest) and Geoff Finan (Episode 66 guest) and listen to a teaser/reminder to catch The Skylark Bell Season 2 by Melissa Oliveri (Episode 94 guest) Thank you for supporting the show, its artists and their creations. https://www.youtube.com/@gregcliffordmusic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XHpH57TSBA
S1 E130 · Tue, December 21, 2021
Jakub Ferencik
SRTN's visiting Philosopher, Jakub Ferencik is back! We first heard from Jakub in Episode 60. Since then, Jakub has written another book (!) entitled Beyond Reason: Why We Fail at Understanding Each Other. Our discussion here ranged through many issues but focused on the primacy of reason as an arbiter of truth. Jakub and Ken engage in a lively conversation that is timely but steeped in the historical tradition, which they interrogate. About Beyond Reason - Why is it that everyone around us professes certainty amidst so much confusion, extremism, and polarization? Everyone has answers and yet so few questions are truly resolved. Academics debate endlessly, politicians manipulate desperately, and parents misguide in the same way that they were misled. In this book, Ferencik argues that the only way to come close to resolving our ideological battles is to assume that we are fallible; he claims that certainty is the enemy of progress. For much of history, dogma restricted the progress our ancestors hoped for. Today, we are similarly threatened by dogma. But in our case, we have tools we can work with to become more balanced, tolerant, and kind to those who disagree with us. If we are to truly aim at objectivity, we must read widely, disagree kindly, rethink voraciously, and move beyond reason. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20994999.Jakub_Ferencik
S1 E129 · Thu, December 09, 2021
Steph Littlebird
Steph Littlebird is an artist, writer, curator, and registered member of Oregon’s Grand Ronde Confederated Tribes. Steph earned her degree in Painting and Printmaking from the Pacific Northwest College in Portland, Oregon, she currently lives and works in Las Vegas. Her work frequently touches upon issues of contemporary tribal identity, cultural survivance, and responsible land stewardship. Aside from her work as a visual artist, Steph is a full-time tech writer and freelance arts columnist for Oregon Arts Watch magazine. Steph has received three creative grants from the Art + Science Initiative and is the 2020 N.O.A.A. National Artist Fellow. She is also the recent recipient of a writing grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust, and her work has been featured by brands like Luna Bar, U.S.P.S. the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, and Wells Fargo. https://www.stephlittlebird.com/
S1 E128 · Thu, December 02, 2021
Ellen Adair
Ellen Adair is best known as Bess McTeer in "The Sinner" and Janet Bayne in "Homeland," but they have additional recurring roles on "Bull," "Billions," the NBC miniseries "The Slap," "Veep," "The Family," and "As The World Turns." Other television credits include guest-star appearances on "The Good Fight," "NCIS: New Orleans," "Chicago Fire," and "Brotherhood." Ellen also starred opposite Omar Epps in Trick , directed by Patrick Lussier. Upcoming, they will appear in Netflix's series "Archive 81," and the films Cryptid and Love and Communication. As an author, Ellen's book Curtain Speech is available from Pen & Anvil Press. They have appeared numerous times as a guest analyst on MLB Network, and on dozens of well-known baseball podcasts, including their own, "Take Me In to the Ballgame." https://www.ellenadair.com/
S1 E127 · Wed, November 24, 2021
Nancy Houser-Bluhm
Nancy Houser-Bluhm has lived in the foothills west of Denver, Colorado for over 20 years with her husband and miscellaneous pets. She hails from Michigan but always had a longing for the mountains after growing up watching Bonanza. Their current piece of heaven is called the Bluhmerosa. For some years she and her husband, Jon traversed the country moving from Michigan to Oregon, back to Michigan and then to Colorado. Once a rock climber, she now spends time with biking, skiing, camping, enjoying nature and yoga; oh yes and with writing. Nancy received her first monetary writing award of $3.00 for a poem submitted by her middle school. Coinciding with the late 1960’s it pertained to war. About the same time, she won a statewide essay contest which took her to a presidential inauguration. She realizes she has outted herself and can never again use attending a presidential inauguration in the party game One Truth, Two Lies. Like the character in her first novel, Nancy’s pursuit of personal growth and awareness, led her down numerous paths. In the 1990s, Journey Seminars was her effort to bring entry level knowledge on such topics as dreamwork, Feng Shui, and homeopathy to her community. Authentic communication with herself and others has been an ultimate life quest, sometimes to the chagrin of others. A lifelong journaler, Nancy produced her own journal with excerpts from her past journal wisdoms and her husband’s art. She offered classes highlighting the power of the practice through gathered techniques. Nancy has had numerous prompted memoir-based articles in a local mountain newspaper. After working forty years as a Speech-Language, both in the schools and health care, she retired from being a full-time worker bee. It was then she began a blog and ventured into the arena of writing her first novel, Whispers For Terra. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57820979-whispers-for-terra
S1 E126 · Thu, November 11, 2021
Matt Hall
Matt Hall grew up on a small farm in rural southern Oregon where he spent his time drawing dinosaurs and shoveling snow. He moved to Portland in 1997 to attend The Pacific Northwest College of Art as a painting major. His current work is an assemblage of rebuilt found objects and processed natural history ephemera. Exploring themes of loss, memory, mending, re-use and magical thinking. His work has been shown in numerous west coast galleries and and as far away as Germany. He can currently be found living in North Portland, repairing old taxidermy, going on walks with his two children, and waving at neighborhood cats. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57820979-whispers-for-terra
S1 E125 · Wed, November 03, 2021
Eleanor Wells
Eleanor Wells was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a writer and filmmaker with an avid interest in history, art, fashion, and nature. She has written and directed two short films, Feature Presentation (2017) and Eagle Rock (2019), as well as writing the screenplay for The Harpist (2014). She lives in Milwaukee and loves Grace Kelly, Diana Rigg and Disney. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/about-a-girl-podcast-trailer-1094209/
S1 E124 · Fri, October 29, 2021
Matt Brewster
There are many great bass players in the world, and many that reside in the Pacific Northwest. One bass player that stands out in particular is Portland, Oregon’s Matt Brewster . Sometimes known as Phunky Brewster, he has been called for countless studio sessions and has played for many bands throughout his time in PDX with no end in sight. He has toured through several states and has taken stages both big and small. While perhaps not being known for exceptional technicality, he is known for exceptional feel, pocket, time, and groove that are woven together to create melodic and thoughtful bass lines. If his playing isn’t enough, consider that he plays with a handicap on both hands! Matt’s fretting hand has 2 fingers that have fused knuckles while his plucking hand is missing four fingers, leaving only his thumb! He is living proof that through love and dedication to your craft, anything is achievable. Brewster also plays the cajon in a very unique way, making the Peruvian percussion instrument at home with multiple genres from folk to hip-hop, pop, and soul. In addition, he is also a capable producer. While mostly producing for his own projects, he sometimes will be found creating songs for other artists. Brewster’s current main affiliations are Laryssa Birdseye and Hiroki which can both be heard wherever you consume your music. https://www.tiktok.com/@phunky.brewster
S1 E123 · Wed, October 20, 2021
Caitlynn Abdow Velasquez
Caitlynn Abdow Velasquez was born and raised in the rolling hills of Western Massachusetts and spent her childhood exploring the outdoors, dusty old art history books, and illustrated dictionaries. In 2008 she achieved a degree in Painting and Art History at the University of Massachusetts. That same year she moved to Portland, Oregon where she now resides and works. Caitlynn Abdow is an award winning and published artist having shown in over 30 fine art gallery exhibitions nationwide. Her art focuses on a visual language of ancient and contemporary symbolism while featuring a limited naturalistic color palette. Caitlynn works primarily with oil paints and watercolors to render figurative and narrative works. She also does beautiful tattoos that transform the human body into a new piece of art. https://www.instagram.com/caitlynnabdow/
S1 E122 · Wed, October 13, 2021
Heather Dean
Heather Dean is a self-taught artist living and working in her hometown in the San Fernando Valley with her dog Jimi Hendrix. Her work deals chronically with subversion, the dreamworld and the absurdity of life and death. https://www.instagram.com/heatherdeaner/
S1 E121 · Tue, October 05, 2021
Kola Shippentower
Kola Shippentower-Thompson is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She has co-founded and is the Director of The Wisáwca Project - Enough Iz Enough, a non-profit organization working together for change, for better communication and involvement. Kola has developed a Safety Plan to be utilized by anyone in identifying safety methods, contacts, and procedures to keep one safe whether in an abusive relationship or a plan to track a missing person. She is a professional fighter and brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kola is wife and mother to three children and takes personal safety to heart and especially in advocating for MMIWP. Kola also co-hosts a weekly podcast. Kola can be found on Instagram @kolashippentower
S1 E120 · Fri, October 01, 2021
Ivizia Dakini
“‘Ivizia is a gorgeous-witty-wild-flower plucked from the fields of Mars for our astral entertainment.” - An awestruck podcast host “The episode is shockingly cryptic about whether it was recorded in the nude or not’” - An awestruck podcast listener Ivizia Dakini is your rabble rousing roller girl! She is 2016 Miss Exotic Oregon, and won “Most Extreme Show” in 2017 EDI Awards. You can watch Ivizia on the Netflix documentary “Burlesque: Heart of the Glitter Tribe”. Specializing in fire performance, roller skating & puppetry, Ivizia has become one of the premiere variety entertainers around the US, calling Las Vegas her home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv8JY4imD2o
S1 E119 · Tue, September 28, 2021
Loren Rhoads
It is my distinct pleasure to welcome back Loren Rhoads . Loren first appeared on Episode 49 of SRTN. In this conversation we discuss her new book This Morbid Life and dig into issues of how to deal with death, what it means for our life, the meaning of things, flowers, anatomy, something and nothing. https://lorenrhoads.com/
S1 E118 · Wed, September 22, 2021
Hana Walker Brown
Hana Walker Brown is a Multi-Award-Winning Documentary and Podcast Creator, Composer, Writer and Creative Director. Which basically means she tells stories; really good stories. "It’s a real privilege; sitting down with a stranger and speaking until we are no longer strangers. Holding a space for someone into which they can just talk; freely, openly. Where it is safe to be vulnerable. I’m passionate about exploring the edges of vulnerability and courage, in the subtle art of holding space, in trust and how we can establish and maintain intimacy in our very modern world. I am fascinated by humans and all their edges. I have sat with their fear, their silence, with their joy, grief, courage and everything in between. In that moment, we are together. And each time I leave a little different; altered somehow. Real fucking magic." https://www.hanawalkerbrown.com/
S1 E117 · Fri, September 17, 2021
Caustic Casanova
Since forming as teenagers at the College of William & Mary in 2005, heavy rockers Caustic Casanova have experienced their fair share of ups and downs. Having weathered lineup changes, life threatening injuries and relentless DIY touring, the group’s highly eclectic sound has made them favorites in a crowded scene. Stereo Embers wrote of the Washington, DC based upstarts: “Caustic Casanova is one of the most excitingly innovative bands on the planet…the band’s at home in psych, prog, metal, punk, and seemingly every other genre in the galaxy.” 2013 saw the band almost fall apart when drummer/vocalist Stefanie Zaenker endured serious injuries to her wrists that put her ability to drum in jeopardy. However, Caustic Casanova persevered, and by 2014, Zaenker, alongside bassist/vocalist Francis Beringer and guitarist Andrew Yonki had opened for sludge titans Kylesa and were signed to their label, Retro Futurist Records, allowing them to take things to the next level. The band toured heavily in support of their critically acclaimed 2015 LP Breaks , slugging it out both with Kylesa and on their own. Between 2013 and 2018 they also released a trio of EPs for their Pantheon series, where they paired original material with classics by Pentagram, the Melvins and Weedeater. This hard work led to a deal with Magnetic Eye Records, who in October 2019 released CC’s latest record God How I Envy The Deaf , which won two Washington Area Music Awards in 2020, for best hard rock album and best hard rock song (“Filth Castle”). As CC looks to the future, they’re already recording the next album with their longtime producer J. Robbins (Jawbox) at Magpie Cage Recording Studio in Baltimore. Newly a four piece with the addition of guitarist Jake Kimberley, this relentlessly loud band is excited to see what sonic alchemies their genre mashing and off the wall songwriting will conjure up next. Road hardened rock and roll warriors through and through, Caustic Casanova plan on showcasing their “muscular, riff-roaring, bass-fuzzed blend of metal and hard rock, flavored with doses of noise and stoned psychedelia” (Creative Loafing) all across the world. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCenW1uvNMHmLgQOpX2Oql5A
S1 E116 · Mon, September 13, 2021
Olivia Dolphin
Olivia Dolphin is a driven content creator with a passion for storytelling and language. She is up to some wonderful things. She is a musician and singer and her publication Wizards in Space is a love-creation with deep respect for creators and their imagination. "Wizards in Space is a space for wizard writers. It’s a niche community within a community, for voices and art that you don’t quite know where it belongs. This is where you belong. For wizards. In space. In this space. We’re feel makers. Let’s make people feel stuff." Olivia is a graduate from The University of Rhode Island and makes magick in the art city named Providence, Rhode Island. https://pitchandprose.bandcamp.com/album/lion-hearted-blood
S1 E115 · Thu, September 09, 2021
Aunia Kahn
Aunia Kahn was the 2nd guest ever on the SRTN podcast and I am so pleased Aunia is back with this lovely conversation that delves into art and its ability to heal and help us persevere. Aunia Kahn is a multi-faceted creative entrepreneur and a globally awarded, collected, and exhibited figurative artist/photographer, published author, instructor, and inspirational speaker. She is also the owner of Rise Visible a full service creative digital marketing agency and Create for Healing. Her work has been in over 300+ exhibitions in over 10 countries; at places such as San Diego Art Institute , Los Angeles Center for Digital Art , iMOCA , St. Louis Art Museum , Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis , Mitchell Museum , and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art . She has also been a guest on podcasts like Entrepreneur on Fire , with 70 million downloads & 1 million monthly listens. Aunia has curated several internationally recognized books and projects, including Silver Era Tarot, Inspirations for Survivors, Obvious Remote Chaos, Minding the Sea: Inviting the Muses Over for Tea, Avalanche of White Reason, XIII: The Art of Aunia Kahn, Witch’s Oracle and the Witch’s Oracle 2nd Edition, Moon Goddess ( Modern Eden Gallery ) exhibit, Tarot Under Oath ( Last Rites Gallery ), Lowbrow Tarot Project ( La Luz De Jesus Gallery ), etc. Her forthcoming projects include; An Epidemic of Retrospective, Disintegrating Stars, and the Ethereal Realms Tarot. She loves Animals, Prussian blue, Psychology, Design, Miracles, Hummingbirds & Life. https://auniakahn.com/
S1 E114 · Mon, September 06, 2021
Liz Medina
Liz Medina is the Executive Director of the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. She previously served as the co-chair of the Goddard College Staff Union, UAW 2322. Last year, she launched an oral history podcast called En Masse in an effort to build working-class culture. En Masse is part of the Labor Radio Network. She is also a member of DSA. https://www.enmassepodcast.com/
S1 E113 · Thu, September 02, 2021
Joyce A. Miller
When Joyce A. Miller turned 60, her curiosity fueled the writing for her debut historical fiction novel, Joe Harris, the Moon, based on her granduncle’s life at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Her cousin, Bob Harris, who is a huge baseball fan and cares deeply about their family history, did most of the research for the story. It was a joy for Miller to piggyback on his research and dig deeper into the history of southwestern Pennsylvania and the baseball world. She wanted to unravel the truth of Joe Harris’ story through fiction. Miller retired at 60 and moved to the Church Hill section of Richmond, Virginia. She moved to Richmond to be closer to her adult children, who went to college at VCU and never returned home. She lives in renovated, red brick building that was once a 1910 industrial brush factory. Miller can almost see her Uncle Joe as a young man leaning against the massive twelve-inch by twelve-inch oak wooden pillars in her living room. Miller lives with her husband, Alan, and her retired racing greyhound, Coheed. Coheed, like all racing greyhounds, was registered with a racing name. The breeder gave him and his littermates the names of rock and roll bands, and he became CoheedandCambria. Miller just kept the Coheed part. Miller wonders if Coheed could name her, would he keep “Joyce” or name her something else. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56621068-joe-harris-the-moon
S1 E113 · Mon, August 30, 2021
Anika Orrock
Anika Orrock is an award-winning illustrator, writer, designer, cartoonist, storyteller & author of The Incredible Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the illustrator of “Birdie Can, Too!” by Malaika Underwood. Anika’s work is included in the Society of Illustrators 62nd Annual exhibition & book and has been featured in national publications, including The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post and on NPR. Her illustration work has been commissioned by The Worcester Art Museum, National Pastime Museum, ABC News & FiveThirtyEight, Merrill Lynch, Resy & American Express, The International Women's Baseball Center, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Major League Baseball organizations and international sports publications, as well as by a variety of musicians and record labels. https://www.anikaorrock.com/
S1 E111 · Wed, August 25, 2021
Laryssa Birdseye
With her ever-growing and enthusiastic fan base, Portland-based pop-soul singer-songwriter Laryssa Birdseye is probably most known for her emotionally- powerful, sometimes scathing “break-up” songs. Laryssa’s ballads and pop anthems effortlessly tap into the universal psyche of women her age around the world who have all experienced heights and pitfalls in that rocky battlefield called love. But, Laryssa’s innate talent as a songwriter, accomplished vocalist and skilled instrumentalist prove she’s much more than just the latest incarnation of an eternally lovelorn female pop artist. She builds a depth into her songs and live performances inspired by soul and folk/roots influences, without taking herself too seriously while letting her decidedly wicked sense of humor shine. All-in-all, one could say Laryssa is a next-gen musical artist with a dirty mouth and a heart of gold. Vocally, she’s been in line with the likes of Norah Jones (perhaps with an itty-bitty anger problem), and has been known to elicit comparisons to hit-maker pop sensibilities of singer-songwriters Katy Perry, Pink, and Adele. Laryssa will have you shouting right along with her during one of her empowering anthems, yet can also emotionally-clutch you in the palm of her hand during a somber, intensely moving ballad. Along the way, listeners should be prepared to laugh - a lot, and to feel - a lot. Backed by her dedicated full band, Laryssa has been gaining recognition as a rising star in her home turf of the Pacific Northwest and – increasingly – the West Coast and wide World beyond. Her 2nd official album, 'Press Play', is a concept EP exploring grief -and its different stages - and was released late 2019. A prolific live show performer, fans can catch her while touring regularly up and down the West Coast and other cities. This episode features the tracks 'Shame' and 'Barely Friends.' https://www.patreon.com/laryssabirdseye
S1 E110 · Fri, August 20, 2021
The Music Episode
The Music Episode 🎼 Music from: Kym Gouchie Spaaceweed Kinneret Ely Peter Sund Well Bred Mongrels Theo B. Veeus Greg Clifford
S1 E109 · Tue, August 17, 2021
Ricardo Levins Morales
Ricardo Levins Morales is an artist and organizer based in Minneapolis. He uses his art as a form of political medicine to support individual and collective healing from the injuries and ongoing reality of oppression. He was born into the anti-colonial movement in his native Puerto Rico and was drawn into activism in Chicago when his family moved there in 1967. Ricardo left high school early and worked in various industries, and over time began to use his art as part of his movement work. This activism has included support work for the Black Panthers and Young Lords and participating in or acting in solidarity with farmers, environmental, labor, racial justice, antiwar and other struggles for peoples empowerment. He was a founding member of the Northland Poster Collective (1979-2009). He also leads workshops on creative organizing, social justice strategy and sustainable activism, and mentors and supports organizers. The worker members of RLM Art Studio are represented by the Newspaper and Communications guild/CWA. Ricardo’s work is widely used by grassroots movements, organizations and communities. https://www.rlmartstudio.com/
S1 E108 · Thu, August 12, 2021
Emily Coupe
Emily Coupe is an Australian born Eurasian actress, singer, model, and film producer who has worked consistently in both Australia and Los Angeles. Emily's 1st acting credits include a co-star role on Channel 10's 'Offspring' and lead in short films ‘Heavy Tackle’, ‘The Story of Jack’, ‘I Remember The Future’, & ‘Cybersmart’ directed by Tropfest award winner Chris Benz. She made her theatre debut in the sold out season of 'Tales of a City by the Sea' At La Mama Courthouse. She has recently been cast as the lead in feature films 'The New Hands', 'Lilith', 'House Bound' and 'Dark Haven', as well as booked co-star roles on A&E's Cold Case Files and Netflix's Corrupt Crimes. She also appeared in the latest online McDonalds Commercial. Emily recently completed feature film The Crossroads in Arizona, in which she played one of the leads, and is co-writing/producing the music. Emily is also developing multiple pilots/feature length projects through her company Couped Up Entertainment . She has been cast in upcoming film 'The Locket' shooting mid May 2021. She released her first album 'Revolutuon' in late 2019. In the past couple of years Emily has also played over 100 gigs at various venues around L.A, including to 3,000+ people at Warner Center Park & sold out show at The Viper Room. She is signed with music management co. Sparam Entertainment. http://www.emilycoupe.com/
S1 E107 · Tue, August 10, 2021
What If Comic Book Geeks Took Over an Episode of SRTN? Starring Martin Michaud-Couch, Sean Wynn, Ethan Slayton and Ken Volante
This episode is a Team-Up including Martin Michaud-Couch, Sean Wynn, Ethan Slayton and Ken Volante . Featuring the following characters - Conan, Spider-Man, Shang Chi, Nick Fury, The Punisher, Gwen Stacy, The Green Goblin, and so much more! The premise is that we each describe a WHAT IF issue of Marvel Comics. What If comics explore different chains of causality in Marvel Comics in order to entertain alternate realities. These comics are really strange and run from the profound to the half-assed. Strap yourself in for this carnival ride. 4 issues of WHAT IF. 4 geeks recording in the pure and natural environs of Portland, Oregon USA. This episode was deeply fun and it is still tough to believe that this team was able to sit down together for the first time, in the same spot, EVER. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10168312/
S1 E106 · Fri, August 06, 2021
Gabe Valentin
“My name is Gabriel Valentin and when it comes to comics and video games, I am a hopeless romantic. I’m talking rose petals on the bed, champagne in the ice bucket and of course a little bit of mood lighting before I stock up on potions and head into the next dungeon. My deepest passions have forever been music and storytelling. I’ve spent over a decade touring, working with writers and assisting music producers in their recording sessions. In 2014 I decided to unite my loves of music and storytelling together, to create the live art show known as Digital Lizards Of Doom. It has and always will be a love letter to the sci-fi/fantasy genre. At every D.L.O.D. performance I feature silly songs that build upon the world of the two main characters, a heroic lizard named Dizzy Doom and an evil robot named Commander E.K.O. Within the first year of D.L.O.D.’s conception, I had completed three national tours, was showcased on six different cable networks, secured a record deal with Noize Cartel Records and was asked to create a pop culture YouTube series for Meltdown Comics and Collectibles, a noted Hollywood comic store. Having the chance to work with Meltdown only added fuel to my passion for the arts and gave me the ingredients needed to feed my hunger for all things nerdy. I have helped develop entertainment for channels like Nerdist, SYFY, SPIKE TV, Warner Bros and Nintendo. With all of the relationships that I have made in the entertainment industry, I sincerely believe I have the ability to work in any environment of the entertainment world, so lets get together and write another sappy love letter to all things wonderful and exciting.” https://dlodworld.com/
S1 E105 · Tue, August 03, 2021
Kristina King
Kristina King is an amateur weirdo based out of Portland, Oregon. Professionally, she is a former English teacher who now manages a technical support team for a leading developer of effects plugins and 3D software. While she’s had a video camera in her hands for much of her life, she is most passionate about making community and getting folks to create together. She’s been producing for Fetus in Fetu Productions for a dozen years and will say “Yes" to any project a Fetoid asks her to take part in, whether it’s acting as a fighter in a D&D play or opening her house for some pickup shots for a schlocky vampire movie. Creating art with any medium is awesome, but it’s even better when you build relationships at the same time—at least, that’s how she copes with existential crises.
S1 E104 · Tue, July 27, 2021
Frances McKee
Frances McKee is a Scottish singer / songwriter best known for her work with the band, The Vaselines. Frances is also a Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher and runs her own studio at The Yoga Extension, based in Glasgow.
S1 E103 · Thu, July 22, 2021
Betty Jaeger (Dame Peaches von Killingsworth/Baroque Betty)
Betty Jaeger is a self taught vocalist and seasoned performance artist hailing from Kalispell, Montana and writes the entirety of the group‘s song repertoire. Daughter of Montana’s Poet Laureate 2017-2018, Lowell Jaeger, she is naturally groomed to be the captivating vocalist and songwriter she has become. Her own lyrics are replete with animal and nature imagery, but it’s a fairy tale more in the fashion of Grimm than Disney, with minimalistic guitar styling to accompany them. She also graces stages across the Pacific Northwest as a burlesque performer. https://www.instagram.com/peaches_von_killingsworth/
S1 E102 · Thu, July 15, 2021
Leticia Spence
Tansi! Hello! My name is Leticia Spence , I'm from Pimicikamak and Opaskwayak Cree Nation and I am a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based in Treaty One territory. I specialize in branding and campaign work, package and logo design for both print and social media and I occasionally dabble with website development. I am passionate about coming up with creative solutions and marketing strategies to visually communicate with your target audience. I have a large focus on Indigenous designs and I am passionate about delivering well researched, authentic and visually strong work to my clients. https://globalnews.ca/tag/leticia-spence/
S1 E101 · Mon, July 12, 2021
Dylan Jett
Dylan Jett is a self-taught pianist, singer, songwriter, rapper, producer and performer from Melbourne, Australia. With an equal passion for music and acting, starring alongside Russell Crowe, Olga Kuylenko, Jai Courtney, Isabelle Lucas, Steve Bastoni and Ryan Corr in ‘The Water Diviner’, Dylan plans to take the music and acting worlds by storm! https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6146828/
S1 E100 · Wed, July 07, 2021
Raven Juarez
Born and based in Seattle, Raven Juarez is a contemporary native artist, teacher, and presenter. Juarez attended Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY and spent a year abroad in Florence, Italy, to study painting, drawing, print-making as well as Italian art and film history. She graduated in 2013 with a BA in the liberal arts, with concentrations in Child Psychology/Development and Visual Arts. Raven’s work is characterized by intricate designs blending the abstract into symbolic meaning to tell her stories. Created in a process Raven describes as “conversations with herself”, her pieces offer a glimpse into her subconscious and conscious wantings, wonderings, memories, and dreams. In 2015, her first solo exhibition, Don't Touch , was in Brooklyn, NY, at The One Well in Greenpoint. Since returning to the Pacific North West, Juarez's recent work has been shown in Tacoma and Seattle. https://yehawshow.com/artists/raven-juarez
S1 E99 · Sat, July 03, 2021
Graig Kreindler
Graig Kreindler grew up in Rockland County, New York. In 2002, he graduated with Honors from the School of Visual Arts in New York City with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. His award-winning sports work has appeared in juried shows and museums across the United States, and has been featured in nationally-distributed books, newspapers, magazines, on the Internet and television. To Graig, no other sport embodies the relationship between generations and the sense of community like baseball. His goal is to portray the national pastime in an era when players were accessibly human, and the atmosphere of a welcoming ballpark was just as important as what happened on the field. He is proud to act as a visual historian, recreating a history that he has never experienced, yet, like millions of fans, maintains a profound connection with. https://www.graigkreindler.com/
S1 E98 · Mon, June 28, 2021
Brandi Milne
Brandi Milne is an American painter. Born and raised in Anaheim California in the late 1970's, Milne's surrounding world of classic cartoons, toys, candies, Disneyland and joyous family Holidays fascinated and deeply influenced her young imagination. Self-taught and emotionally driven, Brandi's work speaks of love, loss, pain and heartbreak underneath a beautiful candy-coated surface. Using elements as language from her child's mind, Brandi creates a unique surreal world that is undeniably hers. Brandi's work is celebrated and supported in fine art galleries and museums internationally and across the US, and has been featured in both written and online publications such as Hi Fructose & Bizarre Magazine. She published her first book So Good For Little Bunnies in 2008 and her second, Frohlich , in 2014, both with Baby Tattoo Books. Brandi has collaborated with many companies including Hurley, Billabong, Disney, Sugarpill Cosmetics and Acme Film Works for CVS Pharmacy. Brandi is pleased to present her new exhibition —— October 29, 2022 at the Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles, CA. http://www.brandimilne.com
S1 E97 · Mon, June 21, 2021
Emily Somoskey
Emily Somoskey is a 2-D mixed media artist and painter from Northeast Ohio. She pursued a BA in Art Education/Painting at The University of Akron in Akron, OH (2013) and her MFA at Michigan State University, in East Lansing, MI (2020). Emily is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor in Painting at Whitman College, in Walla Walla, WA. Emily’s mixed-media paintings use representational and abstract methods to explore the ways we simultaneously experience physical and mental space. On a material level, her work is largely built through layering paint and various forms of photographic imagery. These disparate mediums collectively create a complex and nuanced language that weave together moments of clarity and ambiguity. Through her work she references the shifting and overlapping nature of our experience with the sensate and psychological realms; giving form to the complexity, instability, and enigmatic nature of our lived experiences. https://www.emilysomoskey.com/
S1 E96 · Wed, June 16, 2021
Clementine Hage
Clementine Hage is a photographer located in Portland, Oregon. She focuses on music documentation, as well as queer themes of identity in her personal work. In any work she makes, Clementine aims to capture emotion and vulnerability in its raw form while emulating the beauty of a single moment. https://clementinehage.com/
S1 E95 · Tue, June 08, 2021
Taylor Dean
Taylor Dean tsi dsdaʔ. pastəd čəd. spuyaləpabš čəd. ʔaciłtalbixʷ čəd. My name is Taylor Dean. I am white, I am a Puyallup, I am Native American. I am in a unique position to critique the colonization of America from both a colonized and colonizer perspective. My art work explores this duality via performance, installation, sculpture, and printmaking. https://taylorartdean.wixsite.com/website/bio
S1 E94 · Thu, June 03, 2021
Melissa Oliveri
Melissa Oliveri is a multi-disciplinary artist who came to Minneapolis, MN from Montreal, Canada in 2006, bringing with her an eclectic mix of both French- and English- Canadian cultures. A born creator, Melissa has been writing stories, drawing, and playing music since childhood. Her most recent endeavour is a podcast called The Skylark Bell , which she writes, records, narrates, hosts, and produces. A large part of the podcast is the original music that accompanies most episodes, all which is composed, performed, and recorded by Melissa under her stage name Cannelle , the French word for cinnamon, which was partly inspired by the colour of her hair. Melissa’s diverse musical influences range from Alternative music like Pixies and PJ Harvey, to French artists like France Gall, Serge Gainsbourg, and Jean Leloup, and women songwriters like Regina Spektor, Imogen Heap, Tori Amos, and Amanda Palmer. Having experienced an important loss as a child and lived through the grief that ensued, her art often tug on the heartstrings, but she can also write about everyday life situations from a humorous angle. Whether playing a silly song about her favourite snacks, dreaming about living among palm trees, or softly singing an ode to a departed loved one, her songs and stories will make you feel exactly what she wants you to feel. https://melissaoliveri.com/
S1 E93 · Fri, May 28, 2021
'Disrupting the Canon' w/ Natalia Arbelaez, Heidi McKenzie, Habiba El-Sayed and Magdolene Dykstra
“Disrupting the Canon” investigates how four women of colour use their practices to disrupt a predominantly Eurocentric, male art narrative. The goal behind this exhibition and presentation is bigger than diversifying the canon, which can still leave artists of colour and women on the margins. Rather, this discussion is part of the huge project of deconstructing the racist and sexist tendencies of our societal and institutional structures with the aim of building a new foundation of multiplicity. Natalia Arbelaez, Magdolene Dykstra, Habiba El-Sayed, and Heidi McKenzie work to fashion a more egalitarian canon through artistic practices that delve into diverse histories.
S1 E92 · Tue, May 25, 2021
Dakota Noot
Dakota Noot is a Los Angeles-based artist and curator. He uses drawings, paintings, and installations to create animal-human hybrids that explore rural yet fantastical, queer identities. Originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, he continues to show in both North Dakota and Los Angeles, including solo and two-person shows at Highways Performance Space, MuzeuMM, and PØST. Noot has exhibited in group shows at Charlie James Gallery, Shoshana Wayne Gallery, Torrance Art Museum (FORUM. 2019; MAS-ATTACK, 2016), and “Queer Biennial: What if Utopia?” at LAST Projects. His series of cutout drawing-installations have been shown at LA Freewaves, Cerritos College Art Gallery, and Otis College. Noot graduated with a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of North Dakota (2015) and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University (2017). He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Oxnard College and Orange Coast College. Along with Christopher Velasco, he co-founded the nomadic curatorial project Scream Queen. He was the key artist for the 2018 Slamdance Film Festival. https://www.dakotanoot.com/
S1 E91 · Fri, May 21, 2021
Amy Guidry
Amy Guidry (b. 1976, Jacksonville, N.C.) is an American artist residing in Lafayette, Louisiana. She grew up in Slidell, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. Guidry comes from a family of artists including the late painter Eleanor Norcross. She studied at Loyola University of New Orleans where she received her Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts in 1998. She was the recipient of the Loyola University Art Scholarship, which is awarded to only one student per graduating class. Guidry’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums nationwide including the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Aljira a Center for Contemporary Art, Brandeis University, the PhilaMOCA, the Paul & Lulu Hilliard Art Museum, and the Acadiana Center for the Arts. Her work is present in public and private collections throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia; including the Alexandria Museum of Art, The City of Slidell, and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Guidry’s paintings have been featured in publications such as American Artist, Adbusters, and American Art Collector as well as online features such as Hi-Fructose and the Huffington Post. Her work has also been featured on MTV’s The Real World, Season 20: Hollywood. She is represented in New Orleans by LeMieux Galleries. www.amyguidry.com
S1 E90 · Tue, May 18, 2021
Charlie French
SRTN welcomes Charlie French ! “Yes, I have Down syndrome, but first I want you to see me: Charlie French. And then I want you to see my art. I am an abstract artist. I am an intuitive artist. I embrace a blank canvas with a sense of wonder and adventure. I work hard, I keep learning but mostly I let go, be FREE and have FUN. Special thanks to guest co-host Karen French. The Questions: Question 5 : what or who made you who you are? My imagination. It is always with me. It is me. And I’m a funny guy. Question 7: why is there something rather than nothing? I don’t like nothing. I like lots of somethings. And my imagination gives me lots. I happily paint on a big white canvas of nothing. My imagination creates lots of somethings! So I will keep painting! Question 1 : were you an artist when you were born? yep Question 2 : let’s chat about your artwork, your painting OK! My website: www.justcharliefrench.org is a portfolio of my art. This is where you can see a lot of my art. My series. At first these paintings were BIG. But now I paint these on fine art paper. Some days I like to be FREE when I paint, and some days I love to follow a routine. These paintings follow a process now: tape the paper, use titan buff and white high flow for a base coat, choose high flow colors and add with a scraper and water spray. Keep adding colors until I am happy. Let dry, and then add the black lines using my template and a bigger scraper. And that’s it. Morning in Paris . I have 10 new ones coming out this summer, and I am learning how to make prints for an on-line shop. It is not as easy as painting. My Instagram followers really like my Morning in Paris series. During Covid my little brother Will was staying with us. We watched a movie from when we were little kids: Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame . We lived in Europe and have visited Paris many times. I love Paris. And so I started painting Notre Dame with my brother. It was a lot of fun. And one more series I love is my Squares series. There is something about squares that makes me feel good. I love shapes. But my favorite is the square. I love using big brushes to make big square designs. And also using pencils. More recently, I painted The Muffin Man paintings. These are about muffins. I love muffins. Even gluten free muffins! I was laughing so hard when I painted these that I had to sit down one time. I really hope my paintings help people see my happiness. I have a lot more series. I paint what is in my mind. What makes me feel good. I just let go and be free. So, for example, when it was snowy and cold, I painted a new series called Snowy Day . How could I paint snow? Well, I used one of my favorite tools: high flow white acrylic paint. I pour it from the top of the canvas and swipe down with a
S1 E89 · Wed, May 12, 2021
Elizabeth Beston
A warm welcome to Elizabeth Beston Her artist statement gives a wonderful introduction to her explorations: We often associate the microscopic world as looking inwards, and downwards (as opposed to space, which is felt of as an outward, expansive pursuit). Through my photographic work, I want to challenge this paradigm, using the microscope as a platform for connecting to something bigger than us – after all, in H.G. Wells’ ‘War of the Worlds’ it wasn’t the power of the humans that won earth it’s victory, it was microbes, unseen by us on our plane of vision, but there nonetheless, mightier than any army. Through my microscope, I am invited into new galaxies, and whilst I use my instrument for scientific exploration, I also find abstract and aesthetic beauty – mysterious landscapes, intriguing textures, and depths of colour. It is these fascinating discoveries I want to share with the world, and show the beauty under a microscope through visceral eyes. https://www.instagram.com/elizabethbeston/
S1 E88 · Mon, May 03, 2021
Zoë Presley
For over a decade, Zoë Presley has guided individuals, couples and groups in cultivating wellbeing. Trained as a Depth Psychotherapist and Forest Therapy Guide, and in Transcendental Meditation, her approach inspires heart-centered healing, self-knowledge and connection to the natural world. She has served as a wilderness guide, eco-therapist, author, meditation teacher, and lecturer. In addition to her private psychotherapy practice, she offers guided Forest Therapy walks in the Portland area. https://www.zoepresley.com
S1 E87 · Mon, April 26, 2021
Audrey Martinovich
Audrey Martinovich is a recording engineer and producer that specializes in acoustic music such as classical, jazz, and folk. She co-owns & engineers at a recording studio in Madison, Wisconsin called Audio for the Arts and produces podcasts. She has been working in audio for eight years and has been a full-time studio owner & recording engineer for three years. She has recently worked with The Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and artists Johannes Wallman & Sam Ness. She produces the Big Wild Radio Show every week, which reaches over 100,000 listeners and has engineered remote guests for podcasts such as Alan Alda’s podcast, Pod Save America, NPR’s A1, & Terrible, Thanks for Asking. https://soundgirls.org/audrey-martinovich-studio-owner-recording-engineer-producer/
S1 E86 · Wed, April 21, 2021
Eric Lotke
Eric Lotke has worked for, with and against labor unions. Early in his career he did advocacy in the criminal legal system, researching problems and proposing solutions that all reached the same conclusion – we lock up too many people (especially people of color) and don’t do enough to keep people safe. His work includes the book, The Real War on Crime , and the studies such as Hobbling a Generation, The Tipping Point and Prisoners of the Census. An attorney, Lotke sued private prison companies and departments of corrections over the excessive price of prison phone calls and other conditions of confinement. During this time, police and corrections unions were usually on the opposing side. Lotke spent the next several years as research director of a think tank, the Campaign for America’s Future in Washington DC, researching and writing about kitchen table economics – including health care, manufacturing and clean energy. Now he often found himself on the union side – the folks who brought us the weekend. Eventually he decided to join the union team. He worked first for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU, “Justice for Janitors”) and most recently the National Education Association. He spends most of his time fighting against the privatization of public education and in favor of higher pay for educators everywhere. Lotke is the author of three novels, Union Made (about the criminal legal system), Making Manna (about labor unions) and 2044: The Problem isn’t Big Brother, it’s Big Brother, Inc. (sequel to Orwell’s 1984). Before any of that, as readers of Making Manna may guess, Lotke earned his living as a chef. https://ericlotke.com/
S1 E85 · Sat, April 17, 2021
Peter Sund
For this episode we visit with Danish artist and musician Peter Sund . Lunau & Sund songwriting is inspired by a beautiful mix of Nordic hymns and songs mixed with folk and Americana. You could call the style Nordicana. Trine Lunau (vocal, accordion) and Peter Sund (guitars, vocal) have been playing together and writing music for 18 years. Their performance and connection on stage are second to none. Their concerts are built up around their voices and guitar and the music is supported by humors tales and anecdotes about the duo’s life and their sources of creative inspiration. Lunau & Sund has for many years been playing concerts in Denmark. They have since extensively been working on building an audience in Sweden. This has resulted in several tours in Sweden, the latest in March/April. In addition to Sweden, several other European countries have been visited in recent years, such as Germany, Estonia, Greece, Switzerland and Italy. In 2019, Lunau & Sund played to the delight of Rhode Islanders in Newport. http://www.lunau-sund.dk/
S1 E84 · Mon, April 12, 2021
Paige Pettibon
Paige Pettibon is an artist based in Tacoma, Washington. Her medium focus is acrylic painting, but has extended to fiber art, beadwork, and other media. Paige is black, white, and Salish (from the Confederated Salish and Kootenei Tribes). Paige is influenced by her native northwest community by learning the Lushootseed language, tribal songs, dances and traditions. https://www.paigepettibon.com/
S1 E83 · Mon, April 05, 2021
Nickolas Rossi
Nickolas Rossi is a New York City based director & cinematographer. He attended Columbia College in Chicago for fine art photography and graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Sociology. Following university he lived and worked in Montréal, London, Prague and Los Angeles. With nearly 20 years experience behind the camera, Nickolas has worked extensively across the world shooting narrative, documentary, commercial, and branded content projects. As a DOP / director, his work has screened at top-tier festivals including AFI DOCS, Melbourne International, IDFA, CPH:DOX, SFIFF, Sundance, and DOC NYC, as well as broadcast and VOD platforms such as PBS Independent Lens, The Sundance Channel, IFC, Amazon, Netflix, and MTV/ LOGO. His non-fiction film work includes the award-winning feature documentaries, “ADJUST YOUR COLOR"(2008) by Loren Mendell, "THE SHERIFF" (2020) by Grace Sweeney, Netflix’s “MERCURY 13” (2018) by David Sington & Heather Walsh, and “THE POWER OF TWO"(2011), the directorial debut of Academy Award® nominated producer, Marc Smolowitz. Nickolas’ cinematography has also been featured in John Maloof's 2013 Oscar nominated documentary, “FINDING VIVIAN MAIER", “THE FEAR OF 13" (2015) by David Sington, “UPSTAIRS INFERNO” (2014) by Robert L. Camina, and Lance Bang’s “INSIDE PORTLANDIA” (2012)for IFC. His directorial debut ' Heaven Adores You ' (2015) about musician Elliott Smith, made its premiere in 2014 and screened at over 40 festivals across 5 continents. http://heavenadoresyou.com/
S1 E82 · Mon, March 29, 2021
Kinneret Ely
Soprano Kinneret Ely is a freelance opera singer based in New York City and Tel Aviv. Kinneret covered the roles of Anna in Catalani’s Loreley and the Fata Azzurra in Respighi’s La Bella Dormente nel Bosco in Teatro Grattacielo’s 25th Anniversary Concert in September 2019. She sang the role of Violetta in La Traviata in July 2018 at the Jerusalem International Opera Masterclass (JIOM), and at their gala concert with the Israel Netanya Kibbutz Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Tiberiu Soare. Kinneret then rejoined Teatro Grattacielo for their film production of Giordano’s Fedora as Un Piccolo Savoiardo, and covering the role of Dimitri. She also sang in their virtual concert with the Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy in April 2020. She was a semifinalist in both the Premiere Opera Foundation + NYIOP International Vocal Competition, and the Rochester International Vocal Competition in 2020. She also competed in the Bolshoi Young Artists Opera Program Auditions in 2019, the Montserrat Caballé International Competition in Zaragoza in 2014, and was a semifinalist in the 2013 Jenny Lind Competition. Her YouTube channel has more than 29,000 views. She studied Italian at the Società Dante Alighieri in Siena, French at the Alliance Française in Paris, German at the Goethe Institut in Berlin, and Russian at the Derzhavin Institute in St. Petersburg. https://www.youtube.com/user/KinneretEly
S1 E81 · Fri, March 19, 2021
Greg Clifford
A wonderful conversation with the talented Irish musical artist GREG CLIFFORD Clifford’s style is an authentic synthesis of Indie-pop rock fused with electronic aspects and ‘classical’ guitar fingerpicking. In 2017 he released an LP entitled ‘Quodlibet’, as well as playing 17 gigs across Ireland as part of a 3-act showcase called the ‘Back to Basics Tour.' Since then he has gone on to release his second album 20/20 Vision. As well as touring throughout Ireland and internationally with his own music, Clifford is also an established arranger and producer. He has scored for and performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra in a sold-out National Concert Hall and holds a Masters in contemporary composition. Enjoy the hit song 'Long Lost Friend' included in this episode. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExO4w-mqC28
S1 E80 · Mon, March 15, 2021
Spoon Benders
The up and coming Portland-based garage-psych punk band, Spoon Benders released their debut album ‘Dura Mater’ in May 2020. Inspired by bands such as Goggs, the Pleasure Seekers, Black Sabbath, Thee Oh Sees, and the Stooges, they have managed to create a diverse and highly dynamic sound that promises to hold your undivided attention. https://www.wweek.com/music/2020/07/08/spoon-benders-music-is-inspired-by-iggy-pop-and-neuroscience/ https://www.spoonbendersband.com/
S1 E79 · Thu, March 11, 2021
Greg Larson
Greg Larson was a starry-eyed fan when he hurtled headfirst into professional baseball. As the new clubhouse attendant for the Aberdeen IronBirds, a Minor League affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, Larson assumed he’d entered a familiar world. He thought wrong. He quickly discovered the bizarre rituals of life in the Minors: fights between players, teammates quitting in the middle of the games, doomed relationships, and a negligent parent organization. All the while, Larson, fresh out of college, harbored a secret wish. Despite the team’s struggles and his own lack of baseball talent, he yearned to join the exclusive fraternity of professional ballplayers. Instead, Larson fell deeper into his madcap venture as the scheming clubbie. He moved into the clubhouse equipment closet, his headquarters to swing deals involving memorabilia, booze, and loads of cash. By his second season, Larson had transformed into a deceptive, dip-spitting veteran, now fully part of a system that exploited players he considered friends. Like most Minor Leaguers, the gravitational pull of baseball was still too strong for Larson—even if chasing his private dream might cost him his girlfriend, his future, and, ultimately, his love of the game. That is, until an unlikely shot at a championship gives Larson and the IronBirds one final swing at redemption. Clubbie is a hilarious behind-the-scenes tale of two seasons in the mysterious world of Minor League Baseball. With cinematic detail and a colorful cast of characters, Larson spins an unforgettable true story for baseball fans and nonfans alike. An unflinching look at the harsh experience of professional sports, Clubbie will be a touchstone in baseball literature for years to come. https://www.clubbiebook.com/
S1 E78 · Mon, March 08, 2021
Peter Bauer
This is a special episode with SRTN Producer and Editor Peter Bauer ! This episode is quite the happening. It was recorded live at Warbling Creek Studios in the storied lands of Eugene, Oregon. Peter and I talked about the podcast, about music and philosophy. We reflect on the show, where it came from and where it is going. Peter is a painter, an adventurer, a musical talent, a producer and editor. Listen to this all the way through!!! Peter's musical projects Blazar, Blotter Paper, and Detour can be found here - http://bit.ly/warblingcreek The episode features two amazing exclusive tracks to this episode !!! The first track is LoFi Beat 2 (unnamed loFi project). The final face-melting extended track features the sonic journey called Blazar. The song *Cubensie* will take you towards the Vanishing Point and when the track ends it will drop you off on Exit 42 - otherwise known as the nexus between Something and Nothing.
S1 E77 · Mon, March 01, 2021
Randy J Byrd
Randy J Byrd was a toddler in his playpen comfortably snuggled between two 15-inch subs that blasted the likes of Ozzy, Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. Randy’s mother loved heavy music and never said he could not listen to something. Thus a Metalhead was brought into being. Randy is a photographer for the fantastic doom/metal service Doomed and Stoned which serves the varied local worldwide doom and stoner metal scenes. Randy’s images of the Metal Scene are striking and demonstrate the vibrant images in many local metal scenes. Randy is a talented musician and has delved into metal, hip-hop, and punk. We held a lively discussion about the famous Richmond, Virginia music scene which will make you very excited for some live music. We also talked about nothing, something, and being. Enjoy the music. Metal Horns up in the air. https://www.instagram.com/rivercitydoomconsulate/
S1 E76 · Fri, February 26, 2021
Buddy Nestor
Buddy Nestor is an abstract painter who strikes a strange new chord with portraiture. Using photographs he takes of beautiful women, he creates grotesque, distorted creatures, their features uncomfortably recognizable within the melting forms, slashes and swirls of Buddy’s abstraction. “These physical and psychological images are my attempt to capture the true nature of humanity. They are spiritual X-Rays. The models that I use in my work are all beautiful women. However, there is nothing beautiful about the portraits I create.” Mr. Nestor was born and raised in Collingswood, New Jersey, a suburb of Philadelphia, PA. As an only child “Latch Key Kid”, he spent endless hours in front of the television, watching movies and drawing and gravitating toward strange cult and horror films. In 1999, he traveled around the world on an aircraft carrier, and painted everyday. He received his B.A in Fine Arts shortly after his return to the States. https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/the-art-of-buddy-nestor/
S1 E75 · Tue, February 23, 2021
Metra Mitchell
Metra Mitchell received her early training at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY where she earned her Bachelor's of Fine Art in Painting and Minor in Art History on a full art scholarship in 2006. She later was awarded a teaching assistant ship from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO where she pursued her Masters of Fine Arts in Painting and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2008. Metra's works have been exhibited in many galleries including: Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati, OH, PhD Gallery in St. Louis, MO, St. Louis Artist Guild, Art St. Louis Gallery, Cinema Gallery in Urbana, IL and The Foundry Art Center in St. Charles, MO. Institutions that have exhibited her paintings include University of Alaska- Anchorage, Susquehanna University, Northern Kentucky University, University of South Alabama, Western Kentucky University, Fontbonne University, World Trade Center in St. Louis and The Regional Commerce and Growth Association of St. Louis. She has also exhibited internationally in Eme' Exposition Internationale at the Centre Culturel et de la Vie Associative Villeurbanne in Lyon, France. In an exhibition entitled "Master PiecesMetra's works were highlighted by Cincinnati's cultural magazine City Beat as "exploring the nude figure while relishing the paint in rich colors and bold strokes. The subject's gaze- or in one decapitated instance, lack of one- and the inclusion of a single object create a haunting effect." She has given lectures on her work and process at several events including PhD Gallery's One Year Anniversary, Opening Night of Gunther Van Hagan's Bodyworlds at St. Louis Science Center and St. Louis Community College at Forest Park's annual City Art Speak. Metra has taught Figure Drawing II/III at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, Drawing I at St. Charles Community College and Drawing I/II at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley. She is currently teaching Drawing II, III, Advanced Drawing, and Design I at Forest Park along with Art Appreciation at St. Charles and Maryville University. Her role as teacher has opened up a new vein in her work, something that she is just beginning to explore. https://metramitchell.com/
S1 E74 · Thu, February 18, 2021
Laura Hopkins (Death Parade)
For this episode of Something (rather than nothing) we engage with the talented music artist and activist Laura Hopkins . Hopkins discusses her classical piano training, writing songs, growing up around music, playing guitar and creating some ‘louder’ music. Hopkins exquisite work with the band Death Parade straddles wide emotional terrain and floats into space only to be brought back in and grounded in our beautiful and strange world. We grapple with life, death, something and nothing. The soundtrack to this episode includes the music tracks Ghostworld and women of the internet (woti) https://deathparadepdx.bandcamp.com/album/it-was-worth-it-to-love-though-it-hurt-so-bad
S1 E73 · Fri, February 12, 2021
Ghost Frog 👻🐸
Ghost Frog are four humanoids from planet Earth who started to make strange sounds together in the winter of star date 2013 in Portland, OR, USA. This interstellar transmission captured the words of Humanoids Quinn Schwartz and Karl Beheim. They play heavy psychedelic stoner grunge that combines doomy riffs with punk energy and otherworldly melodies while exploring themes derived from sci-fi/ horror film and literature, as well as all things spacey and/ or spooky. The result is what they call “paranormal stoner punk,” a retrofuturistic brand of nebulous noise rock that sounds like it was made by angry aliens on acid. https://ghostfrog.bandcamp.com/album/astral-arcade
S1 E72 · Tue, February 09, 2021
Melissa Alford
Ever since she was a little kid drawing ghosts and graveyards at her desk in her parents’ basement, MELISSA ALFORD wanted to be an artist. Always a fan of the weird and the macabre, she discovered her love of sequential art through artists like Gary Larson and Charles Addams. Melissa went on to get her BFA in sequential art from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and has worked as a freelance illustrator and comic artist ever since. Working primarily in pen and ink, her work focuses on themes of finding beauty in the darkness, of working through challenging emotions with art, and of course, not forgetting her artistic roots, the occasional homage to vintage horror. Melissa was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and after having lived away for several years, has once again settled in The City of Roses. https://www.melliferaarts.com/
S1 E71 · Mon, January 25, 2021
Kiki Kolympari
"New perspectives can spring up from within the most insignificant everyday moments. A private photograph, a newspaper article or even a still frame of a movie can be the medium for another dimension. All these are raw materials for me, which I gradually release from any unnecessary feature that traps them into the optically compatible world. My aim is for my images to have a universality that goes beyond the context of a particular place, time or person." Kiki Kolympari was born 1974 in Nuremberg where she lived and worked for many years. She studied Visual Arts at the School of Fine Arts in Athens from 2012 to 2017. During her studies she also completed the following courses: Byzantine Iconography, Fresco painting, Encaustic, Ceramic sculpturing and Art Theory. She graduated with an MFA Honours Degree. She currently lives and works in Athens. https://kikikolympari.wixsite.com/kikikolympari
S1 E70 · Wed, January 20, 2021
Jainam Jhaveri
Jainam Jhaveri is a graduate in business management and degreed in software programming. Jainam started working when he was fifteen years old and worked in multiple corporate companies in fields like content writing, marketing and sales, software programming, administration work. In 2015, his father passed away and he took over the family business. Jainam says: "Somehow I randomly came to know about Astrology and it was very intriguing, though I did not believe in it first - but by studying it and applying it - I realized how accurate it is. Then came the love of my life and that is Philosophy. I started studying Vedanta, Buddhism and Jainism." Join 'Philosopher Jay' from Mumbai, India and host Ken Volante to learn about philosophical traditions of India and their commentaries on something, nothing, nonduality and the nature of being and becoming. https://www.instagram.com/philosopherjay/
S1 E69 · Wed, January 06, 2021
Ilay Karabay Solakli
Turkish artist, İlay Karabay Solaklı graduated from economics and spent her former years working in corporate companies and government institutions. Realizing that this lifestyle isn't satisfactory enough for her she decided to follow her childhood passion, which is painting. The self-taught artist mostly uses acrylic and nail polish in her paintings. She believes that paintings should give people positive and calm energy, thoughts, and feelings therefore she states that color composition is the most important aspect. Started from drawing doodles and comics, eventually, she ended up doing abstract paintings. “It’s more freeing and limitless, you can use any type of medium and draw what's inside your mind and heart without any limit,” says the artist. She also believes that talent itself is not enough to achieve your goals in the art industry. You need dedication, hard work, and most importantly creativity, so you can be original and stand out from the rest. "Basically, I paint my feelings. :) All of them. All the time. And i like to share them with everyone. Enjoy." https://www.arteilay.com/
S1 E68 · Thu, December 31, 2020
Vincente DiSanti
Vincente DiSanti Founder / Producer / Director WOMP STOMP films Vincente DiSanti moved to Los Angeles in 2008 and has since worked in several aspects of the film industry including live-action, feature animation, story development, voice acting, visual FX, commercials, and much more. A jack of all trades, Vincente is best known for his directorial work on Never Hike Alone (2017), Never Hike in the Snow (2020), Imagine (2018), The Red Room (2015), and starring as Michael Myers in The Spirit of Haddonfield (2018). https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5719786/
S1 E67 · Sat, December 26, 2020
Ken Volante
Ken Volante has been asking questions of SRTN guests for awhile. In this special episode, Rachel Lally, podcast host of Six of One and Half a Dozen of the Other returns to ask the SRTN host the baffling questions he usually advantages himself of. Ken Volante is a labor activist. Volante is originally from Pawtucket, RI which is known as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. He has worked on behalf of working people for a quarter century and was involved in the beginning stages of The Wisconsin Revolt. He holds degrees in English literature and Philosophy from The University of Rhode Island, an M.A. in Philosophy from Marquette University, a M.S. in Labor Studies from The University of Massachusetts - Amherst. He has worked as a grocery clerk, a bookstore clerk, a University Professor and a union representative. His creative endeavors include hosting the podcast 'Something (rather than nothing)', painting in an abstract style, writing short pieces and he has recently started doing short documentaries. Volante is influenced by the following artists: Kathy Acker, Nikolai Gogol, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Marx, Plato, Immanuel Kant, Jesus Christ, Stanley Kubrick, Polly Jean Harvey Andrei Tarkovsky, The Buddha, William Faulkner, David Lynch, Taylor Swift, The Cure, Neurosis, Neutral Milk Hotel, Weedeater. (((Remember, every list you write will be incomplete))) This episode is dedicated to my lovely parents Kenny Sr. and Patricia :-)
S1 E66 · Mon, December 21, 2020
Geoff Finan
Geoff Finan was the Writer in Residence for Dublin City Council for the Dublin North West area in the summer of 2018 and again in 2019 and is currently lecturing in the National College of Art and Design on the module ‘Voices From The Margins’. Last year he had the honour of writing the 100 year commemorative poem celebrating the first Dáil in Ireland, titled ‘January 1919’. Geoff was recently commissioned as part of the First Fortnight Festival to write his most recent piece ‘Gloke’ after working with The Traveling Community for four months. Geoff has also been commissioned by the DCC’s Culture Connects project to write for the Local Heroes initiative and his poem 'A Letter To Leo' was chosen as the flagship piece for the My Name Is campaign, fighting against child homelessness in Ireland. Geoff has written and performed a poem for the documentary Baristas, which has gone to number 1 in 8 countries, top 10 in the US and top 5 in Canada and the UK, in the documentary charts and is now streaming on Amazon Prime. He was also recently shortlisted for writing and performing in the short film ‘Taboo’. Geoff been featured on RTÉ, TV3, Today Fm, 98 FM, FM104 and Newstalk and in The Sunday Business Post, The Times, The Irish Times and The New York Times. https://www.instagram.com/thepoetgeoff/
S1 E65 · Tue, December 15, 2020
Mary Cappello
Mary Cappello is the author of six books of literary nonfiction, including Awkward: A Detour (a Los Angeles Times bestseller); Swallow , based on the Chevalier Jackson Foreign Body Collection in Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum; and, most recently, Life Breaks In: A Mood Almanack . Her work has been featured in The New York Times , Salon.com, The Huffington Post, on NPR, in guest author blogs for Powells Books, and on six separate occasions as Notable Essay of the Year in Best American Essays. A Guggenheim and Berlin Prize Fellow, a recipient of The Bechtel Prize for Educating the Imagination, and the Dorothea Lange-Paul Taylor Prize, Cappello is a former Fulbright Lecturer at the Gorky Literary Institute (Moscow), and currently Professor of English and creative writing at the University of Rhode Island. Lecture appeared in Fall 2020 as the inaugural title in Transit Books Undelivered Lecture Series. https://marycappello.com/bio-full/
S1 E64 · Thu, December 10, 2020
Nikki Lynette
NIKKI LYNETTE is a performer, writer, and visual artist whose individual style is equal parts hip hop, alternative, and pop. A Chicago native, she fuses mental health activism into her performances and has created a lane for her music that is uniquely her own. A proud independent artist, her self-produced tunes are currently featured in popular shows on Netflix, Hulu, Showtime and more. Lynette’s success in music licensing has earned its own accolades, including a prominent feature in Billboard Magazine and being invited to speak on a panel at South By Southwest. After a hiatus from releasing new music, Nikki Lynette returned to the public eye with a confession: she’d secretly been battling mental health issues. She began writing articles about depression and suicide for prominent sites like BlackDoctor , Afropunk and AllHipHop . A newly appointed ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Nikki’s mental health documentary Happy Songs About Unhappy Things is also currently in production. Nikki has opened for Lion Babe and Leikeli47, and recently in Chicago, headlined her own sold-out show in the Foundation Room at the House of Blues. After a sold-out run in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s LookOut Series, Nikki’s autobiographical musical Get Out Alive was in conversation with multiple theaters to produce an extended run of the play. Get Our Alive continues to captivate audiences! http://nikkilynette.com/
S1 E63 · Tue, December 01, 2020
Holly Campbell
Holly Campbell is a life-long, self-taught artist born and raised in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Primarily using acrylic, ink, and watercolor, her work is often described as whimsical - with a focus on feminine energies, body positivity, and "dream-scapes". Since 2016, she has worn a multitude of different hats as an artist. She has spent many hours volunteering for local art organizations such as the Corvallis Arts Center, the Corvallis Arts Walk and Chintimini Wildlife Center. These connections eventually led Holly to join a co-op gallery named Voices (now called The Nest). Voices is where Holly really stepped into her identity as an artist and collaborator. Between designing/painting two downtown murals with the group and founding Voices' annual young artist exhibit, Holly met her friend/business partner, Sharon. Holly and Sharon joined forces in 2017 to open The Hold Studio and that partnership kept The Hold running for almost three years before Covid changed their trajectory. The Hold has since closed its physical location, but Holly and Sharon still run their gallery virtually. In the meantime, Holly has found solace in painting and collaborating from her home studio and you can often find her work on display at local restaurants, shops and, of course, on Instagram (@hollycampbellart). https://www.hollycampbellart.com/
S1 E62 · Mon, November 23, 2020
Ben Westhoff
Ben Westhoff is an award-winning investigative journalist who writes about culture, drugs, and poverty. His books are taught around the country and have been translated into languages all over the world. His new book Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic is the highly-acclaimed, bombshell first book about fentanyl, which is causing the worst drug crisis in American history. It has received glowing reviews and was included on many year-end best lists. Westhoff was interviewed about the book for Fresh Air and Joe Rogan, and published an excerpt in The Atlantic. Since the book’s publication, Westhoff has advised top government officials on the fentanyl crisis, including from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the U.S. embassy in Beijing, and the U.S. State Department. His previous book Original Gangstas: Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and the Birth of West Coast Rap is one of the best-selling hip-hop books of all time. It received raves from Rolling Stone and People , and a starred review in Kirkus. S. Leigh Savidge, Academy Award nominee and co-writer of Straight Outta Compton said it "may be the best book ever written about the hip hop world." Westhoff's work has appeared in the Library of Congress, The Atlantic, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal , Los Angeles Times, NPR , Rolling Stone , Forbes, Playboy , Vice , Oxford American , Pitchfork , and others. He's been honored by the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Entertainment Journalism Awards, Religion Newswriters Association, Best Music Writing , Best of Southern Food Writing, L.A. Press Club, and the Missouri Press Association. He has been interviewed as an expert commentator for CNN, BET, A&E, and ITV, and is the former L.A. Weekly music editor and Voice Media Group Senior music editor. He's a contributor to the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap , and his 2011 book on southern hip-hop, Dirty South: OutKast, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, and the Southern Rappers Who Reinvented Hip-Hop was a Library Journal best seller. https://www.benwesthoff.com/
S1 E61 · Mon, November 16, 2020
Alicia Angel
Alicia Angel is a New York City based songwriter, singer, visual artist, and activist. She has co-written over 35 songs for Emmy nominated and award winning hit preschool shows including Nickelodeon’s “Dora the Explorer" and "Dora and Friends: Into the City" as well as songs for “Sesame Street,” Sesame Studios, and Universal Kids’ “Snug’s House.” She has written songs for artists in China and Taiwan via Universal Music Publishing Group, including the song “Girls” performed by Rainie Yang and Cyndi Wang. Alicia's paintings have been exhibited in NYC art galleries. She’s used her music and art to raise awareness of, and money for, domestic violence, female genital mutilation, Myasthenia Gravis, and COVID-19.
S1 E60 · Thu, November 12, 2020
Jakub Ferencik
Jakub Ferencik is a philosopher and an author. Ferencik's new book 'Up in the Air: Christianity, Atheism & the Global Problems of the 21st Century' formed the basis for our critical discussion. You will enjoy this deeper dive into philosophy and the inquiry into our present difficulties in connecting humans to productive, up-building discourse. Jakub and I dig into space/time, art, epistemology, argument, rationality, Calvinism, atheism, agnosticism and Christianity and much more . . .
S1 E59 · Fri, November 06, 2020
S.A. Lawrence-Welch
S.A. Lawrence-Welch (she/her/hers|they/them/theirs) S.A. is a Métis / Néhiyaw (Plains Cree) Indigenous Advocate, Organizer, Speaker, Activist, Artist & Writer. Their main focus of work has been on the lasting damage the Residential School System, Indian Boarding Schools & The 60’s Scoop left on First Nations people. They are an advocate for community gathering and cultural connection as a form of healing trauma. S.A.’s goal is to see Indigenous representation and leadership in historically and presently non-Indigenous spaces. https://www.instagram.com/lawrencewelchnw/
S1 E58 · Wed, October 21, 2020
Hardlineray
HARDLINERAY makes smart, high energy art of a noticeably singular and unique hand. Ray is of noteworthy talent. I loved doing this episode. To learn about Ray check out these words from his Folks Press (Portland) feature: "When all is said and done, however, what keeps Ray sane is comics. Comics, comics, comics. In part, the sanity comes from being skilled. A fellow illustrator had this to say about Ray from Chi City. 'Even though I've seen a lot people do comics—that was like my first love—you can tell when somebody has a unique angle. Even in a very common job—some people do backgrounds, some do ink, some do coloring—you can tell when someone is just trying to do their own thing. That's what caught my attention about Ray.'" https://www.instagram.com/hardlineray/
S1 E57 · Tue, October 13, 2020
Dirty Princess
DIRTY PRINCESS is a mischievous alchemy of Francesca , Mikayla , and Jewlz These women appear as a dark obscurity that rose into the spotlight in early 2018. Dirty Princess have encapsulated crowds with fuzz guitars, banshee-like vocals, and stand up drums. Their music is a field of energy you can feel starting at your toes and ending in the tips of your hairs. Wild and Alive rock n' roll will NEVER die!!! https://www.instagram.com/pcp3k/
S1 E56 · Wed, October 07, 2020
Claire Peaceful Deer Lady Zwicker
Claire Peaceful Deer Lady Zwicker is an Anishinaabe woman from Lake Simcoe Territory / Williams Treaty Territory in Ontario, Canada. "I am currently writing my thesis for my Masters of Education around Indigenous Survival, Revitalization & Self-Determination. I am a big advocate for Indigenous Youth and believe they are the future. I am also a beginning educator and have worked in Vietnam, my home community, and will be working at a First Nations school in the city. Beadwork and art have been my medicine and I love sharing it with the world and our youth as it was something I did not learn until I was an adult." https://www.instagram.com/peacefuldeerlady/
S1 E55 · Mon, October 05, 2020
Cathy Camper
Cathy Camper is the author of Lowriders in Space , Lowriders to the Center of the Earth and Lowriders Blast from the Past, with a fourth volume in the works, Lowriders to the Rescue , all from Chronicle Books. She has a forthcoming picture book, Ten Ways to Hear Snow (Dial/Penguin), release October 13, 2020, and also wrote Bugs Before Time: Prehistoric Insects and Their Relatives (Simon & Schuster). Her zines include Sugar Needle and The Lou Reeder , and she’s a founding member of the Portland Women of Color zine collective. A graduate of VONA/Voices writing workshops for people of color in Berkeley, California, Cathy worked as a librarian in Portland, Oregon, where she did outreach to schools and kids in grades K-12. https://cathycamper.com/media/
S1 E54 · Wed, September 30, 2020
Joëlle Jones
Joëlle Jones is an Eisner nominated artist currently living and working in Portland, Oregon. Since attending PNCA in Portland, OR, she has contributed to a wide range of projects and has most recently has worked on Batman for DC comics. She also wrote and drew the series, Lady Killer, published by Dark Horse comics. Jones has also provided the art for fashion designer Prada, and various projects for Marvel, Boom, Vertigo, Oni Press and The New York Times. Joëlle currently has projects with DC comics as well as continuing her Series Lady Killer. https://www.joellejones.com/
S1 E53 · Sun, September 27, 2020
Özlem Sorlu Thompson
Originally from Istanbul, Özlem Sorlu Thompson now paints in the flat where Piet Mondrian made his art studio in Belsize Park. Her influences include the great expressionist artist Kandinsky and the abstract surrealist Joan Miró. Özlem’s works have already made their way into the homes of renowned celebrities such as actress Anita Dobson and her husband Brian May, musical theatre star Maria Friedman, actor Andy Nyman, and several private collectors. With degrees in biology and botany, and an in-depth knowledge of exotic plants and a keen interest in physics, Özlem strives in her work to create synaesthesia in the experience, the process and the result, with a visionary energy that generates an extemporaneous flow of strong colours and shapes. Painting without preparation or planning, she merges intellectual concepts with visual ideas, mixing real and imagined organic structures with one another, while dream-like worlds and creatures all converge to create a vivid explosion of the real and fantastic. As a result, positivity and joy invariably manifest strongly in the viewer. https://ozlemsorluthompson.com/
S1 E52 · Tue, September 22, 2020
Kait Matthews
Kait Matthews ' formal art training began several years ago, and include The Art Center in Pasadena and The Laguna College of Art and Design, in Laguna Beach, California, where she graduated summa cum laude in 2009 with a degree in Fine Art. "In my art I enjoy exploring the universal emotions and feelings that are innate in all of us. We are connected when we can look into the eyes of others and see a little bit of ourselves reflecting back. I am inspired by the philosophy of Pablo Picasso who once said, 'The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place; from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web.' When someone asks, how long did it take you to create that painting? 'The sum of a life’s worth of experiences' is really the true answer. Malcolm T. Liepke, a contemporary artist, believes 'painting is useless without humanity.' It is only through emotion that we connect. My goal is to be able to convey, to share, and to connect through art and through feeling. It is the kaleidoscope of emotions that tie us together, that make us whole. As I learn more about my own indigenous culture and as an artist of aboriginal native descent growing up in a white world, I wish to further explore emotion on canvas from this unique point of view." https://www.kaitmatthews.com/
S1 E51 · Mon, September 14, 2020
Blackwater Holylight
Blackwater Holylight , as the name suggests, is all about contrasts. It’s a fluid convergence of sound that’s heavy, psychedelic, melodic, terrifying and beautiful all at once. As a heavy band, their songs aren’t anchored to riffs, but rather riffs come and go in waves that surface throughout the band’s meditative, entrancing songs. It’s a hypnotic sound, with orchestral structures that often build tension and intrigue before turning the song on its head — not by simply getting louder or heavier, nor by just layering elements. They expertly subvert the implied heaviness of a part, dissecting it and splaying the songs guts out to seep across the sonic spectrum. Now, having toured together extensively following the band’s wildly-successful breakout self- titled debut in 2018, Blackwater Holylight has honed their sound and identity to a powerfully captivating beast. Their live set is all about the slow build, seeming to combine the melodic tension of early Sonic Youth crossed with the laconic fever-dream blues of the first Black Sabbath album, and wiry experimentation of post-punk and krautrock. The lineup on the most recent album is Allison (Sunny) Faris (bass/vocals), Laura Hopkins (guitar/vocals) and Sarah McKenna (synths), with new guitarist Mikayla Mayhew and drummer Eliese Dorsay fleshing out their sound in exciting ways. “The process of this album was vastly different from our first record,” says Faris. “One, because we recorded it over the course of a few weeks, whereas the first record was over the course of about a year. And two, this album was a true collaboration between the five of us. Each of us had extremely equal parts in writing and producing, we all bounced ideas off each together, and we all had a say in what was going on during every part of the process.” “One of our favorite things about this album is that because it was so collaborative, we didn't compartmentalize ourselves into one vibe.” She continues. “It’s heavy, psychedelic, pop, shoegaze, doom, grunge, melodic and more. The whole process was extremely organic and natural for us, we were just being ourselves.” Veils of Winter opens with fuzzed-drenched, drop-tuned bass and baritone guitar leading a dirge riff on “Seeping Secrets.” Faris’ lilting and funereal vocals drop in, adding to the mournful atmosphere until a short turnaround progression hints at changes to come, as Faris and Hopkins harmonize eerily and the tune suddenly turns into a krautrock charge. “Motorcycle” kicks off deceptively with a heavy grunge riff building up for about 40-seconds before the song abruptly shifts gears into a synth-led post-punk harmony, sounding something like Lush meets Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd. “Death Realms” is perhaps the poppiest track, based around soaring shoegaze guitars and interwoven light vocal harmonies. Soft piano notes, occasional woozy whammy bar dives and a driving tom-tom beat solidify its hooks. “Spiders” is
S1 E50 · Thu, September 10, 2020
Vanessa Stockard
Episode 50 is distinguished by the world-adored Australian painter and happiness-peddlar (as well as our first ever return guest . . . ) Vanessa Stockard! Vanessa was featured in Episode 20 wherein she self-effacingly clarified her stance on particular theoretical issues. For this episode, we chat about painting metallic balloons, the use of color, her feature in Hi-Fructose magazine, and Kevin the Cat’s prancing animation. We also had a strange conversation about licorice before veering towards Vanessa's important support for 'The Torch Project' which, in part, supports art-healing to reduce recidivism rates for the Indigenous prison population in Australia. Welcome back Vanessa!
S1 E49 · Tue, September 01, 2020
Loren Rhoads
LOREN RHOADS My life changed when I read Dracula at age 10 and then again when I saw Star Wars at 13. Telling true stories came much later, but to me, it’s all interconnected. My latest book , Tales for the Camp Fire: A Charity Anthology Benefiting Wildfire Relief , came out in May 2019. Northern California’s horror writers came together to raise money for survivors of last year’s devastating wildfire. Contributors include Nancy Etchemendy, Dana Fredsti, Ross Lockwood, Erika Mailman, Gene O’Neill, and more. It was my honor to serve as editor for the project. 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die guidebook to cemeteries around the world, came out in a gloriously illustrated full-color hardcover from Black Dog & Leventhal Books in October 2017. The UK edition was published in paperback by Sphere Books. Part cemetery history, part travel memoir Wish You Were Here: Adventures in Cemetery Trave l collects my essays from Gothic.Net , Morbid Outlook, Eleven Eleven , and Morbid Curiosity magazine, alongside pieces written specifically for the book. The revised second edition was published by Automatism Press in July 2017. My space opera trilogy In The Wake of the Templars — The Dangerous Type, Kill By Numbers, and No More Heroe s — were published by Night Shade Books in 2015. Publishers Weekly said the trilogy brought grimdark to space opera. Lost Angels , the first book in the As Above, So Below series, is the story of the succubus Lorelei, who pursues the angel Azaziel, only to find herself possessed by a mortal girl’s ghost. That first novel, co-written with Brian Thomas, was originally published by Black Bed Sheet Books under the title As Above, So Below . A revised second edition came out in April 2016 as Lost Angels, published by Automatism Press. A sequel called Angelus Rose is in the works. Between 1996 and 2006, I edited the cult nonfiction magazine Morbid Curiosity . I still believe curiosity is a radical, transformative trait. Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues: True Stories of the Unsavory, Unwise, Unorthodox, and Unusual a collection of some of my favorite essays drawn from the magazine was published by Scribner in 2009. My travel essays have appeared on Mental Floss, The Daily Beast, GothicBeauty.com , as well as darkening the pages of Search magazine, two Traveler’s Tales books, and the anthology Pills, Thrills, Chills, and Heartache: Adventures in the First Person (edited by Clint Catalyst and Michelle Tea). I explore graveyards as travel destinations regularly at CemeteryTravel dot com. My short fiction has been anthologized in Best New Horror #27, Strange California, The Haunted Mansion Project: Year One, Sins of the Sirens: 14 Tales of Dark Desire, and nEvermore!: Tales of Murder, Mystery, and the Macabre.
S1 E48 · Wed, August 19, 2020
HAWKINS
HAWKINS balances energetic Rock and Roll mixed with infectious hooky Pop sophistication. The band embraces an ever-more genre-bending Pop Rock aesthetic as they continue to captivate their audience with musical virtuosity in a manner that is reminiscent of their Rock and Roll predecessors. They have performed on countless major stages across the East Coast. Notable performances include Mohegan Sun Casino, The Bitter End, Foxwoods Casino, and The Pleasantville New York Music Festival. In Pleasantville, they shared the stage with illustrious acts such as Blues Traveler, Suzanne Vega, and Living Colour. Within only their first year of establishing themselves, they have gained an astonishing number of followers. Their talent has been praised by music legends like Eddie Money, Noel E. Monk (former manager of The Sex Pistols and Van Halen), and Michael Caplan (former VP of Sony Music). Their debut single "Lights Off" has been written and produced by the band themselves and mastered by the two-time Grammy award winner industry giant, Nathan Dantzler. https://hawkinstheband.com/
S1 E47 · Sat, August 08, 2020
Olivia MacDonald
Boston-based artist, Olivia MacDonald is best known for her ink drawings she has been creating every day since the winter of 2018. She holds an extensive collection of thought-provoking and unconventionally playful black and white designs, metaphors for her daily experiences and thoughts. Self-taught, Olivia began creating art as a means of expression and experimentation ever since she was a child. After receiving her BFA in creative writing with a minor in illustration in 2020, she now works as a full-time artist and entrepreneur. Her commission work ranges from custom tattoo designs to music album covers, gig posters, logos, and product labels for worldwide clients like Hilko Guitars and Brahmin designer handbags. She is a featured artist with Strathmore Artist Papers and Sakura of America and her work has been exhibited in local establishments and art fairs. https://inkbyolivia.com/pages/about
S1 E46 · Wed, July 29, 2020
Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel
”My name is Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel . I am Kul Wicasa Lakota and a citizen of Kul Wicasa Oyate/Lower Brule Reservation in South Dakota. I am also Diné (Navajo). I am passionate about many things. However, I want to connect two of those passions that really make life worthwhile: running and activism. I was born to run, but I rejected it for quite some time. My Lala (grandfather) Nyal Brings was a long-distance runner for the University of South Dakota and was inducted into the USD Hall of Fame for his running accomplishments. Friendly rivals, Lala Billy Mills and Lala Nyal competed in the mile a few times, with Lala Nyal taking a victory over Billy. In the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Lala Billy would go on to win a gold medal in the 10K. My Lala Nyal took me on my first run and it ended with a half-mile uphill that ultimately led me to not like running. I didn't find it fun at all. My Ina (mother) was a sprinter and my Lala was her coach, with a sure plan to get her to the 1988 Olympic Trials. However, her path led her to become an incredible pediatric, dialysis and oncology nurse. My Até (dad) really helped me develop a mental toughness for running — something I'll never forget. I grew from tolerating running to really falling in love with the sport. I started with the 5K and 10K my freshman and sophomore years of college, then moved down to shorter distances. However, after college, I moved back to longer distances, then half marathons and eventually marathons. After college, Lala Billy's organization, Running Strong for American Indian Youth, had asked me to join their team for the 2016 Boston Marathon. At the time, I was working with tribes to implement programs, some specifically for Native youth in Washington D.C., and I was glad to help Running Strong raise funds. I suffered an injury while preparing for that marathon but somehow got myself to the starting line in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. My coach got me into the first wave and corral, so to experience that while fan-girling over my idols gave me the adrenaline to run through the pain. When the gun went off, all I could think about was my Lala Nyal, my Ina, Lala Billy and my entire tiospaye (extended family) back in Lower Brule and Indian Country. I was running Boston, something I never would've dreamed possible. Alongside me, others were running to get a best time or running for a cause, all while running with other Indigenous relatives. I had a lot to reflect on. I got to the finish, feeling happy and emotional. I was in pain, but the joy I felt upon completing that race wasn't for me, it was for Indian Country. The possibilities for Indigenous Peoples are endless and to share that with everyone was beautiful. That experience led me to use running as a way to change the narrative around how people see or think about Indigenous Peoples. The protests in Standing Rock over the Dakota Access Pipeline really inspired me. While I was wo
S1 E45 · Fri, July 24, 2020
Kym Gouchie
With ancestral roots in the Lheidli T’enneh, Cree and Secwépemc Nations, KYM GOUCHIE is fostering change through her music and art. Her music brings awareness to First Nations and women’s issues, promoting reconciliation and community building while reminding us that we are all in this together. Her stories are a testament to the human spirit, weaving together threads of her own journey from personal tragedy to triumph. Kym’s traditional hand drum, clean, crisp acoustic guitar and full-bodied voice make her a powerful solo artist. She also performs as a duo, trio and full band, adding in vocal harmonies, keyboard, electric guitar, mandolin, banjo and cello by talented accompanists. Traditional First Nations, folk, and country tones alongside poignant and inspirational lyrics capture the hearts of young and old — her genuine and heartfelt performances have a profound and sometimes emotional impact on their audience. A respected elder-in-training of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, also known as Prince George, BC, Kym is sought after to perform and speak at traditional welcoming ceremonies, cultural gatherings, schools, and conferences. https://kymgouchie.com/
S1 E44 · Tue, July 21, 2020
Jessica McDiarmid
Jessica McDiarmid is a Canadian journalist who has worked across North America and Africa, writing for publications such as the Toronto Star, the Associated Press, Maisonneuve, Canadian Business and the Harvard Review. Highway of Tears is her first book. She lives in British Columbia. For decades, Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been found murdered along an isolated stretch of highway in northwestern British Columbia. The highway is known as the Highway of Tears, and it has come to symbolize a national crisis. Journalist Jessica McDiarmid meticulously investigates the devastating effect these tragedies have had on the families of the victims and their communities, and how systemic racism and indifference has created a climate where Indigenous women and girls are over-policed, yet under-protected. Through interviews with those closest to the victims–mothers and fathers, siblings and friends –McDiarmid provides an intimate, first-hand account of their loss and unflagging fight for justice. Examining the historically fraught social and cultural tensions between settlers and Indigenous peoples in the region, McDiarmid links these cases to others across Canada–now estimated to number up to 4,000–contextualizing them within a broader examination of the undervaluing of Indigenous lives in the country. Highway of Tears is a piercing exploration of our ongoing failure to provide justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and testament to their families and communities’ unwavering determination to find it. http://jessicamcdiarmid.com/
S1 E43 · Thu, July 09, 2020
Benjamin Gorman
Benjamin Gorman is the author of The Sum of Our Gods (2013, Not a Pipe Publishing), Corporate High School (2015, Not a Pipe Publishing), and The Digital Storm: A Science Fiction Reimagining of William Shakespeare's The Tempest (2017, Not a Pipe Publishing), and Don’t Read This Book (2019, Not a Pipe Publishing). Corporate High School became an Amazon bestseller in 2016, and The Digital Storm was named a “Top Five Book Pick” by the San Diego Union Tribune. Benjamin is a high school English teacher. He lives in Independence, Oregon with his son, Noah. Benjamin believes in human beings and the power of their stories. He places his confidence in his students and the world they will choose to create if given the chance. Benjamin was born in Michigan, grew up in Illinois, California, and Ohio, and graduated with a BA from Whitworth University in Washington before moving to Oregon to get an MAT at George Fox University. He teaches at Central High School and loves his job. He’s passionate about the classes he teaches, like Creative Writing and Science Fiction Literature, but he enjoys the students even more than the content. He is a strong advocate for public education and for elevating and honoring the profession of teaching, so he served as the president of his local teachers’ union and now serves on the board of the Oregon Education Association. He has also been named to the National Writing Project's Writer's Council. Meanwhile, he writes every chance he gets. In 2013, he decided to start his own publishing company, Not a Pipe Publishing, and venture into the exciting and growing independent publishing industry. “I’m luckier than a lot of writers who slog their way through day jobs they hate. I get to work on my craft with the help of my students at a job I love, and as we learn together, I get better. I hope that shows in The Sum of Our Gods, Corporate High School, The Digital Storm, and Don’t Read This Book. Like much of the union work I’ve done at the bargaining table, the meaning of a novel is a negotiation between the reader and the writer. I hope I’ve brought my readers a fair offer, something they’ll be pleased to accept.” http://www.notapipepublishing.com/benjamin-gorman
S1 E42 · Mon, July 06, 2020
avery r young
Interdisciplinary artist avery r. young is a 3Arts Award winning teaching artist, composer and producer with work that spans the genres of music, performance, visual arts and literature. Examining and celebrating Black American history and culture, his work also focuses in the areas of social justice, equity, queer identity, misogyny, and body consciousness. As a writer, this Cave Canem alum has work featured in The Breakbeat Poets, Coon Bidness, to be left with the body, and Make Magazine. He has also written curriculum and essays on arts education that appear in the Teaching Artist Journal and A.I.M. Print. Dubbed “sunday mornin jook joint,” his performance and work in sound design merges spiritual and secular aesthetics with dramatic and comedic sensibilities. He has performed at the Hip Hop Theater Festival, Wordstock, and Lollapalooza. He has recorded with house producers Anthony Nicholson and Charlie Dark, and is featured on recordings such as New World Reveal-A-Solution, Audio Truism, Catfish Haven’s Devastator, and New Skool Poetiks. His new full-length release, booker t. soltreyne: a race rekkid, features songs and other sound designed created during his artist residency with the University of Chicago's Arts + Public Life initiative. It was during this residency that he worked on sound design and poems called "cullud sign(s)." Through voice, sound, visual art, and performance, young is constantly exploring the forms and spaces in which poetry can exist. Most recently, he is the vocalist on flutist Nicole Mitchell’s Mandorla Awakening (FPE Records) and his poetry is featured in photographer and fellow 3Arts awardee Cecil McDonald Jr.’s debut book, In the Company of Black (Candor Arts). Young’s first book neckbone (Northwestern University Press) is out on the shelves now. He is currently one of four directors for the Floating Museum and touring with his band, avery r. young & de deacon board. New album Tubman. is available via all major musical outlets. https://www.averyryoung.com/
S1 E41 · Wed, July 01, 2020
Rachel Lally
Rachel Lally is an actor, writer, model, director, street theatre performer, poet and drama facilitator who trained with Crooked House Theatre Company and Kildare Youth Theatre before going on to obtain her MA in Theatre from The Gaiety School of Acting and NUI Maynooth. Rachel has toured as an actor (and briefly, folk metal singer with Cruachan ) both nationally and internationally as well as appearing in a number of films, theatre productions, music videos and TV commercials over the years. She is passionate about accessibility to the arts for people of all ages. Most recently she has performed her poetry in the Axis Theatre, performed with Giant Wolf Theatre (of which she is a member) in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, toured Ireland with the Moat Theatre production of 'Push Up' as well as directing a number of community and youth productions and is currently developing a new piece of work for stage. Rachel Lally is the voice of SRTN. https://youtube.com/@rachellally
S1 E40 · Thu, June 18, 2020
Paige Henderson and Nicole Murray
Great chat this episode with two gifted creators - Paige Henderson and Nicole Murray . Their most recent joint project is the YouTube webseries - Dead Friends. https://youtu.be/LYoeOUXbEio Paige Henderson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature: Cinema Studies from the University of Washington. Even amongst various film production jobs she spent a year travelling the world. Upon her return to the U.S. she set her focus on acting. She starred in the feature film “Vellai Pookal”, she also directed and produced her short “To Build a Forest." After moving to Los Angeles, she frequented short film sets as actress, producer, director and art department. Paige co-founded Svelte Dog Productions, where she wrote and produced short films “Nacken” and “Josie’s Song.” Nicole Murray has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from the University of Washington. She has years of research experience between an addiction and an individual differences laboratory and she has continued research after graduation. Throughout her schooling Nicole quenched her passion for acting through plays and making films with friends. Nicole began pursuing film acting in tandem with research in Seattle, starring in shorts and a pilot entitled “Vashon." She moved down to Los Angeles, to hit her dream full-force, where she starred in various short films alongside producing, directing and writing. She co-founded Svelte Dog Productions and currently works at the renewable fuels facility - World Energy. But, wait, wait, wait! How did they meet??? While both ladies were pursuing acting in Seattle, they met on a short film set. Both already had plans to move to Los Angeles, but now, within hours of meeting each other… they decided to do it together. They struggled through the difficulty of finding housing together, eventually finding a place in Highland Park. After settling in to their new home and enduring the initial crisis of “why did I move here??” they took to creating their own content. After co-creating Svelte Dog Productions and filming a couple of shorts together, they began writing “Dead Friends”, which inspired them to expand this world into a full-blown film production.
S1 E39 · Tue, June 09, 2020
Mackenzie Rogers
New episode of the ‘Something (rather than nothing)’ podcast with Opera Singer Mackenzie Rogers I had a most stimulating conversation with Mackenzie about art’s role in a pandemic, art's role in challenging white supremacy, opera, van Gogh, painting, Cabaret, philosophy and what it feels like to be painted into a painting. Ms. Rogers is a talented actress and performer whose recent credits include Nancy in Albert Herring , Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro , Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, the Forrester's Wife in The Cunning Little Vixen , Betty in Over Here!, and the Announcer in Gallantry, A Soap Opera . In 2017, she also joined the ensembles of Portland Opera's production of La Bohème and Broadway Rose Theatre's rendition of the popular musical The Addams Family , the latter of which received the Drammy Award for Best Ensemble and the PAMTA Awards for Outstanding Ensemble and Outstanding Revival. https://www.mackenzierogerssoprano.com/
S1 E38 · Sun, June 07, 2020
Mishka Shubaly
Mishka Shubaly is writer, musician, runner, comedian, teacher and thinker. We got to chat all about that stuff as well as drinking and not-drinking, art, creation, nothingness and somethingness. His books 'Cold Turkey', 'The Long Run', 'Of Mice and Me', and 'Beat the Devil' and 'Shipwrecked' are intense, raw and honest reads. I deeply appreciated Mishka's talents and his ability to range on some really tough topics. Importantly, he has a lot of practical advice to get off the sauce. It is a practical, adapt-what-you-can approach that can help save a life from addiction. His writing and music is available on all major and minor outlets. His newest book ‘Cold Turkey’ was a May title available to Audible subscribers. http://www.mishkashubaly.com/
S1 E37 · Sun, June 07, 2020
Sara Billdt
Great new episode with Indigenous artist and musician Sara Billdt !!! We chatted about her music, her graphic art, and her traditional bead work. It was exciting to learn more about her philosophy, her experiences in the heavy metal scene, and finding her remarkable voice. Sara has been involved in the music scene of Eugene, Oregon for over a decade. Starting out as a solo artist, she went on to found and front Sara B3 and the 45RPM Soul Revue, as well as the heavy power trio, Coyote. Influenced by both cultural and natural forces, she has continued to create music and artwork that reflect her position in a world that has gone awry. https://eugeneweekly.com/2016/10/27/sara-billdt/
S1 E36 · Wed, June 03, 2020
Jason Mayoh
I chatted with JASON MAYOH , author/director of ‘Tales of Rocky Point Park.’ It was an inspiring and delightful conversation that covered horror, childhood, comics, philosophy, the pandemic, the creative process, Rocky Point and more!!! Many Americans enjoyed amusement parks in their childhood and in non-pandemic summertimes. Rhode Islanders and Southern New Englanders had Rocky Point park with its joys and fun and clam cakes and urban legends and weird accidents and horrors. The legend of Rocky Point’s cursed FLUME Log Number 13 haunts Rhode Islanders to this very day. The same fear resonates in visions of the great VIKING who stood to protect (?) or attack (?) those who dared visit the HOUSE OF HORRORS. Did you jump off the SKYLINE and live to tell about it? This is a Rhode Island story but it is also a story of Summers of Yore. https://johnstonsunrise.net/stories/cranston-native-exposes-haunted-ri-,62453
S1 E35 · Wed, May 27, 2020
Gina Gleason
WOW! An interview with GINA GLEASON lead guitarist for the incredible metal band BARONESS. Gina Gleason, a product of Philly, began playing guitar at fourteen and has had a wild journey through Rock&Roll, playing for Misstallica (all female Metallica tribute band) as well as Queen Diamond (all female King Diamond tribute band). She performed as the character 'The Muse' in the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil production of Michael Jackson: One playing many of those famous rock/funk guitar licks. After this stint she moved into an outsized vacancy in Baroness by replacing their guitarist Pete Adams. This is where her badassness presently resides. Enjoy this listen as we chat with Gina about life, art, guitar lessons, creation, something, nothing, metal, and more . . . https://guitar.com/features/interviews/baroness-gina-gleason/
S1 E34 · Wed, May 20, 2020
Brad Balukjian
BRAD BALUKJIAN hit the sweet spot of the baseball in his new book WAX PACK. The book is a joy for baseball freaks but also serves as a fantastic memoir on relationships and life. The LA Times Bestselling book is a road trip journey of history and the psyche. Built on the randomness of a fifteen pack of baseball cards with a crisp stick of tongue cutting gum, Brad builds a 10,000 mile adventure into the strange character of American baseball. Brad is a Ph.D., a fighter for the underdog and the working stiff, a writer and a Rhode Islander who now lives on The Best Coast. Brad tells a bit about himself here: "Brad Balukjian is a doctor, but not one who can write you a prescription (unless you're a sick insect). He hated school when he was little, but now loves it so much that after graduating from the 23rd grade, he has moved to the other side of the desk to teach natural history at Merritt College in Oakland, California. He has strong opinions about the value of education, exposure to nature, and utility infielders from the 1980s, and is pursuing a hybrid career of teaching, writing, and research to get the word out that science is accessible and (gasp!) fun. He chose this path because he never wants to stop learning and apparently has a strong aversion to money. This is his first time writing in the third-person." https://www.bradbalukjian.com/books/
S1 E33 · Wed, May 13, 2020
Michael Burns
Michael Burns is a university teacher, writing coach, film director, labor activist, editor, and storyteller. He has a B.A. from Georgetown University, an M.S. from University of Massachusetts - Amherst, and holds a Ph.D. in documentary film history from the University of Birmingham in the UK. Burns directed five films for international television and his work has been seen in over twenty countries. He is the founder, director, and curator of Tall Tales , India’s longest-running, true storytelling event series that features live performances and writing workshops of all kinds. He lives in the United States of America for six months each year and the other six in India. I was so happy to catch up with Michael from Mumbai, India for an incredible chat and exploration. Enjoy. https://www.michaelpburns.com/bio
S1 E32 · Wed, April 22, 2020
Allison C. Meier
Allison C. Meier is an Oklahoma-born, Brooklyn-based writer focused on visual culture, architecture, and overlooked history: she believes in writing about the arts and heritage of our world in an accessible, engaging way. We talked about her recent, haunting Fall 2019 article on the Spanish Flu and the depiction of disease by painters in a Pandemic. I am still thinking about the many topics we discussed including - forgotten history, disease, death, cemetery tours, painting, philosophy, history, Spirit photography, symbols, ghosts and so much more . . . I hope you enjoy the journey. Allison
S1 E31 · Wed, April 15, 2020
Rachel Balkovec
Such an enjoyable conversation with New York Yankees hitting coach RACHEL BALKOVEC ! Rachel is a deep thinker whose ability to both challenge norms and seek deeper truths have served to forge her path. She notes that "by trade I'm a hitting coach, but in reality, I'm a student, athlete, minimalist, feminist and nomad. Those are things that I resonated with long before my career and will be with me long after my career in sports is over." Rachel and I explore the art and science of hitting a baseball by exploring both the mental and physical aspects that drive a complicated passion. The conversation covered a diverse range of topics that include the importance of mentorship (especially for young women), the complicated history of the American National Pastime, her podcast 'Theta Wave" explorations and the meaning of making history. Rachel manages the Tampa minor league affiliate of The New York Yankees. Rachel Ball
S1 E30 · Wed, April 08, 2020
Dr. Erin Macdonald
This episode is pure sci-fi/science geek heaven. Join the Tattooed Scottish-American N7 Slytherin Rebel from Starfleet - Dr. Erin Macdonald. Dr. Macdonald is an astrophysicist, science fiction consultant (currently for the Star Trek franchise), and host of the online series " Dr Erin Explains the Universe ". Her specialty is in general relativity, having previously worked in the LIGO Scientific Collaboration searching for gravitational waves. She has since found her home in science fiction, consulting with writers, teaching STEM through popular culture, and fulfilling her life goal of becoming a warp drive expert while living in Los Angeles. Dr. Erin
S1 E29 · Wed, April 01, 2020
Buell Thomas
BUELL THOMAS - master on trumpet, vocals and philosophy --- Buell began playing the trumpet at 9 years young. The Marriage between the two, like any other, has had its peaks and valleys throughout but every musician has his soul instrument. Mr. Thomas has used his to be able to share the gift of expression with many others over his Career. His first Band was SUPERBUG, in South County, Rhode Island. Superbug went on to enjoy local success in Southern New England, culminating with a first place finish in the then prestigious 1994 95.5 WBRU Rock Hunt. The group recorded three albums together, most notably, the 12 song PRIZED. The group disbanded in 1995 and Thomas left for New York City where he continued writing while also spending one year studying at the City College Of New York. As a trumpet player, Buell was able to contribute to many live and recorded performances. In 2007, upon meeting TJ Swan (Joe Carter), he recorded his first solo album, 'In The Air.' 'In The Air' was recorded at Velvet Swan Studios in 100% analog format, and was pressed to 500 vinyl albums. Thomas continues to release great music under his newest project WELL BRED MONGRELS with a new album soon in the offing . . .
S1 E28 · Sun, March 29, 2020
James Sweet
JAMES SWEET is an Oregon based Producer, Director, and Writer. Sweet is the Director for the much-anticipated Friday the 13th fan film JASON RISING. For many of us horror fans, Jason Voorhees is the source of nightmares and a cause for pause in the consideration of sex, drugs, alcohol and rock & roll. The Friday the 13th series remains a primary source of slasher film horror since 1980. Jason has terrorized Camp Crystal Lake, the suburbs, Manhattan and even the far reaches of outer space. Jason Rising brings him back for more mayhem . . . James Sweet began acting in 1997 and has trained with several methods and instructors, including friend, Robert Blanche. He is known for his vast resume acting in films such as Men of Honor and Television shows as Leverage, Grimm, Z Nation, and The Librarians. His eye has always been on filmmaking. James made his first short film, 'Blood and Sugar' with credits as writer and producer. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7798990/
S1 E27 · Tue, March 24, 2020
Phoebe Blake
PHOEBE BLAKE Phoebe Blake is a Tucson-based artist who was born in Eugene, Oregon. She works in a lot of mediums - oils, ink, printmaking, marker on wood and colored pencils Blake also creates hand-poked tattoos, makes zines, quilts and sews appliqué denim jackets. She is known to plan and execute elaborate themed costume parties with old school handbill-style invites as a personal remedy and response to the monotone frat culture on the University campus. “I’m more of a maker of things and feelings than an artist with a distinct focus and style. I love to create communities and to create space.”
S1 E26 · Wed, March 18, 2020
David Verespy
Episode 26 with DAVID VERESPY Hi, I’m David Verespy, Professional Photographer. But, I am way more than that, I am an active creative professional who really can’t sit still without creating something. I have been a creative all of my life, whether it be drawing, doodling, painting, sculpting, photography, print making, writing, inventing or exploring the creative world. I create with an eye towards a unique view and experience while capturing the moment. I have a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with a Minor in Art from the University of Rhode Island. I am a registered Landscape Architect and have been in the profession of Landscape Architecture for the past 27 years. I have been an active part of that community, holding leadership positions in the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. In 2007, I started my own Landscape Architecture firm designing and managing the construction of numerous commercial and residential properties. I create beautiful gardens and spaces, each a series of imagined vignettes brought to life in stone and plants. But, I wasn’t satisfied, I found myself continually drawn back to a vantage point behind the lens. I am that guy who will stop in the middle of Disney, the airport, the slopes or on a busy street, pause what I am doing to take that special photograph for another person or family. Why? The moments we live in are fleeting. Time and people pass us by without a thought and then are gone. When I have the opportunity to capture a moment for someone that means something to them it means so much to me. A moment in my life to stop and take a photo for someone is nothing compared to the joy it may bring to them in creating that life-long memory. Each time I stop to do this I envision the image finding its home framed as a centerpiece on someone’s shelf, a treasured memento of a special time. Photography has always been part of who I am. I can usually be found with at least one camera on me. Early on I started with a Kodak 110 camera with a pocket full of flash cubes. I would cart that camera all over the place, capturing view of the world from a child’s perspective. I worked as a photographer for both my high school and college yearbooks and newspapers gaining more technical experience and using better equipment. An immersion into Photography during my college years allowed me to experiment with different technologies and equipment, expanding my creative voice. Over the years I gathered equipment, experimented with other formats and learned all I could. It wasn’t till I had children, which coincided with the emergence of Digital photography, that I put all the equipment and learning to good use. I was a very early adopter of digital imaging, which has expanded my creative voice. I have recently taken my photography to the skies and am a licensed drone pilot. Photography is at its most basic level is the mani
S1 E25 · Wed, March 11, 2020
Lizzy Falcon
Episode 25 with LIZZY FALCON Captivating, fascinating, unique, and soulful, describe Lizzy Falcon’ s artwork. Lizzy's work has a whimsical, yet "emo-like" feeling. Thematic threads of her work are grey-toned girls with one big eye as "Big-Eye-Art" and the Lowbrow Art Movement have had a major impact on her, and she (usually) only exposes one eye: the left eye, as that is the eye that represents true emotion. Lizzy uses grey tones for her characters to avoid assigning them race or ethnicity, as all human should be permitted to relate to them, but they end up with a slight creepy look, and that's okay. Lizzy does not try to capture absolute realism in her works, preferring the fantastic and whimsical. Margaret Keane and Walt Disney have been her two biggest artistic influences. As a child, Keane's artwork adorned Lizzy's walls and inspired her to be an artist later in her life. Lizzy is a self-taught artist and mainly works with acrylics on canvas. Lizzy has had the honor to show alongside some very talented artist from all around the world. In addition, buyers from all corners of the world have purchased Lizzy's paintings and sculptures. Whether Lizzy is painting, sculpting, or creating animated shorts of her characters, she is always creating something new. http://lizzyfalconart.com/index.html
S1 E24 · Wed, March 04, 2020
Rosalie Fish
Rosalie Fish is a member of the Muckleshoot and Cowlitz tribes and is a competitive runner and college student. Rosalie made national headlines when she painted a red hand over her face in order to represent Missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW). She also painted the MMIW hashtag on her leg and ran races for specific Indigenous women. Her actions of bravery have helped spark greater awareness about this issue and the issue of violence within a larger North American historical context. Rosalie and I talk about Native Art, philosophical questions, running, something and nothing and making a difference. Rosalie is a hero and an inspiration. https://www.washington.edu/news/2022/04/14/rosalie-fish-student-athlete-and-activist-selected-as-truman-scholar/
S1 E23 · Wed, February 26, 2020
Magdolene Dykstra
You are really going to enjoy this deep dive into profound questions with Canadian Artist MAGDOLENE DYKSTRA . Her work with clay prompts the viewer to consider profound questions of ecology, elementals, growth, decay, the climate and art. I really love her Artist Statement that helps to describe the sheer profundity of her project . . . A desire to understand my place in the universe drives my work. Using sculpture and installation, my work meditates on the unfathomable multiplicity of humanity. My compositions are inspired by microbiology, finding lineage in the Romantic artists of the 19th century who used their paintings to evoke the sublime by reminding the viewer of their diminutive status in relation to grand landscapes. In contrast to macro landscapes, I site the sublime in microbial terrain. In a time of environmental endangerment, my aesthetic of cellular accumulation references the vast numbers of the human race, swarming beyond what is sustainable. I compose my work using primarily unfired clay, imparting these roiling masses with precarity to reflect on the fragility of our collective existence. Whatt is the role of the individual within the horde? My sculpted paintings merge my interest in the foreign terrain of microbiology with an examination of what Barnett Newman called the “abstract sublime”. These works reference Abstract Expressionism’s use of immense scale to evoke feelings of transcendence. Within my work, each individual is absurdly insignificant except for its interconnectedness to everything around them. Gathered en masse, these lifeforms overwhelm the structure upon which they grow. Drawing on the ephemeral works of land artist Richard Long, my Interventions contextualize the microbial forms in the landscape. Despite the accumulating number of cells in each Intervention , they cannot withstand the elements, ultimately returning to the earth. Just as prehistoric artists recorded their presence using pigments of the earth, I use clay to explore my relationship to the earth and the universe. Sculpture, installation, and drawing allow me to make the unseen tangible. Using clay connects me to rituals and cultures throughout human history. This primordial material bears the memory of the earliest artists, all the way back to the cave of Le Tuc d’Audoubert in France, where a bull and cow sculpted in raw clay have lain for about 15,000 years. I am one of many makers throughout human history who uses this material to explore my link to the rest of the universe. Instead of relying on the ability of fired clay to withstand time, I use raw clay in order to embrace ephemerality. Impermanence enhances preciousness. The things that don’t last demand more careful attention. http://magdolenedykstra.com/
S1 E22 · Tue, February 11, 2020
Anne Bujold
Anne Bujold combines metalsmithing and blacksmithing techniques with alternative materials such as felt, ribbon, and plastics. In her sculpture, animals are agents examining the spaces between definitions, that fertile ground where new forms emerge. Bujold is currently the Artist-In-Residence for the Metals Department at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, TN. She received her MFA from the Craft and Material Studies Department at Virginia Commonwealth University (2018) and BFA from Oregon College of Art and Craft (2008). Previously based in Portland, Oregon, she operated Riveted Rabbit Studio, a custom metal fabrication business. Bujold has taught at Virginia Commonwealth University (VA), Oregon College of Art and Craft (OR), The Multnomah Art Center (OR), The Donkey Mill Art Center (HI), The Appalachian Center for Craft (TN), and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (TN). https://annebujold.com/
S1 E21 · Thu, January 30, 2020
Gerald Roulette
GERALD ROULETTE is native of Missouri and a graduate of Truman State University (BFA). He has been involved with art since kindergarten and was accepted into an art school in Arizona at 12 years of age. Roulette studied art in Strasbourg, Austria under the tutelage of Dr. William Unger and Oscar Kokoshka. He has earned multiple awards for his artwork and has lectured at colleges, universities and high schools across the USA. Roulette has worked as a high school 2-D art educator and football/track coach for 19 years. He has exhibited his work in the US and Europe. A former NFL player, he has lived in Texas and moved to Portland, Oregon three years ago. “Art is my way of capturing life. My sketchbook is a diary. Colors are feelings, and each stroke is an experience.” https://www.instagram.com/geraldaroulette/
S1 E20 · Fri, January 24, 2020
Vanessa Stockard
Vanessa Stockard is an Australian painter. I had the great pleasure of speaking with her about: Cats borne of heaven and hell Painting Her time in Oregon, USA Becoming a Mum Something Nothing. Her paintings, generously displayed on instagram, will steal your heart. When I see her paintings, I instantly feel like I am living and laughing and loving. Make sure you take the time to experience them. Your life will improve. {Prior to interviewing her I suspected that she was part Trafalmadorian, one of those beings that inhabit Kurt Vonnegut's Trafalmador. Trafalmadorians are beings who exist in all times simultaneously, and are thus privy to knowledge of future events, including the destruction of the universe. I did not ask her about this as my independent research failed to yield any proof. However, I will ask her directly next time . . . } SRTN Website
S1 E19 · Tue, January 14, 2020
Ana del Rocio
First episode of the ‘Something (rather than nothing) podcast’ 2020 was such a joy to record with Ana del Rocio. Keep your ears and ojos open for this great conversation. We spoke about mothering, epistemology, philosophy, women of color, politics, writing, music and so much more. ANA DEL ROCÍO (she/her/hers), is the Executive Director of Oregon Futures Lab. del Rocío is a first-generation Chicana/Peruana based in Portland, Oregon. She is a mother of two young boys and the past policy director and chief of staff to Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson. Ana was elected to Director for Position 1 in the David Douglas School District in 2017, in a historic election that saw people of color on the ballot for the first time in the "majority-minority" school district. She also serves on the board of Family Forward Action, and in 2019 was appointed by Governor Kate Brown to a statewide task force on maternal health outcomes. Ana is passionate about reproductive justice, grassroots organizing, and building political power for and with Black and Brown communities, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities. She stars on the screen SRTN Podcast
S1 E18 · Tue, December 24, 2019
Jack Kent
Great new episode with JACK KENT ! This episode was so much fun!! ‘Sketchy People’ is the people-watching-comic by Jack Kent. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Jack draws the residents of his hometown and beyond. This project started in 2016. Jack's caricatures are drawn in a wacky pen and ink, cartoonist style. Portland’s sketch flag flies high and proud in each volume of ‘Sketchy People.” Who qualifies as "sketchy"? Good question. It could be what someone is wearing, or doing, or saying. Jack keeps his sketchbook close 'cause Sketchy People can be anywhere. You could be next! Website! SRTN Podcast
S1 E17 · Tue, December 17, 2019
Prudence Flint
This episode is a joy. Stay for the whole visit. PRUDENCE FLINT is a Melbourne based artist. She has held solo exhibitions in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart and has exhibited in major state and regional galleries. She is a seventh time finalist in the Archibald Prize. She won the Len Fox Painting Award (2016), the Portia Geach Memorial Award (2010), and the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (2004). Her work is held in the collections of the City of Port Phillip, Artbank, BHP Billiton, City of Gold Coast, University of Wollongong, Castlemaine Art Museum and in numerous private collections. Reproductions of Flint’s paintings have recently appeared in international publications including Oh Comely (UK), It’s Nice That, Printed Pages (UK), Hi Fructose (US) and recently in Juxtapoz (US). Flint is represented by Australian Galleries in Melbourne and Bett Gallery in Hobart. She had her first international show at Mother’s tankstation Limited Dublin in May 2019. Prudence's Website SRTN Website
S1 E16 · Tue, December 10, 2019
Christopher St. John
Christopher St. John is an artist and curator living in Eugene, Oregon. His work touches on the the incredible luck we have in living on a planet with a biosphere, the joy of form, and the importance of listening. Animals make regular appearances in his work. Christopher St. John’s work has been exhibited and collected across the United States and internationally across Europe, Japan, Canada, and Malta. He received his BFA from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. His work is in the permanent collections of two American museums. He is represented by Row Boat Gallery in Pacific and Galerie Biz’Art Biz’ Art in France. He is currently preparing for an exhibition in January at Eutectic Gallery in Portland, Oregon, and an exhibition in February at Sidestreet Arts in Portland, OR. St. John Website SRTN Website
S1 E15 · Tue, December 03, 2019
Danguole Lekaviciute
DANGUOLE LEKAVICIUTE is a creative living in Portland, Oregon. Born in Lithuania and raised/educated in Reno, Nevada, she found her creative outlet via a food and cocktail recipe blog that allowed her to hone her writing voice and photography skills that also formed a foundation for creative discipline. Pursuing that on the side, she spent 6.5 years post-college graduation working in state government in Nevada before moving to Oregon and slowly building the bones of a career in the creative industry. She currently serves as Creative Director of a food and beverage marketing agency and occasionally finds time to create personal work that refuses to pick a lane, ranging in themes from: the American West, the cosmos, nature, humor, and combinations of all of the above. Danguole SRTN Website
S1 E14 · Wed, November 27, 2019
Allen Eskens
Mystery/Thriller Writer ALLEN ESKENS! Allen Eskens is the bestselling author of The Life We Bury, The Guise of Another, The Heavens May Fall, The Deep Dark Descending, The Shadows We Hide, and Nothing More Dangerous. He is the recipient of the Barry Award, Minnesota Book Award, Rosebud Award (Left Coast Crime), and Silver Falchion Award and has been a finalist for the Edgar Award, Thriller Award, and Anthony Award. His books have been translated into 26 languages and his novel, The Life We Bury is in development for a feature film. Allen has a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from Hamline University. After law school, he studied creative writing in the M.F.A. program at Minnesota State University-Mankato, as well as the Loft Literary Center and the Iowa Summer Writer’s Festival. Allen grew up on the hills of central Missouri. He now lives with his wife, Joely, in greater Minnesota where he recently retired after practicing criminal law for 25 years. His website SRTN Podcast
S1 E13 · Thu, October 24, 2019
Seamus Murphy
" Seamus Murphy grew up in Ireland and is based in London. He is the recipient of seven World Press Photo awards for his photographic work in Afghanistan, Gaza, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Peru and Ireland. He received The World Understanding Award from POYi in the USA for his work from Afghanistan and a film he made based around this work was nominated for an Emmy and won the Liberty in Media Prize in 2011. His work has been published and exhibited widely. He has made films for The New Yorker and Channel 4 Television in the UK. He is the author of four books including 'A Darkness Visible: Afghanistan' (Saqi Books. 2008) is based on 12 trips to the country between 1994 and 2007 and is a chronicle of Afghanistan’s extraordinary recent history. 'I Am The Beggar of the World' (Farrar Straus Giroux. 2014) offers a rare glimpse into the lives of Afghan women through their anonymous Landay poetry. He has collaborated with musician PJ Harvey on projects for 'Let England Shake' and 'The Hope Six Demolition Project,' for which he won a Q Award for Best Music Film in October 2016. Patti Smith listed Murphy’s film for Harvey’s 'The Words that Maketh Murder' as one of her Top 10 artworks, saying “... this unheralded piece (directed by Seamus Murphy) is a wisp of humanity celebrating the small things. “ Murphy and Harvey together published 'The Hollow of the Hand' (Bloomsbury. 2015) a book of his photography and her poetry. An exhibition and live presentation of 'The Hollow of the Hand' work took place at the Royal Festival Hall, London in 2015 and at Les Recontres d’Arles in France in 2016. His latest book 'The Republic' (Allen Lane. 2016) is an immediate and personal portrait of Ireland and was exhibited at The Little Museum in Dublin in 2017. His latest film 'A Dog Called Money,' another collaboration with Polly Jean Harvey, is currently screening around the world. Video SRTN
S1 E12 · Tue, October 15, 2019
Vicko Alvarez Vega
I am so excited about this episode. Can't hold it back! This week on 'Something (rather than nothing)' VICKO ALVAREZ VEGA - in her words - *** I never planned on being a comic artist. I never planned on being a teacher. I never planned on being an organizer or an activist. But I am so happy that I have done all that and more. I’m a native Tejana that has called Chicago home for 12 years and the creator and illustrator of the ScholaR Comics web and zine series. The comic follows the lives of ScholaR, Rosita, and Masir as they wrap their heads around their own tough realities. ScholaR has a few anger issues, Rosita is learning what it means to be undocumented, and Masir is coming into his own as a mixed race boy who doesn’t feel very “boy-ish”. Altogether, they’re a reflection of my friends growing up, the youth I’ve had the privilege of teaching, and the childhood stories that we all carry with us as adults. My latest comic zine, "Rosita Gets Scared", recounts Rosita coming to terms with her fear of deportation. The comic also serves as an activity book to be utilized in classrooms and with youth groups as a tool to encourage culturally relevant social and emotional learning. Weeks into its release, the comic was covered by Telemundo , Newsy , and Radio Vocalo , and has been ordered by activists, educators, and parents across the country. I’m very excited to have found community in people of color comic cons and I’m very happy about the growing opportunity to connect with like minded educators. My workshops and discussions cover a variety of topics including Comics / Art as Activism Becoming and Independent Woman/Latinx Artist Immigrant and people of color portrayals in comics + literature Do It Yourself (DIY) zine making and publishing Career days and art workshops for middle school and high schoolers Drawing and Writing as therapeutic practice SRTN
S1 E11 · Wed, October 02, 2019
Veronica Casson
Another great listen this week with Artist VERONICA CASSON! "I'm Veronica, an illustrator and queer mom, living the dream with my family in Portland, Oregon. After being born on the east coast and spending many years in New York City, San Francisco and Mexico, I have recently moved to the Pacific Northwest. I am an award-winning graphic designer, illustrator and comic artist. My webcomic, Claviger, was nominated for and Ignatz Award at the Small Press Expo. Currently I am working on the remastered version of Claviger as well as a new comic, Grind Like a Girl, which shares my experiences in the world as a transgendered woman. Ways you can support my art: buy a print, Patron on Patreon, or hire me for your next project. Cheers!"
S1 E10 · Wed, September 25, 2019
Zora von Pavonine
Zora Von Pavonine was born on a full moon and raised on 20 acres. Surrounded by animals, held most dear was the peacock family that allowed her to follow them around, telling stories, inventing all kinds of life. Momma Pavonine saw the creative spirit encapsulated in her precocious little Scorpio and encouraged music, dancing, painting and writing across the early years. Zora spent her teenage chapter foreshadowing her eventual participation in burlesque with another solo activity crafted beautifully from the mind and body, performing as a decorated cross country and track athlete, breaking records and holding others to this day. Her deep appreciation for this output, mental tenacity, just the self and the body, stuck with her long after she left the track and immersed herself fully in hip hop dance. She found grounding and heaven in hip hop and had been teaching the format for years when she found burlesque and she knew: she knew she had mined the gem, a dynamite composition of effort, passion, expression and self. A published poet, holder of a handful of intellectual property patents and a few degrees in the creative arts, Zora needles on towards creating smart, impassioned acts wrapped in costumes that speak to her tremendous love of fashion and design, reflective of her hip hop roots and the unmistakable dedication of a distance runner… It has been said that her sparkle can be seen from outer space; it has been rumored that one night in Zora’s audience will have you discovering confetti in all your places for a month on… with pasties so small, even the most veteran of show-goers blush, they come to see the tease and leave with an eyeful of feathers… she is the Queen With The Peacock Tattoo. Here is a film of ZVP by SRTN SRTN Website
S1 E9 · Wed, September 18, 2019
Joey Bauer
Great chat this episode with Joey Bauer! JOEY BAUER is a musician under the alias Theo B. Veeus (can be found on Bandcamp). His albums are great journeys. I highly, highly recommend you travel these roads. Bauer also manages the great ***Darkside Cinema*** in Corvallis, Oregon. Listen in to hear about the intertwining of sound and image. This discussion really got me thinking about language and how we, as humans, speak and hear. Bauer is married and has two youngsters. The importance of film and music in his life really comes through as we discuss the psychological aspects of creating art as well as whether something can come from nothing. Thanks for supporting "Something (rather than nothing)"!!! Theo B. Veeus SRTN
S1 E8 · Wed, September 04, 2019
Ethan Slayton
A native Vermonter, Ethan attended the Maine College of Art and graduated from the Joe Kubert School of Illustration and Design in '98. Ethan has self-published his own comics since Year 2000, taught a youth program for intro to comics at a day camp for Burlington City Arts for five years, has had work published in roughly a dozen role-playing game books for AEG and many more for 3rd party publishers, Ethan has had exceedingly minor success involving the Comic Book industry (inked a 5 page back up in B.Clay Moore's Battle Hymn for Image Comics back in 2000). Ethan moved to Portland, Oregon in 2008 where he met and volunteered with several the local comic scene enthusiasts that were involved in making Stumptown Comics Fest. In 2015, Ethan illustrated and inked the first issue of the comic Dark Anna & The Pirates of Kadath - a comic which is created and written by local Portland writer, Aaron Duran. Ethan continues to write & draw his own comics for an upcoming anthology called The October Ages as well as working freelance doing spot illustrations for role-playing games. Ethan currently resides in Portland, Oregon with his wife and two studio cats. Ethan SRTN Website
S1 E7 · Wed, August 28, 2019
Sean Wynn
Don't miss this episode! This week we talk Hip-Hop, Art, Comics, Chicago, Rap history, women in geek culture, action figures, sci-fi, fantasy, Oddisee, Little Brother, Rapsody with . . . SEAN WYNN A.K.A. Baddwolfe A.K.A. CeriusBlaq A.K.A. Hank McCoy Beast MC Comic enthusiast, Hip Hop Junkie, Marketing Nerd, Activist. General in the Preytorians Army. Owner of Strange Solutions Marketing & Consulting. A Chicago Native that has been residing in Portland for the last 10 years making a name for himself the professional nerd industries. Listen to the sound of the Preytorians here SRTN Website
S1 E6 · Wed, August 21, 2019
Joanna C. Valente
Joanna C. Valente is a ghost who lives in Brooklyn, New York. Joanna is the author of Sirs & Madams (Aldrich Press, 2014), The Gods Are Dead (Deadly Chaps Press, 2015) Marys of the Sea (The Operating System, 2017), Xenos (Agape Editions, 2016), Sexting Ghosts (Unknown Press, 2018), and No(body) (Madhouse Press, 2019). They are the editor of A Shadow Map: Writing By Survivors of Sexual Assault (CCM, 2017), and received a MFA in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. Joanna is also the founder of Yes, Poetry , as well as the senior managing editor for Luna Luna Magazine and an editor for Civil Coping Mechanisms . Joanna has been featured in Brooklyn Magazine, Them, Prelude, BUST, Columbia Journal, Electric Literature, Joyland, Tarpaulin Sky, The Feminist Wire, Spork Press, Ravishly, The Rumpus, VICE, The Brooklyn Rail, VIDA, The Huffington Post, among others. Joanna also currently teaches courses at Brooklyn Poets. In addition, Joanna has also spoken or given lectures for/at SUNY Purchase College, Sarah Lawrence College, the National Eating Disorder Association, AWP, Brooklyn Book Festival, Shout Your Abortion, Ravishly, Luna Luna Magazine, Monstering Magazine, Winter Tangerine , and more. Joanna Bio SRTN
S1 E5 · Thu, August 15, 2019
Claire Papoulis
CLAIRE PAPOULIS has always been interested in the path of holistic healing, forging a personal mission from a very young age to bring wellness and balance to her own life. After discovering the Amma Therapy program at The Wellspring School for Healing Arts, these values began to blossom as a career path. As a therapist, she strives to create a comfortable space in which clients can explore and enhance this path for themselves through education, healing, and relaxation. She continued her training in herbal medicine in the Professional Herbalist program through the East West School for Planetary Herbology. It is her priority to treat each client through a holistic model, addressing all elements of mind and body in unity. Alongside her career, Claire has always valued the arts, striving to maintain creativity as a presence in her life. Growing up with her father the NYC-based composer Jim Papoulis, she was exposed to music from day one and developed an awe with creative figures and the creative process. Although she has experimented with different mediums, her recent life has brought her back into mentorship under sculptor Greg Steinsieck with whom she is exploring creative expression through visual art. She holds a strong belief in the important interaction that occurs through stimulating different parts of the brain by engaging in a variety of both intellectual and creative mediums. Something (rather than nothing) Website
S1 E4 · Wed, August 07, 2019
Bunkong (BK) Tuon
Check out the newest episode with poet Bunkong Tuon. We delve into (or at least mention) - Bukowski, The State of Nirvana, Cambodian Genocide and Diaspora, War, Censorship, What to do about Morrissey, The State of Poetry, Something, Nothing, Emily Dickinson, Amherst, Family. Bunkong Tuon is a Cambodian-American writer, critic, professor, and, most importantly, father. He is the author of Gruel (NYQ Books, 2015), And So I Was Blessed (NYQ Books, 2017), and Dead Tongue (with Joanna C. Valente, from Yes Poetry), as well as a contributor to Cultural Weekly. Nominated for the Pushcart numerous times, his poetry recently won the 2019 Nasiona Nonfiction Poetry Prize. He has completed a book of poems about raising his daughter in contemporary America. He is an associate professor of English and Asian Studies at Union College in Schenectady, NY. BK Something Rather Than Nothing
S1 E3 · Wed, July 31, 2019
Nicole J. Georges
I have been lucky to have so many wonderful artists join me in these early episodes, including Nicole J. Georges - a deeply funny and wise soul. Here is more about Nicole - Nicole J. Georges is a writer, illustrator, podcaster & professor from Portland, OR. Her Lambda Award winning graphic memoir, Calling Dr. Laura , was called “engrossing, lovable, smart and ultimately poignant” by Rachel Maddow, and “disarming and haunting, hip and sweet, all at once” by Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home. 'Allô, dr Laura?' was an Official Selection at the Angoulême International Comics Festival. Nicole’s latest book, Fetch: How a Bad Dog Brought Me Home , is the recipient of 2 Oregon Book Awards, and a Lambda nomination for best Graphic Novel. It received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, and was voted a 2018 “Great Graphic Novel for Teens” by ALA. “Nicole Georges makes my favorite art about love and vulnerability”. -Jill Soloway Nicole won the Sunburst Award for Excellence in Arts Education in 2012. She was the 2013 Fellow at the Center for Cartoon Studies, the 2015/16 Donaldson Writer in Residence at the College of William and Mary, and currently teaches at California College for the Art’s MFA in Comics Program. She has been publishing her own zines and comics for 20 years, and has toured the country extensively, including two appearances on Michelle Tea’s Sister Spit tour. Nicole currently splits her time between Portland and Los Angeles with her chomeranian best friend, Ponyo Georges. She is the host of the podcast, Sagittarian Matters. www.nicolejgeorges.com Something (rather than nothing) Web
S1 E2 · Wed, July 24, 2019
Aunia Kahn
Aunia Kahn is a multi-faceted creative entrepreneur and a globally awarded, collected, and exhibited figurative artist/photographer, published author, instructor, and inspirational speaker. She is also the owner of Rise Visible a full service creative digital marketing agency and Create for Healing. Her work has been in over 300+ exhibitions in over 10 countries; at places such as San Diego Art Institute , Los Angeles Center for Digital Art , iMOCA , St. Louis Art Museum , Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis , Mitchell Museum , and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art . She has also been a guest on podcasts like Entrepreneur on Fire , with 70 million downloads & 1 million monthly listens. Aunia has curated several internationally recognized books and projects, including Silver Era Tarot, Inspirations for Survivors, Obvious Remote Chaos, Minding the Sea: Inviting the Muses Over for Tea, Avalanche of White Reason, XIII: The Art of Aunia Kahn, Witch’s Oracle and the Witch’s Oracle 2nd Edition, Moon Goddess ( Modern Eden Gallery ) exhibit, Tarot Under Oath ( Last Rites Gallery ), Lowbrow Tarot Project ( La Luz De Jesus Gallery ), etc. Her forthcoming projects include; An Epidemic of Retrospective, Disintegrating Stars, and the Ethereal Realms Tarot. She loves Animals, Prussian blue, Psychology, Design, Miracles, Hummingbirds & Life. https://auniakahn.com/ Something (rather than nothing) Website
S1 E1 · Wed, July 17, 2019
Hannah Hull
Very excited this month to debut an episode with Hannah Hull - an English artist and musician (check out her TED talk entitled Mad Love!) Two approaches to explain her work - “I make situation-specific art and undertake social research. My practice catalyses dialogue & change for socially-excluded and at-risk groups. My approach is dynamic and responsive: an open mechanism that allows things to be made, reformed & challenged. The outcome of this process might be an action; it might be an object; or it might be words.” Also - about Burning Salt’s music - “Burning Salt is a collaborative music project headed by Hannah Hull, singer-songwriter and artist. Hull is known for her startlingly honest songs and distinctive low-register voice. Fans have described her unusual vocal style as ‘scraped out of an ashtray somewhere in the early 90s,’ and ‘Friday night meets Sunday morning.’ Poetic, raw and alive, Burning Salt’s sound draws on folk, country and blues. A genre-bending approach in the vein of PJ Harvey, Nick Cave and Tom Waits. Burning Salt is an independent project releasing on Hull’s own label, Lullaby Records. https://burningsalt.com/about/ Something (rather than nothing) Website
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