Shows
The Thomahawk ShowWill Ferrell the DJ, the Natty Hackett bowl & Best Nicknames in NFL HistoryThomaHawk is officially back! This week, hosts Andrew Hawkins and Joe Thomas are joined by Phatt Nat aka Natalie Leist and Juju Gotti. They discuss Will Ferrell DJing at USC, Nathaniel Hackett’s revenge on Sean Payton, Joe’s Steelers bias, Jalen Hurts making history, best nicknames in the NFL and so much more
2023-10-1153 minThe Thomahawk ShowWill Ferrell the DJ, the Natty Hackett bowl & Best Nicknames in NFL HistoryThomaHawk is officially back! This week, hosts Andrew Hawkins and Joe Thomas are joined by Phatt Nat aka Natalie Leist and Juju Gotti. They discuss Will Ferrell DJing at USC, Nathaniel Hackett’s revenge on Sean Payton, Joe’s Steelers bias, Jalen Hurts making history, best nicknames in the NFL and so much more
2023-10-1153 min
The ThomaHawk ShowWill Ferrell the DJ, the Natty Hackett bowl & Best Nicknames in NFL HistoryThomaHawk is officially back! This week, hosts Andrew Hawkins and Joe Thomas are joined by Phatt Nat aka Natalie Leist and Juju Gotti. They discuss Will Ferrell DJing at USC, Nathaniel Hackett’s revenge on Sean Payton, Joe’s Steelers bias, Jalen Hurts making history, best nicknames in the NFL and so much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-10-1153 min
The TraceS4 E20 - Andrew Hackett on "Sayulita : Stories"The tables are turned on this episode of The Trace as Andrew is interviewed by therapist and artist Josh Horvath. Josh talks with Andrew about his new book “Sayulita : Stories” which comes out on October 13th. Josh and Andrew have been friends and music collaborators for nearly 25 years. In this conversation they explore the writing process and the themes of the book. This leads to talks about identity, religion, friendship, sex, violence, and Seattle in the 1990’s. You can pre-order “Sayulita : Stories” at leftofage.com now. If you live in the Seattle area you are invited to the...
2022-10-041h 35
The TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 12 - "The Sand In Between My Toes""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-04-0721 min
The TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 11 - "In Between Days OR Almost There""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-03-3121 minThe TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 10 "California Arrival, Kind Of""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-03-2419 min
The TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 9 - "Samson and Delilah""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-03-1726 minThe TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 8 "Reno, Nevada""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-03-1021 minThe TraceS4 E11 - The Trace Radio Plays 80's MusicKat and Andrew are back with more Trace Radio! Here is some music to break up "The Sky, Finally" episodes. Part 8 of the novel comes out next Thursday. On this show we each pick five tracks from the 80's. We don't exactly pick the songs you might expect. Give a listen to some great 80's music plus fun conversation with Kat and Andrew.
2022-03-051h 40The TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 7 "Happy Endings Only""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-03-0319 minThe TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 6 "Talking With Ghosts""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-02-2424 minThe TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 5 "Goodbye Boys!""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-02-1726 minThe TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 4 "No Husbands, No Boyfriends, No Babies""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-02-1025 minThe TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 3 "Angst, Existentialism, and a Whole Lot of Rats""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-02-0322 min
The TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 2 "Youth Group Experimentation""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for...
2022-01-2722 min
The TraceThe Sky, Finally - Part 1 "Omaha, Nebraska 1979""The Sky, Finally" is my debut novel. This is the story of 17 year old Anna from Omaha, Nebraska. The year is 1979 and she feels very much like an outsider. She is longing for another life. Punk music, religion, partying, sex, philosophy..she's looking for a place to be. Will she find it? I will be releasing these in parts here on The Trace Podcast and also at andrewhackett.bandcamp.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the story so please reach out via email or on Instagram if you want to discuss. Thank you for listeni...
2022-01-2120 minThe TraceNatalia Keogan on Film Writing, Horror, and ActivismNatalia Keogan is a film critic who is especially passionate about the gendered and sexualized aesthetics of horror, LGBTQ+ cinema, Spanish-language films, punk music and anti-fascism. Women’s reproductive and mental health issues are also subjects of interest in her work. In other words…Natalia is a perfect guest for The Trace Podcast! We talk about how she fell in love with movies, the ethics of “A Clockwork Orange”, horror films, and her favorites of 2021. You can read her wonderful work at Paste Magazine, Filmmaker Magazine, and other places. Thanks for being on the show Na
2022-01-131h 52The TraceOutcast Songs on The Trace RadioOn this episode of The Trace Kat Sommers and Andrew Hackett play “Outcast Songs”. These are songs by or about people that are different, people that don’t have a place to be, people that don’t quite fit in. As usual Kat and Andrew get into existential themes through their song choices. Keep an eye out for the upcoming serialized audiobook by Andrew which is called “The Sky, Finally”. Part 1 comes out next week. Now…onto the music!
2021-12-161h 38The TraceErotic Thriller and the Tumbleweed (an audio story)A 14 year-old makes his first true friend after his family moves to a commune in the San Fernando Valley foothills of Los Angeles. They cause trouble, begin to discover sexuality, and fall in love with Weezer (oh yes, the year is 1992). All is well and then, of course, life is interrupted. "Erotic Thriller and the Tumbleweed" is an audio story written by Andrew Hackett and produced by Andrew Hiller (alhhla). Enjoy the experience and check out andrewhackett.bandcamp.com to listen to more audio stories.
2021-11-0846 minThe TraceWriting, Audio Stories, Erotic Thriller and the TumbleweedIn the coming months I am going to be sharing audio stories here on The Trace. I spent much of the quarantine part of the pandemic writing fiction. Now I am ready to share these stories with you in audio format. First up is “Erotic Thriller and the Tumbleweed”. I wrote this story knowing that my dear friend Andrew Hiller would do the score and production on it. Well, he went way above and beyond with a beautiful creation that I am so excited to share with you. In here I also discuss dreams, horror movies...
2021-10-2727 minThe TraceSongs of Rebirth with Kat SommersWhat songs make you think of rebirth? We are in the season of fall where the leaves are falling and the weather gets colder. But we also know from experience that those leaves will return and it will heat up once again. On this episode of The Trace Andrew and Kat talk about rebirth, anger, grief, hope. Expect to hear some awesome songs and also some inspiring words. You know there will be some surprising choices here. Let's go!
2021-10-221h 38The TraceThe Trace Radio - The Coen Brothers, Religion, and NINOn this episode of The Trace Radio it's Andrew solo playing music and musing on mysteries. The Coen Brothers are discussed as religious provocoteur filmmakers which leads into tracks by NIN, mewithoutYou, and Andrew WK. Take a walk, a drive, a run, or just chill out as you listen to some curious thoughts and some great music.
2021-08-302h 00The TraceSteve Elkins on "Echoes of the Invisible"Steve Elkins is a filmmaker whose recent documentary Echoes of the Invisible takes the viewer on a "journey into the most extreme environments on earth to find the connective tissue between all things seen and unseen". On this episode of The Trace Podcast Steve and I talk about interconnectedness, filmmaking, plus everything from science to meditation. Steve is also a musician who played in The Autumns before focusing his full attention on making movies. Listen to our talk and then watch Echoes of the Invisible where you can fully dive into the mysteries o...
2021-08-041h 30The TraceThe Trace Radio with The Soundtrack of Our LivesKat and Andrew are back with songs that would be on our life soundtracks. Happy birthday to Kat on this episode! If there was a movie made of your life what would be 5 songs that would have to be on that soundtrack? That's the theme for this show and it gives us a chance to talk life and music and meaning. As you listen to the show think of the songs that you would choose for your own life soundtrack. Feel free to write us on Instagram with your choices.
2021-07-161h 38The TraceYou Are Who You Say You AreOnce a month I (Andrew) host a 2-hour Saturday morning radio show in Seattle on 107.3FM. This is an opportunity to get a little more mystical and philosophical while pairing songs with thought meditations. A theme I keep returning to is "You are who you say you are" or "I am who I say I am". This is about lovingly and intentionaly defining yourself. If you don't do it the culture or other toxic people will be happy to tell you who you are. Going all over the place with genre, era, and feels here in...
2021-07-011h 58The TraceThe Trace Radio with Songs of FreedomWhat does freedom mean to you? Is freedom connected to responsibility? Does freedom mean that you can do anything you want regardless of how it effects others? How does my freedom and your freedom relate to each other? On this episode Andrew is joined by The Trace Radio's co-host Kat Summers. We each pick 5 songs related to this theme of freedom and talk about what they mean to us. Style, genre, and era will be all over the place even as the theme is the same. What songs would you pick that represent freedom to you?
2021-06-191h 56The TraceClare Carlisle on Soren Kierkegaard: Philosopher of the HeartOn this episode of The Trace Podcast I talk with Professor Clare Carlisle of King's College. She is the author of six books, most recently "On Habit, Spinoza’s Religion: A New Reading of the Ethics" and "Philosopher of the Heart: The Restless Life of Søren Kierkegaard" which we will be focused on in this talk. Clare Carlisle teaches in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Kings College. Her wonderful book "Philosopher of the Heart" brings the life and thought of Soren Kierkegaard fully to life for the reader. Clare and I talk about what s...
2021-05-2457 minThe TraceJonathan Parks-Ramage on His Novel "Yes, Daddy"Jonathan Parks-Ramage is a Los Angeles based novelist, screenwriter and journalist. His debut novel, YES, DADDY, will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on May 18, 2021. Amazon Studios is currently adapting the book for television. His writing has been widely published in such outlets as VICE, Slate, OUT Magazine, W Magazine, Atlas Obscura, Elle and Medium. He has lectured on journalism and creative non-fiction at Fordham University. He is also an alumnus of the 2018 and 2019 Bread Loaf Writers' Conferences. Jonathan and I talk about YES, DADDY, queer Christianity, working in restaurants, and hopes for the future.
2021-05-101h 17The TraceDevin Tau Talking "Who's On Top?" and LGBTQ+ StoriesDevin Fei-Fan Tau is the director of "Who's On Top?" which is a feature-length documentary that shines a spotlight on a diverse group of the LGBTQ+ community to challenge stereotypes about gender and sexuality in outdoor recreation. Historically excluded and ostracized as not belonging to the adventurer community, the climbers tackle not only a mountain, but assumptions about who they are and how they belong to the world of outdoor sports. This film portrays a journey like no other, a never-before-told story about what makes LGBTQ+ folks both distinct and connected, facing physical, mental and s...
2021-05-031h 12The TraceTye Reed on Mutual Aid, Supporting Each Other, and the MoviesThis week on The Trace I am very proud to have Tye Reed as a guest. Tye is a mutual aid organizer in Seattle, Washington. We talk mutual aid, how we can all support each other, and the movies. Tye tells us about the good work of mutual aid and how YOU can get involved. Then we get into some movies and how they relate to our need to take care of each other. We discuss "Little Monsters", "28 Days Later", "Do the Right Thing", and the ever glorious "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors". Follo...
2021-04-271h 30The TraceTodd Brown of Screen Anarchy and XYZ FilmsTodd Brown from Screen Anarchy and XYZ Films is my guest this week. Todd and I talk about his life of writing about movies and music, producing films, and the movies that have shaped him. Todd has been a producer on films like "Mandy", "The Raid", "Vivarium", and much more. He generously shares stories about the making of "The Raid", Panos Casmotos, and Nicolas Cage. We also get into his earlier focus on music with artists like Dave Bazan and Damien Jurado. It's a conversation full of movies, music, television, and the art we love. There...
2021-04-131h 34The TraceAlan Sparhawk from LowLow is one of the great bands of the last 25+ years. Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker have been making transcendent, challenging, beautiful music consistently since they started Low. Alan Sparhawk is my guest this week on The Trace. We talk about his childhood and how he fell in love with music. We dive into specific Low songs plus talk Neil Young, Robert Plant, and even Spike Lee. We touch on religion/spirituality, where songs come from, mental health, and our need for disruptive art. Low's discography is truly impressive. Listen to their early classi...
2021-03-252h 08The TraceAndrew Gets Interviewed on a Year of Living in the MoviesIt was just over a year ago that quarantine started. Before then I was managing/bartending at a Seattle bar. Suddenly I was home and trying to figure out how to use the time. I wanted to take advantage of this bittersweet opportunity. I gave myself over to doing interviews, study, writing - and the movies! This is a talk about what the movies meant to me in 2020. How did they help me grow? How did they help me face my own darkness? How did they help my empathy expand? These films gave me the opportuni...
2021-03-191h 57
The TraceThe Bright Light of the Christian Bookstore (A Short Story)About a year ago I woke up in the morning and saw a man in my mind. His name was Terry. I knew that Terry loved 80's Christian rock and that he managed a Christian bookstore in the mid-90's. I wanted to know more about this person. I sat down and this story came to me. "The Bright Light of the Christian Bookstore" Maybe you went to these places back in the day. Maybe you worked at one. Maybe you have no idea what I am talking about but are intrigued to hear Terry's story.
2021-03-0838 minThe TraceDemian Johnston of Great Falls on the beauty of metal, straight edge in the 90's, and much more.Illustrator, designer, musician, instructor, and letterpress printer Demian Johnston spent his formative years playing bass in legendary hardcore band Undertow before moving to guitar to form Nineironspitfire and later join hardcore icons Kiss It Goodbye. He currently plays with Great Falls whose most recent album is "A Sense of Rest". We talk about the beauty of metal, fear of death, the straight edge scene in the 90's and 00's, and the importance of funding the arts. There are asides about horror movies, philosophy, plus plenty of band stories. Check out Great Falls!
2021-03-031h 37The TraceGet Behind Me, Satan (Deconstructed Bible Stories)Do you know that phrase "get behind me, Satan"? What's that about? On this episode of The Trace I break down what is going on with this strange expression. Surprise! It's more political than you think. I use clips from "Nomadland", "Magnolia", and "Borat" while looking at this famous expression and Bible story. Are you seeing things in this world through the lense of collective responsibility or survival of the fittest competition? Plus, what's the deal with this Satan concept?
2021-02-2642 min
The TraceRabbi Mark Sameth and the Dual-Gendered Name of GodRabbi Mark Sameth is the author of The Name: A History of the Dual-Gendered Hebrew Name for God. His essays include “Our Father, Who Art Our Mother” which you can read on Religion Dispatches, and the Op-Ed “Is God Transgender” which appeared in The New York Times. Mark and I talk about his book which includes wonderful insights into gender, feminism, affirming LGBTQ people, and intersectional identity. We explore the Adam and Eve story, Kabbalah, and Jewish history. What are the implications of a dual-gendered God? This is a special one my friends!
2021-02-191h 24
The TraceJennifer Butler on "Who Stole My Bible?"The Reverend Jennifer Butler is the founding Executive Director of Faith in Public Life and author of "Who Stole My Bible?: Reclaiming Scripture as a Handbook for Resisting Tyranny". Reverend Butler also wrote "Born Again: The Christian Right Globalized." We talk about her wonderful new book and how to resist empire within inter-faith dialogue and activism. Have you heard about the horrific "Slave Bible"? You will get that story and much more about white supramacy's version of Christian nationalism. The good news is that there is a tradition of loving resistance that is continuing today.
2021-02-1253 minThe TraceCrystal Cheatham on Coming Out and Deconstructing Religious IdentityCrystal Cheatham is the creator of Our Bible App and the host of Lord Have Mercy, a podcast about God, sex and the Bible. As a writer and social justice warrior she has been featured in Essence Magazine, TeenVogue and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Find out more about her work at ChrystalCheatham.com. We talk about Crystal's upbringing in the Seventh Day Adventist church, coming out, and deconstructing religious identity. Check out Our Bible App and the wonderful work that Crystal is doing!
2021-01-3059 minThe TraceErin Green on Queer Christianity and Future Public LifeErin Green is an affirming biblical scholar and LGBTQ+ activist. Erin's passion is helping those excluded by the church to heal from spiritual abuse and trauma by navigating the biblical text in restorative ways. In this talk Erin and I discuss queer Christianity and possibilities for public life after Covid. We are both hopeful about the good things that are possible when we can all gather together again whether that be at concerts, bars, church, activism, or wherever else. Thanks to Erin for the wonderful conversation!
2021-01-141h 25The TraceOvercoming and Forgiveness with Brett BashawBrett Bashaw and I have been friends since high school. We traveled together in parts of the USA and Mexico in our late teens and early 20's. I have always known Brett to be a sincere searcher for meaning and love. He is someone who has overcome profoundly difficult circumstances and practiced forgiveness towards others. He and his wife, Natashaw Lawyer, published the book "Tin Can Homestead: The Art of Airstream Living" and run their own pottery company Sugarhouse Ceramic Co. In this conversation Brett and I talk about his rough childhood, finding community, doing forgi...
2020-12-261h 22The TraceDisturbing (in a good way) Movies with the Saints and Cinema PodcastTim and Jay Winterstein are programmers of the Newport Beach Film Festival and host a podcast called Saints and Cinema. Their show is about movies and religion. This (of course) caught my attention because these are two of my greatest passions. This episode is a crossover for both of our shows where we discuss movies that disturbed and disrupted us in positive ways. Some of these films are legit intense and we do include some "trigger warnings" in case you want to see any of these that you haven't already seen. Tim is a Lutheran pas...
2020-12-071h 53The TraceWendi Cervantes on Making Music in Strange TimesWendi Cervantes is a singer, songwriter, and musician from San Bernardino, California who is now based out of Seattle. She does all kinds of styles and does them all well. Her newest single is a collaboration with the producer Nez and it's called "Lemons". It's a glorious synth-pop jam that is sure to pick you up. Wendi does music under Cervantes and also with her former band Enamity. She is currently working with different producers and House of Breaking Glass. In this talk we discuss art as play/therapy, how much we miss going to shows, and Wendi...
2020-11-281h 00The Trace90's Indie Christian Music and What it Means NowJason Anderson and Jeremy Krommendyk are music lovers who fully identified with the same music scene as myself. We were fully invested in 90's underground Christian bands like Starflyer 59, Roadside Monument, Pedro the Lion, MxPx, Luxury, and Zao. We talk about what it was like then and where we are now with music and Christianity in America. This is an opportunity to talk about music, religion, and identity. Each of our understandings of what that scene was about has changed over the years. Hopefully you will discover a new great band or two and also consider your own...
2020-11-201h 48The TraceJennifer Buck on Feminist Theology and PacifismJennifer Buck teaches at Azusa Pacific University and wrote Reframing the House: Constructive Feminist Global Ecclesiology for the Western Evangelical Church. Jennifer has wonderful insights on Christian feminism, pacifism, and the activist tradition of Quakers. This is a theological and political conversation that I hope feels open to all listeners. I'm honored to start season 3 of The Trace with this wonderful conversation. If you want to hear more talks like this one check season 2 episode 25 with Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons. Let's keep working towards love, justice, and equity my friends!
2020-11-101h 15The TraceSeason 2 Finale + 5 Films for Spiritual DisruptionA few weeks before election results feels like the right time to end season 2 of The Trace. It's been a fantastic 34 episodes and I am so grateful to every guest for being a part of this with me. I end season 2 with some words of hope and encouragement in these unpredictable times. We need to support and love each other big time during this next month. Make sure you have a plan and support group for all this election madness. I then break down 5 movies for spiritual disruption. We all need to be challenged from time...
2020-10-2248 minThe TraceDavid Llama on interconnectedness, Mexico, and living in the USADavid Llama is a filmmaker and friend who grew up in Mexico City and now lives in Seattle. He has wonderful insights about all kinds of things in life. In this episode we talk about the transition from Mexico to the USA and how that has changed during the Trump years. Lots of talk in here about music, movies, and culture from both Mexico and the USA. David reminds us that we are all connected in this human experience. Thanks to David for taking the time to have such a lovely and honest conversation.
2020-10-131h 35The TraceJohnathon FordI am so fortunate to have Johnathon Ford as my guest. Johnathon is an incredible musician known for his work with Unwed Sailor, Roadside Monument, and many other bands. We talk about going all in with music and staying true to the artistic dream. Johnathon is very open and gracious as he tells stories about life on the road and songwriting.
2020-09-231h 44The TraceOdie Henderson and Writing About the MoviesOdie Henderson writes for Rogerebert.com, Slant, and Big Door Vandalism. He has been published in The Village Voice, Vulture, and much more. He is one of my very favorite film critics writing today. He is totally open and honest in such a refreshing way. We talk about falling in love with movies, growing up in Jersey, Martin Scorsese, "women's pictures", horror movies, and more. Check out his great writing on rogerebert.com and other places.
2020-09-112h 02
The TraceAuthor Isaac MarionIsaac Marion is the author of "The Warm Bodies Series" with the most recent and final being "The Living". We talk about writing, scary stories, facing the darkness, homeschooling, and the future of art after the pandemic.
2020-09-021h 40The TraceTop 10 Movies of the 2010's (and where to see them)This last decade was an incredible time for film. We are in a strange pause for movies right now while living through a pandemic. This is a chance to look at some of the special ones from recent times. I hope you enjoy the show and watch some of these movies afterwards.
2020-08-2746 min
The TraceDoug Lorig of Roadside MonumentDoug Lorig is a Seattle musician most known for his guitar playing in Roadside Monument and Raft of Dead Monkeys. He currently plays in the band Graphic Nature. We talk about falling in love with music, the Seattle mid-90's music scene, Tooth and Nail Records, and his time with Roadside Monument. Enjoy the show and listen to Doug's music!
2020-08-192h 12The TraceTop 10 Horror with Louie RomoLouie Romo is the house manager of the Northwest Film Forum in Seattle, Washington. We both break down our top 10 horror films. These are subjective lists of course! Get ready for some Carpenter, Romero, Lynch, Cronenberg, and more.
2020-08-041h 55
The TraceSherae Lascelles and Radical AuthenticitySherae Lascelles is running for Legislative District No. 43. Sherae and I talk about radical authenticity, mutual aid, harm reduction, and how all these issues relate to both Seattle and life in general. Check out Sherae's campaign page if you are interested in getting involved. https://www.sheraeforstate.com
2020-07-2752 min
The TraceReclaiming Progressive Christianity with Guthrie Graves-FitzsimmonsGuthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons is the author of the forthcoming Book "Just Faith: Reclaiming Progressive Christianity". In this talk we discuss the state of our times and how progressive Christianity has something to say about where we are and where we are headed. Guthrie has a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, where he was the William Sloane Coffin Scholar. He and his husband, both native Texans, now live in Louisville, Kentucky.
2020-07-1342 minThe TraceWhy Watch Horror Movies?There is a cliche that horror films are immoral and cheap. Here I explore the ethical value of watching scary movies. How do fear and empathy relate to each other? What good can be found in confronting the darkness both in yourself and in the world?
2020-07-0755 minThe TraceEric and Nate Stone on "Two Pictures"Eric and Nate Stone were my guests this week on The Trace. Eric wrote and directed the film "Two Pictures". Nate did the score and helped produce the movie. "Two Pictures" has just been released online where it is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Check out the movie!
2020-06-171h 56
The TraceProtest, Quarantine, HopeI was so upset by Donald Trump's profane use of the Bible as a symbol of fascist authoritarianism that I felt the need to record an response to it. The idea that Trump connects the Bible, and Christianity, to his hateful view of the world is absurd. Trump exposes the biblical illiteracy that plagues Christians across America. If only they actually took the words of Jesus seriously!
2020-06-0441 min
The TraceOscar Negrete on Psychology, Quarantine, and ArtOscar is a long time friend of mine who is a therapist and musician in Tepic, Mexico. We have collaborated on music in the past and always have incredible conversations. Today we discuss life in Mexico during quarantine, what he has learned in his work as a psychologist, and how art can restore a person. We also talk about his band Monoceros and what it has been like being in a post-rock band in Mexico since the 2000's. Enjoy the talk!
2020-05-202h 02
The TraceWilliam Bardot on Hinduism, Buddhism, and ChristianityWilliam and I love talking about religion. He is on the the Buddhist path with a great interest in all religion. I am currently reading the Bhagavad Gita which gave William and I the chance to discourse on Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and other traditions. The purpose of this talk is to build bridges between religious thought as opposed to debate or competition. I found this conversation to be genuinely inspirational and I hope you feel the same!
2020-05-061h 57
The TraceAndrew Hiller and the Art LifeAndrew Hiller and I have been friends for many years. He is a musician/artist that I originally met in the late-90's/early-2000's. We have stayed close ever since even though we never live near each other. He has been making music for a long time with many bands inlcuding Mr Klein and the Wizards of Time, Yairms, Damn Union, Treasure Mammal, and as AlhhlA. We discuss friendship, music collectives, the art life, religion, fear, and his experiences practicing communal living.
2020-04-231h 34
The TraceBrian Durkin and Our Top 5 Films of the 90'sBrian Durkin is an editor and musician from Los Angeles. He is a major movie lover and I had been wanting to have him on The Trace for quite a while. Every interview I have done on The Trace has been in person but with the current quarantine it felt like the right time to have talks with people in other states and countries. Brian and I discuss our top 5 films of the 1990’s. Everybody needs movie suggestions during this time so hopefully some of these are good options for your viewing pleasure. We al...
2020-04-111h 59
The TraceTop 5 Scarlett Johansson MoviesBack to it here on The Trace with some social distancing episodes. We all need movies to watch, podcasts to listen to, and various ideas on how to best pass the time during this strange season of life. Today I discuss my top 5 Scarlett Johansson films. She has done so much great work and it's a perfect time to go back to watch some of her best.
2020-04-0226 min
The TraceThe Woman on the BridgeA story about a woman who tries to jump off a bridge but is caught by the arm.
2020-01-0717 min
The TraceBest Albums of the 2010'sThis is a breakdown of my favorite albums of the decade and their relation to cultural and political events of our time. This is a subjective list that is more about feel and themes than genre. Check out thetracepodcast.com for the full list of 200 albums.
2019-12-0345 minThe TraceA Halloween StoryThis week I share a story I wrote and performed with the help of Seattle band Mount Savage. This is a Halloween story that I shared at an event at Hotel Albatross last week. I've never shared a fiction piece on here so this is a first. I hope you enjoy!
2019-11-0521 min
The TraceMatt Johnson on Roadside Monument, Tooth and Nail, and Seattle in the 90'sThis week my guest is Matt Johnson. He is a drummer who has been in bands like Roadside Monument, Blenderhead, 90 Pound Wuss, and many more. We discuss underground punk rock music in Seattle in the 90's and how times have changed since then. I am so proud to have him as a guest!
2019-10-021h 40
The TracePsalm 23 and Deconstructing Bible StoriesThis is my first installment of an idea I have wanted to do for a while: a deconstruction of a famous Bible story. In this case it's Psalm 23. I go through the text looking at the original language and searching for other possible readings. Keep an open mind as you listen!
2019-09-1852 min
The TraceSPECSWIZARD on The Shining, An American Werewolf in London, Religion, the Nature of Evil, and The Need to Check YourselfSeattle artist SPECSWIZARD is my guest on this episode where we discuss the movies The Shining and An American Werewolf in London. From there we vamp into talks on religion, the nature of evil, judgment culture, and the importance of checking yourself. Listen to his music at https://specswizard.bandcamp.com.
2019-09-141h 43
The Trace"Before Sunrise" and Keith Green, Amy Grant, and The Joker with Sam SundquistOn this episode of The Trace we look at Richard Linklater's 1995 romantic drama "Before Sunrise". This gives us a chance to talk about being seen, falling in love, commitment, and the nature of desire. Plus we touch on Keith Green, Amy Grant, and The Joker at the end.
2019-09-041h 41
The TraceComing Home, The 1975, The VMA's, Taylor Swift, Andrew Luck, SNL, and Greenland with Sam SundquistWe discuss Hal Ashby's "Coming Home" along with current headlines like the new 1975 song "People", SNL, Taylor Swift, the VMA's, and Trump's desire to buy Greenland.
2019-08-2849 min
The TraceBrett Hamil, comedy, politics, Seattle, homelessness, proximity, and local government.Brett Hamil is my guest this week. He is a comedian and political voice in Seattle. We talk about comedy, Seattle, politics, local news, and street papers like Real Change. Wonderful conversation!
2019-08-1253 min
The TraceBlue Velvet, #MeToo, Shadow Work, Meditation, Violence in Movies, Evil and Goodness with Hannah Haddix and Sam SundquistDavid Lynch explored the depths of mysterious beauty and ugliness in his 1986 film "Blue Velvet". Hannah Haddix and Sam Sundquist are my guests as we discuss themes related to the movie like #MeToo, shadow work, meditation, 80's America, and violence in the movies. Heavy stuff but necessary conversations.
2019-08-061h 36
The TraceJoe Versus the Volcano and the ImpossibleThis week Sam Sundquist and I used the 1990 bizzarro rom-com “Joe Versus the Volcano” to talk about some serious existential issues. Themes covered are: What would you do if you found out you had 5 months to live? When have you realized that there was more possible for you then you previously knew? Are people generally “good” or “bad”? We also admitted to some embarassing stuff from our youth.
2019-07-301h 42
The TraceFirst Reformed and Looking for HopeThis week Hannah Haddix, Sam Sundquist, and I discuss themes of despair, living in a world of injustice, and hope. We use the movie "First Reformed" as a case study for the backdrop of these issues. We get in some debates on how to react to climate change, our understandings of political responsibility, and even bring some references to "The Red Shoe Diaries" at the end!
2019-07-231h 32
The Trace"Midsommar" and DespairI discuss Ari Aster's "Midsommar" and despair. In this sense it is, in a Hannah Arendt understanding, political despair. That means that human beings do not have the ability to minimize suffering. I rage against the idea that "life is suffering" and that human beings do not have the power to minimize suffering and bring about healing.
2019-07-1133 min
The TraceJoshua Horvath, The Master, and TraumaMy guest this week is the therapist, and dear friend of mine (!), Joshua Horvath. He works with kids experiencing trauma. Our talk centers around Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 film "The Master" as a case study for trauma, violence, and recovery.
2019-07-021h 20
The TraceMagnolia and the Possibility of ForgivenessToday I talk with Sam Sundquist about Paul Thomas Anderson's now classic "Magnolia" from 1999. We discuss inherited shame, incels, suffering, hope, love, and forgiveness. The film does a wonderful job of showing human pain while retaining possibilities for positive transformation.
2019-06-251h 11The TraceRyan Lobe: Homeschooling, and Heavy MetalMy guest on this episode is musician, bar manager, and all around cool guy Ryan Lobe. We discuss the transition from home schooling in the suburbs to bartending heavy metal shows.
2019-06-121h 22The Trace2018: The Year in ReviewThis is a look back on the movies, albums, political events, and personal readings that stuck out to me in 2018. I remember movies like "First Reformed", "Roma", and "Mandy" plus albums by Janelle Monae, Lykke Li, and Earl Sweatshirt. Later in the episode I focus on political events of the year plus some of the themes that have been important to me during the last 12 months. At thetracepodcast.com I will have a full breakdown and links to all that has been discussed here. Happy New Year my friends!
2019-01-0356 minThe TraceLoving the Orphan with Mary Jo HansenMary Jo Hansen has run Casa Nana in Tepic, Mexico for 10 years now. Casa Nana is a foster/orphanage home for kids that have no where else to be. It's a dynamic undertaking where kids get back to school, learn art, receive love, and get an opportunity for a new future. Mary Jo is from the Bay Area and we discuss how she went from a chaotic adolescence of her own to taking care of adolescents in Mexico years later. Along the way we touch on political and religious topics, living in Mexico, and scary stories of "na...
2018-12-261h 17The TraceExploring Sexual Shame with Dr Tina SellersI am very proud to present this talk with Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers from Seattle Pacific University and The Northwest Institute on Intimacy. Her book "Sex, God, and the Conservative Church" is an insightful look at how abstinence only education has caused deep levels of sexual shame in people as they grow up. Dr. Sellers and I discuss the nature of religious and cultural sexual shame and then look into the movies to see where this manifests itself. The whole talk was thrilling to be a part of and I am so happy to share it with you...
2018-12-121h 38The TraceCinema and Religion: From First Reformed to Last TemptationIn this episode I explore cinema and religion with films like "First Reformed", "The Last Temptation of Christ", and the work of Todd Haynes and Gus Van Sant. These movies speak to me in the religious sense where we ask ourselves questions about responsibility, empathy, love, and justice. I must note that religion and spirituality, in my definition, also contains atheism, paganism, agnosticism, etc. For me, religion and spirituality, have to do with the big existential questions and then asks who and what am I responsible to in this life? The only way to truly avoid the huma...
2018-11-211h 06The TraceGreg Wright and 1962My guest this week is Greg Wright. Greg is an artist of many talents and experiences. He has done writing, acting, criticism, poetry, plus theater and film direction. He is also a practicing Christian with strong thoughts and feelings on our current times. Greg and I had never met but we got right into a very honest and direct discussion on movies, religion, politics, empathy, and why it is that we human beings are so naturally divisive.
2018-10-301h 32The TraceIt's Halloween Time with Lucas GonzalezIt's October and Halloween is coming up. I talk with author and editor Lucas Gonzalez about Horror in film. This gets us into 80's horror films, Cronenberg, body horror, grief, and terror in literature.
2018-10-161h 01The TraceIt's the Nicolas Cage episode!This is a special edition episode of The Trace where I analyze the career of Nicolas Cage. Here I challenge the idea that Cage is a bad actor. I contend that he plays his characters truthfully in terms of emotional experience. We are the actors in the way that we repress and deny our inner life. This whole episode is a provocation to all of us to be more honest about our emotions and experience.
2018-10-091h 02The TraceMelody Parks and 1973My guest this week is Melody Parks Melody was born in 1973 and she has a history of work in television, as an actress, and currently as a therapist here in Seattle. We discuss her birth year and the films “The Exorcist”, “Mean Streets”, and “Badlands”. These movies open up conversations on what it means to be American plus topics of race, parenthood, and hope.
2018-10-021h 45The TraceSean Jewel and 1978My guest this weak is Sean Jewel. Sean writes for American Standard Time which is associated with Greg Vandy who hosts The Roadhouse on KEXP here in Seattle. Sean and I discuss our mutual birth year of 1978 with films like “Blue Collar”, “Days of Heaven”, plus Bruce Springsteens cinematic record “Darkness on the Edge of Town”. These works get us into themes of class in America, progressive politics, gender expectations, religion, and many other excellent topics.
2018-09-191h 23The TraceEternal Sunshine and Love as RiskDoes romantic love complete us? Can we be completed at all? On this episode I look at Michel Gondry's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" how it is a genuinely powerful film on romantic love. I also reference "Jerry Maguire", Slavoj Zizek, GK Chesterton, and "Moonstruck". Join me as we explore what real love is in a world of lack, limitation, and loss.
2018-09-1225 minThe TraceMexico, The Shining, and Forgiveness with Vicco GonzalezI was so happy to have my friend Vicco Gonzalez on the show this week! Vicco is a musician and graphic designer from Guadalajara, Mexico. We talked about a few of his favorite films like "The Shining", "Los Olvidados", and "Persona". This led us to talk about identity, Mexico, immigration, Seattle, Hannah Arendt, fatalism in art, and forgiveness.
2018-09-111h 31The TraceSeattle, Christian Rock, and Politics with Chris EsteyMy guest this week is Chris Estey. Chris and I share a connection to a very specific music scene that Seattle was a center of in the latter half of the 90’s. I was so, so excited to have this conversation with him. It did not disappoint. Many bands will be referenced here plus lots of talk about politics, religion, and the musical traditions of Seattle. Chris has had connections to Light in the Attic, Tooth & Nail Records, Bandoppler Magazine, and many more music-associated works. He is currently with XO Publicity and working on a book that I am ve...
2018-09-031h 46The TraceJeffrey Overstreet and Medicine for Ailing AmericaToday I am speaking with novelist, film critic, and teacher Jeffrey Overstreet. We discuss the kind of films that we consider Medicine for Ailing America. Jeffrey and I agree that healing starts with acknowledging the reality of the problem. To become better we must acknowledge the truth of the past and become open to new possibilities in the present and future. The main movies we discuss are Terrence Malick’s “The New World”, Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing”, and Wim Wenders “Wings of Desire”.
2018-08-251h 34The TracePulp Fiction and ForgivenessToday we are going to look at Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” and how the film opens up possibilities for forgiveness as opposed to vengeance. Forgiveness is not the first thing one thinks of when Tarantino comes to mind but I believe this is one of the aspects that has made “Pulp Fiction” relevant to viewers of all-ages.
2018-08-2128 minThe TraceDonald Trump, Truth, and FactsThis week I break down Donald Trump's and the GOP's recent denial of facts. I look at postmodernism, multiculturalism, and their threat to white supremacy and why conservatives have become "truth relativists" in recent times. I use samples from "A Few Good Men", Newt Gingrich, and "1984" to illustrate my points.
2018-08-1344 minThe TraceBrian Bernazard 1982Brian “Bernee Luv” Bernazard is a DJ, musician, skater, and fellow Ballard dad. He was born in 1982 and we discuss E.T., parenting, skating, Pink Floyd: The Wall, Radiohead, and growing up with 80’s music.
2018-08-061h 26The TraceE.T. and the Incoming of the ImpossibleI look at Spielberg's "E.T." and the hope included in the Impossible and Event. This is contrasted with the terror of "Alien". The result is a hopeful take on transformation in the individual.
2018-08-0124 minThe TraceCaitlin Sherman 1982Caitlin Sherman is a Seattle singer-songwriter with loads of soul and talent. We sat down to talk about some of the films and music of 1982. With films we talked about the impossible good that can happen in life with “ET” and then how the impossible bad can take place with John Carpenters “The Thing”. Finally, we discuss the power and beauty that sad music can have and Bruce Springsteen’s lonely masterpiece “Nebraska”.
2018-07-251h 33The TraceScapegoating, Violence, and Taxi DriverIn this episode we will take a look at how scapegoating and "othering" works itself out in the world. The taxi driver Travis in the Scorsese film takes out his own self-hatred onto everyone around him. In our world this can come out in forms of racism, misogyny, homophobia, and other forms of scapegoating. I use the thoughts and words of James Baldwin to show another way that leads us towards empathy.
2018-07-2129 min
The TraceMr Rogers and Fight ClubIn this episode I contrast the new documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor" with "Fight Club". This may sound like a stretch but they have very different understandings of the self which make for a quality comparison. So come along with me as we look at both Mr Rogers and Tyler Durden.
2018-07-1228 min