Shows
A Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonAllison Pugh - The Last Human JobAI and data analytics have created some miraculous efficiencies over the last couple of years. AI helps me stay organized and assists with research and interview prep. Sometimes, you just need a mindless automaton. That said, when it comes time to buy my groceries, I want to talk to a clerk. I want my hair cut by my barber, Chuck—the same guy I’ve been going to for the last 50 years. I need that human connection to maintain my sanity. Every day, we hear about new ways technology is making our lives easier. But are we losing something in t...2025-05-0754 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonJim Thomsen - "There's Always Work at the Post Office"I recently read a New York Times article titled "The Gen X Career Meltdown," which discussed how GenXers are aging out of the workforce early due to technology and the collapse of the creative industries. It reminded me of an old friend, journalist and literary editor, Jim Thomsen. Jim writes on Substack about the bittersweet journey of chasing his dream job for most of his professional life—only to find himself, in his late 50s, broke and unemployable. Forced to figure things out, Jim gets a job at the US Postal Service and, in doing so, finds creative renewal by...2025-04-3057 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonJW Ocker - How to Start a CultAuthor JW Ocker is a man who has devoted himself to the study and research of bizarre cultural phenomena. In his book Cult Following: the Extreme Sects that Capture our Imagination - And Take Over our Lives, he sets his sights on cults. This week on A Fresh Face in Hell, JW joins me to discuss cults, their origins, belief systems, paradigms, recruitment techniques, and their sometimes fiery ends. We'll delve into some strange shit this week. Listener discretion is advised. https://www.amazon.com/Cult-Following-Extreme-Capture-Imaginations_and/dp/1683694120Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z...2025-04-2355 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonDr. Arik Kershenbaum - Why Animals TalkHumans are not the only species who have devised complex languages. How do their languages differ from ours? What can we learn from their languages? Do Spanish dogs understand Japanese dogs? How can our own knowledge of animal language help us in the realm of Xenolinguistics, and the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life? Today I rap with Cambridge zoologist Dr. Arik Kershenbaum about animal language. Arik is the Author of Why Animals Talk: The New Science of Animal Communication. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://ww...2025-03-2658 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonEllen Vora, MD - The Anatomy of AnxietyToday, I speak with Ellen Vora, MD, about understanding, treating, and living with anxiety—a condition she thoroughly explores in her book The Anatomy of Anxiety. Ellen and I discussed some of my experiences with anxiety over the past few years. We explore some practical tools to manage the nervous system, from lifestyle changes to therapy, and even spirituality. While it’s not quite a free therapy session, it’s also not your typical interview. Either way, I hope it offers helpful insights for those struggling to understand and manage their own anxiety. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch...2025-03-1957 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonClaire Dederer - Monsters: A Fan's DilemmaToday, I speak with an old friend, Claire Dederer, about her seminal book, Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma. We ask the question: Is it possible to appreciate an artist's work if the artist's behavior is monstrous? Is the work of artists like Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Prince, and Alice Munro better understood if we have a greater awareness of the complexities of their lives, or is there a point at which the work is spoiled forever? At what point can we no longer separate the art from the artist? What is your breaking point?https://www.clairedederer.com/2025-03-1255 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonJeff Ament - The Origins of Pearl JamToday, I have a conversation with my old friend Jeff Ament. We discussed his incredible rock 'n' roll journey—from the Seattle hardcore scene of the '80s to the rise of '90s Grunge, and eventually becoming the rock star bassist of Pearl Jam. Jeff is like the "Lucy" of Grunge, with stints in three of Seattle's most influential bands: Green River, Mother Love Bone, and Pearl Jam. We talked about his surprising influences and the transformative moments that helped shape what we now know as Pearl Jam. A fun ride for music fans, and to top it of...2025-03-051h 01A Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonRita Omokha - Resist!Today I speak with journalist and author Rita Omokha about her new book, Resist. We discuss how young Black activists like Ella Baker, Barbara Johns, and Johnetta Elzie have shaped our understanding of the power of organized action—not just in the Civil Rights Movement but in all forms of political protest. As we face the remainder of Trump's presidency (1424 days, 02 hours, and 50 minutes), it's encouraging to hear about the ways we can resist the fascists and racists, both in small and large ways.https://www.ritaomokha.comTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH...2025-02-2648 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonCarl Zimmer - Germs!!Renowned NY Times science columnist, Carl Zimmer, talks with me about his new book, Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe. We talk about the air we breathe, the gazillions of microbes, bacteria, fungus and viruses that float effortlessly around us daily. From the oceans depths to our nostrils we take in all manner of life, most of it harmless but some of it nightmarish. No one explains science better than Carl Zimmer folks!!https://carlzimmer.com/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://www.youtube.com...2025-02-1954 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonSteve Almond - Against FootballMy friend and NY Times bestselling author, podcast contributor, teacher, and political activist, Steve Almond, joins me to discuss his seminal book Against Football. We dive deep into our toxic love affair with the gridiron, exploring its narrative strengths, subtle complexities, and its unique ability to unite people. At the same time, we weigh these against the darker side of the sport—nationalism, greed, racism, and misogyny—and ask what this says about us as a nation. As we head into Super Bowl Sunday, a game that few outside of KC or Philly seem to care about, we invite you...2025-02-0552 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonAndrew Hirschman & David Rivers - Two PastorsThis week, we talk about church--specifically Christian church. I’ll be talking with two Evangelical pastors, Andrew Hirschman of Calvary Ballard, and David Rivers of Calvary Sequim, about being a pastor in 2025. We’ll talk about the threat of Christian Nationalism, declining numbers among their congregations, and the challenges of filling their chapels in an increasingly secular culture.Andrew Hirschman - https://calvaryballard.com/David Rivers - https://www.calvarychapelsequim.com/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_EvisonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fr...2025-01-291h 10A Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonJosh Fernandez - Anti-Fascist English TeacherJosh Fernandez is one of my favorite people. Antifa organizer, anarchist, community activist and college educator. Josh walks the walk. When he’s not punching nazis, he’s taking care of his community in a myriad of ways, volunteering and coordinating. Oh, and when he’s not chasing his two adorable kids around, he’s teaching in prisons. Josh is the author of The Hands that Crafted the Bomb.https://www.amazon.com/Hands-that-Crafted-Bomb-Antifascist/dp/B0BYVFPHTNTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_EvisonInst...2025-01-2247 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonBrian McVeigh - The Origins of ConsciousnessThis week, I talk to writer and anthropologist, Brian McVeigh, about Julian Jaynes's theory of the bi-cameral mind, as detailed in his seminal work, The Origins of Consciousness and the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. It’s a theory that forces us to question the evolution of consciousness as we know it. We explore the theory and its relevance to world history, mental health, religion and politics.https://www.amazon.com/Other-Psychology-Julian-Jaynes-Mentalities-ebook/dp/B07BFDFBFV?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.H6mSXJsLlQoOAokzK0n0j-oA3U3-uXkBwmSQ3VP-2_TGgZ2IgOjKMTsLia8X4KEy-C1y7A06DcidH4AY...2025-01-0854 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonJim and Will Pattiz - National ParksFilmmakers, explorers and brothers, Jim and Will Pattiz, talk with Jonathan about the National Parks ranking they do yearly for their popular site "More Then Just Parks". Some great tips and inspirations as well as some thoughts about preservation. Check out their list and a trailer for their documentary on the late great President Jimmy Carter:https://morethanjustparks.com/national-parks-ranked/https://carterlandmovie.comCheck them on IG: https://www.instagram.com/morethanjustparksTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_EvisonInstagram: h...2025-01-081h 01A Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonJamie Ford - Generational TraumaOn a very special episode of A Fresh Face in Hell I talk to my pal, New York Times bestselling author Jamie Ford about generational trauma, epigenetics, two themes in his most recent novel, 'The Many Daughters of Afong Moy'. Jamie and I will talk about our personal experiences with trauma, and the journey toward overcoming our past, including Jamie’s experience at trauma camp last summer. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Many-Daughters-of-Afong-Moy/Jamie-Ford/9781982158224Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_EvisonInstagram: https://www...2025-01-0155 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonStephanie Land - Class in AmericaThis week, I’ll talk to New York Times bestseller, activist, and public speaker Stephanie Land, author of Maid (also a hugely popular Netflix series), and most recently, Class. Stephanie and I will discuss class in America. We’ll talk specifically about our personal experiences overcoming the stigmas of growing up working class poor, and the realities of living in poverty in America. https://www.powells.com/book/class-9781982151393Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_EvisonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.evison/...2024-12-1857 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonJoe Posnanski - Baseball and SabermetricsThis week, I’m gonna rap with legendary sportswriter, and New York Times Bestselling Author Joe Posnanski about the cult of sabermetrics, and how analytics are changing the way baseball is played, as well as changing the culture as a whole. We will also wax poetic about some of the iconic moments that shaped not only the greatest game, but America’s story, in his book. Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments. https://sites.prh.com/whywelovebaseballTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://www.youtu...2024-12-1147 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonSander van der Linden Phd. - Fighting MisinformationThis week I talk with Sander van den Linden, author of Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity. Sander is one of the world’s leading experts on misinformation. He’s going to lay out a crucial new paradigm for understanding and defending ourselves against the worldwide infodemic. Why are we so vulnerable to misinformation?How do we navigate a world where literally almost every piece of information we encounter, particularly online, seems suspect?Play Bad News Game: https://www.getbadnews.com/enMisinformation Susceptibility Test: https://www.cam.ac.uk/st...2024-12-0455 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonDanny O'Neil - GrudgesThis week, I talk to my pal, journalist, radio personality, and longtime Seahawk insider, Danny O’Neil. Danny is a man who spends a lot of time thinking about grudges, he even publishes a newsletter called Grudgery (subscribe @ https://www.grudgery.com). We’re gonna a do a deep dive on grudges: the how, the what, the why of them. Which grudges are forgivable, and which ones irredeemable? What do our grudges say about us as people?Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_EvisonInstagram: http...2024-11-2759 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonKasey Meehan - Book BanningAs an artist, rattling cages is often part of the job description. Growing up in punk bands it was basically my objective in life as a teenager. When I wrote my fifth novel, Lawn Boy, in 2016, I was trying to rattle some cages about wealth inequity and the perils of late capitalism. But I had no idea, it would become the second most banned book in America, for altogether different reasons. Kasey Meehan from the Pen Center in New York is an expert in book banning, and a leading advocate for free speech. We’re gonna take a deep di...2024-11-1956 minA Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan EvisonSteve Turner - Collecting and StuffI talk to my old pal, super fuzzy guitar legend and writer of punk rock folk songs, Steve Turner of Mudhoney. We’re gonna talk about collecting records, the early days of the Seattle punk scene, Steve’s long journey in music, from basements to arenas, and his excellent memoir Mud Ride. Mud Ride: https://www.powells.com/book/mud-ride-9781797217222Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_EvisonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.evison/ 2024-11-191h 01