BACKFENCE Unhinged

Travis Abels takes us on an Irish journey to find his future-does he get there? Many wild roadblocks stand in his way!!! 

Travis sucks at sleeping—but as a result, has some fun stories to tell. He lives in Portland, Oregon, where he performs, makes movie trailers, shows unreasonable enthusiasm for squirrels, and hosts The Tiniest Party - a monthly underground storytelling show. 

Over the past few years, he's ...

EPISODE ENCORE episode: Matt Sheehy 

Writer and frontman for Lost lander Matt Sheehy and creator of the genius BACKFENCE Unhinged music tells a story of being a teenager longing for the promises of a big city while feeling a little stuck in the vastness of Alaska.

He hops on an opportunity to get his first big taste of city life all the way in Australia! Find out how his new adventure goes and how employing a tear-squirtingly...

Episode 36: Terri Knight

Are you ready for a Central Oregon story about stealing from a drug cartel?

Yeah, you are.

Terri Knight takes us along on her attempt to outrun some complicated family roots and step into her Alex P. Keaton era, straight-laced, upwardly mobile, doing everything “right.”

It does not go as planned.

Terri Knight appeared in the award-winning HUMP festival film short, Birthday Boss, Moth StorySLAMs,...

Episode 35: Gabi Dixson

Ever wonder how a super charming hilarious person becomes the 5th strongest person in the world? Gabi Dixson stepped on a stadium stage and held up two giant Grecian Pillars – called the Hercules Hold – attached to chains setting a new world record (you  gotta watch that link. It’s insane!)! She also takes us through some wild surgeries on her road to recovery to come back stronger.&nb...

Episode 34: Chris Williams #2

What happens when you cross youthful mischief, an old golf cart, and a legendary Lochness-sized fish? Only way to find out in this Chris Williams-tells-all episode! 

Chris is a storyteller, improviser and the executive director and host of Front Porch Sessions - a Portland, Oregon based show that blends storytelling and audience discussion. He’s also our first returning guest to the podcast!...

Episode 33: Andrew Dickson #2

When he was in Junior High circa 1989 BACKFENCE Unhinged co-host Andrew Dickson was a guest on the Geraldo Rivera show. 

That’s right, on stage, sitting on a stool under the hot lights for an hour. Did he and I chat on national TV? Naturally. Does he have a killer  story about it? Why yes.

BACKFENCE Unhinged is a unique and delightful twist on the storytelling podcast where hosts Andrew...

Episode 32: Britton Taylor

Hold on tight, it’s time for a story about the unwelcome and somewhat mortifying item Britton Taylor’s parents find when helping to clean up his marital home after a breakup. Find out how that unsavory thing continues to haunt his relationship with his parents to this day.

Britton was a longtime strategist at Portland ad agency Wieden+Kennedy and now owns his own consultancy, working for brand...

Episode 31: Frayn Masters #2

Another episode with our host Frayn Masters sharing a new story that could easily be titled, “WTF is that in my dryer?”! This time around she leads us deep inside her ill-advised laundromat ritual that takes an unexpected creepy turn! 

BACKFENCE Unhinged is a unique and delightful twist on the storytelling podcast where hosts Andrew and Frayn invite a storyteller on to share an unhinged...

Episode 30: Jason Sauls

What can go totally wrong when your first job is a late night radio DJ? Turns out things can go sideways fast with a slip of the hand. This story is a lot fun and a little cringe.

Jason Sauls has been telling stories on stage around Portland for over ten years and radio announcing and producing for over 30. Both occasionally ask you for financial support with or without a tote bag as a thank you.

BACKFENCE U...

ENCORE with Brian S. Ellis

We’re gonna start weaving back in some of our most popular episodes now that the show is picking up steam! Here’s Brian! 

What happens when a young love-stricken Bostonian conspires to land a spot on a poetry tour with his new love interest? Does his attempt to pull off a grand gesture that nods to his past as a petty thief win her over? You won't want to miss this sweet listen with award...

Episode 29: Chelsea Cain

You’re about to hear a story about taking a Life Coach’s advice… maybe just a little too far and ending up on a medical odyssey — from author Chelsea Cain. 

Lady Chelsea Cain is a New York Times best selling author, several times over, an Eisner nominated comic book writer, screenwriter and actual Royalty. 

BACKFENCE Unhinged is a unique and delightful twist on the storyte...

Episode 27: Joe Guppy

You’re about to hear a story about the ups, downs, free lunches, and unexpected turns of events that one deals with when chasing dreams in the city of dreams aka, Los Angeles— from writer Joe Guppy. 

Joe Guppy is an Emmy award-winning comedy writer, retired therapist, script doctor, improviser, best-selling memoirist, and writing/creativity coach. His career in theater and television goes back...

EPISODE 26: JOEY SLAMON

Life with a toddler who is a runner is wild! Joey tells the hilarious story of Catch Me if You Can with her son breaking loose in a big winding museum. 

Joey Slamon has written on shows like Arrested Development, Those Who Can't and wrote and produced I'm Sorry with Andrea Savage. She's written several features, sold several pilots and is also currently getting her Masters in Library and Information Sci...

EPISODE 25: Brianna Wheeler

Buckle in tight and let your legs dangle, you’re about to hear a true story from author Brianna Wheeler. She’ll drop you in the middle of a sweaty August night filled with the funny, tender, gross storm of being human.

Brianna is an author, illustrator, arts and culture journalist and live storyteller in Portland, Oregon. Her debut book, Altogether Different: A memoir about identity, inherita...

EPISODE 24: Dayvid Figler

You’re about to hear a wild, at times funny, at times gory true crime story. All about a small and short man defending an extra big and tall man — from writer and criminal defense lawyer Dayvid Figler. 

Dayvid takes into the underground tunnels of Vegas where a community of thousands has taken up residence. And his defendant is known as the scary overlord. If you are queased out by gore, m...

EPISODE 23: Mark Robbins 

Come  follow a young Mark Robbins who ends up on a wilderness survival trip that promises to return him to the straight and narrow. During his “alone survival” time his sleep is disrupted by an unwelcome visitor. 

Mark is an English teacher and librarian at Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, WA and story coach of the long-running Pivot storytelling series. Finally, he&rsqu...

EPISODE 22: Jason Rouse

Jocose and smart as all hell, Jason Rouse takes you on a nail biting floating home journey. Twists and turns featuring the sudden onset of super-human strength whilst balancing on chains over water, connecting with his father, and what the hell is that floating in the water? 

Jason is a writer, actor, husband, and dad to a wee feisty chihuahua named Goldie. 

BACKFENCE Unhinged is a unique and delig...

EPISODE 21: Nicole Hardy

Lean back, kick your legs up and laugh at actor and writer Nicole Hardy’s bad choices that lead to very unintended hilarity wherein she narrowly escapes deadly consequences. That’s right, she discloses a triptych of true stories from the diary of a self-inflicted accidental poisoner.

Nicole is a Seattle-based writer and teaching artist who’s working on a memoir about the year she spent sai...

EPISODE 20: AARON DRAPLIN

Designer Aaron Draplin takes us on a GEN X tour of the skate punk and snowboarding world of his youth. Where zines ruled the day and skateboarders were total outsiders. Are there mentions of Dinosaur Jr.? Yes. Is there a caper involving fast food and the retrieval of skateboards from a boss's office? Yes. Is there a lot of fun, wisdom dropped, and the sweet follies of grunge? Hell yes!

Aaron entered the wo...