A Fresh Face in Hell with Jonathan Evison

Today I talk with an old friend from the halcyon days of grunge, photographer Charles Peterson. Charles is known for capturing some of the most iconic B&W shots of that era, many of which were used by Sub Pop for album cover art including, Soundgarden's Screaming Life EP and Ultramega OK as well as Mudhoney's Superfuzz Bigmuff. Charles was also instrumental in capturing the meteoric rise of Nirvana from 1989 - 1992. H...

Today I open the X-Files with author Marc Hartzman. We dive into all things extraterrestrial, from outer space to the outer limits. We discuss shaved monkeys, frozen brains, and interdimensional beings. We explore the idea of visitations to ancient Egypt, as well as the possibility of an alien Atlantis. We discuss remote viewing (ESP) and my dream about Keanu Reeves being my boss at a bookstore. Somehow it all connects to produce o...

I speak with filmmaker Chris Wilcha about the themes of his new film, "Flipside." In the film, Chris tells his career story beginning as a young, idealistic filmmaker who sets out to become a documentarian but finds himself later in life as a commercial director with hard drives full of unfinished films. Ironically, many of the films are about artists and characters with unrealized dreams of their own. In an act of self-r...

To follow up last week's conversation on the robot hordes I talk with authors and podcasters, Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna about AI hype. The two argue in their new book The AI Con, that there is nothing intelligent about machine learning and that the technology is nothing more than "souped-up autocomplete." They discuss the ways in which we, as humans, have been duped into thinking that AI is going to either save ...

AI 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 sani...

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 l...

Author 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 ...

Today we hear stories from the road with rock n' roll tour manager Danny Bland. After decades of playing in bands like Cat Butt, Best Kissers in the World, and The Dwarves, Danny used his experience to become a legendary tour manager. From Dave Alvin, Willie Nelson, John Doe to the Blasters and the Supersuckers, Danny operates as a referee, therapist, and coach to many road-weary rockstars. He gathers food, negotiates with clu...

When doing research for my novels, I often consult historians, scholars, and professionals to create more nuanced profiles for my characters. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with some truly fascinating people in incredible careers. Today, I want to tap into that by bringing on one of my favorites—a talented ER nurse named Lexi. Having spent many hours in emergency rooms myself, I’ve always found this environment ...

Been going down a CRISPR rabbit hole lately and wanted to talk to someone that is up to date on the world's most powerful gene editing technology. Kevin Davies is an Oxford trained science journalist and the author of Editing Humanity: The CRISPR Revolution and the New Era of Genome Editing. CRISPR is an enzyme that is found in bacteria that scientists have repurposed to surgically replace pieces of DNA for a myriad of purpose...

Humans 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 W...

Today, 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 typ...

Today, 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 spoil...

Today, 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...

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...

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...

I thought we could all use something a little lighthearted this week — a welcome distraction from the constant news cycle. So today, I’m catching up with my old friend Warren Etheredge. Warren is a producer, author, playwright, festival programmer, and public speaker. He's deeply involved in the annual Seattle International Film Festival and teaches film studies at Cornish College and the University of Washington. Warren claim...

My 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...

This 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://calvary...