Jonathan speaks with his old friend and great American fiction writer, Willy Vlautin. Willy is the author of seven novels, including his most recent, The Horse, which helped earn him the 2025 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. Three of his books have been adapted into films, including Night Always Comes, The Motel Life and Lean on Pete. In addition to his writing, Willy is a musician and songwriter—first with Richmond Fontaine and now with The Delines. Whatever the medium, Willy is always channeling a sad ballad with a tear on his cheek and a smile on his face.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_Evison
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.evison/

Today I talk with famed music journalist Peter Blackstock about his time discovering and reviewing bands in Austin, Nashville, North Carolina, and Seattle. Together with his partner Grant Alden, Peter launched the roots music magazine, No Depression. What started as an AOL discussion group on "Alternative Country," No Depression (named after an Uncle Tupelo song) helped define a new genre of music that includes such bands as Wilco, Son Volt, Old 97's, Jayhawks, Whiskeytown, Alejandro Escovedo, and the Bottle Rockets. We talk about how Seattle's own alt-country scene developed in the shadow of grunge with local heroes like Pete Droge of Ramadillo and Kitchen Radio. Lastly, we get into a few new music suggestions from one of the most connected men in music.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_Evison
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.evison/

Turns out the idea of nature vs. nurture is an overly simplistic way of describing how our genes correlate with our environments. For 150 years, scientists, sociologists, theologians, politicians, and philosophers have argued over this binary idea of determinism. My guest today, Professor Dalton Conley, writes that the answer is more like nature & nurture. In his book "The Social Genome," Dalton illustrates how our genes are activated, or subdued, by our social environments. He also talks about the emerging science behind the Polygenic Index (PGI). This is a predictive data model that can show your likelihood to succeed in life, college, love, etc., based on your genome. It's a whole new way of understanding genes.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/782431/the-social-genome-by-dalton-conley/9781324092636

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_Evison
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.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. His Nirvana collection is currently on display in an exhibition at the Tacoma Art Museum under the title, "Charles Peterson's Nirvana".

You can also get the book at Minor Matters Books:

https://minormattersbooks.com/products/pre-sales-charles-peterson-s-nirvana?variant=43331862986917

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_Evison
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.evison/

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 one of the most fun interviews I've done yet. Marc has written 10 books on the bizarre and unknown, from ghosts to sword swallowers. Check him other at: https://www.marchartzmanbooks.com

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_Evison
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.evison/

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-realization, Chris stitches all of these films together to make (and finish) his opus - "Flipside." Check it out on Amazon Prime, Criterion, Apple, and on most Delta domestic flights.

Flipside Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d410kvow8Vg

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_Evison
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.evison/

In the second of a two-part series of old men yelling at clouds, 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, in fact, 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 us or devour us—when, in reality, the results show there is no actual intelligence occurring. With a success rate barely better than 25%, Emily and Alex warn us against relying on the technology for important tasks and jobs—like replacing air traffic controllers? Just like the tech boom of the '90s, they predict an AI bubble is forming. A very fun and, in the opinion of this Luddite, hopeful message.

https://www.amazon.com/AI-Fight-Techs-Create-Future/dp/0063418568

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_Evison
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.evison/

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 sanity. Every day, we hear about new ways technology is making our lives easier. But are we losing something in the process? Are you ready for AI therapy or AI schoolteachers? Today, I talk with Johns Hopkins University professor Allison Pugh about what gets lost when we reduce the human connections we once took for granted. Now I will run this through ChatGPT to edit for grammar and spelling.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzj0CG30y8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshFacePod_Evison
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfacepod.evison/