Crude Conversations

EP 027 with Mike Thompson

In this episode, we have a conversation with Mike Thompson, a longtime high school teacher at East High in Anchorage, Alaska. We talk about moving from Chicago to rural Alaska—from a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood to one where he was the first black person they met—the lessons he learned about race and integrity from his dad, how civility is a leadership skill, the students who have made an impression on him, and how he believes it's his job to teach students how to think, not what to think.  
We also discuss Governor Mike Dunleavy's proposed budget cuts to Alaskan education, and teaching government class during the 2016 presidential election. 
With guest host Tim Davis.

EP 026 with Julia O'Malley

In this episode, we have a conversation with longtime Alaska journalist Julia O'Malley. We talk about being raised in a family of storytellers, how overcoming dyslexia got her into writing, the importance of local news and digital newspaper subscriptions, media literacy—being able to differentiate between false sources and credible sources—that being a journalist in Alaska doesn't mean resigning yourself to mediocrity, and how food is a lens to understanding culture and community. 
We also discuss mansplaining, equality and how the corporate structure doesn't allow for women to have schedules that accommodate motherhood. 
With guest host Aurora Ford

EP 025 with Mike Gordon

In this episode, Cody has a conversation with Mike Gordon, the former owner of Chilkoot Charlies, a famous bar along Spenard road in Anchorage, Alaska. They talk about Mike's travels—the ones he did for work and the ones that have made the biggest impact on him — he explains the early days of Koots, the prevalence of cocaine in Alaska during the 70s and how the late night scene has changed since then. They also discuss how bars are unfairly judged and the feeling of responsibility when people got hurt on Koots property. 

EP 024 with Tubby

In this episode, Cody has a conversation with James Storlie, better known as Tubby, an Alaskan rapper and hip hop commentator. They talk about how Crude Conversations got started, the Alaskan hip hop scene — how he was introduced to it through the 90s breakdancing scene in Fairbanks and how he eventually became a fixture within it — deadlines, how he cut his weed consumption from $1,000 a month to $600, lessons and repercussions of pursuing a living off a podcast about Alaskan hip hop, and what he considers to be the most influential Alaskan hip hop album of all time. They also discuss being an independent creator, and being proud of a body of work.

EP 023 with Scott Liska

In this episode, Cody has a conversation with his dad, Scott Liska, the founder of Boarderline, an Alaskan snowboard and skateboard shop that nurtured, represented and influenced the Alaska snow and skate scene in the late 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. They talk about a lot of firsts: how Boarderline began and what it turned into, how King of the Hill—a three day snowboard competition in Thompson Pass—got started, and how Boarderline Camp got started. They also discuss the importance of local businesses to a community, and Scott's current venture, Alaska Surf Adventures.

EP 022 with Michelle Larissa

In this episode, we have a conversation with Michelle Larissa, an ex-stripper from Alaska turned award-winning weed chef. We talk about the time Michelle saw a donkey show in Mexico, how she became a stripper at 18 and made $2,700 in two hours her first day on the job, the difference between the Alaska strip club scene in the 90s versus today, reasons people go to the strip club, pregnant strippers, and the history of The Showboat strip club and its owner Terry Stahlman. We also discuss strip club culture—how it used to be niche, but now it's normalized.
 
With guest host Jered Mayer, whose stepdad, Terry Stahlman, owned The Showboat.

EP 021 with Lisa Sauder

In this episode, we have a conversation with Lisa Sauder, the executive director of Bean's Cafe, a soup kitchen in Anchorage, Alaska. We talk about how she came to work at Bean's Cafe, her passion for food and big get-togethers—Sunday meals and how on a busy day at Bean's they'll see over 500 people and make over 1,000 meals—and how the foundation for humanitarianism starts with kindness, food and shelter. We also discuss second chances, the opioid epidemic and Lisa's son Tucker's battle with addiction.
With guest host Aurora Ford.

EP 20 with K Jered Mayer

In this episode, we have a conversation with Alaskan author K Jered Mayer. We talk about comics — their history and the difference between a nerd and a pop culture enthusiast — comics as an important form of storytelling, being an author and his writing process. We also get into politics, accountability, gun control, and the repercussions of a president who doesn't play by the traditional rules of democracy. We also discuss Jered's stepdad, Terry Stahlman, who escaped from prison and owned the Showboat strip club in Anchorage, Alaska.

EP 019 with Jesse Burtner

In this episode, Cody has a conversation with Jesse Burtner, a professional snowboarder and creator of Think Thank films. They talk about what it means to be a father — providing your child with the tools they need to succeed and allowing them to follow their own path — what it meant to be a snowboarder in the late 80s and early 90s, snowboarding as a conversation not a competition, and how Jesse went from making a local Alaskan snowboard and skateboard video with Boarderline and JB Deuce (along with Jason Borgstede) to founding his own production that introduced a new style of snowboarding. Jesse also answers a few questions from our Instagram followers. 

EP 018 with Melissa Mitchell

In this episode, we have a conversation with Melissa Mitchell of Hope Social Club. We talk about the influence an audience has on performers, the power of music and song, how she began performing for inmates at New Folsom Prison—what she learned from the experience and how she became friends with a few inmates in the process—what it's like having to wear a stab jacket, and performing at Spring Creek Correctional Center in Alaska. We also discuss trauma, domestic violence and the importance of mental health.