EP 034 with Dr. Fermento

In this episode, Cody has a conversation with longtime Alaska beer columnist Jim Roberts, better known as Dr. Fermento. Jim's been writing about and involved in the Alaska craft beer scene for over two decades. Back then, there were only about eight breweries in Alaska, today there are over forty. In an article he wrote for Crude last year, he called Alaska "the Beer Frontier." 

They talk about how Jim is "a beer drinker with a writing problem," some suggestions for the curious and the uninitiated beer drinker, how there's a niche for every beer drinker in the world in Alaska, and the time Dr. Fermento was invited to the Playboy Mansion.

EP 033 with Jason Borgstede

In this episode, Cody has a conversation with Jason Borgstede, owner of the Anchorage-based snowboard and skateboard shop Blue & Gold Boardshop. They talk about how he went from being a professional snowboarder to a professional poker player to a waiter and now the owner of a local snow and skate shop. Jason's history with the Alaska snow and skate scene goes back twenty some odd years and includes some pretty wild stories. They get into that (story time) as well as what it means to be a local retail business pushing a culture.

EP 032 with Andy Elsberg

In this episode, Cody has a conversation with Andy Elsberg, an emergency room doctor at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. They talk about how he went from being a ski bum to an ER doc, the idea of wilderness medicine, the pervasiveness of alcohol and opiate addiction in Anchorage, what a gunshot actually does to a human body, and the short but aggressive spice epidemic that hit Anchorage a few years back.

They also discuss how the urban/wilderness split doesn't exist in Alaska, meaning things like bear maulings and ATV accidents exist alongside things like inner-city gun violence and drug overdoses.

"lost anchorage" EP 04 with 03 with Laura Norton-Cruz

In this episode of “lost anchorage,” we look at how childhood trauma shapes future behavior from the perspective of a social worker. Laura Norton-Cruz works as the director of an Alaska Children's Trust initiative called Alaska Resilience Initiative, which focuses on reducing childhood abuse, neglect and trauma by building resilience in healthy communities around Alaska. Her experience includes work involving domestic and sexual violence, reproductive coercion and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

"lost anchorage" EP 02 with Allan Barnes

In this episode of “lost anchorage,” we look at crime in Anchorage from the perspective of a criminologist. Allan Barnes is a professor of justice at the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center. He's been teaching for over 35 years. His students have gone on to become police officers, lawyers and judges. As a criminologist, Allan focuses on why people commit crime. 

"lost anchorage" EP 01 with Aaron Roberts

Introducing Crude's new podcast, “lost anchorage,” where Crude investigates the mechanisms of crime and violence in Anchorage, Alaska. Through research and interviews with professionals, law enforcement and those affected by crime, we hope to build a better understanding of whether or not Anchorage is, in fact, becoming more dangerous. 

In this episode, we look at crime from the perspective of a retired police officer. Aaron Roberts was an officer for the Anchorage Police Department for over 20 years. He patrolled downtown Anchorage, was a detective in robbery, assault, and metro with a focus in narcotics. At the time of his retirement, he was the team lead negotiator and worked closely with SWAT.

EP 031 with Jeremy Blake

In this episode, we have a conversation with local filmmaker and King Technical High School teacher Jeremy Blake. We talk about how he first got into filmmaking and evolved into being one of the most sought-after sound guys in the local community, the short-lived film tax incentive, and how Alaska’s unique landscape is represented and often underutilized in movies.

EP 030 with Cliff Groh

In this episode, Cody has a conversation with Cliff Groh, a former Alaska Revenue Department official and longtime advocate for the Permanent Fund Dividend. Cliff was instrumental in the creation of the PFD in the early 1980s. From 1987 to 1990, he served as special assistant to Hugh Malone, the Commissioner of Revenue in the administration of then-governor of Alaska Steve Cowper. He was also involved in the adoption of legislation that changed Alaska's oil tax system. They talk about how the discovery of the Super-giant Prudhoe Bay oil field in the late 1960s changed Alaska's economy and government and why the two most important questions in Alaska are "What is the Permanent Fund for?" And "how long do you personally plan to live in Alaska?"

EP 029 with Jay Liska

In this episode, Cody has a conversation with his uncle, Jay Liska. Jay was the first professional snowboarder from Alaska to get his own pro-model. He also started Boarderline Alaska Snow and Skate with his brother, Scott Liska, and went on to start his own shop, Northern Boarder. They talk about the snowboard scene in the 80s and 90s, and Jay shares some of his most memorable stories from back in the day, including the time he was in a helicopter crash on Mount Spurr and the time he took Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys snowboarding in Thompson Pass.

EP 028 with Keezy

In this episode, we have a conversation with Keon McMillan, better known as Keezy, an Alaskan rapper and producer. We talk about the history and impact of the hip hop collective Sky Division—how it was the first large posse of young Alaskan rappers and producers—the influence hip hop music and culture has on society and political change, the implications of selling out, the responsibility that comes with status, and how pop culture influencers aren't always the best role models for young, black men. 

We also discuss why he moved to Seattle to pursue a career in hip hop and why Alaska will always be home. 

With guest host Tubby. 

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.

EP 020 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

With guest host Aurora Ford.

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.