Casual Disasters
Season 3
Splat
T.S. & Spicy Ketchup Episode
The Adam Gebauer Episode
Roast House Episode
Darya and Rosie
Mandy Episode
Connorsversations Episode
The Beth Episode
Adam Episode
Paul Dillon Episode
1 of 3
by Madeline Sells
I had so much fun hanging out with Rue, Miles, and Nannette and talking about art, community, DIY creativity, and what it means to build something together. We get into SPLAT, Small Press Local Artists Together, a collective of local artists working across zines, printmaking, screenprinting, and all kinds of reproducible media. But SPLAT is about way more than selling art. It’s about creating community, sharing resources, supporting local artists, and building partnerships that can actually give back to the people around us. I loved hearing about the work they’re doing, the people behind it, and the bigger vision for what a creative community can look like when collaboration comes before commerce. These humans are hilarious and I'd go drink coffee with them any day!
So much has happened since this episode was recorded. Both T.S. and Spicy have been working tirelessly to support Spokane through the current fire efforts. T.S . and his family are still displaced and evacuated, but even while navigating that himself, he has been out delivering basic needs, helping move people, and supporting the community in every way he can. Spicy helped run an amazing fundraiser at The Chameleon on Friday, bringing local artists together and raising money for everyone impacted by the fires. Thank you both for everything you are doing for Spokane. ❤️ Estimate and I co hosted this episode, and it was so much fun. Having three producer sound engineers on the show was perfect, especially when they all came to the rescue to fix the recording equipment. I really loved getting to hear about T.S.’s rapping process, but even more than that, I loved hearing about everything he does beyond just writing music. There is so much more to T.S. and the work he is doing in our community, and I am really grateful we got the chance to talk about it. Go listen to the episode and get to know T.S. and Spicy a little better. 🎙️❤️
I loved getting to interview one of my friends on the podcast. Adam has been a huge supporter and podcast recommender for years, so I was really excited to have him on. Not only is Adam in my friend group, but he’s also a total badass when it comes to the outdoors. He’s the one who connected me with the Lands Council, and I’m forever grateful for that. His knowledge of ecology, wildlife, wildfires, public lands, and conservation is unmatched. We talk about ecology, wildlife, wildfires, beavers, public lands, and roast a few shared dislikes along the way. It was such a fun conversation, and I learned a ton. Adam is the Public Lands Director at the Lands Council and he should really have his own podcast! Give the episode a listen. Thanks to our mixer and editor Estimate!
Where do I even begin...Roast House Crew is my favorite. If my job allowed it, I’d be there every day, sipping coffee, breathing in the roaster, and taking tours with Teddy. But for real, Aaron, Allison, and Evan have carried on the legacy of a legend, Deb. We were all first introduced at Radio Bar. Aaron and Evan gave me my first shot of Malört, and honestly, it was terrible, but it led to something better. We started talking, and somehow that conversation turned into a deep dive on Deb, the force behind Roast House and First Ave Coffee, and one of the most impactful people to learn about and talk about. What stuck with me most, and what still comes up in my life daily since recording this episode, is the values and mission behind Roast House. That was the thread that connected all of us in that moment, and it’s the thing I carry forward. To live like Deb. To never waver on those values. Give it a listen, and go check Roast House out, and make sure to get a tour from Teddy!
What do you even say when an episode is this full of brilliance? This week on Casual Disasters, we are joined by the incredible women behind Creative Mornings in Spokane, Darya and Rosie, and this conversation is something special. We talk about the magic of Creative Mornings, a monthly meetup that brings artists together, highlights local creatives, and builds real connection in our community. But that is just the beginning. Rosie shares about her work as an artist and art teacher, while Darya dives into her role supporting Spokane’s growing creative districts. These two are powerhouses, thoughtful, creative, and deeply committed to making Spokane a more vibrant and connected place. And honestly, this episode only scratches the surface of everything they do. Give it a listen and get inspired! Thanks again to our amazing editor - Estimate!
You might know Mandy as the 2018 National Teacher of the Year — the educator who made headlines for bringing 45 letters from her immigrant and refugee students to President Trump at the White House. There was controversy around that moment, including claims she didn’t shake his hand, but her focus was always on amplifying her students’ voices and standing in her truth. (Ps she did shake his hand) Mandy and I originally met while training for the Washington Education Association, and both becoming culturally responsive classroom management trainers. Since then, she’s continued to be a light in spaces where so much is often hidden. In this episode we talk about: - Education, belonging, and relationships - Toxic positivity vs. genuine joy - Why some people resist hearing about real happiness - Leaving a good relationship - Falling in love -Coming out -And what it means to live honestly, even when it’s uncomfortable It was an amazing, honest, vulnerable conversation and I’m so grateful for the time with Mandy. Go give it a listen.
Riley Connors is a writer, comedian, filmmaker, and late night talk show host. This human does is truly a multifaceted artist. My first introduction to Riley was seeing the “hi” promo videos for his new late night show Connorsversations, and I was instantly intrigued. When he found my podcast and reached out to be on Casual Disasters, I was hyped. Our very first meet up became our interview, and it was hilarious from the start. Fast friendship energy. We talked about everything so buckle up. Hold on,. Don't get lost. We had both submitted films to the Spokane Comedy Film Festival, but Riley actually won it a few years back. It was awesome hearing about his experience and how that win shaped his creative journey. I’m still thinking about him taking shots of hot sauce, touching raw meat, and somehow not puking on camera. He’s a total badass. Don’t miss his next show at The Chameleon on December 19th. Tickets dropping soon. Tune in to the episode and meet your new favorite comedic genius.
🎙️ New Episode! I had the best time talking with Beth — cattle rancher, food farmer, and co-founder of LINC Foods. Beth is funny, down-to-earth, and passionate about building a stronger local food system. We talked about ranching, sustainability, and what it really takes to raise good beef. It was such a fun and inspiring conversation — you’re going to love this one. 👉 Listen now! Check out Lazy R Ranch to learn more or order beef straight from Beth’s ranch: [www.lazyrbeef.com] And if you want to experience ranch life yourself, follow Roots of Resilience Cow Girl Camp — happening this summer! Edited by Estimate
New Episode Drop! On the eve of Religious Traumedy, I’m dropping a brand new episode of Casual Disasters featuring Adam — the creative mind and director behind the show! This episode was co-hosted by Wilma, and we had such a blast connecting over our shared love of comedy and unpacking the ways religion shapes our creative journeys. Religious Traumedy hits The Chameleon tomorrow night — and it’s officially sold out 🙌 but keep your eyes peeled for future shows! Adam has been a huge influence on my love for the Spokane comedy scene, and honestly, one of the big reasons I started performing — through the “For You” shows that Wilma hosts at The Blue Door Theater. Produced by Estimate
Wow — this one was a dream come true. I finally got to sit down with Paul Dillon, our Spokane City Council Member for District 2. I’ve wanted to interview him for a long time, and it honestly felt surreal to finally make it happen. We talked about policies happening right now, how past decisions still shape Spokane today, and Paul even answered some of your listener questions and shared a few of his favorite movies. It’s so inspiring to see someone work this hard for our community and keep showing up with heart. Episode’s out now — go give it a listen wherever you get your podcasts! #CasualDisastersPodcast #Spokane #PaulDillon #SpokaneCityCouncil #LocalVoices