American Miles: A Roadtrip Podcast

Basketball, Poverty, and Fame: Sherman Alexie Interview

In this episode, host Josh Colvin interviews writer Sherman Alexie [https://shermanalexie.substack.com/], exploring his writing, upbringing, and the cultural significance of basketball in Native American life. They discuss poverty, college, nostalgia, and fame. Also in this episode, Josh calls Trucker Andy to ask about his love of the open road, and then Josh reads his story "The Right Kind of Dog." Later in the show Sherman reads his essay "Blue Light Special." Finally the show closes with a great song, "Snowed In" by the Droptines. 02:30 —Trucker Andy 05:40— Storytelling: The Right Kind of Dog 10:50 —Song: "Soon" by Big Hands Colvin 13:00 —Sherman Alexie Interview 15:00 —Sick Dog Story from Book 23:00 —Leaving the Reservation School 25:40 —Poverty 27:55 —Words and Violence 29:30 —Basketball 42:00 —College These Days 50:00 —Fame 54:00 —His Favorite Towns and Most Memorable Road Trip 58:30 —"Blue Light Special" by Sherman Alexie 1:02:50 —"Snowed In" by The Droptines • Sherman Alexie: https://shermanalexie.substack.com/ • The Droptines: https://www.thedroptines.com/

Payphone Diary

In this episode, host Josh Colvin explores the nostalgic world of payphones, sharing personal stories, calling strangers across the country, and reflecting on the cultural significance and decline of payphones in America. The episode also features interviews with phone prankster Brad Carter, a call to Texas cowboy hat expert, an essay called "I Made My Mom a Clay Ashtry in School" by Todd Kashdan, and a musical performance by Rambler Kane. 02:17 Trucker Andy: 1980s Billboard Felines 06:27 Storytelling: Moving Furniture and Other Crimes 13:50 Payphone Diary: Calling Strangers Across America 20:17 Interview with Brad Carter: Phone Pranks and Red Boxing 30:23 Todd Kashdan "I Made My Mom a Clay Ashtray in School" 37:48 Visit to McKinney, Texas: Cowboy Hats and Local Culture 42:30 Musical Performance by Rambler Kane: Gone Brad Carter's Snowplow Show [https://www.snowplowshow.com/] Todd Kashdan's Provoked Substack [https://toddkashdan.substack.com/] Rambler Kane's Music [https://ramblerkane.com/] McKinney Hat Company [https://mckinneyhatcompany.com/]

Familiar Voice: Tom Bodett Interview

In this episode of American Miles, host Josh Colvin sits down with author, storyteller, and longtime public radio voice Tom Bodett [https://bodett.com/]. Known for the iconic Motel 6 tagline “We’ll leave the light on for you,” Bodett reflects on authenticity in storytelling, the surprising journey that led him into radio, and why voices that feel familiar often resonate the deepest. The conversation also explores Bodett’s lifelong appreciation for working with his hands and the cultural importance of craftsmanship and practical skills. Earlier in the show, Josh makes a call to Trucker Andy out on the road to talk about more truck-driving slang. Josh also reads a story of his own about growing up in a house full of juvenile delinquents. Later Tom Bodett returns to read his wonderful essay “Moose Hunting” Finally, the show closes with a brilliant song from The Milk Carton Kids. [https://www.themilkcartonkids.com/] 02:00—Trucker Andy Call 09:14 — Tom Bodett on the Power of Voice and Connection 27:54 — Optimism and Trust in Human Nature 37:27 — Getting Started: The Philosophy of Moving Slowly 39:21 — The Deep Roots of Making and Human Nature 41:48 — The Importance of Storytelling and Human Connection 44:42 — Favorite Songs and Small-Town Life 47:45 — "Moose Hunting" by Tom Bodett [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2658/tom-bodett/] 52:31 — "A Friend Like a You" by  The Milk Carton Kids [https://www.themilkcartonkids.com/] * Moose Hunting by Tom Bodett [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2658/tom-bodett/] * Tom Bodett's Website [https://bodett.com/] * HatchSpace [https://www.hatchspace.org/] * The Milk Carton Kids [https://www.themilkcartonkids.com/]

Voices in the Static

In this episode of American Miles, host Josh Colvin makes a small-town call to the mining town of Goldfield, Nevada and their local radio station KGFN's [ https://kgfn.org] Program Director, Carl Brownfield. They talk about running an independent radio station, the three things that can get you kicked off the station, and what it means to be the Voice of the Old West. Also, Josh and Trucker Andy talk about Andy's recent "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" trip home and about other favorite 80s movies. Writer Marc Friedman [https://marcfriedmanesq.substack.com/] reads his essay "Feb 3 The Night The Music Died." Finally we hear the Daniel Rodriguez [https://drodriguezmusic.com] song, "Colorado." 00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guest 04:44 Trucker Andy on 80s movies of youth 07:14 Storytelling: Tribute to Sports Radio 11:48 Song "Dead Soldiers" by Big Hands Colvin 12:26 The local and global reach of Goldfield's KGFN [https://kgfn.org] radio 16:52 The history and significance of Goldfield Nevada 25:52 The station's eclectic programming and community role 32:34 The history of Goldfield and its mines 36:53 Ghost stories, legends, and local lore 43:52 "Feb 3, The Night the Music Died" by Marc Friedman [https://marcfriedmanesq.substack.com/] 48:13 Song "Colorado" by Daniel Rodriguez [https://drodriguezmusic.com] resources KGFN Radio Station - https://kgfn.org Buddy Holly - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Holly Radio Garden - https://radio.garden Daniel Rodriguez Music - https://drodriguezmusic.com Mark Friedman Substack—https://marcfriedmanesq.substack.com/

Americans at the Edges: Ted Conover Interview

In this episode of American Miles, host Josh Colvin engages in a conversation with immersive journalist Ted Conover [https://tedconover.com/], exploring themes of freedom, community, and the human experience. Conover shares his unique approach to journalism, which involves living the stories he tells, whether it's working as a prison guard, hopping freight trains, or living off-grid in Colorado. The discussion delves into the realities of prison life, the romanticized notion of hobo culture, and the challenges and rewards of off-grid living. Josh and Trucker Andy talk about Michigan culture and writer Tony Woodlief [https://tonywoodlief.com/] reads his essay Home From the Outside. Finally the show closes with a cool song from Clay Street Unit [https://www.claystreetunit.com/]. https://tedconover.com/ https://tonywoodlief.com/ https://www.claystreetunit.com/ 02:45 Trucker Andy 09:15 Storytelling: What Will They Remember 15:00 Song: "Daddy Can We Stay" by Big Hands Colvin 19:30 Ted Conover Interview 1:00:10 Home From the Outside by Tony Woodlief 1:05:37 Song "Rollin'" by Clay Street Unit