Sunken Press
In 1837, an angry mob raised in the City of Alton, Illinois finally killed abolitionist journalist Elijah Lovejoy after throwing three of his presses into the Mississippi. Upon his death, his fourth press joined them in the depths. The tallest monument in Illinois now stands in Alton in honor of his contributions to the abolitionist movement and the American ideal of a free press. We are here to honor his memory and avenge him. Alton may be the town that killed him, but he demanded his grave be made here. Since he decided Alton and its morals and people were worth his martyrdom, it deserves continued stewardship and vigilance. Enter Sunken Press, a podcast created by local media enthusiasts and journalism junkies. Hosted by Cory Davenport, a local journalist with more than a decade of experience covering the region who was trained by a Pulitzer winner, Sunken Press wants to solve the world’s problems in our own backyard. He is joined by Nicole Gory, a person with textured life experience involving homelessness, criminality, addiction, poverty, single motherhood, and other real issues facing many Americans whose perspectives fall through the cracks of mainstream journalism. Join us as we ask tough questions, share our worldviews, and challenge any preconceived notions and biases we have regarding our community, our nation, our world, and how all of them fit together.
Episodes
In this episode, we test out the futuristic technology of a video call for the first time to speak to Andy Asadorian. Andy was elected head of the Madison County Democratic Party earlier this week. We spoke to him before the election regarding the policies of the Madison County (IL) Democratic Party, future elections, and how to bring more people into the party. This is a great episode for folks who want to become more civically an...
In this episode, we interview Clayton Monroe, founder and organizer of weekly anti-Trump protests every Sunday at Lincoln-Douglas Square in Downtown Alton. We discuss the politics of punk rock, shirtless seething, and the surprising demographics of protesters. With around 100 people each weekend, we know you've seen the crowds. This is a great chance to get to know the story behind it. Don't miss it, unless you hate being civically...
In this episode we speak to the woman whose name is behind nearly every major Alton community gathering, Sara McGibany. For two decades she has been at the helm of Alton Main Street. We talk to her about the way things have changed in our business community, festivals, the farmers market, and hippies. If you skip this, it's at your own peril. It's a great intro into the spirit of Alton. Watch the video version of this episode on Yo...
In this episode, we talk to local native plant entrepreneur Sam Dublo about his botanical passions. This 20-year-old Zoomer already has spent his early adult life cultivating native plants and selling them at farmers' markets. You'll be surprised at the amount of cool stuff we've been ignoring with our lawn culture and invasive species.
For more information go to Sam’s Native Nursery and Restoration Services Facebook at https://w...
In this episode, Cory and Nicole talk to the enigmatic weirdo behind the ostentatious works of art at the Conservatory, Mike Snider. From 1,000 trumpets to 31,000 stamps, we talk about the philosophy of Kool and the artistic process. You won't want to miss it.
In this episode, we interview Sage and David, the proprietors of Funky Planet Toys and Gifts in Downtown Alton. We discuss the independent toy market, trade wars, supply chains, and the blight of kids with too much screen time. This independent local toy store is surprisingly affordable, and without the negative karma of big box stores. You won't want to miss us playing with toys and warning against the dangers of doing too much ac...
Founded in Hollywood, California, FreakShow Deluxe is a nationally touring sideshow act. Its founding father Thomas Nealeigh joins us on this episode to discuss the history of sideshows, why he moved to Alton, and demonstrates the infamous "Blockhead" stunt. Don't try this at home, kids.
More info discussed in this episode:
https://www.patreon.com/AltonHauntedDinnerTheater
After talking to Peter Hough and Megan Tyler about how they deal with the ongoing plight of homelessness in Alton and surrounding areas, we wanted to hear more about Nicole's lived experience and see how she felt about what our guests had to say.
Trigger warning: We do get into some disturbing topics including sexual assault and violence.
More info discussed in this episode:
https://nowherepod.substack.com/podcast
In this episode we talk with Megan Tyler, a local mental health advocate who founded Sacred Spaces of Care, a nonprofit organization touted by current Alton Mayor David Goins as a remedy for homelessness. She also discusses the current lack of mental health options in Alton and the importance of wellness within police departments
More info discussed in this episode:
We talk to Alton-based Pastor Peter Hough, an outspoken advocate of our unhoused neighbors and one of the original founders of the Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs). We discuss the issues he's faced trying to fight for the most vulnerable as well as the purpose and practice of OWLs in multiple Madison County communities.
This episode is in memory of Nicole's dog, Cookie, who passed away the day of the interview at the age of 20.
From a $100k tech job to $2,000 a month to fight in one of the world's most brutal and controversial ongoing conflicts, former Marine from South Roxana Derek Spears shares his stories from the Ukranian front lines with Cory and Nicole.
Got an IT job lead for Derek?
Find him here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-carl-spears
https://www.facebook.com/derek.c.spears
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com/
Nicole and Cory discuss their interviews with the Alton mayor candidates, compare ideas, and choose their favorites following our interview series.
Find your ward on the map here: https://bit.ly/altonwards
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com/
In the last of our interviews with Alton's 2025 mayoral candidates, we talk to two-term Mayor Brant Walker about crime-free housing, the burden of taxation, and his campaign promise to let Cory holler sermons from a firetruck (again).
In this episode of Sunken Press, we sit down with Third Ward Alderperson and mayoral candidate Ray Strebel to talk about Halloween, gentrification, farmers markets, AND THAT LEAKED PHONE CALL WITH ZACH YINGER. You won't want to miss the results. Ray is a public servant, but even we didn't know he was serving 😉
In this episode, we talk to Alton's current Mayor David Goins, a former cop, pastor, and school board member. We ask him about some of Alton's greatest issues such as homelessness, youth violence, tourism, AltonWorks, diversity, and his experience as Alton's first black mayor. This is the first part of a three-episode series interviewing the three men running for mayor of Alton in the upcoming April 1 election. We believe people sh...
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