Best Smokesignals Podcasts (2024)

1
Echo 1:09:15

3M ago1:09:15

1:09:15

Back again with a episode on Marvel's Echo. My friend Chris joins me to talk about Maya Lopez's journey back to her community in season 1 of Echo. We discuss why this is important for Native representation, specifically for women. I had a great time discussing how badass Alaqua Cox is as Maya and how much we are looking forward to another season. T…

1
Joey Clift 1:10:47

1y ago1:10:47

1:10:47

I had a wonderful chat with Joey Clift. He is a writer on Spirit Rangers, which just got renewed for season 2! Woot woot! Joey has also created amazing short films like My First Native American Boyfriend and How To Cope With Your Team Changing Its Native American Mascot. We talk a bit about the Spirit Rangers premiere, in addition to how the show c…

1
Rez Dogs Season 2 - Episode 1 & 2 41:41

1+ y ago41:41

41:41

Alrighty! We're back with the Rez Dogs takeover! Episodes 1 and 2 are essentially one long episode so I decided to combine them! We're back with Bear, Elora, Cheese, and Willie Jack as they try to reverse curses, make it back to town, get a job, and try to not be a shitass in life. They get second, sometimes third chances, because there is good in …

1
Jon Proudstar (Leon on Reservation Dogs) 1:20:55

1+ y ago1:20:55

1:20:55

Jon is most recently known for his work on Reservation Dogs, playing Willie Jack's dad Leon. However Jon has been in the acting business for a while and has many stories to share! What Hollywood was like when he started acting compared to now on Reservation Dogs. Also we discuss where people get it wrong about Native people when it comes to science…

1
Nathalie Standingcloud 1:01:18

1+ y ago1:01:18

1:01:18

We had an Auntie on the podcast! Nathalie Standingcloud who plays Natalie an Optometry Receptionist. Nathalie is a tatoo artist, stage actor, on-screen actor, and model. She has been in the spotlight recently in performance as one of the Aunties in Season 2 Episode 5 of Reservation Dogs, where a quartet of ladies journey to an IHS Conference. In my…

1
Dark Winds w/ Majerle Lister (Host of Wósdéé Podcast) 1:55:04

1+ y ago1:55:04

1:55:04

Listen as I dive into season 1 of Dark Winds with my guest Majerle Lister, host of Wósdéé podcast and co-host of F*ckin Sick Podcast. We do deep dive of how this compares to the previous PBS Hillerman films and general reception of the Hillerman novels among Navajo people. Additionally we discuss the impact of having an all native writers room for …

1
Prey w/ MacNez Podcast 1:03:53

1+ y ago1:03:53

1:03:53

Directed by Dan Trachenburg, this feature film is the #1 film premier in the first three days on Hulu. Receiving praise from Jesse Ventura, Joe Rogan, Bill Duke, and rocking a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, this film has received positive acclaim. This film dives into the world of Naru as she is trying to find her foothold as a warrior while challenging t…

1
Caleb Abrams (Cultural Consultant - Dexter New Blood) 1:09:17

2y ago1:09:17

1:09:17

I had a great chat with Caleb Abrams (Seneca) and discussed his work as a cultural consultant on Dexter New Blood. We also discuss the inclusion of MMIW in the show, his college educational experience, and what his community thought of Dexter New Blood. In addition, so much more. Caleb is many things but he is most a great asset to Indian Country, …

1
Dexter New Blood 58:49

2y ago58:49

58:49

This Dexter reboot that takes place 10 years after the questionable ending of the original show. Far from Miami, Dexter finds himself under the alias, Jim Lindsay, and is no longer killing. On top of not satisfying his urges, he is dating the Chief of Police Angela Bishop who is Seneca. A crime takes place on tribal land we are taken on a wild ride…

1
Grey's Anatomy S15E17 - Tradition 58:05

2+ y ago58:05

58:05

This unfortunately came out in a year where we were graced with superior Native representation in television, Rutherford Falls and Reservation Dogs. Fortunately for us we know better now because of those shows. Grey's Anatomy having Natives, at face value sounds amazing. The actual product though, left much to be desired. I felt like I was watching…

1
Joe Yates (Writer on Molly of Denali) 1:13:44

2+ y ago1:13:44

1:13:44

Joe is the father I want to be, the creator I want to be, the role model I want to be...everything. Joe Yates runs Alaskan Films, his own video production and photography company. He also is a writer on Molly Of Denali, works on the upcoming show Life Below Zero: The First Alaskans, and is a Haida man trying his best to teach his kids the language.…

1
Reservation Dogs Episode 8 56:02

2+ y ago56:02

56:02

Give that man an Ax! What a way to end the season, Elora is the only one that ends up leaving?! And she ends up leaving with Jackie?! From the sworn rival gang the NDN Mafia?! Definitely some curveballs in this season finale but it was a great way to leave us wanting more for season 2. I wrap up my miniseries on the Reservation Dogs season 1 and ho…

1
Reservation Dogs Episode 7 46:51

2+ y ago46:51

46:51

What a great episode! Unfortunately this is what accurate Native representation looks like sometimes, suicide. While it dealt with an issue that we commonly see in our communities, it did it in a way that informs us of the circumstances that cultivate those high rates. Addiction, lack of opportunity, language loss, culture loss, poor access to adeq…

1
Reservation Dogs Episode 6 47:36

2+ y ago47:36

47:36

This is the Willie Jack episode we've all been waiting for...it's not quite what we expected but over delivered in my opinion. Willie Jack and her dad set out to hunt the deer that has eluded them, Chunk. While out and about Leon shares with Willie Jack his encounter of Tallman and they discuss the circumstances around Daniel's death. This is a won…

1
Elias Gold 1:48:03

2+ y ago1:48:03

1:48:03

As seen on Natives React Rez Dogs episode! I had the pleasure of having Elias Gold come onto the show, he is the creator behind the YouTube channel Native Media Theory. This chat discussed Reservation Dogs, how we came to be enamored with Native representation and advocating for accurate representation, the state of Native representation in film & …

1
Reservation Dogs Episode 5 56:56

2+ y ago56:56

56:56

This episode is my favorite of the season. It has Kiowa Gordon singing Midnight Rider, Big's origin story, learning more about Cheese, and Native suspense/horror like I've never seen it done before...so beautifully. Also Wes Studi is in this episode, man what a show! Deer Lady is right behind William Knifeman aka Spirit as my favorite character in …

1
Reservation Dogs Episode 4 53:58

2+ y ago53:58

53:58

This episode was real...like very real and strange. Absent father, people who have a weird Native fetish, phallic beaded jewelry, and of course frybread at diabetes awareness fairs. I discuss the anti-black criticism surround this show, specifically targeted around this particular episode. I also talk about some of the great topics raised, like sex…

1
Bobby Wilson 1:00:06

2+ y ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Writer, actor, artist, comedian...what can this guy not do?! I had the pleasure of sitting down with Bobby to talk about his work on Rutherford Falls and Reservation Dogs. Keeping the spirit of making my show a mini-series about Reservation Dogs I thought it was fitting that we invite someone that writes for the show! We talked a lot about his care…

1
Reservation Dogs Episode 3 55:36

2+ y ago55:36

55:36

Let's run away together and live off the land...let's get some Sonics! Episode 3 brought us talk about shapeshifters, bad medicine, Sonics, legendary knockout stories, and reconnecting with our kin. Listen as I discuss the show's subtle humor it brings, so hard. Also how I'm worried this is going to be stolen by other people who see how much attent…

1
Reservation Dogs Episode 2 59:48

2+ y ago59:48

59:48

Hi there everybody! Episode 2 brings us to the IHS clinic, of all places. I discuss how this is something I didn't know I needed, real life interactions at the clinic. It's such a random place where you can meet elders, family members, and maybe find love. Reservation Dogs continue to set the bar on Native representation in TV and the hits keep com…

1
Reservation Dogs Episode 1 1:07:01

2+ y ago1:07:01

1:07:01

Aho Young Warrior! I decided to do a mini season the show. The next eight episodes will be dedicated to the show. All other work feels like table scraps right now. I can't help but find myself only consuming this show and I want to talk about it. I love this show, the representation is so authentic it should have it's own enrollment card. I can't b…

1
Reservation Dogs Reaction and News Update 52:02

2+ y ago52:02

52:02

Not a spoiler alert! I give a quick reaction to the first two episodes of Reservation Dogs being dropped on Hulu! It was so good, I discuss how next level it is and why I'm so excited for the rest of the season to air! Can't wait. I also bring up happenings with Spirit Rangers (Netflix), Dexter: New Blood, Rezball being produced by Lebron James, Av…

1
Angelique Midthunder 1:07:12

2+ y ago1:07:12

1:07:12

I had a wonderful chat with Angelique Midthunder and Stacey Rice, both of whom work for Midthunder Casting. A casting agency that has a particular eye for Native talent. A primary focus of their work is casting Native actors so naturally we talk about how hard it is to find Native talent, is it hard to spot a Pretendian, what is the outlook like fo…

1
Basketball & Sports Representation 50:33

3y ago50:33

50:33

We don't see enough of ourselves in sports film and television. So I talk Basketball or Nothing (2019), Edge of America, Chiefs (2002), Off The Rez (Shoni Schimmel), and Smoke Signals. Also I discuss why sports are so important to us as Natives. In addition our history with sports and how it was introduced to use through boarding/residential school…

1
Majerle Lister (Host of Wósdéé Podcast) 1:43:36

3y ago1:43:36

1:43:36

I had a great chat with Majerle Lister, host of Wósdéé podcast! I am a fan of his podcast and we had been kicking the can down the road for too long. We just linked up and did an episode! I'm so happy he came on because he brought thought provoking conversation. Accurate Native representation is important but why now? Why is it all seem to be happe…

1
Allie Young 1:20:30

3y ago1:20:30

1:20:30

Allie is many things, an activist, actor, writer, founder, etc. She's a leader and most recently founded Protect the Sacred. An organization founded to combat COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. With the many challenges that the Navajo Nation faced, we needed help and Allie saw a way to fill a void and just went for it. Time was not on our side with COV…

1
Mark Tilsen 1:18:08

3y ago1:18:08

1:18:08

Mark is many things, he is an activist, educator, poet, and thought leader. He should also add badass to that list. Mark is an impressive individual who I look to for wisdom. While he is much younger than an elder, he brings the elder knowledge. I'm excited to bring you all this chat I had with him because I have been looking forward to having this…

1
Ryker Sixkiller Interview 1:18:24

3y ago1:18:24

1:18:24

Ryker is one impressive guy. I have such respect for anyone who is willing to do anything to make themselves better. He is eager to learn, hungry for knowledge, and a Native stuntman/actor/cinematographer/writer/father/etc. Of all the great things he has done in his career, he's so humble and chill. I had a blast learning about Ryker's journey, wor…

1
Hollywood Diversity Report 46:04

3y ago46:04

46:04

Well well well...the diversity report shoes what we already knew. Natives are not present in Film and Television. However, how much does this matter when we're talking about the most viewed and highest grossing film and TV? Should Natives represent a large market share of that segment? Does it make sense for us to grow? Is there a legitimate case t…

1
Longmire Season 1 48:22

3y ago48:22

48:22

Hey everybody! This was my first crack at a tv show and I thought I would do more free form than my usual format. I did my research and discussed the positives, negatives, and gave some final thoughts. Also I recorded a new intro! Lou Diamond Phillips again!? Well I talk about it...and why it's tolerable but still not okay. Zahn McLarnon and Irene …

1
Zombieland 44:50

3y ago44:50

44:50

Who expected to see a Native trading post destroyed in a post apocalyptic world? I sure didn't expect to see that when I saw this movie. That's why it's fun to talk about this native representation, because NO ONE is going to talk about this movie. I find that fascinating when it happens, because I'm positive every Native that saw this at the very …

1
Magnificent Seven (2016) 1:02:56

3y ago1:02:56

1:02:56

This 2016 movie directed by Antoine Fuqua, better than most remakes. Frankly we're exhausted with remakes at this point. So it's refreshing to see one that comes out that's unique but also just a good stand alone movie. Thank god there isn't going to be a sequel too, can't stand it when remakes go and remake it but also extend the universe they cre…

1
Interview w/ Pilar Agoyo 56:05

3y ago56:05

56:05

Pilar Agoyo...wow! I never gave a thought to the costume and wardrobe department. After meeting and getting to know Pilar, I am going to pay EXTRA attention to the costume design, artistry, and craftsmanship. She blew my mind, opened my eyes to appreciate a whole new side of film/TV shows. Started her career as a seamstress for Into the West in 200…

1
Reel Injun w/ Twindigenous 1:39:12

3y ago1:39:12

1:39:12

Reel Injun is one of a kind. This documentary eloquently and concisely presents the history of Native American representation in film, from the start to now. Since the capability to record became available, Natives were on screen. There has been a fascination with Native people since colonization and this film delves into that fascination. Along th…

1
The Quick and the Dead 56:37

3y ago56:37

56:37

The Quick and the Dead! How the hell did this movie manage to get this much star power!? Sharon Stone, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gene Hackman, and Jonothon Gill (Spotted Horse)!? Native actor that arguably has the most suspenseful gun fight in the film! Combine a single elimination tournament with a spoof western, you get one of the best we…

1
Indianz.com Co-Founder - Acee Agoyo 1:12:36

3y ago1:12:36

1:12:36

Can you believe it, episode 23! (Shoutout to Michael Jordan) I had to do the number justice and I feel like I did with this guest. Acee Agoyo is a co-founding member of Indianz.com and has been a journalist for the past 21 years. He is a Native man that saw a void in media coverage and jumped at the opportunity to fill it. I admire that tenacity an…

1
Let's Talk Native Film News! 46:01

3y ago46:01

46:01

I go on a 20 minute rant about pretendians. If you're not about that, I don't recommend you listen to this one, skip it until next week. As a rez kid, it hits me different than someone not from a rez, or not brown, or not accepted by their community, or not enrolled because of government bullsh*t. Truth is, the Native experience is so broad that th…

1
Wonder Woman 57:40

3y ago57:40

57:40

A Native is acknowledge in the same world as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman! Not only acknowledged but freaking a demigod himself! Napi! Come listen as I go over the plot review, Eugene Brave Rock's casting, filmography, and discuss Native representation in this film. Wonder Woman is a fantastic film on its own and the Native represetnation is …

1
Interview with Natalie Benally 1:04:50

3+ y ago1:04:50

1:04:50

Well well well...here we are episode 20! I had guest Natalie Benally on for this one and it was a fun chat! She is an actor/filmmaker/community advocate/dancer/choreographer and the list goes on. Most important she is all around wholesome person and advocate for accurate representation of Natives on screen. I enjoyed talking with her about why it's…

1
Predator (1987) 1:17:49

3+ y ago1:17:49

1:17:49

"There's something out there waiting for us...it ain't no man." Billy (Sonny Landham) died for our sins! I have a guest, my best friend Chris! We grew up quoting this movie so much with him and my other friends, who better than him to discuss this epic film. Plus he's Navajo and this is called...Native Film Talk. It's about time we get some Natives…

1
The Grizzlies 1:10:23

3+ y ago1:10:23

1:10:23

Directed by Miranda De Pencier This 2018 film is based on the actual Grizzlies from 2005. A community that had the highest suicide rate in North America, glommed onto the game of Lacrosse. Introduced to them by a non-Native outsider Russ Sheppard. He uses the game to distract the students from their reality but also to teach them about becoming a c…

1
Thunderheart 1:25:49

3+ y ago1:25:49

1:25:49

This 1992 movie is based on real events. Director Michael Apted also releaded Incident At Oglala, which can be a companion film to this movie, as they overlap so much. While this is a fictional tale, it is 100% inspired by true events. There are many parallels from the American Indian Movement, involvement of the Tribal Chairperson with the U.S. Go…

1
In Whose Honor w/ Jay Rosenstein 1:06:47

3+ y ago1:06:47

1:06:47

I had a fantastic conversation with Jay. Safe to say, he's invited to any cookout, pow wow, potluck, etc. Jay is a real one, he stuck his neck out for a message that he knew needed to be told. That message is Charlene Teters' story from her time as a graduate student at the University of Illinois, and her opposition of the school mascot, Chief Illi…

1
In Whose Honor with guest Charlene Teters 1:04:27

3+ y ago1:04:27

1:04:27

The legendary, unparalleled, prolific, powerful, and all around amazing person...Charlene Teters. We briefly discuss the documentary, In Whose Honor, but mostly deep dive into Charlene's time at the University of Illinois and her experience being an advocate for changing the name. Charlene discusses her evolution from being a shy girl that stayed q…

1
Fargo 44:41

3+ y ago44:41

44:41

Oh Jeez! This 1996 Coen Brothers film, Fargo depicts a tale of greed, self-sabotage, and authentic life in North Dakota. (Especially the accent) While Shep Proudfoot (Steve Reevis) was only on screen for a few minutes in the film, he managed to become an iconic character in the collection of Coen Brothers films. Most famous for the epic beating he …

1
Indian Horse 1:21:24

3+ y ago1:21:24

1:21:24

This 2017 film based on the book written by Richard Wagamese tells the story of Saul Indian Horse. The story follows his life through residential school in Canada, his journey playing hockey, the racism associated with the game, and reconciling with the pain of his past. Overall, this a powerful tale that NEEDED to be told and was told the right wa…

1
Reflection Episode! 1:11:53

3+ y ago1:11:53

1:11:53

This is me looking back at the podcast thus far. Eleven episodes in, how do I feel about where things lie? Where do I see the show going? How do I choose a movie to review? "Ian you're Native, what are your thoughts on Thanksgiving?" "I suggested movies/tv to you, when are you going to review my recommendations?!" "Do you ever read what I send?" La…

1
Wes Studi: 2019 Academy Honorary Award 38:45

3+ y ago38:45

38:45

HISTORY! Wes Studi joins an amazing list of Honorary Award winners like Robert Redford, Spike Lee, Charlie Chaplan, Akira Kurosawa, James Earl Jones, and the list goes on! These people are recognized for significant achievements in their craft, over an entire career. Wes trailblazed an impressive career where he amazed and dazzled audiences with ro…

1
The Indian in the Cupboard 1:07:48

3+ y ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Here it is! The 1995 film, The Indian in the Cupboard. With a name like the Indian in the Cupboard, what could go wrong?! Starring Litefoot as Little Bear, in his acting debut! He falls into the ownership of a boy Omri, for his 9th birthday. Omri is also gifted a magic cupboard with a magic key that brings any inanimate object to life, upon locking…

1
Smoke Signals 1:22:32

3+ y ago1:22:32

1:22:32

Hey Victor! Come listen as I review one of the greatest Native stories ever told on big screen. Let's talk about what scenes, lines, and characters reverberate throughout Indian Country today. I love this movie, but I didn't always love it. This movie changes with you and ages along with you. As I re-watched this movie now as a man, father, and hus…

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