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.
Listen on:
Episodes
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
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 engaged. Also featuring a guest co-host, Roxy, filling in for Nicole. (Everyone in the studio was covid tested before we started filming.) Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GIZlcZ2KUSU
For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1230659541786273
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/sunkenpresspodcast
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
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 YouTube: https://youtu.be/6Rb_MMnJaxg.
For more information go to https://downtownalton.com/ or Alton Main Street on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AltonMainStreet
Also mentioned in this episode: Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market https://www.facebook.com/AltonFarmersMarket
Mississippi Earthtones Festival https://www.facebook.com/EarthtonesFestival
All-Wheels Drive-In Car Show https://www.facebook.com/events/2181281798997817
https://downtownalton.com/volunteer
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com
Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
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://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095128308904
Watch the video version of this episode at https://youtu.be/HklJrYgCEcE.
For more about how and why to kill your lawn, read Cory's Substack on the matter here: https://sunkenpress.substack.com/p/sunken-dispatch-2
Or go to https://www.youtube.com/@UC3CBOpT2-NRvoc2ecFMDCsA
Also mentioned in this episode: https://www.facebook.com/littleskywildflowers
https://www.facebook.com/NatureInstitute
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com
Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
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.
Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
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 acid.
Check out Funky Game Night at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton on Tuesday, May 20. https://www.facebook.com/events/1090523906428640
Funky Planet Toys & Gifts is at:
10 E Broadway, Alton, IL, 62002
618-373-6205
info@funkyplanettoys.com
https://www.funkyplanettoys.com
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com
Friday May 02, 2025
Friday May 02, 2025
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
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574543380082
https://www.freakshowdeluxe.com/
https://www.facebook.com/freakshowdeluxe/
https://www.instagram.com/freakshowdeluxe
https://www.youtube.com/TheFreakShowDeluxe
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Friday Apr 25, 2025
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
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
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:
https://www.facebook.com/sacredspacesofcare
http://www.sacredspacesofcare.org
https://linktr.ee/infosacredspacesofcare
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com
#homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #homelessnesscrisis #unhoused #mentalhealth #crisisintervention
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
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.
More info discussed in this episode: https://www.facebook.com/OvernightWarmingLocations
https://linktr.ee/overnightwarminglocations
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=077500450K10
https://repelik.com/
https://repstuart.com/
https://sunkenpresspodcast.com/
#homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #homelessnesscrisis #unhoused
Saturday Apr 05, 2025
Saturday Apr 05, 2025
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/