La Grande Sheriff Cody Bowen was happy to interview with EOU student Eithen Hatfield on his new podcast, 'The Blackout Sessions'.

LA GRANDE — In the long recovery from the pandemic Eastern Oregon University ultimately opted to shutter its long-standing student radio station, KEOL 91.7 FM, as well as its student newspaper, The Voice, after some years of difficulty rebuilding. At one point they were even a singular student media entity.

Though these features have yet to be replaced, recently Baker-raised Mountaineer Eithen Hatfield has brought the KEOL sound booth, and student media, back online with his new Spotify podcast, the Blackout Sessions.

“I’m studying English right now,” Hatfield said. “I like to write and I love journalism.”

Hatfield says he chose the name simply because he liked the sound of it and for its allusions to mixed martial arts rather than destructive binge drinking.

Recording from the glass-walled partition on the third floor of the Hoke Union building, Hatfield has been producing his independent podcast for the last few months, recently concluding his fourth episode and on track to produce several more.

Available on Spotify, Hatfield’s first four episodes have him in conversation with missionary Josiah Potter, La Grande sheriff Cody Bowen, La Grande parks and rec worker Chris Gianandrea and enlisted soldier Brian Lindsay since November so far.

“I’ve had city council members tell me what I’m doing is great, and pastors at church are saying it’s really good to bring out the people that serve the community,” said Hatfield. “I feel like this podcast is a reboot button for my life.”

Hatfield himself also serves in the Army National Guard and will be on a school hiatus next year as he completes a voluntary deployment, recently given options between Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Ultimately, he chose his destination to stay among his enlisted friends.

“All my buddies and I signed up for Iraq,” said Hatfield. “I’m going for a year’s deployment.”

Hatfield says he’s arranged a future session with TikTok creator Doug Kiesewetter, a former military and produces videos surrounding his service experiences and maintaining physical health, which have generated millions of views and thousands of subscribers.

Still building his own momentum, Hatfield says he’s had nearly 3,000 impressions on the Spotify channel.

“I listen to a lot of Joe Rogan as far as his analyses, and Theo Vaughn, he’s more of a comedian, but I like to keep things just a little funny,” he said of his inspirations.

Hatfield however doesn’t seek out outlandish or controversial guests, and instead focuses on locals doing good in their community.

“This is not just for my own benefit but to contribute to others, so they can have an opportunity too” he said, “to make an impact, to hear each other’s stories.”

Hatfield says that, for himself, the interviews go a long way to help him expand his social skills, including reaching out to sometimes imposing figures.

“I just called (Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen), and he respectfully just wanted to (interview). Goes to show how great a guy he is, and he just showed up,” said Hatfield.

“What’s funny is I’m a really introverted person, it’s pushing my limits to talk to people, that is why I do it,” he said. “To push my limits, to get better at listening to people and hearing people out.”

Hatfield next plans to interview a Boise basketball coach and hopes to land sessions with the mayors of La Grande, Baker and other outlying cities. At home though, Hatfield says he’s getting a lot of interest in the program in his own circles, and his family are among his avid listeners.

“My Dad loves it, he’s always super happy about every time I post one,” he said, “All my friends ask me to be on my podcasts.”