Eithen Hatfield is using his new podcast to inform his listeners and to test his own limits.

Hatfield, from Baker City, is studying English at Eastern Oregon University.

His podcast, the Blackout Sessions, is available on Spotify.

Recording from the glass-walled partition on the third floor of the Hoke Union building on the EOU campus, Hatfield recently completed his fourth episode of the interview-based podcast, and he’s planning several others.

Since launching the podcast in November, Hatfield has had conversations with Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen, La Grande Parks and Recreation employee Chris Gianandrea, soldier Brian Lindsay and missionary Josiah Potter.

Hatfield said the interviews have helped him expand his social skills.

“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 said he likes to write, and loves journalism, so the interview format suits him.

He said the podcast’s name is an allusion to mixed martial arts.

Hatfield records his podcast in the sound booth for the former student radio station.

The booth was revamped by the EOU Foundation specifically for podcast recording.

“From what I know, I’m the only student that’s doing it right now,” Hatfield said. “I have seen teachers do their own thing but I’ve never seen another student doing anything (with the studio space).”

Hatfield said his goal is to find local residents who are doing positive things in the community.

He hopes to land interviews with the mayors of Baker City, La Grande and other cities.

Hatfield said he has arranged a future podcast with TikTok creator Doug Kiesewetter.

Blackout Sessions has nearly 3,000 impressions on Spotify.

For inspiration, Hatfield said he listens to Joe Rogan, who has the most popular podcast in the world, as well as Theo Vaughn.

“He’s more of a comedian,” Hatfield said of Vaughn. “I like to keep things just a little funny.”

Hatfield said he’s received positive feedback from listeners.

“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,” he said. “I feel like this podcast is a reboot button for my life.”

He has dedicated listeners closer to home, as well.

“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.”

Hatfield 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.

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

According to Justin Montgomery, director of marketing and communications at Eastern Oregon University, the university’s student newspaper, The Voice, is being reestablished through donations and new faculty direction a year after it closed.

They’ve relaunched their website at TheVoiceofEOU.com, and have been posting new content.