Exploring Washington State with Megan Leonard: Film, Karaoke, and Festival Insights Are you ready to dive deep into the world of film festivals, short films, and the art of movie selection? Meet Megan Leonard, a programmer for the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). Grab your popcorn, (Megan prefers Red Vines) settle in, and let's explore the captivating world of film with Megan Leonard. Discovering Megan's Film Journey Megan Leonard takes us on a journey through her film career, from...

Monica Nevi: A Homegrown Comic Talent We are going to ask Monica Nevi to share her story after all she is a storyteller. Monica takes us on a delightful ride through her journey from being a former athlete and college student to discovering her true passion for stand-up comedy. Born and raised in Renton, Washington, Monica's connection to the Pacific Northwest runs deep, and her comedic wit reflects the unique charm and humor of her home state. Comedy: A Surprising Twist of Fate Monica...

Exploring Washington State: Navigating the North Cascades Highway with Lauren Loebsack If you are an adventure-seeker who yearns to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest, then you'll want to tune in as we navigate through the North Cascades Highway. Our very special guest is Lauren Loebsack, the communications manager for the North Central Region of the Washington State Department of Transportation. From the process of preparing the highway for reopening to the hidden...

Discovering Bellingham's Beer Scene In Bellingham, the beer scene is vibrant and full of positive energy. Meet Layne Carter and Emily Mallos. They share their passion for raising the beer community in Bellingham and invite everyone to support Bellingham Beer. The camaraderie in the beer community is unmistakable, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and support among the breweries. The episode sheds light on the upcoming Bellingham Beer Week, promising an array of exciting events that...

Meet the talented and passionate filmmaker Jessica Plumb. In this episode we discuss her work and the upcoming showcasing of her film "Call of the Orcas" at the CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival. Join us as we dive into the world of independent filmmaking, the captivating beauty of Washington State, and the critical conservation efforts for the southern resident killer whales. Environmental Advocacy through Filmmaking At the heart of Jessica Plumb's work is a dedication to...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Exploring Washington State. This episode we're diving into the vibrant world of film and community with a special focus on the Cascadia International Women's Film Festival. We sit down with the festival's dynamic executive director Cheryl Crooks. Our conversation covers the festival's impact on the local arts scene, the power of in-person connections, women in film, and much, much more. The Return of Community and Collective Experiences With the world...

Meet Becky Garrison Becky shares her fascinating journey and her deep connection with the craft distillery scene of Washington State. Her background as a freelance writer and her passion for building communities clearly shines through as she discusses her experiences and inspirations. Becky's dedication to her craft and her enthusiasm for all things spirited make her the perfect guide to navigate the rich world of Washington's distilleries. Her new book Distilled in Washington is a deep dive...

Meet Riki Mafune, a third-generation Seattleite with a family history deeply intertwined with Japanese American experiences. The conversation delves into Japanese American history, the challenges of the internment camps, the Seattle music scene, and Riki's personal journey as a musician. Family Legacy and Internment Camps Riki shares her family's poignant story of generational trauma stemming from internment camps during World War II. Her great-grandfather passed away en route to the camps,...

Curling, often seen as a niche sport, holds a captivating allure that combines strategy, teamwork, and a close-knit community. In this episode, host Scott Cowan engages in a lively and informative conversation with Bryan Pittard, the outreach person for the Granite Curling Club in Seattle Washington. Discovering the Technical and Strategic Aspects of Curling: During the conversation Bryan unveils the technical intricacies and strategic prowess required in curling. Bryan shares the inner...

Meet Beautiful Angle Lance Kagey and Tom Llewellyn invite us into their 20+ year collaboration. Beautiful Angle has brought striking art to various Tacoma neighborhoods including Hilltop, North End, Lincoln District, Stadium, 6th Ave, downtown, and South Tacoma Way. In 2002, Tom Llewellyn and Lance Kagey embarked on a mission to infuse Tacoma with artistic flair. Their collaborative project, Beautiful Angle, focuses on creating visually captivating posters that showcase the diverse culture...

Meet Alliyah Perry- Alliyah Perry's journey began with a passion for growing and selling produce at farmers markets. However, she found this approach unsustainable due to time constraints and limited accessibility. This inspired her to conceptualize a unique idea: a grocery store where individual farmers could sell their produce without losing their farm identity. The vision came to life when a space in what was a coffee shop and roastery in Centralia became available. This store, named...

Meet Curtis Ashby, a cool artist who paints big murals and loves bird art. Curtis talks about how mural art is big in Washington and how it brings people together. Curtis explains that murals last a long time, like 10 to 20 years, which shows how strong this art is in Washington. He also talks about working with cities and groups like Spaceworks. This helps artists and business people team up and make their towns more colorful and fun. He shares how he plans his art projects at the start of...

**Skateboarding and a Heartwarming Mission** Join us as we delve into Daniel Brown's intriguing journey, where he combines a love for skateboarding and a desire to give back to the community through his project "Skateboards For All." Daniel shares the inspiration behind his charity work and his vision for providing skateboarding gear to kids in need. **A Heartfelt Mission to Empower Kids** Discover how Daniel's project, "Skateboards For All," aims to make skateboarding a reachable and...

Delve into Tom's creative journey as a fiction author and his role in Tacoma's street art project, Beautiful Angle. Discover the inspiration behind "The 5 Impossible Tasks of Edin Smith" and how Tom infused his late relatives' personalities into the charming characters of the book. The setting for the book is inspired by Tacoma's very own Rust Mansion. As the conversation unfolds, Tom mesmerizes us with Tacoma's rich music history, from being an "incubator city" for budding musicians to...

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Meet Makenna Schwab, an inspiring college student at the University of Washington. Makenna is a resilient individual who has faced multiple surgeries due to Larson syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder. Despite her challenges, Makenna has not only remained positive but has also dedicated herself to fundraising for Seattle Children's Hospital through her foundation, Makspire Foundation. Join us as we delve into Makenna's journey, her impactful charity work, her experiences with...

Join us as Ryan Perkins does a dive deep into the world of USL soccer and the thriving sports scene in Olympia, WA. ! 1/ First off, let's talk about OlyTown FC's epic showdown against Portland squad United PDX. The women's team brought an impressive lineup of NCAA Division 1 players, making waves in the national tournament. Their home games at South Sound Stadium drew immense community support, sparking discussions about investing in top-notch soccer facilities in the region. 2/ Despite a...

In this episode, we dive into an engaging conversation with the dynamic and driven Joey Lawrence. Learn about Joey's fascinating journey from a college athlete to a visionary entrepreneur, and learn about the ambitious Barreled surf park project that's making waves in Yakima, Washington. Joey's brainchild – the Barreled Surf Park, a project that promises a thrilling experience just east of Yakima. The vision for the 5.5-acre wave pool with its 6.6 million gallons of water, adjustable wave...

This episode we have a special treat for all the food enthusiasts and seafood lovers out there. Join us as we dive into the world of oyster farming and culinary delights at Alderbrook Resort, featuring an exclusive interview with Executive Chef Sara Harvey. 🍽️ Sara takes us through the culinary adventures that await at Alderbrook, with a spotlight on their delectable oyster dishes, whole-fish cooking techniques, and their commitment to sourcing high-quality, locally produced ingredients. She...

👩‍🍳 Spotlight on Chef Becky McGrath Learn more about the talented Chef Becky McGrath and her journey to becoming the Executive Chef of Burgerville. Growing up in a house with seven siblings Chef Becky knew from an early age that she wanted to be involved with food. She has fond memories of food being the center of good times for her family From attending culinary school to partnering with local farmers and producers, discover how her passion for food and dedication to sourcing quality...

Are you ready for a refreshing exploration into the world of American cider? Listen in as Michelle McGrath, CEO of the American Cider Association joins the show for a tantalizing discussion about the diversity and intricacies of the American cider industry. 🍁 Discover how the American cider industry is signaling a shift in the beverage market, and the pivotal role it's playing in shaping the second wave of the industry. 🌟 From the unique flavors and ingredients to the challenges cider makers...

Meet the incredibly talented Jeff Barlow, a creative director at Boeing who has found his true passion in live music sketching. Jeff's unique artistry involves attending live music shows and sketching the bands as they perform, capturing the energy and essence of their music in his drawings. His art is created in the time the band performs one song. With an impressive portfolio that includes notable musicians and encounters with bands like X and Mike McCready, Jeff shares his experiences...

Meet Jeff Hashimoto and Langdon Ernest-Beck. This duo climbed the 100 tallest peaks in Washington State and accomplished the feat by riding bicycles for the entire journey. This human powered adventure took 107 days to complete. 💡 Join us as we delve into the diverse ecosystems and magnificent views that are forever etched in Jeff and Langdon's memories🌲 🏊‍♀️ Dive into the exhilarating experience of swimming in crystal clear waters, mirroring the feeling of being on a high peak, overseeing...

Meet Jim Ribail. Now, Jim's not your typical politician, He's actually the most reluctant one you'll ever come across. See, around 10 years ago, Jim started getting all worked up about what was happening in his city. So, what did he do? He started attending all these meetings, especially those city council ones. And let me tell you, he didn't just pop in once or twice - he was there for a solid two years, complaining and questioning everything. At some point, Jim thought to himself, "Hey,...