Podcast

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

**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...

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...

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...

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...

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...