Washington’s state parks are more than just beautiful places to hike, camp, and explore—they’re critical habitats for some of the region’s most endangered species. From the windswept beaches of the Pacific Coast to hidden prairie remnants in Eastern Washington, these public lands quietly support vital conservation efforts that often go unnoticed. Dr. Andrea Thorpe, Natural…
Washington grows more than 10 billion pounds of potatoes each year—feeding millions, supporting thousands of jobs, and fueling a $7.4 billion industry. But how exactly does it all happen? In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission, to uncover the story of one of…
Meet Paul Tolmé, Content Strategy and Media Relations Manager at the Cascade Bicycle Club, for a lively conversation about biking across Washington—and how cycling is transforming lives, communities, and transportation policy. Paul shares the origin story of Cascade Bicycle Club, a nonprofit that’s been pedaling progress since 1970. With more than five decades of advocacy…
Meet Jennifer Hackett, the force behind Northwest Portal—a one-of-a-kind platform mapping all of Washington’s recreation! Jennifer’s passion for making recreation accessible to everyone, leveraging GIS, and creatively compiling data from fragmented sources really stands out. Not only does she blend her expertise in resource management and mapping, but she’s built an incredible system to keep…
Hailey Bohlman didn’t grow up surrounded by vineyards. She’s not a sommelier by training, nor did she set out to become a wine educator. But somewhere between a small town in Wisconsin and the rolling hills of Walla Walla, she found herself completely captivated by the world of wine—and decided to bring others along for…
In this Exploring Washington State Podcast episode, Scott sits down with Rochelle Robinson. Rochelle is a board member of the Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival in Bellingham. She shares the festival’s story and how it’s making space for women filmmakers worldwide. Rochelle’s Journey Rochelle wears many hats. She’s involved with Western Washington University, where she…
Jessi and Jared Fredeen are the powerhouse duo behind Champagne Sunday, a Tacoma-based band that’s been making music—and memories—together for two decades. Their journey began with a chance on-stage moment in a California restaurant and slowly evolved into a musical and personal partnership. Today, they’ve released ten albums, performed thousands of shows, and built a…
Every spring, thousands of visitors visit the University of Washington’s campus to witness one of the most breathtaking sights in Seattle—the iconic cherry blossoms in full bloom. These delicate pink and white flowers transform the Quad into a scene from a postcard, drawing photographers, nature lovers, and tourists alike. But beyond their beauty, these trees have…
Jessica Alexanderson, better known as Scuba Jess. Jess previously joined the show to talk about her love for scuba diving and ocean conservation. This time, she’s trying to collect two million aluminum cans to support schools nationwide. Why Aluminum Cans? Jessica’s 2 Million Cans Recycling Contest is a national effort to get schools involved in recycling. With 18 schools in 12…
Join us for an incredible conversation with Patrick Pearse McAleese, the heart and soul behind Seattle’s legendary Kells Irish Pub. We dive deep into the rich history of Kells, the origins of this iconic bar in Pike Place Market, and the unforgettable legacy it has built over four decades. From its early days in the…
In this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast, Scott Cowan welcomes Kendall Jones, founder of the Washington Beer Blog, to discuss the history and future of craft beer in Washington State. Kendall shares his journey from an aspiring rock star to a renowned voice in the beer community, weaving together stories of personal discovery, local…
Welcome back to another inspiring episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast! This time, Scott Cowan sits down with Meghanne Storey, a talented musician with an extraordinary story of resilience, creativity, and passion. From her challenging beginnings on the streets of Seattle to becoming a celebrated artist, Meghan shares her incredible journey of triumph over…
