Seattle Growth Podcast

Today’s episode may be the first Seattle Growth Podcast episode that can save your life. Cindi Barker talks about the Seattle Emergency Hubs. She’s not only bringing Seattleites together, she is preparing them for when disaster strikes. In this interview, you will learn the surprising amount of time you should be prepared to survive in case of an emergency and how you can find the people who can help you through such an event. The episode then gives an inside look at Seattle’s dance community through an interview with Connie Villines. Villines is the managing director of the Seattle International Dance Festival, the artistic director of Converge Dance Festival, and assistant producer of the Full Tilt Dance Festival. She shares what makes Seattle unique in the dance world and offers lessons for what Seattle residents can learn from the local dance community.

Today’s episode features an interview with a nationally touring comedian who has appeared on Late Night TV many times and had his own special on Comedy Central. Shane Mauss was in town for his Stand Up Science show and sat down for an interview in which he offers an outsider’s impressions of Seattle. He shares his views on how the business of comedy has changed over the years and offers advice on how someone can find a sense of community in a city that is changing so rapidly. The episode also features Seattle author Thomas Kohnstamm, whose novel Lake City takes place in Seattle at the turn of the 21st century. Kohnstamm shares perspective on how the community has changed over the decades he has lived here and what he hopes the future holds for our growing city. Whether you have lived here your whole life or are just joining this city, these interviews give insight about Seattle, how it was, how it is changing, and where Seattle is going.

Today’s episode features John Barr, founder of NHLtoSeattle. Barr shares the story of how his love of hockey evolved from a hobby newsletter to an expansive online community on Facebook and Twitter, to a rich Seattle community that brings people together to watch hockey and advocate for Seattle to join the ranks of NHL cities. Barr discusses what motivates him to pour his effort into the community and how he felt seeing Seattle realize his dream of being awarded an NHL franchise. Today’s episode also features Alex Grindeland, owner of CSZ Seattle. Grindeland describes how he was able to build and maintain a community of improve comedians. He shares how passion for improv comedy has evolved into a business that plays home to ComedySportz, a fast-paced comedy show pitting two teams of comedians against each other. To show just how important practice and skill are, he and host, Jeff Shulman, engage in the least funny improv of all time. If you are looking for a community that’s right for you, you just might fin

Season 6 of Seattle Growth Podcast focuses on finding community in a dynamic city. Each episode spotlights some of the interesting people in Seattle who are building community and bringing people together. You will hear from leaders in tech, comedy, music, art, dance, and emergency preparation. Today’s episode features Nathan Vass, an artist, filmmaker, photographer, and author by day, and a Metro bus driver by night, where his community-building work has been showcased on NPR, The Seattle Times, KING5 and landed him a spot on Seattle Magazine’s 2018 list of the 35 Most Influential People in Seattle. Vass shares stories from his popular blog, The View from Nathan’s Bus, and how it led to his successful book The Lines That Make Us. The interview offers a unique perspective on finding community in a city that is changing rapidly. Today’s episode also features Maisha Barnett, a public space developer with over a decade of experience shaping community gathering spaces. She talks about her work with the Jimi Hendr

Continue the exploration of finding community in a dynamic city. Today’s episode features Farah Abdallah, a lead product manager at eBay who co-founded Seattle’s chapter of Women in Product. Abdallah shares how she collaborated with Claire Fang of Facebook to bring together hundreds of women in Seattle who are building products for some of the world’s most innovative companies. The episode also features Kevin Sur, founder of Artist Home. Sur discusses why and how he created a collaborative community for artists and launched highly popular music festivals such as Timber! Outdoor Music Festival, which is bringing together emerging artists for the seventh year in a row in July. Sur shares how his desire to help people and build community evolved into a successful business. If you are looking for a community that’s right for you, you just might find it in today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast. If you are looking to build your own community, you will hear lessons of how to start and nurture a group.

How do you find community in a dynamic city? Season 6 of Seattle Growth podcast brings different perspectives together. Whether you are looking for a community that is right for you or hoping to build one, you will learn from the voices of this season. Today's episode includes Red Russak and Brett Greene whose New Tech Seattle was the fastest growing meetup group in history. The episode also features Jane Richlovsky, a talented artist and accidental real estate developer who is finding creative ways to keep artists in Seattle.

Hear the voices of season 5 describe how they became homeless and how it feels to be homeless. Elected officials, business leaders, academics, and unsheltered residents describe the challenges in addressing homelessness and share opinions on solutions. Casey Trupin of the Raikes Foundation shares how Pearl Jam got involved in the crisis and how the successful Home Shows came together.

Today’s episode and connects the topic of the previous season, which focused on the past, present and future of Seattle music, with the topic of this season, which is focused on homelessness. The episode features an interview with Anthony Briscoe whose Seattle-based band, Down North, is on the cusp of a breakout. Brisco opens up about his struggle with poverty and his experience being homeless in our region.  The episode also features an interview with noted author and UW professor Scott Allard. He dispels some myths associated with poverty, describes which programs are effective and which programs build a poverty trap, and offers actions you can take to help improve your community.  The song Heartbreaker, by Down North, is played in this episode. Down North consists of Lead Vocalist/Dancer Anthony “Renegade” Briscoe, whose North Carolina breeding makes fans swoon and has no equal in the Pacific NW. Raised on Michael Jackson and Sam Cooke, Anthony combines a style and emotional impact reminiscent of Prince

As every one of us faces challenges of varying degrees of scale, today’s episode features an inspiring story about how one man can make a world of difference. Dale Hoff offers lessons not only for those seeking improvement in the homelessness crisis, but those seeking to influence change at any level. Today also features an in-depth interview with a person who has had a significant impact on the economic growth of this city, Craig Kinzer. In today’s episode, Kinzer previews a big idea that he thinks can fundamentally transform how housing gets built for average workers in Seattle. The extended conversation with Mr. Kinzer also touches upon the controversial public subsidy for the ballpark that is home to Seattle’s Major League Baseball team. The interview gives you insight into important decisions facing regional government. Combined, these two interviews represent two of the many examples of Seattle residents who think creatively about how to tackle challenges. They also offer insight into the process

Today’s episode focuses on the business response to a crisis affecting everyone in Seattle: homelessness. The episode features Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, and Mike Slade, former CEO of Starwave and founding partner at Second Avenue Partners.

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast looks at question that has affected many throughout Seattle: how should the city deal with tents and encampments in public spaces? This question is important to our community’s homeless residents hanging on to their last few possessions and to the business leaders and residents who encounter unsanctioned encampments on their commutes, near their homes, and in their parks. Today’s episode features Dae Shik Kim Hawkins Jr., an activist and organizer of Nikita Oliver’s 2017 Mayoral campaign. Hawkins Jr. explains why he advocates for homeless individuals and gives insight into “Stop the Sweeps” efforts. You will also hear from Ian Gordon, business manager of the Local 1239 union representing Seattle Parks and Recreation employees. He shares the challenges Parks employees have in maintaining spaces for use by the public.

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast features one of the most candid interviews about life on the streets. Timothy opens up about how he found himself homeless, why he chooses to live in Seattle and what life is like on the streets. He gives a surprising answer to how society is failing the homeless and makes a simple request of listeners. Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien also appears in the episode. He shares where he believes the city can improve in how it deals with its vehicular residents. Councilmember O’Brien also discusses what it was like to be at the center of the infamous Ballard Town Hall, which was reported as turning “into an angry shoutfest.”

Today’s episode of Seattle brings you behind the scenes of City Hall in an interview with Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. Councilmember Mosqueda shares her thinking about the controversial “head tax” and what she learned from how the process of enacting then repealing the tax unfolded. She also shares her vision for how the city could improve its response to the homelessness crisis. The episode also features an interview with a UW professor who experienced homelessness herself before becoming an academic expert on the topic.

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast continues with a focus on one of Seattle’s most pressing issues, homelessness. Each episode in the season brings voices from a variety of perspectives. Combined the episodes will help listeners understand homelessness from multiple angles, become better informed citizens, and feel empowered to take even small steps toward addressing the challenge. The episode features an interview with former Washington State Attorney General and 2012 Republican Gubernatorial nominee Rob McKenna. McKenna shares his perspective on how the city and the business community should address homelessness. The episode also features an interview with a tent-city resident Walter Hudson. Hudson gives insight into what life is like in these communities.

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast continues with a focus on one of Seattle’s most pressing issues, homelessness. Each episode in the season brings voices from a variety of perspectives. Combined the episodes will help listeners understand homelessness from multiple angles, become better informed citizens, and feel empowered to take even small steps toward addressing the challenge. In this episode, Jeff Shulman sat down with a father of two children who was given a new lease on life by the help of Mary’s Place family shelter. Tyrus Gilbertson describes his experience being homeless with his son and daughter. Gilbertson shares what has kept him going as he works to provide for his family. Rick Hooper, co-president of the Uptown Alliance, shares what his community organization is doing to build pathways out of homelessness for their fellow community members. Hooper offers perspective on challenges and opportunities individuals can face as they work to strengthen their community.

Season 5 focuses on a topic that affects everyone in Seattle: Homelessness. King County Executive Dow Constantine discusses regional approach to addressing homelessness and the reasoning behind his efforts. Northwest MLS director Robert Wasser of Prospera Real Estate gives an update on rents and housing prices. The episode also features Ty who was interviewed while living on streets outside City Hall.

In this season finale, voices from the music industry share why music is embedded in Seattle’s DNA, give insight into the soul of the not just the music scene but the city as a whole, and offer perspectives on what needs to be done to hold on to the rich cultural resource. For this season, Seattle Growth Podcast host Jeff Shulman set across the city interviewing established and emerging musicians, music lovers, and music industry leaders to learn more about the past, present, and future of Seattle music. The episode features the voices of: David Armstrong who served Executive Producer and Artistic Director of 5th Ave Theatre for 18 years. Dave B who performed in front of a sold out Key Arena and with Macklemore on The Tonight Show. Andre Brown who is a recent graduate of the University of Washington’s School of Drama. Matt Bishop who founded the popular indie folk and chamber pop band Hey Marseilles. Marco Collins who is the subject of the documentary The Glamour and the Squalor because of his rich co

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast continues the focus on music and the future of Seattle. You will hear from Hollis Wong Wear, a Grammy-nominated artist who shares what Seattle can learn from her recent move to Los Angeles. She’s co-written songs that have been heard by millions of people around the world. In today’s interview, she also speaks more broadly to the power of music to influence the future of our city. You will also hear from Chris Early, founding member of Band of Horses who played bass on their debut studio album. The album’s debut single The Funeral was named one of the top 100 songs of its decade by Pitchfork media. Early shares what he hopes Seattle will do to ensure future musicians can thrive in the city. The episode gives insight into what residents can ask for in order to carry forward Seattle’s rich musical legacy. The episode also previews the song “Cuz I Wanna” by Hollis’s The Flavr Blue.

Today’s episode focuses on the future of the places where musicians and music lovers come together: Seattle’s famed music venues. There is a venue that has come up time and time again in this podcast: Neumos. You’ll hear from Neumos co-owner Steven Severin. He shares what makes the venue so successful and what challenges the future holds for the Seattle music scene. You’ll also hear from David Meinert, who has had an illustrious career in Seattle’s music scene owning clubs, organizing music events and whose Onto Entertainment manages the platinum selling band The Lumineers. He describes what he sees as an important missing piece in Seattle’s music scene. The episode gives insight into what we can expect for the future of Seattle’s music venues. The episode also gives perspective on the political clout the music community carries as our city is in the midst of a transformation.

“Music is incredibly powerful.” Accomplished songwriter Levi Ware is one of several Seattle musicians hoping to harness that power to build a better future for the community. He and his wife Stephanie founded the Melodic Caring Project to bring love and encouragement to hospitalized children through music. What is happening in Seattle that is cultivating arts-based non-profits such as the Melodic Caring Project? Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast examines how Seattle’s community of artists, innovators, and social enterprises are intersecting to shape lives in the community. The episode also features Curtis Romjue who founded First Aid Arts after finding success with JUBILEE, a non-profit rock band. First Aid Arts helps trauma survivors recover through arts-based care. The episode gives further perspective on Seattle’s music scene while sharing inspiring stories of how Seattle musicians channeled their talents to improve the lives of those around them. Featuring the song Into the Waves from JUBILEE a