Exploring Washington State

Meet Steve Duda. Originally from Detroit now living in Seattle. Steve is currently the Head of Fish Tales for Patagonia. Steve was introduced to Fly Fishing when he was listing in Boise. Quickly Fly Fishing "hooked" him. Moving to Seattle and working at the Rocket Magazine and Amazon Music Steve started writing about Fly Fishing. Steve has recently published his first book River Songs. 📖 Dive int...

Exploring the Magic of Kittitas County Fair with Kristina Paquette Step right up, folks! In this episode of *Exploring Washington State*, we get the scoop from the delightful Kristina Paquette about her thrilling experiences at the Kittitas County Fair.  Gather 'round as we unravel the enchantment of fairgrounds, cotton candy dreams, and the tantalizing array of food offerings that will have your...

Let's dive into the world of Kinley Schmidt and Lauren Trivison, the passionate founders of Gals Need Pals, a community for women based in Spokane Washington.  During our conversation they share their experiences, favorite places, and the journey of creating a space for women to connect, support each other, and enjoy meaningful experiences. Gals Need Pals: Crafting a Community of Connection The sp...

Meet Rob Kenney of Dad How Do I ? Rob Kenney's journey is a testament to the unpredictability of life's pathways. Starting his career in sales despite being an introvert, he embraced the challenges, demonstrating that sometimes, the greatest successes stem from unexpected beginnings. His willingness to pivot, adapt, and find success while navigating panic attacks and social anxiety is both admirab...

Meet Wade Neal, the assistant executive director of the historic Grand Cinema in Tacoma. A Theater Steeped in History The discussion begins with a captivating journey through the Grand Cinema, a beacon of Tacoma's cultural heritage. Wade Neal, with his unwavering passion, shares the theater's transformation from a for-profit entity to a thriving nonprofit, evidence to the power of community. Wade'...

🚨 Let's dive into an incredible story that combines baseball, tragedy, and the resilience of the human spirit! 📚⚾ In this episode author Eric Vickery shares the remarkable tale behind his latest book, "Season of Shattered Dreams." This gripping narrative centers around the 1946 Spokane Indians and a devastating bus crash that changed lives forever. The crash is the largest death toll in America...

In history and maritime exploration, Michael 'Tug' Buse emerges as a captivating storyteller, weaving together past narratives with his intricate boat projects and living history reenactments. Michael is a history teacher at I nsight School of Washington an online high school for students in Washington State. Through a recent interview on the Exploring Washington State podcast, Tug shares insights...

Listen to our conversation with Marshall Petryni, one of the owners of Greenwood Cider Company . As we dive into the world of cider making, Marshall shares fascinating insights into the art of sourcing apples and crafting unique ciders that capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest. Sourcing Apples for Cider Making Marshall vividly describes the labor-intensive work of sourcing apples for cider...

Are you ready to set sail on a thrilling adventure through the Puget Sound? Are you ready to set sail on a thrilling adventure through the Puget Sound? In this episode of "Exploring Washington State," host Scott Cowan has a heartwarming conversation with Cosima Franchini, the owner of Olympia Sailing Company. They delve into the world of sailing and the captivating story behind the sailboat "Ptero...

Meet Stimson Sneed, the writer and director of the film "Tim Travers and the Time Traveler's Paradox," Join us as we take a captivating behind-the-scenes look at the ambitious journey of bringing this cinematic creation to life. From the intensive scriptwriting process to the challenges of filming in Washington State, Stimson Sneed shared compelling insights into the making of his innovative movie...

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. D...

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 reflec...

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 Depar...

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 episod...

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.  Environ...

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 Festiva l. 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...

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...

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...

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...

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, Bea...

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 s...

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...

**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** Disco...

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...

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