The Valley Voice with Jessica Self

Episode 29: The Line Bike Experience: Mike Kunz on Biking & Outdoor Adventures in North Bend, WA   What happens when a lifelong love of biking turns into a destination for outdoor adventure?   On this episode of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, we sit down with Mike Kunz of The Line Bike Experience in North Bend, Washington, to hear how his passion for cycling inspired a business built arou...

Episode 28 - A Taste of Ireland in Snoqualmie: The Story Behind Saints & Scholars Irish Pub with Amanda Stoffel & Adrian Webb   What happens when a little Irish heritage, a whole lot of heart, and a dream of bringing people together turn into one of the Snoqualmie Valley’s most welcoming gathering places? 🍀   On this episode of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, Jessica sits down with Am...

Episode 27: Coffee, Community & Big Energy with Tahvia Bridgman of Vintage Baristas Drive Thru   Get ready for a high-energy conversation with Tahvia Bridgman, owner of Vintage Baristas drive thru coffee stand in North Bend, Washington!    Tahvia has spent years in the coffee world and has deep roots in the Snoqualmie Valley. We talk about her journey in coffee, owning a local business, life i...

North Bend musician Nick Mardon joins Jessica Self on The Valley Voice with Jessica Self to talk about a life built around music-from discovering it as a kid in the Snoqualmie Valley to learning multiple instruments, teaching, performing, prodcing and making music his full-time career. Nick shares the stories from his journey as a guitarist, vocalist, instructor and producer, his experiences perfo...

Episode 25: The Double R Dream – When Twin Peaks Dreams Come True 🎬☕️ What happens when a lifelong Twin Peaks fan dreams of working at Twede’s Café… and that dream actually comes true? In Episode 25 of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, I sit down with writer and filmmaker Scott Ryan to talk about the world premiere of his documentary, The Double R Dream, coming to the North Bend Theatre on Thu...

 2025 Festival Season

In this episode of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, Jessica sits down with Danny Kolke, founder of JazzClubsNW and the heart behind Boxley’s in Downtown North Bend, WA. Danny shares his inspiring journey into jazz music, what brought him to the Snoqualmie Valley, and why preserving live music and supporting the arts is more important now than ever. From the impact music has on childhood brain d...

In this episode of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, we sit down with Travis Wetherbee of Last Lite Photography—born and raised right here in the Snoqualmie Valley. Travis shares the fascinating journey of how he picked up a camera, chased auroras, evolved into shooting musicians and festivals, and he’s most knows for his stunning, soul-stirring sunsets that have become his local trademark. With...

reehouses. Inspiration. Snoqualmie Valley.   In this episode of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, we sit down with Pete Nelson of TreeHouse Point - founder of Nelson Treehouse and Supply and star of Treehouse Masters - to talk about his journey from inspiration to building one of the most iconic treehouse destinations in the Pacific Northwest.   Pete shares how he made his way to Fall City, Wash...

Hospitality. Customer service. Snoqualmie Valley community.   In this episode of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, we sit down with Laurie Hay of Snoqualmie Inn by Hotel America to talk about her journey from the California desert to Snoqualmie Valley and how she built a career rooted in connection and exceptional service.     Laurie shares how she found her place in the valley, the importance o...

Snoqualmie Valley Summer Festivals & Events Guide 2026 | Live Music, 50+ Bands & Things to Do near Seattle, WA   Looking for things to do near Seattle, WA this 2026 summer?    Tune into The Valley Voice with Jessica Self for your ultimate guide to Snoqualmie Valley summer festivals, live music, and local events. Featuring insights from Morgan Henley and Travis Weatherbee, this episode high...

What happens when the rescuer needs rescuing?   In this powerful episode of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, we sit down with Alan LaBissoniere, President of Regional Special Vehicles Unit and Carrie Lee Gagnon, Executive Director of King County Search and Rescue, from King County Search and Rescue KCSARA to talk about the reality behind the mission—what it really means to serve on the front li...

Part Deux-Morgan Henley on Hippie Life, Music Festivals & Finding Yourself | Carnation Block Party at Tolt Commons | Duvall, Carnation, Snoqualmie, North Bend & Fall City, Washington - Snoqualmie Valley | Brodie Nation  In Part Deux of Episode 17, we continue our heartfelt conversation with Morgan Henley as he shares his hippie life philosophy, core music principles, and the journey that s...

In this special episode, we sit down with three passionate Twin Peaks fans—Karl Reinsch, Mary Hütter, and Vinnie Guidera—to explore the deep history of Twin Peaks fests and fan gatherings over the years, and how they’ve helped keep the spirit of the show alive long after it first aired. We dive into what makes these events so meaningful, how the community has evolved, and why the upcoming Real Twi...

Beyond the Stage: Getting to Know Morgan Henley   In this longer episode of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, we slow things down and go beyond the event posters and show listings to really get to know Morgan Henley. Morgan is often seen behind the scenes bringing music, festivals, and creative energy to the Valley—but who is he when the lights are off? We dive into Morgan’s personal history, wh...

Rooted in Community: Helene Wentink on Empowering Youth & Families in the Snoqualmie Valley   In this episode of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self, Jessica sits down with Helene Wentink of Empower Youth Network in Carnation to talk about her journey to the Snoqualmie Valley and her deep-rooted passion for nonprofit work. Helene shares how her experience led her to supporting youth, teens, and...

This episode is a little different! Jessica Self is joined by Laurie Hay of Snoqualmie Inn for a traveling podcast , visiting Downtown North Bend and Snoqualmie post-flood to share an important message: our towns are open, roads are accessible, and local businesses are ready to welcome you! After unexpected days of closure, the best way to help right now is simple and impactful—shop local, dine lo...

Cristy Lake has dedicated her life to keeping Snoqualmie Valley’s history alive. A longtime team member at the Northwest Railway Museum, Cristy has spent years sharing the stories, artifacts, and legacy that define our region. Her own family history is deeply woven into that narrative — reaching back to one of the Valley’s most infamous chapters: the Weyerhaeuser kidnapping of the 1930s, in which...

When tragedy struck, Summer Stumpf found strength in purpose. Through Live Gray’s Way, she’s turned loss into light— raising awareness for DIPG, a rare and aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer, while inspiring others to live with compassion and courage. Partnering with Angela Donaldson, the two have poured their hearts into bringing meaningful community events to Fall City, WA, including the...

From standout collegiate baseball player to performance coach, Derek Decater has taken his love for the game and turned it into something bigger.  With a strong foundation in Anatomy, body mechanics and nutrition, he has built a welcoming training space for all ages - whether you are chasing athletic goals or just looking to be your best.  Along the way, Derek has trained at multiple high schools...

Episode 11 of The Valley Voice with Jessica Self welcomes a truly inspiring guest — Greg Jamiel of SnoValley Pride!  Greg’s journey has taken him from the shores of Rhode Island to stages, studios, and screens across the U.S. and beyond. With years of TV and media experience — and travels that span the globe — Greg has now found his forever home in Carnation, Washington.  In this episode, we dive...

This week, I'm chatting with Jeff Warren-your go-to State Farm Insurance Agent and one of the Valley's most dedicated community supporters.  But there is so much more to Jeff than guitars and coverage!  We dive into his story-where he came from, how life lead him to the Valley, and why giving back means so much to him.  Jeff's the kind of neighbor we all hope to have.  Tune in for a fun, inspiring...

The Valley Voice with Jessica Self is back with an awesome new episode featuring Augie Dugar, owner of Reflection of Perfection - and trust me, this one shines!  We talk about Augie's journey to the Snoqualmie Valley and how he built a business that does way more than just window cleaning, pressure washing, and hanging holiday lights.  Augie's all heart-always giving back to the community and show...

Rachel Bennett, the proud co-owner of Twede's Cafe' since 2019, is as local as they come-born and raised right here in North Bend.  After heading out on a big adventure for college and life beyond the Valley, she found herself drawn back to her hometown roots.  What started as a part-time job at the iconic Twede's turned into something much bigger: the opportunity to carry on a legendary legacy. ...

In this episode, we sit down with Dori Ross and Katie Podschwit, the dynamic duo behind Chickadee Bakeshop in Snoqualmie, Wa.  We dive into their personal journeys-how they each found their way to the Snoqualmie Valley over a decade ago, built community roots, and eventually teamed up to create one of the area's most beloved bakeries.  We talk about the incredible rise of Chickadee Bakeshop, the d...