Exploring Washington State

Amanda Valdez is the special events coordinator for the City of Auburn's Parks, Arts and Recreation department. She grew up in Girl Scouts, found her calling running events during a year of AmeriCorps service, and spent about ten years running the Auburn Farmers Market before moving to the city's larger events. This episode works in any month, because Amanda walks through Auburn's whole year. In s...

Brian Alley spent years on the road with Never Come Down, a Portland band that played bluegrass instruments and anything from Gillian Welch to Ween. They played Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco and a hostel stage in Reykjavik during Iceland Airwaves. Then Brian settled in the Methow Valley, offered to help a small festival called Cidergrass with its booking, and by spring realized he was...

John Shephard has spent three decades photographing Washington State on Fujichrome Velvia 50, using two cameras nobody makes anymore. One of them has a lens mounted on a rotating cylinder that takes two minutes and twenty seconds to complete a single exposure. It started at five in the morning in a Skagit Valley tulip field in 1999, when he met an Australian photographer named Ken Duncan and ended...

Kate Miller is the executive director of the Okanogan Land Trust, a nonprofit with two staff and an intern that protects working farms and ranches, wildlife habitat and water resources across Okanogan and western Ferry counties. Scott recorded this in their office in the town of Okanogan, in the county of Okanogan, a naming situation he admits gets him every time. Kate did not plan this career. Sh...

Kelsey Lang looks after the museums at Fort Flagler and Fort Worden, and she lives at one of them. She grew up in central Florida, an hour north of Orlando. Her husband went looking for the rainiest place in the country that also had mountains, Washington came up, and after years of applying they made the move during COVID with a dog who could not fly and a U Haul driven by a hired stranger. Her d...

Remember me? After six months off, the Exploring Washington State podcast is back, and we're kicking things off with a caffeinated twist. Scott dragged his buddy Brooks Smothers from RV Out West to four very different coffee shops in downtown Everett to drink too much coffee, talk even more, and finally figure out what a "one and one" actually is. Turns out you can drink coffee your whole life and...

During peak summer season, Lake Chelan State Park can host nearly a thousand campers every night . Behind the scenes, that responsibility falls on one park manager. In this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast , I sit down with Brian Frahm , the park manager at Lake Chelan State Park, to talk about what it actually takes to operate one of Washington’s busiest state parks. Brian overse...

Spokane Built the Dodgers Dynasty Show Notes: Author and researcher Eric Vickrey returns to the Exploring Washington State Podcast with a story most baseball fans have never heard — how Spokane helped build the future Dodgers dynasty. In his new book, Before They Wore Dodger Blue , Eric uncovers the overlooked role the Inland Northwest played in shaping the players, culture, and leadership that wo...

Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at one of Washington’s most visited state parks? In this episode, Park Ranger Kevin Leese shares what he sees every day at Wallace Falls that most visitors completely overlook. From seasonal crowd patterns and trail management to the unexpected challenges that come with keeping a high-traffic park running smoothly, Kevin sheds light on the work t...

What happens when you shine a spotlight on the wonderfully odd, the creatively brave, and the musicians who refuse to fit the mold? In this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast , we sit down with founder Rachel Crick and photographer Chris Pugh from As Many   Weirdos As Possible — a project that celebrates the artists who make the Northwest music scene vibrant, unpredictable, and unap...

Stories shape how we explore the Northwest, and some of the region’s most memorable outdoor books start at Mountaineers Books . In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Kate Rogers joins us to share how adventure, community, and curiosity guide the publishing process. Kate talks about finding writers who care deeply about place, what makes a great outdoor story, and how meaningful books can inspire people...

What does it take to finally pursue your dream after 15 years of waiting? Joe Giampietri spent a decade and a half working in grocery stores, always knowing he wanted something else. This summer, he's living his dream—his first season as the park ranger at Curlew Lake State Park . Located just 20 miles from the Canadian border in Ferry County, Curlew Lake is one of Washington's most remote state p...

Is SeaTac just an airport? Is Tukwila just a mall? Not even close. In this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast, host Scott Cowan welcomes Mark Everton, President and CEO of Explore Seattle Southside , for a surprising deep dive into a region most people only pass through. Mark breaks down the magic of “micro adventures” easy, unexpected experiences designed for curious locals and tim...

This third episode in the Tri-Cities Ironman series features Claude Brun, a French-American triathlete who has made the Tri-Cities race an annual tradition. Originally from France and now living in Seattle, Claude has completed 10 triathlons this year alone and is chasing his goal of breaking the 5-hour barrier at this year's Tri-Cities Ironman. Claude shares what makes the Tri-Cities race special...

What does it take to redefine the identity of a region? Kevin Lewis joins Scott to talk about Tri-Cities’ evolution—from landing the IRONMAN competition to the power of storytelling, collaboration, and vision. It’s a candid conversation on what makes communities thrive and how to shape a lasting narrative.

What does it really take to train, fuel, and push through 70.3 miles? Athlete & coach Jennifer Comfort shares her raw, behind the scenes look at the Tri Cities Ironman from first timer jitters to race day breakthroughs. Expect grit, laughs, and stories you will not hear anywhere else.

When Daisey James picked up a disc during COVID, she didn’t plan on building a movement. Now, she’s the co-owner of Far From Par , president of the Whatcom Disc Golf Club, and the unofficial “lost disc” hero of Bellingham — having reunited over 2,200 lost discs with their owners. But this story isn’t about frisbees. It’s about how a simple, accessible sport created a ripple effect of community, st...

“I just loved fishing.” That simple passion sparked a journey that led Sean Visintainer from a Spokane kid casting in the backyard to the owner of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected fly shops— Silver Bow Fly Shop . In this episode, Sean shares how he turned his love for the water into a thriving business rooted in community, curiosity, and calm leadership. You’ll hear about: The early d...

What do craft breweries, vineyards, and city parks have in common with saving wild salmon? This episode explores how Salmon Safe is reshaping land use across the Pacific Northwest through voluntary conservation. Learn how farmers, developers, and even college campuses are changing practices to protect clean water, restore habitat, and reduce chemical runoff—without regulatory mandates. Brian Muegg...

What happens when a quiet forest meets bold imagination? The Price Sculpture Fores t on Whidbey Island blends nature and creativity in a way that’s both unexpected and unforgettable. Scott Price shares how a simple idea to preserve forested land evolved into a community-powered haven for outdoor art, discovery, and wonder. From saving trees to showcasing sculpture in the wild, this is the story of...

This episode we’re talking Snowy Plovers, parks, and prairie remnants with Andrea Thorpe, PhD, Natural Resource Program Manager for Washington State Parks . From her childhood in Oregon to protecting Washington’s wild places, Andrea shares stories of endangered species, unsung park heroes, and how a rough-skinned newt stole her heart. You’ll also get hidden park picks, Olympia food tips, and one v...

Chris Voigt ate nothing but potatoes for 60 days—and it wasn’t a gimmick. Learn why, and discover how Washington’s potatoes became world-class. From tater tots to policy fights, this episode digs deep into one of the state’s most iconic crops. A surprising and satisfying listen for food and farming fans.

Paul Tolmé of Cascade Bicycle Club joins us to talk epic Washington bike rides, bold advocacy, and how the club is transforming lives—one pedal at a time. From the STP to food rescue by bike, this episode goes way beyond the handlebars. Tune in and get inspired.

Jennifer Hackett, founder of Northwest Portal , shares how she built a statewide recreation map featuring over 20,000 trails, parks, and outdoor sites. From fire closures to off-leash dog areas and seasonal access info, learn how thoughtful mapping helps people explore Washington with confidence and curiosity.

She didn’t grow up swirling wine glasses—Hailey Bohlman just wanted to travel. But a trip to Spain lit the spark, and now she’s helping others fall in love with wine (without the snobbery). We talk about starting Cork & Fizz, going from comp-sci to cabernet, and why Washington wine is worth exploring—no decoder ring required