Inspired Island

In this episode, we meet Israel and Sue Shotridge! You may know Sue and Israel as owners of the Raven's Nest gallery here on Vashon Island. Israel is a celebrated Tlingit artist and master carver, and Sue manages their businesses . Join us to hear how Sue and Israel fell in love, and how Israel's mother's passion for preserving the Tlingit language is a source of inspiration for them both. Su...

In this episode, we meet Bruce Haulman! As a historian and educator, Bruce has spent years digging into Vashon's history - from prehistoric time to today. Bruce has authored many publications, including the popular book "A Brief History of Vashon Island." But Bruce doesn't only study Vashon's past; he's very involved in our community here and now. Join us to hear how growing up in D.C. helped fost...

In this episode, we meet Joseph Bogaard! As the Executive Director of the Save Our Wild Salmon coalition, Joseph advocates to restore a healthy wild salmon population in the Pacific Northwest. Doing so is not only important for economic and cultural reasons, but we also need more salmon to feed the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Joseph tells us how his love for the natural...

In this episode, we meet Maridee Bonadea! Maridee is a mover and shaker behind the scenes at the Vashon Heritage Museum’s exhibit “ IN AND OUT: Being LGBTQ on Vashon Island ” (through March 2020) and the "Queer Film Festival" she's been putting together. Maridee grew up in a military family, but found herself drawn to the world of social activism at an early age. Join us to hear about some of Mari...

In this episode, we meet Gib Dammann of Zero Waste Vashon ! Gib is a professional architect with a passion for reducing waste on Vashon. Gib is a co-founder and current president of Zero Waste Vashon, a group working to make the island a model green community. Gib shares stories from his childhood growing up behind a UVA fraternity house and how he took an interest in both architecture and clean e...

Robin Pollard is the woman behind Vashon's newest cafè, Pollard Coffee . Robin spent many years promoting Washington's tourism and wine industries, serving as the state's tourism director and then executive director of the Washington State Wine Commission. But having grown up on a farm in Iowa, Robin found herself yearning to grow something of her own. Today, Robin is a celebrated coffee roaster,...

This week, we get to know Jeff Hoyt! Voice of Vashon listeners know Jeff as co-host of the Morning Scramble on Thursdays and also from the popular Hoytus Interruptus . But what you might not know is that Jeff is a top-tier voice actor who is heard by people around the world! Jeff's voice can be heard in radio and television ads, web videos, films, online learning courses, and audiobooks. Join us t...

In this episode, we meet Vashon’s resident philosopher and mythologist Michael Meade! Michael is a renowned storyteller and author, tapping into ancient myths and ancestral sources of wisdom to help us see the world today. Michael is the founder of  Mosaic Voices , a nonprofit that is dedicated to community healing by supporting and educating at-risk youth, refugees, combat veterans, and comm...

In this episode, we meet Stacey Hinden! As director of the Vashon Wilderness Program , Stacey is passionate about connecting people to the natural world and to themselves. A native New Yorker, Stacey describes what it was like to move from the Big Apple to Vashon Island. When she arrived here, Stacey was inspired by a program once run by the Wilderness Awareness School (WAS). But when WAS could no...

You may remember Chris Ballew as lead singer and songwriter of the popular band Presidents of the United States of America, whose hits "Lump," "Peaches," and "Kitty" climbed to the top of national music charts. But these days, Chris is making and performing music for kids and their parents under the pseudonym "Caspar Babypants." Host Grace McRae chats with Chris about how his musical style develop...

In this episode, we meet Chef Lia Lira of Bramble House ! Lia spent much of her childhood on Vashon Island, before launching an impressive culinary career that has taken her around the world. Join us to hear how Chef Lia advanced quickly in the New York City culinary scene, what she thought about being a contestant on the television show “Top Chef”, and the full story behind Bramble House! Bramble...

In this episode, we meet Matt Lawrence of Camp Colvos Brewing! After years of experimenting brewing beer at home, Matt recently opened Camp Colvos with the help of some talented friends. While Matt already had a day job, his love for beer gave him the drive to pursue this all-consuming passion project. And since opening the Campsite taproom this past January, Camp Colvos has created quite a “buzz”...

On this episode, we meet Tina Shattuck! Tina is passionate about celebrating and connecting women and girls here on Vashon Island and beyond. Her new venture,  Women Hold the Key , provides a way for women to recognize other women in their local and global community. Join host Grace McRae to hear how motherhood inspired Tina to redirect her career path, learn all the different ways Tina has s...

In this episode, we get to know Chris Austin! You may know Chris from Voice of Vashon’s The Mostly True Radio Show , where he and cohost Anneli Fogt share hilarious news stories and jokes every Sunday afternoon. But what you may not know is that Chris started his career as a dentist! When he realized that dentistry no longer inspired him, Chris kicked off a fascinating career journey that has incl...

This episode, Grace sits down with Susan McCabe! For many listeners of KVSH, Susan needs no introduction. For the past five years, Susan was Voice of Vashon’s Station Manager – and she’s been involved with VoV since its early days. Join us to learn how Susan’s passion for storytelling started early — and involved worms — how she first got involved in radio, and why Susan thinks Vashon is a special...

In this episode, we get to know the dynamic Geoff Fletcher! Geoff is an educator whose career has included classroom teaching, shaping technology and curriculum for Texas’ public schools, and being editor of two technology publications.  These days, Geoff donates his time and expertise to the Vashon community in many ways, including serving as President of Vashon Island Pet Protectors (V...

In this episode, we meet pilot Truman O’Brien! When an employee on his father’s ranch in Montana offered to teach Truman to fly a small plane, he didn’t know it would lead to a lifelong passion for the skies. After college, Truman worked as an educator (including on Vashon in the 70s!) but made the surprising decision to become a commercial pilot at age 33. After over two decades flying for Alaska...

In this episode, we meet the multi-talented musician Jason Staczek. Jason tells us how a seventh-grade music teacher in Miami sparked his interest in music, and how he finally decided to pursue a career in music after studying physics at the University of Michigan. Tune in to hear about Jason‘s journey from touring with a band in his twenties to his current career composing fil...

In this episode, Grace sits down with legendary photographer Ray Pfortner. Ray has worked in the world of professional photography for over 20 years and knows the industry inside and out.  Ray describes how he first got into photography, his unconventional career path, and the stories behind some of his most iconic photographs. They also chat about Ray’s passion for coaching new talent –...

In this episode, Wendy Dahl joins us to talk about her passion for helping people better understand their furry family members! At Dahl Animal Behavior and Massage, Wendy works with people and their pets all around Vashon Island and beyond. Wendy will discuss how her love for animals started in childhood, and how she follows her passion in both her career and volunteer work. You’ll also hear how W...

In this episode, we get to know Dave Hatfield of the Pink Tractor Farm! Dave has worked as a professional chef for over 20 years, but he often struggled to find fresh, high-quality ingredients. When the recession hit, Dave started growing vegetables in his front yard for the restaurant he was running in Bend, Oregon. He soon realized that these vegetables were fresher than anything he could buy. F...

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Cherry of Dragon’s Head Cider to hear how she turned a passion for cider into a successful business! In 2010, Laura and her husband Wes moved to the island with the dream of starting a cidery. Laura did not have any prior experience in the beverage industry, but she dove headfirst into planting an orchard and experimenting with cider making. Today, Dragon’s...

In the inaugural episode of Inspired Island, we sit down with Vashon native Alex Sinner! We chat about what growing up on Vashon is like, how nature inspires Alex’s work at Vashon Woodworks, and his passion for music and trucks. Follow Alex on Instagram! www.instagram.com/oneboot206 Vashon Woodworks website: https://vashonwoodworks.com

Welcome! In this super-short first episode, you'll meet your host and learn the backstory of "Inspired Island."