Keys to the PNW

What happens when you take a historic bakery building in the heart of Old Town Beaverton and fill it with small-batch craft beer and community spirit? You get Binary Brewing. 🍻 In this episode of Keys to the PNW, I’m joined by Josh Johnson to talk about the craft behind the taps. Binary Brewing has quickly become a cornerstone of the Beaverton scene, not just for their exceptional beers, but for...

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Telfer, the Director of Consumer Sales at Sokol Blosser Winery. As a pioneering force in the Willamette Valley since 1971, Sokol Blosser has always balanced world-class winemaking with a deep commitment to the environment. Sarah shares the winery’s journey as a Certified B Corp, their innovative new "Evolution Mobile Wine Bar," and what it’s like to maintain...

In this deep-dive episode of Keys to the PNW, I sit down with renowned sociologist, author, and educator Dr. Randall Blazak to go beyond the headlines of the Pacific Northwest. From his early days conducting undercover field research on extremist subcultures to his current work de-escalating conflicts at the Portland ICE facility, Dr. Blazak offers a masterclass in understanding the social fabric...

What if the goal of education wasn't compliance, but agency? In this episode of Keys to the PNW , we sit down with Pauline Lee, the powerhouse founder behind the Program for Intellectual Empowerment (PIE) and Unified Art Studio . Pauline isn't just teaching; she’s architecting a complete paradigm shift in how we approach learning and neurodivergence in our local schools and neighborhoods. From a v...

Buying a home in the Pacific Northwest is a massive milestone, but what happens after you fall in love with the view? Before you sign on the dotted line, you need a truth-teller in your corner. In this episode of Keys to the PNW , we sit down with Joseph Johnson , the driving force behind Uptown Home Inspections . We dive into the realities of regional homeownership, the necessity of absolute tran...

What makes a shop feel like home? Today we’re diving into the hospitality philosophy behind Fly Chai in Beaverton . We explore how they’ve used their brick-and-mortar location to foster genuine connection, the art of the perfect pour, and why the physical experience of chai can’t be replicated anywhere else. Running a physical space in today's world is about more than just a transaction, it's abou...

Is it possible to have a premium "night out" in the PNW without the proof-point? In this episode of Keys to the PNW, we’re stepping inside the stunning, emerald-velvet world of Urban River Spirits in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon. Founders Michelle and Jackie Garner join us to share their incredible journey from "scrappy" farmers market beginnings to opening one of the region's most talked-about zero...

The Bearded Queen of Portland: Pluto’s Journey & The 48-Hour Dragathon What does it take to go from a small town in Michigan to becoming a literal icon in the Portland drag scene? In this episode of Keys to the PNW, host Donna Meeuwsen sits down with the one and only Pluto, the bearded queen who is redefining what drag looks like in the Pacific Northwest. Pluto opens up about their unique aest...

What does it take to turn a daily ritual into a mission of connection? In this episode of Keys to the PNW, host Donna Meeuwsen sits down with Keri Elliott, the visionary founder and owner of Roasted by Mom. Keri shares her incredible journey from growing up in a household where coffee was "taboo" to becoming a five-time award-winning roaster in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. We dive deep into...

What does it actually mean to "find a home" in the Pacific Northwest? Finding a place to live is about more than four walls and a roof - it’s about the life you build around them. Whether you’re scouting for your very first home or you’ve lived in the Portland Metro area for decades, there is always a new layer of this region to uncover. In this introductory episode, I’m thrilled to share the visi...