Let's Circle Back to That

What does community mean when it's part of who you are? Abbey Cameron, CEO of Three Rivers Community Foundation and Chair of the Columbia Basin Nonprofit Association, shares her journey of weaving together connections and fostering a culture of belonging. From her New England roots to making the Tri-Cities home, Abbey discusses the joys and challenges of finding community, the impact of nonprofits...

Megan Vaughn joins us to talk about her journey of building intentional connections. From leading remote tech teams with daily "vibe checks" to finding community through salsa dancing and Powerful Connections, Megan knows how to make relationships thrive. Plus, she shares practical dating advice (hint: it's tennis, not baseball!) and how showing up is the first step to meaningful relationships. Tu...

Meet Sam Schick—a community builder, mentor, and storyteller whose journey spans family, theater, faith, and friendship. In this episode, Sam shares his unique approach to creating community, from building lifelong friendships to fostering a culture of kindness and connection at work. With a life marked by intentionality and shared experiences, Sam reflects on the lessons he's learned in family, m...

In this inspiring episode, meet Mira Gobel—educator, leader, and advocate for empowering others to find belonging. Mira's journey began in South Korea, where she faced labels and barriers. Through resilience and a strong belief in education, she found her way to the U.S. and a new beginning. Now, as Superintendent of Social Emotional Learning in Pasco, she's committed to fostering communities wher...

In this episode, we're joined by Adrienne Fletcher, a conductor, music director, and champion of creative communities. Adrienne shares her journey from her early days in music to leading the Mid-Columbia Youth Symphony and Music Directing for productions at the Academy of Children's Theatre. She explores how music taught her to express herself as a child, the unique challenges and joys of fosterin...

In this special 10th episode, we're finally circling back to all the random, hilarious, and curious topics we promised to revisit from our first 9 episodes. Still wondering if  Jay is actually a biblical name? Or how sarcasm ties into brain development? We've got answers. We dive into Jill's take on the song People and settle the great pajama debate—yes, Heather finally made her choice! We also ta...

This week on Let's Circle Back to That, Wendy Newbury shares her journey from resistance to restoration through writing, music, and community. Wendy talks about her life as a Liberian refugee, how choir became her safe haven, and the powerful process of writing her memoir. 📖🎶 From her early years in West Africa to building a new life as a teacher and writer, Wendy's story is about finding healin...

This week on Let's Circle Back to That, we chat with Meghan Rhodes-Galvan, a passionate educator, mental health advocate, and the 10th of 15 children in her family. Meghan shares her journey of community-building, from family connections to leading mental health initiatives at school. We explore how mental health awareness has shaped her, how communities can break stigmas, and why breaking the ice...

This week on Let's Circle Back to That, we talk with Jake Stueckle, an educator and former principal, about the intentional ways he's built and maintained community over the years. From his immediate and extended family, the Butternuts family group to leading in his career as a high school principal, Jake shares the challenges and rewards of fostering deep connections, even when it's uncomfortable...

This week on Let's Circle Back to That, we sit down with Renee Brooks, Communications Manager at Hanford Mission Integration Solutions and a self-proclaimed "People Connector." Renee shares her journey through the Tri-Cities, from beebopping around downtown Kennewick as a kid to traveling the world with friends. We discuss building community in unexpected places—from CrossFit gyms to non-profits—a...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Aryn Stone, Co-owner of CrossFit 12 Stones, who's dedicated to creating inclusive and welcoming fitness spaces! 🏋️‍♀️💪 Aryn shares her story of building a vibrant gym community while balancing family life and working alongside her husband. She opens up about her passion for CrossFit, her approach to leading with vulnerability, and why she believes in say...

Join us for a vibrant conversation with Janet Krupin, a multi-talented creative whose journey goes far beyond the stage! 🎭 From her roots in theatre to building communities across industries, Janet shares how being part of diverse circles —from Broadway and tech to music and true crime—has shaped her life and perspective. 🌍✨ In this episode, we explore how to  adapt in a rapidly changing world...

Join us for a fun and lively conversation with Jay Cadwell, Gonzaga alum, and founder of the Tri-Cities 5K and Brew Run Club! 🍻🏃‍♂️ Jay has a knack for making people feel seen and welcomed, and in this episode, he shares how he's built community connections across all aspects of his life—from family and neighborhood gatherings to outdoor adventures and running clubs. We dive into everything from...

In this episode, we sit down with Whitney Klos of Tri Cities Toddler to explore the many ways we find and build community in our lives. From colleagues and toddler playgroups to neighborhood gatherings, we dive into the importance of creating a sense of belonging and how consistency can help strengthen these bonds. We'll discuss National Wordplay Day and Roadside Wonders Day — think Weird Al and "...

Join us for our pilot episode as we dive deep into the world of community building with the sensational Jill Madison, a dynamic force behind Yes & Productions in the Tri-Cities. Jill, who also juggles her role as a project manager at PNNL, shares her passion for everything from theatre to video games and choir, revealing how diverse interests enrich her community connections. In this episode: Cele...

🎙️ Episode Sneak Peek: Classroom Communities & Musical Connections 🎶 In this special practice episode, we're joined by Stephen Daniel Miller, a passionate 7th-grade English Language Arts Teacher, who shares his expert tips on building strong communities in the classroom. Stephen also dives into his love for music, offering unique insights from the music community. We mix things up with a lively g...