Let's Talk Portland

An interview with Morgan Dewey, spokesperson and staff member at Oregon Food Bank about their network of food banks throughout Oregon and SW Washington, how the need for food assistance is urgent now, and about funding cut by the federal government to food assistance programs like SNAP.

An interview with Juli Zagrans, Founder and Executive Director of One Tail At A Time, a non-profit all-breed, no-kill, foster-based dog rescue in Portland with an adoption center in NE Portland. We also talked about their fundraising gala, The Bone Ball, in May.

An interview with Alisha Sullivan, Executive Director of The Willamette Light Brigade who is putting on the Portland Winter Light Festival. We talk about the event, why art is so important to our community, and about the festival’s impact on downtown Portland’s economy.

An interview with Kirsten French, Community Education and Advocacy Manager at Guide Dogs For The Blind, about rideshare discrimination experienced by visually impaired and blind people with their service animals and people who use mobility devices, such as wheelchairs. We also talked about Guide Dogs in general and ways the community can get involved.

An interview with Robert Kapuniai with Portland Fire Fighters Local 43 and the Coats For Kids program about their fundraising effort to buy coats for needy children for the holidays and the about the life of a Portland firefighter during the holidays.

An interview with the Bird Alliance of Oregon. Joe Liebezeit is the Statewide Conservation Director and Sarah Swanson is the Events Manager. We talk about the conservation work they do throughout Oregon and the Wild Arts Festival, a fundraiser on December 6 & 7 in Hillsboro.

An interview with Dr. Bryan Bell with Providence Cancer Institute and Dan Floyd with Hood To Coast about the advancements in cancer research, how AI is helping further outcomes, and how Hood To Coast raises money and awareness of the institute.

An interview with Dwindell Feeley, Director of Business Development and Ashley Martinez, Manager of Digital Equity from Free Geek about the work they do recycling and reusing e-waste and their education programs designed to bridge the digital divide for under served people in our area.

An interview with Matt Stein, Executive Director at Union Gospel Mission about the opening of their new LifeChange Center for Women and Children called Angela’s House. This new building provides recovery and transitional housing for women and children escaping homelessness, hunger, addiction and abuse.

An interview with Allison Stark, CEO of Albertina Kerr and Dr. Naomi Fishman, Medical Director at Albertina Kerr about the work they do with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges.

An interview with Janet Kenefsky, COO of the Greater Vancouver Chamber about Give More 24, their 24 hour fundraising campaign for local non-profits, and about the changes happening in downtown Vancouver.

An interview with Bonny Cushman, Program Manager for the Regional Water Providers Consortium, about emergency preparedness and the importance of water during an emergency.

An interview with Dr. Christa Jones, Deputy Director for Oregon Health Authority’s Behavioral Health Division, about 988 Oregon, a 24/7 service available in our state that anyone can call, text or chat and speak with trained counselors. People can connect if they are struggling with mental health or substance use, or just going through a tough time

An interview with Chris Newell, Vice President and Vendor Coordinator with Other Worlds of Wonder, a non-profit community service organization based on Pagan beliefs. They are having Pagan Pride Day celebration which will also gather food and donation for Ester’s Pantry.

An interview with Karen Kraus, Executive Director of the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon about their services offered to feral and stray cats, including spay and neuter and about their catio tour coming up to benefit FCCO in cooperation with Bird Alliance of Oregon.

An interview with Dannica Fetters, Foster Coordinator with Oregon Dog Rescue and Mary Gedrose, organizer of the Fur Baby Love Fest about dog adoption and fostering, volunteer opportunities and the fest which is a fundraiser for Oregon Dog Rescue.

An interview with Bonny Cushman, Program Manager for the Regional Water Providers Consortium, about how to conserver water indoors and outdoors during the summer months and about the importance of water in an emergency and where our water comes from.

An interview with Megan Diana, founder of Piano Push Play, an artist installation of pianos placed all over Portland for the summer months for anyone to play and enjoy. We also discuss where Megan donates the pianos at the end of summer, including schools and community centers.

An interview with Gene Marlow, retired firefighter and owner of Mean Gene Fireworks about safety for the 4th of July, the difference between Washington and Oregon laws, tips for protecting pets, and about the traditions of fireworks for the holiday.

An interview with Charlene McGee, Director, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotions Unit with the Multnomah County Health Department about the dangers of tobacco use, its impact on BIPOC communities, and their programs offered, including smoking cessation programs.

An interview with Lydia Massaad, founder and president of Our Giving Table and Jerry Kenney, owner of 7 Papa Murphy’s locations about how Our Giving Table aims to end hunger in Oregon and SW Washington and how Papa Murphy’s is having a fundraiser for the month of June to benefit Our Giving Table.

An interview with Dr. Tim Cook, President of Clackamas Community College about his running for Oregon community college students (ROCCS) this summer. Dr. Cook is running to all 17 community colleges in Oregon to raise money and student awareness and celebrating communities throughout the state.

An interview with Shannon Droning, Consumer and Specialty Market President of Providence Health Plan, Dr. Abby Khan, OHSU cardiologist, Dr. Amit Kansara, Providence neurologist, and Matthew Kampfe, Brain Rehab Network President. All are volunteers with the American Heart Association. We discuss heart disease and stroke causes and prevention and talk about the AHA Heart and Stroke Walks in Vancouve...

An interview with Joe Whitworth, President and CEO of The Freshwater Trust, a local non-profit conservation organization with a mission to preserve and restore freshwater ecosystems.

An interview with Anne Adler, CEO of Oregon Business Academy and Shivan Bosco, a senior at Newberg High School about the work OBA does preparing students for college, career, and life success and about Business Week this summer at Oregon State University.