North Sound Voices

Self-care is a broad and well-meaning term, but what does it mean to different populations? For folks that have gone through the criminal justice system, who have substance use problems, for people of color, for people who suffer domestic abuse – how can we approach self-care in a way that makes a real impact? Kevin P. Henry is joined by Samira Sumbundu, a mental health case manager in Snohomish C...

Today, host Kevin P. Henry is joined by Jarelle Marshall and Felicia Dixon of RECLAIM, and Reid Johnson of Volunteers of America Western Washington. RECLAIM is a Seattle-based nonprofit which provides reintegration support that centers the mental, emotional, and relational health of individuals and families impacted by the criminal legal system to better prepare them for the return home. With thei...

Host Kevin P. Henry sits down with Michelle Harmeier, founder of the Bellingham Queer Collective (BQC) and former educator, to discuss the impacts of hate speech, and how we can all address hate speech when we hear it, even if it's not directed at ourselves.  Content Warning : You will hear some derogatory words as part of this conversation Learn more about the Bellingham Queer Collective by...

With host Kevin P. Henry of KPH Media , Equity in Action is a special series from North Sound Voices bringing you real stories, community voices, and action to the words diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Search and subricbe to Equity in Action on your favorite podcast platform, first episode drops beginning of December !  Have a story or resources you'd like to share? Connec...

We have another bonus episode while we work on our fall episodes! Today, you'll hear about Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Advocacy for Immigrant & Refugee Communities from the May 2025 Network Learning Session, with panelists: Van Kuno of Refugee & Immigrant Services NW , Brian Niiya of Densho , and Stan Shikuma of Tsuru for Solidarity . View the slide deck and...

In this bonus episode, we bring you one of our Network Learning Sessions on Trans, Intersex, and Gender-Nonconforming health with a dynamic panel of local experts: ChrisTiana Obey-Sumner of Epiphanies of Equity , Serin Bond Yancey of Trans-WA , and Linden Jordan of PFLAG Skagit . "We meet at a time when our trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming community is under unimaginable p...

What is dental therapy? Hear from Drs. Rachael Hogan and Cheyanne Warren of the dəxʷx̌ayəbus-Dental Therapy Program at Skagit Valley College , with recent graduate Keana Cruse, and Dr. Alex Narvaez of Sea Mar Community Health Clinic, about the newest addition to dental care teams in Washington State.  Dental therapy is a patient-centered model – expanding preventative and restorative oral health s...

In this episode of North Sound Voices, three artists come together to explore the deep, often unspoken connection between art and health: Coast Salish artist Jason LaClair, filmmaker and musician Remy Styrk, and creative coach Spring Cheng. Through conversation, reflection, and lived experience, they share how creative practices don’t just decorate our lives — they heal them. Art, they remind us,...

North Sound Voices is back with a new season spotlighting multi-solvers—creative, community-led efforts that address multiple challenges at once. Across the North Sound region, people are showing what’s possible when we break silos and work together toward shared well-being. From food systems to mental health, climate to cultural healing, each episode features local voices moving toward equity in...

Enjoy this poem, Allegory, by North Sound ACH's Artist in Residence Khemistry Williams. You can view a visual form of this poem on our Youtube page: https://youtu.be/UZyFbFPCBF8 Learn more about North Sound ACH : https://northsoundach.org/ Resource Library : https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/ Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org Find us on socials @northsoundach

In this episode, we are diving back into a great conversation we had with panelists Cindy Curtis Myatt of North Cascades Wild Church , Oak Rankin of Glacier Peak Institute , and Denice Rochelle of The Bronze Chapter at our May 2024 Network Learning Session, Health and The Outdoors . You can view the full session, and slide deck, on our Resource Library . Together, we will explore the personal, cul...

In this highlight episode, we revisit key moments from our 2023 Network Learning Session, CHWs: Promoting Health and Strengthening Communities . Tune in to hear powerful insights from Michelle Di Miscio ( WA Department of Health ) Katherine Romero ( NorthWest Regional Council ), and Daniela Pereira from ( Orcas Community Resource Center ). Discover their vital role and impact, explore engagement o...

In this highlight episode, we revisit key moments from our 2023 Network Learning Session, Elevating community voices in advocacy - Lessons from youth leaders . Tune in to hear powerful insights from local young advocacy leaders from Burlington Schools, the YMCA of Snohomish County, and Children of the Setting Sun Productions . More information on this episode can be found on our Resource Library,...

In this highlight episode, we revisit key moments from our 2023 Network Learning Session, Incarcerated and Justice Involved Equitable Solutions . Tune in to hear powerful insights from Kristina Jorgensen and Kimonti Carter from Participatory Justice , and Alex Sanchez and Chris Hoke from Underground Ministries . They discuss community engagement efforts with individuals involved in various stages...

Enjoy this poem, Extra Terrestrial, by North Sound ACH's Artist in Residence Khemistry Williams. You can view a visual form of this poem on our Youtube page: https://youtu.be/-U1LGiiYIAc Learn more about North Sound ACH : https://northsoundach.org/ Resource Library : https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/ Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org Find us on socials @northsoundach

In this episode, we bring you highlights from our powerful Network Learning session, Artistic Dialogues: Healing Communities, Inspiring Activism! North Sound ACH Artist-in-Residence Khemistry Williams is joined by panelists Ramón Rivera and Karla Estevez-Solano of MV Folklórico , Silvia Alvarez and Rosa Juarez Soria Mondragon from Triumph Teen Life Center , and Christopher Sadler (Gina Touché) of...

In this highlight episode, we revisit key moments from our first 2024 Network Learning Session, Birth Equity: Beyond the Doctor’s Office . Tune in to hear powerful insights from local leaders Shanell Brown ( Shades of Divinity ), Olympia Edwards ( Project Girl Mentoring Program ), and Memorie Gladstone ( Open Arms Perinatal Services ). Together, they unpack the current state of birth equity, share...

In this bilingual episode, we sit down with North Sound ACH CEO Liz Baxter, Care Coordination Specialist Guillermina Bazante, and Silvia Alvarez, Founder & Executive Director of Triumph Center, to discuss the vital importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces for teens. Triumph Center provides an environment where young people can explore their identities, connect with their cultural roots, a...

In the final part of this North Sound Voices podcast episode, Liz and Soma Saha, MD, MS, continue exploring "vital conditions" essential for community well-being. They discuss practical strategies for integrating these elements into our societies, with real-world examples of community-led initiatives driving change. Soma highlights the power of collective action and the importance of sus...

In part one of this episode of the North Sound Voices podcast, Liz welcomes Soma Saha, MD, MS, President and CEO of Well-being and Equity in the World (WE in the World) & Executive Lead of the Well Being In the Nation (WIN) Network. Together, they explore the transformative power of reframing "social determinants of health" as "vital conditions"—the essential elements every...

Join us for an insightful episode with Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki and Pastor Kevin Riley from Mount Baker Presbyterian Church! From personal stories to data-driven insights, this episode uncovers the heart of humane housing challenges and showcases the power of community-led solutions, like Cultivating a Future of Financial Liberation and The North Star Project. Join them as they expl...

Join in on a compelling conversation with Liz Baxter, the CEO of North Sound ACH, and Becky Payne, the President of the Rippel Foundation, as they explore the importance of Vital Conditions.  Liz and Becky will dive into how the vital conditions have been adopted and applied at the federal level and in community organizations. Don't miss hearing about some of the inspiring work being accompli...

North Sound Voices brings experiences, ideas, and solutions from across the North Sound region to you. We believe in the wisdom of our region. We believe that our communities know what they need – and are demonstrating resilience every day. And we believe we are stronger together. When we listen to and learn from each other, we can do more than we ever could alone. Listen to this podcast to feel c...