The Sound of the Pacific Northwest

Can beautiful books save the planet? Join us for a chat with Helen Cherullo, Executive Director of Braided River. She shares how her organization uses world-class photography and community storytelling as powerful tools for conservation, proving that changing minds starts with capturing hearts. There is a Braided River author event coming up at Town Hall in Seattle on November 13 at 7:30 pm (reception at 6:30). The title is From Awe to Action: In Right and Respectful Relations. Link for tx: https://ticketing.townhallseattle.org/events/019fce46-f3ca-13a4-6713-64cfd851327f

No widow has to walk alone. This week, we are joined by Mary Beth Woll and Linda Smith, authors of Don't Lose Heart! and founders of The Widows Project. After both experiencing the sudden loss of their husbands, they turned their personal pain into a powerful international community. Listen to this honest, comforting conversation about navigating the practical realities of grief, supporting loved ones who are mourning, and finding the strength to rebuild life after a devastating loss.

There’s an organization in Portland that has been coming to the rescue of homeless youth between 15 and 25 years of age since 2002. Their name is p:ear. To talk about p:ear, we invited Tony Camacho Martinez, their program director.

Our guest today believes that the arts aren’t just a separate school elective—they are an essential part of being human. Joining us is Briana Linden, the new Executive Director of Arts for Learning Northwest. She brings nearly two decades of experience to the role, helping design programs that bring local artists, performances, and free bilingual learning tools straight into our schools.

In our latest exclusive interview, we sit down with Billie Hassebrock, the Artistic Director of Bellevue Youth Theatre. Discover what it means to lead this vibrant community program, and what exciting plans are on the horizon for the next generation of local performers.

Have you ever wondered about the people you see all the time, like your bus driver, your baker, your garbage collector? What’s interesting or fun about their jobs? What ticks them off? What makes them smile? Well, we thought it would be a great idea to talk to them. This week, we talked to a Community Transit bus driver in Washington. We had a great conversation and learned a lot about him and his job. Listen to our conversation with David Scroggins of Community Transit here...

When Tacoma Police discovered a sailboat anchored off Owen Beach, they didn't expect to find 61 cats and kittens living onboard—a massive rescue that, alongside 20 other cats found abandoned in a car that same week, pushed the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County to its absolute limits. In this episode, Madison Kaeding, Marketing Specialist with Tacoma Humane, takes us behind the scenes of this incredible rescue operation to share how the "Sailor Cats" are doing today.

If you’ve been looking for a sign to step up, get involved, and make a real difference in your community, you won't want to miss Oregon's premier volunteer event. The Standard’s Volunteer Expo is returning to "Portland's Living Room"—Pioneer Courthouse Square—connecting thousands of attendees with more than 100 non-profit organizations that keep our region thriving. To give us an inside look at what to expect, what kinds of skills are in demand, and how you can get plugged in, we’re thrilled to welcome Bob Speltz. As the Senior Director of Community and Public Relations for The Standard, Bob has a front-row seat to the incredible impact of local philanthropy.

Aimee Says is a 24/7 private AI companion and advocacy tool designed for people dealing with domestic abuse, coercive control, and narcissistic or post-separation abuse. To talk about this, we invited Anne Wintemute, Co-Founder & CEO of Aimee Says.

Scammers preying on senior citizens is nothing new, but today these cons are highly sophisticated and convincing, making it easy for anyone to fall victim. From AI-cloned faces and voices that sound like loved ones to impersonation scams that mimic trusted companies, today’s threats are now past the ability for the human eye and ear to spot. Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of Smarter Online Safety, joined us today to help families understand who scammers target and what to do to protect yourself and your family.

  Let’s talk about our last trip to Portland and seeing the dragon boats on the Willamette. That team we saw that day, is called Pink Phoenix and my team Survivor SAKE has raced against them many, many times… They are strong! They have a really annoying habit of winning… I have so much respect and admiration for them that I decided to invite them on our show to see if I can steal their secrets. So, to talk about Pink Phoenix, today we’re joined by Lena Bruncaj, Public Relations Coordinator for Pink Phoenix.

 If someone you loved suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest, began choking, or stopped breathing, would your family know what to do before first responders arrived? Fire captain, paramedic, EMS educator Brad Newbury and emergency medical technician Kiera Newbury say preparedness is one of the greatest gifts you can give the people you love. Brad and Kiera wrote a book: “The Saved Effect: True Stories of Lives Reclaimed by People Who Were Ready to Act.” We talk about it with them on this episode of The Sound of the Pacific Northwest.

In 2018, Yori, a 3-year-old from Seattle, drowned in a pool when he was just 3 years old. After this happened, his mom, Chezik Tsunoda, knew she had to do something to honor her child. That’s how “No More Under” was born. Chezik joined the Sound of the Pacific Northwest to talk about it.

Food inflation is high, and across the country, thousands of families are quietly wondering where their next meal will come from. In fact, a massive loss in funding recently forced Catholic Charities of Oregon to close nine of its eleven permanent food pantries. But instead of pulling back, they pivoted. Today, they are launching high-impact, one-day pop-up pantries to bridge the gap—but each single event costs a staggering fifty thousand dollars to run. Joining us today to talk about the reality on the ground, the logistics of feeding a community, and the personal mission driving this work is Rose Bak, Chief Operating Officer for Catholic Charities of Oregon.

On today’s show, we’re gonna talk about a love affair. Relax, Pedro, this is no gossip, this is a love affair we all can enjoy. I’m talking about a new book called “Have a Love Affair with the USA.” Perfect for the 250-birthday party this weekend. Today we have invited the authors of this book. Evelyn and Natalie are a mother-daughter travel expert team. They have traveled to seven continents, 89 countries (and counting), and 50 states. Evelyn’s goal is to visit 100 countries before she turns 100. Evelyn and Natalie Kelly, welcome to the Sound of the Pacific Northwest.

Joining us today is the woman behind one of Portland’s most iconic summer traditions. As the Festival Director and co-owner of Fuller Events, she leads the team that transforms Tom McCall Waterfront Park into a massive celebration of music, community, and charity. The Waterfront Blues Festival returns this July 2nd through 4th with three days, three stages, and an incredible lineup. Christina Fuller, welcome to the Sound of the Pacific Northwest.

Teen Feed has been serving youth experiencing homelessness for decades—offering more than just meals, but also consistency, trust, and critical support services that help young people take real steps toward stability. From nightly meal programs to outreach and case management, their work is rooted in one simple but powerful idea: meeting people where they are, and staying with them as they move toward something better. Janine is with us today to share what’s happening on the ground in Seattle, the realities facing local youth, and how Teen Feed is working every day to build connection, confidence, and hope—one meal at a time.

Richard Ramos is the author of Parents on a Mission: How Parents Can Win the Competition for the Heart, Mind, and Loyalty of Their Children. In Parents on a Mission, Richard Ramos explains the importance of healthy parent-child relationships and parents' role in shaping their children's lives.

June 6th and 7th is Free Fishing Weekend in both Washington and Oregon, and the gates are open and the lakes are stocked. Joining us today is a man who practically has river water in his veins. Bill Herzog, widely known in the angling community as "The General," is a legendary figure in Pacific Northwest fishing with nearly 40 years of professional experience. He is most celebrated as a master of steelheading, having begun his career during the "golden age" of the fishery in Western Washington.

Seafair is almost here! ! The Seafair Summer Kickoff is on June 1 and it goes on till the Seafair Weekend Festival, July 31 through August 2 at Genesee Park and Playfield. This event anchors the Boeing Seafair Air Show and the Apollo Mechanical Cup Hydroplane Races on Lake Washington. Have you ever wondered when and why Seattle became so huge on hydroplanes racing? Our guest today knows everything about hydroplanes races in Seattle. As a matter of fact, he was an unlimited hydroplane driver himself! And he has written and published several books on the subject of unlimited hydroplane racing. David Williams’ latest book is “The Chuck Lyford Story. Every Day Counts.”

We’re excited to welcome Natalie Edwards, Interim Executive Director of Portland Backpack, to the program. Hear how Portland Backpack is making a difference by helping fight food insecurity for children and families in the community. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on the latest episode of Sound of the Pacific Northwest!

New Episode of Sound of the Pacific Northwest!  This week we welcome Roula Bland, Head Coach of SAKE Paddling Club, for an inspiring conversation about teamwork, resilience, competition, and the growing dragon boat community in the Pacific Northwest. From championship races to building community on the water, Roula shares the passion and purpose behind the sport — and why paddling changes lives. Don’t miss this encouraging and energetic episode

Furnish Hope is more than just a furniture bank—it is a community movement dedicated to turning empty houses into warm, dignified homes for those in need in Bend, Oregon. As the only organization of its kind east of the Cascades, it serves as a critical bridge for individuals and families rebuilding their lives after crisis. To talk about Furnish Hope, we invited their Founding Executive Director, Megan Martin.

The Des Moines Legacy Foundation is hosting their 4th Annual Bayside Diamond Ball on June 6th at the Des Moines Yacht Club. To talk about Bayside Diamond Ball “PARTY” and the Des Moines Legacy Foundation, invited their president Patrice Thorell.

CASA began in King County with just a small group of volunteers recruited by word of mouth. Today, it has grown into a nationwide network of more than 70,000 volunteers. These individuals are specially trained by the court to advocate for children who have been removed from their homes due to allegations of abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers play a vital role by gathering information, providing reports to the court about each child’s needs, helping inform critical decisions, and ensuring that every child’s voice is heard throughout the process. To share more about this important work, we’re joined by Sarah Childs, Recruitment & Retention Coordinator for the King County Dependency CASA Program, and Michael Griesedieck, Program Manager.

Nourish Oregon is hosting their 10th annual Share the Love gala on Saturday, April 18 at the Oregon Golf Club. To Talk about Nourish Oregon and the Share the Love gala We’ve invited Betty Brown the president of Nourish Oregon and Aaron Brown, their deputy director.

Ever feel like your phone is basically glued to your hand? Today, we talked with Mitra Manesh, author of The Attentionist: New Choices for a New World. She says this isn’t about lacking discipline; it’s an attention crisis, and most of us don’t even realize it.

If you stand in the corner of Wells Ave and 3rd Street in Renton, WA and look up, you’ll see a beautiful dragon on top of a rooftop. The dragon’s name is Erasmus, and he has his own festivities. To talk about Dragon’s Landing, we have invited, Gianna Grisolia, of Open Invite Events, the signature event producer behind Dragon’s Landing, April 12th from 10am to 5 pm in the corner of Wells Ave and 3rd Street in Renton, WA

Today we’re talking to Street Dog Coalition, an organization that provides free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness. To talk about Street Dog Coalition, we invited their Executive Director, Katrina Weschler.

This weekend, we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. World Down Syndrome Day is marked each year on March 21. The 21st day of March (the 3rd month of the year) was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. World Down Syndrome Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the rights, and inclusion of people with Down syndrome around the world. To celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. Today we have invited an organization in Portland that empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We’re talking about PHAME, with PH, not F. To talk about PHAME, we have invited Dana Dinh, their Outreach & Student Engagement Manager.

The Seattle Seahawks are officially now for sale, right after winning the Superbowl against the Patriots. The team, managed by the Paul G. Allen Estate, is expected to sell for a record-breaking price, potentially exceeding $7 billion to $10 billion, as part of a long-term plan to donate proceeds to philanthropy. Considering this, why did Family Promise of Spokane officially offered to buy them for $43,542? To explain this, we invited their CEO, Joe Ader.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will host a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference for Portland-area residents on Wednesday, March 18 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm PT at the University Place Hotel & Conference Center (310 SW Lincoln Street, Portland). The free conference is open to everyone and will allow participants to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, and caregiving. Register by visiting www.alzfdn.org/tour. Advance registration is highly recommended. To talk about this event, we invited Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., Alzheimer’s Foundation of America President and CEO, and one of the presenters, Garvin Reiter, a certified elder law attorney with 25 years of experience who specializes on legal issues faced by the elderly and individuals with disabilities.

February is American Heart Month and a time when we shine a spotlight on heart health. We invited two volunteers from the American Heart Association to talk about this: Dr. Ruben Halperin, a Medical Director at Providence Health Plan in Portland and a volunteer medical expert for the American Heart Association, and Therese Dumas, who has been touched by heart disease and is serving as a Go Red for Women Ambassador in Washington. They talked about heart health and steps we can take to reduce our risk for heart disease and stroke at any age, but also as we age. Listen to our talk here.

There’s an organization in Portland that has been coming to the rescue of homeless youth between 15 and 25 years of age since 2002. Their name is p:ear. To talk about p:ear, we invited Tony Camacho Martinez, their program director.

Urban Harvest Exchange is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Tacoma, Washington, dedicated to food sovereignty, food rescue, and community mutual aid.To talk about it, we invited David Thompson, the Founder and Director of Urban Harvest Exchange. Listen to our talk here.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, April wanted to help seniors stay active during the shutdown in the comfort and safety of their homes. Wanting to reach as many people as possible, she started creating free video workouts on YouTube with her then 80-year-old mom. Both are humbled and grateful that they are helping so many — yes2next videos have been viewed more than 60 million times with more than 500,000 subscribers.

CASA started from a handful of volunteers recruited by word of mouth in King County and has grown to 70,000+ volunteers across the United States.  The volunteers are trained by the court to advocate for the needs of children removed from their families due to abuse or neglect allegations.  CASA volunteers gather information, report to the court on the needs of the child, assist the court in making difficult decisions, and make sure that the children’s needs are heard.  To talk about CASA, we invited Sarah Childs, Recruitment & Retention Coordinator for The King County Dependency CASA Program, and Michael Griesedieck, their Program Manager.

Katherine Kehrli is the founder, chair, and chief bread & energy cookie officer for Community Loaves, a grassroots bread and cookie home-based volunteer brigade, baking and delivering wholegrain loaves and energy cookies to local food banks. Listen to today's podcast to find more information about this fantastic organization. 

Dr. John Zeisel is a world-renowned expert on living with Alzheimer’s and he’s the founder of the I’m Still Here Foundation. You can meet him Thursday, January 22 from 1 – 2:30 pm at the Frye Art Museum Auditorium. This community-focused event is designed to bring together both people supporting loved ones on the memory loss journey and professionals who provide dementia-friendly programs and services in our area.

Community Warehouse is anon-profit organization that collects new and gently used furniture to provide to individuals and families transitioning out of crisis situations, such as homelessness, domestic violence, or disaster recovery, at no cost. We invited Phil Gerigscott, Senior Manager of Communications for Community Warehouse. 

Today we talked to Kristine Moreland, President and Co-Founder of The More We Love. The More We Love is an organization that provides outreach to those impacted by homelessness. They build trust, advocate for these individuals, and provide them with the love, appropriate resources, and care they need to heal and thrive. 

Today we talked to Jennifer Simonic, Co-Founder of Loose Ends. Loose Ends is a non-profit that finishes art projects that loved ones leave behind when they pass away. 

We’re in December! It’s almost the holidays and we’re thinking of where we’re gonna spend them, what we’ll be cooking, presents… So many things to worry about… What do you call those? Oh yes, FWPs… First world problems… Most of us have these kinds of problems, but many people have real problems. They are not wondering what they’ll be eating for Christmas because they don’t even know if they’ll have food tomorrow. Food insecurity is not fun, especially if others depend on you. We have some friends that for the holidays always make backpacks with food supplies and toiletries that they then hand to people in a situation of homelessness. But there are people who do this every day of the year! That is the case of Machael Casper. For the last 5 years she’s been running Milk Crate Kitchen.

Today we have invitedAndrea Woroch, a nationally-recognized family finance expert, writer, speaker and frequent on air-contributor on radio and tv, to share practical tips for cutting your grocery bill, especially around the holidays.

Next month, December is Cybersecurity Awareness month, so to help us understand this issue and give us some tips, we have invited a cybersecurity expert, Stanton Greenawalt, Professor Cybersecurity at Horry Georgetown Technical College In South Carolina.

There's an art exhibit called Please Touch organized by ReVision Arts and curated by Barbara Oswald. Barbara very graciously accepted to talk to us today about this interesting concept. 

In the Pacific Northwest, we have a serious problem with drugs, crime, homelessness, domestic violence... so many issues that, believe it or not, improve when this one thing gets better…  We’re talking about reading… Children who cannot read proficiently by the fourth grade are four times less likely to graduate on time—hindering their chances to succeed in college, career, and in life. And here’s an alarming statistic… In Oregon, more than half of 3rd graders are not reading at grade level. There is an organization in Oregon that is working hard to boost reading levels in school. We’re talking about SMART Reading. To talk about SMART Reading, we have invitedJessica Bowersox, SMART Reading’s Executive Director. 

October is known as National Disability Employment Awareness Month and is also a time to raise awareness for specific conditions like Down Syndrome. National Disability Employment Awareness Month highlights the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce, encourages inclusive hiring practices, and promotes an accessible work environment. So, today, we’re talking to an organization in Portland that empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We’re talking about PHAME, with PH, not F. To talk about PHAME, we have invited Dana Dinh, their Outreach & Student Engagement Manager.

Today we’re speaking with Megan Mayes, Director of Community Relations for BELLWETHER HOUSING. They know a thing or two about housing… They operate over 3,500 low-income apartments throughout the Puget Sound region. 

Homelessness is a significant and growing problem in the Pacific Northwest. Something needs to be done and soon!  “Portland Rescue Mission” is one of the many organizations working hard to make a difference and end homelessness in the Pacific Northwest.  They are so committed to their mission that their Interim CEO, Erin Holcomb, spent 24 hours on a bench in Portland this week. In Seattle, the CEO for Bread of Life Mission, Kim Cook, also spent 24 hours on a Bench in Seattle this past week. Before they did it, we recorded an interview with Erin Holcomb to ask her about "Conversations on a Bench."