Best Democracy In Lockdown Podcasts (2024)

1
Meet the people on a quest to count every Cooper's Hawk in Seattle 7:22

29m ago7:22

7:22

The Urban Raptor Conservancy's Ed Deal and Patti Loesche are running a decades long study on the population health of Cooper's Hawks in Seattle. What does that involve? Spending a lot of time looking for and observing the city's hawks. Guests: Patti Loesche, co founder of the Urban Raptor Conservency Ed Deal, co founder of the Urban Raptor Conserva…

1
Should WA Cares be Optional? The case for NO on I-2124 22:32

14m ago22:32

22:32

This election season we’re bringing you conversations on all of the statewide initiatives on this November’s ballot. This week, we’re taking a deep dive into I-2124, it’s the initiative that would give WA voters the option to OPT-OUT of the WA Cares long term services insurance program. Yesterday, we talked to Elizabeth New from the WA Policy Cente…

1
Should WA Cares be Optional? The case for YES on I-2124 24:03

24m ago24:03

24:03

This election season we’re bringing you conversations on all of the statewide initiatives on the November ballot. Most recently, we looked at both sides of the Capital Gains Tax Repeal. This week, we’re taking a deep dive into I-2124: it’s the initiative that would give Washington voters the option to OPT-OUT of the WA Cares long term services insu…

1
Seattle Opera brings the spiritual to the stage in "Jubilee" 21:27

11m ago21:27

21:27

The world premiere of Jubilee debuted at Seattle Opera with its inaugural performance over the weekend. Jubilee is a new opera honoring the Fisk Jubilee singers, a group of groundbreaking Black American singers from Fisk University, in Tennessee. Soundside's Diana Opong sat down with creator and director Tazewell Thompson, who reflected on how the …

1
Why one Constitutional Sheriff has created a growing volunteer posse 15:15

2d ago15:15

15:15

When you think of the wild west, you might imagine a sheriff, keeping watch over a small, dusty town he calls home. And a posse of locals: ready to be called up to fight off cattle rustlers or moonshine smugglers who threaten to cause trouble. It’s hard to imagine something like that now, in 2024 Washington State. But, in Klickitat County, down sou…

1
Amid public defender shortage, WA Bar Association suggests caseload limits 33:00

1d ago33:00

33:00

Since the 1963 Gideon decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, the right to a lawyer has been guaranteed to defendants facing criminal charges – even if they can’t afford to pay. Advocates say that guarantee is in jeopardy in our state because of a lack of personnel. Washington State public defenders are in short supply and that’s having cascading effec…

1
Emerging Leaders - Dan Lawes: Collective Strength 16:17

24m ago16:17

16:17

How can young people harness their strength to drive movements for change?In this episode of Emerging Leaders, we speak to Dan Lawes, Co-CEO of My Life My Say, a youth-led charity aiming to drive democratic involvement among young people.Dan explores his own journey from coordinating his classmates in school to create a youth democracy conference t…

1
Regenerative Farming w/ Will Harris - FGP#77 1:06:44

4h ago1:06:44

1:06:44

Will Harris owns a southern Georgia farm called White Oak Pastures. A couple decades ago he decided to switch his farm to a regenerative model. This decision changed the trajectory of the farm, increasing the health of his soil and allowing for sustainable growth and practices. It wasn't easy, as he admits, but in the end he believes it was the cor…

1
Boeing announces layoffs amidst ongoing worker strike 18:34

3m ago18:34

18:34

Tensions are rising as negotiations between Boeing and the IAM District 751 hit a stalemate. This comes amid a month-long strike, impacting 33,000 workers. After contract discussions collapsed last week, both sides have traded accusations, leaving the future uncertain. Adding to the conflict, Boeing announced layoffs affecting around 17,000 employe…

1
Have democracy vouchers delivered on their promise to make Seattle elections fairer? 24:15

1h ago24:15

24:15

Among the many races Seattle voters will weigh in on during the upcoming election, there’s a city council seat up for grabs. Current Position 8 Councilmember Tanya Woo is looking to defend against challenger Alexis Mercedes Rinck. While Woo and Rinck try to differentiate themselves down the home stretch, they have at least one thing in common. Both…

1
Commissioner candidates debate over the future of public lands 35:01

12m ago35:01

35:01

This year, few Washington races have grabbed as much attention as the one for Commissioner of Public Lands. The commissioner heads the state Department of Natural Resources, which oversees more than $450 million in revenue and more than 5.5 million acres of public land. The agency is in charge of wildfire preparedness, forest management, and the pr…

1
What it takes for a local theater company to survive 50 years 24:45

4d ago24:45

24:45

For decades, the Seattle Children’s Theatre has introduced young people from all over King County to the joy and wonder of live theater. You can take your little ones to their first play or musical like “Cat Kid Comic Club,” or maybe an interactive dance performance. There’s a lot going on there each year. It’s part of what makes the Children’s The…

1
Microsoft strikes deal to re-open Three Mile Island nuclear plant as energy needs grow 20:37

8m ago20:37

20:37

Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island is the site of the worst commercial nuclear accident in U.S. history. The nuclear plant near Harrisburg officially closed in 2019, but now, Microsoft is making a deal to restart the facility and buy all of its electricity for the next 20 years. How likely is this to actually happen? And what does this say about the …

1
After revising school closure plan, what's next for Seattle Public Schools? 13:16

5d ago13:16

13:16

The Seattle School District is now planning to close just 5 schools next year. That’s down from the 21 possible closures the district had proposed earlier. The district has been teasing school closures for months as a part of its “Well Resourced Schools” plan. Seattle Schools faces a $94 million dollar budget deficit and Superintendent Brent Jones …

1
How Seattle’s Palestinian community is marking one year since the Israel-Hamas war began 19:37

10h ago19:37

19:37

Since Hamas militants attacked Southern Israel on October 7, taking roughly 1200 lives, and capturing hundreds of hostages, the Israeli military has responded with overwhelming force in Gaza. Bombs and other military actions have killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Most of the homes, businesses, schools and mos…

1
How a housewife turned unlikely activist helped topple Argentina's military dictatorship 16:12

6d ago16:12

16:12

How can personal tragedy inspire the most unlikely of people to become activists? This question is at the heart of Norita, a new documentary screening Oct. 8 at the Seattle Latino Film Festival. Norita takes a moving look at the life and journey of an Argentinian woman, Nora Cortiñas. She was a mother who became caught in the crosshairs of Argentin…

1
Asserting Your Rights w/ James Dutton - FGP#76 1:04:12

8d ago1:04:12

1:04:12

James Dutton is a lawyer based out of Clayton, Georgia. He is a strong advocate of the idea that if you don't assert all of your rights all of the time, you lose them one by one... which is how we've ended up in the law-ridden state that we're in right now. This episode is his speech at The Great Create. Official Podcast of the Libertarian Party of…

1
From leashing to poop pick up, Dog trainers take on your etiquette questions 18:08

8d ago18:08

18:08

The Seattle area gets a bad rap for its “frosty” social climate. But how can that be true when we live with so many “best friends”? Furry ones, at least. There are more dogs than children in the city. With all those canines sharing space, things can get a bit tense. Complaints run rampant about dog behavior in public, businesses that do or don’t al…

1
How Seattle’s Jewish community is marking one year since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel 19:43

7d ago19:43

19:43

One year ago, Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and took hundreds more hostage. Israel’s military response has killed more than 41-thousand Palestinians in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry says more than half were women and children. A second front has opened in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli military has been bombardi…

1
The U.S. is in the midst of a gun violence crisis. Medical professionals at Harborview may hold the answers on how to end it 14:43

1d ago14:43

14:43

In June, the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy declared gun violence a public health crisis. "Gun violence has become the leading cause of death among kids and teens," Murthy said. "That was not true a decade or two decades ago, but it is true today." And like many other communities across the country – Seattle is feeling the ripple effects of thi…

1
Ditch Washington's Capital Gains Tax? The case for No on I-2109 25:58

5d ago25:58

25:58

When you go to vote this November, it won’t just be for President or Governor. You’ll also be voting on a group of initiatives - and these things are complicated. So we’re breaking all of them down here on Soundside this election season. And this week, we’re turning to I-2109: aka, the measure that seeks to Repeal the Capital Gains Tax. Passed by t…

1
Remembering Toby Quitsland 10:05

6d ago10:05

10:05

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month -- a chance to educate people about the disease and the importance of high-quality care. Public awareness of breast cancer has greatly improved over the past few decades. For a long time, people diagnosed with the disease tended to keep their experiences to themselves. That’s why it was groundbreaking, 30 ye…

1
'The Adding Machine' asks if AI has a future in the theatre 14:56

6d ago14:56

14:56

When tech companies began announcing advanced artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, there was widespread enthusiasm. AI was going to make mundane jobs more efficient; it was going to reshape entire industries and creative processes; and it was going to free up time for humans to do things that were, well, more human – things like creating a…

1
Ditch Washington's Capital Gains Tax? The case for Yes on I-2109 26:58

6d ago26:58

26:58

When you go to vote this November, it won’t just be for President or Governor. You’ll also be voting on a group of state initiatives - and they’re complicated. We’re breaking all of them down here on Soundside this election season. And this week, we’re turning to I-2109: aka, the measure that seeks to Repeal the Capital Gains Tax. Passed by the leg…

1
Yakama Nation energy project hits a snag as utilities struggle with green energy expansion 12:34

7d ago12:34

12:34

The Yakama Nation has found it nearly impossible to access $32 million in a promised federal grant for an irrigation canal conversion project. The initiative aims to transform old irrigation canals into a solar and small-scale hydropower system, which would lower electricity costs and conserve water in the Yakima Basin. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell …

1
A new KUOW investigation uncovers SPD's history of losing guns 8:59

7d ago8:59

8:59

In October of 2019, an 18-year-old walked out of a Seattle police training building with an officer’s personal firearm. It was eventually recovered - but questions remained about how the teen was able to access the firearm in the first place, as well as the quality of security at the training facility. This isn’t the only time an SPD firearm has go…

1
What to make of the Mariner's suboptimal season 28:51

13d ago28:51

28:51

The 2024 Seattle Mariner's season wasn't just about disappointment, it was a story about fandom, money, masochism, and, sure, losing a 10 game lead in the AL West. We're breaking down the story lines and commiserating after a long season. Guests: Kate Preusser, managing editor of Lookout Landing and host of Meet at the Mitt podcast Danny O’Neil, au…

1
Five Minutes With... Bruna Seu 3:14

8d ago3:14

3:14

In this episode of Five Minutes With... we briefly catch up with Professor Bruna Seu to find out what she thinks is the most important conversation we can be having today. Bruna is a Professor of Psychosocial Studies and Critical Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London and the Founding Director of the Centre for Researching and Embedding Human…

1
Mayor Harrell looks to payroll expense tax to fix $250 million budget gap 16:57

8d ago16:57

16:57

This budget cycle, the city is bracing for what could be a contentious debate over how to fund essential services and set priorities for the coming year. With an estimated $251 million dollar budget shortfall looming, how it will address that gap has become a pressing concern. Early last week, Mayor Bruce Harrell unveiled his office’s plan to tackl…

1
'Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh' is bringing you the tastiest tidbits of the PNW 18:52

8d ago18:52

18:52

It's time to set aside that uninspired sandwich, or soggy work-from-home salad. You’ll probably also want to cancel any lunch plans you have you have this week, because a new podcast from KUOW and The Seattle Times may convince you to try something new. Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh is helping listeners find the best bites in Seattle — and beyond. Sou…

1
IAM 751 President Jon Holden gives a strike update 13:02

16d ago13:02

13:02

The Boeing machinists’ strike is in its third week. On Friday, the company and the union were back at the negotiating table. This came after Boeing made another offer earlier in the week, its “Improved Best and Final” one. It was quickly rejected. There were criticisms that it didn’t go far enough. Also, that the company had disrespected the negoti…

1
From SeaTac to the public library, high-profile hacks are plaguing the region. Why? 15:10

12d ago15:10

15:10

It’s been a tough few months for many local IT departments. Last week, hackers posted a handful of files stolen from SeaTac airport on the dark web. A ransomware gang is attempting to sell a trove of stolen Port of Seattle data for 6 million dollars in Bitcoin – after the Port refused to pay up. The cyber-attack a little over a month ago snarled tr…

1
The legacy of capital punishment in Washington 15:31

13d ago15:31

15:31

Washington state has officially closed the chamber where executions took place, marking the end of capital punishment here in the state. The journey to decommission this chamber involved a lot of moving parts across all branches of government. First, Governor Jay Inslee put a moratorium on executions in 2014, then the state Supreme Court declared t…

1
ChatGPT: a useful study buddy, or cheating machine? Educators at the UW are trying to figure that out 12:09

13d ago12:09

12:09

Classes at the University of Washington are back in full-swing. And as students try to find their classes, and figure out what to avoid at the dining hall – the university’s administration and faculty are trying to figure out their own conundrum: How to address artificial intelligence– chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini. For some students and teacher…

1
Hear it again: Ethical mushroom foraging 9:47

14d ago9:47

9:47

As we step into fall, and back into the rain... we thought we'd revisit a segment from last year about MUSHROOMS... Mushroom foraging is a very popular pastime here in the Pacific Northwest. Our rainy climate helps a wide variety of the fungi thrive, as well as the community that collects them. After all, who doesn’t love a good mushroom? Producer …

1
New study finds pandemic lockdowns prematurely aged teenage brains 14:57

14d ago14:57

14:57

Everyone is a current, former, or future teenager. You probably know this period of life is an especially difficult time for kids. Throw in a deadly pandemic and the subsequent disruption of school and social life? It got a lot more complicated. And new research suggests COVID-19 lockdowns may have had lasting consequences for adolescent minds. In …

1
Amid harmful lies about Haitian immigrants, members of the diaspora vow to tell their own story 15:04

14d ago15:04

15:04

They’re repeated over and over in debates, speeches and media appearances during this presidential campaign: harmful lies about Haitian immigrants. Springfield, Ohio has been at the center of the fabrications. Former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance have falsely asserted that Haitian immigrants are eating people’s pets. Despite …

1
Seattle Public Schools pauses closure meetings 6:26

14d ago6:26

6:26

Seattle Public Schools leadership is taking a minute to think. Earlier this month, the district released plans to potentially close almost two dozen elementary schools to shore up a budget gap. Unsurprisingly: many parents were not thrilled with the idea. Hundreds packed a school board meeting demanding the district reconsider. Now, Superintendent …

1
Microsoft details increased Russian interference in the presidential election 13:38

15d ago13:38

13:38

There are just a handful of weeks until the election, reports about outside interference from countries like Iran, China, and Russia are still popping up. Recently, Microsoft shared new findings about Russian efforts to interfere with the US presidential election, with a focus on the Harris-Walz campaign. This follows the tech giant’s announcement …

1
How the director of 'All We Carry' went behind the headlines of the refugee crisis 21:28

15d ago21:28

21:28

As candidates prepare to make their final pitch to voters ahead of the 2024 election, former president Donald Trump is once again using lies and hateful rhetoric about immigrants to fuel his pitch to voters. Trump has doubled down on falsehoods about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, and claimed at a rally on Saturday that migrants are “atta…

1
Initiative 2066: Why proponents say you should vote 'Yes' 23:30

28d ago23:30

23:30

This election season we’re taking a dive into the big races and big initiatives on your ballot this November. This week we’re taking a look at Initiative 2066 – the "Natural Gas Policies Measure." For a quick refresher, this initiative aims to keep natural gas as a consumer option as building codes, state policies, and utility companies begin a piv…

1
Seattle City Council approves 'loitering' penalties for prostitution and drug zones 24:51

21d ago24:51

24:51

New criminal penalties for drug and prostitution-related crimes within some of Seattle's busiest areas are on the way. In an 8 to 1 decision, the Seattle City Council voted in favor of two ordinances on Tuesday, one creates “Stay Out Of Drug Area” zones – or “SODA” zones – in six areas of the city. A Seattle municipal court judge can now order peop…

1
Initiative 2066: Why opponents say you should vote 'No' 20:56

28d ago20:56

20:56

This election season we’re bringing you conversations on all of the statewide initiatives on this November’s ballot -- and this year, many of those initiatives have something to do with Washington’s ambitious goals to completely transition off of fossil fuels. Last week we heard about Initiative 2117, which would repeal a key part of Washington’s C…

1
What can we learn from one man's experience with SODA? 29:17

22d ago29:17

29:17

The Seattle City Council is preparing to take a final vote today on a pair of new laws that city attorney Ann Davison and some city council members say could help the city fight drug trafficking and prostitution. The SODA ordinance – stands for “Stay Out of Drug Areas.” It would create a new gross misdemeanor, punishable up to 364 days in jail, and…

1
Human created noise hinders resident orcas' ability to hunt 13:13

22d ago13:13

13:13

As humans have built skyscrapers, factories and highways around the Puget Sound, our environment has become much noisier, and not just terrestrially. Underwater, humans (and our large cargo ships) have a large sonic impact, too. New research suggests that cacophony is hurting the survival of some of the original inhabitants of the Salish Sea: South…

1
How one complaint is changing accessibility at Washington state parks 9:11

22d ago9:11

9:11

Washington state parks need to be more accessible to people with disabilities. That’s the conclusion from a U.S. Department of Justice investigation – which prompted a deal announced earlier this month to bring state parks into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Guests: Laurel Demkovich, Washington State Standard reporter Syren Na…

1
Emerging Leaders - Dylan Zajac 13:08

29d ago13:08

13:08

If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice, what would that be? In this episode of Emerging Leaders, we speak to Dylan Zajac, Founder and Executive Director of Computers For People, a non-profit providing devices and training to low-income individuals on the East Coast of America. The discussion explores the importance of netw…

1
The number of striking workers skyrocketed in 2023, what does that mean for Boeing machinists? 24:28

23d ago24:28

24:28

33,000 Boeing factory workers walked off the job Friday, demanding higher wages and for the company to restore pensions. Most are based here in the Pacific Northwest. The overall labor landscape in the U.S. has changed significantly since the last machinists strike 2008 – nationally, union membership remains at historically low levels, but work sto…

1
Hear It Again: Author Elise Hu on her new book and K-Beauty critique, 'Flawless' 22:08

23d ago22:08

22:08

K-beauty is not a niche market. Built around dewy skin with no visible pores, big eyes, a thin body, it’s the “ideal” for pop stars, celebrities, and regular people across the world. The industry, built on Korean skincare and makeup products, is the result of “hallyu” — exporting of South Korean pop culture that the government has helped sponsor si…

1
Celebrating "El Grito" through the Music of Mexico 4:30

23d ago4:30

4:30

Today is Mexican Independence Day, and we’ve got a bit of a musical treat to take us out. Yesterday, Orquesta Northwest put on a concert at Town Hall Seattle, celebrating “El Grito” -- the day that father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called for Mexicans to rise and fight for freedom. The concert was part of the Mexam NW Festival, which features dozens…

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