Best Harry Leslie Smith Podcasts (2024)

1
New COVID study finds pandemic lockdowns did, in fact, save lives 20:50

8m ago20:50

20:50

A new study out of the University of Virginia combined data from all 50 states to see how COVID restrictions did or didn’t reduce pandemic deaths. Despite criticism – even today – that COVID restrictions were tyrannical and unnecessary, the paper shows that states with more stringent lockdown restrictions did in fact save lives, and that states wit…

1
Summer clips: Melissa Cody 36:43

4m ago36:43

36:43

Episode No. 667 is a summer clips episode featuring artist Melissa Cody. MoMA PS1 is presenting "Melissa Cody: Webbed Skies," through September 9. The exhibition features over 30 weavings and a new work. It was curated by Isabella Rjeille and Ruba Katrib. Cody, a fourth-generation Navajo weaver, creates tapestries from traditional techniques that e…

1
For Seattle drag performers, sick days are not an option 13:52

4h ago13:52

13:52

For many performers, a missed show can mean a huge pay cut. Drag queens, comedians, musicians, and other entertainers are mostly independent contractors, which means no employer provided health insurance or sick time. Now, local drag queen Betty Wetter, as well as the dance duo Drama Tops, and Velocity Dance Center, have come together to create the…

1
Updates are coming to this 60-year-old treaty guiding the Columbia River 19:06

11m ago19:06

19:06

The Columbia River is undoubtedly one of the most important rivers in the Northwest. Today, its irrigation provides water for the farms of Central Washington; it’s a vital waterway for salmon; and it provides a critical source of hydroelectric power. The river is split between the U.S. and Canada, and its headwaters begin in British Columbia. For t…

1
A Tulalip activist says "time is ticking" to help Native elders heal from government-run boarding schools 20:23

22m ago20:23

20:23

For 150 years, the United States government operated boarding schools that separated Native American children from their families and communities. The government's goal was to eradicate native languages and culture. At least 17 US Indian boarding schools existed in Washington State. A new report from the Department of Interior outlines the scale an…

1
Exploring the intersection of art and landscape in the Pacific Northwest 10:45

15m ago10:45

10:45

A new show from Cascade PBS looks at the way artists in the Pacific Northwest incorporate their surroundings into drawings, tapestry, and pottery. ‘Art by Northwest’ showcases local artists inspired by the landscapes and culture of their communities. Each episode explores the stories behind their work, reflecting the unique essence of the Pacific N…

1
Marysville Schools are facing a 'critically declining financial condition,' but is far from the only district with budget challanges 19:34

27m ago19:34

19:34

There are a lot of stories about the financial challenges facing schools right now: Seattle School District has a $100 million budget gap they need to close and they’re going to be shuttering schools to make ends meet. Bellevue School District also closed schools to shore up its budget last year. Other districts are looking at million dollar shortf…

1
Au Revoir, Paris Games with Michelle Collins and Billy Magnussen 1:23:36

4d ago1:23:36

1:23:36

Humble Emmy-nominee Louis Virtel is joined by guest co-host Michelle Collins to wade through a week’s worth of pop culture drama, including Quentin Tarantino shading George Clooney, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles losing her bronze medal, Pat Sajak returning for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, the alleged feud embroiling the box-office hit It Ends With U…

1
What will it take to bring the Boeing Starliner, and it's astronauts, back to Earth? 29:26

12m ago29:26

29:26

Two NASA astronauts named Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are currently stuck in space. The pair launched in the Boeing Starliner earlier this year. Malfunctions have delayed their return from what was originally meant to be an 8 day trip to the International Space Station. Now, they may not be back on Earth until February. And – most galling for …

1
Race remains tight in primary for public lands commissioner 9:52

8h ago9:52

9:52

While ballots are still being counted, most of the races in last week’s primary election have been decided. But one contest in particular – the race to become the next Commissioner of Public Lands for Washington state – has become surprisingly close. The Commissioner of Public Lands runs the state Department of Natural Resources – think forest and …

1
Remembering Seattle music journalist Charles R. Cross 25:20

19h ago25:20

25:20

We wanted to round out today’s show by remembering a man described as the greatest music journalist Seattle ever had - Charles R. Cross. For over 40 years, Cross tracked the pulse of Seattle through its music. He was also known for his biographies of local rock legends: Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. Cross’ family con…

1
As Seattle City Council gets up to speed, election results may signal voter discontent 15:30

1d ago15:30

15:30

Primary election results continue to roll in. And sure, your head may have been turned by that flashy State Lands Commissioner race. But if you’re a Seattle resident, a very consequential city council contest should also be on your radar. The at-large 8th district seat is up for grabs this November. The citywide position was formerly held by Teresa…

1
Van Gogh and the End of Nature 50:17

4d ago50:17

50:17

Episode No. 666 features author and art historian Michael Lobel. Lobel is the author of "Van Gogh and the End of Nature," which was just published by Yale University Press. The book interrogates Van Gogh's presentation of nature, and finds that Van Gogh was looking more intently at industry, pollution, and environmental degradation than is typicall…

1
Data centers put WA clean energy goals in jeopardy 20:52

4d ago20:52

20:52

Across vast stretches of rural Washington, large boxy warehouses have popped up between fields of potatoes. They contain the humming infrastructure that the tech industry and users rely on to store documents in the cloud, access streaming videos, or perform internet searches. It’s easy to see why companies put data centers in this part of the state…

1
Community of Point Roberts struggling as tourists are slow to return 15:25

8d ago15:25

15:25

Summer is in full swing with clogged hiking trails, packed ferries, and the smells of backyard barbeques. But while many of you might be visiting tourist towns in the Cascades or near a Puget Sound Island, one Washington tourist town has been struggling: Point Roberts, our favorite local exclave. It’s a peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides…

1
Breaking down Washington's 2024 primary election 23:30

6d ago23:30

23:30

Yesterday, thousands of Washingtonians dug through the pile of mail sitting on their hallway table. They found their primary ballot - maybe even their voter pamphlet - and took time to vote. Congratulations to all who did. Wear that new “I voted” sticker with pride. Because there were a lot of important things to consider in this year’s primary ele…

1
What to know about Covid and the Summer Surge 12:15

6d ago12:15

12:15

Have your friends been canceling on you because they’re sick? Coworkers on prolonged absence because your entire team came down with a bug? Feeling a sniffle yourself lately? This summer, The CDC says more than a dozen states across the US are seeing “very high” spikes in COVID cases. But now that we’re a few years past the pandemic, what’s the res…

1
The Olympics with Cate Blanchett and Joel Kim Booster 1:20:25

6d ago1:20:25

1:20:25

This week, Louis is joined by guest co-host Joel Kim Booster to discuss the most viral Olympic moments, from Simone Biles bowing to Rebecca Andrade to French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati getting beat by his own bulge. Then Louis interviews the one and only Cate Blanchett about her new film Borderlands, prompting a discussion on Cate's unforgettabl…

1
Better, Faster, Farther and the revolutionary impact of women runners 28:24

6d ago28:24

28:24

It’s track and field week at the Paris Olympics. Yesterday, the women’s 800 wrapped up with Keeley Hodgkinson of Great Britain taking the top spot. As exciting as an Olympics track event always is, it didn’t compare with nearly 100 years ago, when women were first allowed to run this race. Then, it was a media frenzy. And not because of the pure aw…

1
Seattle Synchro's small but mighty part in this year's Olympic games 8:45

7d ago8:45

8:45

The Paris 2024 Olympics are in full swing. Tomorrow (Wednesday the 7th) is the final day of competition for the artistic swim teams - better known to many by the sport’s old name: synchronized swimming. This is the first time in 16 years that the American team has qualified for the Olympics. And, two members of that team come from right here, in Se…

1
Voter Turnout and YOU! Elections Officials share their thoughts on the Primary 13:56

7d ago13:56

13:56

It’s primary election day. Over a million Washingtonians have already turned in their ballots. If you’re not one of those early voters, you’re not alone. About 80% of registered voters have opted to wait until the last few hours, if they’re voting at all. Perhaps it’s procrastination; perhaps you plumb forgot. Maybe you just really prefer casting a…

1
Nearly 99% of WA ballots are accepted, what's going on with the 1% that aren't? 14:54

8d ago14:54

14:54

When I say the one percent, what do you think of? Is it the ultrawealthy? A phrase coined during the Occupy Movement? Is it the second wateriest form of milk on the market? This story is about a different group of one percenters, it’s primary election season, after all, and we’re talking about voters who have their ballots rejected in Washington. O…

1
As wildfires burst through, ranchers fight to protect their herds and homes 15:30

8d ago15:30

15:30

Fueled by dry weather and high temperatures, wildfires across the Northwest have now burned more than 1 million acres. On Friday, Governor Jay Inslee declared a statewide emergency to unlock more firefighting resources. As of now, those dozens of fires across Washington and Oregon have put thousands of people under evacuation notice. But for cattle…

1
Seattle City Council's SOAP and SODA Zones, explained 15:32

8d ago15:32

15:32

Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison and Councilmember Cathy Moore say they have a plan to give the city a new tool to help fight drug trafficking and prostitution. Last Thursday they introduced a pair of ordinances that would create a number of “safe zones” in the city -- typically called Stay out of Drug Areas (or SODA) and Stay Out of Areas of Pros…

1
Marisol, Jaramillo's Paper 1:14:59

12d ago1:14:59

1:14:59

Episode No. 665 features curator Cathleen Chaffee and critic Elisabeth Kirsch. Chaffee is the curator of "Marisol: A Retrospective," which is at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery) through January 6, 2025. The exhibition presents work Marisol, sometimes remembered as 'the forgotten star of pop art,' made between the …

1
The Race for District 3: Leslie Lewallen 24:25

12d ago24:25

24:25

We’re headed back to Washington’s 3rd Congressional District – which includes the southwest corner of the state, from Long Beach to Mount Adams, and from Yelm down to Vancouver. It’s expected once again to be the site of one of the closest House races in the country – the Cook political report rates it as one of only 22 “tossup” contests in 2024. D…

1
Amid mergers and layoffs, how is Seattle's theater scene doing? 38:04

13d ago38:04

38:04

There has been an onslaught of news in Seattle’s theater community. Earlier this year, Seattle Rep announced it was laying off the majority of its artistic staff. The non-profit theater’s subscription base is half of what it was before the pandemic. And that isn’t the only change in the theater world: The 5TH Avenue Theatre is shutting down its new…

1
WA race for head of public schools is heating up 12:34

15d ago12:34

12:34

August is right around the corner and that means schools are getting ready for the academic year. While kids are hanging onto a few more weeks of summer, voters are getting ready to determine who will oversee Washington’s public schools. The incumbent, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, is facing some challengers in the primary on …

1
Olympics, Celine Dion, Deadpool & Wolverine, MCU, Presumed Innocent with Zosia Mamet 1:30:59

13d ago1:30:59

1:30:59

Ira and Louis discuss The Olympics Opening Ceremony, the return of Celine Dion, Deadpool & Wolverine, Presumed Innocent, Kamala on Drag Race, “weird” Republicans, and Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Zosia Mamet joins to discuss her new series The Decameron, lasting memories of Girls, and more. Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episode…

1
Tumbleweeds, a Northwest nuisance, are taking home decor by storm 14:29

13d ago14:29

14:29

The scene opens on a dusty street. Weathered wooden buildings with false fronts line either side of the street, as two gunslingers line up at high noon. A lone tumbleweed drifts across the street… which, actually, is the problem we’re here to discuss today. Tumbleweeds, also known as Russian thistle, are an invasive plant here in the United States.…

1
The Columbia River is FULL of Shad! 14:23

14d ago14:23

14:23

For generations, native Chinook salmon have made their spring migration up the Columbia River… But over the past few decades, as their population has dwindled, salmon have been overtaken by a non-native species of fish hailing from the East Coast - THE SHAD. Shad runs now number in the millions, while just about 700 thousand native Chinook make the…

1
"Harris needs to listen to us" - an uncommitted delegate gets ready for the Democratic Convention 18:08

14d ago18:08

18:08

The U.S. presidential race has undergone a big transformation. But has anything changed for Democrats who voted "uncommitted" in Washington state's presidential primary? As the party prepares to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris in a virtual role call vote, an uncommitted delegate says Harris needs to show more separation from President Biden o…

1
As companies run out of training data, regulators want more guardrails for AI 26:16

17d ago26:16

26:16

Each year we can count on the reliable passing of the seasons: the leaves falling in Autumn, winter blooming into spring, and if you’re following tech, the reliable attempt – yet again – at a federal data privacy bill in the U.S. Congress. Back in April, two Washington legislators – Democrat Senator Maria Cantwell and Republican Representative Cath…

1
New city legislation takes aim at street racing 19:52

15d ago19:52

19:52

In a move aimed at curbing street racing, the Seattle City Council recently approved stricter penalties for people who participate in, or are spectators of, the activity. A blog post by the city specifically noted a street racing event from July of last year as an influence on the legislation. Three people were wounded and one was killed during the…

1
O'Keeffe's New York, Rebecca Manson 1:14:41

19d ago1:14:41

1:14:41

Episode No. 664 features curator Sarah Kelly Oehler and artist Rebecca Manson. With Annelise K. Madsen, Oehler is the co-curator of "Georgia O’Keeffe: “My New Yorks." The exhibition spotlights O'Keeffe's paintings of New York City, surrounding them with pictures she made of Lake George and the Southwest. It's at the Art Institute of Chicago through…

1
The Race for Governor: Semi Bird 27:56

20d ago27:56

27:56

There are 28 candidates running for Governor in the August 6th Primary. So, if you’re a Washington voter and feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone. On Soundside we’re keeping it simple. This week we’re interviewing the top 4 candidates in terms of polling and fundraising. So far, we’ve spoken with Dave Reichert, Bob Ferguson, and Mark Mull…

1
The Race for Governor: Bob Ferguson 18:23

19d ago18:23

18:23

All this week we're talking to the top polling candidates running for governor in Washington state. Voters, when you finally crack that August 6th primary ballot envelope open, you will see there are 28 people vying for governor of the Evergreen State, that's a lot so we're talking to the four men who lead the pack in fundraising and polling, and n…

1
The Race for Governor: Mark Mullet 28:03

19d ago28:03

28:03

For the first time in 12 years, there is no incumbent running for Governor in the state. And since Gov. Jay Inslee decided he would not seek a fourth term in office, dozens of candidates have thrown their hat in the ring to replace him. This week I’m talking to the four men who lead the pack in fundraising and polling. Next on the list, Democratic …

1
Kamala Harris, Glen Powell, Twisters, BRAT Summer with Drew Afualo 1:38:33

20d ago1:38:33

1:38:33

Ira and Louis discuss the influx of Kamala Harris memes, Twisters and the rise of Glen Powell, MaXXXine, Presumed Innocent, Bob Newhart, and the return of Big Brother. Drew Afualo joins to discuss meeting Chappell Roan and Beyoncé, why men on the internet suck, and her new memoir Loud. Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusi…

1
Is Kamala Harris a lock for the Democratic nomination? 12:09

20d ago12:09

12:09

Vice President Kamala Harris is quickly gaining momentum as a potential successor for President Joe Biden in November. But there’s still one major event that will define this year’s Democratic campaign: The Democratic National Convention. The convention will take place from August 19-22 in Chicago. President Biden, who clinched his primary victorie…

1
As Harris steps forward, WA congresswoman says racist and sexist tropes won't hold her back 14:50

24d ago14:50

14:50

The political landscape is shifting rapidly this week. Just days after President Biden announced he would not seek re-election, the Democratic party is getting in line behind the Vice President. According to an Associated Press survey, Vice President Kamala Harris has earned enough delegate support to become the Democratic nominee for President. An…

1
The Race for Governor: Dave Reichert 23:25

21d ago23:25

23:25

For the first time in 12 years, the Governor’s race in Washington is wide open, with no incumbent running. Three-term Governor Jay Inslee is stepping aside, and there are four clear frontrunners to replace him. This week we’ll hear from the men vying to replace Governor Inslee, and first up is Dave Reichert. Reichert formerly served as King County …

1
Polls are everywhere. But which ones can you trust? 13:56

22d ago13:56

13:56

Public opinion polling. It’s never been more consequential for the direction of our democracy – or more scrutinized. For weeks, journalists, pundits and politicians have debated the available data on the outcomes of a head-to-head rematch between President Joe Biden and former-President Donald Trump. Those numbers had appeared increasingly troublin…

1
Can Kamala Harris engage American voters this November? 10:27

22d ago10:27

10:27

On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced he would not be running for re-election, and would instead endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. A lot of the news coverage in the last twenty four hours has focused on how party officials from both sides of the aisle are considering the President’s decision to step down from race. But those aren’t the peopl…

1
As President Biden leaves the race, WA State party chairs weigh in 27:51

22d ago27:51

27:51

Vice President Kamala Harris is headed to visit campaign staff in Wilmington, Delaware this afternoon. This of course, comes as she works to consolidate Democratic support for her abbreviated campaign for the party’s presidential nomination. It once seemed beyond the realm of possibility that President Biden would leave the campaign stage. For week…

1
How are Washington Republicans showing up at the RNC in Milwaukee? 19:27

26d ago19:27

19:27

Last night in Milwaukee, Ohio senator J.D. Vance accepted the Republican nomination for Vice President of the United States and took his place as former President Donald Trump’s running mate. Vance’s first convention speech possibly - maybe - upstaged the cameo earlier in the night from Babydog, a rotund bulldog owned by West Virginia Governor Jim …

1
Jeremy Frey, Eastman Johnson 1:09:25

26d ago1:09:25

1:09:25

Episode No. 663 features artist Jeremy Frey and curator Sarah Humphreville. The Portland Museum of Art is presenting "Jeremy Frey: Woven," a twenty-year survey of Frey's basketry and printmaking. The exhibition features more than fifty baskets made from natural materials such as black ash and sweetgrass, as well as prints and video. The exhibition …

1
The Race for District 3: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez 25:38

26d ago25:38

25:38

Washington’s 3rd Congressional District covers the southwest corner of the state, from Long Beach to Mount Adams, and from Yelm down to Vancouver. It’s also the home of one of the most fiercely contested congressional seats in the entire country. In 2022, Republican challenger Joe Kent defeated incumbent Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler in the …

1
Hear it Again: Exploring Seward Park with naturalist Ed Dominguez 5:35

26d ago5:35

5:35

To round out today's show, we're going to meet someone who spends nearly all of his time proudly showing off our little corner of the Pacific Northwest. As the lead naturalist for the Seward Park Audubon Center, Ed Domiguez teaches park visitors about local birds, and animals, along with plants and everything in between. Soundside producer Jason Bu…

1
King County launches 100 day effort to confront gun violence 16:35

27d ago16:35

16:35

King County is in the midst of a coordinated effort to confront gun violence. Late last week, the county announced a 100-day initiative to combat shootings in the area. Gun violence is a national issue, and it’s the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, surpassing traffic collisions in 2020, and last month U.S. Surgeon…

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