Best Town Hall Seattle Podcasts (2024)

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393. Rob Sheffield: An Era Like No Other — How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music 1:08:31

11d ago1:08:31

1:08:31

Throughout her storied career, Taylor Swift has kept her name in the news with chart-topping hits, aesthetic reinvention, and nonstop global influence. Over the years and across the genres, die-hard fans and scholars alike have chronicled the cultural phenomenon that is Taylor Swift. And long story short, pop music expert and self-described Taylor …

1
392. Opening Doors to the Outdoors: Inclusivity in Climbing 1:01:08

13d ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Access to the outdoors is a basic human need—from the granite under our feet during adventures or simply a breath of fresh air. Yet, that access isn’t equal. In the U.S., more than one in three people lack access to a park within a 10-minute walk of home, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities. The outdoor and climbing industries …

1
391. Alison Fensterstock with Emily Fox and Rachel Flotard: How Women Made Music — A Revolutionary History 1:22:13

14d ago1:22:13

1:22:13

Celebrate women who rock in a discussion with the hosts of NPR music’s series Turning the Tables as they share their new book How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music. Uncovering the role women have played in shaping the music industry, editor Alison Fensterstock brings long-overdue recognition to female artists, challenging tra…

1
390. Trimpin in Discussion with Gary Faigin: The Sound of Invention 51:29

15d ago51:29

51:29

Combining digital technology with everyday salvaged materials, sculptor and composer Trimpin has invented ways of playing everything from giant marimbas to a 60-foot stack of guitars using MIDI commands. Taking inspiration equally from junkyards, museums, and concert halls, Trimpin creates eccentric and interactive instruments from found materials,…

1
241. Gary F. Marcus with Ted Chiang How to Make AI Work for Us (And Not the Other Way Around) 1:26:17

1M ago1:26:17

1:26:17

Artificial intelligence is an actively surging field in today’s digital landscape, and as each new AI interface reaches the public it throws into sharper resolution that all the big tech players are getting involved. And quickly. But where are the roots of this rapidly expanding industry’s interests? How does AI impact individuals, established indu…

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240. Amorina Kingdon: Sing Like Fish – How Sound Rules Life Underwater 1:03:14

1M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

The ocean has proven endlessly mysterious and fascinating to all manner of people across the globe, but for centuries true knowledge of the depths was simply out of reach. As modern technologies advance, science has debunked much once held to be true – including the idea of the “silent world” of the ocean. What was once thought to be a muffled mari…

1
389. Tonya Lockyer with Jackson Cooper: Navigating Creative Administration — With Advice from Firsthand Accounts 51:08

1M ago51:08

51:08

When we think about consuming art, whether reading a book, visiting a museum, or maybe watching an outdoor performance act, we rarely consider the administrative efforts that go into making art possible. Creative administration is an evolving field that considers the innovation and organizational management necessary to create and present art. Arti…

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388. Nathan Myhrvold with Bethany Jean Clement: Modernist Bread at Home 1:14:46

1M ago1:14:46

1:14:46

Join Modernist Cuisine founder and author Nathan Myhrvold to explore one of the world’s most beloved (and occasionally controversial) foods: bread. In this conversation that’s sure to be like naan other, Myhrvold will discuss his new book, Modernist Bread at Home, and why now is the perfect time to rise to the occasion and start making bread in you…

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378. Mariana Chilton with Agueda Pacheco Flores: Rethinking What We Know About Hunger in America 1:23:57

1M ago1:23:57

1:23:57

In America today, reports show that food insecurity is a pressing issue for over 35 million people. With rising grocery prices, inflation, and the lasting impacts of the pandemic—understanding the complexities of hunger has never been more imperative. Mariana Chilton explores this issue in the book, The Painful Truth about Hunger in America: Why We…

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387. André Aciman with Marcie Sillman: Coming of Age in The Eternal City — A New Book by the Author of "Call Me by Your Name" 1:06:09

1M ago1:06:09

1:06:09

The city of Rome is a legacy locale in countless areas of history and culture. For teenage refugee André Aciman, Rome was also a source of life-changing challenges, charms, and connections that would have a place in his heart for years to come. In his upcoming book Roman Year: A Memoir, Aciman recounts the ways his family adapted to the harsh reali…

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386. Tui T. Sutherland with Ben Clanton: Wings of Fire – The Dragonet Prophecy 59:56

1M ago59:56

59:56

Join us for an exciting event with Tui T. Sutherland, the bestselling author behind the #1 New York Times and USA Today series Wings of Fire. Sutherland discusses the limited edition release of The Dragonet Prophecy, the first book in the series, offering insights into the world of dragons and the captivating characters that have enchanted readers …

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385. Louise Erdrich with Karen Russell: Dark Realities and Glimmering Hopes in the Red River Valley 1:08:26

2M ago1:08:26

1:08:26

Can you see the shape of your soul in the everchanging clouds? Your personal salvation in the giant expanse of sky? For the ensemble cast of characters that make up the prairie community at the heart of The Mighty Red, existential questions are constantly close to the surface. In her newest novel, author Louise Erdrich immerses readers in the Red R…

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377. Casey Michel with Katy Pearce: A Danger to Democracy 1:09:13

2M ago1:09:13

1:09:13

If there is one thing on our collective minds these days, it is the issue of politics. But for all the interest it piques, much of it remains a mystery to the American public. Bestselling author and journalist Casey Michel, who tackled the problem of financial corruption in his first book American Kleptocracy, sheds light on an issue that may be un…

1
376. Paul Pierson with Megan Ming Francis: Partisan Nation 1:00:45

2M ago1:00:45

1:00:45

Professor of Political Science Paul Pierson, discusses his new book Partisan Nation. Co-authored with Eric Schickler, this book explores the roots of America’s democratic crisis, highlighting how the mismatch between the Constitution and today’s nationalized, partisan politics has destabilized American democracy. Pierson offers a fresh perspective …

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284. Eva Walker and Jacob Uitti with Molly Sides, Jimmy James, Evan Flory-Barnes, and Marco Collins: The Sound of Seattle 1:10:11

2M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

What connects Seattle with Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Kenny G? How about the Melvins, Sleater-Kinney, and Foo Fighters? And Sir Mix-a-Lot, Macklemore, and Travis Thompson? If you don’t know, KEXP DJ and musician Eva Walker and music writer Jake Uitti can tell you. Walker and Uitti have created a timeline of Seattle’s music evolution through the…

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283. Edward Burns with Katy Sewall: A Kid from Marlboro Road 1:11:44

2M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

Edward Burns is known for his work as an actor and filmmaker, and now he’s debuting his novel-writing skills in A Kid from Marlboro Road. Set in the 1970s, his novel follows an Irish-American family living on Long Island––elements inspired by Burns’s own childhood. This coming-of-age tale explores the impacts of family history, the growing independ…

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282. Sahaj Kohli with Ruchika T. Malhotra: When Mental Health, Family, & Culture Intersect 1:02:46

2M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

As the daughter of immigrants, Sahaj Kaur Kohli grew up understanding what it means to straddle multiple cultures at once. She wrestled with questions like what it meant to forge one’s path, establishing personal values while embracing one’s origins; if prioritizing mental health meant a rejection of culture; how to set boundaries and engage in sel…

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281. Inspired Natives®: Celebrate Native Art, Culture, and Food 1:26:07

2M ago1:26:07

1:26:07

Celebrate Native art and culture with Eighth Generation’s Inspired Natives Artists. Learn why supporting Native-designed products and art is crucial, and how your support fosters Native prosperity while combating cultural appropriation. Panelists: Founder of OXDX, Jared Yazzie (Navajo/Diné) is a self-taught graphic artist, entrepreneur, and designe…

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280. David Yeager with Tricia Raikes: The Science of Speaking to Young People 1:15:59

2M ago1:15:59

1:15:59

Imagine a world in which Gen Xers, millennials, and boomers interact with young people in ways that leave them feeling inspired, enthusiastic, and ready to contribute—rather than disengaged, outraged, or overwhelmed. That world may be closer than you think. In his new book, 10-to-25: The Science of Motivating Young People, psychologist David Yeager…

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279. Khushbu Shah with J. Kenji López-Alt: Culture & Cuisine 1:02:30

2M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

What is Indian food in America? The country’s identity as a melting pot makes for a diverse tapestry of flavors, but that doesn’t always equate to easily being able to identify one’s place in the culinary landscape. In her debut cookbook Amrikan: 125 Recipes From the Indian Diaspora, acclaimed Food & Wine writer and editor Khushbu Shah presents ins…

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278. Jesmyn Ward with Ijeoma Oluo: Let Us Descend 1:18:32

2M ago1:18:32

1:18:32

Jesmyn Ward, the two-time National Book Award winner, has returned with a new novel about an enslaved girl in the years before the Civil War. Let Us Descend, an Oprah’s Book Club pick, describes a journey from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the slave markets of New Orleans and into the heart of a Louisiana sugar plantation. In Let Us Descend (…

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239. Lynne Peeples with Bill Radke: Shining New Light on Our Rest and Routines 1:02:00

3M ago1:02:00

1:02:00

Whether it’s staying up late in front of the screens or waking up before dawn for that early morning flight – it’s easy to tell when something big has thrown off our routines. But what about the little things that add up over the course of a day, a week, or our lives overall? How do small adjustments to our daily practices affect our long-term rela…

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375. Nate Silver with Clayton Aldern: On the Edge 1:07:18

3M ago1:07:18

1:07:18

What can professional risk-takers — poker players and hedge fund managers, crypto true believers and blue-chip art collectors— teach us much about navigating the uncertainty of the twenty-first century? In the bestselling The Signal and the Noise, statistician Nate Silver showed how forecasting would define the age of Big Data. Now, in his timely a…

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238. Aram Sinnreich and Jesse Gilbert with Daniela Rosner: The Secret Life of Data 1:16:05

3M ago1:16:05

1:16:05

With tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle will be instrumental in the future of data and its effects on society. What are the long-term consequences of humanity’s recent rush toward digitizing, storing, and analyzing every piece of data about ourselves and the world we live in? How will data surveillance, digital forensics, and AI pose…

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277. Marisel Salazar with Agueda Pacheco Flores: Latin-ish — Bold Flavors that Break Boundaries 1:03:43

3M ago1:03:43

1:03:43

Dynamic dishes, rich backgrounds, and a legacy of flavor are all on the menu in Marisel Salazar’s debut cookbook Latin-ish: More Than 100 Recipes Celebrating American Latino Cuisines. Building on her heritage with years of research and travel, Salazar takes fellow cooks and food enthusiasts on a flavor-packed journey through the Latine diaspora. Th…

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374. David Orr: Reforming Democracy for a Warming World — Pathways to Thriving in a Post-Fossil Fuel Era 1:08:59

3M ago1:08:59

1:08:59

Democracy in a Hotter Time calls for reforming democratic institutions as a prerequisite for avoiding climate chaos and adapting governance to how Earth works as a physical system. To survive in the “long emergency” ahead, the book suggests ways to reform and strengthen democratic institutions, making them assets rather than liabilities. Edited by …

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373. Robert Merry: How Massachusetts and South Carolina Led the Way to Civil War 57:59

3M ago57:59

57:59

In his new book, Decade of Disunion, Robert W. Merry explores the critical lessons from the 1850s when the United States faced a growing crisis over slavery. The Mexican War’s vast new territories sparked debates on expanding slavery, clashing with the 1820 Missouri Compromise. Key events such as the Compromise of 1850, the 1854 repeal of the Misso…

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372. Sasha Abramsky: The Far-Right Takeover of Small-Town America 1:10:32

3M ago1:10:32

1:10:32

Sequim––a quiet, coastal community just a couple hours away from Seattle––may seem like an unlikely microcosm for the rise of far-right politics. And yet, political journalist Sasha Abramsky has closely followed small-town communities, including Sequim, and argues that places like these have directly influenced current national politics. How could …

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276. Daniel J. Levitin with Brian Nova and Marc McKennon: Music, Healing, and Human Biology 1:09:03

3M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

Have you ever thought about music not just as entertaining, but as something healing? Research suggests that the benefits of music can go beyond just jamming to catchy tunes. Neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author of This Is Your Brain on Music Daniel J. Levitin explores this idea in his new book, I Heard There was a Secret Chord: Mu…

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275. Anna Marie Tendler with Jen Soriano: Men Have Called Her Crazy — A Literary Self-Portrait 1:08:36

3M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

In early 2021, popular artist Anna Marie Tendler checked herself into a psychiatric hospital following a year of crippling anxiety, depression, and self-harm. Over two weeks, she underwent myriad psychological tests, participated in numerous therapy sessions, connected with fellow patients, and experienced profound breakthroughs, such as when a doc…

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274. Big River: Resilience & Renewal in the Columbia Basin 1:15:09

3M ago1:15:09

1:15:09

Here in Washington State, we are surrounded by a vast landscape of natural resources. When you are enjoying the outdoors, do you ever wonder about the state of these resources or the role that we play in their preservation? Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin is a new book-in-progress and visual storytelling campaign exploring t…

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371. Aziz Rana with Michael Hardt and Jaleh Mansoor: The Constitutional Bind 1:30:47

3M ago1:30:47

1:30:47

Some Americans fear the Federal Constitution falls short in addressing democratic threats, yet it’s long been revered for its ideals of liberty and equality. Join us at Town Hall Seattle for a discussion with Aziz Rana, Michael Hardt, and Jaleh Mansoor about Rana’s book, The Constitutional Bind, exploring how this flawed document gained mythic stat…

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370. Nora Kenworthy with Marcus Harrison Green: The True Costs of Crowdfunding 59:30

3M ago59:30

59:30

Over the past decade, charitable crowdfunding has exploded in popularity across the globe. Sites such as GoFundMe, which now boasts a “global community of over 100 million” users, have transformed the ways we seek and offer help. When faced with crises—especially medical ones—Americans are turning to online platforms that promise to connect them to…

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237. Lawrence Ingrassia with Robert Merry: A Lethal Legacy — Genetic Predisposition to Cancer 1:02:45

4M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

One instance of grief can be difficult enough to cope with, but for Lawrence Ingrassia, losing multiple family members was not only devastating but perplexing. Typical discussions surrounding inheritance may include heirlooms or estates — not rare tumors in the cheeks of toddlers, as was the case for Ingrassia’s two-year-old nephew. After he lost h…

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273. Reagan Jackson with Quenton Baker and Bettina Judd: Exploring Seattle's Evolution 57:31

3M ago57:31

57:31

What does it mean to bear witness to a city in flux, where the echoes of inequality, gentrification, and community resistance reverberate through its streets? Author and activist Reagan Jackson’s collection of essays, Still True, poses this question and chronicles her journey into the world of journalism. Equal parts personal testament, structural …

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369. Natalie Foster with Angela Garbes: Freedom Within the Free Market 55:09

3M ago55:09

55:09

Government-backed guarantees, from bailouts to bankruptcy protection, help keep the private sector in business in our nation’s economic system. What if the same were true not only for businesses but for individuals as well? In her new book The Guarantee: Inside the Fight for America’s Next Economy, Natalie Foster, co-founder and president of the Ec…

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368. Anna Zivarts with Barb Chamberlain and Tanisha Sepúlveda: Driving Change — Navigating Mobility for All 59:39

3M ago59:39

59:39

Traffic, parking, gas prices, miles per gallon- many casual concerns might enter your mind when you get into your car and go out into the world. But what happens when your concerns are not casual but constant, and they start with figuring out whether you can even access where you’re trying to go in the first place? One-third of people living in the…

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272. Nicholas D. Kristof with Timothy Egan: A Journey Through Journalism 1:17:23

3M ago1:17:23

1:17:23

Headlines from around the world flash on our television screens and appear on our newsfeeds, but we don’t always know what life is like for journalists who often risk their lives to deliver the news. New York Times columnist, Pulitzer Prize winner, and bestselling author Nicholas D. Kristof has penned a memoir, Chasing Hope: A Reporter’s Life about…

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236. Zoë Schlanger with Brooke Jarvis: The Light Eaters 1:03:54

4M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Did you know that plants can hear sounds? And have a social life? Science writer Zoë Schlanger shares even more remarkable plant talents in her latest book, The Light Eaters, illustrating the tremendous biological creativity it takes to be a plant. To survive and thrive while rooted in a single spot, plants have adapted ingenious methods of surviva…

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271. Sebastian Junger: Musings on Mortality 1:01:08

4M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

When given the option, most people will go out of their way to avoid risking life and limb. However, the world is full of people who face untold dangers daily, by circumstance or by choice, and walk through life with a greater understanding of death than many possess. After a career as a war reporter and examiner of dangerous occupations, Sebastian…

1
270. Miranda July with Laurie Frankel: A Novel of Alluring Adventure 1:03:33

4M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

You’re planning a road trip — you’ve got snacks, you’ve got directions from Los Angeles to New York, and you’ve got a deep sense of curiosity and longing as the home you know fades quickly into your rearview mirror. For the forty-five year old artist at the heart of Miranda July’s All Fours, the pull towards the unknown proves a little too tempting…

1
367. Loretta Napoleoni with Ross Reynolds: The Rise of the New Robber Barons 54:51

4M ago54:51

54:51

Technology pioneers like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft (to name a few) are woven into the fabric of Seattle’s economy. Yet, on a day-to-day basis, how much do you think about what these techno giants mean for the future of our world? With such enormous amounts of influence and money, how are these powers shaping our world today? Economist and journa…

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269. Julian Randall with Ally Ang: Past, Present, and Prevail 45:41

4M ago45:41

45:41

Many of us have sought information about our family history, trying to solve those unanswered questions about our predecessors. In the quest for truths about others through examining their lives and lineage, we may also find truths about ourselves in the process. In his latest release and nonfiction debut, The Dead Don’t Need Reminding: In Search o…

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235. Elaine Lin Hering with Ruchika Tulshyan: Learning to Speak Up in a World That Wants You to Stay Quiet 59:16

4M ago59:16

59:16

Can you think of occasions where you wanted to say something, but couldn’t? Perhaps you stopped yourself out of fear, or due to outside pressures. Having a seat at the table doesn’t necessarily mean that your voice is welcome. A new book is aiming to examine the influence of silence and offer ways that we can begin to dismantle it to find our voice…

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366. Michael Sheldrick with Paulin Basinga: From Ideas to Impact — Harnessing Pop Culture for Social Justice 1:07:13

4M ago1:07:13

1:07:13

In April 2020, when the world was in the early months of COVID-19, you may remember the televised concert that Lady Gaga hosted called “One World: Together At Home.” This star-studded show was put together by Global Citizen, an international social justice organization that used the program to promote and support healthcare workers and the World He…

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268. Ruth Dickey with Rebecca Hoogs: Our Hollowness Sings — Poetry Celebrating Resilience 45:44

4M ago45:44

45:44

Our Hollowness Sings by Ruth Dickey explores human brokenness, navigating themes of loss, grief, and the quest for healing. Through seasons of profound absence, particularly the loss of her mother, Dickey crafts a poetic journey tethered to the earth, transforming grief into affirmations and blessings. The collection celebrates the human spirit’s r…

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267. Alua Arthur with Rebecca Crichton: A Friend At the End of the World 1:00:11

4M ago1:00:11

1:00:11

When it comes to our own mortality, one big thing that we all share is that we absolutely have to face it and most of us have no idea how to begin. Through her work as a death doula, Alua Arthur has honed the skills to aid others in navigating these uncertain seas- from the many logistics within end-of-life care to the often unpredictable cravings …

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266. Hanif Abdurraqib: Reflections on Basketball, Life, and Home 1:28:41

4M ago1:28:41

1:28:41

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, in the 1990s, Hanif Abdurraqib witnessed a golden era of basketball, one in which legends like LeBron James were forged and countless others weren’t. In his new book, There’s Always This Year, Abdurraqib tells his story of a lifelong love of the game with a lyrical, historical, and emotionally rich exploration of who w…

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234. Anjali Nayar and Dr. Sean Gibbons: Hack Your Health — The Secrets of Your Gut 57:37

4M ago57:37

57:37

Your gut microbiome consists of trillions of microbiota and is a critical health determinant, affecting your immune system, mood, energy level, and much more. As a scientific field, microbiome research is new to the scene, but the intricate relationship between our gut and our overall health is clear – and getting clearer. In April, Netflix started…

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265. Cory Richards with Marcus Harrison Green: A Climber's Quest for Heights and Healing 58:35

4M ago58:35

58:35

Growing up in the mountains of Utah, Cory Richards was constantly surrounded by the outdoors and was taught how to ski, climb, mountaineer, and survive in the wild. Despite a seemingly idyllic childhood, the Richards home was fraught with violence, grief, and mental illness. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and dropping out of high schoo…

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