Best Grace McRae Podcasts (2024)

1
Ted Kennedy Watson on design, hosting & his iconic Seattle stores 48:37

4M ago48:37

48:37

In this episode, we get to know Ted Kennedy Watson! Ted is a designer, curator, businessman, and author, and he owns and runs two iconic stores in downtown Seattle: Watson Kennedy Fine Living and Watson Kennedy Fine Home. Join us to hear how Ted got his start in the design and retail world (hint: it involves Bill Gates) and how he has managed to ke…

1
Seth Zuckerman on all things forests & his new book A Forest of Your Own 28:25

6M ago28:25

28:25

In this episode, we meet Seth Zuckerman, an islander who co-authored the exciting new book A Forest of Your Own: The Pacific Northwest Handbook of Ecological Forestry. Seth and co-author Kirk Hanson have developed the first comprehensive how-to guide for forest stewards and enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest, lending their decades of experience a…

1
Odin Lonning on his Tlingit art, respect for nature & leaning into teaching 46:53

12M ago46:53

46:53

In this episode, we sit down with Odin Lonning! Odin is a prolific and award-winning Tlingit artist based here on Vashon Island. Born and raised in Alaska, Odin has a deep knowledge of and relationship with the natural world that is reflected and celebrated in his art. With his wife Ann Stateler, who many of us know as Orca Annie, Odin is a tireles…

1
Don & Charlotte Stuart on "No Farms, No Food", murder mysteries & walks for inspiration 39:50

1+ y ago39:50

39:50

Meet Don and Charlotte Stuart! Don is a respected advocate for the economic, environmental, and political sustainability of farms and fisheries, and he recently published No Farms, No Food: Uniting Farmers and Environmentalists to Transform American Agriculture. Don also directed the American Farmland Trust’s Pacific Northwest Regional Office for o…

1
Manny Chao from Georgetown Brewing Company on persistence, relationships & Manny's Pale Ale 31:54

1+ y ago31:54

31:54

In this new episode, we get to know Manny Chao of Georgetown Brewing Company! Yes, our fellow islander Manny is the man behind Manny's Pale Ale, the iconic Seattle beer. Join us to learn about Manny's childhood in Spain and beyond, how he fell in love with beer while trying to impress a date during college, and the persistence it took to land his f…

1
Emily Wigley on six years of Orca Eats food truck, running a socially-minded business, and retirement 31:03

2y ago31:03

31:03

In this episode, we get to know Emily Wigley! Emily is the woman behind the beloved Orca Eats food truck. As Emily enters retirement, she sits down to reflect on what it was like to run this popular business for the last six years. Join us to hear how Emily’s teenage job taught her how food service can also be community service, and how she has put…

1
Ann McLaughlin on her book "World Change-Maker", making positive impacts, and stories from around the world 43:39

2y ago43:39

43:39

In this episode, we chat with Ann McLaughlin! Ann recently published the book "World Change-Maker: Build Skills in International Development and Social Work", which is designed as a guidebook to help people looking to volunteer or work internationally. But, as we discuss in the interview, the book offers value for anyone hoping to make a positive i…

1
Tara Morgan on becoming a traveling barber during the pandemic, being a solopreneur & supporting inclusion in rowing 54:28

2y ago54:28

54:28

In this week's episode, we chat with Tara Morgan of C'Mon Barber! During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a simple request from a neighbor led Tara to her new passion and business venture. After finishing barber school, Tara launched a mobile barbershop in June 2021, biking or driving to islanders to cut, groom, and style their hair in the comf…

1
Dr. Jim Bristow on Vashon's remarkable response to COVID, and his journey to medicine & genomics 33:12

2+ y ago33:12

33:12

Join us to get to know Dr. Jim Bristow! Many of us on Vashon Island know Dr. Bristow from his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic; he is part of a core team of volunteer medical professionals who have worked tirelessly to keep Vashon safe and informed. But what you might not know is that Dr. Bristow is a semi-retired physician-scientist who pra…

1
Amy Carey on how orcas led her to advocacy & living out her Doctor Dolittle dreams 43:31

3y ago43:31

43:31

In this episode, we get to know Amy Carey! As the Executive Director of Sound Action, Amy helps to protect vital nearshore habitat and species -- including wild salmon and orca -- across the Puget Sound region. Amy is well known for her local expertise in animals and wildlife, and she is also behind the Pod Blast, a subscription alert system provid…

1
Captain Marsha Morse on life as a ferry captain & her front row seat to Puget Sound 37:25

3y ago37:25

37:25

In this episode, Grace sits down with Captain Marsha Morse, one of the most experienced ferry captains in Washington State. Captain Morse was one of the very first women to be hired by Washington State Ferries, working her way up from an entry-level position in the 70s. Join us to hear how it was Captain Morse’s horse that led her both to Vashon Is…

1
Kate Dowling on what it's like to run a radio station (& her international love story!) 33:49

3y ago33:49

33:49

Inspired Island is back after a long hiatus!! In this episode, we sit down with Kate Dowling. As Executive Director of Voice of Vashon, Kate manages the day-to-day operations of our beloved community radio station. Kate’s story takes us across the world, from her childhood in Canada, to adventures in Europe as an au pair, to San Antonio, to traveli…

1
Captain Joe Wubbold on his Coast Guard career, Vashon's lighthouse & pursuing passions in retirement 53:22

4+ y ago53:22

53:22

After a winter hiatus, we're back with an exciting new interview! Captain Joe Wubbold is well-known on Vashon for being a guardian, historian, and educator for our historic Point Robinson lighthouse. Captain Joe had a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Coast Guard, where he commanded six different ships and served as Chief of Operations fo…

1
Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma on travel, finding beauty in words & yurt living 42:23

5y ago42:23

42:23

In this episode, we meet Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma! Tom is married to last week's guest, David Mielke, and together they are preparing to premiere their show, "Gaybaret: An Offering of Story and Song" on November 22 at Vashon Center for the Arts. Tom is an author, poet, translator, teacher, magician, and musician. His first book of poems, The Safety …

1
David Mielke on professional acting, "Gaybaret", & the teacher who changed his life 55:17

5y ago55:17

55:17

In this episode, we meet David Mielke! David and his husband Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma are performing their original show "Gaybaret" at Vashon Center for the Arts from November 22 to 24, 2019. David is a professional actor, having appeared in both film and television and creating and performing one-person shows. Join us to hear how one amazing teache…

1
Israel & Sue Shotridge on sharing native Tlingit culture through art 59:43

5y ago59:43

59:43

In this episode, we meet Israel and Sue Shotridge! You may know Sue and Israel as owners of the Raven's Nest gallery here on Vashon Island. Israel is a celebrated Tlingit artist and master carver, and Sue manages their businesses. Join us to hear how Sue and Israel fell in love, and how Israel's mother's passion for preserving the Tlingit language …

1
Bruce Haulman on studying Vashon's past and present 56:38

5y ago56:38

56:38

In this episode, we meet Bruce Haulman! As a historian and educator, Bruce has spent years digging into Vashon's history - from prehistoric time to today. Bruce has authored many publications, including the popular book "A Brief History of Vashon Island." But Bruce doesn't only study Vashon's past; he's very involved in our community here and now. …

1
Joseph Bogaard on saving wild salmon in the PNW & his journey to advocacy 48:27

5y ago48:27

48:27

In this episode, we meet Joseph Bogaard! As the Executive Director of the Save Our Wild Salmon coalition, Joseph advocates to restore a healthy wild salmon population in the Pacific Northwest. Doing so is not only important for economic and cultural reasons, but we also need more salmon to feed the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Wha…

1
Maridee Bonadea on following passions, the life of an advocate & being LGBTQ on Vashon Island 29:37

5y ago29:37

29:37

In this episode, we meet Maridee Bonadea! Maridee is a mover and shaker behind the scenes at the Vashon Heritage Museum’s exhibit “IN AND OUT: Being LGBTQ on Vashon Island” (through March 2020) and the "Queer Film Festival" she's been putting together. Maridee grew up in a military family, but found herself drawn to the world of social activism at …

1
Gib Dammann on growing up behind a frat house, solar power & reducing waste 55:44

5y ago55:44

55:44

In this episode, we meet Gib Dammann of Zero Waste Vashon! Gib is a professional architect with a passion for reducing waste on Vashon. Gib is a co-founder and current president of Zero Waste Vashon, a group working to make the island a model green community. Gib shares stories from his childhood growing up behind a UVA fraternity house and how he …

1
Robin Pollard on becoming a coffee roaster & wine maker, and launching Pollard Coffee 22:16

5y ago22:16

22:16

Robin Pollard is the woman behind Vashon's newest cafè, Pollard Coffee. Robin spent many years promoting Washington's tourism and wine industries, serving as the state's tourism director and then executive director of the Washington State Wine Commission. But having grown up on a farm in Iowa, Robin found herself yearning to grow something of her o…

1
Jeff Hoyt on finding a career using his voice & his love for radio 37:01

5+ y ago37:01

37:01

This week, we get to know Jeff Hoyt! Voice of Vashon listeners know Jeff as co-host of the Morning Scramble on Thursdays and also from the popular Hoytus Interruptus. But what you might not know is that Jeff is a top-tier voice actor who is heard by people around the world! Jeff's voice can be heard in radio and television ads, web videos, films, o…

1
Michael Meade on how storytelling saved his life & using myths to understand our world 48:19

5+ y ago48:19

48:19

In this episode, we meet Vashon’s resident philosopher and mythologist Michael Meade! Michael is a renowned storyteller and author, tapping into ancient myths and ancestral sources of wisdom to help us see the world today. Michael is the founder of Mosaic Voices, a nonprofit that is dedicated to community healing by supporting and educating at-risk…

1
Stacey Hinden on the Vashon Wilderness Program & how we all benefit from connecting with nature 37:15

5+ y ago37:15

37:15

In this episode, we meet Stacey Hinden! As director of the Vashon Wilderness Program, Stacey is passionate about connecting people to the natural world and to themselves. A native New Yorker, Stacey describes what it was like to move from the Big Apple to Vashon Island. When she arrived here, Stacey was inspired by a program once run by the Wildern…

1
Chris Ballew on rising to fame with Presidents (the band) & finding his true path 44:15

5+ y ago44:15

44:15

You may remember Chris Ballew as lead singer and songwriter of the popular band Presidents of the United States of America, whose hits "Lump," "Peaches," and "Kitty" climbed to the top of national music charts. But these days, Chris is making and performing music for kids and their parents under the pseudonym "Caspar Babypants." Host Grace McRae ch…

1
Chef Lia Lira on the NYC culinary scene, being on "Top Chef" & story behind Bramble House 48:17

5+ y ago48:17

48:17

In this episode, we meet Chef Lia Lira of Bramble House! Lia spent much of her childhood on Vashon Island, before launching an impressive culinary career that has taken her around the world. Join us to hear how Chef Lia advanced quickly in the New York City culinary scene, what she thought about being a contestant on the television show “Top Chef”,…

1
Matt Lawrence on turning his passion project into Camp Colvos Brewing 29:57

5+ y ago29:57

29:57

In this episode, we meet Matt Lawrence of Camp Colvos Brewing! After years of experimenting brewing beer at home, Matt recently opened Camp Colvos with the help of some talented friends. While Matt already had a day job, his love for beer gave him the drive to pursue this all-consuming passion project. And since opening the Campsite taproom this pa…

1
Tina Shattuck on celebrating & connecting women on Vashon Island and beyond 30:52

5+ y ago30:52

30:52

On this episode, we meet Tina Shattuck! Tina is passionate about celebrating and connecting women and girls here on Vashon Island and beyond. Her new venture, Women Hold the Key, provides a way for women to recognize other women in their local and global community. Join host Grace McRae to hear how motherhood inspired Tina to redirect her career pa…

1
Chris Austin on breaking up with dentistry & his love for cycling and making you laugh 40:31

5+ y ago40:31

40:31

In this episode, we get to know Chris Austin! You may know Chris from Voice of Vashon’s The Mostly True Radio Show, where he and cohost Anneli Fogt share hilarious news stories and jokes every Sunday afternoon. But what you may not know is that Chris started his career as a dentist! When he realized that dentistry no longer inspired him, Chris kick…

1
Susan McCabe on storytelling, radio & why Vashon Island is a haven for creative people 27:54

5+ y ago27:54

27:54

This episode, Grace sits down with Susan McCabe! For many listeners of KVSH, Susan needs no introduction. For the past five years, Susan was Voice of Vashon’s Station Manager – and she’s been involved with VoV since its early days. Join us to learn how Susan’s passion for storytelling started early — and involved worms — how she first got involved …

1
Geoff Fletcher on his love for tech and education & being president of Vashon Island Pet Protectors 31:01

5+ y ago31:01

31:01

In this episode, we get to know the dynamic Geoff Fletcher! Geoff is an educator whose career has included classroom teaching, shaping technology and curriculum for Texas’ public schools, and being editor of two technology publications. These days, Geoff donates his time and expertise to the Vashon community in many ways, including serving as Presi…

1
Truman O'Brien on flying -- from his father's ranch to Alaska Airlines! 28:26

5+ y ago28:26

28:26

In this episode, we meet pilot Truman O’Brien! When an employee on his father’s ranch in Montana offered to teach Truman to fly a small plane, he didn’t know it would lead to a lifelong passion for the skies. After college, Truman worked as an educator (including on Vashon in the 70s!) but made the surprising decision to become a commercial pilot a…

1
Jason Staczek on making music & composing film scores 33:23

5+ y ago33:23

33:23

In this episode, we meet the multi-talented musician Jason Staczek. Jason tells us how a seventh-grade music teacher in Miami sparked his interest in music, and how he finally decided to pursue a career in music after studying physics at the University of Michigan. Tune in to hear about Jason‘s journey from touring with a band in his twenties to hi…

1
Ray Pfortner on how working at the EPA ultimately led him to professional photography 40:42

5+ y ago40:42

40:42

In this episode, Grace sits down with legendary photographer Ray Pfortner. Ray has worked in the world of professional photography for over 20 years and knows the industry inside and out. Ray describes how he first got into photography, his unconventional career path, and the stories behind some of his most iconic photographs. They also chat about …

1
Wendy Dahl on helping people build stronger relationships with their pets 31:13

5+ y ago31:13

31:13

In this episode, Wendy Dahl joins us to talk about her passion for helping people better understand their furry family members! At Dahl Animal Behavior and Massage, Wendy works with people and their pets all around Vashon Island and beyond. Wendy will discuss how her love for animals started in childhood, and how she follows her passion in both her…

1
Chef Dave Hatfield on moving to Vashon to run Pink Tractor Farm & taking "farm-to-table" to the next level 28:42

5+ y ago28:42

28:42

In this episode, we get to know Dave Hatfield of the Pink Tractor Farm! Dave has worked as a professional chef for over 20 years, but he often struggled to find fresh, high-quality ingredients. When the recession hit, Dave started growing vegetables in his front yard for the restaurant he was running in Bend, Oregon. He soon realized that these veg…

1
Laura Cherry of Dragon's Head Cider on growing apples, making cider & launching a business from Vashon Island 17:15

5+ y ago17:15

17:15

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Cherry of Dragon’s Head Cider to hear how she turned a passion for cider into a successful business! In 2010, Laura and her husband Wes moved to the island with the dream of starting a cidery. Laura did not have any prior experience in the beverage industry, but she dove headfirst into planting an orchard and…

1
Alex Sinner on woodworking, music, and growing up on Vashon Island 25:12

5+ y ago25:12

25:12

In the inaugural episode of Inspired Island, we sit down with Vashon native Alex Sinner! We chat about what growing up on Vashon is like, how nature inspires Alex’s work at Vashon Woodworks, and his passion for music and trucks. Follow Alex on Instagram! www.instagram.com/oneboot206 Vashon Woodworks website: https://vashonwoodworks.com…