Willamette Week Podcast

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Join the Dive podcast every Saturday as we quickly cover the week's headlines, and then dive deeper into the big stories of the week. Host Brianna Wheeler sits down with the paper's staff as well as the biggest names in Portland to discuss the city and th

Willamette Week


    • Oct 2, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 20m AVG DURATION
    • 156 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Willamette Week Podcast

    Episode 143: Join Friends Of Willamette Week (Mark Zusman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2023 18:29


    WW editor Mark Zusman reflects on the paper's local and national impact, and discusses the bright future of the publication.

    Episode 142: Black Artists of Oregon (Intisar Abioto)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2023 22:15


    Oregon Arts icon and guest curator Intisar Abioto joins the pod to discuss Portland Art Museum's Black Artists of Oregon. 

    Episode 141: "Rise From Chaos" (Sophie Peel)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2023 22:33


    Sophie Peel joins the pod to discuss how city hall is handling upcoming changes to the Portland city government. 

    Episode 140: "Freak Yourself Out!" (Marissa Wolf)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2023 18:08


    Portland Center Stage artistic director Marissa Wolf joins the pod for the Fall Arts issue. 

    Episode 139: “Certified Fresh” (Andi Prewitt)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2023 17:19


    Arts and Culture Editor Andi Prewitt joins the pod to talk tomatoes

    Episode 138: "Fade Out" (Sophie Peel)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2023 20:44


     Sophie Peel joins us this week to unpack the state of Oregon cannabis through the lens of the once prolific, now insolvent cannabis brand, Chalice.

    Episode 137: "The Death List" (Anthony Effinger)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2023 21:03


    Anthony Effinger explains commercial real estate "Death Lists" and what they mean for some of Portland's most iconic downtown buildings. 

    Episode 136: “KaPow!” (Seaerra Miller)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2023 16:21


    This week's guest is Seaerra Miller, the writer and artist who illustrated this week's comic book cover story. 

    Episode 135: “The Tardy Dozen” (Nigel Jaquiss)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2023 21:03


    Nigel Jaquiss discusses The Tardy Dozen, exposing 12 of the biggest tax debts in Oregon. 

    Episode 134: "Life In Hell" (Lucas Manfeild)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2023 20:16


    Lucas Manfeild discusses the fentanyl crisis in downtown Portland

    Episode 133: "Best Of Portland" (Annette Benedetti)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2023 19:18


    Featured as one of Portland's best sounds, guest Annette Benedetti chats about her podcast,  Locker Room Talk and Shots, a sex talk show that examines feminine sexuality with unfiltered candor. 

    Episode 132: "Greetings From Portland" (Nigel Jaquiss)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2023 23:24


    Guest Nigel Jaquiss explains why Portland is still making global headlines, and why being examined from the outside might be a good thing. 

    Episode 131: "Pride Under Pressure" (Tiffany Rodriguez)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2023 18:32


    Guest Tiffany Rodriguez discusses her family's decision to abandon their intolerant Texas town and migrate to progressive Portland

    Episode 130: "Best New Bands" (Jessie Branch and Ryan Scott of Ghost Feet)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2023 15:13


    Guests Jessie Branch and Ryan Scott of Ghost Feet, one of WW's Best New Bands, discuss their influences, origin story, and why Portland is preferable to both LA and Olympia.

    Episode 129: "The Good The Bad And The Awful" (Nigel Jaquiss)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2023 22:54


    Nigel Jaquiss explains the WW's biennial ranking of Portland area lawmakers.

    Episode 128: "Decline and Fall' (Sophie Peel)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2023 22:06


    Sophie Peel drops in to update us on the still unfolding LaMota/Shemia Fagan scandal. 

    Episode 127: "The Portland Rose Festival Is Decadent And Depraved" (Anthony Effinger)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2023 17:26


    Guest Anthony Effinger expounds on his contribution to this week's WW issue, an examination of the Rose Fest's last few beleaguered years. 

    Episode 126: "The Good Doctor" (Lucas Manfeild)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2023 20:21


    Guest Lucas Manfeild discusses his cover story, The Good Doctor, examining  veterinarian Steven Milner's terror campaign that allegedly led to Kenny Fandrich's death. 

    Episode 125: "How To Be Cool" (Rachel Saslow)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2023 18:45


    Guest Rachel Saslow explains how school auctions use private money to fund public schools, furthering class division between affluent, working class, and low income neighborhoods

    saslow
    Episode 124: "Track Addicts" (Nigel Jaquiss)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2023 22:35


    Nigel Jaquiss joins the pod to unpack the existence of the little known but shockingly powerful Oregon Racing Commission

    Episode 123: "Mr Park's Neighborhood" (Aaron Mesh)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2023 17:55


    WW Managing Editor Aaron Mesh turns the tables by interviewing host Brianna Wheeler about her contribution to this weeks cover package, an exploration of the historic Woodlawn neighborhood. 

    Episode 122: "Up In Smoke" (Sophie Peel)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2023 18:45


    Guest Sophie Peel explains how her series of bombshell stories about local dispensary giants LaMota led to Oregon Secretary of State, Shemia Fagan's, resignation

    state peel up in smoke oregon secretary shemia fagan
    Episode 121: "May 2023 Endorsements" (Aaron Mesh)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 20:39


    Audio clips from WW's endorsement interviews and unpacking the upcoming election with managing editor Aaron Mesh

    Episode 120: "The Stoner Age" (Sophie Peel, Amy Zimmerman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2023 22:03


    First, guest Sophie Peel discusses new aspergillus testing rules for cannabis, then guest Amy Zimmerman (@Amymothercraft)  explains how to stock your own 420 calendar.

    Episode 119: "Big Kid On Campus" (Rachel Saslow)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 15:58


    Guest host Anthony Effinger talks to Rachel Saslow about her cover story, an examination of sinking enrollment in Portland Public Schools.

    Episode 118: "Washington Center" (Susan Billard)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 7:10


    Guest hosts Anthony Effinger and Lucas Manfield interview Portland Police Bureau Sergeant Susan Billard

    Episode 117: "Strange Budfellows" (Sophie Peel)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2023 20:05


    Guest Sophie Peel unpacks her cover story, an investigation into the business dealings of popular dispensary chain La Mota.

    Episode 116: "The Pets Issue" (Anthony Effinger, Beans Flores)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2023 20:03


    Guest Anthony Effinger unpacks the problem at the Washington Center Building. Guest Beans Flores gives us a look behind the judges table at the WW's 6th Annual Pet Pageant.

    Episode 115: "Generation OD" (Emily Green)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2023 23:23


    Guest Emily Green breaks down her cover story, Generation OD, examining how Oregon's inaction left teens vulnerable to fentanyl's lethal spread.

    oregon generation emily green
    Episode 114; "Shopping While Black" (Jason Kafoury)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2023 18:46


    With guest Jason Kafoury of Kafoury & McDougal Law Firm discussing a troubling trend in discriminatory retail policing.

    Episode 113: "Revolving Door" (Lucas Manfeild)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2023 20:25


    Guest Lucas Manfield unpacks the crisis at the Oregon State Hospital and how it affects mental health on our streets.

    revolving doors oregon state hospital
    Episode 112: "Spring Arts Guide" (David McCarthy, S. Tremaine Nelson)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2023 18:30


    With guests  David McCarthy,  author of The Portlanders, and Steve Tremaine Nelson, editor and publisher of NW Review

    Episode 111: "Chasing Ghosts - Property Tax Edition" (Anthony Effinger)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2023 17:43


    Guest Anthony Effinger breaks down the news team's coverage of property tax dodging Portland businesses.

    Episode 110: "26 Reasons To Love Portland" (Ellen Wirship)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2023 21:51


    Guest Ellen Wirship, founder of Project Red, explains how her  initiative will save lives, destigmatize addiction,  and build compassionate community.

    portland project red
    Episode 109: "They Left" (Anthony Effinger)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2023 21:58


    Guest Anthony Effinger discuses his cover story examining the causes for Portland's population decline.

    Episode 108: "Funniest Five" (Julia Corral)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2023 19:38


    With guest Julia Corral

    Episode 107: "Free Fall" (Nigel Jaquiss)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2023 18:46


    With guest Nigel Jaquiss.

    Episode 106: "The Redemption Of Robert King" (Lucas Manfield)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2023 20:25


    With guest Lucas Manfield

    Episode 105: “How To Save Portland” (Aaron Mesh)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2023 21:19


    With guest Aaron Mesh

    Episode 104: "Happy New Year" (Larry Muzzy)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2023 15:05


    With guest Larry Muzzy

    Episode 103: “How We Rate” (Nigel Jaquiss)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2022 21:29


    With guest Nigel Jaquiss

    Episode 102: "Ghosted" (Sophie Peel)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 19:51


    This week, Brianna welcomes back Sophie Peel to unpack her cover story, "Ghosted" a deep dive into the Miami startup that's struggling to deliver on promises of disrupting fast food, parking lots, and food carts.News this week includes the sixth Portland school shooting in a year,  what patients can expect from the regulating of psilocybin mushrooms, and Southern Oregon racists attack performing arts, and Black residents, in Ashland. 

    Episode 101: "The Arts List" (Bennett Campbell Ferguson, Mikki Gillette)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2022 21:33


    On this week's episode, host Brianna Wheeler is talking art with WW assistant arts and culture editor, Bennett Campbell Ferguson and trailblazing playwright Mikki Gillette.News highlights include the mystifying saga of Mushroom House, the case against involuntary committing the mentally ill houseless, and a very Portland print show. 

    Episode 100: "From Portland To Jersey" (Lucas Manfield)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2022 22:02


    For our 100th episode we welcome back Lucas Manfield, whose extraordinary cover story details the rise and fall of the Portland crime ring that shipped catalytic converters across the country, making millions off of stolen Portland cars. News highlights include a win for Portland activists wounded by PPD during 2020's George Floyd Protests, three business districts pop off to the city over security and cleanup services, and two of Oregon's favorite holistic cannabis brands join forces in a merger that could provide a roadmap for craft cannabis brands looking to expand.

    Episode 99: "Will Merritt Paulson Prune The Thorns?" (Anthony Effinger)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2022 22:21


    On this episode of the dive, host Brianna Wheeler flirts with misandry while unpacking guest Anthony Effinger's cover piece, "Will Merritt Paulson Prune The Thorns?" a deep dive into the abuse scandal that's stunned a city full of hardcore soccer fans.News highlights include Oregon inaugurating the largest Vietnamese caucus in America, scrutinizing how both Lyft and Uber's driver deactivation processes may be discriminatory, and a celebration of local craft, commerce, and creativity just in time for secular spending season. 

    Episode 98: "Captain Kotek" (Nigel Jaquiss)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 23:43


    On this episode of the Dive, host Brianna Wheeler discusses next steps for charter reform with Sophie Peel before welcoming Nigel Jaquiss to unpack his cover piece, "Captain Kotek," a profile on our incoming Governor, Tina Kotek.News highlights include a re-examination of rioting laws, possibly outlawing of foie gras, and a game-changing publisher's letter from WW's Mark Zusman.  

    Episode 97: "You Can Find Portland's Buried Treasure" (Doug Kenck Crispin)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2022 18:28


    For this week's chose your own adventure style cover story (spectacularly illustrated by McKenzie Young-Roy) Doug Kenck Crispin and his co-author JB Fisher explored the macabre Oregon treasure lore of the Portland Treasure Chart.  Crispin and host Brianna Wheeler will unpack the hunt and hopefully dissuade anyone from gravedigging.News highlights include, election results, thieves targeting school busses, and the gay bar block on SE Morrison bring joy to our host.Learn more about the Portland Treasure Chart:http://orhistory.com/kickassoregonhistory

    Episode 96: " Camp Fires Everywhere" (Natalie O'Neill)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2022 16:52


    On this week's episode of the Dive, Brianna chats with Natalie O Neill about her cover story examining the deadly uptick in campfires gone rogue.  News highlights include Pickleball at Laurelhurst, Amine at the Schnitz and more mental health issues on the street than the state can support.

    Episode 95: "Give Guide" (Sophie Peel, Qiddist Ashé)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2022 21:56


    It's time for WW's annual Skidmore Prize awards, saluting exemplary work by folks under 36 working in non-profit.  On this week's Dive, we're welcoming one of this year's five awardees, Qiddist Ashé  to discuss Black futures in agriculture with her nonprofit, Black Oregon Land Trust. We'll also welcome back Sophie Peel to help us unpack Mayor Wheeler's controversial plan to eradicate homelessness. News highlights include downtown real estate dropping to $0.10 per square foot, well according to one judge anyway, plus a new unarmed security force for Tri-Met and host Brianna's official Potlander recommendations for both varsity stoner and weed novice parents. 

    Episode 94: " Vote Healthy 2022" (Aaron Mesh)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2022 21:22


    It's WW's official Endorsement Issue! Let's get uncomfortable! Brianna Wheeler and WW news editor Aaron Mesh chat about the process of endorsing candidates from an all white news room, potential charter catastrophes, and why some endorsements are more challenging, divisive and/or controversial than others. News highlights include more downtown closures and less downtown workers, nostalgia over a tuna monologue, and Ron Wyden's weird Fred Meyer chicken flex. 

    Episode 93: " Perfect Portland Dining Days" (Jason Cohen)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2022 17:26


    On this episode of the Dive, Brianna welcomes WW contributor Jason Cohen to dish on some of Portland's newest foodie hot spots.News highlights include more guns on and off the streets, data on how measure 110 has or has not affected law enforcement and an illuminating profile of City Council candidate, Rene Gonzalez, 

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