Podcasts about Town Hall Seattle

From bestselling author Juliette Aristides comes an inspirational guide to thinking, making, and embodying the mind of a creative person. The third Monacelli Studio title from Juliette Aristides, The Inner Life of the Artist, is an inspirational guide to thinking, making, and embodying the mind of a creative person. The book contains a series of short, insightful essays and significant, meaningful quotes by contemporary and historical artists, each accompanied by a moving and inspiring selection of nearly 100 past and present artworks to help enlarge our capacity for wonder. For those interested in drawing, painting, and other art forms, the book expands upon Atelier principles with fun, approachable, and practical exercises applied throughout, with an emphasis on cultivating the artistic mind, along with the hand and the eye. This is the perfect book to inspire all creative thinkers, presented in a visually arresting compact package and wrapped in a cerulean blue cloth case. Juliette Aristides is a Seattle-based fine artist, author, and educator who seeks to understand and convey the human spirit through art. She has participated nationally in dozens of museum exhibitions including the solo shows Observations at the Reading Museum of Art in Reading, PA and A Life's Work at the Customs House Museum in Clarksville, TN. Aristides is the author of six best-selling books including Lessons in Classical Drawing and Lessons in Classical Painting, which have been translated into several languages. Her seventh book, The Inner Life of The Artist publishes this April from Monacelli. Juliette has been the director of the Aristides Atelier for over 20 years and founded the first Atelier in the Northwest at Gage Academy in Seattle. Her Atelier's achievements have been recognized in four consecutive exhibitions at the Maryhill Museum of Art. Aristides' artwork and writing have garnered national media attention in publications such as Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, Artist's Magazine, and American Artist. She has also been recognized as an Art Renewal Center “Living Master” and is the recipient of the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant. Michael Magrath received his BA in mythology and comparative religions at Reed College and his MFA in Sculpture and Public Art from the University of Washington in Seattle. Mike has studied in Florence and Rome, and taught at The Art Academy of London, The University of Washington, and the Gage Academy of Art where he began teaching in 2004. Since 2014, he has directed the Magrath Sculpture Atelier, where he also serves as Faculty Chair. His awards include the IFRAA best Religious Sculpture, the ART Renewal center First Prize in Sculpture. Magrath brings a craftsman's approach to sculpture, having come into art via the trades, working as a finisher, fabricator and foundryman. He also worked in college art programs for many decades, and so approaches teaching and artmaking from conceptual and maker-based perspectives. As such he seeks a marriage between elegance of concept and excellence in craftsmanship. As a teacher he seeks to demystify and make accessible to all the art making process. Magrath does both private and public commissions and has exhibited internationally. Clients include Microsoft, the University of Washington, the Archdiocese of Portland OR, as well as numerous private clients. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Gage Academy of Art. Buy the Book The Inner Life of the Artist: Conversations from the Atelier Elliott Bay Book Company

America is facing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, with troubling effects on our mental and physical health. We live in one of the most divisive times in our history, one in which we tend to work, play, and associate only with people who think as we do. How do we create spaces for people to come together — to open our minds, understand our differences, and exchange ideas? In his new book, Meet Me at the Library, Shamichael Hallman argues that the public library may be our best hope for bridging these divides and creating strong, inclusive communities. Public libraries are increasingly playing an essential role in building social cohesion, promoting civic renewal, and advancing the ideals of a healthy democracy. Many are reimagining themselves in new and innovative ways, actively reaching out to the communities they serve. Today, libraries are becoming essential institutions for repairing society. Drawing from his experience at the Memphis Public Library and his extensive research and interviews across the country, Hallman presents a rich argument for seeing libraries as one of the nation's greatest assets. He includes examples from libraries large and small — such as the Iowa's North Liberty Library's Lighthouse in the Library program to bring people together to discuss important topics in a safe and supportive space, to Cambridge Cooks, an initiative of the Cambridge MA Public Library that fosters social connection by bringing people together over shared interest in food. As an institution that is increasingly under attack for creating a place where diverse audiences can see themselves, public libraries are under more scrutiny than ever. Meet Me at the Library offers us a revealing look at one of our most important civic institutions and the social and civic impact they must play if we are to heal our divided nation. Shamichael Hallman serves as the Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at Urban Libraries Council, an innovation and action tank of North America's leading public library systems. In this role, he's working to advance conversations about public libraries as essential city and county infrastructure, including their value as physical spaces and a connector of diverse lived experiences. From 2017 – 2022 he served as the Senior Library Manager of the historic Cossitt Library (Memphis Public Libraries), tasked with overseeing the multi-million-dollar renovation of this space which reimagined the roles that a branch library could play in the community. During his tenure with Memphis Public Libraries, the library system was awarded the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Science by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and was recognized as the Nation's Most Innovative Public Library by Smithsonian Magazine in November of 2021. His 2020 TEDx talk “Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community” garnered international attention among librarians and social innovators. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Seattle Public Library. Buy the Book Meet Me at the Library: A Place to Foster Social Connection and Promote Democracy Elliott Bay Book Company

Sand Symes, a psychedelic guide who has spent over 40 years working with women in transformational spaces and 20+ years immersed in her committed work with psychedelics, in discussion with April Pride at Town Hall Seattle. With decades of experience guiding women in transformational work, Sand brings a perspective that blends spiritual and practical insights. Rather than focusing on theory alone, she shares her experiences of how these medicines are understood and integrated in different contexts. This gathering invited participants to engage with stories, reflections, and perspectives on the experiential aspects of psychedelics—elements that may not always be captured in research but are deeply felt by those who explore them. April Pride is a serial creative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience developing brands and products across interiors, fashion, lifestyle, cannabis, psychedelics, audio, and more. In 2015, she launched Van der Pop, an industry-defining, female-focused cannabis lifestyle brand. Van der Pop published the pioneering Women & Weed Survey exploring North American women's perspectives on cannabis. After exiting Canopy Growth, one of world's largest cannabis companies, April continued her advocacy for cannabis normalization through her popular podcasts, How to Do the Pot and The High Guide. Currently, April is the CEO and Founder of SetSet, an accessible psychedelic education and integration platform offering clinician-created educational guides and programs. With over 40 years of experience, Sand Symes mentors visionary leaders, pioneers, and C-suite executives, blending ancient wisdom and modern science. She integrates Sacred Medicine practices, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and trauma research to unlock potential and foster leadership alignment. Specializing in women's transformation, Sand helps clients align with their core values, break limiting patterns, and expand their impact. Her approach combines personalized mentoring and psychedelic integration, supporting profound breakthroughs and leadership growth. Sand has empowered women leaders for over four decades, creating ripple effects transforming industries and communities. About Psychedelic Salon with April Pride A Monthly Series Exploring Novel Therapeutics for Well-Being  Seattle-based cannabis and psychedelics educator & podcast host April Pride hosts a collaborative series with Town Hall Seattle focused on the emerging science of psychedelic medicine. This women-forward series highlights the potential of novel therapeutics for mental health, reproductive health, chronic pain, trauma, and overall optimization. Through engaging panel discussions, expert talks, and community conversations, April offers an accessible platform for researchers, clinicians, and advocates to share insights on psychedelics for improved human health. The series would also explore the historical context of women's roles in plant medicine and the growing movement to incorporate psychedelics into mainstream treatment options, particularly for conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. About SetSet Seattle-based SetSet supports individuals seeking optimal experiences with psychedelic medicine. Through clincian-created DIY educational downloads and community events, SetSet makes psychedelic integration accessible for individuals and healthcare professionals. Visit getsetset.com for more information. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and SetSet.

This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we're featuring highlights from a live interview with Nathan Myhrvold, CEO of Intellectual Ventures and former chief technology officer at Microsoft. Myhrvold worked at Microsoft from 1986 to 2000, where he laid the groundwork for Microsoft Research, recruited top computer scientists, and played a key role in shaping the company’s technology strategy. Since leaving Microsoft, he has worked across fields including energy, science, physics, paleontology, photography, and high-tech cuisine. In this conversation, recorded at Town Hall Seattle as part of GeekWire’s Microsoft@50 event, Myhrvold shares his thoughts on the rise of AI, his longtime collaboration with Bill Gates, the future of energy, the secrets of Microsoft’s success, and what’s next in his Modernist Cuisine book series. Edited by Curt Milton; With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trans stories are not confined to political rhetoric and headlines. The world of creative writing is replete with narratives that explore complex worlds of gender and how identity intersects with people's lives and relationships. In a new collection of one novel and three stories, bestselling author Torrey Peters's keen eye for the rough edges of community and desire push the limits of trans writing.  In Stag Dance, the titular novel, a group of lumberjacks working in an illegal winter logging outfit plan a dance that some of them will attend as women. When the most unlikely of the axmen announces his intention to dance as a woman, he finds himself caught in a strange rivalry, inviting a cascade of obsession, jealousy, and betrayal that culminates on the big night in an exploration of gender and transition. A trio of shorter tales surround Stag Dance: “Infect Your Friends and Loved Ones” imagines a gender apocalypse brought about by an unstable ex-girlfriend. “The Chaser” presents a secret romance between roommates at a Quaker boarding school, and “The Masker” details a Vegas party weekend that turns dark when a young crossdresser must choose between two guides: a mystery man who thrills but objectifies her, or a veteran trans woman who offers sisterhood and cynicism. Peters' talk and work is especially timely surrounding ongoing conversations about trans rights in our nation but is an invitation to any fiction reader. Torrey Peters is the bestselling author of the novel Detransition, Baby, which won the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and was named one of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century by The New York Times. It was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize, a finalist for the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize, and longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. She has an MFA from the University of Iowa and an MA in comparative literature from Dartmouth. Peters rides a pink motorcycle and splits her time between Brooklyn and an off-grid cabin in Vermont. Aster Olsen is the author of the novella Performance Review. She lived most of her life in the gorgeous swampy parts of Florida people don't visit on vacation, but now lives in Seattle, where she spends her time swimming in alpine lakes alongside aquatic insect larvae. A professional scientist, she rejects the binary oppositional positioning of STEM and Art and seeks to collapse and expand imposed categories and narratives to further understanding. Her writing is found in Lilac Peril, Hey Alma, Autostraddle, Inner Worlds, Itch.io, and elsewhere. She is the creator, editor, and publisher of TRANSplants Zine, a zine series about transness and place, and runs the trans open mic reading and art series please (t)read with me.  Find more at asterolsen.com. Ebo Barton comes from salt— from the moment before worlds converge. You may have seen Ebo's work in the book Black Imagination and heard in the audiobook read by Grammy and Tony award winner Daveed Diggs. You have also seen Ebo's work online on Write About Now, Button Poetry, and All Def Poetry channels. In 2016, they placed 5th in the World at the Individual World Poetry Slam. In 2017, they co-wrote and co-produced the award-winning play Rising Up. In 2018, they played “Invisible One” in Anastacia Renee's Queer. Mama.Crossroads and reprised the role in 2019. Ebo debuted his first published collection of poetry, Insubordinate, in 2020. As the Director of Housing Services at Lavender Rights Project, and a Washington State LGBTQ Commissioner, Barton's impact transcends artistic endeavors. A leader in arts and activism, Ebo Barton is committed to creating opportunities for others to organize, heal, and rejoice. Corinne Manning is the author of the acclaimed story collection We Had No Rules. Once upon a time, they reimagined the publishing industry with the literary project The James Franco Review (it made sense from 2014-2017). Their creative work and literary criticism are published widely, including in The New York Times. Corinne lives in Seattle and works as a teaching artist through Seattle Arts & Lectures and their own mentorship project Deeper, Wider. Amber Flame is an interdisciplinary artist garnering residencies with Hedgebrook, Baldwin for the Arts, Millay Arts, and more. A former church kid from the Southwest, Flame's first collection of poetry, Ordinary Cruelty, was published in 2017 through Write Bloody Press. Flame's second book, apocrifa, a love story told in verse, launched in May 2023 from Red Hen Press. Flame is Deputy Publisher at Generous Press, a new romance venture publishing inclusive love stories, and Program Director for Hedgebrook, a literary organization serving women. Amber Flame is a queer Black dandy mama who falls hard for a jumpsuit and some fresh kicks. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Seattle Public Library. Buy the Book Stag Dance Charlie's Queer Books

On this special episode of the GeekWire Podcast, as part of our Microsoft@50 special series, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer reflects on his remarkable tenure at the company he helped shape for more than three decades. We talk about his early days working alongside Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the biggest mistake during his tenure, and his take on the company these days as its largest shareholder. He also opens up about his post-Microsoft pursuits — from his data-driven mission with USAFacts to transforming the NBA fan experience with the L.A. Clippers. And we hear his message for his former Microsoft colleagues. Ballmer's conversation with GeekWire's Todd Bishop was recorded live in front of an audience at GeekWire's Microsoft@50 event at Town Hall Seattle, March 20, 2025. Microsoft@50 is an independent GeekWire editorial project supported by Accenture. More in GeekWire’s Microsoft@50 series AI Dreams: Microsoft@50, Chapter 1 Microsoft President Brad Smith on AI, global turmoil, and key issues facing the tech giant at 50 Microsoft’s startup story: How the company became a tech giant, and what we can learn from it today A new era for Windows: Can Microsoft’s longtime engine power another tech revolution? ‘The Road Ahead’ at 30: What Bill Gates’ classic book about the future says about the world today Bill Gates on Microsoft at 50, and what’s next for AI and innovation More: Microsoft@50See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Around the world and throughout history, bitter political adversaries have put aside their differences and worked together to create peace. In a conversation moderated by Jillian Youngblood, Executive Director of Civic Genius, hear two extraordinary leaders tell how they helped transform South Africa into a multiracial democracy, and what their experiences can teach us. Roelf Meyer is renowned for his pivotal role as the South African government's chief representative in the negotiations to end Apartheid. Mohammed Bhabha was on the African National Congress team at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), and later part of the agreements on the final South African Constitution. They'll offer hard-won lessons on working across profound differences, and inspiration for healing divides at home. Roelf Meyer (South Africa) is renowned for his pivotal role as the South African government's chief representative in the negotiations to end apartheid and establish a multiracial democracy. His influence in persuading the National Party and the Afrikaner community to embrace negotiations and pursue a more just society is credited as crucial to South Africa's peaceful transition. Meyer's significant contributions extend to his involvement in the cabinet of former President Nelson Mandela, co-founding the United Democratic Movement, and consulting on international peace processes in various countries. Mohammed Bhabha (South Africa) is a former Member of Parliament, attorney, and experienced negotiator. He was part of the African National Congress (ANC) team at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), and later as part of the agreements on the final South African Constitution. Mohammed has worked on transitional and constitutional support projects in Kenya, South Sudan, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Palestine, Bahrain, and Zimbabwe. Jillian Youngblood (United States) is the executive director of Civic Genius, a program of the National Civic League. She has nearly 20 years of experience in politics, government, and civic action with a focus on deliberative democracy and solutions-oriented public engagement. Jillian is a frequent speaker and trainer on innovative processes that help governments and communities work better together. She sits on the board of the Seattle City Club and is a 2024 fellow of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Presented by Town Hall Seattle, William D. Ruckelshaus Center, and Civic Genius.

This week on the GeekWire Podcast: A conversation with Microsoft President Brad Smith, on stage at GeekWire’s Microsoft@50 event this week at Town Hall Seattle, discussing the company’s anniversary and what’s next for the industry and the world. Related Links Microsoft@50 recap: Company faithful mark first 50 years and look to future at GeekWire event Microsoft president: Proposed Washington state business taxes would weaken tech sector Links discussed in the podcast intro: Using AI to uncover allegations in the JFK files of the CIA secretly funding a series of spy novels to influence public opinion in the 1960s. Fireballs, foxholes, and cryogenic suspension: Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman’s greatest quips With GeekWire co-founder Todd BishopSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we discuss the big real estate technology news of the week: Rocket Companies, the mortgage, real estate and personal finance giant, is buying Redfin, the Seattle-based tech-powered real estate company that has been a longtime disrupter in the world of buying and selling homes. Joining us to assess the implications are Stephanie Reid-Simons, who oversees the news team at RealEstateNews.com as a senior vice president with the news site; and Tim Ellis, a former Redfin market analyst who's a podcaster and blogger, and a veteran of Seattle-area startups including Porch, Moz, and Glowforge. Also on the show: Microsoft brings its Copilot AI technology to gaming, but can Microsoft prove this is more than Xbox meets Clippy? We’ll consider that question in the final segment with Thomas Wilde, an independent video-game journalist and editor who writes about games for GeekWire, Hard Drive, and other publications. Join us at Microsoft@50 at Town Hall Seattle this Thursday, March 20. With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do people feel compelled to share stories? Why do we yearn to reach others with our words, beyond necessary communication? Storytelling is a vital facet of human culture and is constantly expanding as we create new ways to communicate through words, art, and tangible experience. The Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington hosts an annual literary and storytelling series, Sacred Breath, featuring Indigenous writers and storytellers sharing their craft in the Seattle area. Storytelling offers a spiritual connection, a sharing of sacred breath. Literature, similarly, preserves human experience and ideals. Both forms are durable and transmit power that teaches us how to live. Both storytelling and reading aloud can impact audiences through the power of presence, allowing for the experience of the transfer of sacred breath as audiences are immersed in the experience of being inside stories and works of literature. The series begins with an evening program at Town Hall Seattle featuring Arigon Starr and guest Roger Fernandes. A multitalented, multidisciplinary performer, Arigon Starr promises to deliver a mix of music, reading, art, and storytelling. Arigon Starr is an enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. Her father, Ken Wahpecome (Kickapoo) was a career Navy man and her mother, Ruth (Muscogee (Creek) / Cherokee / Seneca) was a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University. Starr is a storyteller in many mediums including music, comic books, and live theater. Across her many disciplines, she brings bold characters, contemporary perspectives, and the intention of countering negative Indigenous stereotypes. Her work has been highlighted in the publications First American Art and Native Peoples, featured on the national news program PBS News Hour and on the arts blog of the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit Arigon's website to learn more. About Sacred Breath The Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington hosts an annual literary and storytelling series. Sacred Breath features Indigenous writers and storytellers sharing their craft in Seattle. Storytelling offers a spiritual connection, a sharing of sacred breath. Literature, similarly, preserves human experience and ideals. Both forms are durable and transmit power that teaches us how to live. Both storytelling and reading aloud can impact audiences through the power of presence, allowing for the experience of the transfer of sacred breath as audiences are immersed in the experience of being inside stories and works of literature.

Last year, 18,000 people moved to Seattle. And those newcomers may have discovered it can be hard to make friends here. The new civic organization Seattle Chamber of Connection is trying to help newcomers build a community here. Once a month, they host an event called “Seattle Welcome Day” at Town Hall Seattle. We talk with Charlotte Massey, Executive Director and founder of the Seattle Chamber of Connection. Find information about the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife public meeting here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you wondered how psychedelics are being intentionally used by artists, writers, musicians, and other creatives to push the boundaries of their craft? This session kicks off our new series, Psychedelic Salon, with a panel of esteemed Seattle artists who will discuss the role of psychedelics in Seattle's countercultural movements and how they influence artistic expression. Expect a candid conversation on the relationship between altered states and creativity, with insights from prominent Seattle creatives known for their experimentation. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how psychedelics can be used as a tool for creative flow and self-expression. April Pride is a serial creative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience developing brands and products across interiors, fashion, lifestyle, cannabis, psychedelics, audio, and more. In 2015, she launched Van der Pop, an industry defining, female-focused cannabis lifestyle brand. Van der Pop published the pioneering Women & Weed Survey exploring North American women's perspectives on cannabis. After exiting to Canopy Growth, one of world's largest cannabis companies, April continued her advocacy for cannabis normalization through her popular podcasts, How to Do the Pot and The High Guide. Currently, April is the CEO and Founder of SetSet, an accessible psychedelic education and integration platform offering clinician-created educational guides and programs. Rachel Demy is a fine art photographer, writer, and educator in Seattle, Washington. She employs a non-linear approach to her work, which covers themes of trauma, addiction, and all manner of human experiences considered difficult to look at directly. Her upcoming solo gallery exhibition, Revocable Living, is a collection of photographs made while (unknowingly) in active addiction and runs from February 27 – April 12, 2025, at Spectrum Fine Art (Seattle, WA). Her first photography book, Between, Everywhere—about touring with Death Cab for Cutie—was published through Minor Matters Books in 2022. Tim Keck co-founded The Stranger, Seattle's alternative weekly newspaper, known for its bold, irreverent take on local news, culture, and politics. Before founding The Stranger, Keck co-founded The Onion, the satirical newspaper that has since become a cultural institution. At The Onion, Keck helped set the foundation for the publication's signature comedic style, influencing generations of satirists and journalists. Throughout his career, Keck has been a key figure in shaping the landscape of alternative media and journalism. His work has challenged conventional boundaries of news reporting and entertainment, blending the two in a way that continues to resonate with readers across the country. Keck's print and digital media contributions reflect his deep commitment to innovative, independent journalism. About Psychedelic Salon: A Monthly Series Exploring Novel Therapeutics for Well-Being  Seattle-based cannabis and psychedelics educator & podcast host April Pride hosts a collaborative series with Town Hall Seattle focused on the emerging science of psychedelic medicine. This women-forward series highlights the potential of novel therapeutics for mental health, reproductive health, chronic pain, trauma, and overall optimization. Through engaging panel discussions, expert talks, and community conversations, April offers an accessible platform for researchers, clinicians, and advocates to share insights on psychedelics for improved human health. The series would also explore the historical context of women's roles in plant medicine and the growing movement to incorporate psychedelics into mainstream treatment options, particularly for conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and SetSet.

Luke and Andrew chat with TV's Chris Hayes backstage before his event at Town Hall Seattle. They discuss the important issues of the day: Luke's colonoscopy and Chris' imitation of Abraham Lincoln, and how cable TV began in Astoria, Oregon.  (Episode photo from @jeanniecw on Instagram)  

Did you know that the Seattle Public Library offers any U.S. resident, ages 13-26, a free “Books Unbanned Card,” which allows you to check out any e-books or e-audiobooks from the Library's digital collection, no matter where you live? This is just one example of how people are resisting new restrictions on information and education across the country. In his new book, Teach Truth, Seattle educator and author Jesse Hagopian discusses these restrictions and offers advice on how to defend antiracist education. Hagopian outlines how numerous states and school districts in recent years have enacted policies or laws mandating how to teach about systemic racism and oppression—policies that impact nearly half of all students in the U.S. Thousands of books have been banned from schools. Teachers face termination, attacks, and disciplinary action. You can be punished, including jail time, for providing access to a banned book. These new changes have old roots in McCarthyism's Red Scare and Lavender Scare. They have strongholds in U.S. history. But there is also strong pushback. Hagopian shows how the fight against them also has a rich legacy, from the resistance to anti-literacy laws for enslaved people to the Black Lives Matter at School movement today. Hagopian calls to defend antiracist education, showing how to reclaim suppressed history by creating beloved classroom communities and healthy social movements. Jesse Hagopian has taught in public schools for over 20 years, serves on the Black Lives Matter at School steering committee, organizes for the Zinn Education Project, and founded the Ethnic Studies course at Seattle's Garfield High School. He is an editor for Rethinking Schools magazine, the co-editor of Black Lives Matter at School and Teaching for Black Lives, and the editor of More Than a Score: The New Uprising Against High Stakes Testing. Dr. Ayva Thomas is a P-12 education and systems leader in and beyond her local community. She has been a speaker, panelist, and thought partner for events like the Zinn Education Project's Teaching for Black Lives campaign, the City of Bothell's DEI work, and the City of Kenmore's Juneteenth Celebration. Wayne Au is Dean and Professor in the University of Washington Bothell School of Educational Studies, and he is an editor for the social justice teaching magazine, Rethinking Schools. A former public high school teacher, he writes and speaks about racial justice in education. Au's most recent book is Asian American Racialization and the Politics of U.S. Education. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Seattle Public Library. Buy the Book Teach Truth: The Struggle for Antiracist Education Elliott Bay Book Company

Today Katy interviews actor, filmmaker, and author Edward Burns about his debut novel A Kid from Marlboro Road on the stage of Town Hall Seattle. Tune in for a conversation about storytelling, memory, and the transition from screen to page. Acclaimed filmmaker and actor Edward Burns steps into the world of fiction with his debut novel, A Kid from Marlboro Road. Set in the 1970s, this coming-of-age story draws inspiration from Burns's own Irish-Ameican childhood on Long Island, capturing the complexities of family, loss, and growing up. Edward Burns, known for films like The Brothers McMullen and Saving Private Ryan, has built a career telling stories of Irish-American life. Now, he brings that same depth and authenticity to the page. In this episode, he shares the inspiration behind his novel, how his filmmaking background influenced his writing, and what it was like to revisit his own past through fiction. This event was presented by Town Hall Seattle in September 2024. Thanks to Town Hall Seattle for presenting Edward Burns and allowing The Bittersweet Life to record and reair this conversation. ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: For the third year in a row, we are hosting an intimate group of listeners for a magical and unforgettable week in Rome, this October 2025! Discover the city with us as your guides, seeing a side to Rome tourists almost never see. Find out more here. ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!  

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 face similar challenges. Lack of diversity in leadership, limited funding, and gate-kept information make the climb steeper for many. However, climbers of color have risen to become some of the sport's most accomplished athletes, demonstrating the potential that comes with overcoming barriers. By expanding diversity in leadership, increasing funding, and fostering open access to knowledge, we can create a more inclusive and level playing field for all climbers. Join Trust for Public Land for an inspiring conversation with prominent Asian American climbers Cody Kaemmerlen, Kathy Karlo, and Nina Williams. Moderated by Trust for Public Land's Northwest Director, Mitsu Iwasaki, panelists will delve into their personal journeys, discuss obstacles to equitable access to the sport, and explore the benefits of creating a more inclusive environment for everyone. Cody Kaemmerlen is a passionate rock climber and advocate for inclusivity in the climbing community as well as the outdoors. He is the Director of Advancement Operations for NOLS and serves on the Board of Directors for the American Alpine Club. Based in Wyoming, Cody leads efforts to create welcoming and equitable spaces in the outdoors by addressing barriers to diversity and inclusion. With personal experiences as a South Korean adoptee raised in rural Oregon, he brings a unique perspective to his work. Cody's commitment to equity is also highlighted in the film “Dear Mother,” where he delves into his identity and the challenges faced by people of color in the climbing world. Kathy Karlo is a storyteller at heart who has dedicated herself to reshaping the narrative around climbing and the outdoors. As the creator and host of the For the Love of Climbing podcast, she dives into the emotional and vulnerable sides of the sport, while also amplifying the voices of those often left out of the conversation. Kathy also leads as Executive Director of No Man's Land Film Festival, an all-women adventure film festival that challenges traditional narratives by showcasing female-driven stories. Through her work, Kathy strives to create a more inclusive outdoor space where everyone can feel empowered to share their authentic experiences. Nina Williams is a professional rock climber recognized for her groundbreaking achievements in highball bouldering and trad climbing. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Nina has pushed the limits of what is possible, becoming the first woman to climb iconic routes like “Too Big to Flail” and “Ambrosia” in Bishop, California. Her climbing career is marked by a deep mental discipline, and she is passionate about access and mentorship in the climbing world. Beyond her personal accomplishments, Nina is committed to fostering inclusivity in outdoor spaces, working with organizations like Flash Foxy, Color the Crag, and the Women's Climbing Symposium to ensure everyone can connect with nature. As Board President of the American Alpine Club and a Certified Professional Coach, Nina's work reflects her belief in the power of the outdoors to inspire and uplift all communities. Mitsu Iwasaki, our moderator for the evening, is the Associate Vice President and Northwest Director of Trust for Public Land. Born in Japan, Iwasaki's family immigrated to Seattle, WA soon after he turned six years old. Growing up in the relative comfort of the suburbs, his parents felt it would be best to ‘build his character' by sending him to work on a commercial fishing boat throughout his teenage summers in Chignik, Alaska. Those experiences sparked an enduring love for wild places, inspiring a life-long journey of adventure and exploration of both natural landscapes and his capacity as a person. He has been climbing, skiing, and running across our beloved northwest mountains and around the world for over three decades. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Trust for Public Land.

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, including saw blades, toy monkeys, duck calls, beer bottles, Bunsen burners, slide projectors, turkey basters, and pottery wheels. Trimpin's computer-driven musical contraptions defy the constraints of traditional instruments. In conversation with Gage's Gary Faigin, Trimpin will discuss specific projects from his career and share short videos that highlight his unique approach and philosophy. Trimpin is a German born kinetic sculptor, sound artist, and musician currently living in Seattle and Tieton, Washington. Trimpin's work integrates sculpture and sound across a variety of media including fixed installation and live music, theater, and dance performance. Beginning in July 2005, several Washington museums engaged in a year-long survey of his work. A feature documentary film about the artist/inventor/composer's life and work, TRIMPIN: The Sound of Invention, was produced and directed by Peter Esmonde. Painter, critic, and author Gary Faigin is cofounder and Artistic Director of Gage Academy of Art in Seattle, as well as the school's Still Life Atelier instructor. He has taught in art schools across the country including the National Academy of Design and the Parsons School of Design. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Gage Academy of Art.

Thursday, November 14 on Urban Forum Northwest: *Michelle Merriweather, President & CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle invites you to the 23rd Annual Breakfast:Era of Essential Service featuring special guest, Taraji P. Henson. The event will be held on Friday, November 22 beginning at 8:30 am at the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building 900 Pine Street, Seattle 98101.*David Cuerpo, Communications Specialist | Public Information Officer, Seattle Fire Department in his position he speaks on behalf of the firefighters and paramedics that serve the city. He also informs the community of significant events. Today he will inform you of two events that will inform interested individuals that might want to consider a career as a firefighter/paramedic. The starting salary is $94,000.00.*Dr. John German reflects on the contributions made by the late Dr. James D. Carter who passed away suddenly on October 28. He was revered leader and a cherished part of The Breakfast Group, a Seattle nonprofit made up of African American professional men. He was executive director of The Breakfast Group's Project M.I.S.T.E.R program. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a member of the National Black MBA Association.*John Houston's father was swindled out of 10 acres of property on Union Street in Renton WA by theRenton School District. His family was told that the District needed their property to build a middle/junior high school, which was never built but sold to a developer. Mr. Houston will provide an update on his efforts to reclaim his family's land.*Josephine Howell comments on JHP Presents "Sounds Of The Sound" that will be held Saturday, November 30 at 6:30 pm at Town Hall Seattle 1119 8th Avenue Seattle 98101.Urban Forum Northwest streams live at www.1150kknw.com. Check us out at www.urbanforumnw.com for archived program and relevant information. Like us on facebook. @Eddie_Rye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thursday, November 14 on Urban Forum Northwest: *Michelle Merriweather, President & CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle invites you to the 23rd Annual Breakfast:Era of Essential Service featuring special guest, Taraji P. Henson. The event will be held on Friday, November 22 beginning at 8:30 am at the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building 900 Pine Street, Seattle 98101. *David Cuerpo, Communications Specialist | Public Information Officer, Seattle Fire Department in his position he speaks on behalf of the firefighters and paramedics that serve the city. He also informs the community of significant events. Today he will inform you of two events that will inform interested individuals that might want to consider a career as a firefighter/paramedic. The starting salary is $94,000.00. *Dr. John German reflects on the contributions made by the late Dr. James D. Carter who passed away suddenly on October 28. He was revered leader and a cherished part of The Breakfast Group, a Seattle nonprofit made up of African American professional men. He was executive director of The Breakfast Group's Project M.I.S.T.E.R program. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a member of the National Black MBA Association. *John Houston's father was swindled out of 10 acres of property on Union Street in Renton WA by theRenton School District. His family was told that the District needed their property to build a middle/junior high school, which was never built but sold to a developer. Mr. Houston will provide an update on his efforts to reclaim his family's land. *Josephine Howell comments on JHP Presents "Sounds Of The Sound" that will be held Saturday, November 30 at 6:30 pm at Town Hall Seattle 1119 8th Avenue Seattle 98101. Urban Forum Northwest streams live at www.1150kknw.com. Check us out at www.urbanforumnw.com for archived program and relevant information. Like us on facebook. @Eddie_Rye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 designer known for his bold, graphic style that incorporates vibrant Diné motifs with messages of Native empowerment. Through his bold art and products, both with Eighth Generation and through his own brand OXDX, Jared works to increase awareness of Indigenous issues while simultaneously showcasing the beauty of Native culture. Sarah Agaton Howes is an Anishinaabe-Ojibwe artist, teacher, and community organizer from Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota. Widely known for her handmade regalia and moccasins featuring Ojibwe floral designs, Sarah has grown from selling handmade earrings to becoming one of Eighth Generation's best-selling artists in addition to having her own line of apparel, accessories, and more through her nationally-recognized brand, Heart Berry. Michelle Lowden is the proud founder and owner of Milo Creations, which has grown in her years as an artist with Eighth Generation from hand-painted Pueblo jewelry to diving into the world of graphic art. Additionally, she now creates mental health content for social media, specifically designed to support the Indigenous community on their healing journey. An Inspired Natives® Collaborator since 2014, she is the first arts entrepreneur to participate Eighth Generation's Inspired Natives® Project. Nationally-recognized Plains artist John Isaiah Pepion (Piikani/Blackfeet) is an artist and educator living and working in Montana. His instantly-recognizable blend of traditional ledger art and contemporary motifs explores issues of modernity, symbols of Indigeneity, and cultural stories. John's most recent accolades include several gallery shows as well as being the poster artist for Ken Burns' PBS documentary, “The American Buffalo”. Louie Gong (Nooksack) (M.Ed.), founder of Eighth Generation, is a highly influential Coast Salish artist, activist, and social entrepreneur with a knack for bringing people together. In 2008, he founded the iconic lifestyle brand Eighth Generation — the first Native-owned company to produce wool blankets — triggering a movement that has diverted millions of dollars from non-Native corporations to a new generation of Native-owned businesses and artists. By successfully disrupting a colonial system and then selling Eighth Generation to the Snoqualmie Tribe, the creative force completed the blueprint for how to merge values and business — something he refers to as the “Native American Dream.” The Inspired Natives® Project, launched by Louie Gong in May 2014, is both a business initiative and an educational initiative. By collaborating with select arts entrepreneurs to manufacture products under the Eighth Generation brand, we hope to expand the Eighth Generation brand's regional appeal while simultaneously increasing the arts entrepreneurs' capacity and educating the public about the tangible costs of cultural appropriation. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Eighth Generation.

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 of Mexican cultural events around the Seattle area. The festival is curated by the Mexican Consulate of Seattle and runs through October 19th.  Soundside producer Jason Burrows went to the Town Hall Seattle and caught the musicians and organizers as they were rehearsing for the performance.   GUESTS:  Paula Madrigal, Artistic Director of Orquesta Northwest Teo Benson, Executive Director of Orquesta Northwest Related Links:  Orquesta Northwest  Mexam NW Festival   Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 status and its impact on society. Rana contends this reverence emerged in the 20th century alongside US global dominance, shaping both domestic and foreign policy. Discover how this cultural phenomenon has hindered meaningful change while silencing an array of movement activists — in Black, Indigenous, feminist, labor, and immigrant politics — who struggled to imagine different constitutional horizons. Gain insights into alternative constitutional futures at this thought-provoking event in collaboration with Red May. Aziz Rana is an American legal scholar and author who currently serves as Richard and Lois Cole Professor of Law at Cornell University specializing in American constitutional law. Michael Hardt teaches political theory in the Literature Program at Duke University. He is co-author, with Antonio Negri, of the Empire trilogy and, most recently, Assembly. He is co-director with Sandro Mezzadra of The Social Movements Lab. Jaleh Mansoor is an associate professor of art history at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, where she teaches modern and contemporary art history with an emphasis on Post WWII European art. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Red May. Buy the Book The Constitutional Bind: How Americans Came to Idolize a Document That Fails Them Third Place Books  

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 streaming Hack Your Health, an informative documentary about the gut microbiome, gut health, and the science of eating. In this collaborative event between Town Hall Seattle and the Institute for Systems Biology, Hack Your Health Director Anjali Nayar will sit down with gut microbiome specialist Dr. Sean Gibbons, a scientific advisor on the film, to discuss the project, interesting developments in microbiome research, and much more. Anjali Nayar is an Indian-Canadian director, former climate scientist, and tech founder. Anjali's newest film, a Netflix Original called Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut is streaming on Netflix, and her fantasy short Closer has over 5 million views and won the 2022 Prism Prize Audience Award (Canada's top music video awards). As of 2024, she is developing a slew of scripted projects and a series with the Golden State Warriors. Her prior films have been supported by Cinereach, Sundance, and Tribeca, won countless awards, jury prizes, gone theatrical, and been acquired by Netflix and Amazon. Sean Gibbons, Ph.D., is associate professor at Institute for Systems Biology. He received his PhD in biophysical sciences from the University of Chicago in 2015, winning a prestigious EPA STAR Graduate Fellowship. He completed his postdoctoral training in the Department of Biological Engineering at MIT and The Broad Institute in 2018. He joined ISB as Washington Research Foundation Distinguished Investigator and assistant professor in 2018. His research on the human microbiome has been published in top scientific journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and the Institute for Systems Biology.  

Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle, this tale with Palestinian and Lebanese roots suggests that when somebody gets your goat, don't be shy about putting them on the spot!

Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle, this Ukrainian tale follows a sister and brother as they meet the supernatural spirit who brings winter.

Can you find lifelong love with an AARP card in your wallet? Dori (72) and Mack (69) did, and they've got a lot to say on the subject! Join them for a candid chat where they dish on discovering love later in life. Balancing time for each other, family, friends, and furry companions? Yep. Talking about merging households? Yep. Starting a family? Probably not going to happen. People in their third act of life tend to seek more than mere flesh and flash, instead craving depth and maturity. Ignorance of each other's previous lives provides the bliss of having an abundance of stories, perspectives, and wisdom waiting to be discovered; an endless adventure! Dori Gillam is a speaker and writer on aging creatively and ageism and is the Board Chair for the Northwest Center for Creative Aging. She is a native Seattle-ite and loves hiking. www.dorigillam.com Mack McCoy is New York City born and raised and has been a real estate broker in Seattle for 30 years. His hobbies include playing pop music with friends and admiring Seattle theatre. This event is presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging.

Explore the life cycle of Seattle artists in a dynamic round table discussion hosted by Sarah Traver, director of Traver Gallery. Join the conversation on transforming artistic practice into a flourishing and creative career within the vibrant artistic landscape of Seattle. Esteemed artists Esther Ervin, Henry Jackson-Spieker, Steve Jensen, Pohlman Knowles, and Jeanne Marie Ferraro all connected with Pratt Fine Arts Center, will share their experiences in developing their practices across diverse disciplines, including glass, installation, jewelry, metal, printmaking, public art, sculpture, and wood. Gain valuable insights from these working artists as they delve into the unique challenges and successes of navigating the Seattle art scene. Whether you're an aspiring artist or an art enthusiast, this discussion promises a deep exploration of artistic growth and the diverse pathways to establishing a fulfilling career within the rich cultural tapestry of Seattle. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with the life stories and creative journeys of these influential artists. Esther Ervin, a visual artist from Somerville, New Jersey, holds a BS in Biology from UC Irvine and an MFA in Fine Art/Illustration from CSU Long Beach. Her diverse experiences include teaching in the Peace Corps in Colombia and later focusing on art, with a particular interest in the environment, politics, and abstraction. Her jewelry has been exhibited internationally. She is an active member of various art organizations, including the Seattle Metals Guild, the Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA), and the Black Arts West Alumni Association as an honorary.  Henry Jackson-Spieker is a multidisciplinary artist focusing on sculpture and site-specific installations, combining glass, bronze, steel, wood, fiber, and light. His sculptures explore tension, balance and reflection through the merging of contrasting materials. He creates public art installations at Midtown Commons in Seattle, The Seattle Center, Method Gallery, and Wa NA Wari Gallery. Jackson-Spieker has been teaching glass blowing and bronze casting at Pratt Fine Arts Center for the past seven years.   Steve Jensen has been a working artist for over 45 years. Raised around family fishing boats in Seattle, his art reflects deep maritime roots. His latest “VOYAGER” collection is inspired by his Scandinavian fisherman and boat builder heritage, symbolizing journeys into the unknown. From 2015 to 2023, Jensen exhibited solo at major Washington state venues, including the Seattle Art Museum, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and many others. Featured on Channel 9's Art as Voyage and Amazon Prime's The Story of Art in America (episode 10, 2023), his compelling work has garnered widespread recognition.  Sabrina Knowles and Jenny Pohlman (Pohlman Knowles) marked a quarter-century of collaboration in 2018 with the exhibition “SYNCHRONICITY: Twenty-Five Years of Collaboration” at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. They have undertaken six international journeys, morphing their experiences into sculptural stories to share what they have learned about healing, compassion, and the power of the human spirit through assemblages of sculpted glass and fabricated steel. Their work is in the collections of Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Henry Ford Museum, Museum of American Glass, and Tacoma Art Museum among others.  Jeanne Marie Ferraro was raised in a working-class family in Cleveland, Ohio, and found her artistic passion in childhood while observing the pouring of liquid metal into steel beams with her father. A storyteller across various media Jeanne's art has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including in Canada and Portugal, and is part of private collections. Alongside her artistic endeavors, Jeanne has dedicated forty years to teaching visual art, currently focusing on glassblowing, drawing, and painting at the Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle.  Sarah Traver, President of Traver Gallery  Since joining her father's business in 2004, Sarah Traver has been the President of Traver Gallery, overseeing all aspects from strategy to installation. With degrees in art and education, she emphasizes the gallery's mission as a space for learning and idea-sharing. Sarah, beloved by artists and the community, also serves on the boards of Artist Trust and Pratt Fine Arts Center.   Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Pratt Fine Arts Center.

This week's episode features an interview with Loretta Napoleoni, conducted by Ross Reynolds, the longtime public radio host and occasional GeekWire Podcast guest host, in an event presented by Town Hall Seattle on April 18, 2024. Loretta Napoleoni is an Italian economist and journalist whose books include "Rogue Economics" and "Insurgent Iraq." Her newest book is “Technocapitalism: The Rise of the New Robber Barons and the Fight for the Common Good." In this interview, she explains the concept of the "present future." This refers to the disorienting era in which we're living, characterized by rapid technological change that creates anxiety and a feeling of being constantly behind. She also discusses the control of technology by a few powerful entrepreneurs, whom she calls "technocapitalists," and the failure of society and the state to direct technological innovation for the common good.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disinformation has been used throughout history as a tool to intentionally deceive or manipulate the enemy. In our present age of information, where fabricated news stories, photos, or posts of any kind can be spread in an instant, we find ourselves especially vulnerable to the potentially devasting effects of weaponized disinformation. Lee McIntyre is an author and Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University. McIntyre has penned multiple publications exploring the science behind strategic deception. In On Disinformation, the author guides readers through a seventy-year history of strategic political denials, dating back to Soviet intelligence operations in the 1920's. With the added support of interviews from leading experts on information warfare, counterterrorism, and political extremism, McIntyre lays out the path that has led to our current moment of polarization. In response to the crisis McIntyre presents, he outlines steps that political leaders can take to push back against the spread of disinformation. He also makes a case for the power of collective action, encouraging ordinary citizens to place pressure on Congress to regulate social media sites like Facebook and YouTube. Join Lee McIntyre in his return to Town Hall Seattle, where he will speak truth to the crisis of disinformation, and suggest how we can pursue a more hopeful future. Lee McIntyre is a Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University. He is the author of Dark Ages: The Case for a Science of Human Behavior, Post-Truth, and The Scientific Attitude: Defending Science from Denial, Fraud, and Pseudoscience, all published by the MIT Press.   Buy the Book On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy Queen Anne Book Company

What's it like to be a sociopath? This week's guest tells us. On this episode, Katy sits down with author and self-described sociopath Patric Gagne for a LIVE interview with audience at Seattle's Town Hall venue, whose recent book Sociopath has been acclaimed as a "fascinating, revelatory memoir revealing the author's struggle to come to terms with her own sociopathy and shed light on the often maligned and misunderstood mental disorder." Hear from Patric about her experiences since childhood realizing that she didn't feel the same way other people did, what it was like to be diagnosed with this daunting disorder, and how she over came sociopathy to go on to have a life full of love and hope. Don't miss this fascinating author interview! Order Sociopath here or find it wherever you buy books. Find Patric Gagne on Instagram. This interview has been reaired on this podcast with permission of Town Hall Seattle. ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!  

Three expert guests discuss the implications of AI and the fine arts in a conversation moderated by Steve Scher.  Scientist and founder of the Artists and Machine Intelligence program at Google, Blaise Agüera y Arcas, will offer his “news from the front” about the latest developments in AI capabilities, and what he foresees ahead.  Alex Alben, technology executive, author, and law professor, will review the implications of AI to the artist from the point of view of intellectual property: is anything on the internet up for grabs, or is compensation for image “borrowing” a possibility? Finally, painter Jason Puccinelli, who uses AI as one of his tools in image creation, will talk about what he finds exciting and useful, and what he finds problematic, about this new resource. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Gage Academy of Art.

AARP Washington, BECU, and KING 5 hosted a free event to celebrate and support those who provide care for others at Town Hall Seattle. MSNBC news anchor, filmmaker and author Richard Lui cared for his father with Alzheimers over the last decade and he's become a passionate advocate for family caregivers. Dr. Kate Zhong, geriatric psychiatrist and founder of the Brainnovation Initiative at UNLV gave practical advice and info on the latest in brain research. KING 5 Evening host Jim Dever moderated the discussion. And find more support and resources for people giving care for others in our state at aarp.org/caregiverswa

Join Judy Kinney, Executive Director of GenPride, and members of the LGBTQ+ community for a lively discussion about how to stay proud and engaged as they age. GenPride advocates for Seattle/King County older LGBTQIA+ adults' unique needs through programs and services that cultivate well-being and belonging. Judy Kinney (she/they) is an experienced non-profit leader and community builder who has devoted 20 years of her career to protecting, supporting, and advancing the well-being of older adults, including promoting the equality, safety, and health of older LGBTQIA+ people. Judy is deeply committed to centering the intersections of age, race, and LGBTQ+ identities in GenPride's work. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging.

This week, Lindy and Meagan go LIVE in front of an audience at Town Hall Seattle! Meagan talks about the dude she almost fought at breakfast the morning of the show. Lindy explains why she missed her family reunion in Norway - and why Meagan went without her. Then celeb guest / bestselling author / world-class gift-giver / NBA fan Angela Garbes plays a truly epic round of FMK with the nine Supreme Court justices. Check out Angela's appearance on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, her TED Talk about what working parents really need from workplaces, and her two books: Like A Mother and Essential Labor.   TEXT ME BACK is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jeannie Yandel. Our senior producer is Brandi Fullwood. Our mixer is Jason Burrows.Love the show? Share it with your bestie, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Got a question or accolades for Lindy and Meagan? Join the TMB Text Club! Text BFF to 206-926-9955. Or email us at textmeback@kuow.org. You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie connections follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For one shining moment you reached for the sky…and voted for the WINNER of Text Me Bracket, our deranged bracket game that pitted the Best Animals against the Worst People! This week, Lindy and Meagan announce the winner and talk through the intense matchups, the various losers, Cinderella stories, and devastating upsets. From Kayak Dad to Mr Darcy, there's much to discuss.And when Text Me Bracket is done — win or lose — you always did your best, because inside you knew… that forcing random people and animals to compete against each other based on no discernible criteria is the most fun thing you can do.   TEXT ME BACK is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jeannie Yandel. Our senior producer is Brandi Fullwood. Our mixer is Jason Burrows. Come to TEXT ME BACK LIVE! Join us at Town Hall Seattle on Friday March 15th 7:30-9:30pm. Grab your tickets here. Love the show? Share it with your bestie, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Got a question or accolades for Lindy and Meagan? Join the TMB Text Club! Text BFF to 206-926-9955. Or email us at textmeback@kuow.org. You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie connections follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Text Me Back takes on...sports?! OK, hang on. We know your elegant pointer finger is hovering over the skip button right now. But Lindy and Meagan promise you…NBA basketball is actually funny as hell and more dramatic than Love Is Blind. And you don't even really have to watch the games to get the top-shelf comedy. (Although that's where you see the dunks. And the dunks are incredible.)   And speaking of drama, college basketball goes full-on Gladiator once a month with March Madness. Lindy and Meagan have channeled all the good stuff about March Madness (competitiveness, overblown rivalries) and done away with the boring stuff (actual college teams) to bring you Text Me Bracket! We're pitting the Best Animals against the Worst people in our matchups. Head to our Instagram stories @textmebackpod to learn about each bracket and to play along. While you're there, send Lindy some birthday accolades! TEXT ME BACK is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jeannie Yandel. Our senior producer is Brandi Fullwood. Our mixer is Jason Burrows. Come to TEXT ME BACK LIVE! Join us at Town Hall Seattle on Friday March 15th 7:30-9:30pm. Grab your tickets here. Love the show? Share it with your bestie, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Got a question or accolades for Lindy and Meagan? Join the TMB Text Club! Text BFF to 206-926-9955. Or email us at textmeback@kuow.org. You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie connections follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Text Me Back, the greatest podcast in the history of media, Lindy and Meagan dive into their texts to share some hard truths: Tom Cruise is great! Chris Pratt is actually funny? Sorry, discourse, but we need to discuss our problematic faves. And, your intrepid hosts have departed Independence, Missouri, with nothing more than a dream, a covered wagon, a dimwitted guide, and an unhygienic missionary…that's right, Oregon Trail is back, baby, and weirder than ever. Will Lindy and Meagan make it to the Willamette Valley without dying of dysentery? Tune in to find out. Finally, Lindy — president of the weird snake fan club — is at long last bringing us hot snake news all the way from the Amazon. Someone has allegedly found an enormous anaconda, but viewers of the hit 1997 film "Anaconda" starring Jennifer Lopez already knew all about it. ⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩ TEXT ME BACK is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jeannie Yandel. Our senior producer is Brandi Fullwood. Our mixer is Jason Burrows. Come to TEXT ME BACK LIVE! Join us at Town Hall Seattle on Friday March 15th 7:30-9:30pm. Grab your tickets here. Love the show? Share it with your bestie, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Got a question or accolades for Lindy and Meagan? Join the TMB Text Club! Text BFF to 206-926-9955. Or email us at textmeback@kuow.org. You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie connections follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Joy Boulamwini visits Town Hall Seattle (in conjunction with Third Place Books) to discuss her 2023 publication, Unmasking AI: My Mission To Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines. Dr. Joy is a Rhodes Scholar, as in African Race Soldier Cecil Rhodes, and was the focal point of the 2020 documentary, Coded Bias, which examines how the System of White Supremacy is manifest in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. She discussed some of the more recent cases, including the arrest of privileged black male, 42-year-old Robert Julian-Borchak Williams. The attempted black father of two was snatched from his front lawn and arrested in front of his offspring - just like the character Maverick in The Hate U Give. Detroit, Michigan enforcement officers used facial recognition technology to "identify" Williams as a watch thief. Turns out the technology makes a lot of "false positives" when it comes to identifying dark faces. Dr. Joy also mentioned the case of Porcha Woodruff, who also lives in Detroit. Just like Mr. Williams, Detroit enforcement officials used facial recognition technology to pin a carjacking caper on Woodruff. Officers didn't think Woodruff being 8 months pregnant with child would hinder her ability to loot vehicles. #TechnologyOfWhitePower #TheCOWS15Years INVEST in The COWS – http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS CALL IN NUMBER: 605.313.5164 CODE: 564943#

This week, Lindy and Meagan can barely contain themselves because they're recording the show in the same room for the first time in Text Me Back history! And unfortunately, the room they're recording in is probably haunted!Speaking of history, Lindy reveals the blockbuster information she uncovered about her own family's history thanks to the internet. And Meagan reveals a long-buried memory from elementary school. Then, our courageous hosts share deeply creepy stories from the Text Me Back Text Club. *** Come to TEXT ME BACK LIVE! Join us at Town Hall Seattle on Friday March 15th 7:30-9:30pm. Grab your tickets here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kuow-presents-text-me-back-live-tickets-797744574497***TEXT ME BACK is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jeannie Yandel. Our senior producer is Brandi Fullwood Our mixer is Jason Burrows.  Love the show? Share it with your bestie, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Got a question or accolades for Lindy and Meagan? Join the TMB Text Club! Text BFF to 206-926-9955. Or email us at textmeback@kuow.org. You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie connections follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Rebecca Crichton in conversation with Andrea Cohen, a long-time facilitator of Compassionate Listening practices. Andrea will share personal stories of how these practices have transformed conflicts – with families, friends, and within challenged communities – into relationships based on greater understanding, caring, and connection. Andrea Cohen, MSW, is a certified Compassionate Listening facilitator. She is the author of Practicing the Art of Compassionate Listening and director of the Compassionate Listening film Children of Abraham. She also co-directed the Compassionate Listening-based Jewish-German Reconciliation Project for several years. Rebecca Crichton started her “Encore Career” as Executive Director of NWCCA in 2012 after 21 years with The Boeing Company. She refashioned her skills and knowledge as a writer, curriculum designer, and leadership development coach to offer Creative Aging programs at many Seattle area venues. An active participant in the local aging community, she writes regularly for 3rd Act Magazine. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Seattle's theatre community demonstrated resilience and adaptability, navigating through challenging times to envision a new era for the performing arts. Arts journalist and educator Misha Berson will moderate an open discussion about Seattle's current theatrical landscape with the respected artistic directors of three of the city's most popular stage companies: John Langs, head of the long-running ACT Theatre; Karen Lund, producing artistic director of Taproot Theatre in Greenwood; and Dámaso Rodríguez, the new artistic director of the Tony Award-honored Seattle Repertory Theatre. Misha Berson was the chief theatre critic for The Seattle Times for 25 years. Now a freelance writer and teacher, her work appears in The Seattle Times, American Theatre, and other publications, and she is the author of four books, most recently Something's Coming, Something Good: West Side Story and the American Imagination. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging.

This week on Text Me Back, particularly poignant hosts Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays get scammed by the airline industry and online retailer Saks Off Fifth. Then, bestselling author and Internet historian Taylor Lorenz gives us a reality check on the government PSYOP creating cringe millennial content. She also joins us for a round of FMK(W) Tech CEO edition. Want more Taylor? Of course you do! Go read her book: Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet And follow her TikTok or YouTube or her Washington Post column or Substack TikTok's we mentioned in today's show: Kahlil Greene Snarky Marky Barfly7777 Absolutely Lisa ⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩ Join us at Town Hall Seattle on Friday March 15th 7:30-9:30pm. Grab your tickets here. On February 2nd, Meagan's sweet but spicy Pomeranian Brenda Entertainment Baby passed. If you feel moved to donate to a shelter that helped her live, please consider the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. TEXT ME BACK is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jeannie Yandel. Our senior producer is Brandi Fullwood Our mixer is Jason Burrows. ⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩ Got a question or accolades for Lindy and Meagan? Join the TMB Text Club! Text BFF to 206-926-9955. Or email us at textmeback@kuow.org. You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie connections follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Text Me Back! hosts / everyone's soul mates Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays understand that Valentine's Day is a made-up holiday. But they love you so much, they made this special Valentine's Day bonus episode just for you anyway! It's chock full of previously unreleased content about Lindy and Meagan's true love, the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Lindy and Meagan bring in a special guest to answer listener questions about the beloved books and movies. Then the hosts play perhaps the spiciest game of Eff, Marry, Kill ever documented, with all the villains of Middle Earth!   Come to Text Me Back Live! at Town Hall Seattle on Friday, March 15 · 7:30 - 9:30pm. Grab your tickets here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kuow-presents-text-me-back-live-tickets-797744574497 TEXT ME BACK is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jeannie Yandel. Our senior producer is Brandi Fullwood Our mixer is Jason Burrows.Got a question or accolades for Lindy and Meagan? Join the TMB Text Club! Text BFF to 206-926-9955. Or email us at textmeback@kuow.org. You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie connections follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know Lindy once wrote and performed a whole entire 80's sitcom-style theme song for this podcast? She did! And did you know Australia will come for you if you try to sneak a plant or animal in? Meagan knows all too well!In this little mini-episode, you'll hear the podcast theme song that almost was. And you'll learn about one of the more cringeworthy punishments the Australian government handed down to a couple who tried to bring their pets along on a visit. Come to Text Me Back Live! at Town Hall Seattle on Friday, March 15 · 7:30 - 9:30pm. Grab your tickets here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kuow-presents-text-me-back-live-tickets-797744574497 TEXT ME BACK is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jeannie Yandel. Our senior producer is Brandi Fullwood. Our mixer is Jason Burrows. Diana Bowen makes our video content. Got a question or accolades for Lindy and Meagan? Join the TMB Text Club! Text BFF to 206-926-9955. Or email us at textmeback@kuow.org. You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie connections follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for a conversation between former Town Hall Seattle Writer-in-Residence Sarah Salcedo and Washington State Poet Laureate Arianne True. Together, they will discuss how they negotiate the intersections of neurodivergence, art, and artistic careers. After a discussion, there will be a reading of Arianne's poems and a section from the in-progress novel that Sarah began during her Town Hall residency in 2022, which has also been funded by 4Culture. Arianne True (Choctaw, Chickasaw) is a queer poet and teaching artist from Seattle, and has spent most of her work time working with youth. She's received fellowships and residencies from Jack Straw, the Hugo House, Artist Trust, and the Seattle Repertory Theater, and is a proud alum of Hedgebrook and of the MFA program at the Institute of American Indian Arts. She lives near the Salish Sea with her cat. Arianne is the 2023-2025 Washington State Poet Laureate. Sarah Salcedo is an award-winning filmmaker, illustrator, and author. She was the Spring 2022 Writer-in-Residence for Town Hall Seattle and attended both the 2022 Tin House Winter and Summer Workshop for fiction. Her first film, Promised Land, debuted in festivals in 2016. She is currently at work on her next two documentaries with her partner and collaborator, Vasant Salcedo. She has received multiple grants from 4Culture and Artist Trust for her fiction and film work. To learn more about our speakers, or read their work prior to the event, please visit their websites and social media below: Arianne True: Website | Instagram Sarah Salcedo: Website | Instagram

This week on Text Me Back!, condiment fanatic hosts Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays, ketch-up for the first time in a long time. Meagan fills us in on the details of which long and boring film she watched that will likely get an Oscar and Lindy had a close encounter with a revenant relative. Then, Doug Lindner, a VIP from Swamp Town, joins us as we venture into getting serious about democracy and the potentially growing power of the Supreme Court (see: Worst People of 2024). And, Lindy updates us on a recent alien discovery. Maybe. Come to Text Me Back Live! at Town Hall Seattle on Friday, March 15 · 7:30 - 9:30pm. Grab your tickets here. TEXT ME BACK is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jeannie Yandel. Our senior producer is Brandi Fullwood Our mixer is Jason Burrows. Got a question or accolades for Lindy and Meagan? Join the TMB Text Club! Text BFF to 206-926-9955. Or email us at textmeback@kuow.org. You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie connections follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Take a moment to appreciate the humble but essential set of muscles we call the pelvic floor.  When the pelvic floor is working well, our bladder, bowels, and sexual functioning are more likely to be trouble-free. If they aren't working well, people can experience incontinence, constipation, pain, and a host of other troubles. Out of embarrassment or discomfort with the topic, people often turn to unreliable sources for information and help. Dr. Peg Maas, DPT, is a Board Certified Pelvic and Women's Health Physical Therapist who has worked and taught in the field for over 30 years. She works with people of all genders and ages, bringing useful pelvic health information to those who are ready to learn — no matter their comfort level with the topic. Dr. Maas's down-to-earth approach and humor will provide attendees with practical health-changing information for people to begin implementing before they even leave the building! Dr. Peg Maas, DPT, works at Swedish Medical Center and is a Clinical Faculty Member at the University of Washington, and a clinical lecturer at University of Puget Sound. In her clinical work, she treats patients of all ages and genders with a broad spectrum of pelvic floor diagnoses. She tries to set everyone she sees at ease so they feel comfortable asking the questions they hope to ask and can learn what they need to learn to reach their goals. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging.

Today we're sharing an excerpt from our live show at Town Hall Seattle featuring our special guest, writer and comedian Lindy West. The Seattleite talked with us about Former President Donald Trump's indictment, the Hollywood writers’ strike, being broke and what it means to be fat positive in the Ozempic era. Plus, she shares some smart facts about snakes, whales and the Canada goose. Here’s everything we talked about: “Lindy West Is Not a Star” from The Stranger “Butt News #24: Never Been Kissed” from Lindy West’s newsletter “Key Takeaways From the Trump Indictment” from The New York Times “Opinion | I Quit Twitter and It Feels Great” from The New York Times “Why writers are having a hard time earning a living in the streaming economy” from NPR Video: “It’s Adorable When A Snake Drinks Water!” from Nature Quest “Planet Money makes an episode using AI” from NPR “Ozempic has won, body positivity has lost. And I want no part of it” from The Guardian ‘“Van Life” is driving a niche market for conversion companies” from Marketplace We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Send your answer to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today we're sharing an excerpt from our live show at Town Hall Seattle featuring our special guest, writer and comedian Lindy West. The Seattleite talked with us about Former President Donald Trump's indictment, the Hollywood writers’ strike, being broke and what it means to be fat positive in the Ozempic era. Plus, she shares some smart facts about snakes, whales and the Canada goose. Here’s everything we talked about: “Lindy West Is Not a Star” from The Stranger “Butt News #24: Never Been Kissed” from Lindy West’s newsletter “Key Takeaways From the Trump Indictment” from The New York Times “Opinion | I Quit Twitter and It Feels Great” from The New York Times “Why writers are having a hard time earning a living in the streaming economy” from NPR Video: “It’s Adorable When A Snake Drinks Water!” from Nature Quest “Planet Money makes an episode using AI” from NPR “Ozempic has won, body positivity has lost. And I want no part of it” from The Guardian ‘“Van Life” is driving a niche market for conversion companies” from Marketplace We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Send your answer to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.