Shows
Voices of the MethowFrom Mexico to Twisp Wa: A Chance Encounter with an Amazing Saxophonist* A candid five-minute interview with a friendly saxophonist I met on a Twisp street corner a few years ago. Brayan Daniel is from Nuevo Leon, a town in north eastern Mexico. He loves music, and was pursuing a college degree in accounting. Here is an example of how the universal power of art connects us—especially in times when immigrants are unfairly framed. Tune in to hear his reflections, his music, and a reminder that humanity crosses borders, and the ways immigrants enrich our communities. Rock on Brayan!https://music.apple.com/us/ar...
2025-12-2304 min
Voices of the MethowThe River’s Voice: Randy Lewis on History, Salmon, and RenewalOn 10-3-25 Randy Lewis and Aaron Naumman gave a talk at the Winthrop Barn titled Dams and the Impacts on Salmon - Weaving Indigenous and Western Knowledge. At least that was how it was billed! It started off with an introduction by David LaFever, director of the Methow Valley Interpretive Center, and then Arnold Cleveland, a Wenatchi/p’squosa tribal member graced the stage with some with some significant thoughts and a flute prayer. Randy Lewis is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation of the Wenatchi/p’squosa, Methow and Okanagan bands. Randy is a st...
2025-11-241h 21
Voices of the MethowAn In Depth Visit With Mark Tesch, The Man And His Music!You are in for a special treat! On 11-16-25- I asked a friend of mine Ken Bevis to host a podcast episode with Mark Tesch and Bruce Herron. We gathered at the Kroot radio station studio 97.5 FM, thanks Don Ashford! Ken explored Mark’s past including picking apples, hitchhiking, Hospital Facility Manager, Montessori teacher, Crew leader at Holden Village, Habitat for humanity board member, House builder, to name a few as well a singer Song writer and strawberry picker! We also talk about the Methow acoustic music association (Mama), where we all are members, and cover the mu...
2025-11-211h 11
Voices of the MethowRichard Hart- Speaking at the Merc on 10/26/25- The Difference Between Executive orders, Treaty Reservations, and moreIn this audio we have MVIC (Methow Valley Interpretive Center) Director David LaFever giving a warm welcome to the gathering and introduce Arnold Cleveland ( a Wenatchee or “P’Squosa” Tribal member, who shares some meaningful words and a flute prayer, then Richard Hart speaks about the Difference between executive orders and treaty reservations and especially what we have to remember about today’s Moses Columbia reservation. This conversation is based in part on Richard’s book Lost Homeland, where you can find a lot of relevant info. Our thanks to the Methow Valley Interpretive Center and all the people behind the...
2025-11-031h 09
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver Conversations“It’s Time to Punch Up” with Scott DavisIn this episode of The Loom, Byron and co-hosts Raven and Gregory are joined by Scott Davis. Scott is a founding member of an organization called Punch-up, which is “building a home where poor and working white men from across the country join in the work for freedom and justice for all.” Scott also hosts Punch-up’s Youtube show, “Dishonor,” which centers the stories of poor and working class folks who are defending their communities against quasi-legal mugging by modern day robber-barons. We have a great conversation about false binaries like Red vs. Blue; urgency vs. endurance; and the power of l...
2025-10-231h 11
Voices of the MethowRandy Lewis Shares some Tribal history and tells the tale of Red Star Blue Star Defeats Spexman!On December 19th 2018, I attended and recorded a book launching presentation given at the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center. The book, Red Star Blue Star co authored by Historian and author Bill Layman and Wenatchi/P’squosa Colville Tribal elder and Activist Randy Lewis, tells the tale of a pair of twins fighting Spexman an elemental being that is defeated with the help of some of their friends. Randy also speaks of a time before rock island was submerged and the power and cultural heritage of the petroglyphs that his Grandfather witnessed as a youth, as well as the ga...
2025-09-1134 min
Voices of the MethowAn Interview With Hilary Kaltenbach- Methow Valley School Board District 4 CandidateThis is an interview I recently recorded with Hilary Kaltenbach. I had several reasons for wanting to do this. I knew almost nothing about her and I wanted to give her an opportunity for a low stakes interview where she might be able to practice organizing her thoughts, so I decided to reach out and see if she was up for a chat. She was, and She didn’t disappoint! I want to share that I already recorded a similar interview with Boo Schneider, who is running for the same school board position as Hilary. Boo’s interview is also...
2025-09-0128 min
Voices of the MethowAn Interview with Boo Schneider- Methow Valley School Board District 4 CandidateThis is an interview I recently recorded with Boo Schneider. I had several reasons for wanting to do this. I knew almost nothing about her and I wanted to give her an opportunity for a low stakes interview where she might be able to practice organizing her thoughts, so I decided to reach out and see if she was up for a chat. She was, and She didn’t disappoint! I want to also share that I am offering the same opportunity to Hilary Kaltenbach, who is running for the same school board position as Boo. Hilary has agreed to...
2025-08-2539 min
Voices of the MethowKen Bevis- Part 4- A Deep Dive Into The Man And His MusicIn this episode of Voices of the Methow, we are once again talking to musician and wildlife biologist, Ken Bevis. This is the culminating conversation in a 4 part series that began with a 2017 interview on my radio show on KTRT FM 97.5. In this episode we talk about the arc of Ken’s musical career, how he integrates it into his work as a biologist, and how he got involved with the Lost Homeland project. Get full access to Byron Odion at byronodion821766.substack.com/subscribe
2025-08-0748 min
Voices of the MethowThe Perils and Promise of AI: A conversation with Ken BajemaIn this episode of Voices of the Methow, Byron is joined by retired Deputy Marshal and AI hobbyist Ken Bajema for Part 1 of an in-depth discussion about the accelerating development of artificial intelligence and its potential impacts on society, for better and worse. Ken describes how he built a personal AI chatbot at home, based on open source models and using existing AI agents to help him. He then draws on what he’s been learning from this experience to reflect on the formidable power of this technology and the unpredictable changes it may bring forth. The conversation is bo...
2025-07-3048 min
Voices of the MethowThe Importance of Being Seen and Heard with Leaf Running-rabbitThis is a conversation I recorded in 2020 with an old friend of mine named Leaf Running-rabbit. About 25 years ago, Leaf and I worked for three years on a construction site with a special group of people building a magical house. This is the story of some important lessons we learned, how we grew in the process, and how those lessons spiraled out into our own lives and many others. Get full access to Byron Odion at byronodion821766.substack.com/subscribe
2025-07-2437 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsAmara Lynch and Steven Joiner On Anti-Oppressive Parenting of White SonsIn this episode of Byron’s Loom, Byron is joined once again by guests Amara Lynch and Steven Joiner. Amara is completing her doctoral research on anti-oppression parenting. In this conversation, she offers us a glimpse of her work with a group of parents who are trying to raise White sons in ways that prepare them to support a more socially just society. This is a deeply personal project for Amara because she is one of those parents, herself. Steven, a White man and seasoned social justice activist, advocate, and educator, adds his own experience and wisdom to the co...
2025-07-1244 min
Voices of the MethowBuilding bridges with Janice Dickinson and Sharon CohenIn this conversation we dive into Meditation and Braver Angels. Long time meditation and mindfulness based stress reduction teacher Sharon Cohen and Braver Angels advocate Janice Dickinson joined me to talk a little about themselves and about what each is doing to help build community in our valley. Also cover the work Kim Frey and Janice are doing supporting communication bridge building at the coaches lounge in Twisp as well.You can contact Sharon Cohen at:https://www.mindfulmethow.com/For info on Braver Angels and also the Coaches lounge contact Janice Dickinson...
2025-07-1128 min
Voices of the MethowVoices of the Methow Kick off PodcastWelcome to Voices of the Methow, a new podcast series I am launching featuring conversations with interesting people in and around the Methow Valley. For this episode, I invited Barry Stromberger and Ken Bajema to join me telling some funny stories. Content warning, a couple of Ken’s jokes may not be suitable for all audiences. Please join us as we time travel to talk about the valley as it was 50 years ago on up through more recent times. We share some some funny stories, some that were perhaps not so funny at the time! Hope you enjoy them! If...
2025-07-0859 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsA Collaborative Adventure-Part 3- Background convo, where the pics for the book came from, and other stuff!For context, this is episode 3. In episode 2 Richard Hart Gave an in-depth description of his book Lost Homeland, and after he was done I just kept recording going. What developed was a fascinating convo between Richard and Ken giving some background on their joint project, as well as a great story of how the pictures in the book got there, and a convo on hunting practices and other stuff. We pick up where Richard has just finished describing his book Lost Homeland. Here we go! Get full access to Byron Odion at byronodion821766.substack...
2025-06-1529 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsA Collaberative Adventure-Part 2- Lost Homeland- An Interview with Richard Hart and Ken BevisFor context, this episode I originally recorded for a radio show I had back 2018 on KTRT 97.5 Winthrop. This is part 2, building off a previous episode I recently posted with ken Bevis working on the song Methow Band. I interviewed Richard Hart, a Historian and author on the book he had just then written, lost Homeland. Ken Bevis added music to Richard’s book presentations which they presented in venues around several counties. My hats off to Richard for all the work he has done supporting indigenous tribes and communities through the years! And to Ken Bevis, biologist, musican, and za...
2025-06-1136 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver Conversationsa Collaborative Adventure through music! Part 1This is a story of how a bunch of separate things blossomed into a collaborative adventure. Ken Bevis first came to my attention when I had a radio show on KTRT 97.5 FM Winthrop, in the Methow valley of northern Washington state. I was interviewing folks for my radio show. I had a conversation with Ken, where we talked and he shared a couple songs, one of which was methow band which at the time wasn’t finished yet, and that is what inspired all of what follows here. I ran across this recording and realized how cool it was to...
2025-06-0914 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsConvo with Barry Stromberger and Ken BajemaIn this episode we are recording in person. We cover how life was like 50 years ago arriving, where we live, in the methow valley, as well as talking about how the valley and we have changed as well. My hats off to Barry Stromberger and Ken Bajema for their willingness to share their lives and perspectives! Get full access to Byron Odion at byronodion821766.substack.com/subscribe
2025-06-051h 01
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsMore fun with Wells and septic systemsI was having a recorded convo check in with a friend of mine, Mike Marthaller, and we were trading stories. One thing lead to another and as you will hear, he suggested i post this on the podcast, sooo, it’s your fault mike! Thanks for laughing with or at me! Take yer pick! 🤡 Get full access to Byron Odion at byronodion821766.substack.com/subscribe
2025-05-2904 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsLeaning into the DivideLeaning Into the Divide is a Podcast Series partnership between Forthright and Byron’s Loom and co-hosted by Sue Lani Madsen and Byron Odion, featuring regular guests, Roger Haynes, Gregory Mengel couldn’t be with us this time, Raven Odion and joining us for his first time, Mike Liu. In each episode we take on a potentially divisive topic using Braver Angels tools and a good-faith intention to disagree accurately while looking for common ground. In this episode #4, we discuss our backgrounds, as well as discussing the importance of open and honest communication, particularly in the context of political and...
2025-05-2259 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsAmara Lynch and Steven Joiner- Managing DisappointmentIn this episode of Byron’s Loom, Byron in joined by guests Amara Lynch and Steven Joiner. Amara is a graduate student and the mother of a 10 year old boy. Steven is a leadership trainer and consultant specializing in white masculinity. In this conversation we tackled disillusion and disappointment. Amara shared about how her son is navigating his discovery that that there are no leprechauns and Santa ain’t real. Steven told us about his goal is to help create and live a healthy blueprint of masculinity. Steven Joiner also described “2 jobs”: 1) providing resources and removing barriers and 2) being honest w...
2025-05-0833 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsLeaning into the Divide: Ep3. voting rightsLeaning Into the Divide is a Podcast Series partnership between Forthright and Byron’s Loom and co-hosted by Sue Lani Madsen and Byron Odion, featuring regular guests, Roger Haynes, Gregory Mengel, and Raven Odion. In each episode we take on a potentially divisive topic using Braver Angels tools and a good-faith intention to disagree accurately while looking for common ground. In this episode we discuss Election Integrity and Voting from red and blue perspectives. Get full access to Byron Odion at byronodion821766.substack.com/subscribe
2025-05-0550 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsGregory Mengel and Mary Lynn HutchisonIn this episode of Byron’s Loom, Gregory Mengel is joined by Mary Lynn Hutchison for a wide-ranging conversation about polarization and how we might break out of our informational and ideological silos. Mary Lynn is a former physicist, a professional grandmother, and currently serve as Co-chair of the Central Eastern Washington Braver Angels Alliance. She leans right. Gregory is a culture worker and writer focusing on the social, political, and ecological crises of our time. He leans left. Their conversation touched on many things, from the unintended consequences of local tax schemes, to how Democrat and Republican policies do...
2025-05-0157 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsGregory Mengel and Mary Lynn HutchisonIn this episode of Byron’s Loom, Gregory Mengel is joined by Mary Lynn Hutchison for a wide-ranging conversation about polarization and how we might break out of our informational and ideological silos. Mary Lynn is a former physicist, a professional grandmother, and currently serves as Co-chair of the Central Eastern Washington Braver Angels Alliance. She leans right. Gregory is a culture worker and writer focusing on the social, political, and ecological crises of our time. He leans left. Their conversation touched on many things, from the unintended consequences of local tax schemes, to how Democrat and Republican policies do...
2025-05-0157 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsHow Byron's loom StartedThis is literally where it all started, in terms of the Byron’s Loom Podcast. It is the story of how trust in the Braver Angels Way turned a potentially polarized conversation into a productive working relationship. Byron and Sue Lani Madsen originally met through the organization Braver Angels. Both had experience with the practice of using Braver Angels tools to engage in conversations across differences. One day, Sue Lani wrote a substack article that upset Byron. But, instead of leaving an angry, self-righteous comment, he picked up the phone and called Sue Lani to tell her how he’d be...
2025-04-2923 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsKaeley Triller Harms and Abraham LateinerIn this episode Byron was joined by returning guest Kaeley Triller Harms in conversation with Abraham Lateiner. Kaeley identifies herself as a Christian feminist and accidental activist working to support women’s rights within her Conservative Christian circles and beyond. Abraham identifies as a politically progressive feminist. His recent work has primarily been focused on men, with the aim of transforming cultures of masculinity away from their traditional emphasis on coercion and dominance. He wants to cultivate a culture that sees support as a essential value for protecting all forms of life. Kaeley and Abraham tackle the following controversial qu...
2025-04-1757 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsLeaning into the Divide: Ep. 2 Guns and Gun RightsLeaning Into the Divide is a Podcast Series partnership between Forthright and Byron’s Loom and co-hosted by Sue Lani Madsen and Byron Odion, featuring regular guests, Kaeley Triller Harms, Roger Haynes, Gregory Mengel, and Raven Odion. In each episode we take on a potentially divisive topic using Braver Angels tools and a good-faith intention to disagree accurately while looking for common ground. In this episode, we discuss guns and gun rights from several different perspectives. Get full access to Byron Odion at byronodion821766.substack.com/subscribe
2025-04-0743 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsThe Sin of Empathy- Is it a sin?SummaryIn this episode, Byron and his guests, Elizabeth Dahl and Kaeley Triller Harms, discuss the rising tide of Christian Nationalism in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on the influence of figures like Doug Wilson. They explore the way Wilson and other Christian leaders in this movement are using their positions of authority to manipulate followers into accepting a toxic teaching that demonizes empathy. They explore the potential for abuse within authoritarian, high-control religious institutions, as well as the impact of Christian Nationalist leadership on church communities throughout the region and the country.Cults and Christian...
2025-03-2658 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver Conversations3-17-25 Sue Lani and Byron's weekly summaryQuick recapByron and Sue Lani discussed their recent learning experiences, particularly focusing on their podcast adventure and the importance of understanding different perspectives. Sue Lani also attended a town hall meeting in Ritzville, Adams County, where she observed a predominantly non-local crowd from Spokane County, and expressed her concern about the media's portrayal of such events. The conversation also touched on the importance of maintaining neutrality and objectivity in their conversations, the difference between reading someone's work and having a direct conversation with them, and the changing nature of conversations on social media.Learning...
2025-03-1927 min
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsChristian Nationalism and Women's Rights3-11-25 podcastSummary Participants- Byron Odion, Sue Lani Madsen, Kaeley Triller Harms, Paul KivelPaul and Kaeley's Introduction MeetingByron, Sue Lani, Kaeley, and Paul discussed their meeting, with Paul expressing his curiosity about the conversation's direction. while Byron expressed excitement about co-producing audio with Sulani and others. Paul and Kaeley introduced themselves, and Byron prepared to introduce Paul.Retired Activists Share Social Justice ExperiencesPaul, a retired activist and writer, shared his experiences and passion for social justice. Kaeley, a stay-at-home mom and accidental activist...
2025-03-141h 02
Byron's Loom- Weaving relationships through Braver ConversationsLeaning into the Divide: Ep. 1 Patriotism & NationalismLeaning Into the Divide is a Podcast Series partnership between Forthright and Byron’s Loom and co-hosted by Sue Lani Madsen and Byron Odion, featuring regular guests, Kaeley Triller Harms, Roger Haynes, Gregory Mengel, and Raven Odion. In each episode we take on a potentially divisive topic using Braver Angels tools and a good-faith intention to disagree accurately while looking for common ground. In this episode, we discuss Patriotism and Nationalism. Get full access to Byron Odion at byronodion821766.substack.com/subscribe
2025-03-1339 min