Shows
Snohomish County PlacemakersHistory of Everett, WAWe’re back from summer break! And we’re telling stories from Everett’s past. In this episode we talk about fingers getting cut off, union riots, Rosie the Riveters, and the only building in the world that can fit all of Disneyland inside (take a guess).If you like what you hear, be sure to visit our website for more Everett-related content and travel ideas – www.seattlenorthcountry.comAnd be sure to follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry
2025-08-2826 min
At-homishS2Ep8: Creating Spaces Where We All Belong-ish: Tourism, Community, and Finding Home in Snohomish CountyWhat does it mean to truly belong somewhere? Host Wil sits down with Nick Shekeryk and Richard Porter, tourism marketing specialists for Snohomish County, to explore how we create spaces where everyone feels at home - from the bustling streets of Everett to the quiet charm of Darrington.This honest conversation dives deep into the real challenges of belonging: strategic avoidance, navigating spaces where you might not feel welcome, and the power of authentic human connection across our diverse 2,000-square-mile county. These "creative unicorns" within government share how they're working to showcase the real stories behind...
2025-07-2942 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersCrafting Community Connections w/Nigel LindseyRemember how we said we were taking the summer off? Oops – bonus episode with our friend Nigel! You’re welcome. 🫠 There are people in life who do one thing really really well. They find their niche early, lock into their path, and flourish in their chosen lane. Other folks find that they’re good at several things. Jacks of all trades. Swiss army knives, so to speak. Nigel Lindsey is such a renaissance man. It seems like each time we talk to him he's doing something new. Whether it’s starting his own cra...
2025-07-0251 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersCoexisting with Wildlife w/Kurt Hellman, Conservation NWContext is everything. Once, the Washington Territory was seen as untamed wilderness—at least through the eyes of European settlers. With a pioneer mindset, they arrived ready to conquer nature and build civilization. But the land was never as wild as they believed. Indigenous tribes had long managed the forests and rivers of what we now call Washington State. The arrival of settlers brought more than homesteads. Vast old-growth forests were felled. Wildlife once hunted for survival was soon hunted for sport. Apex predators like grizzlies and wolves—viewed as t...
2025-06-1849 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersMusic for All w/Rachel of Musicology Co.Our guest today is Rachel Gardner, a creative, entrepreneur, vinyl record collector, and Edmonds, WA arts enthusiast. Rachel owns the city’s only record shop, Musicology Co., which opened in 2024.So, what makes Rachel unique? In addition to playing bass guitar in a couple local bands and running the only woman-owned record shop in Snohomish County and only one of five in the entire state of Washington, Rachel is a fierce advocate for empowering women and underrepresented people in the vinyl industry. She has an active role as a board member of a national po...
2025-06-0447 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersMaking Space for All w/Wil JohnsonWhen you think of the word “home,” what comes to mind?Home can be a person or people, a feeling, a memory. Home is a state of mind, and it’s rooted in giving us a sense of comfort, security, and belonging.Wil Johnson, Snohomish County’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, has made it his mission to help people feel at home in SnoCo. As head honcho of the county’s Office of Social Justice, Wil and his team are committed to bringing equity and inclusion to the forefront of our minds by promoting...
2025-05-2244 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersOld Growth Forests Are the FutureThe premise of this episode is pretty simple: what if the answer to our current and future climate crisis is 200 years old and naturally sequesters carbon?We've got that here. Let's take a field trip with John Moon from the Department of Natural Resources.
2025-05-0729 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersThe SnoCo Music Scene w/Ryan CrowtherThis week on the podcast, we’re diving into the sounds that shape our seaside towns—featuring none other than Ryan Crowther, aka “RC.” Around here, RC isn’t just a familiar face—he’s the connector, one degree away from nearly everyone in the county.Best known for founding the Everett Music Initiative (EMI), RC has helped turn Everett into a vibrant music hub. From iconic events like Rock the Boat and Music at the Marina to the powerhouse Fisherman’s Village Music Festival, EMI has brought acts like Digable Planets, Kevin Morby, and Built to Spill to reimagi...
2025-04-241h 03
Snohomish County PlacemakersHow to Be a Human in Modern Media w/Gregr From 107.7 The EndFirst and foremost, Gregr is a person. For over 15 years, Greg Shishman has been cracking wise and spinning the top hits in alternative music for Seattle’s Alt Rock station, 107.7 The End. He's lived in Snohomish County while reaching millions of listeners through the airwaves.Gregr is a wealth of knowledge on all things music, and he spent lots of time chatting it up with some of the biggest names in the industry. Not to mention his public passion for Rubik's cubes, karate, and all things nerdy.But behind the persona is... himself. He...
2025-04-171h 19
The Washington State Hiking PodcastInsiders Guide to Hiking in Snohomish County with Richard Porter and Nick Shekeryk from Snohomish County PlacemakersText us your questions to answer on a future episodeRichard Porter and Nick Shekeryk, hosts of the Snohomish County Placemakers Podcast, join Jennie and Craig to talk about their favorite urban and backcountry trails in Snohomish County as well as some of their favorite places to eat, drink and stay after a hike.Our sponsor for the month of April is Snohomish County Tourism. Thank you!Listen to Snohomish County Placemakers wherever you get your podcasts
2025-04-0939 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersTide to Table w/ Hama Hama OystersAw shucks! We care a heap about sustainable food here in the Pacific Northwest. Luckily, we have some of the freshest waters, as indicated by the health of the lowly (yet oh so delicious) oyster.This week we wade into a conversation with Lissa James Monberg, Vice President of Shellfish at Hama Hama Oysters. Lissa's family has been stewarding the waters of the Salish Sea for six generations, tending to a microclimate that breeds some of the freshest bivalves you've ever dipped into cocktail sauce.We'll talk shellfish biology, sustainable farming practices, proper...
2025-04-0336 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersHiking 101 w/ The Washington State Hiking PodcastHave you ever loved something a little too much? Maybe a pair of jeans that was worn threadbare and beyond repair. Or a pair of sneakers that finally fell apart from too many miles. Nature can be kind of like that. Too much love and human visitation can wear down that which centuries of natural processes have worked to build. Today we're talking to Jennie Thwing Flaming and Craig Romano from The Washington State Hiking Podcast. Their podcast name says it all – these are the experts on local trails. Craig is an award-winning author who ha...
2025-03-261h 27
Snohomish County PlacemakersGrant Harrington Runs Snohomish. Literally.Grant Harrington is the founder of the Snohomish Running Company. His organization puts on beloved races like the Milltown Marathon (also a half marathon and 10K), the Evergreen Half Marathon on the Centennial Trail, the Snohomish River Run, and more. These events are branded in a fun way, and they have swag, and they’re just a blast. Today we’ll talk to Grant about why you (yes you!) should run in the Pacific Northwest: how to get started, what sort of gear you need, when to sign up for forthcoming races, and more. Take a listen as we...
2025-03-1749 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersWhat's So Funny About Everett Comedy Night? 😂The world is a pretty serious place these days, and there are few ways to better overcome it all than with a good laugh. And we don’t mean an LOL response to a kind of funny text message from a friend. We're talking about the gut-busting, fall-out-of-your-seat kind of laugh that cleanses your soul (and maybe even your sinuses). As the producer of Everett Comedy Night, which has been bringing high-profile comedy acts to sold out crowds in Snohomish County for nearly a decade, Everett’s resident funny man, Cory Michaelis, is on a mission to help...
2025-03-1426 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersTraveling While Black in the PNWTravel is a great way to get out of your element and discover the world around you. It offers opportunities to learn about other cultures and to go on adventures that you never knew were possible. In other words, traveling can take you out of your comfort zone.However, this sentiment can be a huge point of contention for many travelers, including people of color. When traveling to new places, minorities tend to be more aware of their surroundings out of necessity for their own safety. Personal safety remains a top concern for travelers of...
2025-03-0537 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersSecret Everett Gems w/Nick ShekerykNick is the newest member of our tourism team. As a local, he knows all of the places you *should* be visiting when you come to Everett, WA.
From food trucks and festivals to aviation and one-of-a-kind pop culture experiences, there is always something to discover in Everett, WA. The waterfront is a can’t-miss, boasting the largest public marina on the West Coast. Enjoy a great meal, hop the ferry or take a paddle to Jetty Island, beachcomb, or explore the miles of waterfront trails.
On this pod episode... all things Everett.
Ch...
2025-02-0528 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersFarmers Markets Can't Be BeetFarmers markets: we have so many questions. Like, why is "farmers" not possessive? Where did the apostrophe go? Who does the market belong to?
But seriously, local, organic food is important. However, the conversation around it can sometimes feel overly moralizing or shaming, especially given the high stakes. Modern food production impacts local ecosystems, global environments, and involves issues like factory farming, carbon emissions, fair trade, and pesticides.
It’s a lot to unpack.
That’s why having nearly a dozen farmers markets in Snohomish County is a great thing. They make fresh, qual...
2025-01-3029 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersAPEX Art & Cultural CenterMeet the APEX Art & Cultural Center. It’s a historic building on the corner of Everett and Wetmore Avenues. The massive brick edifice is filled with Masonic lodge/ghost vibes. For years it was abandoned, and I always wondered what was going on in there...
A couple of years ago a guy named John Carswell bought this building. You’ll meet John in this podcast. He has spent years acquiring American graffiti art. He claims that his DogTown Collection, as it’s called, is the single largest graffiti art collection in the world.
As somebody who is a...
2024-11-2629 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersTulalip Treaty Rights w/Andrew GobinMeet Andrew Gobin, who manages treaty rights for the Tulalip Tribes of Washington State. If you're unfamiliar with treaty rights, don't worry – I first learned about them through my work with county government and the tribes. Once you understand them, though, it changes the way you see the land, especially when you learn about the vital role natural resources played in the lives of indigenous communities in Snohomish County. It shifts how you view the landscape and environment around you.
Andrew is the expert on Treaty Rights, so this conversation is largely unedited, offering a deep dive in...
2024-11-141h 34
Snohomish County PlacemakersLynnwood's Glow Up w/Sarah Cho and Ryan BushMore people are discovering Lynnwood, WA these days. That’s not only because it’s a great place to visit (and eat!) -- Lynnwood is also the most recent, northernmost stop on the Link Light Rail, a modern train system that connects the Greater Seattle Region. The light rail opens up opportunities for commuters, yes, but also makes it easier than ever for regional explorers to access the fine dining, quality parks and trails, and high-end retail opportunities that this city offers.
Today on the pod we talk to Sarah Cho and Ryan Bush from the City of Lynnwood about...
2024-11-0840 min
Snohomish County Placemakers"New Ideas Must Use Old Buildings"The famous urbanist Jane Jacobs (whose influential book The Life and Death of Great American Cities is the bible of urbanists everywhere) wrote with great fondness about the importance of old buildings. Old buildings, she reasoned, were important – especially in a changing cityscape that favors new development.
She says it best: "New ideas require old buildings."
Old buildings offer a place for startups to start up, for fledgling companies to get off the ground.
Today we take a field trip to the Marks Building in d...
2024-09-2519 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersGrassroots Art w/The Lake Stevens Film FestivalHere's a deceptively simple question: how do you create a grassroots art movement... from scratch?
Today I’m talking with Laura Bettelheim, the founder and Director of the Lake Stevens Film Festival. This is a volunteer-run, female-led hyperlocal film festival that draws regional talent and even national talent to the city of Lake Stevens, WA.
As we’ll get into in the episode, Laura conceived the idea of the Lake Stevens Film Festival during COVID. Like so many of us, she missed culture during lockdown. She wanted connection. So, she set out to build culture and co...
2024-09-1731 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersCreative Ecosystems! w/SCAACThe Stanwood-Camano Arts Advocacy Commission promotes the arts in the city of Stanwood by doing... well, all the things! Public outreach, education, fundraising and more.
It’s not uncommon for a town to take pride in its arts community, but Stanwood and Camano Island walk the talk. There is a high concentration of fine artists there and have been since as far back as the 1970s when Dale Chihuly and co. camped out and started a glassblowing school in what was – at the time – the middle of nowhere near the county line. Or so the self-mythology goes.
W...
2024-08-201h 18
Snohomish County PlacemakersTech For Kids is the Future w/Creator ZoneYou know the educational acronym STEAM? Science, tech, engineering, arts, math... these are the skills and fields that provide kids with an advantage in the modern workforce. Snohomish County runs on these types of industries. If you think of aviation companies like Boeing, or the life science companies in Canyon Park, or the advanced manufacturing facilities at the Cascade Industrial Center in Marysville/Arlington... these STEAM skills are at the very center of our local economy.
Snohomish County provides plenty of secondary education options – we have 15 higher ed institutions, in fact – but I wonder if there’s a gap, a...
2024-08-1358 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersArt as Placemaking w/Snohomish Arts Community“It’s okay to not know what you’re doing... it's okay to start without a plan. People will help!” 🎨
True enough! Creating culture in a city from the ground up takes a big act of faith. Not easy. Yet grassroots arts orgs develop the rich local economies and ecosystems that both residents and visitors are attracted to. It all starts with the arts!
In this episode we chat with Jennifer Oak and Nikki Gardner from SAC about how they are creating a collective arts movement in the city of Snohomish and how other communities can follow...
2024-08-0634 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersMultimodal transit now! w/Brock Howell, SnotracCan we engineer zero traffic violence into our cities? Can we create reliable transit options for everyone? Can we plan for dense infrastructure, create walkability, and revitalize downtown cores? Yes! We absolutely can. Brock Howell, Executive Director for Snotrac shows us a future with less pollution, cooler neighborhoods, and better connectivity for all. 🚊 🚞 🚲🚶 Like what you hear? Please rate and review this show. Find more tourism & economic development content on the web at seattlenorthcountry.com or on social @seattlenorthcountry
2024-07-031h 11
Snohomish County PlacemakersSustainable Aviation & Community Involvement w/ Simreet Dhaliwal-GillWhat practical things can we do today to make a brighter future? What a great question. Optimism without action is a hollow daydream.
Simreet Dhaliwal-Gill is coordinating the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Research and Development Center. This Snohomish County-led initiative is leading the aerospace and aviation industries into a future with fewer carbon emissions. The SAF R&D Center is a remarkable $6.5 million private-public partnership informed by top-tier WSU researchers. The jobs that the SAF Center is creating will benefit generations of Snohomish County residents to come.
More than that, as we discuss in this episode, average citizens can also...
2024-06-1135 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersResilient Communities w/Arra RaelArra Rael is the Director of DEI and B for the Center for Human Services – a local behavioral health nonprofit. She’s also part of the LGBTQ+ community of Snohomish County. Arra joins us today to share about her work and philosophy around creating a sense of belonging for all. This episode is produced in conjunction with the Snohomish County Office of Social Justice. Join us as we explore questions like:
-How does language frame and influence thoughts?
-How do those thoughts influence cultural attitudes?
-What is workplace trauma?
-Is an unstructured future really just opportunities waiting to happen?
-How can...
2024-05-3149 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersBicycling Guide to Snohomish CountyHere’s everything you need to know for exploring our beautiful destination on two wheels. 🌲🚲 Follow along @seattlenorthcountry and visit seattlenorthcountry.com
2024-05-221h 02
Snohomish County PlacemakersEnvironmental Responsibility w/Executive Dave SomersDid you know that Snohomish County is comprised of 2,000 square miles, 70% of which is public land? That’s a lot of forest, lakes, and rivers. Executive Dave Somers has been a champion of well-managed growth since the 1970s with a long track record of championing the natural environment over rampant development. Today on the pod we have a candid convo with the boss about science-informed policy, dogs in sidecars, and how his career has helped to preserve Snohomish County as a place of natural beauty.
2024-05-0626 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersThe small business hustle w/ Jackson Quall of Sisters RestaurantThis beloved family restaurant in Everett, WA closed during the pandemic… then revived, better than ever. (You gotta try their veggie burgers. 😋) Today, Sisters offers the same quality concept that it has embodied since the 1980s, only with a whole new vibe. 🥧☕️🍔 In this episode we talk to Jackson Quall about how to make something you love even if it takes decades, how aesthetics are important, and how making mistakes is a key part of growing and learning. There’s plenty of inspo in this conversation for anyone who has a dream to start a new endeavor… even in the midst of a global r...
2024-04-1940 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersA Guide to the Mountain Loop ⛰️Want to explore the mountains of the PNW but don’t know where to start? We got you. This week we talk about the Mountain Loop Highway, where you can access hundreds of camping spots and the hiking trails of your dreams. ✨ Hyperbole? No way. 🏕️ Listen while we cover the basics — leave no trace principles, trail etiquette and the 10 essentials. Then our host, Richard, will guide you through a virtual tour of the Mountain Loop so you know what to expect when you visit Snohomish County looking for adventure. 🥾🌲🧗♀️ For more travel inspo look us up at seattlenorthcountry.com or give a follow @seattlenort
2024-03-1926 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersIndoor farming for a sustainable future w/Black Forest MushroomsWhat if you could grow your own food… indoors… in perpetuity? What would that mean in the era of climate change, soil degradation, an inflationary economy, and disruption in the global supply chain? 🍄 Today we talk to Nathanael Engen of Black Forest Mushrooms. Engen is an entrepreneur who chose to set up shop in Everett. He talks about how local mushrooms cut down on waste and pollution, how the city eagerly embraced his small business, and how serial failure is really just an opportunity adapt your approach to any new endeavor. Well put!👏 Listen to the show, give a follow and catch...
2024-03-1230 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersSnohomish: A Town UpcycledIs it vintage? Is it modern? Yes. Both! The darling riverside city of Snohomish, WA will charm the pants off you by virtue of its collaborative community of makers. Today we talk about how this historic city keeps evolving into better versions of itself. I believe there are some lessons here for other municipalities and civic organizations looking to elevate their city into a more desirable destination. ⚡️ My guests include Brady Begin and Shari Ireton from the City of Snohomish and Maygen Hetherington from the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association. ⚡️
2024-03-0525 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersAirports are awful. Is there a better way? Meet Paine Field.Long lines. Overpriced magazines. Parking lot hellscapes. We can all agree that airports are the worst, right? Paine Field in Everett, WA is changing the game. Today we talk to investor Brett Smith. His company, Propeller Airports, is piloting (no pun intended) a new model of airport: a public/private partnership that benefits everyone — *especially passengers.* ✨ Book your tickets, pack your bags, and be prepared to be pampered. Let’s talk about the airport of the future, right here in Snohomish County. ✈️
2024-02-2822 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersJames Madison, Master CarverTulalip master carver James Madison dreams… and his visions become stories in wood. It’s an art. It’s magic. Once you recognize his work, you see it everywhere in Snohomish County: the municipal building in Everett, Kayak Point, Mukilteo’s Lighthouse Park, the Everett Arboretum, and the Tulalip Casino to name a few places. James shares his intuitive approach to creativity and how he calls images forth from the depths of his cultural heritage. We hope this episode inspires you to make something beautiful, too. Like the vibe? Follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry or visit seattlenorthcountry.com
2024-02-2229 min
Snohomish County PlacemakersEverett WA: From Milltown to ChilltownWhat is it about Everett anyway? If you don’t know this outlier/grunge-cool destination, you probably should. In many ways, EVT is the scrappy PNW city that could. New waterfront development is adding an appealing dimension to a blue collar, artistic community. Today on the show we chat with Cat Soper from the Port of Everett and Tyler Chism and Kari Quaas from the City of Everett about how this city on the Sound continues to evolve while maintaining its offbeat character. Thanks for listening and be sure to follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry or visit seattlenorthcountry.com
2024-02-2226 min