S5 Ep. 8: Homelessness and What Individuals Can Do

As every one of us faces challenges of varying degrees of scale, today’s episode features an inspiring story about how one person can make a world of difference. Dale Hoff offers lessons not only for those seeking improvement in the homelessness crisis, but those seeking to influence change at any level.

Today also features an in-depth interview with a person who has had a significant impact on the economic growth of this city, Craig Kinzer of Kinzer Partners. Kinzer previews a big idea that he thinks can fundamentally transform how housing gets built for average workers in Seattle. The extended conversation also touches upon the controversial public subsidy for the ballpark that is home to Seattle’s Major League Baseball team. The interview gives you insight into important decisions facing city government.

These two interviews represent two of the many examples of people in Seattle who think creatively about how to tackle challenges. They also offer insight into the process of finding where your unique skill set can be applied to make a difference.

S5 Ep. 7: Homeless in Seattle, pt. 7

Seattle Growth Podcast continues a season-long exploration of a topic affecting everyone connected to Seattle: homelessness. Today’s episode brings perspective from Seattle business.

Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, shares what downtown businesses have done to help unsheltered residents and why they’ve committed resources to addressing the challenge.

Mike Slade, founding partner at Second Ave Partners, gives his take on Seattle’s business climate and the efforts of the city to continue growing.

The interviews give you perspectives on why and how business leaders could get involved in chipping away at the homelessness crisis.

Host, Jeff Shulman, also shared updates on his upcoming feature-length documentary, On the Brink, which features several guests from earlier seasons of Seattle Growth Podcast in a story of history, hope, and determination.

More information about today’s guests:

Jon Scholes is President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), overseeing the activities of the 2,000-member organization and the operations of the Metropolitan Improvement District. Previously, Jon was Vice President of Advocacy and Economic Development for the DSA. Jon has spent seventeen years working in nonprofit advocacy, local government and in senior positions on political campaigns at the regional and state levels. Jon served for more than five years as Chief of Staff to King County Councilmember Julia Patterson.

The Downtown Seattle Association is a member-based non-profit organization whose mission is to create a healthy, vibrant downtown. By advocating on issues including transportation, economic development and the urban experience, DSA works to ensure that downtown remains a great place to live, work, shop and play.

Mike Slade co-founded Second Avenue Partners in 2000. He began his career at Microsoft, where he introduced world renowned products such as Excel and Microsoft Office. Slade was hired as CEO of Starwave in 1993, where he launched ESPN.COM, NBA.COM, ABCNews.com and several other well-known properties. Slade has lived in Seattle for several decades.

 

S5 Ep. 6: Homeless in Seattle, pt. 6

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast looks at question that has affected many throughout Seattle: how should the city deal with tents and encampments in public spaces?

 

This question is important to our community’s homeless residents hanging on to their last few possessions and to the business leaders and residents who encounter unsanctioned encampments on their commutes, near their homes, and in their parks.

Today’s episode features Dae Shik Kim Hawkins Jr., an activist and organizer of Nikita Oliver’s 2017 Mayoral campaign. Hawkins Jr. explains why he advocates for homeless individuals and gives insight into “Stop the Sweeps” efforts.

You will also hear from Ian Gordon, business manager of the Local 1239 union representing Seattle Parks and Recreation employees. He shares the challenges Parks employees have in maintaining spaces for use by the public.

 

In the episode, Professor Jeff Shulman also announces his next project: a feature-length documentary On the Brink. The movie shares a story of history, hope, and determination.

 

 

S5 Ep. 5: Homeless in Seattle, pt. 5 w/ CM O’Brien

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast features one of the most candid interviews about life on the streets. Timothy opens up about how he found himself homeless, why he chooses to live in Seattle and what life is like on the streets. He gives a surprising answer to how society is failing the homeless and makes a simple request of listeners.

Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien also appears in the episode. He shares where he believes the city can improve in how it deals with its vehicular residents. Councilmember O’Brien also discusses what it was like to be at the center of the infamous Ballard Town Hall, which was reported as turning “into an angry shoutfest.”

The episode also announces the trailer for an upcoming feature length documentary produced by Seattle Growth Podcast’s Jeff Shulman. On the Brink tells an important part of Seattle’s history in a story of hope and determination. Follow the Facebook page to see the trailer and be among the first to hear updates on screenings.

S5 Ep. 4: Homeless in Seattle, pt. 4 w/ CM Mosqueda

Today’s episode of Seattle brings you behind the scenes of City Hall in an interview with Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. Councilmember Mosqueda shares her thinking about the controversial “head tax” and what she learned from how the process of enacting then repealing the tax unfolded. She also shares her vision for how the city could improve its response to the homelessness crisis.

The episode also features an interview with a UW professor who experienced homelessness herself before becoming an academic expert on the topic.

    Josephine Ensign is professor of nursing and adjunct professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies at the University of Washington in Seattle. She is the author of the medical memoir Catching Homelessness: A Nurse’s Story of Falling Through the Safety Net, winner of the American Journal of Nursing 2017 Book of the Year Award. She is author of the nonfiction book Soul Stories: Voices from the Margins, recently published by the University of California Medical Humanities Press. She is director of the Doorway Project, a community-campus partnership (with YouthCare) creatively addressing housing and food insecurity and promoting wellness for young people in the U District. The next Doorway pop-up café community event is Friday, August 24 noon-4pm at Street Bean Café and the University Branch of the Seattle Public Library on Roosevelt. Everyone is welcome. UW students have established a gofundme site to support the pay-it-forward model of the Doorway Café.  

S5 Ep. 3: Homeless in Seattle, Part 3

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast continues with a focus on one of Seattle’s most pressing issues, homelessness. Each episode in the season brings voices from a variety of perspectives. Combined the episodes will help listeners understand homelessness from multiple angles, become better informed citizens, and feel empowered to take even small steps toward addressing the challenge.

 

The episode features an interview with former Washington State Attorney General and 2012 Republican Gubernatorial nominee Rob McKenna. McKenna shares his perspective on how the city and the business community should address homelessness.

The episode also features an interview with a tent-city resident Walter Hudson. Hudson gives insight into what life is like in these communities.

S5 Ep 2. Homeless in Seattle pt. 2

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast continues with a focus on one of Seattle’s most pressing issues, homelessness. Each episode in the season brings voices from a variety of perspectives. Combined the episodes will help listeners understand homelessness from multiple angles, become better informed citizens, and feel empowered to take even small steps toward addressing the challenge.

 

In this episode, Jeff Shulman sat down with a father of two children who was given a new lease on life by the help of Mary’s Place family shelter. Tyrus Gilbertson describes his experience being homeless with his son and daughter. Gilbertson shares what has kept him going as he works to provide for his family.

Rick Hooper, co-president of the Uptown Alliance, shares what his community organization is doing to build pathways out of homelessness for their fellow community members. Hooper offers perspective on challenges and opportunities individuals can face as they work to strengthen their community.

S5 Ep. 1: Homeless in Seattle

Seattle Growth Podcast has returned for a 5th season. The focus of this season is a topic that affects everyone in Seattle: Homelessness.

 

Whether you find yourself at risk of homelessness or you see the tents lining the streets and parks or you’ve seen fellow community members at the edge of survival, you have likely been affected by this key issue facing our city.

 

In this season, you will have an opportunity to get to know some of the members of our community who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness. You will hear from civic leaders about efforts to address this challenge. And you will hear stories of how individuals and organizations are working to make a difference.

 

Seattle Growth Podcast is about bringing a constructive dialog to controversial issues facing us all. To this end, you will hear from fellow community members who offer a variety of different viewpoints.

 

Some of the voices this season will help you become a better informed citizen as the city wrestles with decisions that could profoundly affect you and shape Seattle for decades to come. Other voices will share simple ways to take action that can help you feel empowered improve lives around you

 

Today’s episode brings a face to homelessness with an interview with Ty who was living outside City Hall.

 

The episode also gives an overview of the regional approach to addressing homelessness in an interview with King County Executive Dow Constantine. Executive Constantine is a Seattle native and fourth-generation Washingtonian with three degrees from the University of Washington serving his third term as KC Executive.  

The episode also features a check in on housing affordability with Robert Wasser, a 2005 Foster School of Business graduate, Owner of Prospera Real Estate, Director of Northwest Multiple Listing Service, and President of the Independent Brokers Association. He’s uncovered interesting data on home sales and rental rates and shares what the future may hold for those looking to find a housing in Seattle.

To learn more about One Table discussed by Executive Constantine, visit its website. For more updates on real estate, you can follow Robert Wasser on Twitter @ProsperaRealty where he shares breaking real estate trends.

S4 Ep. 12: The Past, Present, and Future of Seattle Music

Seattle Growth Podcast host Jeff Shulman set across the city interviewing established and emerging musicians, music lovers, and music industry leaders to learn more about the past, present, and future of Seattle music. In this season finale, voices from this season share why music is embedded in Seattle’s DNA, give insight into the soul of the not just the music scene but the city as a whole, and offer perspectives on what needs to be done to hold on to the rich cultural resource.

This episode includes insights from:

 

David Armstrong Armstrong served as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director of 5th Ave Theatre for 18 years and will soon be launching his own podcast “The Musical Man.”

Dave B. Dave B performed in front of a sold out Key Arena and with Macklemore on The Tonight Show.

Andre Brown Brown is a recent graduate of the University of Washington’s School of Drama.

Matt Bishop Bishop founded the popular indie folk and chamber pop band Hey Marseilles.

Marco Collins Collins is the subject of the documentary The Glamour and the Squalor because of his rich contributions to the national music scene through his work as a Seattle radio personality.

Draze Draze is a hip-hop emcee and musician born in Seattle. His hit song “The Hood Ain’t The Same” focused on the changes Seattle residents are seeing.  

Chris Early Early was the founding bassist for Band of Horses.

Jason Finn Finn is the drummer for the platinum-selling, grammy-nominated band Presidents of the United States of America.

Kate Voss and Jason Goessl. The married duo Sundae and Mr. Goessl recently released their 5th studio album, “When You’re Smiling”, which is available on all platforms including their website.  

DeVon Manier Manier founded Sportn’ Life Records and was an inaugural member of the Seattle Music Commission. Manier’s Sportn’ Life Music Group currently manages The Black Tones who will perform at the Capitol Hill Block Party on July 20th and at City Hall Plaza on July 26th as part of the Downtown Summer Sounds series.

Celene Ramadan Ramadan is a a Seattle musician who has performed as Leeni, Prom Queen and Snax the Bunny.

Lydia Ramsey Ramsey is an Americana folk singer-songwriter who will be performing a free concert on July 19th in Volunteer Park.

Curtis Romjue Romjue is the founder of First Aid Arts, which provides arts-based tools and training for a world where wounded hearts heal beautifully.

Austin Santiago Santiago is the General Manager of Do206

Steven Severin Severin is active in the Seattle’s nightlife and entertainment scene, owning Neumos, Wake Up Productions, Barboza, and The Runaway. Severin is passionate about the midterm elections and encourages everyone to register to vote and then vote.

Brent Stiefel Stiefel, Foster School of Business MBA ‘06, is co-founder of Onto Entertainment, which manages the platinum-selling band The Lumineers. He is also the CEO of Votiv Inc.

Dustin Vance Vance is a recent arrival to Seattle who has instantly found opportunities to share his musical talents with listeners. His band Fond Farewell will be performing at Tim’s Tavern on August 11th.

Naomi Wachira Wachira is an Afro-Folk singer songwriter.

Levi and Stephanie Ware Through their work streaming live concerts to children in hospitals with Melodic Caring Project, they have continually witnessed the incredible power that music and intentional compassion has to profoundly impact the emotional, physical and mental health of kids battling serious and/or chronic illness. Joy and hope are powerful medicine and they’ve seen music provide both.   

Tekla Waterfield Waterfield recently received a “Listen Up! Women in Music” grant for songwriting from the Allied Arts Foundation and will be performing at Chihuly Garden and Glass on August 9th and in the 5th annual Seattle Acoustic Festival on August 25th.

Hollis Wong-Wear Wong-Wear is a Grammy-nominated artist known for her collaboration with Macklemore on the hit song White Walls and her work with the group The Flavr Blue.

S4 Ep. 11: Building Seattle’s Future Through Music

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast continues the focus on music and the future of Seattle. You will hear from Hollis Wong Wear, a Grammy-nominated artist who shares what Seattle can learn from her recent move to Los Angeles. She’s co-written songs that have been heard by millions of people around the world. In today’s interview, she also speaks more broadly to the power of music to influence the future of our city.

You will also hear from Chris Early, founding member of Band of Horses who played bass on their debut studio album. The album’s debut single The Funeral was named one of the top 100 songs of its decade by Pitchfork media. Early shares what he hopes Seattle will do to ensure future musicians can thrive in the city.

The episode gives insight into what residents can ask for in order to carry forward Seattle’s rich musical legacy.

 

The episode also previews the song “Cuz I Wanna” by Hollis’s The Flavr Blue.