Elevating The Conversation

Elevating The Conversation takes a deep dive into issues, challenges, and opportunities of utmost interest to the Inland Northwest business community.

Wellness in the Workplace 02/12/2026

Wellness in the Workplace Natalie Gauvin, an Inland Northwest corporate wellness coach and yoga instructor, sits down with the Spokane Journal of Business to discuss wellness in the workplace. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/40088030

Inland Northwest Labor Market 01/15/2026

Inland Northwest Labor Market Wade Larson, the executive director of the Production & Manufacturing Institute and the owner of Optimal Talent Dynamics, sits down with the Spokane Journal of Business to discuss the Inland Northwest labor market. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/39750920

Economic Outlook 12/09/2025

Economic Outlook Vange Hochheimer, economics and finance professor at Whitworth University and CEO and chief economist at Grand Fir Analytics, sits down with the Journal of Business for its Economic Outlook episode. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/39338265

Spokane's Startup Scene 11/20/2025

Spokane's Startup Scene Tom Simpson, the CEO of Ignite Northwest and president of the Spokane Angel Alliance, sits down with the Journal of Business to discuss Spokane's startup scene. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/39112690

Women in Leadership 10/10/2025

Women in Leadership Katia Passerini, the new president of Gonzaga University, sits down with new Journal Editor Erica Bullock to discuss women in leadership. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/38541070

Parting Thoughts with Numerica Credit Union's Greg Hansen 09/25/2025

Parting Thoughts with Numerica Credit Union's Greg Hansen Greg Hansen, the recently-retired chief credit officer at Numerica Credit Union, discusses how he wound up in the banking industry, the role he played in launching a cannabis-banking program, and future financial industry trends. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/38358090

Inland Northwest Office Market 09/15/2025

Inland Northwest Office Market Craig Soehren, a real estate broker with Kiemle Hagood, discusses the current state of the Inland Northwest office market. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/38228805

Liberty Lake & Spokane Valley Growth 08/16/2025

Liberty Lake & Spokane Valley Growth Steven Daines, owner of Daines Capital Commercial Real Estate, discusses recent growth in the Liberty Lake-Spokane Valley area and his expectations for the future. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/37843420

Parting Thoughts with Journal of Business Editor Linn Parish 07/30/2025

Parting Thoughts with Journal of Business Editor Linn Parish Linn Parish, the outgoing editor of the Spokane Journal of Business, discusses his new job at Eastern Washington University, changes in the journalism industry, and the Spokane business community. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/37609880

Aerospace & Innovation 07/08/2025

Aerospace & Innovation Mark Norton, executive director of the Northwest I90 Manufacturing Alliance, discusses aerospace manufacturing in the Inland Northwest, as well as other innovations and opportunities. Aerospace Manufacturing Challenges (5:15) Medical and Space/Satellite Diversification (11:57) Advanced Aerospace Tech Hub Status (19:40) Other Innovative Areas of Growth (30:58) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/37336910

Meet & Greet w/ Cornerstone Construction owner Isaiah Clow 07/02/2025

Meet & Greet w/ Cornerstone Construction owner Isaiah Clow Isaiah Clow, owner of Cornerstone Construction & Development Inc., talks about his acquisition of a longtime, Spokane-based general contracting company, the vision moving forward, and the industry challenges. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/37265230

Mid-Year 2025 Economic Outlook 06/12/2025

Mid-Year 2025 Economic Outlook Grant Forsyth, chief economist for Avista Corp., discusses the economic health of the Inland Northwest as we prepare to move into the second half of 2025. Effects of Tariffs (2:58) Inflation Trends (7:38) Interest Rate Expectation (10:54) Housing Challenges (19:50) Data of Interest in the Current Environment (31:03) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/36971445

Meet & Greet with new Regional Labor Economist Mike McBride 06/06/2025

Meet & Greet with new Regional Labor Economist Mike McBride Mike McBride, new regional labor economist with the Washington state Employment Security Department, talks about his career path, his expansive territory, and the Eastern Washington job market. Silver Tsunami Effect on Labor (8:22) Health Care Job Trends (9:30) Construction Career Dynamics (14:57) Labor Participation Rate (25:21) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/36894090

The Inland Northwest Housing Market 05/13/2025

The Inland Northwest Housing Market Jordan Tampien, co-founder of 4 Degrees Real Estate, discusses Spokane's moderating single-family housing market and dynamics affecting the region's apartment market. Challenges in a changing market (2:32) Realtors leaving the market (15:15) The Mulifamily Market (28:33) Apartment vacancy-rate trends (35:35) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/36551750

The Health of Health Care 04/16/2025

The Health of Health Care Susan Stacey, chief executive of Providence Inland Northwest, talks about the challenges that health care systems face in the post-pandemic era and the effort to return to pre-pandemic norms. Health Systems' Budget Challenges (2:49) Staffing Efforts (15:22) Charity Care (21:00) Heart Institute Upgrades (34:54) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/36188330

Meet & Greet w/ new Washington State University President Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell 04/07/2025

Meet & Greet w/ new Washington State University President Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell discusses opportunities, challenges, and the way forward for Washington State University during her first week on as WSU president. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/36044000

West Plains Growth, Opportunity & Challenges 03/24/2025

West Plains Growth, Opportunity & Challenges Albert Tripp, city manager for the City of Airway Heights, talks about the growth of the West Plains and the opportunities and challenges that come with it. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/35838940

Inclusive Workplaces 02/19/2025

Inclusive Workplaces Lars Gilberts, vice president of equity and community development at Numerica Credit Union, discusses inclusive workplaces and the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion work in professional settings. DEI's Bad Rap (10:06) DEI Integration as a Best Practice (20:05) Belonging and Psychological Safety (24:14) Advice For Small Businesses (30:21) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/35354185

Talent Acquisition & Healthy Workplaces 01/21/2025

Talent Acquisition & Healthy Workplaces Kevin Parker, owner of Spokane Dutch Bros., talks about attracting employees, retaining them, and trends within the workplace. Talent Acquisition (2:20) Employee Retention Strategies (5:39) Leading Multiple Generations (7:15) Return To Work Trends (15:22) Hiring Advice (20:09) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/34944425

2025 Economic Outlook 12/11/2024

2025 Economic Outlook Steve Scranton, chief economist at Washington Trust Bank, discusses inflation, interest rate, jobs, and other factors that could make or break the economy in 2025. Inflation and interest rates (0:53) Potential implications of tariffs (8:13) Jobs outlook (16:58) Immigration policy (30:10) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/34398150

Public Safety & Community Policing 11/12/2024

Public Safety & Community Policing Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall discusses the current state of public safety and effort to combat drug use, property crimes, and other issues in the community. Neighborhood Resource Officers (1:48) Technology in Policing (8:38) 21st Century Policing Practices (24:50) Recruiting Officer (27:12) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/33899977

Social Media & Influencer Marketing 10/21/2024

Social Media & Influencer Marketing Chandler Baird, founder of Spokane Eats, discusses the ever-changing world of social media and influencer marketing. Founding of Spokane Eats (1:48) Influencer Ethics & Responsibilities (5:28) Social Media's Market Saturation (9:25) Microinfluencers (12:05) Advice for Small Business (24:07) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/33556392

Spokane's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 09/18/2024

Spokane's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Skye Henderson, vice president of venture investments at Cowles Ventures, discusses Spokane's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Venture capital landscape: 9:59 Challenges for startups: 17:20 Growing companies: 22:15 Advice for startups: 28:43 /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/33108237

The State of Banking in the Inland Northwest 08/26/2024

The State of Banking in the Inland Northwest Ezra Eckhardt, CEO of STCU, talks about the challenges and opportunities for banks and credit unions in the current environment. Interest rate environment: 0:46 Deposit activity: 10:18 Inflation stabilization: 14:53 Merger and acquisition activity: 32:07 Historical context: 45:27 /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/32744272

Private Security & Public Safety in Spokane 07/31/2024

Private Security & Public Safety in Spokane Harry Sladich, cofounder and chief development officer at GoJoe Patrol Inc., discusses the rising demand for private security amidst increased concerns about public safety. Why Private Security Demand Is Growing (7:05) The Private Sector's Role In Deterring Crime (11:14) State of Downtown (26:27) Franchising Security (39:52) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/32375917

Tourism and Conventions in Post-Pandemic Spokane 07/02/2024

Tourism and Conventions in Post-Pandemic Spokane Rose Noble, CEO of Visit Spokane, discusses visitor activity in the Inland Northwest. COVID-era Bounce Back (2:45) Destination Development (5:30) Economic Impact of Visitors (17:14) Spokane's Hotel Inventory (24:03) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/31985427

Mid-Year Economic Outlook 06/05/2024

Mid-Year Economic Outlook Grant Forsyth, chief economist for Avista Corp., talks about the state of the Inland Northwest economy and what to expect in the second half of the year. Inflation rate sweet spot (9:10) Jobs Market (16:09) Recession Factors (28:38) Advice For Small Business (31:00) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/31622277

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning 05/01/2024

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Yanek Kondryszyn, intellectual-property attorney and partner at Spokane-based Lee & Hayes PLLC, talks about emerging technologies in the AI and machine learning world—and how businesses can navigate this new terrain. Who owns the data? (8:40) Treatment of client information (14:06) Small-business advice (21:38) Tools to consider (27:40) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/31069048

Elevating The Coverage: NIL Collectives in College Athletics 04/25/2024

Elevating The Coverage: NIL Collectives in College Athletics Journal reporter Karina Elias talks about her recent piece titled "The Collective Effort," in which she describes the emergence of NIL Collectives intended to help Inland Northwest universities remain competitive in recruiting and retaining athletes. /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/30988753

Home Sales in the Inland Northwest 04/02/2024

Home Sales in the Inland Northwest Windermere Real Estate Chief Development Officer Scott Wetzel talks about home sales activity in Spokane and the Inland Northwest, in the post-pandemic environment. Mortgage Rate Trends (4:15) Housing Market Correction (8:08) Baby Boomers Effect on the Market (13:59) Investment Activity (23:50) NAR Settlement Ramifications (26:45) /episode/index/show/17d156a6-9497-4350-8ea4-cd2dd17432d0/id/30653563

Elevating The Conversation

TOPICS