Town Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series

The Arts & Culture series enriches our community with imagination and creativity. Whether reinventing the classics for a new audience or presenting an innovative new art form, these events are aimed at expanding horizons. From poetry to music to storytelling, this series leaves our audiences inspired, encouraged, and seeing the world with new eyes.

416. Lisa Jewell with Andrea Dunlop: Don’t Let Him In: A Novel 07/23/2025

416. Lisa Jewell with Andrea Dunlop: Don’t Let Him In: A Novel Who isn’t hoping for a quality partner to build a life with? Someone charming, reliable, with a great personality? But what happens when that sparkling personality is far darker around the edges than you realized? In her tensely thrilling new novel Don’t Let Him In, author Lisa Jewell explores the layers of truth and deception unraveling before three women who find themselves tied together by a man who has more secrets than any of them bargained for. Nick Radcliffe seems to have it all – he’s a man of substance and good taste, with a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. He’s just what Nina Swann needed in her life after her husband’s unexpected death. But Nina’s adult daughter Ash has her suspicions. Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past… and uncovers more than unsettling findings. Meanwhile, Martha is a florist living in a nearby town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband Alistair. It’s a lovely little life, until Alistair starts traveling more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. Frustrated and looking for answers, Martha plants a tracking device in his car. But nothing could’ve prepared her for the ride that was to come. Nina, Ash, and Martha soon find themselves on a psychological collision course, hurtling toward a shocking truth far darker than anyone could have imagined. All three women are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: don’t let him in. But it’s certainly too late for that now – and the past won’t stay buried forever. Lisa Jewell is a New York Times best-selling author of twenty-three novels, with work that has been translated into thirty languages. Her writing career has spanned more than twenty years, and she has spent over a decade focused on writing dark psychological thrillers, suspenseful mysteries, and crime fiction. Her previous books include None of This Is True, The Family Upstairs, and Then She Was Gone, as well as Invisible Girl and Watching You. Andrea Dunlop is the author of five novels, including The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy, and the host and creator of Nobody Should Believe Me, an award-winning investigative true crime podcast about Munchausen by proxy. Andrea is the founder of Munchausen Support, the nation’s only non-profit dedicated to supporting survivors and families affected by MBP, and a member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP committee, where she serves alongside the country’s foremost experts. She lives in Seattle with her husband and two children. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37525280

415. Joyful Resistance: Leveraging the Power of Arts Activism 07/18/2025

415. Joyful Resistance: Leveraging the Power of Arts Activism `This is a dynamic and inspiring community panel on the joyful power of arts activism. In a time when many are facing systemic erasure — politically, socially, and culturally — Pottery Northwest is transforming art into resistance through equity-driven programming that uplifts Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ voices. Moderated by James Miles, the panel features ceramicist Aisha Harrison, former legislator Kirsten Harris-Talley, and Pottery Northwest Executive Director Ed King. Leading Pottery Northwest is a privilege for Ed King after a career as an award-winning visual artist and ad agency art director in Miami. He has held roles as an arts administrator at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale and the Chief Operating Officer of Creative Pinellas in St. Petersburg. King is deeply passionate about non-profit arts leadership, advocating daily for the financial well-being of working artists — a crucial element of a thriving creative economy. He is committed to fostering inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that the arts serve as a powerful tool for personal growth, community building, and social change. Aisha Harrison is a studio and public artist working primarily in clay and bronze. Aisha is currently working on a solo show at Bainbridge Museum of Art in Fall 2025, as well as a large-scale outdoor public art commission with The University of Washington Tacoma and the Washington State Arts Commission to be unveiled in 2026. She has done residencies at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Women’s Studio Workshop, and Baltimore Clayworks. Aisha has taught at Pottery Northwest, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Penland School of Crafts, The Evergreen State College, Bykota Senior Center, Baltimore Clayworks, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, and the Lux Center for the Arts. Kirsten Harris-Talley (she/her) is Co-Founder of In The Works; building belonging, anti-racism, and repair practice with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, and youth led organizations and movements. She previously served as a Seattle City Councilmember and a Washington State Representative. She is an activist and power building strategist; championing Reproductive Justice and the #BlackLivesMatter movement for abolition. Kirsten believes the personal is political – that which we practice is how we show up in the world – and she invites us to be whole, accountable, and caring. James Miles, aka Fresh Professor, is a New York City artist and educator with 20 years of experience, now based in Seattle. He’s an Assistant Professor at Seattle University and the Chief Strategic Officer at Path with Art. James previously served at the Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, Third Stone, MENTOR Washington, and Arts Corps. He is the creator of the Fresh Education program, using original hip-hop music and theater to boost academic success in middle school classrooms. A graduate of Morehouse College and Brandeis University, James has provided professional development to teachers across the world. His mission is to reduce educational inequities using the arts. He is the author of Gotta Stay Fresh, and you can learn more about James at . Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Pottery Northwest. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37449210

414. Who Decides What Art We Get to See? A Conversation About Gatekeepers 07/16/2025

414. Who Decides What Art We Get to See? A Conversation About Gatekeepers Far more art is produced in a place like Seattle that is seen by the general public, in venues like galleries, museums, and art fairs. Who decides which art goes on display, and which work remains in the maker’s studio? A panel of art world experts discussed the often behind-the-scenes process that selects certain artists while sidelining others, and whether the current structure encourages or suppresses diversity, and where there is room for improvement. Elisheba Johnson is a conceptual artist and curator for Wa Na Wari. She was previously a public art manager for Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture and the owner of Faire Gallery Cafe. In 2018, Elisheba started a public art practice with her collaborator Kristen Ramirez. She is currently a member of the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Network advisory council and has won four Americans for the Arts Public Art Year in Review Awards for her work. Judith Rinehart launched J. Rinehart Gallery in 2019 after more than a decade of working in Seattle galleries. As an arts advocate, she served for three years as treasurer of the Seattle Art Dealers Association, was the curator and panelist at the Seattle Emerging Arts Fair in 2018 and was the lead organizer of the Seattle Deconstructed Art Fair in 2020 & 2021. She is also one of the founders of Art + Culture Week, an initiative to celebrate Seattle’s visual arts, performing arts, and cultural communities. Rock Hushka is the former Deputy Director and Chief Curator at Tacoma Art Museum, curating more than 50 exhibitions and 25 publications. While at TAM, Hushka received two National Endowment for the Arts Access to Artistic Excellence grants, an Andy Warhol Foundation for the Arts Curatorial Fellowship, and a Getty Leadership Institute Fellowship. He recently transitioned careers, seeking to bridge the experiential learning of museum exhibitions to graphic design and educational technology. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Gage Academy of Art. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37419625

413. Daniel Brook: The Einstein of Sex: One Doctor’s Revolutionary Work Around Gender and Sexuality 07/14/2025

413. Daniel Brook: The Einstein of Sex: One Doctor’s Revolutionary Work Around Gender and Sexuality Many of today’s anti-trans sentiments revolve around the belief that things like gender-affirming care and nonbinary identities are part of a new trend. Yet, over a century ago, one doctor’s revolutionary work around gender and sexuality suggests otherwise. Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, a German-Jewish sexologist and activist, grew famous (and infamous) for his theory of sexual relativity. While he may be largely forgotten, journalist Daniel Brook wants to reintroduce Hirschfeld to today’s discussion around gender and sexuality. Drawing from his book, The Einstein of Sex: Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, Visionary of Weimar Berlin, Brook retraces Hirschfeld’s life and legacy. Living in an era when gay sex was a crime and gender roles were rigid, Hirschfeld taught that each person has their own unique mixture of masculinity and femininity. He advocated for gay rights and counseled patients toward self-acceptance. He also became part of Berlin’s cabaret scene and helped turn it into the world’s queer capital. But this was also during the rise of Nazis. They ransacked his Institute for Sexual Science and burned his books, nearly erasing his work from history. Brook wants to bring him back into the next century. Brook argues that Hirschfeld’s life, and his gift for thinking beyond the confines of his world, have much to teach us. While the same societal fights continue, Brook believes there may be something new to learn from the past. Daniel Brook is a journalist whose writing has appeared in Harper’s Magazine, Nation, and New York Times Magazine, and he is the author of several books, including A History of Future Cities and The Accident of Color: A Story of Race in Reconstruction. A New York native and a Yale graduate, Brook lives in New Orleans. He researched The Einstein of Sex in Berlin on a Robert and Ina Caro Research/Travel Fellowship. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37391835

412. Dr. Jessica B. Harris with Kristi Brown: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine 07/03/2025

412. Dr. Jessica B. Harris with Kristi Brown: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine Have you ever wondered how American cuisine came to be? When we look at food from around the world, we may more readily accept the complexity of its origins or their legacy in the culinary landscape. But it may be surprising to some that many of our country’s dietary customs likewise stem from culturally robust beginnings. From a James Beard Cookbook Hall of Famer and the star of the Netflix docuseries High on the Hog, Dr. Jessica B. Harris comes her latest work, Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine. This cookbook — replete with over 100 recipes — is paired with tales to help show how Indigenous, European, and African traditions intertwined to form an entirely new cuisine. Dr. Harris brings decades of cross-cultural and cross-continental research to map how our food arrived and adapted over generations. Through this blending of peoples and practices, we have dishes like Clear Broth Clam Chowder and Enchiladas Suizas (which have both Indigenous and European roots). The book also discusses how African American food through the centuries has evolved based on region, migration, and innovation, resulting in classics like Red Beans and Rice and Peach Bread Pudding Cupcakes with Bourbon Glaze. With recipes ranging from everyday meals to festive spreads, Braided Heritage offers reflections at the intersection of food, culture, and history. Dr. Jessica B. Harris is the author, editor, and translator of seventeen books, including twelve cookbooks documenting the foods and foodways of the African diaspora. Her IACP Award–winning book High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America has been adapted into a Netflix series. Harris is a professor emerita at Queens College/CUNY in New York and has written extensively for scholarly and popular publications. She served as the culinary consultant for the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture and their lauded restaurant, the Sweet Home Café. She holds lifetime achievement awards from the Southern Foodways Alliance, the Soul Summit, and the James Beard Foundation, which also inducted Harris into the Cookbook Hall of Fame. Chef Kristi Brown has spent over three decades in the culinary industry, starting at a café in downtown Seattle. After graduating from Seattle Culinary Academy, she founded That Brown Girl Cooks Catering in the mid-1990s. Her mantra, “Everybody Gotta Eat,” led her to co-found a community kitchen, earning widespread recognition. In the same era, Chef Kristi and her son Damon Bomar opened Communion R&B in Seattle’s Central District. With praise from Conde Nast Traveler and The New York Times, the restaurant has become a beacon of unity and community. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37277760

411. Danielle Leavitt with Sasha Senderovich: By the Second Spring: Seven Lives and One Year of the War in Ukraine 07/03/2025

411. Danielle Leavitt with Sasha Senderovich: By the Second Spring: Seven Lives and One Year of the War in Ukraine While the war in Ukraine continues to grab news headlines, the daily lives of Ukrainians remain opaque and mostly anonymous. What is it really like to live there during wartime? Historian Danielle Leavitt answers that question in her book, By the Second Spring: Seven Lives and One Year of the War in Ukraine. By going beyond familiar portraits of wartime heroism and victimhood, Leavitt reveals the human experience of the conflict. A U.S. citizen who grew up in Ukraine, Leavitt draws on her deep familiarity with the country and online diaries to track a diverse group of Ukrainians through the first year of the war. Among others, she introduces Vitaly, whose plans to open a coffee bar in a Kyiv suburb fall apart when the Russian army marches through his town and his apartment building is split in two by a rocket; Anna, who drops out of the police academy and begins a tumultuous relationship with a soldier; and Polina, a fashion-industry insider who returns home from Los Angeles to organize relief. To illuminate the complex resurgence of Ukraine’s national spirit, Leavitt also tells the story of Volodymyr Shovkoshitniy—a nuclear engineer at Chernobyl who went on to lead a daring campaign in the late 1980s to return the bodies of three Ukrainian writers who’d died in a Soviet gulag. Leavitt offers an interior history of Europe’s largest land war in seventy-five years—one that goes beyond the headlines about the conflict. Danielle Leavitt holds a PhD in history from Harvard University, where she has been a fellow at the Ukrainian Research Institute. She grew up in both Ukraine and the United States, and currently lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. By the Second Spring is her first book. Sasha Senderovich is Associate Professor of Slavic, Jewish, and International Studies at the University of Washington. He’s the author of How the Soviet Jew Was Made (2022), and co-editor and co-translator of In the Shadow of the Holocaust: Short Fiction by Jewish Writers from the Soviet Union (2026). /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37275770

410. Caroline Fraser with Bruce Lanphear: Murderland—Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers 07/02/2025

410. Caroline Fraser with Bruce Lanphear: Murderland—Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers Ted Bundy, arguably the most notorious serial murderer of women in American history, committed many of his crimes in the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. But in the 1970s and ’80s, Bundy was just one perpetrator amid a large number of serial and violent acts across the region. Why were there so many, and so particularly gruesome? What caused the rise and then sudden fall of an epidemic of serial killing? In Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers, nonfiction author and Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Fraser maps the lives and careers of Bundy and his infamous peers—the Green River Killer, the I-5 Killer, the Night Stalker, the Hillside Strangler, and even Charles Manson. Fraser’s research takes her around the Northwest as she seeks to uncover mysteries and investigate an overlapping pattern of environmental destruction. For example, in nearby Tacoma, Bundy’s ground zero, stood one of the most poisonous lead, copper, and arsenic smelters in the world. As Fraser’s investigation proceeds around our region and beyond, evidence mounts that the emissions from these smelters not only infected and sickened millions but also warped young minds, including some who grew up to become serial killers. Whether a fan of true crime or noir novels, anyone curious about the minds and motivations of serial killers may find Murderland‘s findings of interest. Caroline Fraser is the author of Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, which won the Pulitzer Prize as well as the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Heartland Prize, and the Plutarch Award for Best Biography of the Year. She is also the author of God’s Perfect Child: Living and Dying in the Christian Science Church, and her writing has appeared in the New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, the Los Angeles Times, and the London Review of Books, among other publications. She lives in New Mexico. Bruce Lanphear, MD, MPH, a Professor at Simon Fraser University, has conducted research on the sources of lead exposure and impacts of lead poisoning for over 25 years. He led studies used by federal agencies to set standards for lead in air, water, and house dust. His studies also obliged federal agencies to conclude that no amount of lead is safe. Dr. Lanphear, who is a member of the US EPA’s science advisory panel for the national air lead standard, produces to show how human health is inextricably linked with the environment and to elevate efforts to prevent disease. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37262330

409. Coll Thrush with Joshua L. Reid: Wrecked — Unsettling Histories from the Graveyard of the Pacific 07/01/2025

409. Coll Thrush with Joshua L. Reid: Wrecked — Unsettling Histories from the Graveyard of the Pacific A fur-trading schooner beached in 1811. A passenger liner lost in 1906. An almost-empty tanker broken on the shore in 1999. These shipwrecks, and thousands more, are why the northwest coast of North America is sometimes called the “Graveyard of the Pacific.” Drawing from his book, Wrecked, history professor and author Coll Thrush tells the stories of many vessels that met their fate along this rugged coast and how they open up conversations about colonialism, Indigenous persistence, and place-based history. Shipwrecks are commemorated in museums, historical markers, folklore, place names, and the remains of the ships themselves. They’ve become a rich regional archive that has inspired Indigenous and settler survivors and observers to create meaning for these events. Thrush examines the ways in which shipwreck tales highlight––and debunk––myths of settler colonialism: the disappearance of Indigenous people, the control of an endlessly abundant nature, and the idea that the past would stay past. There’s no doubt that shipwrecks capture our imagination. Thrush also shows that these disasters are passageways to deeper stories. Through a cultural history of this notorious part of the Northwest, Thrush demonstrates how the tales of shipwrecks reveal the fraught and unfinished business of colonization. Coll Thrush is a professor of history at the University of British Columbia and founding co-editor of the Indigenous Confluences book series at the University of Washington Press. He is the author previously of Native Seattle: Histories from the Crossing-Over Place and Indigenous London: Native Travelers at the Heart of Empire. Joshua L. Reid (citizen of the Snohomish Indian Nation) is an associate professor of American Indian Studies and the John Calhoun Smith Memorial Endowed Associate Professor of History at the University of Washington, where he directs the Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest. He is the author of The Sea Is My Country: The Maritime World of the Makahs. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and University of Washington Press. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37244425

408. Dave Barry with Brett Hamil: Class Clown: A Memoir 06/20/2025

408. Dave Barry with Brett Hamil: Class Clown: A Memoir You could argue that Dave Barry is the country’s class clown, but did you know that he actually was elected class clown in high school? It’s no wonder, then, that he’s made a career out of making fun of pretty much everything. So how in the world does the son of a Presbyterian minister wind up winning a Pulitzer Prize for writing a wildly inaccurate newspaper column read by millions of people? Dave Barry will explain. Barry draws from his latest book, Class Clown, to take us on a ride through his life so far, starting with a childhood largely spent throwing rocks for entertainment—there was no internet—and preparing for nuclear war by hiding under a classroom desk. He began his journalism career at a small-town Pennsylvania newspaper and somehow wound up as a humor columnist for The Miami Herald, where his boss encouraged him to write about anything that struck him as amusing and to never worry about offending anyone. His columns were not popular with everyone: He managed to alienate a vast army of Neil Diamond fans and the entire state of Indiana. But he also developed a loyal following. Barry dives into all aspects of his life––the humor, absurdity, joy, and even sadness. Barry says the most important wisdom imparted by his Midwestern parents was never to take anything too seriously, which is a lesson that has served him well as a professional class clown. Dave Barry is the author of more bestsellers than you can count on two hands, including Swamp Story, Lessons from Lucy, Dave Barry’s Complete Guide to Guys, Dave Barry Turns Forty, and Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up. A wildly popular syndicated columnist best known for his booger jokes, Barry won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for commentary. He lives in Miami. Brett Hamil is a cartoonist and comedian living in Seattle. He publishes a weekly political cartoon, , for the South Seattle Emerald, and produces a critically acclaimed live comedy show, at the Clock-Out Lounge. He’s also the author of 3 . /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37048640

407. Steve Oney with Steve Scher: On Air: The History of NPR 06/13/2025

407. Steve Oney with Steve Scher: On Air: The History of NPR Founded in 1970, NPR is America’s most powerful broadcast news network. Despite being overshadowed by the larger and more glamorous PBS, public radio has long been home to shows such as All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and This American Life that captivate millions of listeners in homes, cars, and workplaces across the nation. In On Air, a book fourteen years in the making, journalist Steve Oney tells the history of this institution, tracing the comings and goings of legendary on-air talents (Bob Edwards, Susan Stamberg, Ira Glass, Cokie Roberts, and many others) and the rise and fall and occasional rise again of brilliant and sometimes venal executives. Oney depicts how NPR created a medium for extraordinary journalism—in which reporters and producers use microphones as paintbrushes and the voices of people around the world as the soundtrack of stories both global and local. Featuring details on the controversial firing of Juan Williams, the sloppy dismissal of Bob Edwards, and a $235 million bequest by Joan B. Kroc, widow of the founder of McDonald’s, On Air also chronicles NPR’s shift into the digital world and its early embrace of podcasting formats, establishing the network as a formidable media empire. Steve Oney is a longtime journalist who worked for many years as a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Magazine and Los Angeles magazine. He has also contributed articles to many national publications, including Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, GQ, and The New York Times Magazine. His history of the lynching of Leo Frank, And the Dead Shall Rise, won the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award and the National Jewish Book Award. Oney was educated at the University of Georgia and at Harvard, where he was a Nieman Fellow. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Madeline Stuart. Steve Scher is a writer, broadcaster, and interviewer. His children’s book, The Moon Bear, came out in 2022. Over his 28 years on local public radio, he won awards for his incisive coverage of public affairs, breaking news and his beyond-the-headlines approach to issues. His in-depth interviews with award-winning authors, political leaders, scientists, artists and active citizens are noted for their intelligence and sensitivity. Most summers since 2009, he has taught a Communications Department class on interviewing at the University of Washington. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/37002015

406. Karen Polinsky and Ian Mackay with Kenny Salvini: Ian's Ride: A Long-Distance Journey to Joy 05/29/2025

406. Karen Polinsky and Ian Mackay with Kenny Salvini: Ian's Ride: A Long-Distance Journey to Joy At 26, Ian Mackay loved the outdoors, natural sciences, and cycling. While studying as a biology undergrad at UC Santa Cruz, he crashed his bike into a tree on campus and forever changed his relationship with how he – and others like him – experienced nature. After sustaining a spinal cord injury that would leave him paralyzed from the shoulders down, Mackay was challenged with rehabilitating his body, his mental wellness, and his adventurous lifestyle. In Ian’s Ride: A Long-Distance Journey to Joy, author Karen Polinsky traverses both Ian’s personal journey to recovery against all the odds and the path his work has cleared for fellow nature lovers. In this intimate memoir brought to life through more than one hundred hours of interviews, journal entries, and more, Polinsky depicts Ian’s story with heartfelt honesty. As he adapted to his new life in the Pacific Northwest with the help of his dedicated mother Teena, as well as family and friends, he grew inspired to revisit his bond with the outdoors. After years of personal growth, advocacy, and accessibility research, Ian has become a community leader, an innovator with Apple, and a world-record-breaking athlete. Ian’s Ride is an inspirational tale of perseverance and an adventure quest for nature lovers, endurance athletes, and anyone struggling with a life-changing loss or diagnosis. This deftly narrated saga examines the passions and challenges that inform how we exist in our hearts, our bodies, our communities, and our natural world. Karen Polinsky is a novelist and playwright, as well as a former journalist and high school teacher. Her written works include the book Dungeness, the dance drama Heart of Stone, and more than a dozen staged plays. Ian Mackay, a C2/3 quadriplegic, is a nature lover, mobility technology innovator, and endurance athlete. Mackay is the executive director of the nonprofit Ian’s Ride, which aims to increase accessibility to the outdoors. He also serves as an ambassador for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and is a proud board member of The Here and Now Project, a chapter of the United Spinal Association. Kenny Salvini is an award-winning writer and community organizer with a passion for promoting wellness, accessibility, and independence in the disability community. In 2013, Kenny cofounded The Here and Now Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to connect and empower the mobility disability community in the Pacific Northwest. In his free time, Kenny does accessibility advocacy and training on the side and is a part-time contributor to New Mobility Magazine. In 2019, he was recognized by the United Spinal Association as their Advocate of the Year. Kenny graduated with honors from Central Washington University, where he majored in Electronics Engineering Technology, and was a two-time NCAA Division II Academic All-American in Men’s Wrestling. He currently lives in Sumner, Washington with his wife, Claire, and their four-year-old daughter, Ila. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/36773920

405. Susan Lieu with Quynh Pham: The Manicurist’s Daughter 05/28/2025

405. Susan Lieu with Quynh Pham: The Manicurist’s Daughter In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, join Town Hall Seattle to hear Vietnamese author Susan Lieu discuss her memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter. Susan will be in conversation with Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon (FLS), Quynh Pham. Together, Susan and Quynh will discuss the impact of war with regards to trauma, memory, loss, and healing — as individuals and as a collective. You may have already seen the work of Seattle author and performer Susan Lieu at Bumbershoot, Wing Luke Museum, or the Seattle Library. Her sold-out solo theatre performance in Seattle, 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother, describes the true story of her mother’s death due to medical malpractice. No matter where you’ve seen her name, you already know she’s passionate about asking questions and seeking a better future. In her new memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter, Lieu asks questions about grief and body image through her family’s story. Refugees from the Vietnam War, Lieu’s family escaped to California in the 1980s. Upon arrival, her mother was their savvy, charismatic North Star, setting up two successful nail salons — until Lieu was eleven. That year, her mother died from a botched tummy tuck. For the next twenty years, Lieu navigated a series of questions surrounding her mother’s death alone—until now. Sifting through depositions, tracking down the surgeon’s family, and enlisting the help of spirit channelers, Lieu uncovers the painful truth about her mother, herself, and the impossible ideal of beauty. But the answers she finds are also rooted in fierce determination, strength in shared culture, and finding one’s place in the world. Susan Lieu is a Vietnamese-American author, playwright, and performer known for her autobiographical solo show, 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother, which toured nationally to sold-out audiences. Her sequel, OVER 140 LBS, premiered at ACT Theatre’s SoloFest. She has performed at major events such as Bumbershoot and The Moth Mainstage, and her work has been featured by NPR and the L.A. Times. Susan co-founded Socola Chocolatier and is an activist who helped pass a law raising medical malpractice caps. Her debut memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter (Celadon), is an Apple Book of the Month, a 2024 Best Book of , , and , and has received accolades from The New York Times and The Washington Post. She was recently named one of Seattle Magazine’s . Quynh Pham is the Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon (FLS), a community development organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Little Saigon’s cultural, economic, and historical vitality. Coming from a small business family, Quynh is passionate about supporting small immigrant- and refugee-owned businesses and fostering community-driven solutions for health, safety, and well-being. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/36761470

404. Juliette Aristides in conversation with Mike Magrath: The Inner Life of the Artist: Conversations from the Atelier 05/11/2025

404. Juliette Aristides in conversation with Mike Magrath: The Inner Life of the Artist: Conversations from the Atelier 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. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/36525285

403. Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour with Kim Thayil and Mike Squires: Lollapalooza — The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival 04/13/2025

403. Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour with Kim Thayil and Mike Squires: Lollapalooza — The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival These days, large-scale high-production music festivals take over major cities and regularly attract crowds of every genre — including the current version of Lollapalooza that draws a casual 400,000 people to its resident Chicago stomping grounds. But kick it back a few decades and this kind of maximalist mega-show wasn’t quite the norm it is now, especially for musical tastes outside of the mainstream. In their second collaborative book, Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival, music journalists Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour flash back to when the Lollapalooza we know now was a new tour concept bringing 1990s alternative artists and ideas center stage. Lollapalooza first transports readers back to the festival’s origins – a 20+ city summer sprawl highlighting alternative music, art, and counterculture, conceived by Perry Farrell as a farewell tour for his band Jane’s Addiction. From 1991-1997, this breakthrough tour shifted the scope of live music experiences and helped forge a new path for the decade’s subcultures to reach the masses and the media. Bienstock and Beaujour have compiled hundreds of new interviews to dig into the dirt of how the historic festival came into being at every level – from headlining artists and record label execs to tour organizers and promoters to freakshow performers, stage crews, and roadies. Lollapalooza is packed with gritty details of an era of shows that defied genres and drew crowds across style lines. Music, art, and politics drawing from alt-rock, goth, industrial, metal, punk, hip-hop, EDM, and avant-garde explorations – all coming together under one big tent. Featuring original interviews with iconic artists like Green Day, Patti Smith, Rage Against the Machine, Ice-T, Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, Jane’s Addiction, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, Metallica, and many more, this collection amplifies voices that helped shape generations of contemporary thinkers, creative activists, and live music audiences. Journeying through 90s nostalgia, uncensored first-hand accounts, and the long-term reverberations of a groundbreaking tour, Bienstock and Beaujour document a high-impact chapter of modern American music. A VIP pass to the action onstage and backstage, on the road and behind the scenes – Lollapalooza details the cultural shift of the alternative rock revolution and the echoes still heard through concert crowds today. Richard Bienstock is a journalist, musician, and author whose work has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Spin. He is the executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine and former senior editor of Guitar World and has authored and co-authored books including Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck and Slash: An Intimate Portrait. Tom Beaujour is a journalist, music producer, and engineer who has been featured in television shows like Orange is the New Black, A Handmaid’s Tale, and Criminal Minds. He is a co-founder and former editor-in-chief of Revolver and has contributed to Rolling Stone, the New York Times, Blender, and Billboard. He is the co-author of Nöthin’ But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the ’80s Hard Rock Explosion, alongside Richard Bienstock. Mike Squires is a Seattle-based touring musician and the host of Couch Riffs Podcast since 2019. His touring and recording credits include Duff McKagan, Peter Hook, Ugly Kid Joe, Harvey Danger, and The Long Winters. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/36117535

402. Daryl Gregory with Matt Dinniman: When Simulations Search for Meaning: A Novelist Explores Human Truths Within Illusion 04/07/2025

402. Daryl Gregory with Matt Dinniman: When Simulations Search for Meaning: A Novelist Explores Human Truths Within Illusion What if none of this were real, but instead we were in a simulation? What would that mean about life, about the notion of reality, and about our own existence? From award-winning, Seattle-based author Daryl Gregory comes a story following two friends on a cross-country bus tour through glitches as they grapple with secrets, love, and family — issues that are not uncommon, except these take place in a simulated world. When We Were Real follows longtime best friends JP and Dulin. When JP finds out his cancer has aggressively returned, Dulin decides it’s the perfect time for one last adventure: a week-long bus tour of the Impossibles, the glitches and geographic miracles that started cropping right after the Announcement that revealed our world to be merely a digital simulacrum. The outing promises to be the trip of a (not completely real) lifetime. Unlike other sci-fi hits like The Matrix or Vanilla Sky, these characters know they are simulations. Through this self-awareness, they — as well as readers — explore what it means to be human, to be alive or even real. Through a cast of colorful characters (like a pregnant influencer determined to make her child too famous to be deleted) or the stops they make along the way (like a tunnel outside of time or a motivational-speaking avatar’s compound) JP and Dulin have no shortage of things to talk about as they venture toward the tour’s final stop, where the travelers may find out who is actually running the simulation. When We Were Real aims to uncover the things that really matter in life, even in an artificial world. Daryl Gregory is the award-winning author of numerous novels, including Revelator, Afterparty, and Spoonbenders, a Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Award finalist. His novella We Are All Completely Fine won the World Fantasy Award and the Shirley Jackson Award. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington. Matt Dinniman is a writer, artist, and musician (well, he’s a bass player) from Gig Harbor, WA. He is the author of several books, including the bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/36020830

401. Torrey Peters: In Conversation with Aster Olsen, Ebo Barton, Corinne Manning, and Amber Flame 03/27/2025

401. Torrey Peters: In Conversation with Aster Olsen, Ebo Barton, Corinne Manning, and Amber Flame 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 . 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. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/35892750

400. Arigon Starr: Sacred Breath: An Indigenous Writing and Storytelling Series 03/14/2025

400. Arigon Starr: Sacred Breath: An Indigenous Writing and Storytelling Series 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. 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. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/35703930

399. Sabina Nawaz with Frank X. Shaw: Are You a Good Boss? Navigating Leadership, Power, and Performance 03/13/2025

399. Sabina Nawaz with Frank X. Shaw: Are You a Good Boss? Navigating Leadership, Power, and Performance How do you know if you are a good boss? Whether you’re in the C-Suite or middle management, you’re probably not reaching your full potential, according to Sabina Nawaz, Fortune 500 coach and author of You’re the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need). Unfortunately, it’s often hard to recognize pitfalls as a boss or know how to address them. Luckily, Nawaz has some ideas. Pulling from over one thousand interviews at Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Motorola, Nordstrom, and the United Nations, Nawaz offers managers advice on how to succeed. Her proprietary data includes over two decades of coaching and in-depth research into the psychology of behavior and relationships. One key finding, she says, is that as our job expands, the added pressure to perform corrupts our actions, and our increased power blinds us to the impact of those actions. No one is immune to this. Even the most well-intentioned manager can quickly become the boss nobody wants to work for. Nawaz offers an in-depth framework for managing pressure and power with grace and intelligence. Knowing if you’re a good boss doesn’t need to be a mystery. To be a good one, Nawaz says, is to manage yourself and others, navigate working relationships, and communicate effectively. You’ll know you’re a good boss when you’re doing these things, while also experiencing less stress and greater impact, becoming the boss everyone wants to work for. Sabina Nawaz is an elite executive coach who advises C-level executives and teams at Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions around the world. Sabina gives dozens of keynotes, seminars, and conferences each year and teaches faculty at Northeastern and Drexel University. During her fourteen-year tenure at Microsoft, she went from managing software development teams to leading the company’s executive development and succession planning efforts for over 11,000 managers and nearly a thousand executives, advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly. She has written for and been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, NBC, Nasdaq, and MarketWatch. Frank X. Shaw is the Chief Communications Officer at Microsoft, leading global communications strategy, storytelling, media relations, executive and employee communications, and more. With over 25 years of experience, he served as president of the Microsoft account at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide and has worked across government, entertainment, food, and retail sectors. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he holds a journalism degree from the University of Oregon and serves on the boards of the Seattle YMCA and The LAGRANT Foundation. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/35680085

398. Keeonna Harris with Jodi-Ann Burey: Mainline Mama: Raising a Family Through Incarceration and Resistance 03/06/2025

398. Keeonna Harris with Jodi-Ann Burey: Mainline Mama: Raising a Family Through Incarceration and Resistance Writer and prison abolitionist Keeonna Harris shares her intimate memoir, Mainline Mama, about the formidable challenge of raising a family separated by prison walls and how we can fight back against a broken Byzantine system. Keeonna and Jason met as young teens. Only fourteen, Keeonna had never had a boyfriend before, dreamed of attending Spelman to become an obstetrician, and thought she was “grown.” Within a year she was pregnant, and Jason was in prison, convicted of a carjacking and sentenced to twenty-two years. Overnight Keeonna had become a “mainline mama,” a parent facing the impossible task of raising a child — while still growing up herself — with an incarcerated partner. Keeonna recalls her harrowing journey in Mainline Mama, from learning to overcome the exhausting difficulties of navigating the carceral system in the United States, to transforming herself into an advocate for other women like her — the predominantly Black and brown women left behind to pick up the pieces of their families and fractured lives. She offers inspiration and solace, showing how to create moments of beauty, humanity, and love in a place designed to break spirits. Mainline Mama is about creating self-love and community — crucial acts of radical resistance against a prison industrial complex that is designed to dehumanize and to separate and shut away incarcerated individuals and their loved ones from the world. Keeonna Harris is a writer, storyteller, mother of five, and prison abolitionist. She is a Ph.D. Candidate at Arizona State University finishing her dissertation Everybody Survived but Nobody Survived: Black Feminism, Motherhood, and Mass Incarceration. Her memoir, Mainline Mama draws from her experiences as a Black woman, teen mother, and twenty years of raising children with an incarcerated partner and building community in the borderlands of the prison. Jodi-Ann Burey (she/her) is a and critic who works at the intersections of race, culture, and health equity. Her debut book, disrupts traditional narratives about racism at work and is forthcoming in 2025 with Flatiron Books. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/35538250

397. Shiza Shahid: Dinner at Our Place 02/20/2025

397. Shiza Shahid: Dinner at Our Place Celebrate culture and connection with Dinner at Our Place, the latest cookbook from the team behind Our Place, the makers of the beloved Always Pan®. Shiza Shahid, co-founder and CEO of the acclaimed cookware shares the brand’s mission to bring people together through the joy of cooking and dining. With contributions from 11 renowned chefs, tastemakers, and restaurateurs, the book presents over 100 recipes alongside curated menus designed to inspire memorable gatherings. Each chapter of Dinner at Our Place is a fully crafted dining experience, complete with playlists, mood-lighting suggestions, and tips to elevate your hosting game. From Shiza Shahid’s cozy family dinners to Kia Damon’s creative take on Friendsgiving, the book offers a rich tapestry of culinary traditions and innovative approaches. Other highlights include Jen Monroe’s playful Valentine’s celebration, DeVonn Francis’s Caribbean-inspired feast, and Keegan Fong’s hot pot night with Mama Fong. At this event, Shahid will share the stories behind the cookbook and the collaborations that shaped its pages. Learn how each menu came to life, explore the joy of hosting through recipes like Saffron Tachin and Whole Salt-Roasted Fish, and discover the deeper purpose of building connections through food. Whether you’re an experienced entertainer or new to the kitchen, this event is your invitation to celebrate the art of gathering. Shiza Shahid is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Our Place, a mission-driven brand reimagining kitchenware for the modern, global kitchen. Before Our Place, Shiza co-founded the Malala Fund with Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, serving as its founding CEO to champion every girl’s right to education. She also launched NOW Ventures, an angel fund investing in mission-driven startups with a focus on female founders. Shiza has been recognized as one of TIME’s “30 Under 30 People Changing the World,” Forbes’ “30 Under 30 – Social Entrepreneurs,” and INC Magazine’s “Top Female Founders.” Her thought leadership has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company, and more. She’s also a sought-after speaker, frequently appearing at major events like Aspen Ideas Festival, Fortune Most Powerful Women, and the World Economic Forum. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/35369915

396. Kay Smith-Blum in Conversation with Joshua Frank, Moderated by Gerry Pollet: Nuclear Secrets, Past and Present 01/27/2025

396. Kay Smith-Blum in Conversation with Joshua Frank, Moderated by Gerry Pollet: Nuclear Secrets, Past and Present Environmental advocate and HOANW founder, Gerry Pollet moderates a conversation with debut author Kay Smith-Blum and investigative journalist and author, Joshua Frank. They will explore the real-life inspirations behind Smith-Blum’s novel, Tangles, and its themes of environmental justice and human resilience against the stark backdrop of the state of the cleanup today, highlighted in Frank’s non-fiction volume, Atomic Days. Don’t miss this chance to dive into an emotionally charged story that daylights the fallout—both literal and figurative—of America’s nuclear ambitions and the stark realities of the nuclear waste troubles today. Kay Smith-Blum enters the nuclear discussion with her novel Tangles, a gripping historical thriller that weaves together mystery, personal struggles, and a government conspiracy. Set against the backdrop of Hanford’s radioactive history, the story follows young scientist Luke Hinson as he uncovers the hidden dangers of nuclear contamination while grappling with his thyroid cancer diagnosis and a haunting connection to Mary Boone, his former neighbor who vanished under mysterious circumstances. The narrative alternates between the 1940s when Mary fought to expose government cover-ups, and the 1960s, as Luke pursues the truth amid bureaucratic resistance and personal turmoil. Investigative journalist and award-winning author, Joshua Frank, has been knee-deep in all things nuclear for almost a decade. His most recent book, Atomic Days daylights the most toxic place in America: Hanford. Once home to the United States’s largest plutonium production site, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington state is laced with 56 million gallons of radioactive waste. The threat of an explosive accident at Hanford is all too real—an event that could be more catastrophic than Chernobyl. Frank provides a much-needed refutation of the myths of nuclear technology—from weapons to electricity—and shines a spotlight on the ravages of Hanford and its threat to communities, workers, and the global environment. Kay Smith-Blum, a former business owner and Seattle School Board President, is lover of the natural world. An avid gardener, Smith-Blum founded Environmental Endeavors, the first greenhouse program in Seattle Public Elementary Schools. A fan of mid-20th-century history, Smith-Blum has penned two other manuscripts set in Texas, but the recent upheaval over leaking waste tanks at the Hanford site compelled her to write her debut novel, TANGLES. Named the Western WA Woman Business Owner of 2013, Smith-Blum has lived in Seattle for four decades. She works out her writer’s block in her sons’ gardens and the nearest lap pool. For more info see Joshua Frank is co-editor of CounterPunch and co-host of CounterPunch Radio. His latest book is Atomic Days: The Untold Story of the Most Toxic Place in America. He is currently finishing up a book on the downside of the green energy revolution, to be published by Haymarket Books in the summer of 2025. State Representative Gerry Pollet (: North Seattle) is the co-founder (1987) and Executive Director of the region’s largest public group advocating for the cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. In 1986, Gerry wrote and directed the statewide ballot referendum which stopped Hanford from becoming the nation’s High Level Nuclear Waste dump. He continues to direct Heart of America Northwest, working closely with affected Tribal Nations. Gerry led efforts to stop the US Department of Energy from dumping radioactive chemical wastes into unlined ditches at Hanford in 2004 and continues working to protect the Columbia River from leaking High Level Nuclear Waste tanks. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/35037215

395. Cynthia Brothers with Tom Eykemans: Signs of Vanishing Seattle 01/21/2025

395. Cynthia Brothers with Tom Eykemans: Signs of Vanishing Seattle Cities in postcards and sweeping film shots are all dramatic skylines and big recognizable features, but to really love a city is to know it on the ground level. The spaces that build community, shape culture, and support neighborhoods may not always be the flashiest silhouettes, but they’re often the most iconic to the people who live amongst them. This is something Vanishing Seattle knows all too well, as they’ve built an expansive media movement around shining lights on displaced small businesses and disappearing local institutions across the city. In their most recent collaborative endeavor, Signs of Vanishing Seattle: Places Loved and Lost, Cynthia Brothers and the Vanishing Seattle team have compiled a handheld visual scrapbook of spaces that have influenced Seattle culture over the decades. In 2016, Cynthia Brothers took to social media under the title Vanishing Seattle to document restaurants, businesses, venues, and other local institutions being pushed out and shut down by shifting priorities, urban development, and gentrification. Over the years, Vanishing Seattle has brought countless people together over small businesses still trying to make it in a rapidly changing city and the growing number of old haunts that have closed for good. Via their own online community as well as through media coverage, award-winning documentary shorts, and public presentations, the group has strived to show and tell the ways these establishments shape culture and why people should care about keeping their doors open. Signs of Vanishing Seattle draws from a 12,000-square-foot interactive exhibit dedicated to community-sourced local legacy that Brothers curated in the historic RailSpur building in 2023. This book preserves the ephemeral exhibit into physical form – combining photos of the original signage from shuttered establishments that was on display with the personal notes visitors left under the faded font of their once-favorite cafe or the bar where they saw their first punk show. Signs of Vanishing Seattle presents a first-hand visual history of the way gathering spaces, local commerce, and physical objects connect communities and hold memories long after the neon goes dark. Cynthia Brothers is a born and raised Seattleite, nonprofit consultant, and the founder of the Vanishing Seattle project with a background in advocacy for immigrant rights, arts & culture, and online organizing. She is a founding member of the anti-displacement organizing group Chinatown-International District (CID) Coalition and has twice been named one of “Seattle’s Most Influential” by Seattle Magazine. Brothers and Vanishing Seattle have been featured in publications including the Seattle Times, the New York Times, Real Change, and Crosscut as well as outlets like King 5, KEXP, and KUOW. Tom Eykemans is a designer and artist preoccupied with books and the Pacific Northwest from his studio at the historic Woodland Theater in Ballard. Born in Seattle and an alumnus of the University of Washington, he spent a decade designing books at UW Press and is now design director at Marquand Books. Tom is co-founder of the nonprofit Seattle Art Book Fair, owner of the independent Tome Press, advisor to ARCADE Magazine, and instructor at the UW School of Art. He has received many design recognitions, given numerous talks, contributed to various art shows, and has been featured in The Stranger, at SxSW, and by the Washington State Book Awards. He also studies and teaches traditional martial arts at the sixty-year-old Seattle Kung Fu Club in the C-ID. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/34948230

394. Unlearning with Lindsey T.H. Jackson: Misogynoir — The Intersection of Misogyny and Anti-Blackness 01/07/2025

394. Unlearning with Lindsey T.H. Jackson: Misogynoir — The Intersection of Misogyny and Anti-Blackness Explore the uncomfortable conversations you’ve been eager for in a space that encourages open and safe expression. Weaving together storytelling, poetry, music, and panel interviews with powerful voices, Unlearning offers the opportunity to address issues like discrimination, social justice, violence, and many other pressing (and often taboo) topics while healing and learning together. Join Lindsey T.H. Jackson, a visionary social activist, podcaster, author, and CEO at LTHJ Global, for this first edition of Unlearning focusing on Misogynoir. Misogynoir is the intersection of misogyny and anti-blackness. There is a specific kind of bias against and oppression of Black women. Have you examined your biases in an intersectional context? At this event, attendees will explore what misogynoir is and why we are all (regardless of race or gender) susceptible to it while learning strategies to recognize and combat misogynoir internally and in our communities. Lindsey T.H. Jackson is a North American-based leader serving humans around the world. As CEO at LTHJ Global, Lindsey empowers people, leaders, and organizations to pursue and achieve their full potential. For 15+ years Lindsey has been authentically leading empowering entities for personal and organizational wellness. Lindsey specializes in executive coaching using the Enneagram, group facilitation, DEI training and implementation, and team development. Dr. is a professor at Northwestern University, the founder of the , and co-founder of the . Her work focuses on marginalized groups’ use of digital media to promote social justice, and she is interested in how race, gender, and sexuality are represented in media and medicine. She is the digital alchemist for the and the Board President of , a Detroit-based movement media organization that supports an ever-growing network of activists and organizers. She is a co-author of #HashtagActivism: Networks of Race and Gender Justice and is the author of Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women’s Digital Resistance. She is the director and producer for the forthcoming documentary, . Amelia Ransom, SPHR is Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Smartsheet. She is responsible for driving strategy and initiatives that impact, solidify and improve company culture. She also leads Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the organization. Amelia has over 30 years of experience building and executing strategy within Human Resources and Business Operations in a world-class and customer-centric organization. In addition to DEI, her areas of expertise include leadership development, early in career engagement and executive level mentorship and advisement. Before joining Smartsheet, Amelia was the Sr. Director of Engagement and Diversity at Avalara. She created the company’s first DEI strategy and was responsible for improving company engagement scores each year. Prior to that, she held multiple regional and company-wide leadership positions at Nordstrom including store management, Diversity and Inclusion and Learning and Development Amelia serves on the boards of Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington, The YWCA Seattle, King and Snohomish, Leadership Tomorrow Seattle and The Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion. Fleur Larsen, of Fleur Larsen Facilitation, began facilitating 20 years ago on challenge course programs with youth and adults. Her style is based on sharp analysis, flexible thinking, joy, and purposeful results. Her work is relationship-based with connection, collaboration, and community as integral elements to reach goals. Currently, she works with several corporate and nonprofit groups facilitating retreats, trainings and workshops in addition to one-on-one coaching. Fleur’s work as a facilitator is focused on equity, social justice, diversity and inclusion, team building, emotional intelligence, experiential education and community development. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/34763145

393. Rob Sheffield: An Era Like No Other — How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music 12/05/2024

392. Opening Doors to the Outdoors: Inclusivity in Climbing 12/04/2024

392. Opening Doors to the Outdoors: Inclusivity in Climbing 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. , 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. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/34187400

391. Alison Fensterstock with Emily Fox and Rachel Flotard: How Women Made Music — A Revolutionary History 12/03/2024

391. Alison Fensterstock with Emily Fox and Rachel Flotard: How Women Made Music — A Revolutionary History Celebrate women who rock in a discussion with the hosts of NPR music’s series Turning the Tables as they share their new book How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music. Uncovering the role women have played in shaping the music industry, editor Alison Fensterstock brings long-overdue recognition to female artists, challenging traditional best album lists and highlighting overlooked contributions in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. By bringing together material from over fifty years of NPR’s coverage, Fensterstock underscores the enduring impact of women in music. Audience members will gain insight into Joan Baez’s reflections on nonviolence as a musical principle, discover Dolly Parton’s favorite song and the story behind it, and learn about Nina Simone’s use of her voice as a tool against racism. The book also captures Odetta’s transition from classical music to folk as a way to express her anger over Jim Crow laws and Taylor Swift’s early uncertainties about her career. Music enthusiasts, songwriters, feminist historians, and anyone intrigued by the creative process are invited for a compelling evening of composition conversation at Town Hall. Alison Fensterstock is a New Orleans-based writer and editor. A contributor to NPR Music since 2016, she’s written and edited for Turning the Tables and appeared on NPR programs including All Things Considered, World Café and Word of Mouth; her writing about popular music and culture has appeared in Rolling Stone, the NewYork Times, the Oxford American and MOJO, among others. Emily Fox hosts and produces KEXP’s music interview show, Sound & Vision. Music and storytelling are her passions. Prior to working at KEXP, Emily was a host, producer, and reporter on Michigan Radio, WKAR and Seattle’s KUOW. Rachel Flotard is the singer, songwriter and guitarist of the Seattle rock band Visqueen and mother of three. She manages artists at Red Light Management and previously served as Director of Operations at Fretboard Journal. Flotard is a creative producer and founded her own independent record label, Local 638 Records, inspired by her dad’s New York City Steamfitter’s Union. She continues to tour, record and collaborate with folks she loves. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/34272830

390. Trimpin in Discussion with Gary Faigin: The Sound of Invention 12/02/2024

389. Tonya Lockyer with Jackson Cooper: Navigating Creative Administration — With Advice from Firsthand Accounts 11/15/2024

389. Tonya Lockyer with Jackson Cooper: Navigating Creative Administration — With Advice from Firsthand Accounts When we think about consuming art, whether reading a book, visiting a museum, or maybe watching an outdoor performance act, we rarely consider the administrative efforts that go into making art possible. Creative administration is an evolving field that considers the innovation and organizational management necessary to create and present art. Artists find themselves having to balance their own vision, with the practicalities of physical production, collaboration, and so many other factors. Artists on Creative Administration: A Workbook from the National Center for Choreography, is a collection curated by Tonya Lockyer, containing firsthand accounts of creative administration in action. Lockyer is focused on telling stories that can help others progress, making a point to state, “This book is for anyone looking for paths forward; for anyone who believes we are in an exceptional moment of change—change is happening and needs to happen.” Please join us at Town Hall for an expansive conversation on the arts, leadership, and the craft of creative administration. Tonya Lockyer is an award-winning movement artist, choreographer, writer, and cultural curator. Lockyer was the executive and artistic director of Velocity Dance Center in Seattle from 2011 to 2018. Currently, she is also an adjunct professor in Arts Leadership at Seattle University. Her new anthology, Artists on Creative Administration, features the voices of thirty artists and arts workers, sharing their experiences as they navigate issues of equity, design, leadership, collaboration, family, ethics, and care. Jackson Cooper is the Executive Director of the world’s largest nonprofit archive and distributor dedicated to preserving, collecting, and presenting the greatest genre films of all time. In 2023, he was named one of the Top 30 Arts Professionals by Musical America magazine and was appointed by Governor jay Inslee to the Washington State Arts Commission in 2024. He serves on the faculties of both Seattle University and UNC-Greensboro where he teaches Fundraising and philanthropy. His first book entitled A Kids Book About Kindness was published in 2023 and his forthcoming book on Sustainable Fundraising will be published by Columbia Business School Publishing in 2026. He holds an MFA in Arts Leadership at Seattle University and a BA in Theatre/Business from UNCG which honored him with the university’s Young Alumni Award this past October 2024. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/33949822

388. Nathan Myhrvold with Bethany Jean Clement: Modernist Bread at Home 11/15/2024

387. André Aciman with Marcie Sillman: Coming of Age in The Eternal City — A New Book by the Author of "Call Me by Your Name" 11/08/2024

387. André Aciman with Marcie Sillman: Coming of Age in The Eternal City — A New Book by the Author of "Call Me by Your Name" The city of Rome is a legacy locale in countless areas of history and culture. For teenage refugee André Aciman, Rome was also a source of life-changing challenges, charms, and connections that would have a place in his heart for years to come. In his upcoming book Roman Year: A Memoir, Aciman recounts the ways his family adapted to the harsh realities of their transition and how he himself fell in love with the poetry and potential of a new home. Roman Year transports readers back to a tumultuous chapter of Aciman’s youth as his Jewish family fled an era of growing political tension and waves of expulsions occurring in 1950’s Egypt. Leaving their notions of stability, economic status, and community behind in Alexandria, Aciman ushered his younger brother and their deaf mother into the unfamiliar expanses of Rome. Navigating newfound poverty, acting as interpreter through language barriers, and functioning as liaison amidst family conflicts led young Aciman towards escapism as he buried himself in books. It is here, bolstered by so many words and stories, that he regained his footing and began to truly explore his new city and himself. Roman Year takes the form of a vivid multi-sensory snapshot, going beyond simple time and place in immersing readers in the author’s vantage point. Aciman revisits memories ranging from richly depicted sights, smells, and tastes to poignant personal reflections to uncompromising critical observations. This passionate retelling captures the formative elements of Roman life that shaped the perspective Aciman would carry with him into future chapters and well past those city limits. Roman Year unwaveringly explores a complicated coming of age story and the concept of home in a lush, layered landscape. André Aciman is a professor, essayist, and author. He is currently a distinguished professor of comparative literature at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. His previous publications include the novels Call Me By Your Name, Harvard Square, and Eight White Nights, the memoir Out Of Egypt, and the essay collection False Papers: Essays on Exile and Memory. Marcie Sillman is an award-winning journalist based in Seattle. A former longtime reporter at KUOW radio, Marcie’s cultural features have appeared on NPR programs including Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition, as well as in national and international publications including Dance magazine. She co-hosted the podcast ‘Double Exposure’ and continues to write for the Seattle Times. She is the recipient of the 2019 Seattle Mayor’s Arts Award. /episode/index/show/artscultureths/id/33856022

Town Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series

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