PODCAST · news
Citizen Tacoma
by Channel 253
A podcast about local government in the City of Destiny
Episodes
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Zev Cook and Kiss’Shonna Curtis, Safe Homes for All
For this episode, we’re joined by two organizers of Safe Homes for All, Zev Cook and Kiss’Shonna Curtis. Zev and Kiss’Shonna talk about their goals for Measure 1, including enforcement, recognition of tenants’ unions, and more. This is a companion episode to our conversation with affordable…
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Martha Lantz, former Vice Chair of the Pierce County Charter Review Commission
This episode’s guest on Citizen Tacoma is Martha Lantz, former Vice Chair of the Pierce County Charter Review Commission. She’s on the podcast to walk listeners through the questions the commission has put to the voters as citizens consider how to amend the Pierce County Charter. The hot topic…
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Amanda DeShazo and Jason Scales on Affordable Housing and Initiative 1
This episode of Citizen Tacoma features Amanda DeShazo and Jason Scales. Amanda is the executive director of the Affordable Housing Consortium. And Jason is the executive director of LASA. These two leaders of nonprofit affordable housing providers in Tacoma and Pierce County join the podcast to...
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Linda Farmer, Pierce County Auditor
So…. what’s happening with our ballots in the 2026 election? Normally, we say that Washington is a state where we “mail in” in our ballots. But, what do we do if we don’t trust the post office to deliver our ballots? We dig into these questions with Pierce County’s top election official, Linda...
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Joe LeRoy and Dr. Maryann Woodruff talk children’s mental health
This episode, Citizen Tacoma is joined by two community leaders—Joe LeRoy of Hope Sparks, and Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff of Pediatrics Northwest. We discuss the overall state of children’s mental health in Tacoma and Pierce County, and we also dig deep on an innovative model between Hope Sparks and...
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Park Board President Matt Mauer on Parks Tacoma’s Budget
Matt Mauer, President of the Board of Commissioners of Tacoma Parks, joins us to talk about the budget challenges at Parks Tacoma. What happened, what is the board doing about it, and what can the public expect going into the future? Links Channel 253 membership
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Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker talks transit
Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker sits on the board of Sound Transit and Pierce Transit. In this episode, we check in on what’s happening with Sound Transit, including the future of light rail connection to Tacoma. We also preview Pierce Transit, a possible ballot initiative in November,...
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Sherrana Kildun, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we’re joined by Sherrana Kildun, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity. We discuss the housing affordability crisis and what can be done to address it. Sherrana also shares information about the work Habitat is doing in Tacoma and Pierce County around...
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Special Guest: Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland
On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we are joined by Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. In the first half, we discuss the current government shutdown, the fight over health care, and the rule of law under the Trump administration. In the second half, we look ahead to what Tacoma’s next mayor will...
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Silong Chhun, candidate for City Council of Tacoma
In this episode, we sit down with Silong Chhun, running for Tacoma’s City Council seat representing District 4. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Silong Chhun Support Channel 253…
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Sandesh Sadalge, candidate for City Council of Tacoma
In this episode, we sit down with Sandesh Sadalge, running for Tacoma’s City Council seat representing District 4. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Sandesh Sadalge Support Channel...
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Pete Reyes — candidate for Parks Tacoma Commissioner, Position 3
Let’s talk parks! As a former parks commissioner myself, I was excited to talk to some candidates for the parks board of Tacoma for the first time. I decided to focus on Position 3. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Pete Reyes. We talk...
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Bronwyn Clarke — candidate for Parks Tacoma Commissioner, Position 3
Let’s talk parks! As a former parks commissioner myself, I was excited to talk to some candidates for the parks board of Tacoma for the first time. I decided to focus on Position 3. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Bronwyn Clarke. We...
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Jessica Johnston, candidate for City Council of Tacoma
There’s an “open” seat on the City Council, which means the incumbent isn’t running. Position 6 is a “city-wide” position, which serves all of Tacoma. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Jessica Johnston. We talk about the big issues that...
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Latasha Palmer, candidate for City Council of Tacoma
There’s an “open” seat on the City Council, which means the incumbent isn’t running. Position 6 is a “city-wide” position, which serves all of Tacoma. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Latasha Palmer. We talk about the big issues that...
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Whitney Stevens, candidate for Mayor of Tacoma
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Whitney Steves. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are...
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Tony Ginn, candidate for Mayor of Tacoma
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Anthony “Tony” Ginn. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are...
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Anders Ibsen, candidate for Mayor of Tacoma
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Anders Ibsen. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are…
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Steve Haverly, candidate for Mayor of Tacoma
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Steve Haverly. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are...
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Jesse Carlos, candidate for Mayor of Tacoma
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Jesse Carlos. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are…
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John Hines, candidate for Mayor of Tacoma
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Councilmember John Hines. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that…
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Tacoma Streets Initiative with Councilmember Kristina Walker
What’s happening with Tacoma’s streets? An initiative would help fund continued street improvements. What happened with the last one? How are our streets doing? And what will it cost? Whenever we have transportation questions, we turn to Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker. Tune in. Links...
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Lowell Wyse, Tacoma Tree Foundation
On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we sit down with Lowell Wyse, executive director of the Tacoma Tree Foundation. We talk about Tacoma’s urban forest, the canopy, protections for heritage trees, “Home in Tacoma,” making 2025 the year of the tree, and much more. Links Tacoma Tree Foundation…
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Looking back at Tacoma’s 2024, with Evelyn Lopez
Longtime Channel 253 host Evelyn Lopez joins the podcast to look back at Tacoma’s 2024 and chat about the year ahead. We also look back at some highlights of the podcast Crossing Division. Note, we recorded this earlier in December before the board of Metro Parks called a special meeting to…
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Representing Tacoma’s District 2, Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh
Sarah Rumbaugh represents District 2 in Tacoma. On this episode, we go on-location to Cremello Cafe to talk about vandalism and small businesses in Tacoma. We also discuss homelessness, grease traps, Tacoma’s tree canopy, “structural deficits,” and much more. Enjoy this episode with Councilmember...
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Representing Tacoma’s District 4, meet Councilmember Sandesh Sadalge
Sandesh Sadalge was appointed to represent Tacoma’s District 4 after the passing of Catherine Ushka earlier this year. On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, Councilmember Sadalge shares his story: what brought him to Tacoma and what’s happening in District 4 and on the City Council. We dive into...
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Tacoma Fire, with Local 31 president Allyson Hinzman
Today’s guest is Tacoma firefighter and union president Allyson Hinzman. She talks about how she moved from corporate America to firefighting in her hometown and then lays out the challenges she sees with Tacoma’s ability to respond to fires and medical emergencies, specifically in light of next...
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Election security with Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer
On this special edition of Citizen Tacoma, Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer joins the podcast to talk about election and ballot security with host Erik Hanberg and Sound Producer Doug. We discuss drop boxes, the security at the election center, voter tabulation, misinformation and much more....
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Marty Campbell, candidate for Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
We’ve got a pair of candidate interviews for you! We invited the two candidates for Assessor-Treasurer to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the role. This is an often overlooked race, but it’s just the kind of wonky civic topic we like to tackle at Citizen Tacoma. This interview is with...
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Kent Keel, candidate for Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
We’ve got a pair of candidate interviews for you! We invited the two candidates for Assessor-Treasurer to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the role. This is an often overlooked race, but it’s just the kind of wonky civic topic we like to tackle at Citizen Tacoma. This interview is with...
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Back to school with Director Lisa Keating, Tacoma Public Schools
Lisa Keating, one of the five Tacoma school board members, joins Citizen Tacoma for a Back-to-School-themed episode. We check in on what’s happening with the district, including graduation rates, online schools, meals, the partnership with the Port, school calendar and holidays, and much more....
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Talking transit (again!) with Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker
On this episode, we welcome Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker, a Pierce Transit commissioner and a Sound Transit board member. We discuss what’s happening with transit in Tacoma and the wider region. We focus on the bus driver shortage that is affecting the 590 and 594 routes, light rail,...
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Michelle Douglas—Emergency Food Network
Welcome back to another episode of Citizen Tacoma! Michelle Douglas joins the podcast to discuss hunger in Pierce County. She gives an update on some of the ways Emergency Food Network and the food pantries across the county are serving those who need food. We also check-in about the arts, the...
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Steve Wamback – Tacoma’s Charter Review Committee
Did you know that Tacoma is governed by a “charter?” And that every ten years, a group of citizens gets together to review it and propose new changes. It’s true! Steve Wamback is the chair of the committee that is tackling this process. With more than 50 meetings planned in six months, they have…
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Melissa Malott — Communities for a Healthy Bay
Welcome back to another episode of Citizen Tacoma! Melissa Malott joins the podcast to discuss the health of Commencement Bay and what’s threatening it. She gives an update on some of the industrial uses in the port and the work CHB is doing on that front. We get into the proposed rebuilding of…
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Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland joins the podcast to talk about the recent speakership elections, government shutdowns, conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, bridging the digital divide, her view on what’s at stake in the 2024 elections, and more. Links Marilyn Strickland Channel 253 membership
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Talking transit with Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker
On this episode, we welcome Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker, who is a commissioner with Pierce Transit and a board member with Sound Transit. We discuss what’s happening with transit in Tacoma and the wider region. We focus on the opening of the extension of the Link T Line in Tacoma. We also look…
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Back to school with Director Korey Strozier, Tacoma Public Schools
Korey Strozier, one of the five Tacoma school board members, joins Citizen Tacoma for a Back-to-School-themed episode. We check in on what’s happening with the district, including technology, high schools, leadership, budget, trans students, and much more. Links Korey Strozier and the school…
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County Councilmember Marty Campbell
On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we check in with County Councilmember Marty Campbell. What’s the county up to? What’s happening with Pride Month, homelessness, public safety, bike and pedestrian safety, and more? Are elected officials on the West Coast “incompetent?” Tune in for a wide-ranging...
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Jamika Scott, candidate for Tacoma City Council, District 3
We’ve got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with John Frazier. We talk about what she sees as the top issues affecting the…
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Malando Redeemer, candidate for Tacoma City Council, District 3
We’ve got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with Malando Redeemer. We talk about what he sees as the top issues affecting the...
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John Frazier, candidate for Tacoma City Council, District 3
We’ve got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with John Frazier. We talk about what he sees as the top issues affecting the…
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Chris Van Vechten, candidate for Tacoma City Council, District 3
We’ve got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with Chris Van Vechten. We talk about what he sees as the top issues affecting the...
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Running for office with Commissioner Rosie Ayala
Filing week is coming up in Washington State, which is when candidates file for office. This year, we are electing candidates to parks, schools, ports, city councils, and other “nonpartisan” seats. Rosie Ayala ran for office (and won!) in 2021 to become a commissioner on the Metro Parks board of...
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Rosie Ayala, Metro Parks Tacoma Commissioner
On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, Commissioner Rosie Ayala joins the podcast to talk about what’s happening with Metro Parks: playfields, natural resources, climate change, and more! Give it a listen. Links Commissioner Rosie Ayala Channel 253 membership
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Joe Bushnell, Tacoma City Councilmember, District 5
Citizen Tacoma continues its five-part “Better Know a District” series! This episode, Joe Bushnell joins the podcast to talk about what’s happening in District 5. We check in on what’s happening on Hosmer Street, growing jobs in Tacoma, tree canopy, policing in Tacoma, and where “Tacoma’s Tacoma”...
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Sarah Rumbaugh, Tacoma City Councilmember, District 2
Citizen Tacoma continues its five-part “Better Know a District” series! This episode, Sarah Rumbaugh joins the podcast to talk about what’s happening in District 2. We check in on downtown, the camping ordinances, the port of Tacoma, and more. We also look more broadly at what she’s tracking in...
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John Hines, Tacoma City Councilmember, District 1
In this first episode of 2023, the Citizen Tacoma podcast sits down with John Hines to talk about what’s happening in District 1. We check in on Proctor planning, the Cushman substation, the tiny house village, and more. We also look more broadly at what he’s tracking in Tacoma this year. Links...
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Steve Krupa, Candidate for Tacoma Municipal Court Pos. 3
Steve Krupa joins the Citizen Tacoma podcast to talk about his run to be on the Tacoma Municipal Court, position 3. We discuss what he considers when he casts a ballot for judicial seats, judicial discretion and the role judges play, policing and the criminal justice system, and much more. Give…
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Sergio Flores, Candidate for Tacoma Municipal Court Pos. 3
Sergio Flores joins the Citizen Tacoma podcast to talk about his run to be on the Tacoma Municipal Court, position 3. We discuss what he considers when he casts a ballot for judicial seats, judicial discretion and the role judges play, policing and the criminal justice system, and much more. Give...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Citizen Tacoma have?
Citizen Tacoma currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Citizen Tacoma about?
A podcast about local government in the City of Destiny
How often does Citizen Tacoma release new episodes?
Citizen Tacoma has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Citizen Tacoma?
You can listen to Citizen Tacoma on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Citizen Tacoma?
Citizen Tacoma is created and hosted by Channel 253.
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