PODCAST · society
Snohomish County Placemakers
by Richard Porter and Nick Shekeryk
Join us in an exploration of everything that makes our PNW region a special place to live and visit. Sit in on conversations with Snohomish County thought leaders as we talk about culture, livability, and the ideas that are shaping our community. Check us out on social @seattlenorthcountry or hop on www.seattlenorthcountry.com
Episodes
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Paying Artists, Making Culture
Ari Glass and Leah Everett are two working artists with a passion for public art. They worked on the latest project from the Snohomish County Arts Commission: five giant painted buoys created as part of a countywide scavenger hunt. Today we talk to them about the importance of public art, paying...
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Bonus: The Everett Fan Zone! ⚽️
The Everett Fan Zone is about to pop off. 💥🎉 What can you expect when you attend the biggest multi-day waterfront party of summer? Boxcar Park has everything you need to celebrate global soccer festivities and, of course, watch the big games on an even bigger screen. We chat with Tammy Dunn...
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Rick Steves!
You know him. You love him. His soothing, NPR-friendly tenor voice puts into a trance and you wake up at a sidewalk café outside the Sorbonne eating a croissant… Rick Steves! Our favorite world-travelling Edmonds resident graciously joins us today to celebrate our 50th (!!!) episode of the...
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Archeology, Unearthed! w/Gretchen Kaehler
Archaeology: can you dig it? Or will it dig you… 🤯 This week we catch up with the county’s archaeologist Gretchen Kaehler to talk about the buried stories of the Pacific Northwest. She may not carry a bull whip or wear a leather jacket, but Gretchen still has adventures in cataloguing and...
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Placemakers X Destination Marketing Podcast
We recently had the privilege of being guests on the Destination Marketing Podcast to talk about our work in tourism. It was fun to be on the other side of the microphone as interviewees and talk about what we do! We hope you enjoy this special episode as we chat it up with Adam from DMP.
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#SnoCoGameDay Pt. 4 - Jhon Kennedy Hurtado
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, a Colombian-born former professional soccer player, was among the core group of players that kicked off Seattle’s success in Major League Soccer. ⚽️ Today he calls Snohomish County home and has been tapped to be the World Cup ambassador for the Seattle area. We caught up…
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Bonus: Luc Violette, Curling Olympian! 🥌 🇺🇸
What’s it like to represent your country on the world stage? How do you go from the ice rinks of Snohomish County to the Olympic Village at Milano Cortina, Italy? Today we talk to the only 2026 Olympic athlete from our neck of the woods – Luc Violette! It’s an inspiring talk that will have you...
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RVing in Snohomish County w/Brooks Smothers
RV Out West is a great podcast hosted by Brooks Smothers, an Everett-based regional traveler. You should definitely listen to his show and get inspired to roam the PNW. And when you roam, come to Snohomish County! In this episode, Richard and Nick learn about the world of RVing and Brooks advises...
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#SnoCoGameDay Pt. 3 - the Sports Commission
Today we are joined by the Sports Commission’s all-star lineup, which includes: · Executive Director Tammy Dunn · Sports Events Manager Nathan Caferro · Sports Development Coordinator Landyn Olson · Marketing Content Coordinator Taras McCurdie This mighty team punches above its weight – helping…
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Minisode: Tourism Roundtable
Happy New Year! Enjoy this minisode is a one-off convo. 🙏 Last month we held a tourism roundtable, inviting folks from around Snohomish County to share their tourism-related experiences in 2025. As part of this meeting, Nick and Richard hosted a panel with representatives from different sectors....
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2025 Was Great. Here’s What’s Next.
2025 was a big year! In this year-end recap episode we break down what we loved about this year, what’s new, and what’s next in the world of Snohomish County Tourism.
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Titanic Lore + Froyo w/Ken Coman
Ken Coman is a man of many talents. Besides owning a froyo shop in Snohomish, he serves as the president of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association. Also he knows a boatload (pun intended) about the sinking of the Titanic. In fact, we can guarantee that Top It Yogurt Shoppe is the only...
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The Park Ranger Life
Meet the unsung heroes behind some of the most beautiful places that Snohomish County has to offer. Snohomish County Park rangers do it all — everything from trail building, to crabbing enforcement, to picking up trash and curating a welcoming environment. 🦀🏕️🚲 If you've ever shown up to a...
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#SnoCoGameDay Pt. 2 w/Jamie Bialek, Snohomish Sports Dome
Remember when youth sports used to be, you know... fun? Sports can feel so competitive these days. Luckily, the Snohomish Sports Dome is fostering a place that is community-centered and centered around sportsmanship. We caught up with owner Jamie Bialek to talk about Snohomish as a big-time…
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From Asphalt to Acreage - The Luckie Farms Story
Another week in October, another farm! This week we visit reindeer, yaks, donkeys, and highland cattle at Luckie Farms. Owners Scott and Tara encourage us to follow our dreams (whatever they may be) and perhaps invest in farmland. A “moo”-ving experience, to be sure. Are you looking for more...
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Fall Vibes! A Tour at Craven Farm
Craven Farm is not the type of place to scare yourself silly. Rather, it’s a family-friendly autumn wonderland that’s been making heartfelt memories since 1983. Kimi and Brian Chadwick lovingly curate all of the seasonal festivities on their farm at the foot of Lord Hill in Snohomish, Washington....
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#SnoCoGameDay Pt. 1
Soccer—the world’s game—is exploding in the U.S., with the 2026 World Cup bringing six matches just miles from Snohomish County. Right in the middle of the action, Snohomish is home to a new pre-professional club: the Snohomish United. Fresh off its inaugural USL2 season, the team is led by…
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History of Everett, WA
We’re back from summer break! And we’re telling stories from Everett’s past. We talk about fingers getting cut off, union riots, Rosie the Riveters, and the only building in the world that can fit all of Disneyland inside (take a guess). If you like what you hear, be sure to visit our website for...
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Crafting Community Connections w/Nigel Lindsey
Remember how we said we were taking the summer off? Oops – bonus episode with our friend Nigel! You’re welcome. 🫠 There are people in life who do one thing really really well. They find their niche early, lock into their path, and flourish in their chosen lane. Other folks find that they’re good...
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Coexisting with Wildlife w/Kurt Hellman, Conservation NW
Context is everything. Once, the Washington Territory was seen as untamed wilderness—at least through the eyes of European settlers. With a pioneer mindset, they arrived ready to conquer nature and build civilization. But the land was never as wild as they believed. Indigenous tribes had long...
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Music for All w/Rachel of Musicology Co.
Our guest today is Rachel Gardner, a creative, entrepreneur, vinyl record collector, and Edmonds, WA arts enthusiast. Rachel owns the city’s only record shop, Musicology Co., which opened in 2024. So, what makes Rachel unique? In addition to playing bass guitar in a couple local bands and running...
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Making Space for All w/Wil Johnson
When you think of the word “home,” what comes to mind? Home can be a person or people, a feeling, a memory. Home is a state of mind, and it’s rooted in giving us a sense of comfort, security, and belonging. Wil Johnson, Snohomish County’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, has made…
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Old Growth Forests Are the Future
The premise of this episode is pretty simple: what if the answer to our current and future climate crisis is 200 years old and naturally sequesters carbon? We've got that here. Let's take a field trip with John Moon from the Department of Natural Resources.
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The SnoCo Music Scene w/Ryan Crowther
This week on the podcast, we’re diving into the sounds that shape our seaside towns—featuring none other than Ryan Crowther, aka “RC.” Around here, RC isn’t just a familiar face—he’s the connector, one degree away from nearly everyone in the county. Best known for founding the Everett Music...
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How to Be a Human in Modern Media w/Gregr From 107.7 The End
First and foremost, Gregr is a person. For over 15 years, Greg Shishman has been cracking wise and spinning the top hits in alternative music for Seattle’s Alt Rock station, 107.7 The End. He's lived in Snohomish County while reaching millions of listeners through the airwaves. Gregr is a wealth…
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Tide to Table w/ Hama Hama Oysters
Aw shucks! We care a heap about sustainable food here in the Pacific Northwest. Luckily, we have some of the freshest waters, as indicated by the health of the lowly (yet oh so delicious) oyster. This week we wade into a conversation with Lissa James Monberg, Vice President of Shellfish at Hama...
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Hiking 101 w/ The Washington State Hiking Podcast
Have you ever loved something a little too much? Maybe a pair of jeans that was worn threadbare and beyond repair. Or a pair of sneakers that finally fell apart from too many miles. Nature can be kind of like that. Too much love and human visitation can wear down that which centuries of natural...
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Grant Harrington Runs Snohomish. Literally.
Grant Harrington is the founder of the Snohomish Running Company. His organization puts on beloved races like the Milltown Marathon (also a half marathon and 10K), the Evergreen Half Marathon on the Centennial Trail, the Snohomish River Run, and more. These events are branded in a fun way, and…
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What's So Funny About Everett Comedy Night? 😂
The world is a pretty serious place these days, and there are few ways to better overcome it all than with a good laugh. And we don’t mean an LOL response to a kind of funny text message from a friend. We're talking about the gut-busting, fall-out-of-your-seat kind of laugh that cleanses your…
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Traveling While Black in the PNW
Travel is a great way to get out of your element and discover the world around you. It offers opportunities to learn about other cultures and to go on adventures that you never knew were possible. In other words, traveling can take you out of your comfort zone. However, this sentiment can be a…
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Secret Everett Gems w/Nick Shekeryk
Nick is the newest member of our tourism team. As a local, he knows all of the places you *should* be visiting when you come to Everett, WA. From food trucks and festivals to aviation and one-of-a-kind pop culture experiences, there is always something to discover in Everett, WA. The waterfront…
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Farmers Markets Can't Be Beet
Farmers markets: we have so many questions. Like, why is "farmers" not possessive? Where did the apostrophe go? Who does the market belong to? But seriously, local, organic food is important. However, the conversation around it can sometimes feel overly moralizing or shaming, especially given the...
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APEX Art & Cultural Center
Meet the APEX Art & Cultural Center. It’s a historic building on the corner of Everett and Wetmore Avenues. The massive brick edifice is filled with Masonic lodge/ghost vibes. For years it was abandoned, and I always wondered what was going on in there... A couple of years ago a guy named John...
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Tulalip Treaty Rights w/Andrew Gobin
Meet Andrew Gobin, who manages treaty rights for the Tulalip Tribes of Washington State. If you're unfamiliar with treaty rights, don't worry – I first learned about them through my work with county government and the tribes. Once you understand them, though, it changes the way you see the land,...
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Lynnwood's Glow Up w/Sarah Cho and Ryan Bush
More people are discovering Lynnwood, WA these days. That’s not only because it’s a great place to visit (and eat!) -- Lynnwood is also the most recent, northernmost stop on the Link Light Rail, a modern train system that connects the Greater Seattle Region. The light rail opens up opportunities...
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"New Ideas Must Use Old Buildings"
The famous urbanist Jane Jacobs (whose influential book The Life and Death of Great American Cities is the bible of urbanists everywhere) wrote with great fondness about the importance of old buildings. Old buildings, she reasoned, were important – especially in a changing cityscape that favors…
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Grassroots Art w/The Lake Stevens Film Festival
Here's a deceptively simple question: how do you create a grassroots art movement... from scratch? Today I’m talking with Laura Bettelheim, the founder and Director of the Lake Stevens Film Festival. This is a volunteer-run, female-led hyperlocal film festival that draws regional talent and even...
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Creative Ecosystems! w/SCAAC
The Stanwood-Camano Arts Advocacy Commission promotes the arts in the city of Stanwood by doing... well, all the things! Public outreach, education, fundraising and more. It’s not uncommon for a town to take pride in its arts community, but Stanwood and Camano Island walk the talk. There is a…
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Tech For Kids is the Future w/Creator Zone
You know the educational acronym STEAM? Science, tech, engineering, arts, math... these are the skills and fields that provide kids with an advantage in the modern workforce. Snohomish County runs on these types of industries. If you think of aviation companies like Boeing, or the life science...
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Art as Placemaking w/Snohomish Arts Community
“It’s okay to not know what you’re doing... it's okay to start without a plan. People will help!” 🎨 True enough! Creating culture in a city from the ground up takes a big act of faith. Not easy. Yet grassroots arts orgs develop the rich local economies and ecosystems that both residents and...
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Multimodal transit now! w/Brock Howell, Snotrac
Can we engineer zero traffic violence into our cities? Can we create reliable transit options for everyone? Can we plan for dense infrastructure, create walkability, and revitalize downtown cores? Yes! We absolutely can. Brock Howell, Executive Director for Snotrac shows us a future with less...
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Sustainable Aviation & Community Involvement w/ Simreet Dhaliwal-Gill
What practical things can we do today to make a brighter future? What a great question. Optimism without action is a hollow daydream. Simreet Dhaliwal-Gill is coordinating the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Research and Development Center. This Snohomish County-led initiative is leading the...
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Resilient Communities w/Arra Rael
Arra Rael is the Director of DEI and B for the Center for Human Services – a local behavioral health nonprofit. She’s also part of the LGBTQ+ community of Snohomish County. Arra joins us today to share about her work and philosophy around creating a sense of belonging for all. This episode is...
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Bicycling Guide to Snohomish County
Here’s everything you need to know for exploring our beautiful destination on two wheels. 🌲🚲 Follow along @seattlenorthcountry and visit seattlenorthcountry.com
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Environmental Responsibility w/Executive Dave Somers
Did you know that Snohomish County is comprised of 2,000 square miles, 70% of which is public land? That’s a lot of forest, lakes, and rivers. Executive Dave Somers has been a champion of well-managed growth since the 1970s with a long track record of championing the natural environment over...
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The small business hustle w/ Jackson Quall of Sisters Restaurant
This beloved family restaurant in Everett, WA closed during the pandemic… then revived, better than ever. (You gotta try their veggie burgers. 😋) Today, Sisters offers the same quality concept that it has embodied since the 1980s, only with a whole new vibe. 🥧☕️🍔 In this episode we talk to...
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A Guide to the Mountain Loop ⛰️
Want to explore the mountains of the PNW but don’t know where to start? We got you. This week we talk about the Mountain Loop Highway, where you can access hundreds of camping spots and the hiking trails of your dreams. ✨ Hyperbole? No way. 🏕️ Listen while we cover the basics — leave no trace...
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Indoor farming for a sustainable future w/Black Forest Mushrooms
What if you could grow your own food… indoors… in perpetuity? What would that mean in the era of climate change, soil degradation, an inflationary economy, and disruption in the global supply chain? 🍄 Today we talk to Nathanael Engen of Black Forest Mushrooms. Engen is an entrepreneur who chose…
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Snohomish: A Town Upcycled
Is it vintage? Is it modern? Yes. Both! The darling riverside city of Snohomish, WA will charm the pants off you by virtue of its collaborative community of makers. Today we talk about how this historic city keeps evolving into better versions of itself. I believe there are some lessons here for...
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Airports are awful. Is there a better way? Meet Paine Field.
Long lines. Overpriced magazines. Parking lot hellscapes. We can all agree that airports are the worst, right? Paine Field in Everett, WA is changing the game. Today we talk to investor Brett Smith. His company, Propeller Airports, is piloting (no pun intended) a new model of airport: a...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join us in an exploration of everything that makes our PNW region a special place to live and visit. Sit in on conversations with Snohomish County thought leaders as we talk about culture, livability, and the ideas that are shaping our community. Check us out on social @seattlenorthcountry or hop on www.seattlenorthcountry.com
HOSTED BY
Richard Porter and Nick Shekeryk
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Snohomish County Placemakers have?
Snohomish County Placemakers currently has 52 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Snohomish County Placemakers about?
Join us in an exploration of everything that makes our PNW region a special place to live and visit. Sit in on conversations with Snohomish County thought leaders as we talk about culture, livability, and the ideas that are shaping our community. Check us out on social @seattlenorthcountry or hop...
How often does Snohomish County Placemakers release new episodes?
Snohomish County Placemakers has 52 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Snohomish County Placemakers?
You can listen to Snohomish County Placemakers 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 Snohomish County Placemakers?
Snohomish County Placemakers is created and hosted by Richard Porter and Nick Shekeryk.
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