The Schmidt Show PDX

The Schmidt Show PDX | Season 2, Episode 14Some fights you don’t choose. They choose you.On March 19th, 2026, a New York Times investigation alleged that Cesar Chavez had sexually abused girls in the farm worker movement and assaulted Dolores Huerta, his own partner in the struggle. For Portland’s Latino community that had fought a multi year battle to rename a street in his honor — a community that pushed through the racist attacks, broken promises, and a brutal bureaucratic process — the news landed like a gut punch.And almost before they could process it, elected leaders were calling for the street renamed - to come down.This episode is about what happens next.Today I sit down with Marta Guembas and former Portland Mayor Tom Potter, two people who understand in their bones what it means when a community has to fight just to be seen. Marta was co-chair of the original Cesar Chavez Boulevard campaign. Mayor Potter shepherded that effort through a bruising, years-long political battle beginning in 2007. Together, we dig into the history that most Portlanders don’t know — the false starts, the broken promises, the commissioner who changed his vote, and the three years of pain it took to turn 39th Avenue into Cesar Chavez Boulevard in 2010.And then we talk about how the original committee has been forced out of retirement to organize once more: to come back to the arena, tired and grieving, and how they found something extraordinary in the hard work of separating an icon from an ugly truth. A new name. Campesinos Boulevard. Not a name that can be taken back. A name that honors not the man but the movement — the farm workers, the families, the hands in the fields and the voices in the streets who built everything.Mayor Potter put it simply: when he heard it, he thought it was brilliant. So did I.In this episode:* Marta describes the moment she realized the NYT report was true — and the deeply personal process of taking down a framed portrait of Chavez she’d kept for years, eventually cutting it into 39 pieces* Mayor Potter reflects on navigating the original renaming battle and what he’d tell today’s city council* Why the community felt immediate calls to rename the street were disrespectful — and what they needed instead* The story behind Campesinos — and why it may be the first street in the United States named for farm workers collectively* Which local organizations have already come forward in support, and how you can too.Take action. This one matters.The community has spoken. Now it’s Portland’s turn.📖 Read the full story — OPB’s deep dive on the renaming effort and the community behind it: Portlanders consider the future of Cesar Chavez Boulevard📞 Call your City Council representative and the Mayor’s office. Tell them you support a swift, dignified resolution — one that honors a community that has already waited long enough and fought hard enough to be seen by this city.✍️ Support Por La Causa and their petition to rename the street Campesinos Boulevard. This effort is being led by community members, not politicians — exactly as it should be.Enjoying the show?We are so close to hitting 100 Substack subscribers — and when we get there, we are planning something special to celebrate. If you’ve been on the fence, now is the time. Subscribe at Substack, like the episode, follow the show, and tell someone else about it. This kind of storytelling only reaches as far as the people willing to pass it along.As always — keep showing up for Portland. 🌹Schmidt Show PDX is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Portland has a new billionaire in the building — and he brought a $600 million ask with him. Tom Dundon closed his purchase of the Trail Blazers just weeks ago, and the early headlines haven’t been about basketball. They’ve been about cost-cutting, lobbying campaigns, and a demand to commit north of a billion dollars in public money to renovate an arena the public already owns.Two guys with a website and zero budget noticed — and built a case that’s now showing up on KGW and landing in city council chambers.Jonathan Pulvers is a lifelong Portlander, hardcore Blazers fan, and co-creator of RipCityNotRipOff.com. We sat down the day of Game 3 — Jonathan was taking his six-year-old to the nosebleeds — to dig into whether Portland is on the verge of the worst arena deal in NBA history.What we get into:* The relocation threat is a bluff. The NBA just expanded to Las Vegas and Seattle. There’s nowhere to go — and the math doesn’t work anyway. Dundon would face a $400M relocation fee, hundreds of millions in litigation, and would walk away from whatever subsidy he’s already been promised.* The real price tag is $1 billion. State bonds + City of Portland’s $400M + Multnomah County’s $88M. Dundon’s contribution: zero. No rent, no naming rights, no private capital.* Nobody knows where $600M came from. The Blazers’ own consultants produced the number. No independent review. Comparable renovations have run $150–200M.* The love bomb era that wasn’t. Two weeks in: no playoff t-shirts, the team masseuse had no hotel room, two-way players were left home, and staff waited in lobbies because checkout had to happen by 12:30 PM. What happened to dinner and a drink first?* Co-owner Mark Saar runs Blue Owl Capital, which recently sold a warehouse in Pennsylvania to ICE. Reported in the New York Times. Portlanders can weigh that.* What a real deal should look like: $150M+ private capital contribution, 30-year lease, meaningful relocation penalties, PILOT payments, naming rights revenue share, free TriMet to the games, street pricing, community benefits, and labor standards. All of it exists in other NBA deals. Portland is the only city being asked to give everything and get nothing back.We close with a live round of Would Dundon Cut It? — the game show built for this episode.Find Jonathan: ripcitynotripoff.com · @RipCityNotRipOff on Bluesky · RedditPro-deal? The invitation is open — come make the case.Enjoying the show? Subscribe on Substack and consider chipping in a few bucks a month to keep the mics on and the conversation independent.A personal note from Mike:This episode was taped just hours before our heartbreaking Game 3 loss — and I have to give Jonathan credit for nearly nailing the exact final score. I’m posting this having just come home from Game 4, which was its own kind of heartbreak. Things looked so good in the first half. And then the better team showed up in the second half and reminded us where we are in this rebuild. That’s okay. It stings the way playoff losses are supposed to sting — but underneath it, there’s something genuinely impressive about what this team just did. They overperformed. They fought. And the future, assuming it doesn’t get squandered, is looking bright for this young squad.Also — Wemby is just unreal. I don’t know what else to say about that.Photo credit: me. I was there. I hope you enjoy some of the shots.Schmidt Show PDX is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

In This EpisodeBuckle up - this is a conversation that will have you cheering, jeering or both! Portland is at an inflection point — economically, politically, and on the streets. This week on SchmidtShow PDX, we talk to two guests with very different vantage points on the city’s challenges: a seasoned political strategist now advocating for Portland’s business community, and a frontline service provider working to restore basic dignity to people living without shelter.Jon Isaacs — Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Portland Metro ChamberJon Isaacs has spent 30 years in Oregon politics — from the state Senate Democratic minority caucus to Jeff Merkley’s 2008 Senate campaign to his current role as VP of Public Affairs at the Portland Metro Chamber. He’s watched extremes take over parties and watched the backlash follow. He’s here to say he sees it happening again — and Portland should be paying attention.Mike and Jon cover a lot of ground: the new city government’s structural flaws, the DSA’s national platform and what it means for Portland, the Chamber’s actual role in the region, and whether Portland can square its progressive values with the reality of a three-year recession. They also rip baseball cards live on air.What We CoverThe Backlash Thesis. Jon watched Oregon Republicans implode under their own extremism in the late 90s and helped engineer the Democratic takeover that followed. He sees the same ingredients forming now — and argues the backlash isn’t just likely, it’s predictable and we should be worried.An Unlikely Alliance that Worked. Mike had the plan, Jon made the calls, and together with then-Councilor Rene Gonzalez — someone Mike agreed with on almost nothing — they built a coalition that dropped Portland’s vehicle theft rate from third in the nation to its lowest since 2012. Sometimes unlikely alliances are what it takes to get things done. Portland’s New Government. Twelve seats, no mayoral veto, a never-before-tried combination of ranked choice voting and multi-member districts, implemented in a year. Jon calls it a design disaster — built less around good governance than around producing predetermined political outcomes.The DSA’s Actual Platform. Jon walks through the national DSA agenda — including the chair’s plenary on abolishing the traditional family as a “gateway to capitalism” and calls to defund CPS — and argues that if Portlanders understood it fully, many would be alarmed. His case is economic as much as cultural: Portland needs families and in-migration, and Jon claims that the DSA’s national goals run directly counter to that.The Revenue Math. Half of Portland’s city revenues and half of Multnomah County’s revenues come from business income taxes. If you want government to fund progressive priorities, you need thriving businesses. According to Jon, that’s not ideology — it’s arithmetic.The two things the Chamber says need to happen to achieve a prosperous and progressive Portland. Two things: restructure Oregon’s tax system toward a broad-based low-rate consumption tax that actually funds the basics, and shift housing policy from spending to incentivizing private investment. Carrots, not sticks.📊 Read the Metro Chamber’s State of the Economy Report: portlandmetrochamber.comDr. Sandra Comstock — Hygiene for All (H4A)Hygiene for All operates a hygiene and health hub under the Morrison Bridge, where community joy, connection, and access to basic services are the foundation of their model. By providing hygiene facilities and health services, they work to address both the civic and public health dimensions of Portland’s homelessness crisis. hygiene4allWe talk with Dr. Comstock about:* Hygiene for All’s mission and the essential services they provide to Portland’s unsheltered community* The recent fires and setbacks that have disrupted their operations — and what that means for the vulnerable people they serve* A direct call to action: H4A needs your financial support right now to restore hygiene services. Please donate. And if you have time, volunteer — from offsite inventory and laundry support to onsite service — many hands make light work. hygiene4all* The deeper question: after three consecutive Portland mayors making homelessness their signature priority, why does a durable solution still feel out of reach? What are we missing?🚿 Donate or volunteer with Hygiene for All: h4apdx.org/join-usSupport the ShowSchmidtShow PDX is independent, community-funded civic commentary. If you find value in these conversations, here’s how you can help keep them going:* ⭐ Subscribe wherever you listen* 👍 Like and share this episode with someone who cares about Portland* 💬 Leave a comment — we read them* 💵 Become a financial supporter if you’re able — every contribution makes a real differenceSchmidt Show PDX is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Audit ThisHave you been hearing claims that Portland is the most taxed city in the country?! We talk taxes with Marina Kaminsky from the North Star Civic foundation to try to get to the bottom of this complicated issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

A NOTE About this episode: When it was originally taped Peter Klym was not a candidate running against Adrian Brown. A different candidate had filed, but then subsequently withdrew. When this episode was taped there was a reference to the candidate that subsequently withdrew - not Peter Klym. That reference has been edited out of the episode in order to minimize any potential confusion. Whether you’ve experienced Oregon’s criminal justice system firsthand, worked inside it, or just watched it from the outside wondering how any of it actually works — this episode is for you.This week on the SchmidtShow PDX, I sat down with Professor Aliza Kaplan — Director of the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic at Lewis & Clark Law School, co-founder of the Oregon Innocence Project, and one of the most consequential criminal justice voices in this state — to dig into a system under serious strain. We’re talking about a constitutional crisis, judicial races in a primary most voters will skip, and a local power struggle that raises some uncomfortable questions about who’s really in charge of justice in Multnomah County.We covered a lot of ground. And I want to give you the full picture before you listen, because this stuff matters — and it’s more connected than it might look at first glance.The Right to a Lawyer. It’s Not Optional.In February of this year, the Oregon Supreme Court handed down a unanimous ruling in State v. Roberts. The holding was simple: if the state fails to provide you with a court-appointed attorney within 60 days on a misdemeanor or 90 days on a felony, your charges must be dismissed.The case traces back to a Multnomah County man named Allen Rex Roberts, charged with driving a stolen vehicle in 2021. His case was dismissed in 2022 — no public defender available. Prosecutors refiled in 2024. Dismissed again — still no lawyer. The Supreme Court said, plainly: this is a constitutional violation. Oregon violated his right to counsel.The fallout from the ruling was enormous. More than 1,465 criminal cases statewide became eligible for dismissal. Over 900 of them were here in Multnomah County. The charges weren’t all minor — drug trafficking, weapons offenses, felony DUII, strangulation. By late February, the DA’s office had reviewed roughly 772 cases and dismissed 623 of them.Here’s what I want you to sit with: prosecutors have known about this crisis for years. They’ve watched the unrepresented docket grow. They’ve continued filing cases — bragging very recently in fact, about how many cases they charge — while fully aware that a significant percentage of those defendants had no lawyer waiting for them. You don’t get to hold the fire extinguisher behind your back and then cry fire in the theater. The Supreme Court didn’t create this problem. They just said Oregon can no longer pretend it’s acceptable.The Legislature passed a $707 million public defense budget in 2025 — a nearly 15% increase, 180 new positions. And still, as of the Roberts ruling, roughly 2,500 Oregonians charged with crimes had no attorney. That’s a system failure with a lot of authors. Prosecutors are among them.Aliza has been watching this up close — through the lens of her clinic, her clients, and her years fighting for a fairer system. She helped build the Community Law Division at Metropolitan Public Defender. She knows what it looks like when the system works, and she knows what it looks like when powerful actors let it fail. I wanted her perspective on what the ruling means for real people, and what a real solution requires.Judicial Races. Please Pay Attention.Oregon’s May 19, 2026 Primary includes judicial races. And I know — I know — many people will skip the primary elections altogether - or that when they get to the judicial section of their ballot, they either skip it or flip a coin.Please don’t do that this year.Judges decide what evidence a jury hears. They shape the culture of a courthouse — how defendants are treated, how victims are heard, how the law is actually applied day to day. These races matter. They’re just really hard to vote on because candidates are limited in what they can say publicly.Aliza walks us through how to think about judicial candidates — what to look for, what questions to ask, and why judicial independence is not an abstract concept right now. It’s being tested in real time, right here in Portland.The Standoff BrewingHere’s the story I think deserves more attention than it’s getting.DA Nathan Vasquez has directed his prosecutors not to send serious felony cases to Judge Adrian Brown’s courtroom. He’s effectively sidelining a sitting, elected Multnomah County Circuit Court judge from the county’s most high-stakes prosecutions.This grew out of an internal memo cataloging eight rulings by Judge Brown that the DA’s office found problematic, backed by a May 2025 affidavit from one of his prosecutors. Under Oregon law, a party can seek to have a case reassigned by claiming they can’t get a fair trial — but using that mechanism as a blanket boycott of an elected judge is something else entirely. It’s rare. And law professors who’ve looked at this aren’t confused about what it is: an aggressive use of prosecutorial power to neutralize a sitting judge the DA doesn’t like.Here’s what I know about Judge Brown: a veteran who served as a Judge Advocate in the Air Force, a former federal prosecutor who spent 13 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney focused on civil rights enforcement, elected to the bench in 2020.Presiding Judge Judith Matarazzo has been quietly reshuffling court calendars behind the scenes to keep the standoff from boiling over. That workaround keeps things moving, but it leaves a serious constitutional question sitting on the table: how long can a prosecutor’s office effectively nullify an elected judge — and who holds them accountable when they try?I asked Aliza to help us understand what the law actually allows here, what the ethical limits are, and what it means for all of us when prosecutorial power is used to sideline the judiciary. In a moment when we’re watching the federal executive branch wage war on judges across the country, this local story hits differently.Why This EpisodeI made this episode because I want people to be informed. Not alarmed — informed.When you understand how the public defense system actually works — and why it’s failing — you can have a real conversation about solutions. When you know what’s at stake in judicial races, you can make a real choice at the ballot instead of skipping the page. And when you understand what it means for a prosecutor to sideline an elected judge that you likely voted for, you can talk to your neighbors about it, ask hard questions, and hold people accountable.The courts aren’t a partisan issue. The right to a lawyer isn’t a partisan issue. Judicial independence isn’t a partisan issue. These are the foundations that everything else rests on — and they work better when more people understand them.Aliza Kaplan has dedicated her career to making sure those foundations hold. I’m grateful she joined me for this conversation.Listen wherever you get your podcasts. And if this episode informs you — share it. Talk about it with your neighbors. Show up and vote in May. The courts belong to all of us.— MikeSchmidt Show PDX is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Substance Over Vibes What happens when you strip away the noise, ignore the scare tactics, and just focus on the work? That's what this episode is about.We sat down with two elected officials who are both doing real things for real people — and both navigating campaigns where opponents would rather traffic in vibes than engage with substance. We're not doing that here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Under Threat: Portland's Environmental Gems Fight Back This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

S02E07 - Portland Gray Panthers & Ribbit Wrangler This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Mike interviews Rob Nosse. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Season 2, Episode 5 - Happy New Year? Portland Vibe Check with Author Donovan Scribes Episode snapshotPortland doesn’t just debate policy—we debate reality. Journalist Donovan Scribes joins me to break down his “Top 10 Takeaways” from a chaotic 2025, and we talk about how vibes (and media narratives) can drive big decisions on Measure 110, police budgets, and the so-called “doom loop”—plus what feels genuinely hopeful heading into 2026. What we coverVibes vs. evidence: how hype forms, spreads, and becomes policyPortland’s journalism landscape: where Donovan goes to get grounded and verify what’s real2025 in review: the moments and patterns Donovan thinks mattered most Memory, protest, and power: what Portland learned (and didn’t) since 2020Hopeful 2026 governance bets: “boring competence” wins that could change daily life—sidewalks, storefronts, AI accountability, and harm reduction toolsPortland 2026: initiatives we highlightSidewalk Improvement & Paving Program (Loretta Smith / Mitch Green / Olivia Clark)Small business storefront support (Dan Ryan)AI + housing / algorithmic systems (Angelita Morillo)ERPO focus + youth suicide prevention framing (Steve Novick), including discussion of emerging “smart gun” concepts Referenced work from DonovanDonovan’s Portland Mercury piece: “THE BLACK BYLINE: Top 10 Takeaways from 2025, A Wild Year in Portland” The Portland Mercury x Donovan Scribes project: BlackOut — A Five-Year Retrospective on Portland’s Racial Justice Movement  Support the showIf this episode helped you see Portland a little clearer: like, follow, and subscribe—and share it with one person who cares about this city.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Season 2, Episode 4 - Guest Co-Host: Jennifer Williamson • Interview Guest: MAC Smiff (Thesis PDX) In this episode, Mike is joined by guest co-host Jennifer Williamson, attorney, former Oregon House Majority Leader, and co-founder of Swift Public Affairs, for a wide-ranging conversation on law, politics, and what’s about to hit Oregon’s healthcare system. Then we bring in Mac Smiff, organizer and host of Thesis, one of Portland’s longest-running independent music showcases, to talk about building a more accessible and exciting local music scene. Segment 1 – The AG, Kristi Noem, and Federal Misconduct Mike and Jennifer kick things off by unpacking Oregon Attorney General Rayfield’s recent press release and letter to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, flagging concerns about:Allegations of potential criminal misconduct by federal agents in OregonWhat it actually looks like to investigate possible federal misconduct at the state levelHow fighting via press releases, and threats of investigation may fall flat without more.Referenced links:AG Rayfield press releasePortland DA balked Segment 2 – What’s Coming for Oregon Health Care & OHP Next, Jennifer draws on her recent conversations with Oregon lawmakers and policy folks to talk about the real-world impacts of federal funding decisions on Oregon’s healthcare system, including: What’s at stake for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) membersHow impending federal funding shifts and cuts might show up at the local levelWhat this could mean for providers, hospitals, and families trying to stay insuredWhere the political fights are happening—D.C. vs. Salem—and who actually has leverage Referenced links: Article on federal funding changes & OregonCoverage of impending OHP cutsOHP / Medicaid & Snap implications Segment 3 – Building Portland’s Music Future with Thesis (with MAC Smiff) Then we’re joined by MAC Smiff, who runs Thesis, one of Portland’s longest-running recurring music shows.We dig into:The origin story of Thesis and why it’s stuck around so longHow the show is designed to bring new, young artists onto the stageThe work behind the scenes to remove barriers to performing — cost, logistics, access, and gatekeepingWhy Thesis aims to be the place where Portlanders can say“I saw them first,” at their cocktail parties, and what that means for building a real, sustainable sceneHow people who care about Portland’s culture can actually show up and support the artists coming nextLearn more / follow Thesis & MAC:Thesis info / ticketsNews coverage of ThesisIG @thethesispdx Thanks for Listening We hope you enjoyed this episode of Schmidt Show PDX. Do all the podcast things to help keep this going:Follow / subscribe to the showRate and review us on your podcast appShare this episode with a friend who cares about Oregon politics, healthcare, or Portland musicReach out with feedback or guest ideas – who should we talk to Follow and connect with us on our substack!  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Season 2, Episode 3 - A Double Scoop of Schmidt Show PDXThis holiday week, we’re breaking from our usual co-hosted current events + one-interview format and bringing you two back-to-back conversations with people doing deeply local work in Portland:Tyler Pell from Tennis CourterlyKatie and Nicki from Sisters of the Road, talking about the Finding Home report authored by the Welcome Home CoalitionTennis Courterly with Tyler PellFirst up, Mike talks with Tyler Pell, founder of Portland Tennis Courterly – an analog, paper newsletter devoted to all things tennis in Portland. While it’s technically about tennis, it’s just as much about community, public space, and how we use shared resources like parks and courts.In this conversation, they discuss:Why Tyler started an analog tennis newsletter instead of going onlineHow Tennis Courterly is trying to “rebrand” tennis in Portland and build political consciousness around public courts and budget prioritiesWhat it looks like when a sport becomes a vehicle for community-building, not gatekeepingWhere to find Tennis Courterly (in the wild):Select public tennis courts in PortlandPlayers Racquet ShopOld Town magazine store Chess Club (downtown Portland)Mother Foucault’s Bookstore (Where I got mine)Online:Website: https://tenniscourterly.comInstagram: @tenniscourterly  Sisters of the Road & the Finding Home ReportNext, we bring you part of a wide-ranging conversation with Katie and Nicki from Sisters of the Road, a long-standing Portland organization that centers the dignity and autonomy of people experiencing poverty and homelessness through meals, organizing, and advocacy.We highlight the new report Finding Home: Lasting Solutions Rooted in Community Expertise, produced with Welcome Home Coalition that captures the perspectives of 650+ people experiencing homelessness in the Portland region.One stat that cuts through the noise:91% of people surveyed said they would move into housing if they could afford it.This challenges the myth that people on the streets “don’t want housing” or “prefer tents.”In this conversation, they dig into:What the Finding Home study askedWhy most respondents strongly prefer stable housing over shelters or living outsideHow a shelter-heavy response misses what people actually needThe importance of peer support, rent assistance, and eviction prevention versus pouring more money into mass shelters and sweepsThe broader myths and tropes about houselessness that this research dismantlesSisters of the Road & Finding Home & Welcome Home Coalitionhttps://www.sistersoftheroad.orgFinding Home report (overview, toolkit, and links)Welcome Home CoalitionExtended Conversation on SubstackWe only included part of the conversation with Katie and Nicki in this episode.To hear the full, extended interview and explore more of the Finding Home data and policy implications, head over to our Substack and become a subscriber.Subscriber support helps cover production costs and lets us grow so more people can hear stories about folks working to make Portland a better place.👉 Extended interview and subscriber extras: Schmidt Show PDX Substack   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Season 2, Episode 2 – Democracy, Defiance, and Remembering Rep. Hoa Nguyen (with Steph Routh & Xander Schultz) This week on Schmidt Show PDX, Mike is joined by guest co-host Steph Routh for a timely and emotional episode.We begin by remembering the late Representative Hoa Nguyen — her life, her leadership, and what her loss means for our community. From there, Steph walks us through how Oregon fills a vacant legislative seat, breaking down the appointment process in plain language and offering a smart idea to make that process more democratic and transparent.In the second half of the show, we sit down with Xander Schultz, co-creator of Defiance.org. We dig into: What collective action really looks like todayWhy strong democratic institutions still matterHistorical protest movements that actually worked — and what we can learn from them nowIf you care about how power works, how people organize, and how to build a more just democracy, this episode is for you. In This EpisodeRemembering Rep. Hoa NguyenHow Oregon fills a vacant legislative seat — and how it could work betterThe story behind Defiance.orgCollective action, solidarity, and shared interestsStay Connected💌 Subscribe to our Substack for episodes, extras, and show updates: https://schmidtshowpdx.substack.com ▶️ Like, subscribe, and share Schmidt Show PDX on your favorite podcast platform🔁 Send this episode to a friend who cares about democracy, protests, or Oregon politics  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

     Season 2, Episode 1Special co-host: Candace Williams (Family Forward Oregon)Guest: Greg Raisman (Awesome Portland)What’s insideA no-fluff convo with Candace Williams (Family Forward) on what’s really happening in Portland right now—plus an invitation to Dance Like a Mother on November 8. Then an interview with Greg Raisman (Awesome Portland) on your zany ideas into $1,000 micro-grants that make Portland smile. Want $1,000? Have a plan to make Portland more awesome? Ever wished for a cooler, lower-stakes version of Shark Tank? This episode is for you.Candace’s plug: Dance Like a Mother (tickets available)When/where: Sat, Nov 8, 2025 • 6:30–9:30 pm • Holocene (PDX). Tickets are available now to power Family Forward’s care-justice work.Get Your Tickets HEREToday’s interview: Greg Raisman, Awesome PortlandWhat they do: Awesome Portland gives out $1,000 micro-grants—no strings attached—for scrappy, community-boosting ideas in the Portland area. They fund across art, culture, community, environment, and more.Apply for $1,000 HEREFollow + subscribe (do this part)Believe in Portland and the good people and stories that make this place special? Subscribe on Substack. Free gets you show notes and links; paid powers studio time, editing, and more episodes. It’s the most direct way to keep this thing rolling.https://schmidtshowpdx.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

We just wrapped up a fantastic recording session for Episode 8 – the Season 1 Finale of The Schmidt Show PDX, and trust me: you’re not going to want to miss this one.💥 For the first time ever, we’re bringing in a guest co-host to join the mic. Who is it? You’ll have to tune in Wednesday to find out — but let’s just say, this person knows Portland politics inside and out and brings sharp insight with heart and humor.But that’s not all…🛑 We’re also diving into one of the most urgent issues facing Oregon and the West: the threat in Congress to sell off public lands to private interests. What’s at stake? Could this really happen? And — most importantly — what you can do to help stop the sell-off and other terrible ideas from the current administration and protect our shared wilderness for future generations. Join us as we interview Bethany Cotton from Cascadia Wildlands.This season finale is the perfect mix of guest surprises, big ideas, and real pathways to action. Don’t miss it. schmidtshowpdx.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

What happens when a national misinformation campaign hits your city? You organize.In our latest episode of *Schmidt Show PDX*, we’re joined by Moira and Andres from Portland For All — a grassroots coalition fighting for housing, public safety, transit access, and a truly inclusive civic vision for Portland.But before we dive into that conversation, Mike offers a critical monologue tracing the disinformation playbook used by Trump and his allies — first in Portland, now in Los Angeles — where federal forces provoke confrontation, media amplifies chaos, and social media pundits declare “hellscape” collapse. The result? Real damage to cities. Lost revenue. Fractured trust. Local disinformation machines like People for Portland feeding off the national spectacle.That’s why Portland For All matters. Because in the face of fear campaigns and paid outrage, they’re building something real — and inclusive. As Mike says, it’s time the left went big tent. We hope this episode pushes that conversation forward.🎧 Listen now. Organize later. Or better yet — both. schmidtshowpdx.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

If you care about democracy, misinformation, or what’s really going on in the American political machine — then you’ve heard of Thom Hartmann.This week on Schmidt Show PDX, we sit down with the nation’s #1 progressive talk show host to dig into the state of democracy, the rise of disinformation, and how local media — yes, podcasts like this one — can help turn the tide.We talk about:- The role of independent media in pushing back against corporate consolidation- How misinformation spreads — and who profits from it- Why platforms like The Thom Hartmann Program still matter in an age of AI clickbait- And how Oregon’s political soul connects to national conversations🧠 And because we couldn’t resist: Thom joins us for a trivia game, “Hamilton or The West Wing?” — where he tries to guess whether a quote about democracy came from the Founding Fathers or fictional TV politicians. (Spoiler: he was alarmingly good.)🎧 Tune in and find out:- Why local journalism might be our last best hope- How Thom connects with other media icons like Sam Seder (host of The Majority Report) and David Sirota, creator of the hit investigative podcast Lever Time- Why Wajahat Ali’s book, Go Back to Where You Came From, is one of the sharpest reflections on race, media, and belonging in America today- And how a single conversation in New Orleans (yes, we talk about that night) brought together voices shaping progressive media across the country📰 Related Media You Should Absolutely Check Out:- 📻 The Thom Hartmann Program- 🎙️ The Majority Report with Sam Seder- 🧨 Lever Time from The Lever- 📚 Go Back to Where You Came From by Wajahat Ali📱 Subscribe to Schmidt Show PDX on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your media-with-a-backbone.  💬 Leave a review. Share the episode. Tell a friend.  🎤 Because the only thing louder than disinformation... is a mic in the right hands. schmidtshowpdx.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

On this week’s episode of Schmidt Show PDX, we hit the road and taped on location at the University of Oregon’s beautiful new campus space in Northeast Portland. Our guest? The ever-insightful Andrew DeVigal, director of The Agora Journalism Center — an organization committed to reinventing journalism as a public service rooted in community and civic trust.We talked about what the word *agora* really means (hint: it’s not just a fancy name for a center), why local journalism is under existential threat, and how Senate Bill 686 in Oregon might help shift power away from Big Tech and back toward the people doing the actual reporting.To find out who your legislators are use this handy Find my Legislator tool and send them an email or give them a call! Don’t miss this one — it’s a deep dive into the crossroads of journalism, democracy, and technology. Listen now, and share with someone who still believes that local news matters. schmidtshowpdx.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

On this week’s episode of The Schmidt Show, we’re talking about the power of a haircut—and trust us, it’s deeper than Met Gala fashion faux pas.Our guest is Mykal, founder of Hairstylists for Humanity —a platform to network barbers and stylists who offer free grooming services to people experiencing homelessness. No salons, no appointments—just sidewalk solidarity and a whole lot of compassion.💈Haircuts aren’t just about looking good—they’re about feeling seen. And Mykal’s crew is showing up where it counts: on the streets, in shelters, and anywhere someone needs a fresh start and a little dignity.✂️We also talk barber loyalty (yes, cheating on your stylist is real ), the emotional power of a good fade, and why something as simple as a cut can restore more than just your edges.🙌 Plus, we shout out some local legends like the Angel Hair Foundation and Wigs for Kids partners right here in Portland. 💬Tune in for clippers, compassion, and a conversation that’ll make you think twice about what’s really happening in the barber’s chair.📱 Follow Hairstylists for Humanity: @hairstylistsforhumanity on Instagram schmidtshowpdx.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

This week on Schmidt Show PDX, we sit down with someone who embodies the heart and soul of Portland’s service community—Rev. Sara Fischer, Episcopal priest, neighbor, and tireless advocate for people on the margins. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about faith—not as dogma, but as presence. Sara shares what it means to show up for people in need, how her ministry has evolved with the city around her, and why volunteering is an act of solidarity. She also names some incredible local organizations that could use your time and talent right now:👉 Rahab’s Sisters – offering radical hospitality to women and gender-nonconforming folks👉 Rose Haven – a day shelter and community center for women, children, and marginalized genders👉 Blanchet House – serving meals and offering transitional housing downtown👉 Hope and Bread – a grassroots group offering food and community with dignity Whether you’re spiritual, skeptical, or somewhere in between, this episode will leave you with a sense of purpose—and maybe even inspire you to sign up for a volunteer shift. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. schmidtshowpdx.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

🎙️ The Schmidt Show PDX: When the City Turns Its Back – A Conversation with Saints Love PDXIn this week’s episode of The Schmidt Show PDX, we sit down with Kristle Delihanty, Executive Director of PDX Saints Love — a grassroots, community-rooted organization providing food, shelter, and critical support to unhoused Portlanders.But this episode goes deeper than just highlighting their incredible work. It’s a critical moment for the organization’s survival.📉 Just days ago, OPB reported that PDX Saints Love was excluded from the City of Portland’s recent Request for Proposals (RFP) — a funding decision that could shut down their vital day center. This space serves as a refuge for Portlanders who have nowhere else to go. The decision raises serious questions about whose work gets valued and why.💬 Kristle opens up about her personal journey, how Saints Love became what it is today, and what all of us can do to help.🧡 If you care about justice, compassion, and accountability, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.📱 Follow PDX Saints Love: @pdxsaintslove on Instagramschmidtshowpdx.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

We’re thrilled to launch The Schmidt Show PDX, a new podcast amplifying the voices of the people that hold our community together and shape Portland’s future. In our premiere episode, we delve into the motivations behind this podcast and feature a conversation with Zachary Lauritzen, Executive Director of Oregon Walks. 🎟️ Learn More About Walkstars 2025: @oregonwalksFacebook: Oregon Walks Join us as we explore the stories and initiatives driving positive change in our city. schmidtshowpdx.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe

Episode 0, our brief promo. Come learn what The Schmidt Show PDX is all about. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.schmidtshowpdx.com/subscribe