Best Seattle City Council Podcasts (2025)

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City Council Appointee Mark Solomon Talks Density, Public Safety, Blast Balls, and More 42:40

12d ago42:40

42:40

Our special guest this week is new Seattle City Council appointee Mark Solomon, who has vowed to serve as a "caretaker" for the District 2 position previously held by Tammy Morales, who resigned last year because of what she called bullying and gaslighting by her newly elected council colleagues. Solomon lost to Morales in 2019 and sought the cityw…

1
Election result: Did Voters Make Seattle Progressive Again? 28:49

3d ago28:49

28:49

Nearly 6 in 10 Seattle voters said yes to Proposition 1A to fund social housing after the first ballot count. It's shaping up like a big win for the more progressive side in Seattle politics. Why did voters move left this time? Is Seattle's pendulum swinging in a more progressive direction as we head into a big local election year? Is there really …

1
2025 Episode 6: Social Housing Election Results, Crowd Control Policy Split Decision, Comprehensive Plan, and More 28:40

3d ago28:40

28:40

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the results of the special election on social housing funding and school levies, plus a split decision from the Seattle City Council on crowd control policies for police. We're…

1
New Podcast Preview: Are You Mad At Me? A Shattered Glass Podcast 52:20

5d ago52:20

52:20

Two longtime political journalists, Erica C. Barnett and Josh Feit, explore all the reasons that the 2003 film Shattered Glass, about the rise and downfall of former New Republic journalist Stephen Glass, is the greatest journalism movie—nay, greatest movie—of all time. In the inaugural episode, we dissect some of our favorite scenes from Shattered…

1
Ep 137 Author Tim Heaphy on Rising Threats to Democracy 47:10

6d ago47:10

47:10

Send us a text On the morning of Donald Trump’s second Inauguration Day, Tim Heaphy learned President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon for his role as the Chief Investigative Counsel of the House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. Heaphy tells “Chino Y Chicano” host Enrique Ce…

1
SODA, SOAP, and SODO 46:40

8d ago46:40

46:40

SODA Seattle's new drug "stay out zones" are barely being unforced. Erica said this was the predictable result of bad, "performative" policy by council. Sandeep defended the policy but said more enforcement is needed, echoing this comment by City Council President Sara Nelson. She called on Mayor Harrell and other leaders to do more. Will "One Seat…

1
2025 Episode 5: New Committee on Federal Policy Changes, Police Hiring Trend?, SODA Law Questions 27:06

11d ago27:06

27:06

Learn about the latest in Seattle-area public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a new City Council committee that's focused on how quickly-changing federal policy is affecting Seattle, a plan to incentivize downtown office buildings to convert to re…

1
Ep 136 Jaime Mendez, Se Habla Media on Fear gripping Spanish Speaking Immigrants 23:05

11d ago23:05

23:05

Send us a text Jaime Mendez says fear of mass deportations promised by the Trump Administration has the Spanish speaking immigrant community on edge in Washington state. Mendez hosts a nightly online Spanish language newscast where talk of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) sightings are the main topic of his coverage these days. He joins Ch…

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2025 Episode 4: New Councilmember Appointed, Sanctuary City Struggle, SODO Land Battle 28:41

18d ago28:41

28:41

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the appointment of Mark Solomon as a new City Councilmember, a city, state, and national struggle over "sanctuary" status and immigration, a battle over land use in the SODO ne…

1
Did the Left Get It Wrong on Homelessness? 40:17

20d ago40:17

40:17

Our special guest this week is Katie Wilson, the general secretary of the Transit Riders Union and an advocate for affordable housing, who argues that the left has failed to acknowledge some critical realities about homelessness, ceding the issue to "Seattle Is Dying" demagogues. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Your support on Patreon helps pay for edi…

1
2025 Episode 3: Ballots Arriving for Social Housing Funding Measure, AG Brown Sues Trump Over Birthright Citizenship, and More 28:11

25d ago28:11

28:11

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the competing social housing funding propositions on Seattle's February ballot, the six finalists for the vacant Council District 2 seat, the lawsuit from Washington State vs. …

1
Seattle's Nicest 2025 Predictions 39:13

29d ago39:13

39:13

Seattle Nice makes some predictions for 2025 that you won't hear anywhere else. We are joined by guest star predictor Josh Feit, one of the co-founders of PubliCola. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Special thanks to our Patreon donors who make this podcast possible. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.…

1
Debate: Is Seattle Ready to Go Big on Social Housing? 49:11

1M ago49:11

49:11

Seattle Nice brings you a deep dive debate on the two competing "social housing" measures that are on the ballot for the February special election in Seattle. Tiffani McCoy, the co-Executive director of The House Our Neighbors Coalition, made the case for Proposition 1A. And Jessie Clawson, a Seattle land use attorney and partner at McCullough Hill…

1
2025 Episode 2: Blast Balls and Crowd Control Measures for Seattle Police, Councilmember Candidates Announced, and More 29:18

1M ago29:18

29:18

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the struggle over creating new crowd control policies for the Seattle Police Department, how Seattle is preparing for a new Trump administration, how a new legislative session …

1
Who will fill the vacant Seattle City Council seat? 8:10

1M ago8:10

8:10

20 people have put their hats in the ring to be appointed to replace Tammy Morales on the Seattle City Council following her surprise resignation late last year. Today's member's-only special podcast takes a closer look at the 20 aspirants and the council politics driving the decision. The council plans to pick a replacement on January 27th. Our ed…

1
Ep 135 Dr. Karen Thomas Brown on the Demonization of DEI. 52:42

1M ago52:42

52:42

Send us a text Dr. Karen Thomas Brown is the Dean of Washington State University's College of Education. In an insightful conversation with Chino Y Chicano host Enrique Cerna, Dr. Thomas Brown says DEI is not dead, but under political attack. She says the demonization of DEI has gained traction because of a targeted campaign by conservative lawmake…

1
2025 Episode 1: Comprehensive Plan Questions, New Councilmember Choices, Public Safety Updates, and More 27:09

1M ago27:09

27:09

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss some new twists in the City's adoption of the Comprehensive Plan for urban growth, how a soon-to-be-appointed Councilmember might influence that process, confirmation proceedin…

1
Blast Balls and Colonoscopies: Bob Kettle on Public Safety and the Council’s 2025 Priorities 1:02:08

1M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

City Councilmember Bob Kettle joins Seattle Nice to answer some questions and talk about his priorities for 2025. Our editor is Quinn Waller Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected] Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at reals…

1
Why all the controversy over Seattle’s annual minimum wage hike? And is Amazon’s return to work mandate a positive or negative? 43:25

1M ago43:25

43:25

Seattle's minimum wage just hit $20.76 per hour for all businesses. The pod takes a closer look at the hike and the politics of the minimum wage in Seattle. Plus, should Seattle sympathize with Amazon workers because they're being forced back to the office 5 days a week? Or should the city celebrate the move, which could help revitalize downtown? W…

1
All of your questions answered 37:29

2M ago37:29

37:29

You asked and we answered your questions on topics including the 2025 Seattle mayoral election, the race for city council position 9, and what we'd like to see happen in city politics next year. Quinn Waller is our editor. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected] Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for s…

1
Ex-SPD Chief Diaz Fired, Bus Stabbing Sparks Safety Debate, Graffiti Crackdown 37:49

2M ago37:49

37:49

This week Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell fired former SPD chief Adrian Diaz following an investigation by the city’s Office of Inspector General. The report found Diaz violated a number of city policies in the course of a workplace relationship that he tried to cover up. We take a closer look at the report, which includes some salacious details and St…

1
Ep 134 Former WSU Football Great Jack Thompson on Jake Dickert's Departure. 33:29

2M ago33:29

33:29

Send us a text Former WSU football great Jack Thompson talks about his phone conversation with now former WSU Head Football Coach Jake Dickert about his decision to leave for a new head coaching job at Wake Forrest University. Dickert's departure stunned Coug fans as it came a week and half before WSU was scheduled to play Syracuse in the Holiday B…

1
2024 Episode 50: Selecting a New Councilmember, a New Police Chief, and More, with the Return of Co-Host David Kroman! 28:50

2M ago28:50

28:50

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the process and politics behind selecting an appointee for the soon-to-be-vacant District 2 seat on the City Council, a new plan to incentivize the building of more housing, se…

1
Anti-"strip club" petitioners and Seattle's debate about crowd control 38:15

2M ago38:15

38:15

Seattle's City Council is considering legislation to remove restrictions on the use of “less lethal” weapons for crowd control. Should SPD be allowed to use "blast balls" on protestors? Erica's been covering it. We take a closer look. In Part Deux we discuss the brewing controversy over a Ballard bar applying for an "adult cabaret" license. A nearb…

1
2024 Episode 49: New SPD Crowd Control Policy, City Council and SDOT Departures, and More with Erica C. Barnett! 29:31

2M ago29:31

29:31

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and Erica C. Barnett, publisher of Publicola, discuss the story behind the City's work on a new crowd control policy for the Seattle Police Department, an update on SPD's 30 x 30 project to increase recruitment of women, d…

1
The good, the bad, and the ugly takes on Tammy Morales quitting Seattle's City Council 31:49

2M ago31:49

31:49

Tammy Morales has announced she's quitting the city council in January. She accused some colleagues of treating her very poorly and also told Erica she sees no point in continuing because she can't make any progress whatsoever passing progressive legislation with the current, more centrist council. Is the current council toxic? Is Morales right to …

1
Ep 133 Psychologist Karla Blanco on Uncertainty and Anxiety as Trump returns. 31:57

2M ago31:57

31:57

Send us a text Uncertainty and Anxiety. That is what many are feeling as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House. Add to that unpredictability, a hallmark of the first Trump administration. We are seeing that now with the people nominated for top governmental posts. All of this adds to the uncertainty and anxiety. So how do we handle it?…

1
2024 Episode 48: A State Legislative Preview with Paul Queary of the Washington Observer! 28:04

2M ago28:04

28:04

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and Paul Queary, editor and publisher of The Washington Observer, discuss a looming $10-12 billion budget deficit for the state, a growing majority for Democrats in Olympia, and the uncertain future of Initiative 2066, the…

1
Ep 132 Writer, Director, Producer Phillip Bobo on Football, Hollywood, Attitude and Humility 52:37

2M ago52:37

52:37

Send us a text Phillip Bobo works in Hollywood as a writer, director and producer. His journey to working in the entertainment field is compelling and definitely worth a listen. As he tells Chino Y Chicano host Enrique Cerna, it's a journey that began at Washington State University where Bobo was a standout wide receiver in th early 90s. After deci…

1
2024 Episode 47: Budget Breakdown, Changes for Seattle Police, and More with Guest Host Kevin Schofield! 28:59

3M ago28:59

28:59

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and independent journalist Kevin Schofield discuss how the Seattle City Council balanced an $8.5B budget with a $250M+ deficit, why the Council rejected a capital gains tax (and why the topic may return next year), and som…

1
Is Seattle's council less centrist than we thought? 20:47

3M ago20:47

20:47

We take a closer look at the council's tie vote on Cathy Moore's proposal to tax the rich. Does the vote foreshadow more progressive things to come? We debate that and other juicy budget tidbits. Note: this episode taped on Wednesday Nov 20, before the full council vote on Moore's proposed capital gains tax. Quinn Waller is our editor. Thanks to Un…

1
2024 Episode 46: King County Executive Dow Constantine on Homelessness, Sound Transit, and Why He's Not Running Again 25:23

3M ago25:23

25:23

Why is King County's longest-serving executive in the modern era not running again? Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and King County Executive Dow Constantine discuss his next career moves, decisions he wishes he would have made 15 years ago when he began…

1
Ep 131 Remembering Fernando Valenzuela 21:20

3M ago21:20

21:20

Send us a text On October 22nd, Los Angeles Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela passed away at the age of 63. Known as El Toro, the hefty left handed pitcher created Fernando Mania in the early 80s when he joined the Dodgers, becoming a fan favorite and a hero in L.A.'s Mexican community. Seattle based Chicano Artist and Dodger fan Jake Prendez spent …

1
Dow Constantine's moving on and Seattle's surprise proposal to tax the rich 34:04

3M ago34:04

34:04

King County Executive Dow Constantine has announced his plan to step down at the end of next year. We take a closer look at the move and the emerging tension between the centrist Seattle City Council and King County government, which has moved further left. Erica highlights the struggle in this recent story about a city council proposal to turn a s…

1
2024 Episode 45: What's Next for the City Council, with Councilmember-Elect Alexis Mercedes Rinck! 30:51

3M ago30:51

30:51

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and Councilmember-Elect Alexis Mercedes Rinck discuss her win over incumbent Tanya Woo in the Council's citywide Position 8 race, how her progressive approach will fit with a majority moderate-to-conservative Council, her …

1
Ep 130 Election Hangover 11:41

3M ago11:41

11:41

Send us a text As we recover from the 2024 Election, Enrique Cerna shares some thoughts about what has happened and what is to come. Read:https://www.amazon.com/Harbingers-January-Charlottesville-American-Democracy/dp/1586424017 Read: https://www.mapresearch.org/2024-dei-report "Dismantling DEI: A Coordinated Attack on American Values" https://www.…

1
Is Rinck's win scaring Seattle city council centrists? 29:17

3M ago29:17

29:17

It was a dreary election night for the left, but Seattle progressives celebrated city council candidate Alexis Mercedes Rinck's decisive victory over incumbent Tanya Woo. By Thursday afternoon Rinck's lead had grown to around 16 percentage points. Are voters sending a message to the centrist city council majority, led by Sara Nelson? Erica and Sand…

1
2024 Episode 44: Election Aftermath, with Former Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata! 28:49

3M ago28:49

28:49

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and former Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata discuss the fallout from Donald Trump's historic presidential win, the pitfalls of the Harris campaign, the wave of Democrat support for issues and candidates in Washington…

1
Is the Seattle City Council race over? 46:35

3M ago46:35

46:35

On this deeply troubling election eve, Seattle Nice invites you inside the podcast for a comforting conversation about local politics. First, we take a closer look at the juicy allegations swirling around SPD Chief Sue Rahr's decision to place former Chief Adrian Diaz and his chief of staff on leave. Second, a recent poll finds progressive city cou…

1
Dan Savage and the Blue City Blues podcast preview 50:38

4M ago50:38

50:38

Erica’s out this week, so we bring you a preview of a new podcast called "Blue City Blues." Twenty years ago, in the wake of a searing presidential defeat, Dan Savage encouraged progressives to move to blue cities and to fortify them into an “Urban Archipelago” of culturally separatist bastions that rejected the reactionary politics of the larger r…

1
2024 Episode 43: Downtown Design Review Waiver, Return to Work Challenges, and More with Guest Host Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association! 28:58

4M ago28:58

28:58

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, discuss a new city ordinance that will waive design review for new development downtown, the DSA's take on the city's mixed economic forecast, the imp…

1
WTF is wrong with Seattle Public Schools? 49:55

4M ago49:55

49:55

With Erica gone this week David and Sandeep take a one-week vacation from city politics to take a closer look at the root causes of the problems facing Seattle Schools, including a controversial push by some district leaders to close up to 21 schools in the face of a nearly $100 million deficit. Said special guest Robert Cruickshank, “This is one o…

1
2024 Episode 42: Mixed Economic Forecast, Revised Growth Plan Released, Transit Troubles, and More with Guest Host Ryan Packer of the Urbanist! 28:40

4M ago28:40

28:40

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and guest host Ryan Packer of The Urbanist discuss the latest economic forecast for the City of Seattle, a revised growth plan from Mayor Bruce Harrell, and some big financial challenges for two local transit agencies. If …

1
How to really help homeless people with DESC’s Daniel Malone 53:56

4M ago53:56

53:56

This week special guest Daniel Malone, the Executive Director of the Downtown Emergency Service Center, answered some difficult questions about the politics of homelessness, troubles at the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, and other issues. Malone also turned the tables with a question of his own. "When are you guys going to start argui…

1
2024 Episode 41: Budget Update, Homelessness Response Restructuring, and More with Former Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis! 29:39

4M ago29:39

29:39

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and former Seattle City Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis discuss where the City Council's budget discussions are going, a new power structure for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, the expansion of 911 alternati…

1
Ep 129 UNFILTERED A Seattle Anti-Violence Advocate, Fentanyl, and a Federal Indictment 20:24

4M ago20:24

20:24

Send us a text The UNFILTERED trio of Debora Juarez, Omari Salisbury and Enrique Cerna discuss the shocking indictment earlier this month of a Seattle anti-violence advocate and her family members for allegedly being a part of a multi-state fentanyl drug trafficking organization. Among the 14 people indicted, Marty Jackson, the executive director o…

1
Ep 128 UNFILTERED Seattle Channel Cuts 32:41

4M ago32:41

32:41

Send us a text The UNFILTERED trio is back. Segment 1 00:50 to 15:08 Former Seattle City Council member Debora Juarez, Converge Media's Omari Salisbury and Chino Y Chicano host Enrique Cerna talk about the eighth anniversary of Converge Media, the National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims, and training of Native women to run for political of…

1
Interim Chief Sue Rahr's candid thoughts about SPD. Plus, Kshama Sawant campaigns against Kamala Harris 42:34

4M ago42:34

42:34

We discuss and debate Erica's in-depth interview with SPD's interim chief Sue Rahr. Plus, Kshama Sawant's campaign against Kamala Harris, and Erica's latest on the city budget. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected] Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this wee…

1
2024 Episode 40: Lessons in Leadership, Understanding Budgets and More with Guest Host (and Former Council President) Debora Juarez! 31:26

4M ago31:26

31:26

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and former Seattle City Council President Debora Juarez discuss her next move in politics, her thoughts on having six new Councilmembers steer their way through a City budget process, the impact of SOAP/SODA zones, and mor…

1
Ep 127 Political Scientist Maria Chavez on the Latino Vote and its shift to the right. 35:48

4M ago35:48

35:48

Send us a text Dr. Maria Chavez is the chair of the political science department at Pacific Lutheran University where she specializes in American government, public policy, Latino as well as racial and ethnic policies. She has published four books about Latinos in America. Chavez shares her insights on the Latino vote in the 2024 Presidential Elect…

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Seattle City Council Podcasts

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