Best OPB Podcasts (2024)

Republican Christine Drazan is returning to a leadership role in Salem and she’s not the only change in the legislative power structure. Democrats switched things around as well. In Portland, the new City Council is already putting in work, and part of that is cajoling colleagues to support their run for a new powerful position. Find the show anywh…

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Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger steps down 5:01

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29m ago5:01

5:01

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announced he was retiring from the struggling semiconductor manufacturer.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland author's new graphic novel updates Huck Finn 52:09

2h ago52:09

52:09

Portland author David F. Walker and illustrator Marcus Kwame Anderson have worked together before - on a 2021 graphic novel about the Black Panther Party. This time they’ve teamed up on something a little different: an update of the classic American novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” In their version, the escaped slave Jim is more than jus…

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Two stories of Indigenous art and resilience 54:16

40m ago54:16

54:16

In 2012, photographer Matika Wilbur sold everything in her Seattle apartment and set off to document the 562 federally recognized indigenous tribes in the country. Over a decade and hundreds of thousands of miles later, she released a book called “Project 562.” We talked to Wilbur in June 2023 about her journey, her book, and her mission to provide…

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On Golden Rescue is a haven for old horses 5:20

21m ago5:20

5:20

On Golden Rescue is a haven for old horsesBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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America as told through pies 52:22

2h ago52:22

52:22

Some might argue that pie is the quintessential American dessert. Certainly Stacey Mei Yan Fong makes that argument in her cookbook. Fong’s “50 pies, 50 states” is an “immigrant’s love letter” to this country as told through pie. OPB’s Crystal Ligori talked to Fong at the 2023 Portland Book Festival.…

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Author Robin Wall Kimmerer receives literary award at Oregon State University 52:14

2h ago52:14

52:14

Indigenous author, botanist and professor Robin Wall Kimmerer is best known for her book “Braiding Sweetgrass,” which was published in 2013 and is about the reciprocal relationships between humans and the land. Her first book, “Gathering Moss,” was published a decade earlier by Oregon State University Press. Kimmerer is in Corvallis to accept Orego…

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An Oregon apple with a hidden surprise 7:18

2d ago7:18

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An Oregon apple with a hidden surpriseBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Nail salons give Central Oregonians a place to connect and grow 1:03

8m ago1:03

1:03

Suong Huynh and Kasia Moon found freedom and self-actualization by starting their nail salons. Their customers find community and care.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland musician Isabeau Waia’u Walker sings of love, loss and joy in new album “Heavyweight” 25:21

40m ago25:21

25:21

In 2019, Isabeau Waia’u Walker quit her job as a teacher with the aim of becoming a full-time musician. Despite the disruptions of the pandemic, Waia’u Walker has succeeded. Waia’u Walker, who sometimes sings in her native Hawaiian, released her second album, “Heavyweight,” last month. Waia’u Walker joins us in the studio for a conversation and per…

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Oregon providers and advocates share more on primary care physician shortage 27:47

40m ago27:47

27:47

Over the last eight years, Oregon has seen growth in the number of primary care providers, but according to experts, the state will need more than a 40% increase in practitioners to meet growing demand in the next decade. Betsy Boyd-Flynn is the CEO of the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians. Jane Akpamgbo is a family physician for Kaiser Permanent…

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Oregon lags behind Washington and other states in testing workers for bird flu 8:35

28m ago8:35

8:35

Just a couple of years ago, agricultural and public health officials were hopeful that they could keep avian flu from thriving in Oregon. But thrive it did, and some Oregonians’ so-called backyard bird farms have been devastated by infections, as the birds must be euthanized if the virus is detected. It wasn’t too long before the bird flu jumped to…

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Answering your Thanksgiving cooking questions 31:10

1h ago31:10

31:10

Thanksgiving cooking could mean hours in the kitchen -- and it can be stressful, managing timing or different dietary needs. Do you have menu questions? Or tips for pulling off a successful meal for family and friends? OPB “Superabundant” contributor and food writer Heather Arndt Anderson joins us to answer your questions…

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Unthanksgiving events in Oregon highlight survival and resilience 12:51

1h ago12:51

12:51

The Native American Youth and Family Center has hosted a series of events throughout November that celebrate survival and solidarity with the Portland Native community. The tending days at NAYA’s gardens at the Neerchokikoo Campus allow people to connect with the land and honor indigenous resilience. We learn more about the events from Lucy Suppah,…

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Potential for protecting Owyhee Canyonlands takes urgency in final months of Biden administration 5:42

7m ago5:42

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Potential for protecting Owyhee Canyonlands takes urgency in final months of Biden administrationBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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St Helens students and parents grapple with sex abuse scandal fallout 3:34

38m ago3:34

3:34

St Helens students and parents grapple with sex abuse scandal falloutBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Private equity firm Sortis backs Thornburgh resort as it fights for Central Oregon water rights 4:53

11d ago4:53

4:53

A planned resort in Oregon's high desert is a testing ground for reigning in groundwater pumping.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Stop Requested: Bend to Baker City, with Salt Licks 5:54

9m ago5:54

5:54

For the fifth installment of Stop Requested, we solve a public transit mystery to Baker City, where we attend The Great Salt Lick Auction.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland band Wonderly releases new album 29:21

2h ago29:21

29:21

The tune you hum along to from your favorite podcast may come from the Portland band Wonderly. The duo, made up of Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk, have recorded theme music for many podcasts, including the New York Times’ “The Daily.” They have also recently released a new album called "Wolves." Brunberg and Landsverk join us in studio for a perfor…

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'Dinky' podcast by two Oregonians embraces the dual income, no kids lifestyle 23:21

2h ago23:21

23:21

Adults who decide to not have children have faced criticism for being “selfish” or derided as “childless cat ladies.” The term DINK has been used to describe people who have dual incomes and no kids. In the Portland metro area, Erika Abdelatif and Kristen Myers have created “Dinky,” a podcast which takes a lighthearted approach about their lifestyl…

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Portland’s new city council prepares for the next chapter 4:23

13m ago4:23

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Incoming Portland city councilors want to follow through on campaign promises, and are also expected to keep the city running smoothly under a new form of government.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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After decades false starts the James Beard Public Market is finally happening 5:30

13m ago5:30

5:30

After more than two decades, the James Beard Public Market is closer to reality than ever before. The market is expected to open in 2026 and will not only showcase dozens of local food vendors, but also house a bookstore, restaurant and test kitchen.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Task force recommends solutions for Oregonians waiting to be discharged from hospitals 15:34

2h ago15:34

15:34

For some Oregonians, their medical needs are too high to be discharged from a hospital, but they also don’t need the emergency care that hospitals provide. They remain at the hospital while waiting for space at another facility that can provide the appropriate level of care. Oregon lawmakers created the Joint Task Force on Hospital Discharge Challe…

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Amazon aims to use next-generation nuclear technology to power data centers in Eastern Oregon 17:14

2h ago17:14

17:14

Last month, Amazon announced it had signed an agreement to develop four small-scale modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs, along the Columbia River to power its data centers in Eastern Oregon. The e-commerce giant also touted nuclear energy as a “safe source of carbon-free energy” that would allow it to achieve its goal of net zero carbon emissions by …

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Oregon’s new state economist on kicker tax rebates, state employment and economic outlook 19:49

11d ago19:49

19:49

This week, Oregon’s new state economist, Carl Riccadonna, gave his first quarterly economic and revenue forecast. It projected Oregon getting nearly $950 million more in the current two-year period than previously estimated, and an extra $1.3 billion in the 2025-2027 budget cycle. Riccadonna, who was hired in September, based his forecast on an eco…

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Portland musician Hannah Glavor performs new songs 33:24

5d ago33:24

33:24

Hannah Glavor’s music used to lean toward singer-songwriter folk. But her newly released single, “Otherside,” shows an indie rock side to the Portland musician. She writes about loss and hope, and about darkness and the light on the other side. Glavor joined us in March 2024 for an interview and performance of songs from her then-upcoming album, “H…

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Abortion providers in Oregon prepare for possible federal changes 7:13

17h ago7:13

7:13

Oregon has among the strongest protections for abortion rights and the fewest limits on the procedure of any state in the nation. Could Republican control of the presidency and both chambers of the U.S. Congress make things harder for abortion providers and seekers in Oregon, despite protective state laws? OPB health reporter Amelia Templeton fills…

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New audit shows PBOT falls short of safety goals 11:47

1h ago11:47

11:47

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is falling short of meeting some of its safety goals, according to a new city audit. Vision Zero is an international effort to completely eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The city of Portland adopted this philosophy in 2016, and while traffic deaths declined soon after, in 2021 they reached th…

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How Trump’s immigration policies could impact the Pacific Northwest 5:15

4m ago5:15

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How Trump’s immigration policies could impact the Pacific NorthwestBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Oregon lawmakers react to a second Trump administration 4:24

5m ago4:24

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The Democratic party is still processing President-elect Donald Trump’s resounding return to power. For some Democratic-led states, that means returning to a playbook of resistance from his first four years.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Checking in on the Portland Trail Blazers amidst a win streak 20:26

26m ago20:26

20:26

The Portland Trail Blazers are coming in hot with a three-game win streak after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves twice and another against the Atlanta Hawks. Their record now stands at 6 wins with 8 losses, moving them up in power rankings. Mike Richman is the host of the Locked on Blazers podcast. He joins us to break down the wins, losses and t…

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UW researchers develop more effective light therapy for seasonal affective disorder 16:22

1h ago16:22

16:22

With the days getting shorter and the rain setting in, many Pacific Northwesterners are already feeling the effects of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. The disorder is thought to be caused by the body’s internal clock being disrupted by a lack of sunlight in autumn and winter months. Treatments include antidepressants and exposure to bright lig…

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Coalition threatens legal action to block the sale of Grant County’s only sawmill still operating 15:44

2d ago15:44

15:44

A legal fight is brewing in Eastern Oregon where a coalition of timber interests is trying to block the sale of the only sawmill still operating in Grant County to Iron Triangle, a logging company in John Day. The Malheur Forest Fairness Coalition filed a federal lawsuit last year against Iron Triangle and the sawmill, Malheur Lumber, alleging that…

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State initiative helps Oregon inmates forge new career pathways 4:32

36m ago4:32

4:32

State initiative helps Oregon inmates forge new career pathwaysBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Salem City Council censures two members, including Mayor-elect Julie Hoy 13:19

1h ago13:19

13:19

The Salem City Council recently voted to censure two of its members, Councilor Deanna Gwyn and Mayor-elect Julie Hoy. The two potentially violated Salem’s city charter by participating in a land use vote involving a developer who donated to both of their campaigns. Sitting Mayor Chris Hoy brought the motion to censure, saying the councilors should …

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How nurse navigators are helping improve EMS response in Southwest Washington 21:10

11d ago21:10

21:10

Nurse navigation programs have been proposed as one solution to overburdened emergency services systems. Instead of sending an ambulance, dispatchers direct low-level 911 calls to a team of nurses who can give advice or help callers set up an urgent care or telehealth appointment. The idea is to provide patients with the appropriate level of care w…

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Nondisclosure agreements in rental leases raise concerns among Washington renters and tenant advocates 18:08

1h ago18:08

18:08

Some tenants in Southwest Washington and other parts of the state could face a predicament the next time they sign or renew a lease: either sign a nondisclosure agreement or risk eviction and having to look elsewhere in a tight housing market. The NDAs are being used to prevent tenants from disclosing to others, with the exception of immediate fami…

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Hayden Island residents feel unheard during Interstate Bridge replacement planning 4:51

6h ago4:51

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Hayden Island residents feel unheard during Interstate Bridge replacement planningBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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St. Helens school officials for years sat on multiple reports of sexual abuse, police say 4:28

6m ago4:28

4:28

St. Helens school officials for years sat on multiple reports of sexual abuse, police sayBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Students at OSU-Cascades in Bend are running a snowboard company while earning their degrees 14:33

3d ago14:33

14:33

The founders of SnoPlanks, a Bend-based snowboard company, decided to donate it to the Oregon State University Cascades campus. Now, students are running the show. SnoPlanks Academy aims to teach students skills like marketing, sales and supply chain management with hands-on experience. Students also ran a booth at the Snowvana trade show in Portla…

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State offers new rental assistance program for some Oregon Health Plan members 19:19

1h ago19:19

19:19

Under a waiver program, states can test new ways to offer Medicaid services. For Oregon, that means some people on the Oregon Health Plan can get help with housing costs. Oregon is the first in the nation to roll out rental assistance as a statewide Medicaid benefit for eligible OHP members, according to the Oregon Health Authority. People would ne…

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Janelle Bynum flips US House District and will become Oregon’s first Black member of Congress 18:47

1h ago18:47

18:47

Nationwide, the Democratic Party had little to celebrate this election cycle. Republicans took control of the Senate, the House and the presidency. But in Oregon, state Representative Janelle Bynum ran against 5th District Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer - and won. Her victory is also notable as she will become the state’s first Black Repr…

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Recapping the election results with Think Out Loud 35:14

3h ago35:14

35:14

Earlier this week, Think out Loud and the Politics Now team joined forces for an election roundtable. And we tried something new. The episode was aired live – On camera – On OPB dot org and our YouTube page. It was fun! So fun we are sharing the audio for you here as well.

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Portland Japanese Garden exhibit celebrates resilience through art of ceramic repair 17:05

7d ago17:05

17:05

Kintsugi is the traditional Japanese art of repairing ceramics with lacquer and gold dust. The idea is to highlight the imperfections of a piece and celebrate its new form, rather than hide its chips and cracks. Artist Naoko Fukumaru wasn’t initially interested in kintsugi — as a conservator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Detroit Institute of A…

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Lane County's advanced recycling facility aims to generate renewable energy and lower landfill use 17:19

4d ago17:19

17:19

In October, Lane County signed a contract with Eugene-based Bulk Handling Systems to create a state-of-the-art recycling center unlike any other in Oregon. It will sort garbage and commingled recycling and produce methane from the organic waste, generating renewable natural gas. According to the county, it will be “the most technologically advance…

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Students learn archaeology by digging and cataloging artifacts at former Black Oregon logging town 18:08

2h ago18:08

18:08

Over 100 years ago, a Missouri-based lumber company built what became known as Maxville, a segregated logging town in northeastern Oregon. In September, archaeologists and students from Southern Oregon University dug to find artifacts from the town’s lost Black neighborhood. Now, the students are working to process and understand what they found. M…

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Prineville among Oregon cities getting federal railroad money 19:50

19d ago19:50

19:50

The Federal Railroad Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, is investing more than $40 million in rail funding for Oregon. Projects span the state and include work in Linn and Lake Counties and Coos Bay. Prineville is getting funding specifically allocated for rural communities. The grant will help the city restore …

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Oregon State University study sheds light on elusive western spotted skunk 16:16

12d ago16:16

16:16

Marie Tosa, a postdoctoral researcher in the department of botany and plant pathology at Oregon State University, spent two and a half years trapping and tracking the movements of western spotted skunks across thousands of acres in forests in the western Cascades, roughly 60 miles east of Eugene. Little is known about the small, nocturnal carnivore…

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US Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on what her win means and what comes next 16:24

18d ago16:24

16:24

Democratic congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez defeated a challenge from Trump-identified Republican Joe Kent in Washington's 3rd District — despite the fact that Trump won that same district. Gluesenkamp Perez told the New York Times that result was because she refused to nationalize her local race and had solid support from working class voters…

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