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 Hama Oysters. Lissa's family has been stewarding the waters of the Salish Sea for six generations, tending to a microclimate that breeds some of the freshest bivalves you've ever dipped into cocktail sauce.

We'll talk shellfish biology, sustainable farming practices, proper shucking technique (for the "oyster curious") and discuss why the lowly geoduck... isn't a duck at all. 😳

You don't need to be a supertaster to slurp up this convo... bon appetit!

Follow Hama Hama on social @hamahamaoysters or order their fresh oysters on their website.

Follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry (tag us!) and get more great travel inspo on our website.

This episode's cover photo: Garrett Grove

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 processes have worked to build.

Today we're talking to Jennie Thwing Flaming and Craig Romano from The Washington State Hiking Podcast. Their podcast name says it all – these are the experts on local trails. Craig is an award-winning author who has written more than two dozen trail guidebooks, most with Mountaineers Books. Jennie is a Washington native who has enjoyed local hikes her entire life. 

Together they provide practical and timely seasonal hiking advice for hikers, trail runners, and potential hikers of all skill and ability levels. 

That means you!

Ready to hike? Let's goooooooo

More hiking info 👉🏾seattlenorthcountry.com

Follow us on social 👉🏾@seattlenorthcountry

Read our digital hiking guide 👉🏾 Right here

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 new development.  

She says it best: "New ideas require old buildings."

Old buildings offer a place for startups to start up, for fledgling companies to get off the ground.

Today we take a field trip to the Marks Building in downtown Snohomish. Building owner Doug Greenup has put much love into this 1888 edifice, mixing modern with vintage in a way that's attracting tenants and complimenting the "upcycled" Snohomish aesthetic.

More content: seattlenorthcountry.com

Listen to our first episode about Snohomish

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 national talent to the city of Lake Stevens, WA.  

As we’ll get into in the episode, Laura conceived the idea of the Lake Stevens Film Festival during COVID. Like so many of us, she missed culture during lockdown. She wanted connection. So, she set out to build culture and connection.  

Today, in talking to Laura, we’ll find out how one goes about building something from nothing – how the former bedroom community of Lake Stevens is attracting indie film fest star power, offering free public access to cultural education, and making it look easy.  

Buy tickets to the Lake Stevens Film Festival here

Find more great Snohomish County content here

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 high concentration of fine artists there and have been since as far back as the 1970s when Dale Chihuly and co. camped out and started a glassblowing school in what was – at the time – the middle of nowhere near the county line. Or so the self-mythology goes. 

What makes Stanwood a hotspot for the arts? What can we learn from that community? Today on the pod, Cat Olson from the SCAAC will be our guide. 

Check out MAC Fest and get tix here.

Want more quality content about Snohomish County? Follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry or visit our website for all the travel inspo.

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 companies in Canyon Park, or the advanced manufacturing facilities at the Cascade Industrial Center in Marysville/Arlington... these STEAM skills are at the very center of our local economy.  

Snohomish County provides plenty of secondary education options – we have 15 higher ed institutions, in fact – but I wonder if there’s a gap, a bridge that’s missing between high school and college. If you’re a junior or senior in high school and you want to be an entrepreneur in the arts – an influencer, a podcaster, a YouTuber (BTW, these are totally viable career choices in 2024)... how do you get access to training and tools to bring your vision to life in a way that you can be your own boss? How do you develop a strong skill set to offer to employers without having to go through the conventional four-year degree route?  

These are interesting questions for me as someone who works in media. Sometimes it seems like the media landscape changes daily with q constant churning cycle of new apps, technology, and algorithms – not to mention the ways in which we communicate; what can and can’t be said, ways to use images and words to grab attention and position thoughts in a way that engages your audience. 

Now, more than ever, I believe that we need a young workforce – Gen Z and Gen Alpha – who are autodidacts, young folks who can take the infinite universe of information at their fingertips and apply it to making things, generating new ideas, solving problems on a local and global scale. I think we’ll need these bright young minds more than ever in the coming decades as we as a society grapple with climate change, misinformation, housing needs... you name it.  

Ok, zooming back in again... 

Today I’m interviewing Chris and Zea, who are the founders of the nonprofit arts and tech makerspace Creator Zone in Lake Stevens. I think they are the authorities in this topic of creativity, education, and the future workforce of our community. I’d like to hear more about how they are creating STEAM access for disadvantaged communities in Snohomish County, opening up opportunities for kids who might otherwise not know how to address the big, intimidating (existential even) high school question of “what do I do with my life now?”   

Today on the pod – Chris and Zea Smith from Creator Zone. 

“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 visitors are attracted to. It all starts with the arts!

In this episode we chat with Jennifer Oak and Nikki Gardner from SAC about how they are creating a collective arts movement in the city of Snohomish and how other communities can follow suit.

Be sure to check out the Snohomish Studio Tour this year on September 28 & 29! Like this content? Find more trip inspo on the web at seattlenorthcountry.com or on social @seattlenorthcountry

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 pollution, cooler neighborhoods, and better connectivity for all. 🚊 🚞 🚲🚶 Like what you hear? Please rate and review this show. Find more tourism & economic development content on the web at seattlenorthcountry.com or on social @seattlenorthcountry

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 aerospace and aviation industries into a future with fewer carbon emissions. The SAF R&D Center is a remarkable $6.5 million private-public partnership informed by top-tier WSU researchers. The jobs that the SAF Center is creating will benefit generations of Snohomish County residents to come. More than that, as we discuss in this episode, average citizens can also make lasting changes in society by voting, lobbying, getting involved in their local community, or by joining a board or a commission. Listen in on this inspiring conversation with someone whom the Everett Herald recently voted as “The Emerging Leader of Snohomish County.” You can find more tourism content by visiting us at seattlenorthcountry.com or on social @seattlenorthcountry

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 produced in conjunction with the Snohomish County Office of Social Justice. Join us as we explore questions like: -How does language frame and influence thoughts? -How do those thoughts influence cultural attitudes? -What is workplace trauma? -Is an unstructured future really just opportunities waiting to happen? -How can we adopt a posture of cultural humility? Enjoy! As always, find us at seattlenorthcountry.com or on social @seattlenorthcountry

Here’s everything you need to know for exploring our beautiful destination on two wheels. 🌲🚲 Follow along @seattlenorthcountry and visit seattlenorthcountry.com

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 rampant development. Today on the pod we have a candid convo with the boss about science-informed policy, dogs in sidecars, and how his career has helped to preserve Snohomish County as a place of natural beauty.

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 they have swag, and they’re just a blast. 

Today we’ll talk to Grant about why you (yes you!) should run in the Pacific Northwest: how to get started, what sort of gear you need, when to sign up for forthcoming races, and more. Take a listen as we lace up our vintage Nike waffle shoes and take a dash into the world of PNW racing... with Grant Harrington. 

Find more great content on our website seattlenorthcountry.com and follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry

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 Jackson Quall about how to make something you love even if it takes decades, how aesthetics are important, and how making mistakes is a key part of growing and learning. There’s plenty of inspo in this conversation for anyone who has a dream to start a new endeavor… even in the midst of a global recession. Support small biz in our community! ⚡️⚡️ Like this content? Follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry or visit www.seattlenorthcountry.com

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 principles, trail etiquette and the 10 essentials. Then our host, Richard, will guide you through a virtual tour of the Mountain Loop so you know what to expect when you visit Snohomish County looking for adventure. 🥾🌲🧗‍♀️ For more travel inspo look us up at seattlenorthcountry.com or give a follow @seattlenorthcountry

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 to set up shop in Everett. He talks about how local mushrooms cut down on waste and pollution, how the city eagerly embraced his small business, and how serial failure is really just an opportunity adapt your approach to any new endeavor. Well put!👏 Listen to the show, give a follow and catch us on the socials @seattlenorthcountry or at www.seattlenorthcountry.com

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 other municipalities and civic organizations looking to elevate their city into a more desirable destination. ⚡️ My guests include Brady Begin and Shari Ireton from the City of Snohomish and Maygen Hetherington from the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association. ⚡️

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 public/private partnership that benefits everyone — *especially passengers.* ✨ Book your tickets, pack your bags, and be prepared to be pampered. Let’s talk about the airport of the future, right here in Snohomish County. ✈️

Tulalip master carver James Madison dreams… and his visions become stories in wood. It’s an art. It’s magic. Once you recognize his work, you see it everywhere in Snohomish County: the municipal building in Everett, Kayak Point, Mukilteo’s Lighthouse Park, the Everett Arboretum, and the Tulalip Casino to name a few places. James shares his intuitive approach to creativity and how he calls images forth from the depths of his cultural heritage. We hope this episode inspires you to make something beautiful, too. Like the vibe? Follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry or visit seattlenorthcountry.com

What is it about Everett anyway? If you don’t know this outlier/grunge-cool destination, you probably should. In many ways, EVT is the scrappy PNW city that could. New waterfront development is adding an appealing dimension to a blue collar, artistic community. Today on the show we chat with Cat Soper from the Port of Everett and Tyler Chism and Kari Quaas from the City of Everett about how this city on the Sound continues to evolve while maintaining its offbeat character. Thanks for listening and be sure to follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry or visit seattlenorthcountry.com

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 soul (and maybe even your sinuses). 

As the producer of Everett Comedy Night, which has been bringing high-profile comedy acts to sold out crowds in Snohomish County for nearly a decade, Everett’s resident funny man, Cory Michaelis, is on a mission to help make laughter part of your daily ritual—and that’s no laughing matter! 

Cory is a former high school teacher turned professional comedian who earns a passing grade—and a living—in making people laugh. The proof? His Dry Bar Comedy special, “Bad Teacher,” has amassed over 60 million views and counting, and his debut album, “The Collage Dropout,” charted at #2 on iTunes and Billboard the week it was released.  

Cory's resume includes headlining comedy clubs throughout the US and Canada and opening for big name acts, including comedy legend and actor, and not to mention his mentor, the late, great Louie Anderson. He was also featured on season two of Netflix’s “Huge in France,” with French comedian Gad Elmaleh.  

We are excited to chat with Cory today to learn more about his brand of comedy, what the comedy scene in Snohomish County is like and makes Everett Comedy Night so special.

This one is sure to be hoot! 

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Find more great content at seattlenorthcountry.com

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 huge point of contention for many travelers, including people of color. When traveling to new places, minorities tend to be more aware of their surroundings out of necessity for their own safety.

Personal safety remains a top concern for travelers of marginalized communities, so we are going to discuss the importance of inclusive travel with a local married couple who explore the region, the nation and the world--evaluating each of their experiences in hopes of inspiring change and advocating for safe and welcoming travel environments.

Traveling While Black is the moniker of travel experts Anthony and Marlie Love, whose series, “Traveling While Black with Anthony and Marlie,” showcases their passion for travel. The show also serves as a guide for others who are interested in exploring and enjoying places where they might not see many people who look like them. The show streams on FOX Soul every Saturday evening at 5 pm pacific time.

We are excited to spend some time with Anthony and Marlie to learn more about their series, their adventures and their bucket list destinations for traveling while Black in Snohomish County. Enjoy!

Like and follow TWB:

YouTube: @travelingwhileblack1

Instagram: @travelwhileblk

TikTok: @travelingwhileblk

Web: travelingwhileblackseattle.com

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 is a can’t-miss, boasting the largest public marina on the West Coast. Enjoy a great meal, hop the ferry or take a paddle to Jetty Island, beachcomb, or explore the miles of waterfront trails.

On this pod episode... all things Everett.

Cheers!

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 high stakes. Modern food production impacts local ecosystems, global environments, and involves issues like factory farming, carbon emissions, fair trade, and pesticides.

It’s a lot to unpack.

That’s why having nearly a dozen farmers markets in Snohomish County is a great thing. They make fresh, quality food accessible, and many accept SNAP and WIC, helping low-income and disabled individuals access fairly grown food.

Today, we’re talking with Sarah Dylan Jensen, host of The Market Maven podcast (definitely check it out). Sarah manages the ever-popular Snohomish Farmers Market, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. We wanted to speak with her because this is such a timely topic.

We're also joined today by my creative colleague and new guy on the tourism team, Nick Shekeryk. Thanks, Nick!

Follow Sarah @yourmarketmaven

Check out her website

Listen to related podcasts about Black Forest Mushrooms, Creator Zone, and Downtown Snohomish.

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 Carswell bought this building. You’ll meet John in this podcast. He has spent years acquiring American graffiti art. He claims that his DogTown Collection, as it’s called, is the single largest graffiti art collection in the world.  

As somebody who is a fan of quality vintage architecture (don’t get me started on the topic of timeless value of old growth timber) I was dying to see inside this building. I’ve heard it’s incredible.  

So, I reached out to John and his PR representative Sherry Jennings to see if I could get a tour.

Join us as we walk through worlds of history and cuisine, architecture and urban art in the heart of downtown Everett, WA. There’s a lot going on at APEX!

Along the way we’ll hear John’s story, how he got into the art game, and why he thinks Everett is currently positioned in the "sweet spot" for up-and-coming artists. 

Enjoy the show? Find more Snohomish County travel inspo at seattlenorthcountry.com or follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry

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, especially when you learn about the vital role natural resources played in the lives of indigenous communities in Snohomish County. It shifts how you view the landscape and environment around you.

Andrew is the expert on Treaty Rights, so this conversation is largely unedited, offering a deep dive into the history and significance of these rights for the Tulalip Tribes. If you want to fully appreciate the connection between the Tulalip people and Snohomish County, this is the episode for you. It covers centuries of history and explores how the natural world shapes us, just as we shape it. This episode, more than any other, gets to the heart of what it means to live in a place, making it a thought-provoking listen for anyone interested in the intersection of people, land, and culture.

Learn more about Snohomish County by following us on social @seattlenorthcountry or by visiting seattlenorthcountry.com

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 for commuters, yes, but also makes it easier than ever for regional explorers to access the fine dining, quality parks and trails, and high-end retail opportunities that this city offers.  Today on the pod we talk to Sarah Cho and Ryan Bush from the City of Lynnwood about how the place that they represent is quickly changing, what’s new, and what visitors need to know. Learn why this city was once a Seattle suburb, but now stands on its own two feet as an economic up-and-comer in Snohomish County. For more quality content, check out seattlenorthcountry.com or follow us on social @seattlenorthcountry