Best From SnoIsle Libraries Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 63: Podcast creator Jason Becker will change your mind about umpires 55:53

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5y ago55:53

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Let's meet the baseball nut who sticks up for the guys behind the plate that every baseball fan loves to hate. Yes, we're talking about umpires. In this episode of the Check It Out! podcast, host Ken Harvey talks to his friend Jason Becker, creator of the Umpire Inspire podcast. "In my book, he's a genius, and he's producing a fascinating podcast f…

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Episode 62: Professor's academic research on racial strife leads to his first novel 1:13:40

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In Episode 62 of Sno-Isle Libraries Check It Out podcast, co-hosts Ken Harvey and Tricia Lee talk to local author Stewart Tolnay and learn how he has used his study of American racial history to create interesting fiction and nonfiction. Tolnay is a Ph.D. professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Washington. His first fiction novel, "Les…

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Episode 61: Peek inside the childlike mind of Chris Ballew and meet Caspar Babypants 44:33

5+ y ago44:33

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Part 1: You Don't Wanna Be a Rock-and-Roll Star Chris Ballew lived the rock-and-roll life. As frontman for the late, great Presidents of the United States of America, he wrote infectious, goofy, catchy hits about "Peaches" and a "Dune Buggy" when heavy grunge dominated Seattle's FM radio waves. He toured all over the world. He played to packed aren…

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Episode 60: Thanks to the internet and copious amounts of data, the future is now 34:35

5+ y ago34:35

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Rodney Clark helps deliver the future. As the vice president of the Microsoft Azure Worldwide Internet of Things and Mixed Reality Team, Clark and his crew work with more than 8,000 partners and clients to connect billions of everyday devices to the cloud. Sensors on stop lights, cash registers, automobiles, home appliances, exercise monitors, vide…

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Episode 59: If coronavirus has you worried, this good doctor reminds you you're not alone 38:39

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If you're anxious about the global coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19, you're not alone. In this episode of Sno-Isle Libraries Check It Out! podcast, you'll hear how a globe-trotting disaster-relief doctor loses sleep about the deadly virus that has upended our sense of "normal." Dr. Dan Diamond is a clinical assistant professor at Washington State …

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Episode 58: Claudia Samano-Losada loves libraries as much as she loves her communities 46:51

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Claudia Samano Losado has many talents. Early-childhood educator. World traveler. Life coach. Recreation-center owner. Dance-movement instructor. But maybe most importantly, Losado is a fervent Oak Harbor Library supporter. "I think I'm very passionate about a lot of things, and one of my passions is to share with others and to take and give in the…

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Episode 57: For food critic Nancy Leson, deadlines got in the way of a good time 1:13:54

5+ y ago1:13:54

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Chapter 1: Meet the writer who's not fond of writing Nancy Leson loves books, she loves libraries, she loves to talk and she loves food. That makes the Edmonds resident an ideal guest for Sno-Isle Libraries Check It Out! podcast. Libraries figured large in Leson's childhood in Philadelphia. Her family had little disposable income, so off to the lib…

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Episode 56: A Rich Frishman picture isn't just a thousand words. It's a story unto itself. 58:13

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If a picture is worth a thousand words, some of Rich Frishman's photographs could be novels. Frishman was a news photographer for The Daily Herald in Everett and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize before he left to pursue freelance work. He knows how to tell a story with a photograph, and he still sees and tells the stories of America through his c…

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Episode 55: Sometimes, a guest's gift can be hard for hosts to swallow 49:55

5+ y ago49:55

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David George Gordon admits he was a bookworm as a child. Is that why the prolific author loves insects, and loves to eat them? Sno-Isle Libraries Check It Out! podcast hosts Ken Harvey, Jim Hills and Jessica Russell sat down with Gordon and chewed the fat about his reputation as "the bug chef." And they graciously accepted the guest's gifts, as pol…

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Episode 54: From "J.P. Patches" to elusive gorillas, this Edmonds pair has seen plenty 51:49

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If you're old enough to remember when Seattle television was limited to a handful of broadcast channels and you remember J.P. Patches, you've seen the work of Sharon Howard and Mike Rosen. Howard got her start in broadcast TV in 1977 with KIRO-TV as a floor director for newscasts and "The J.P. Patches Show." It was performed and broadcast live, six…

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Episode 53: Scouting clean tech with Tom Ranken 56:14

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As the outgoing president and CEO of Washington CleanTech Alliance, Tom Ranken has been close to many of the biggest and some of the smallest businesses in the region. What they all have in common, Ranken says, is a goal to change the world. Ranken had plenty of business expertise - Immunex, VizX Labs, Axio Research - on his resume before joining t…

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Episode 52: Discovering seasonal secrets and looking ahead 37:27

6y ago37:27

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In this final episode of the second season of Check It Out!, hosts Ken Harvey, Jessica Russell, Paul Pitkin and Jim Hills relate their personal holiday dreams and nightmares and dive into library resources that may just help set a tasty dinner table. Hills, not beset by the piled-plate, food-touching phobia, shares that a holiday meal is best perce…

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Episode 51: The music of community service with Dave Earling 1:05:54

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Dave Earling has worn the mantles of many different roles. Student. Musician. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Teacher. Business owner. City council member. Volunteer. And perhaps most recently and visibly, Mayor of Edmonds. Earling speaks in this episode of the Check It Out! podcast as he brings that role as city executive to close. "I jokingly say t…

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Episode 50: How to become robot-proof with Amit Singh 56:30

6y ago56:30

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The key to long term success is becoming "robot-proof," says Amit Singh. Singh, the president at Edmond Community College, says students need two things to compete in today's economy and into the future. "They need technical skills and they need higher-level mental skills," Singh says in this episode. "We normally call those mental skills 'soft ski…

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Episode 49: Building the people's palace with Eric Klinenberg 46:20

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It may not come as a surprise that Eric Klinenberg gets a warm welcome when he speaks to librarians and supporters of public libraries. Klinenberg is the author of Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life that was published in 2018. The book makes the case that shared "…

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Episode 48: Keeping government open and transparent with Toby Nixon 1:09:28

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Some children dream of being a firefighter or star athlete. After an early civics lesson in school, Toby Nixon knew he was interested in government. That early interest has turned into a life focused on public service and protecting the processes of government. Nixon was re-elected to the city council in Kirkland, Wash., in the fall of 2019, a posi…

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Episode 47: From the Bookmobile to regency romance, discovering the library 34:47

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Even for the folks whose jobs are to know things about the library, Sno-Isle Libraries continues to amaze and surprise. In this episode, co-hosts Ken Harvey, Jim Hills, Jessica Russell and Paul Pitkin, "Go over the highlights of what we don't know." Service Center Hills points out the oddity that while the library district's Service Center in Marys…

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Episode 46: Books and book'n'em with Alan Hardwick 1:07:55

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What do police officer, adopted son, milkman, cheese cutter, fur trapper and international terrorism have in common? They have all been part of Alan Hardwick's life. Hardwick is author of "Never Been This Close to Crazy," the Edmonds Police sergeant's first novel, which was published in June this year. Hardwick's 28-year law-enforcement career has …

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Episode 45: Serving community with Nate Nehring and Sue Norman 57:43

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Chapter 1 – Snohomish County Council member Nate Nehring Nate Nehring may look young for a Snohomish County Council member, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a lot of experience. Born and raised in Marysville, Nehring was appointed to an open seat on the county council in 2017 at age 21. He is also the son of Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring. "I re…

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Episode 44: Engineering a writing career with Bernadette Pajer 51:59

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Bernadette Pajer had returned to the University of Washington, intent on completing a degree in engineering. And then the life story of the soon-to-be mystery/crime writer took its own plot twist. Pajer turned her focus toward culture, literature and the arts and completed a Creative Writing Certificate at the UW. From there, Pajer began building o…

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Episode 43: Newspapers and journalism with The Herald's Phillip O'Connor 1:02:47

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There is no doubt that newspapers and journalism are undergoing changes. Phillip O'Connor should know, he has worked through many of those changes and continues to chart a course into the future for the Fourth Estate in his new role as executive editor of The Herald newspaper in Everett, Wash. Until arriving at The Herald in the summer of 2019, O'C…

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Episode 42: Library card is the ultimate back-to-school supply 41:02

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In this episode, Sno-Isle Libraries free-lance reporter Abe Martinez takes a look at four areas related to how the library district interacts with and supports the notion of student success. First, Martinez speaks with Jen Sullivan, a librarian who works out the central Service Center in Marysville and helps coordinate programs and services for stu…

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Episode 41: Around the world with Mill Creek librarian Darlene Weber 39:22

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Episode 40: On the path to higher education with Paul Pitre 1:09:40

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WSU Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre's career path wasn't always taking him toward higher-education administration. But once he got there, it all made sense. With a bachelor's degree in communications studies from Western Washington University in hand, Pitre started working in Seattle-area media jobs. "I worked at (Seattle-based TV station) KOMO for a…

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Episode 39: The art of writing in the rain with Garth Stein 59:40

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Even Garth Stein cries over his books. "The Art of Racing in the Rain" is well-known to readers and movie-goers as a tearjerker. Stein says he rented space at a Seattle pizza restaurant when he was writing the book. "I'd get to an emotional part and be crying," Stein says. "People would be like, 'What's wrong with that guy?' Although published in 2…

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Episode 38: The world's top librarian at the greatest library 43:17

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Carla Hayden, Ph.D, says the Library of Congress is the biggest - the greatest - library in the world. Hayden should know, she's the Librarian of Congress. And that would make her the world's top librarian. Hayden visited the Marysville Library on Aug. 1, 2019, along with Congressman Rick Larsen, and then recently joined podcast co-hosts Ken Harvey…

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Episode 37: How to collect a collection with Jessica Russell 29:55

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Jessica Russel is a collector who is looking to the future. As Assistant Director of Technical Services - Collection Services for Sno-Isle Libraries, Russell oversees the process that makes 1.5 million books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, digital and other items available to customers at 23 community libraries and online. The Louisiana native and Texas tra…

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Episode 36: Happy podcast anniversary! 44:00

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On July 31, 2018, the first Check It Out! podcast aired was posted. In this episode, co-hosts Ken Harvey and Jim Hills, along with podcast producer Debie Murchie, take a look in the rear-view mirror. Together, they share how the podcast came about, remind each other of the growing pains along the way and reminisce about their favorite moments over …

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Episode 35: Singing the praises of opera and libraries with Lorraine Burdick 41:28

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Lorraine Burdick says she came late to her love for both her vocation and avocation. By day, Burdick is a librarian at Sno-Isle Libraries working in collection development. Away from the library, Burdick can often be found on the Seattle Opera stage as a member of the regular chorus. "I've been working in the library since I was in high school. I s…

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Episode 34: Following passions for news and education with Lynne Varner 1:01:30

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Lynne Varner speaks with authority about the value of higher education and the details of what is available at WSU Everett. That's not too unusual, seeing that Varner is Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing at the Snohomish County-based campus of Washington State University. But Varner has also used to her voice to speak with authority first as …

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Episode 33: Oso to opioids with Shari Ireton and the Sheriff's Office 53:53

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Usually, the phrase is, "Baptism by fire." For Shari Ireton, Director of Communications for the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, her introduction to emergency management was baptism by mud. It was March 22, 2014, a Saturday, and Ireton was out with the family shopping for science fair supplies when she got a message about a slide that had closed …

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Episode 32: Summer fun and Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation 50:20

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Chapter 1 Did you know that July 17 is Yellow Pig's Day? Podcast co-host Paul Pitkin didn't know either when he brought it up, but you will now. According to a not-quite exhaustive online search, two Princeton math students - David C. Kelly and Michael Spivak – began in the early 1960s celebrating July 17 as Yellow Pig's Day in honor of mathematics…

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Episode 31: Behind the business and communications of Sno-Isle Libraries 56:33

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First thoughts of a library likely evoke mental images of librarians and shelves full of books. This episode of "Check It Out!" looks at two positions that might not spring to mind when imagining libraries, but play critical roles in managing the business aspects and communications needs of a large public agency Gary Sitzman is Administrative Servi…

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Episode 30: Third-graders Part 2, a community hero and book notes 15:35

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Chapter 1 – Third-Grade Reading Challenge, Part 2 There is so much going on with the "Sno-Isle Libraries Mega-Fun, Biblio-Trivia, Rockem-Sockem Third-Grade Reading Challenge" that it takes two segments to get it all in. This literary trivia program for students enrolled in public schools throughout Snohomish and Island counties. Part 1 explores the…

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Episode 29: Actually live with Bill Stainton of 'Almost Live!' 1:16:04

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For some longtime Puget Sounders, it's a treasured memory, an anchor point of local TV culture. For those with, shall we say, shallower roots? It's the stuff of legend, lore and YouTube. And for Bill Stainton, "Almost Live!" on Seattle's KING-TV was all of that and more, it was his job. The Snohomish County resident joins Check It Out! podcast co-h…

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Episode 28: Short stories on bestsellers, book notes and third-graders 14:23

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Chapter 1 – Library Surprise: Beyond Bestsellers Rilee Louangphakdy says that "bookworm" might not be a great description for him and that his favorite library resource is graphic novels. Even though he's a fan of the form, Rilee admits he doesn't always know how or where to find the next graphic novel that will capture his attention and imaginatio…

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Episode 27: What's new at the libraries, reading with children, summer events and Kurt Batdorf 1:01:31

6+ y ago1:01:31

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Chapter 1 – Hmmm, I didn't know that about … June and July Once they decide who gets to speak first, podcast co-hosts Ken Harvey, Jim Hills, Cindy Tingley and Paul Pitkin have a bunch of fun chatting about what happens during June and July in the Pacific Northwest and what's new at Sno-Isle Libraries. Two new videos posted on YouTube focus on early…

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Episode 26: How poetry chose an immigrant, Claudia Castro Luna 48:01

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Claudia Castro Luna was a teenager when she came to the U.S. with her family fleeing war in El Salvador. In just two years, her growing English language skills earned Castro Luna the top English student award as she graduated from high school. Now decades later, Castro Luna was named this past February as Washington State Poet Laureate and in April…

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Episode 25: Youth serving their future and ours 51:10

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This is a special episode of the Check It Out! podcast. It brings four special young people together for a conversation between themselves and moderator by one of their own: Rilee Louangphakdy. Each of these young adults presented themselves and their thoughts at a previous TEDxSnoIsleLibraries. In this episode, they talk about their experiences on…

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Episode 24: Spotlight on Brian Rush and facilities stewardship 23:30

6+ y ago23:30

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Chapters 1 & 2 Managing the variety and number of facilities in Sno-Isle Libraries is a big and multi-faceted job. To Facilities Manager Brian Rush, facilities management is also an opportunity to show good stewardship of the environment and taxpayer dollars. "I'm really into this stuff," Rush says in this two-part discussion. "The goal is to reduc…

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Episode 23: Business and education align to build communities 56:40

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Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) is a catalyst for economic vitality resulting in stronger communities, increased job creation, expanded educational opportunities, and improved infrastructure. Snohomish STEM Network works to foster a learning pipeline for skills in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) to supply business w…

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Episode 22: Stevens makes the Wheels go 'round 38:42

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For many people, their first experience with a library came as they stepped on to a bookmobile. For Sherry Stevens, the longtime manager of the Sno-Isle Libraries Library on Wheels service, that means she is connected to thousands of these memorable moments. In this episode, "Check It Out!" podcast co-hosts Ken Harvey, Cindy Tingley and Paul Pitkin…

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Episode 21: 'Albatross' carries Chris Jordan to Whidbey lectures 23:35

6+ y ago23:35

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In this episode, Check It Out! reporter Abe Martinez leads listeners through an interview with Chris Jordan, a Seattle-based photographer and documentarian who created a movie called "Albatross." Jordan's comments come as part of a conversation he had with Jennifer Geist. Over the course of eight trips to Midway Island in the middle of the Pacific …

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Episode 20: Strings, Selma and seeing the future 29:41

6+ y ago29:41

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Chapter 1 Introduction Check It Out! reporter Abe Martinez chats with podcast co-hosts Ken Harvey and Jim Hills about the experience of interviewing Andre Feriante. Length: 06:41 Chapter 1 – Andre Feriante Italian-born and trained in classic flamenco guitar, Andre Feriante talks about his artistic and personal journey. Now a Whidbey Island resident…

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Episode 19: Uniting the way with Allison Warren-Barbour 1:05:32

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She comes from a small town in Ohio known for the lack of a discernible accent by its residents. Allison Warren-Barbour is finding other ways to stand out as she leads United Way of Snohomish County on a new path to help families escape the traps of poverty. Now in her third year as President & Chief Executive Officer, Warren-Barbour brings experie…

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Episode 18: Comics and audits and books, oh my! 14:48

6+ y ago14:48

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Episode 18 of the "Check It Out!" podcast includes three short stories from three contributors, Rilee Louangphakdy, Abe Martinez and Kaley Costello. Chapter 1 – Library Surprise with Rilee Louangphakdy Rilee says he is a "huge fan" of comic books, graphic novels and manga. Recently added to the Sno-Isle Libraries collection are digital version of c…

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Episode 17: The 'community' in Community Transit with Emmett Heath 1:13:21

6+ y ago1:13:21

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When Emmett Heath thinks about public transportation, buses might not be the first things that pop into his mind. "Our mission is to help people get from where they are to where they want to be," Heath says in this episode of Check It Out!. "That's our business." If that means a bus meets those needs, great, Heath says. If it is a vanpool or some o…

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Episode 16: Snow to strategic relations with Susan Hempstead 1:06:56

6+ y ago1:06:56

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Chapter 1 – "Hmmm … I didn't know that" Check It Out! podcast hosts Ken Harvey, Cindy Tingley and Jim Hills chat about a grab-bag of subjects, including: Snowmageddon 2019 and how planning gets iffy when it's raining in Seattle, snowing in Marysville and a whiteout in Oak Harbor. What 32 consecutive years of clean state audits mean for Sno-Isle Lib…

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Episode 15: 'Finding Fixes' comes to Sno-Isle Libraries 1:11:36

6+ y ago1:11:36

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This very special episode of Check It Out! is a podcast, looking at a podcast which looks at one of the most pressing issues facing our communities today: the opioid crisis. Anna Boiko-Weyrauch and Kyle Norris, both with KUOW Public Radio in Seattle, created Finding Fixes, a podcast focusing on how communities and agencies across Snohomish County a…

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Episode 14: Finding boundaries, balance with Sarri Gilman 1:27:54

6+ y ago1:27:54

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Chapter 1 – Sarri Gilman Sarri Gilman helps others search for healthy boundaries and find balance in their lives. A licensed psychotherapist, the Whidbey Island resident works with individuals, couples and families challenged with issues around relationships, emotions, mental health and being in a state of overwhelm. Her boundary workshops help peo…