Best Oregon Public Broadcasting Podcasts (2025)

1
Literary Arts - Timothy Snyder 1:20:20

Play Pause

2h ago1:20:20

1:20:20

In this episode, we feature Timothy Snyder as part of a Literary Arts Special Event at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon’s fledgling olive industry celebrates ‘Olio Nuovo Festival’ throughout November 4:49

7h ago4:49

4:49

Oregon is on the northern edge of where olives can grow. But the state’s olive oil sector is beginning to establish itself, and Willamette Valley farmers are celebrating this year’s olive oil pressing.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Federal judge prohibits Trump from deploying National Guard to Portland 4:28

16h ago4:28

4:28

In her ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut found President Trump “did not have a lawful basis to federalize the National Guard.”By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Is there life after cars? 8:48

1d ago8:48

8:48

Our dependence on cars isn’t just unsustainable, it's destroying our society, say the authors of Life After Cars.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon’s hazelnut harvest could break records 5:20

2h ago5:20

5:20

Oregon’s hazelnut harvest could break recordsBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Where is the Meadowlark rock? Indigenous tribute to Willamette Falls is missing 4:13

2h ago4:13

4:13

Where is the Meadowlark rock? Indigenous tribute to Willamette Falls is missingBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon consumers can own their own electrical utilities, and prepare for wildfires 4:04

1d ago4:04

4:04

Oregon consumers can own their own electrical utilities, and prepare for wildfiresBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
How the college admissions game is shifting, part 1 4:10

2d ago4:10

4:10

How the college admissions game is shifting, part 1By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
What led 4 older Oregonians to the Portland ICE protests 3:36

2d ago3:36

3:36

What led 4 older Oregonians to the Portland ICE protestsBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Elizabeth Gilbert 1:25:09

3d ago1:25:09

1:25:09

This week features bestselling writer Elizabeth Gilbert as part of the Portland Arts and Lectures series at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
National groups are betting on blue-collar Democrats following Gluesenkamp Perez’s success 4:51

3d ago4:51

4:51

National groups are betting on blue-collar Democrats following Gluesenkamp Perez’s successBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
President’s Update: We’ve Closed the Gap 4:20

3d ago4:20

4:20

With deepest gratitude, I write to you today to share an important update. Thanks to your extraordinary support, we have closed this year’s $5 million budget gap created when Congress ended federal funding.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Shape Note Singing in the Pacific Northwest 4:34

4d ago4:34

4:34

Shape note singing is one of the oldest forms of American folk music — and it has a thriving community in the Pacific Northwest.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Final day of National Guard trial begins in Portland 4:55

6d ago4:55

4:55

A federal trial wrapping up Friday could determine whether President Donald Trump can legally deploy the National Guard in Portland.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
A worker on the front lines of helping Oregonians losing SNAP benefits 5:51

6d ago5:51

5:51

The state offices are seeing a surge in calls as families prepare to have food benefits lapse starting Nov 1.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
A look at how a generation of COVID students is faring in Oregon 4:51

6d ago4:51

4:51

A look at how a generation of COVID students is faring in OregonBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
At Work With an Eastern Oregon Rancher 5:30

7d ago5:30

5:30

At Work With Dean Defrees, a fourth-generation rancher in the Sumpter Valley.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
‘This community is not the enemy’: Hillsboro teachers form neighborhood ICE watch 4:57

7d ago4:57

4:57

Federal immigration officials arrested a parent near Eastwood Elementary School last Monday. Teachers and parents have been patrolling the neighborhood every morning since.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
As NW faces rolling blackouts, study says renewable energy may not be enough 4:34

8d ago4:34

4:34

Oregon and Washington are falling so far behind on upgrades to the electrical grid that the states could start seeing rolling blackouts during extreme weather as soon as next year.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Trial over National Guard deployment in Portland begins 5:54

9d ago5:54

5:54

A federal trial in Oregon that could determine whether President Donald Trump can legally deploy the National Guard to the city of Portland is set to get underway Wednesday.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon earns ‘Accessibility Verified’ status 4:19

11d ago4:19

4:19

Oregon is the first state in the nation to be considered “Accessibility Verified” by Wheel the World, a nonprofit for travelers with disabilities.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Federal appeals court temporarily bars Portland troop deployment 5:35

13d ago5:35

5:35

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said Friday it wanted more time to decide whether to rehear arguments on the matter.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Portland author Sam Saldivar on her new sapphic sports romance 5:25

13d ago5:25

5:25

In her new novel, “Play You For It,” Portland author Sam Saldivar shares a romance about finding your place on and off the court.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon Democratic Sen. Merkley on his marathon speech in protest of Trump's policies 5:01

14d ago5:01

5:01

Oregon Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley held the Senate floor this week with a marathon speech to protest President Donald Trump – and what he sees as the administration’s threats to democracy. He spoke for more than 22 hours.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
The art of debate is thriving in one unlikely place: prisons 3:33

17d ago3:33

3:33

An Oregon penitentiary is showcasing its inmates and their debating skills. They make arguments, speak to others' perspectives, and resolve disputes amicably — all of which can have a huge impact on their lives inside prison and out.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
How Oregonians are bracing for potential cuts to food stamps 4:06

18d ago4:06

4:06

Funding for the federal government has been on hold for more than three weeks – but many people in the Northwest may not feel affected much so far. That could change on November 1st, when food stamp benefits end for 750,000 Oregonians.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
A new chapter for Portland’s long-standing outdoor store, Next Adventure 4:50

19d ago4:50

4:50

The iconic outdoor store will keep two locations open with new ownership and an eye on community engagement. A third location in Scappoose was purchased by a local couple and rebranded as The Paddle Shack" this month.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says she’s made progress on major issues. Even some fans are skeptical 4:50

19d ago4:50

4:50

As the governor prepares to launch a reelection bid many believe will succeed, she may need to address the sense that she has underwhelmed.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Portland police rejoin TriMet’s transit police for the first time since 2020 3:30

19d ago3:30

3:30

Portland police rejoin TriMet’s transit police for the first time since 2020By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
9th Circuit rules that National Guard can deploy to Portland, but legal questions loom 7:15

20d ago7:15

7:15

The appeals court overturned the ruling of a lower court judge in Oregon, which could pave the way for President Trump to deploy the National Guard to Portland.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Protesters show up for No Kings Day across the Northwest 3:32

20d ago3:32

3:32

Thousands across the Pacific Northwest took part in the national "No Kings 2.0" protests Saturday. Demonstrations happened in nearly every major city in the region and in many small towns, including in places that voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
CTUIR Food Carts 3:56

22d ago3:56

3:56

Casino and resort operations have brought some prosperity to the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Eastern Oregon. But tribal officials say a lot of that money doesn’t stay on the reservation. Now they’re looking to change that.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Hood River’s Fruit Loop 4:45

22d ago4:45

4:45

Hood River’s Fruit Loop has everything from grape harvests to U-Pick pears and packaged goods, all basking in the glory of fall colors.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
After finding forever chemicals in its drinking water, this Eastern Oregon city stopped testing for them 4:59

24d ago4:59

4:59

PFAS turning up in Oregon cities remain unregulated by federal clean water laws.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Julian Brave Noisecat is part of the tradition of surviving “while laughing and smiling and crying about it” 8:12

25d ago8:12

8:12

Julian Brave Noisecat’s new book ‘We Survived the Night’ blends personal memoir and indigenous history.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Portland author Daniel H. Wilson’s new thriller combines Indigenous knowledge with science fiction 5:24

25d ago5:24

5:24

Portland author Daniel H. Wilson’s new thriller combines Indigenous knowledge with science fictionBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Right-wing influencers shape nation and Trump’s understanding of Portland protests 3:54

27d ago3:54

3:54

Social media personalities, conservative media outlets and the Trump administration itself are blending online content to serve the administration’s policies.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
How Oregon’s only monastic brewery keeps the faith in craft beer 5:21

28d ago5:21

5:21

The Benedictine Brewery at Mount Angel Abbey brews beer in a centuries-old tradition.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Rocky Horror Picture Show turns 50 4:24

28d ago4:24

4:24

Rocky Horror Picture Show turned 50 years old this year, and for nearly as long it's been shown at Portland's Clinton Street Theater.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Lett'er bus or Lett'er fly? 6:36

29d ago6:36

6:36

Taxpayers subsidize a thrice-daily small plane from the Pendleton to the Portland airport through the Essential Air Service program. Would it be more efficient to provide bus service instead?By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Farmworker Overtime 4:36

30d ago4:36

4:36

It’s been three years since Oregon legislators passed a law requiring employers pay overtime to farmworkers. But as OPB’s Alejandro Figueroa reports, some farmworkers say they’re making less money, not more. And growers say they can’t afford to pay the overtime.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Many Oregon GOP lawmakers silent as Trump seeks National Guard deployment to Portland 4:31

1M ago4:31

4:31

OPB emailed every Republican state lawmaker in Oregon on Monday to ask whether they support the deployment of National Guard members to the Rose City. Two responded.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Soil and Water Conservation District 4:38

1M ago4:38

4:38

We vote for directors of soil and water conservation districts every couple years, but not everyone knows what they do. Kristian Foden-Vencil talked to one director, and a farming family in Troutdale, for a better understanding.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Colleagues say Oregon judge who blocked Trump troop deployment is ‘well-respected’ and ‘has no fear’ 7:16

1M ago7:16

7:16

Former colleagues describe Judge Karin Immergut as exceptionally qualified and not influenced by politics.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Funding changes fracture support for Washington County library levy among city leaders 4:48

1M ago4:48

4:48

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Super Hot Rocks 4:18

1M ago4:18

4:18

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Overnight Emergency Shelters 4:21

1M ago4:21

4:21

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Senior Homelessness is on the Rise in Oregon 4:39

1M ago4:39

4:39

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Trump Administration's Attempts to Deploy National Guard to Portland, OR. 5:45

1M ago5:45

5:45

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
‘At Work With’: A traffic control supervisor on construction sites 4:55

1M ago4:55

4:55

For OPB’s “At Work With” series, which asks Pacific Northwesterners from different professions what it’s like to do what they do, we meet Elizabeth Figueroa Alvarez, a traffic flagger for construction sites.By Oregon Public Broadcasting