Best Steve Scher Podcasts (2025)

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407. Steve Oney with Steve Scher: On Air: The History of NPR 1:09:33

6d ago1:09:33

1:09:33

Founded in 1970, NPR is America’s most powerful broadcast news network. Despite being overshadowed by the larger and more glamorous PBS, public radio has long been home to shows such as All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and This American Life that captivate millions of listeners in homes, cars, and workplaces across the nation. In On Air, a b…

1
408. Dave Barry with Brett Hamil: Class Clown: A Memoir 1:03:22

16m ago1:03:22

1:03:22

You could argue that Dave Barry is the country’s class clown, but did you know that he actually was elected class clown in high school? It’s no wonder, then, that he’s made a career out of making fun of pretty much everything. So how in the world does the son of a Presbyterian minister wind up winning a Pulitzer Prize for writing a wildly inaccurat…

1
406. Karen Polinsky and Ian Mackay with Kenny Salvini: Ian's Ride: A Long-Distance Journey to Joy 1:26:15

21d ago1:26:15

1:26:15

At 26, Ian Mackay loved the outdoors, natural sciences, and cycling. While studying as a biology undergrad at UC Santa Cruz, he crashed his bike into a tree on campus and forever changed his relationship with how he – and others like him – experienced nature. After sustaining a spinal cord injury that would leave him paralyzed from the shoulders do…

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405. Susan Lieu with Quynh Pham: The Manicurist’s Daughter 1:31:56

22d ago1:31:56

1:31:56

In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, join Town Hall Seattle to hear Vietnamese author Susan Lieu discuss her memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter. Susan will be in conversation with Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon (FLS), Quynh Pham. Together, Susan and Quynh will discuss the impact of war with regards to traum…

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404. Juliette Aristides in conversation with Mike Magrath: The Inner Life of the Artist: Conversations from the Atelier 1:01:04

1M ago1:01:04

1:01:04

From bestselling author Juliette Aristides comes an inspirational guide to thinking, making, and embodying the mind of a creative person. The third Monacelli Studio title from Juliette Aristides, The Inner Life of the Artist, is an inspirational guide to thinking, making, and embodying the mind of a creative person. The book contains a series of sh…

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403. Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour with Kim Thayil and Mike Squires: Lollapalooza — The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival 1:16:51

2M ago1:16:51

1:16:51

These days, large-scale high-production music festivals take over major cities and regularly attract crowds of every genre — including the current version of Lollapalooza that draws a casual 400,000 people to its resident Chicago stomping grounds. But kick it back a few decades and this kind of maximalist mega-show wasn’t quite the norm it is now, …

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402. Daryl Gregory with Matt Dinniman: When Simulations Search for Meaning: A Novelist Explores Human Truths Within Illusion 58:02

2M ago58:02

58:02

What if none of this were real, but instead we were in a simulation? What would that mean about life, about the notion of reality, and about our own existence? From award-winning, Seattle-based author Daryl Gregory comes a story following two friends on a cross-country bus tour through glitches as they grapple with secrets, love, and family — issue…

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401. Torrey Peters: In Conversation with Aster Olsen, Ebo Barton, Corinne Manning, and Amber Flame 1:11:30

3M ago1:11:30

1:11:30

Trans stories are not confined to political rhetoric and headlines. The world of creative writing is replete with narratives that explore complex worlds of gender and how identity intersects with people’s lives and relationships. In a new collection of one novel and three stories, bestselling author Torrey Peters’s keen eye for the rough edges of c…

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400. Arigon Starr: Sacred Breath: An Indigenous Writing and Storytelling Series 1:12:51

3M ago1:12:51

1:12:51

Why do people feel compelled to share stories? Why do we yearn to reach others with our words, beyond necessary communication? Storytelling is a vital facet of human culture and is constantly expanding as we create new ways to communicate through words, art, and tangible experience. The Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Was…

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399. Sabina Nawaz with Frank X. Shaw: Are You a Good Boss? Navigating Leadership, Power, and Performance 50:17

3M ago50:17

50:17

How do you know if you are a good boss? Whether you’re in the C-Suite or middle management, you’re probably not reaching your full potential, according to Sabina Nawaz, Fortune 500 coach and author of You’re the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need). Unfortunately, it’s often hard to recognize pitfalls as a boss or know how to a…

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398. Keeonna Harris with Jodi-Ann Burey: Mainline Mama: Raising a Family Through Incarceration and Resistance 1:01:45

4M ago1:01:45

1:01:45

Writer and prison abolitionist Keeonna Harris shares her intimate memoir, Mainline Mama, about the formidable challenge of raising a family separated by prison walls and how we can fight back against a broken Byzantine system. Keeonna and Jason met as young teens. Only fourteen, Keeonna had never had a boyfriend before, dreamed of attending Spelman…

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397. Shiza Shahid: Dinner at Our Place 37:04

4M ago37:04

37:04

Celebrate culture and connection with Dinner at Our Place, the latest cookbook from the team behind Our Place, the makers of the beloved Always Pan®. Shiza Shahid, co-founder and CEO of the acclaimed cookware shares the brand’s mission to bring people together through the joy of cooking and dining. With contributions from 11 renowned chefs, tastema…

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396. Kay Smith-Blum in Conversation with Joshua Frank, Moderated by Gerry Pollet: Nuclear Secrets, Past and Present 1:07:41

5M ago1:07:41

1:07:41

Environmental advocate and HOANW founder, Gerry Pollet moderates a conversation with debut author Kay Smith-Blum and investigative journalist and author, Joshua Frank. They will explore the real-life inspirations behind Smith-Blum’s novel, Tangles, and its themes of environmental justice and human resilience against the stark backdrop of the state …

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395. Cynthia Brothers with Tom Eykemans: Signs of Vanishing Seattle 58:06

5M ago58:06

58:06

Cities in postcards and sweeping film shots are all dramatic skylines and big recognizable features, but to really love a city is to know it on the ground level. The spaces that build community, shape culture, and support neighborhoods may not always be the flashiest silhouettes, but they’re often the most iconic to the people who live amongst them…

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394. Unlearning with Lindsey T.H. Jackson: Misogynoir — The Intersection of Misogyny and Anti-Blackness 1:17:37

5M ago1:17:37

1:17:37

Explore the uncomfortable conversations you’ve been eager for in a space that encourages open and safe expression. Weaving together storytelling, poetry, music, and panel interviews with powerful voices, Unlearning offers the opportunity to address issues like discrimination, social justice, violence, and many other pressing (and often taboo) topic…

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393. Rob Sheffield: An Era Like No Other — How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music 1:08:31

7M ago1:08:31

1:08:31

Throughout her storied career, Taylor Swift has kept her name in the news with chart-topping hits, aesthetic reinvention, and nonstop global influence. Over the years and across the genres, die-hard fans and scholars alike have chronicled the cultural phenomenon that is Taylor Swift. And long story short, pop music expert and self-described Taylor …

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392. Opening Doors to the Outdoors: Inclusivity in Climbing 1:01:08

7M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Access to the outdoors is a basic human need—from the granite under our feet during adventures or simply a breath of fresh air. Yet, that access isn’t equal. In the U.S., more than one in three people lack access to a park within a 10-minute walk of home, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities. The outdoor and climbing industries …

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391. Alison Fensterstock with Emily Fox and Rachel Flotard: How Women Made Music — A Revolutionary History 1:22:13

7M ago1:22:13

1:22:13

Celebrate women who rock in a discussion with the hosts of NPR music’s series Turning the Tables as they share their new book How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music. Uncovering the role women have played in shaping the music industry, editor Alison Fensterstock brings long-overdue recognition to female artists, challenging tra…

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390. Trimpin in Discussion with Gary Faigin: The Sound of Invention 51:29

7M ago51:29

51:29

Combining digital technology with everyday salvaged materials, sculptor and composer Trimpin has invented ways of playing everything from giant marimbas to a 60-foot stack of guitars using MIDI commands. Taking inspiration equally from junkyards, museums, and concert halls, Trimpin creates eccentric and interactive instruments from found materials,…

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389. Tonya Lockyer with Jackson Cooper: Navigating Creative Administration — With Advice from Firsthand Accounts 51:08

7M ago51:08

51:08

When we think about consuming art, whether reading a book, visiting a museum, or maybe watching an outdoor performance act, we rarely consider the administrative efforts that go into making art possible. Creative administration is an evolving field that considers the innovation and organizational management necessary to create and present art. Arti…

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388. Nathan Myhrvold with Bethany Jean Clement: Modernist Bread at Home 1:14:46

7M ago1:14:46

1:14:46

Join Modernist Cuisine founder and author Nathan Myhrvold to explore one of the world’s most beloved (and occasionally controversial) foods: bread. In this conversation that’s sure to be like naan other, Myhrvold will discuss his new book, Modernist Bread at Home, and why now is the perfect time to rise to the occasion and start making bread in you…

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387. André Aciman with Marcie Sillman: Coming of Age in The Eternal City — A New Book by the Author of "Call Me by Your Name" 1:06:09

7M ago1:06:09

1:06:09

The city of Rome is a legacy locale in countless areas of history and culture. For teenage refugee André Aciman, Rome was also a source of life-changing challenges, charms, and connections that would have a place in his heart for years to come. In his upcoming book Roman Year: A Memoir, Aciman recounts the ways his family adapted to the harsh reali…

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386. Tui T. Sutherland with Ben Clanton: Wings of Fire – The Dragonet Prophecy 59:56

8M ago59:56

59:56

Join us for an exciting event with Tui T. Sutherland, the bestselling author behind the #1 New York Times and USA Today series Wings of Fire. Sutherland discusses the limited edition release of The Dragonet Prophecy, the first book in the series, offering insights into the world of dragons and the captivating characters that have enchanted readers …

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385. Louise Erdrich with Karen Russell: Dark Realities and Glimmering Hopes in the Red River Valley 1:08:26

8M ago1:08:26

1:08:26

Can you see the shape of your soul in the everchanging clouds? Your personal salvation in the giant expanse of sky? For the ensemble cast of characters that make up the prairie community at the heart of The Mighty Red, existential questions are constantly close to the surface. In her newest novel, author Louise Erdrich immerses readers in the Red R…

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284. Eva Walker and Jacob Uitti with Molly Sides, Jimmy James, Evan Flory-Barnes, and Marco Collins: The Sound of Seattle 1:10:11

8M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

What connects Seattle with Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Kenny G? How about the Melvins, Sleater-Kinney, and Foo Fighters? And Sir Mix-a-Lot, Macklemore, and Travis Thompson? If you don’t know, KEXP DJ and musician Eva Walker and music writer Jake Uitti can tell you. Walker and Uitti have created a timeline of Seattle’s music evolution through the…

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283. Edward Burns with Katy Sewall: A Kid from Marlboro Road 1:11:44

8M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

Edward Burns is known for his work as an actor and filmmaker, and now he’s debuting his novel-writing skills in A Kid from Marlboro Road. Set in the 1970s, his novel follows an Irish-American family living on Long Island––elements inspired by Burns’s own childhood. This coming-of-age tale explores the impacts of family history, the growing independ…

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282. Sahaj Kohli with Ruchika T. Malhotra: When Mental Health, Family, & Culture Intersect 1:02:46

9M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

As the daughter of immigrants, Sahaj Kaur Kohli grew up understanding what it means to straddle multiple cultures at once. She wrestled with questions like what it meant to forge one’s path, establishing personal values while embracing one’s origins; if prioritizing mental health meant a rejection of culture; how to set boundaries and engage in sel…

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281. Inspired Natives®: Celebrate Native Art, Culture, and Food 1:26:07

9M ago1:26:07

1:26:07

Celebrate Native art and culture with Eighth Generation’s Inspired Natives Artists. Learn why supporting Native-designed products and art is crucial, and how your support fosters Native prosperity while combating cultural appropriation. Panelists: Founder of OXDX, Jared Yazzie (Navajo/Diné) is a self-taught graphic artist, entrepreneur, and designe…

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280. David Yeager with Tricia Raikes: The Science of Speaking to Young People 1:15:59

9M ago1:15:59

1:15:59

Imagine a world in which Gen Xers, millennials, and boomers interact with young people in ways that leave them feeling inspired, enthusiastic, and ready to contribute—rather than disengaged, outraged, or overwhelmed. That world may be closer than you think. In his new book, 10-to-25: The Science of Motivating Young People, psychologist David Yeager…

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279. Khushbu Shah with J. Kenji López-Alt: Culture & Cuisine 1:02:30

9M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

What is Indian food in America? The country’s identity as a melting pot makes for a diverse tapestry of flavors, but that doesn’t always equate to easily being able to identify one’s place in the culinary landscape. In her debut cookbook Amrikan: 125 Recipes From the Indian Diaspora, acclaimed Food & Wine writer and editor Khushbu Shah presents ins…

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278. Jesmyn Ward with Ijeoma Oluo: Let Us Descend 1:18:32

9M ago1:18:32

1:18:32

Jesmyn Ward, the two-time National Book Award winner, has returned with a new novel about an enslaved girl in the years before the Civil War. Let Us Descend, an Oprah’s Book Club pick, describes a journey from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the slave markets of New Orleans and into the heart of a Louisiana sugar plantation. In Let Us Descend (…

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277. Marisel Salazar with Agueda Pacheco Flores: Latin-ish — Bold Flavors that Break Boundaries 1:03:43

9M ago1:03:43

1:03:43

Dynamic dishes, rich backgrounds, and a legacy of flavor are all on the menu in Marisel Salazar’s debut cookbook Latin-ish: More Than 100 Recipes Celebrating American Latino Cuisines. Building on her heritage with years of research and travel, Salazar takes fellow cooks and food enthusiasts on a flavor-packed journey through the Latine diaspora. Th…

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276. Daniel J. Levitin with Brian Nova and Marc McKennon: Music, Healing, and Human Biology 1:09:03

9M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

Have you ever thought about music not just as entertaining, but as something healing? Research suggests that the benefits of music can go beyond just jamming to catchy tunes. Neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author of This Is Your Brain on Music Daniel J. Levitin explores this idea in his new book, I Heard There was a Secret Chord: Mu…

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275. Anna Marie Tendler with Jen Soriano: Men Have Called Her Crazy — A Literary Self-Portrait 1:08:36

9M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

In early 2021, popular artist Anna Marie Tendler checked herself into a psychiatric hospital following a year of crippling anxiety, depression, and self-harm. Over two weeks, she underwent myriad psychological tests, participated in numerous therapy sessions, connected with fellow patients, and experienced profound breakthroughs, such as when a doc…

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274. Big River: Resilience & Renewal in the Columbia Basin 1:15:09

9M ago1:15:09

1:15:09

Here in Washington State, we are surrounded by a vast landscape of natural resources. When you are enjoying the outdoors, do you ever wonder about the state of these resources or the role that we play in their preservation? Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin is a new book-in-progress and visual storytelling campaign exploring t…

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273. Reagan Jackson with Quenton Baker and Bettina Judd: Exploring Seattle's Evolution 57:31

10M ago57:31

57:31

What does it mean to bear witness to a city in flux, where the echoes of inequality, gentrification, and community resistance reverberate through its streets? Author and activist Reagan Jackson’s collection of essays, Still True, poses this question and chronicles her journey into the world of journalism. Equal parts personal testament, structural …

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272. Nicholas D. Kristof with Timothy Egan: A Journey Through Journalism 1:17:23

10M ago1:17:23

1:17:23

Headlines from around the world flash on our television screens and appear on our newsfeeds, but we don’t always know what life is like for journalists who often risk their lives to deliver the news. New York Times columnist, Pulitzer Prize winner, and bestselling author Nicholas D. Kristof has penned a memoir, Chasing Hope: A Reporter’s Life about…

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271. Sebastian Junger: Musings on Mortality 1:01:08

10M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

When given the option, most people will go out of their way to avoid risking life and limb. However, the world is full of people who face untold dangers daily, by circumstance or by choice, and walk through life with a greater understanding of death than many possess. After a career as a war reporter and examiner of dangerous occupations, Sebastian…

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270. Miranda July with Laurie Frankel: A Novel of Alluring Adventure 1:03:33

10M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

You’re planning a road trip — you’ve got snacks, you’ve got directions from Los Angeles to New York, and you’ve got a deep sense of curiosity and longing as the home you know fades quickly into your rearview mirror. For the forty-five year old artist at the heart of Miranda July’s All Fours, the pull towards the unknown proves a little too tempting…

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269. Julian Randall with Ally Ang: Past, Present, and Prevail 45:41

10M ago45:41

45:41

Many of us have sought information about our family history, trying to solve those unanswered questions about our predecessors. In the quest for truths about others through examining their lives and lineage, we may also find truths about ourselves in the process. In his latest release and nonfiction debut, The Dead Don’t Need Reminding: In Search o…

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268. Ruth Dickey with Rebecca Hoogs: Our Hollowness Sings — Poetry Celebrating Resilience 45:44

10M ago45:44

45:44

Our Hollowness Sings by Ruth Dickey explores human brokenness, navigating themes of loss, grief, and the quest for healing. Through seasons of profound absence, particularly the loss of her mother, Dickey crafts a poetic journey tethered to the earth, transforming grief into affirmations and blessings. The collection celebrates the human spirit’s r…

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267. Alua Arthur with Rebecca Crichton: A Friend At the End of the World 1:00:11

10M ago1:00:11

1:00:11

When it comes to our own mortality, one big thing that we all share is that we absolutely have to face it and most of us have no idea how to begin. Through her work as a death doula, Alua Arthur has honed the skills to aid others in navigating these uncertain seas- from the many logistics within end-of-life care to the often unpredictable cravings …

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266. Hanif Abdurraqib: Reflections on Basketball, Life, and Home 1:28:41

10M ago1:28:41

1:28:41

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, in the 1990s, Hanif Abdurraqib witnessed a golden era of basketball, one in which legends like LeBron James were forged and countless others weren’t. In his new book, There’s Always This Year, Abdurraqib tells his story of a lifelong love of the game with a lyrical, historical, and emotionally rich exploration of who w…

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265. Cory Richards with Marcus Harrison Green: A Climber's Quest for Heights and Healing 58:35

10M ago58:35

58:35

Growing up in the mountains of Utah, Cory Richards was constantly surrounded by the outdoors and was taught how to ski, climb, mountaineer, and survive in the wild. Despite a seemingly idyllic childhood, the Richards home was fraught with violence, grief, and mental illness. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and dropping out of high schoo…

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264. Carissa Stanton with Rachael DeVaux: Seriously, So Good — A Culinary Adventure 50:53

10M ago50:53

50:53

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your cooking game. Embark on a culinary journey with Seriously, So Good, featuring recipes crafted with love by Carissa Stanton, the creative force behind the food blog Brocc Your Body. Originating from her passion for food and community, Carissa’s philosophy centers on enjoying meals without restr…

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263. Patric Gagne with Katy Sewall: Sociopath 1:01:09

11M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

What is it like to grow up as a sociopath? Is it possible to lead a normal, successful life after such an earth-shattering diagnosis? In her memoir, Sociopath, Patric Gagne sheds light on the often misunderstood disorder. From a young age, Gagne grappled with feeling different from her peers, unable to experience emotions like fear, guilt, or empat…

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262. Geraldine DeRuiter with Scott Heimendinger: Feminism and Food 1:18:32

11M ago1:18:32

1:18:32

Do you ever think of what you eat as being political? Back in 2017, celebrity chef Mario Batali sent out an apology letter for the sexual misconduct allegations made against him and infamously included a recipe—for pizza dough cinnamon rolls. Shortly after Batali’s recipe, went viral, Popular blogger Geraldine DeRuiter decided to make the recipe an…

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261. Becky Selengut with Bethany Jean Clement: Misunderstood Vegetables 1:03:50

1y ago1:03:50

1:03:50

Go from “what the heck is this” to “how does it taste so good” in a celebration of misfit vegetables. Maybe you just discovered celery root (a lumpy, softball-sized bulb), at the grocery store. Or perhaps you received watermelon radishes in a CSA package. Did a parsnip catch your eye at the farmers’ market? Even vegetables you think you know, like …

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260. Scratch Night 2024 with Maia Brown and Brivele 1:17:30

1y ago1:17:30

1:17:30

Town Hall's 2024 Scratch Night featuring the work-in-progress of our Artist-in-Residence Maia Brown In collaboration with Brivele bandmate, Stefanie Brendler, Maia crafts an intimate evening that dives deep into the Yiddish archives of anti-fascist poetry and song, offering a glimpse into their creative process. Maia Brown, a visual artist, Yiddish…

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259. Lifecycle of Seattle Artists: A Panel Discussion with Local Artists 1:07:19

1y ago1:07:19

1:07:19

Explore the life cycle of Seattle artists in a dynamic round table discussion hosted by Sarah Traver, director of Traver Gallery. Join the conversation on transforming artistic practice into a flourishing and creative career within the vibrant artistic landscape of Seattle. Esteemed artists Esther Ervin, Henry Jackson-Spieker, Steve Jensen, Pohlman…

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