On May 4th, 1974, a small, struggling city in the American West defied the odds and became the smallest city to ever host a World's Fair. This bold move set off a chain of events that continue to shape the region today. Echoes of Expo tells the remarkable story of how Spokane, Washington, turned its crumbling downtown into a vibrant global stage, hosting the first environmentally-themed World’s Fair and redefining what these global events could stand for. Across 7 episodes, we trace the hist ...
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Synapse Studios Podcasts
Expo '74 was more than a World's Fair—it was a testament to what’s possible when a small group of people come together with a bold vision. In our final episode, we explore how this landmark event transformed Spokane and continues to inspire ideas about sustainability, community, and the power of collective action to shape the future. “And King Cole…
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For over 10,000 years, the Spokane River shaped the identity of the Spokane Tribe—but centuries of disruption took their toll. In Episode 6, we uncover how the 1974 World’s Fair ignited a powerful movement for the Tribe to reclaim their heritage, heal the river, and redefine their future. "When Expo ‘74 made a big deal about the first environmental…
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Expo ‘74 was a pioneering World’s Fair due in large part to its groundbreaking environmental theme, which channeled the rapidly growing eco-consciousness of the late 1960’s and early ‘70’s. But beyond bold messaging, how did this theme materialize in 1974? Where did the Fair's environmental commitments hit their mark, and in what areas did reality …
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1974 proved a watershed year for America - the Vietnam War was on its dying breath, the Watergate scandal rocked the nation's faith in government, the Civil Rights Movement raged on, and the Cold War persisted. Episode four zooms out from Spokane to examine how geopolitical dynamics, pivotal national events, and cultural shifts shaped this global F…
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The pursuit of progress can be both noble and complex. What was lost and which communities were forgotten to make way for Expo ’74 and Spokane’s urgent renewal? “Because the buildings no longer exist, it's harder to see the history of the people who helped Spokane grow and prosper in the early 20th century. It may not have been pretty, but it was a…
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How does a relatively small and unassuming city facing economic hardships, defy expectations and host a World’s Fair? Episode 2 chronicles the remarkable journey of King Cole and the small group of locals who persisted against all odds to make it happen. “At the time that was seen as crazy. Spokane was a very small city. It would've been the smalle…
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In episode 1, we trace the rise and fall of a once-mighty city in the American West, and how the struggle was a crucial turning point in its rebirth. From this desperation, an impossible dream was born—one that would change the city's fate forever. “Having the river, harnessing the river, losing the river in that process, having a city, losing the …
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