Best The Northwest Nerd Podcasts (2025)

1
Jock vs nerd: who will be the next Mayor of Seattle? 29:09

Play Pause

3h ago29:09

29:09

Does Seattle want the stability of an experienced politician? Or do voters want new ideas, and new blood, in the Mayor's office? Mayor Bruce Harrell and challenger Katie Wilson debated the direction of the city here at KUOW. Now, we’re breaking down their differences on homelessness, public safety and taxes – to help you understand how their promis…

1
He went viral for shouting down 'antifa.' Now he feels different 22:53

8d ago22:53

22:53

Expect to see protestors out this weekend during Saturday's No Kings rally. There are numerous events planned in Washington and nearly as many reasons why people are turning out. We're taking a look at the complex patchwork of political ideologies on the left when it comes to protests, non-violence, and Antifa. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, …

301
The dream of the right wing is alive in Portland 26:45

14d ago26:45

26:45

The Pacific Northwest has become a target for President Trump. He’s trying to send the National Guard to Portland. He also invited a group of right wing influencers from across the region, including Seattle, to the White House to talk about problems plaguing the “war ravaged” city. What’s the truth on the ground in Portland? Dirk VanderHart of OPB'…

451
Seagulls shut down candidates as congress shuts down the gov 43:08

21d ago43:08

43:08

King County voters will elect a new executive for the first time in 16 years. So far, the defining feature of the race to replace former Executive Dow Constantine is the similarity between the two candidates. Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay agree on a lot, but how would they run the county? We held a debate and asked them. Thank you to the supp…

1
TV on the radio 32:19

1M ago32:19

32:19

This week, we're talking TV. What we see on our screens and what goes on behind the scenes -- and how that shapes the political landscape. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the …

1
A high horse and a gaslight walk into a bar (with guest Brandi Kruse) 1:15:45

1M ago1:15:45

1:15:45

Our guest this week is Brandi Kruse, conservative influencer and host of the UnDivided Podcast. We decided to have her on as the nation and our region are still reeling from the murder of Charlie Kirk -- and struggling with how to discuss the event. This episode of Sound Politics touches on some of the toughest political topics to discuss, and we t…

1
Heywood you sign this? Let's Go WA is working on two new initiatives 1:03:04

1M ago1:03:04

1:03:04

Brian Heywood is back in the political spotlight. He’s the deep-pocketed conservative donor behind the group Let’s Go Washington. You may remember him from his initiative efforts last year. He collected hundreds of thousands of signatures for a slate of policies targeting a handful of key Democratic laws. And this week, he announced he's gathering …

1
In The Know 9-1-2025 23:39

2M ago23:39

23:39

In this episode of In The Know, Larry Fleury is the guest, discussing all things Bella Vista with JB. We also have Doug McCash on to discuss the recent Board meeting and changes that happened surrounding fee structures.By Bella Vista Property Owners Association

1
What's lobbying got to do with it? 30:24

2M ago30:24

30:24

We talk about lawmakers a lot on this podcast, we talk about donors, we talk about the public – but there’s one group that’s a big deal in this constellation of political power, but we don’t often talk about: lobbyists. Over the past decade plus, as gridlock has gripped Congress, lobbying spending in states like ours has shot up. Of the states that…

1
Democrats' big, blue branding problem 30:17

2M ago30:17

30:17

President Trump promised retribution during his presidential campaign. He also talked about giving himself tremendous power, and his vice president has talked about defying the courts. And despite all of that, voters all over the country looked at the Trump ticket last year and said they'd rather have that than a Democrat. So what’s so wrong with t…

1
Letter(s) of the law(s): WA and DC trade angry notes 27:13

2M ago27:13

27:13

The Trump Justice Department is threatening to withhold funds or even prosecute local officials who enforce Washington’s sanctuary policies. But can they? We’ll hear how state leadership is responding as Trump tries to consolidate even more power. Plus, we'll talk about the impact of federal immigration policy on communities in Washington. Thank yo…

1
A big threat to Democrats' WA swing district 29:36

2M ago29:36

29:36

Next year's midterm elections are top of mind for politicians. And the stakes are incredibly high, especially for our state's most competitive Congressional seat: Southwest Washington's 3rd district. While the district broke for Trump three times, it also sent Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to the U.S. House -- twice. But her challenger in 2026 w…

1
August slipped away for Seattle incumbents 32:29

3M ago32:29

32:29

If your ballot was sitting on your counter waiting to be turned in, well, it's expired now. The primary election is past. Results, however, are coming in. This week we take a look at two different trends. At the city level, voters have an anti-incumbent bent, but in state legislative races, incumbent Democrats who voted for tax increases seem to (m…

1
Polls, primaries, and a weird b-day for a 1-year-old pod 31:58

3M ago31:58

31:58

We're celebrating our first birthday as a show. And don't worry, it isn't going to be one of those awkward first birthday parties where you have to make small talk with strangers, because we're making small talk about the latest political news, including some recent polls that show voter discontent with new Governor Bob Ferguson. Plus, we break dow…

1
In The Know 8-1-2025 23:28

3M ago23:28

23:28

By Bella Vista Marketing

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Everybody hates big $ in elections. Is this a fix? 28:52

3M ago28:52

28:52

The vast majority of Americans say that money in politics is a threat to democracy. Seattle came up with a novel solution: give everyone money to donate to candidates. In 2015, voters approved the Democracy Voucher program, but is it working? We’ll talk about it ahead of the August 5th primary when voters will decide if the Democracy Voucher progra…

1
Bruce Harrell vs. everyone 22:16

3M ago22:16

22:16

We're taking a look at the Seattle mayoral election. Eight people are running, including incumbent Bruce Harrell. The primary election on August 5 will whittle that field down to two candidates. This office is nonpartisan, but the race has turned into a test of progressive versus moderate. Mayor Harrell is seen as a moderate, and he’s being primari…

1
It's a Dilly Dally summer 38:23

3M ago38:23

38:23

Getting back at it feels so good, and we're on a roll. Join us for a random, funny episode where we discuss a little bit of this and that...skincare don't care, "we do not care club," summer bathing suits and making friends with influencers at waterparks, and how awesome it is being in our mid 40's. Let's not underestimate The Belle. We play a rous…

1
Who's your lawyer? 27:53

4M ago27:53

27:53

It’s Law and Order: Local Government edition. We’re talking legal news and electing lawyers. We take a deep dive into the Seattle city attorney election and whether a Republican can distance herself from the president and win in that deep blue city. We also recap the week in legal stories in Western Washington municipalities, including an update on…

1
Surprise! It's a Wedding! 33:20

4M ago33:20

33:20

The Belle had an eventful fall. On this episode of the pod, The Nerd and Belle update the listeners on The Belle's wild plans for an unconventional wedding. So unconventional, the groom didn't even know about it. In typical Belle fashion, she pulled it off despite some adversity and tied the knot to the love of her life. Get all the deets here.…

1
When Cancer Tried to Ruin the Podcast 31:07

4M ago31:07

31:07

We bet you thought you'd never hear from us again....well, we're back, but not without some bumps and bruises. Last summer (2024) The Nerd (Rachael) was in the thick of treatment for breast cancer. She was diagnosed in March and got the full meal deal of treatment until she finally made it through and treatment ended in February of 2025. She felt s…

1
SO MUCH IS HAPPENING 20:55

4M ago20:55

20:55

The U.S. House just voted in favor of a massive tax and spending bill. And, here in Washington, on Wednesday night, a high-ranking King County official was arrested. King County Assessor John Wilson is running for county executive – an open seat overseeing the Seattle-area metro system, county jail, sheriffs, and more. Wilson was arrested for alleg…

1
In The Know 7-1-2025 14:46

4M ago14:46

14:46

By Bella Vista Marketing

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(Middle) Eastern politics with Eastern WA's Congressman 28:05

4M ago28:05

28:05

For now, a cease-fire between Iran and Israel appears to be holding, following a 12 day period of fighting between the two countries that culminated in an attack on three Iranian nuclear sites by the US, and a counterattack by Iran on an American military base in Qatar. The strikes, and subsequent peace agreement, have been met with a variety of re…

1
Sound Politics goes scorched-earth 26:08

4M ago26:08

26:08

State government reporter Jeanie Lindsay is joining us for one final time to talk about access to lawmakers in Olympia. Reporters don’t like being the story, but some drama in the press corps covering Washington’s government was one of the stories of this year’s session. This is an issue that the press is grappling with in D.C., too. The Associated…

1
Protest is in the air. Plus, Rep. Smith punches left AND right. 28:17

5M ago28:17

28:17

It is a tense week in Seattle, and the country, as we prepare for a military parade in the capital this weekend on Trump’s birthday. In response, there are over 1,000 “No Kings” protests planned nationwide, including in Seattle, Olympia, and Tacoma. The ramp up in the tension is because of another thing Trump has done with the military: order them …

1
SaWant to Beat a Democrat? 24:24

5M ago24:24

24:24

For years, lefty democrats and socialists in the Seattle area have been trying to unseat Democratic Congressman Adam Smith in Washington's 9th congressional district. His challengers have always fallen way short in elections. But none of them was as well-known, or as far to his left, as his latest opponent: former Seattle City Councilmember Kshama …

1
Who's footing the big, beautiful, budget bill? 30:37

5M ago30:37

30:37

The biggest story out of Washington is the Republican spending bill or, as the President has branded it: the One Big Beautiful Bill.This bill would solidify much of the President’s agenda, but its future in the Senate is unclear some Senate Republicans are balking at the estimated 3.3 trillion dollars it would probably add the national debt. To tal…

1
In The Know 6-1-2025 22:37

5M ago22:37

22:37

By Bella Vista Marketing

1
Ferguson's pen commandments 23:17

5M ago23:17

23:17

Ferguson's pens have been on the minds of a lot of people for weeks: Democrats, who worried he'd bring out the red veto pen on the budget, and fiscal conservatives, who worried he'd use his blue pen and pass it.The pens have also been on our hosts' minds -- because they represent a big stylistic change from previous governors, and maybe an extensio…

1
Democratic dominoes and an odd election 30:41

5M ago30:41

30:41

It's an odd year election coming up, and something odd is happening: NINE state legislative districts will hold elections, more than any odd year for the past decade. Why is that happening? In a word: dominoes. Today on Sound Politics we'll talk about the Democratic domino effect, and how these races are exposing intra-party fault lines over the De…

1
Rep. Emily Randall on UW, resisting Trump, tariffs and "constitutional crisis" 23:08

6M ago23:08

23:08

It's been a busy first term so far for U.S. Representative Emily Randall of Bremerton, one of two freshman members of Congress, in the other Washington. She's a Democrat representing Washington's 6th congressional district. This week, she joins Sound Politics to talk about her initial months in Congress, her visit to an ICE detention facility in Ta…

1
The Grand Old Panel 55:56

6M ago55:56

55:56

It’s been dubbed “muzzle velocity.” Or a “blizzard.” Fast and expansive changes to the federal government during President Trump's first one hundred days in office. Immigration policy, tariffs, even the size of the federal workforce has been drastically altered. We've talked to Democrats about this change and heard words like "disaster" or "catastr…

1
In The Know 5-1-2025 24:49

6M ago24:49

24:49

Bella Vista POA Monthly Information POD CastBy Bella Vista Marketing

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What bills are graduating this legislative session, and what's flunking out? 27:13

6M ago27:13

27:13

The Washington Legislature’s final week in session has brought bills (and debates) to the floor on topics ranging from rent caps to recycling to gun permits. This week Axios Seattle reporter Melissa Santos and Washington Observer publisher Paul Queary join Sound Politics to discuss what the legislature managed to pass this year, and what was left o…

1
The Democratic civil war over taxes 24:07

6M ago24:07

24:07

Democrats released their plan to cover the state's multi billion dollar budget gap this week. Notable progressive proposals like the wealth tax and a payroll tax weren't a part of that plan. Did the progressive wing lose out to big business? And what does a hacked crosswalk button have to do with all of this? KUOW's Jeanie Lindsay and Seattle Times…

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Gary Locke says WA will be caught in the China crossfire 33:34

7M ago33:34

33:34

The U.S. stock and bond markets are continuing to see uncertainty amidst President Donald Trump's flips in tariff policy. While the tariffs placed on a majority of countries have been paused, those in China are continuing to rise as the two nations retaliate against one another. Hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone are joined by former Governo…

1
All's Faire in love and trade wars 20:51

7M ago20:51

20:51

This week, President Trump announced a slew of international tariffs. The United States will levy a 10 percent tax on goods imported from all trading partners except Canada and Mexico. That's just the start: there are an additional, higher tariffs on the European Union, Japan, India, China, and many, many more countries. Washington state could be i…

1
In The Know 4-2-2025 20:05

7M ago20:05

20:05

By Bella Vista Marketing

1
Sound Politics gets overwhelmed 27:47

7M ago27:47

27:47

Scott got overwhelmed this week trying to keep track of everything happening in our political sphere. And where does he turn to when he feels overwhelmed? Email newsletters. The world condensed into less than 2,000 words. So this week, he's joined by two newsletter writer-reporters, Axios Seattle reporter Melissa Santos and Washington Observer publ…

1
Now's your time to yell (questions) at us 0:39

7M ago0:39

0:39

Hey Sound Politics listeners. We're here in your feed because we want to know: what questions do you all have in this kind of bonkers political moment? Curious about what happens when lawmakers ignore court rulings? Why are the governor and the legislature getting a raise right now? Other burning politics questions you've been dying to have answere…

1
Is this the year rent limits pass? 24:55

7M ago24:55

24:55

For years, progressives have tried to fight the rising cost of living by instituting a kind of "rent control" – what proponents call "rent stabilization." Basically, a limit on how much the landlord can raise your rent. It's a divisive issue, even in the Democratic party -- in fact for years, it was Democrats that kept killing attempts at rent limi…

1
Republicans' unlikely ally: Gov. Ferguson 24:42

8M ago24:42

24:42

Republicans might have more influence this legislative session than they have in almost a decade. A big reason why is Governor Bob Ferguson. The newly elected Democrat has been warmer toward the GOP point of view than the previous administration was, pushing to close the state’s budget deficit through cuts rather than raising more revenue from taxe…

1
The graveyard shift: lessons from WA's dead bills (so far) 21:43

8M ago21:43

21:43

It’s an old saw in Olympia: A lawmaker’s job is not so much to pass good bills, but to kill bad ones (because there are just a lot of bad ones). Good or bad, this time of year is “Bill Killing Season” at the state capitol, having just passed two deadlines for the hundreds of policy and fiscal bills introduced this session. Bills that haven’t passed…

1
In The Know 3-5-2025 16:46

8M ago16:46

16:46

Recap of the February board of directors meeting.By Bella Vista Marketing

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The governor's honeymoon is over with Democrats 31:24

8M ago31:24

31:24

In Olympia, the Democrats' honeymoon with Gov. Bob Ferguson was short -- and it's now over, says Rep. Kristine Reeves, the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. Ferguson has laid out his plans for closing a multi-billion dollar shortfall while still boosting spending on hiring police and largely avoiding new taxes. But plenty of his fellow Dems ar…

1
Firings and bad vibes hit PNW's federal workers 20:38

8M ago20:38

20:38

From closed trailheads to power outages, the firing of federal workers could have a big effect on us here in the PNW. KUOW investigative reporter Ashley Hiruko joins Sound Politics Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann to discuss the potential impact of the firings, and what it’s like inside federal government buildings right now -- from Seattle’s VA…

1
For your ears only: The politics of privacy 23:40

8M ago23:40

23:40

What do you have a right to? Your data? Your gender presentation? Your child’s health information? Between DOGE sifting through our personal data, tech companies tracking our location, and executive orders weighing in on kids’ medical care, local and national politics are challenging Americans’ ideas about privacy and personal autonomy. We talk thr…

1
USAID in Seattle, Musk-opoly, and a chick off the old block 30:55

9M ago30:55

30:55

Politics right now it feels like everything is shifting all the time. Federal agencies dismantled? Educational funds frozen? Tech broligarchs breaking into data stores of private citizens? A lot of it is hitting home in Washington. On today's Sound Politics, hosts Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann talk about how the changes at the United States A…

1
In The Know 2-6-2025 22:40

9M ago22:40

22:40

Stay In The Know as JB and Tom update you on what's happening in Bella Vista, Arkansas.By Danielle Keller