Episodios

  • 🎧 Power of Place Episode #59 | A Carpenter’s Covenant – Scott Dolfay

    🎧 Power of Place Episode #59 | A Carpenter’s Covenant – Scott Dolfay
    Mar 27 2025
    What if a house could shape a life—and transform a community? In this week's Power of Place, we meet Scott Dolfay, a faithful craftsman whose quiet stewardship of a Mission Revival mansion in Seattle’s Windermere neighborhood reveals a century of memory, myth and meaning. From the Aleutians to the Skagit Valley to a historic estate called Loch Kelden, Scott’s story unfolds through sacred craft, unexpected family and place-based conviction. Once the 1907 summer home of Seattle founder Roland Denny—and later the Pacific Northwest hub of the Unification Church—Loch Kelden became a space of unlikely unity: • Between descendants of 19th-century settlers and Indigenous peoples, including the Duwamish • Between faith, chosen family and neighborhood pushback • Even amid mystery, including a chilling murder next door Though the mansion is now gone, Scott’s devotion to the space—and the people who passed through it—remains. Listen as Scott shares memories of inclusion advocate Greg Palmer, civic leader Brewster Denny and even Reverend Sun Myung Moon—and reflects on what it means to truly “hold space” in a fractured world. "Every generation has to decide what they value. I take some consolation in the fact that we did hold on to the building, preserve it as long as we did, did have the centennial. A lot of people have wonderful memories there—it was like a second home." ~Scott Dolfay
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    50 m
  • 🎧 Power of Place Episode #58 | Silk Road, Cedar Shores - Safa Jneidi & Iyad Alati

    🎧 Power of Place Episode #58 | Silk Road, Cedar Shores - Safa Jneidi & Iyad Alati
    Feb 25 2025
    Join us on Power of Place for a conversation with Safa Jneidi and Iyad Alati. Their stories transport us to the ancient souks of Aleppo, Syria, where Iyad’s family once traded fabric along the storied Silk Road—a place they never imagined leaving. Now, they’ve built a new life on a quiet, forested island in the Pacific Northwest, bridging cultures through resilience, community, and the flavors of home. Through vivid recollections, Safa and Iyad share a 400-year family history woven into the fabric of Aleppo’s 2,300-year-old Al-Madina Souq—a labyrinth alive with the scent of cumin and saffron, the clang of copper trays, and the steady hum of daily trade. More than a marketplace, the souk was home, an inseparable thread in the tapestry of their lives. It was also a place where tradition was preserved and passed down—not just through commerce, but through food. As with most Aleppians, cooking for Iyad and Safa was both a skill and a language of connection spoken through slow-roasted lamb, fragrant cardamom, and freshly baked flatbreads, each dish a bridge to memory and tradition. Then, in 2012, war came. Forced to leave, they fled to Turkey, where Iyad worked in restaurant kitchens to survive. Later, they resettled in the U.S., passing through Tukwila, WA, before finding an unexpected home on Vashon Island—a rural community in the Salish Sea, accessible only by ferry from Seattle and Tacoma. The bustling Al-Madina Souq, the world’s longest covered market, now lay in ruins. In its place, misty forests and quiet shorelines became the backdrop to their new life. Listen as Safa and Iyad share how, in exile, cooking became something more—a bridge between past and present. They recount the challenges of acquiring a small food cart, transforming it into Iyad’s Syrian Grill, and introducing their island neighbors to the flavors of Aleppo: smoky, spice-laden lamb skewers, fragrant hummus, and flaky, pistachio-studded baklava. Through these dishes, they stayed rooted in their heritage while building something new. Just as Aleppo’s merchants dream of restoring the bustle of commerce to their city, Safa and Iyad share the trials and triumphs of building a new livelihood—one meal at a time. Their journey proves that building a new life is about holding onto a vision, nurturing it, and carrying it forward—wherever home may be. “If you're working very hard and if you're working from your heart to improve something or to add something to this community, you will reach it.” ~Safa Jneidi
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    1 h
  • 🎧 Power of Place Episode 57 - Maestro of Mayhem - Larry Reid

    🎧 Power of Place Episode 57 - Maestro of Mayhem - Larry Reid
    Jan 27 2025
    In the second of a two-part series, Larry Reid returns to explore the Pacific Northwest’s meteoric rise as a global cultural force. Reflecting on his leadership of the Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA) in the mid-1980s, Larry recounts how the region’s unique identity was forged in a crucible of creativity, rebellion, and unorthodox collaborations. His stories uncover the underground movements, bold choices, and iconic spaces he helped shape—elements that would ultimately define the Northwest’s cultural identity. In this episode, Larry Reid shares insights from his transformative tenure at CoCA, where he curated groundbreaking events that fused the raw energy of Seattle’s punk scene with conceptual and experimental art. By uniting these forces, Larry created a dynamic exchange of ideas, elevating Seattle’s cultural profile to the global stage. A watershed moment in this evolution came when Larry envisioned and orchestrated the legendary Big Black concert at the Georgetown Steam Plant. This seminal gathering brought together live music, performance art, film, poetry, and spoken word in a singular, electrifying experience. Larry takes us inside the industrial space at that moment, recounting how his bold curation captured the unfiltered spirit of the Northwest and cemented its status as a creative epicenter. Throughout his career, Larry has bridged the worlds of independent and institutional art. From his trailblazing work at CoCA to his curatorial role at the Experience Music Project (now Museum of Pop Culture), he has consistently championed innovation. Now serving as curator and events coordinator at Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery, Larry continues to nurture emerging artists while staying true to the rebellious spirit that defined his roots. “In the moment, you don't realize that the things you're involved with are going to have any kind of lasting impact. I never had the time to take a breath to even think about it because one thing led to the next and you just don't have time to sort of sit back and contemplate the impact you're having. You just move on to the next thing.” ~Larry Reid
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    40 m
  • 🎧 Power of Place Episode 56 - Impertinent Impresario – Larry Reid

    🎧 Power of Place Episode 56 - Impertinent Impresario – Larry Reid
    Dec 22 2024
    In this first of a two-part series, Larry Reid, a pivotal figure in the Pacific Northwest’s cultural renaissance, takes us back to the transformative 1970s and ’80s to explore the roots of the region’s rise to prominence. Larry’s stories reveal how the Pacific Northwest's creative explosion in the 1990s—through movements like grunge and Riot Grrrl—was deeply rooted in earlier artistic and social currents that fused homegrown creativity with global influences, setting the stage for its cultural impact. In this episode, Larry Reid uncovers how graphic and comic art, LGBTQ+ expression, punk rock, and feminist voices converged with post-war fine art movements like pop art and post-modernism, creating fertile ground for innovation. This interplay of “high” and “low” art gave the Pacific Northwest its distinct cultural edge, imbuing it with a more conceptual framework that set it apart from other underground scenes across the country and laid the groundwork for the explosive creativity of the 1990s. From founding Rosco Louie, a groundbreaking art space in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, to leading the Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA), Larry’s visionary leadership united artists, writers, and performers who redefined the region’s identity. His vivid reflections in this episode bring the era to life, uncovering how the Pacific Northwest's underground culture became the foundation of a global artistic movement. “Back then, Seattle was still relatively small and isolated. Our counterculture scene probably consisted of 200-300 people. There were very few spectators. Almost everyone involved was a participant. It was an exciting time to be in Seattle for that formative period of what later had a huge influence globally on pop culture.” ~Larry Reid
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    33 m
  • 🎧 Power of Place Episode #55 | Circle of Light - Jane Orleman & Karl Schwiesow

    🎧 Power of Place Episode #55 | Circle of Light - Jane Orleman & Karl Schwiesow
    Nov 25 2024
    Swing open the garden gate as we explore the vibrant, ever-evolving world of Dick and Jane's Spot. Our guest, artist Jane Orleman, will guide us through this remarkable haven, joined by her studio assistant, Karl Schwiesow. Since 1978, Jane and her late husband, Dick Elliott, worked together to transform their colorful homestead in Ellensburg, Kittitas County—a region defined by brilliant sunlight, sweeping landscapes, and the Chinook winds that blow through the mountains. Jane shares how they turned a neglected lot into a roadside attraction—a unique intersection of art and community, filled with unexpected stories and delightful details. The Spot’s vibrant sculptures, totems, and installations embody Jane and Dick’s creative vision and enduring partnership. Contributions from over 80 artists, including Richard Beyer, Justin Martin and Debbie Palmer, have made it a cultural landmark. Recognized by the Smithsonian, this space continues to attract travelers from across the globe. Jane shares how, since Dick’s passing in 2008, she has cared for and expanded this creative legacy, a testament to the enduring power of resilience and love. Jane offers insights into the distinct approaches she and Dick brought to their art: While Dick’s reflective public sculptures, such as Yakima’s Sun Dome installation, showcased his signature materials and a grand sense of scale, Jane’s figurative paintings confront deeply personal themes, including childhood abuse. Their individual works, though markedly different in media and content, collectively enrich the unique spirit of Dick and Jane’s Spot. We’ll also hear from Karl Schwiesow, an artist from Homer, Alaska, who curates, restores, and adds to the outdoor sculptures. Karl will share how his work helps this living sanctuary thrive. Completing this story are heartfelt guestbook entries inscribed by visitors. These lovelets capture moments of awe, laughter, and connection inspired by Dick and Jane’s Spot. “One morning I woke up sobbing and he looked at me and he said we've got to get out of here...He was working so hard that he was never going to be an artist. And I thought when we said we were getting married that we were going to live the life of artists, whatever that took.” ~Jane Orleman
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    55 m
  • 🎧 Power of Place Episode # 54 | Healing Homelands; Healing Hearts – Glen Pinkham

    🎧 Power of Place Episode # 54 | Healing Homelands; Healing Hearts – Glen Pinkham
    Oct 18 2024
    In this episode of Power of Place, you’ll hear the stories of Glen Pinkham, a citizen of the Yakama Nation, respected elder, and cultural mentor. Glen delves into the connections between heritage, healing, and the land, sharing wisdom for anyone seeking growth and connection. Through Glen’s captivating storytelling, we journey to the Yakima Valley, the ancestral homelands of the Yakama Nation, where rivers teem with salmon and skies are alive with migratory birds. His reflections on time-honored healing practices, such as sweat lodges adapted to urban settings, reveal how these rituals continue to nourish both body and spirit, bridging cultural lines. Building on his work in South Central Washington, Glen supports Seattle’s urban Indigenous communities through organizations like Mother Nation, where he works alongside his wife, Yvette, as well as Chief Seattle Club. Amidst the bustle of city life, Glen’s teachings, grounded in Yakama traditions and landscapes, offer glimpses of rare and powerful medicine for the body and spirit. Tune in to this episode to experience profound healing and insight. “When we say you share your personal trauma and your pain with another person, your sadness with another person, it turns it upside down as it turns into medicine. It helps them to heal.” ~Glen Pinkham
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    57 m
  • 🎧 Power of Place Episode #53 | B-Town Bridges – David Albright

    🎧 Power of Place Episode #53 | B-Town Bridges – David Albright
    Sep 13 2024
    Let’s cross bridges—both real and metaphorical—in this episode with urbanist David Albright. An author and multimedia journalist, David has roots in Seattle’s Lake City and Capitol Hill neighborhoods and now calls Bremerton, Washington, home. David’s work has been featured in Reuters, The New York Times, The Seattle Channel, and PBS, showcasing his talent for elevating everyday voices across the Pacific Northwest. He excels at weaving powerful stories from the smallest details of a place. Joining this episode are the voices of Amy Burnett and Frances Lee, essayists whose reflections feature in David’s project Urban Bremerton. This 2020 photographic journal captures the spirit of Bremerton during the COVID-19 era, shifting the focus from the city’s past or future to instead celebrate the essence of its present moment. David also introduces A Braver Way, a podcast by Monica Guzmán, which he produces and edits. This timely series aims to heal American civil society by fostering thoughtful conversations across the partisan divide. Such bridge-building is a consistent theme throughout David’s work, inviting listeners to experience the Pacific Northwest in new and insightful ways. “It's not my story, and I have an idea of what their story probably is, or I have a larger narrative in mind that I'm hoping their story will fit into, but you must be careful about doing that because you're not always reflecting their reality. So…that's why when I think about storytelling, I try and be as open to taking the story where the subject wants to take it.” ~David Albright
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    54 m
  • 🎧 Power of Place Episode #52 | Kerouac’s Cascadia – Jim Jones

    🎧 Power of Place Episode #52 | Kerouac’s Cascadia – Jim Jones
    Jul 31 2024
    Our guest, Kerouac scholar Jim Jones, describes Kerouac’s sojourn to Seattle in the summer of 1956. There, he worked as a fire lookout at Desolation Peak atop the North Cascade Mountains. Along the way, Jones recounts personal encounters and friendships with other Beat Generation luminaries, including Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, and Gregory Corso. Adding a touch of practical insight, firefighter, EMT, and seasoned fire lookout Jim Henterly complements Jones' literary perspective. Together, they reveal Kerouac’s Cascadian adventure while exploring the feelings of anticipation, vulnerability, and disappointment that often accompany travel to unknown lands. "When people tell you about a place, you form an impression in your imagination. And when you get there, it's either going to coincide or clash with your imagination of it.” ~Jim Jones
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    55 m
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