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Bloodworks 101

Bloodworks Northwest

Started in 2020, Bloodworks 101 is an Anthem Award-winning, weekly podcast produced by Bloodworks Northwest, a Seattle-based blood bank and research center. It is the nation’s only regularly scheduled podcast in the blood banking industry. Episodes are designed to inspire and educate listeners to donate time, money or blood. 
On Bloodworks 101 you'll meet experts who can discuss everything from the importance of blood donation to trypanophobia (fear of needles). 
Emmy Award-winning producer John Yeager, is joined by a team of gifted storytellers; Helen Pitlick and Juan Cotto. 
In 2025, Bloodworks 101 won its sixth coveted Anthem Award, beating out more than 2,500 entries from 43 nations. 

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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 17 min
  • English

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Episodes 20

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  • Yesterday · 18 min

    ENCORE: "Be Silly" - Madi Johnson, Diabetes, and Blood Donation

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Did you know that people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, on or off medication, can donate blood if their diabetes is under control and they meet the other eligibility criteria? Madi Johnson didn't know this until she started working for Bloodworks, and she's lived with diabetes since she was 12. Now, it's her job to help people in all communities donate blood. © 2026 Bloodworks 101 Support the show

  • August 6 · 15 min

    "Grant Brewster - Goodlabs" - (S6 E40)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Are you curious about your health but just haven't taken the time to get your blood tested? Is the cost of getting your blood tested holding you back? Well, there's a new company called Goodlabs, partnering with Bloodworks Northwest that provides free blood testing to Bloodworks Northwest donors. Goodlabs is a nationwide company that's just getting a foothold here in the Pacific Northwest. Recently, Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager got a chance to sit down with Goodlabs CEO Grant Brewster. If you're interested, go to goodlabs.com. Support the show

  • July 29 · 15 min

    "Four Quiet Heroes on a Monday Morning - The Seattle Center Shooting 2026 (S7 E39)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message On Sunday, July 26th, 2026, three people were killed and more than four people were injured in a shooting at the Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food and music festival. Many in the city feel sad and powerless in the aftermath of events like these. But the next day, as Bloodworks 101 Producer Helen Pitlick discovered, four people came forward and did what they could to respond in their own quiet way. Here's a special edition of Bloodworks 101 we're calling "Four Quiet Heroes on a Monday Morning." Support the show

  • July 23 · 9 min

    Juan Cotto - One More Time 2026 (S7 E38)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message We say "One More Time" a lot. The expression "One More Time" can apply to many things in life. Here in Seattle, if you're a football fan, you'd probably like the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl just "One More Time". But if you're a Bloodworks Northwest donor, we hope you take that expression to heart in a different way that could save a life. Recently, Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager sat down for a frank discussion about "One More Time" with Juan Cotto, our Senior Government Affairs Director. Support the show

  • July 16 · 9 min

    "Tash Haynes: A Trusted Voice Online" - (S7 E37)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Tash Haynes is a storyteller and content creator based here in the Puget Sound Area. Tash says she loves to share people's stories but as Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager found out, it's her personal story that brought her in to the new Bloodworks Northwest Tacoma Donor Center. Wait til you hear it. Support the show

  • July 9 · 21 min

    “The importance of having something to say” — Tazz Enrico & Where the Heart Lives (S7 E36)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Bloodworks partners with The Residency on Where the Heart Lives, a free one-hour hip-hop show for high school and college students that makes blood donation more approachable. If you’ve seen a performance, you’ve probably seen Tazz Enrico. Tazz came into Bloodworks to talk with our own Giselle Lehmann. As you will hear, the relationship that Giselle and Tazz have built through Where the Heart Lives is truly something special. Find Tazz at: https://djten.my.canva.site/t-en-com Where the Heart Lives: https://wheretheheartlives.org/ © 2026 Bloodworks 101 Support the show

  • June 25 · 21 min

    "Almost a statistic" — Dr. Laura Marie Rivera (S7 E34)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Content warning: this episode involves life-threatening bleeding during childbirth. The strengths of motherhood are not often recognized or appreciated in the workplace. Seattle resident Dr. Laura Marie Rivera is very aware of this — her work focuses on the intersection between motherhood and leadership. But, 11 years ago as of this week, Dr. Laura Marie almost lost her life while becoming a mom for the third and fourth time. More about Dr. Laura Marie: Intuitionship: https://intuitionship.com/ The Motherhood Advantage: https://www.motherhoodadvantage.com/ © 2026 Bloodworks 101 Support the show

  • June 18 · 7 min

    Urgent: Bloodworks issues Code Red

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message This week, Bloodworks issued a Code Red, an urgent appeal for blood donors: our region’s blood supply has reached emergency low levels. Bloodworks 101 co-producer Helen Pitlick talked with Harry Thomas, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, to learn more about this urgent need. Make your next appointment at bloodworksnw.org or by calling 800-398-7888. Support the show

  • June 11 · 23 min

    "We have to keep dancing" — Remembering the Pulse Nightclub shooting (S7 E33)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire during Latin Night at Pulse, a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, FL. 49 people lost their lives, 58 were wounded, and countless worlds changed forever. Ten years later, Bloodworks 101 host John Yeager sat down with Bloodworks staff to reflect on the impact that The Pulse Nightclub has had on blood banking, the LGBTQIA+ community, and the country as a whole. © 2026 Bloodworks 101 Support the show

  • June 4 · 28 min

    "Just like in science fiction" — Steve Edmiston (S7 E32)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message It’s June 1947, and Bloodworks’ first donation center in Seattle has been open for six months. Roughly 20 miles southwest, Harold Dahl and his crew experience something strange near Maury Island in Puget Sound. What happens next will launch a mystery and a mythology that persists to this day. The truth is out there, and, nearly 80 years later, Steve Edmiston wants to find it. But, as Bloodworks 101 co-producer Helen Pitlick learned, there was a time that Steve was the star of a scary SciFi-esque story of his own. Support the show

  • May 28 · 19 min

    "Soccer is a big deal" — Kyle Boynton and the World Cup (S7 E31)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Western Washington expects an additional 350,000–600,000 visitors in June and July for to the upcoming World Cup tournament, the largest sporting event on the planet. It’s going to be great for the local economy — and a potential concern for the blood supply. Bloodworks 101 co-producer Helen Pitlick sat down with Kyle Boynton, Bloodworks' Product Strategy Manager, to learn more about what the beautiful game has to do with blood donation. Support the show

  • May 21 · 14 min

    ENCORE: "The New Puyallup Donor Center - Jeremy Tanner"

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Hello, Tacoma! On June 9, Bloodworks Northwest will hold the Grand Opening of our newest donor center in Tacoma. The Tacoma supervisor is someone Bloodworks 101 listeners are already familiar with: Jeremy Tanner from our Puyallup donor center. And, as producer John Yeager shares, Jeremy is no stranger to blood donation. Support the show

  • May 14 · 12 min

    100 Deadliest Days Dr. Kirsten Alcorn (S7 E30)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message The blood banking industry, hospitals and first reponders all over the nation refer to the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the "100 Deadliest Days." Today, on Bloodworks 101, our Co-Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kirsten Alcorn tells Producer John Yeager that this summer, the 100 Deadliest Days include a global sporting event that'll draw thousands to the Pacific Northwest - The World Cup. And while Bloodworks Northwest is hoping for the best, they're preparing for the worst - just in case. Support the show

  • May 7 · 22 min

    "Ahead of the Curve" — Stanford Blood Center and Super Bowl LX (S7 E30)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message The Seahawks are the reigning NFL champions! Three months after Super Bowl LX, we’re still riding that high here in the Pacific Northwest. Major events are fun but come with a potential impact to the local blood supply. With the world’s largest sporting event — the FIFA World Cup — coming to Seattle and 15 other cities in June, Bloodworks 101 co-producer Helen Pitlick sat down with a few of Bloodworks' friends at Stanford Blood Center to get insight into how they prepared for a Big Game. Support the show

  • April 30 · 15 min

    FAN FAVORITE #1 "Fear of Needles I Want to Donate But"

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message In the last five years, Bloodworks 101 has published more than 250 episodes. It's been downloaded more than 37,000 times. We've won six coveted Anthem Awards, beating out more than 2,000 entries from 42 countries. But we couldn't have done anything without you, our loyal listener. So for the last couple weeks, we've been republishing your Top Three favorite Bloodworks 101 podcast episodes. Here's Number One. Do you have trypanophobia? It's the fear of needles and it's way more common than you think. In fact, it plays a huge role in whether you donate blood or not. In this premiere edition of the Second Season of "Bloodworks 101," John Yeager talks to those who suffer from a fear of needles, a phlebotomist who tries to calm down those anxious blood donors, who are afraid of the needle and finally with a clinical psychologist who helps patients face their fears head-on. Originally published October 30th, 2021. Support the show

  • April 23 · 10 min

    FAN FAVORITE #2 "Natasha's New Car"

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message In the last five years, Bloodworks 101 has published more than 250 episodes. It's been downloaded more than 37,000 times. We've won six coveted Anthem Awards, beating out more than 2,000 entries from 42 countries. But we couldn't have done anything without you, our loyal listener. So for the last couple weeks, we've been republishing your Top Three favorite Bloodworks 101 podcast episodes. Here's Number Two. We call it "Natasha's New Car." We all have our reasons for donating blood that finally compel us to schedule an appointment. Whidbey Island's Natasha Vanderlinden had to overcome her significant fear of needles but as host John Yeager tells us in this episode of "Bloodworks 101," once she overcame that fear, you'll never guess what happened. Natasha's story didn't happen overnight. It would play out over 20 years. And little did she know that it would begin on one of the most horrific days in American history, September 11th. 2001. Support the show

  • April 14 · 14 min

    FAN FAVORITE #3 "Paying It Forward with Tommy Newman"

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message In the last five years, Bloodworks 101 has published more than 250 episodes. It's been downloaded more than 37,000 times. We've won six coveted Anthem Awards, beating out more than 2,000 entries from 42 countries. But we couldn't have done anything without you, our loyal listener. So for the next couple weeks, we'll be republishing your Top Three favorite Bloodworks 101 podcast episodes. Here's Number Three. It was the first podcast we ever published, back in January of 2020, just before the pandemic. Tom Newman is a courier for Seattle-based Bloodworks Northwest. In this episode of the monthly podcast, Bloodworks 101, Newman explains why he'd do this job whether they paid him or not. Tom delivers blood products from Bloodworks Northwest's transit center in Georgetown (on Seattle's South side) to hospitals and blood drives from the Canadian border to Southern Oregon and just about everywhere in Western Washington. He drives hundreds of miles a day in all kinds of traffic but wait til you hear how Tom got started and why. Newman told host John Yeager all about it on this premiere episode of Bloodworks 101 entitled "Paying in Forward with Tommy Newman." Support the show

  • April 9 · 13 min

    "Brody Hamilton’s Long Run" (S7 E29)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message When 11-year-old Brody Hamilton stood at home plate, ready to run the bases before the Mariner's Home Opener on Thursday, March 26th, it was the end of a long battle with cancer. But as thousands of Mariner's fans like Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager would find out, there was one more challenge Brody would face. It was the one down the first baseline. Support the show

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