Soundside

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April 6 · 15 min
How to get off your phone for good (or at least use it less).
This year we’re trading in our smartphones for corded landlines and dial-up internet! Right? Well, maybe not. But people have definitely been trying to use their phones less. Digital cameras and refurbished iPods have gotten more popular in the past few years, especially in younger generations. And on TikTok there’s the trend of “analog bags” – people filling their bags with knitting sets, books and other screen-free activities to avoid the temptation of reaching for their phones. All of that sounds nice. But at the end of the day it’s really hard to get away from our phones because they do everything for us! And those algorithms are so good at drawing us in. Meta and YouTube were recently found liable in a landmark case after a woman accused the companies of fueling her social media addiction, beginning when she was a child. But what’s it like, and how hard is it, to give up on digital convenience? We’re going to ask a couple of experts for tips on how to use our phones a little less. Guests: Julianne Bell is a staff culture writer at The Stranger. Jordan McMahon is a technology writer for The Strategist. He also writes a newsletter called “Rebooting.” Related links: My So-Called Luddite Life | The Stranger Rebooting | Jordan McMahon | Substack What Is an Analog Bag? Inside the TikTok Trend Fighting Digital Burnout | Business Insider Why people are buying iPods again | Axios Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 6 · 35 min
Front Page: The Big O talks Mayor Wilson and public safety, covering up a Central District icon, and the Seattle Steelheads
Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST: Omari Salisbury – founder of Converge Media and host of The Big O Show LINKS: Hundreds sign petition to honor Rainier Beach High students killed in January Katie Wilson Talks Mayoral Transition and Transparency Mayor Wilson Town Hall on Security & Surveillance Rahwa Ogbe Keshi Habte, Seattle community organizer, dies at 42 Mariners Launch “Steelhead Sundays” to Honor Black Baseball Legacy in Seattle Celebrating the Legacy of the Seattle Steelheads Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 2 · 6 min
Soundside's Weekend Warmup - NorWesCon, West Coast Swing, and COMEDY!
April Fool’s Day is thankfully behind us, and while they DO say that “April Showers bring May Flowers,” it looks like we’ve got a partly sunny weekend ahead… Let’s check out what there is to do in the next few days! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS: Norwescon Sakura-Con Seattle's Easter Swing Women Made Film Festival in Everett, WA The Stranger Presents: The 2026 Undisputable Champions of Comedy! 93rd Annual Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade Seattle Torrent vs NY Sirens at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 2 · 16 min
Ever been abandonded on the trail? There's a name for that.
Has something like this happened to you before? You’re on a hike with someone, maybe a romantic partner, and you start slowing down, or want to take a break, but your partner wants to push on. Eventually, you’re left behind as your partner goes ahead without you. And this situation has consequences for the relationship. If so, you’re not alone. The phrase “Alpine Divorce” was coined in a short story about a murderous husband over 100 years ago - but TikTok has lately adopted the label for less dastardly scenarios. In a recent viral post, a woman sobs as she climbs down a mountain - saying “he left me”. The video has thousands of comments, many of which share similar stories of being left behind on the trail. But how common is Alpine Divorce? And is it actually a bad thing to spend some solo time on the trail? Guest: Alaina Demopoulos, daily features writer for the Guardian Related stories: Women are being abandoned by their partners on hiking trails. What’s behind ‘alpine divorce’? - The Guardian Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 2 · 29 min
King County Council seeks safeguards against federal immigration enforcement
The King County Council has made some moves lately to limit federal immigration enforcement within the county. Last week, council expanded on Executive Girmay Zahilay’s order that bars ICE and other agencies from using county property to make arrests . And earlier in the month, the council passed an emergency moratorium on new ICE detention facilities. Those include holding centers for people awaiting deportation. How much of an impact will these new laws have against the administration’s push for detention and deportation? Guests: King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda King County Councilmember Jorge Barón Relevant Links: KUOW: King County bans immigration detention facilities, joining other Western Washington cities Seattle Times: King County Council votes to ban ICE from county property Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 1 · 22 min
Front Page: Millionaire's tax, Washington ties to Artemis II, new AI laws
Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST: Austin Jenkins, national reporter covering tech policy in the states for Pluribus News, now part of State Affairs and host of Inside Olympia RELATED LINKS Trump signs a new executive order on voting. Experts say he lacks the authority WATCH: Rejected: WA SOS will not process referendum to repeal income tax law Washington passes new AI laws to crack down on misinformation, protect minors Washington’s space economy powers the Artemis II moonshot Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 31 · 17 min
Dredge the Nooksack? The debate continues in Whatcom County
Late last year, an atmospheric river caused devastating flooding across Western Washington. Today, some estimate the region-wide damages may be over a billion dollars. For parts of Whatcom County, it was the second major flood in less than five years. And they are looking for solutions. New reporting from the New York Times highlights how communities around the Nooksack River are debating how to mitigate damage from future flooding: Dredge the river of sediment now? Or attempt a more ambitious plan to return the river to its natural state? In many ways the conversation pits farmers’ and homeowners’ concerns against environmental advocacy and tribal rights. GUEST: Bernard Mokam is a news assistant for the New York Times LINK: As Northwest Flooding Worsens, Conflicting Interests Stymie Solutions Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 31 · 28 min
Software development in the age of AI
“Learn to Code.” A decade ago that slogan was everywhere as computer programming was seen as a job that not only paid well, but almost guaranteed job security, especially in a tech hub like Seattle. But in the last four years, more than 700,000 tech workers have been laid off. And while overhiring during the pandemic, and rising interest rates, are believed to have sparked most of these layoffs, another issue is changing coding forever – artificial intelligence. GUEST: Clive Thompson is a tech and science writer who recently spoke with more than 70 software developers for the New York Times magazine about how AI is reshaping the future. The piece is called “Coding After Coders: The End of Computer Programming as We Know It” Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 30 · 24 min
Seattle approved higher pay for gig workers. So why didn't their pay change that much?
A couple years ago, Seattle passed a law to pay delivery drivers more for their labor. The policy guaranteed these gig workers minimum compensation. The idea was to protect people working for apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash. …. And it stirred up some big reactions. Delivery companies protested the change. Restaurant owners said the policy hurt business. And some City Councilmembers considered rolling the law back just a few months after it went into effect. After all that fuss…. researchers have found that the pay for these drivers hasn’t actually changed that much. Guest: Andrew Garin, an Associate Professor of Economics at Carnegie Mellon University. Related links: KUOW - Seattle's gig worker law was supposed to boost pay. It did at first, until orders dropped Wage standard for Seattle delivery drivers at an impasse | The Seattle Times KUOW - Seattle has a new gig worker minimum wage. Who's benefiting and who's footing the bill? Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 30 · 17 min
Front Page: TSA funding, the future of mail-in ballots, and the Crosslake Connection
Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST: Congresswoman Suzan DelBene RELATED LINKS: House GOP leaders push DHS funding bill through May TSA Pay to Resume, but ICE Could Remain at Airports, Homan Says Trump Renews Energy Site Threats After Claiming Progress in Peace Talks 'A lot of votes may not count': Supreme Court appears ready to upend WA mail-in ballot rules for federal races by November 2026 Huge Crowds Turn Out To Finally Ride Light Rail Across Lake Washington Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 26 · 23 min
Mariners' opening weekend brings feelings of enthusiasm, expectation, and JOY!
It’s Opening Day at T-Mobile Park. In just hours, Mariners fans will be back in the stands, ready to cheer on the team as they look to improve on last year’s record-breaking playoff run. The M’s won the AL West, but fell agonizingly short of the World Series… It’s an interesting feeling, being a Mariners fan right now. First of all, our nachos float in a souvenir ferry boat container. SECONDLY, our expectations are really high! Gone are the days of the tried and true “well, hopefully we’ll make the playoffs.” NOW, the faithful are expecting greatness, we’ve SEEN how good this team can be, and we’re ready for more… Here to either temper our expectations -or- bolster our enthusiasm, maybe even make us a bit delusional, is editor-in-chief of Lookout Landing GUEST: Kate Preusser RELATED LINKS: Mariners Opening Weekend Opening Day Power Rankings If it all goes right | Lookout Landing If it all goes wrong | Lookout Landing Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 26 · 6 min
Soundside's Weekend Warmup for Mar 27-Apr 1
It's beautiful here in the U-District, and as it is when it's nice outside, we want to go do stuff this weekend! As we do every Thursday, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with all the events fit to print and worthy of your excitement! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS: Mariners Opening Weekend Puck Place Market 2026 Seattle Torrent vs Ottawa Charge Onda Origins Coffee/Seattle Torrent Rain Country Dance Association - 2026 Emerald City Hoedown Seattle No Kings- March 28 Celebrate the new Crosslake Connection! | Sound Transit Stand By Me: The Film and Its Stars 40 Years Later Bellingham Children’s Film Festival Spring Salon Fundraiser 2026 - Key to Change Moving Stories – TDOV Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 26 · 24 min
Meet the Seattle woman whose $21,684 towing bill inspired a new film with Rose Byrne
Amanda Ogle's car got stolen in 2017, and she fought for over a year to get it back from a Seattle towing company. Her bill? $21,684. Ogle was unhoused at the time, so her 1991 Camry wasn’t just a way to get around; it was her home. Her case attracted coverage in The Seattle Times and elsewhere, and now her saga is the plot of a movie, Tow, starring Rose Byrne. Guests: Amanda Ogle, her child Avery Ogle and her lawyer Kevin Eggers, who are all portrayed in the film. Related Links: A towing outrage made Amanda Ogle a Seattle celebrity. Here’s the twist A $21,634 bill? How a homeless woman fought her way out of tow-company hell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 25 · 12 min
The Seattle SuperSonics and why "the king of the latte missed out huge"
Just this morning, the NBA Board of Governors approved exploring two possible expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas. Yes, you’re allowed to squeal, but listen carefully: this is not a done deal, the team is not back yet. But here's why one sportswriter (and Sonics enthusiast) won't be apologizing to any Thunder fans in Oklahoma City anytime soon. Guest Danny O'Neil, sportswriter Related Links OKC wants apology before giving back Sonics history? Are you kidding? - The News Tribune The Dang Apostrophe (Danny's newsletter) NBA owners vote to explore Vegas, Seattle expansion bids - ESPN Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 24 · 23 min
How Bellevue's Ned Brower got from real-life nursing to 'The Pitt'
If you watch HBO's hit series "The Pitt', you'll actually see a real-life nurse on screen: Ned Brower. He plays nurse Jesse Van Horn. Brower is an actor with real-life ER experience. Two careers are usually enough for most people. But he's also a musician. He started working as an EMT and later became a nurse after making his name with the band Rooney. Brower’s new project is the electro-pop band, Bloodwerk. Listen to one of their singles, Truth Will Tell, here. Guest Ned Brower, nurse, actor and musician Related Links ‘The Pitt’ star Ned Brower strikes balance between nursing and acting - The Seattle Times On ‘The Pitt,’ Ned Brower’s Nurse Jesse Has Captured the Hearts of Fans — Now He Wants Their Ears - Rolling Stone Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 24 · 11 min
Why Sea-Tac has been spared insanely long TSA lines...so far
From New York to Phoenix, at least fourteen major airports across the country will see ICE agents deployed today, according to White House border Czar Tom Homan. The immigration agents are being sent to bolster TSA staffing amid an ongoing partial federal government shutdown. In many places, that has led to security checkpoint lines that stretch for blocks and have travelers waiting hours to get to their flights. But it’s been a different picture at SEA Airport, at least for now. Guest: Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho Related links: Support SEA TSA Workers During the Government Shutdown! - gofundme Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 23 · 22 min
Hear It Again: This researcher is working on a fentanyl vaccine to curb overdoses and addiction
Washington, like the entire country, has been hit hard by fentanyl. in 2025, King County has recorded more than 650 overdose deaths involving the synthetic opioid, which can be 50 times stronger than heroin. 650 is a devastating number but it’s actually down from a peak in 2023, when more than 1,000 people died from fentanyl-related overdoses in the county. The drop mirrors a downward trend that we’ve seen across the entire country… But the crisis is still overwhelming many communities. A biotech company called ARMR Sciences is hoping to solve at least one piece of this very complicated puzzle: Instead of reversing these overdoses, they want to stop them from happening in the first place... through a fentanyl vaccine. This segment first aired in December of 2025. Also - We wanted to share a response we got from a listener about our update on Kratom. In case you missed it, Kratom is a plant from Southeast Asia that can have psychoactive effects. You’ve probably seen the signs for it - they’re plastered on just about every smoke shop in the city. We previously spoke with UW Medicine researcher Caleb Banta Green about what we know about kratom. And we replayed a short bit of that conversation last week in an update…. Because Spokane and Spokane Valley recently banned the sale of the substance. We also asked you to give us your thoughts on Kratom and whether it should be a banned substance. Erik from Bothell responded with a really interesting personal take on the substance, and its effects. GUESTS: Dr. Colin Haile, a research associate professor at the University of Houston and he’s also one of the co-founders of ARMR Sciences. Erik from Bothell RELATED LINKS: A Fentanyl Vaccine Is About to Get Its First Major Test | WIRED Scientists Create a Vaccine Against Fentanyl Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 23 · 22 min
Front Page: The Return of the Seattle Supersonics, reconsidering Cesar Chavez's recognition, and the Light Rail heads across Lake Washington
Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST: Mike Lewis - Freelance Journalist RELATED LINKS: Is ICE coming to Sea-Tac Airport? Here’s what we know Kraken acquire majority stake in Climate Pledge Arena before NBA meeting Why the potential return of the Sonics to Seattle has never felt closer WA governor prepares to meet with NBA commissioner as hopes rise for Sonics’ return Kevin Durant Talks LEAVING OKC Thunder & OWNING the Sonics! “It Was Time”: Dolores Huerta’s First Interview After “Devastating” Cesar Chavez Expose - Latino USA Cesar Chavez allegations remind us we must hold all abusers accountable After shocking revelations, WA leaders reconsider Cesar Chavez recognition Seattle light rail is about to do something audacious and unique to transit Sound Transit's Budget-Balancing Ideas All Stop Short of Delivering Rail to Ballard Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 23 · 13 min
Hear It Again: Seattle's first Thai coffee shop
Seattleites can now buy drinks from the city’s first Thai coffee shop: Nudibranch Coffee, which opened its doors on Capitol Hill in February. The shop serves drinks that reflect Thailand’s popular flavors and hot climate. We're talking tangerine-iced Americanos and Coconut Clouds (the latter has coconut water, espresso and sweet cream floated on top). Before the shop officially opened its doors, we were able to steal some time from the busy owners to hear how the vision for Seattle’s first Thai coffee shop came together. Guests: Emily Sirisup and Cole Arnesen, two of Nudibranch Coffee's founders Related links: Nudibranch Coffee | Explore Thai Coffee Today Nudibranch Wants to Be Seattle’s First Thai Coffee Shop | Eater Seattle Nudibranch will bring Thai coffee to former Capitol Hill vegan doughnut shop | CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 19 · 5 min
Soundside's "Weekend Warmup" for Mar 19-22
It is GREY and WET here in Western Washington, so let’s get out & do some STUFF this weekend! As we do every Thursday, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with all the events fit to print and worthy of your excitement! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS: Taste of Iceland Seattle 2026 | A Festival of Food, Music & Culture Plate of Nations BrainFest with Allen Institute - Pacific Science Center Steamy in Seattle 2026 - Clarion West Torrent vs Boston U-District NIGHT BLOSSOM Festival Columbia City Night Market | Go All Night! Bands Stand With Gaza - The Vera Project Band of Horses at the Showbox Seattle's French Fest PROJECT HAIL MARY - Jason says GO SEE IT! Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.