Seattle

Tom Mara planned to retire when he left Seattle nonprofit radio station KEXP after two stints totaling 34 years. That didn’t last long. In August 2022, Mara accepted the CEO job at the Seattle International Film Festival. Here, he and longtime Artistic Director Beth Barrett discuss how SIFF became one of the largest film festivals in the world, and what’s in store as the festival celebrates 50 years. This year’s festival runs from May 9-19 at SIFF’s four venues across the city, including the venerable SIFF Cinema Downtown (formerly known as The Cinerama).

Attorney Anne Bremner has been involved in several high-profile cases, including those involving Mary Kay LeTourneau, Ann Rule, and Amanda Knox. She is also an author and media personality, commenting on numerous court cases, including those involving Casey Anthony, Michael Jackson, and Scott Peterson. Here, she discusses how she became friends with LeTourneau, her strategy in defending Knox and how she parlayed her courtroom success into a career as a sought-after TV commentator. Her new book, Justice in the Age of Judgment, explores how social media and the digital age influence due process.

Michelle Li famously created the Very Asian Foundation after a viewer in St. Louis sent her a racist email telling her to “keep her Korean to herself” and of being “very Asian” after she mentioned on-air that she enjoyed eating traditional Korean dumpling soup as part of a New Year’s tradition.

Here, she discusses her love of Seattle, her surprise that her experience went viral, and how the experience increasingly shapes her life.

Longtime 5th Avenue Theatre Managing Director Bernie Griffin just retired, but she remains a staunch advocate for an arts community she helped create. In the latest episode of the Seattle magazine podcast, Griffin shares tales from her colorful career backstage, how live theater is inherently risky and why she always returned to Seattle after holding influential roles in both New York and Los Angeles.

Growing up with an NBA star taught Donald Watts untold lessons. Donald is now a full-time caretaker for his father, Sonics legend Slick Watts, who suffered a devastating stroke two years ago. Donald recounts his childhood, the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that prevented him from playing in the NBA, and his commitment to youth and community. He also discusses the importance of the year-old Sonics Legend Fund, a charitable program to help pay the expenses of former Sonics who need assistance.

The Boys in The Boat author Daniel James Brown discusses how he first learned of the triumph of the University of Washington's crew team in the 1936 Olympics and how he connected with the family of one of the rowers.

Former Seahawks wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Doug Baldwin discusses his motivation for giving back to the community and why he's proud to call Seattle home years after his playing days ended. He’s joined by Hilary Young of Pioneer Human Services, a nonprofit that’s become a big supporter of Baldwin’s advocacy on behalf of community-based organizations.

Seattle Magazine talks with New York Times Bestselling Author of The Boys in the Boat, and Redmond resident, Daniel James Brown, to discuss his most recent book, Facing the Mountain. A true story of four Japanese Americans during World War II and their journey in the 442nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army fighting for a country that incarcerated their family members.

Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz recalls a tense moment in his undercover career, how the use of the term “law enforcement” paints a negative impression of police and why social workers should sometimes be on the front lines of police response. He also lays out his plan to reduce crime throughout the city (hint: it’s already working).

Time to buy? Wait to sell? Multi-city real estate expert Dean Jones shares some eye-opening data about today’s market and offers practical advice for anyone in the market or considering investing.  His answers will surprise you.

In part one of this two-part episode, police Chief Adrian Diaz discusses the challenges of 2020, his quest to raise morale within the department while building trust with the public and why he embraces "relational" policing.

The Seattle podcast, the new podcast brought to you by Seattle magazine, spotlights the people whose passion and purpose make this city a special place. The inaugural episode features Seattle magazine owner and Publisher Jonathan Sposato and Executive Editor Rob Smith discussing the evolution of the magazine over the past year, including some surprising takeaways from the selection of the city’s 25 Most Influential People.