Hacks & Wonks podcast

#Politics #News Talk #News #Crystal Fincher #Seattle #Government #Policy #Campaign #Election

26:18

How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…

Hacks & Wonks

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Hacks & Wonks is a show hosted by political consultant Crystal Fincher, who talks with Policy Wonks and Political Hacks to gather insight into local politics and policy in Washington state through the lens of those doing the work, with behind-the-scenes perspectives on what's happening, why it's happening and what you can do about it.

434 episódios

Hacks & Wonks

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updated há 4 dias

Home de séries•Feed

434 episódios

#Politics #News Talk #News #Crystal Fincher #Seattle #Government #Policy #Campaign #Election

Tous les épisodes

1
Week in Review: March 21, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank 42:31

há 4 dias42:31

42:31

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 🤨 Gov Ferguson’s workplace complaints 😧 More troubling activity around Bruce Harrell 🏘️ SoDo housing proposal passed 👋 SPS superintendent resigns 🙄 Adam Smith is all wrong As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank, on Bluesky at @robertcruickshank.com .…

1
Hacks & Wonks Host Returns to Radio Roots with KVRU Acquisition 36:02

há 7 dias36:02

36:02

Hacks & Wonks host Crystal Fincher and community leader Monisha Harrell have announced their acquisition of KVRU 105.7 FM, a non-profit, non-commercial community radio station based in South Seattle, with plans to preserve it as a trusted resource in South Seattle through community-driven programming. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii , Monisha Harrell at @moharrell , and KVRU at @kvru .…

1
Competing Social Housing Measures Face Off in Seattle Election with Rian Watt and Tiffani McCoy 36:05

há 7 weeks36:05

36:05

Seattle voters will decide between two competing social housing funding measures in a special election ending Feb. 11. Proposition 1A, backed by labor and community groups, proposes a payroll tax on high earners to generate $53M annually. Proposition 1B, supported by the Chamber of Commerce, redirects $10M from existing funds. We chat with Rian Watt and Tiffani McCoy about the initiatives and their potential impact. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii . Find our guest Tiffani McCoy on Twitter/X at @houserneighbors and guest Rian Watt on Bluesky at @rianwatt .…

1
Harm Reduction Approach Vital for Addressing Opioid Crisis, Says Expert (Re-Air) 50:01

há 13 weeks50:01

50:01

On this topical show re-air, Crystal welcomes Everett Maroon, Executive Director of Blue Mountain Heart to Heart, for a conversation about their work in Southeast Washington using a harm reduction philosophy to support people, stabilize lives, & promote health and wellness in the community. Crystal and Everett chat about how the opioid epidemic has impacted rural communities, the role that stigma plays in keeping people from the help they need, what harm reduction is and why it is important. They then review the recent roller coaster ride of Washington state’s substance use disorder policy, starting with the Washington Supreme Court’s Blake decision, followed by a temporary legislative fix, then an impasse at the end of last year’s legislative session, and finally a middle-of-the-road deal that recriminalized simple drug possession in addition to newly making public drug use illegal. Crystal and Everett lament the missed opportunity to meaningfully change the system & the continued lack of treatment services relative to need, and wrap up with what can be done at the state and local level to address the opioid crisis. Transcript and resources: https://www.officialhacksandwonks.com/everett-maroon-blue-mountain-heart-to-heart/ Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks and on X (formerly Twitter) at @HacksWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and X at @finchfrii . Find more information about Blue Mountain Heart to Heart at https://bluemountainheart2heart.wordpress.com/…

1
Denver's STAR Program Offers Promising Alternative Response to Mental Health and Substance Use Crises (Re-Air) 37:40

há 14 weeks37:40

37:40

On this topical show re-air, Crystal welcomes Evan Thompkins, STAR Program Specialist with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, and Stephanie Van Jacobs, Program Manager at WellPower! The STAR program offers a promising alternative response to mental health and substance use crises, providing individuals with the support and resources they need while reducing the burden on traditional police response. With strong community support and a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Denver residents, the STAR program is poised to continue making a positive impact on the lives of those it serves. As cities across the country grapple with the challenges of addressing these complex social issues, Denver's STAR program serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through community-driven, collaborative solutions. Transcript and resources: https://www.officialhacksandwonks.com/denvers-star-program-offers-promising-alternative-response-to-mental-health-and-substance-use-crises/ Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks and on X (formerly Twitter) at @HacksWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and X at @finchfrii . Find Denver Department of Public Health & Environment on X at @DDPHE .…

1
King County's Community-Led Approach Showing Promise in Combating Gun Violence (Re-Air) 49:26

há 15 weeks49:26

49:26

On this topical show re-air, Eleuthera Lisch, director of the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention, joins Crystal for a conversation about curbing youth gun violence using community-based approaches with violence interrupters. Encouraging early data from the program indicates fewer youth involved in shootings, fewer re-hospitalizations after gun injuries, less shoplifting near outreach, and 400+ high-risk youth mentored. Transcript and resources: https://www.officialhacksandwonks.com/king-countys-community-led-approach-showing-promise-in-combating-gun-violence/ Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks and on X (formerly Twitter) at @HacksWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and X at @finchfrii . Find Eleuthera Lisch and the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention on X at @KingCountyRGV .…

1
Children's Alliance Director Highlights Critical Importance of Affordable, High-Quality Childcare (Re-Air) 29:25

há 15 weeks29:25

29:25

On this Tuesday topical show re-air, Crystal welcomes Dr. Stephan Blanford, Executive Director of Children’s Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation on childcare. They delve into the importance of childcare as an economic driver and its societal impacts through preparing kids for success in school and life. A review of the state of childcare in Washington reveals that this critical resource is often out-of-reach for those who need it most and looks at the factors that make it inaccessible and expensive. Crystal and Dr. Blanford then discuss how various stakeholders can make an impact on the issue at all levels of government. Transcript and resources: https://www.officialhacksandwonks.com/dr-stephan-blanford-childcare/ Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii . Find Dr. Stephan Blanford and Children’s Alliance on Twitter/X at @ChildAllianceWA .…

1
Week in Review: December 6, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank 56:26

há 16 weeks56:26

56:26

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 😖 Morales bullied out of office ✋ Rinck sworn in 🙅 SPS recall effort shut down 🔥 KC Exec race heats up 🤓 Final precinct data & election thoughts 💚 Green Jacket Lady is back! As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank, on Bluesky at @robertcruickshank.com .…

1
Tacoma's Guaranteed Income Pilot Yields Positive Results 46:05

há 17 weeks46:05

46:05

A groundbreaking guaranteed income pilot program in Tacoma, Washington has not only demonstrated positive economic impacts but also challenged long-held misconceptions about poverty and cash assistance. The Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT) program, which provided $500 monthly payments to 110 families, is helping reshape traditional narratives that have long portrayed poverty as a result of personal failings or suggested that direct cash assistance leads to dependency. Join Crystal for a conversation about guaranteed income and GRIT with Sukhi Samra, Executive Director of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, and Dona Ponepinto of United Way of Pierce County. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii . Find Sukhi Samra and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income on Twitter/X at @mayorsforagi , Mayor Victoria Woodards and the City of Tacoma at @CityofTacoma , and Dona Ponepinto and the United Way of Pierce County at @UWPC .…

1
Week in Review: November 22, 2024 - with Erica Barnett 31:34

há 18 weeks31:34

31:34

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 🧮 Seattle budget and amendments 🙅 County rejects Rivera’s proposal for sobering center 👨‍⚖️ Sal Mungia wins open Supreme Court seat 🗳️ Reichert concedes ⚔️ How WA electeds will take on Trump admin As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Erica Barnett, on Bluesky at @ericacbarnett and on PubliCola.com .…

1
Public Defense Crisis Deepens as Caseloads Overwhelm System, Supreme Court Weighs Reform 40:41

há 18 weeks40:41

40:41

Jason Schwarz, Director of the Snohomish County Office of Public Defense and the Chair of Washington's Council on Public Defense, talks about new public defender caseload standards under consideration by the Washington Supreme Court to address the state's public defense crisis. The combination of public defenders working under decades-old caseload standards and lack of state funding have led to massive delays and staff exodus, creating an urgent need for reform to ensure justice for defendants, victims, and the community at large. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii .…

1
Week in Review: November 15, 2024 - with Katie Wilson 39:14

há 19 weeks39:14

39:14

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Katie Wilson discuss: 📈 Minimum wage increases for the win 🙄 More Burien shenanigans 💰 JumpStart raid 💲 Seattle progressive revenue proposals 🚋 Saka💔Streetcar 🏁 King County Exec race begins 👀 Upcoming appointments As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Katie Wilson, on Twitter/X at @WilsonKatieB , as well as the Transit Riders Union at @SeattleTRU .…

1
Week in Review: November 8, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank 38:08

há 20 weeks38:08

38:08

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 😭 Presidential election 🥳 Washington election results 🤓 What that means for how Washington Democrats will need to govern moving forward As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank at @cruickshank .…

1
Melissa Demyan Challenges Larry Springer in 45th District Race (Re-Air) 58:47

há 21 weeks58:47

58:47

In a competitive race between two Democrats, Melissa Demyan, a labor organizer, is challenging 20-year incumbent Larry Springer for a 45th district state house seat. We talk with Melissa about her priorities, how she differs from Rep. Larry Springer, and her vision for the 45thth legislative district. Transcript and resources: https://www.officialhacksandwonks.com/new-leadership-or-old-guard-demyan-challenges-springer-in-45th-district-race/ Follow us on Twitter/X at @HacksWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher at @finchfrii and find Melissa Demyan at @MelissaDemyan . VOTE by Tuesday 11/5! Then track your ballot !…

1
Poll Shows Mixed Outlook for Washington State Initiatives, Democratic Advantage in Statewide Races 48:39

há 21 weeks48:39