Soundside

Latest Episodes:

The end of Bartell Drugs and the rise of pharmacy deserts May 14, 2025

Show notes

Founded in 1890 in the Central District, Bartell Drugs may be entering its final days.

Its parent company, the national pharmacy chain Rite Aid, exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy late last year, but continues to struggle financially. Now, the fewer than 30 Bartell Drugs and around 100 Rite Aids will be sold or closed forever.

This continued hemorrhaging of retail pharmacy stores will likely be felt most acutely in lower-income neighborhoods. A 2022 UW study already put the number of Washingtonians with low-access to pharmacies at 1.2 million.

Guests:

Alex Halverson, Seattle Times business reporter

Dr. Dima Qato, professor at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy.

Links:

Why the new Rite Aid bankruptcy could kill Seattle’s Bartell Drugs

Filling a prescription in the Seattle area? Put on comfortable shoes and be ready to wait

Reforming Markets to Strengthen Independent Pharmacies

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.

What will it take to curb overcrowding at WA's youth prisons? May 14, 2025

Show notes

Washington’s youth prisons are facing a crisis of overcrowding.

The state’s two medium and maximum security youth prisons – Green Hill School in Chehalis, and Echo Glenn Children’s Center in Snoqualmie – have both consistently met or surpassed their maximum capacity for residents in recent years.

When the 2025 Washington legislative session began, lawmakers had lots of potential solutions.

From custody transfers, to increased diversion programs, to early release petitions - lawmakers brought a bevy of bills attempting to fix overcrowding at youth detention centers.

But now, with the session at an end… some of those key bills have not passed.

What happened, and where does it leave Washington’s youth detention centers?

Guests:

Jake Goldstein-Street, reporter with the Washington State Standard
Dr. Eric Trupin, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington Medical School. He’s also a child psychologist who has worked with incarcerated youth for decades

Related stories:

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.

Should Catholic priests in Washington State be forced to break the confessional seal? May 13, 2025

Show notes

On May 2nd, Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law a new requirement that clergy of all faiths become mandatory reporters of child abuse. It’s a move that’s especially controversial for the Catholic Church because of the sacrament of confession.
Up until now, admitting to crimes during confession, in a private conversation with a priest, retained similar legal protections as attorney-client privilege. In a statement criticizing the new law, Seattle Archbishop Paul Etienne said the law violates the “seal of confession," and any priest who reports information received in confession “will be excommunicated from the Church.”

Guest:

Dr. Russell Powell, the Father John Topel Endowed Scholar for Catholic Thought and Justice at the Seattle University School of Law.

Links:

Abuse survivors defend WA law that feds slam as ‘anti-Catholic’

Federal Courts: First Amendment and Religion

‘Excommunicated’: WA Archdiocese pushes back against mandatory reporting law, DOJ investigating

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.

Amid concerns about the ‘manosphere’, here’s what three experts think about raising boys in 2025 May 12, 2025

Show notes

Are men okay?

It’s a question sometimes asked in jest, but recent data has caused some experts to worry about American men and boys.

Men are going to and graduating from four year colleges at lower rates than women. Men age 25-54 are participating in the workforce at a lower rate than ever before. And, data from 2023 suggests young men are spending significantly more time alone than they did in 2019.

And this concern comes as influencers like the Tate brothers and Joe Rogan keep taking up space in the manosphere – a network of podcasters and influencers pushing a version of masculinity that many people consider toxic.

So how do you navigate healthy masculinity, and raising young men, in 2025?

We talk with our expert panel about how to raise boys in 2025.

Guests:

Don Cameron, executive director of Seattle CARES Mentoring Movement
Jerad Koepp, Native student program specialist for North Thurston Public Schools, 2022’s Washington Teacher of the Year
Keren Landman, independent reporter, former health reporter for Vox

Related Links:

Mentor sign up form for Seattle CARES, the next mentor trainings take place on May 31st and August 27th
How to talk to boys so they grow into better men, a Vox article by reporter Keren Landman
Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness. A 2023 Washington Post opinion piece on this topic, by Christine Emba

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.

Remembering Kevin Diers May 08, 2025

Show notes

Kevin Diers was an announcer and engineer here at KUOW. You could hear his work all over the station, behind shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

He had a big footprint in the radio and music scene here in Seattle, for many years: Kevin was a long time host of Metal Shop and Loud and Local at KISW.

On KISW’s Instagram page, the band The Home Team wrote: "Kevin was the biggest supporter of local bands and music... He put us on when no one else would, and consistently uplifted the local scene with Loud & Local. He will be missed.”

Kevin was also part of the team at DEFY wrestling, a Seattle-area pro-wrestling promoter where he hosted a DEFY podcast.

Kevin was a gentle soul. He was kind and built community wherever he went. And he leaves a huge hole in our hearts. We miss you, Kevin.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Seattle's City Council is considering changing their ethics code May 08, 2025

Show notes

Should Seattle city council members have to recuse themselves if a policy proposal would directlyhelp orharm their self interests?

That’s been the guidance here in Seattle for the last 40 years.

But a new proposal from City Council member Cathy Moore could change that.
The idea to change ethics rules for the council comes ahead of contentious debates related to tenant protections and eviction laws in the city.

And it’s set to go before the council’s governance committee today, Thursday May 8th.

Guest:

Seattle Times city hall reporter David Kroman

Related stories:

Seattle City Council to consider changing ethics code for votes - Seattle Times

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.

Soundside's Weekend Warmup - Mother's Day! May 8th-11th May 08, 2025

Show notes

Thanks for checking out the Weekend Warmup - We have a LOT going on this weekend.

First of all, Sunday is Mother's Day. Second of all, the Mariners are starting a home stand against the Blue Jays on Friday. Let's go!

LINKS:

Seattle Mariners Schedule
USAF Band of the Golden West - Bellingham
USAF Band of the Golden West - Mercer Island
Seattle Beer Week
43rd Annual Beat the Bridge
World Migratory Bird Day | Seward Park Audubon Center
Penn Cove Water Festival
Pierogi Fest 2025
Seattle Art Book Fair
BonsaiFEST! | Pacific Bonsai Museum
SIFF 'n' Stitch: Mamma Mia!
Sinners - SIFF Cinema Downtown
NEXT WEEK: Never Turn Back Opening Party: Soul Train Revival | Museum of Pop Culture

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.

Can you solve the mystery of the Oakville blobs? May 08, 2025

Show notes

More than three decades ago, tiny blobs of gelatinous goo of unknown origin rained down on the small Grays Harbor community and captured national headlines.

The cause of the strange phenomenon, and even what the blobs were made of -- remains an enigma. It was even the subject of an episode of the TV show Unsolved Mysteries. (Watch the episode here.)

No one knows what they were. But last month they returned.

Guests:

Alli McCrite
Tom Paulson, former reporter for the Seattle P-I

Related Links:

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.

Hear it Again: Pulitzer Prize winning author Tessa Hulls on her graphic novel 'Feeding Ghosts' May 07, 2025

Show notes

Yesterday, Seattle-based author Tessa Hulls won a Pulitzer Prize for her graphic novel "Feeding Ghosts."

Hulls' first published book starts with her Chinese grandmother, Sun Yi, a journalist and author who fled Shanghai after the Communist Revolution.

Then, the narrative shifts -- to her mother Rose, the daughter of a Swiss diplomat, essentially raised in a Hong Kong boarding school after her mother was institutionalized.

And finally to Hulls herself, who is trying to bring peace to her family ghosts.

10,000 Things host and author Shin Yu Pai sat down Hulls for Soundside last year. We're re-sharing our original interview to highlight Hulls' big achievement.

Guest:

Tessa Hulls, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Feeding Ghosts

Related stories:

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.

Federal funding uncertainty? Budget gap? New KC Exec has a plan for that. May 07, 2025

Show notes

King County has its first new Executive in 15 years.

Dow Constantine, who held the position since 2009, was chosen as the CEO of Sound Transit earlier this year. He stepped away from the Executive job at the end of March.
In his place, Shannon Braddock is leading the county until a new executive is elected this November. Before this she worked mostly behind the scenes in various roles for the county over the last 15 years, including Deputy County Executive.

County business waits for no one and Braddock is holding the position at a challenging time. King County is facing a roughly $150 million dollar general fund budget deficit and is dealing with uncertainty over federal grants.

How does Braddock intend to lead the second largest government in the state of Washington?
Well, she has a blueprint for that. At yesterday’s council meeting, she released her 200 day plan for her time in office.

Guest:

Shannon Braddock, King Count Executive

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: Shannon Braddock is King County’s first new leader in 15 years. Who is she?

Seattle Times : Maneuvering and lack of trust as King County seeks a new executive

The Urbanist: King County Council Appoints Shannon Braddock Acting Executive in Constantine’s Wake

PublicCola: Could a Sales Tax Hike for Criminal Justice Programs Save the County’s Budget?

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.