The Olympia Standard

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Bonus: OSD4All Candidate Forum (July 12, 2025) Jul 14, 2025

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This is not a regular episode of The Olympia Standard, this is a bonus episode! We’re sharing the audio from yesterday’s Olympia School Board candidate forum from OSD4All. We will be back in our feed in a few days with a more traditional ballot rundown episode, also featuring some folks from OSD4All.

You can watch the YouTube video of the forum here.

You can also see all of OSD4All’s candidate resources on their website.

#121: Reading “Facing the soft xenophobia of Emmett Watson” Jul 12, 2025

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We take a hard look at the soft xenophobia embedded in the jokes of beloved Seattle columnist Emmett Watson and the eco-soundbites of Oregon Governor Tom McCall. What starts as tongue-in-cheek jabs at newcomers evolves into real political consequences, downzoning, exclusionary housing policy, and a regional identity shaped by who we keep out. We trace the cultural and historical roots of “Lesser Seattle,” explore how humor became a gateway to NIMBYism, and examine how today’s housing crisis can be traced back to decades of protecting “neighborhood character.”

#120: Fourth of July Man Jul 04, 2025

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This episode explores the legacy of Judge George H. Boldt and the lasting impact of the 1974 Boldt Decision, which reaffirmed tribal fishing rights in Washington. Featuring a recording from Boldt’s daughter and grandson, the episode highlights the judge’s integrity, precision, and quiet courage, not just in issuing a landmark ruling, but in standing firm amid years of resistance from state and local officials. Being a patriot, Boldt believed, meant upholding treaty rights and justice, even when doing so was unpopular or difficult.

#119: We should be able to dispose of any statue we want Jun 28, 2025

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In this episode of The Olympia Standard, we dive into the debate over who and what deserves a statue on Washington’s capitol campus. As the state grapples with the future of its Marcus Whitman monument, we explore the deeper meanings behind public memorials, the myths they enshrine, and the process (or lack thereof) for removing them. From the racist legacy embedded in the Whitman statue to the forgotten controversy over Governor John Rogers, we argue that it’s not only okay to take statues down, it’s sometimes the most historically honest thing we can do.

#118: Olympia ’57 and the Arts Walk we always needed Jun 20, 2025

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In this episode of The Olympia Stanard, we reflect on how Arts Walk has quietly become the festival Lakefair was always meant to be, a celebration of place, people, and downtown Olympia. We explore the origins of Lakefair in 1957, its car-centric context, and how downtown’s evolution has made space for something more human-scaled. As Capitol Lake faces restoration, we ask what it means for Lakefair’s future and why Arts Walk might be the model for where Olympia is headed.

#117: What happened to Tumwater Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

The most enduring local history myth is that Tumwater’s downtown was destroyed by Interstate 5.

Also, thanks for listening. After a month or so of successful interviews, this will be the first of a few episodes where I largely read you something. I’ll be back in mid-July with more interviews!

#116: Rep. Lisa Parshley and Sine Die Jun 07, 2025

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Join us for our annual “Sine Die” episode as we sit down with Representative Lisa Parshley, a freshman legislator for the 22nd Legislative District and former Olympia City Council member, to discuss her whirlwind first legislative session. Rep. Parshley shares her insights on the transition from local to state government, the challenges and successes of passing four bills, and the intense debates surrounding progressive taxation and the 1% property tax cap. We also delve into the significant capital project funding secured for Olympia, including investments in affordable housing, the Children’s Museum, and animal services, along with the pushback against proposed cuts to state worker collective bargaining agreements.

#115: Aaron Van Tuyl, the best local news podcast and local journalism May 31, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we break our own rules and leave the county. We talk to one of the voices behind the best local news podcast in the country to ask them their secrets. Aaron Van Tuyl joins us to talk about the Centralia News Dump and what makes local journalism work.

#114: Jim Cooper and the next city council May 24, 2025

Show notes

This week, we dive into the heart of Olympia politics with a special guest: Jim Cooper, who is retiring after 14 impactful years on the Olympia City Council. We chat about his proudest achievements, the evolution of the council, the ongoing debate around minimum wage and worker rights, and what Olympia’s voters should be asking candidates as the city faces critical decisions about growth, housing, and walkable neighborhoods.

#113: Reading “Exile Ourselves” May 17, 2025

Show notes

This week, I read an essay called “Exile Ourselves” I wrote last fall. It talks about how our current approach to housing and crime overlaps with our regional history.

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