Inspired Island

In this episode, we get to know Ted Kennedy Watson! Ted is a designer, curator, businessman, and author, and he owns and runs two iconic stores in downtown Seattle: Watson Kennedy Fine Living and Watson Kennedy Fine Home. Join us to hear how Ted got his start in the design and retail world (hint: it involves Bill Gates) and how he has managed to keep two shops successful for over 20 years in a city that is always changing. We learn more about Ted’s latest book, Ted Kennedy Watson’s Guide to Stylish Entertaining, and he shares some tips and tricks for both hosting meals or parties and for designing spaces that reflect who you are. Ted is truly living a life of his own design, and we hope you find this conversation as inspiring as we did! Ted's website: https://watsonkennedy.com Ted's blog: https://www.tedkennedywatson.com Ted's Instagram: @watsonkennedy

In this episode, we sit down with Odin Lonning! Odin is a prolific and award-winning Tlingit artist based here on Vashon Island. Born and raised in Alaska, Odin has a deep knowledge of and relationship with the natural world that is reflected and celebrated in his art. With his wife Ann Stateler, who many of us know as Orca Annie, Odin is a tireless advocate for the rights and health of the iconic Southern Resident Killer Whales. Join us to learn how Odindiscovered and nurtured his interest in Tlingit art, including dance, song, and visual arts, and hear stories about some of his iconic projects. Odin shares with us why he is so inspired to teach and share his deep knowledge of art and his respect for nature during this chapter of his life. Odin's website: http://www.odinlonning.com/

In this new episode, we get to know Manny Chao of Georgetown Brewing Company! Yes, our fellow islander Manny is the man behind Manny's Pale Ale, the iconic Seattle beer. Join us to learn about Manny's childhood in Spain and beyond, how he fell in love with beer while trying to impress a date during college, and the persistence it took to land his first big job in the industry. Manny shares how an economic recession created unique opportunities to start Georgetown Brewing Company and the story behind creating their flagship brew, Manny's Pale Ale. You'll hear why Manny loves running his company (currently the largest independent brewery in Washington!) and how Camp Burton played a role in him moving to Vashon.

In this episode, we chat with Ann McLaughlin! Ann recently published the book "World Change-Maker: Build Skills in International Development and Social Work", which is designed as a guidebook to help people looking to volunteer or work internationally. But, as we discuss in the interview, the book offers value for anyone hoping to make a positive impact on the world. Ann is a psychotherapist and social worker by training, Ann provides coaching and services to prospective and current social and humanitarian workers around the world through her organization NGOabroad. Join us to hear stories from Ann's work with communities around the world, including a pivotal moment that taught her the importance of doing assessments and asking thoughtful questions before launching projects. We discuss how working at a summer camp helped inspire Ann's commitment to service, why she chose Vashon as her home base, her love for the outdoors, and much more!

Join us to get to know Dr. Jim Bristow! Many of us on Vashon Island know Dr. Bristow from his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic; he is part of a core team of volunteer medical professionals who have worked tirelessly to keep Vashon safe and informed. But what you might not know is that Dr. Bristow is a semi-retired physician-scientist who practiced as a pediatric cardiologist in San Francisco, but also worked as Deputy Director of the Department of Energy's genomics facility in Berkeley, California. Join us to hear how a kid who disliked school ended up at Harvard Medical School, why Dr. Bristow gravitated toward pediatric cardiology, and how family and biking inspired him to move from San Francisco to Vashon Island. And we also learn behind-the-scenes stories from Vashon's COVID-19 response!

In this episode, Grace sits down with Captain Marsha Morse, one of the most experienced ferry captains in Washington State. Captain Morse was one of the very first women to be hired by Washington State Ferries, working her way up from an entry-level position in the 70s. Join us to hear how it was Captain Morse’s horse that led her both to Vashon Island and into this unique career, and how working on the ferries gives her a front row view of Puget Sound nature and wildlife. Marsha shares interesting tales from the water, what a typical day as a ferry captain looks like, and what’s on the horizon for her as she approaches retirement (hint: she’ll stay busy!).

After a winter hiatus, we're back with an exciting new interview! Captain Joe Wubbold is well-known on Vashon for being a guardian, historian, and educator for our historic Point Robinson lighthouse. Captain Joe had a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Coast Guard, where he commanded six different ships and served as Chief of Operations for the 13th Coast Guard District (including the Pacific Northwest). But Captain Joe hasn't slowed down in retirement! Join us to hear why Captain Joe spent years at Cambridge University after he retired from the Coast Guard, how a single cat was central to his decision to buy a home on Vashon, and why he recently started his own VoV show, "From the Captain's Chair"!

In this episode, we meet David Mielke! David and his husband Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma are performing their original show "Gaybaret" at Vashon Center for the Arts from November 22 to 24, 2019. David is a professional actor, having appeared in both film and television and creating and performing one-person shows. Join us to hear how one amazing teacher changed David's life and helped him overcome a traumatic childhood, and what it was like for David being a gay actor in Los Angeles during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. David tells us about his journey to become his authentic self, how he met Tom, and what it's like to create and perform together. Gaybaret website: https://vashoncenterforthearts.org/event/gaybaret/2019-11-22/ Cozy Grammar website: https://www.cozygrammar.com