the weekly seattle

Joining Rachel in her living room is friend Sarah Donaldson, Director of Sales Planning at SkinnyDipped, back for her second appearance on the pod. They cover Queer/Bar's ownership change, Seattle's surpising decline in flights, a labor dispute at a beloved Seattle restaurant group, Bed Bath & Beyond's return, and a very eventful night on Lake Union.Top Stories:1. Queer Bar sells to The Cuff Complex2. World Cup fever is up in Seattle, but flights are down 21% year-over-year (but everyone loves our stadium!)3. Walrus and Carpenter employees strike, forcing a temporary closure4. Bed Bath & Beyond is reopening its first location since the 2023 bankruptcy5. Event venue MV Skansonia starts to sink on Lake UnionAbout Sarah Donaldson — Director of Sales Planning, SkinnyDipped: Sarah has been with SkinnyDipped for seven years, helping grow the Seattle-based, mother-daughter-founded snack company from a small Wallingford kitchen operation to a brand now carried at Starbucks nationwide. As Director of Sales Planning, she oversees demand forecasting, trade budgets, and new product launches across the company's line of better-for-you almonds, cashews, and chocolate snacks.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

In this special episode we talk to Pete Hanning, Executive Director of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, about the construction that has taken place over for the past year. We dig into the Route 40 project: what was promised, what went wrong, and how an afternoon getting beers resulted in a major change.Thank you for hosting us Charlie's Queer Books!About guest Pete Hanning - Executive Director, Fremont Chamber of Commerce:Pete has been involved with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce for nearly 20 years, serving in board, president, and executive director roles. He ran the Red Door in Fremont for 20 years and previously ran for Seattle City Council. Learn more at Fremont.comAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

This week we're talking about the intersection of AI and creativity. Are copywriters still needed in corporations? We talk to Creative Director Sam Farquharson on her copywriting pet peeves, what some companies get wrong when designing a commercial, and her current tiktok spiral. All of this and your weekly news recap!Top Stories:1. Quick Update on Expedia voyeurism case2. Uwajimaya expands to Tacoma3. Blue Star Cafe closes4. Cider updates: Locust Cider shuts down taprooms & Seattle Cider is acquired by Two Towns5. Microsoft's response to AI data center oppositionAbout Sam Farquharson - Creative Director/Lead Writer, Ampersand:Sam is the Creative Director and Lead Writer for Ampersand as well as the Commercial Director for the production arm of Ampersand. She has a long history of working as a copywriter and creative director for a variety of well known companies including REI.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

New year, new us! This is a special episode with Executive & Leadership Coach Suzanne who helps us identify our own poison riptides that might be creating a toxic workplace on accident! She gives advice for those looking to branch out into consulting as well as what leaders need to do when approaching a big change in 2026. If you're thinking of quitting your job, she also helps us figure out how and when to do that. All of this along with Rachel and Suzanne's highs and lows of 2025.About Suzanne Weller - Founder, Coach, Consultant, Weller Collaboration:Suzanne launched her consulting company in 2018 and worked as the Change Management & Organizational Effectiveness Consultant for Slalom. She runs private leadership coaching, group workshops, keynotes, and more! Prior to this, she held sales leadership roles at Getty Images before becoming their Senior Director of Organizational Change Management. Learn more at https://wellercollaboration.com/About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The CEO of SAM joins us for a conversation on the unexpected realities of running a major museum, the unique costs, and the bold changes coming to SAM including a full restaurant and bar, expanded hours, and a fresh approach to attracting repeat visitors.We also talk FIFA coming to Seattle and how Scott plans to capitalize on the global spotlight. As the only art director of a major museum with a studio art background, Scott brings a radically different perspective. About a year and a half into the role, Scott is ready to shake things up!Top Stories:1. The business of museumsSeattle Times article and PSBJ article 2. FIFA games in Seattle announcedVisit Seattle press release3. Chateau Ste. Michelle has a new ownerSeattle Times articleAbout guest Scott Stulen - CEO, Seattle Art Museum:Prior to coming to Seattle about a year and a half ago, Scott was the CEO of the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa and was a curator at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Not only does he have a long history of working in leadership positions within the arts, he is also an artist and DJ himself!About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

We sit down with the General Manager for Olympic Athletic Club to learn all about how the gym industry has changed over the years and what makes this one so unique. We talk about the demand for amenities, their recent renovation, the importance of good talent, and much more. All of this along with your weekly business news roundup!Top Stories:1. The business of gymsPSBJ article2. Rad Power Bikes might shut downGeekWire article3. BECU merger & Perkins Coie mergerPSBJ article (BECU) & PSBJ article (Perkins Coie)4. Starbucks strike updateSeattle Times articleAbout guest Jean-Luc Pedanou - General Manager, Olympic Athletic Club:Jean-Luc has been the General Manager for about a year and a half. Prior to this he was the General Manager at an Equinox in Northern California and held leadership roles at The Bay Club in San Francisco. He has also worked in leadership at many fitness clubs in New York.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com