the weekly seattle

Seattle’s restaurant scene has seen waves of changes as the local economy, legal landscape, and consumer tastes have evolved. This week, Nick Patri fills in as host while Rachel is traveling for work, and interviews Zach Geballe, writer and podcast co-host at VinePair. Zach was previously the wine director for Tom Douglas Restaurants and spent two decades in Seattle's hospitality industry, and brings insights on the recent history and current state of Seattle’s dining.Top Stories:Seattle Mariners Secret Cocktail DoorSeattle Chefs Named James Beard FinalistsJeffry's Replaces Bateau and Boat BarAre Monday Nights the New Happy Hour?About guest Zach Geballe - Podcast Host and WriterZach is the co-host of the VinePair Podcast, where he covers the drinks industry with an eye towards trends, business insights, and the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.Previously, he was the wine director for Tom Douglas Restaurants in Seattle and spent two decades in Seattle's hospitality industry.On the writing side, his latest piece for Vinepair.com came out on May 18th, exploring how some wineries are rethinking the shapes of their bottles to stand out on crowded wine shelves.About guest host Nick Patri: Nick is an independent podcast and communications strategist. He works with clients to articulate the unique stories that set them apart, and optimize their content to reach audiences with podcasts, videos, newsletters, internal communications, and sincere engagement.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 podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

Pete Nordstrom, Co-CEO of Nordstrom joins Rachel for a deep dive into the business behind one of Seattle's most iconic brands. They cover what it really takes to run a fourth-generation family business, the inside story of Nordstrom's long road to going private, and the future of retail. Pete also gets candid about the state of downtown Seattle retail, what Nordstrom is doing to stay invested in the city, and why the Rack's growth strategy is far from cannibalizing the flagship.About guest Pete Nordstrom - Co-CEO, Nordstrom:Pete Nordstrom is a fourth-generation member of the Nordstrom family and co-CEO of Nordstrom, one of the leading fashion retailers in the United States. He began working at the company as a teenager and rose through the ranks in merchandising, store operations, and executive leadership. Known for his customer-focused approach and deep knowledge of retail and fashion, Nordstrom has helped guide the company’s evolution across both physical stores and digital commerce. He is also active in philanthropy and community initiatives in the Seattle area.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 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

We talk to the Founder & CEO of a company that pioneered human composting as an alternative to burial or cremation. Katrina shares how she went from architecture school to creating this company that ultimately allowed Washington to be the FIRST state to legalize this practice in 2019. Today 14 states have legalized this new option. In this episode we also talk about how the death industry is changing, how she plans to scale, and her biggest architecture fear. All this and your top business stories!Top Stories1. The business of deathIn Seattle, art rises from ashes as cremation gains popularity (Seattle Times)Seattle funeral directors worry we’re running out of space to care for our dead (Seattle Times)2. Crocodile closes 2 venuesGoodbye to Madame Lou’s and Here-After (The Stranger)3. Urban Visions acquires Grand Central BlockUrban Visions buys Pioneer Square's Grand Central Block at steep discount (PSBJ)About guest Katrina Spade - Founder & CEO, Recompose:Recompose is a company that pioneered human composting as an alternative to burial and cremation. Katrina has her masters degree from UMass Amherst where she developed the concept that led to Washington becoming the first state to legalize this in 2019. Prior to this she was a co-founder of a design build company.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

Washington's music sector directly contributes $6.4 billion annually to the state's GDP, six times more than spectator sports. We sit down with longtime music industry businessman and current CEO of Sonic Guild Ben London to discuss everything from ticket prices, why we can't go back to the 90's, what the city needs to do to help musicians thrive.Top Stories1. Census results about the music industry in Washington state2. Live Nation CEO thinks ticket prices can be higher3. Broadway actors and producers reach tentative labor deal, but musicians still threaten a strike4. Ceramics nonprofit moves into Amazon headquarters buildingAbout guest Ben London - CEO, Sonic Guild:Ben has been leading Sonic Guild, a non-profit organization that supports local musicians for the past 7 years. Prior to this role he was the Executive Director of the PNW chapter of The Recording Academy, he was on the board of KEXP, he was the first Chair of the Seattle Music Commission, and he was instrumental in developing what is now MoPop.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