The official podcast of the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival, featuring conversations with the journalists, politicians, leaders, academics and thinkers who shape our world. Hosted by Paris Jackson
What's on Seattle's mind? Trump, housing & the high cost of living
At the 2025 Cascade PBS Ideas Festival, we asked attendees to share their thoughts about what's going on in our city and the nation.
The Cascade PBS newsroom used this year’s Ideas Festival as a chance to engage directly with our audience. A few of our journalists hosted a “Share Your Story” table, encouraging attendees to sit and discuss whatever was on their minds.
In this bonus episode of the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival podcast, hear directly from festivalgoers on issues affecting the Seattle community. People share their perspectives on the state of housing in the city, the increasing cost of living in the United States and the impact of President Donald Trump’s second term. Plus, hear a little more from Mike Pesca, host of The Gist podcast, on his session about the alleged coverup of Biden’s health decline.
These conversations were recorded on May 31, 2025.
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Credits
Host: Paris Jackson
Producers: Sireen Abayazid, Sara Bernard
Live interview producers: Sireen Abayazid, Ryan Famuliner, David Lee
Event producers: Jake Newman, Anne O'Dowd
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If you would like to support Cascade PBS, go to cascadepbs.org. In addition to supporting our events and our daily journalism, members receive complete access to the on-demand programming of Cascade PBS.
4 Aug 2025
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal shares her joy for food and cooking
In a live taping of 'Your Last Meal,' Jayapal shares how her experience as an immigrant and an organizer influenced her affinity for world cuisines.
U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has represented Washington’s 7th district since 2016. A prominent member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, she focuses on immigration, income inequality and access to health care, among other priorities.
But as part of the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival in late May, Jayapal took the stage with Rachel Belle, host of the Cascade PBS podcast Your Last Meal, to talk – mostly – about food.
In this episode of the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival podcast, the two discuss why Jayapal still considers herself more activist than politician; why food is such a big part of organizing; Jayapal’s favorite foods growing up and what food she missed when she moved to the U.S. at age 16; and the strong relationship between the food Americans take for granted and the immigrants who brought it here.
This conversation was recorded on May 31, 2025.
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Credits
Host: Paris Jackson
Producer: Sara Bernard, Scot Michael
Production Engineer: Resti Bagcal
Event producers: Jake Newman, Anne O'Dowd
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If you would like to support Cascade PBS, go to cascadepbs.org. In addition to supporting our events and our daily journalism, members receive complete access to the on-demand programming of Cascade PBS.
28 Jul 2025
Travel guru Rick Steves on why seeing the world makes it a better place
In a live taping of The Journal podcast, host Ryan Knutson talks with Steves about the value of travel and Americans’ reception abroad in 2025.
Rick Steves has created one of the most successful travel businesses in the U.S., including guidebooks, European tours and a longstanding TV and radio show. What is it like to run a travel business for American tourists right now, after the pandemic and as the new Trump administration rattles the world order?
As part of the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival in late May, The Journal podcast host Ryan Knutson took the stage with Steves to discuss these tumultuous times and why Steves believes travel should be a priority for Americans, regardless of recent events.
In this episode of the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival podcast, Knutson and Steves dig into why if everyone traveled before they could vote, “this world would be a much more stable and just and beautiful place”; the impact of the pandemic and social media on European travel; how American travelers are received abroad right now; and why Steves, for one, will be traveling as long as he’s able.
This conversation was recorded on May 31, 2025.
---
Credits
Host: Paris Jackson
Producer: Sara Bernard, Scot Michael
Event producers: Jake Newman, Anne O'Dowd
---
If you would like to support Cascade PBS, go to cascadepbs.org. In addition to supporting our events and our daily journalism, members receive complete access to the on-demand programming of Cascade PBS.
Who has been a guest on Cascade PBS Ideas Festival
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Brandi Kruse
Nadine Strossen
Jeff Flake
Cory Doctorow
Al Franken
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.3 / 5
32 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
60
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
89
Contact Cascade PBS Ideas Festival
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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