Podcast thumbnail for Exploring Washington State

Exploring Washington State

Claim This Podcast

by Explore Washington State -Scott Cowan

4.8(64 reviews)
347 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Overview

What if you could sit down at your favorite coffee shop with the most interesting people in Washington State? Every episode does exactly that. Host Scott Cowan has unhurried conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, historians, and makers—people doing fascinating work across the state. These 60-minute episodes feel less like interviews and more like catching up with a friend who has great stories to tell. No scripts. No time limits. Just curiosity and good conversation. 340+ episodes and counting. There is always more to explore.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

5/29/2020

1 verified contact email on file for Exploring Washington State

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for A Thousand Campers a Night: Inside Lake Chelan State Park

December 17, 2025

A Thousand Campers a Night: Inside Lake Chelan State Park

<p>During peak summer season, <strong>Lake Chelan State Park can host nearly a thousand campers every night</strong>. Behind the scenes, that responsibility falls on one park manager.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of the Exploring Washington State Podcast, I sit down with <strong>Brian Frahm</strong>, the park manager at Lake Chelan State Park, to talk about what it actually takes to operate one of Washington’s busiest state parks. Brian oversees daily operations, staff, safety, and law enforcement across the entire park — responsibilities most visitors never see.</p><p><br></p><p>We talk about the reality of seasonal staffing, what happens when the park reaches capacity, wildlife encounters, emergency incidents, and how quickly the quiet of spring turns into full-blown summer chaos. Brian also shares what it’s like to raise a family in a state park and why the slower shoulder seasons are when Lake Chelan really shows its character.</p><p><br></p><p>This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people and systems that make Washington’s state parks work — and why they deserve more appreciation than they often get.</p><p><br></p><p>If you love spending time outdoors in Washington, this episode will give you a new perspective the next time you pull into a full campground.</p>

Episode thumbnail for Before They Wore Dodger Blue: Spokane’s Untold Role

December 10, 2025

Before They Wore Dodger Blue: Spokane’s Untold Role

<p><strong>Spokane Built the Dodgers Dynasty</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Show Notes:</strong></p><p>Author and researcher <strong>Eric Vickrey</strong> returns to the Exploring Washington State Podcast with a story most baseball fans have never heard — how Spokane helped build the future Dodgers dynasty.</p><p><br></p><p>In his new book, Before They Wore Dodger Blue, Eric uncovers the overlooked role the Inland Northwest played in shaping the players, culture, and leadership that would later define one of the most successful eras in Major League Baseball. From the seismic 1968 MLB Draft to the 1970 Spokane Indians, this episode connects the dots between a small Northwest city and a national baseball powerhouse.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>We dig into:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Why the <strong>1968 draft</strong> was a turning point for the Dodgers</li><li>How <strong>Spokane became a developmental forge</strong> for future MLB stars</li><li>The early version of <strong>Tommy Lasorda</strong>—before the legend</li><li>Player stories that reveal who these athletes were before the spotlight</li><li>What modern baseball can learn from this forgotten era</li><li>Why this Washington chapter deserves recognition</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Whether you’re a baseball die-hard, a Washington history fan, or simply love a great origin story, this is an episode that reframes what you think you know about the Dodgers — and shines a light on Spokane’s rightful place in baseball history.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Eric Vickrey</p><p><strong>Book:</strong> <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/12828/9781938532948">Before They Wore Dodger Blue</a></p><p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="https://ericvickrey.com">ericvickrey.com</a></p>

Episode thumbnail for Inside Wallace Falls: What Rangers See That Visitors Miss

November 19, 2025

Inside Wallace Falls: What Rangers See That Visitors Miss

<p>Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at one of Washington’s most visited state parks? In this episode, Park Ranger <strong>Kevin Leese</strong> shares what he sees every day at Wallace Falls that most visitors completely overlook.</p><p><br></p><p>From seasonal crowd patterns and trail management to the unexpected challenges that come with keeping a high-traffic park running smoothly, Kevin sheds light on the work that keeps <a href="https://explorewashingtonstate.com/state-parks/wallace-falls-state-park/"><strong>Wallace Falls</strong></a> accessible year-round. You’ll also hear a ranger’s perspective on lesser-known areas, changing trail conditions, and what makes this park such a standout in the Cascade foothills.</p><p><br></p><p>Whether you’ve hiked Wallace Falls dozens of times or it’s still on your list, this conversation gives you a deeper appreciation for the place and the people who care for it.</p>

347 total episodes available

Recent guests on Exploring Washington State

Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.

Jennifer Comfort

Guest

Daisey James

Guest

Sean Visintainer

Guest

Brian Muegge

Guest

Scott Price

Guest

Andrea Thorpe

Guest

Chris Voigt

Guest

Paul Tolmé

Guest

Jennifer Hackett

Guest

Hailey Bohlman

Guest

Deep-dive analytics for Exploring Washington State

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Exploring Washington State?

What if you could sit down at your favorite coffee shop with the most interesting people in Washington State?

Every episode does exactly that. Host Scott Cowan has unhurried conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, historians, and makers—people doing fascinating work across the state. These 60-minute episodes feel less like interviews and more like catching up with a friend who has great stories to tell.

No scripts. No time limits. Just curiosity and good conversation.

340+ episodes and counting. There is always more to explore.

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates weekly.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.