Inspired Island

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 Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma! Tom is married to last week's guest, David Mielke, and together they are preparing to premiere their show, "Gaybaret: An Offering of Story and Song" on November 22 at Vashon Center for the Arts. Tom is an author, poet, translator, teacher, magician, and musician. His first book of poems, The Safety of Edges, was published earlier this year. Tom tells us how spending time in India inspired him to study the Tamil language, and sparked a deep passion for words and poetry. Join us to hear how Tom spent years studying poetry before writing his own, why he loves living in a yurt, and what people can expect from "Gaybaret"! Tom's website: https://thomaspruiksma.com

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

In this episode, we meet Israel and Sue Shotridge! You may know Sue and Israel as owners of the Raven's Nest gallery here on Vashon Island. Israel is a celebrated Tlingit artist and master carver, and Sue manages their businesses. Join us to hear how Sue and Israel fell in love, and how Israel's mother's passion for preserving the Tlingit language is a source of inspiration for them both. Sue and Israel share the stories behind Israel's famous totem poles, why they love sharing cultural knowledge through art, and even perform some special songs for VoV listeners! Shotridge Studios: https://shotridgenativeamericanart.com

In this episode, we meet Bruce Haulman! As a historian and educator, Bruce has spent years digging into Vashon's history - from prehistoric time to today. Bruce has authored many publications, including the popular book "A Brief History of Vashon Island." But Bruce doesn't only study Vashon's past; he's very involved in our community here and now. Join us to hear how growing up in D.C. helped foster Bruce's appreciation of history, and learn about his unique academic pursuits (spoiler: movies are involved!). Bruce shares some of the highlights of Vashon's history and his personal passions for connecting people and being on the water! Bruce's Vashon history website: http://www.vashonhistory.com Vashon Heritage Museum: https://vashonheritagemuseum.org

In this episode, we meet Joseph Bogaard! As the Executive Director of the Save Our Wild Salmon coalition, Joseph advocates to restore a healthy wild salmon population in the Pacific Northwest. Doing so is not only important for economic and cultural reasons, but we also need more salmon to feed the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Joseph tells us how his love for the natural world earned him a special childhood nickname, and why advocacy drew him to the Pacific Northwest as a young adult. Join us to learn all about wild salmon and what we can do to save them! Save our Wild Salmon's website: https://www.wildsalmon.org

In this episode, we meet Maridee Bonadea! Maridee is a mover and shaker behind the scenes at the Vashon Heritage Museum’s exhibit “IN AND OUT: Being LGBTQ on Vashon Island” (through March 2020) and the "Queer Film Festival" she's been putting together. Maridee grew up in a military family, but found herself drawn to the world of social activism at an early age. Join us to hear about some of Maridee's many adventures, including her time as a young activist in NYC, a cross-country bike trip to Seattle, and spending time in Mali with the Peace Corps! Maridee shares why she decided to attend college later in life, how she got involved with the Vashon Heritage Museum, and chats about her latest project: a memoir! Maridee's blog: https://marginsofthe.blogspot.com

In this episode, we meet Gib Dammann of Zero Waste Vashon! Gib is a professional architect with a passion for reducing waste on Vashon. Gib is a co-founder and current president of Zero Waste Vashon, a group working to make the island a model green community. Gib shares stories from his childhood growing up behind a UVA fraternity house and how he took an interest in both architecture and clean energy at an early age. Join us to hear what Zero Waste Vashon is up to, and why Gib thinks Vashon is a good "petri dish" for experimentation! Gib's architectural design company: https://dammanndesign.com Zero Waste Vashon: http://zerowastevashon.org

Robin Pollard is the woman behind Vashon's newest cafè, Pollard Coffee. Robin spent many years promoting Washington's tourism and wine industries, serving as the state's tourism director and then executive director of the Washington State Wine Commission. But having grown up on a farm in Iowa, Robin found herself yearning to grow something of her own. Today, Robin is a celebrated coffee roaster, vineyard owner, and wine maker. Join us to hear how Robin's parents inspired her to become an entrepreneur and start her brand "Pollard Per Se", how she taught herself to roast coffee beans and start a vineyard, and the story behind Pollard Coffee! Pollard Per Se's website: www.pollardperse.com Pollard Per Se's Instagram: www.instagram.com/pollardperse/

This week, we get to know Jeff Hoyt! Voice of Vashon listeners know Jeff as co-host of the Morning Scramble on Thursdays and also from the popular Hoytus Interruptus. But what you might not know is that Jeff is a top-tier voice actor who is heard by people around the world! Jeff's voice can be heard in radio and television ads, web videos, films, online learning courses, and audiobooks. Join us to hear how Jeff's passion for radio started at a young age, and how he eventually found a career using his voice. Jeff also shares his favorite memories from Vashon Island, including running the popular "Church of Great Rain" live comedy variety show and helping to raise the radio tower for KVSH's emergency alert system. Jeff's website: http://worldofhoyt.com

In this episode, we meet Vashon’s resident philosopher and mythologist Michael Meade! Michael is a renowned storyteller and author, tapping into ancient myths and ancestral sources of wisdom to help us see the world today. Michael is the founder of Mosaic Voices, a nonprofit that is dedicated to community healing by supporting and educating at-risk youth, refugees, combat veterans, and communities in need. Join us to hear how Michael got involved in street gangs while growing up in New York City, and how a gift Michael received on his thirteenth birthday changed the course of his life. Michael explains why he believes facts alone never tell the full truth, how facing and healing one’s wounds can often uncover one’s purpose in life, and why he loves those bumper stickers calling to “Keep Vashon Weird.”

In this episode, we meet Stacey Hinden! As director of the Vashon Wilderness Program, Stacey is passionate about connecting people to the natural world and to themselves. A native New Yorker, Stacey describes what it was like to move from the Big Apple to Vashon Island. When she arrived here, Stacey was inspired by a program once run by the Wilderness Awareness School (WAS). But when WAS could no longer serve Vashon, Stacey and others stepped up to create what is now the Vashon Wilderness Program. Stacey discusses the theory behind “coyote mentoring,” the many benefits of connecting with nature, and why she loves Vashon.

You may remember Chris Ballew as lead singer and songwriter of the popular band Presidents of the United States of America, whose hits "Lump," "Peaches," and "Kitty" climbed to the top of national music charts. But these days, Chris is making and performing music for kids and their parents under the pseudonym "Caspar Babypants." Host Grace McRae chats with Chris about how his musical style developed in childhood, his rapid rise to fame with Presidents, and how he realized that being a conventional "rock star" wasn't his passion. Chris explains how his wife Kate Endle's artwork influences his whimsical music, the story behind the name Caspar Babypants, and how Vashon Island brings him peace. Chris' website: https://chrisballew.org/home

In this episode, we meet Chef Lia Lira of Bramble House! Lia spent much of her childhood on Vashon Island, before launching an impressive culinary career that has taken her around the world. Join us to hear how Chef Lia advanced quickly in the New York City culinary scene, what she thought about being a contestant on the television show “Top Chef”, and the full story behind Bramble House! Bramble House: http://bramblevashon.com Lia's Instagram: @chef_lia

In this episode, we meet Matt Lawrence of Camp Colvos Brewing! After years of experimenting brewing beer at home, Matt recently opened Camp Colvos with the help of some talented friends. While Matt already had a day job, his love for beer gave him the drive to pursue this all-consuming passion project. And since opening the Campsite taproom this past January, Camp Colvos has created quite a “buzz” on the island. Join us to hear about why Matt moved from Chicago to Vashon, his love for the Thriftway beer aisle, and how he is turning a hobby into a growing island business! Camp Colvos website: https://campcolvos.com Matt's Instagram: @mj_lawrence

On this episode, we meet Tina Shattuck! Tina is passionate about celebrating and connecting women and girls here on Vashon Island and beyond. Her new venture, Women Hold the Key, provides a way for women to recognize other women in their local and global community. Join host Grace McRae to hear how motherhood inspired Tina to redirect her career path, learn all the different ways Tina has supported women and girls on the island over the years, and the story and symbolism behind the beautiful “key” pendants associated with Women Hold the Key!

In this episode, we get to know Chris Austin! You may know Chris from Voice of Vashon’s The Mostly True Radio Show, where he and cohost Anneli Fogt share hilarious news stories and jokes every Sunday afternoon. But what you may not know is that Chris started his career as a dentist! When he realized that dentistry no longer inspired him, Chris kicked off a fascinating career journey that has included being a technology entrepreneur, defense contractor, and even working at The Beachcomber, Vashon's local newspaper! Join us to hear about Chris’ lifelong love for learning, cycling, and making people laugh.

This episode, Grace sits down with Susan McCabe! For many listeners of KVSH, Susan needs no introduction. For the past five years, Susan was Voice of Vashon’s Station Manager – and she’s been involved with VoV since its early days. Join us to learn how Susan’s passion for storytelling started early — and involved worms — how she first got involved in radio, and why Susan thinks Vashon is a special haven for creative people.

In this episode, we get to know the dynamic Geoff Fletcher! Geoff is an educator whose career has included classroom teaching, shaping technology and curriculum for Texas’ public schools, and being editor of two technology publications.  These days, Geoff donates his time and expertise to the Vashon community in many ways, including serving as President of Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP)and hosting VoV’s Boogie Back to Texas. Join us to hear how an unfortunate ferry crash caused Geoff and his wife Terri to consider moving to Vashon, how a funny t-shirt got Geoff involved with VIPP, and more! 

In this episode, we meet pilot Truman O’Brien! When an employee on his father’s ranch in Montana offered to teach Truman to fly a small plane, he didn’t know it would lead to a lifelong passion for the skies. After college, Truman worked as an educator (including on Vashon in the 70s!) but made the surprising decision to become a commercial pilot at age 33. After over two decades flying for Alaska Airlines, Truman retired but has yet to slow down. These days, Truman can be found at Vashon Airport and co-hosting VSH's Morning Scramble every Tuesday morning! http://www.voiceofvashon.org/user-content/inspired-island-truman-obrien