Inspired Island Grace McRae

In this episode, we sit down with Odin Lonning! Odin is a prolific and award-winning Tlingit artist based here on Vashon Island. Born and raised in Alaska, Odin has a deep knowledge of and relationship with the natural world that is reflected and celebrated in his art. With his wife Ann Stateler, who many of us know as Orca Annie, Odin is a tireless advocate for the rights and health of the iconic Southern Resident Killer Whales. Join us to learn how Odindiscovered and nurtured his interest in Tlingit art, including dance, song, and visual arts, and hear stories about some of his iconic projects. Odin shares with us why he is so inspired to teach and share his deep knowledge of art and his respect for nature during this chapter of his life.

Odin's website: http://www.odinlonning.com/

Meet Don and Charlotte Stuart! Don is a respected advocate for the economic, environmental, and political sustainability of farms and fisheries, and he recently published No Farms, No Food: Uniting Farmers and Environmentalists to Transform American Agriculture. Don also directed the American Farmland Trust’s Pacific Northwest Regional Office for over a decade and is a retired attorney. After a long career in academia and organization development, Charlotte is now an award-winning author who has published several murder mysteries - including one based on Vashon Island! Join us to hear about Don and Charlotte's career journeys, and how "retirement" has provided opportunities to work and write together. You'll hear how the pair caught the writing bug during a year-long sailing adventure and how their daily walks inspire creativity and collaboration.



Don's website: https://donstuart.net/

Charlotte's website: https://charlottestuart.com/

In this new episode, we get to know Manny Chao of Georgetown Brewing Company! Yes, our fellow islander Manny is the man behind Manny's Pale Ale, the iconic Seattle beer. Join us to learn about Manny's childhood in Spain and beyond, how he fell in love with beer while trying to impress a date during college, and the persistence it took to land his first big job in the industry. Manny shares how an economic recession created unique opportunities to start Georgetown Brewing Company and the story behind creating their flagship brew, Manny's Pale Ale. You'll hear why Manny loves running his company (currently the largest independent brewery in Washington!) and how Camp Burton played a role in him moving to Vashon.

In this episode, we get to know Emily Wigley! Emily is the woman behind the beloved Orca Eats food truck. As Emily enters retirement, she sits down to reflect on what it was like to run this popular business for the last six years. Join us to hear how Emily’s teenage job taught her how food service can also be community service, and how she has put this into practice through her work with the Vashon Food Bank. Emily shares some favorite memories from the Orca Eats food truck, including what her most popular dishes have been, and how she managed to keep her business as eco-friendly as possible. We also get a sneak peak into some of her plans for retirement — including enjoying her horses!

Follow Emily on Instagram @orca_eats

In this episode, we chat with Ann McLaughlin! Ann recently published the book "World Change-Maker: Build Skills in International Development and Social Work", which is designed as a guidebook to help people looking to volunteer or work internationally. But, as we discuss in the interview, the book offers value for anyone hoping to make a positive impact on the world. Ann is a psychotherapist and social worker by training, Ann provides coaching and services to prospective and current social and humanitarian workers around the world through her organization NGOabroad. Join us to hear stories from Ann's work with communities around the world, including a pivotal moment that taught her the importance of doing assessments and asking thoughtful questions before launching projects. We discuss how working at a summer camp helped inspire Ann's commitment to service, why she chose Vashon as her home base, her love for the outdoors, and much more!

In this week's episode, we chat with Tara Morgan of C'Mon Barber! During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a simple request from a neighbor led Tara to her new passion and business venture. After finishing barber school, Tara launched a mobile barbershop in June 2021, biking or driving to islanders to cut, groom, and style their hair in the comfort and safety of their own surroundings. Tara has since expanded offerings to include pop-up events and a new barbershop, located in a renovated van parked at the Country Store & Farm. Join us to hear why Tara believes a haircut can be powerful and how her dad's memory inspires many aspects of C'Mon Barber. We also discuss Tara's love for rowing and the nonprofit she founded - Seize the Oar Foundation - to champion greater inclusion in the sport, and how Tara finds community with other "solopreneurs" on Vashon Island.

If you're a longtime Voice of Vashon radio listener, you may recognize Tara from “New Kids on the Rock”, which she co-hosted with Adam Day, or from the popular "Dear Vashon" special episodes of the Morning Scramble!

Follow Tara and C'Mon Barber on Instagram: @cmon_barber