LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY

With Magsy
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Margaret Croom is ‘Magsy’, a local of Whidbey Island, Washington. Whether you’re a local, a would-be islander, or just someone who loves a good story, ”Local Whidbey” is your weekly dose of community, inspiration, and a reminder that the best places aren’t just found on maps—they’re found in people. Are you an AUDACIOUS ISLANDER(tm)? For more info, go to https://LocalWhidbeyPodcast.com

  1. 3d ago

    MELODY TODD COMES HOME WITH FRESH EYES

    Today's story is a reinvention story, but with little different perspective on Oak Harbor a lot of us do not have. Sometimes reinvention means leaving. Sometimes it means starting over. And sometimes, after years away, it means coming home. My guest grew up right here in Oak Harbor. After high school, she left and spent the next 20 years building a life in Lake Stevens. Along the way, she created Honest Chatter, a blog that became a place for real conversations about life, wellness, style, and the things that matter to us beneath the surface. Eventually, she and her high school sweetheart made the decision to return to the place where they grew up—and together, they took over a business in Oak Harbor. But coming home hasn't simply been about returning to what they knew. She's looking at Oak Harbor with fresh eyes. She's reconnecting with people, building community, and using her voice and her growing presence on Instagram to encourage people to see this town not simply as a place where they happen to live, but as a place worth loving. And I think that's particularly interesting in a Navy town like Oak Harbor, where people are constantly arriving, leaving, putting down roots, or wondering whether they should. There's a fascinating space between the longtime residents and the transient military community—and she's interested in what happens in that space. So today we're going to talk about leaving home, coming back, what changes when you see your hometown through adult eyes, and what it takes to help create the kind of community you want to live in. VISIT MELODY: INSTAGRAM | BLOG | FACEBOOK   Follow LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY at @LocalWhidbeyPodcast ... Link: INSTAGRAM and on Facebook. You may also get to know Magsy and subscribe for invites to her supper club, at https://withmagsy.com. PODCAST SPONSORED BY THE OAK HARBOR CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION. Click on link to show your support for the Oak Harbor Performing Arts Center.

  2. Sep 2

    THE NEXT WALLA WALLA? MAKE IT CASCADIA TEA ON WHIDBEY ISLAND

    What if the next great agricultural story in Washington isn’t wine, apples or berries—but tea? That may sound improbable. Washington has never exactly been known as tea country. But on Whidbey Island, a group of farmers, entrepreneurs and culinary professionals are betting that the Pacific Northwest could become home to something entirely new: a thriving tea-growing region. The ambition is enormous. Vale, a matcha-making company, has acquired 365 acres on North Whidbey, plans to plant tea across roughly 200 of those acres, and ultimately hopes to grow one million tea plants. The goal isn't simply to produce matcha. It's to see whether tea can take root here—and whether an industry can grow around it. If Walla Walla can transform itself into a destination defined by wine, could Cascadia one day be known for tea? I was at the Vale Farms unveiling on Wednesday, August 26, and recorded presentations from Luke, Fife, Eva and Chef Jeffrey. The outdoor setting made recording challenging, so you'll hear some of their story through those presentations and some through interviews they recorded afterward specifically for this episode. You'll hear how a health scare changed Luke's direction, how a global matcha shortage sent the Vale team to Japan, how tea plants made their way from Hawaiʻi to Whidbey, why this team believes the Pacific Northwest could one day become known for exceptional tea—and what they're hoping to discover about the flavor of tea grown right here. Because they're not trying to recreate Japan on Whidbey Island. They're trying to discover what Whidbey Island tea might become. I hope you enjoy this special presentation, which I'm calling “The Next Walla Walla? Make It Cascadia Tea on Whidbey Island.” VALE FARMS WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM    Follow LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY at @LocalWhidbeyPodcast ... Link: INSTAGRAM and on Facebook. You may also get to know Magsy and subscribe for invites to her supper club, at https://withmagsy.com. PODCAST SPONSORED BY THE OAK HARBOR CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION. Click on link to show your support for the Oak Harbor Performing Arts Center.

  3. Aug 26

    THE CAREER SHE DIDN'T PLAN, THE LIFE SHE BUILT

    'Barbara Fuller on Starting Over and Finding a New Purpose' Today's guest has reinvented herself more than once. Barbara Fuller began her career as a police officer in San Mateo, California. After being injured on the job, she was forced into an early retirement and had to figure out what came next. Rather than stepping away from work altogether, Barbara went back to school and built an entirely new career in environmental health and safety, risk assessment, and project management. In 2012, she and her wife moved to Whidbey Island and her career in EHS was fulfilled on the mainland. Recently Barbara eventually found another way to put her experience and her belief in public service to work. She ran for Island County Auditor in 2022, joined the Island County Civil Service Commission, and is now running for Auditor again. But this isn't a political interview. What interests me about Barbara's story is the person behind those titles—the willingness to start over, the belief that public service matters, and the idea that even when you don't get the outcome you hoped for, you can still accomplish what you set out to do. And then there's the other Barbara: president of the Whidbey Island Basset Hound Club. Because I have a feeling there are probably a few things a Basset Hound can teach us about life that you won't find in a government manual.   Follow LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY at @LocalWhidbeyPodcast ... Link: INSTAGRAM and on Facebook. You may also get to know Magsy and subscribe for invites to her supper club, at https://withmagsy.com. PODCAST SPONSORED BY THE OAK HARBOR CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION. Click on link to show your support for the Oak Harbor Performing Arts Center.

  4. Aug 19

    HE BOUGHT A FOREST THEN REINVENTED IT

    Welcome back to Local Whidbey Podcast. I'm Magsy, and this week I'm bringing you a conversation from Season One that I decided deserved a second look through the lens of my Reinventions series. When I originally interviewed Scott Price, I thought of him simply as an interesting islander—the creator of Price Sculpture Forest in Coupeville. But listening back, I realized there was a much bigger reinvention story here. Scott spent much of his career in commercial real estate, including as a senior real estate program manager with Microsoft and owns and manages many types of his investment properties. After years of working in that world, he and his wife began planning their eventual move to Whidbey Island. What happened next took them—and the property they had purchased—in a direction they never anticipated. Today, Scott is running a nonprofit and bringing together two things he and his wife love: nature and art, while creating something that the entire community can experience. And I think his story is a wonderful reminder that sometimes the most meaningful reinventions aren't planned at all. Let's go back to my conversation with Scott Price. SCULPTURE GARDEN WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK   Follow LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY at @LocalWhidbeyPodcast ... Link: INSTAGRAM and on Facebook. You may also get to know Magsy and subscribe for invites to her supper club, at https://withmagsy.com. PODCAST SPONSORED BY THE OAK HARBOR CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION. Click on link to show your support for the Oak Harbor Performing Arts Center.

  5. Aug 12

    BUILDING RUBY: A COUPLES NEXT CHAPTER

    Another great local story in my REINVENTION SERIES. For many people, retirement or a career change marks the beginning of something different. But today's guests didn't wait for one chapter to end before beginning the next. Martha Valle has spent her career creating memorable experiences as a bartender with Morale, Welfare and Recreation on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Earlier this year, Tony Valle retired from the U.S. Navy after years of military service and now works as an aircraft structural assembler. Together, they're bringing something new to downtown Oak Harbor—Ruby Lounge + Kitchen. Ruby isn't simply another restaurant or bar. Their vision is a gathering place where craft cocktails, Latin-inspired food, music, dancing, wine tastings, mystery nights, and mixology workshops come together to create memorable experiences. It's the kind of place designed to bring people together, celebrate community, and offer something a little different for Whidbey Island. But every great space begins with a story, and in Ruby's case, that story includes friends, mentors, tradespeople, neighbors, and a community that helped transform an idea into reality. Today we'll talk about building a dream while still balancing careers, creating a place where everyone feels welcome, and why sometimes the most rewarding reinvention is one you build together. Martha and Tony, welcome to Local Whidbey Podcast. FOLLOW RUBY LOUNGE + KITCHEN: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM   Follow LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY at @LocalWhidbeyPodcast ... Link: INSTAGRAM and on Facebook. You may also get to know Magsy and subscribe for invites to her supper club, at https://withmagsy.com. PODCAST SPONSORED BY THE OAK HARBOR CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION. Click on link to show your support for the Oak Harbor Performing Arts Center.

  6. Aug 5

    JEN SCHMITZ GIVES COUPEVILLE A PLACE TO BE YOURSELF

    My guest today is someone who perfectly embodies the idea of having the courage to create something new in her life. By day, Jen Schmitz serves Island County as the Natural Resources Manager, helping protect the land and waters that make Whidbey such a remarkable place to live. It's thoughtful, technical work that requires science, collaboration, and long-term thinking. But outside of her day job, Jen and her partner have brought something completely unexpected to Coupeville: The Spectacled Sasquatch Taproom. This isn't just another place to grab a drink. It's become a gathering place for people who don't always fit into traditional nightlife. Whether it's karaoke, Show & Tell nights, themed events, games, or simply celebrating your favorite nerdy obsession, The Spectacled Sasquatch is building a community where being a little different isn't just accepted—it's encouraged. Today we'll talk about why someone with a successful career in environmental science decided to open a neighborhood bar, what it takes to build a welcoming space from scratch, how community can grow around shared curiosity, and why sometimes reinvention isn't about leaving one life behind—it's about making room for another. Jen, welcome to the Local Whidbey Podcast. WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK   Follow LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY at @LocalWhidbeyPodcast ... Link: INSTAGRAM and on Facebook. You may also get to know Magsy and subscribe for invites to her supper club, at https://withmagsy.com. PODCAST SPONSORED BY THE OAK HARBOR CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION. Click on link to show your support for the Oak Harbor Performing Arts Center.

  7. Jul 29

    FINDING CONFIDENCE IN A NEW CHAPTER ON WHIDBEY ISLAND

    Welcome to Local Whidbey Podcast. I'm Magsy, and this is another episode in our Reinventions series, where we explore the people who have found new purpose by embracing change. Sometimes reinvention isn't about starting over. It's about taking everything you've learned in one chapter of your life and applying it in an entirely new way. Today's guest is Andrea Mansfield, owner of Little Gemme, a resale boutique in Langley, built on the idea that fashion can be joyful, sustainable, and deeply personal. Before opening Little Gemme, Andrea spent fifteen years as a life coach in Portland, Oregon, helping people build confidence and navigate life's transitions. When that chapter naturally came to a close, she and her wife made a bold decision. They put all of their belongings in storage, left Portland, and set out to travel, and searched for a place where they could build a new life in a welcoming, inclusive community. That journey led them to Whidbey Island. What began as an online boutique eventually became a Pop-up shop, where carefully curated clothing and accessories reflect Andrea's belief that what we wear isn't just about style—it's about feeling comfortable, authentic, and confident in who we are. Today we'll talk about knowing when one chapter has ended, taking risks in pursuit of a life that better reflects your values, and why sometimes the greatest reinvention isn't changing who you are—it's finally becoming more of yourself. Contact Andrea at Little Gemme: WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM   Follow LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY at @LocalWhidbeyPodcast ... Link: INSTAGRAM and on Facebook. You may also get to know Magsy and subscribe for invites to her supper club, at https://withmagsy.com. PODCAST SPONSORED BY THE OAK HARBOR CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION. Click on link to show your support for the Oak Harbor Performing Arts Center.

  8. Jul 22

    REINVENTING HOW A COMMUNITY FEEDS ITSELF

    During the early days of the pandemic, people were literally driving to farms and knocking on doors, hoping to buy eggs, vegetables, or meat. The usual ways of getting local food had broken down almost overnight. That's when today's guest and a community of farmers got together and said "There is a way!" The Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative's FOOD HUB began. Today's story begins in the uncertainty of 2020. When the world shut down during the COVID pandemic, so did many of the traditional ways local farmers reached their customers. Farmers markets were disrupted. Restaurants closed. Supply chains were uncertain. For many small farms, years of hard work suddenly hung in the balance. But while many people were asking, "What now?" today's guest was asking, "What if?" Shannon Bly, Executive Director of Whidbey Island Grown, helped reimagine how local food could reach local families. Working alongside farmers, volunteers, and community partners, she helped launch the Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative—an online marketplace where people could order products from multiple farms in one place and pick their order up at convenient locations around the island. It wasn't simply an online grocery store. It became a lifeline. The cooperative helped many local farms continue selling their products during one of the most uncertain times in recent history. What began as an emergency solution has continued to grow into a thriving model for connecting farmers and consumers while strengthening Whidbey's local food system. Today we'll talk about innovation born from necessity, what it takes to build something completely new in the middle of a crisis, and how one idea helped strengthen an entire community. SHOP AT THE FOOD HUB INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK   Follow LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY at @LocalWhidbeyPodcast ... Link: INSTAGRAM and on Facebook. You may also get to know Magsy and subscribe for invites to her supper club, at https://withmagsy.com. PODCAST SPONSORED BY THE OAK HARBOR CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION. Click on link to show your support for the Oak Harbor Performing Arts Center.

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Trailer

5
out of 5
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About

Margaret Croom is ‘Magsy’, a local of Whidbey Island, Washington. Whether you’re a local, a would-be islander, or just someone who loves a good story, ”Local Whidbey” is your weekly dose of community, inspiration, and a reminder that the best places aren’t just found on maps—they’re found in people. Are you an AUDACIOUS ISLANDER(tm)? For more info, go to https://LocalWhidbeyPodcast.com

Information

  • Creator
    With Magsy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    LOCAL WHIDBEY WITH MAGSY

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