Citizen Tacoma

Channel 253
  • 4.8 (21)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A podcast about local government in the City of Destiny

  1. 10/22/2025

    Special Guest: Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland

    On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we are joined by Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. In the first half, we discuss the current government shutdown, the fight over health care, and the rule of law under the Trump administration. In the second half, we look ahead to what Tacoma's next mayor will face. Links Channel 253 membership

    33 min

  2. 10/17/2025

    Silong Chhun, candidate for City Council of Tacoma

    In this episode, we sit down with Silong Chhun, running for Tacoma's City Council seat representing District 4. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Silong Chhun Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I'm Erik Hanberg! I've hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate in the race the same set questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one got the questions in advance and since I airing them all at once, no one was able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

    35 min

  3. 10/17/2025

    Sandesh Sadalge, candidate for City Council of Tacoma

    In this episode, we sit down with Sandesh Sadalge, running for Tacoma's City Council seat representing District 4. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Sandesh Sadalge Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I'm Erik Hanberg! I've hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate in the race the same set questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one got the questions in advance and since I airing them all at once, no one was able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

    48 min

  4. 10/16/2025

    Pete Reyes — candidate for Parks Tacoma Commissioner, Position 3

    Let's talk parks! As a former parks commissioner myself, I was excited to talk to some candidates for the parks board of Tacoma for the first time. I decided to focus on Position 3. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Pete Reyes. We talk about the state of our parks, climate change, serving youth, and more. Check it out! Links Elect Pete Reyes Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I'm Erik Hanberg! I've hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate in the race the same set questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one got the questions in advance and since I airing them all at once, no one was able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

    55 min

  5. 10/16/2025

    Bronwyn Clarke — candidate for Parks Tacoma Commissioner, Position 3

    Let's talk parks! As a former parks commissioner myself, I was excited to talk to some candidates for the parks board of Tacoma for the first time. I decided to focus on Position 3. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Bronwyn Clarke. We talk about the state of our parks, climate change, serving youth, and more. Check it out! Links Clarke for Parks Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I'm Erik Hanberg! I've hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate in the race the same set questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one got the questions in advance and since I airing them all at once, no one was able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

    45 min

  6. 10/07/2025

    Jessica Johnston, candidate for City Council of Tacoma

    There's an "open" seat on the City Council, which means the incumbent isn't running. Position 6 is a "city-wide" position, which serves all of Tacoma. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Jessica Johnston. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Jessica Johnston Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I'm Erik Hanberg! I've hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate the same set of questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one gets the questions in advance and since I air them all at once, no one is able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

    41 min

  7. 10/07/2025

    Latasha Palmer, candidate for City Council of Tacoma

    There's an "open" seat on the City Council, which means the incumbent isn't running. Position 6 is a "city-wide" position, which serves all of Tacoma. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Latasha Palmer. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Latasha Palmer Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I'm Erik Hanberg! I've hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate the same set of questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one gets the questions in advance and since I air them all at once, no one is able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

    39 min

  8. 07/03/2025

    Whitney Stevens, candidate for Mayor of Tacoma

    The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office... and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Whitney Steves. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Whitney Stevens Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I'm Erik Hanberg! I've hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: I emailed an invitation to every candidate. I asked every candidate the same set questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one got the questions in advance and since I’m airing them all at once, no one was able to listen ahead. I did ask each candidate to suggest a question, which was gives it an interesting spin. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-July and the primary is August 5.

    42 min
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4.8
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

A podcast about local government in the City of Destiny

Information

  • Creator
    Channel 253
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Citizen Tacoma