The Um, Sir Podcast

EmilyInEverett
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Society & Culture

Hosted by Emily in Everett and her neighbor Samie, Um, Sir serves up spicy commentary on politics, pop culture, and the chaos where they collide. Think of it as your weekly dose of approachable political insight, nervous laughter, and brutally honest observations, with enough side-eye to power Washington State. Whether your hosts are crushing imposter syndrome or calling out bro-gressives, they’re here to make civic life a little more understandable and a lot more fun. They don’t have all the answers, but they do have jokes, receipts, and the feedback you didn’t know you needed. Oh and, release the files!

  1. Aug 26

    Falling Into Ditches & Other Leadership Strategies

    In this episode, Emily shares her greatest professional bloopers. From the now infamous "welcome to be here" podcast flub to rambling about ditches on the House of Representatives Floor. She reveals how these cringe-worthy moments accidentally became her superpower. Spoiler: The secret to building community isn’t being perfect, it’s being real (even when that means laughing at yourself). A hilarious and heartfelt reminder that our mess is what makes us human.

  2. Aug 6

    Almost Live! August Primary Election Watch Party

    Emily and her guest Sam Minter go almost live for primary election night, breaking down Michigan’s tight Democratic Senate race (El-Sayed vs. Stevens), Washington’s local battles from state Legislative Districts on the west and east side of the state, to Supreme Court contests, and the tension between voting your conscience or strategizing—plus real-time reactions to turnout, levy wins, and why independent candidates rarely work in WA. Check out your ballot status in Washington State - Vote.Wa.Gov Bill Phillips Commentary on National races - Facebook Democrats Confront Their New Tea Party Reality- Huffington Post Washington state primary election results 2026 - Seattle Times El-Sayed and Stevens Project Party Unity After Divisive Race - New York Times

  3. Jul 15

    Childcare: An Economic Engine

    On this episode, we dig into childcare, because here’s the thing: it’s not just a parent problem, it’s an everyone problem. Debbie Carlsen, founder of Washington Families Thrive and general community superhero, joined us to break down why childcare crisis is tanking our workforce, and what the hell we can do about it. The shit news? 40% of families are cutting hours, 30% are turning down jobs, and 20% are quitting because childcare is either impossible to find or impossible to afford. Meanwhile, we’re underpaying the educators who could literally change our kids’ lives. High-quality early learning interrupts poverty, boosts graduation rates, and even breaks the school-to-prison pipeline—but we treat the people doing this work like glorified babysitters instead of the skilled professionals they are. Debbie’s org is doing the work: matching families with providers, helping childcare businesses fill their slots, and pushing for real solutions. But here’s the kicker—we need everyone at the table. Businesses, stop whining about labor shortages and start offering childcare benefits. Policy makers, stop pretending this is just a “women’s issue” and start treating it like the economic priority it is. Bottom line: Childcare isn’t a niche problem. It’s infrastructure. And it’s past time we acted like it. Need help or want to help? Hit up WashingtonFamiliesThrive.com.

  4. Jun 25

    Sports with Keith: FIFA, World Cup & All the Drama

    In this episode of the Um Sir Podcast, Emily's sits down with Keith Macaulay to unpack FIFA’s wild ride. From its "humble" 1904, Old Boys Club beginnings as a small European club to the multi-billion-dollar powerhouse it is today. They dive into the corruption, the backroom deals, and the larger-than-life characters like João Havelange and Sepp Blatter who turned development funds into political currency and World Cup bids into bidding wars. The conversation covers the 2015 DOJ probe, the Garcia Report cover-up, and the human cost of hosting controversies like Qatar 2022. But hey, for all the drama, it’s still the beautiful game, bringing the world together, one goal at a time. Listen: Pitch to Puget Sound Podcast Local Playbook: Game on Everett Puget Sound Deets: Seattle FWC Documentaries & Series FIFA Uncovered (Netflix) – 3-part docuseries on FIFA’s corruptionEl Presidente (Prime Video) – Season 2 covers João Havelange’s rise and reignESPN’s Qatar World Cup investigation (featuring Jeremy Schaap)Copa 90’s Argentina series – Deep dive into the nation’s football passion News & Investigative Reports: The Guardian: 6,500+ migrant worker deaths in Qatar (2010–2020) – Wage theft, passport confiscation, and extreme heat conditions.U.S. DOJ 2015 FIFA Corruption Case – Press releases and findingsThe Garcia Report – FIFA’s redacted summary (full report was suppressed) Historical Events 1966 World Cup controversy – Suspected bias against Brazil1974 Chile-USSR playoff – Played in a stadium used as a torture camp under Pinochet2010 Haiti earthquake – FIFA emergency funds stolen by Jack Warner2018/2022 World Cup bidding scandals – Russia and Qatar’s bribery schemes2034 World Cup bid – Saudi Arabia’s controversial selection "Official" & Reference FIFA’s official website – Current sponsors, tournaments, and governanceUEFA – European football’s governing bodyCONCACAF – North/Central America & Caribbean federationCONMEBOL – South American football confederationU.S. Soccer Federation – Governance and team info

  5. Apr 29

    Introducing The Future of Our Former Democracy

    While Samie and Emily break for their mental health, they're dropping a very special episode from The Future of Our Former Democracy—yes, the Signal Award-winning podcast that’s basically Snohomish’s coolest export besides, like, Colin Cole (hi, Colin!). It’s made by this Seattle-based racial justice org, More Equitable Democracy, which, same, icon behavior. This season they are drawing parallels between Nazi Germany’s rise and, uh… *gestures vaguely at everything*… our current political moment.And how Germany rebuilt its democracy to keep extremism from pulling a sequel. Episode one is all about how Germany overhauled its elections post-WWII to avoid, y’know, another fascist takeover. And now Colin and Heather Villanueva are over here like, ‘So… how do we not repeat history?’ Mood. Want more? Hit follow on The Future of Our Former Democracy wherever you get your podcasts: Apple, Spotify, all the usual suspects. Trust us, it’s a vibe.

  6. Apr 28

    Um, Civics: The Unsexy (But Totally Necessary) World of Charter Review

    Guest: Randy Bolerjack, Everett Charter Review Committee Member The Gist:Emily in Everett sits down with Randy Bolerjack, another self-proclaimed "civic nerd" and Everett’s Charter Review Committee member, to unpack the wildly underrated world of city charters. Spoiler: It’s the rulebook for how your city (or county) runs, and most of us have no idea what’s in it, let alone, what it is! Why It Matters: Your city’s charter = its constitution. Want to change how local government works? This is where it starts.Everett’s committee (15 members, because democracy loves a crowd) is reviewing everything from council powers to election rules. And yes, they want your input.Randy’s day job? Overseeing WA state’s elections, libraries, and charities. So if you thought this was nerdy, just wait. Call to Action:Read your city’s charter. Attend a meeting. Pretend to care at parties.  Vibe Check:✅ Wonky but fun✅ 100% necessary✅ Guaranteed to make you the most interesting person at your next city council meeting Listen if: You’ve ever wondered why your local government works the way it does (or doesn’t). P.S. Randy’s a Coug. We’ll let you decide if that’s a pro or a con. Learn more:Follow Randy on InstagramEmail Randy: randybolerjack@outlook.comEverett Charter Review CommitteeCounty Forms of Government - Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MSRC)Snohomish County Charter Review CommissionWhat is a Charter? - League of Women Voters' of Snohomish CountyWho is running the Snohomish County Charter Review Commission? - News TribuneBy Abi Ludwig is a co-founder of Standing for Washington, sponsors of Everett Initiative 24-03Washington State Secretary of State ElectionsEverett Link Extension - Sound TransitBuild the Damn TrainsEverett Outdoor Event Center - City of EverettEverett AquaSox 2026 Season

  7. Feb 25

    Um Civics: "Shit’s Terrible" The Marie G. Paradox

    This week on Um, Sir, we take a deep dive into Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. The vibes, the votes, the “I’m not like other Democrats” energy, and ask the question: who exactly is this for? From SAVE Act support to ICE funding to car analogies that never quite land, we unpack the rural vs. Seattle narrative, Blue Dog politics, and what it actually means to represent working people without throwing your own base under the bus. It’s nuanced. It’s spicy. It’s a little exasperated. And yes… shit’s terrible.  Note: She did, in fact, end up voting against the Save Act the very next day. Did she see our "bang" reel on Instagram? CHECK OUTSnohomish Podcast Network Right to Repair - Facebook The Banana Act (Food Handling Reform) - Facebook LISTEN Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on What Urbanites Get Wrong about Rural America - Blue City Blues Podcast with David Hyde and Sandeep Kaushik Seattle Nice Podcast - with David Hyde, Erica Barnett, and Sandeep Kaushik WATCHI'm definitely not your typical candidate for Congress - FacebookRunning an Auto Repair Shop (August 2024 Reel) - Instagram  "Shit’s Terrible” – ICE Funding Defense Clip  - Instagram  Bumper Stickers & Branding (October 2024)  - Instagram  Border Security / Fentanyl Messaging Shift (June 2024 Ad) - Facebook “I Can’t Believe I’m Still Saying This” (Fundraising Video – June 28, 2025)  - Instagram  4/24 Outside Marie Glusenkamp Perez’s Town Hall - TikTok That’s it! Emily is growing out her bangs. Thanks for the “heads up” - Instagram READThe Betrayals of Marie Gluesenkamp Perez by Karissa Halstrom - Current AffairsBlue Dogs aim to grow their ranks - Politico  Israel bars Muslim Reps. Omar and Tlaib from visiting the country - NBC News Gluesenkamp Perez Releases Statement After Voting to Reopen the Government - Press Release Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joins other Democrats to vote against SAVE America Act - The Columbian  ON WHISTLES Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network on Whistles Our Common Power on Whistles   Update: WAISN blocked us - SuperFamilia_KC SUPPORTOur Common Power LEARN MOREFive Things to Know About the SAVE America Act - Bipartisan Policy Center Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez - House of Representatives Webpage Contributions - Federal Elections CommissionAccording to the American Jewish Committee “From the River to the Sea” Meaning

  8. Feb 19

    Halftime Investigations & Full-Time Idiots

    Congress is investigating the Super Bowl halftime show (because priorities), the Epstein files are still a mess, and somehow Dr. Oz wants us to trust him again. Cool, cool. This week, Emily, Samie, and special guest Cindy Goble (elections queen, law degree holder, civic enthusiast) break down the Grammys fashion chaos, Bad Bunny’s culture-shifting halftime show, Jake Paul’s colonizer nonsense, and why Republicans are mad about Puerto Rico existing. We spiral (responsibly) through Epstein updates, local ballot drama, and the radical concept of… voting. Grab a beverage. Democracy is tired, but we’re not. CHECK OUTSnohomish Podcast NetworkBook banning in Washington state: An FAQ - ACLU of Washington U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Epstein Files Release Portal - U.S. Justice Department Washington State Voter Portal (register, check ballot status, text notifications) - WA Secretary of State Washington State Legislature bill tracker - Washington State Legislature LISTEN “I don’t have to understand something to appreciate it” - TheDadChats  WATCH PBS Documentary: The Librarians - PBSNaked Attraction - HBOAnoushka DiGiorgio, Epstine File Dump Betrayal - TikTokSuper Bowl Halftime Show full performance (Bad Bunny) - RedditTrevor Noah’s Grammy monologue recap - TikTokDropkick Murphys statement regarding Wasserman Media - FacebookCongressional press statements about investigating the halftime show - YouTube READ 'Suspicious' substance found in Snohomish County ballot box, sheriff says - KING 5“Good Republican” Bill. HB 1584: Ending vote by mail for nonabsentee voters and restoring in-person voting at polling places and voting centers. - Washington State LegislatureThousands of Epstein documents taken down after victims identified - MSNHeidi Klum’s Nude 2026 Grammys Dress Is Molded to Her Butt Crack - CosmopolitanEvery Single Gorgeous Red Carpet Look From the 2026 Grammy Awards - Cosmopolitan The Files & Carol Montgomery - Justice.Gov

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hosted by Emily in Everett and her neighbor Samie, Um, Sir serves up spicy commentary on politics, pop culture, and the chaos where they collide. Think of it as your weekly dose of approachable political insight, nervous laughter, and brutally honest observations, with enough side-eye to power Washington State. Whether your hosts are crushing imposter syndrome or calling out bro-gressives, they’re here to make civic life a little more understandable and a lot more fun. They don’t have all the answers, but they do have jokes, receipts, and the feedback you didn’t know you needed. Oh and, release the files!

Information

  • Creator
    EmilyInEverett
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © EmilyInEverett and her Neighbor, Samie
  • Show Website
    The Um, Sir Podcast