Seattle Nice

David Hyde, Erica Barnett, and Sandeep Kaushik
  • 4.4 (98)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

It’s getting harder and harder to talk about politics, especially if you disagree. Well, screw that. Seattle Nice aims to be the most opinionated and smartest analysis of what’s really happening in Seattle politics available in any medium. Each episode dives into contentious and sometimes ridiculous topics, exploring perspectives from across Seattle's political spectrum, from city council brawls to the ways the national political conversation filters through our unique political process. Even if you’re not from Seattle, you need to listen to Seattle Nice. Because it’s coming for you. Unlike the sun, politics rises in the West and sets in the East. 

  1. 22H AGO

    "Taller, Denser, Faster"

    This week we chew over Mayor Katie Wilson's accelerated approach to the Comprehensive Plan, and council scrutiny of city human services contracts following fraud allegations at King County. Plus, the proposed $410 million library levy, with council amendments adding tens of millions. Our editor is Quinn Waller.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

    47 min

  2. MAR 27

    Bigger and Bolder on Density: New CM Eddie Lin Says It's Time

    Tune in to hear new District 2 Council Member Eddie Lin break down the latest council dynamics, the future of the city's housing strategy, comprehensive planning efforts, public safety issues in District 2, along with his thoughts about the Mayor Katie Wilson administration ... and more.  Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

    46 min

  3. MAR 21

    Mayor’s Partial Pause on Seattle Surveillance Cameras

    Mayor Katie Wilson unveiled her police CCTV camera plan on Thursday, which she immediately acknowledged "will please no one," according to Publicola. The plan introduces a partial and temporary halt to the expansion of CCTV cameras across the city, allowing for a months-long audit of camera protocols with assistance from New York University's Policing Project. Despite the pause in expansion, the mayor is allowing new cameras to be installed in the stadium district before the World Cup, which she stated will only be activated if there is a credible security threat. Furthermore, Wilson will retain the 62 existing police cameras in areas like downtown, Aurora Avenue, and the Chinatown International District, exempting only a camera near a reproductive health clinic.  This plan immediately raises a number of questions for Seattle Nice: Is this a political “capitulation” by Wilson, as Erica argues, in an attempt to counter the perception that she is too far left? Does it represent an effort to “split the baby,” as Sandeep suggested, a move reminiscent of former Mayor Harrell’s tendency to try to please all sides and ultimately satisfying none? Or is it, as David suggests, a pragmatic effort to allow limited use of CCTV surveillance, balancing legitimate concerns about potential misuse against urgent safety concerns?  Our editor is Quinn Waller.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

    37 min

  4. MAR 15

    Downtown Seattle Association CEO says downtown is back (sort of)

    This week Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), joined us to discuss the state of downtown. He pointed to positive momentum towards economic recovery and the dream of a “24/7 city,” with so many people moving downtown, but also warned of challenges including the high office vacancy rate. Other topics included:   Jumpstart payroll tax: Debate over whether the outcome has been more positive or negative for Seattle.Residential Conversion: Why converting office buildings to apartments is complicated and expensive, and what can be done.  Job Market Outlook: Scholes highlighted the fact that downtown Seattle is losing jobs while Bellevue is growing employment.  Crime: Crime is significantly down in the commercial core but has increased in Belltown and the ID. Commuting trends: Scholes said people are still choosing transit, rideshare, or walking over cars, mostly because employers have maintained or increased their investment in employee transit passes. Transit: Light rail ridership has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and train service is improving.Homeless Solutions: Scholes spoke about the need to scale up the "gold standard" model for dedicated outreach and enhanced shelters. Overdose Rates: Fatal and recorded overdoses in the downtown area are trending downward. City Spending: Should success be measured by increased spending or results? Not much debate about this.  Convention Center: Is it all one big boondoggle? Police Cameras: More debate about the use of public safety cameras, only this time it’s Erica v Jon.Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

    53 min

  5. MAR 9

    Questions about Mayor Wilson's Shelter Plan For Seattle

    Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s ambitious 1000-bed temporary shelter plan, which, among other elements, proposes accelerating the construction of up to 250-unit “tiny house” villages across all council districts, is still in the early planning stages but is already generating lots of questions from providers and others.  Including from us. How will the City handle the management of these super-sized sites? How will they facilitate the transition of residents to permanent housing? And how are they going to handle the inevitable freak out from neighbors when the locations of these villages are announced? We also discuss the implications of a rising tide of behind-the-scenes complaints from city council members feeling excluded from the planning process and jammed by the mayor’s announcement. Additionally, the discussion covers: Erica’s reporting on efforts to ban new I.C.E. detention facilities. King County Executive Girmay Zahilay’s move to create a new county auditor position and improve spending oversight. This initiative follows recent audits and government accountability reporting by KUOW and others. Our editor is Quinn Waller. About Seattle NIce  It’s getting harder and harder to talk about politics, especially if you disagree. Well, screw that. Seattle Nice aims to be the most opinionated and smartest analysis of what’s really happening in Seattle politics available in any medium. Each episode dives into contentious and sometimes ridiculous topics, exploring perspectives from across Seattle's political spectrum, from city council brawls to the ways the national political conversation filters through our unique political process. Even if you’re not from Seattle, you need to listen to Seattle Nice. Because it’s coming for you. Unlike the sun, politics rises in the West and sets in the East.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

    46 min

  6. FEB 27

    Are these three Seattle controversies all about union power?

    CARE team head Amy Barden told council this week that the latest police union contract is preventing effective alternative 911 response from her team. We also get into what’s really happening with the allegations facing Derrick Wheeler-Smith, the Director of the Office of Civil Rights; and the controversy around Mayor Katie Wilson’s removal of City Light CEO Dawn Lindell, revealing behind-the-scenes lobbying by organized labor and the possible recalibration of power at City Hall.   Our editor is Quinn Waller. About Seattle NIce  It’s getting harder and harder to talk about politics, especially if you disagree. Well, screw that. Seattle Nice aims to be the most opinionated and smartest analysis of what’s really happening in Seattle politics available in any medium. Each episode dives into contentious and sometimes ridiculous topics, exploring perspectives from across Seattle's political spectrum, from city council brawls to the ways the national political conversation filters through our unique political process. Even if you’re not from Seattle, you need to listen to Seattle Nice. Because it’s coming for you. Unlike the sun, politics rises in the West and sets in the East.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

    50 min

  7. FEB 20

    Mayor Katie Wilson Gets Seattle Nice about the State of the City

    Following her first State of the City address, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson joins us to discuss the city’s most pressing issues. We explore why she hasn’t yet changed the city’s policies on encampment clearances, how she’s going to deliver on her big promise to add 1000 units of shelter by year’s end, and her answer to impatience from the left for bold progressive actions. Our editor is Quinn Waller.  Correction: During this interview, Erica said the Chamber has supported moving oversight of some parts of the homelessness system to the city's Human Services Department. The Chamber has not taken a position on this issue.  About Seattle NIce  It’s getting harder and harder to talk about politics, especially if you disagree. Well, screw that. Seattle Nice aims to be the most opinionated and smartest analysis of what’s really happening in Seattle politics available in any medium. Each episode dives into contentious and sometimes ridiculous topics, exploring perspectives from across Seattle's political spectrum, from city council brawls to the ways the national political conversation filters through our unique political process. Even if you’re not from Seattle, you need to listen to Seattle Nice. Because it’s coming for you. Unlike the sun, politics rises in the West and sets in the East.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

    31 min

  8. FEB 18

    Preview: Joe Nguyen was a Progressive Legislator. Now he Heads the Chamber.

    Meet Joe Nguyen, a seemingly unusual pick to head the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. A former Bernie Sanders delegate and former progressive state lawmaker who championed policies like the capital gains tax and famously eschewed corporate PAC money, Nguyen is now leading the fiscally conservative Chamber through a period of change as it tries to navigate Seattle's progressive electorate while fostering a thriving business environment. This is a preview of a members only episode. Sign up to support the podcast and unlock your members only feed at patreon.com/seattlenice.  Our editor is Quinn Waller. Help Quinn rebuild after a fire Editor’s note: During this interview, Erica said the Chamber has supported moving oversight of some parts of the homelessness system to the city's Human Services Department. The Chamber has not taken a position on this issue.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

    11 min
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Trailer

4.4
out of 5
98 Ratings

About

It’s getting harder and harder to talk about politics, especially if you disagree. Well, screw that. Seattle Nice aims to be the most opinionated and smartest analysis of what’s really happening in Seattle politics available in any medium. Each episode dives into contentious and sometimes ridiculous topics, exploring perspectives from across Seattle's political spectrum, from city council brawls to the ways the national political conversation filters through our unique political process. Even if you’re not from Seattle, you need to listen to Seattle Nice. Because it’s coming for you. Unlike the sun, politics rises in the West and sets in the East. 

Information

  • Creator
    David Hyde, Erica Barnett, and Sandeep Kaushik
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    186
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Seattle Nice
  • Show Website
    Seattle Nice

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