Seattle Medium Rhythm & News Podcast

This episode Seattle Medium's Rhythm & News Podcast features Kae Hart, owner of Moe Vegan, a plant-based comfort food restaurant in Kent. Hart created the business, which offers vegan versions of dishes like fried chicken and mac and cheese, in memory of his late brother Maurice.

Moe Vegan, which includes a restaurant and food truck, is featured this week in Pack the House, a community campaign by the Seattle Medium and partner organizations promoting support for local Black-owned restaurants. The conversation covers Hart's inspiration, his approach to vegan cuisine, and the importance of community support.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

The Seattle Medium's Rhythm & News Podcast, hosted by Christopher B. Bennett, previews an upcoming candidate forum called "Building Bridges: Barriers Broken, Voices Heard." Organized by Byrd Barr Place on October 24, the event will feature King County Council and Washington state Legislature candidates ahead of the November election.

Guests Dr. Angela Griffin of Byrd Barr Place and moderator Paula Fillmore-Sardinas join to discuss the forum's purpose, what attendees can expect, and how community members can participate. The discussion also references Byrd Barr Place's broader civic engagement efforts, including an upcoming annual Fall Kickoff event.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

This Seattle Medium podcast episode features information about the upcoming 36th Annual Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum, scheduled for November 14. The forum connects young people and families with judges, attorneys, and law enforcement to teach legal rights and responsibilities in a supportive setting.

Host Christopher B. Bennett interviews retired Seattle Police Captain John Hayes and retired King County Sheriff's Deputy Fae Brooks, who discuss the forum's significance for youth, parents, and community relationships, including building trust and addressing misconceptions between law enforcement and the public.

Anzhane Slaughter, founder of Young Black Homeowners, joins the Rhythm & News Podcast to discuss pathways to homeownership for first-time buyers facing financial barriers like high housing costs and limited credit or savings. The discussion highlights Leoma James-Sarr's experience purchasing a home in Seattle after years of renting, using financial planning and funding resources.

The conversation covers practical advice for prospective buyers, common challenges families encounter, and promotes two upcoming homebuyer education workshops offered through Young Black Homeowners to help people prepare for and achieve homeownership.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

This Rhythm & News Podcast episode introduces Walter "Wally" Washington, owner of Wally's NW Soul, a Southern comfort food restaurant in Seattle's Central District. The episode discusses his background building a catering business before opening his storefront, his family-inspired menu, and his commitment to community engagement beyond the restaurant.

The episode highlights Wally's NW Soul as the featured restaurant in Pack the House, a community initiative supporting Black-owned restaurants, presented by the Seattle Medium alongside the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Byrd Barr Place, and the Central Area Collaborative.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

This podcast episode introduces a voter outreach initiative by the Seattle Chapter of Jack and Jill of America ahead of the November midterm elections. The organization is hosting a community postcard-writing drive in Kent, aiming to send 5,000 handwritten messages encouraging infrequent voters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas to participate in elections.

The episode features host Christopher B. Bennett discussing the campaign with Nicole Alston-Abel, the chapter's vice president, along with teen president Vivian Cayetano and teen legislative chair Brooklyn Sims. The discussion focuses on the initiative's dual purpose: increasing voter turnout and fostering intergenerational civic engagement by involving young people in democratic participation.

This podcast episode from the Seattle Medium's Rhythm News Podcast introduces a discussion on America's affordability crisis, featuring consumer advocate and journalist Charlene Crowell. The conversation centers on her column revealing that 70% of Americans face multiple affordability challenges spanning housing, health care, food, and child care, affecting both low-income and middle-class households.

The episode explores research indicating that financial struggles extend beyond rising prices, pointing to deeper, long-building economic issues. Crowell and host Christopher B. Bennett examine why working families with steady employment are falling behind and discuss potential solutions for improving everyday affordability.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

This podcast episode from the Seattle Medium's Rhythm News Podcast features an interview with Erika White, owner of Fat's Chicken & Waffles, a Southern comfort food restaurant with New Orleans influences located in Seattle's Central District. White discusses her personal connection to the neighborhood and her family's hospitality traditions that shaped the restaurant's identity.

The episode highlights Fat's Chicken & Waffles as the featured establishment in the Pack the House campaign, a community initiative organized by the Seattle Medium, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Byrd Barr Place, and the Central Area Collaborative. The campaign aims to encourage patronage of local Black-owned restaurants, with the conversation covering White's journey, signature menu items, and her role in the neighborhood.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

This podcast episode introduces a conversation between host Christopher B. Bennett and B. Maurice Ward, a Navy veteran and community advocate, about youth gun possession. Ward's commentary, submitted to The Seattle Medium, examines risks that begin when young people decide to carry a firearm, not just consequences from its use.

The discussion connects to the upcoming Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum, which brings together youth and professionals in law and justice to address rights, responsibilities, and decisions that can shape young people's futures, emphasizing education over fear-driven choices.

This podcast episode from the Seattle Medium's Rhythm News Podcast features host Christopher B. Bennett interviewing Dr. Angela Griffin, CEO of Byrd Barr Place, a Seattle organization that has served the Black community for over six decades through essential services and advocacy for racial and economic justice.

The discussion centers on two upcoming October events: the Legacy in Motion Gala, themed "Unity: Rooted. Rising. Revolution.," featuring a fireside conversation with scholar Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, and the Building Bridges Candidate Forum connecting community members with county and state candidates. Griffin discusses the organization's mission and the importance of civic engagement.