The Um, Sir Podcast

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 NetworkRight to Repair - FacebookThe Banana Act (Food Handling Reform) - Facebook LISTENMarie Gluesenkamp Perez on What Urbanites Get Wrong about Rural America - Blue City Blues Podcast with David Hyde and Sandeep KaushikSeattle Nice Podcast - with David Hyde, Erica Barnett, and Sandeep KaushikWATCHI'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 - TikTokThat’s it! Emily is growing out her bangs. Thanks for the “heads up” - InstagramREADThe 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 NewsGluesenkamp Perez Releases Statement After Voting to Reopen the Government - Press ReleaseRep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joins other Democrats to vote against SAVE America Act - The Columbian ON WHISTLESWashington Immigrant Solidarity Network on WhistlesOur Common Power on Whistles  Update: WAISN blocked us - SuperFamilia_KCSUPPORTOur Common PowerLEARN MOREFive Things to Know About the SAVE America Act - Bipartisan Policy CenterRep. Gluesenkamp Perez - House of Representatives WebpageContributions - Federal Elections CommissionAccording to the American Jewish Committee “From the River to the Sea” Meaning

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 WashingtonU.S. Department of Homeland Security – Epstein Files Release Portal - U.S. Justice DepartmentWashington State Voter Portal (register, check ballot status, text notifications) - WA Secretary of StateWashington State Legislature bill tracker - Washington State LegislatureLISTEN“I don’t have to understand something to appreciate it” - TheDadChats WATCHPBS 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 - YouTubeREAD'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

Um, Sir: Part Two picks up an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation with Ryan Johnson that dives headfirst into immigration, ICE, labor exploitation, and who actually benefits from the system as it exists. From a blue-collar truck driver’s perspective, the hosts unpack why employer accountability (not worker punishment) is the missing piece in the immigration debate, drawing clear lines between labor trafficking, modern-day exploitation, and political cowardice. Along the way, the episode weaves in history, media, pop culture, and a brutally honest conversation about messaging, power, and why talking at people instead of with them keeps us stuck. It’s raw, funny, uncomfortable, and exactly the conversation we’re not having enough.CHECK OUTSnohomish Podcast NetworkLISTENUm, Sir – Part One: Labor, Logistics, and Losing Our MindsCurmudgeon's CornerGood Hang with Amy Poehler - YouTubeWATCHStranger ThingsA Knight of the Seven KingdomsHouse of the DragonShamelessREADEmploying undocumented workers in Texas is illegal, but rarely enforced - KXKNEmployers steal billions from workers’ paychecks each year - Economic Policy InstituteThe Fourth Turning Is Here - By Neil HoweA Chill Sets In for Undocumented Workers, and Those Who Hire Them - NY TimesWithout DALE, Employers Gain More Power to Exploit Workers - Center for Law and Social PolicyUndocumented builders face unchecked exploitation amid Trump raids: ‘It’s more work, less pay’ - The GuardianThe Everett Massacre - Everett Public LibraryThe Minneapolis teamsters’ strike of 1934 - MinnPost1997 United Parcel Service Strike - Teamsters for a Democratic UnionChicago Teamsters’ Strike of 1905: Topics in Chronicling America - Library of CongressSUPPORTNorthwest Immigrant Rights ProjectNorthwest Community Bail FundWashington State Labor Council(PBS) Public Broadcasting SystemsSupport KUOW & NPRBUY. IF YOU MUSTUnion-made goods and fair-labor brands (if you’re going to spend money anyway) Merch or memberships that support independent podcasts and creatorsLEARN MOREWorkers’ Rights, National Immigration Law CenterImmigrant and Justice Toolkit - Washington State Labor CouncilSeattle Legal Defense NetworkNational Immigration Legal Services DirectoryWhat ITINs are and how undocumented workers actually pay taxes

Um, Sir… why is everything terrible, radioactive, and somehow still about bathrooms?Emily and Samie are joined by Ryan Johnson, a veteran truck driver and Teamster, to unpack how trucking, labor rights, and basic human dignity collide. Ryan breaks down how trucking is structured to reward long hours, unpaid waiting time, and “pay by the mile” systems that leave workers absorbing all the risk — including the fight to secure something as basic as bathroom access.The conversation escalates (quickly) into fracking, radioactive wastewater, and how hazardous materials are moved and dumped with little enforcement, putting workers and communities at risk. It’s bleak, sharp, and painfully funny — a reminder that everything is connected, and none of it works without labor.CHECK OUTSnohomish Podcast NetworkInternational Brotherhood of TeamstersGeneral Teamsters Local Union No. 38HB 1706, Concerning truck drivers ability to access restroom facilities (2022) WA State LegislatureTrucker Resource, Port of EverettLISTENFrom Pitch To Puget Sound - upcoming new show!Good Time Girls in Bellingham - Bellingham HistoryWATCHIce Road Truckers, The History ChannelPoisoned Waters (full documentary), PBS FrontlineGeochemistry of produced waters sourced from the Marcellus Shale, Justin Makey, PhD, YouTubeREADAmerica’s Radioactive Secret, By Justin Nobel (2020), Rolling StoneI’m A Twenty Year Truck Driver, I Will Tell You Why America’s “Shipping Crisis” Will Not End, By Ryan Johnson, MediumI Am A Twenty Year Truck Driver, Part 2: How Truckers Are Paid, By Ryan Johnson, MediumRadioactive Shadow Workers: The treatment of oil and gas field waste is a dirty industry’s dirtiest secret, By Justin Nobel, Sierra Club MagazineTruckers Petition Feds to Enforce HAZMAT Rules on Oil and Gas Waste, By Dustin Renaud, Earth JusticeOrphan Well Explosion in Wayne National Forest Injures 6, Including 5 Critically, The IntelligencerSUPPORTWorker-led labor organizations and strike funds supporting drivers, warehouse workers, and port labor.Environmental justice groups fighting toxic dumping and injection wells, especially in Appalachia.Local and national efforts pushing for enforcement of existing hazmat and labor laws (not just new bills).BUY. IF YOU MUSTUnion-made goodsWaste: One Woman's Fight Against America's Dirty Secret by Catherine Coleman Flowers (2020)Run to Failure: BP and the Making of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster by Abrahm Lustgarten (2012)Poisoned Water: How the Citizens of Flint, Michigan, Fought for Their Lives and Warned the Nation by Candy J. Cooper and Marcina Wheeler (2020)Not radioactive road salt. Ever. Just… don’t.LEARN MOREFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Basics of hazardous materials law, bills of lading, National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA)How to read rail and truck placards

This week on Um, Sir, Emily and Samie are joined by veteran educator Steve Cross for a wide-ranging conversation that connects everyday chaos to the very real stakes of public education. From teaching middle school and surviving ninth graders to Caribbean travel detours and student protests, they manage to discuss it all. Listen as they attempt to break down school levies and bonds, share how property taxes actually fund schools, and discuss why low-turnout elections have lasting consequences for students, teachers, and communities. It’s a reminder that school funding isn’t abstract—it’s counselors, class sizes, safe buildings, and support kids rely on every day. Civics, but make it human.CHECK OUTVote.Wa.GovSnohomish Podcast NetworkEverett Public Schools Bond and Levy InformationSnohomish School District Levy InformationProperty Tax Basics - Municipal Research & Service Center (MRSC)Everett High School students walked out of classes today in protest ICE activity in Snohomish County and around the country - Instagram, IganniphotoHappening now at the Snohomish County Campus Plaza. Everett High School students have gathered to protest ICE, today, Tuesday, Jan. 13. - Facebook, Everett PostLISTENUm, Sir Podcast: RFK Impersonations, Property Tax Bills, and SmutUm, Sir Podcast: The System Is Designed to Kill Your BilMorbid Podcast - SpotifyEvery Outfit PodcastWATCHBonds & Levies: What’s the Difference - NWESD YouTube Hilary Knight on Chasing Olympic Gold, Team USA Pressure, and the Future of Women’s Hockey - FanSided NHL, YouTubeAneta Tejralova —> Sarah Fillier #HFHits - HockeyFights, InstagramProfessor Shocks High School by Speaking Gen Z Slang - FacebookREADEverett High students walk out to protest ICE activity - Everett HeraldLocal high school students rally in support against ICE activities - The ClipperSchools eye fixes to leaky roofs, aging boilers, old tech - Everett Herald (April 17, 2022)The Pathfinder: The Ballot Information Problem - Cascade PBS In Our View: Local media’s decline factors into election - The ColumbianEqual is Not Good Enough: An Analysis of School Funding Across the U.S. and Within Each State - The Education TrustBreaking down WA's school funding formula - Cascade PBSExplainers on property taxes and special taxing districts (fire, school, library, ports)2023 is the new worst: Washington again sets a record for low turnout in a general election - The Cascadia AdvocateSeattle Torrent player suspended for 'forceful, predatory' check to opponent's head - KOMO NewsSUPPORT(PBS) Public Broadcasting SystemsSupport KUOW & NPRBUY. IF YOU MUSTRum from Antigua (coconut, vanilla, cardamom optional) - Total Wine and MoreTorrent Hockey TicketsLEARN MORELevy Data, Rolls, and Election Results Data - Washington Office of Superintendent of Public InstructionGranite Falls School District Levy InformationSnohomish County Sample Ballots and Voters GuideNorthwest Educational Service District (ESD 189)

Emily walks Ashley (and all of us) through how a bill actually becomes law in Washington. Spoiler: it’s messy, slow, and absolutely designed to kill your idea. Using the fictional Rhythm Reduction Act (RIP dancing), they break down committees, sponsors, lobbyists, hearings, caucuses, companion bills, and why a 60-day session turns everyone feral. Along the way: dinosaurs, pickleball, Bic pens, why the minority party controls the clock, and a reminder that democracy is less Schoolhouse Rock and more group project with deadlines and vibes. CHECK OUTWashington State Legislature Bill TrackerThe Snohomish Podcast NetworkCommittee schedules & public hearing calendars Washington State legislative session calendar & cutoff deadlines*Research your favorite advocacy organization and find their Advocacy Day! LISTENUm, Sir PodcastUm, Civics: FIFA 2026 and the Politics Behind the PitchCapitol Ideas PodcastWATCHI'm Just a Bill, Schoolhouse Rock - YouTube TVW - Committee hearings livestreams from OlympiaREADThe Washington Standard Axios PoliticsFiscal notes (and why they kill dreams)Governor’s Veto Power in Washington: How It Works and Why It Matters - Tri City Regional Chamber of CommerceInitiative and Referendum Processes - National Conference of State LegislaturesBUY. IF YOU MUSTPocket Constitution Washington State Legislative Gift Center!LEARN MOREWashington State Civic Education Programs

In this messy New Year’s edition of Um, Sir Podcast, Emily holds down the mic solo and rings in the new year with Everett real estate powerhouse Ashley Bolden for a raw, wide-ranging conversation that spirals exactly where it needs to. From Costco sticker shock and the true cost of living, to housing affordability, civil liberties, nihilism vs. hope, and whether West Virginia is a secret real-estate opportunity or an absolute no. Nothing is off the table. Along the way, Emily confidently misquotes several philosophers, attributes at least one quote to the wrong person, then powers through anyway, proving once again that vibes > citations. This is a New Year check-in for anyone exhausted by late-stage capitalism but still stubbornly committed to finding meaning, community, and a way forward.CHECK OUTThe Income Needed to Buy a Home in 2025 - Post Referenced, FacebookThe Snohomish Podcast NetworkEverett Recovery Café (community recovery & mutual aid model)Everett Rotary Club LISTENUm, Sir PodcastNeighbor-ish: Building Community Through Homeownership (and Renting, Too) -  the At-Homish PodcastBrene Brown on Comparative SufferingWATCHAlone (Reality Survival) ShowBroad City, The Florida Sun - Comedy Central READBroad City, S04E07 "Florida" Discussion Thread - RedditMan's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl - by Max Gravenstein, Medium'Tragic optimism': The antidote to toxic positivity - Allie Volpe, BBCAffordability and Homebuilding: State-by-State Report Cards - Realtor.comFreedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom - CATO InstituteMargaret Mead’s work and quotes on collective action - GoodreadsWest Virginia health care ranked worst in the nation - Ellen Allen, West Virginia WatchPieces on burnout, nihilism, and resilience in political organizingBUY. IF YOU MUSTPlanned Parenthood MarketplaceToilet paper (apparently still emotionally charged)Co-Op Supply Snohomish County*Books instead of things*Secondhand or cooperative goodsLEARN MOREIntroduction to the Property Tax–School Funding Connection - Lincoln Institute of Land PolicyRural and Urban Health - Georgetown University, Health Policy InstituteHow abortion laws vary by state - GuttmacherEthical Considerations in Real Estate Investing Red States Are Losing Their Housing Edge - City JournalCommunity Organizing 101: How to Start a Social Movement - Marta Brzosko

Keith Macaulay joins Emily in Everett for a wide-ranging, slightly unhinged (in a good way) conversation about sports, money, vibes, and why fan culture actually matters. From soccer chants and Mariners loyalty to NIL chaos, stadium politics, FIFA corruption, and the economics behind who wins (and who tanks), this episode connects the dots between sports, power, and civic life with strong opinions, petty moments, and plenty of sir sass. READEx-Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels: Sonics were gone ‘the day they were sold’ - The Seattle TimesEverett Forges Ahead with Downtown Stadium for Minor League Sports - The UrbanistFIFA president Gianni Infantino accused of rules breach over Trump - ESPNAnalysis of MLS revenue sharing and league structurePieces on sportswashing and global soccer politics - Journal on DemocracyLISTENUm, Sir PodcastCopa90 (soccer fan culture + documentaries)Stephen A. Smith is Ruining Sports Television - YouTubeWATCHSeattle City Council sells out the SuperSonics - Sonicsgate, YouTubeWho Killed the Expos? (documentary on the Montreal Expos relocation)Ted Lasso (Apple TV — debated heavily, not endorsed 😅)Club de Cuervos (Netflix, Spanish-language soccer drama, strongly recommended)MLS matches (if you already have Apple TV… sorry)CHECK OUTThe Snohomish Podcast NetworkSnohomish United FC (men’s & upcoming women’s teams)Everett AquaSoxEverett Silver Tips (WHL)Portland TimbersBallard FC / Salmon Bay FCBUY. IF YOU MUSTCowbells (for vibes, not apologies)LEARN MORENIL (Name, Image, Likeness) - NCAAOutdoor Event Center - City of Everett 

Emily is joined by Washington State Rep. Julio Cortes for an Um, Civics crash course on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, what it means for Everett and Washington State, and how government actually prepares for global events. They also dig into banning masked law enforcement interactions, protecting immigrant families, fixing Washington’s upside-down tax code, and what to expect from a tough legislative session ahead. Civics, but make it accessible. CHECK OUTSnohomish County Podcast NetworkWATCHParticipation trophies have gone too far! -  The Late Show with Stephen Colbert2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw | Full Show | FOX SoccerSeattle prepares to share World Cup 2026 spotlight with 9 Washington fan zone cities - KOMO 4 NewsREADPride Match - Egypt Vs. Iran - Instagram FIFA — 2026 World Cup structure, host cities, teamsWashington State Welcomes the World: A Breakdown to FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zones - Seattle BallooningWashington State Legislature -Legislative session info & bill trackingSeattle Pride Statement on the FIFA World Cup SB 5855 (Washington State) - Bill banning face-concealing coverings for law enforcementCalifornia Masked Law Enforcement Law - Court case & precedent referencedFamily Separation Rapid Response Team -WA Department of Children, Yout,h and FamiliesFerguson backs income tax on WA residents earning over $1M - Washington State Standard Funding Public Good through Progressive Tax Reform - Economic Opportunity InstituteFIFA World Cup 2026 Economic Impact $929+ Million Projected - Seattle Sports Commission BUY. IF YOU MUSTUS Soccer Pride KitAirbnb and FIFA announce major multi-tournamentLEARN MORESnohomish United Soccer Regressive vs. Proportional vs. Progressive Taxes: An Overview - InvestopediaLegislative Session Hearings - TVW How the Washington State Budget Works — Washington State Fiscal InformationWashington State Legislature Guide to LawmakingLaw Enforcement Transparency Laws — Mask bans, identification requirementsImmigration Casework Support — How legislators & congressional offices help constituentsHow to Contact Your Washington State Legislators 38th Legislative District, Marysville, Tulalip, and Everett, Senator June Robinson, Representative Julio Cortes & Representative Mary FosseFan Zones Explained — Reddit

This week on Um, Sir, we’re joined by Matt Hansen, EOS implementer, mountain enthusiast, inventor with nine patents, and a genuinely thoughtful guide to how systems actually work. We talk Cascades hikes, Patagonia’s values vs. capitalism tension, Washington’s upcoming tax fights, and what it really takes to build something with intention. Matt helps us connect business frameworks to civic life, while we ask the eternal question: how do you stay values-driven and get the bag? Civics, leadership, business, money, and meaning, in one episode. Welcome to be here. Guest Convo Links Matt Hansen, EOS Worldwide ImplementerNorth Cascade Institute - Washington Hikes Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business - ThriftBooks Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail - Washington Trails AssociationMount Pilchuck - Washington Trails AssociationKendall Katwalk - Washington Trails AssociationMountain Loop General Store - Verlot, WashingtonPatagonia Work in Progress Report Patagonia - Store Civics Update: State LegislatureRepresentative Shaun Scott - Washington State LegislatureTech for Taxes - InstagramTech companies are abusing tax policy to scam us out of money our state needs to fund critical social services - Tech 4 Taxes InstgramRep. Shaun Scott Unveils “Well Washington Fund,” a Progressive Payroll Excise Tax to Protect Washington Families from Trump’s Austerity Budget - Washington State DemocratsSenator Rebecca Saldaña Maps Out Legislative Priorities for 2026 Session - Hacks & Wonks PodcastWA Democrats’ latest run at taxing the state’s largest companies - Jerry Cornfield, Washington State StandardInvest WA Now State Budget & Revenue - Washington Budget & Policy CenterOther LinksBurkett's Boutique - Everett, WashingtonSnohomish Podcast Network - JoinRed Trux - Audio & Video Services

This week on Um, Sir, the world is still on fire, and Trump, tariffs, tire factories, and meat mail all made the same episode. Samie and Emily kick things off with Trump spending Thanksgiving tossing around the R-word like a stale dinner roll, while simultaneously dismantling the Department of Education like it’s a Black Friday doorbuster.  Meanwhile, Boy Scouts and immigrant truckers are suddenly on the GOP’s hit list; Everett Public Schools is bracing for a LifeWise lawsuit; AI is getting creepier; Charlie’s tail survives; and tire shopping becomes a political crisis. Oh, and Emily soft-launches her 2040 presidential campaign and wants to know when her Costco tariff check is coming.TONIGHT! Podcast Network Mixer | Wed. Dec. 10 | Rustic Cork Mill CreekFOLLOW US@UmSirPod Instagram@umsirpod TikTokTEST YOURSELFCan you spot AI videos from real ones? - NPRLISTENNew moves to dismantle the Education Department raise legal questions - NPRTrump administration shares plan to dismantle more of the Department of Education - NPRDocuments show Pentagon preparing to sever ties with Scouting - NPRPete Hegseth is a F******* Douch - TikTokThe DOT says it wants to make trucking safer, but some see an 'immigration raid' - NPRWATCHWrap the Epstein Files Around Your Tree - The Daily Show, FacebookRep. Massie Voices Concerns Over Trump and Epstein Files - TikTokReligious group threatens to sue Everett School District over access restrictions - KIRO 7 News SeattleREADComments from the National Down Syndrome Society - Instagram Nursing Excluded as 'Professional' Degree By Department of Education - Nurse.OrgNursing programs excluded from 'professional degree' status under new federal loan rules. Here's what would change - KING 5WA becomes third state to allow punishment for 'stealthing' - KOMO NewsNew law criminalizes disclosure of AI-generated sexual images, videos - CascadiaQuit Clicking Kids Legislation - Latest Washington UpdatesHope Walz: Trump slur against father unleashed ‘s‑‑‑storm’ toward family - The HillAustralia's first ‘sexting’ laws have been introduced with those found guilty of distributing naked pictures without consent facing TWO YEARS in jail - The Daily MailIF YOU HAVE TO BUYLes Schwab TiresShop Red BagThe Little Blue Cart

Emily returns from Arizona with a suitcase full of political chaos and sunscreen residue, and Samie settles in to hear all about it. From right-to-work headaches to a legislature held together by vibes, Emily breaks down Arizona’s wild policy landscape, including their billion-dollar school voucher fiasco (yes, someone bought lingerie with public education money).They also reintroduce themselves to new listeners, one recovering legislator, one recovering drug addict, both firmly at D-list celebrity status, and remind everyone why Um, Sir and Um, Civics exist: to make government make sense without making anyone feel stupid.It’s Arizona politics, the five C’s, and more sass than their incumbent Mine Inspector deserved.Follow Us @UmSirPod Instagram@umsirpod TikTokRSVPPodcast Mixer | Snohomish Podcasts Network Wed. Dec. 10 | Rustic Cork Mill Creek - Wear your Sweaters (Cute or Ugly!)Listen Curmudgeon’s Corner PodcastAt-homish PodcastStorytelling in a Small Town PodcastSnohomish County Storytellers PodcastCheck OutWashington Institute for a Democratic FutureBlack Lives Matter Phoenix MetroArizona Governor’s Office of Budget & Strategic PlanningArizona Education AssociationAliento AZResilient Strategies Freedom to Learn FoundationIntersection Government Relations Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign CommitteeSnohomish County Podcast NetworkShasti Conrad, Meet the Chair of the Washington State Democratic PartyArizona Democratic Party Elects Charlene Fernandez as Chair - AZ DemsArizona State LegislatureAZ Visit Overview - InstagramAZ Visit Day 1 - InstagramAZ Visit, Day 2- InstagramWatchWAIDF Election Recap Post - InstagramWAIDF Election Recap Post - InstagramReadKatie Wilson’s Path to Election Victory, Precinct by Precinct - The Urbanist'I'll be cheering for him': Takeaways from Trump and Mamdani's surprisingly cordial meeting - BBCThe Arizona Cardinals are 0-5 since they hosted the Charlie Kirk Memorial Event at State Farm Stadium - RedditBill Pierce for AZ Mine Inspector - Facebook Joe Hart prevails in Arizona mine inspector race - AZ CentralArizona Faces Sweeping Budget Cuts, Driven by Flat Tax and Private School Vouchers - Arizona Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesAZ school voucher expansion draws fire over fraud allegations, cost concerns - FOX 10How students are faring in Arizona’s voucher program that could be adopted nationwide - PBSArizona school voucher program ignored state audit law for nearly a year, officials say - AZ MirrorESA parents bought diamond rings, lingerie, and Kenmore appliances with education tax dollars - NBC 12 NewsPhoenix sees sharp rise in police shootings since Trump DOJ ended oversight in May - Cronkite NewsPhoenix police routinely used excessive force and violated civil rights, DOJ says - PBS News

RELEASE THE FILES! Wait… WHAT?!Emily and Samie break down a wild week in politics and life. From MTG’s surprise resignation to the newly released Epstein emails implicating major political players. They roast Trump’s fantasy “$2,000 tariff checks,” dive into hidden million-dollar payouts for GOP senators, and react to a federal move letting foster parents misgender kids. Between political chaos, cadaver dogs in Snohomish, quitting nicotine, and free Crocs, the hosts bring their signature mix of snark, outrage, and “we’re just trying to survive this timeline.” Join UsPodcast Network Mixer | Wed. Dec. 10 | Rustic Cork Mill CreekSnohomish County Podcast Network Check OutSnohomish WalksDog's Devotion: True Adventures of a K9 Search and Rescue Team, By James Guy Mansfield and Suzanne Elshult - Thrift BooksRick Steves Europe - A Symphonic JourneyGregg Olsen BooksPlease Don’t BuyCrocs Echo Clogs Sandals Sport Mode Aloe Green - eBayWatchMarjorie Taylor Greene Resigns, Sky News - TikTokBut Her Emails!! NINE Years AGO!, Face the Nation - YouTubePresident Donald Trump reacted strongly after ABC News reporter Mary Bruce asked him about files - NBC NewsRepublican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (N.C.) got furious, Independent - TikTokRep. McGovern slammed his GOP colleagues, saying he hopes they enjoyed their "8-week vacation" - Courier News Room, TikTokA hidden clause in the government shutdown bill could give 8 senators at least $1M each | king5.comMen are Natural Leaders, Eli Rallo  - TikTokConde Nast Restructuring, Lexi McMenamin - TikTok ReadThe Emails - The New York TimesThe only 'no' vote on releasing Epstein files - BBCNobody's Girl - A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, By Virginia Roberts Giuffre - Penguin Random House Supreme Court declines to revisit gay marriage decision - NPRU.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols - Washington PostFederal memo: foster parents free to misgender at will - The Seattle TimesNew DNA Analysis Reveals Hitler May Have Had a Micropenis - The Daily BeastTrump floats tariff 'dividends' even while plan shows major flaws - NPRWho has President Trump pardoned and why? - NPRRandomSwiss billionaire Ernesto BertarelliListen Curmudgeon’s Corner 

Democrats crushed Election Night, and Emily and the Sams break down the biggest wins, from Mamdani’s historic New York victory to major flips in Virginia, New Jersey, and beyond. They delve into why margins were so large, how national politics influenced local races, and what the data nerds were tracking in real-time.The crew also tackles the controversial “Deciding to Win” memo, debating whether Democrats should ever “moderate” on issues like immigration, trans rights, or identity. Spoiler: authenticity energizes voters more than consultant-speak.Then it’s Prop 50, SCOTUS drama to come, and what these races mean for 2026 and 2028. Finally, they check in on Washington State results, Everett’s tight mayoral race, Seattle’s mixed bag, and Snohomish County heartbreak, with a bit of messy local tea.Short version: Big wins, big feelings, and the big question: How should Democrats actually win?Listen Curmudgeon’s Corner Everything is Awesome, The Lego Movie - YouTubeCheck OutSnohomish County Podcast NetworkWatchMamdani’s Victory Speech, MSNow - TikTokGavin Newsom’s Victory Speech on Prop 50, CNN - TikTokLeavitt: “It is just a fact.”, Bulwarkonline - Threads New York is Not for Sale, Long.WindedPod - TikTokReadThe 2026 Redistricting 'Rithmetic - Decision Desk HQThe Strategist’s Fallacy in American Politics - Strength in NumbersStrength In Numbers - gelliottmorris.comDeciding to Win - Welcome PAC, The Welcome Party (c4), and The Welcome Democracy Institute (c3)4 Races to Watch Nationally - CNN4 takeaways after Proposition 50’s big win in California - Los Angeles TimesRepublicans file lawsuit to block Prop. 50 districts - Los Angeles TimesFormer Gov Andrew Cuomo is Gross - Ethics UnwrappedZohran Mamdani pulled off a political upset running on affordability - The 19th NewsOther ResourcesWashington State Election Results - Washington Secretary of StateOh yeah, and RELEASE THE FILES! 

This week on The Um, Sir Podcast, Emily and Samie welcome their first-ever guest, Sam from Curmudgeon’s Corner, for a dive into the week’s chaos: GOP youth leaders caught sharing racist “jokes,” millions losing food benefits thanks to Trump’s shutdown, and DoorDash stepping in as America’s new hunger relief program (yikes).They rant about medical debt, healthcare scams, and a Supreme Court juggling guns, weed, and voting rights, all while Emily dishes on Kamala Harris’s Seattle event, Gaza protests, and what 2028 could look like for Democrats.Listen Curmudgeon’s Corner Check OutSnohomish County Podcast WatchLosing SNAP is going to be detrimental to the economy - Win_the_job, TikTokTrump posts no SNAP payments until government reopens - KIRO 7I can’t believe the cost of healthcare in Australia - amyewinebar, TikTokMarjorie Taylor Green Slams her own party - Briantylercohen, TikTokReadMan Dresses As Donald Trump’s $300M White House East Wing Renovation Project For Halloween, Spent 2 Days And $0 Constructing Demolition Costume - Hollywood UnlockedHow Lego Fans Accidentally Sparked Gen Z Debate Over White House Remodel - NewsWeekPrince Andrew stripped of his 'prince' title, per Buckingham Palace - ABC News‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat - PoliticoDoorDash Launches Emergency Food Response As SNAP Funding Cliff Threatens To Impact 40 Million Americans - DoorDashTrump administration moves to overrule state laws protecting credit reports from medical debt - Associated PressSupreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns - PBS NewsSupreme Court seems poised to further undercut the Voting Rights Act - NPR NewsOther ResourcesAll your Washington Election Results - WA Secretary of StateOh yeah, and RELEASE THE FILES! 

Emily and Samie celebrate Election Day with their trademark mix of humor and real-talk civics. From ballot tracking and signature checks to how votes are counted and why write-ins cost money, they break down Washington’s election process in plain language.The episode also touches on local races, the “No Kings” rally, and how to turn protest energy into real action. Join the sass, laughs, and side-eye for bad candidates. It’s civics made fun and unapologetically real.ReadThe Last House on the Street, by Diane Chamberlain – Goodreads Commentary from Adam Tradi – LinkedIn How Poll Watchers Can Help or Hinder Fair Elections – Brennan Center for Justice Washington election observer charged with felony over mask policy dispute – KOMO News Voters to decide if WA Cares tax dollars can be invested in stock market – Washington State Standard, by Jerry Cornfield – The Washington State Standard NC Voters, Civil Rights Groups Warn DOJ Settlement Will Burden Eligible Voters – League of Women VotersResourcesSnohomish & Voter Registration Snohomish CountyVote.Wa.GovFind a Ballot Drop Box – Snohomish CountyVoting Systems Across Washington CountiesFile a Declaration of Write-in CandidacyWatchNo Kings is not the goal, it’s the tool – TikTok, Dewwwdropzzz Tactical Frivolity – TikTok, Perezbrenna Scotty Doesn't Know -  YouTubeListen Curmudgeon’s Corner – Welcome to Be Here!Check OutGliminis – Date with a Book Stamped Pages (mentioned by Samie) PWHL Seattle – Professional Women’s HockeyVisitSnohomish County Podcast NetworkRELEASE THE FILES! 

Emily and Samie tackle the week’s chaos. From Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show and Turning Point USA’s (TPUSA!) cringey “All-American Halftime” response to Epstein file drama, RFK Jr.’s latest circum-science, and the Pentagon’s new press restrictions.They roast Kid Rock’s creepy lyrics, mock performative patriotism, and expose Trump’s failing D.C. hotel grift — all while calling out America’s addiction to lies and power.Join us in the place where civic outrage meets pop culture meltdowns.Listen Curmudgeon’s Corner – Welcome to Be Here!WatchMTG: “I can’t find the Epstein Files!” – thedemhypehouse, TikTok MTG says house isn’t in session because of Epstein Files – NowThisImpact, TikTok Does circumcision cause autism? – Rubin_allergy, TikTok I guess Tomi Lahren didn’t know Bad Bunny is also American – Just Random Stuff, Tiktok Kid Rock on Fox News, The Angle – DonLemmon, TikTok Kid Rock, We need a song for our kid’s movie – ThiftWizard, TikTok General Jack Keane, National Security Analyst on Pentagon Press Policy – MSNBCReadNobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, By Virginia Roberts Giuffre – Penguin Random House No excuse for prince Andrew keeping perks and titles – Scottish Greens Opinion: Why I'm handing in my Pentagon press pass – Tom Bowman, NPR If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood, by Gregg Olsen, GoodReads American Mother: The True Story of a Troubled Family, Motherhood and the Cyanide Poisonings That Shook the World by Gregg Olsen, Good Reads After others departed, Pentagon announces ‘new’ press corps filled with conservative news outlets – Associated PressVisitSnohomish Valley Golf CenterOther ResourcesSnohomish County Podcast Network Podcast Network at Snohomish Valley Golf CenterRELEASE THE FILES! 

In this Um, Civics episode, Emily and Samie take a haunting journey through the history (and modern echoes) of witch hunts, from 1600s Sweden to 1990s Wenatchee, Washington.They unpack Mona Chollet’s “In Defense of Witches”, dive into the Torsåker Witch Trials, and draw uncomfortable parallels between centuries-old misogyny and how society still punishes women for independence, ambition, aging, or simply existing outside the lines.From the absurd torture “logic” of the Malleus Maleficarum to the tragic 1994 Wenatchee “witch hunt,” the hosts connect dots between history, pop culture, and politics, tying it all back to the ongoing war on women’s autonomy. Expect irreverent laughs, feminist fury, and Outlander references. Just replace the word witch with woman and it’s the same story.🔥 Tune in for sass, smarts, and spells, and remember, not all witches are evil; some are just tired of mediocre men.Listen A Day in the Life of an Ass with Lily Ruiz & Andrea Brown – Spotify PodcastDim Lights & Stiff Drinks – Podcast WebsiteThe War on They (includes conversation on ethics surrounding commercial surrogacy) - Hysteria PodcastVisitOlalla Bay Market & LandingWatch“Momsplaining” Witch Trials were about money, not magic – Stillaworkinprogress TikTokMen made up man god to get land – mossymatriarch_alt, TikTokMorbid Podcast with Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley – YouTubeOutlander – IMDB/Starz/NetflixBlood of My Blood - IMDB/StarzThe Four Seasons (1981) - IMDB/Amazon PrimeThe Four Seasons (2025) - IMDB/NetflixReadIn Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial - Goodreads10 Bizarre Reasons People Were Accused of Witchcraft During the Salem Witch Trials - SparknotesWenatchee Witch Hunt: Child Sex Abuse Trials in Douglas and Chelan Counties – HistoryLink Was It A Witchhunt? Interview with Kathryn Lyon – CBS NewsThe Baby Died. Whose Fault Is It? - WiredOther ResourcesWashington Public Disclosure CommissionSnohomish County ElectionsVote.Wa.GovOh yeah, and RELEASE THE FILES! 

Samie (with Emily’s help) roasts RFK Jr.’s promise to “cure autism” by banning Tylenol (🙄), breaks down what’s actually true about acetaminophen and pregnancy, and reminds everyone that correlation ≠ causation.They dive into the wild history of autism diagnoses, drag the government for threatening WIC funding and the shutdown, and give side-eye to voter ID laws designed to harm women and trans voters.California’s “secret police” and abortion laws get their props, though, sorry Gav, Washington did it first. And of course, they end with Taylor Swift, Gavin Newsom’s petty era, and a reminder: RELEASE THE FILES.Listen Curmudgeon’s Corner Check OutSnohomish County Podcast NetworkWatchThe Most Unscientific Press Conference - Doctor Mike, YouTubeTrump's INSANE Claims That Tylenol Causes Autism are DANGEROUS for Pregnant People - Hysteria PodcastOn the “authoritarian left” - WontonAmera, TikTokWhy the Life of a Showgirl is a Portrait of Moral Collapse - istherightword, TikTok15 INNINGS. PURE CHAOS. MARINERS GOING TO THE ALCS (because Emily cares) - beaniesports - TikTokReadResearch doesn’t show using Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism. Here are 5 things to know - PBS NewsThe Early History of Autism in America - Smithsonian MagazineThe Johnson & Johnson Tylenol Crisis - Some Weird ‘Government?’ WebsiteWA WIC program could run out of funding in two weeks - KIRO 7Newsom signs bill barring on-duty federal officers from wearing masks in California - CBS NewsCalifornia doctors can now prescribe abortion anonymously - PoliticoOther ResourcesGoods Unite UsThe Pro-Choice Washington Abortion Access GuideOh yeah, and RELEASE THE FILES! 

In this, Um, Civics lesson, Emily and Samie deliver a crash course in democracy, local gossip, and feminist rage, starting with a troll who accidentally inspired a civics lesson on misogyny and city budgets. From Bob Ferguson’s cat influencer to suffragist ghosts and Pete Buttigieg, the episode reminds us that politics is everywhere, whether we like it or not.The takeaway? Register to vote, and do something useful, say “stop” to your racist uncle, and keep being joyfully, unapologetically woke, because nothing terrifies fascists more than a happy feminist with a ballot and a sense of humor.Must Dos Washington State Voter registration and ballot management portal - VoteWa.govAll Things Elections in Washington State - Washington Secretary of StateWatchEmily’s Highlights Story that Dude is Referencing We are not bending the knee. My response to AG Bondi and President Trump - WA Governor and State Legislature Press Conference, FacebookGov. Ferguson signs executive order protecting immigrants' data rights after KING 5 investigation - KING 5WeAreOneAmerica September 27 Press Conference - FacebookGreat American Bitch, Suffs The Musical - YouTubeReadHawaii to join West Coast Health Alliance with Washington, California, and Oregon - Office of Governor Bob Ferguson Megan Dunn & June Robinson’s Support for Scott Murphy is Cringe AF - reddit.com/r/everettReminder: Washington Dems Promised to Expand Abortion Access—But Just Proposed an $8.5 Million Cut - Jezebel How the Supreme Court’s Latest Decision Clears the Way for Racial Profiling During Immigration Raids - American Immigration Council‘Here Lies a Suffragist’: Election Day thanks to the pioneers - by Julie Muhlstein, Everett HeraldJennie Samuels (1868-1948) - History LinkInez Milholland (1886 - 1916) - Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Alice Paul (1885-1977) - National Women’s History MuseumWho Runs The World? Women Control 85% Of Purchases, 29% Of STEM Roles - ForbesPlaces to Get Involved or Give Money Snohomish County DemocratsWe Are One AmericaAlliance for Gun ResponsibilityWashington Institute for a Democratic FutureThe Washington BusEverett Office of NeighborhoodsACLU of WashingtonVisitEmma Yule Park - YelpSuffs the Musical - WebsiteVotes for Women - Washington State History MuseumEvergreen Cemetery - Everett Public LibraryFollow First.Cat.Peter - Instagram Sign Up!Kamala Harris at Benaroya Hall, November 5, 2025Snohomish’s Lost Cemetery: Cadaver Dog Demonstration & other events! Other ResourcesWashington Public Disclosure CommissionSnohomish County Elections