Salinity Presents: A Podcast

Join SeaEO & host Emily Wilder as she talks with Salinity's suppliers, artists, and friends to find out what kind of presence they bring to the world, and why.In this episode, Emily speaks with Davion T. Brown, a theatre artist, educator, and researcher who traded a PhD in astronomy for the stage. Davion shares how his "Independent Theatre Crusade" research led him to a funding model that connects artists directly with donors, and how that has brought his plays to audiences from Ohio to Japan. He talks about landing the role of Robin Hood at Island Shakespeare Festival (ISF) this summer, what makes ISF so special for traveling artists, and why he's committed to teaching other artists how to make a living. He also covers the physical theatre behind his play "Anxiety," which he staged in Japan, and writing his own response to Titus Andronicus, called "Marcellus Andronicus: The Curse of House Andronici."Update: Davion's tour of "Marcellus Andronicus" runs October 9 through November 1 on Whidbey Island, with performances in Tokyo, Japan, November 14 through 23. His play "40 Acres" comes to Outcast Productions in Langley in May 2027.Come hear why theatre depends on its community with Salinity Presents!Host: Emily Wilder, Salinity Seafood & More SeaEOSpecial Guest: Davion T. BrownEdited by Luc HagopianMusic by Barbara DunnLinks:Independent Theatre Crusade: https://ko-fi.com/independenttheatrecrusadeIsland Shakespeare Festival: https://islandshakespearefest.org/Outcast Productions: https://www.outcastproductions.net/

Salinity Seafood & More is a locally-sourced gift shop & online store, oyster education center, and sustainable marketing consultancy based on Whidbey Island, WA. Behind every present on Salinity's shelves are people with stories! Join SeaEO & host Emily Wilder as she talks with Salinity's suppliers, artists, and friends to find out what kind of presence they bring to the world, and why.In this episode, Emily speaks with Callie Sirak of Tru Tallow, a small-batch, hand-rendered tallow skincare business sourcing suet from local, grass-fed, grass-finished animals on Whidbey Island. Callie shares how a mother's search for a natural remedy for her son's eczema turned into a full-fledged skincare line, and walks through the whole nose-to-tail philosophy behind her products, from her bestselling Tru Blu face moisturizer to Fleece Grease, a beard balm made from sheep tallow. She digs into the ancestral roots of tallow-based skincare, why sourcing and a low-and-slow rendering process matter so much, and why she's committed to staying small and local rather than scaling up.Come explore the world of tallow-based skincare with Salinity Presents!Host: Emily Wilder, Salinity Seafood & More SeaEOSpecial Guest: Callie Sirak at Tru TallowEdited by Luc HagopianMusic by Barbara DunnLinks:Tru Tallow3 Sisters FarmNW Local MeatsPuget Sound Restoration FundLavender Wind FarmAnacortes Farmers MarketSkagit Valley Farmers Markets3 Sisters MarketSalinitySkagit Valley Food Co-opLettered Streets CoffeehouseLiving Pantry

Salinity Seafood & More is a locally-sourced gift shop & online store, oyster education center, and sustainable marketing consultancy based on Whidbey Island, WA. Behind every present on Salinity's shelves are people with stories! Join SeaEO & host Emily Wilder as she talks with Salinity's suppliers, artists, and friends to find out what kind of presence they bring to the world, and why.In this episode, Emily speaks with Kai Fletcher of Mutiny Bay Blues, an organic and sustainable blueberry farm on Whidbey Island, WA that has diversified its farming far beyond blueberries. While blueberries are the heart of the farm, it continues expanding to include growing mushrooms, growing hay, and rearing sheep and a flock of pasture-raised chickens. In this episode, Kai shares how the farm transforms the blueberry harvest into value-added products, from granola with dried blueberries to blueberry hot sauce, sustaining a year-round business of farming to produce food and to partner with other local food producers. Come explore the world of organic blueberry farming with Salinity Presents!Host: Emily Wilder, Salinity Seafood & More SeaEOSpecial Guest: Kai Fletcher from Mutiny Bay BluesEdited by Luc HagopianMusic by Barbara DunnLinks:Whidbey Island Fairgrounds Commercial Kitchen RentalPCC Community MarketsGreenbank Pantry & DeliOrchard KitchenPayless FoodsWhidbey Island Grown Food HubOsprey Fish Co.Puget Sound Restoration FundThe Star StoreFreeland Café & BarJupiter CoffeeFoxtail FarmBritt's Fermented FoodsSlangin’ SalmonFoggy Hill FarmRowdy Sprout FarmHazelnut Hill FarmScratch & Peck FeedsEbey Road Farm

Salinity Seafood & More is a locally-sourced gift shop & online store, oyster education center, and sustainable marketing consultancy based on Whidbey Island, WA. Behind every present on Salinity's shelves are people with stories! Join SeaEO & host Emily Wilder as she talks with Salinity's suppliers, artists, and friends to find out what kind of presence they bring to the world, and why.In this episode, Emily speaks with Nicole Beretha, co-owner and co-CEO of Cyrus Saffron, an organic saffron farm based in Chelan, Washington. Nicole shares the story behind the family-run business growing one of the world's most prized spices, and her husband's Persian heritage and a saffron-growing legacy that stretches back three generations.Nicole explains why Central Washington's climate is uniquely suited to saffron cultivation, how each flower is harvested and processed entirely by hand, and what make saffron high- or low-quality. Cyrus Saffron is committed to organic farming, sustainable agricultural practices, and creating meaningful employment opportunities within the local community. Nicole discusses what's next for Cyrus Saffron, including educational farm tours, new collaborations, and buffalo!Host: Emily Wilder, Salinity SeaEOSpecial Guest: Nicole Beretha of Cyrus SaffronEdited by Luc HagopianMusic by Barbara DunnLinks:Cyrus SaffronSeattle Cancer Care Alliance at Fred HutchinsonPike Place MarketPortland State University Farmers MarketCyrus Saffron InstagramPCC Community MarketsMetropolitan MarketNorthbestFast Penny SpiritsMcCormick Jam Co.Hierophant MeaderyTaja TeaTipu’s ChaiSfoglini PastaSeleušs ChocolatePike Place Market Foundation

[This is part two of a two part interview]In this episode, Emily continues to talk with Rowan Jacobsen, an author and journalist whose books have shaped how people think about food, nature, and the places they come from. This time we dig into Rowan's truffle-hunting adventures, his latest book about the benefits of light, In Defense of Sunlight, and hear stories from his podcast & book Wild Chocolate, including the conservation efforts of Luisa Abram & SOS Amazonia. Tune in next week, and every week after that, for more conversations with friends of Salinity Seafood & More!Host: Emily Wilder, SeaEO of Salinity Seafood & MoreSpecial Guest: Rowan JacobsenEdited by Luc HagopianMusic by Barbara DunnLinks:“Truffle Hound: On the Trail of the World’s Most Seductive Fungus, with Dreamers, Schemers, and Some Extraordinary Dogs” by Rowan JacobsenOregon Truffle FestivalTruffle Dog Company“In Defense of Sunlight: The Surprising Science of Sun Exposure” by Rowan JacobsenKitt Peak National ObservatoryPodcast: “Wild Chocolate” by Rowan JacobsenBook: "Wild Chocolate: Across the Americas in Search of Cacao's Soul" by Rowan JacobsenLuisa Abram ChocolatesSOS Amazonia