the weekly seattle

Hosted by RC Productions

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117

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Every episode Rachel Horgan and her co-host will explain the top Seattle business news stories of the week in a casual yet informative way. They will discuss why it matters to you, what it could mean for the future, and other insights. This podcast is for anyone that wants to know what is going on in the local business community without having to read the entire newspaper.

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60 recent

August 9, 202627 min

inside grocery stores with Derek Giles, Co-Owner of Ken's Market

We love our local markets, but what is it like operating them? This episode unpacks how a small operator competes against Amazon, Walmart, and Costco without competing on price. We talk about why Ken's walked away from Instacart, tariff pressure on imported wine, and the deliberate decision to skip self-checkout service. Top Stories: 1. Tech layoffs ( Zillow , Google , Salesforce ) 2. Ex-Pokemon director charged for hiding cameras in bathrooms 3. Starbucks closes inside 999 Third building 4. Ballard Goodwill might be replaced by 300-unit mixed use development About guest Derek Giles - Co-owner, Ken's Market Derek and his business partners took over ownership in 2019. Read more about the history of Ken's here at www.kensmarkets.com About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

July 26, 202641 min

the business of writing a book with Laura Marie Meyers - THE MASH UP

How long does it take to publish a book? How much money do you actually make? Do you have any control over the marketing? On this special episode we go behind-the-scenes with Laura Marie Meyers who shares what it was like to publish her first novel THE MASH UP. We talk about the art of storytelling, real business advice for first time authors, and of course, our favorite memories at USD. Thank you to Populus Seattle for hosting this week's episode! About guest Laurie Marie Meyers, a uthor of THE MASH UP: Laura is an author and journalist whose work is focused on books, trends, and pop culture. As an interviewer and event moderator, she's led conversations with actors, experts and bestselling authors. Originally from Chicago, she lives in Northern California with her husband, two sons, and far too many concert t-shirts. THE MASH UP is her first novel. She was recently interviewed by People and is an instant USA Today Bestseller. She earned her Bachelor's from University of San Diego and Masters from DePaul University. About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

July 12, 202641 min

the local politics episode with Erica C. Barnett - PubliCola/Seattle Nice

In this special episode Erica takes us behind the scenes of co-founding an independent political news outlet and podcast. Then dives into the state of Seattle's city council & Mayor, the fight over doubling the transportation tax, the stalled Ballard light rail line, and the collapse of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. It's a lot to cover, but Erica breaks it all down so you're caught up in local politics. About guest Erica Barnett, Co-Founder & Editor of PubliCola and Co-host of the Seattle Nice podcast: PubliCola is Seattle’s independent, reader funded politics and policy site running since 2009. She has written for The Stranger, CrossCut, a guest on KUOW and many others. She’s also the author of the book Quitter: A memoir of drinking, relapse, and recovery. Listen to Seattle Nice podcast About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

June 28, 202618 min

queer bar changes hands, bed bath & beyond returns, and a venue starts to sink

Joining Rachel in her living room is friend Sarah Donaldson, Director of Sales Planning at SkinnyDipped, back for her second appearance on the pod. They cover Queer/Bar's ownership change, Seattle's surpising decline in flights, a labor dispute at a beloved Seattle restaurant group, Bed Bath & Beyond's return, and a very eventful night on Lake Union. Top Stories: 1. Queer Bar sells to The Cuff Complex 2. World Cup fever is up in Seattle, but flights are down 21% year-over-year (but everyone loves our stadium !) 3. Walrus and Carpenter employees strike, forcing a temporary closure 4. Bed Bath & Beyond is reopening its first location since the 2023 bankruptcy 5. Event venue MV Skansonia starts to sink on Lake Union About Sarah Donaldson — Director of Sales Planning, SkinnyDipped : Sarah has been with SkinnyDipped for seven years, helping grow the Seattle-based, mother-daughter-founded snack company from a small Wallingford kitchen operation to a brand now carried at Starbucks nationwide. As Director of Sales Planning, she oversees demand forecasting, trade budgets, and new product launches across the company's line of better-for-you almonds, cashews, and chocolate snacks. About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

June 21, 202639 min

mid-year economic outlook with Matthew Gardner

In this special episode the former Chief Economist for Windermere comes back to the podcast to give us an update on our economy. He helps us make sense of an economy that's growing but "running a bit rough," what's really behind Seattle's wave of tech layoffs, and why buyers and sellers are at a standoff in today's housing market. We also get his take on Seattle's housing bill 1100, and his predictions for mortgage rates and the job market through the rest of the year. About guest Matthew Gardner - Economist: Matthew Gardner is a Seattle-based real estate economist and founder of Gardner Economics. He has spent close to 30 years analyzing housing markets and economic trends, and is widely recognized for his expertise in the Pacific Northwest real estate market. Matthew serves on many boards including the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors. About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

June 14, 202639 min

what's going on in fremont?

In this special episode we talk to Pete Hanning, Executive Director of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, about the construction that has taken place over for the past year. We dig into the Route 40 project: what was promised, what went wrong, and how an afternoon getting beers resulted in a major change. Thank you for hosting us Charlie's Queer Books ! About guest Pete Hanning - Executive Director, Fremont Chamber of Commerce: Pete has been involved with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce for nearly 20 years, serving in board, president, and executive director roles. He ran the Red Door in Fremont for 20 years and previously ran for Seattle City Council. Learn more at Fremont.com About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

June 8, 202613 min

ballard light rail delays, data center pushback, and Melinda joins kraken ownership group

Rachel is back on the mic! She recaps her recent work travels and, as always, updates you on the news of the week. Top Stories: 1. Ben & Jerry's coming to the waterfront 2. Melinda French Gates joins Kraken ownership group 3. Data center potentially coming to Bed Bath & Beyond space downtown 4. Sound Transit pushes aside Ballard line About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

May 24, 202641 min

secret mariners cocktails, james beard finalists, and the seattle restaurant scene with Zach Geballe, VinePair

Seattle’s restaurant scene has seen waves of changes as the local economy, legal landscape, and consumer tastes have evolved. This week, Nick Patri fills in as host while Rachel is traveling for work, and interviews Zach Geballe, writer and podcast co-host at VinePair. Zach was previously the wine director for Tom Douglas Restaurants and spent two decades in Seattle's hospitality industry, and brings insights on the recent history and current state of Seattle’s dining. Top Stories : Seattle Mariners Secret Cocktail Door Seattle Chefs Named James Beard Finalists Jeffry's Replaces Bateau and Boat Bar Are Monday Nights the New Happy Hour? About guest Zach Geballe - Podcast Host and Writer Zach is the co-host of the VinePair Podcast, where he covers the drinks industry with an eye towards trends, business insights, and the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Previously, he was the wine director for Tom Douglas Restaurants in Seattle and spent two decades in Seattle's hospitality industry. On the writing side, his latest piece for Vinepair.com came out on May 18th, exploring how some wineries are rethinking the shapes of their bottles to stand out on crowded wine shelves. About guest host Nick Patri : Nick is an independent podcast and communications strategist. He works with clients to articulate the unique stories that set them apart, and optimize their content to reach audiences with podcasts, videos, newsletters, internal communications, and sincere engagement. About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

May 17, 202636 min

the growing trades business with Rich Hart & Jess Passmore - Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC

With all these tech layoffs, should we get into the trades? We're pulling back the curtain on the trades industry with two leaders from one of the Pacific Northwest's fastest-growing home services companies. The CEO and COO share how they scaled Harts from a Gig Harbor garage to 150+ employees, why they built their own apprenticeship academy, and what tariffs and rising utility costs actually mean on the ground for tradespeople and homeowners. Top Stories: 1. Inside the trades: workforce pipeline, women in the industry, and building a company academy ( Seattle Times article ) 2. Microsoft's first-ever voluntary retirement program 3. World Cup hotel bookings are lower than expected About Rich Hart & Jess Passmore — Co-Owner and COO, Harts Plumbing, Electricians & HVAC Technicians: Rich Hart founded Harts over 13 years ago after relocating from Maui, growing the company from a garage in Gig Harbor to multiple locations serving the greater Puget Sound region. Jess Passmore joined seven years ago, bringing a background in healthcare operations, and now leads the company as COO. Harts serves residential customers across the region with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and sewer services. About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

May 10, 202657 min

inside nordstrom with Co-CEO Pete Nordstrom

Pete Nordstrom, Co-CEO of Nordstrom joins Rachel for a deep dive into the business behind one of Seattle's most iconic brands. They cover what it really takes to run a fourth-generation family business, the inside story of Nordstrom's long road to going private, and the future of retail. Pete also gets candid about the state of downtown Seattle retail, what Nordstrom is doing to stay invested in the city, and why the Rack's growth strategy is far from cannibalizing the flagship. About guest Pete Nordstrom - Co-CEO, Nordstrom: Pete Nordstrom is a fourth-generation member of the Nordstrom family and co-CEO of Nordstrom, one of the leading fashion retailers in the United States. He began working at the company as a teenager and rose through the ranks in merchandising, store operations, and executive leadership. Known for his customer-focused approach and deep knowledge of retail and fashion, Nordstrom has helped guide the company’s evolution across both physical stores and digital commerce. He is also active in philanthropy and community initiatives in the Seattle area. About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact: Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com Instagram: @theweeklyseattle Website: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com