In this deeply moving episode of At-Homish: Creating Spaces Where We Belong, host Wil Johnson sits down with two remarkable community leaders - Laurie Barbosa and Erica Knapp - for an honest conversation about finding belonging after profound challenges.Content Warning: This episode discusses heavy topics including domestic violence, suicide, and abuse. Resources are provided.Lori, a 20-year city employee and community advocate, shares her journey navigating cultural identity as a Mexican-Costa Rican American in Washington state, while Erica, an Arlington school board member and artist, opens up about escaping a cult at 25 and rebuilding her life from scratch.Key Conversations Include:The power of bystander training and community interventionOvercoming cultural microaggressions and finding your voiceCreating inclusive spaces for families with special needsBreaking generational trauma and choosing better for the next generationThe difference between "fitting in" and truly belongingHow authentic storytelling builds bridges across differencesFrom Ukrainian refugees to middle school conflicts, from grocery store confrontations to school board advocacy, this episode explores how two women transformed their deepest wounds into community healing. You'll hear about the "tree of life" moment that changed everything, the validation that builds trust, and why sharing our authentic selves empowers others to do the same.Resources mentioned: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, QPR Training, Bystander Training, NAMI, VOA of Western WashingtonMusic Corner: Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady" and Selena's "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" - because sometimes the right song can lift you up when you need it most.This episode reminds us that community isn't just about geography - it's about creating spaces where everyone can belong exactly as they are.

In this powerful episode of At-Homish: Creating Spaces Where We Belong, Wally Webster shares his remarkable journey from Jim Crow Alabama to founding The Access Project - a youth violence prevention program in South Snohomish County.After deaths in 2022, Wally gathered community leaders and created a three-part intervention system that reaches at-risk teens through sports, music, and art. Learn how his organization partners with Edmonds and Everett School Districts to support expelled students and break the school-to-prison pipeline.Get Involved: The Access Project needs tutors, mental health professionals, and community partners. Find more information at https://www.theaccessprojectwa.org/

The Snohomish Storytellers are back for Season 4—and now… with VIDEO! 🎥 Yep, you can watch us in action or keep enjoying us the traditional way in your earbuds. To kick things off, we welcome Washington State Senator John Lovick to the studio. Senator Lovick shares stories from his time as a State Trooper right here in Snohomish County, how those experiences shaped his path to representing the 44th Legislative District, and why local partnerships matter. We also talk about how HDSA works with government at all levels to keep our historic downtown thriving—and how YOU play a vital role in advocacy that brings real support to our community. Whether you’re listening, watching, or both—thanks for joining us on this next chapter of Snohomish Storytellers!

What does it mean to truly belong somewhere? Host Wil sits down with Nick Shekeryk and Richard Porter, tourism marketing specialists for Snohomish County, to explore how we create spaces where everyone feels at home - from the bustling streets of Everett to the quiet charm of Darrington.This honest conversation dives deep into the real challenges of belonging: strategic avoidance, navigating spaces where you might not feel welcome, and the power of authentic human connection across our diverse 2,000-square-mile county. These "creative unicorns" within government share how they're working to showcase the real stories behind our communities - not just the flashy tourism shots, but the genuine experiences that make people feel they belong.You'll discover:How to approach unfamiliar spaces with curiosity instead of fearWhy authentic storytelling creates deeper community connections than perfect marketingThe importance of getting out of your silo and building real relationshipsHow representation in media actually impacts who feels welcomeWhy being human first breaks down barriers faster than anything elseWhether you're a community leader, someone new to the area, or just passionate about creating inclusive spaces, this conversation offers practical insights on building bridges across differences. Plus, you'll get some fantastic local restaurant recommendations and the stories behind our favorite walk-up songs.Connect with the guests: Follow the Snohomish County Placemakers Podcast and Seattle North Country on social media.

If you’ve ever sat down to create content and ended up overwhelmed, blank-screened, or spiraling through Canva with no direction—this episode is your reset button. Toni walks you through her exact process for creating a post from scratch, live on the podcast. From choosing a topic using Amazon book reviews to outlining a repeatable mind map, to pulling it all together in Canva with her signature visuals, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how strategic content actually gets made.You’ll learn how to source ideas your audience already cares about, map your content to a framework that builds trust, and use batching to save serious time. Toni also shares her go-to tools for captions, headline generation, and hashtag curation. Whether you're building one post or eight, this episode is a content creator's blueprint.