A collection of diverse stories that allows listeners to think internally and be excited about the future. All produced by Red Trux LLC.  

Latest Episodes

How to Edit a Podcast: Remove “Ums,” Fix Breaths, and Tighten the Story

You’ve recorded your episode. You’ve set your levels and picked your editing software. Now comes the part that turns raw audio into something people actually want to listen to: the edit.In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent breaks down a beginner-friendly editing workflow—how to clean up breaths and filler words, shape the message, and keep your pacing natural (not choppy). You’ll also learn the difference between a quick “leave it mostly raw” style and a more polished, NPR-style edit—so you can choose what fits your show.What we coverThe difference between tracks and clips (and why each voice should get its own track)Two ways to clean up audio:Cut it out (razor/blade tool)Turn it down (volume automation/nodes)Delete vs. ripple delete (and why ripple delete can save you hours)How to remove big breaths, filler words (“um,” “uh”), and awkward pauses without ruining your cadenceWhy editing is often best in multiple passes (cleanup pass + content/story pass)How to listen for clarity: “Does this make sense to someone who isn’t in my head?”What to do about mic bleed when recording with multiple people in the same roomThe biggest speed tip: learn keyboard shortcuts for your editing softwareThe big takeawayEditing isn’t about perfection—it’s about making your message easy to follow. Clean up what distracts, keep what feels human, and build a flow your audience can stay with.Snohomish Podcast Playground is part of the Snohomish Podcast NetworkMusic: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/ 

Show Up-ish: The Hollimon Brothers on Belonging, Barriers, and Building a Better Snohomish

Wil welcomes brothers Terry Hollimon and Torry Hollimon for a wide-ranging, funny, and deeply reflective conversation about what it means to show up, build trust, and create spaces where people belong.The brothers share their origin story (Arkansas → Canada → Texas → Washington), how constant change taught them to read the room and find common ground, and why belonging isn’t about taking over a space—it’s about connecting inside it.Torry opens up about becoming a single dad with full custody, how that led him into early childhood education, and why being present in schools—especially in communities where people of color are underrepresented—creates powerful ripple effects for kids and families.Terry reflects on the rights and opportunities people take for granted today, the responsibility to honor the sacrifices of past generations, and the importance of using your gifts—whether you’re built like a “power truck” or a “Maserati.”The episode also revisits Snohomish’s 2020 turning point, the difficult conversations that followed, and how dialogue can move a community from polarizing moments toward something stronger and more unified.In This Episode, You’ll Hear AboutWhy “showing up” is the foundation of belongingThe Hollimon family journey across regions and culturesHow Terry’s football path changed—and how his parents’ foresight made a new path possibleDisarming a room: reading the environment, adapting without losing yourselfFinding connection through common ground (sports, service, shared values)Why representation in schools matters—especially for kids watching from the sidelinesThe importance of voting and honoring the sacrifices behind today’s rightsSnohomish in 2020: what happened, how it felt, and what it sparked afterwardWalk-up songs, hype music, and the energy you bring into the momentCall to ActionWil challenges listeners to help the show reach all 50 states by the end of 2026—and to keep spreading the stories instead of “hoarding the information.”Closing VibeThis one’s equal parts laughter and life lessons—about legacy, community, and the truth that you never really know who you’re influencing… until someone tells you.

Regrets and Reflections

Catherine reflects on regret through a compassionate lens—less “what I should’ve done” and more “what I wish I could lovingly tell my younger self.” She shares a grounding quote about mountains (obstacles) and how the growth you earn while climbing them stays with you long after the hardship is behind you. From there, she talks candidly about how silencing your voice can shape major life decisions, and how she wishes she’d cultivated joy and identity earlier instead of trying to become who the world wanted her to be. Catherine also offers heartfelt reflections on parenting—moving from control and perfection toward connection, curiosity, and nervous system regulation—plus the ways divorce, grief, and financial insecurity impacted her kids. She closes with hope: mountains are inevitable, but with grace, resilience, and self-trust, what feels impossible today can become a distant view in the rearview mirror.💬 What You'll HearA powerful “mountain” quote and why obstacles can become opportunitiesCatherine’s take on regret: reflection without shame, compassion without rewriting your lifeHow silencing your voice (and listening to the loudest voice in your head) can shape your choicesWhat she wishes she’d cultivated earlier: joy, identity, and self-trustThe perspective shift of parenting adult children—and how every child experiences family differentlyUnsolicited (but loving) parenting advice: presence, eye contact, listening, and connection over perfectionWhy kids don’t need rigid control to become good humans—they need safety, love, and boundariesA reframing of “skills”: why bedwetting, emotions, and behavior are learned like riding a bikeReflections on divorce, bankruptcy, grief, and the hope that time can soften even the hardest seasons✨ TakeawayRegret doesn’t have to be punishment—it can be a gentle teacher. When you look back with compassion, you can keep the wisdom without carrying the shame. And when you parent (or re-parent yourself) with connection over control, you create the kind of safety that lasts.⚖️ DisclaimerThese stories are mine — told through my eyes, my lens, and my lived experience. Each person moves through life in their own way. I own these stories, and I share them to inspire us all to live truthfully, freely, and as our most authentic selves.🌿 Connect with CatherineIf this episode made you reflect on a time when you judged others or needed forgiveness yourself, share it with someone who showed you grace when you didn't deserve it.Follow Catherine on Instagram to keep following the story.Theme Song Written and Composed by Trevor Lynch and Michaela Dennis and recorded by Trevor Lynch in Chicago ILPhoto: Baumgardner Studio Yakima, WAProduction: Red Trux Productions Snohomish, WA

Before You Edit: Set Levels, Choose Software, and Clean Up Your Audio

Don’t Start Cutting Yet: The Setup Step That Saves Hours in EditingYou recorded your episode… now it’s time to edit. But before you start cutting, trimming, and adding music, there’s a step most new podcasters skip—and it can cost you hours.In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent walks through the “editing prep” workflow: tracking your recording levels, choosing editing software, importing your files correctly, and applying basic audio processing so your episode sounds consistent from start to finish.What we coverThe recording mistake that ruins audio: peaking/clipping (and why it’s hard to fix)How to track your levels while recording (aim for upper green + yellow, not the top)The difference between gain and sliders/volume controlsEditing software options (and who they’re best for):Audacity (free, but destructive editing)Reaper (one-time cost, powerful)Adobe Audition (great if you already have Adobe)DaVinci Resolve (free, strong audio tools + future video option)How to import audio from recorders (SD card workflow, stereo file vs. individual tracks)Why multi-track editing gives you more control (breaths, bleed, loud laughs, room noise)The “make it consistent” starter stack: compressor + denoise (plus de-esser/de-hum if needed)Why you should never edit on laptop speakers—and how to check mixes across headphones, car, and earbudsHow EQ and presets can shape the “signature sound” of your podcastThe big takeawayEditing gets way easier when you set your levels and processing first. Do the setup once, and you’ll save time on every episode after.Next episode: How to actually edit—cutting, shaping the story, and building a polished final episode.Snohomish Podcast Playground is part of the Snohomish Podcast NetworkMusic: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/ 

Volume 4 Chapter 6: The Love Language of Stewardship

 In this episode, we sit down with Melody Clemans, one of the founding members of the Snohomish Carnegie Foundation and a steadfast steward of one of our town’s most beloved landmarks. Melody’s story is one of quiet determination and deep love—proof that some things are worth fighting for, even when the timeline stretches longer than anyone expects.After more than 20 years of dedication, Melody saw her vision realized as the Carnegie building once again became the heart of Snohomish—a place where core memories are made, the community gathers to celebrate, and legacy continues to live on.This conversation reminds us why the work we do matters—not just for ourselves, but for generations yet to come. Our actions, care, and persistence ripple outward in ways we may never fully see, shaping lives and stories far beyond our own. 

Hosts

AJ Soto

AJ Soto

Host of Storytelling in a Small Town

Brandy Hekker

Host of Soul Filler Diaries
Brian Harmon

Brian Harmon

Host of Storytelling in a Small Town
Wil Johnson

Wil Johnson

Host of At-homish