Wil welcomes two North Everett “neighbors” to the studio: Ashley Bolden (Keller Williams Realty, Everett) and Cami Anthony (Motto Mortgage Collective). What starts as a conversation about homeownership quickly turns into a bigger, more honest discussion about belonging, community, and the values underneath the housing market.Ashley shares how her community involvement (including the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce, Everett Recovery Café, and Everett Rotary Club) shapes how she thinks about housing as more than an investment. Cami brings the lender perspective—what it actually takes to qualify, why timing the market is a trap, and why the bigger barrier often isn’t the down payment anymore… it’s the monthly payment.Together, they unpack the tension a lot of people feel: wanting your home value to rise, while also wanting housing to stay attainable for others. They explore how renters and homeowners can experience community differently, why “money” can feel strangely abstract, and why housing affordability ultimately requires more than policy tweaks—it may require a cultural values shift.In This Episode, You’ll Hear AboutWhy community involvement matters in real estate and lendingThe role of the Everett Chamber, Rotary, and Everett Recovery CaféRenting vs. owning: the mindset shift and how it affects belongingWhy trying to “wait for rates to drop” can backfireWhat lenders are seeing: debt-to-income realities and qualification limitsSupply vs. demand, private equity, and why housing prices keep climbingThe tension between equity, inclusion, and the realities of homeownershipWhy values (not just dollars) drive the systems we live inWalk-Up / Theme SongsCami’s pick: “It’s Oh So Quiet” by Björk (quiet entrance… until it gets loud)Ashley’s picks: “X” (Black Panther soundtrack) and “Handlebars” by FlobotsClosing ThoughtThis episode is for anyone who’s trying to make sense of the housing market without losing the bigger picture: a home isn’t just a financial asset—it’s safety, stability, and a place to belong.

In this special FAQ episode of Snohomish Storytellers, we’re answering your most common questions about HDSA and downtown Snohomish. From events and advocacy to preservation, partnerships, and placemaking, we’re pulling back the curtain on how downtown works, why it matters, and how this community comes together to keep it thriving. Whether you’re a business owner, resident, volunteer, or just a curious Snohomie, this episode is your guide to the heart of downtown.

In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ explore why your customers, employees, and partners might be your most powerful storytellers. They share real examples and practical strategies for leveraging authentic customer experiences, employee advocacy, and even supplier shoutouts to boost your business’s credibility and reach. From creative testimonial ideas to tips for getting people comfortable on camera, this episode will help you harness the voices around you to build trust and grow your brand.What You'll Learn Why customer stories matter: How genuine customer experiences create trust and emotional connectionThe limits of self-promotion: Why others’ words carry more weight than your ownCreative testimonial strategies: Ways to feature customer, employee, and even supplier stories—beyond basic reviewsEmployee and partner advocacy: How staff and partners can be advocates for your brand, and why it’s powerfulRespectful storytelling: The right (and wrong) ways to ask people to share their story, with real-world do’s and don’tsMaking camera-shy people comfortable: Building rapport and using behind-the-scenes footage to get authentic testimonialsRepurposing reviews: Turning written reviews into engaging video or audio contentTech tips for DIY testimonials: Simple audio/video recording tricks for better quality on phonesRespecting your storytellers: Why employee testimonials should be voluntary, on-the-clock, and never forcedFinal takeaway: Letting others tell your story can take your brand to new heights—if you do it with care and authenticity

Catherine dives into her "policing era" - a time when she believed she was right about everything and everyone else was wrong. From picketing to lecturing friends about their life choices, she shares how her strict Catholic upbringing led her to judge others' bedrooms, politics, and personal decisions. But this embarrassing chapter became her greatest teacher in humility. Through divorce, bankruptcy, loss, and the forgiveness of those she hurt, Catherine learned that life's hardest lessons are often our most transformative ones.💬 What You'll HearThe Policing Era Begins: Growing up in a strict Catholic household where church was never missed, even on vacation in the Wyoming wildernessCharismatic Catholic College: Transferring to a more religious school hoping it would complete her, while secretly meeting a "spicy guy" on the baseball fieldJustifying Everything: Using faith to justify living poor, submitting to her husband, homeschooling, and judging everyone else's choicesThe Judgment List: Picketing, lecturing friends about premarital sex and cohabitation, and warning people they'd burn in hellThe Contrast: Being front and center with her kids (the beautiful part) while exhausting herself policing everyone else's livesHumble 101: Life's classroom teaching humility through divorce, bankruptcy, loss, public shame, and parenting aloneThe Power of Forgiveness: Every single person she policed - friends and family - still loves her and watched her evolveReceiving Love: Learning that true love means being forgiven and getting a second chance, which healed her nervous systemDifferent Lessons Now: Moving from major life lessons to micro-focused heart work, like not caring what her kids do as a reflection of herThe A/B Student: Now handling life's tests (like a surprise $500 IRS bill) with calm instead of panic✨ TakeawayYour most embarrassing era might become your greatest teacher. When you think you're the judge of everyone else's choices, life will enroll you in Humble 101 until you learn the lesson. The people you hurt with your judgment can teach you what real love looks like through their forgiveness. Everyone is in the school of life, just in different classrooms with different teachers. The sooner you learn your lessons, the less they appear on the test. Humility is the most beautiful of the virtues.⚖️ 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

When you communicate on behalf of your organization, there are a few tips and tricks that give a leg up to the success of your message. These include, making sure that you keep everyone on the same page, involving all stakeholders, and empowering those within your organization to share your message. In this episode I discuss a few strategies to ensure your success by starting with your audience.