Inland Stories from the Pacific Northwest

Inland Stories was joined by Lauren King, the Senior Manager of Wine Education at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Lauren shares the special releases this fall and we talk about the historic winery as they celebrated their first ever RieslingFest. A fun, wonderful event celebrating the German-themed varietal that brings a whole new meaning to the start of fall.

Dive into an inspiring chat with Andy Coleman from Walla Walla Parks & Recreation as we explore the exciting fall and winter programs keeping local kids active, connected, and thriving through youth sports! We unpack the game-changing park improvement initiatives heading to the upcoming ballot, including major upgrades to the Mill Creek Sports Complex and historic Pioneer Park. The star of the show? A proposed year-round ice rink in the Memorial Pool parking lot that could become Walla Walla’s new winter wonderland for families! Andy shares a heartwarming story about how parks staff turn everyday moments into pure joy for young families that’ll leave you smiling. Hit play and get fired up to support the projects that will make our community even more vibrant—your vote and voice can help make it happen!

Join Martin Fortney, Executive Director of Walla Walla Little Theatre, as they celebrate their 81st season on Inland Stories from the Pacific Northwest. Explore the theatre's rich history, the importance and joy of having the community be such a vital part of the theatre, the new CoWalla Creative Arts District, and the importance of preserving creative arts amid AI's rise.

Join us for an engaging chat with Tyson Kaup, Executive Artistic Director of Walla Walla Summer Theater, as we dive into their recent hit, Little Shop of Horrors. Discover how this dark, comedic musical, starring Brad Willcuts and Kaup as the voice of Audrey II, captivated audiences at Gesa Power House Theatre. We explore Walla Walla’s vibrant arts scene and the urgent need for a dedicated venue. Kaup shares his vision for revitalizing the historic Fort Walla Walla Amphitheatre, a multi-million dollar project to create a regional arts hub. Learn how this ambitious and important overhaul aims to elevate local talent and enrich the community. Support this cultural gem and help continue to bring world-class theatre to Walla Walla’s wine country! Tune in and join the call to action.

Inland Stories from PNW is on location at the new Fiasco on Main, a world class Italian inspired pizzeria with a local twist. Now open, Fiasco on Main owners Tom and Judy Bennett share the stories of their inspiration and their journey on getting their best pizza and their best version of hospitality on the table.

Jason sits down with Robb Harrison, Artistic Director of the Walla Walla Choral Society, and discussed their 119th season as the oldest community choir west of the Mississippi. He highlighted the choir’s final concert on June 1, 2025, at Village Church in College Place, sharing insights on music selection, advancing the choir, and the Walla Walla Valley’s rich musical legacy.

In this episode of Inland Stories from the Pacific Northwest, host Jason Mulkin sits down with Laurie Spencer, the organizer of the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede, to discuss the vibrant event held annually on Mother’s Day weekend. Laurie shares the history of the 49th edition of the Balloon Stampede, highlighting its family-friendly atmosphere at Tieton Park, free tether rides for kids, and the spectacular Friday nightglow event. She recounts her personal journey into ballooning, sparked by a gift ride in 1991, and the magical, peaceful experience of floating with the wind. The conversation also touches on regional ballooning events, such as the Prosser event in September and the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic, encouraging listeners to get involved by crewing or chasing balloons. Laurie expresses excitement for reconnecting with the Walla Walla community and kicking off the ballooning season with this cherished event.

Manuel Pérez of Grandma's Kitchen in Walla Walla opens up on why the Day of the Dead celebration, or Dia de Los Muertos, is an important part of Walla Walla's Mexican community and why he is honored to build into this celebration for years to come. Walla Walla is the only city in Washington State to offer a Dia de Los Muertos parade and will be held each fall season to honor those that have gone before us.

Krist Novoselic of Nirvana (yes, that Nirvana!) joins the podcast to discuss Walla Walla, his favorite roadtrip playlist, his new band, and what's driving him to begin a new political party: The Cascade Party. Hit it hard with Krist as we talk Washington State and the need for change.

Tourism and destination marketing is top of mind with Visit Walla Walla's Executive Director, Guy Glaeser. After decades of experience, Guy knows that the Walla Walla experience doesn’t happen in a silo. Tourism and destination development is a regional effort and Guy talks about the challenges, the needs, and the triumph of working together to celebrate the Walla Walla Valley.