Our final episode of 2024 looks back on a year of entertaining, enlightening and insightful conversations. We spoke to so many fascinating guests who embody the premise of this podcast: there are amazing people doing incredible things in Seattle and they’re shaping how we experience the city. Thank you to all of our guests and of course the listeners who helped make 2024 an award-winning year for the Seattle City Makers podcast. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes.

Seattle’s music scene is legendary and we have arguably one of its brightest current stars on this episode – singer, songwriter, drummer, guitarist and producer Sera Cahoone. Jon and Sera talk about how snowboarding drew her to Seattle; her journey from open mic nights to playing with Band of Horses, her favorite Seattle venues; Sera’s perfect Saturday in Seattle and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Sera Cahoone.

At Pasta Casalinga in Pike Place Market, the lunch rush extends well into the afternoon – and with good reason. Owner Michela Tartaglia is serving up some of the best pasta in the city. Recorded at the restaurant, Jon and Michela talk in this episode about her arrival in Seattle with professorial dreams; what led her to opening a restaurant; the secret to a great pasta sauce; her perfect Saturday in Seattle and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Michela Tartaglia.

As a healthcare professional and a leader, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone with the breadth of experience and expertise as Swedish Health Services President & CEO Dr. Elizabeth Wako. Recorded on location at Swedish First Hill campus, Jon and Dr. Wako talk in this episode about the enormous expansion project on First Hill; her journey to healthcare after immigrating with her family from Ethiopia; experience running the operating rooms of the regional trauma center at Harborview; her perfect Saturday in Seattle and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Dr. Elizabeth Wako.

Seattle Aquarium President & CEO Bob Davidson’s career is dotted with big moves and impactful projects that have shaped how we experience Seattle. And now that Bob is retiring, it’s time to look back at a career that will have a lasting impression on this community. Recorded on location at the new Ocean Pavilion, Jon and Bob talk about the Aquarium’s incredible new facility tucked under the Overlook Walk; his leadership during a huge renovation at the Woodland Park Zoo; his time in politics; Bob’s perfect Saturday in Seattle and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Bob Davidson.

We should all thank Joe Fugere for opening the first certified Neapolitan pizzeria in Seattle. The founder & CEO of Tutta Bella began his career at Starbucks. Twenty-one years ago he needed a change and that revelation eventually led to five pizzerias and a growing retail business. Jon and Joe talk about the Tutta Bella origin story; his new multifaceted concept in downtown Seattle; the amazing story of delivering pizza to Air Force One; Joe’s perfect Saturday in Seattle and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Joe Fugere.

Jamila Conley wants to open up access and awareness to diverse winemakers and she’s planting that flag in downtown Seattle. After a career in tech, the WeRise Wines founder and CEO is setting up shop on Second Avenue in the heart of downtown. Jon and Jamila talk about the origin story and mission of WeRise; the role of small businesses in downtown’s continued revitalization; how the city helped make her dream a reality; her perfect Saturday in Seattle and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Jamila Conley.

Urban leaders from 10 countries and 46 U.S. states gathered in downtown Seattle earlier this month for the International Downtown Association annual conference, discussing a wide range of economic and place-based issues. With a number of experts in town, we invited MJB Consulting founder and President Michael Berne to talk shop on the podcast. Michael is one of the nation’s foremost retail authorities and the perfect guest to dig into this critical sector. Jon and Michael talk about the opportunities and challenges for downtown Seattle’s retail core; the national trends he’s seeing in the industry; the return of PCC Community Market to downtown; the move toward “retail-tainment” and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Michael Berne.

Holy catfish! The 2024 football season has kicked off and what better guest to talk pigskin than the voice of the Seattle Seahawks, Steve Raible? He’s been with the organization since its inception in 1976 (drafted 59th overall), spent nearly 40 years at KIRO 7 following his playing days and has been the play-by-play voice of the Hawks since 2004. Jon and Steve talk about his path to the microphone; the new coaching staff and identity of this year’s team; the origin of his “Holy catfish!” catchphrase; big local stories during his news career and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Steve Raible.

We took the show on the road to record at one of the most iconic locations in the country — The Space Needle. CEO Ron Sevart took the reins of the Needle in 2008 and steered this attraction through the Great Recession, opening Chihuly Garden and Glass in 2012 and then leading both through a global pandemic. Jon and Ron talk about the Needle’s $100 million renovation; the origin story of The Space Needle’s rotating glass floor; the booming attendance of Chihuly Garden and Glass; the values that guide both locations; the enormous upcoming elevator renovation and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Ron Sevart.