Seattle City Makers

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.

Seattle Met described Marcus Lalario as Seattle’s Kevin Bacon – you can connect him to a ton of ventures and a lot of people. Whether it’s the Seattle music scene, nightlife, fashion or restaurants, Marcus Lalario has had a major impact in how we experience this city. Jon and Marcus talk about his fairly unusual start in the nighttime economy; his HOMETEAM and Darkalino’s enterprise; the Pioneer Square neighborhood; how fatherhood has changed him and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Marcus Lalario.

What began as a web hosting operation based in a one-bedroom apartment has become a cloud computing company with a global presence. Wowrack CEO Ed Osckar has a story of growth and perspective on what’s ahead for tech in Seattle. Jon and Ed talk about how Shawn Kemp played a role in Ed coming to Seattle; our city’s positioning in the AI and cloud ecosystem; future infrastructure considerations for AI; Ed’s perfect Saturday in Seattle and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Ed Osckar.

Thinking about design and how we use spaces are key ingredients when considering the vibrancy and activity levels of our cities. HKS Seattle Principal and Office Director Doug Demers has spent decades working on the intersection of design and use. Jon and Doug dig into the economics of converting office space to housing in Seattle; how a district approach to neighborhoods can impact revitalization; the future of the office and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Doug Demers.

Ohio native Alesha Washington has lived in Seattle for two years. For the CEO of the Seattle Foundation, that’s already long enough to make the city feel like home and provide her with ample proof that the Seattle Freeze is more myth than reality. And that’s a great thing when your organization’s role is to create greater equity and opportunity in all areas of a vibrant and healthy city. Jon and Alesha discuss the changing role of community foundations; her vision and priorities for the Seattle Foundation; the importance of joy in her approach to leadership and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Alesha Washington.