Democrats crushed Election Night, and Emily and the Sams break down the biggest wins, from Mamdani’s historic New York victory to major flips in Virginia, New Jersey, and beyond. They delve into why margins were so large, how national politics influenced local races, and what the data nerds were tracking in real-time.

The crew also tackles the controversial “Deciding to Win” memo, debating whether Democrats should ever “moderate” on issues like immigration, trans rights, or identity. Spoiler: authenticity energizes voters more than consultant-speak.

Then it’s Prop 50, SCOTUS drama to come, and what these races mean for 2026 and 2028. Finally, they check in on Washington State results, Everett’s tight mayoral race, Seattle’s mixed bag, and Snohomish County heartbreak, with a bit of messy local tea.

Short version: Big wins, big feelings, and the big question: How should Democrats actually win?

Listen 

Curmudgeon’s Corner 

Everything is Awesome, The Lego Movie - YouTube

Check Out

Snohomish County Podcast Network

Watch
Mamdani’s Victory Speech, MSNow - TikTok

Gavin Newsom’s Victory Speech on Prop 50, CNN - TikTok
Leavitt: “It is just a fact.”, Bulwarkonline - Threads 

New York is Not for Sale, Long.WindedPod - TikTok

Read

The 2026 Redistricting 'Rithmetic - Decision Desk HQ

The Strategist’s Fallacy in American Politics - Strength in Numbers

Strength In Numbers - gelliottmorris.com

Deciding to Win - Welcome PAC, The Welcome Party (c4), and The Welcome Democracy Institute (c3)

4 Races to Watch Nationally - CNN

4 takeaways after Proposition 50’s big win in California - Los Angeles Times

Republicans file lawsuit to block Prop. 50 districts - Los Angeles Times

Former Gov Andrew Cuomo is Gross - Ethics Unwrapped

Zohran Mamdani pulled off a political upset running on affordability - The 19th News

Other Resources

Washington State Election Results - Washington Secretary of State

Oh yeah, and RELEASE THE FILES! 

This month on Snohomish Storytellers, we sit down with Snohomish Mayor-Elect Aaron Hoffman for an open and candid conversation. As with any passionate community, opinions about leadership vary, many are excited, others are cautious, and at HDSA, our mission remains the same: to support connection and work collaboratively with our city leadership, whoever is in office.

In this episode, we ask Aaron questions about his decision to run, his campaign, and the plan for his first 100 days in office. We cover everything from infrastructure to events, while returning again and again to the heart of the matter: people. The people who live, work, and play in Snohomish and who care deeply about its future.

Snohomish thrives in the vibrant purple space between perspectives, and this conversation aims to bring clarity, curiosity, and connection to the forefront. Join us as we explore what comes next for our city, together.

Think you need a $15,000 budget to tell your business story effectively? Think again.

In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ break down why authentic storytelling will always trump production budget—and how small business owners can create compelling content with little to no money.

What you'll learn:

• When to invest big vs. go DIY: Understanding which business moments deserve a Netflix-level production (spoiler: not many) and when your smartphone is all you need
• The $15,000 lesson: Why a beautifully cinematic video can still fail if it doesn't tell the right story
• Zero-budget strategies that work: From candid team moments to heartfelt owner interviews—practical ways to create content that connects
• Finding your "why": How asking the right questions can unlock the most powerful stories hiding in your business
• The spokesperson dilemma: Why the face of your company matters more than you think (and it's not just about being pretty)
• Authenticity over perfection: Why a genuine selfie with a thoughtful caption often outperforms polished ad campaigns

Bonus: The hosts role-play a real client discovery conversation, showing you exactly how to uncover the stories worth telling in your own business.

Whether you're a solopreneur with zero marketing budget or a small business owner wondering if video is worth the investment, this episode proves that your story—not your budget—is what will make customers choose you.

Bottom line: It may not cost a dime, but it does deserve your time.

Awards:

Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

This week on The Um, Sir Podcast, Emily and Samie welcome their first-ever guest, Sam from Curmudgeon’s Corner, for a dive into the week’s chaos: GOP youth leaders caught sharing racist “jokes,” millions losing food benefits thanks to Trump’s shutdown, and DoorDash stepping in as America’s new hunger relief program (yikes).

They rant about medical debt, healthcare scams, and a Supreme Court juggling guns, weed, and voting rights, all while Emily dishes on Kamala Harris’s Seattle event, Gaza protests, and what 2028 could look like for Democrats.

Listen 

Curmudgeon’s Corner 

Check Out

Snohomish County Podcast 

Watch

Losing SNAP is going to be detrimental to the economy - Win_the_job, TikTok

Trump posts no SNAP payments until government reopens - KIRO 7
I can’t believe the cost of healthcare in Australia - amyewinebar, TikTok
Marjorie Taylor Green Slams her own party - Briantylercohen, TikTok

Read
Man Dresses As Donald Trump’s $300M White House East Wing Renovation Project For Halloween, Spent 2 Days And $0 Constructing Demolition Costume - Hollywood Unlocked

How Lego Fans Accidentally Sparked Gen Z Debate Over White House Remodel - NewsWeek
Prince Andrew stripped of his 'prince' title, per Buckingham Palace - ABC News

‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat - Politico

DoorDash Launches Emergency Food Response As SNAP Funding Cliff Threatens To Impact 40 Million Americans - DoorDash
Trump administration moves to overrule state laws protecting credit reports from medical debt - Associated Press

Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns - PBS News

Supreme Court seems poised to further undercut the Voting Rights Act - NPR News

Other Resources

All your Washington Election Results - WA Secretary of State

Oh yeah, and RELEASE THE FILES! 

As the tents come down and the holiday season ramps up, Sarah shares an honest look at what life feels like between market seasons — that in-between space of reflection, renewal, and recalibration.

In this short and heartfelt update, she talks about what’s ahead for The Market Maven, how she’s navigating her own season of change, and why it’s more important than ever to stay connected to community and shop small this holiday season.

Whether you’re a maker, a market manager, or someone just trying to stay grounded in a busy world — this one’s a reminder to pause, reflect, and root yourself where you are.

In this powerful conversation, Wil sits down with Anthony Upchurch, a Navy veteran who made Washington his home after being stationed at Whidbey Island in 1992. What starts as a discussion about Southern roots and military service quickly evolves into a deep exploration of community, belonging, and what it means to show up authentically for one another.

Anthony and Wil share stories from their upbringings—from grandmother's backhands to the importance of "reading the room"—while tackling heavier topics like the role of mentorship, the challenges facing young people without support systems, and the critical need for accessible resources in every household. Anthony opens up about his work with Legal Shield, driven by a mission to provide equal access to legal protection for families regardless of their social status.

This Episode Touches On:

• The culture shock of moving from the South to the Pacific Northwest
• Military service and the discipline it instills
• The importance of vulnerability and trust among men
• Creating spaces where people can be their authentic selves
• Community support and showing up for one another
• The value of mentorship and having role models
• Protecting families through accessible legal resources
• The power of breaking bread together across cultures
• Mental health and dealing with suppressed trauma
• Being present and reading the room in different spaces

Memorable Quotes:

"If you don't know your rights, you really don't have any." - Anthony Upchurch

"You want to find out what you're full of, pour it into somebody else." - Anthony Upchurch

"You're only a prayer away." - Anthony's grandmother

"We are one." - Anthony's philosophy on community

Guest Information:

Anthony Upchurch

• Navy Veteran (stationed 1992)
• Legal Shield Representative
• Community Advocate
• Father and Mentor
• Snohomish County Resident

Walk-Up Song: "We Are One" by Maze

Why This Song: Because we're all connected, and Anthony believes in showing up for people—whether he knows them or not—in moments of celebration or struggle.

You know what a podcast is. But should YOU actually start one?

In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent tackles the three critical questions every aspiring podcaster needs to answer BEFORE hitting record—questions that will save you time, frustration, and help you build something people actually want to listen to.

The Three Questions That Define Your Podcast:

1. What’s your goal? What do you want to get out of this? Entertainment? Education? Community building? Brand promotion? There’s no wrong answer—but you need to know YOUR answer.

2. What’s the value? Why should anyone care? What will listeners walk away with after each episode? What makes YOUR perspective worth their time?

3. Who’s your audience? Not “everyone.” ONE person. The more specific, the better. Meet your podcast persona.

Key Moments:

·         [00:49] – The three questions that will shape your entire podcast

·         [02:17] – What’s the impact you want to have? (Spoiler: It’s okay if it’s just for fun)

·         [04:28] – Why “talking to everyone” means you’re talking to no one

·         [06:33] – The power of the persona: Creating your ideal listener (even if they’re fictional)

·         [08:08] – The sawmill test: Why should anyone care about YOUR story?

·         [09:10] – How detailed should your persona be? (Income, pets, commute time—yes, really)

·         [10:18] – Why focusing on ONE person attracts MORE listeners (not fewer)

·         [11:11] – “I want to talk with my buddy” isn’t a podcast strategy

The Reality Check:

Trent breaks down why “we have funny garage conversations” isn’t enough to build an audience—and what you need to add to make those conversations valuable to strangers.

He also tackles the common fear: “But I want to reach MORE than just one person!” The truth? When you try to speak to everyone, you connect with no one. But when you speak directly to one specific person, you’ll be surprised how many others show up.

The Persona Exercise:

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how to create a detailed listener persona: - What’s their age range? - What’s their income level? - Are they married? Do they have pets? - How long is their commute? - When do they listen to podcasts? - What problems are they trying to solve?

The more detailed you get, the easier everything else becomes—from episode topics to marketing to monetization.

Trent’s Promise:

No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just the honest questions you need to answer to build a podcast that matters—whether that’s to 10 people or 10,000.

Coming up next: The “not fun stuff” that will make your life SO much easier down the road. (Trust us, you’ll want to hear this before you launch.)

Ready to define your playground? 🎙️

Produced & Edited by: Olivia Blomberg
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/ 

Emily and Samie celebrate Election Day with their trademark mix of humor and real-talk civics. From ballot tracking and signature checks to how votes are counted and why write-ins cost money, they break down Washington’s election process in plain language.

The episode also touches on local races, the “No Kings” rally, and how to turn protest energy into real action. Join the sass, laughs, and side-eye for bad candidates. It’s civics made fun and unapologetically real.

Read
The Last House on the Street, by Diane Chamberlain – Goodreads
Commentary from Adam Tradi – LinkedIn
How Poll Watchers Can Help or Hinder Fair Elections – Brennan Center for Justice
Washington election observer charged with felony over mask policy dispute – KOMO News
Voters to decide if WA Cares tax dollars can be invested in stock market – Washington State Standard, by Jerry Cornfield – The Washington State Standard
NC Voters, Civil Rights Groups Warn DOJ Settlement Will Burden Eligible Voters – League of Women Voters

Resources
Snohomish & Voter Registration Snohomish County
Vote.Wa.Gov
Find a Ballot Drop Box – Snohomish County
Voting Systems Across Washington Counties
File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy

Watch
No Kings is not the goal, it’s the tool – TikTok, Dewwwdropzzz
Tactical Frivolity – TikTok, Perezbrenna
Scotty Doesn't Know -  YouTube

Listen
Curmudgeon’s Corner – Welcome to Be Here!

Check Out
Gliminis – Date with a Book
Stamped Pages (mentioned by Samie)
PWHL Seattle – Professional Women’s Hockey

Visit
Snohomish County Podcast Network

RELEASE THE FILES! 

In this engaging conversation, Trent, Brian, and AJ dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence and its impact on storytelling and content creation. From practical business applications to ethical concerns about "AI slop," the hosts share their personal experiences with tools like ChatGPT, Sintra, and Claude.

Discover how AI can serve as a creative partner—helping with proposals, transcripts, scheduling, and overcoming executive dysfunction—while learning where the line should be drawn. The team discusses controversial topics like the production house creating 3,000 AI-generated podcasts weekly, Wikipedia-to-podcast conversions, and what it means to maintain authentic human connection in an increasingly automated world.

Key Topics:

· Practical AI tools for creators and small business owners

· The difference between AI assistants and AI agents

· Ethical boundaries in AI-generated content

· Real-world examples of AI enhancing (and replacing) human creativity

· The future of knowledge, connection, and what we value as humans

Tools Mentioned: ChatGPT, Sintra (AI agents platform), Claude, 11 Labs, Inception Point AI

Bottom Line: AI is a powerful partner for creators, but the human element—authentic stories, genuine connection, and purposeful content—remains irreplaceable. Be human.

Awards:

Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

What happens when a local historian decides to try something completely different? You get a spine-chilling true crime story from 1874 Snohomish—complete with dramatic narration, sound effects, and a murder that shocked the territory.

In this special episode, Trent sits down with Taylor Russell of Snohomish Walks to discuss the making of her first-ever true crime podcast episode. Then, you'll hear the full dramatic production of "The Seybert Tragedy"—a story of violence, survival, and justice in pioneer Washington that Taylor unearthed during years of cemetery research.

Behind-the-Scenes Highlights:

• [00:38] Why Taylor finally said "yes" to trying podcast format after years of hints from Trent
• [02:38] The perfect storm: Fall spookiness + finished research + curiosity = podcast experiment
• [04:37] From cemetery research to 300+ life stories: How Taylor's book Lost and Forgotten became a goldmine of podcast material
• [08:13] The creative process: Adapting 1980s "penny dreadful" style pamphlets into modern true crime format
• [10:35] Recording revelations: Why standing (not sitting) made all the difference for dramatic delivery
• [12:36] Post-production magic: Adding 20+ sound effects and finding the right pacing for maximum spookiness

Then, the main event at [17:23]: The complete true crime episode—The Seybert Tragedy

The Story: February 23, 1874. A blood-soaked cabin on the Snohomish River. A 16-year-old boy with an axe. A father with a dark reputation. What sounds like a simple murder case becomes a gripping exploration of domestic violence, mental health, and frontier justice.

Taylor's take: "What makes a really good crime drama is that it has a good balance of elements... It makes your heart and soul decide where you stand on this issue."

This isn't your typical true crime podcast—it's hyper-local history told with national-level production quality. It's proof that the most compelling stories aren't always happening somewhere else. Sometimes they're buried right in your own backyard.

Perfect for: True crime fans, local history buffs, aspiring podcasters curious about dramatic storytelling, and anyone who wants to hear what's possible when you step outside your comfort zone.

Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, child abuse, and murder.

Ready to experience Snohomish history like never before? 🎙️🔪

Story from: Taylor Russell
Produced and Edited by: Trent DeVerter
Intro Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/