This week on Sound Effect , we share stories about how numbers can be the difference between winning and losing, spending and saving, or even life and death. We meet Seattle drag queen Sylvia O’Stayformore, who hosts Rainbow Bingo at the Ballard Northwest Senior Center. A Seattle doctoral student explains how she uses music to help people make sense of complicated climate data. An auctioneer reflects on winning the Chicago Marathon at 15 years old. We tag along with two women and learn the art

This show originally aired on April 28, 2018. This week, stories of breaking points, realizations, and bitter ends. We meet one man who is taking out his disappointment with the departure of Seattle's basketball team in an unusual way. We hear from a homeowner whose Wallingford backyard abuts a homeless encampment , as well as from the campers who are sick of being moved around. A local writer remembers the moment he could no longer stand being "the fat kid" in class. We get a story about the

This show originally aired on April 21, 2018. This week on Sound Effect, we pull up a stool and chat with some barflies. We meet up with Mike Lewis at the Streamline Tavern, and hear about how he physically moved the old bar to its current location. Then we talk to Clint Lanier about why no one seemed to notice the closing of what may be the oldest gay bar in America. Hanna Brooks Olsen shares an essay on what she learned growing up in bars. Brie Ripley introduces us to a “rude” juice bar . We

First, two KNKX moms share their experiences in the neonatal intensive care unit after the birth of their children. Then, a trip to a NICU, where we learn how to write lullabies . Also, we head to a business that bills itself as "everyone's barbershop." Next, a story of a young attorney who wanted to represent Cuban detainees in 1980 , only to realize she may have been out of her element. We learn about a locally made film featuring a retired police officer from Tamil Nadu, who vacations in

We start by meeting a scientist who is trying to create a way for people to have the sensation of touch through their prosthetic limbs. Then, a man considers himself “lucky” after having his legs amputated . Also, an essay about the challenges of finding the right medication for mental health. Next, a philanthropist who invests in research on the potential benefits of psychedelic drugs . We meet a man who wants to use augmented reality and artificial intelligence to see more clearly . Finally,

When you revise history, it can go either way: You can nudge the story a little further away from the truth, or you can correct the mistakes in and omissions from the historical record. On today's show, we have a bit of both. We start with clips from a “documentary” that suggests that Noah’s Ark might be buried near Mount Baker. Then, a group is looking to add names to unnamed graves at an old cemetery. Next, a woman wants the real story of a decades-old war to be made public. Also, the story

This week on Sound Effect, we share stories some of areas that can be unclear from time to time. We start by talking to a former Seattle resident who moved to a sister city in Ireland where the weather is also gray. Next, we talk to a reporter and a retired judge about an article that was written about the judge’s ruling that let a sex offender go. Also, some students chime in on their experience in an “ ethics bowl ,” which is like debate, but you can change your mind. Then, a hospice nurse

One evening in July 2017 in Spokane, Jennie Heideman was scrolling through Facebook when a post jumped out at her. It said a family with two little kids needed shelter for the night. The family that needed help was a couple with an infant and young child. They were living in a broken down car. The weather was very hot. Daytime temperatures were well into the 90s. This family had moved to Spokane to start a new life. They had jobs, but they also had debts they were trying to pay down. They couldn

We start by hearing from host Gabriel Spitzer's sons, who talk about the challenges and empathy that come with being older and younger brothers. Then, a woman shares experiences and lessons learned from her older brother , who has bipolar disorder. Next, a woman makes a career out of helping kids who have Down syndrome . Finally, a young man finds a journal his brother kept in middle school, and writes a poem for him .

One evening in July 2017 in Spokane, Jennie Heideman was scrolling through Facebook when a post jumped out at her. It said a family with two little kids needed shelter for the night.